Masks Lie and Nightmares Never Die

/
Sometime after the first challenge has ended and the group left the maze, Paranoia was there to greet the challengers as they came out of the shadowy portal. Paranoia congratulated Applejack and Rainbow Dash for completing the challenge, but warned them the next will be test of their physical and combative skills. The group stared at him puzzled, but unafraid. Paranoia then goes on to explain they have the rest of today to plan for the next challenge while having limited access to certain parts of the mansion. But, before they do anything he mentions lunch is ready.

The growls of empty stomachs made it clear the group is indeed hungry. During lunch the group converse with each other catching up with Princess Luna; she went on to explain that each individual Nightmare Brother Powers are great in their own right. She told them Panic was only toying with them; if he actually utilized his full power the battle with his puppet Carl would have been even more difficult. Speaking of Panic they noticed that Panic wasn’t at the table for lunch as well as Lord Nightmare and Twilight.

The entire group was confused by this and threw around possible reasons why they aren’t around. Eventually, lunch ended and Paranoia split the groups up and sends them to their respective guest room. Before they left he explains there are now bells left in their rooms that can be used to call servants that will tend to their needs or will help direct them to designated parts of the mansion that are safe for them to explore. Once explanations are the done the gender separated groups went through their respective portals. With Luna now part of the team the girls now had to accommodate the royal sibling while developing a plan on what to do next.

“So...now what? We got the rest of the day to do something around here and honestly I’m getting bored just sitting around,” Rainbow Dash said as she lazily lay on the bed.

“Well Paranoia did say you could ring one of those bells over there if you want some service,” Redheart then pointed to the three bells that are currently placed on a small decorated table.

“Nah, the last thing I want is the attention of those nightmare servants; those guys give me the creeps.”

“Well I don’t know what to tell you Dash, we’re pretty much prisoners in here,” Applejack said sharing a similar bored expression with the colorful Pegasus.

“Ugh…this stinks.”

The rest of the group, save for Pinkie Pie could only sigh in agreement, but they really have little to do despite Pinkies best efforts to keep morale up.

“Aw…don’t look down. Why don’t we play a game? Ooo, Ooo! I know, how about hide’ n’ seek?” Pinkie said while jumping up and down vigorously.

“Pinkie, while I admire your efforts to keep us from the dangers of boredom I’m afraid there isn’t many spots we can hide in,” Luna responded.

“I hate to say it darling, but Princess Luna is right,” Rarity added.

“C’mon...don’t be like that…we can hide in the bathroom!” Pinkie then rushed into the bathroom only to rush out and hide behind the curtains, “How about the curtains?” then she rushed and hid underneath her bed, “Or the most famous of all hiding spots; the beds!”

“Pinkie, we appreciate what you’re trying to do, but no one wants to play right now,” Kiki said trying her best not to hurt Pinkie’s feelings “If anything we could use this time to…hmmh?!”

Suddenly popping out underneath her bed, Pinkie placed her hand over Kiki’s mouth, “Hold that thought! You guys have to see what I found under my bed!” She then returned to her bed only to pull it away from the wall.

“Pinkie what are you…what the heck is that?!” Rainbow Dash said in surprise.

“Why I be timber wolf’s aunt,” Applejack added as everyone else looked from their beds to see that there is a small door in the floor of the room.

“Whoa it’s a door, where do you think it leads?” Kiki asked as she hopped off her bed to get a closer look.

“I’ll tell you where it leads; a way out!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly as she jumped off her bed and rushed to the door.

However, Applejack was skeptical, “Now let’s not get ahead of ourselves here; remember this mansion is all kinds of kooky. That door there might lead us to more trouble than help us escape.”

“Eh whatever, we either go in or not, but as far as we know it leads somewhere and we won’t know unless we go in.”

“Well that’s fine and dandy, but we’re going to need to plan. One of those Nightmare Brothers or their servants might show up and check on us, so we need someponies left behind so they won’t get suspicious.”

“Um…I can distract one of them, if that’s okay with everyone?” Fluttershy voiced finally breaking the silence she been keeping during this whole event.

“Okay that’s one anypony else?”

“I will stay as well; I don’t think my royal form can fit into small door like that,” Luna added.

