My cell is dark.

The runes on the bars glow faintly, illuminating the sparse interior.

The cell had a little room tucked away in the corner, more of a half wall than anything. The bathroom and shower combo, meaning a hole in the ground with a fountain of water consistently falling from a hole in the ceiling.

There was also my cot. A simple bed consisting of a short frame, a thin mattress, and a blanket. With that was a box kept at the end of the bed. In that box my most precious items were held.

Every time I woke, and before I slept I would look into that box. Pulling out each piece and remembering the memories from them all. Sheets of paper with pictures on them, all of ponies important in my life with little details such as their likes and birthdays.

There was also a journal with a fountain pen, a place where I could keep my mental scrawlings kept safely. As well as various knick knacks and trinkets from my past. Some of pleasant times, others of horrible times.

A feather from a Griffon King, a ring from a Minotaur’s nose, a fragment of a changeling’s carapace, a small ruby from a Diamond Dog Queen, and a new addition to the collection. A horn from one of Celestia’s ponies.

Every time I looked at the dull pink horn I felt sharp pains of regret. The thoughts and feelings fresh in my mind. What I had done couldn’t be changed. No matter what I could hope to do. No matter what wishes I could hope for.

The runes on the bars darkened and faded, seeming like a generator that was running out too much power.

“But you don’t regret anything… do you?”

I couldn’t even bring myself to stand. The room continued to darken, the light fading in and out. Like I was caught halfway into a dream.

“Surely she deserved it? She did hurt your ‘pwecious widdle baby’ after all.”

I slid my hand under my cot, wrapping my hand around a cold piece of metal fashioned into a blade.

The darkness began to form in front of me. Forming into the shape of an alicorn. It was hazy, almost dim.

“Come now Clean, it was only in good fun. She got what she deserved, didn’t she?”

With my hand around the cold handle of the knife, I raised my hand only to have a blast of magic hit my hand, burning it. I dropped the knife and clutched at my hand. It felt like I had slapped the top to a stove.

“You didn’t think that measly little blade could hurt me, did you? How naive.”

I pushed myself forward, intending to grapple with the smoky apparition, only to pass right through it. Quickly standing up, I spin around to look at the ghostly apparition. She moved to sitting on my cot, almost floating above it.

Since I can’t attack her, I back up to the wall and lean against it. Pulling out another smoke, I light it and slide down the wall until I’m sitting down crouched.

“Whats the matter Clean? Can’t hit a mare?”

Puffing out a smoke ring, I reply. “You must think I’m stupid, your little parlor tricks are quite amusing horse.”

Her horn lights up and a small ball of fire comes out the end, that I simply bat away.

“That may have worked the first time there Nightmare, but I see what you’re doing. Your form got thinner with that first bolt of magic, and its even thinner now.”

The mare snickers before laying down on my got, seemingly getting comfortable.

“You sure are smart aren’t you Clean? Guess there's no fooling you is there? Why don’t you tell me what you think is going on, and I’ll tell you if you ‘hit the nail on the head’ as you would say.”

Flicking the cherry off of my light, I rap my knuckles on the bars of the cell. “These are used to nullify magic. My best guess is that you got in my mind somehow, instead of actually coming here yourself. The entire reason that first blast actually hurt was because I thought it would. Only thing that makes sense.”

“Seems like you’re pulling this out of your ass, Clean. But you’re right. I am in your head.” She says, getting up and approaching me. She taps her hoof on my forehead, punctuating every word. “Right. In. Here.~”

Blowing a puff of smoke in her face as retaliation, I respond. “Since you’re in there, think you could stay outta my memories? Those are a bit personal after all.”

“Of course Clean, goddess knows what you’ve done in your previous world, especially with all the havoc you’ve caused in this one.”

“Yeah, yeah. Mind explaining how you got in my head in the first place? I thought you were trapped on the moon?”

With a sing songy laugh she responds, “Oh Clean, that would be spoiling the surprise! But I might as well give you a little sneak peek. You remember the late King Allant? What do you think made him invade Canterlot in the first place?”

“Wait, don’t tell me. You told him it would be a good idea?”

“Bingo! Being stuck on the moon gives you quite a lot of time to think, and even more time to gather magic. While I was weak, after a good 600 years I easily gathered enough magic to send a little… message to a rival kingdom. What I didn’t plan for was a self righteous human to be protecting my sweet big sister.”

“If you’re actually trapped on the moon, how can I see you now then? And what else have you done to try and fuck things up down here?”

“Nuh-uh Clean! That's still spoilers. I’ll tell you in a couple years, when I’m free that is. But my time is up. I’ve only got so much magic stored up. Lets just say, I’m saving up more for when I’m free. Without the Elements of Harmony, and without you, taking Celestia down and ruling this kingdom will be easy.”

Flicking the ashes out onto the snout of the mare, I respond. “Yeah, whatever. Just get the fuck outta my cell. Don’t you have a moon to pout on? Fuckin’ ‘luna’-tic.”

Baring her sharp teeth, she threatens me; “Don’t push your luck Clean! When I’m out I’ll be sure to burn everything you love to the ground, along with my sister. Nothing shall stand to oppose me, and you’ll be forced to watch it all!”

“Sure sure, what's your beef with me anyway? I didn’t do anything to hurt you.”

Backing away, her form starts to dissipate. “It's not what you’ve done to hurt me, it's what you’ve done to help my sister. You’re a sun lover, and you’re all the same.”

Flipping her the bird, I blow her ghostly form away. The mare’s outline fades and travels up like a puff of smoke, before disappearing.

With a wave of my hands I exclaim, “And poof! She’s gone. Abraca-fucking-dabra.”

Getting up and picking my knife off the ground, I cut a line into the wall.

“15 ticks down. 4000 to go.”

Author's Note

The story continues in...

Spare a Dart?

-=- -=- -=-

I noticed a lot of people weren't happy with how this story ends, as well as how the next one starts, so I decided to appease both sides,
Clean 'N Smoky

I think all of you will enjoy this a bit more. Thanks for your continued reading, and I hope you all enjoy this rehashing.