Dark Descent: The Night Cometh

The morning sunlight spilled in through Luna's window and the sun's radiance ran across Luna's dark eyelids. Teal eyes opened as they met a familiar face staring back at them. She was settled in the same chair, same sitting position, as she was from last night. A small yawn escaped her mouth as she continued looking at her reflection, as if it was a ghost just watching her.

It had been a restful night. She felt refreshed, rejuvenated, and more importantly, powerful. Today was going to be a good day, for this day was going to accelerate her plans much faster than anticipated. If the report severs true, then Pinkie Pie was near, and her death would be in a manner of hours. How foolish for Pinkie to be spotted, and to be so close to the very thing she feared.

Luna.

She didn't know if this was Pinkie's way of being defiant and brave, but it wouldn't matter. If she really wasn't afraid of her, she would soon learn to be when she is ripping out her skeleton... slowly. Luna felt her spine tingle with sick pleasure at such a revolting thought. She lifted herself up and summoned the black crown that rested on the silk sheets. It floated towards her as her horn lifted it from it's still positon. It sat gently atop her head, and she continued walking as her black regalia latched itself around her, covering her chest.

Princess Luna was now ready, and the day was waiting. The small wooden door opened on cue, letting the dark princess out and the sun's early morning rays radiated throughout the sky. The sky was covered in a hue of early orange, and a soft red, rising slowly to wake Equestria's occupants.

Red was a lovely and exquisite color for Luna. Besides black, as it represents her night and darkness, red represented blood and life. Blood was the flowing substance in all ponies, and it was a precious liquid to have. Without it, life would not succeed. Life that was hers for the taking.

Princess Luna looked down from her balcony that towered over Canterlot and noticed how peaceful the city was. The cobblestone roads were empty and desolate, and none of the shops were open for business to take ponies hard earned bits. They would all wake up soon, and go about their daily lives, as if it was  perfect and care free. How naive and oblivious they were to the darkness of their world. They were sheltered by the walls of their own ignorance, and blind to see the evil. They would all learn in time that there was nothing good in this world, and evil was necessary to achieve noble goals.

"Luna."

Luna sighed under her breath, knowing exactly whose voice it was. She swore she could never just be away from her, especially on a morning like this. Pinkie Pie was out there somewhere, and she was going to be held back once again.

"What is it Celestia," she said, making clear that her disturbance was not welcome.

Celestia landed on the balcony as her golden hooves made a soft click sound against the stone, and folded her wings into her body. Luna didn't bother turning around to talk.

"I see that you're already going to begin your search."

"Obviously. I told you that I would set off in the early morn to find Pinkie Pie if the report serves true."

Celestia knew that Luna was annyoyed, but for what reason, was beyond her.

"You sound agitatated Luna. Did you get enough rest last night?"

"Yes sister. Now please, what brings you here? I wish to begin my search so that I may have time to enjoy the rest of the day," Luna said as she finally turned around to meet Celestia's eyes.

"Of course Luna.Before you go, I came here to apologize for last night's argument. I should've realized that you only held your best interests for Twilight, and I appreciate it. I really do."

Luna wanted to roll her eyes, but seeing that Celestia was right in front of her, it was wise not to. She didn't need another argument breaking out and slowing her down.

"I told you last night to forget our small disagreement. It's nothing to worry yourself over."

Celestia stepped closer as a look of sincerity, and a hint of sadeness swam within her eyes.

"I know Luna, but I couldn't help it after you left last night. I already lost you once due to our grievances, and I don't want to lose you again."

Celestia wrapped one of her forelegs over Luna's neck as she embraced her.

"I'm sorry Luna."

Luna releuctantly put her own arm around her white neck. It was tempting to try and just choke the life out of her and see her eyes roll back into her skull. It was very tempting, but she resisted, much to her dismay. They hugged for a few moments until they broke away.

"Well, I better go. I just wanted to get that out and see you off. The court will be in session soon, and I'm needed."

Please do go. I have a pony to kill.

"Very well sister. I will go out and begin my task. If I find any trace of Pinkie Pie, I will report it immediatly."

