Seven Very Chilling Mare's Tales

A long dark road leading to a huge plantation in the middle of nowhere. The ground was cracked and fissured. In the wagon the earth pony by my side was speaking in a hyper tone, never pausing for a breath. "It's a shame about your mom and dad, they simply weren't fast enough to dodge that trip mine during the dance off, such a pity. don't worry your pretty little mane about that little mare, your new home awaits!"

A signpost we just passed looked about to collapse any moment, the wood was festering and rotted. Somepony's hoofwriting was quite visible on the decrepit wooden sign in a rustic red hued writing that said, "Turn back!"

Those red letters seemed to be hastily drawn over the time worn black paint stating: "Welcome to Ponyville."

The wind howled as it ran through the trees, the trees seemed lifeless and ancient. The buildings we passed had worn away, rotted from within. Dwellings no pony called home anymore. The pink pony with the outlandish mane and fluffy tail continued to chat as I, ignoring her, focus on the devastation all around. My mind raced. Why was I being brought out here, to this forsaken land?

I felt a hoof lightly cuff me on the nape of my neck. "Hey brooding filly, we're here!"

Looking up I caught sight of a gorgeous building, a small farmland that seemed to be thriving, and a lilac colored unicorn waving us over. "Pinkie Pie, it's been too long sweetie, how go the parties?"

The pink pony beside me, Pinkie Pie, laughed and pounced on her in excitement. "Oh Starlight! It's not the same without you, you know. All the girls ask about you, we've all been worried since the...well you know. As for the parties, well that's why I'm here delivering this young mare into your care."

The lilac unicorn, Starlight looked down upon me and gave me the warmest smile as her horn glowed a captivating shade of seagreen. "Oh aren't you just adorable? Welcome to your new home and new life. I'm going to be taking care of you, feel free to call me mommy. Can you tell me your name, sweetie?"

Her voice was soothing. I no longer felt any worries or concerns in her prescense. "My name is Wendy Seabreeze, mommy."

"That is such an angelic name, take my hoof and let's go meet your new sisters."

I took her hoof and -

A light hitting my face cause me to open my eyes. I was drenched from sweat. Just a nightmare. Twenty three years ago I found myself here as a filly orphan. I looked around. "Ooomph!"

A cyan pegasus with a rainbow hued mane was bouncing on top of me. "C'mon sis! Mom's waiting for us! Rise and shine!"

I blinked sleepily and somewhat annoyed. I am not a morning pony. "Rainbow!"

Rainbow Dash, my younger sister by adoptive properties. Ever freespirited and lighthearted seeing her always made me smile. She laughed and gave me a light hug whispering. "Mom said to get you and see if you were still having the...you know."

My eyes went wide. She was refering of course to the dreams I had begun having in the past week. I shivered and nodded only to get a huge hug from Rainbow. "Don't worry big sis! Anyway mom says you have five minutes before she comes in to get you herself. You missed breakfast and she is a bit upset."

OH CRAP! I thought to myself. Quickly flinging the covers off I bolted out of bed and rushed downstairs, to find mom standing there with a ruler in her hoof, glaring menacingly. "Young mare, why were you not at breakfast? Are you telling me my assistant, my own full-grown daughter no less is still in need of discipline as a reminder?"

As she raised an eyebrow my hoof instinctively rushed to protect my bottom. "N-no mom, I just was unable to wake up! I was having that dream again and -"

My words were halted mid-sentence as the ruler fell to the ground and mom rushed towards me, wrapping me in a big hug giving me a warm peck on the cheek, whispering to me in her gentle caring voice once more. "Shhh. there, there, it's alright. I promise they will not hurt you again, no pony will."

Letting go, she headed off to her office saying, "You will be handling every period today as punishment for missing breakfast for the fillies. Now then, see if you can do something about poor Trixie, she has lost her hat again and the poor darling is quite distraught."

I watched mom walk away in her signature sassy fashion as a loud bawling from the ballroom reached my ears. "WHERE ISH YOUUUUUU HATTY!"

I laughed to myself, just another day in paradise. As I approached the makeshift stage made of cardboard with 'THA GRATE AND POUERFUL TRWIXE!' Scribbled on it, a tiny blue unicorn with tears streaming down her face pounced onto me. "Aunty Wendy helps! Hatty ish missing!"

I gingerly wrapped my hoof around her midriff and raised her up to my eye level and said softly, "would you like help finding your hat of power, Trixie?"

Trixie giggled happily at being lifted. Somehow being lifted by her 'Aunty Wendy' always caused the little blue filly to burst out in giggles. Her eyes shined with admiration. "Pwease?"

I smiled, and giving her a gentle nuzzle to let her know everything was okay, I placed her on my back and trotted over to the nearby coatrack. The hooks were well out of filly reach and most could barely see the top shelf where I pulled her beaten up magic hat of felt from the rest stored up there. I placed it on her head and then placed her down onto the floor once more. She giggled excitedly and gave me a big hug."Thwank yous Aunty Wendy! Me luvs you!"
I grinned as I watched her run off to the stage she had made. A tiny crowd of six fillies had gathered to watch her daily magic show. She was quite adept at it, maybe one day she would get her cutie mark in such entertainment."Hoocus Pookus!"

