Morning Star 🌟by Given ChanceChaptersChapter 1: EstablishmentChapter 2: HomeChapter 3 P1: Night OneChapter 1: Establishment*Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz* The desk fan hummed loudly in a continuous fashion. Keeping me awake with its obnoxiously loud buzzing noise. Quickly skimming through the camera monitors, checking for any hint of movement. Furrowing my brow at the same time as beads of sweat started to build up, upon my forehead. I hadn't seen any movement in a while, and it was starting to unnerve me. Controlling one's breathing was very important to keep one calm. Especially when others were stalking me. And I didn't know what they wanted with me. But. I could only assume the worst. The only friend I had was the single bulb, that hung from the ceiling showering me in a comforting glow. My heart beat gently in my chest, gradually started to beat faster, and faster. First off, the brain. The brain is the most complex organ in the body. The brain is made up of a complex network of billions of nerve cells called neurons, as well as other kinds of cells, all protected by the bones of the skull. I swiveled in my rolling chair, kicking the floor, causing me to roll away from my desk. Stopping my momentum briefly near the "Left" doorless frame. Beside me, there were two giant buttons that were lined up vertically to one another. The top huge button that could be compared to a children's toy was idiot proof just like the huge white button below it. There was a specific word written in white below both buttons. Beneath the red button was the word "Door" and beneath the white button was the word "Lights". Just like this door on my "Left", the door on my "Right" had the same exact buttons. For their respective door and light. But unlike others... I wasn't an idiot. My career proved that. I didn't know what it was, either I was feeling daring, or just needed some closure that I was safe... at least for the moment... Fear is a chain reaction in the brain that starts with a stressful stimulus Defintion: and ends with the release of chemicals that cause a racing heart, fast breathing and energized muscles among other things, also known as the fight-or-flight response. Everypony has Xenophobia, Defintion: but I was mainly talking about fear of the unkown unless your brain is wired in an unnatural way. Especially when you're in a creepy place like I am right now at night. All of us also have Pareidolia, which is a psychological phenomenon in which the mind responds to a stimulus, usually an image or a sound, by perceiving a familiar pattern where none exists. Common examples are perceived in images of animals, faces, or objects in cloud formations. Not to mention shadows... I pressed the huge white button with the words "Lights". Like a lightning bolt striking the ground outside, illuminating a child's room at night. The hallway lit up with an eerie white light that buzzed flickering, having trouble staying on. A wire glass window that was placed beside the doorless frame had light shine through. The glass was placed there so something or somepony wouldn't break in through. Why my Dad had done this? I'm Not entirely sure. Swiftly I poked my head out through the doorless frame. My head hastily checked the empty left corner that had a camera on the ceiling pointed downwards. I waved to at the camera before turning my head right to look through the once, long dark hallway that was currently lit up by the flickering fluorescent lights. I was going to have to replace those soon. But that could wait until "tomorrow". Shadows danced along the walls. when the light flickered. The hanging glittery silver paper cut out stars cast shadows, that would spin on the thin pieces of string that held them up. They swayed slightly, like if an imaginary breeze had brushed against them. Crude foal drawings of their "favorite" robotic friends were posted along the left wall. Along with a door that was a "Supply Closet". Essentially a place where an employee would get supplies to clean this place up. The checkered black and white squared tile floors were almost hypnotizing to observe. By the way, the pattern just seemed to make everything feel more depressing because of the bland color scheme. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary I ducked my head back inside my office. Kicking off the floor again, causing my rolling swivel chair to roll away from the left doorway, to the right doorway. I did the same routine check-up. Making sure nothing or nopony was trying to sneak up on me. I'm sure nopony else knows this... but... I'm afraid of the dark. Especially what lies in the darkness. When I was little I would only sleep either with a nightlight on with a flashlight under my pillow, and another on my nightstand. But if I had somepony else to snuggle with me for the night, I was okay with the darkness so long as they held me for the night. Every night, I would throw the covers over my head. Using my blanket as a shield against whatever might have been watching me sleep in the night. So then why, would I get a job that required me to be on a "night shift"? Well, this was my father's company. He along with my mother had passed away several years ago. And I had inherited his wealth and his company. When ponys first get their cutie marks, they have matured in the eyes of the law. So after I had earned my cutie mark, and felt that nothing had anything else to offer me. I had simply dropped out. Besides once a pony had gotten their cutie mark they were eligible for work. A day after my father had died I had been given the paperwork to sign. And so. I did. Some of the adults tried to trick me into selling my father's company, but I wouldn't have any of it. They were fools for thinking me to be one too. I was eleven and had a company... can you believe that? Me. Owning a company? Blah! I had everything too myself. Sad to say... I had nopony else to share my new found wealth with. You know earlier that year, I had such big plans for me and my wife. Yes, you heard that right. I had a wife at the age of eleven. She was ten-years-old. And why would I have said that I had everything to myself now? Well... you see... I had hurt my wife's younger sister. And my wife thought it right to leave me. *Sniff* Kicking off the floor I wheeled my chair back to my desk. Checking the camera monitors. I was just starting to become paranoid. Nothing more. Relax. Just... relax... *Sigh* So... after she left me to stick by her little sister. I decided that I would just bully my now "ex-wife" into being with me again... so stupid I was. At the time with a broken heart, I wasn't thinking clearly. How could I? I lost my Mom... my Dad... and even her... I had lost it all... Switching my gaze away from all the individual monitors that had some stacked over each other, I looked through the larger camera monitor, that could be held as a tablet. I could either mount it on the desk to charge or free hoof it by holding onto it. I could even take it around the establishment if I so chose too, but I felt safe in my office, so I didn't bother to leave my safe space. Now with this large monitor, I could choose which camera I decided to look through. Call it the "Master Watcher" if you will. Now, why would a little mare like me, be watching over something things in the dark? You might ask. Well, I was a very paranoid pony. With that horrid war going on. *Sigh* I just can't help but wave my hoof as I bring that stupid "WAR" into my thoughts. Rubbing my temples making sure not mess with my horn. I felt the sweat, and it disgusted me. I didn't find sweat very appealing... only when my marefriend sweated though... now that was a whole nother story. You should have seen her glistening black body that shined when the light reflected off her sweaty flanks, with her strong well defined muslces and her adorable face... not mentioning her degenerate genes... her cute eyes that were different colors. One eye blue and the other red. Mmm... The memories of her... just make me so... "Ooohhh... Mmmghhhmm..." I bit my lip suppressing a moan as my body shuddered. Oh Celestia~ I shook my head, trying to get back to work, starting to pant lightly. "No. You are going to get back to work," I whispered to myself. I stared at one particular camera. CAM 1A The "Main Camera". The Camera that highlighted the stage. Standing upon the stage were three metal beasts... Thankfully, all the cameras panned looking around. And sometimes if you were lucky, they would but put out of view. Cute and cuddly in the daytime. But at night... they just unnerved the toughest of us all... I couldn't wait to get out here and hire a stupid kid to do this job for me. The job was simple... watch the pizzeria. And make sure nopony breaks in trying to steal anything of corporate value. Theft was now a problem in Equestria. You know... I remember a time when ponys would leave their homes unlocked without a care in the world. Walking down a straight while waiving and saying to hello to everypony you meet, giving friendly waves here and there. But now... that has changed. Ponys were cautious of others now. Suspicious. Resentful. And sometimes. Aggressive. Just this afternoon, a mother had reported to me that her son had recently gone missing in our establishment. I promised her I would find her son... but that she "should" have been watching him. It wasn't my job too. And when she pointed out: "Then what was the reason for a security guard?" And to that, I said, "you're the parent". Now I know that might not be good for business, but you had to admit. I had a point. Her child was her responsibility. Not. Mine. Or my dad's company. Stairing straight ahead were those, disturbing creations that were my father's work. It should be noted that the one closes to the camera was a unicorn mare with a velvet colored coat, and even dark purple colored mane, while she wore a black bowtie. Velvet and purple are the same color... right? Yeah... velvet just sounds lighter... well to me anyway. Also, the one that was the farthest away from the camera. The butter yellow pegasus mare that had a pink mane that wore a bib that said: "LET'S EAT!!!". Unlike the others, this one... didn't sit right with me... This one. In contrast to the others, this one just sent chills down my spine. Making me shiver in my chair, I readjusted my black tie on my light-blue button-up shirt. Now this creation wore a black shined top hat on top her hot-pink fluffy mane, and wore a black bowtie. This creation was a pink earth pony mare. This thing, in particular, wore a manic grin. Dispiriting me in the process. I didn't know if it was me or did the pink one have sharp teeth? I shook my head, inching my face closer to the "Master Watcher" (The large main monitor). To my total surprise, her teeth were not "sharp". I smacked myself on the forehead beside my horn. Eliciting a soft slapping sound that echoed throughout the entire establishment. "Get it together!" I grumbled in a harsh whisper. I continued to shake my head trying to ease my shaking nerves. Wanting to stop watching the scary monsters before me I switched the camera. [CAM 2A] The same hallway from before with nothing out of the ordinary. Just foal drawings, the decorative silver stars, and the door that was a supply closet. Scared, wanting to search every inch of this place to reassure myself that I was completely safe. I went down the line of cameras. This hallway was to my left. [CAM 3] The view on the monitor wade a loud static sound, like how a T.V. would do when switching the channel. It startled me when I hadn't expected it to happen. I yelped before covering my mouth with my forehooves breathing heavily. My heart thumped in my chest trying to claw it's way out and run far away from this place. The view on the monitor went to the "Supply Closet". Nothing out of place. So... score? I licked my drying lips, trying to moisture them up. To get them back to their once soft glory. On the "Left" side of the room, there was a shelf with "supplies" and on the right leaning on a wall was a broom. With that cleared up, I switched the camera. [CAM 4A] Exposed wires that were dangling from the ceiling casting shadows. And just like the hallway on my left, there were the same glittery silver stars hanging from the ceiling via a thin string. On the right wall, there were cartoon posters of the main character smiling gleefully. And this hallways was to my "Right". Mildly disturbed I moved on to the next camera. [CAM 1B] Just like last time the loud static sound screamed back again. I visibly flinched shutting my eyes closed. Waiting for somepony to say: "We got you good! Didn't we?!" But I knew that would have been too good to be true. Cracking one eye open slowly than the other. My view was greeted with the sight of the dining hall. Where tables were lined up neatly with party hats lined up at the center of every table present, the chairs of the tables were tucked in just as neat. A clean white cloth cover draped over every table. With nothing out of place, I switched the camera. Yet again the loud static sound came again. Except this time I braced myself for it. Locking up my muscles. [CAM 2B] On the wall was a poster of the pink earth pony with the same maniac smile. Seeing nothing else there I swiftly changed to a different camera to stop staring at the freak. And that was the "Left" hallway [CAM 4B] This time no sound came in when my camera switched. The only thing in view was a newspaper clipping. With