Celestia nodded and unfurled her wings. She bent her legs and flew off into the early morning.

"Too bad there won't be anything to report," Luna said slyly to herself. Celestia thought she was so smart and insightful, but the dark alicorn was playing her right under her muzzle. Luna followed suit as a small smile spread across her face, and took off into the sky.

The warm air slapped against her face and the wind whipped past her ears. It was truly a quiet morning as she flew over Canterlot. No pony was out or moving about, while darkness flew over them. How easy it would be to burn all of them while they slept, feeling safe and secure, but this would be senseless.

Now, the report was vague in stating that Pinkie might have been seen on the outskirts of Canterlot, but Luna had a keen eye, even from bird's eye view.  She flew over the walls of Canterlot and was now beginning her search. Trees were abundant and covered her view of the ground. Besides the railroad track that guided the express, Canterlot was surrounded by forest and variety's of foliage, so to a regular pony, this task would prove difficult. Luna was one of the regal sisters, and tracking other ponies was not something alien to her. It wasn't difficult that night when she killed the four elements, so it wouldn't be difficult now.

But what if they were wrong?

The thought pierced Luna's mind like a poison. What if Celestia's guards were wrong? What if she was looking for a pink pony that was never here? Luna could only hope for Celestia's guard sake that they had half a brain to know what they saw, or all her anticipation and yearning would be all for not. Some pony would die today, if not Pinkie, then she will decided to makes usre to find the guards who gave such ludicrous information.

Luna continued scanning the area for anything out of the ordinary as she was just barely over the treeline. Her head went left to right, as if it was on a swivel, and took in every little detail, but nothing was coming up out of the ordinary. It would be nice to see just a blur of pink come across her sight, making this a bit easier for Luna. Her search was proving fruitless, so Luna desceneded into the forest and landed on the dirt, careful not to hit any branch or tree on the way. If she couldn't find anything from the air, then be close to the ground. Pinkie Pie has eluded her for the past two years, so there must be a reason why she was good at concealing herself. Luna couldn't let anything go amiss.

It was somewhat dark, but the morning sun's rays were penetrating through the canopy of trees and lightened up the ground. She walked as she looked at the ground and trees, and kept her ears perked up for the slightest sound of a hoof, or even the crunch of a dead leaf. There was much forest to be searched, but she could only hope that she was in the general area of the sightings. Celestia had told her that the sightings have been appearing north of the forest, but there was much north to search. She could have brought her own guards to search the entire area, but she needed to do this. She had to kill Pinkie Pie herself.

Crick

Luna quickly turned around hearing the crack of a stick near her. Her heart jumped with excitement, hoping to see a pink bouncy mane. What befell her was not a pink mane, but a simple small squirrlel. It went over to her as it sat next to her hoof and looked up at her with bulging black eyes. Alicorns were a different race of pony of course, but many didn't know that Celestia and Luna had a connection with nature itself, being that they raise the moon and sun, bringing day and night to Equestria.

"Have you seen a pink pony around here?" Luna asked as she looked down at the small critter smiling.

It shook it's head, not knowing of what she was speaking about.

"Pity."

She raised her hoof and smashed the creature as it's eyes popped out of it's skull and blood splattered on the ground. The squirrels skeleton cracked and broke under such power, and its only remains were smashed organs and bones drenched in blood.

"I guess you are of no use to me then."

She figured if she didn't find Pinkie, at least she killed something that she despised. She continued walking as dead leaves crunched and sticks cracked under her hooves, and one of them covered in rodent's blood. She took in every detail. The bark of the trees, the shadows, and even the insects that scurried away from her.

You better be here Pinkie. I would hate to have to waste time here. Make it worth it.

She had so  many plans for that sweet mare. Death would be a welcomed luxury by the time she was done with her. Dark thoughts of torture and defilement ran a plenty in her twisted mind, but she needed to find her first to make them reality.

