Quincy

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter One: Ponyville
Chapter Two: The Promise
Chapter Three: Holes
Chapter Four: Hailea
Chapter Five: Surprises
Chapter Six: Ace
Chapter Eight: Confrontation
Chapter Nine: Hope
Chapter Nine: Hung (Alternative Ending)
Chapter Seven: Memories

Prologue

Author's Note

Disclaimer: This work is very unpolished and it has a stronger connection to Silent Hill than My Little Pony. It is a story that features only my original characters and it was written at a time when I was incredibly depressed. As stated in a comment below, the setting for this story feels more like a Stephen King town than the Ponyville we know and love.

If you are looking for a stronger MLP-Silent Hill fanfic, then I recommend looking into SamRose's works. Otherwise, keep this disclaimer in mind as you dive into this and I sincerely hope you find enjoyment in reading it.

Prologue

I was almost there. To Ponyville. A small town in the land of Equestria. It was a place full of unique ponies, sometimes even considered to be crazy.

But all those ponies were gone. Because of the infection. A week ago, an outbreak broke out, killing everypony I knew. I haven’t seen a single pony since the outbreak. I fear for my insanity. How long will it take for me to become crazy? Or more importantly… How long do I have to live?

I wasn’t sure on either of those questions. I’m not even sure if I should just give up or not.

I was walking through the Everfree Forest. Peaceful as ever. The plants were dead, leaving a graveyard of leafless dead trees. There were no creatures to be seen, thank Celestia, if she was still alive. You’d expect that it would be brighter without the leaves, and it was. But this thick fog made it impossible to see where I was going... It was cold, damn cold. All I had was a white, buttoned up shirt, and a surgical mask. I even had extra masks, in case the one I wore got dirty.

I also had a few medical supplies. Just health drinks, though. Tasted like a cheap strawberry water flavor…

The trees stopped appearing. Huh? Was I out? That would be a yes, as a Ponyville sign kindly answered my question.

There were two paths. One had the Ponyville sign next to it, and the other had nothing… I think there was a house at the end of the other path. Some kind of a cottage. A place that can have useful supplies. Supplies that can be beneficial to my survival.

So I began trotting down the other path. Ponyville can wait.

Not much could be said about the path. There was dirt. Then a bridge. And more dirt.

I made it to the cottage, unharmed. I went to the front door, and turned the doorknob. It was unlocked. I pushed the door open and went inside. It was colder, but it felt more comfortable. Out there, in the fog… It felt like I was being watched.

The cottage was empty and quiet, as well as being somewhat dark. If it wasn’t for the windows, this place would have been pitch black. The wallpaper on the walls was also degrading, showing the wooden structure.

I quickly checked the downstairs for any useful things that I might need. Strangely enough, I found a rusty pair of bolt cutters in the kitchen. Could be useful, so I took it.

Upstairs, there wasn’t much either. I went into the bedroom. Empty. Then I entered the bathroom. The only good thing I found was a med-kit, which fit inside the mirror. When I closed the mirror, I found that I was lost in a gaze against myself.

Celestia, I looked terrible. My black hair was messy, bags were under my eyes, which were tinted with red. I looked like a professional actor that starred in an apocalypse movie. But I wasn’t an actor and this wasn’t a movie. It was real. With death and pain.

That got me thinking, why am I going to Ponyville? To die with happy memories? To get supplies? Which one was it? Why am I trying to survive? Everyone dies. No matter what. It’s not like I was going to be the saviour of the pony race… Because there isn’t anypony else, is there? Is there?

It finally hit me.

I sat back against the wall with a fearful expression of realization. There was no one. No one who cares about me. No one else here for me. What reason do I have to live for? No matter what, I will die. Alone. And there’s no point in surviving if I’m just going to die, no matter what.

There was a bed sheet on the bed. That will have to do.

I went into the bedroom of the pony who owned this place. It was messy. Things were on the floor, such as broken frames that held pictures and broken bits of wooden furniture. I took the bed sheet off of the bed and wrapped it into a substitute of rope. I levitated it upwards, and wrapped it around a big hook that was in the ceiling, which was meant for holding a lantern. And I tied the sheet rope into a noose. I checked the strength with my hoof. Sturdy. Now for a chair…

I went downstairs to get a chair from the kitchen. But something caught my eye. Outside, in the fog, something emitted an orange light. It came from the path. Out of curiosity, and maybe for the sake of delaying my suicide, I went outside and walked to towards the orange light. I even had to cross the bridge… It was strange how I saw this from the cottage. From such a distance.

I heard a fire, and then, I saw it. It was a campfire, which burned next to the Ponyville sign. That was not there before. And the craziest thing, was that there was a mare who sat next to it.

She was bright orange, her hair a darker shade of the same color. She wore an orange hoodie. The mare unicorn looked up from her fire, and gave me a look. “Oh. Hi?”

“U-uh…” I was shocked. There was a pony, alive. Right in front of me. And before I saw the light, I was about to…

End it.

An awkward silence filled the air alongside the fog. That was until Hailea asked me something, “Um… Are you going to say anything?”

“O-oh, y-yeah, sorry. It’s b-been a w-while since, you kn-know,” I said, with a frown. But on the inside, I was happy. I wasn’t alone.

She looked at me, with a confused expression. “Know? Know what? Did I miss something?”

I blinked. What? She doesn’t know about the outbreak? Those monsters that roam around in Equestria? Am I… Going crazy?

“I, uhh.” She continued to look at me. “... F-forget about It.”

“Mmm, o-kay?” She looked back into her fire. “So, what are you doing out here? In this fog?”

“U-um, I w-was going into P-Ponyville,” I forced myself to say.

“Oh… That’s unfortunate,” she said with a frown. Before I could ask why, she gave me an answer, “There’s a fence with this door. The door has chains all over it. Don’t understand why somepony would do that to the entrance of a small town like Ponyville… But, well, someone went out of their way to do that. So, unless you’re able to levitate yourself over the fence, there is no way through.”

“Ch-chains?” She nodded. “I-I actually f-f-found a pair of b-bolt cutters.” She looked up at me.

“Shit, really?” She asked. I nodded. “Well, I’m glad I met you. Not so glad that I spent my time making this fire- but, oh well. Must have happened for a reason.”

“Y-yeah.” I forced a small smile onto my lips. Not that she could see.

“Well, come on,” she said as she got up and went down the path. The path with the Ponyville sign.

“O-okay.” I followed.

“So, I’m Hailea. What’s your name?” She didn’t turn to look at me when she walked, which made it less intimidating to talk to her. Something in her eyes made me frightened of her. It wasn’t like that with anypony else, before the outbreak. If the outbreak is even real, that is.

“I-I’m Quincy,” I said quietly, but loud enough for her to hear.

It was an awkward walk afterwards. Just two ponies, one colt and another a mare. Walking down a path, surrounded with thick fog. Sounds like a romantic setting, oh right. Unless she plans to murder me.

No.

She wouldn’t.

Would she?

Eventually, we came across a fence with a door on it. There were chains, alright. Two of them. Locking the door with the formation of an X. Just like the fence, the chains were tinted with black. The chains seemed old, but really sturdy. In fact, you can see deep dents on the door. Looks like Hailea tried to break it down with her hind legs.

“Well, get out that bolt cutter and cut those chains. I don’t have all day.”

I got out the bolt cutters with my magic and went to the door. As I position the cutters over one of the chains, I thought of something to ask, to, you know, seem less anti-social.

“So, why are you coming to P-Ponyville?” I snapped the chain. It fell onto the ground.

“Why do you ask?” Hailea quickly asked.

I levitated the bolt cutter over the other chain. “I-I dunno. J-just curious, I g-guess.” The bolt cutter snapped the chain like how a knife slices through soft butter.

Hailea was quiet for a moment. “It’s just to see some ponies, okay? My family.”

I turned to look at her. “O-oh.” I tried to think of something to say. “W-well, good luck on finding t-them.” I gave a weak smirk under my mask.

I think she noticed it, and gave a weak smile back. “Thanks. Now let’s open this door.”

I pushed the door, but it didn’t budge. That’s when we both noticed a master lock was slammed onto it, as if the chains weren’t enough.

I simply used the bolt cutters to break it off. As I did so, Hailea asked me a question.

“I’m s-sorry?” I said after I turned to her.

“I said, why do you stutter a lot?” She asked.

“O-oh, well. I h-had an accident a-as a k-kid. Let’s j-just leave it t-to that, p-please?” I asked.

“Oh. Alright. Just thought you were shy or something,” she said in a defensive manner.

“N-no, it’s not th-that. It’s j-just... Personal.” I push the fence door open. After we went through the door, I stopped. She did as well.

“Well, I guess this is where we split, aye?” She grinned. “Thanks for helping. If we meet again, I’ll be glad to see you.”

“Y-yeah… S-same.” I looked around. Fog everywhere. It’s gonna be nearly impossible to navigate through a town that you can’t even see.

“Well, bye, Quincy.” Hailea wandered off.

I looked at her. Then gave a quiet shout. “H-Hailea!” She turned around. “S-sorry for s-sounding aggressive, b-back there.” I wasn’t too much of a jerk, was I?