nothing else in view, I switched the camera. [CAM 5] Again... no sound came... Except for the buzzing of the fan was still heard, inside the hot office room. The camera monitors were emitting so much heat that the annoying buzzing noise was only bearable because the fan released a cool gentle breeze against my sweat-drenched button-up formal shirt. The "Parts & Service Room" came into view shortly after a staticy white transition. Inside were spare "heads" for the "stars" on stage, all arranged neatly on a shelf. And on the operating table, there was a single metal exoskeleton that had the head of the same purple unicorn that was on stage. Seeing things in the dark made me conjure up ghostly images. And the longer I stared the more I thought that the eyes were staring right back at me, shortly blinking after to see that all the eyes were unmoving facing away from me. The isolation of being alone didn't help any either. Not wanting to stare at the ghastly images that my mind was creating, I hastily switched the camera. [CAM 6] The kitchen area... How did I know this? I owned this place, you jackass. The monitor was just fizzing with static. The only words on the screen were: "Audio Only". Yet, no sound could be heard. Actually, the only sound I could hear was the sound of the obnoxiously loud fan, that continued to buzz. With nothing better to do, I moved on. [CAM 7] Still quiet, now this camera was facing down a hallway that had both restrooms for males and females in view. Each doorless frame had a sign that had a silhouette. The "Mares" sign had a blue silhouette of a pony wearing a skirt. While the "Stallions" sign had a blue silhouette of a pony. Besides the "Mares" bathroom/restroom sign. There was a decorative pizza. I smiled slightly remembering that decorative pizza fondly. Then when I was about to move on to another camera a metallic clang rang out. I jumped in my chair. My mane shot straight up, squeaking in fright, causing my hat to fly off landing on the floor beside me. If I was tired before, I surely wasn't now. I held the "Master Watcher" tightly against my chest shutting my eyes closed. Just imaging my ex-wife holding me in her strong loving arms. Though I knew she felt otherwise... still... I felt better lying to myself. "There's nothing in the dark," My ex-wife cooed softly stroking my sweat matted mane. "Y-yes there is-s," I stuttered out pressing my cheek against her chest. "Don't you see the m-m-m-mon-n-nst-t-t-ter?" I asked lowering my voice into a quiet sob. "If there is... then we'll fight the monster." She reassured me planting a soft kiss on the tip of my horn. Causing a sense of warm affection to course through my chest. A small smile began to grace my lips. "I..." My eyes opened roaming over to the poster in front of me on the left side. Just as quick as it came, the positive warmth that I had felt drained from my soul. The poster had the slogan "CELEBRATE!" With those three artificially furred beasts in all their glory. It caused me to shiver. My uneasiness clenching at my chest. On the right side in front of me just above my desk were some more crude foal drawings, created by using crayons and imagination. Especially the dreadful white plush bunny that was staring lifelessly back at me. "I-it was just nothing," I whispered quietly to myself rubbing my face. "Something from the supply closet must have fallen... yeah... that's all..." I lied to myself. Who knows... what I was saying could possibly be true... Another metallic clang rang out. This time a tad bit harder. Telling me that I wasn't imaging things this time. Knowing that I was going to have to check it out I looked down with a frown. Seeing my belt that had four holsters two for two mini LED flashlights both 3-1/2" 9. Both were bright green and glowed in the dark. The only reason...? My phobia of the dark. The third was for spare batteries, and the four last one was for keys. I had them tucked neatly into a holster so that they wouldn't clink loudly together. Reaching under the desk I pulled up a large yellow, Industrial LED Flashlight Lantern. Taking the light by my hooves. Not bothering to use my magic. I was tired and didn't want to was my energy. I had to conserve what I still had left. Taking the handle of the large light using my magic I flicked the power button to "On". Out came a strong beam of light. My confidence grew with the help of Celestia's rays of light. May they guide me to victory. Hopping off my chair I took the monitor with me, holding it in my magic. Contradicting myself about trying to save energy. I was just so tired that I wasn't even beginning to think straight anymore. With a shrug, I carried on. My plan starting to change. Maybe... maybe I should just leave... the newbie would take the shift tomorrow... yeah... I should just go home... and sleep... sleep... My mouth opened wide on reflex just as a strong yawn escaped my open maw. When I was done taking in air for my overheated brain I snuck out of my office turning off the mini monitor screens and lights behind me. Nearly dropping the light if not for my quick intellectual thinking I tilted my head back so gravity would help me use the handle of the Large flashlight to use as an anchor hanging onto my clean pearly white teeth. When my tired mouth closed I lowered my head back down to eye level continuing on my way. I went down the left hall passing the "Supply Closet". My hooves clip-clopped softly echoing throughout the establishment. During the daytime, the sound of foals would be echoing. But right now in the dead of night. It was eerily quiet. So quiet in fact. The only thing could be heard was me... Finally, when I reached the end of the "Left" hallway I exited through the doorless frame. Sweeping the large beam of light through the main part of the establishment. I shined the light at the stage to see the trio staring straight ahead with their expressionless plastic eyes. I turned to shine my light on "Pirates Cove". I had completely forgotten to observe this place on the cameras. [CAM C1] I think it was. Quietly I heard something stir behind the stage causing me to jump back in fright not expecting something to be moving inside. I was dropped the light beginning to hyperventilate while holding a hoof to my heart. The light switched off having it's old insides rattle out of place. I was starting to panic seeing something brushing against the curtain. Beside the mini stage was a turnstile. A gate which allowed one pony to pass at a time. Then behind that was my freedom the two-twin-double doors. I bit my lip trying to calm myself down. I wasn't a very brave pony... nerds usually aren't. Unexpectedly the curtain fell down abruptly causing me to shriek in terror falling back on my rump before tilting backward shortly falling onto my back. Seeing a massive shadow stand tall, towering over me. And then it jumped at me. I curled up into a ball throwing my hooves over my face protectively, shutting my eyes, too scared to see the monster. Crying loudly in shame of my weakness. And then. Nothing... absolutely nothing happened. I waited there on the floor. Too scared to even move or so much as open my frightened eyes. I don't know how long I had waited but when I finally gathered up the courage to look. I leaned all my weight left before then throwing all of my weight right. The shift in weight gave me the opportunity to roll right. Snapping my eyes open rigidly only half way. Too scared to even open them all the way. Lighting up my horn I grabbed a mini LED flashlight shining it around everywhere. I sighed in relief when I had seen nopony was nearby in the area, it appeared to be safe. I stood up. Before a sense of dread washed over me, causing my face to pale. I held my back to Pirates Cove. I was too scared to even look back. Now that the powerful light was out of commission. Now only natural light that was radiating off of the moon was entering the building through the thick wire glass windows. Gulping. I momentarily shined the small light's beam at the stage area. Feeling glad to know that the trio were all still on stage. Ever so slowly I began to move slowly... centimeter by centimeter... second by second. My eyes scrunched up preparing for the worst. My teeth leaving marks on my lips. Looking back, the curtain was still up. I blinked. For a second time, then for a third time. "What?" I asked aloud in surprise. Before remembering that I was leaving. "Oh!" I ran for the turnstile hopping over the thing like in the action movies. Except one of my legs got caught on one of the three metal bars. Causing me to lose my balance and tumble to the ground rolling, until my plot slammed against one of the doors. I laid on my back with my tush in the air. Dazed I saw stars. Shaking my head I looked up to the trio on the stage. Seeing the purple one's eyes staring straight at me. Meeting my gaze. I froze. My mouth opening for another scream. Yet, nothing came out. I... I couldn't move... I was scared shitless. Me and the purple one stared into each other's eyes. Both of us watched each other unmoving... After minutes of nopony moving. I slowly got up to my hooves without breaking eye contact. Using a hoof without looking trying to open the door beside me. Coming to find out that it was locked. I was stuck inside... narrowing my eyes. I reached around my belt area. Feeling around until I came to a specific holster. Popping the cover off I pulled out several sets of keys. Using my magic to lift the keys in front of myself so that I wouldn't break eye contact with the purple unicorn. Though I hadn't taken into account that the light from my magic would blind me slightly. But at the time it wasn't important. Grabbing the specific key of my choosing, but when I had lowered my keys to unlock the door. The purple unicorn was staring straight ahead just like before. After unlocking the door and opening it. I walked out of the establishment backward. Closing the door. Then locking it... Safe... I... was safe... Turning around I blinked several times. Seeing that out on the horizon the moon was lowering and the sun... was rising... Chapter 2: HomePonys emerged from their safe homes. With the now bright sun shining down upon everyone. I walked down the street exhausted. Lucky enough for me, my house was only just a measly three-minute walk. The residents saw me, with delight, ponys waved joyfully as I passed while giving other ponys the stink eye. Because my establishment brought moments for families to enjoy themselves, in this disparaging time in Equestria. When I reached my house, I pulled out my keys and unlocked my door, stepping inside. Closing the door and locking it behind myself using my magic to do the work for me. Head drooping below my shoulders I waddled my way through my house, heading straight for my room. Once I made inside, I closed the door behind me. Going through another door that was attached to my bedroom. Closing the door behind me. I locked this door as well. Flicking on a light switch, along with the exhaust fan switch. I did so to, remove the moisture out from my bathroom, and help control and remove odors. This was my private bathroom. I looked myself over in the mirror. My elegant mane was a total mess! My eyes had bags under them. I looked like I had ran a marathon and tripped going full speed falling flat on my face. Tired, I began to strip out of my clothes tossing them over into a laundry hamper. First, my belt, pants, shirt and then I reached up for my hat. Only to find out that I didn't have it... "Son-of-bitch," I muttered in annoyance. My shower that had three glass panes, which one was a door. This place was loaded! Anypony right through the glass. That wasn't tinted. So... no privacy... if somepony were to look, they would see my sexy body... if there were anypony to watch me bathe... gosh my life sucks... First doing my business on the toilet then, waddling clumsily over to my shower. Hopping in and closing the glass door behind me. And let me tell you... my shower was... spacious! It was like a mini room in on itself! Anyways the only instrument in the shower was a handle? Yeah, I don't know what it was called even though I was considered a "mechanic". Whatever it was, I knew it was the thing that controlled the temperature of the water. Currently, the handle was facing right. To turn the water on, I turned the handle until it pointed up. Setting the water to "warm". Being forgetful, I yelped eyes getting thrown wide open, as soon as the water made contact with my back. I shivered feeling like a complete idiot. Why didn't I remember such a thing?! I was too afraid to walk out of the wet and wait for the warm water. Because 1. I could slip & 2. Cold air touching my wet body would just make it colder! I face hoofed. Stupid-stupid-stupid! Now, don't get me wrong. I love water. Cold water is only good when you drink it, but I also like drinking it when it's warm. It's just so refreshing. Especially when your mouth feels numb & dry from when eating a lot of sugary treats. Water helps cleanse the mouth from the sugar. I just don't know how else to explain it. The texture... of the cool clear fluid... it just felt so pure. When it flows through the body. It's what our bodies are made of. Water. So does that make me a water creature? Ponys are made of stardust. So does that make me a star? Is a planet just a star that is growing up to be bright? Or is a planet a small dying star that didn't get to reach its full potential? Why am I rambling? And