Luna continued as her patience was waning but shortly caught wiff of something. A pleasent smell filled her nostrils. It was a smell she knew a long time ago when she was younger. It was the odor of cooked oats with a mix of wildberries. Luna quietly and quickly followed the odor to it's origination, hoping it was Pinkie cooking her final meal. She was vigilant to keep quiet. She didn't need her hearing her before she got there. She passed trees and woodland critters as the smell became more and more powerful within her nostrils. She continued as her dark heart raced with excitement at the possibility of progression of her goals.

Teal eyes squinted as she made out a small house out in the distance. This must be where the delectable smell was coming from, but the odor could not distract the alicorn. Only thoughts of death consumed her, and the stench of a corpse mixed with blood would be the only odor to whet her appetite for any nourishment this day. She was appraoching the small house slowly as her eyes darted, taking in the phenotype of such droll architect. It was a simple place of residence. It was built by logs of wood with one window and a small chimney bellowing out white smoke. It was a log cabin, a cabin that was never metioned within the report. How could Celestia's guards not mention this, seeing that smoke rose from it. How could any pony miss that?

She appraoached the door, but was unsure if to knock, or simply let herself in, but that trivial uncertainty was dissolved away as the door opened and revealed it's inhabitant. An earth pony with a black fedora hat and a scar that ran down his lower lip met her.

"Oh, well this is a surprise" he said, "I didn't expect to see one of the regals at my doorstep."

Luna was quick with her answer.

"I am sorry. I seemed to have stumbled upon your home, and was about to preceed to knock and inquire about that lovely smell that seems to uplift this forest air."

She was quick indeed. Luna didn't know if Pinkie was here, but she could always search. Maybe she was hiding in here with this unknown stallion. Either way she knew she wouldn't be denied entrance, even though it would be under a different guise of intentions.

"That would be my breakfast that I'm currently cooking."

"Well, it simply does smell delicious."

Luna was somewhat puzzled as she put on her mask of friendliness and compliment. Usually when ponies saw her, they would immediatly bow to her in fear, though their fear was misguided. There was something to fear of her, but ponies knew not the reason. This stallion didn't bow to her or showed any apparent signs of fear. Even his speech was one of just causality. In a way, she admired it.

"Yeah, and I was just coming out here to get some berries, until I ran into her highness," the stallion said with a small smile.

"Oh I see. Well while were at the subject of food, I can't help but to ask if I may dine with you. I am quite famished and smelling this work has really whet my appetite. Unless of course, you have family or guests.." Luna trailed off, giving her most sincere and innocent look.

It was sudden, especially to ask a complete stranger for such hospitality, but she knew she wasn't here to eat. She needed to know if Pinkie was hiding here, or at least if she's been here, and she needed to be forward. Besides, why would this stallion deny her? She was, again, a princess.

"Oh of course Princess Luna. I would be honored to have one of the regal sisters eat with me."

"Will I be interrupting anything? I don't mean to intrude on any other family or guests you may have," Luna said, trying to fake her consideration.

The stallion smiled once more.

"No, no, I live by myself here. Have been for the past three years actually."

He was lying.

Luna saw his eyes move to the left for a second when he answered her, and a small nerve was twitching within his face. No pony would have noticed such small and supposedly meaningless features, but she was a mare of detail. Some pony was here or is here with him, and he didn't want her to know. Hopefully he was lying for a certain pink pony. She continued playing her part.

"Very well. Shall we go inside so I may admire your furnishings and such?"

He nodded and turned to lead her inside. She caught a glimpse of his cutie mark. It had a black quill over a notepad with scribbling over it. A journalist perhaps, and possibly a dead one if Pinkie was cowering with him. She enetered the cabin and the smell of oats overpowered her senses. The smell was much stronger and almost nauseating. There was a small table with a white cloth over it with two chairs on opposite sides.

Another mistake.

He claimed to live alone, even though Luna knew it to be a lie, but yet had two chairs at a dining table. Why would he need two chairs for some pony that was alone? The answer had to be that  some pony is here with him.

"Take a seat Princess," he said as he motioned for a chair.

"Thank you for such kindess. I would address you by your name, but you have not introduced yourself," Luna said as she sat in the chair, curious to what this liars name was.