“Same here; the more ponies in this room the better am I right?” Red Heart said with two thumbs up.

Kiki then shuffled her feet, “I think I should stay too; no doubt they will notice I’m missing if I leave.”

“Ooo, ooo! I will stay too! I been told I’m great at distracting ponies,” Pinkie said with a bright smile.

“Okay Rarity what about you?”

“I suppose I’ll come along. As much as I enjoy this room; a nice walk will help take my mind off that horrible experience in the maze.”

“Okay it’s settled then, Pinkie push the bed back in place!”

“Okey dokey lokey!” she acknowledged with a salute as she moved the large piece of furniture back into place.

“Now Fluttershy ring one of the bells; when the servant comes around ask them if they can get one of the Nightmare Brothers to have an audience with you. If not, then asked them to escort you to one of the areas of the mansion they are allowed to take you to.”

“Okay,” she responded nervously as she took one of the bells in hand and shook it. After a few moments of ringing, she stopped only to hear knocking from the door. Fluttershy answered the door; she was greeted with a skeleton wearing a black bowtie which cause her to jump away from the door.

“You called?” the skeleton said strong French accent.

“Uh…ehm…can I get an audience with one of the Nightmare Brothers please?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

The skeleton took a small pause before dialing into his hand and placing it near his head, “Wee boss the Mademoiselle Fluttershy asked if she can get an audience with you or your brothers. Ah you’re free? Good, come as soon as you can. Good news, Sir Paranoia is available, so he will take your request. I bid you adieu,” The skeleton then left the doorway and into the darkness only for a cold feeling to enter the room as a inky black figure rose from the ground in front of shy mare.

“You wish for an audience milady?” Paranoia asked.

“Uh…uh, yes?”

“Splendid, do any of your friends wish to come as well?” Fluttershy quickly shook her head no, “I see…a private audience then, well milady I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.”

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash yelled out gaining both of their attentions, “Are you sure are you going to be okay by yourself?”

Fluttershy gave Rainbow Dash a warm smile, “I’m sure, don’t worry I know he won’t hurt me. Won’t you?”

“Indeed, unless it’s set in a challenge or you’re acting out of line I won’t lay a finger on any of you.”

“You better or else you have to answer to me.”

“Indeed, but I seem to recall you being unable to do anything during our first encounter.”

“Why you!” Rainbow Dash was about to charge at Paranoia, but was stopped by Kiki and Applejack, “Hey! Let me go!”

“Easy there Rainbow Dash, this isn’t a good time to start a fight.”

“Yeah, especially if it’s with one of the most powerful nightmares in this realm!”

“Grr…” she didn’t like it, but Rainbow Dash listened to their words and relented, “Fine.”

“Do not worry I will take very good care of her. She is a guest after all. Now milady, let us take our leave,” Paranoia said smoothly as he opened a portal and took Fluttershy’s hand into his causing her to blush at the action, “As they say, lady’s first?”

“Umm…thanks?” she said with slight confusion as she stepped through the portal with Paranoia in tow disappearing into the darkness.

Rainbow Dash had to force herself not follow the two, for one; like Applejack said it isn’t a time to start a fight. Secondly, Paranoia is right their last fight with each other was terribly one sided with shadowy man being nearly impossible hit.

“Hey are you okay?” Rainbow Dash turned to meet Applejack who looked at her worried eyes.

“Not really, I just…really hate that guy, and thinking back how he foalnapped Fluttershy before. But now she’s just willingly going with him. I know it’s part of the plan, but I’m just worried for her.”

“We all are, but like you said before we need to find out where this door leads.”

“Right right.”

“Alright let’s get this show on the road,” Applejack said with a quick pat to Rainbow Dash’s shoulder.

The two mares returned to the room and closed the door. Pinkie then pulled the bed out of the spot to reveal the door again. Wasting no time Applejack opened the door revealing a ladder that lead into darkness. Rainbow Dash was the first to climb down the steps disappearing into the darkness with Applejack and Rarity following after her. Before closing the door the rest of the group wished them good luck before closing the door leaving the group in darkness.

/

“Man I wish we had brought a light with us,” Rainbow Dash complained as she tried her hardest not to skip a step on the ladder.

