The Ghost of Cozy Glow

Chapters

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter five
Chapter six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty- Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty- One

Chapter One

I am so sick and tired of being known as the relative of Cozy Glow! I mean I know she's turned to stone but come on, leave me alone!

I didn't have anything to do with what Cozy Glow did. And yet, I still get teased. It's bad enough I get teased for being half human and half Pegasus. But I don't need this whole Cozy Glow mess.

I think it's time I do something about this.

It's midnight and as I stand in front of the stone statue of Cozy Glow, Queen Chrysalis and Tarek, I hatch a plan.

"Well it was nice knowing yeah Cozy Glow," I say to myself "but you have got to go!"

Being lost in my thoughts, I forgot I had brought a sledgehammer with me to destroy the statue.

'If only they would leave me alone!' I thought, 'If only there was another way, but this statue has to go…'

The first swing I took felt good but it only made a dent in the statue. I took another swing and this time I felt the impact from the hit. Every swing I took felt better than the first one. And I kept swinging until the statue was reduced to nothing but dust and rubble.

As the statue was reduced to dust rubble I noticed blood on the ground where the statue was. I shrugged and thought nothing of it and turned around and left.

* * *

When I got home I was covered in rubble from the statue. I quickly changed clothes and jumped into bed. I then heard a soft knock at the door. It was mom.

"Betty," said mom. "are you okay?"

Mom nudged herself into the room. She knows that I go out late at night but she doesn't know what I do. This time I just had to destroy that statue, I just had to.

"Had another late night run?" asked Mom

"Yes." I said

"Okay…" said Mom and she left the room.

A few hours later, my alarm clock went off.

I remember having a very bad dream about Cozy Glow. She was chasing after me and taunting me saying things like I'll never get a cutie mark like the kids say at school.

I groaned and sat up. It was going to be another long day.

* * *

"Hey Huma-sus!" said a voice

It was a colt name Marble Sprint. He played Buck Ball for our home team and was the most popular colt in school. His ex-girlfriend Sandy Shadow was super jealous of any filly he dated.

"Hey Marble," I growled, "don't you have to go run somewhere? No pun intended."

I heard laughter surround me has Marble blushed. Just then, Head mare Starlight Glimmer walked past and heard the chatter.

"Alright kids," said Starlight, "break it up! You and Marble to my office now!"
Marble and I both rolled our eyes as we headed towards the Head mare's Office.

* * *
Head mare Starlight Glimmer sat at her desk, frowning at us.

"What's this I hear about you two bullying each other?" asked Head mare.

"It's nothing…" I said.

"Bullying isn't nothing Betty." said Starlight, "I take this very seriously and I wouldn't expect that coming from you Marble."

"Hey who told you that I was the one doing the bullying?" asked Marble.

"That," said Starlight, "is none of your concern! If I hear of you bullying Betty again, you will lose your spot on the Buck Ball team okay Marble?"

"Okay…" said Marble rolling his eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes at me, I mean it Marble!" said Starlight.

"Yes Ma'am!" said Marble.

"That is all," said Starlight, "you can go now."

I sighed and hung my head, something tells me that things are about to get worse.

* * *

Well things did get worse as I had imagined. Marble's teasing and taunting got worse but Headmare Starlight Glimmer was not notified of it yet. I finally had enough, so later that day after school I put together a plan and Suicide was the name of the game.

That night I went to go take a bath and I looked at my reflection and for some reason it started talking back.

"You sure you want to do this?" asked my reflection.

"Yes I'm sure," I said, "I'm tired of the bullying and teasing at school. I'm done with it."

"You know if you do this," said my reflection, "you leave the system."

"Good," I said, "what's the point of being reincarnated if the teasing and bullying continues?"

"Okay…" my reflection with tears in its eyes "I'll miss you…"

So after the bathwater filled, I sat in the tub going back and forth about my decision. Then finally, I took the razer slit my wrists and waited for death.

* * *

What is "The System"? The System is a place where the dead souls of Humans go, and since I'm half human, The System wouldn't know where to put me. Should I be in with the Equestrians when I die? Or should I be in with Humans?

I think I did actually die, either that or I was dreaming. I woke up lying on the ground to a voice.

"Come on…" said the voice, "you're going to be late!"

I looked around to see where the voice was coming from but I didn't see who the owner of the voice was. As the voice beckoned me to run, I ran but I didn't know to where I was running to. Finally, I ended up in front of a huge computer! I didn't know what to think, but the computer turned on and had eyes like Human eyes and a mouth too.

It was terrifying as the computer looked down at me and grinned.

"So nice to see you Betty," said Computer, "but you're early, not late."

The Computer paused and then went berserk.

"Does not compute!" said Computer.

Then the Computer turned red and I woke up.

* * *

I'm assuming my mother was the one who found me in the bathtub because she was sitting beside my bed at Ponyville Hospital. There were tears in my Mom's eyes.

"What happened?" I said.

"You want to talk about it?" said mom.

I looked down at my wrists and sighed.

"I've been getting bullied again," I said.

"That's what I thought," said mom, "you know you can talk to me about anything right?"

"Well…" I said, "I'm tired of getting teased about being Cozy Glow's relative!"

When the words left my mouth, they came out as though a weight was lifted off my chest.

"And who is bullying you?" said mom.

"Marble Sprint…" I said.

Mom smiled at me and had a twinkle in her eye suddenly.

"Awe," said Mom "that's adorable!"

"What!" I said "What do you mean that's adorable?"

"It means he likes you duh!" said mom.

"Ugh," I said, "I don't like him! Why would I even go out with a jerk like that?"

"Let me tell you something," said mom.

"What?" I said.

"Your dad was the first to make fun of me because he thought that I was so funny looking being a Human and all." said mom. "And I was one of the first ones that ever worked with a pony! So, naturally, I thought he was funny looking too!"

"But Marble calls me Huma-sus!" I said, "What kind of a pet name is that?"

"Awe!" said Mom "That's even more cute!"

"No it's not!" I screamed "I hate that guy! I wish he was dead too!"

"Calm down, calm down, " said mom patting me on the shoulder "I'll talk to Marbles Parents in the morning, you need to rest."

Then mom got up to leave, when she left, she was leaving me with my own thoughts.

* * *

That night in the hospital room by myself. I walked to the bathroom and saw my reflection. But it wasn't my reflection necessary that I saw, it was Cozy Glow. Cozy Glow smiled at me with her taunting smile.

"Hi neighbor!" said Cozy Glow, "Want to be friends?"

Chapter Two

“Nope I don’t want want to be friends!” I said as I ran from the bathroom and put my head underneath the pillow.

Moments later I peeked out from under the pillow and Cozy Glow was just standing there in ghost like fashion. She flapped her wings and sat on the bed.

“I know you don’t want to be friends but why did you destroy my statue?” said Cozy Glow.

“Because I’m your relative and I get teased for it a lot.” I said.

“Relative?” said Cozy Glow “I don’t remember seeing you at any family gatherings.”

“That’s because I’m your cousin.” I said. “My family never got invited.”

“Oh,” Said Cozy Glow, “why weren’t you invited?”

“We didn’t agree with your family's viewpoint that’s why.” I said.

"Oh…" said Cozy Glow. "But now I'm dead because of it."

"I know," I said, "that was the whole point."

"Why kill me?" said Cozy Glow.

"Because I thought if you were gone, I wouldn't get teased anymore." I said.

Cozy Glow sighed and she was clearly angry with me. All this time I thought the statue was just a tribute to Princess Twilight's battle with Trek, Queen Chrysalis and Cozy Glow. I didn't realize that those were actual ponies and creatures frozen in stone!

Cozy Glow then leaned over to me.

"What's your name?" said Cozy Glow.

"My name is Betty." I said.

"Well that's a weird name!" said Cozy Glow.

"I'm half Human and half Pegasus." I said.

"What's a Human?" said Cozy Glow.

I went to my backpack and pulled out a picture of my mom.

"See this?" I said. "That's my mom, and she's Human."

"Oh, Okay…" said Cozy Glow looking confused. "So now what do we do?"

"I don't know Cozy Glow…" I said. "I don't know…"
* * * *
Mystic Diamond is my Best Friend. She was always there for me when I needed her. I don't know why I didn't turn to her before I made my suicide attempt.

Now, I did turn to her after I got out of the Hospital. I was in the Hospital for one straight month, under constant surveillance of course. After I got out of the Hospital I called Mystic Diamond.

"Hello." I said.

"Betty," said Mystic Diamond, "is that you?"

"Yes it's me." I said. "I know you tried to visit me in the Hospital, but they wouldn't let any visitors except for family members."

"Oh," said Mystic Diamond, "that's okay, I understand. So how are you feeling? It breaks my heart that you did what you did."

"I know," I said, "I don't know why I didn't turn to you in the first place."

"So why'd you do it?" said Mystic Diamond.

"I can't tell you that over the phone," I said, "can you come over?"

"Sure." said Mystic Diamond.

When I hung up the phone, I sighed. It was a sigh of relief.

* * *

Cozy Glow sat on my bed while I paced back and forth in my room.

"What to do? What to do?" I said to myself.

"Can't you tell some pony about me?" asked Cozy Glow.

"I'm getting to that Cozy Glow." I said.

Mom then poked her head into the room and smiled at me.

"Everything okay?" said mom.

"Yes," I said, "everything is fine. I'm just talking to myself before Mystic Diamond arrives."

"Oh good, she's coming over!" said mom. "I'll cook dinner tonight."

"Thanks mom!" I said.

Mom then left the room and closed the door.

"Why can't your mom see me?" said Cozy Glow.

"Well," I said, "I don't know."

'I hope Mystic Diamond can she her,' I thought, 'she has a knack for these things.'

"I hope Mystic Diamond can see me too." said Cozy Glow.

"How did you know what I was thinking?" I asked.

"A Ghost can read minds apparently…" said Cozy Glow.

There was a knock at the door and in came Mystic Diamond smiling at me. I flapped my wings and practically jumped over to her. I then gave Mystic Diamond a big hug.

"You feeling better?" asked Mystic Diamond.

Then Mystic Diamond paused and looked horrified.

"What?" I said.

"Who's that sitting on your bed?" said Mystic Diamond.

"Oh," I said, "that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Cozy Glow, meet Mystic Diamond. Mystic Diamond meet Cozy Glow."

* * *

"So Cozy Glow is a ghost now," said Mystic Diamond. "interesting…"

"Well she is dead." I said.

"Did you see this?" said Mystic Diamond.

Mystic Diamond then handed me a newspaper and as I read the article, my stomach dropped. The Article was about how some pony had destroyed just Cozy Glow's statue.

"What are we going to do?" I said to myself.

"Nothing just yet," said Mystic Diamond, "they don't know who destroyed the statue."

"I'm so sorry Cozy Glow," I said, "I was just so tired of being bullied and teased. I thought if I got rid of you, then no more bullying."

"That's called stupid reasoning." said Mystic Diamond.

"Dinner's ready!" called mom from downstairs.

So we went downstairs to eat dinner and figure out what to do next.

* * *

The next day at school I got bullied again by Marble Sprint. He would not let up all day and I snapped. We actually got into a fight and were sent to Head Mare Starlight Glimmer's office.

"Marble Sprint," said Starlight Glimmer. "I am sick and tired of this! That's it! You're off the Buck Ball team period!"

Head Mare Starlight Glimmer then turned me, she had a sad look on her face. There were tears in her eyes. She probably heard about my suicide attempt.

"I'm so sorry you got hurt by this." said Starlight Glimmer. "No punishment for you today. You've been through enough already."

"But why doesn't she get in trouble?" growled Marble Sprint. "She started the fight!"

"But you provoked it!" said Starlight Glimmer. "That's enough Marble Sprint! That is enough! You are dismissed!"

As we left the Head Mare's office Marble Sprint cornered me.

"I'll get you for this Betty!" growled Marble. "I get you, just you wait this will come back to bite you in the butt!"

With that Marble Sprint galloped away.

* * *
"Golly," said Cozy Glow. "I didn't realize how bad you had it."

We had finally gotten home that day and I had slammed books angrily on the bed.

"Yeah well," I said, "now you know. And now you know why I was determined to destroy that statue of yours. I didn't know it was real. I'm so sorry Cozy Glow."

"Oh it's okay I think." said Cozy Glow. "Being dead isn't so bad I think?"

Cozy Glow then smiled her evil smile.

"I have an idea on how to get back at him, Marble Sprint I mean." said Cozy Glow.

"What?" I said.

Then Cozy Glow told me of a plan that might get me expelled from the School of Friendship.

Chapter Three

Cozy Glow in all of her sincerity, really believed that she did nothing wrong. But really she did everything wrong! Let's go over the facts, if the story is correct; the first thing she did wrong was to drain all the magic from Equestria leaving the ponies that lived there helpless. The second thing she did wrong was that she wrongfully detained a really good friend of Princess Twilight, Starlight Glimmer.

The third thing she did wrong, was that she along with Queen Chrysalis and Terik, proceeded to assault Discord (who was pretending to be Grogar at the time) with Gorgar's Bell and drain his magic. (Then the fourth thing she did wrong or was going to do wrong was possibly kill her coworkers Queen Chrysalis and Terik.)

But the official fourth thing she actually did wrong was to assault members of Royalty and that was Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The fifth thing Cozy Glow did wrong was to attack Princess Twilight and her friends.

And yet still there are people who think Cozy Glow did nothing wrong! Those people also think that Cozy Glow should be forgiven. But they would think that is beyond me.

Oh and Cozy Glows plan to get back at Marble Sprint did not work. The plan was to get his friends to be against him and not me. In order to do this I had to prank a couple of people and that I did.

I pranked one of his best friends an Earth Pony named Dark Meadow. This prank is actually kind of funny, so if I were you I'd pay attention.

Well, here's what I did. First with Dark Meadow, I blew up a bunch of balloons and placed them in his dorm room. But before that, I placed a whole bunch of alarm clocks and set them all for 2 am in the morning!

Then, I placed a sign on Dark Meadows door saying, "Marble Sprint was here!"

And the prank played wonderfully! I had everybody in the dorm room roaring with laughter when they heard the alarm clocks go off and over one hundred balloons popping.

We then heard Dark meadow scream, "Marble Sprint! Get in here!"

The whole dorm room was shaking with laughter has Marble Sprint came out of his dorm room with his PJ's on. Here's the kicker, his PJ's had little hearts on them! That was funny!

But the backfire happened when Dark Meadow and Marble Sprint were arguing for the rest of the night. But then they made up by morning. So, nobody got in trouble.

The second prank I did on his other best friend an Pegasus Pony, named Silver Whiskers. I took his bar of soap that he always uses and painted it with clear nail polish. That prank was even more hours than the alarm clock and balloon prank I did on Dark Meadow.

The whole dorm room could hear Silver Whiskers cursing has he kept trying to pick up his bar of soap and wash. Of course Silver Whiskers was the one that got into trouble for that one. Oh, and for added measure I wrote on the bar of soap, with a sharpie "Marble Sprint was here!" So clearly Silver Whiskers thought that Marble Sprint did the prank but, he still remained friends with him.

So, the pranks didn't work and that left me to square one. When I got home from school that weekend, I sat on my bed crying. Mom then poked her head into the room.

"What's wrong Betty?" asked mom.

"Nothing." I said.

"There has to be something wrong." said mom. "Come on, please talk to me."

"No," I said, "that's okay…"

"Betty Ann Jewel!" said mom. "You will talk to me or no dessert!"

"But-" I said.

"No exceptions!" said mom.

"Okay," I said. "Marble Sprint's still picking on me mom and it's getting worse day by day!"

"Oh…" said mom. "Well, the best way to deal with a bully is to ignore him."

"Easier said than done…" I said.

"I know it's hard," said mom, "but if you ignore him, he'll stop. That's what I did with my bully in High School."

"You had a bully in High School?" I asked.

"Yes," said mom, "and I also got bullied in the workplace by your father."

"What?" I said. "Dad picked on you?"

"Yup," said mom," I could not stand him at all at first. But then he realized he had feelings for me. And eventually I gave in."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I'd rather have him has a friend than an enemy." said mom. "I'll go get you some chocolate cake and milk your favorite."

"Yum!" I said.

As I sat down at the dinner table eating my food, I kept thinking about the Elements of Harmony and what they meant.

* * *

The first Element of Harmony that I thought of was Kindness because my good friend Fluttershy represents that element. She taught the ways of being kind to others ever since I was an infant. I kept thinking about this element and one day in class both Marble Sprint and I got called into the Headmaster's Office.

HeadMare Starlight Glimmer was pacing back and forth when we entered the office.

“Oh good you’re here!” Starlight Glimmer said.

Starlight Glimmer then sat down at her chair and smiled. Marble Sprint and I both exchanged a look.

“I’ve noticed that you two seem to be in a kind of war for some reason.” Starlight Glimmer said. “I’ve heard there’s been bullying going on both sides of the equation. So your parents and I have some up with a solution. You two are going on a date.”

“What?” Marble Sprint and I said.

“Yes,” said Starlight Glimmer, “a date that will be supervised by our Counselor Trixie and Myself.”

“So,” I said, “when is this date going to be?”

“Tomorrow after school…” Starlight Glimmer said.

I gasped and so did Marble Sprint. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

* * *

Mom sat down combing my hair and finally braiding it in one long big braid. I frowned as I looked into the mirror.

“What’s wrong Betty?” Mom said.

“This whole date idea,” I said, “not a good idea.”

“I really do think that deep down inside,” mom said, “Marble likes you!”

“No mom,” I said, “I really don’t think he does.”

* * *

Sitting at the table Marble Sprint and I just sat there for what like a long time not talking to each other.

“Come on,” said Starlight Glimmer into my earpiece, “say something to him!”

I grit my teeth, “So how has your day been?”

“I’m fine thank you…” said Marble Sprint.

I growled and then and stood up, “Fine! Don’t talk to me because I don’t like you anyway! You’re a bully and you always will be.”

As I got up and walked away. Starlight Glimmer was then screaming into my earpiece as I walked up to her.

“That’s it,” I said, “I can’t take it anymore! Just give me detention for the rest of the week. I don’t care!”

Then I stormed off and walked home.

Chapter Four

As I sat on the edge of my bed crying, I thought a lot about the date and how it went wrong.

“You okay?” Cozy Glow asked.

“No,” I said, “I’m not okay, but thanks for asking.”

Just then I heard a knock at the door. My mom poked her head inside my room with a concerned look on her face.

“You have a visitor.” Mom said.

“Who is it?” I said.

“Silver Whiskers…” Mom said.

“What?” I said.

Mom then opened up the door and sure enough there was Silver Whiskers.

“What do you want?” I growled.

“Now Betty be nice.” Mom said.

“Why?” I said. “He’s best friends with Marble Sprint!”

“Just because he’s best friends with your enemy doesn’t mean you have to be so rude!” Mom said.

I sighed, “Come on in…”

Silver Whiskers then entered my room and he had a note in his hand. It was from Marble Sprint.

“I wanted to ask you something and I’ve been wanting to ask you this for a long time but…” Silver Whiskers said.

“Spit it out…” I said.

“I’m sorry I picked on you for so long and I always had a crush on you from the beginning,” Silver Whiskers sighed, “and at the risk of losing my friends, I want to do the right thing and ask you out on a date.”

I sat on the edge of my bed staring in shock at SIlver Whiskers.

“Is this a joke?” I said.

“No, it’s not.” Silver Whiskers said.

Now I had a choice to make should I? Or shouldn’t I? I then decided it was in my best interest to go out with Silver Whiskers this might stop the bullying from Marble.

“Yes,” I whispered, “I’ll go out with you.”

Mom smiled as Silver Whiskers spun me around and kissed me. So that sealed the deal.

“Yeah I forgot!” Silver Whiskers said. “Marble wrote you a note. Here it is!”

Silver Whiskers then handed me the note.

“Let’s say I’ll walk you to school tomorrow around 8?” Silver Whiskers said.

After Silver Whiskers left I took out the note and read it.

Dear Betty,

I’m sorry our date didn’t go well. But you have to think it was forced. I was determined not to say anything to keep my reputation in tact. I’m very sorry I hurt your feelings to the point where you tried to kill yourself. With my blessing Silver Whiskers wants to date you. And I think you two will make a great couple.

Well that’s all I have to tell you, have fun with Silver!

Sincerely,

Marble Sprint

Another shocker for the day and I don’t think that my heart can take much more. I could tell this was going to be very interesting from here on out.

* * *

Just as promised Silver Whiskers he picked me around 8am and we walked to school together. I could feel the whispers as we walked down the hallway together Silver Whiskers walking protectively by my side.

“Shows over!” Silver Whiskers shouted.

Just that quick the whispering stopped. And the rest of the day went fine. I didn’t see Marble Sprint at all that day. Rumor has it that Marble Sprint fell ill today. But I don’t believe in rumors.

At lunchtime Silver Whiskers and I sat together by ourselves. Then Dark Meadow came up snickering.

“Well isn’t the happy couple!” Dark Meadow said. “I would congratulate you but I don’t approve of dating abominations.”

“Suck my dick Dark Meadow!” Silver Whiskers said.

“Awe,” said Dark Meadow, “I was just having fun.”