why did stardust come to mind? Why would I ask myself these things? Isn't it pointless to ask? I know that these questions will never be answered. So why bother asking questions that will never be answered? Just... just curious... always wondering. Always vigilant. Who knows. Maybe finding out something small or big could change the lives of others. For better... or worse... _ "Th-th-this is-is r-r-really-y c-c-c-col-l-ld-d." My adorable young small ex-wife said while she was shivering. "S-sorry a-about-t that! I d-d-idn't know th-th-th-e wat-t-er heat-t-ter would b-break dow-wn today!" My younger self squeaked out embarrassed with a tad bit shame. Both of our coats, manes, and tails were damp with water. My ex-wife kept on shivering profusely, except for me keeping it together. Both of our faces were caked in blood... especially my ex-wife's blue mane covered in my blood. It looked like our horns were bleeding... that was the part where the blood looked like it had originated from. But I knew where the blood had come from. I was ashamed because I had forced myself upon my ex-wife's ten-year-old innocence. Making the black unicorn filly into a mare. "Oh-h? It's okay!" The young wife of my childhood/foalhood beamed at me with a forced smile. "Let's just get washed before your parents come home." Small her explained, starting to wash my blood soaked face. After I had hurt sister, and she left me, AKA "divorcing me". She had told her mom what she and I had done in my bedroom. Her mom hated my guts. She had chewed me out every time she had seen me out in public. While at the same time resisting the urge to ground me into mush. Though... I guess... I wouldn't have had it any other way. _ Warm water cascaded down overhead. Drenching my dirty body with natures natural solution of fluid, that cleanses the grime that had settled over me. I used "Rose" scented shampoo. To remember my love. As crazy as it sounds... it makes sense when you realize that's how she had smelled and that was her name. And she was as beautiful as a Rose.... her name. Midnight Rose. I held all our memory dearly to me. I had kept a book of all our drawings together and photos of us as young foals. Not to mention... our loving daughter that we had together... she left me to take care of our daughter as a single mother. I think I did fairly well raising my young adorable Midnight Shield. Midnight had a black coat and blue mane like Rose but had my dark blue eyes and personality. After I was done showering I dried myself off with a towel while using two mane dryers. After all, that was said and done I exiting my bathroom flicking off the switches. Making my way to my daughter's room. Stopping at her door, slowly I reached forward pressing my muzzle down over the handle, using my horn I pushed the door open. Walking into my little filly's room. I walked over to her clean bed covers that had yellow stars dotted around the light blue fabric. Seeing my little filly sleeping soundly with the curtain blocking the light from seeping through. Slowly I lifted a bit of her blue blanket slipping under the covers with my little angel. I pulled the sleeping filly into an embrace. Stroking her blue mane. Planting a small kiss on her mane. My eyes began to grow heavy like lead. I pressed her against me. Protecting my young filly. _ "Grr, grr, roar-roar!" I moved my golden teddy bear aggresively towards the bad timber wolf who's name was "Timber Twig." Timber Twig was a super bad Timber Wolf that liked to steal food from parties, and he didn't even ask first! That was so evil! I moved Timber Twig away. Imitating a whimpering tone tucking his tail between his legs. He was scared because Golden Teddy growled at him fiercely. Smiling I dropped the stuffed Timber Twig playing with my Golden Teddy again. "I love you, Goldie Teddy," I hugged him tightly close to my heart. "Thank you for saving my party." I was playing in my dad's office. He had told me to stay put until he came back. Me being a child, I didn't seem to care because all I knew at the time was that I got to play with my two favorite toys in the whole wide world. The room was dark and quiet. The echo in the room appeared to have been canceled out completely. A few minutes after I was left alone. The ceiling bulb burnt out showering me in darkness. I was too scared to so much as breathe. The darkness frightened me. So what did I do? I simply closed my eyes to "hide myself from the darkness". Imaging myself outside in the sun playing with Golden Teddy and Timber Twig. No matter how evil Timber Twig was, I had still loved him just the same as I had loved Golden Teddy. But as a small young child, I didn't know how to say "Golden" so instead I simply called him "Goldie". Because it was easier. Suddenly in the middle of my playing the phone on my dad's desk rang. Startling me out of my play time. I screamed getting thrown out of my fantasy world. Chapter 3 P1: Night One*Beep*-*Beep*-*Beep* *Groan* A hoof reached out onto a nightstand moving around in search of the occupant creating such a ruckus. *Beep*-*Beep*-*Beep* The black box-shaped occupant kept blaring out. Annoyed the white hoof raised high in the air before crashing down onto the back of the nightstand before committing a mighty sweep. Knocking over all the appliances into a genocidal abyss. After a shortly lived screech of breaking appliances. The mare in her bed smiled in satisfaction drifting off to sleep. ***An 3 Hours Later*** An eye cracked open. "Nein-Nein-Nein!" She threw herself out of bed, racing across her bedroom picking up the discarded pieces of her uniform. "I'm going to be late!" She screamed hurriedly throwing on the light-blue button-up shirt that had a tag that said security over her heart. The apartment building was worn but served it's purpose, in sheltering her. From the cruel outside world. The T.V. was still on, left on over the morning. It was already 11:25 PM. The moon was high in the sky tonight. Its graceful rays of light shined through the curtains cracks. On the walls of her room where posters of Kapitän Germaney. My idol. A fictional character that was created in Germaney to compete with comic book heroes. Like the main hero "Captain Equestria". Kapitän Germaney was my hero growing up. A super soldier, without the super soldier serum, unlike Captain Equestria. But obviously, Captain Germaney was cooler since she was a character without much plot armor, unlike Captain Equestria who was an unstoppable hero with all her talk. Captain Equestria used a shield while Ms. Germaney used a sword and guns, and her comics were bloody and violent. A real hit when the war started. I like her more since she isn't censored by the Ministry of Image. Who just seem to enjoy censoring and banning everything. Captain Equestria's villains were so cliché, and their motives were alright. Like how this one time the griffons wanted to wage war on Equestria because they were tired of being feared. So they snap, but Captain Equestria swoops in to save the day. Beating them up without killing any of them. And talks them down from fighting. While, Kapitän Germaney on the other hoof, had a real down to Equis villain, unlike her hero's counterpart, who had villains who were overly simplified and not complex. Now this villain was a soldier that was part of an old Germaney regime that was considered evil by the rest of Equestria in an alternative universe from ours. In which the ponys of Germaney were blamed for things that they and not done. So in retaliation, they fought back, tired of being blamed for something that they did not do. Then when they had lost from getting too cocky in their ability, whilst they tried taking over all of Equestria. Once they had lost Equestria had helped Germaney: (The country get back on its hooves). Meanwhile, a regime soldier who was imprisoned for her war crimes. Anyways, getting to informative. Yatah-yatah. Moral of the story bad ponys usually always look cooler than the good ponys. The good ponys had the bright colors, while the bad guys had the dark cool colors. I was a big fan of the main villain as much a the hero. It was hard putting on clothes with just my hooves. Being an earth pony sucked with a passion. Especially to find out that at a young age, you aren't anything special, and that you'd never be special. A sad lesson in life. Finally getting my uniform on, throwing my hat on with the word "Security" written with white letters. I grabbed a cold glass of ice-coffee from my fridge in my mouth before running out of my house forgetting to lock my door. But I didn't care. I was late. I just couldn't afford to lose another job again. The pay time for my rent was coming up again. I had to scrounge up enough money to pay it off before I get thrown out on my lazy ass. Reading and writing fanfictions. Especially staying up to date with all the superheroes... gosh... if I scrape together enough money I'm definitely going to spend it on a new "cosplay costume"! I gushed in my mind. Once I had reached my workplace I had noticed the joyful locations lights off, and that the wagon parking lot was completely empty. I suppose closing time would do that to a business place. Now that I was huffing and puffing from my sprint. I just realized how dark this part of town at night usually got. Lucky for me I still had moonlight along with the billboard sign that had the words "Pinkie Pies Pizzeria" with bright neon lights circled around the words. Suddenly, out of nowhere. The light's from the billboard went out. It was oddly soothing to have the crisp night air to brush against my body. As if giving me a light push towards my workplace. Everything went completely black causing me to freeze up. While I blinked away the afterimage of the bright green neon lights. When my eyes finally adjusted. I was just able to make out shadows, with the help of the moon of course. Without out it... I don't think I would even be able to see. I stepped closer to the building just as the front door opened. I was greeted with the sight of a stallion wearing an employee uniform. He held a flashlight clenched beneath a wing. "Hey, where the hay have you been?!" He shouted at me with a scowl. I flinched taking a visible step back. "Do you realize how long I stayed here, waiting for your late ass?!" He almost screamed. I spoke around the glass bottle in my mouth, "I... I didn't realize that-" Guilt started to seep into my soul. "Oh? You didn't mean it," He mocked with fake sympathy. "It's okay. Wasting my time is just what I want." "I'm sorry okay... just... never mind. Go home, I'm sorry," I apologized again. "Yeah whatever, I'm out of this freaky place." The stallion said walking off as he passed me, I overheard him making a snide comment about me. "Stupid bitch." He muttered under his breath causing me to visibly wilt. Not that anypony would care... our conversation had been cold and brief. That's usually how all my conversation ended. Eyes watering I made my way inside pushing past the turnstile rotating the three metal bars as I had passed through. The whole area was pitch black, I didn't even know where to go. Mindlessly I wandered around. Now not having that reassuring push from the calm windy air, my mind started to wander too much darker things. Not wanting to scare myself I ignored my thoughts. Instead, thinking of my next fanfiction I was going to write, in a desperate attempt to ease my troubled mind, that was on the verge of tears. No matter what anypony said. I couldn't just simply ignore words, words hurt. Mental pain is more painful than any physical pain might be to somepony. "Words cut deep, deeper than any blade". Moving through chairs that had silhouettes of mini pyramids. It didn't take long for my nerd's brain to put two and two together. They were party hats for foals. I remember when my parents would always host birthday parties when I was younger, and then as I grew older they would just host a party with just me, my parents, and my siblings. Never knowing that I had taken my family for granted back then. It hurts knowing that I did. You never realize how much you have something, until it's gone. Turning my head left and right in search of a piece of paper, a computer terminal, or simply an office to at least know what my job for tonight was. I planned on napping and dreaming about these two mares that I wrote about in my journal. My own private little fanfiction. Though... I was planning on having some sweet wet dreams... because I'm lonely. That much you can probably tell. Now I'm not saying that I haven't been asked out on a date before. I'm just saying that I don't always... you know... react very good to such opportunities. Sometimes I come late, and they think I stood them up when really I had just overslept. Or I totally forgot. It sucks being responsible... they would say I had the mindset of a foal. Having my head stuck in comic books instead of growing up into what harsh reality really is. Like why couldn't anything ever be simple? Why couldn't somepony wrap their arms around me and say? We're in love. Let's go be happy together. And then we do just that. We be happy, and live happily ever bucking after! I'm a terrible pony... But a filly can dream, right? Blindly I stumbled across the establishment reaching out for a wall. To at least grab some sense of direction. Less than a minute later, I was finally able to touch a wall. Like a blind pony, I began to make my way around the dark shadowy pizzeria. Bumping into an arcade