She blinked and smirked. “Don’t worry about it, Stutters!” Then she vanished into the fog.

I smiled under my mask. I like her. She is a little intimidating, but once you get to know her, she’s actually alright. Wait.

Did she call me stutters?

I sighed. Why am I cursed with my stupid voice? B-b-because talking like a n-n-normal pony is j-j-just too difficult f-f-for me?

I decided to focus on something else.

Now,

Time to enter Ponyville.

Chapter One: Ponyville

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter Two: The Promise

Was this all real? The outbreak, the fog, Hailea, and that clown? Or were they hallucinations?

Is this why I haven’t gotten infected yet? Was it because of my mask?

I successfully managed to get rid of the mirror shards that were in my hoof. I wish I could clean the wounds with something, but there was nothing in the med-kit that would work. So I just had to bandage my hoof up and hope I don’t get an infection. Or the infection, if that’s even real.

I stood up. I winced from using my injured forehoof. I should probably take a sip of that health drink. To kill some of the pain.

I thought about it for a moment. And told myself no. I need to save that drink for something extreme. I can live with these cuts.

I walked to the exit, but stopped when I felt something at the bottom of my hoof. I took a step back and looked down, and saw a key. My eyes widened. Is this the key to that door?

I picked it up with my magic and looked at it. Huh. It wasn’t to that door. I knew, because there was a tag on it, that read ‘Hayside Hotel.’ That’s where my family and I stayed at during the… Carnival.

Why is this key here? Do I need to go to Hayside?

I sighed. This isn’t what I think it is. Seeing the room change like that was the first clue that this isn’t an apocalypse. It was possibly a clue to my sanity being gone.

No… No.

I’m not insane. I’m just… Lost and confused. I don’t remember anything about the apocalypse. But somehow I knew about that monster. That monster. The one surrounded by smoke. With its skin covered with tumours.

What the hell was going on here?

I decided that if I want to figure that out, then the Hayside Hotel was the place to go. Hell, maybe the key to that metal door is there.

I went out of the bathroom. The fog… The fog became less thick and more clear. Not by much, but I can see just a little bit further now.

And I saw something, a silhouette of a small pony, who seemed to be staring at the metal wall that blocked off the town from the carnival. I can tell it wasn’t a monster nor a clown, because one, it wasn’t violently shaking its head and two, it didn’t have an afro.

Thank Celestia.

I approached the short figure, muttering the word, “H-Hello?”

The little unicorn colt gasped and quickly turned around. “Shit! You scared the hell out of me!” He felt his own chest with his hoof. “My heart is going ninety-miles-per hours now!”

“U-um, o-kay?” What did I do wrong? I just said hello. “I-I’m sorry?” But I apologized anyway.

“It’s… It’s fine, dude. Sorry I snapped.” The little colt sighed, then looked at me with a small grin. “Hi.”

I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my face. Then I frowned. “W-what are you d-doing out here? It’s d-dangerous out h-here.”

The colt frowned. “I’m… I’m looking for my brother. He got lost around here. I can’t seem to find him…” He turned away and his eyes lit up. “Maybe he’s in there!” He pointed to the bathroom. “I haven’t checked there yet!” He began trotting.

“W-wait.” The colt stopped and looked at me. “He isn’t in th-there, I-I’m sorry,” I told him, trying to avoid the details.

“Oh.” He sat back down. “Oh Faust, what have I done?! I should’ve been watching him! What if he’s hurt? Or… O-or… W-worse…” The little colt started to sniffle. Then his eyes began to water.

“H-hey hey… L-look at m-me.” I sat down in front of the colt. My eyes met his. “I-I’ll help you find him, m-mkay?”

His sniffles died down. “R-really? P-promise?”

A promise. Something that should be stronger than diamond. Something to never be broken. Can I really make this promise? Can I really find this colt’s brother?

I’m sure as hell am gonna try.

In a stiff tone, “I promise.” All without stuttering.

He stopped sniffling.

Then he quickly ran at me, then hugged me.

“Thank you.” Was all he said.

I hugged back, and gave his head a little pat.

The hug broke. “So, where d-do you think he could’ve g-gone?” I asked.

“Um, well…” He looked at the door on the metal wall. “I’m not too sure if it was through there. The door is locked and I can’t imagine that he would be tall enough to lock it… Unless...”

“Hey. H-he’s going to fine, a-alright?”

The colt sighed and nodded. “Yeah. I hope so.”

I felt bad for this colt. He lost his brother and now he’s worried sick. But that wasn’t the fear of his parents punishing him or him getting into any kind of trouble. You can tell that he cared about his brother from hearing him cry.

I will help him find his brother.

“W-well, it’s a b-bit far away…” The colt looked up at me. “B-but it’s somewhere t-to go.”

“Where is it?” He asked, his eyes lighting up.

“It’s the Hayside Hotel. It’s c-close by.” I remembered seeing it’s location on the tourist map. “I-I know that may s-sound kinda odd… B-but I just found this key,” I said, then levitated out the key. He looked at it, frowning slightly. “It was in…” I pointed at the restroom. “In there.”

He looked at the bathroom then back at me. “In there? The bathroom? Huh. That’s kinda odd.” He pondered for a moment. “Yeah. Sure. Let’s go to the hotel. It couldn’t hurt.”

“A-alright. And hey,” I said. He looked at me again. “W-we’ll find him, I-I swear, okay?”

He gave me a weak smile, and nodded.

We began to trot down the street.

Him and I spoke a little when we walked. I wanted to get there as fast as possible. Though I caught onto bits of things that he was telling me.

Like his name, Mortus. I thought about calling him ‘Mort’ for short, but I want to ask him if it was alright first. But somewhere safer.

And then we found it. Hayside Hotel. It had a sign in front of the building. The sign was a stack of hay with a pillow on it. On the side, the word ‘Hayside’ could be read.

“Wow. This place looks big for being in Ponyville,” Mortus commented as he looked at the building, up and down.

I didn’t say anything. I only approached the front door and pulled out the key. I slide the key into the keyhole, and turned.

Click.

It was now unlocked.

I pushed the door open. There was no light to be seen on the inside. So I pulled out my lantern and lit it, then went inside.

The colt followed.

The lobby had no signs of life in it. The windows were all boarded up and covered with blankets or bed sheets, or even both. The floor was covered with filth: dust, empty wrappers of chips or candy bars, etc.

There was a newspaper on the ground. I decided to look at it. Mortus just stayed silent and looked around.

Unicorn Mafia in Ponyville?

There have been numerous rumours that members of the Unicorn Mafia are roaming around in Ponyville, so the Royal Guard believe. No one has been arrested for selling drugs or weapons in Ponyville, but someone might soon, if the information provided by the Royal Guard is true. The Princesses are sending a detective into Ponyville to confirm the safety of the citizens.

The Unicorn Mafia? That sounds familiar…

Wait! I’ve read this newspaper before! It was a few days before this entire thing even started.

I decided to keep this newspaper as well, because it reminded me of before I found myself in this mess.

“What was on there?” Mortus quietly asked.

“S-stuff about the Un-unicorn Ma-mafia,” I replied.

“The Unicorn Mafia? So, uh, a mafia full of unicorns?” He asked.

“Y-yeah. I g-guess so,” I said.

We both moved on from the lobby and went into the hallway. There was an elevator but it seems to be out of order. The only option we had was to go upstairs.

We both went out into the hallway, but when I saw what was to the right, I quickly pulled Mortus back. He was about to say something, but I put a high onto my lips to tell him to stay silent. He understood.

I put out the lantern, then looked out of the hallway. There was a light. And an animated monster, bending over with its face in something that’s the ground. I looked to the other side, but it was a dead end. There were doors past the monster. And I knew where one of them lead.

I pulled out a spare medical mask and handed it to Mortus. “P-put it on,” I whispered. “It will pr-protect you.”

“From what?” He whispered back.

I looked back out into the hallway. I signalled him to look too. Mortus poked his head out and looked at the monster. His jaw slowly dropped as his eyes widened.

“What?!” He whispered loudly. “Why do we have to go by that thing?!”

“S-shut up. We c-can’t have it hear u-us,” I quietly said. “A-and it’s to g-get to one of t-the rooms b-back there.”

“But why?” He asked again.

“I-I need to ch-check something. P-please,” I told him. Mortus didn’t like my answer, but stayed quiet.

I left the elevator. Mortus slowly followed.

I heard that the monster was eating something. And as we got closer, it can be seen that it was a decapitated corpse of a pony. Smoke can be seen around the monster, just like with the one at town hall.

I went by like a charm. I looked back at Mortus. He followed my movements perfectly.

Except for when he slipped. And made a grunting sound.

The monster made a gasp and look away from its meal and looked at us. Nothing but a whole mouth. No eyes, no nostrils. Just a big mouth with countless razor-sharp teeth that were stained with black.

“G-GO! T-TO THE END!” I yelled. Mortus ran past me, to the door at the end of the hallway. The monster tried to leap at me, but I bucked them in the chest. They flew back at the other end of the light. Now was the time to run.

I sprinted for my life, if this was my life.

Please don’t let the door run away, please.

I heard fast, heavy hoof beats behind me.