“That fun,” said Mystic Diamond, “it’s bullying. Leave them alone!”

“Like I have to listen to you?” Dark Meadow said.

“It would be wise to do so.” Mystic Diamond said.

“Or what?!” Dark Meadow.

“Or I’ll tell Head Mare Starlight Glimmer!” Mystic Diamond said.

“Oh I’m so scared!” Dark Meadow said.

“Well you should be!” Said a voice.

It was Head Mare Starlight Glimmer. The whole cafeteria gasped as Head Mare Starlight Glimmer walked up to Dark Meadow.

“Come with me…” Head Mare Starlight Glimmer said.

“I don’t want to!” Dark Meadow said.

“I said,” said Head Mare Starlight Glimmer, “come with me now!”

Then to everyone’s surprise, Head Mare Starlight Glimmer encased Dark Meadow in her magic lifting him up in the air and dragging him away.

“Well,” said Mystic Diamond, “glad that’s over.”

“I don’t know about that,” I said, “he seemed pretty relentless.”

“Yeah,” said Silver Whiskers, “what’s up with that?”

“I don’t know…” I said.

After that I had a feeling that this would be another saga of bullying.

* * *

That night I had a weird dream. Remember the System that I mentioned earlier in the story? Wel, the System has a big part to play when it comes down to the death of a pony or human. In this case I don’t think the System would know where to put me because I’m half human and half pony.

As I stood in front of the computer in awe I heard a voice that wasn’t coming from the computer this time.

“You’ve traveled here many times Betty,” said Princess Celestia, “you have a wonderful gift!”

“A gift?” I said. “How is this a gift?”

“Well,” said Princess Celestia, “it’s a gift to see into the world of the dead.”

“World of the dead?” I said.

“Wow,” said Princess Celestia, “you ask a lot of questions, come with me we need to talk…”

* * *

“Do you know what the System is?” Princess Celestia asked.

“I heard,” I said, “that it’s kind of like a sorting system for the Dead.”

“Correct!” Princess Celestia said. “But it’s so much more than that. Since you have the gift, I think it’s time for you to get to know the System inside and out.”

“What do you mean?” I said.

“For example, “ said Princess Celestia, “if I wanted to look into a dead soul and see where they are at, all I’d have to do is to use voice commands. Computer!”

Just then the Computer lit up and eyes and a smile greeted us.

“Hello Princess Celestia,” said Computer, “hello Betty.”
“How does it know my name?” I asked.

“I know the name of every living and nonliving soul in Equestria.” Computer said. “And last time you came here, you were very early not late.”

“What?” I said.

“Every creature in Equestria as an expiration date. “ Princess Celestia said.

“Oh…” I said.

Then we heard a loud boom in the distance and Princess Celestia gasped.

“It’ time for you to go,” said Princess Celestia, “go now! I’ll handle this!”

“What is it?” I said.

“Another breakout, “ said Princess Celestia, “It’s time for you to wake up now!”

Before I could say another word, I woke up.

Chapter five

Apparently there’s been trouble brewing in the Land do the Dead ever since I was born. The Icebreakers predicted that I was going to be the last Death Walker ever conceived. Who are the Icebreakers you ask? Well, the Icebreakers are a group of beings that can predict the past, present and future. And well, without even thinking they predicted me like it was second nature.

I’ve alway been trying to figure out myself as a person/ pegasus and who I’m meant to be. Now I have to deal with a Ghost following me around who just so happens to go by the name Cozy Glow. And here’s the kicker, she’s my relative. (And don’t forget she’s also an enemy of the Throne.)

Little did I know Princess Celestia finally died, but her job was not over with. Princess Celestia found another job in the afterlife. She wasn’t the ruler Heaven, or the ruler of Hell. Those two dimensions have their rulers and they play by their own agendas. What I‘m about here is that Princess Celestia is now the Manager of the middle ground. (no she is NOT a ruler, but a Manager, there’s a difference. And the middle ground is the computer. I know , you probably keep wondering about that computer and what it’s there for. I’ll explain more of that throughout the story. Just, bear with me please. Let’s return to the story, I think we’re getting off track here.

As I said, in the afterlife there’s been breakouts from a place called Hell. At least that’s what Princess Celestia told me since my last conversation with her through a medium named Scarlet Harmony.

The last time I went to Scarlet Harmony, she could tell that I was having trouble. I kept getting this feeling in my gut that something bad was coming down the pipes, and my gut feeling usually wasn’t wrong. And Scarlet Harmony told me through Princess Celestia that I was a Death Walker, in which I had no clue what that was. So today I was going to get more answers from her today.

“I see you have something on your mind, young one.” Scarlet Harmony said. “What is it?”

“Well,” I said, “I have questions for you and I want answers.”

“I think I have an idea as to what your questions are Betty.” Scarlet Harmony said.

“Well,” I said, “I was wondering, what is a Death Walker?”

“Ah,” Scarlet Harmony said, “I can explain that. You see, have you ever heard of a Dream Warden?”

“Yes?” I said, not sure of where she was going with this.

“A Dream Warden is a group of Bat ponies that help control dreams.” Scarlet Harmony said. “Well, Death walkers are like Dream Wardens but they go to the Land of the Dead to keep things in check. And the Death Walkers can do so while still being alive. And if I recall correctly, you did this a couple nights ago to talk to Princess Celestia right? Oh, and if I were you I wouldn’t tell anybody about this, right Cozy Glow?”

“Er, right?” Cozy Glow said, looking surprised. “You can see me?”

“Well I am a Medium silly,” said Scarlet Harmony, “though I’m not a Death Walker I can still see things.”

“Oh,” said Cozy Glow and she shrugged her shoulders, “that makes sense.”

And with that Scarlet Harmony took out her crystal ball and smiled at me.

“What?” I said.

“I thought you might want to see this,” Scarlet Harmony said, “it’s a recording of the afterlife I made earlier.”

“You can do that?” I asked in surprise.

“Why of course,” Scarlet Harmony said rolling her eyes, “I am a Medium yeah and I can do just about anything. How many times do I have to keep reminding you of that? It’s like you don’t believe in me or something?”

“No,” I said, “it just weirds me out, that’s all.”

“That’s fine,” Scarlet Harmony said and she sat the Crystal ball on the table. “I understand….”

“Well I uh..” I said not knowing what to say next.

Scarlet Harmony then tapped the Crystal ball and an image came up on it.

The image that was on the screen was of Princess Celetia staring at the back of Hell like she was waiting for something. Then suddenly there was a loud explosion and guess who came walking out from behind the rubble, Queen Chrysalis and Tirek.

“Tirek…” Princess Celestia growled. “How you got this far is beyond me. You should be in solitary confinement.”

“Well I’m here, “ said Tirek, “and I’m ready to settle the score.”

“You won’t get away with this Tirek.” Princess Celestia.

“And where have I heard those words before?” Tirek laughed.

“I still don't know how you got this far..” Princess Celestia said.

“Bribe a guard here and there,” Queen Chrysalis said, “threatening a gaurd with losing their powers works too.”

Princess Celestia growled and took a fighting stance.

“I think the Princess wants to fight.” Tirek laughed.

Suddenly without warning, Queen Chrysalis charged up her horn and Tirek and they disappeared.

* * *

“Boy,” I said, “where’s the afterlife Guards when you need them?”

“Yeah no kidding,” Cozy Glow said, “it seems like Princess Celestia wasn’t prepared for that one.”

“Well,” said Scarlet Harmony, “she’s not really a Princess anymore now that she is dead.”

“I know…” I said.

Then just as soon as I said that. I blanked out...

* * *

When I came to, I wasn’t in Scarlet Harmony’s booth, but I was in the afterlife and had a really bad headache to boot. As I was getting my bearings and trying to move around a dark blue hoof with a silver shoe on it, reached out to help me out, so I could get up.

“Princess Luna!” I said excitedly as I got up. “Oh, forgive and my manners.”

I then bowed to Princess Luna and Princess Luna put up a hoof to stop me.

“None of that now,” said Princess Luna, “just call me Luna and Luna only. No more Princess because first of all I’m retired from that and second of all I’m dead so that gets rid of my title automatically.”

“Oh,” I said, “sorry Luna. So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Oh right…” Luna said. “I want to talk to you about something, actually I wanted to warn you about something. Did Scarlett Harmony show you that clip of the afterlife I gave her?”

“Yes,” I said, “yes she did. And I saw what happened and it seemed that Celestia was off her guard that day.”

“True,” said Princess Luna, “But it wasn’t that she was off her guard that day. I think something is wrong with her!”

“Why do you say that Luna?” I asked.

“Well,” said Luna, “Celestia is usually on top of things like this and they don’t ever happen. No not with Celetia in the leading positions. I think she saw this coming and wanted this to happen? Whatever her reasons are, I think are really stupid. And I’m usually her (Yes pony), which means I say yes to everything to keep from hurting her feelings. This time I disagree.”

“So what are your feelings on this?” I asked.

“That the ponies who locked away in Hell, should stay in because they’re there for a reason. And the ponies that have freedom in Heaven, should keep the peace. The breakout in Hell should not be allowed to break out at any time. No way, no how…” Luna said.

“Oh..” I said because I didn’t know what to say.

“I see you’re troubled by this.” said Luna, “What’s wrong Little one?”

“A lot is wrong…” I said. “Let’s start with the Ghost of Cozy Glow.”

“The what?!” Luna said obviously in some state of shock.

“Yeah that’s right,” I said, “I said it!”

“Okay, Okay, “ said Luna, “no need to be defensive. I understand what’s going on here. The reason Cozy Glow’s ghost is hanging around you, is because she has some unfinished business with Equestria. Where do you see her?”

“Um,” I said looking down, “ever since I smashed Cozy Glow’s statue and tried to kill myself, that’s when she started following me around. It’s like we’re attached at the hip.”

“Well,” said Luna, “that makes sense, it’s because you broke her statue and she was not in the process of moving on just yet. When a creature is turned into stone, they tend to live longer for some reason. Which is why Celestia and me would check the statues just to see if they have or haven’t moved on yet. And they have moved on, then we destroy the statue, and it’s no harm, no foul.”

“Oh okay…” I said. “But how do you know they’ve moved on?”

“That’s a long day which you’ll find that one day, but not now.” Luna said. “Now I see you’ve been talking to Scarlett Harmony, I’ll let you get back to that and Cozy Glow.”

“Okay,” I said. “Was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Ah no Little one…” Luna said, patting me on the head with a hoof. “You may go now.”

“Goodbye Luna…” I said, and before I knew it, I was back at the Fairgrounds and in Scarlett Harmony’s booth.

* * *

As I came to, I tried once again to move around, and after a few minutes I could move.

“Thank Celestia…” I mumbled.

“Humph,” said Scarlett Harmony with a look of concern on her face, “I didn’t know that was still a term of endearment.”

“You didn’t?” I said. “What rock have you been living under?”

It didn’t take long for Scarlett Harmony to realize what I was talking about and she laughed at it. She then put the Crystal ball in its case underneath the table.

“That’s all I needed to show you.” Scarlett Harmony said. “Oh, and we saw your conversation with Princess Luna. Just wanted to let you know.”

“Well that’s an invasion of privacy...” I said.

I then heard a voice some from behind me. It was Silver Whiskers and he was looking very fond of me. I looked over just to Cozy Glow make a gagging motion.

“Um hi Betty,” Silver Whiskers said, “you know it’s a short spring break because we go back to school on tuesday. I was wondering if there was something that you wanted to do together?”

“I know of something you two can do together.” Scarlett Harmony said.

“What?” I asked.

“There’s a really good Princess Celetisa impersonator that’s just around the corner from my booth. You should go see her.” Scarlett Harmony said with a smile.

“Well,” Silver Whiskers said, “what do you think?”

“Sounds like a good idea.” I said. I then heard a coughing noise from behind me. It was Cozy Glow being very dramatic.

“Oh, and one more thing Betty,” Silver Whiskers said, “Who's that behind you? Cause I know that’s not Scarlett…”

“Oh…” I said. I could think of nothing else to say. I knew right then and there that Silver Whiskers could see Cozy Glow’s ghost as plain as day.

Chapter six

After the fair I explained everything to Silver Whiskers.

"It's so weird being able to see her," said Silver Whiskers, "and creepy…"

"I know." I said.

"How is this even possible?" said SIlver Whiskers.

As soon as I was about to answer his question the bell in the middle of town square dinged three times.

"I guess that's our cue to go home." I said.

* * *

Knowing that I had a meeting with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna I tried to fall asleep as quickly as I could. I had a hard time sleeping because of what I saw on the clip with Princess Celestia fighting Queen Chrysalis, and Terik. Those were the only ones that had broken out at least as far as I could see.

"You okay?" asked Cozy Glow.

"No…" I said. "I can't seem to fall asleep. And I'm already late."

"For your meeting with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?" said Cozy Glow.

"How did you know that?" I said.

"Somehow," said Cozy Glow. "I can read your mind."

"I'm just really worried that's all." I said.

"I know you're going to the Land of the Dead," said Cozy Glow, "anyone would be worried."

"So," I said, "you know what I'm going through."

"Yup…" said Cozy Glow. "Now get some sleep."

* * *

When I finally ended up in the Land of the Dead I didn't go in my usual spot. I ended up near a cave underwater. I swam up to the surface when I finally got to the surface. I coughed up the water out of my lungs.

'Well,' I thought, 'I guess we still have to breathe in the afterlife.'

"Betty…" I heard a voice echo in the cave. "Betty…"

I then heard a laugh the made my blood run cold.

"Um," I said looking around, "Who are you?"

"Not telling right now," the voice said, "but I do have a question to ask you."

"Okay?" I said.

I looked around at the edge of the cave and saw a clown standing there with a creepy grin on his face. I could sense that this was not a clown, but he was something else.

"Who are you?" I said. "Or maybe I should say, what are you?"

"Oh fine," said the Clown, "I guess I have to introduce myself now. I'm Mr. Giggles, the Clown. Nice to meet now, you should introduce yourself. It's only fair."

"I'm Betty…" I said. "And you're not a Clown, you're something else."

"Oh," said Mr. Giggles, "you're good. Very Good…"

Mr.Giggles laughed again, and I gulped trying not to be afraid.

"Afraid?" said Mr. Giggles.

"No," I said, "what was your question?"

"Huh?" said Mr. Giggles."Oh yes, my question, the question is, do you want a balloon?"

"No thanks," I said, "I don't take things from creepy Clowns. If that's what you are…"

"Oh," said Mr. Giggles, "you guessed I'm not a Clown, bravo!"

"And," I said, "if you're such a Clown, then where's your circus?"

"Oh that," said Mr.Giggles, "it's back in the deep darkness of my cave."

"Your Cave?" I said.

"Yes," said Mr. Giggles, "my cave. I don't see your name written on it?"

Mr. Giggles then laughed and stared thoughtfully up at the sky.

"How would you like a baby?" said Mr. Giggles.

"No way!" I said. "How in Equestria would I want a baby right now? I'm still in school crying out loud!"

"But you'll be out of school in a few years." said Mr. Giggles.

"And?" I said."Your point?"

"Okay then," said Mr. Giggles, "you have a few years toi think about it."

Without another word, Mr. Giggles shrank back into the darkness of his cave.

* * *

After my conversation with Mr. Giggles or whatever he was, I ran as fast as I could to the Middle Ground to meet Celestia and Luna. When I got there I saw Celestia, in frantic state and Luna trying to console her.

"It's okay sister," said Luna, "she's here…"

"Oh thank goodness!" said Celestia.

"You said you needed me?" I said.

"Yes," said Luna, "come with me , I have something to show you."

I followed Luna into the main building, the Middle Ground, and she showed me part of it where the breakout happened, and it reduced to rubble.Trying to pretend that the conversation I had with Mr. Giggles choked me up.

"Is something wrong Betty?" asked Luna.

"Have you heard of Mr. Giggles the clown?" I said.

Luna then looked as if she had seen a ghost, which is funny because the afterlife is nothing but ghost's.

"You okay Luna?" I said.

"I thought that creature was hibernating!" said Luna.

"Well I guess he wanted to say one last goodbye!" I said. "he went back into the deepest part of the cave. So, he's asleep now."

"Did you take a balloon from him?" said Luna.

"What?" I said.

"Did you take a balloon from him?" asked Luna.

"Um," I said, "No… Why?"

"Oh good," said Luna, "because if you did, it would mean he could eat our soul."

"Eat my soul?" I said.

"Yes…" said Luna.

"But how?" I said.

"You don't want to know." said Luna.

" You also said that you had information on what a Death Walker was?" I said.

"Oh yeah…" said Luna. "That…"

I then followed Luna to the library.

"Of course," I said, "there's a library in the Middle Ground."

"Yup," said Luna, "the Middle Ground isn't just for managing the afterlife, but it's also for learning."

"Huh?" I said.

Luna then went up to the receptionist and whispered something in her ear.

"Yes, Yes," said the Lady, "I know exactly where that is…"

She then pulled out a book from the top shelf of the reserved section behind the desk.

"Here you go." said the Lady.

"Thanks…" said Luna.

Luna then sat down at the nearest table and with her magic, she turned to the exact page I needed. I had to admit, I was a little bit nervous about what I was going to find out.

"Don't worry," said Luna, "you'll find out everything you need to know, in this Chapter."

I gulped and looked at the page, surprised to see that there was only one paragraph on Death Walker's and that was it.

"What," I said, "there's only one paragraph."

The paragraph then started out like this:

Death Walker's, no one can really say what Death Walker's are. They come from ancient beings called the Icebreakers. The Icebreakers keep everything in check for Euqestria's afterlife. They also declare when the next Death Walker and who or what creature is going to have this power. As always with great power comes great responsibility. They are sort of like Correction Officers for the Land of the Dead. That's all we know about Death Walkers.

I then put the book down and my jaw dropped.

"That's it?" I said.

"Well," said Luna, "the rest is under lock and key. I can't tell you or show you. You'll find out what a Death Walker is in your time."

I sighed, "Sure… Right…"

"Can we get back the breakouts now?" said Luna.

"Sure." I said.

"Now as we're trying to show you," said Luna, "you can see that on the left side the sorting building that goes to Hell, souls have been breaking out. So far it's only been Queen Chrysalis and Teirik. We've been monitoring the ever since that happened, but you as a Death Walker can keep the balance in check."

"How?" I said. "I already got enough to do. I mean there's school, dealing with my love life, there's Cozy Glow's ghost that as been following me around too. Don't you get sorted out automatically when you die?"

"Not exactly…" said Celestia. "The reason you don't get sorted out, unless that soul has some sort of unfinished business to carry out in the real world. You wouldn't happen to know what that was, do you?"

"Uh," I said, "I might've smashed her statue in anger."

"What were you so angry about?" said Celestia.

"Well I kept getting teased about being her relative," I said, "so I smashed it…"

"Oh…" said Celestia. "I see…"

"Well," said Luna, "that makes sense to me."

"I think so?" I said. “But I thought that death voided everything out.”

“Not exactly,” said Celestia, “it doesn’t cancel out everything. That’s why there’s an afterlife and an afterlife court. So bad things and good things that the person or pony did, that weighs against them.”

“Oh,” I said, “so that’s it.”

“The building in the Middle Ground is what they have me managing,” said Celestia, “because of one big mistake I made when I was alive.”

“What was it?” I said.

“Sending Luna to the Moon…” said Celestia. “It seems like that afterlife court agrees with Luna.”

“Sending Luna to the moon is what got you here?” I said.

“Yes,” said Celestia, “that was it.”

“But that happened over a thousand years ago!” I said.

“I know.” Celestia said. “They take that into account too. It seems they agreed with Luna.”

“And you still haven’t apologized for it!” Luna said.

“I think what I did was for the right reason.” Celestia said,

“No it wasn’t,” said Luna, “I became Nightmare Moon so you would recognize my feelings and you still didn’t! And after that I even created something to punish myself thinking I was the guilty party.”

“Why would you do that?” I said.

“That’s why I feel that you should give an apology.” Luna said.

“And I won’t do that!” Celestia said.

“I had every right to do what I did.” Luna said. “It’s like you wanted me to be worse than you! You were always sitting with your head in the clouds waiting for me to mess up! And failing to raise the moon was just your excuse to do what you did. Sometimes I hate you for that!”

“So what if I did apologize?” Celestia said. “What would have done then?”

“I suppose nothing…” Luna said. “I think, I Would do nothing with it, it doesn’t mean anything to me now. You got your judgement and your just desserts.”

“Oh really?” Celestia said. “Are so sure about that?”

“I’m sure,” Luna said, “very sure!”

“Then take this!” Celestia said.

Then Celestia and Luna both charged up their horns and aimed at each other.

“Hey!” I said. I ran in between both of them and somehow was able to stop the beams with both of my hands.

“How are you able to do that?” Celestia asked.

“I don’t know, “ I said, “but you two need to stop fighting!”

“That’s what everybody does when I start expressing my viewpoint. They always block me instead of Celestia!” Luna said.

“I know what you mean,” I said, “I’ve always felt that way about my little brother Norman.”

“You have a little brother?” Luna said.