machine. After some more wasted time of fumbling around, I made it to a small secluded room of sorts that had to doorless frames for some reason that I wasn't sure of, yet the ever so troublesome problem was still present. There was no light. A short time of mayhem later I flicked on a light switch. The newfound glow of light blindly me briefly. Rapidly blinking away the yellowish after-image of the newly turned on light. I took in my surroundings. There was a steel metal desk with a black chair tucked in neatly within the crevasse underneath the desk. Small monitors littered on top of it. On the right sitting above the monitors was a white plush bunny that I giggled at. Above the bunny were messily drawn images of the establishment's stage that had stars and clouds situated as decorations. Seeing the foals handy work warmed my heart. Beside the drawings on the left side of the wall was a poster of the trio. Just like in my foal hood. I teared up at the memory. My family. Placing down the glass of ice-cold coffee onto the desk, I stood up right after on both hind legs placing my forehooves against the poster giving the trio a hug with a nuzzle thrown in there, rubbing my muzzle against their "not to scale" bodies. "Thanks for the happy memories guys," I sobbed with a sad smile. This job was perfect. It had a warm atmosphere and the sweet nostalgia warmed my lonely aching heart and soul. I practically felt like a small foal again. After a few minutes of reminiscing I back away giving the poster back some of its personal space. I recollected myself observing the rest of the office. I hadn't noticed before, but I did now. There were tendrils of wires dangling from the ceiling that looked like a fire hazard! "Oh, no. This can not do," I said to myself. "I'll fix this place up... I'll make this place great again!" I self-proclaimed holding a hoof over my chest that I puffed out with pride. I was going to fix my childhood's magical kingdom. My gaze slowly transfixed itself on a box-shaped clock that could be used as an alarm dismissing the black office cord phone. The time. 11:44 PM. The clock read in bright red digits. My shift hadn't started yet. What was my job? Oh yeah, here's the best part! All I have to do is watch the place! I squeed happily clapping my hooves together in excitement. I pulled out the chair from underneath the desk. Exposing the cushioned seat to me, to which I gradually took, plopping my plot down over the chair. Besides my coffee resting the desk was a clean sheet of paper that had words neatly printed over it. Curious, I took the note gingerly in my earth pony hooves. First having some trouble, but in the end, prevailed. I held the note carefully looking it over. Hello, this is the manager speaking. As of right now, you are hereby appointed as a night guard. Please follow the instructions to the letter. They may very well save your life. I read the paper aloud. Now, before you get started. You are going to want to need a light source. You should be able to find a flashlight in the lower metal cabinet located within the desk. Placing the paper on back resting on the desk, I scooted my chair back. I reached a hoof out for the metal handle that jutted out from the metal container that was a desk. But I was too far high up. *Huff* Instead of getting off my lazy plot. I just simply reached under my chair and pulled up the handle, causing my chair to descend lower. Now within hoof reach, I opened the bottom drawer. I was then greeted with the sight of an old black flashlight, that looks like it had some of its black paint scratched off. Nonchalantly I pulled out the flashlight with my teeth. Dropping it on the table nearly knocking over my coffee in the process. "Careful you idiot!" I chided myself. Steadying my coffee. When I knew my drink was safe I picked up the note again, reading the next direction. First, head over to the parts & service room, you should be able to find another door that would lead you down a set of stairs. "Parts and service room? Where the hell is dat?" I blurt out with a confused look. Before a smile slowly crept onto my features. "Oooo~ never been to this parts and service room before, and a basement to boot!" Excitedly I dismiss my coffee leaving the lid on closed. Excitedly I scooped up the worn flashlight in my maw, sticking the "to do list" underneath my hat. switching on the light I ran out of the office. In search of this "parts and service room". I scampered through the dark hallways remembering how I had used to run through the halls as a small filly. With my parents getting after me for running. But I would brush them off giving them the cutest face I could muster. Causing my parent's to coo at my adorableness, a superpower that every foal had equipped. Running around the pizzeria in search of the select specific room. _ I ran a hoof through my daughter's mane. It was fun getting to spend the day with cute Midnight. Playing pretend with her, cooking with her, and even teaching her new words. I sighed in satisfaction cradling my small young foal in my hooves. Rocking her back and forth, with a blanket draped over her small form. My daughter held a small golden teddy bear in her hooves, she smiled in her sleep, causing me to smile right back at my innocent daughter's sleeping form. Ever so slowly I leaned back in the small bed. Everything was taken care of. I could finally have a good night's sleep without worry. I had that mare take the night shift. Hopefully, this change will be permanent. "Goodnight, sweetheart," I whispered softly into my daughter's ear, stroking her cheek, slowly drifting off to sleep, into imagination land. Dreaming of me and my daughter running together in a grain filled field together. The same old field me and my ex-wife used to play in. I still loved that mare, even if she didn't love me... I loved Rose. _ I flashed the light around the Parts & Service room. The light reflected off the metal steel beams and plastic masks. Masks that were groomed carefully, gently polished synthetic fur that looked to be smoother than silk. "Cool~" I sang looking over the spare masks that were stacked on shelves. Taking a "sample" feel of a mask, I rubbed my cheek against one of the purple masks. Each and every mask had two empty eye sockets. While the purple one was unique, you see there was a hole on the forehead for a horn to be inserted through. Fit for a unicorn. "Good day it is," I muttered stepping away from the shelf of masks. Shifting my attention to the exoskeleton that was laid out on a table. The beam of light roamed over the exposed metal beams that made up the internal components of the ponimatronics on stage. "Whoa..." it was the first time I had ever seen the "robot guts". There were lots of wires stored in cardboard boxes underneath the table. I inspected the wires looking them over, while at the same time growling at my inner filly. That wanted to take the wires out and examine them closely. Didn't want to get fired on my first night here. Lifting my head up I screamed out in fright jumping back. in fright dropping my flashlight. The sound of the fall echoed throughout the establishment. Giving me some good echoes. I froze on the spot just straying right in front of me. Scared, that if I would just blink the thing would get me. Now, what was this thing you might ask? I... I don't know... it was purple... and... was straying back at me... that's all I knew. The eyes of a monster were staring right back at me. White glinted eyes. My breathing quickened, my heart raced. The flashlight illuminated the boxes underneath the table along with a purple jaw that belonged to the creature and it's eyes. Wait a minute, illuminated its eyes? Cautiously, I took a step forward. Nothing... Another step... Nothing... Then another... again another... Yet, nothing seemed to happen. I started to raise a hoof gently. Rising closer towards the creature. Then getting scared the closer my hoof got, I slapped the creature letting out a startled yelp. The head turned to face away from the amount of force I put behind my sudden attack. I breathed heavily, catching my breath. Over nothing... it was nothing. I scooped the flashlight off the floor and back into my lonely mouth, that would never know what a lovers kiss felt like. Shinning the light over the monster I was quick to find that it was just the head of the exoskeleton. My face heated up red in embarrassment with a sense of dread washing over my soul. On instinct, my eyes shifted from left to right. Making sure that know pony saw me freak out... tears threatened to make themselves known. _ All the colts and fillys laughed at my expense. My cheeks flared bright red. "Really Loser?! You can't be serious!" A colt laughed at me. "Yeah what he said!" A filly chimed in. "Dressing up as a superhero? You? You aren't a superhero! You're a loser! You are Super Loser!" Another child laughed at me. "But... but... I made this costume on my own..." I teared up scuffing a hoof on the cemented sidewalk. "It's hideous," A spoiled filly balked in disgust. "That costume should be illegal." My whole body visibly wilted. My spirit felt like it had shriveled up and died. "You aren't going Nightmare nighting with us. Come on. Let's go guys." The colt from before announced walking off with the rest of my class. I sat down alone. Leaving me behind. Underneath a lonely street lamp. Surrounded by darkness. *Sniff* I hugged myself, wiping the tears out of my eyes. "No crying... heroes don't cry..." my voice quivered. "Heroes smile... heroes endure hardship..." _ I panted puffing my chest out. I grabbed ahold of the purple head turning it back to face me once again. A true hero... faces their problems head-on, facing their fears. The flashlight that was held in my mouth shined the beam of light directly on the face, nearly blinding me from the close proximity. Organic eyes meeting plastic eyes. This was the Twilight Sparkle ponimatronics. Or the Ministry Mare of Arcane Science. But I preferred to just refer to her as Twilight Sparkle, the element of Magic. "Nice to see you two." Moving away from the head I moved to the end of the room reaching another door. Heading down a set of stairs. Entering what I could only presume was the "basement". Once I reached ground level, I extended a hoof out from underneath my security hat, I pulled out the crumpled piece of paper "to do list". Making sure to keep the list in the light, so that the printed wording would be legible. In the basement head over to the small-medium sized generator that is located at the northeast wall and prime the pump. Falling the instructions I found the generator and primed the pump. Totally oblivious to the shadow watching me. Setting my flashlight aside I pulled on the string with my teeth. The stupid thing took about ten minutes for the machinery to finally hum to life. A small light bulb that hung above the small generator rained downlight over the generator. Taking advantage of the light I brought the "to do list" into the light to make it easier to read. In your office you should be getting a phone call. It will be ringing all night until you pick it up. Placing the "to do list" back under my hat, and taking the flashlight back in my mouth. I made my way out of the basement. Resisting the urge to snoop around. I didn't want to get fired on my first day... I stooped at the top of the stairs taking one last look down. Then again... who would know? "No. I can't do that. Really need this job..." I muttered biting my lip I closed the basement door behind me. The ringing of a phone echoed within the building it was so subtle, that it hardly bothered me. Taking a detour I trotted past the stage passing by the two ponimatronics. Making my way to the "fillys room" entering an empty stall. Not bothering to lock the door. Doing my business, myself. Flicking off the flashlight I set it down in a vertical position. Closing my eyes, my mind began to drift off to my fantasy world. Picturing to mares getting it on hot and heavy. Cheeks burning as I thought of it. Picturing myself as one of the mares. The feeling of being loved... and lusted over... a dream that would never be a reality for poor me... but dreaming can always come true! And if you can think it, then it must be real! Even if it's just in my head! After having some "me time" and getting rid of the "evidence" I was washing my hooves in the restroom sink whistling a cheerful tune. My only source of light was my trusty borrowed flashlight. The same ringing of the office phone continued to ring. Though the digital alarm clock had rung some time ago when I was... "playing solo". ***Earlier*** "FUCK YES! DON'T STOP!" I screamed on the toilet sweating profusely. Panting heavily moaning I threw my head back. "OHHH~ YOU SEXY WHORE~" I cried out. I pictured my "wifu" eating me out savagely and sexily I might add. Shoving her muzzle into my love oven. I cried out one final time. ***Now*** I exited the restroom making my way back the office. Ready for my shift. Especially after loosening up, a bit. Slumping in my chair I put up my rear hooves on the desk. Kicking back and relaxing. "This is going to be a piece of cake." I cracked open my lukewarm coffee, taking a sip, grimacing right after. "Next stop... the kitchen... probably some ice in there. Oh~ maybe I can heat up some FREE PIZZA!" I squealed hopping out of my chair. Grabbing ahold of the old flashlight and running off. In search of the Kitchen. Ignoring the still ringing phone, that drowned out the metallic whirring of hydraulics.