My eyes scanned the crowd. An orange earth pony with a small stetson hat mom had made her, sat in the front row stamping her hooves in excitement as Trixie pulled a tiny stuffed bunny from the hat. Applejack then nudged a small white unicorn who was gasping in surprise as a hoola hoop appeared to materialize around Trixie's midriff. "Oh my dwaling did yous see thats, fluttershee?"

Rarity had been referring to the tiny yellow pegasus that had her eyes covered as Trixie turned her wand into a sparkler, startling the poor dear. "EEEP so...scary!"
Beside her one moment and suddenly on stage assisting the next, was a pink earth pony with an over abundance of energy and strange taste in mane and tail stylings. Pinkie Pie had begun assisting Trixie in her act as if it was part of the act. The tiny inseparable fillies, Lyra and Bonbon were watching the show while snuggling. The tiny multi-hued mane earth pony had her head on the little green unicorn's lap while the latter had somehow managed to sit with her hind hooves crossed, as always perplexing me to no end.

I waited patiently until the show had ended. My horn glowed a light purple as I turned on the lights. "Can I have everypony's attention?"

The day went by with complete normality. Rarity attempted to bedazzle Applejacks hat with pretty rhinestones, much to Aj's dismay, while AJ got even by tying poor rarity up in a hogtie as retribution. After separating them I gave them both some applesauce and told them to offer it to the other in apology. I watched with a big smile as the two hugged and ate their applesauce together during snacktime. Pinkie Pie decided we needed more cupcakes and inexplicably handed out a bakers dozen to the class during History Class. Where did she keep getting those anyway?Finally naptime rolled around and after making sure Fluttershy had her stuffed bunny, Trixie had her hat and magic cape(really a blanket that she enjoyed snoozing under) and Lyra and Bonbon were snuggling comfily under their blanket, a loud knock was heard issuing from the front door.

I felt it was particularly odd. We didn't get many visitors, though perhaps a new filly had been delivered as they seemed to be systematically by some pony. It seemed like every time a grown mare left the orphanage via adoption or simply coming of age, a new filly would be placed upon the doorstep. I trotted towards the door as the knocking occurred once more. Opening it just a crack, I saw a pair of amethyst eyes staring back at me. I opened the door wide to reveal none other than the queen herself standing before me. "I wish to speak to Starlight Glimmer."
I was slightly confused, and it must have shown upon my face as her highness rolled her eyes and spoke in a friendlier voice. "I mean your mother, sweetie. Can you go get her for me?"

I bowed my head feeling inexplicably scared for my life before the alicorn as I stammered. "At once, your majesty."

Bolting away at breakneck speed I thundered down the hallway to mom's office and pounded on the door, my anxiety having blossomed full force. "Mom, open up! Mom!"

The door opened swiftly and mom's warm voice greeted me. "Sweetie what's wrong?"

Her hooves were wrapped around me in a warm hug, and I began to relax. "Mom...the queen is at the front door asking for you."

I felt her grip around my midriff tighten momentarily in reaction to my words as pulling back I noticed her eyes slightly dilated in terror. She shook her head as if warding off some forboding thought and whispered softly. "Escort her to my room and make sure you beg her forgiveness for making her wait."

"Yes mom."

I made my way without pause back to the purple alicorn who now sported an angry glare as she waited for my return. My words came out in a rush, "mom said for me to escort you to her room. Also your majesty I am so sorry for making you wait, please forgive me for my transgression."

I lay before the queen and awaited her verdict, the sweat dripping down my muzzle as my body tensed in anxiety. "Rise, I shall forget this little altercation ever happened. Lead me to your mother; I am on a very tight schedule."

I breathed a sigh of relief and began to rise, only to find a heavy weight upon my back. Her majesty had placed her hoof on my back and was firmly holding me down as she spoke in a low silky voice. "Don't ever let it happen again, however. I may not be so forgiving next time, don't you ever dare forget who is in charge like your mother did, young mare. It could save your life."

I let out a whimper as I uttered in a squeaky voice. "Y-yes your maj-majesty!"

I felt the hoof leave my back and the calm voice of the queen once more. "Now then, get on your feet and take me to your mother."

Rising to my hooves I began breathing erratically. I forced myself to calm down and led the way to mom's office. Upon arriving I raised a hoof to knock only to be pushed flat on my muzzle by a powerful shove from behind. Once again I felt the pain of those hooves pressing down upon my back. I grimaced in pain and bit my upper lip to stay silent as she stood on top of me, lest I offend her any further. Her forehooves made a thunderous sound as she knocked upon the door. Looking up I saw her staring into my eyes in silent domination. Finally, she spoke, her tone icy and commanding. "Tell me, young mare, who has power over your very existence, should you live or die?"