“Yes I do,” I said, “and he acts really annoying when he comes home. You see, usually in the summer and spring break he’s off living with his biological father. I’m always at school and I sleep in the Dorm Rooms at the school. But recently I’ve been called out of school because of the incident.”

“What incident?” Luna asked.

“I tried to kill myself.” I said. “I guess it’s not my time to die. The computer said so, and I’m pretty sure my little brother knows. Although my mother would probably keep it from him, and that’s the way I prefer it.”

“Well,” Luna said, “that doesn’t solve anything. As you can see what happened between me and Celestia.”

“Well you see,” I said, “it’s gonna take some time to work things out with him. I don’t know if we ever will.”

“Oh I see…” Luna said.

“Speaking of reforming some pony,” I said, “it is possible that I can reform Cozy Glow?”

“Well,” said Celestia, “it's worth a try. Maybe you can knock some sense into her.”

“She’s constantly at my side and can read my mind now.” I said. “I’ve been thinking about reforming her ever since she’s been around me.”

“You can go ahead and try.” Celestia said.

“I don’t need Princess Twilight’s permission?” I said.

“No,” said Celestia, “mine will be all you need. I’ll send a note to her.”

“I agree…” Luna said.

* * *

When I woke up back in the Land of the Living I was super mad. Why? Because I was back in Ponyville Hospital again! It looks like they kept overnight for observation I saw so on the board. Guess who was sitting at my bedside? My mother if course and she didn’t look worried, she looked mad too.

“What happened?” Cozy Glow asked.

My jaw dropped because I was unsure of what to say. Mother then looked over where Cozy Glow was.

“Yes,” mom said, “I can see her in case you were wondering.”

“Huh?” I said.

“I can see her,” mom said, “and I think she just asked you a question that needs an answer.”

“Oh,” I said,”I’m sorry Cozy Glow, but my meeting with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna went a little bit longer than expected.”

“It’s okay…” Cozy Glow.

“So,” said mom, “you’re a Death Walker aren't you?”

“Yeah,” I said, “so what if I am?”

“Don’t you take that tone with me young lady!” Mom said.

Looking at my mom in frustration not willing to argue with her.

“Hey,” said Cozy Glow, “stop fighting! Can’t we all just get along?”

“No!” My mom and I said.

“I knew you were a Death Walker from the very day you born!” Said mom.

“Then why didn’t you say anything?” I said.

“Because I wasn’t allowed to!” Mom said.

“Fine, “ I said, “would you stop shouting then? You’re giving me a headache.”

“I’ll shout however much I want to!” Mom said.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to leave.” said the Nurse.

“But visiting hours aren't over yet.” Mom said.

“I could hear the shouting all the way down the hallway.” the Nurse said. “Now, you can go quietly or we’ll have the Police escort you out.”

“You can’t do that!” Mom said.

“And no shouting at me either!” The Nurse said. “Betty needs her rest and you won’t stop shouting because you will be taken out of here one way or another.”

“Fine, fine…” said mom. “I’ll go, but this isn’t over Betty! Not by a long shot!”

“We’ll see about that.” I said.

As soon as mom left the room I let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness.” I said. “By the way Cozy Glow, how long was I asleep?”

“A couple of days,” said Cozy Glow, “and I’m just gonna say this, your mother just wants to control you. She’s angry and I’m not sure why.”

“I know…” I said.

Ever since my argument with my mother I started staying in the Dorm Rooms even more. I was determined not to see her as much as possible if I could help it. Then on the breaks from school I stayed with a family friend Fluttershy.

“So what’s with you and your mother?” Fluttershy asked.

“She found that I was a Death Walker,” I said, “when actually she’s known about this the whole entire time! Apparently they’re declared by spirits called Icebreakers.”

“I’ve heard about Death Walkers,” said Fluttershy, “because I’m also a Death Walker too!”

* * *

“Interesting…” I said.

“I have a tale to tell you,” Fluttershy said, “back when humans first arrived in Equestria, they brought some magic with them. Some of them were witches and wizards that worked for Royalty. One of the greatest witches ever known from humans was one named Heavenly. No one knows her last name, that was to be kept secret and to this very day it's been off record. Until recently it’s been discovered that she was related to you. Heavenly’s last name is Jewel. And Heavenly was one of the first to become a Death Walker.”

“Great,” I said, “another superstar in the family! I can’t win.”

“Let me guess,” Fluttershy said, “you get teased a lot.”

“It first started with Marble Sprint,” I said, “and now my mom.”

“Oh I see…” Fluttershy said, “I’ll see if I can do something about that.”

“How?” I said. “HeadMare Starlight Glimmer tried to care of it, and it backfired. And she forced me to go on a date with Marble Sprint.”

“Oh,” Fluttershy said, “well I think I can help anyway.”

“By the way,” I said, “have you heard of Mr.Giggles, the Clown?”

At that comment Fluttershy’s eyes went wide as big as saucers. I didn’t think a pony’s eyes could get so wide.

“That’s Discord’s brother!” Fluttershy said.

“What?” I said.

“Yes,” Fluttershy said, “you heard correctly.”

Just then I had a pit feeling in my stomach. Good thing I was sitting down because I was feeling a bit queasy.
* * *

After Fluttershy and I had that conversation, we heard a knock on the door and it was Rainbow Dash. It was cue that Fluttershy snapped out of being afraid and saw Rainbow Dash standing there in confusion.

“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy said. “I need to have a word with you.”

“Okay…” Rainbow Dash said.

After a while I heard Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy arguing with each other.

“Betty’s been through a lot lately,” said Fluttershy, “she doesn’t need you jumping on her too!”

“But-“ Rainbow Dash said.

“I mean it!” Fluttershy said. “Now you go out there and don’t say another word. Go out there and be comforting.”

“Okay…” Rainbow Dash said.

She then came out of the kitchen and there was an awkward silence.

“Huh,” I said, “hi…”

“How are you feeling?” Rainbow Dash said.

“A little shaken up…” I said. “But I’m fine.”

“Okay…” Rainbow Dash said.

I then told Rainbow Dash what was going on.

“Discord’s not going to do what I think he’s going to do?” I said.

“What are you talking about?” Rainbow Dash said.

“I don’t know,” Fluttershy said, “Discord hasn’t popped up lately. I think he’s up to his old tricks again.”

“What do you mean?” I said.

“You don’t want to know.” Fluttershy said. “It looks like you need to lay down Betty.”

“Thanks…” I said.

Without another word Fluttershy then escorted me upstairs to the bed.

Chapter Seven

That night I went to bed and tossed and turned, I didn’t go back to the Land of the Dead anytime soon.

“What’s wrong?” Cozy Glow said.

“Everything…” I said.

“Everything?” Cozy Glow asked. “Wow, that is bad.”

“Don’t make fun of me!” I said.

“Oh sorry,” Cozy Glow said. “So what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know.” I said.

“Why are you so relied up?” Cozy Glow said,

I sighed, not wanting to answer Cozy Glow. Instead, I went to the window and looked up at the stars.

“What happened to the days when life was simple?” I thought.

I thought that all I had to worry about was Marble Sprint and getting along. But it seems that I have one problem after another.

“Um Betty?” Cozy Glow said.

“What?” I said.

“There’s some pony standing in the doorway.” Cozy Glow said.

I turned around to see Fluttershy watching me with a concerned look on her face.

“Is something wrong Fluttershy?” I said.

“Oh no,” Fluttershy said, “I’m more worried about you. Are you okay?”

“I’m not sure…” I said.

“You wanna talk about it?” Fulttershy said.

“At the moment no,” I said, “It’s best for me to deal with it on my own.”

“Well,” said Fluttershy, “I think that you have nothing better to do right now.”

“Fine…” I said.

I then got dressed and followed Fluttershy out the door.

* * *

“So what did you want to talk to me about?” I said.

“I guess I just wanted you to talk to me that’s all…” Fluttershy said.

“I thought you have something else on your mind,” I said, “you’re thinking about something else, so tell me what is it?”

“Okay,” said Fluttershy, “you got me. I guess I just want to ask was that are you having trouble going back to the Land of The Dead? Because Princess Luna and Princess Celestia need you help.”

“Yeah,” I said, “And I care because?”

“Because,” said Fluttershy, “you’re the last Death Walker! Isn’t that an honor to you?”

“Well no not really right now,” I said, “It’s a lot of pressure because I’m still just a kid, trying to grow up.”

“I know,” said Fluttershy, “I was young when I got the responsibility of a Death Walker. When the Icebreakers named me a Death Walker. There moto is to give the ability to give responsibility while they’re young. Then when a Death Walker grows up they come to make an informed decision about what they want to do.”

“Right now,” I said, “I don’t want it. Not now…”

“I just thought of something.” Fluttershy said.

“Really?” I said.

“Yes,” said Fluttersy, “I think that you should be looked after as the last Death Walker.”

“Oh I’m so grateful…” I said.

I sighed and went back to the window and looked up at the stars. When Princess Luna and Princess Celestia were about my age, they had the responsibility to rule a whole country. Now they’re in the Afterlife and older too. But I’m not there yet, not even close. I’m still just a kid that needs to grow up first.

“Oh well,” said Fluttershy,”You do with it what you want, the choice is yours.”

“Autcally,” I said, “I don’t think I have a choice. But, okay…”

Fluttershy then yawned, “Well it’s time for me to go to bed. I have to help a bear catch fish tomorrow. You can stay up as long as you want. You’re on a break anyway.”

“But what about Princess Luna and Princess Celestia?” I said.

“You don’t have to get to them right away,” said Fluttershy, “when you can fall asleep you’ll get to them.”

Without another word Fluttershy turned around and left.

* * *

It was in the morning when the sun was in my eyes that I woke up. That was because I had slept outside looking up at the stars. When I woke up there someone standing over me. It was Scarlett Harmony.

“I must’ve slept here all night.” I thought.

“Well hello there,” said Scarlett, “did you sleep here all night?”

“I guess so…” I said.

“I have something to talk to you about.” Scarlet said.

“If you're talking about this whole Death Walker thing,” I said, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay,” said Scarlett, “but this just came for you this morning.”

“What?” I said.

Scarlett then handed me a note that was written by my mom.

Dear Betty,

Please come home, there’s something I need to talk to you about.

Sincerely,

Mom

“Yeah,” I said,”like I’m going to fall for that one.”

I then balled up the note and handed it back to Scarlett.

“Okay then,” Scarlett said, “I do however, want to talk about this whole Death Walker thing.”

“I said no thank you!” I said.

“Okay,” said Scarlett, “and I forgot, I brought you some breakfast. Don’t worry, it’s human food. It’s an egg sandwich with French toast. How does that sound? Delicious?”

“That’s okay…” I said.

As my stomach growled, I took a sandwich and ate some of it. I then gobbled the sandwich down in no time.

“Wow,” said Scarlett, “I guess you really were hungry.”

“So,” I said, “you seriously want to talk about this whole Death Walker thing huh?”

“Well hear me out okay?” Scarlet said.

“Okay,” I said,”what’s your deal?”

“I know you think that being a Death Walker is still your choice. But there’s another thing that I wanted to talk to you about. Your Mother my not have Been the nicest person in the world but, don’t you think that you should try and smooth things over with her?”

“Nope,” I growled, “you don’t know what it was like living with her! So you have no idea how it feels!”

“Yeah but-“ Scarlett said.

“How can you tell me what to do?” I said. “I’m going for a walk, don’t try to follow me. I’ve had enough of this.”

I glared at Scarlett as if to make a point and got up and walked off into the Everfree Forest.

* * *

The darkness of the Everfree Forest didn’t scare me not one little bit. I wasn’t even afraid of the monsters that Fluttershy had told me about. As far as I was concerned, none of that mattered to me at all. Not before long, I was at the Castle of the Two Sisters.

I sat down in the middle of the Castle and started to think.

“What should I do?” I asked no one.

I then heard a creepy laughter that seemed to fail the whole place. I knew that who was laughing. It was Discord.

“Well, well, well,” said Discord, “who do we have here? Why it’s Betty, the very last death Walker!”

“What do you want Discord?” I said.

“Okay you got me,” said Discord, “there’s a little bit of information that I want to relay to you.”

“What is it?” I said.

“Well,” said Discord, “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna really need you in The Land of the Dead. Pronto!”

“Yeah,” I said, “and I care because?”

“Well,” said Discord, “that’s the information I wanted to tell you. I’m out of here. Ta Ta for now.”

Then Discord faded away laughing into the darkness.

“Great…” I said. “Now what?”

* * *

In between my meetings with Celestia and Luna I was meeting up with someone else. This someone else gave me some good advice on Death Walkers. She kind of hinted about why the information on Death Walkers was under lock and key. Her name was Sami. I thought about all the lessons she taught During these meetings we would always sit face to face and in the middle of us was a candle.

“In order to be a strong Death Walker,” said Sami, “you need to have harmony.”

“Don’t you need friends for that?” I said.

“Not exactly,” said Sami, “harmony needs to be with your mind and body.”

“Okay?” I said.

“One way to have that,” said Sami, “you think you might want to patch things up with your mother first?”

“I don’t know,” I said, “I don’t think that’s possible.”

“I know,” said Sami, “I had the same problem with my parents. I was also a half breed when I was alive myself.”

“You were?” I said. “But, you’re fully human! How’d that come to be?”

“Remember that choice I said you might have to make?” Sami said. “But if any case, you’re still just a kid when you grow up a bit then you’ll be able to make your choice.’

“But-“ I said.

“You’re still going to have to be alive for now. You can only help with The Land of the Dead only when you can. Oh and one more thing don’t let Luna and Celestia pressure you into making a choice for you. It might be too soon for you.” Sami said.

“Okay…” I said. “Um, Sami?”

“Yes?” Sami said.

“What should I do?” I said.

“About what?” Sami said.

“Well,” I said, “what if I don’t want to be a Death Walker?”

“That’s your choice,” said Sami, “oh and one more thing.”

“Yes?” I said.

“Don’t be late for your meeting with Celestia and Luna okay? Sami said.

“Fine….” I said.

Then Sami blew out the candle and then it was time to go.

* * *

I kept thinking more about the choice that I needed to make. When another memory came to mind. When I was younger, my mom was very abusive, there was one time that I could remember that Norman dropped a glass of water off the table and it shattered into pieces on the floor.

“Betty,” mom had said, “you clean this up right now!”

“Why do I have to do it?” I said. “Norman’s the one who dropped it.”

Then, mom had come so close to smacking me when Norman grabbed her arm.

“Leave her alone!” Norman said.

“What did you say?” Mom said.

“I said,” said Norman, “back off!”

“Why you little-“ Mom said.

“It’ okay Norman,” I said, “I’ll clean up this mess, honest!”

“Fine!” Mom said and then Norman let go of her arm. After mom left I cleaned up the mess.

“Yeah know,” said Norman, “you need to stand up to her.”

“But how?” I said.

“You will know,” said Norman, “when the time comes.”

As that memory faded out of existence I opened my eyes.

* * *

By the time I finished thinking about things, I looked up at the sky and it. Was almost nightfall. I got up and started running towards Fluttershy’s cottage. When I got home I opened the door only to see Scarlett and. Fluttershy talking. I knew what they where talking about. It was me, I glared at Fluttershy and Scarlett. My eye also twitched.

“I know you guys a talking about me,” I said, “what do you want?”

“So, “ said Scarlett, “you’re really not going back to the Land of the Dead anytime soon. Are you sure about that?”

“No,” I said, “but as Sami said I need to make my own choice. If you don’t let me, then you’ll live to regret it.”

“But-“ Scarlett said.

“I said leave me alone!” I said.

“Okay…” Scarlett said.

“Oh, and another thing,” I said, “maybe it’s better that we don’t be friend’s anymore.”

“Why?” Scarlett said.

“Because I know you’re going to push me into this,” I said, “and the choice is mine.”

Scarlett was about to say something when Fluttershy put up a hoof to stop her.

“Just let her go,” said Fluttershy, “she’s probably pretty tired anyway. Bid her goodnight won’t you?”

“Huh…” said Scarlett, “Goodnight Betty…”

“Goodnight!” I growled.

I went upstairs and slammed the door shut.

* * *

At night I tossed and turned then I finally went to sleep. In my dreams, I was running from something. What it was I didn’t know. As I running I kept hearing voices.

“Leave her alone.” Fluttershy said.

“I’m sorry,” said Celestia, “but it can’t be helped.”

“But she doesn’t want to-“ Fluttershy said.

“Stop it Fluttershy, “ said Luna, “just let her rest for now.”

“No,” I said, “leave me alone!”

I then kept running until I could no longer run. When I finally woke up, I realized where I was. I looked around only to see Luna at my bedside. I sighed, because I realized where I was, it was the Land of the Dead.

“I guess I have to face it.” I said.

“Face what?” Luna said.

I shook my head, “Nevermind…”

“Okay,” said Luna, “now that you’re here, we can get down to business.”

“So,” I said, “what do you want? Discord told me that you needed me here pronto!”

“Yes,” said Luna, “we need you to stay here, for now.”

“Fine,” I said, “so you need my powers or something?”

“Well duh,” said Luna, “why do you think we called you back so soon?”

“Listen Luna,” I said, “I don’t know what kind of powers I have as of yet. So you’ve got things backwards. And you’ve also got wrong Death Walker right now!”

“Well right now,” said Luna, “ think we do have the right Death Walker. With the right training you can figure it out. Oh and you’re going to be here for at least a month.”

“A month!” I said. “Don’t you know I have school soon?”

“I talked to Princess Twilight,” said Luna, “and she over wrote your classes for the time being.”

“You’re really gonna push me into this am I right?” I growled.

“Your hands are tied right now,” said Luna, “so I have the upper hand here. You couldn’t get out of this even if you wanted to.”

“Yeah,” I said, “that’s not what I was told.”

“Well they were wrong!” Luna said. “As soon as you were born, you’ve been given this duty put on your shoulders. And it’s time to deal with your destiny! You don’t get it don’t you?”

“No,” I said, “and I don’t care!”

Luna sighed, “You’ll start your training in the morning and one more thing, I have guards posted at the door, so you couldn’t run even if you wanted.”

“Unbelievable…” I said.

“Listen,” said Luna, “you’ll understand sooner or later that everyone has a sense of duty to follow. You will understand someday.”

I looked down and saw my school bag and saw that it had a whole bunch of books. I got so angry, I picked one of my books and threw it at Luna.

“I hate you!” I said.

Luna sighed and walked out the door.

* * *

The next day or night, I didn’t care whatever it was, I decided to stay in my room. I thought that if Luna was going to keep me here, I was going to fight her every step of the way. Just as I made my choice when Luna knocked on the door.

“Of course,” I said, “it just had to be you…”

“Stop playing games Betty,” said Luna, “you can’t stay in your room forever.”

“Just watch me!” I said.

Luna then picked me up in her magic and dragged me out to the arena for training.

“Now,” said Luna, “let’s see what powers you possess.”

“Yeah whatever,” I said, “you know, if you keep me here any longer, I will fight you every step of the way!”

“I don’t care.” Luna said. “I’ll be your sparring partner for now.”

“Humph,” I said, “”I doubt you beat me!”

“Oh yeah?” Luna said.

“Yeah!” I said.

“Very well,” said Luna, “I’ll draw out your powers sooner or later…”

“Careful what you wish for!” I said.

“Okay,” said Luna, “let’s begin!”

Luna then charged up her horn and then shot her attacks at me.

“Is that the best you got?” I said. “Don’t make me laugh!”

“Luna,” said Celestia, “stop this foolishness right now! She’s still got one foot in the Land of the Living! You don’t want to kill her! She’s still just a kid, Let her grow up first!”

“No,” said Luna, “we don’t have that kind of time!”

“Actuality,” and Celestia , “we can manage the breakouts on our own!”

“Ha,” said Luna, “that’s what you say!”

Luna then attacked me again and I was able to dodge them easily.

“How?” Luna said.

“Remember the last argument you and Celestia got into?” I said.

“Oh yeah,” said Luna, “you were able to stop us.”

“Well duh!” I said.

“Hey!” Luna said. “Don’t you dare mock me! I am the Princess of the Night!”

“Oh really,” I said, “I thought that when you die, the Princess title is in void right?”

“Why you little-“ Luna said.

“Me little what?” I said.

“Betty and Luna stop!” I heard a voice say.

I looked down only to see that Princess Twilight had grabbed us both in her magic.

“What the-“ I said.

“Fluttershy told me what was going on,” said Princess Twilight, “I didn’t expect this be another screw up!”

I then saw Fluttershy waving at me with a concerned looked at me with a concerned look on her face.

“I was concerned, “ said Fluttershy, “your body was under too much strain. Your body was grabbing at your chest. Luna then handed me potion that I knew was bad, so I rushed over to Princess Twilight at once.”

“And we have another screw up!” Princess Twilight said. “Betty, go grab your things and you’re going to the Land of the Living pronto!”

“Yes Princess…” I said.

Luna growled and tried to grab me in her magic and Princess Twilight blocked her.

* * *

When I woke up, I took a deep breath and realized my chest hurt. I looked around and realized that I was back at Fluttershy’s cottage. I then felt a searing pain in my chest again and felt like I had the wind knocked out of me.

