Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack.

“Princess... You wished to speak with me?”

“Yes, Twilight.”

“Is something the matter?”

“Please do not pretend to not know what this is about.”

“...”

“So it truly is her?”

“...All the evidence confirms it, yes.”

“And to think she was the Element of Laughter.”

“How did the Elements not see her true colors?”

“I do not know. Tricking the Elements is unthinkable, and yet...”

“It just doesn't make sense...”

“...Did you find her?”

“I checked Sugarcube Corner. No sign of her.”

“Of course. Why would she hide in the most obvious of places?”

“She's done it before.”

“Well, that was when she hadn't committed these crimes Twilight.”

“But—”

“She is not who you think she is, my former student. She never was.”

“I know...”

“...I heard you managed to find your friend. At the Everfree Forest, correct? She has been missing since this whole ordeal started. How is she?”

“Rainbow's alive. She's just...unresponsive at the moment.”

“What was taken from her?”

“Her wings.”

“I see. Does Captain Spitfire know?”

“She is currently visiting Rainbow, Princess.”

“I will go to her then. We have much to discuss.”

“Shall I—”

“You will continue your search for her. This time, you will bring some guards with you.”

“I can protect myself.”

“That is not why I am sending them with you.”

“Then why?”

“I need to guarantee that she be captured immediately. Too many lives have been lost. She must be stopped...even if I did once regard her as a friend.”

“...You don't trust me.”

“You may be the Princess of Friendship, Twilight, but you must understand that not everything can be solved with your abilities in that field. You are a leader of this land, first and foremost, thus the lives of your subjects are your top priority. You cannot allow personal feelings to get in the way of your duty.”

“And I assure you, Celestia, I am perfectly aware of my position as a princess of Equestria. I know where my loyalties lie.”

“Then I trust you not to question my decision. Wait for the guards by the palace gate. Once they've met with you, resume your search immediately.”

“But—”

“You will do as I say, Twilight Sparkle.”

“...Yes, Princess.”

“I will take my leave now. ...Do not disappoint me, Twilight Sparkle.”
Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack.

“...Why? Why are you doing this?” Sniffle. “Pinkie...”

Sniffle. Sob. Sob.

How could I have been so careless? I've gone so long without anypony knowing. I was fine. We were all fine. But all it took was one stupid mistake to make everypony cautious. Especially Rainbow Dash. I got too excited. And once their eyes were on me, I panicked. I did not want to do it. Not yet. But I could not risk leaving it be.

Schlick!

“Ah!” Sniffle. “Ngaaah!”

Rainbow. She knew. She knew and she was going to expose me the first chance she got. I could not allow that. I needed to silence her. It was rather easy luring her away from the others. Away from all eyes. She followed me into the Everfree Forest. Anypony could get lost there, even a pegasus. A few tangled vines and chloroform was enough for her to be mine.

Sob. Sob. Groan.

I remember how excited I felt when I had her. I couldn't contain myself and rushed her over to an abandoned cottage in the forest. I was shaking so much I nearly couldn't properly strap her down onto the table. She looked so beautiful, spread out for me then. Tomboy or not, her body was mesmerizing. All those years of training and serving the Wonderbolts shaped her well. Toned all around, muscles clenching with each breath she took. I couldn't stop myself from running my tongue all around her. She tasted divine! And she looked so beautiful glistening with her own sweat and my saliva. It's funny how even now I'm aroused by the memory.

I wanted—needed to have more of her. But I lacked my tools. And whatever I found in that old cottage were worn out and stained with rust. I did not want to risk getting sick. So I settled for more...barbaric means. It was a mess. I literally just tore away at her with my teeth. Her Cutie Mark, her belly, her teats... It was when I ripped her wing off did she wake. Her screams were music to my ears. They made me so wet. They still do. Her profanities and threats killed the mood a little, but that was just Rainbow Dash. And I couldn't give a damn about anything other than her taste. She made me want her to last...

“Aaaah!” Sob. “Aaaaaah!”

Unlike this mare.

“Pathetic. Not even your cries can make up for your abysmal flavor.”

“P-please! Stop! I-I won't tell anypony! I—aah! I promise!”

“I've already been exposed, you dimwit. And how can you possibly go back without your legs? And eyes?”

“P-Pinkie—”

STAB!!!

“Aaaaaah!”

“Don't call me that!”

Whimper. Sob. Sniffle.

“...Do you miss Lyra, Sweetie Drops?”

“...”

“Answer me.”

“Y-yes...”

“She's in the back. You can join her. And don't worry, you'll be in her embrace soon enough.”

“...”

“You won't have much time if I let you leave anyway. Your chances of surviving, even if you were found, are next to none. Why not spend your last moments with your beloved?”

“...Don't make it hurt... Please...”

“...Sure.”

“M-make it quick...”

“Of course.”

“...Ly—”

CRACK!!!

...How nice. Even now they still get to be together. I can't even stay with the one I love for more than a day. And I hurt her even more because my heart also yearns for another. A meddling, self-righteous Princess of Friendship. I know she is looking for me. It's likely she'll try to bring me in so that they could end me. Very well. I need to see her anyway, so I'll save her the trouble. I'll just need to figure a way to have a private moment with her.

I'm sorry, Maud. Looks like you will have to wait a little longer. I've got a date with the Princess of Friendship...

Author's Note

Here it is! The prologue to Art in Blood! I'll be continuing Sunset's story arc soon. Just wanted to get it out of the way. I did this in only a matter of 3 hours. Hope you enjoy it nonetheless!

Cheers!