Corruption

Wandering aimlessly around Equestria, Sunset looked for the locations of any of the Elements, she turned up short with little to no answers. So she decided to check the map that Zecora gave her since it was destroyed in her desperate escape from the cragadiles. Looking through the map before shifting her head to the north, she decided to set her views on Yakyakistan, located in the mountains.

Wasting no time, Sunset put the map away and proceeded to walk towards the nearest train station. After sneaking her way through the compound and getting into a train cart guarded by yaks, she planted herself into an empty box and waited for the train to start moving. While she waited for the train to finish loading up, Sunset decided to open up her journal and write to Twilight once more.

Dear Twilight,

I know you have a lot of questions about my situation, but you have my word that I’m fine. Although it was a rough few months since I was asleep. I have no idea what has happened since then, but I have been having these weird dreams. Dreams about a goat and a dragon. I don’t know why, but something felt off about them. The dragon, in particular, felt so familiar. It was like we have met before. It was covered in that same ooze that’s covering Equestria and it was like something out of that one horror movie we watched at Rainbow Dash’s house. And the goat that appeared with it was massive. Like it could easily crush or ram you, given the chance. When I was searching for the Element of Laughter, I saw some cave-paintings of that goat. I’m not sure if my mind’s playing tricks or not, but I feel like that goat may have something to do with this mess that Equestria’s in. But it could be just a dream. Regardless, I need to keep going. I’m headed to the mountains to search for the Element of Loyalty. I know you have a lot to say, but we will discuss more once I return. I will get back to you soon.

Your friend,

Sunset Shimmer

After closing her book, Sunset peered outside the box to see if anybody would come inside the cart to look into the boxes. But as the cart continued moving, she looked outside and saw Manehattan getting burned down by the dragons and griffins. She could only watch in disgust as the once fair city burned down before her eyes. But as she watched, two dragon guards and a griffin walked into the cargo cart to perform an inspection. Sunset kept absolutely silent to avoid being seen. But as she kept herself hidden, she heard the creatures conversing with one another. One of the dragons said,

“It’s been around a year and a half since we invaded Equestria.”

“Really? It feels like yesterday since the day we burnt those filthy ponies alive…” the other dragon said, filled with nostalgia.

“Pretty soon, all we’ll have left is the Crystal Empire. I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when we ravage their stronghold.” the griffin said as he checked the items.

“You and me both. But I’ve been hearing rumors that the king is able to change forms now. Dunno if this is also true, but I heard that he was able to kill the Sun Princess.” one of the dragons said.

Hearing this shocked Sunset to the point she couldn’t even make a sound.

“How did he do that? The Crystal Empire has a barrier surrounding it. A snake could slither up and it wouldn’t make its way inside.” the griffin asked as he marked his checkbox.

“Beats the Tartarus out of me. But the king always finds a way. He always does.” the other dragon assured.

“Hmm. We better finish up before we get chewed out by the captain.” the griffin said before the others went back to work.

The three creatures continued inspecting the cart for any quality goods as well as checking for any stowaways on board. When they were finished, the three went back to the other cart and Sunset had a panic attack.

“I have to warn the princess.” Sunset thought before reaching for the communicator.

She called Princess Celestia, but no response. She tried again multiple times, but no call was received. Sunset felt distressed and scared for her mentor’s safety and all she could do was worry. However, she knew that she had a duty to fulfill and had to see it through to the end. When she was finished, Sunset put her communicator away and decided to nod off until she made it to the northern mountains in Equestria.

***

Six hours later, Sunset woke up only to feel the box she’s in is being carried outside the train cart she’s hiding in. But while she was being moved, there was suddenly a ringing in her head.

"No. Not now…" Sunset said, starting to wobble a bit.

"Do you honestly believe that they've forgiven you for your own misdeeds? All they were doing was kissing up. Making sure you were kept under their thumb…" jeered the demon who was close to Sunset's face.