“I’m just wondering how far does thing go? It feels like we have been climbing for ten minutes,” Applejack added.

“I have to agree with that thought; it’s terribly small in here as well, although I’m no claustrophobe I prefer we don’t spend most of our time climbing in this small corridor.”

“Hold on I think I see light! I think we finally reach the bottom!” Rainbow Dash said with an unseen smile.

“Finally…”

The group eventually reached the bottom and found themselves in a small well lit room that is pack with tools and supplies that are used to work with wood. The room is also windowless with only one wooden door that seems to be the way out.

Rainbow Dash was the first comment on their new surroundings, “What the? Where are we, someone’s shed?”

“It sure looks like it. But…wouldn’t a shed be outside?” Applejack questioned as she looked around.

“Hm…If I recall correctly Panic did say the mansion like to switch its rooms around just like it did with us in the maze not too long ago,” Rarity added as she reached for the door knob on the door in front of them, “Regardless let’s get out of this dreadful room, it’s almost as bad as the corridor.”

Opening the door, the group found themselves in another room, but this time it was bigger and had machines the filled in the spaces of the room.

“The heck? This looks to be a woodshop,” Applejack then examined the nearest machine and noticed that it’s in great condition, “E’yup, somepony been using these things before I haven’t this much care in a machine before not since Granny Smith got that new sewing machine.”

“But, why something like this exists in such an extravagant mansion?”

“I don’t know…”

“Well we there’s no point standing around and thinking about it. I think I see another door over there!” Rainbow Dash then pointed to a door west of their current position. The group walked to the door only to recoil back from the strong smell of smoke and ash.

The group coughs for bit before taking a few steps back, “Whew…something tells me we shouldn’t go through that door.”

Applejack using her hat to blow away the leaking smoke could only look at her with a deadpanned look, “Really? What was your first clue?”

“Looks like we have to find other door; preferably one that doesn’t emit heat.”

Then they walked another direction away from the smoke billowing door looking for some sort of way out. They eventually stumbled across another door; this one however has a label which shows the name of the room.

DRESSING ROOM

It read, much to the confusion of the trio. This didn’t make sense to them, why would a dressing room be near a woodshop? Developing a need to satiated their curiosity they opened the door and what they saw inside made Rarity’s eyes light up in glee. There are two racks of outfits standing next to two vanities one decorated in red and black tones while the other was colored to look like steel.

“Just look at those outfits!” Rarity then ran towards one of the racks and quickly scanned every outfit before moving onto the next rack, “Sweet fashions, just look at the craftsmanship on these outfits! Every stitch and lace are given great care and are expertly sewed guaranteeing a long lasting outfit that can stand the test of time; I think I’m going to faint.” Then with a quick sigh she fell backwards only for Applejack to catch her mid fall.

“Easy there sugar cube, ah’ know you’re excited and all, but you need to tone it down a bit. We don’t want to attract anyponies attention now do we?”

“Ah yes sorry Applejack, I just can’t believe how well made those outfits are. I simply must know who created these!” Rarity declared as she quickly stood up.

Rainbow Dash however, has different thoughts, “I don’t see what the big deal is, these look just be jester and maid outfits. I mean who would wear these?”

“Bite your tongue Rainbow Dash, this is no mere jester outfit,” She then pulled out one of the outfits near the red and black vanity, “This is a harlequin’s ensemble made to be eye-catching as astound audiences as they take center stage performing acts that mystify and entertain,” Her words rang true as the outfit itself matched the vanity in color, but with the added golden trimmings. The outfit itself seemed to be made up of one body suit split between black and red colors with each limb being one of the two colors. Another part of the outfit is the skirt, neck, and wrist cuffs been split into a star shape with each end having a single golden color bell. The shoes and head piece are also found near the outfit sporting the signature harlequin flair. Other outfits on the racks showed a similar design, but sported different colors and different designs.

“Ah huh…okay, but what about the maid outfits over there? Are those for performers as well?” Rainbow Dash then pointed to the other rack with a skeptical face.

