Nails in the Coffin

Leon woke up with a sinking feeling in his chest. He was still at the inn from the previous night.

"Something wrong, huh...?"

He got up from the bed and got dressed, save for the jacket. If things were about to get bad, he had to enter the warrior mindset. He reached into the coat and retrieved his handgun and knife before placing them in the pockets of his jeans.

"Sorry, Twilight, but I might not be able to hide these after all."

Leon went into town without informing anyone. Spike was right to tell him to watch the ground. Every part of the surrounding earth from the inn to the business district was disturbed.

"I get it now. A mass burial."

"Hey, muscles," a familiar voice rang out.

"It's Rainbow. I can't tell her or anyone else what I know."

When Leon looked around, he found her and all her friends together. Spike stood at the end as a tactical strategy. He saw Leon's expression and nodded.

"Hey guys. I'm just stretching a bit."

Fluttershy was blushing the same way she had the day before.

"I think someone's got a little crush on you," Rainbow said.

Fluttershy squeaked, feeling embarrassed.

"Sorry. Not an inter-species guy."

Fluttershy's blush instantly faded and her expression transformed into that of a heartbroken frown.

"Don't be sad, Fluttershy," Twilight comforted her friend, "There are stallions similar to Leon around. You just have to look."

This made the yellow Pegasus perk up a bit.

"You should find somebody like Chris," Leon pretended to suggest, "He's stronger than me."

"I don't think it's strength she's looking for," Twilight thought out loud, "I personally think she's got the hots for your intensity."

"Is that right? Well, I hope she finds what she wants."

"We were just heading back to the library. Do you want to come with us?"

Spike's tactics kicked in again, and he shook his head.

"No, that's okay. I'm gonna' see if I can find some work today."

"Alright. You know where to find us if you change your mind."

"I'll take it into account."

"We'll see you later."

"See ya'."

The group in front of him began walking away. Spike stopped for a second while the others weren't paying attention and looked over to Leon and placed a finger over his lips. He pulled a note out of his pocket and dropped it on the ground before catching up with everyone else. Leon picked up the note.

"Dig near the entrance of the woods. You'll find out what's going on."

"What the hell is going on here!?"

Leon dug up the grave later that night, making sure to take both his ear light and side flashlight with him. When he hit what appeared to be bone, he put the shovel down and recovered the body. When he realized who he was holding, his expression didn't change. It was clear who the victim was; Spike.

"This is groundhog day all over again."

Now understanding everyone was murdered and reborn over and over again, he took out his knife and carefully made his way into the woods.

"I take it you've figured it out by now," Spike assumed at the inn.

"Reincarnation after death."

"Yep."

"I examined your body. You were murdered, weren't you?"

"I guess you're pretty thorough."

"Do you remember who killed you?"

"Depends on when you mean. Me and my friends kill each other all the time. I only remember because of an accident."

"And I'm supposed to put a stop to it."

"Do you know why?"

"No."

"Because every version of us that committed murder were pure evil. No one good ever stood up to us."

"What about someone around here? Couldn't they have done something?"

"They weren't trained enough to fight back. All of us are extremely powerful by this world's standards. When I figured out you fought against the undead, I thought maybe you could help."

"Have you guys gone over the edge yet?"

"No. We can still end this before it starts this time. That's why I came here tonight; I need you to kill me."

"Then you won't have anything."

"Nothing is better than being a monster."

"I'm sorry. I hope you find some peace after this."

"It's okay."

"I'll let you choose where you want to be shot."

"The heart; erase evil through its source."

"Goodbye."

"Guess this is goodnight sweet prince, huh?"

"Yeah..."

"Bye, Leon."

Leon sighed trying to regain his composure...And shot.

Leon sprinted towards the library, leaving the shattered window of the inn behind. This was going to be one of the hardest missions of his life.