He went over to a pot that was boiling over a fire pit that sat in the middle of this makeshift kitchen. Luna looked around quickly to know her surroundings. There were no pictures or anything pointing to other ponies being here. There was a small entrance that looked like it led to the main room, as it seemed bigger and more open than this somewaht dainty kitchen she sat in.

"Oh! Sorry about that. Forgot my manners. My name is Quill."

"Quill?" Luna said, cocking her brow at such a strange name.

"That's right Princess. Just Quill," he said cheerfully as he grabbed a couple bowls and started to pour the meal into them.

Your parents must have despised you to give you such a name.

"Very well then Quill."

Quill went and put the bowl of warm oats in front of her with a pristine silver spoon, and he preceded to take his seat across from her.

"Like I said before Princess Luna, I was going to get out and get some more berries for this, but couldn't deny royalty at my door now could I?"

"Well, your princess appreciates such hospitality," Princess Luna encouraged as she brought the spoon of oat into her mouth. She didn't even notice the taste, as her focus was on something bigger than food. Quill had lied to her, and for a reason. Pinkie could be that reason.

Quill also took a bite of the meal, and preceeded with small talk.

"So do you come out here often Princess?"

Luna swallowed the food as she began her web of lies.

"Yes, very much so. It relaxes me to walk under the warmth of the morning sun. I work very hard during the night, so it's nice to have some peace at times."

"I know the feeling. Believe me."

Luna took another bite, eyeing Quill carefully. She was looking for any sign of tension within him, any tell tale sign that would give him away. She had to make him slip,and see what he was hiding.

"So what is your profession Quill?"

He took another bite.

"I'm a writer of short stories and such. Nothing much."

He was a writer. It meant that he was creative and intuitive. He could be a good liar, but he can't lie to one that has been around for so long. She had to press him. She didn't have time for trivial talk, because if she was wrong, then Pinkie was never really here and the report was wrong, or she was too stupid to find the mare. She would not have either.

"So, you said you have been living out her for the past three years?"

Quill gobbled another bite of oats.

"Yeah. I came from Las Pegasus. Got really tired of all the noise and stuff, so I moved near Canterlot in the forest. It's quite here."

"Las Pegasus can be bothersome. I can imagine you don't get many visitors here."

"Sorry to say, no I don't, but it's okay for me. You would actually be my first visitor Princess."

Another lie.

His left eye slightly twitched when he said 'first.' She's not his first visitor, so there's been some pony else. She took another bite, antsy to get the truth. The truth that he has seen Pinkie Pie.

"Really? Well, glad to be the first then," Luna said with her fake smile, "It's nice to have a simple breakfast once in a while. Gives some simplicity in life."

"I can imagine. Being Princess probably has it's complexities," Quill replied as he finished his bowl.

Luna got him.

"Yes it does, and searching for a murderer is only making it more complicated."

Quill didn't faulter as he put his dish in the small sink and ran water across it.

"Oh yeah, I know what you're referring to Princess. I heard about that when I went into Canterlot one day. It was all over the tabloids about Pinkie Pie and her friends in Ponyville. It said that it was gruesome to say the least. Glad that you were there for that unicorn, err.."

"Twilight Sparkle."

"Ah, yes, that was her name."

He had slipped up big time. He mentioned Pinkie Pie's name, as identifiying her with being the murderer. This was true, but her name was never disclosed within the tabloids as she made sure that it wasn't. The only ponies that knew were the residents of Ponyville, and any realtives they shared. As far as that, ponies only knew the murder, nothing more. He knew who Pinkie Pie was, and no doubt she was here. She curled her lips in a satisfying smile as he continued cleaning his bowl and spoke.

"It's a shame really. She was the Element of Laughter and such. Damn shame," he turned with a look of seriousness, "I hope you find her soon. She needs to face her crimes for such things."

He must've have thought he was playing her as a fool. She was going to enjoy breaking him.

"As do I, but something strikes me interestingly that I wish to ask you about.

Quill turned around with curiosity.

"And what would that be Princess?"

"How do you know that Pinkie Pie did it, when the tabloids never mentioned the murderer's name?"