Mortus held the door for me.

I ran in, and slammed the door shut, and locked it.

The monster banged and banged. But it couldn’t get in.

We were safe. For now.

Chapter Three: Holes

I looked around the room, and it looked familiar. I knew that this place was. It was where my family stayed at when we came to Ponyville. We went to this town to go on vacation and to have fun with the carnival.

Even though that didn’t go to plan.

No. That clown… He didn’t.

I would remember. Wouldn’t I?

I decided to not think about it. My attention was back to the hotel room.

White lights shined through the windows, which reflected from the fog. The carpet was riddled with stains and the walls looked withered. But to be honest, if I were to compare this to the other buildings I’ve gone into, this is the best I’ve seen.

A couch was under the window. Mortus went over to it after panting for a minute. He kept swearing, “fuck fuck fuck,” as he panicked. He turned to me, then asked, “What the hell was that?!”

“Y-you don’t kn-know?” I asked back. “About th-the outbreak?”

He tilted his head in confusion. “Outbreak? What outbreak? I literally woke up in a dark building and noticed my brother wasn’t with me. This was two hours ago.”

I tilted my head. “Y-you just woke up?” I asked.

“Yeah… Fuck. We’re trapped in here, aren’t we? Can that thing be killed?” He looked at me, hoping I had his answers.

“W-we’re not trapped. It probably forgot about us. A-and yes, it ca-can be k-killed,” I said. From looking at his face, I knew what he was thinking. “N-no, I won’t k-kill it.”

Mortus blinked. “Why the hell not? It just tried to kill us!” He said, making a solid point.

“L-look, Mortus. That th-thing used t-to be a p-pony. I d-don’t kill p-ponies, Mortus.” I turn my body sideways for him and pointed at the medical cross on my flank. “I-I help th-them.”

“So that’s what you’re looking for, Quincy? A cure for that sick monster? For all the sick monsters? Quincy, from seeing it chase you, I know there is no way to help that. There is absolutely nothing you can do to fix that. I’m sorry, but the only way to help that thing, is by killing hi-”

“SHUT UP!” I stumped my hoof. Tears streamed from my eyes.

We stared at each other, in silence. He looked shocked.

“That th-thing can be helped! It doesn’t have to be killed. It d-doesn’t have to be k-killed. It… It… It… H-he doesn’t have to d-die.” I looked down. Tears come from my eyes, and landed on the wooden floor.

Mortus was silent.

Then I had to nerve to ask him, “W-what if it was y-your brother?”

I heard sniffles.

I looked up and saw him crying.

“M-Mortus… I’m-”

He ran out of the living room and went into the bedroom.

“I-I’m… Sorry.”

I sat on the couch for thirty minutes, thinking about how I treated Mortus.

It was wrong of me to yell at him. To mention his brother like that… What got into me?

I sighed through my surgical mask. I haven’t looked through this place yet. This may be the best time to do so.

I got up and went into the kitchen. It was cleaner than the other places I’ve visited, but it wasn’t top notch. I looked in the cupboards. Found a few cans of good food and a few bottles of water.

I never realized how hungry I was until now.

Luckily, behind the cans was a can opener.

I looked at each can. One of these will belong to him. Which though? Carrots? Or apples?

I slightly smiled under my mask. Apples. My own brother used to love apples. When he was upset, apples usually helped.

Maybe it’s the same case with Mortus.

I exited the kitchen and sat at the round table in the living room, next to the door where Mortus and I came in from. I opened the can of carrots, took off my surgical mask, and slurped down the food.

I slightly gagged from the coldness of the carrot chunks. Otherwise, it was alright, if a bit bland.

I looked at the surgical mask I worn. It was getting dirty. I threw it to the ground and got out another, clean mask from my saddlebags, and placed it on my face.

I decided to save my water for later.

I noticed that on the table was a map which showed the layout of the hotel. I levitated it up and looked at it. One of the rooms on this floor was marked with a red symbol. The symbol looked like a key.

Could this be the key to that door?

I folded up the map and placed it in my saddlebags.

I looked at the bedroom door where Mortus went into. Should I check up on him? Maybe. Should I leave him alone? Probably.

My eyes went to the door that was next to the bedroom door. I decided to get up from my seat and go to that door. Neither of us went in there yet.

I tried to open it, but it was locked. There was a keyhole on the doorknob.

Guess I know where I’m going.

I left the can of apples and bottle of water on the table, along with the can opener. I then went to go knock on the bedroom door, and muttered, “M-Mortus, I’m g-going out for a bit… Th-there’s f-food on the t-table if y-you get h-hungry.”

Then I left the room.

Outside of the room, in the hallway, the monster was gone. I didn’t know where it could’ve gone, and kinda worried about it. But it was also a relief. I was able to use my lantern, which I did.

I turned to a door that rested on the wall to my right. This should lead into another hallway, which should lead me into that marked room. Easy.

I barely opened the door and took a peek through the crack, and surely enough, the map was correct. It was another hallway. There was a light, but no monsters roamed under it. I assumed it was safe to walk into.

So I went into the hallway and closed the door behind me. I went down the hallway. The room was all the way to the end, but that didn’t stop me from trying to open the doors along the way.

All of the doors were broken. None of them opened. Just like out there, in the fog.

The hallway was in the same condition as the last hallway. The walls were decaying, and the floor was covered with dirt and trash.

I suddenly stepped on a newspaper.

I levitated it up and looked at it. The headline read,

Missing Foals

Summer began just a month ago. Now is the time for foals to go out and enjoy the sunshine, right? Nope. Since the beginning of Summer, an uncountable amount of foals have gone missing. Both colts and fillies. No pony knows who is behind this, but unfortunate parents are praying that the Royal Guard finds out fast.

This was published fifteen years ago. Right before my brother and I went to the carnival. I sighed. That clown…

I rolled up the newspaper and slid it into my saddlebags.

I was at the door now. I turned the doorknob, and it opened. I went inside.

The decay in here was much worse than it was out there. Everything had a black tint to it, such as the walls, floor, and even furniture. The smell was terrible. Not as bad as the corpse in the bathroom, but it was able to make me gag.

There was a key hanging from a hook, in the middle of the room. The hook was attached to a string, which was attached to the ceiling. I went to the key and got it off of the hook. Well, that was easy.

There was a loud BANG behind me.

I fearfully turned around, and looked down. I saw a ventilation grid. I looked up into the vent… And saw a face. One that was covered with horrible makeup. The face of horror.

It was the clown.

He swiftly jumped down onto the ground, and rose up; he towered me and smiled. “Hello, Quincy.”

I choked in fear and started backing up. Please, no…

He started walking closer, smoke coming from his skin… He’s one of those things.

But worse. He had his eyes and his nose and his ears. He was normal but infected.

I finally backed against a wall. And that’s when he was able to get to me. His hoof wrapped itself against my throat and his forced me to stare into his eyes. I started tearing up.

“Oh, look at little ol’ Quincy, ready to tear up.” He frowned. Then smiled. “They always taste good when they’re scared.”

I could barely breathe.

He opened up his mouth, and his razor-sharp teeth extended from his jaws.

I closed my eyes when I felt his warm breath. This was it.

I felt him coming closer for the bite.

Then suddenly, a sound was made. I opened my eyes and slow that the clown has turned away from me and to this closet door.

The door opened and one of those monsters ran out and tackled the clown. I was free.

While the clown and monster fought, I ran out of the room.

I took deep breaths in the hallway. No. Can’t stop. Must run to the room.

I ran to the room.

I went into the room and locked the door. I took deep breaths and sat against the door. What the hell was that?! That clown? Where the hell did he come from and how?

Why is he after me?

Is this room even safe?

I looked up and saw that the can, can opener, and water bottle were all gone. Good, Mortus ate and drank. Good…

I thought for a moment. This place isn’t safe, is it?

I need to check the bathroom, get Mortus, then get the hell out of here. That’s what needs to happen.

I went to the bathroom door and opened it. I went inside. The bathroom was cleaner than other bathrooms that I’ve witnessed in this wasteland. But there was something missing.

The mirror.

Instead of a mirror, there was an unnerving hole in the wall. An endless tunnel, it would seem.

Do I have to crawl through that?

Maybe there’s something important on the other side?

Will Mortus be safe?

I don’t know what to do.

Just go through the hole.

It’ll be fine.

I made it through the hole. It seemed like forever. But I finally made it through.

The other side was another bathroom. But it looked much fancier. The bathtub looked like a hot tub, even if it was covered with dirt and filled with muddy water.

Nothing else could be said about the bathroom other than it was big and it probably belonged to someone who was very wealthy. There was a door that had a diamond as a doorknob. Even if the diamond itself was covered with dirt.

I wasn’t interested in the diamond. Being a doctor, my amount of monthly income of bits kept me happy. I was more interested in what was on the other side of the door.

I took a step closer to the door and I suddenly heard a frightening scream of a mare. That voice, it sounded so familiar…

Hailea!

I rushed through the door; a hallway. The scream sounded like it came from the left, so I ran into that direction. At the end of the hall was a lonely, wooden door. I burst through it…

What I saw, disgusted me.