Rarity returned the outfit back to the rack and moved onto the maid outfit, “These, my dear Rainbow Dash, are outfits tailor made for the mares whom devoted their lives to servitude of a single person or a whole family.” Rarity then pulled out what seem to be a standard maid outfit in its usual black and white color, “These mares who also come in the colt variety know as butlers will do everything in their power to satisfy their masters’ needs and keep the household clean while their gone. But, even in servitude they are not bound to their masters’ every whim, only the truly great knows when they are given a request that conflict with their moral fibers and know when to leave if such an event happens.”

Rainbow Dash could only look at Rarity with confusion and skepticism, but before she could get a word out the sound of heavy footsteps are heard heading in their direction along with the sounds of conversation. Not saying a word Rarity return the outfit back to the rack and the trio looked for a place to hide. Quickly scanning the room they found a large closet and decided to hide themselves inside, thankfully the closet is filled with hanging clothes making it easier to hide in. Staying silent the group could do nothing, but hope whoever is about to enter the room wouldn’t look inside the closet; it also didn’t help that they couldn’t see what’s going on outside. They eventually heard the doors open and the sound of heavy footsteps enter the room, “And I said, you have a better chance dating a log then the likes of me; then the guy almost started crying. Have you seen a grown man cry? It’s embarrassing and just plain shameful,” said a surprisingly cheery voice.

“Well…it didn’t help that your portion of the show involved many acrobatic tricks. You’re not shy about showing your body are you?” responded a dry echoed voice.

“Well I can’t help it if I’m this flexible, besides I did that guy a favor, there was no way daddy would let me date a fan anyway. Actually…I told the guy who our daddy was; you should have seen his face! He immediately went pale and ran off.”

“Well, mentioning father has been a great method in getting rid of annoying admirers.”

“Yeah, it great and all, but what if we actually started dating? Don’t you think it would be annoying with daddy intimidating all of them?”

“I suppose it would, but we will worry about that bridge when we get to it.”

*Sigh* “Whatever, anyway we need to change our outfits for the next show. Daddy said Carl will be in the show this time. I haven’t seen that big lug in quite a while now.”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash felt their bodies freeze up when Carl was mentioned. They both fought the giant metal puppet controlled by Panic. Their minds immediately picked up on the idea that the father of the pair of voices might be Panic. Rainbow Dash mentally cursed the fact that they can’t get away from him.

“I heard he was beaten by two mares and had to be repaired.”

“I’m surprised that two horses manage to beat him. I mean did you see the size of the guy? Daddy sure made one heck of a puppet it’s too bad he isn’t alive though; if he was maybe you would have someone to talk to or date…”

Suddenly the sound of metal making contact with a hard surface echoed across the room, “OW! That hurt sis!”

“You shouldn’t have crossed the line sister, your fortunate father has the capabilities of mending your wounds or else I may have damaged your complexion.”

“Grr…you’re cold sis, no wonder guys like me more.”

“It’s a shame that you are a lost cause.”

“Why you!”

“Girrllls, are you getting ready for the next show?” asked a voice that the trio are all too familiar with.

“Not yet dad!”

“Well what’s the hold up?”

“Well sis and I were having an argument about who’s more popular with the guys”

“Girls…you know how I feel about you dating guys and or girls.”

“We went over this father, we already clarified that we’re interested in men,” said the echoed voice.

“Right sorry, but why are you arguing whose popular?”

“It’s nothing daddy, we’re just squabbling over small things.”

“Well, keep it as nothing I love you two both and I want you both respect each other, okay?”

“Yes…daddy.”

“Acknowledge father.”

“Good, now get ready for the next show. We’re going to knock’em dead.”

“Wait really?” said the cheery voice in excitement.

“It’s a figure of speech honey; besides if we actually killed our audience then we’ll be out of the job.”

“Oh…right nevermind.”

“Sister, with a mindset like that you’ll scare off all of your fans in no less than a few seconds.”

“Really? Well then I should scrap the idea of throwing my knives at random audience members and catching them at the last moment.”

“Your sarcasm is noted…”

“Heh heh heh…”

“Tick tock girls, put on your outfits and get your rears to the stage we got some practice that needs to be done.”

“Yes sir!”