Chapter 1: Establishment*Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz* The desk fan hummed loudly in a continuous fashion. Keeping me awake with its obnoxiously loud buzzing noise. Quickly skimming through the camera monitors, checking for any hint of movement. Furrowing my brow at the same time as beads of sweat started to build up, upon my forehead. I hadn't seen any movement in a while, and it was starting to unnerve me. Controlling one's breathing was very important to keep one calm. Especially when others were stalking me. And I didn't know what they wanted with me. But. I could only assume the worst. The only friend I had was the single bulb, that hung from the ceiling showering me in a comforting glow. My heart beat gently in my chest, gradually started to beat faster, and faster. First off, the brain. The brain is the most complex organ in the body. The brain is made up of a complex network of billions of nerve cells called neurons, as well as other kinds of cells, all protected by the bones of the skull. I swiveled in my rolling chair, kicking the floor, causing me to roll away from my desk. Stopping my momentum briefly near the "Left" doorless frame. Beside me, there were two giant buttons that were lined up vertically to one another. The top huge button that could be compared to a children's toy was idiot proof just like the huge white button below it. There was a specific word written in white below both buttons. Beneath the red button was the word "Door" and beneath the white button was the word "Lights". Just like this door on my "Left", the door on my "Right" had the same exact buttons. For their respective door and light. But unlike others... I wasn't an idiot. My career proved that. I didn't know what it was, either I was feeling daring, or just needed some closure that I was safe... at least for the moment... Fear is a chain reaction in the brain that starts with a stressful stimulus Defintion: and ends with the release of chemicals that cause a racing heart, fast breathing and energized muscles among other things, also known as the fight-or-flight response. Everypony has Xenophobia, Defintion: but I was mainly talking about fear of the unkown unless your brain is wired in an unnatural way. Especially when you're in a creepy place like I am right now at night. All of us also have Pareidolia, which is a psychological phenomenon in which the mind responds to a stimulus, usually an image or a sound, by perceiving a familiar pattern where none exists. Common examples are perceived in images of animals, faces, or objects in cloud formations. Not to mention shadows... I pressed the huge white button with the words "Lights". Like a lightning bolt striking the ground outside, illuminating a child's room at night. The hallway lit up with an eerie white light that buzzed flickering, having trouble staying on. A wire glass window that was placed beside the doorless frame had light shine through. The glass was placed there so something or somepony wouldn't break in through. Why my Dad had done this? I'm Not entirely sure. Swiftly I poked my head out through the doorless frame. My head hastily checked the empty left corner that had a camera on the ceiling pointed downwards. I waved to at the camera before turning my head right to look through the once, long dark hallway that was currently lit up by the flickering fluorescent lights. I was going to have to replace those soon. But that could wait until "tomorrow". Shadows danced along the walls. when the light flickered. The hanging glittery silver paper cut out stars cast shadows, that would spin on the thin pieces of string that held them up. They swayed slightly, like if an imaginary breeze had brushed against them. Crude foal drawings of their "favorite" robotic friends were posted along the left wall. Along with a door that was a "Supply Closet". Essentially a place where an employee would get supplies to clean this place up. The checkered black and white squared tile floors were almost hypnotizing to observe. By the way, the pattern just seemed to make everything feel more depressing because of the bland color scheme. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary I ducked my head back inside my office. Kicking off the floor again, causing my rolling swivel chair to roll away from the left doorway, to the right doorway. I did the same routine check-up. Making sure nothing or nopony was trying to sneak up on me. I'm sure nopony else knows this... but... I'm afraid of the dark. Especially what lies in the darkness. When I was little I would only sleep either with a nightlight on with a flashlight under my pillow, and another on my nightstand. But if I had somepony else to snuggle with me for the night, I was okay with the darkness so long as they held me for the night. Every night, I would throw the covers over my head. Using my blanket as a shield against whatever might have been watching me sleep in the night. So then why, would I get a job that required me to be on a "night shift"? Well, this was my father's company. He along with my mother had passed away several years ago. And I had inherited his wealth and his company. When ponys first get their cutie marks, they have matured in the eyes of the law. So after I had earned my cutie mark, and felt that nothing had anything else to offer me. I had simply dropped out. Besides once a pony had gotten their cutie mark they were eligible for work. A day after my father had died I had been given the paperwork to sign. And so. I did. Some of the adults tried to trick me into selling my father's company, but I wouldn't have any of it. They were fools for thinking me to be one too. I was eleven and had a company... can you believe that? Me. Owning a company? Blah! I had everything too myself. Sad to say... I had nopony else to share my new found wealth with. You know earlier that year, I had such big plans for me and my wife. Yes, you heard that right. I had a wife at the age of eleven. She was ten-years-old. And why would I have said that I had everything to myself now? Well... you see... I had hurt my wife's younger sister. And my wife thought it right to leave me. *Sniff* Kicking off the floor I wheeled my chair back to my desk. Checking the camera monitors. I was just starting to become paranoid. Nothing more. Relax. Just... relax... *Sigh* So... after she left me to stick by her little sister. I decided that I would just bully my now "ex-wife" into being with me again... so stupid I was. At the time with a broken heart, I wasn't thinking clearly. How could I? I lost my Mom... my Dad... and even her... I had lost it all... Switching my gaze away from all the individual monitors that had some stacked over each other, I looked through the larger camera monitor, that could be held as a tablet. I could either mount it on the desk to charge or free hoof it by holding onto it. I could even take it around the establishment if I so chose too, but I felt safe in my office, so I didn't bother to leave my safe space. Now with this large monitor, I could choose which camera I decided to look through. Call it the "Master Watcher" if you will. Now, why would a little mare like me, be watching over something things in the dark? You might ask. Well, I was a very paranoid pony. With that horrid war going on. *Sigh* I just can't help but wave my hoof as I bring that stupid "WAR" into my thoughts. Rubbing my temples making sure not mess with my horn. I felt the sweat, and it disgusted me. I didn't find sweat very appealing... only when my marefriend sweated though... now that was a whole nother story. You should have seen her glistening black body that shined when the light reflected off her sweaty flanks, with her strong well defined muslces and her adorable face... not mentioning her degenerate genes... her cute eyes that were different colors. One eye blue and the other red. Mmm... The memories of her... just make me so... "Ooohhh... Mmmghhhmm..." I bit my lip suppressing a moan as my body shuddered. Oh Celestia~ I shook my head, trying to get back to work, starting to pant lightly. "No. You are going to get back to work," I whispered to myself. I stared at one particular camera. CAM 1A The "Main Camera". The Camera that highlighted the stage. Standing upon the stage were three metal beasts... Thankfully, all the cameras panned looking around. And sometimes if you were lucky, they would but put out of view. Cute and cuddly in the daytime. But at night... they just unnerved the toughest of us all... I couldn't wait to get out here and hire a stupid kid to do this job for me. The job was simple... watch the pizzeria. And make sure nopony breaks in trying to steal anything of corporate value. Theft was now a problem in Equestria. You know... I remember a time when ponys would leave their homes unlocked without a care in the world. Walking down a straight while waiving and saying to hello to everypony you meet, giving friendly waves here and there. But now... that has changed. Ponys were cautious of others now. Suspicious. Resentful. And sometimes. Aggressive. Just this afternoon, a mother had reported to me that her son had recently gone missing in our establishment. I promised her I would find her son... but that she "should" have been watching him. It wasn't my job too. And when she pointed out: "Then what was the reason for a security guard?" And to that, I said, "you're the parent". Now I know that might not be good for business, but you had to admit. I had a point. Her child was her responsibility. Not. Mine. Or my dad's company. Stairing straight ahead were those, disturbing creations that were my father's work. It should be noted that the one closes to the camera was a unicorn mare with a velvet colored coat, and even dark purple colored mane, while she wore a black bowtie. Velvet and purple are the same color... right? Yeah... velvet just sounds lighter... well to me anyway. Also, the one that was the farthest away from the camera. The butter yellow pegasus mare that had a pink mane that wore a bib that said: "LET'S EAT!!!". Unlike the others, this one... didn't sit right with me... This one. In contrast to the others, this one just sent chills down my spine. Making me shiver in my chair, I readjusted my black tie on my light-blue button-up shirt. Now this creation wore a black shined top hat on top her hot-pink fluffy mane, and wore a black bowtie. This creation was a pink earth pony mare. This thing, in particular, wore a manic grin. Dispiriting me in the process. I didn't know if it was me or did the pink one have sharp teeth? I shook my head, inching my face closer to the "Master Watcher" (The large main monitor). To my total surprise, her teeth were not "sharp". I smacked myself on the forehead beside my horn. Eliciting a soft slapping sound that echoed throughout the entire establishment. "Get it together!" I grumbled in a harsh whisper. I continued to shake my head trying to ease my shaking nerves. Wanting to stop watching the scary monsters before me I switched the camera. [CAM 2A] The same hallway from before with nothing out of the ordinary. Just foal drawings, the decorative silver stars, and the door that was a supply closet. Scared, wanting to search every inch of this place to reassure myself that I was completely safe. I went down the line of cameras. This hallway was to my left. [CAM 3] The view on the monitor wade a loud static sound, like how a T.V. would do when switching the channel. It startled me when I hadn't expected it to happen. I yelped before covering my mouth with my forehooves breathing heavily. My heart thumped in my chest trying to claw it's way out and run far away from this place. The view on the monitor went to the "Supply Closet". Nothing out of place. So... score? I licked my drying lips, trying to moisture them up. To get them back to their once soft glory. On the "Left" side of the room, there was a shelf with "supplies" and on the right leaning on a wall was a broom. With that cleared up, I switched the camera. [CAM 4A] Exposed wires that were dangling from the ceiling casting shadows. And just like the hallway on my left, there were the same glittery silver stars hanging from the ceiling via a thin string. On the right wall, there were cartoon posters of the main character smiling gleefully. And this hallways was to my "Right". Mildly disturbed I moved on to the next camera. [CAM 1B] Just like last time the loud static sound screamed back again. I visibly flinched shutting my eyes closed. Waiting for somepony to say: "We got you good! Didn't we?!" But I knew that would have been too good to be true. Cracking one eye open slowly than the other. My view was greeted with the sight of the dining hall. Where tables were lined up neatly with party hats lined up at the center of every table present, the chairs of the tables were tucked in just as neat. A clean white cloth cover draped over every table. With nothing out of place, I switched the camera. Yet again the loud static sound came again. Except this time I braced myself for it. Locking up my muscles. [CAM 2B] On the wall was a poster of the pink earth pony with the same maniac smile. Seeing nothing else there I swiftly changed to a different camera to stop staring at the freak. And that was the "Left" hallway [CAM 4B] This time no sound came in when my camera switched. The only thing in view was a newspaper clipping. With nothing else in view, I switched the camera. [CAM 