I was now in a huge living room, which made me realize that this is some kind of a mansion. In the room, I saw Hailea, trapped from the strength of this… Tentacle. The tentacle belonged to this massive, disgusting blob. The blog of flesh had seven other tentacles, each holding to the necks of dried up, dead ponies. Hailea was next.

I looked around the room to look for something I could use to fight this thing. I saw a fireplace. There was a fire, burning in the stone box. I saw something in the fire. A fireplace poker.

I ran over to the fireplace and grabbed the poker. The tip glowed a bright orange. This should hurt it.

I ran over to Hailea, who was being wrapped with a tentacle. I stabbed into the tentacle. It hissed and cried as it let go of Hailea. It smelt like shit now. Actual shit.

Hailea fell onto the ground, tearing up. She looked at me. “Y-You?” She said, not believing her eyes.

I smiled at her. “It’s okay…” She was okay. But I forgot about one thing. The monster.

I felt myself being slapped by one of the massive tentacles. I fell across the room, the last thing I saw before going into the darkness, was Hailea screaming my name.

“Quincy!” I shouted as I saw my saviour hitting a wall. He landed next to the fireplace.

I turned to the monster, who released a disgusting set of chuckles. “You bastard,” I mumbled, feeling my head becoming hot.

“You… You monster. You killed them all.” I looked at the dead ponies that the monster held with its tentacles. “My… Sisters…”

It only released another set of chuckles. It understood.

I levitated up the fireplace poker, and felt my rage within my horn. The fireplace began to glow, brighter and brighter. Until it slowly turned into a dark red.

The monster noticed this and began to back up.

“Where are you going? You aren’t getting away from this, old man.” I whacked him with the glowing fireplace poker. He hissed when he was touched, and jumped back even more.

“You gave me so much shit ever since I was born. ALL BECAUSE OF MY GENDER!” He tried to attack me with a tentacle, but I whacked it with the fireplace poker. He hissed again and tried to jump back. But he was backed against a wall.

“And now you killed them all. Because none of them was the colt that you wanted to run the family business. You even killed her, too. Mom.” The monster was shaking in fear.

“You deserve so much worse than this. So much worse.” I muttered. “So much worse.” I stabbed him with the one-thousand-degree fireplace poker, and he began to burn. I heard his voice, crying and screaming for mercy.

He deserved so much worse.

I saw that the fire began to spread quickly. I needed to get Quincy out of here.

I looked over at where Quincy was, and went over to him. “Quincy,” I said. “Quincy, it’s time to wake up.”

He didn’t.

“QUINCY!”

He jumped straight up.

“We need to go. Now.” I said.

He saw the fire and his eyes widened. “O-okay, right behind y-you,” he said, nodding.

We left the room.

We ran down the hallway. He said he came in through the bathroom… But that didn’t make any sense. How could he come through the bathroom?

We stopped in front of the bathroom.

“Th-there, right h-here. Th-there’s a hole th-that should g-get us out of h-here.”

“I’m not coming with you,” I said. He turned and looked at me with confusion.

“W-why not?” He asked.

“I want to walk out of this damn place through the front doors for one last time,” I said. He looked like he was about to argue with me. “Please, Quincy… I need this.”

He blinked and nodded. “A-alright.” He looked down. “Just… St-stay safe, aright.”

I smiled weakly. “Thanks, I will. You too.” Then I walked off.

I heard him sigh. Then I heard the bathroom door open and close.

I went down the hallway. Not towards the living room. The other way. There was a lonesome door at the end of this side too. I went through it.

Me and my sisters waited inside the waiting room in the Ponyville hospital. Then we heard him.

He came through the door, outraged. He kept cussing out loud, his face red. Everyone looked at him but me and my sisters understood.

“Another goddamn fucking filly!” The fat piece of shit said. “There is somethin’ cursed about all of you and your whore of a mother!” He screamed at us.

I rolled my eyes. He saw that.

He went to me, and said, “What was that, you little shit? Rollin’ your eyes at your superior?” I felt… Afraid.

“N-no, something was in my eye…” I said, whimpering like a little dog.

I swear, if it wasn’t for us being in a public place, he would have hit me as hard as he could.

Why would I say that? Well…

He did when we got back to the mansion.

I was on the floor, rubbing my face, feeling my nose bleed as he screamed and screamed at me.

“Tomorrow, you better sleep with more clients. You little shit, thinkin’ you can just roll your eyes at me.”

I turned and looked at him. I felt anger spark within me. “I can do whatever I w-want, you asshole.”

He blinked. And sighed. He went over to me, and kicked me in the head.

I held my face with my hooves, silently tearing up.

“Don’t talk to me that way. All you will ever be, is a dick suckin’ money generator to me, like all of yer other sisters.”

He walked away. Then stopped walking. “Actually… I have a better idea.”

I looked at him. He didn’t look at me. He just went to the phone in my room and dialled a number.

“It’s me. Uh-huh. Well, I just came up with an idea. My bitch? She’s cursed. Kill her. She’s sleeping in my own room now.” W-what? “Also kill all of my daughters. They are cursed too. I can find better workers to replace them. I got Hailea… Good. Do it fast.” He hung up. He turned around. “Sorry it came to this…” Suddenly, his eyes widened.

I was holding a pair of scissors, the blades glowing orange from my own magic.

“You monster…”

He backed away from me, the coward.

I walked to him.

“They never did anything to you.”

The screams of my sisters echoed into my ears.

He was backed against a wall.

“You… MONSTER!” I stabbed into his chest with the glowing pair of scissors. He screamed as his coat burned. “Die. DIE. DIE.” I kept stabbing him, over and over again.

He was dead.

I stabbed into his skull to make sure he was dead.

I sat down, tearing up. They’re… Gone. My sisters.

I sighed.

They’re going to come here to speak with my father. It was time for me to leave.

Chapter Four: Hailea

I woke up in the hotel room’s bathroom. I was laying on the dirty floor.

I instantly got up from the floor. Not because of the filth, but because I just recalled what just happened. I looked at each of the room’s walls, but… The hole was gone.

There was something new, however. A mirror. I think it on the wall where the hole once was. I opened the mirror to see if the hole was on the other side. It was not.

Instead, there was a bottle of morphine pills, just sitting in one of the shelves.

I took the bottle of pills and slid them into one of my saddlebags.

I left the bathroom. The apartment was the same. Just as filthy as I remembered. I looked at the bedroom door and noticed that it was wide open.

“M-Mortus?” I muttered. First, I took a look in the living room and kitchen. He wasn’t in either of the rooms.

I quickly ran into the bedroom.

He wasn’t there, either.

“M-Mortus?” I tried calling out.

He wasn’t here.

I noticed right beside the bed, was a nightstand. The window was opened and I could see the white fog. Light shined into the room almost perfectly.

On the stand, was a cigarette in an ashtray, which emitted smoke. Mortus smoked? What? At his age?

There was something else, next to the ashtray. I went to the nightstand to see what it was.

A bright blue ticket. I levitated it up and read the words imprinted into the tiny piece of paper.

Ponyville theatre.

I thought for a moment. Did Mortus go there?

There’s only one way to find out…

I sighed. I hope he didn’t get himself hurt.

Hopefully… Hopefully, that clown isn’t after him.

I shoved the tickle into one of my saddlebags and moved out of the room. I took one last look around the living room. Nothing of interest was left. So, I went out through the front door.

The monster was back in the hallway, but it just stood completely still in the light. I think it was daydreaming or sleeping.

But whatever it was doing, it gave me an opportunity to sneak past it.

And I did. Without it noticing. Thank Celestia.

I got out of Hayside Hotel. Now I was back in the open fog. I looked at my map and saw where the theatre was located.

I followed the map strictly. Until I noticed that I was right next to that mysterious question mark I copied off of the map in town hall a while ago.

It seemed to be some kind of an alleyway. It was between a house and this bakery shop. I went down it.

There was a fence at the end of the alley. On the ground, was a newspaper. I picked it up, and read.

Drugged Out Pegasus Found In Alleyway, Dead With Multiple Stab Wounds

A resident of Ponyville came across a dead pegasus in an alleyway between SugarCube Corner and a pony’s home. Royal Guards took the corpse, where it would be examined. An unhealthy amount of morphine was found in the pony’s system.

The last pony to talk to the dead pegasus was one of the co-owners who work in a local bar. Cherry* said she saw him leave the bar when it became night. . .

. . . Note: Cherry* is a made-up alias to protect the pony’s identity.

A pony, murdered while high on morphine? That’s terrible. What did they do wrong?

I rolled up the newspaper and slid it into one of my saddlebags. Then I moved on.

It was more of the same. Fog, surrounding me. Feeling like I was being watched, being judged for everything I’m doing. But there was something different about the fog, that I noticed. It got less thick. I can see farther now.

It seems like it’s slowly going away. That’s good, I think. But honestly, from what I’ve seen so far since entering this town…

… Do I really want to know what it looks like without all of this fog?

I thought about that question as I trotted. Then the question faded away when I saw the entrance of the movie theatre.

I walked up to the ticket booth. Nopony was here. There were movie posters. One caught my eye.

Daring Do and The Quest for The Sapphire Stone: The Movie.