“Welcome back!” Fluttershy said. “I’m glad you’re awake finally.”

“Is she awake yet?” Princess Twilight said.

“Yes,” Fluttershy said, “and she doesn’t look so good.”

Princess Twilight then lit up her horn and frowned.

“Yes,” said Princess Twilight, “and it’ll take at least six months to recover.”

I choked on those words, “You’re kidding right?”

I said. “Luna!”

“Now, now,” said Fluttershy’s, “you need to lay down and rest.”

I took another deep breath and grabbed at my chest again.

“What’s wrong?” Fluttershy said.

I felt like I had ran a mile and my heart was about leap out of my chest.

“I’m fine…” I said.

“You don’t look fine.” Fluttershy said.

“It’s just as I feared.” Princess Twilight said.

“What?” I coughed.

“I’m afraid there’s been a build up of fluid in your lungs.” Princess Twilight said.

“Why?” I said.

“If she was to do that,” said Princess Twilight, “she could’ve killed you and then you would’ve become a permanent resident without your consent. And Luna sent to Hell for good. What was she trying to pull? It’s a good thing I stopped her in time.”

“Um,” I said, “what are you talking about?”

“Um nothing,” said Princess Twilight, “Fluttershy, get Betty to the Hospital now. I’ll deal with Luna myself.”

“Right!” Fluttershy said.

“No!” I said. “I’m not going back there, I can heal fine by myself.”

“Nope,” said Princess Twilight, “you need help, this is something you can’t deal with by yourself.”

“Okay…” I said.

“I’ll send word to the Medical Unicorns at once.” Fluttery said.

Then before I knew it, I was rushed to Hospital

Chapter Eight

I woke up the Hospital and found Silver Whiskers sitting at my bedside nodding his head off as if he had been there all night.

“Silver Whiskers,” I said, “It’s okay, I’m awake now.”

“Oh good,” said Silver Whiskers, “when I heard what happened I came here as quick as I could.”

“Thank you…” I said.

Then I heard a knock on the door. It was my mother.

“Hello Betty,” said mom, “so we meet again finally.”

“Like I care!” I said.

“Please you must listen to me Betty,” said mom, “I’m still your mother and I deserve that respect!”

“Oh really?” I said. “Last time I checked, respect is earned and not deserved. SO who let you in anyway?”

I looked over to Silver Whiskers jaw dropped. He closed his mouth and didn’t say a word.

“Fluttershy let me in just once.” Mom said.

“Well,” I said, “only just this once, say what you need to say and get out!”

“Okay, Okay,” said mom, “listen, I want to confess…”

“Confess?” I said. “Are you pulling my leg?”

“No,” said mom, “I’m being honest!”

“Okay,” I said, “out with it!”

Mom sighed, “I didn’t think Luna would actually go through with the plan.”

“What plan?” I said.

“The plan to kill you!” Mom said.

“Like I didn’t know,” I said, “Princess Twilight told me. So, do you have anything new to tell me?”

“Well,” said mom, “that’s all I have to say.”

“Then leave!” I said. “Just leave me alone!

Then there was a knock on the door. Fluttershy looked panicked, when she saw my mother, her eyes were wide as saucers.

“Who let you in?” Fluttershy said. “How did you get past the guards?”

My mother then laughed like a psycho.

“It was easy really,” laughed mother, “your guards are weak. I knock them out with one punch to the gut.”

“But you said Fluttershy let you in.” I said.

“I can’t believe you fell for that!” Mom said. “Like I’d come here to check on you! I just wanted to see what your condition was for myself. And it looks like you got one foot in the grave! To think my plan almost worked!”

“No it didn’t thanks to me,” said Fluttershy, “and you will be tried for your crimes Mrs. Jewel.”

“Oh really?” Mom said.

“Yeah!” Fluttershy said. “You may have been able to get past the guards. But we still have security cameras.”

“You got me this time Fluttershy,” said mom, “but you have to catch me first. And sooner or later Betty, I am going to kill you!”

“I accept your challenge but I doubt you’ll win.” I said.

“Then it’s settled,” said mom, “ one day we will fight to the death!”

“Oh boy…” Fluttershy said.

“But,” said mom “you’ll have to catch me first!”

Mom then threw some smoke bombs down and disappeared. Fluttershy and I were left coughing and the smoke cleared.

“Isn’t that a Great and Powerful Trixie move?” I said.

“Yup!” Fluttershy said.

* * *

Once the smoke cleared, Fluttershy let out a big sigh of relief.

“You really shouldn’t’ accept threats like that.” Fluttershy said.

“I don’t care.” I said. “I don’t know what she’s trying to pull, but she’s not going to win.”

“You can’t be so sure.” Fluttershy said.

“Okay…” I said.

After trying to catch my breath again, I passed out.

* * *

I was in the Hospital for six months and was finally released. I didn’t really have any restrictions, except if I was having any pain to rest. Of course Fluttershy was extremely worried about me. (Typical Fluttershy…)

When I got home, I wanted to start training right away. Of course, I had to get started on my homework. I also had to think about reforming Cozy Glow on top of things. I also had Scarlett Harmony assigned to train me, as if I didn’t have enough problems. But Princess Twilight seemed to think that she fit the bill. Even I didn’t want to be friends with her. So, finally the day came for my first trading session.

“Okay,” said Scarlett, “I think we’ll start out your training with simple hand to hand combat. And then maybe we can see what powers you have.”

“I know one power I have.” I said.

“What is it?” Scarlett said.

“When Luna and I were fighting,” I said, “I found out that I was able to throw an enemies attack back at them. As long as it’s magic or something like that.”

“Hum…” Scarlett said. “Interesting…”

“What?” I said.

“I’m thinking that might be due to light power.” Scarlett said.

“Light power?” I said.

“Light power is when you can use beams of light to use against your enemy.” Scarlett said. “This can be done in several ways. Let’s see if you can use it the Land of the Living. Though I’m pretty sure you can.”

“Well,”I said, “I only used it in the Land of the Dead. But, okay…”

“I got my first power in The Land of the Living,” said Scarlett, “is when I figured out that I have an iron fist, literally…”

“So,” I said, “you’re a Death Walker too?”

“Oh no,” said Scarlett, “I’m not a Death Walker, I’m just the middleman for both sides.”

“How is that possible?” I said.

“It’s a long story..” Scarlett said.

“Oh…” I said.

“Now,” said Scarlett, “let’s start!”

* * *

As soon as my trading began, I did not want Scarlett to go easy on me. The training was more like a game of dodgeball. After a while, Scarlett wanted to see what kind of powers I had.

“Now,” said Scarlett, “let’s see what you got.”

I smiled at Scarlett and before I knew it, I had a beam of light in my hand and threw it at Scarlett.

“Het watch it,” said Scarlett, “we’re not playing sudden death here!”

“OOps,” I said, “I thought we were!”

“I didn’t say intent to kill!” Scarlett said. “I just wanted to see what powers you had. That one was quite a punch!”

“Okay,” said Scarlett, “let’s see what else you got.”

As the training dragged on, I found out that I the power of darkness, the power of light and the power of glass, that last one I found to be puzzling. Oh and apparently I can combine my powers together and use them to my advantage. I can also use the glass power as a shield. My favorite power would be the one where I can was the enemy attack against them. Soon , I saw that Scarlett was getting out of breath.

“Okay,” said Scarlett, “let's take a break.”

“Sure.” I said.

I then heard some pony clear their throat. I turned around only to see the CMC’s.

“Hi Apple bloom!” I said. “What’s up?”

“We have a message for you.” Applebloom said.

Applebloom then handed me a message that was from Princess Twilight.

Dear Betty,

We’ve got a lead concerning your mother. It’s gonna take some work, but it’s something. I’ve also found out that your mother was conspiring with Luna to kill you. Don’t worry I threw luna in the very Prision that she runs.

Anyway, I also wanted to say that you really should take it easy on your training. You just got out of the Hospital. If you don’t take it easy, I’ll have Fluttershy tie you to the bed. That’s all I have to say.

Sincerely,

Princess Twilight

After reading the letter, I couldn’t think of anything else. I was so angry that I punched the ground and it shattered about two yards from me.

“Um Betty,” said Scarlett with a nervous laugh, “before you use you other hand, maybe you should calm down a bit?”

“Damn it!” I said. “As if I didn’t have enough to worry about.”

“What did the note say?” Scarlett said.

“I’ll tell you later…” I said.

“Yeah,” said Applebloom, “maybe we’d better go.”

The rest of the CMC’s said their goodbyes and left.

“Are you gonna be okay?” Scarlett said.

“I’m fine…” I said.

Truth be told, I wasn’t fine. I then had a steering pain in my chest that brought me to my knees.

“Okay,” said Scarlett, “I think it’s time we stop for now. And it looks like you need some sleep.”

Scarlett then came over and put two fingers on my forehead and the last thing I knew, there was a brightness that was in my face. That was when it turned into blackness.

* * *

After I woke up and after quite some time, I noticed that Sliver Whiskers was sitting at my bedside. As soon as he noticed that I was awake he woke up too.

“Oh good,” said Silver Whiskers, “you’re awake…”

“Yeah,” I said, “I’m awake…”

“You okay?” Silver Whiskers said.

“Does it look like I’m okay?” I said.

After Silver Whiskers left I went back to sleep again. When I was sleeping I had a dream that I always had when I was little. I was running from something I didn’t know. I didn’t hear any voices in the background, so I knew it was just a dream.

As I continued running I began to see my mother and it seemed like she was getting further and further away. I was trying to reach her and knew that it wasn’t going to happen.

“Mother!” I kept screaming.

My mother’s voice would then echo back, “One day, I will kill you…”

After what seemed like forever, I stopped running and just stood there.

“I can’t catch up to her.” I thought.

As I just standing there it seemed like tie slowed to a stop. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I let out a loud scream.

* * *

Fluttershy knocked on the door.

“Are you okay?” Fluttershy said. “Heard screaming so I came to check on you.”

“I’m fine,” I said, “it was just a dream.”

“You want to talk about it?” Fluttershy said.

I shook my head, “No, I need to deal with this on my own.”

“You don’t have to-“ Fluttershy said.

“I’m fine..” I said.

“Oh,” said Fluttershy, “well, if you want to talk, I’m here.”

“Sure.” I said.

After Fluttershy left, it was my turn to let out a big sigh of relief.

* * *

The next meeting that I was not supposed to have my training with Scarlett that was next week. So I used that time to work on my homework. I then also took this chance to think of a way to reform Cozy Glow. When I was working on my homework, I noticed that Cozy Glow was floating around me and looking over my shoulder.

“Are those Math Problems?” Cozy Glow said.

“Yeah,” I said, “your point?”

“They look pretty complicated,” said Cozy Glow, “Can I help?”

“What do you know about Math?” I said.

“I know a little something,” said Cozy Glow, “It took a lot calculations to drain all the magic in equestria.”

“Yup,” I said, “and you know how well that turned out.”

Cozy Glow then had a nervous laugh, “Let’s put the pst where it belongs, in the past.”

“Yeah sure,” I said, “whatever you want…”

* * *

“So,” said Cozy Glow, “based on these calculations the answer is?”

“Right now I don’t care…” I said, “I’m tired.”

“Okay,” said Cozy Glow, “let’s take a break from Math. What’s next?”

“The Elements of Harmony homework, “ I said, “maybe this is something you can relearn?”

“Yeah,” said Cozy Glow, “let’s don’t and say we did. The CMC’s already taught me what I needed to know.”

“Sure they did…” I said.

“Can we talk about this later?” Cozy Glow said.

“Whatever you say…” I said.

* * *

The following week it was finally time for my training session with Scarlett.

“We need to figure out if you have anymore powers that you can use.” Scarlett said.

“I think we might’ve already figured it out.” I said.

“Maybe we should start training,” said Scarlett, “just don’t destroy the ground this time okay?”

“Why?” I said.

“Because,” said Scarlett, “you need ground to fight your battles unless you can fly.”

We started the training sessions and it turns out that I’m a pretty good flyer. But Scarlett couldn’t do long range attacks so that wasn’t to my advantage. But because I was able to do long range attacks that helped me to combine my powers to use against the enemy.

“That’s enough for today,” said Scarlett, “you’ve already gotten strong.”

“Sure about that?” I said.

“Yeah but,” said Scarlett, “it's because of your training your recovery’s been slow. You could pass out anytime soon.”

“You sure?” I said. “Don’t you think that my mother might strike while I’m still weak?”

“You might be right,” said Scarlett, “but I don’t know. Maybe she’s thinking outside the box? It would be a classic move for a villains ”

“Yeah,” I said, “that sounds just like her.”

“Maybe,” said Scarlett, “but you need to rest.”

“Sure…” I said.

Chapter Nine

Three months later, I was finally able to go back to school. This would mean that I was going to have to stay after school to get caught up on my tests that I missed. Trust me, after being out of school, the tests were really starting to pile up. When I arrived at school, I was greeted by my best friend Mystic Diamond.

“Hi there!’ Mystic said. “You forget about me?”

“No,” I said, “I’ve been spending some time at Fluttershy’s house. I’m surprised that Silver Whiskers didn’t tell you?”

“Nobody told me,” said Mystic, “I guess I was out of the loop.”

“How did that happen?” I said.

“I don’t know,” Mystic said, “it’s okay, at least I’m in the loop now.”

“Well, well, well…” said Dark Meadow. “It’s the abomination!”

“You might want to get some new material if you’re gonna keep picking on me.” I said.

“Don’t make me laugh!” Dark Meadow said.

“I take it you’re looking for a fight?” I said.

“I think I do!” Dark Meadow said.

“Okay, okay!” I heard a voice say. It was Headmare Starlight Glimmer.

“Break it up!” Headmare Starlight Glimmer said.

Headmare Starlight Glimmer then pushed her way through the large crowd that was beginning to form. She then rolled her eyes at me and Dark Meadow.

“In my office now!” Headmare Starlight Glimmer said.

When we got to the office Headmare Starlight Glimmer slayed the door shut.

“Seriously,” said Headmare Starlight Glimmer, “first Marble Sprint and now you Dark Meadow!”

“What?” Dark Meadow said. “It’s not my fault that she’s an abomination!”

“Stop calling me that!” I said.

“Well it’s true!” Dark Meadow said.

Headmare Starlight Glimmer sighed and rubbed her head.

“Never mind,” said Headmare Starlight Glimmer, “I think I’ll have to it you out of school. Just like I did to Marble Sprint.”

“What?” I said. “You actually pulled him out of school?”

“Yes,” said Headmare Starlight Glimmer, “he got pulled out of school for picking on some other kids. I might have to do the same to you, Dark Meadow and your grades will drop dramatically and you won't graduate.”

“That’s not fair!” Dark Meadow said.

“Actually it is,” said Starlight glimmer, “that’s the max punishment I cave give you if you don’t stop buying people.”

Dark Meadow then left in a huff.

“You’re dismissed too!” Headmare Starlight Glimmer.

I then got up to leave.

* * *

When I got to the first period, I saw Silver Whiskers and he waved to me and I sat next to him. He then gave me a peck on the cheek.

“It’s good to have you back!” Silver Whiskers said.

Now, as you know, ponies ears are very sensitive so it was no surprise that I hear the whole class whispering about me.

Did you hear she was out of school for nine months?

What another suicide attempt?

No one knows, I heard she got injured or something.

Well with a suicide attempt they only keep you for 72 hours.

Yeah that’s what I heard.

Why is Silver Whiskers still going out with her?

The teacher finally arrived she noticed all the whispers that were going around and tapped her hoof on the desk.

“Alright, Alright!” The Teacher said. “I know what you guys are whispering about and you should shut your traps or I’ll shut them for you, understood?”

“Yes Ms. AppleJack!” The whole class said.

After class I kept hearing the whispers as I was walking down the hallway.

“What’s going on today?” I said.

“Oh, nothing…” Silver Whiskers said.

“It sure doesn’t sound like nothing.” I said.

I continue to hear the whispers even in the lunchroom, but to me it all made sense. Silver Whiskers only stayed at my bedside all those times he was worried about when he was really worried about the rumors that were going around. Mystic Diamond said she was out of the loop as if she didn’t know where I was the whole time I was out. I didn’t think that was true. Was she embarrassed to be my friend? Did she stay away because of the rumors? I think she did.

“Seriously,” I said, “something is going on and I want to know what.”

Silver Whiskers and Mystic Diamond exchange a look.

“It’s nothing,” Mystic Diamond said, “so don’t worry about it.”

“Really?” I said. “Something is going on and you two know it! So what’s going on?”

“Fine,” said Silver Whiskers, “I’ll tell you. There’s been some rumors going around about you.”

“Like you didn’t think I wasn’t going to find out?” I said. “And nobody thought to tell me about it?”

“I didn’t think that was a good idea.” Mystic Diamond said.

“Why not?” I said.

“We didn’t want to stress you out anymore than usual, so…” Silver Whiskers said.

Just then Headmare Starlight Glimmer came up to out table.

“Betty,” said Headmare Starlight Glimmer, “I need to talk to you.”

“Of course…”. I said.

When I got to the office, Headmare Starlight Glimmer made sure to close the door tight.

“As you know,” said Headmare Starlight Glimmer, “there’s been some rumors going around about you. I don’t know what the source is, but I think it’s Dark Meadow.”

“That’s it?” I said.

“Yes,” said Headmare Starlight Glimmer, “that’s it…”

When I left the office I didn’t even want to go back to my next classes. So I didn’t go, I just went back to Fluttershy’s cottage.

* * *

It had been two weeks since I went to school. I refused to go back even if it meant that I didn’t graduate. I then heard voices outside my door. It was Princess Twilight and Fluttershy.

“Is she okay?” Princess Twilight said.

“I don’t think so,” said Fluttershy, “she hasn’t been to school in two weeks.”

“Let me talk to her.” Princess Twilight.

“Sure,” said Fluttershy, “but I don’t think she’ll listen.”

The door then opened and Princess Twilight came in.

“Hi there…” Princess Twilight said.

“Hi,” I said, “what do you want?”

Princess Twilight sighed, “I know what you’re thinking, what’s the point of having friends if they’re not going to back you up right? That’s what my favorite student Luster Dawn said and you know where I pointed her to? The School of Friendship.”

“Your point?” I said.

“Look, I know you don’t think you’ve made real friends,” said Princess Twilight, “but when you do they’ll help you out. That’s for you to discern.”

There was another knock on the door.

“It looks like you have a visitor.” Princess Twilight said.

I sighed it was Silver Whiskers.

“What do you want?” I growled picking one of the daggers that I used in my training with Scarlett.

“I really did come to check on you this time.” Silver Whiskers said.

“No,”I said, “I don’t think you did! Now get out my sight. If you don’t I’ll throw this at you and this time I won’t miss!”

“Betty!” Princess Twilight said.

“It’s okay Princess…” Silver Whiskers said.

“I told you,” I said, “get out my sight. I will throw one of these at you, and trust me, I won’t miss this time. Just leave!””

“But-“ Silver Whiskers said.

“I said get out of here!” I said.

I then threw the dagger at Silver Whiskers and it came in mere inches of missing him.

“You missed on purpose!” Silver whiskers said.

“This,” I growled, “is your last warning! I said get out of my sight now!”

At that Silver Whiskers eye went wide.

“You’re really angry aren’t you?” SIlver Whiskers said.

“Just go…” I said.

Silver sighed and the left.

* * *

That I kept thinking about all things that had happened to me. I then thought it would be better for me to leave town. So I packed a small bag along with a tent and a sleeping bag and I also brought some food too.

I knew exactly where I was headed. I knew that there were villages on the outskirts of Equestria. The only way to get there was through the Everfree Forest. I was almost to the Castle of the Two Sisters when I heard a voice call out. It just had to be Princess Twilight.

“Betty stop!” Princess Twilight said.

“Why should I?” I said.

“Because we care about you!” Silver Whiskers said.

“Yeah right,” I said, don’t make me laugh!”

Princess Twilight was about to charge up horn when Fluttershy stopped her.

“She can absorb your magic and use it against you!” Fluttershy said.

“Oh…” Princess Twilight said.

“Like I’m going to stop for you!” I said. “Why weren’t you there for me the whole time I was out of school? Can you tell me that? Can you?”

“Betty,” said Silver Whiskers, “I know you’re upset but if you calm down, we can explain!”

“I don’t want to hear it!” I said.

I then started to run as fast as I could. Then Fluttershy and the big mistake of running in front of me.

“Please stop,” said Fluttershy, “there are a lot of dangerous beasts and everything else out there.”

“Nice excuse,” I said, “but I think I can even take down a cockatrise. So I’m fine.”

I sighed because I knew what I had to do. I didn’t want to do it because Fluttershy’s always been there for me.

“I’m sorry Fluttershy,” I said, “and thank you, for everything…”

“What do you-“ Futtershy said.

Before she could say another word, I sucker punched her in the face knocking her unconscious. I turned around to see Silver Whisker and Mystic Diamond chasing after me.

“We have you now!” Mystic DIamond said.

I then punched the ground and this time it split on two.

“I didn’t know she could do that!” Mystic Diamond said. “Did you know she could do that?”

“No,” sad Silver Whiskers, “I didn’t really watch her train.”