5] Again... no sound came... Except for the buzzing of the fan was still heard, inside the hot office room. The camera monitors were emitting so much heat that the annoying buzzing noise was only bearable because the fan released a cool gentle breeze against my sweat-drenched button-up formal shirt. The "Parts & Service Room" came into view shortly after a staticy white transition. Inside were spare "heads" for the "stars" on stage, all arranged neatly on a shelf. And on the operating table, there was a single metal exoskeleton that had the head of the same purple unicorn that was on stage. Seeing things in the dark made me conjure up ghostly images. And the longer I stared the more I thought that the eyes were staring right back at me, shortly blinking after to see that all the eyes were unmoving facing away from me. The isolation of being alone didn't help any either. Not wanting to stare at the ghastly images that my mind was creating, I hastily switched the camera. [CAM 6] The kitchen area... How did I know this? I owned this place, you jackass. The monitor was just fizzing with static. The only words on the screen were: "Audio Only". Yet, no sound could be heard. Actually, the only sound I could hear was the sound of the obnoxiously loud fan, that continued to buzz. With nothing better to do, I moved on. [CAM 7] Still quiet, now this camera was facing down a hallway that had both restrooms for males and females in view. Each doorless frame had a sign that had a silhouette. The "Mares" sign had a blue silhouette of a pony wearing a skirt. While the "Stallions" sign had a blue silhouette of a pony. Besides the "Mares" bathroom/restroom sign. There was a decorative pizza. I smiled slightly remembering that decorative pizza fondly. Then when I was about to move on to another camera a metallic clang rang out. I jumped in my chair. My mane shot straight up, squeaking in fright, causing my hat to fly off landing on the floor beside me. If I was tired before, I surely wasn't now. I held the "Master Watcher" tightly against my chest shutting my eyes closed. Just imaging my ex-wife holding me in her strong loving arms. Though I knew she felt otherwise... still... I felt better lying to myself. "There's nothing in the dark," My ex-wife cooed softly stroking my sweat matted mane. "Y-yes there is-s," I stuttered out pressing my cheek against her chest. "Don't you see the m-m-m-mon-n-nst-t-t-ter?" I asked lowering my voice into a quiet sob. "If there is... then we'll fight the monster." She reassured me planting a soft kiss on the tip of my horn. Causing a sense of warm affection to course through my chest. A small smile began to grace my lips. "I..." My eyes opened roaming over to the poster in front of me on the left side. Just as quick as it came, the positive warmth that I had felt drained from my soul. The poster had the slogan "CELEBRATE!" With those three artificially furred beasts in all their glory. It caused me to shiver. My uneasiness clenching at my chest. On the right side in front of me just above my desk were some more crude foal drawings, created by using crayons and imagination. Especially the dreadful white plush bunny that was staring lifelessly back at me. "I-it was just nothing," I whispered quietly to myself rubbing my face. "Something from the supply closet must have fallen... yeah... that's all..." I lied to myself. Who knows... what I was saying could possibly be true... Another metallic clang rang out. This time a tad bit harder. Telling me that I wasn't imaging things this time. Knowing that I was going to have to check it out I looked down with a frown. Seeing my belt that had four holsters two for two mini LED flashlights both 3-1/2" 9. Both were bright green and glowed in the dark. The only reason...? My phobia of the dark. The third was for spare batteries, and the four last one was for keys. I had them tucked neatly into a holster so that they wouldn't clink loudly together. Reaching under the desk I pulled up a large yellow, Industrial LED Flashlight Lantern. Taking the light by my hooves. Not bothering to use my magic. I was tired and didn't want to was my energy. I had to conserve what I still had left. Taking the handle of the large light using my magic I flicked the power button to "On". Out came a strong beam of light. My confidence grew with the help of Celestia's rays of light. May they guide me to victory. Hopping off my chair I took the monitor with me, holding it in my magic. Contradicting myself about trying to save energy. I was just so tired that I wasn't even beginning to think straight anymore. With a shrug, I carried on. My plan starting to change. Maybe... maybe I should just leave... the newbie would take the shift tomorrow... yeah... I should just go home... and sleep... sleep... My mouth opened wide on reflex just as a strong yawn escaped my open maw. When I was done taking in air for my overheated brain I snuck out of my office turning off the mini monitor screens and lights behind me. Nearly dropping the light if not for my quick intellectual thinking I tilted my head back so gravity would help me use the handle of the Large flashlight to use as an anchor hanging onto my clean pearly white teeth. When my tired mouth closed I lowered my head back down to eye level continuing on my way. I went down the left hall passing the "Supply Closet". My hooves clip-clopped softly echoing throughout the establishment. During the daytime, the sound of foals would be echoing. But right now in the dead of night. It was eerily quiet. So quiet in fact. The only thing could be heard was me... Finally, when I reached the end of the "Left" hallway I exited through the doorless frame. Sweeping the large beam of light through the main part of the establishment. I shined the light at the stage to see the trio staring straight ahead with their expressionless plastic eyes. I turned to shine my light on "Pirates Cove". I had completely forgotten to observe this place on the cameras. [CAM C1] I think it was. Quietly I heard something stir behind the stage causing me to jump back in fright not expecting something to be moving inside. I was dropped the light beginning to hyperventilate while holding a hoof to my heart. The light switched off having it's old insides rattle out of place. I was starting to panic seeing something brushing against the curtain. Beside the mini stage was a turnstile. A gate which allowed one pony to pass at a time. Then behind that was my freedom the two-twin-double doors. I bit my lip trying to calm myself down. I wasn't a very brave pony... nerds usually aren't. Unexpectedly the curtain fell down abruptly causing me to shriek in terror falling back on my rump before tilting backward shortly falling onto my back. Seeing a massive shadow stand tall, towering over me. And then it jumped at me. I curled up into a ball throwing my hooves over my face protectively, shutting my eyes, too scared to see the monster. Crying loudly in shame of my weakness. And then. Nothing... absolutely nothing happened. I waited there on the floor. Too scared to even move or so much as open my frightened eyes. I don't know how long I had waited but when I finally gathered up the courage to look. I leaned all my weight left before then throwing all of my weight right. The shift in weight gave me the opportunity to roll right. Snapping my eyes open rigidly only half way. Too scared to even open them all the way. Lighting up my horn I grabbed a mini LED flashlight shining it around everywhere. I sighed in relief when I had seen nopony was nearby in the area, it appeared to be safe. I stood up. Before a sense of dread washed over me, causing my face to pale. I held my back to Pirates Cove. I was too scared to even look back. Now that the powerful light was out of commission. Now only natural light that was radiating off of the moon was entering the building through the thick wire glass windows. Gulping. I momentarily shined the small light's beam at the stage area. Feeling glad to know that the trio were all still on stage. Ever so slowly I began to move slowly... centimeter by centimeter... second by second. My eyes scrunched up preparing for the worst. My teeth leaving marks on my lips. Looking back, the curtain was still up. I blinked. For a second time, then for a third time. "What?" I asked aloud in surprise. Before remembering that I was leaving. "Oh!" I ran for the turnstile hopping over the thing like in the action movies. Except one of my legs got caught on one of the three metal bars. Causing me to lose my balance and tumble to the ground rolling, until my plot slammed against one of the doors. I laid on my back with my tush in the air. Dazed I saw stars. Shaking my head I looked up to the trio on the stage. Seeing the purple one's eyes staring straight at me. Meeting my gaze. I froze. My mouth opening for another scream. Yet, nothing came out. I... I couldn't move... I was scared shitless. Me and the purple one stared into each other's eyes. Both of us watched each other unmoving... After minutes of nopony moving. I slowly got up to my hooves without breaking eye contact. Using a hoof without looking trying to open the door beside me. Coming to find out that it was locked. I was stuck inside... narrowing my eyes. I reached around my belt area. Feeling around until I came to a specific holster. Popping the cover off I pulled out several sets of keys. Using my magic to lift the keys in front of myself so that I wouldn't break eye contact with the purple unicorn. Though I hadn't taken into account that the light from my magic would blind me slightly. But at the time it wasn't important. Grabbing the specific key of my choosing, but when I had lowered my keys to unlock the door. The purple unicorn was staring straight ahead just like before. After unlocking the door and opening it. I walked out of the establishment backward. Closing the door. Then locking it... Safe... I... was safe... Turning around I blinked several times. Seeing that out on the horizon the moon was lowering and the sun... was rising...
Chapter 2: HomePonys emerged from their safe homes. With the now bright sun shining down upon everyone. I walked down the street exhausted. Lucky enough for me, my house was only just a measly three-minute walk. The residents saw me, with delight, ponys waved joyfully as I passed while giving other ponys the stink eye. Because my establishment brought moments for families to enjoy themselves, in this disparaging time in Equestria. When I reached my house, I pulled out my keys and unlocked my door, stepping inside. Closing the door and locking it behind myself using my magic to do the work for me. Head drooping below my shoulders I waddled my way through my house, heading straight for my room. Once I made inside, I closed the door behind me. Going through another door that was attached to my bedroom. Closing the door behind me. I locked this door as well. Flicking on a light switch, along with the exhaust fan switch. I did so to, remove the moisture out from my bathroom, and help control and remove odors. This was my private bathroom. I looked myself over in the mirror. My elegant mane was a total mess! My eyes had bags under them. I looked like I had ran a marathon and tripped going full speed falling flat on my face. Tired, I began to strip out of my clothes tossing them over into a laundry hamper. First, my belt, pants, shirt and then I reached up for my hat. Only to find out that I didn't have it... "Son-of-bitch," I muttered in annoyance. My shower that had three glass panes, which one was a door. This place was loaded! Anypony right through the glass. That wasn't tinted. So... no privacy... if somepony were to look, they would see my sexy body... if there were anypony to watch me bathe... gosh my life sucks... First doing my business on the toilet then, waddling clumsily over to my shower. Hopping in and closing the glass door behind me. And let me tell you... my shower was... spacious! It was like a mini room in on itself! Anyways the only instrument in the shower was a handle? Yeah, I don't know what it was called even though I was considered a "mechanic". Whatever it was, I knew it was the thing that controlled the temperature of the water. Currently, the handle was facing right. To turn the water on, I turned the handle until it pointed up. Setting the water to "warm". Being forgetful, I yelped eyes getting thrown wide open, as soon as the water made contact with my back. I shivered feeling like a complete idiot. Why didn't I remember such a thing?! I was too afraid to walk out of the wet and wait for the warm water. Because 1. I could slip & 2. Cold air touching my wet body would just make it colder! I face hoofed. Stupid-stupid-stupid! Now, don't get me wrong. I love water. Cold water is only good when you drink it, but I also like drinking it when it's warm. It's just so refreshing. Especially when your mouth feels numb & dry from when eating a lot of sugary treats. Water helps cleanse the mouth from the sugar. I just don't know how else to explain it. The texture... of the cool clear fluid... it just felt so pure. When it flows through the body. It's what our bodies are made of. Water. So does that make me a water creature? Ponys are made of stardust. So does that make me a star? Is a planet just a star that is growing up to be bright? Or is a planet a small dying star that didn't get to reach its full potential? Why am I rambling? And why did stardust come to mind? Why would I