"That's a lie." Sunset said as she reached for a potion.

"Oh? A lie? Then what about the princess? The same alicorn who kicked you out of Equestria for that teacher's pet back in the Crystal Empire?" the demon taunted while walking besides Sunset.

"Shut up! There's no way she would die! Not while we still have a fighting chance!" Sunset fired back.

"And what if she is dead? What will you do then...?" the demon said before picking up a ball of snow.

"I'll fight like I always have. Unlike you..." Sunset said as she took a swig of the potion.

"You can't snuff me out forever. The sooner you accept the truth, the sooner that you will accept that you were just a means to an end…" the demons taunted before disappearing.

Reaching into her bag, Sunset pulled out a potion and downed the vial in one go. Her headache stopped throbbing afterwards. When she was finished recovering, Sunset snuck her way off the train and started hiking up the mountain.

Up along the mountain, Sunset was bombarded by a thick volume of snow. She was freezing as she moved, but she had to muscle through because it was a long hike to retrieve the Element of Kindness.

Peering through the snow blizzard, Sunset couldn't make out what was beyond there. She couldn't make out the silhouettes in the snow, but they seemed to be lost ponies.

"Hey! Are you okay?" Sunset shouted.

Sunset moved closer to see if the survivors were okay. But upon getting a closer inspection, these ponies were seen devouring the corpse of a snow monster.

“What in the…?” Sunset said, feeling grossed out.

But before she could say anything, these ponies turned their heads around in two-hundred seventy degrees to Sunset’s location. Her heart stopped the moment these ponies turned their heads like owls. They turned around and slowly trotted towards Sunset in a creepy manner while she slowly backed away from them.

“I think I’ll just leave now…” Sunset sheepishly said as she turned around.

But as she turned around, a few more ponies appeared in front of her. But instead of saying anything, they just stared at Sunset as uncomfortably as they could. When she got a closer look, the ponies were completely dead in the eyes accompanied by a blank look. Bullets of sweat streamed down Sunset’s face, tremors overtook her body, and her nerves were in tatters as she wondered what they would do next. She breathed very heavily the more she looked around.

All of a sudden, their necks twisted downwards with a sickening crunch. Multiple eyes popped open all over their faces, their limbs twisted and expanded into spider-like limbs, and their faces had this unnerving grin. Then they started hissing. Only it sounded more like a twisted laugh than an actual hiss. The ooze streamed in their veins in circulation while contorting their bodies. Goosebumps popped all over Sunset’s shocked face as they started crawling towards her.

One mutated pony lunged at Sunset in an attempt to eat her, but she dodged and started running away from them. But they were gaining on her like bears attracted to honey. Sunset turned around and they were beginning to catch up to her. She wanted to throw them off, but her horn was so encased by the ooze that she can’t fire a single beam, let alone activate a teleportation spell. It would only be a matter of time until she would become their dinner.

“YAK SMASH!!!” a voice shouted.

Looking up, Sunset noticed various yaks jump off from the cliffs and assaulted the mutated ponies. Taking advantage of the chaos, Sunset jumped behind a rock and hid from the enemy. But as she kept herself conspicuous, she watched the yaks pick off the mutants in very barbaric manner. They tore off their limbs, they ripped their torsos apart in a brutal manner, and they threw them into walls so hard that their guts spilled all over. When they were finished slaughtering the mutants, the yak captain shouted,

“Search the area! There could be more ponies in the snow!”

The yaks spread out and started searching for any survivors. Sunset kept her head down in the hopes that the yaks wouldn’t spot her. Things were awfully quiet as she remained hidden. Peeking her head out of the rock, Sunset was suddenly greeted with a punch to the face by one of the yaks, knocking her out in the process.

***

Slightly opening her eyes, Sunset vision was slightly blurred and she couldn’t see where she was being dragged. But before she could make out her surroundings, she was knocked out once more, rendering her fully unconscious as she was being dragged across the snow.