Then the sound of shuffling clothes and zipping noises were heard for a short moment; and once the sounds stopped the sound of doors opening and then closing. Waiting for a few minutes; the trio finally cracked opened the closet door to check if the coast is clear. Seeing that there is no one left in the room they walk out of the closet and headed towards the door that led to the woodshop. Once they entered the workshop they decided that they go over what happened.

“Well that was different…” started Rarity as she was too confused on what transpired.

“Well tarnation, Panic has kids? I would have never thought of it,” Applejack said as she took off her hat to scratch her head.

“Yeah that was a shocker, but who in the right mind would want to marry that mess? If you ask me the lady must have been crazy him,” commented Rainbow Dash.

“Well regardless, it obvious we ain’t going to find the exit the way they went, so maybe we should explore around here just a little bit longer before heading back.”

“I suppose we should, so far we found nothing that can help us. I just hope Panic doesn’t have any more surprises,” Rarity said.

“Knowing him, he probably does,” Rainbow Dash commented as she and Applejack knew enough of Panic to know that he is capable of such tricks.

With a heavy sigh the group continued to search around the wood shop. As they progressed throughout the disturbingly clean room they stumbled upon some wooden mannequins parts. Applejack and Rainbow Dash became unnerved by the sight, but Rarity only became curious at the sight. She kneeled on one leg and began to exam the parts; she became enamored by the craftsmanship of the parts seeing that a lot of care went into them.

“But, who made these parts?” she continued to examine the parts and noticed something strange about one of the arm parts. She saw the arm is hollowed out and there seems to be some sort panel that opened from the wrist, “What is this?”

“You found something Rarity?” asked Applejack with curiosity.

“The forearm of this mannequin is hollowed out as if something is supposed to be placed inside. I know my mannequins, for they help provide a visionary sample of what my outfits may look like on my fellow ponies. But, this mannequin is made for something else…” Rarity trailed off as she narrowed her eyes. Looking through the other parts she found that they were all the same; hollowed out with an additional compartment, “It’s the same for the rest of these parts.”

“What the hay? What could have gone inside the parts?”

“I don’t know…”

“I say we should get a move on, this place is starting to give me the creeps,” Rainbow Dash said as she shudders from seeing the parts all together like this.

“I second that.”

“Same, let’s go.”

The trio left the parts where they are and continued to wander the room until they came across a set of double doors. The doors themselves looked to be made out of metal, but the three mares could not identify what kind of metal the door was made of. They took quick notice of bold printed words next to the door.

METAL SHOP

“Metal shop?” Rainbow Dash asked in confusion, “I guess they don’t just work with wood.”

“Apparently, but I don’t understand why a place where you shape metal could be here. Especially since this room is focused on making mannequins,” Rarity responded.

“I reckon they have it to arm nightmares, because; I doubt they are making sculptures in there.”

Applejack decided to reach for the door knob and open the door. Once she opened it the trio was briefly blasted by a wave of warm air. Shaking off the sudden experience the three proceeded to walk past the door and enter the metal shop.

Once in, they were astonished by what they were seeing. The metal shop in question seems to have expanded to two floors and is filled with machines that constantly molding and crafting metal into complex shapes. The trio looked downwards where they were standing and saw a huge pool of lava below them and to their right they saw precious metal ores being mined and sent to the giant machine in ordered to be processed. As for the machine itself, it looked complex enough to be its own small building.

“The heck? This is way bigger than the wood shop room!”

“Not to mention more dangerous; we actually have lava below us. Good thing it’s all the way down there or else we be more burnt than Granny Smith’s triple apple pie.”

Rarity looked closely at the machine and noticed that it was producing metal skeletons and metal parts similar to the mannequins, “That’s strange.”

“What is it Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Rarity pointed to one of the conveyer belts carrying metal parts, “Those metal parts look exactly as the mannequin parts back in the wood shop.”

“Wait really? Why? I don’t think boutiques use metal mannequins do they?”

“No boutiques I heard of that’s for sure.”

“I might not be the brightest tool in the shed for this stuff, but by the looks of it they’re processing the ore and melting it down using the heat of the lava, so they can shape metal into whatever they want,” explained Applejack.

“Just what is going on?”