I saw this with my brother. It was a good movie. I don’t remember the ending, though.

I probably should’ve read the book.

Anyway, I turned my attention to the set of double doors. I noticed something on the doorknobs. It was a chain that was held together with a lock. I still had that bolt cutter.

I looked into both of my saddlebags and got out the bolt cutters with my magic. I aimed the cutter onto the chains, and squeezed the handles together.

The chain fell onto the ground. The theatre was now unlocked.

I slide the bolt cutters back into one of my saddlebags, and went inside.

The condition of the interior was the worst I’ve seen. The walls were almost completely black and the wooden floors were rotting. It smelt absolutely disgusting, but not as bad as the corpse in the bathroom.

I quickly moved on, not even bothering to search the area. I went straight into the screen room, while calling Mortus’ name as I walked.

The screen room was empty. Except for all the chairs, which were all badly conditioned.

I went down the seats, looking in each row. Mortus wasn’t here, but there was a reel on one of the seats in the first row. I picked it up… And looked up at where the movie would be projected.

I went out of the screen room and went upstairs. I went straight into the film projection booth. The projector was already positioned properly. I just had to put the reel on the projector…

Which I knew how to do. When I was a colt, my brother worked in a movie theatre in Manehattan. He taught me how to operate the projector, so that he could slack off a little.

Who knew it would be this useful right about now?

The reel was ready. I just had to turn on the projector… Which was easy.

I looked out into the screen room and frowned when realizing something; there were curtains that blocked the projection from hitting the white screen.

I went out of the film projection booth and went back into the screen room. I went straight to the door that lead to behind the curtains.

I opened it and went inside. My eyes started to water… From… Smoke?

Smoke?!

I saw an orange light emitting from around the corner. Oh no. Oh no, oh no!

I ran around the corner, and I saw it. The fire. Burning up the room and curtains. The wooden floor, the entire stage…

I saw somepony standing on the stage.

It was Hailea.

“H-Hailea?!” I shouted.

She turned and looked at me. “Quincy…” She murmured.

“What are y-you doing here?! In this fire!?” I shouted again, my heart beating. She’s going to burn herself!

“...” She didn’t say anything.

Suddenly, the curtains fell down into the rows of seats. The entire theatre was burning down. Was this the end?

“H-Hailea, we need to g-get out of here!” I shouted.

She turned to me. “Quincy… Do you know what this is?”

W-what?

“W-what?” I repeated out loud.

“This fire. Do you know what it is?” She asked again.

I blinked. Has she gone insane?

I muttered, “N-no.”

She nodded. “It’s… It’s my anger.”

The air was heavy.

Her anger?

“My anger for that… That monster.”

That monster? The blob with tentacles?

“He did terrible things to me. He treated me like dirt because of how I was a stupid little mare,” she said with tears in her eyes as she rubbed her forehoof. “He forced me into prostitution, Quincy. Into prostitution! W-what kind of a father does that to their child?!”

Her… Father?

Her father forced her into…

Into…

That… Monster.

She cried.

“H-Hailea… I’m s-so sorry for what happened to you… But p-please… Come with m-”

“Then he had my sisters killed. Murdered. Along with my mother. Just because of how we were cursed.” The fire was getting closer to her. “And I killed him.” She looked at me, with tears streaming down her cheeks. “I fucking stabbed him with a pair of scissors until he was dead. Until I saw his life leave his e-eyes.” She choked on her word. “And you know what? I don’t fucking regret it.”

“H-Hailea…”

“My sisters and my mother? They’re why I’m here! All because I couldn’t save them…”

“H-Hailea!” I shouted.

“What? What Quincy?” Hailea said as she looked at me.

“H-Hailea, come with me, please… I’ll t-treat you right. You w-will be an equal to me… A p-pony, A pony w-with feelings and n-needs. Please, H-Hailea… Please, it d-doesn’t have to e-end like this.” I started crying. “I-I’ll be a… Friend.”

None of us said anything.

Then she said something.

“Thanks, Quincy. But… I’m worthless now. There’s no point for me to live anymore.” She turned to the rows of chairs. “It’s just… Time for me to sit down and give up.”

“H-Hailea…” I murmured.

Then she sprinted and leapt into the massive fire the burned the chairs.

“HAILEA!” I screamed.

Then suddenly, when I blinked, the fire went out.

Everything went back to normal. The curtains were still there. Nothing was on fire. Nothing was burning.

I sat down and looked at the ground. I started tearing up. She was… She was gone. Dead. Was she?

I didn’t save her.

Why am I so weak? So pathetic? It was the stuttering. She thought I was scared of her, didn’t she? That I didn’t want to help her but felt like I had to.

Why am I so… So… So damn weak?

Hailea…

I’m sorry. I really am.

I wish I knew you.

I… I got up.

Well…

Time to pull these curtains.

That’s what I did. With no emotion but sadness.

The curtains were pulled back. I got to see what was projected onto the screen.

It was a red medical cross. The same symbol on the hospital I worked at.

I guess I gotta go there now.

I marked it down onto my map.

Chapter Five: Surprises

What was even the point? Going to the hospital, I mean.

Ever since I entered this town, I just experience pain wherever I go.

Was this just to save Mortus? Why did I even come to this damn town? Was it because… I couldn’t escape?

I almost did. But then I met Hailea.

Hailea.

She saved my life. But I couldn’t save her's.

Hailea… I’m sorry.

You deserved better.

Please… Rest in peace, wherever you may be.

I need to go to the hospital.

More walking. I didn't even care about what could be in the fog. I was still thinking about her.

God dammit... Did I have a crush on her? Or do I just feel... Bad?

It doesn't matter anymore.

I need to focus. I need to find Mortus.

Finally. The hospital.

The hospital here was actually quite small. That's because it's in Ponyville, which itself is a relatively small town.

But oddly enough... This place felt familiar.

I went through the front doors of the hospital. It was too dark. The floor had some garbage on it, like old magazines or hospital things, such as gloves or surgical masks. Then I saw another newspaper. I decided to pick it up, and then thought, why am I reading these? Was it to distract myself from what's happening?

Was it to escape this nightmare for a few minutes?

Because, honestly, they're not doing a great job. All I've read about is death and suffering from these newspapers. So... Do I really want to read this?

The title didn't give me much hope.

Ponyville Doctor Commits Suicide

Ponyville doctor was found dead in their own home, hanging from a rope. Hospital staff noticed their disappearance and decided to contact the Royal Guard. “We were shocked,” said the captain of the search team. “First that burning house, that murder, now this... According to the autopsy report of our medical examiner, this doctor died on the same night as the fire, and that murder. We are currently trying to find out if these events are linked in anyway,” said Royal Guard Investigator, Winchester Perdita.

I shook my head. I knew it was a mistake to read this.

I folded up the newspaper, and shoved it into my saddlebags with the other newspapers. Because... Why not?

Suddenly, I heard a scream. I jumped from surprise. It sounds like... Another pony.

I began to run in the hallway of the hospital. Until I reached the end. Now there were two ways to go. The left hallway or the right. I heard the scream again, from the left. So that's where I choose to go.

I tried to open each door that I saw down the hall. Each door was jammed. Then finally, a door opened. When I went inside, I saw a red stallion pegasus laying on his side, in pain.

“H-hey!” I said. “What's w-wrong?” I questioned as I approached him.

He looked up at me, and said, “P-Pain... I need... Medicine...”

I remembered the morphine pills.

He moved his hoof to reveal three deep scars on his chest. From the looks of it, he was attacked by some sort of an animal.

“Oh dear...” I debated on a morphine pill or a health drink, but it looked like he really needed the morphine more. So, I levitated out the bottle of pills and popped it open, and gave him a pill. “H-here... Take this.”

He took it without hesitating.

I closed the pill bottle and shoved it back into my one of my saddlebags. Then I pulled out my med-kit. There were enough bandages. I took out a roll and started wrapping it around his chest. “H-hold still,” I said.

Then he was bandaged up.

“Thanks...” He said, then he sighed.

Silence hit the room. “W-what happened to you?” I asked.

“I... I dunno. Something came at me. It acted like manticore, but... It was scarier. Its flesh was rotting, and it had a knife at the end of its tail... Not as in, he was holding the knife with his tail, but more like, it went through it.” He said. “It used its claws on me, however... Then I came here for help. But... Ponyville was empty. Then I came here for medical supplies.”

“Manticore m-monster?” I questioned. I'm glad I didn't come across those...

“Yeah... Have you encountered one too?” He asked.

“N-no. I've encountered... O-other things,” I said.

“Like what?” He tilted his head.

“I dunno h-how to describe them... Eyeless t-twitching monsters,” I said. “Th-that emit smoke.”

“The fuck,” he said, trying to imagine my horrors.

“D-Do you need help up?” I asked.

“Yeah... That would be nice.” He gave me a small smirk.

I helped him up with a hoof.

Then I really got a better look at him, as he laid in the darkness before. When he stood, I can see that he had green eyes, and orange hair, which almost blended with his red coat. His cutie mark was a pair of headphones.

“Hey, what did you give me?” He asked.

“A m-morphine p-pill.” I answered.