Tears began streaming down my face onto the stone floor as the pain intensified. I gasped out. "You...do...your majesty."

Stepping off of me as the door opened, she replied to me as the door closed behind her. "Don't you ever forget that, the reason you can breathe or even smile? It's because I still desire your existence in this worthless world.You exist solely for my amusement, nothing more."

Behind the door I heard mom scream. "Not her, please I beg of you! I swear I will give you anything you want but please don't..."

I pressed my ear to the door to hear more. The voice of Twilight's icy rage cut through the wooden frame. "SILENCE! You WILL do as I command! Now then it seems the time has come once again Starlight, even now she is listening to this conversation as she has hundreds of times before..."

I stood paralyzed, stunned by her words. My head drenched in sweat as my eyes tried to gain focus on something anything. My mind was racing in utter terror. She knew? Wait, this has happened before? Before I could will myself to move the door swung open and I fell inward into the room landing at the hooves of the queen. Glancing up I saw a smile that sent chills throughout my entire frame. "Come in, come in, so glad you could join us Wendy...we were just about to settle your mother's...debt to me."

Turning to look at mom she asked in a soft voice. "How many time have we been here Starlight?"

Mom's eyes were rapidly dilating as she stood there shivering. "Please...your majesty...don't..."

Twilight placed a hoof on my back and said in a more menacing tone. "Answer my question, how many times..."

I felt her hoof lift off my back and breathed a sigh of relief. "Have we..."

A tremendous pain erupted throughout my spine causing me to scream as the hoof came crashing down on my back. "been here, Starlight?"

Mom had tears streaming down her face as she looked away, whispering hoarsely. "one thousand...years your majesty."

I felt my body being lifted as a light purple glow surrounded me. I was held in front of the queen as she stared into my eyes. "Tell me, Starlight, how many times have you raised the rest to marehood only to have to start over the next day?"

Starlight winced as the pain of the memories appeared on her face. "five hundred...And twenty-six, your majesty. Please, I've learned my..."

I felt myself flung against the wall, the sound of my ribs shattering was evident. The pain was more so. I screamed. "Mom help!"

Mom looked at me and whispered in pure sorrow. "I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry!"

The queen glared at her. "You have learned your lesson? Is that what you were going to say? Do you even remember why you are here, Starlight?

My vision turned red as I felt my skull bashed against the stone walls. Why you must endure such hardships?"

Again my vision grew blurry, tinted heavily in red. Again and again. The pain was horrendous. Am I...going to die?

Twilight seemed to pause and calmly as she held my battered body up for mom to see, said softly. "You were such a bad pony, Starlight. Stealing everyone's cutiemarks, destroying everything me and my friends held dear. Did you not expect some form of retribution some punishment after you surrendered to my offer of friendship?"

Starlight stood with her hooves over her mouth as she stared at me. My vision was slowly fading as Twilight spoke words I could just make out. "Can you promise you'll be a good pony and do as I say from now on?, if so we can end this and get you back to where you belong. Licking my hooves obediently in Ponyville."

Mom screamed as if releasing a prayer to the heavens themselves. "I'll be a good pony, I'm a good pony, I'm a..."

Just then my eyes closed, I was unable to open them again as A loud THUD, filled my ears followed by mom's screams of horror.

In a secret basement within Canterlot Castle the body of Starlight Glimmer had been strapped down to a metal table. A strange helmet upon her head, covering her eyes.

The helmet beeped as a golden horseshoe pressed a button on a nearby console. "I'M A GOOD PONY!"

The scream of Starlight filled the small room. Princess Luna turned to Celestia and spoke. "It would seem she is awake, dear sister."

Princess Celestia glared at the pink unicorn now frantically trying to break her bonds. "Stop moving, Starlight show me what a good pony you can be."

At once the struggling ceased. Celestia looked at Luna and said."can you lease go get Twilight from the other room?"
Leaving that room with An "at once dear sister." Luna located and released Twilight from another similar machine. "Welcome back, Twilight. She is waiting for you."

Starlight lay perfectly still as Celestia brought her table in to an upright position. As the unicorn watched a familiar purple alicorn approached her looking very warm and friendly. "Oh good, Starlight I'm glad you are awake, tell me have you thought about those friendship lessons I offered you? After all a good pony would jump at the chance to be taught by the princess of friendship..."

Starlight began speaking in a eager to please tone, her words hurried as if afraid of offending by speaking too slow. "I'm a good pony! please teach me anything you want, i'm a good pony. Let me learn your lessons, let me serve you! I'm a good pony! Please let me do as you wish, I'll do anything!"

Twilight smiled icily, but only for one moment before it became a warm and friendly grin. She trotted up to Starlight and began undoing her bonds. She whispered to her tenderly. "That's a good pony, you will be my apprentice, my slave, my friend. I command and you obey. Let us begin your new life as my pupil, Starlight. Your crimes against Equestria have been forgiven."