I then took to the sky and so did SIlver Whiskers.

“Listen to me!” Silver Whiskers said. “You’re forgetting that we’re boyfriend and girlfriend. At least stop to listen to me!”

“You’re not my boyfriend anymore,” I said, “just leave me alone!”

Silver Whiskers stopped flying after me and with tears in his eyes.

“Just let her go…” Princess Twilight said. “Maybe when she has some time to think and grow up a bit, she’ll come back to us.”

“I hope you’re right.” Silver Whiskers said.

* * *

When I finally reached the first village on the outskirts of Equestria, it was nighttime. Even though I was completely exhausted I wanted to keep going. I finally made it and I was completely worn out. The first place I stopped was a shop at the border of the first village. I sat down and ordered a meal. Aft I ate I put my change on the table.

“Hey that’s too much money!” The shop keeper said.

“Keep the change.” I said.

“That’s still too much money!” The shop keeper said.

“I said keep the change.” I said.

I then got up to leave and knew where I was heading. If my memory is correct, I knew that there was a meadow in the middle of the village forest.

“This village,” I thought, “it hasn’t changed a bit.”

If memory serves me correct this is the very same village that I met Scarlett Harmony.I built my tent, put down my sleeping bag and went to sleep.

* * *

I woke up when the sun came up and heard someone calling my name.

“Betty!” The voice said.

“”I know that voice,” I thought, “it’s Mr.Harmony.”

“Betty!” Mr.Harmony said. “Where are you?”

I sighed and then went of the the tent.

“Hi Mr.Harmony…” I said.

“I brought you your change,” said Mr. Harmony, “you didn’t recognize me at the shop?”

“No…”I said.

“I do own that shop you went too.” Mr. Harmony said.

“Oh,”. I said, “sorry about that.”

“It’s okay,” said Mr. Harmony, “When I saw you, you looked so down. So I figured you got into a fight with Scarlett, and this is where you go after getting into a fight with her. You’d be here, just looking up at the stars.”

“So that’s how you found me?” I said.

“So,” said Mr. Harmony, “what are you doing out here? Something wrong?”

“What do you think?” I said.

“Well,” said Mr.Harmony, “Princess Twilight filled me in on some things. But she also wanted me to give you this book.”

Mr. Harmony then handed me a book that had Princess Twilight’s Cutie Mark on it.

“What’s that for?” I said.

“Everyone’s really worried about you,” said Mr. Harmony, “I think you might want to take a look at it?”

I sighed, “I’ll look at it, although I don’t think that there will be anything interesting in it.”

“And why not?” Mr. Harmony said.

“It’s a long story…” I said.

“Oh,” said Mr.Harmony, “how long you gonna stay here?”

“I have to keep moving,” I said, “there’s bound to be someone on my trial.”

“Okay,” said Mr. Harmony, “I guess I think I’ll see you around?”

“Maybe…” I said. “Bye…”

Chapter Ten

Heading out to the next village I stopped inside a forest that was in my path that I took. After I put up my tent, I decided to take out the book that Mr. Harmony gave me and looked at it.

“Huh,” I thought, “these conversations are talking about me in third person. Well, I can’t say that I blame them, I’m not there after all.”

The first conversation went like this:

“She did what?” Scarlett Harmony said.

“She got the better of us and used her powers to get away.” Fluttershy said. “I’m sorry, but we couldn’t stop her, please forgive me.”

“It’s okay,” said Scarlett, “it couldn’t be helped, she is pretty strong and I wonder if Princess Twilight is on the case. Although I think I know where she might be heading.”

“Where?” Silver Whiskers said.

“If you’re thinking about getting back together her,” said Scarlett, “I think you’d bett forget it, at least for now…”

“Oh…” Silver Whiskers said. “I understand….”

“So,” said Fluttershy, “where could she be heading?”

“Only certain people and ponies know that there are villages on the outskirts of Equestria.” Scarlett said. “I grew up in one of them and that’s where I met Betty. That’s also where Betty and I met Mystic Diamond.”

“Wow,” said. Mystic, “I forgot about that…”

“How could you?” Scarlett said.

“It happened a long time ago,” said Mystic, “and my memory isn’t the best.”

“If wwe hurry,” said Scarlett, “maybe we can catch her.”

“No need to,” said Princess Twilight, “I’m on it, I sent a book to Mr. Harmony, I hope it helps. The book practically writes itself.”

“What?” Scarlett said.

“Yes,” said Princess Twilight, “any conversation that you want her to hear, will be recorded in the book. Maybe the conversations will reach her heart and she’ll come back home. If not, I’ll give her six months and then I’ll send a tracking team to go after her, agreed?”

“Yes!” Everyone said.

That was the end of the conversation, after reading it, I just had to laugh.

“They have to catch me first,” I thought, “I’m not going back if I can help it . As long as I stay away, The School of Friendship doesn’t matter to me anymore, and neither do friends…”

“Hello!” A voice said.

I jumped back only to see that it was Cozy Glow.

“Oh,”I said, “it’s you…”

“You forget about something?” Cozy Glow said.

“No,” I said, “I haven’t forgot, I was in such a hurry to get out of Equestria that’s all.”

“Why did you leave Equestria?” Cozy Glow said. “Isn’t that where your friends are?”

“I don’t need them anymore.” I said.

“What?” Cozy Glow said. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope,” I said, “not kidding, I think I’m going to stay here for a bit and then keep going.”

“What about the Elements of Harmony?” Cozy Glow said.

“It’s useless to me now.” I said.

“You sure about that?” Cozy Glow said. “I figured out that you were trying to reform me. You think that it’s maybe you who needs to be reformed?”

“How’d you figure that out?” I said.

“Do you think I’m dumb or something?” Cozy Glow said. “Yeah know I was an evil villain once, right?”

“Oh,” I said, “well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore, okay?”

“No, it’s not okay,” said Cozy Glow, “what happened to you? You’re not the Betty I know.”

“Okay,” I said, “your point?”

“I know you got picked on at school and everything,” said Cozy Glow, “but I didn’t realize it was that bad! It got worse didn’t it?”

“And what rock have you been under?” I said. “Yes it got worse and I have a sneaking feeling that SIlver Whiskers was in on it!”

“Oh no,” said Cozy Glow, “you got that one wrong. Silver Whiskers loves you and you have to believe that.”

“Humph,” I said, “I don’t care about that anymore. Anyway, I figure I can stay here for a month at best, then I have to keep going.”

“Sure fine,” said Cozy Glow, “but you should really think about going back. Princess Twilight is bound to send a tracking team after you.”

“Yeah I know,” I said, “I read it in the book.

ONE MONTH LATER…

I packed up my tent and rolled up my sleeping bag.

“Well,” I thought, “the next village is up ahead. I can get there by the end of the night.”

* * *

TWO MONTHS LATER…

* * *

THREE MONTHS LATER…

* * *

FOUR MONTHS LATER…

* * *

FIVE MONTHS LATER…

* * *

SIX MONTHS LATER….

* * *

When I got to the lat village on the outskirts of Equestria, I thought I was home free.

“Maybe I should get out of the outskirts of Equestria,” I thought, “they’re bound to track me here.”

As I let the last village I thought about officially heading out of Equestria. As I was walking down the path to Giriffinnstone, I thought that I was alert and ready for anything. I looked around and could tell I was being followed. Then, out of nowhere a rope came flying at me. I jumped of the way realizing that it was an ambush.

“That’s not fair,” I said, “an ambush is cheating!”

Three people then came out of the woods and had their faces covered up with the hoods on their jackets.

“That’s enough,” said Mr. Harmony, “I can take it from here!”

“You sure about that sir?” one of Mr. Harmony’s men said.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” said Mr. Harmony, “Betty, it’s nice to see you again!”

I growled at him, “The feeling not mutual, I’m not going back!”

“I just want to talk,” said Mr. Harmony, “but if you won’t talk to me, I’ll just have to knock you out.”

“You might want to go ahead and knock me out,” I said, “that is, if you can catch me!”

“Oh please,” said Mr. Harmony, “do you really think you can outsmart me and my men? You can go ahead and try, but you’ll be sorry. I do have more men and ponies tackning you other than what you see behind me.”

Mr. Harmony then gave a signal to the rest of his team and they all came out of the shadows one by one.

“Huh, “ I said, “piece of cake!”

“I knew you were going to be stubborn,” said Mr. Harmony, “rule number one when fighting someone, don’t underestimate your opponent.”

“As if I didn’t know that already!” I said.

“Well,” said Mr. Harmony, “let’s see if you learn anymore lessons from this. Like you learned anything from your friends…”

“Ha!” I said. “That’s because they knew when to stop chasing me.”

“Tell you what,” said Mr. Harmony, “if you can take down me and my men, you can go free but, if not you go back to Equestria! Deal?”

“Deal!” I said.

“Well then,” said Mr. Harmony, “let’s begin!”

Mr. Harmony snapped his finger and his men surrounded me. They started with throwing iron chains at me one by one and they thought that they had tied me up.

“I thought you were stronger than that!” Mr. Harmony said.

“I’m not done yet,” I said, “you idiot!”

“Hey,” said Mr.Harmony, “show some respect!”

“Last time I checked,” I said, “respect is earned, not deserved!”

I then unraveled the chains that I was in and used them to tie up eight of the men and ponies that Mr. Harmony had with him.

“Bravo, “ said Mr. Harmony, “I bet you can’t do that again!”

“Bring it on!” I said. “I can take them!”

“Oh but these men,” said Mr. Harmony, “have special abilities just like you do!”

Then what felt like a mini earthquake shattered the ground. I looked and saw that one of Mr. Harmony’s men had an Iron Fist just like Scarlet did. I just jumped out of the way no problem. I then saw a blade that was made of fire went past me.

“Well that’s new..” I thought.

Then I remembered that I could use an enemy attack against them. Another fire blade went right for me and I was able to catch it and throw it right back at the enemy.

“Well that’s interesting,” said Mr. Harmony, “I didn’t know you could do that.”

“What was that you said when fighting?” I said. “Don’t underestimate your opponent…”

“Oh really?” Mr. Harmony said.

“Yeah!” I said.

Then a rope made up electricity tried to wrap around my ankle but, it missed.

“You really thought that was going to work?” I said “And you call yourself a tracking team? Ha!”

“Wel no,” said Mr. Harmony, “that time, the idiot actually missed.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed, then I heard someone screaming and it came closer. Before I knew it Scarlett Harmony was standing before me.

“Don’t,” said Scarlett, “please dad, let me talk to her. She just might listen to me.”

“Okay,” said Mr. Harmony, “it’s worth a try…”

“Betty, just listen okay?” Scarlett said.

I just stood there wondering what Scarlet was going to say.

“Betty…” Scarlett said, walking towards me.

I didn’t get a chance to even answer her when she punched me in the gut that sent my flying toward a tree.

“Well that was a cheap shot!” I growled. “And here I thought you wanted to talk?”

“That’ because that’s clearly not going to work with you.” Scarlett said.

“Okay calm down,” said Mr. Harmony, “this is my assignment after all.”

Before I could get back on my feet, Mr. Harmony hurled an iron chain at me and this time it didn’t miss. I was tied up, hook, line and sinker.

“Go ahead and report back to the Princess that we got her.” Mr. Harmony said.

“Okay,” said Scarlett,”I’m going, see ya Betty!”

I glared as Scarlett left and tried to get out the iron chain but it was of no use. I was truly stuck.

“You can’t break out of this one,” said Mr. Harmony, “this one blocks your powers and basically puts you in a barrier. You’ll never get out so don’t fight it okay?”

Mr. Harmony then pulled me closer to him.

“Looks like I win,” said Mr. Harmony, “and now it’s time for you to take a nap.”

* * *

“It looks like you’re finally awake huh?” Mr. Harmony said.

I opened my eyes and looked around. The walls were barren and there was a ceiling fan that hung above me. I also realized that I was in restraints. I turned my head to see Mr. Harmony with a grin on his face.

“Hi…” Mr. Harmony said.

“Where am I?” I said.

“Oh,” said Mr. Harmony, “you’re in a holding cell until Princess Twilight decides to send you back to Equestria. I’m here to reason with you, by force if necessary. This is the room I like to call Electric Shock Therapy and I’ll show you why.”

“Huh?” I said.

I saw that in Mr. Harmony’s hand was a remote button. Mr. Harmony then pressed the button and I felt a bolt of electricity go through me. It was painful and I couldn’t help but cry out in pain.

“Do you get the point?” Mr. Harmony said.

“I get it!” I cried.

“I’m sorry,” said Mr. Harmony, “I didn’t hear you. Can you say that again?”

Mr. Harmony pressed the button again and another painful bolt of electricity went though me and I cried out again.

“I get it!” I said.

“I think that just about does it.” Mr. Harmony said. “I don’t think I need to explain anymore.”

The cell door opened and Princess Twilight did not look happy,

“How many times did you shock her?” Princess Twilight said.

“Only twice!” Mr. Harmony said.

Mr. Harmony then pressed the button again and I let out another cry of pain.

Mr. Harmony laughed, “That makes three, I’m done.”

“Give me that button!” Princess Twilight said.

Mr. Harmony couldn’t help but laugh at my expense, he handed the button to Princess Twilight and walked away laughing.

“Well that was psycho.” Princess Twilight said.

“You’re telling me…” I said.

Princess Twilight took the button and laid it down, I flinched waiting for another shock to come.

“Oh you poor thing,” said Princess Twilight, “that was not what that was for. You’re afraid of the button now aren’t you?”

“Yeah think?” I said. Then my whole body started to shake.

Princess Twilight sighed and bowed her head.”I’m really sorry about that, at least you’re home and in one piece. I didn’t think Mr. Harmony was going to do that. I’ll send you back to Equestria as soon as possible.”

“Okay…” I said.

“Just get some rest in the meantime,” said Princess Twilight, “I’ll take the button so you don’t have to worry about any more shocks. Oh and don’t try to get out of the restraints, they’ll only get tighter okay?”

“Sure…” I said.

* * *

The cell door didn’t open again for quite some time and then Cozy Glow popped up with a big smile on her face. It wasn’t a nice smile either, it was an evil smile.

“What’s with you?” I said.

“I talked to Mr. Harmony,” said Cozy Glow, “and he wants to take a different approach in reasoning with you because he doesn’t seem to think that you get it yet. You seem to take a lot of hits and keep on going. But, I think I’m the one who can change your mind, what do you think?”

I shrugged, “Whatever you have in mind I guess?”

“Okay,” said Cozy Glow, “I’m going to enter your mind now, this shouldn’t take long….”

I then felt a cold chill down my spine as Cozy Glow entered my mind. I felt paralyzed as I couldn’t move.

“Now don’t fight it,” said Cozy Glow, “or it’ll get worse for you.”

Not long after Cozy Glow entered my mind, everything went blank. All thoughts I had in my mind weren’t there anymore. I was in a place whereI found myself surrounded by clocks of all shapes and sizes. I heard screams coming from somewhere, but I didn’t know where. I then found myself standing on a high cliff, I wasn’t afraid but I was curious as to where the bottom was. I then saw someone standing in front of me. I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman. But then the person pushed me off the cliff. I started to fall and I kept falling into nothing.

* * *

After a while, I heard someone or rather some pony calling my name.

“Betty!” Princess Twilight said. “Betty! Snap out of it!”

“Ops,” said Cozy Glow, “I guess I got a little carried away.”

“A little?” Princess Twilight said. “I think you broke her memory! We need a healing Medic in here now!”

* * *

I couldn’t hear voices that were calling me, they seemed to be off to the distance. Still falling, I finally landed on something, it was a pool of light. I was being pulled through that light and finally, I woke up.

“Oh good,” said Princess Twilight, “you’ve come back! I’m so relieved!”

I looked around and found that I couldn’t remember who I was or where I was.

“Betty,” said Princess Twilight, “do you know who I am?”

I titled my head and looked at her confused.

“Oh no,” said Princess Twilight, “it’s worse than I thought. Cozy Glow you really messed up! She has no idea of who she is now. It’s gonna take a month or more for her to recover! Where is that Medic pony?”

“Betty,” said Cozy Glow, “can you still see me?”

I looked around to see where the voice was coming from but I didn’t see where it was coming from.

“Huh,” I said, “I can hear something, but I couldn’t place where it was coming from!”

“Oh boy,” said Cozy Glow, “not good, it’s all my fault too!”

“Yeah think?” Princess Twilight said, doing a face hoof.

“Wait!” I said. “I thinK I remember you, Princess Twilight right?”

“Yes,” said Princess Twilight, “do you remember anything else?”

“No,” I said, “what’s this about my memory being broken?”

“It’s nothing,” said Princess Twilight, “I’ll get that Medic pony in here as soon as possible.”

Princess Twilight then took the restraints off me and I was able to sit on the side of the bed.

I looked around, “Where am I?”

The Medic pony finally arrived and greeted Princess Twilight.

“Let’s just say you’re someplace safe.” Princess Twilight said. “The Medic pony is here now, and she should be able to help draw out your memories through hypnosis. I leave you in her care.”

The Medic pony nodded and introduced herself as Daisy Lily.

“Now,” said Daisy Lily, “I’m going to put you under a memory spell, let’s begin…”

“Sure…” I said.

Daisy Lily then charged up her horn “I’m going to count backwards from ten. You’re going to tell me what you can remember. I’m going to do this however many time it takes to get your memories back…”

Daisy Lily then started to count backwards from ten.

* * *

It took three months for me to recover most of my memory back. It came back very slowly and some points were kind of hazy. But the one point that was very clear was the threat my mom had made to kill me. I also remember running away from what I wasn’t sure. I also remember my good friend Fluttershy taking care of me this whole entire time. Finally, I remembered that I was a Death Walker.

“So,” said Fluttershy, “how do you feel in getting back your memories?”

“Not so great,” I said, “except now I’m not so sure that I can trust anyone.”

“I understand,” said Fluttershy, “with everything that’s happened to you.”

“Yeah,” I said, “and it’s just one thing after another.”

“But,” said Fluttershy, “it seems like you’re back to your old self again.”

“I guess so,” I said, “I need to be alone right now. I wish I had never met Cozy Glow…”

“Great,” said Cozy Glow, “that’s another mistake that I have to atone for.”

“Just go away…” I said.

“Oh that reminds me,” said Fluttershy, “we put together a scrapbook to help you remember things better, here you go.”

Fluttershy then handed me the book and I took it.

“Thanks…” I said.

I then opened the door and headed out for the Castle of the Two Sisters.

* * *

When I got to the Castle of the Two Sisters, I sat down at my favorite spot and opened up the scrapbook. There were lots of pictures of me and Scarlett Harmony when we were young. There were also pictures of Mystic Diamond becoming friends with Scarlett Harmony and I. There were pictures of me and Silver Whiskers. Another picture caught my eye. It was of Cozy Glow’s statue in tact and there was another picture of her statue destroyed.

The memory came back to me pretty hard, so hard that I had to lean back on the wall. It also gave me the biggest headache ever. I looked up and saw Cozy Glow floating around me with a concerned look on her face. Silver Whiskers then came and sat down beside me.

“Can I join you?” Silver Whiskers said. “I’m really sorry it’s come down to this. I know you probably don’t trust me now, I can try to make it better, I promise.”

With my eye full of tears I looked up, “How can I trust anyone every again given what I’ve been through! Why should I trust you? How can I even being to trust anyone? Can you tell me that?”

“If you let that wall down,” said SIlver Whiskers, “you can rescue yourself that way.”

“Rescue myself?” I said. “How can I do that?”

I tried to dry my tears and saw Mystic Diamond come out of the shadows.

“We’re all here for you Betty.” Mystic Diamond said.

“And I’m here too!” Scarlett Harmony said.

“And I’m here too!” Fluttershy said.

“We’re all here for you Sugarcube…” AppleJack said.

I looked around the Castle and saw all of my Teachers from the School of Friendship. Princess Twilight was also there, standing among them with tears in her eyes.

“How’d you know where I was?” I said.

“I always know that you go to The Castle of the Two Sisters,” said Flutershy, “so, I told everybody to come. And, I have a special surprise for you!”

Fluttershy then stepped aside to show my little brother Norman.

“Hi Betty…” Norman said.

“How?” I said. “Why?”

“I heard you going through a tuff time,” said Norman, “and you’ve been through quite a bit, haven’t you?”

“How did you just find out about this?” I said.

“I didn’t realize that I’ve been the dark this whole entire time,” said Norman, “Fluttershy told me everything that was going on and I wish I had been there to protect you. I was also informed that you’re a Death Walker honestly, I think you should be proud of that.”

“Proud,” I gritted my teeth, “and why would I be proud of that?”

“Well from what I heard,” said Norman, “it’s actually a blessing to be a Death Walker.”

“Yeah…” I said.

“Hey,” said Pinkie Pie,”I know what this calls for!”

“What’s that?” I said.

“A party!” Pinkie Pie said.

At that comment we couldn’t help but fall out laughing.

Chapter Eleven

Fluttershy sat down beside me and cleared her throat to get my attention.

“What?” I said. “Yeah know that I’m trying to work on my homework?”

“I know,” said Fluttershy, “but don’t you it’s time you start Death Walking again?”