ask myself these things? Isn't it pointless to ask? I know that these questions will never be answered. So why bother asking questions that will never be answered? Just... just curious... always wondering. Always vigilant. Who knows. Maybe finding out something small or big could change the lives of others. For better... or worse... _ "Th-th-this is-is r-r-really-y c-c-c-col-l-ld-d." My adorable young small ex-wife said while she was shivering. "S-sorry a-about-t that! I d-d-idn't know th-th-th-e wat-t-er heat-t-ter would b-break dow-wn today!" My younger self squeaked out embarrassed with a tad bit shame. Both of our coats, manes, and tails were damp with water. My ex-wife kept on shivering profusely, except for me keeping it together. Both of our faces were caked in blood... especially my ex-wife's blue mane covered in my blood. It looked like our horns were bleeding... that was the part where the blood looked like it had originated from. But I knew where the blood had come from. I was ashamed because I had forced myself upon my ex-wife's ten-year-old innocence. Making the black unicorn filly into a mare. "Oh-h? It's okay!" The young wife of my childhood/foalhood beamed at me with a forced smile. "Let's just get washed before your parents come home." Small her explained, starting to wash my blood soaked face. After I had hurt sister, and she left me, AKA "divorcing me". She had told her mom what she and I had done in my bedroom. Her mom hated my guts. She had chewed me out every time she had seen me out in public. While at the same time resisting the urge to ground me into mush. Though... I guess... I wouldn't have had it any other way. _ Warm water cascaded down overhead. Drenching my dirty body with natures natural solution of fluid, that cleanses the grime that had settled over me. I used "Rose" scented shampoo. To remember my love. As crazy as it sounds... it makes sense when you realize that's how she had smelled and that was her name. And she was as beautiful as a Rose.... her name. Midnight Rose. I held all our memory dearly to me. I had kept a book of all our drawings together and photos of us as young foals. Not to mention... our loving daughter that we had together... she left me to take care of our daughter as a single mother. I think I did fairly well raising my young adorable Midnight Shield. Midnight had a black coat and blue mane like Rose but had my dark blue eyes and personality. After I was done showering I dried myself off with a towel while using two mane dryers. After all, that was said and done I exiting my bathroom flicking off the switches. Making my way to my daughter's room. Stopping at her door, slowly I reached forward pressing my muzzle down over the handle, using my horn I pushed the door open. Walking into my little filly's room. I walked over to her clean bed covers that had yellow stars dotted around the light blue fabric. Seeing my little filly sleeping soundly with the curtain blocking the light from seeping through. Slowly I lifted a bit of her blue blanket slipping under the covers with my little angel. I pulled the sleeping filly into an embrace. Stroking her blue mane. Planting a small kiss on her mane. My eyes began to grow heavy like lead. I pressed her against me. Protecting my young filly. _ "Grr, grr, roar-roar!" I moved my golden teddy bear aggresively towards the bad timber wolf who's name was "Timber Twig." Timber Twig was a super bad Timber Wolf that liked to steal food from parties, and he didn't even ask first! That was so evil! I moved Timber Twig away. Imitating a whimpering tone tucking his tail between his legs. He was scared because Golden Teddy growled at him fiercely. Smiling I dropped the stuffed Timber Twig playing with my Golden Teddy again. "I love you, Goldie Teddy," I hugged him tightly close to my heart. "Thank you for saving my party." I was playing in my dad's office. He had told me to stay put until he came back. Me being a child, I didn't seem to care because all I knew at the time was that I got to play with my two favorite toys in the whole wide world. The room was dark and quiet. The echo in the room appeared to have been canceled out completely. A few minutes after I was left alone. The ceiling bulb burnt out showering me in darkness. I was too scared to so much as breathe. The darkness frightened me. So what did I do? I simply closed my eyes to "hide myself from the darkness". Imaging myself outside in the sun playing with Golden Teddy and Timber Twig. No matter how evil Timber Twig was, I had still loved him just the same as I had loved Golden Teddy. But as a small young child, I didn't know how to say "Golden" so instead I simply called him "Goldie". Because it was easier. Suddenly in the middle of my playing the phone on my dad's desk rang. Startling me out of my play time. I screamed getting thrown out of my fantasy world.
Chapter 3 P1: Night One*Beep*-*Beep*-*Beep* *Groan* A hoof reached out onto a nightstand moving around in search of the occupant creating such a ruckus. *Beep*-*Beep*-*Beep* The black box-shaped occupant kept blaring out. Annoyed the white hoof raised high in the air before crashing down onto the back of the nightstand before committing a mighty sweep. Knocking over all the appliances into a genocidal abyss. After a shortly lived screech of breaking appliances. The mare in her bed smiled in satisfaction drifting off to sleep. ***An 3 Hours Later*** An eye cracked open. "Nein-Nein-Nein!" She threw herself out of bed, racing across her bedroom picking up the discarded pieces of her uniform. "I'm going to be late!" She screamed hurriedly throwing on the light-blue button-up shirt that had a tag that said security over her heart. The apartment building was worn but served it's purpose, in sheltering her. From the cruel outside world. The T.V. was still on, left on over the morning. It was already 11:25 PM. The moon was high in the sky tonight. Its graceful rays of light shined through the curtains cracks. On the walls of her room where posters of Kapitän Germaney. My idol. A fictional character that was created in Germaney to compete with comic book heroes. Like the main hero "Captain Equestria". Kapitän Germaney was my hero growing up. A super soldier, without the super soldier serum, unlike Captain Equestria. But obviously, Captain Germaney was cooler since she was a character without much plot armor, unlike Captain Equestria who was an unstoppable hero with all her talk. Captain Equestria used a shield while Ms. Germaney used a sword and guns, and her comics were bloody and violent. A real hit when the war started. I like her more since she isn't censored by the Ministry of Image. Who just seem to enjoy censoring and banning everything. Captain Equestria's villains were so cliché, and their motives were alright. Like how this one time the griffons wanted to wage war on Equestria because they were tired of being feared. So they snap, but Captain Equestria swoops in to save the day. Beating them up without killing any of them. And talks them down from fighting. While, Kapitän Germaney on the other hoof, had a real down to Equis villain, unlike her hero's counterpart, who had villains who were overly simplified and not complex. Now this villain was a soldier that was part of an old Germaney regime that was considered evil by the rest of Equestria in an alternative universe from ours. In which the ponys of Germaney were blamed for things that they and not done. So in retaliation, they fought back, tired of being blamed for something that they did not do. Then when they had lost from getting too cocky in their ability, whilst they tried taking over all of Equestria. Once they had lost Equestria had helped Germaney: (The country get back on its hooves). Meanwhile, a regime soldier who was imprisoned for her war crimes. Anyways, getting to informative. Yatah-yatah. Moral of the story bad ponys usually always look cooler than the good ponys. The good ponys had the bright colors, while the bad guys had the dark cool colors. I was a big fan of the main villain as much a the hero. It was hard putting on clothes with just my hooves. Being an earth pony sucked with a passion. Especially to find out that at a young age, you aren't anything special, and that you'd never be special. A sad lesson in life. Finally getting my uniform on, throwing my hat on with the word "Security" written with white letters. I grabbed a cold glass of ice-coffee from my fridge in my mouth before running out of my house forgetting to lock my door. But I didn't care. I was late. I just couldn't afford to lose another job again. The pay time for my rent was coming up again. I had to scrounge up enough money to pay it off before I get thrown out on my lazy ass. Reading and writing fanfictions. Especially staying up to date with all the superheroes... gosh... if I scrape together enough money I'm definitely going to spend it on a new "cosplay costume"! I gushed in my mind. Once I had reached my workplace I had noticed the joyful locations lights off, and that the wagon parking lot was completely empty. I suppose closing time would do that to a business place. Now that I was huffing and puffing from my sprint. I just realized how dark this part of town at night usually got. Lucky for me I still had moonlight along with the billboard sign that had the words "Pinkie Pies Pizzeria" with bright neon lights circled around the words. Suddenly, out of nowhere. The light's from the billboard went out. It was oddly soothing to have the crisp night air to brush against my body. As if giving me a light push towards my workplace. Everything went completely black causing me to freeze up. While I blinked away the afterimage of the bright green neon lights. When my eyes finally adjusted. I was just able to make out shadows, with the help of the moon of course. Without out it... I don't think I would even be able to see. I stepped closer to the building just as the front door opened. I was greeted with the sight of a stallion wearing an employee uniform. He held a flashlight clenched beneath a wing. "Hey, where the hay have you been?!" He shouted at me with a scowl. I flinched taking a visible step back. "Do you realize how long I stayed here, waiting for your late ass?!" He almost screamed. I spoke around the glass bottle in my mouth, "I... I didn't realize that-" Guilt started to seep into my soul. "Oh? You didn't mean it," He mocked with fake sympathy. "It's okay. Wasting my time is just what I want." "I'm sorry okay... just... never mind. Go home, I'm sorry," I apologized again. "Yeah whatever, I'm out of this freaky place." The stallion said walking off as he passed me, I overheard him making a snide comment about me. "Stupid bitch." He muttered under his breath causing me to visibly wilt. Not that anypony would care... our conversation had been cold and brief. That's usually how all my conversation ended. Eyes watering I made my way inside pushing past the turnstile rotating the three metal bars as I had passed through. The whole area was pitch black, I didn't even know where to go. Mindlessly I wandered around. Now not having that reassuring push from the calm windy air, my mind started to wander too much darker things. Not wanting to scare myself I ignored my thoughts. Instead, thinking of my next fanfiction I was going to write, in a desperate attempt to ease my troubled mind, that was on the verge of tears. No matter what anypony said. I couldn't just simply ignore words, words hurt. Mental pain is more painful than any physical pain might be to somepony. "Words cut deep, deeper than any blade". Moving through chairs that had silhouettes of mini pyramids. It didn't take long for my nerd's brain to put two and two together. They were party hats for foals. I remember when my parents would always host birthday parties when I was younger, and then as I grew older they would just host a party with just me, my parents, and my siblings. Never knowing that I had taken my family for granted back then. It hurts knowing that I did. You never realize how much you have something, until it's gone. Turning my head left and right in search of a piece of paper, a computer terminal, or simply an office to at least know what my job for tonight was. I planned on napping and dreaming about these two mares that I wrote about in my journal. My own private little fanfiction. Though... I was planning on having some sweet wet dreams... because I'm lonely. That much you can probably tell. Now I'm not saying that I haven't been asked out on a date before. I'm just saying that I don't always... you know... react very good to such opportunities. Sometimes I come late, and they think I stood them up when really I had just overslept. Or I totally forgot. It sucks being responsible... they would say I had the mindset of a foal. Having my head stuck in comic books instead of growing up into what harsh reality really is. Like why couldn't anything ever be simple? Why couldn't somepony wrap their arms around me and say? We're in love. Let's go be happy together. And then we do just that. We be happy, and live happily ever bucking after! I'm a terrible pony... But a filly can dream, right? Blindly I stumbled across the establishment reaching out for a wall. To at least grab some sense of direction. Less than a minute later, I was finally able to touch a wall. Like a blind pony, I began to make my way around the dark shadowy pizzeria. Bumping into an arcade machine. After some more wasted time of fumbling