The group continued to explore the complex; taking the metal stairs to ascend in the room finding more doors that led to closets filled with safety equipment and tools. This led the mares to wonder if there is an entire work force that watched over and maintained the machine. Eventually, after a few minutes of walking in the room they stumbled upon a door that actually in bad condition compared to the other doors. The door’s metal colors have faded and seem to have rusted over, but that wasn’t the worst of it. The door itself seems to emit off a bloodcurdling aura that made the trio step away bit from the door.

Work sh-LIAAARRRSSS!!!!

The name of the room was scratched out partially and was dominated by the new word written hastily onto it. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity shudder and felt their senses go numb just from standing in front of the door. No longer able to resist the feeling of dread the two quickly got away from the door and were breathing heavily on the nearby railing.

“T-The heck?! *gasp* W-what h-happened?!”

“I-I don’t k-know *breathe* b-but all I c-can feel *wheeze* something c-choking the a-air out of me!”

“S-Same here!”

Taking a few moments to catch their breath; Rainbow Dash and Rarity saw that Applejack was still staring at the door. Her gaze being transfixed and bewitched by said door and she began to walk towards the door with her hand outstretched; reaching for the doorknob. Applejack herself could not hear her friends’ cries, for she could only hear voices egging her on to open the door.

Open it…

See with own eyes…

Lies covering truth…

Filthy hands…

Defiled death…

Broken…

Their hands…

Created calamity…

First step…

Through door…

Truth…

Is writhing…

In PAIN…

Having her hand on the doorknob she started to turn it much to the dismay of her friends who can do nothing to stop her. Turning the knob, Applejack opened the door and once she did a large gust of wind raced out of the room behind the door immediately disappearing as quickly as it came. Applejack slowly walked in the room her eyes gone blank as if being pulled by some invisible force. Once she was fully in the room the door slammed behind her and locked itself imprisoning Applejack inside with her friends unable to help her.

/

Applejack blinked a couple of time before shaking head, “Huh? What happened? Where am I?” She stumbled around the room her vision blurry for reasons unknown to her; she felt her hand brush against something wooden and sticky. Her hand recoiled from touching the unknown object, “What the hay? What is this?” she said, falling to floor and shaking her head once more to regain her vision, but unfortunately this was a mistake. When her sight returned what she saw horrified her; there hanging in front of her is a wooden puppet.

The puppet has the appearance of a human male in his twenties; it’s carved so well it almost looks real, but that’s not the terrifying part. Gaps in the puppet are leaking blood some of which already dried on the body save for some that made it to the floor. Applejack looked up at the face of the puppet and could only gasp in shock, for the puppet expressed a face of agony and terror in its hollowed out eyes. She backed away from the hanging puppet before standing back up, “Sweet Celestia just what is this?” Applejack muttered as she did her best to keep her panic at bay. She looked at her hand and saw it has taken some of the blood with her; not wanting it on her hand she wiped it on her shirt. She proceeded to look around the room; having her vision back revealed to her the true terror of the room.

The room itself wasn’t well lit, for the only light bulb hanging from the ceiling would flicker every once in a while. The walls and the floors looked to be made out of concrete as parts of the wall seemed to be chipped away and covered in splotches of blood that seem to line the wall. What disturbed Applejack the most was the numerous numbers of puppets that are either hanging on the ceiling or thrown onto a pile in the corners. All of them leaking blood and having expressions of pain and terror. In the middle of the room is a lone operating table with various bloodied tools next to it, “Ah’ think I seen enough…” she said as she turned to face the door only to see a wall where the door should be and written on the wall is a message written in blood.

Liars play with the strings of those around them…

We hurt…

We play…

We deceive…

We deserve this…

Reading the message, Applejack could only back away in disbelief as her widen realizing what the message meant, “No way, these puppets…are made from people! I need to get out of here!” She desperately looked for a way out, but as she ran around the room she quickly found out there is no exit. Suddenly, the puppets started moving, but could not stand up or move anywhere instead they started to scream loudly in pain much to Applejack’s horror. They screamed, they wailed, they begged, but their cries seem to have no end.