I sighed, “I don’t know about that…”

“I’m sure Princess Celestia would be happy to see you!” Fluttershy said.

“Don’t call her Princess Celestia,” I said, “she doesn’t have that title anymore now that she’s dead.”

“Okay,” said Fluttershy, “there’s also that whole matter of Queen Chrysalis and Tirek being at large and Celestia needs your help tracking them down. I can go with you if you want?”

“No,” I said, “if anything I’d rather do this myself. I’ve been suppressing my Death Walking enough now.”

“How’d you learn to do that?” Fluttershy said.

“It’s a long story,” I said, “well I guess it’s an early bedtime for me.”

“But it’s only ten!” Fluttershy said. “Don’t you want to stay up a little longer?”

“Nah,” I said, “I’m okay…”

* * *

It took a while to fall asleep, that is after Cozy Glow stopped talking to me. Deep into my subconscious, I had my Death Walking powers in a vault under lock and key. I took the key that was hanging around my neck and opened the door. I then took a deep breath and the Land of the Dead. When I got to the Middle Ground, I saw Celestia with a joyful look on her face.

“Hey,” said Celestia, “you’re back! I’m so glad to see you!”

“Yeah I know,” I said, “I haven’t been back her in awhile and with good reason.”

“I understand…” Celestia said.

“Anyway,” I said “did you have any luck finding Queen Chrysalis and Tirek yet?”

“No,” said Celestia, “I was hoping that you would have developed some skills from the Tracking Team that Princess Twilight sent after you.”

“The only things I learned,” I said, “was Electric Shock Therapy and memory loss…”

“They did what?” Celestia. “Tell me everything, I’ll have to talk with Princess Twilight to make a few changes.”

“Where should I start?” I said.

* * *

“Oh boy,” said Celestia, “you just can’t win can you? And then there’s also the matter of reforming Cozy Glow. And don’t forget Mr. Giggles...”
“Don’t remind me…” I said. “First things, first what was I supposed to learn from the Tracking Team?”

“You were supposed to learn,” said Celestia, “how to be a guiding light for souls that don’t know where the Afterlife is. You also need to keep order in the Land of the Dead and the Land of the Living. I guess you’ll have to learn that from Scarlett Harmony.”

“So I have to learn how to track down Queen Chrysalis and Tirek?” I said.

“Yup,” said Celestia, “I told Mr. Harmony to teach you and not by force. I guess he liked using force instead, talk about a power trip!”

“I know…” I said.

“Anyway,” said Celestia, “I asked this question before, how’s Cozy Glow’s reformation going?”

“Yeah, about that,” I said, “I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon. She’s the reason why I lost my memory in the first place.”

Celestia sighed, “What am I going to do with everybody? It’s like the world is in chaos! I wouldn’t be surprised if Discord is in Heaven right now!”

“I wouldn’t put it past him.” I said.

It was as if on cue I heard a laugh that could only mean one thing, Discord…

“Discord!” Celestia said. “What have you been up to?”

“Oh nothing much,” said Discord, “I had some business to take care of. I do have a life you know! But, I just happen to hear you two talking about me. So, I decided to check it out. By the way, how are you doing Betty? My wife Fluttershy told me everything that’s happened lately.”

“Oh really?” I said. “I didn’t know you had a heart!”

“Oh come on now,” said Discord, “I’m actually concerned about you.”

“Yeah right,” I said, “I know that Mr. Giggles is your brother, so don’t play dumb with me!”

“Well I never!” Discord said. “Mr. Giggles will do whatever Mr. Giggles wants to do. I can’t control him! It’s not within my power to do so.”

“And I’m going to believe that because?” I said.

“To believe or not to believe?” Discord said. “That is the question, and one that you should answer for yourself. Ta, Ta for now, I shall be off now…”

Discord laughed again as he went back into the darkness.

* * *

When DIscord had gone away I sighed.

“What is it?” Celestia said.

“It’s just one thing after another.” I said. “Well, at least my brother Norman knows the truth about everything now.”

“That’s good!” Celestia said. “You patched things up with him, that’s awesome!”

I had made up my mind about something and it concerned Luna. It was a risky move, but I wanted to do it all the same.

“Can you take me to Luna?” I said.

“Why?” Celestia said.

“Because I want to ask her something…” I said.

“What?” Celestia said.

“It’s just something that I want to confirm, on my own.” I said.

“You sure that’s a good idea?” Celestia said.

“Yeah,” I said, “I’ll be fine, she’s not going to pull a fast one on me this time. I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

* * *

Celestia led me to the dungeon that was holding Luna.

“Now remember,” said Celestia, “if anything happens, just sound the alarm.”

“Thanks, “ I said, “but I don’t think she’ll do anything this time.”

“Even so,” said Celestia, “I’ll be outside listening…”

“Sure thing…” I said.

When I entered the dungeon, I found Luna huddled up in a corner. She was in the fetal position crying.

“Uh, h-hello…” I said.

“What do you want?” Luna said. “You’ve come here to torture me some more? I’ve already been-“

“Let me guess,”I said, “Electric Shock Therapy?

“How did you-“ Luna said.

“I’m sure you’ve heard of what I’ve been through lately have you?” I said.

“No,” said Luna, “news doesn’t travel around here much in case you haven’t noticed.”

“I have a question for you.” I said.

“What is it?” Luna said.

“If you knew what my mom was trying to do,” I said, “then why did you go along with her?”

“I thought…” Luna said. “I mean I didn’t think…”

“You didn’t think what?” I said.

“That your mother really was trying to kill you.” Luna said.

“So you’re telling me,” I said, “that you really didn’t think that my mom was trying to kill me? I find that hard to believe…”

“No I didn’t,” said Luna, “you must believe me!”

“You’re kidding me, right?” I said.

“No I’m not…” Luna said. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going back to crying now.”

“It’s okay Luna,” I said, “and one more thing Luna, I forgive you…”

I sighed and closed the door.

* * *

“Did I hear that correctly?” Celestia said. “You said that you forgive her?”

“Yup, “ I said, “I do and she’s the first pony I’ve done that with. I don’t know when she became so cold hearted, but she seems to show some sort of remorse so I decided to let it go, now my mother on other hand, I’m not so sure I’ll forgive her.”

“Oh I see…” Celestia said.

“I’m also working on learning to trust people again.” I said.

“That’s good,” said Celestia, “sometimes letting go of the past is the best thing to do.”

“Now,” I said, “I think it’s time for me to go. I think it’s almost daylight in the Land of the Living.”

The door to my vault appeared signaling that it was time for me to go.

“Sure,” said Celestia, “well, there’s your door…”

I then walked through the door, back to the Land of the Living.

* * *

It came time for me to have my next trading session with Scarlett Harmony. This time I was a little bit confused about what was going to happen.

“Okay,” said Scarlett, “the first thing, Celestia told me that you need to develop some tracking skills?”

“Yeah,” I said, “so?”

“In order to do this you need to be able to sense where enemies are.” Scarlett said. “Once you can do that your tracking skill will be awesome. As far as the whole beacon of light thing, you’ll have to figure that out on your own. Maybe you’ll learn it, maybe you won’t, here take this.”

Scarlett then handed me what looked like a staff that looked like a long wooden stick. As I looked at it closely I saw that there was an Amethyst jewel in the middle of it.

“What’s this?” I said.

“This,” said Scarlett, “is an Amethyst crystal. This is supposed to help you sharpen your powers, it’s the perfect tool for tracking and becoming a beacon of light also. I can also help you attack and defend against your enemies.”

Scarlett then put a hula hoop down in the middle of the yard.

“This where you will practice your fighting and tracking skills.” Scarlett said.

I stood in the middle of the hula hoop nut sure of what to do next. Scarlett took out what looked like a watch with a read jewel in the middle of it.

“This,” said Scarlett, “will help you tune everything out except what you want to hear. You can hear everything or just the enemies movements, think of it as putting yourself in a bubble and nothing can come in or go out without your say so. If I were you I’d tune out everything except your enemies movements, this means life or death for you and your teammates got it?”

“Got it!” I said.

I did exactly what Scarlett told me to do. Nothing came in or out of my bubble without my say so, I only chose to hear Scarlett’s voice and I figured that would help me track the enemies movements.

“Okay,” said Scarlett,”let’s begin…”

Scarlett started swinging the watch back and forth and this helped me even more. I did what Scarlett and didn’t hear or see anything except what I wanted to see. When this happened I closed my eyes began to see other things and people as best as I could.

“Now what do you see?” Scarlett said. “Look to the Everfree Forest. How many men and ponies can you see?”

“20…”. I said. “No wait, 25…”

“Good,” said Scarlett, “that’s correct! And you got it on you first try too!”

Scarlett then gave signal and then ponies and men came out of the woods and attacked. Most of the attacks I was able to dodge because it was just like when I fought Mr. Harmony and his men, mostly ropes and chains. I also sensed that there were a couple of Death Walkers I could tell because they had beams of light and darkness around them. Some of the Death Walkers used a combination of attacks and I almost had trouble dodging them but I did it no problem. But it was no easy task to do.

I got through most of the attacks because I didn’t hear anything but Scarlett's voice and my enemies movements. I was down to the last five attackers when a voice called out of nowhere.

“Hello!” Cozy Glow said. “What’s up?”

Cozy Glow had broken my concentration and I got pummeled by the last five attacks.

“Okay, okay!” I said. “I give, I give!”

“Uncle! Uncle!” Cozy Glow said with a laugh.

“That’s not funny Cozy Glow!” I said.

“Ops, sorry…” Cozy Glow said.

“Oh, so close,” said Scarlett, “you almost beat Fluttershy’s record! Her time was a minute and a half seconds. You got up to forty five seconds, not bad for a first timer!”

“I would’ve got them too,” I said, “if Cozy Glow hadn’t appeared!”

“I’m sorry,” said Cozy Glow, “not really…”

“Didn’t you get enough payback already?” I said.

Cozy Glow shrugged, “I don’t really care…”

I then saw the look on Cozy Glow’s face and I knew what that meant. It was nothing but sadness and I could only guess why. It must be really frustrating not being able to move on yet.

“Can we take a break?” I said. “Or call it quits for today?”

"Let's call it quits." Scarlett said.

I nodded, "Poor Cozy Glow…"

* * *

It turns out that for my next training session Fluttershy told Rainbow Dash how well I was doing and Rainbow Dash in turn told a lot of people and pony about it. When I walked to the backyard my eyes went wide at the sight.

"Oh dear.." I said. "Talk about drawing a crowd."

"Listen up!" said Scarlet. "Keep talking down to a minimum that includes cheering, got it?"

"Yes Scarlett!" The crowd said.

Scarlett then turned me and nodded and I nodded back.

“Do you need the watch today?” Scarlett said.

“I think I got this…”. I said.

“Okay then,” said Scarlett, “just remember the bubble, nothing comes in or out without your say so, okay?”

“Got it!” I said.

This time creating the bubble came easily to me. I was able to tune out the crowd and everything else faded away and my nerves settled down.

“Now,” said Scarlett, “how many people and ponies do you see this time?”

“Let’s see,” I said, “30, 35 actually it’s 55! Are you crazy Scarlett?”

“Nope,” said Scarlett, “you can do this!”

As before, Scarlett gave a signal and I was able to sense my enemies coming towards me.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I thought. “I think Scarlett’s lost her mind this time!”

Then it started and I was able to dodge or block most of the attacks when I got down to 35 attacks I was just about out of breath.

“You want to quit?” Scarlett said.

“Nope…”. I said.

“Good then,” said Scarlett, “let’s keep going. There’s only 20 more attacks and you beat the record!”

I wiped the sweat off my brow and took my fighting stance. Scarlett gave the signal and once again the attacks came at me one by one. This time I took them all down with no problem. After that was done I broke my bubble of silence and heard the crowd cheering.

“Wow!” Scarlett said. “You beat the record! That was exactly one minute! Nice job, I knew you could do it!”

By this time I was out of breath and sank to my knees, Scarlett caught me as I fell.

“It’s okay Betty,” said Scarlett, “I got yeah…”

I couldn’t remember what happened next before everything went dark.

Chapter Twelve

“Wow!” Rainbow Dash said. “That was so awesome!”

I had woke up from a deep slumber, not dreaming about anything in particular. I looked around the room to see Rainbow Dash, AppleJack, and Rarity hovering over me.

“Spectators while I sleep?” I said. “Seriously?”

“I’m sorry Betty, “ said Fluttershy, “I tried to tell them it they didn’t want to wait.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I said.

“You’re awesome Betty,” said AppleJack, “you defeated those people and ponies in one minute flat! Now I’m a rodeo pony but you’re a warrior!”

“Yeah,” said Rainbow Dash, “and you did it with your eyes closed! So awesome!”

“Huh?” I blinked. “Did it with my eyes closed?”

“Well,” said Fluttershy, “that’s what the bubble of silence is for. I was able to count how many people and ponies you were up against. I got to admit, I was really worried about you.”

“So how many were there?” Rainbow Dash said.

“Fifty-Five…”. I said.

“What!” Everyone said.

“Yup,” I said, “Fifty-Five…”

“And you did it perfectly!” Scarlett said.

“Thanks Scarlett,” I rolled my eyes, “now can you guys please clear out? I don’t need a welcome party to sleep.”

“Oh you poor thing,” said Rarity, “you must be tired after all that you did.”

“Yeah think?” I said.

“Yeah know what this calls for?” Pinkie Pie said standing on my bed staring at me.

“Where’d you come from?” I said.

I just pushed Pinkie Pie out of the bed.

“Oh I couldn’t help myself,” said Pinkie Pie, “but I couldn’t help myself, this calls for a party!”

“Can I take a rain check?” I said.

“Awe,” said Pinkie Pie, “come on! You know this calls for a party! Please?”

“No thanks,” I said, “I’m good…”

“You heard her,” said Fluttershy, “let the poor girl sleep. It’s nighttime after all.”

“Okay Fluttershy…” Everyone said.

Fluttershy then ushered everyone out the door.

* * *

The next day, I had loads of homework to do, but had to put it down because Silver Whiskers and Mystic Diamond came over to walk me to Sugarcube Corner. For what this was I had no idea, but one thing was for sure, I didn’t want a party. I had too much on my plate as it was. As soon as I got to Sugarcube Corner, the lights were off and I sighed.

“Great,” I thought, “just great a party, what else? Or, maybe the store is closed? In broad daylight, at this hour?”

I turned on the lights and sure enough, it was a party.

“Surprise!” Everyone said.

“Oh come on Betty,” said Silver Whiskers, “lighten up Betty, it’s a little thing we like to call fun.”

“But-“ I said.

“You’re not getting out of this one!” Princess Twilight said. She was holding a cupcake in her magic.

“A party is the last thing I want right now.” I growled.

“But you can’t just be by yourself!” Silver Whiskers said. “”Relax and have fun with your friends, would you?”

“Fine…” I said.

“Here,” said Pinkie Pie, “have a cupcake, they’re sure to make you smile!”

I took the cupcake and took a bit. Sure enough, it did make me smile because the cupcake was delicious.

“Oh and don’t forget,” said AppleJack,” try one of my apple pies! It’s a secret recipe handed down from generation after generations!”

As the party went on, games were played and there was nothing bu laughter all around. I did relax after a little while and began to see that fun could happen every once and while.

* * *

“So,” said Silver Whiskers, “are you going to graduate on time?”

“Yeah I think so,” I said, “as I’m doing homeschool now. As long as I get caught up with my homework, take a couple of tests and exams that I missed, I should graduate on time.”

“That’s great!” Mystic Diamond said.

“Not to mention your training,” said Silver Whiskers, “Scarletts really not letting up is she? How many people did she put you up against this time?”

“Sixty-Five…” I said.

“Sixty-Five!” Mystic Diamond said.

“Don’t you think that’s pushing it?” Silver Whiskers said.

“Not really, “ I said, “Scarlett wants to build up my stamina so I guess I need to be able to fight as many enemies as I can. I don’t know how many of them she’s going up to. Not to mention there’s this whole Cozy Glow business to deal with.”

“About that,” said Mystic, “can we help?”

“How?” I said.

“Well we can see her,” said Silver, “and maybe we can get her to have a different way of thinking?”

“Maybe,” I said, “assuming she wants to appear to you, it’s her choice.”

“Okay…” Mystic Diamond said.

* * *

“Celestia has sent word for you.” Fluttershy said.

“Why?” I said.

“It seems your mom is on the move again,” said Fluttershy, “ and she wants to add you to the Tracking Team to track her down along with Queen Chrysalis and Tirek. Don’t worry you won’t have to stay in the Land of the Dead long, Celestia will give you the assignment and you will be tracking them down in the Land of the Living.”

I sighed, “Will I had to work with Mr. Harmony?”

“I don’t know,” said Fluttershy, “maybe?”

“Well at least you can’t electric shock a ghost.” I said.

“I don’t think so,” said Fluttershy, “but I’m pretty sure Mr. Harmony would love to do that again if you step out line.”

“Great…” I said.

* * *

When I got to the Land of the Dead, I found Celestia waiting for me.

“So what’s this about a Tracking Team?” I said.

“Oh yes,” said Celestia, “but there’s another matter that needs to be discussed.”

“What’s that?” I said.

“Well you see,” said Celestia, “the King of Hell as requested an visit from you.”

“Seriously,” I said, “you’re not serious are you?”

“No, I wish I could say that I’m not,” said Celestia,” the King as already sent someone to escort you there.”

I then did a face palm as I could not believe what I was hearing.

“Why me?” I thought. “Why me?”

Celestia opened the door and nodded for the escort to come in.

“Step into my office please…” Celestia said.

In came a woman who took a seat beside me and felt terrified of her.

“Hello Parada,” said Celestia, “this is Betty, the King wants you to escort her to Hell in one piece.”

Parada then got up and started to circle me as if I were an animal in the zoo.

“Humph,” said Parada, “what’s so special about this runt?”

“Excuse me?” I said.

“Betty,” said Celestia, “watch your tone!”

“It’s okay Celestia,” said Parada, “there is one thing that the King has requested of you.”

“Okay…” I said. “What is it?”

“Before you can enter the Lord’s chambers you must be knocked out.” Parada said.

“You’re kidding, right?” I said.

“Nope,” said Parada, “not kidding, now stand still, this won’t take long.”

Parada came over and gave me one swift punch in the gut which took my breath away. As the light faded into darkness I had no idea of what was going to happen next.

* * *

When I woke up, I looked around and nothing looked familiar at all. I then noticed a man sitting beside me looking like he was bored or something. I then noticed that I couldn’t move and I was terrified and paralyzed with fear.

“Okay,” I thought,”this is not good! Not good at all!”

I struggled to try and move but I felt the terror take over me.

“Move! Move! Move!” I thought. “I know that you’re terrified but you have to move!”

I finally was able to move my hand and take out my staff. I turned it into a blade by combining my glass powers with my light powers.

“Get. Away. From. Me!” I shouted.

I then proceeded to throw the blade and it went past his shoulder and all the man had to do was tilt his head to the side. I then forced myself to sit up and winched at the pain. My muscles were extremely tight because I been paralyzed and held my arm because I had used it was the one that I used to sit up with.

“If you were trying to kill me,” the man laughed, “that wasn’t a very good attempt.”

“Damn it,” I thought, “he's either a complete psycho or a complete moron!”

The man laughed again like he had just played a really big joke on someone. Guess who was the butt of that joke? I think it was supposed to me I guess. I tried to break free of whatever magic that I was under, but it was of no use. The more times I tried to break the magic I made me feel like I had just run a mile or something. Has the man kept laughing I was in no mood to laugh back.

“What’s so funny?” I growled.

“You should see the look on your face!” The man laughed. He had laughed so hard that he had tears in his eyes.

Then the man finally stopped laughing when he saw that I was pissed off. He cleared his throat and held out a hand as if trying to help me up. I didn’t budge I was so passed off.

“Sorry about that,” the man said, “I was just messing with you that’s all.”

“That’s not funny!” I said barely able to get the words out.

“Oh come now,” said the man, “can’t a guy have a little fun?”

“Fun?” I said.”Really!”

I could then sense some strange power coming from and terror wield up inside of me again.

“Who are you?” I said, once again barley getting the words out.

“Oh,” said the man, “my name’s Dae and I’m the King of Hell, nice to meet you, Betty!”

I tried to take a couple more deep breaths to calm myself down, but it didn’t work.

“You’re really pissed off aren’t you?” Dae said.

“Yeah think?” I said.

“You’re determined to break out of my magic,” said Dae, “not bad… Not bad at all… Why you could be my next wife someday!”

I choked on those words and tried to catch my breath again.

“No thankyou…” I said.

“Well, feisty one aren't you?” Dae said. “I like you, just calm down okay?”

“Get away from me!” I growled. “You really think this a game don’t you?”

“Okay, okay, okay,” said Dae, “you got me, here, let me help.”

“No…”. I said.

Before I could say anything else Dae came up to me and pointed a finger to my forehead. Instantly my muscles went from tight to back to normal.

“So you had me knocked out because?” I said. “And why did you call me here?”

“One question a time, okay?” Dae said. “To answer your first question, I need your help with a couple of things. Do you know Mr. Giggles the Clown?”

