Tiara was quick to go dashing off towards Sweet Apple Acres, her mane flowing behind her like a streak of color in the sky over Rainbow Falls. Sweetie was the opposite taking each step with care and thought, her mind on other things such as her older sister.
Rarity had taken the death of Rainbow Dash pretty bad, falling off into a pit of depression that even now she was lost within. Dresses became uninspired slowly losing color, before long the boutique was drowning in a tide of monotone.
In fact since that night all of Ponyville had become more somber and less energetic, the innocence of this realm stolen by one mare with no explanation why. Rarity always spoke of how she visited Fluttershy, yet sharing that her eyes were no longer full of hope but instead hollow and dark.
So dark that no light could ever shine within them, the sparkle gone replaced with a silent anger.
“Excited for tonight's party?” Scootaloo spoke skidding to a sudden stop by the unicorn’s side, dust wafting across the air in a splash of gravel and dirt.
“You sure we should, maybe we ought to just hit the festival instead?” Sweetie broke free from her memories, tilting a head to the side in growing worry.
“That place is such a snooze fest and for kids, we my friend are mares now! Mares need to party and have fun, besides how many times is Tiara’s place free to crash!?” Scootaloo gave a wide grin, her eyes full of devious mischief.
“I guess so…”
“Just a guess!? Tell you what when the party begins, I’ll move Button Mash your way so you two can be alone.” The pegasus gave a wink before giggling, the unicorn blushing a bright pink.
“Whatever!”
“I see the way you stare at him, besides after that growth spurt last year he now has a nice ass.” The pegasus stuck out her tongue playfully, the unicorn just bursting into giggles from the lewdness that was Scootaloo.
“C’mon let’s go, before Tiara seduces Big Mac…” Sweetie gave a soft shake of the head, both young fillies heading off down the path laughter filling the air.
Big Mac slung a skeleton of a female pony over a large tree branch, her hooves dangling cutely towards the ground the chime of bones clicking across the farm. Tiara watching him work atop a wooden ladder, eyes glued onto his strong firm muscles while she had fun placing faux spiderwebs along some hay bales.
“Any plans for tomorrow Mac?” The mare brushed her bangs away from her eyes flirtingly, the stallion gazing down to her with a hearty chuckle.
“Other than planning a massacre here?” He gave a sly smirk,sliding down the ladder to ground level.
“Well your ‘Haunted Farm’ deal only lasts till seven, I was thinking afterwards you could…” The small filly did a sway of the tail before lifting it up high, her pouty full lips curling into a saucy smile.
“We honestly had a night planned in afterwards.” Sugar Belle spoke in a tender tone, prancing out of the nearby barn and over to her husband embracing him.
“Mmmm, been looking forward to it all week.” Mac gave a whisper, his lips meeting the lips of his wife before pulling into a passionate deep kiss.
Tiara scrunching up her small muzzle in disgust, never noticing Sugar Belle’s eyes casting a warning glare her way. Sweetie and her pegasus friend soon walking over from the distance, both watching in awe as the whole farm had been transformed into a scene from a horror story.
“Hello Belle, is Bloom free to hang out?” Sweetie spoke in a polite tone towards her elder, the rustling of hay before her bouncing to life.
“Just got done placing the spiders!” Bloom gave a soft squee as her head pushed out from the bale, a melodic giggle being hid behind a tiny yellow hoof.
“Heehee, Scoots want to um…” Sweetie bit her lower lip, tapping her chin with her hoof in deep thought.
“Discuss the ‘Cake Walk’ at the festival, you know which cake is sweet enough to eat…” Scootaloo playfully began to lean against the bale with a sing song voice.
“Mmhmm, and which cakes we should not even give a taste.” Tiara gave a flirty lick of the lips, her brows doing a playful dance in place.
“Oooo delicious.” Bloom shook the hay off her coat, pouncing out of the fray and towards Sweetie who was blushing brightly.
“Must be good cakes?” Mac spoke in confusion the teen mares exploding into a fit of giggles, walking off in a large group girlish squeals filling the air.
“You are too innocent dear.” Sugar hid a smirk, nuzzling her husband off in the opposite direction.
Fluttershy let her pale eyes watch the passing world for the last time in this life, tangled mane covering her face much like a picture frame. Slender body held in a torn dirty white hospital gown, the left side hanging off her shoulder lacklusterly.
The pure snow colored muzzle of ‘Nurse Redheart’ poking in suddenly from the doorway, the loud click of the lock flying over the pegasus seconds before. The tiny pony nurse walking within the dimly lit room in sorrow, her eyes upon this lost soul with compassion and pity.