around, I made it to a small secluded room of sorts that had to doorless frames for some reason that I wasn't sure of, yet the ever so troublesome problem was still present. There was no light. A short time of mayhem later I flicked on a light switch. The newfound glow of light blindly me briefly. Rapidly blinking away the yellowish after-image of the newly turned on light. I took in my surroundings. There was a steel metal desk with a black chair tucked in neatly within the crevasse underneath the desk. Small monitors littered on top of it. On the right sitting above the monitors was a white plush bunny that I giggled at. Above the bunny were messily drawn images of the establishment's stage that had stars and clouds situated as decorations. Seeing the foals handy work warmed my heart. Beside the drawings on the left side of the wall was a poster of the trio. Just like in my foal hood. I teared up at the memory. My family. Placing down the glass of ice-cold coffee onto the desk, I stood up right after on both hind legs placing my forehooves against the poster giving the trio a hug with a nuzzle thrown in there, rubbing my muzzle against their "not to scale" bodies. "Thanks for the happy memories guys," I sobbed with a sad smile. This job was perfect. It had a warm atmosphere and the sweet nostalgia warmed my lonely aching heart and soul. I practically felt like a small foal again. After a few minutes of reminiscing I back away giving the poster back some of its personal space. I recollected myself observing the rest of the office. I hadn't noticed before, but I did now. There were tendrils of wires dangling from the ceiling that looked like a fire hazard! "Oh, no. This can not do," I said to myself. "I'll fix this place up... I'll make this place great again!" I self-proclaimed holding a hoof over my chest that I puffed out with pride. I was going to fix my childhood's magical kingdom. My gaze slowly transfixed itself on a box-shaped clock that could be used as an alarm dismissing the black office cord phone. The time. 11:44 PM. The clock read in bright red digits. My shift hadn't started yet. What was my job? Oh yeah, here's the best part! All I have to do is watch the place! I squeed happily clapping my hooves together in excitement. I pulled out the chair from underneath the desk. Exposing the cushioned seat to me, to which I gradually took, plopping my plot down over the chair. Besides my coffee resting the desk was a clean sheet of paper that had words neatly printed over it. Curious, I took the note gingerly in my earth pony hooves. First having some trouble, but in the end, prevailed. I held the note carefully looking it over. Hello, this is the manager speaking. As of right now, you are hereby appointed as a night guard. Please follow the instructions to the letter. They may very well save your life. I read the paper aloud. Now, before you get started. You are going to want to need a light source. You should be able to find a flashlight in the lower metal cabinet located within the desk. Placing the paper on back resting on the desk, I scooted my chair back. I reached a hoof out for the metal handle that jutted out from the metal container that was a desk. But I was too far high up. *Huff* Instead of getting off my lazy plot. I just simply reached under my chair and pulled up the handle, causing my chair to descend lower. Now within hoof reach, I opened the bottom drawer. I was then greeted with the sight of an old black flashlight, that looks like it had some of its black paint scratched off. Nonchalantly I pulled out the flashlight with my teeth. Dropping it on the table nearly knocking over my coffee in the process. "Careful you idiot!" I chided myself. Steadying my coffee. When I knew my drink was safe I picked up the note again, reading the next direction. First, head over to the parts & service room, you should be able to find another door that would lead you down a set of stairs. "Parts and service room? Where the hell is dat?" I blurt out with a confused look. Before a smile slowly crept onto my features. "Oooo~ never been to this parts and service room before, and a basement to boot!" Excitedly I dismiss my coffee leaving the lid on closed. Excitedly I scooped up the worn flashlight in my maw, sticking the "to do list" underneath my hat. switching on the light I ran out of the office. In search of this "parts and service room". I scampered through the dark hallways remembering how I had used to run through the halls as a small filly. With my parents getting after me for running. But I would brush them off giving them the cutest face I could muster. Causing my parent's to coo at my adorableness, a superpower that every foal had equipped. Running around the pizzeria in search of the select specific room. _ I ran a hoof through my daughter's mane. It was fun getting to spend the day with cute Midnight. Playing pretend with her, cooking with her, and even teaching her new words. I sighed in satisfaction cradling my small young foal in my hooves. Rocking her back and forth, with a blanket draped over her small form. My daughter held a small golden teddy bear in her hooves, she smiled in her sleep, causing me to smile right back at my innocent daughter's sleeping form. Ever so slowly I leaned back in the small bed. Everything was taken care of. I could finally have a good night's sleep without worry. I had that mare take the night shift. Hopefully, this change will be permanent. "Goodnight, sweetheart," I whispered softly into my daughter's ear, stroking her cheek, slowly drifting off to sleep, into imagination land. Dreaming of me and my daughter running together in a grain filled field together. The same old field me and my ex-wife used to play in. I still loved that mare, even if she didn't love me... I loved Rose. _ I flashed the light around the Parts & Service room. The light reflected off the metal steel beams and plastic masks. Masks that were groomed carefully, gently polished synthetic fur that looked to be smoother than silk. "Cool~" I sang looking over the spare masks that were stacked on shelves. Taking a "sample" feel of a mask, I rubbed my cheek against one of the purple masks. Each and every mask had two empty eye sockets. While the purple one was unique, you see there was a hole on the forehead for a horn to be inserted through. Fit for a unicorn. "Good day it is," I muttered stepping away from the shelf of masks. Shifting my attention to the exoskeleton that was laid out on a table. The beam of light roamed over the exposed metal beams that made up the internal components of the ponimatronics on stage. "Whoa..." it was the first time I had ever seen the "robot guts". There were lots of wires stored in cardboard boxes underneath the table. I inspected the wires looking them over, while at the same time growling at my inner filly. That wanted to take the wires out and examine them closely. Didn't want to get fired on my first night here. Lifting my head up I screamed out in fright jumping back. in fright dropping my flashlight. The sound of the fall echoed throughout the establishment. Giving me some good echoes. I froze on the spot just straying right in front of me. Scared, that if I would just blink the thing would get me. Now, what was this thing you might ask? I... I don't know... it was purple... and... was straying back at me... that's all I knew. The eyes of a monster were staring right back at me. White glinted eyes. My breathing quickened, my heart raced. The flashlight illuminated the boxes underneath the table along with a purple jaw that belonged to the creature and it's eyes. Wait a minute, illuminated its eyes? Cautiously, I took a step forward. Nothing... Another step... Nothing... Then another... again another... Yet, nothing seemed to happen. I started to raise a hoof gently. Rising closer towards the creature. Then getting scared the closer my hoof got, I slapped the creature letting out a startled yelp. The head turned to face away from the amount of force I put behind my sudden attack. I breathed heavily, catching my breath. Over nothing... it was nothing. I scooped the flashlight off the floor and back into my lonely mouth, that would never know what a lovers kiss felt like. Shinning the light over the monster I was quick to find that it was just the head of the exoskeleton. My face heated up red in embarrassment with a sense of dread washing over my soul. On instinct, my eyes shifted from left to right. Making sure that know pony saw me freak out... tears threatened to make themselves known. _ All the colts and fillys laughed at my expense. My cheeks flared bright red. "Really Loser?! You can't be serious!" A colt laughed at me. "Yeah what he said!" A filly chimed in. "Dressing up as a superhero? You? You aren't a superhero! You're a loser! You are Super Loser!" Another child laughed at me. "But... but... I made this costume on my own..." I teared up scuffing a hoof on the cemented sidewalk. "It's hideous," A spoiled filly balked in disgust. "That costume should be illegal." My whole body visibly wilted. My spirit felt like it had shriveled up and died. "You aren't going Nightmare nighting with us. Come on. Let's go guys." The colt from before announced walking off with the rest of my class. I sat down alone. Leaving me behind. Underneath a lonely street lamp. Surrounded by darkness. *Sniff* I hugged myself, wiping the tears out of my eyes. "No crying... heroes don't cry..." my voice quivered. "Heroes smile... heroes endure hardship..." _ I panted puffing my chest out. I grabbed ahold of the purple head turning it back to face me once again. A true hero... faces their problems head-on, facing their fears. The flashlight that was held in my mouth shined the beam of light directly on the face, nearly blinding me from the close proximity. Organic eyes meeting plastic eyes. This was the Twilight Sparkle ponimatronics. Or the Ministry Mare of Arcane Science. But I preferred to just refer to her as Twilight Sparkle, the element of Magic. "Nice to see you two." Moving away from the head I moved to the end of the room reaching another door. Heading down a set of stairs. Entering what I could only presume was the "basement". Once I reached ground level, I extended a hoof out from underneath my security hat, I pulled out the crumpled piece of paper "to do list". Making sure to keep the list in the light, so that the printed wording would be legible. In the basement head over to the small-medium sized generator that is located at the northeast wall and prime the pump. Falling the instructions I found the generator and primed the pump. Totally oblivious to the shadow watching me. Setting my flashlight aside I pulled on the string with my teeth. The stupid thing took about ten minutes for the machinery to finally hum to life. A small light bulb that hung above the small generator rained downlight over the generator. Taking advantage of the light I brought the "to do list" into the light to make it easier to read. In your office you should be getting a phone call. It will be ringing all night until you pick it up. Placing the "to do list" back under my hat, and taking the flashlight back in my mouth. I made my way out of the basement. Resisting the urge to snoop around. I didn't want to get fired on my first day... I stooped at the top of the stairs taking one last look down. Then again... who would know? "No. I can't do that. Really need this job..." I muttered biting my lip I closed the basement door behind me. The ringing of a phone echoed within the building it was so subtle, that it hardly bothered me. Taking a detour I trotted past the stage passing by the two ponimatronics. Making my way to the "fillys room" entering an empty stall. Not bothering to lock the door. Doing my business, myself. Flicking off the flashlight I set it down in a vertical position. Closing my eyes, my mind began to drift off to my fantasy world. Picturing to mares getting it on hot and heavy. Cheeks burning as I thought of it. Picturing myself as one of the mares. The feeling of being loved... and lusted over... a dream that would never be a reality for poor me... but dreaming can always come true! And if you can think it, then it must be real! Even if it's just in my head! After having some "me time" and getting rid of the "evidence" I was washing my hooves in the restroom sink whistling a cheerful tune. My only source of light was my trusty borrowed flashlight. The same ringing of the office phone continued to ring. Though the digital alarm clock had rung some time ago when I was... "playing solo". ***Earlier*** "FUCK YES! DON'T STOP!" I screamed on the toilet sweating profusely. Panting heavily moaning I threw my head back. "OHHH~ YOU SEXY WHORE~" I cried out. I pictured my "wifu" eating me out savagely and sexily I might add. Shoving her muzzle into my love oven. I cried out one final time. ***Now*** I exited the restroom making my way back the office. Ready for my shift. Especially after loosening up, a bit. Slumping in my chair I put up my rear hooves on the desk. Kicking back and relaxing. "This is going to be a piece of cake." I cracked open my lukewarm coffee, taking a sip, grimacing right after. "Next stop... the kitchen... probably some ice in there. Oh~ maybe I can heat up some FREE PIZZA!" I squealed hopping out of my chair. Grabbing ahold of the old flashlight and running off. In search of the Kitchen. Ignoring the still ringing phone, that drowned out the metallic whirring of hydraulics.