“Yeah,” I said, “he’s Discord’s brother, but not really a clown, he’s something else.”

“Good,” said Dae, “then you might able to keep him in check for me?”

I gave a nervous laugh, “And why me?”

“Well,” said Dae, “I sense that you just might have the power to do so let’s just leave it at that.”

This time I laughed, “You’re scared of him aren’t you?”

“Ha. Ha, “ said Dae, “very funny and no I’m not scared…”

I laughed again, “Looks like the jokes on you this time. So next question you had me knocked out because why?”

“Oh,” said Dae, “that was for a joke, that’s all…”

“Yeah,” I said, “I noticed that…”

I rolled my eyes, still very pissed off.

“There is one more thing I’d like to ask of you.” Dae said.

“What?” I growled.

“Boy you’re very pissed off aren’t you?” Dae said. “My apologies for that, I heard that Celstia’s putting together a Tracking Team?”

“Yeah,” I said, “what of it?”

“Still angry with me huh?” Dae said. “Anyway, I’m naming you as the head of the Tracking Team alright?”

“Sure…” I said. “Okay….”

“I figured since you’re a Death Walker and all that you’re the best person for the job.” Dae said. “Congratulations! Okay I think it’s time we get you back home in one piece.”

Dae called for Parada and she came in.

“Yes sir?” Parada said.

“Can you make sure that Betty gets back to the Middle Ground in one peice?” Dae said. “She’s a special one, I can tell. And she has my favor.”

After Parada took me out of Dae’’s chambers she started to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” I said.

“I think you really made a good impression on Dae,” said Parada, “and he’s not very fond of anyone usually.”

“How do you know that?” I said.

“I can tell because I heard him laughing.” Parada said.

“Great…” I said. “That’s not creepy at all…”

Parada laughed, “You'll get used to him in due time, I think he likes you!”

“Yeah I told him no thankyou.” I said.

“You might change your mind later, unless you have someone else in your life?” Parada said.

“I used to,” I said, “but right now I’m okay being single right now.”

“You really should think about that…” Parada said.

* * *

When I got back to Celestia’s office I had double vision and still felt weak.

“You okay Betty?” Celestia said.

“Don’t ask,” I said, “uh, Celestia, how many of you are there?”

“Just one, let me guess Dae did something didn’t he?” Celestia.

“Apparently I was supposed to be the butt of a joke or something,” I said, “and according to Parada, he’s got a crush on me. I turned him down politely but I don’t think he’s heard a no for an answer.”

Celestia laughed, “You might want to change your mind about that one. I take it Dae approves of you becoming head of the Tracking Team?”

“Yup,” I said, “he even wants me to deal with Mr.Giggles. I think he’s scared of him.”

Celestia couldn’t help but laugh at the idea.

“The King of Hell,” said Celestia, “scared of something? That’s totally unheard of!”

“Yeah,” I said, “you’re telling me! I think I should go home now.”

The door to my vault opened and Celestia pointed at it.

“Well,” said Celestia, “there’s your door…”

* * *

I woke up the next morning and I still had double vision. Fluttershy knocked on the door to check on me.

“I heard what happened to you,” said Fluttershy, “I also heard that the King of Hell likes you…”

My eyes twitched at the thought.

“Yeah…” I said. “That’s n t creepy at all…”

Fluttershy laughed, “Oh come on, he’s actually the male version of Pinkie Pie. What’s so bad about that?”

“And double vision is fun?” I said. “Yeah… Right…”

“It’s okay,” said Fluttershy, “I don’t think he’ll do that again, that is if he wants to win you over.”

“A ha, ha, ha…” I said. “I’m not so sure about that…”

“You’re a riot Betty,” said Flutteershy, “don’t you know that love doesn’t wait?”

I gave a nervous laugh and looked away.

“Okay,” said Fluttershy, “whatever you say…”

That really made my skin crawl just thinking that the King of Hell might have a crush on me.

Chapter Thirteen

The next morning the sunlight poured into my room blinding me, and I put my arm over my eyes to block out the sun.

“Betty,” said Fluttershy, “I need you to get up okay?”

“Why?” I said.

“Because,” said Fluttershy, “Zecora and Norman are here to see you!”

“What?” I said.

“Yes,” said Flutershy, “Zecora wants to help fix your vision, please get dressed and come down now.”

“Okay, okay,”. I said, “I’m coming…”

When I got downstairs I saw Zecora and Norman, Zecora was in the kitchen making something and Norman was sitting on the couch. What Zecora had made for me was some soup, or at least that’s what it looked like.

“Wow,” said Norman, “that looks delicious!”

“That’s medicine for Betty,” said Fluttershy, “I can cook you some eggs if you want?”

“Thanks Fluttershy!” Norman said.

“Oh it’s no problem at all…” Fluttershy said.

“Now,” said Zecora, “eat every last drop and that double vision will surely stop.”

“Sure…”. I said.

I took a bit of the soup and gagged because it didn’t taste good at all.

“That’s not a good face.” Norman said.

“The taste must be bad…” Fluttershy said.

I ate the soup as fast as I could, just to get it over with. After I ate a half hour later my double vision stopped and went back to normal.

“How do you feel?” Fluttershy said.

I blinked, “Better, I think…”

“How many fingers am I holding up?” Norman said.

“Three…” I said.

Fluttershy sighed, “Oh that’s good…”

“You worry too much,” I said, “I’m sure in a couple of days my vision would’ve turned back to normal.”

“Your vision?” Norman said. “What’s that about?”

“Why should I tell you,” I said, “can you do anything about it?”

“Well no,” said Norman, “but you should tell me what happened anyway. I am your brother after all.”

* * *

Walking towards the Everfree Forest I told Norman everything that happened to me.

“Oh boy,” said Norman, “and I thought I had it bad with homework! Not to mention that the King of Hell has a crush on you. Yup, that’s not creepy at all!”

“Tell me about it!” I said.

“I think it’s funny that the King of Hell is actually scared of something,” said Norman, “isn’t he the highest ranking Demon in Hell?”

“I think so,” I said, “unless it’s someone else, beats me.”

We got to the Castle of the Two Sisters, I pulled back a branch to show the bridge to the Castle.

“Whoa,” said Norman, “that’s so cool!”

“Yup,” I said, “this is where I like to come and think a lot.”

“Nice…” Norman said.

We stayed there for a little bit and went back to Fluttershy’s Cottage. I went into my room and sighed because there was a mountain of homework to do.

* * *

“You’re joking right?” I said. “I have to work… With… Him?”

“I know you’re not very fond of Mr. Harmony,” said Princess Twilight, “but he’s the best one for the job right now. Plus Dae recommended him for the job too.”

“Great!” I said. “Whose else is going to be on the team, Derpy?”

“Oh no,” said Princess Twilight, “Derpy works in the mail office, you remember right?”

“I was being sarcastic!” I said.

I then took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm myself down before I lost my temper.

“Just remain calm okay?” Princess Twilight.

“I’m calm…” I said. “I’m perfectly calm…”

“Uh-oh,” said Princess Twilight, “that doesn’t look good! Just take deep breaths and count backwards from ten. You look like you’re going to pass out.”

“I’m fine!” I snapped.

I did exactly as Princess Twilight said and it seemed to work.

“Better,” said Princess Twilight, “you can leave now.”

* * *

“So,” said Mr Harmony, “looks like we’re going to be working together huh Betty?”

“Hey I’m in charge here,” I said, “step out of line and I’ll put you in Electric Shock Therapy!”

Mr. Harmony, “Look I’m sorry about that, I guess I got a little carried away with it.”

“A little!” I said.

“Maybe I was having too much fun.” Mr. Harmony said with a nervous laugh.

“Does every man I meet have to be psychotic?” I said

“Not every man is like that okay?” Mr. Harmony said. “Where’d you get that idea?”

I shook my head, “Nevermind…”

We waited for the rest of the teams to arrive. I thought that fifty-five men and ponies were the total of the team. I was surprised at the size of the team but it didn’t matter at the time, because we had a job to do.

“So,” said Mr. Harmony, “what’s the plan? Caption…”

I growled at him, “Don’t start with me!

“Look,” said Mr. Harmony, “I know this isn’t going to be easy okay? But tracking a soul down isn’t easy either.”

“You’re forgetting that I’m a Death Walker right?” I said. “I think we got this. Alright then, listen up, we’ll make teams of five and there was to be at least one Death Walker on the team, if that's possible. This should make our tracking easier. Once your teams are formed, you’ll move out in different directions only a fifteen mile radius apart going all out in Equestria. Here are your teams.”

I then made a list of teams in five minutes flat. Because Mr. Harmony was recommended for the job, I had to keep him on my team. I decided for my team to check Gorgar’s cave. When we got to the cave I couldn’t sense any movement.

“I don’t sense anything yet.” I said.

“Looks like the Death Walker needs to practice her abilities more.” Mr. Harmony said.

“Shut-up!” I said. “Wait there’s movement right over there at three o’ clock!”

I pointed in the direction to where I sensed the movement and Mr. Harmony didn’t need to look to confirm that I was correct. There was a laugh that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

“I know you’re there!” Queen Chrysalis said. “Why don’t you come out of the shadows and play?”

My team and I then stepped out of the shadows.

“So,” I said, “you got me…”

“I was wondering when you were going to come after me,” said Queen Chrysalis, “you guys are really slow.”

“Excuse me?” Mr. Harmony said.

Mr. Harmony started to charge forward but I put up a hand to stop him.

“Where’s Tirek?” I said.

“He got bored and went off on his own,” said Queem Chrysalis, “now are we going to have a battle or not? Oh, and if I wanted to trap you, you would be dead already.”

“Ha!” I said. “I doubt you could beat me, don’t underestimate your opponent.”

“Aw,” said Queen Chrysalis, “did I hit a nerve?”

“And you care because?” I said.

Queen Chrysalis laughed, “Why does it matter?”

“Oh brother,” I thought, “this fights going to be a stupid one. But, it can’t be helped, I have a job to do, starting with this one.”

Queen Chrysalis then stood at the ready with her fighting stance. I rolled my eyes and took out my staff.

“So what’s it gonna be?” Queen Chrysalis said. “You coming to me or am I going to come to you?”

I sighed and gave Mr. Harmony a look, and we both nodded at each other. Then I gave some hand signals that me and Mr. Harmony had practiced earlier. The teammates moved at the ready.

“What is that?” Queen Chrysalis said. “A game of rock, paper, scissors?”

“None of your business,” I said, “can we just get this over with?”

“Well,” said Queen Chrysalis, “somebody’s impatient today, aren’t we?”

“As if you care!” I said. “Well, do you want to fight or not? Come on then!”

At that moment Queen Chrysalis charged at me missed a blow as. I jumped out of the way, I then faked a yawn.

“I’m getting bored here,” I said, “you’re making this way too easy!”

Queen Chrysalis then charged up her horn and tried to attack me with it. I caught the attack and threw it right back at her. That sent Queen Chrysalis flying through a wall in the cave.

“Interesting change of events,” said Queen Chrysalis, “no matter I don’t care!”

“Oh yeah?” I said. “I’d like to see you dodge this!”

I then combined my powers and took a deep breath and was able to fire bullets out of my mouth. Queen Chrysler to dodge them but I got a couple goo hits on her.

“Oh please!” Queen Chrysalis said. “Is that the best you got? That was child’s play!”

“You’re right,” I rolled my eyes, “then why do you look so beat up?”

“Haven’t you heard of the concept?” Queen Chrysalis said.

“What?” I said.

“There is no pain in death!” Queen Chrysalis said.

“Oh yeah?” I said. “I’d like to test that theory!”

“Ha!” Queen Chrysalis said. “Go ahead and try!”

“Hum…”. I said. “Thanks for the invitation!”

Queen Chrysalis then took to the air and that very moment it was as if Mr. Harmony knew what to do. He handed me the same rope he used on me when he tracked me down.

“I think I have the high ground on this one here!” Queen Chrysalis said thinking she was home free.

“I don’t think so!” I said.

I took to the air and lassoed the rope and caught Queen Chrysalis by the tail.

“Unhand me now,” said Queen Chrysalis, “I command you!”

“I don’t take orders from you,” I said,”and I believe I have the high ground here!”

“Here!” Teammate #3 said. “Take this before she gets away!”

My teammate then tossed me a crystal prism, and I pointed the crystal at Queen Chrysalis and it sucked her into it.

“You have not seen the last of me!” Queen Chrysalis screamed.

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, “whatever…”

After I made sure that Queen Chrysalis was secured I caught my breath.

“Well,” said Mr. Harmony, “that was easy, considering you did all the work. Why don’t we take a break and eat? Then we can head out to find Tirek?”

The other tracking teams didn’t have any luck trying to find Tirek so I called it quits for the day.

* * *

“Wow,” said Fluttershy, “you did that all by yourself?”

“Um,” I said, “I had some help.”

“Oh don’t be modest,” said Mr. Harmony, “you did all that work yourself! I just handed you the rope. I knew you were strong but not that strong! I bet this whole mission is going to be a piece of cake!”

“Thanks,” I said, “Mr. Electric Shock Therapy!”

“Hey,” said Mr. Harmony, “I said I was sorry for that!”

“Anyway,” I said, “I guess I got go to the Land of the Dead tonight and deliver this to Celestia.”

“Oh,” said Fluttershy, “you don’t need to do that tonight.”

“And why’s that?” I said.

“Dae said he wants to pay you a personal visit,” said Fluttershy, “to congratulate you on your capture of Queen Chrysalis!”

“Isn’t that the King of Hell?” Mr. Harmony said. “Why that should be a great honor for you Betty!”

“A creepy honor if you ask me.” I said.

“Oh come on Betty,” said Fluttershy, “it might seem creepy to you but he’s actually a swell guy once you get to know him.”

“Yeah,” I rolled my eyes, “swell…”

“I don’t know when he’s coming over but, I’ll wait up for him until midnight.”

“I better get going,” said Mr. Harmony, “I have another assignment to get to.”

Mr. Harmony left and I let out a breath. I didn’t realize that I was holding my breath in the first place.

“You really think that Dae is going to appear?” I said.

“Yup,” said Fluttershy, “he keeps his word, if he says he’s going to do it, he’ll do it. Like I said, I’ll wait up till midnight although he come later knowing hm.”

“Lovely…” I said.

* * *

True to her word Fluttershy stayed up until midnight but Dae had yet to appear. I was hoping that he just forgot but, right around 1am Dae showed up and in my bedroom of all places! I jumped about a foot in the air out of my bed when I saw him.

“Yup,” I thought, “not creepy at all…”

“Hi!” Dae said.

“You really creep me out,” I said, “did you have to appear in my bedroom?”

“Maybe,” said Dae, “maybe not, so sorry to startle you, my lady…”

“Excuse me?” I said.

My eye twitched at the thought of being Dae’s girlfriend. I then handed Dae the crystal that had Queen Chrysalis in it.

“Here you go,” I said, “one Queen Chrysalis, on the house, now will you get out of here so I can sleep?”

“Oh boy,” said Dae, “someone’s grumpy, okay I guess I need to take care of this sooner rather than later.”

“Yeah,” I said, “you do that, goodnight!”

Dae left and then I rolled over and went to sleep.

Chapter Fourteen

When the sunlight poured into my room the next day and woke me up.

“Well, “I thought, “another day, another problem…”

I went downstairs only to hear the sound of laughter.

“Wow,” said Norman, “my sister is awesome!”

I cleared my throat and Norman and Fluttershy noticed me standing there.

“What’s up?” I said.

“We were just talking about your capture of Queen Chrysalis and of course Dae.” Fluttershy said.

I did a face palm and rolled my eyes at them.

“So,” said Norman, “what’s your boyfriend like?”

“Ha, Ha,” I said, “he’s not my boyfriend and he’s annoying and creepy.”

As if on cue Norman and Fluttershy couldn’t help themselves, they laughed.

“Oh come now,” said Fluttershy, “you really should give him a chance.”

“What are you?” I said. “A dating service? No thanks, I’m good being single.”

I rolled my eyes and headed back upstairs to get away from those two. Before I could go Norman grabbed my hand.

“Oh no you don’t!” Norman said.

“What?” I said.

“Princess Twilight agreed that you should get some time off.” Fluttershy said.

“Exactly how much time off?” I said.

“Two weeks…” Fluttershy said.

“Is this some sort of sick joke?” I said.

“Nope!” Fluttershy. “This is not a joke!”

“Cool,” said Norman, “that means you can show me around Ponyville!”

“There’s really not much to see.” I mumbled.

“What was that?” Fluttershy said.

“Oh nothing…” I said.

“Good,” said Fluttershy, “now you go spend some time with your brother and Dae said he’ll be around later.”

“Great,” I said, “can I get a break here?”

“I don’t think so,” said Norman, “now are you going to show me around town or not?”

I sighed, “Fine…”

* * *

As promised I showed Norman around Ponyville. First, we stopped at Sweet Apple Acres for the best apples in town. Then I showed Norman Sugarcube Corners for a slice of cake.

“By the way,” said Pinkie Pie, “we really should have a party to celebrate your capture of Queen Chrysalis! I heard the whole story from Mr. Harmony and it was awesome!”

“Not this again,” I said, “Pinkie Pie I’m honored but no thank you!”

“Oh come on!” Pinkie Pie said. “That’s how many rain checks now?”

“It’s not a rain check Pinkie Pie,” I said, “it’s more like the answer is no.”

“Oh come one Betty,” said Norman, “lighten up for once will ya?”

“I’m fine,” I said, “besides I’m not a party animal, like you are!”

Norman said,”I don’t party, I am 19 after all…”

“Princess Twilight was your age Norman when she did a joint school program. Is that what you did Norman?” Pinkie Pie said.

“Why would Princess Twilight do that?” I said. “I mean, she was a star student wasn’t she?”

“Princess Twilight chose to do that,” said Pinkie Pie, “she wanted to get as many degrees as she could. That was because she really loved books!”

“I guess the only thing left to show you,” I said, “is the library in Princess Twilight’s old Castle. That’s where Headmare Starlight glimmer lives. Maybe she’ll let us in for awhile?”

“No thank you…” Norman said.

“Oh I’ve heard about you and Dae,” said Pinkie Pie, “if you give him a chance two would make a great couple!”

“Yeah,” I said, “no thank you…”

Pinkie Pie laughed, “Sure thing Betty, whatever you say!”

* * *

“Boy you were correct,” said Norman, “there really is nothing to do here. Hey I got it! Why don’t we go check out the Castle of the Two Sisters again? Rainbow Dash too me that there are some secret passageways in there.”

“Hum,” I said, “I never really thought about that sure, let’s go!”

We then had a lot of fun checking out the Castle of the Two Sisters and found a lot of secret passageways and once we had our fun we made our way back to Fluttershy’s cottage.

* * *

After midnight, I headed out for the Castle of the Two Sisters, and was hoping not to be bothered by anyone just so I could look up at the stars by myself. I also kept thinking about my capture of Queen Chrysalis and trying to figure out a plan to capture Tirek. I then decided to figure out a strategy by playing a game of tic tac toe by myself and before I knew it, the game actually looked like a plan of action.

“I got it!” I said to myself. I then heard a laugh that could only mean one thing, Discord…

“What do you want Discord?” I said.

“Oh you’re just no fun!” Discord said. “I was sent to tell you that the Afterlife Court has assigned you a seat on the Court! You get to make the decision’s with the big guy’s now!”

“That’s nice,” I said unsure of what to think, “as you can tell I’m in the middle of something! I’m trying to figure out a pan to catch Tirek!”

I looked over to see Discord floating in the air, snipping a cup of tea.

“Do you mind?” I said.

Discord then looked at the ground and smiled. “Looks like you have a plan, which is why you’re perfect for the job!”

“Discord,” I said, “go away!”

“Fine, fine,” said Discord, “I shall take my leave now!”

Discord then faded into the darkness and then I realized that someone else was waiting in the shadows.

“So much for being alone…” I thought.

I did a face palm and looked in the direction where the person was.

“What do you want Dae?” I said.

“How’d you know it was me?” Dae said.

“Because,” I said, “I sense your dark presence anywhere.”

“Ouch,” said Dae, “that wasn’t nice.”

“Gee stalker much?” I said. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in the middle of something.”

Dae looked down at the plan I was drawing and smiled.

“It looks like you have a plan,” said Dae, “which why recommend you for the jobs I thought you would best at and it turns out that I was right!”

“Uh,” I said, “thank you?”

“Hey I know how you can thank me!” Dae said. “How’s about a date?”

My eye twitched at the thought, “No thank you…”

“Oh come on now,” said Dae, “relax! I don’t bite, honest I don’t.”

I sighed, “Fine…”

* * *

The date that Dae had in mind was interesting, because Dae had a picnic set up at the Castle of the Two Sister’s right where we could look up at the stars. My eye was twitching at the thought going out on a date with him.

“What’s wrong?” Dae said.

“Oh nothing,” I said, “you’re really persistent aren’t you?”

Dae just laughed and motioned for me to sit down next to him. Even though my brain was screaming at me to run the other direction I decided to sit down instead.

* * *

I was still on my two week break when I was coming up with a plan to catch Tirek. I had written some things down, and scratched some things out. I didn’t realize that Fluttershy was looking over my shoulder.