“I’m Nurse Redheart dear, I’m ever so sorry I’m your new caretaker for this last night.” The clicking of hooves filling the room, her soft hoof tracing the mane of the yellow mare tenderly
“...” The pale hues continued to watch the bar covered window in silence, the sun outside soon falling behind the horizon in a glitter of sparkles.
“Nurse Stonehoof never gave you much care honey, look at that gown and mane!” The nurse softly nipping the gown’s string with her teeth, freeing the pegasus from the filthy garment.
“...”
“How about we get you a nice bath, afterwards I can brush those knots out of your lovely mane.” Redheart slowly spoke in a whisper, knowing this patient was on lockdown yet thought after two years of good behavior she must be pacified.
Fluttershy was easy to lift off the chair in silence, standing up on her hooves with a blank lost stare. The nurse sighing softly and guiding the mare out of the room, the hallway was blindingly bright their hooves simply traveling two doors down to the shower room.
“They have no excuse to have treated you this way, like some rabid animal dear.” The nurse gently nudging Fluttershy to the corner of the room, cantering over to the large open tub turning the warm water on swiftly.
“...”
“I’ll be bringing this up to the medical board next month, if you need a voice to speak for you at any hearings I’ll stand up for your good behavior.”
The water began to fill the large marble tub quickly, soft warm steam wafting into the air before Redheart reached into a hidden saddlebag on her backside. Removing a small bottle of rose essence, trickling the lovely scent of nature into the warm water.
“I brought some rose bath oils, I thought you might like it.” She spoke in a gentle giggle, turning around to come muzzle to muzzle with Fluttershy.
“DEAR CELESTIA!” Redheart almost pounced into the water behind her, the blank gaze of Fluttershy digging deep into her soul.
“...”
“Sorry honey, I didn’t hear you come over.” The nurse gave a nervous giggle, Fluttershy glancing down to the water sadly.
“...” Light crystalline blue tears tracing the edges of her eyes, gently trickling down her cheek in silence.
“Dear, are you crying?” Redheart spoke in a whisper, her tiny hoof lovingly wiping the tear off her face.
“...”
“Come you poor thing, let’s give you a bath.” The nurse spoke swallowing a large lump in her throat, the pegasus simply crawling into the tub politely sinking her sore body deep into the water.
“Heehee, I’ll have you looking beautiful in no time!” Redheart felt her breathing calm down, sitting on the edge of the tub before picking up a sponge to help bathe the sickly pegasus.
The scent of rose petals dancing across the room, filling the small claustrophobic space with a sense of hope.
You never noticed how damp the grass outside was, moist under your hooves like a sinking pit of sludge. It made the innocence of the world ‘dirty’ more foul than you remember, lifting up a single hoof you grimaced in discomfort the sight of filth upon your coat sickening.
Stains were all around you, lifting eyes high to the sky above. Stars dancing about the dark sky a lovely sight, they glittered with a clean sparkle that you don’t remember anypony else having. The moon was high above the treetops basking the world below in a pale blue, no clouds drifting lazily by neigh just a calming light.
The creatures of the nearby forest chirping or whimpering aloud, it was a world built by the strong or the silent. They could be the only ones to survive, the weak would only vanish the traces of crimson all that would be left.
The strong made the world cleaner, you thought maybe even a little bit nicer.
“You ok?” You tilted your muzzle to the side, spotting the alicorn princess herself Twilight.
“...” The sound of the cottage door behind her clicking shut, sending a soft echo into the somber sky.
“Well, we are all heading off to the ‘Nightmare Night Festival’ Dashie wants to stay in and relax if that is fine.” Twilight gave your shoulder a nudge with her tiny muzzle, those large eyes of hers always so full of ‘faith’.
“...” You gave a shrug with your shoulders, feeling your body slump downward as if sinking into the sludge.
“Woot! Let’s get going, Rarity is already waiting for us!” Pinkie bounced out a nearby open window, her mane a bubbly mess of excitement dressed as a oversized breezie.
“Ok, I’m ready.” Twilight giggled before cantering away.
“I’ll bring you back a cupcake!” Pinkie glomped you from the front, squeezing the air out of your lungs firmly before dashing off into the distance.
Her hugs always made you feel so warm and safe, but tonight you simply felt numb and ice cold. Lifting to your hooves you gave a soft pout, turning around and leaning against the smooth wooden frame.
“This night is overrated.” Dashie gave an annoyed muffled grunt from inside, you slowly pushing the door open to see her lovely rainbow mane glowing vibrantly while standing in the kitchen.