“Oh. Well, that seems to have made it go away,” he said. “I barely even feel a thing now.”

“Yeah. That's w-what it'll do to you.” I smiled lightly.

Now there was awkward silence between us.

“I'm Ace,” Ace said.

“Q-Quincy,” I stuttered.

“Well... It was nice meeting you, Quincy. But I gotta go now.”

“A-alright. Bye. B-be careful,” I said to him. “This place is d-dangerous.”

He nodded, then went to the door. He opened it and left.

What a nice guy... But I need to move on. Find Mortus. Wait-

I ran out of the room. “Hey, w-wait!” I yelled.

Ace was down the hall. He turned around quickly. “Huh?! What?”

“Have you seen a little c-colt around here?” I asked. “His name is M-Mortus...”

He shook his head, which made my heart drop. “Sorry.” Then he went to the exit.

I sighed. Please be alright, Mortus. Or at least your brother.

I turned around. There was a door at the end of the hall, with words “STAIRS” next to it. I went to the door, opened it, and went in. Then I went upstairs, to the next floor.

I went down the hall, trying to open doors as I went along. All of them were jammed.

Then I came across an option. Either keep continuing down the hall, or turn to another hall that was to the right. I looked down the right hallway, and saw a door at the end. But the most fascinating thing about the door, was that there were candles right next to it.

I went to the right hallway. I didn't even try to open the other doors. The candle door was the only door for me right now.

I was in front of the door. It was just like any other door in the hospital. Just with candles. I turned the doorknob with my magic, and opened it.

I went inside.

The room was clean. Light shined through a window. There were metal bars that cut half of the room off from me, along with a door. It was exactly like a prison cell. There was even a bed on the other side of it.

Then I noticed something.

There was a pony on the other side of the bars, looking at me. He sat right next to the bars.

I instantly recognized him. And sat down.

It was Ark. My brother.

Chapter Six: Ace

“A-Ark?” I stuttered, my mouth was hanging wide open.

“Quincy,” Ark said with a warm smile.

I sat down on the ground. I looked at the ground. What?

“Quincy,” I heard him say again.

I looked up. “A-Ark?” I said, feeling my eyes beginning to... Tear up.

“Hey, Quincy... What's wrong? Did you get something in your eyes?” He asked with an expression of mild concern. “Did your marefriend... Leave you?”

What? “W-what?” What the hell was he talking about?

“Your marefriend...” He tilted his head. “You know?”

I shook my head. “A-Ark... W-where have you b-been?” My tears became more rapid when I asked that.

“What do you mean?” He looked confused.

“I th-thought you were d-dead, Ark.” I looked into his eyes. “P-please tell me y-you see the outbreak t-too.”

“Outbreak? What?” That made my heart shrink. “Quincy, I've just woke up in this room. I don't know what's happening out there. There's been an outbreak?”

I slowly nodded my head. “Y-yes. There are m-monsters out th-there, everywhere. We n-need to get y-you out of there.” I got up and tried to open the cell door. It didn't budge. “D-dammit!” I sat back down, and looked at the ground. The tears had stopped. But I felt that they were gonna come back.

“Hey.” Ark went up to the bars and placed one of his hooves on my chin, and made me look up at him. “Calm down, okay? When I woke up, I found a note. It said... 'Basement.' The key to the door can be down there. Just go down there, and try to find it, okay?”

I slowly smiled from the small amount of comfort I felt. I nodded slowly.

“Okay. Good. Now go there and look for it. Alright? Don't worry about me, either.” He sat back down. “I'll be alright here.”

I nodded again. “O-Okay. I'll be b-back... And I'll s-save you. I promise...” I turned around and left the room.

Once I left the room, I quickly sprinted to the stairs. I don't even care if it was reckless. He was alive! He was alive! My brother was alive!

Why was he here? When did he come here?

I don't even care.

He was alive.

Somepony I love was actually alive. Somepony I knew.

I made it to the first floor. But I kept going down.

Then stopped when I felt my hoof splash into water.

I looked down. It was getting dark.

I turned on my lantern, and saw that the basement was flooded with water. Water that was dirty and had chunks of garbage in it.

I continued on. I stepped off the stairs and onto the ground. My legs were two feet deep underwater. I looked around. There was one long hallway, so I went down it. I tried opening any door I found, but every door I would find would be jammed.

Until I found that one door that wasn't.

I went through the opened door and found myself in a big, unnatural room. Unnatural for a hospital, anyway. It looked to be some kind of a... Living room? There was a coffee table that floated in the water. There was other furniture as well, such as a couch, some chairs, and other stuff that you would find in any other kind of living room, mixed with garbage water.

It didn't smell too good, either. It reminded me of that corpse, actually...

Then I noticed that coat hanger. It had something shiny on it. I walked to it, and saw that it was a key. Probably to the cell! I took it and shoved it into the pocket on my buttoned-up shirt.

I turned around and jumped backed a bit when I noticed someone was standing in front of the door. “Hey, Quincy,” said... Ace?

“A-Ace?” I questioned. “Y-you scared me.”

“Yeah... Sorry about that.” He took a step closer to me.

“W-why did you come back? D-did you find Mortus?” I haven't forgotten about Mortus. Maybe Ark and I can look for him together.

“No... No. Actually, the pain from that attack started to come back, so... I wanted to ask if you could spare anymore of those morphine pills.” He scratched the back of his head.

“W-what? You want m-more of those p-pills? D-didn't you take those t-twenty minutes ago?” I tilted my head in confusion.

“Look, Quincy,” he said aggressively. “Give me those pills, and you don't have to get hurt.”

My ears lowered. “W-what?” I trembled in fear.

“You heard me. Give me those pills, now!” He shouted, then took a menacing step forward.

“N-no,” I stuttered. “Y-you're addicted, A-Ace... I c-can't influence that.” I took a step toward him. “P-please, walk away… I d-do not want t-to hurt y-you.”

Ace was silent. “Then be it.” He leapt at me.

My eyes widened. Fuck, my stuttering made that look absolutely pathetic!

He grabbed my head with both of his hooves and pushed my entire body underwater. I tried to fight back and I couldn't. I tried punching him, but it was pointless.

No.

It wasn't pointless.

I'm not going to die. I have a brother to save.

I remembered the knife. I had to stop fighting back for a mere second, to focus. I finally felt my magic get a tight grip on my knife. I slid it out of the sheath.

“Wait... Your horn is glowing. What are you going to d-” He stopped talking, and gasped. I stabbed him in the chest.

I turned my side and got on top of him. I began to rapidly stab him. Over and over again, blood splashing all over my face, and into the water.

Garbage was everywhere in the living room. I've been living here for a few months now, ever since that manticore attacked me. I couldn't go to a doctor, since I the Royal Guard were looking for me. And I'm being hunted down by the Unicorn Mafia.

So I went to my sister, who bandaged me up and gave me morphine pills to recover.

I'm all healed up. But... I wanted more of those pills. They made me feel... Good. Great, even. I forgot about all the problems I had.

I told my sister that I would be out by tomorrow... Maybe she can give me more of those pills, I would think.

“No,” she said.

“What?” I asked.

“You heard me, Ace. You don't need those pills anymore. I need them more than you,” she said to me.

“Horseshit, you do. You're perfectly fine, like me!” I shouted.

“Ace, you do not understand the amount of pain that I go through each day. I need these pills! They are what get me through. Ace, I gave you those pills because I understood that you were in pain from that manticore. But right now, I can tell that you're fine. I can tell that you just want them for a buzz.” She frowned. “I'm sorry, but no, I can't give you any. I know you don't understand right now... But I hope you do later on.”

I was silent.

“Now I am going to take a bath. Goodnight, Ace.” She then walked upstairs.

I need those pills... They were in the bathroom.

If I went in there and took them, then ran, she would call the police, fuck!

There is only one option.

I walked into the bathroom.

She looked at me with wide eyes then yelled at me. But I didn't hear a single word.

I went to the bathtub. “Ace?” I would read her lips. “A-Ace?”

Then I placed my hooves on her neck. And pushed.

Those pills were mine.

I was breathing heavily. I got off of Ace's corpse and threw up into the dirty water. I started crying as I puked. I saw bits of those carrots in the water.

I looked at Ace's corpse. Then said, “W-why, A-Ace. W-why?”

Why didn't I give him that health drink?

Why?

I got up. I noticed that the bandages came off of my hoof. I need to definitely replace them now, even drink that health drink.

I felt the pocket on my search. My heart instantly stopped. The key was gone.

I started searching for it. The water made it impossible. Why, Ace, why?

I searched for what felt like hours. I couldn't find it. I began to cry helplessly. Ark, I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry.

I slowly began to walk back. I went out of the living room, into the basement of the hospital. I began to walk upstairs, the dirty water dripping off of me.

I was on the second floor again. I went down the hall and turned right. I slowly walked down the hall, to Ark's cell, not even noticing the candles were out. I opened the door and went inside.

The door to the cell was opened. But Ark was... Gone.

“H-Huh? W-what?!” I went into the cell and looked around. No no no! Where did you go, Ark?!

I saw something shine on his bed, from the light that came from the window. I went to the bed, and saw a key, which laid on what looked like a magazine. I picked up the key and looked at it. It didn't look familiar...