"Who else would it be? We all know Twilight didn't do it, and Pinkie went missing."

He was good, but it was still a fatal flaw on his part as he didn't answer her question.

"But it was never confirmed in the tabloids Quill. I made sure of that."

Quill sat back down in his chair, but Luna noticed his demeanor of cheerfulness had left, replaced by a sense of seriousness and if she wasn't mistaken, a hint of hate.

"Then my memory must be getting weak I suppose. With all the sleepless nights writing and such, I'm not surprised. My mistake then Princess."

Luna put her spoon to her mouth once more, thinking. She was sure that he had an idea about something, but his web of lies were tangling him. Either he was telling the truth and he was simply daft, or he was a terrible liar.

"How are the oats Princess? I hope it serves well for such a sophisticated pallet as yours," Quill said trying to change the subject.

Luna knew what he was doing, and she would not relent.

"It's good. Thank you, but back to what we were discussing. What makes you think that Pinkie Pie committed such acts? As I said before, it was never metioned within the press, and I certainly have not disclosed such information, as I know who the killer is."

Quill raised his brow.

"And who would that be Princess? Most ponies believe it was Pinkie Pie, but if you know who really did it, then shouldn't the public know so they dont convict an innocent?"

Luna couldn't help but smile.

"Are you implying that the killer is not Pinkie? I didn't say it wasn't Pinkie or not, just that I know who the killer is."

He was going to fall. There had been too many mistakes in his demeanor and statements. Quill was hiding something.

"Would be a shame wouldn't it Princess? Being blamed for something that you didn't do?"

She could sense anger underneath his words. There was no doubt now.

"Yes, yes it would. So let's quit the games then Quill."

She stood up, keeping the smile on her face. She was enjoying this small mental game with this stallion, but it had been enough. He stood up also as he planted his fore hooves on the table.

"There's no game being played here. I know what your looking for Luna. I saw you even before you got here hovering in the sky."

"So, you know the truth then. That means you seen her."

Quill kept his stance, not faultering in his posture.

"Your insane Luna. How could you do such a thing? You're a princess, some pony that's supposed to care for her subjects."

Luna scoffed.

"Do not lecture me. Tell me where Pinkie is, and I may spare you. I should kill you where you stand for trying to play me as some foal. You know where Pinkie is, and you will tell me where she is."

Quill narrowed his eyes in defiance.

"I'm not telling you shit. After what I learned, you're a monster. A monster that needs to be put down."

Luna laughed at such hollow threat.

"It's funny how you were so friendly moments ago Quill, and now you threaten your princess? I will ask one more time. Where is Pinkie Pie!?"

Luna and Quill stared at each other as tension grew silently in the room. A weak stallion againt a powerful alicorn. Did he not know the horrors she could bring upon him? Luna lost her patience, recieving no answer from him.

"I see you made your choice. So be it Quill."

"Wait!"

Luna's heart stopped. The voice, the voice that sang into her ears. She turned around and her teal eyes filled with satisfaction at the sight before her.

It was Pinkie Pie, covered in a black cloak with a hood that was pulled back. She still had the same blue irises, but her mane was flat along with her tail. Her coat was a darker shade of pink than she remembered. The mare that got away, was now before her.

"Well, it's been a while Pinkie Pie," Luna said.

"Don't hurt him Luna."

Her voice wasn't bubbly and bouncy as it was a couple years ago, but it sounded sad and depressed. It was innocent but filled with fear.

"Pinkie! Why are you back here?!" Quill yelled from behind Luna, but he was quickly silenced.

"Enough of your talk!"

Luna's horn released a bolt of magic as she turned to him, and it smashed into the earth pony's chest, knocking him out in an instant.

"No!" Pinkie yelled, but she dare didn't take a step.

Luna turned back towards her with her wicked smile.

"Don't worry about him, he will be fine."

Pinkie Pie looked at her with a fear. The same fear that she saw within her the she killed her pathetic friends. She had gotten away before, but here they were again, only this time, she would not let her escape.

Pinkie Pie will finally die.

" Now Pinkie, I think you and I have some unfinished business to take care of."