“...” You forced a small nod, you were a bit happy to have some alone time with your friend.
“Ponies meet up and scare each other or get drunk, you have the right idea to stay in and relax.” Dashie gave a sly wink, your cheeks burning a bright pink while watching her mix together a bowl of oats and nuts.
“...” You could feel your mouth so dry, lips cracking when you even thought of speaking.
“You are just a wonderful mare, remember that.” The pegasus gave a giggle, grabbing a blank masquerade mask off the counter and fluttering over on cloud like wings.
“...” The mask was gently pushed over your drooping ears, her soft yet firm hooves gently brushing your mane aside before the world was set into a narrow field of view.
“Sorry it’s just a blank white, Twilight says that it is supposed to be neutral that ponies will see, what they want to see.” Dashie leaned in ever closer, the scent of clouds wafting from her coat.
“...” You couldn’t think of a thing to say, perhaps an action would speak louder than any word could?
A simple tilt of the muzzle and your lips would meet her own, a tender embrace on a cold numbing night. Heart racing a million miles an hour in your chest, breathing becoming so loud suddenly ringing inside your ears.
“I was thinking we could invite Applejack over, in fact I did to be honest.” Her eyes suddenly moving away from your own, filled with a dreamy daze as she fluttered back over to the counter.
Your heart slowing down to a near dead pace, thumping slow and steady deep within your chest. Those words causing everything around you to slow down, to strip the color away from all things.
“I’ve been wanting a night alone with her lately, you know?” Dash smiled over with those bleak grey eyes, her pale monotone coat full of filth and rot.
“...” You slowly made your way towards an open window, gazing out into the icy world around you as all was black and bleak.
“You are happy to join us, a awesome mare’s night in!”
You could hear her voice stab at your mind like a dragon claw on a chalkboard, the mere sound making your coat crawl. Walking over to the counter she once stood, the filthy slut moving off into your living room with the bowl in hoof.
This was your home, a place that the stains could not find. A place you should find solace and peace, hoof slowly grabbing the large clean kitchen knife off the counter. Now this piece of trash was bringing in the dark, invading your home with horrible nasty perversions.
“What music should we put on?” Dash stood beside the record player in the living room, her tail swishing side to side annoyingly.
“...” Your breathing felt so loud and heavy, your own wings lifting you off the floor into the sky while fluttering over to the filth.
“I’m thinking ‘Pony Boogie’ but let me guess, you want something like ‘Sounds Of Nature’.” Dash gave a loud mocking laugh into the air, your wings silently placing you right behind her.
“Well…” She began to speak, you lifting the blade high into the air plunging it deep into her backside.
Her scream echoing across the cottage and out the window, crimson warm color splashing across the living room floor. Those grey eyes suddenly coming into view, locking her sickly gaze onto your own.
“What!?” She gave a gasp for air, your hoof stabbing the blade deep into her chest with a welcoming slice her color spilling onto the blank steel.
“No!...NO!” She began to sob aloud while falling to the floor, her trail of vibrant warmth bringing beauty into this bleak night.
You lowered down to your own hooves, watching her tears roll down her cheeks and her slender body dragging across the open walkway before you. Walking so close and stabbing her again in the backside, twisting the blade to the right as she gave a weak moan of pain.
Her hooves reaching the door, too weak to lift upward and twist the knob. Color splashed all over her matted coat, hooves dripping in welcome warmth of this wonderful night. Her tiny helpless body rolling over, her gaze locking onto you with tear stained eyes.
“Help…” She gave a gargle of a plea, blood trickling out the side of her mouth onto her mane.
You nodded in reply lifting the blade once more into the air, though freezing in place as her soft coughs echoed around the silent room. Her chest slowing down in pace, your hoof lowering as the sound of the blade hitting the floor rang out.
You simply watched in silent awe, her eyes growing blank and sleepy. Her body tensing up in a weakened state, her voice sobbing in a heartbroken tone. Her crying so full of pain and numbness, before it all simply came to a stop.
You gave a stare upon her lifeless body in front of the door, the sound of each breath ringing inside your ears loudly. You made sure not to step on her wings, pulling open the door and stepping outside again.
Lowering your hooves back into the grass once more, lifting your muzzle to the sky and watching the moon bask all in a protective glow. The sound of hoofsteps coming near, Applejack making her way closer and closer to your side.
You never noticed how damp the grass was until now, her eyes falling onto you in growing worry of the color oozing off your hooves.