Then I looked at the magazine. Ponyville Real Estate. It was bookmarked. I flipped to the bookmarked page. I saw a house, being sold for ten thousand bits. Wow, that's a fair amount of bits.

I've seen that house, though... Maybe the key is to that? It's worth a shot, I suppose.

I read the address off of the magazine and looked for it on my map. I circled the building with red ink.

I noticed that there was something else on the bed. Under the blankets, there was another newspaper.

I picked it up and read it.

Mare Murdered In Ponyville

It was recently discovered that another pony was murdered in Ponyville. A concerned friend went to their co-worker's home, only to find the co-worker dead in her own bathtub. The cause of death was drowning.

Drowning… I was at least fortunate enough to survive that.

I packed up everything, then left the hospital.

Chapter Eight: Confrontation

The fog was gone, only to be replaced by rain.

I didn't even bother to put on another bandage. I did not have time for that.

I need to go to the carnival. I need to see what's behind that door.

And right now, I stood in front of it.

I slid the key into the lock, and turned. It unlocked instantly. I then pushed the door open, and went inside.

The floor was made up of fence wiring. But there was nothing underneath the wiring. Just an endless abyss. I looked around and saw that more metal walls. Each wall had two hooks, which had chains around them. The chains held up the wired floor.

I looked at the middle of this boxed-in area and saw a surgical table. On it, was my brother, who was strapped onto it.

Then I saw the clown, who towered over him.

“QUINCY! H-HELP ME! S-SAVE ME!” Ark screamed with tears in his eyes.

“G-GET AWAY FROM HIM!” I yelled as I sprinted towards the table.

The clown bent over and started to devour Ark's neck.

“N-NOOO!” I shoved the clown off of my brother. I looked down and started crying. He was turning. Turning into one of those tumour monsters. Like the one at the town hall. Or Hayside Hotel.

“N-No...” I gagged on my own tears. My legs were shaking. To the point where I had to sit down.

I looked down at the wired ground, into the pitch black darkness.

“W-why?” I muttered. “W-why couldn't I s-save you?”

My mane and tail were soaked from the water, which came from the rain. Water that wiped away my tears.

“You saved me. So why couldn't I save you? I tried so hard.” I sighed. “You protected me from that monster. But I couldn't have asked you to stop smoking... I couldn't have stopped your cancer.”

I heard the clown giggle from behind me.

I turned around, and saw that he was crawling towards me. “Why am I even scared of you anymore? Why? I'm not a little colt anymore.” I sighed. “I think I know why. It's because of how weak I am. I followed you into that bathroom, like an idiot... Only so that my brother would die because of it.”

I stood up on all four hooves and turned to the clown.

“I will not run this time. Not anymore. I'm tired of being a stuttering coward.” I levitated out my knife.

The clown leapt at me.

I jumped to the side. It missed and hit its head into the ground. When it was vulnerable, I jumped on it's back and began rapidly stab into its back.

It screeched and jumped up. I flew off and hit one of the walls.

I saw it crawl to me. Showing it's sharp teeth.

It was about to get me.

It opened its mouth.

And I levitated up my knife, and shoved it into its mouth, right into the brain.

It instantly fell to the ground.

I breathed heavily. Then everything shook. I looked at the chains. They were about to snap.

Then...

The floor, along with me, fell into the darkness.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital lobby, sitting in a chair.

I got up, and began to walk through the hallway. Everything was clean. There were lights. I didn't have those cuts on my hooves anymore, and I was wearing a clean shirt.

Everything was fresh, yet I felt grief.

Then I began to remember something.

The voices of the past echoed into my ears.

A door opens. “H-hey A-Ark. I b-brought you some l-liquorice.”

A sigh.

“I k-know you l-love this s-stuff, so...”

“I'm not in the mood for liquorice right now, Quincy.”

“O-oh...”

“Candy is not something that'll fix this.”

“I-I'm sorry.”

“I'm sorry. That's all you ever say. I'm sorry that you got cancer, Ark. I'm sorry that I brought you candy. I'm sorry that I can't help you even though I'm a fucking doctor, Ark.”

“...”

“What's next? Sorry that I slept with your wife?”

“W-what? I-I would n-never do that, A-Ark.”

“Yeah, sure. Like how that clown would never molest you.”

“I th-think... I th-think I'm going t-to go.”

“I won't stop you.”

“O-okay...”

The sound of a door closing could be heard.

“Wait... Quincy?”

Silence.

“Quincy, I'm sorry!”

Silence.

“I'm just... I j-just don't w-want to die...”

Ark started crying.

“I'm n-not going t-to even see my f-first born kid. W-why did th-this have to happen?”

Only Ark's crying could be heard. “P-please Quincy... Come b-back.”

I was now in front of his room. I opened the door and walked inside.

I saw him in a hospital bed, hooked up to all kinds of machines.

He turned and looked at me. “Q-Quincy...”

Chapter Nine: Hope

I instantly went to his side. “H-hey, it's okay, I-I'm here.” I sat on the ground.

“I-I'm so sorry, Q-Quincy.” Ark began to cry. “You d-didn't deserve any of th-this. You d-deserved better than that.”

“Ark...” I tilted my head at him, holding back the tears.

“I'm so sorry f-for what I did to you, Q-Quincy... C-can ever... F-forgive me?”

I blinked. He's asking me for forgiveness?

“Y-you didn't d-do anything wrong, Ark.” I grabbed his hoof. “You were just... S-scared. Like me.”

He began to cry harder.

“Can you...” He looked at me. “Forgive... Me?” I felt my eyes water.

“For w-what?” He questioned.

“For... Just letting you die.” I looked at the ground. “You saved me those years ago, from that c-clown. Yet, I couldn't do a single damn thing about your cancer.”

“Y-you funded my treatments, Q-Quincy...”

“I could've saved you, Ark. Only if I could've studied cancer... Only if I could've trained to become an oncologist...” I held my head with my two hooves. “I could've saved you! I sw-swore I could've...”

Ark was silent for a moment, then said, “Q-Quincy... Look up...”

I looked up. I saw Ark's face. He began crying.

“Q-Quincy... I d-don't care if you saved me or not. B-but I want you to k-know this...” He smiled. “I l-love you more than anything, Quincy... Enough to k-kill that m-monster. And I n-never regretted protecting you th-that night. Not even for a second.”

I began sobbing extremely hard.

“Our t-time is running out,” he said. “M-make sure to tell c-cool stories about me to my kid, Q-Quincy.” He rested his head on his pillow and closed his eyes.

“I w-will, Ark... We'll all miss you.”

My sobbing filled the room. Ark was dead silent.

Then a bright light flashed in my eyes.

I opened my eyes and felt a tight grip around my neck. I hung there for a second and began to lose consciousness...

When suddenly...

Snap.

I fell onto the floor.

I instantly began to take huge shaky breaths. The rope was still around my neck.

I quickly took it off and threw it across the room.

What did I do? What did I just almost do?

I looked at my window, and saw that it was daylight. What?

I hung myself last night at one. Why am I still breathing!?

I got up and went to the window. I looked outside. And saw a burnt down building across from my house... Hailea...

Those newspapers...

That outbreak...

It was all a dream?

But wait... Ace and Hailea...

The murdered pony and the mare who died in that fire.

Those newspapers were predictions?

Was that a dream? Did I go to Limbo? What happened to me?

I looked at my desk. There were two things. An envelope and a card with an address on it.

I looked at the envelope first. It was from my brother. I didn't read it. I was afraid to.

But not anymore.

I opened it and began to read it's contents.

Quincy.

A year ago, when we went to watch that Daring Do movie, I coughed out blood and we instantly went to see a doctor. I was diagnosed with cancer.

You know this. But ever since then, I treated everyone I loved like complete garbage. My wife, mom and dad, my best friends. But I didn't hurt them as much as I hurt you.

I'm so sorry, Quincy. I am so so sorry.

This isn't a valid excuse, but I was afraid of dying. I was afraid of leaving this world before getting to meet my unborn child.

But I don't want to write about myself right now... I want to apologize to you.

Quincy, I know I hurt you so badly. I know there is nothing I can do to make it up to you.

But I wanted you to know, that I always did and always will love you, no matter what happens.

I don't want to ask you to do this for me... But I feel like I need to. It isn't for me. It's for my unborn son.

Please help her take care of him. Or just be the best uncle that you can to him.

And tell him that I would've been proud of him if I were still alive.

Well... I need to wrap this up.

Quincy, you were the greatest brother that anyone could've had. You were supportive, you put me before yourself... Thank you.

Quincy.

You made me happy.

I cried as I read the entire thing twice.

I want to preserve this. I need to.

I took out a folder. And slid the envelope into it.

I'll miss you, Ark.

“I-I'll miss y-you...”

Minutes past by. I decided to look at the card... And I remembered where I got it from.

After Ark died, I went to go sit in the Ponyville park, to think about what happened.

Then a nice mare came by and talked to me.

She asked me what was wrong.

I said I lost somebody.

She asked if I wanted to talk about it.

I stuttered no.

She nodded, and told me that she was a psychologist. She then gave me a card and walked off.