*AAAHHHH!*

*LEAVE US ALONE!*

*WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!*

* PLEASE STOP IT!*

* I’M SORRY!*

* I PROMISE NOT TO DO IT AGAIN!*

*NO! NO! NO! PLEASE HAVE MERCY!*

*MY EYES! MY EYES!*

*I CAN’T MOVE!*

*STAY AWAY FROM ME!*

*MAKE IT STOP PLEASE!*

Applejack felt her mind reach its breaking point; she covers her ears to mute the screaming, but to no avail. She fell on her knees before joining the chorus of screams as her mind was assaulted with gruesome images of people suffering and being torn apart by some unknown entity, “Ahhhh! Make it stop! Somepony please make it stop!”

The images grew worse as a response to Applejack’s pleas showing images of people remains being placed inside wooden shells turning them into puppets. “No more! No more! Rainbow Dash, Rarity, somepony help me!” her cries for mercy are in vain as the mental torture continued. She didn’t how long she was there screaming as minutes went by like hours, however; the screaming eventually came to a stop leaving Applejack the only one screaming. Fortunately, the terrible images ceased and Applejack slowly stopped screaming, but her mind was still racing; nearly broken from the experience. Breathing heavily, she slowly tried to stand while clutching her head doing her best to calm down.

Everyone lies…

Everyone dies…

Those who deceive face me…

And become toys for my amusement…

Pain…

Lying causes pain…

A pain, I know all too well…

Hearing the voice confused Applejack’s currently fragile mind, but before she process what was said; the floor where she was standing opened up revealing a trap door that she quickly fell through along with a couple of puppets.

“AAHHH!” she yelled, as she held onto her hat as she and the puppets slid down what looks like the inside of a long pipe. As she got near the end of the pipe the air around her grew warmer and the smell of ash grew stronger. At the end of the pipe she fell off the end and landed hard onto a metal grating.

“Egh…where am I now?” she muttered in slight pain from the fall. Standing up she noticed the walls are made up of bricks and through the metal grating she is standing on she saw nothing, but a roaring inferno below her.

*Incinerator activating, please keep away from incineration room. Incinerator activating in ten minutes; locking door*

Applejack eyes widenas she saw said door in front of her as quickly tried to open it, but it was too late the door was already locked and room she’s in quickly grew hotter. “Hey! Is anypony out there! I stuck in here!” she yelled through the door, but sadly no one replied. She banged her fist hard onto the door hoping to get someone’s attention, but it was in vain, “Please somepony, anypony! Get me out of here!”

*Five minutes remaining before incinerator is activated*

The flames around her grew more intense as she kept pounding on the door wasting precious air as a cloud of ash began to form. Inhaling the cloud she began to cough and wheeze, “Can anypony hear me? *Cough, gack* I’m stuck in here! *Cough*” Still no answer came, but Applejack didn’t give up, someone has to hear her. She continued for three minutes until she grew woozy from the inhaling the smoke, “*Cough* Please…*Cough* somepony…*Cough* help me…” No air left in her lungs she passed out onto the floor.

*Incinerator activating in one minute*

Applejack body laid motionless on the floor as the metal grating grew hotter lightly burning her body. There is simply nothing she could do, with her mind gone all her body can do is lay there like a log; a log that would soon be charcoal. Her friends can’t help her because they think she is still the room and there is no one out there that can help her. She didn’t want to die, but by the looks of the situation she won’t get a choice.

*Incinerator activating in ten seconds*

*Kling, kling* the sound of fumbling keys can be heard behind the door.

*Nine…*

Sounds of someone trying to force a key into the doorknob are muffled by the roaring flames.

*Eight…*

*Seven…*

“Shit!”

*Six…*

*Five…*

“C’mon c’mon…”

*Four…*

*Three…*

“Yes!” The doorknob turned and opened quickly as a hand reached out into the incinerator and dragged Applejack’s motionless body along with her hat out of the flaming hell before quickly shutting and locking the door.

*Two…*

*One…*

*Bye-bye*

The room became engulfed in flames as the timer hit zero incinerating all the puppets inside the room in a glory of roaring flames. Meanwhile, outside the room Applejack’s body is being carried away by her savior; to where is in the savior’s hands.

The savior looked at the body he carried and smirked, “’Ello love, that was close one now was it?” he said to Applejack’s unconscious body knowing that there won’t be a response. His smile faded, “You better not be dead…we have much to talk about seniorita.”