“Fluttershy!?” Applejack nudged her friend on the shoulder roughly yanking the mask off the muzzle of the pegasus, those blank blue eyes gazing off into the abyss.
“What happened Fluttershy!?” The copper mare was swift to check out her friend for cuts or bruises, her body shivering in growing terror before dashing into the cottage at top speed.
Screams filling the night sky soon after, it was Nightmare Night after all.
Two Years Later.
“You’ve wasted Twilight’s patience, I’m not the type to kiss ass like she does.” Starlight Glimmer spoke with a stern attitude, locking eyes with the pale yellow pegasus across from her.
Hooves chained to the side of a steel chair, her once sleek pink mane a wild mess of tangles and knots. Overgrown to its limit as it hid away her lost blue hues, coat filthy and matted from months of not washing.
“...” Fluttershy didn’t speak a word at all, it had been this way since that one night years ago.
“Why did you kill your friend, why did you throw everything away?” The violet mare spoke with narrowing eyes, leaning against the wooden table they spoke at softly.
“...”
“Celestia asked me to help you, but if you don’t speak I will be forced to…” Glimmer lifted up a large stack of files from the floor, her magic tossing them across the table before the pegasus.
“...”
“Sign these, if I do they will lock you away forever! You will rot not in a mental institution like here in Ponyville, but instead Tartarus till the day you die!” The unicorn slamming a small hoof on the table loudly, the sound echoing around the room eerily.
Fluttershy slowly lifted up those vacant blue eyes to the mare, staring forward in silence showing no remorse nor emotion to anything that was said. Her gaze falling back down to the floor seconds later, Glimmer giving a loud snort into the air while rolling her eyes.
“They all think you are catatonic or so grief stricken you’ve become lost, they believe they can save you but I can see in those eyes Fluttershy something dark.” Glimmer lifted a small plate of ink onto the table with magic, gently rubbing her hoof within it daintily.
“...”
“Whatever darkness has claimed you, it has killed the pony we all used to know.”
“...”
“You’ve fooled them haven’t you Fluttershy?” She slid over a folder with a glow of magic, flipping it open before pressing her hoof firmly upon the dotted line.
“...”
“But you haven’t fooled me.”
“You signed them didn’t you?” Twilight gave a saddened sigh aloud, Glimmer trotting in through the front door of the castle in a defeated manner.
“Yes.” Was her reply, swift yet with a hint of sorrow.
Twilight shook her head in place, hiding away the pain in her eyes as tears flowed down each cheek. The alicorn spinning around to face her friend sobbing aloud, rushing over and embracing her while quivering.
“I failed her…” The mare buried her muzzle into Glimmer’s shoulder, the unicorn softly stroking her mane in place.
“You did no such thing, for almost two years you tried to reach her. You went above and beyond, so no more tears.” Glimmer gave a soft coo into her ear.
“But why!? Just tell me why!?”The alicorn went limp in her embrace, the tears flowing freely as the unicorn fought to hold her own back.
“I don’t know…” Glimmer gave a glance to the calendar on the wall, tomorrow would be ‘Nightmare Night’ the night this horror had begun.
“So that is where that ‘Mad Mare’ went?” Tiara lifted up on her hind hooves, pressed cutely against a large iron gate while her tail started to swish side to side.
“Her name was Fluttershy…” Sweetie Belle spoke up from behind with a look of sorrow, her coat a clean pure white yet mane a frazzled mess from a crazy day.
“Ponies up town call her ‘The Shadow Mare’!” Scootaloo let a yawn escape from her muzzle standing on a small scooter near a bush, her violet eyes full of boredom.
“Fluttershy!” Sweetie was quick to flash a stern glare, Scootaloo only rolling her eyes.
“I wonder what made her snap, my mom claims it was a crime of passion.” Tiara gave a sly smirk to the white unicorn.
“Just rumors Tiara.” Sweetie began to tap her hoof in place on the ground, standing in front of this place was giving her the creeps.
“Rumors can be true…” Scootaloo gave her two cents in on the conversation, Tiara nodding along softly in agreement.
“Like the rumor about Pinkie cooking ponies into cupcakes?” Sweetie spoke up in annoyance, eyes flashing both fillies a ‘let’s go’ look.
“Ok so I was wrong about that one, let's just go meet up with Bloom.” Tiara burst into a small fit of giggles, all three children walking off down the path before them.
The large white stone building of the ‘Ponyville Mental Institution’ fading away into the horizon, the fillies having a lot of plans to set into motion for tomorrow night. The sun high in the sky fading slowly, causing the world to be colored in a lovely orange glow.