I never even thought about this card until now.

When Ark died, I felt like I had no one left. I felt like I was a lone survivor in an apocalypse.

But that isn't true.

There are many ponies out there to meet, to befriend.

Like Hailea.

I smiled lightly.

“Maybe I'll talk about it with Liliana.”

Author's Note

Liliana is an OC which belongs to one of my greatest friends, who happened to give me massive amounts of support in the making of this story. I decided to link his deviant art here: (Check him out! He is both a great artist and a wonderful photographer!) If you're reading this, then thank you, Dusk. :twilightsmile:

And thank you for reading through my horrible story. I sincerely hope it was entertaining enough. :raritywink:

Chapter Nine: Hung (Alternative Ending)

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter Seven: Memories

Before I left the hospital, I put on a new mask, because the one I was wearing smelled like garbage. Now I was once again in the fog. It was more clear than before.

As I walked, I tried to remember why I even came here. I had no reason to. I don't even live here... Right?

Subconsciously, I was hoping that my brother would be here. It's silly. To think my brother would be here. Maybe I’ll get some answers.

I've felt nothing but loneliness since the beginning of the outbreak. It took everything. I almost committed suicide hours ago, because of how much I have lost.

Then Hailea saved me.

I stopped and turned to my left. I saw the house. It somehow looked familiar...

I went up to the front door, and tried to open it. Locked, of course. I took out the key and unlocked it, then opened the door.

It was dark in this house, but not dark enough for the lantern to be used. In fact, the lantern is now broken. It must have broke when Ace tried to drown me.

No, don't focus on that memory. Focus on the house.

It was extremely clean; this place doesn't look like it has been affected by the apocalypse in anyway.

What the hell?

First, I explored the first floor. The kitchen was small, but it worked. It had everything a pony would need: an oven, a coffee brewer, a bread box, a fridge, and a sink. I went to the sink and decided to wash myself up. I was my hooves, then my face. After I washed my face, I decided to clean my knife, which was dirty from Ace's blood and that garbage water.

Afterwards, I went into the dining room. It was small. But it had a long table that six ponies could eat at. I left the dining room to go into the living room. It wasn't anything special. A couch, a comfy chair, some decorations on the walls, a bookshelf. This looks like a home that I would live in.

I looked onto the coffee table, which had envelopes on it.

Then I saw that they were meant for me. What?

They were... Bills?

One was for this house.

I don't live here!

Do I?

Where did I live before the outbreak?

I couldn't remember.

I decided that I needed to check the rooms on the floor above me. So I left the living room, and went upstairs. I went through the door that was closest to me, which I guessed would lead me into the bedroom.

Suddenly, I was back at the Hayside Hotel. The same room me and Mortus stayed in. But it was much cleaner. This was before the outbreak.

I looked around, and noticed a colt that sat on the clean couch. Before I could say anything, I realized that it was... Me?

I heard the front door of the room open from behind me. I turned around and saw... Mortus?!

“M-Mortus?” I stuttered.

“Hey, bro!” He said when he looked into my direction. I tilted my head, but before I knew it, he walked right through me. I turned around and saw that he was talking to the other Quincy. “Guess what I got!”

Bro?

Younger me looked at him, “What? What did you get?”

Mortus pulled out some tickets. Tickets... To the carnival.

“What!? No way!” Younger me jumped off the couch. “Can I go? Pleeeeaaasse!”

“Yeah, dork. I got them for you and me after all!” Mortus said with a smirk.

“Thanks, Ark! You're the best brother that anyone could have!” Little me hugged... Ark.

Ark.

That was Ark.

Why didn't I recognize him?

I blinked, and the Hayside Hotel room was gone. Now I was in my bedroom. It looked like a nice place to sleep. With nice furniture and a nice, big bed.

I left the room and went to the bathroom.

Now I was in the carnival bathroom. First thing I saw, was younger me crying against a tilted up wall.

I turned around and saw a clown. No, the clown.

“Now just come here and this will go quick, okay sweetie?” He said creepily, with a sadistic smirk.

“P-Please. Leave m-me alone!”

The clown took a step closer.

I started tearing up. I don't know if I can relive this...

Then suddenly, the door slammed open. Me and the clown turned to the door, and saw Ark.

“Get away from him, you piece of shit!” Ark barked before leaping at the clown. He punched the sinister clown right in the jaw and knocked him out instantly. Ark was on top as the clown laid on the ground.

He begged.

But Ark didn't care.

Ark started beating in the clown's head with his own bare hooves. First, there was blood. Next, came the chunks of skull and brain.

Then he stopped when he heard Quincy screaming and tearing up... The younger Quincy.

He was breathing heavily. “Quincy! Are you alright?!”

Little me ran to Ark and hugged him. Quincy started tearing up into his shoulder.

“It's okay... He's gone... We need to leave before someone finds us. You need to stay strong Quincy, alright? You need to be tough, like Daring Do. Can you do that?”

Little me nodded.

Everything faded.

I blinked. I was in my bathroom. It was clean. A bit small, but clean.

I left the bathroom. But I didn't enter the upstairs hallway of my house. I was now in my old foalhood bedroom. When I used to live in Canterlot with my family.

First thing I saw, was Ark. He was smoking a cigarette. This was a year after the carnival...

I looked behind me and expected younger me to enter the room. I was right.

“A-Ark?” Little me murmured.

“Oh shit!” Ace said, before quickly putting out the cigarette.

“Ark! W-WAS THAT-”

“Shhhh!” Ark covered little Quincy's mouth. He closed the door, then let go of my younger mouth. “Alright, alright. Yeah, I smoke cigarettes.”

Younger me was quiet.

“Look, I know we swore to never talk about... You know?” Ark said grimly as he looked at my younger self.

Younger Quincy flinched when Ark said that. I don't blame myself.

“Quincy. That night, I took a life. I killed another pony. He was a monster... But I still took his life. That's something that I have to live with now. I have blood on my hooves, Quincy.” Ark started crying. “A-and I c-can't tell mom or d-dad about that. I c-can't tell anypony a-about that. So...” Ark looked at the ground.

“So when dad wasn't looking... I t-took one.” He looked up at my younger self. “And tried it... And it relaxed me, Quincy. I found a distraction from the stress.” He then looked down at the ground. “I didn't say anything, because I didn't want you to feel like you were the problem, which you aren't.”

Younger me was still quiet.

“I'm just... I need to move on from what happened that night, and these help.” He and younger me both looked at the cigarettes. “I'm sorry. I should have told you. I understand if you tell dad about this.” He looked away.

Younger me looked at the ground. “I'm n-not going to t-tell.”

Ark looked at younger me.

Younger me looked at him.

“R-really?” Ark asked.

“Y-yeah. I mean, w-why would I? Y-you're my brother, Ark. W-who saved me. I at least o-owe you th-this” I smiled. The colt version, I mean.

Ark also smiled. Then he hugged me.

The scene faded.

I was now in my hallway. There was one more door, the closet. I went to it and went inside.

Now I was outside, in front of the Ponyville movie theatre. The Daring Do movie was playing. I turned around and saw Ark and me trotting together. They weren't colts anymore, more rather young stallions.

In fact, I remember that this was a year ago.

“Think this movie is gonna be good?” Ark asked as they trotted.

“Meh. M-movies are never as g-good as the b-books,” other me said with a cheeky grin.

“I dunno. You were pretty excited when this movie was announced.” They both went inside the movie theatre. I followed.

They sat at the back of the movie theatre, which was perfect. You don't have to worry about somepony kicking your back, and you don't have to constantly look up at the screen all night. Ark and I never understood the appeal of sitting at the front.

I sat next to Ark as well.

Then the movie started.

It starts off with tons of action. Then a dialogue scene. Some more action.

We all watched the film for an hour.

Until suddenly, I heard loud, unhealthy coughing to my side.

I looked and saw that Ark was coughing into his hoof. Then he stopped coughing. But Ark stared at his hoof with a fearful expression.

I looked at his hoof. And I saw blood.

“Quincy...” He whispered. Other me didn't hear. “Q-Quincy.” He used his other hoof to shake other me.

Finally, other Quincy looked. “W-wha-” He stopped talking when he saw the blood. “W-wha-” His eyes were wide.

“W-we gotta go,” Ark said. Other me nodded and they both got up and left. I also got up, but I didn't follow them. I watched.

Then suddenly, the screen changed.

I looked at the screen. There wasn't Daring Do anymore. Just a doctor, who looked at me.

“I'm really sorry to bring this information to you, Quincy. But... Ark, your brother, has been diagnosed with lung cancer.”

I felt my legs shake.

“I haven't told him yet. Should I?” The doctor asked.

Then I heard myself say, “Should y-you? What k-kind of a q-question is that?! Of c-course you sh-should tell him! Y-you're his d-doctor.”

The doctor nodded with a frown. “Very well... I'll also discuss plans with him. You may join me if you want.”

“Okay, I w-will.”

Then everything faded.

I was in my closet, of course. It was small, but it worked.

I left the closet and went back downstairs.

There was something on the front door. It was one of those carnival tickets. Taped to it, was a key.

I picked up the ticket key.

I guess I know where I'm going now.