“You’re working on a strategy for catching Tirek aren’t you?” Fluttershy said.

“Yup,” I said, “and I think I got it figured out.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be resting?” Fluttershy said.

“Yeah,” I said, “but I can’t seem to sit still.”

“You don’t want me to tie you to the bed do you?” Fluttershy said.

I shook my head, “No need, I’ll try and chill out okay?”

“Good,” said Fluttershy, “and maybe you should stay at the cottage so I can keep an eye on you more?”

“Okay fine,” I said, “I guess I can take a breather.”

“I heard you went on a date with Dae,” laughed Fluttershy, “how did it go?”

I groaned, “Seriously? He’s not my boyfriend in case you want to know although he is very persistent.”

Fluttershy fell on her back and couldn’t stop laughing.

“Does everyone enjoy getting a laugh at my expense?” I thought, my eye then twitched and I felt myself getting pissed off. I took a deep breath and count backwards from ten.

Fluttershy stopped laughing, “Do you know your eye twitches when you talk about him, is he really that bad?”

I groaned and went back upstairs...

* * *

1am rolled around and I was still tossing and turning trying to sleep. The next time I rolled over, I saw Dae sitting by my bedside.

“What do you want Dae?” I said. “Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep?”

“Yeah,” said Dae, “and you’re not doing a very good job of it. Demons don’t really need to sleep.”

“And you’re here because why?” I said.

“Oh,” said Dae,”I heard that you have a plan of attack for catching Tirek? I thought you were supposed to be taking a break?”

“In case you haven’t noticed,” I said, “I’m trying to sleep you are annoying me right now.”

“Well,” said Dae, “I’ll just stay here and watch you sleep then.”

My eye twitched again, “Please don’t…”

“Yeah know,” said Dae, “since you have a seat on the Afterlife Court, you’ll be Death Walking more than usual. That also means we’ll be able to see each other more!”

“Hurray?” I said. “I’m going back to sleep. Gee you’re just as bad as my ex-boyfriend Silver Whiskers.”

“I take it he was by your bedside also?” Dae said.

“Pretty much,” I said, “but that relationship is history. I’m good being single.”

“Oh,” said Dae, “I see…”

On that note, before Dae could say anything else, I rolled over and went to sleep.

* * *

After my two weeks of rest were up I was ready to get back to my assignments. It was also my first time Death Walking in weeks, as I got to the Middle ground, I saw Celestia waiting for me.

“Oh good,” said Celestia, “you’re here, well step right this way the doors to the Afterlife Court are right here.”

As soon as I walked through the doors of the Afterlife Court, the Head Councilman nodded at me.

“If you don’t mind Betty,” said Head Councilman, “take your seat right here.”

My eye twitched when I saw who I was sitting next to, it was Dae.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I thought. I took a deep breath and sat down.

After I got seated the Head Councilman had a huge stack of papers for us to go through. Then people and ponies came to the Court to be sorted out one by one.

* * *

When the sun came out the next day I was still tired. I went downstairs to see Fluttershy making breakfast.

“Good morning!” Fluttershy said. “How did your first night in the Afterlife Court go?”

“You don’t wanna know…” I said.

“Let me guess,” said Fluttershy, “you had to sit next to Dae didn’t you?”

“Bingo!” I said. “Give the lady a prize!”

Fluttershy laughed and smiled at me.

“As if I didn’t have enough to worry about.” I said. “It’s bad enough I got my own mom threatening to kill me, but all this other stuff? Come on, give me a break!”

I put my face on the table and groaned.

“I wouldn’t worry about your mom,” said Fluttershy, “Princess Twilight will send word when they find her okay?”

“Sure,” I said, “I just want to find her and bring her to justice. It’s almost been a year since she made the threat.”

“It’s okay,” said Fluttershy, “just don’t worry about it alright?”

* * *

The next day was another training session with Scarlett and she was not going easy on me at all. She had me trying to defeat up to 150 men and ponies!

“Are you crazy?” I said. “There’s no way I’m going to face this many people!”

“I can make things more interesting.” Scarlett said.

“How?” I said.

“Let’s see you haven’t your revenge on my dad yet,” said Scarlett, “if you can beat him after beating everyone else, he can buy dinner.”

“Hey!” Mr. Harmony said.

“Piece of cake!” I said.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you!” Scarlett said.

“Do what?” I said.

“Don’t,” said Scarlett, “underestimate your opponent.”

Scarlett then stuck out her tongue and Mr. Harmony laughed.

“Just like when you two were little.” Mr. Harmony.

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, “let’s just get this over with!”

As Scarlett predicted, I beat all 150 people and I was a little bit out breath but I was still willing to try and get my revenge on Mr. Harmony.

“Oh,” said Mr. Harmony, “so you’re ready to beat me now huh? Just so you know, I’m not going easy on you!”

“As if I care!” I said.

Then the battle began, Mr. Harmony and I seemed to be evenly matched. Mr. Harmony had some abilities that I didn’t even know about. We both paused and Mr. Harmony was more out of breath than I was.

“Are you going to give up yet?” I said.

“Ha,” said Mr. Harmony, “not a chance!”

We went back to our fight and I had a few tricks up my sleeve. I remembered when I fought Queen Chrysalis and most of the attacks I was able to combine and did a few more new attacks that I came up with on my own. Finally I caught Mr. Harmony off guard and he fell over. He raised his hands to say he surrendered.

“Okay I give!” Mr. Harmony said. “I’m done!”

I laughed, “Okay then, I think that’s enough revenge for the day.”

“Yup,” said Mr. Harmony, “you win…”

I was still trying to catch my breath when Mr. Harmony pulled me up and shook my hand. I then heard clapping in the background and my eye twitched when I saw him.

“If it isn’t our favorite King of Hell,” I said, “Dae…”

* * *

“Looks like your boyfriend is here!” Scarlett laughed.

“He’s not my boyfriend!” I said.

“I heard,” said Mr. Harmony, “they went on a date together, so that must be her boyfriend!”

I took a deep breath and counted backwards from ten. It didn’t work this time. I sucker punched Mr. Harmony in the jaw.

“Hey!” Mr. Harmony said. “What was that for?”

I shrugged, “I couldn’t help myself.”

Scarlett couldn’t help herself; she laughed at the two of us.

“What’s so funny about that?” Dae said. “That looked like it hurt!”

“It’s nothing,” said Scarlett, “you see Betty as a tendency to lose her temper, in case you haven’t noticed. I guess we should’ve stopped teasing her before that.”

“Yeah, and it wasn’t funny!” I said.

“Okay, okay,” said Scarlett, “we’re done! Chill out Betty!”

“Okay,” said Mr. Harmony, “I’m hungry aren’t you? Let’s grab a bite to eat. Dae, you can come along too.”

“Sure!” Dae said.

“What are you, my dad Mr. Harmony?” I said.

“Actually I kind of am,” said Mr. Harmony, “it’s because your dad’s gone all the time and he did ask me to look after you.”

“Well at least I have one parent that cares.” I said.

“Oh come now,” said Mr. Harmony, “you got to learn to start trusting people again. You sure did give me a hard time when you ran away. No more of that okay, promise?”

“I don’t know if I can do that,” I said, “I don’t make promises I can’t keep!”

Dae then had a look of concern on his face.

“What?” I said.

“You ran away from home?” Dae said.

“Yeah and you care because?” I said.

Dae sighed, “Nevermind…”

“Well,” said Mr. Harmony, “why don’t we go to Sugercube Corners?”

I did a face palm, “Oh no!”

“What?” Mr. Harmony said.

“Knowing Pinkie Pie she’ll make up a reason to throw me a party again!” I said. “That’s the last thing I need right now!”

“And tell me why parties are bad again?” Scarlett said.

As it was, I had no answer for her.

Chapter Fifteen

As I expected, Pinkie pie wanted to throw me another party, I rolled my eyes when she asked.

“Come on, come on, come on!” Pinkie Pie said. “We got to have a party! Parties are fun! And you need to have fun! You know with the stress of everything and pressure that’s been out on you. You must be really stressed out, here have a cupcake, and you to Dae. Everyone, have a cupcake!”

Pinkie Pie can sometimes make my eye twitch and it did.

“Nope,” I said, “no party!”

“Oh come on!” Pinkie Pie said.

“I said no!” I snapped.

“Gee,” Scarlett said, “rude much?”

I sighed and got up from my seat, only to have Mr. Harmony grab me by the shirt and yank me back to my seat.

“Sit down!” Mr. Harmony said.

I glared at him and refused to sit down.

“You want another punch to that face?” I said.

“What?” Mr. Harmony. “Say that again?”

“I said,” I said, “do you want another punch to the face? Cause that’ll make two by my count. And I think I can make it three if you want?”

“What are you talking about?” Mr. Harmony. “I said sit down!”

I sneered at him, “And what are you going to do about it?”

“What was that?” Mr. Harmony said.

“I said,” I said, “what are you going to do about it huh? Put me in a holding cell and torture me again? Let’s see you shocked me how many times? I think it was three… You’re not doing me any favors here! You. Have. No. Right. To. Tell. Me. What. To. Do!”

“Calm down Betty!” Mr. Harmony.

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” I said. “Didn’t you say that my father told you to look after me when he was gone? Where were you?”

“What?” Mr. Harmony said.

“Are you deaf or something?” I said. “Where were you when he was gone? If I recall correctly he was gone ever since I was six years old! What do you do about my mother’s abuse? Did you notice the bruises that I went to school with, and the black eyes? Did you? No! Cause you weren’t there! So don’t stand there and pretend you care!”

I then got up and knocked the chair over and ran out the door. I almost didn’t stop running until Scarlett caught up to me.

“Betty wait!” Scarlett. “Come on, slow down!”

“What?” I said.

“Look, I saw it okay.” Scarlett said. “I knew what you were going through.”

“Yeah?” I said. “And you did what about it?”

Scarlett paused and was about to try and answer, she closed her mouth and didn’t say anything.

“That’s what I thought,” I said, “you did nothing! Some bestfriend you were!”

I then did a flying leap and I was up in the air and gone.

* * *

I woke up the next morning ready to put my plan to capture Tirek into place. But the fact that I had to work with Mr. Harmony again didn’t sit well with me.

“There’s no end to my problems in sight, is there?” I thought.

I went downstairs to find Fluttershy making breakfast.

“What’s up Fluttershy?” I said.

“Well,” said Fluttershy, “today’s the day that you’re going to put your plan to catch Tirek in place isn’t it?”

“Yup,” I said, “today’s the day!”

“I heard about your little outburst at Sugarcube Corner yesterday.” Fluttershy said.

“Ah…” I said.

“It’s okay,” said Fluttershy, “Pinkie Pie told me what happened. She wasn’t upset at all, she understood and said that it was a slow day at the store. There wasn’t anyone in the store really except you four. You really should work on your temper you know.”

I sighed, “I guess you’re right, it’s just that Mr. Harmony pushed me over the edge that’s all.”

“I understand,” said Fluttershy, “but now, you really need to eat something before you go out. Okay?”

“Fine…” I said.

After I ate breakfast I headed out to the Castle in Canterlot. That was where I met with the Tracking Team. It was the same number of people that we’re under my charge again and I was glad it wasn’t more. As soon as everyone got there,

“It’s like I did last time,” I said,”I want to have one Death Walker on each team if we can manage it. Although some of the teams might be uneven. And just like last time, you will search within a 15 mile radius of each other all through Equestria. If anyone winds up fighting Tirek just send out a signal and we’ll send reinforcements. You will also be equipped with one of these a crystal prism that can contain the soul and keep them secure until you send them back to Hell. Everybody got it?”

“Yes!” The whole Tracking Team said.

“Alright,” I said, “let’s move out!”

As the teams I set up departed one by one, Mr. Harmony pulled me to the side.

“I need to talk to you.” Mr. Harmony said.

“I’m listening…” I said.

“Listen,” said Mr. Harmony, “I want to apologize to you. I guess I pushed you over the edge a bit. I’m really sorry, given what’s happened between us. I probably should’ve taken you under my wing when you were younger. My hands were tied at the time to tell you the truth.”

I took a deep breath, “Yeah know what?”

“What?” Mr. Harmony said.

“You can apologize by doing your job.” I said.

* * *

I as I was tracking down Tirek, I made sure to get intel on on where Tirek was but the other teams weren’t having any luck.

“Well,” I thought, “at this rate, this is going to go on for days now!”

I then set up a place to meet around Gorgar’s cave. While the other teams were spreading out, I decided that my team should check out the cave itself. As we were heading in, I couldn’t sense any movement yet. Then I could sense something after a while, and it wasn’t Tirek.

I felt terror come over me when I sensed it, “That’s not Tirek It’s…It’s...”

I put out a hand that meant Mr. Harmony should stop.

“What is it?” Mr. Harmony said.

“That’s not Tirek that I’m sensing,” I said, “it’s Gorgar!”

I started shaking at the thought that I would be fighting Gorgar instead.

“You okay Betty?” Mr. Harmony said.

“No,” I said, “it seems that there was more escapes than just Tirek and Queen Chrysalis, I guess I’m going to have to talk to Celestia. If she’ll give me any information.”

“Great…” Mr. Harmony said. “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

Then Mr. Harmony’s eyes went wide with terror.

* * *

“Is this some sort of joke?” Mr. Harmony said.

Gorgar laughed and came out of the shadows.

“Well, well, well,” said Gorgar, “the last Death Walker has found me! Nice job Betty!”

“How did you find out about that?” I said

“What’s the problem?” Grogar said. “Are you scared?”

I realized that this isn’t going to be like fighting Queen Chrysalis. I then regained my focus and thought of a game plan.

“Okay,” I thought, “this a little wrench in my plan, but it won’t throw me off guard.”

I looked down at the crystal prism in my hand and sighed.

“I only have one of these,” I thought, “so I better make it count. Mr. Harmony has the rope to contain him, but I have to get Gorgar there first.”

I didn’t realize it at the time but I guess I was smiling, I then took out my staff.

“What’s that smirk for?” Gorgar said.

“Because,” I said, “it’s because I’m going to send you back to where you came from, and that’s Hell!”

“Exactly what are you doing?” Mr. Harmony said.

“Don’t worry I got a plan,” I said, “I’ll take him head on, you cover me with the rope Mr. Harmony, the rest of you back me up left, right and center.”

Mr. Harmony smiled and nodded as if he regained his confidence.

I stepped toward Gorgar and took a fighting stance. Gorgar just stood there and sneered at me.

“Are you going to make a move yet?” Gorgar said.

I pointed my staff at Gorgar.

“I wouldn’t get so cocky if I were you,” said Gorgar, “the fight will end with you dead and me going on my merry way.”

I was still pointing my staff at Gorgar.

“You’re the one whose going to Hell,” I said, “because that’s where you belong!”

This must’ve really pissed Gorgar off and he charged at me like a raging bull. I dodged him, but just in the niche of time. The thing thatI noticed that he didn’t dare use his magic yet.

“At this rate,” I thought, “he’s stronger than 200 men and ponies! I’ve got to slow him down so he can be contained.”

Just as I thought, Gorgar was faster than me. My teammates then backed me up as much as possible and it seemed that Mr. Harmony had other weapons at his disposal. It was only two other weapons though, he had daggers and a sword. This slowed Gorgar down quite a bit.

“Good,” I thought, “he’s slowing down and that’s because he’s not using any magic. There’s a couple of tricks up my sleeve to slow him down even more.”

But by this time I was out of breath but, I wanted to keep going.

“You look like you’re out of breath,” said Gorgar, “and I thought you had more power than that.”

Gorgar then gave a rather psychotic laugh that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I didn’t care about that and I wanted to keep fighting no matter what.

“I’m not done yet!” I said.

“Betty!” Mr. Harmony said. “You’re just talking like crazy! Maybe we should retreat and wait for reinforcements to come!”

“No,” I said, “I say we keep going. Besides, this might be our only chance to catch this guy!”

“You sure about this?” Mr. Harmony said.

“I said,” I said, “I’m not done yet!”

Even though my team was able to get slow Gorgar down, I wanted to keep going to get Gorgar as slow as he could be. But Gorgar didn’t seem to want too stop any time soon. I wasn’t going to stop, at least until I passed out or something like that.

“You look like you’re running out of steam.” Gorgar said. “This is going to mean your death!”

“Rule number one,” I said, “when fighting, don’t underestimate your opponent. You’re counting me out now and it pisses me off!”

I suddenly got a burst of energy, and now it was my time to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Gorgar said.

“I think…” I said. “You’re going to come with me!”

Gorgar laughed, “I might be starting to slow down, but I got an edge over you!”

While Gorgar was slowing down I thought, “Now’s my chance!”

“You’re probably wondering why. I’m not using my magic right?” Gorgar said. “Well I have a little intel on you! You use an enemy’s magic and throw it right back at them!”

“You’re pretty stupid if you don’t use it!” I said.

“Haven’t you noticed?” Gorgar said. “You’re not using any magic either! You’ve just been doing hand to hand combat this whole time, using your staff in order to block me!”

I thought about it, “No way! I haven’t been using my magic, at all? You’ve got to be kidding me!”

“Oh and you know what?” Gorgar said.

“What?” I said.

“I don’t need magic to defeat you!” Gorgar said. “You want magic? Well here you go!”

Before I knew it, Gorgar had caught me in his magic and held me up against the wall. I tried to get out of it, but it was of no use.

“Damn it, “ I thought, “he was saving this for last! I can’t believe I wasn’t using any magic! I should’ve known!”

“Ha!” Gorgar said. “Caught you off guard! Now I’ll have your magic and I’ll use it to create a portal to link Heaven and Hell together!”

“Just what are you talking about you old geezer?” I said.

“I would tell you,” said Gorgar, “but I'll just have your magic instead! Don’t fight me, this will all be over in a minute!”

“Don’t… Count… On… It!” I said, even though I was trying to break out of his magic.

“Making threats now aren’t we?” Gorgar said.

While Gorgar was distracted I used the moment to combine my powers to make a spear.

“You really think you’ve got my hands tied don’t you?” I said.

I somehow was able to break out of Gorgar’s magic by Mr. Harmony throwing his sword at him and this paralyzed Gorgar. At that moment I then threw my spear also and we had Gorgar pinned down. I landed on the ground, and pointed the crystal prism at him and it sucked him in.

“Like I said,” I said, “when fighting your enemies, don’t underestimate your opponent!”

I then tossed Mr. Harmony the crystal prism and smiled at him.

“Apology accepted!” I said.

* * *

When I got back to Fluttershy’s cottage, I practically collapsed on the couch.

“So,” said Fluttershy, “how did it go? Did you capture Tirek?”

“No,” I said, “I got someone else instead.”

I held up the crystal prism and showed Fluttershy.

“But that’s-“ Fluttershy said.

“Yup,” I said, “it’s Gorgar…”

* * *

“Why didn’t you tell me there were more prisoners that escaped from Hell?” I said.

“Well you see…” Celestia said.

“Does Dae know about this?” I said. “He is the King of Hell after all.”

“Well,” said Celestia, “he doesn’t know about this.”

“And why wasn’t I informed?” Dae said.

I jumped back, not aware of Dae’s presence.

“I long have you been standing there?” I said.

“Long enough…” Dae said.

“You might be the King of Hell,” said Celestia, “but there are some things you don’t know even in your own realm.”

Dae sighed, “Betty, remember when you had that angry outburst at Sugarcube Corners?”

“Yeah,” I said, “what of it?”

“Celestia’s the first one that I had an angry outburst with,” said Dae, “she pushed me over the edge too.”

“Yeah,” I said, “I think she could make anyone angry, she did send her own sister to the moon for a thousand years after all!”

“Hey,” said Celestia, “I resent that!”

I then cleared my throat, “So exactly how many escapes are we talking about here?”

“Ah...200…” Celestia said.

“200!” Dae and I said.

“I’ve already talked to Princess Twilight and she’s agreed to give both of you a leave of absence from your current assignments. She even agreed that you two will work together and track down the rest of the escapees.”

“What?” I said. “I have to work with him?”

“Hey I’m not that bad! Give me a break here!” Dae said.

“Oh great,” I thought, “first Mr. Electric Shock Therapy and now Mr. Creepy? This is just perfect!”

“I was shown the damage to the Prison wall,” said Dae,”at least I’m aware of that information. So exactly where are we supposed to put the prisoners?”

“We’re working on the repairs has we speak.” Celestia said. “Satisfied?”

“Fine…” Dae said.

“So, “ I said, “when are we supposed to get started?”

“Right now!” Celestia said.

“Well,” said Dae, “I heard that Mr. Harmony as a sword too, and you two worked well together. So Betty, with your powers and strength combined with my Dark Sword, we should be able to track most of the escapes no problem!”

“I wouldn’t be so cocky if I were you.” I said.

“You don’t understand,” said Dae, “the Dark Sword was given to me by my father Lucifer himself and it as a lot power that only a King can handle. And right now, I’m that King.”

I made a face at Dae’s excitement, “I’m doomed…”

“Oh boy,” said Celestia, “yeah you two work on combining your powers and all that, just try not to kill each other okay?”

“Fine…” I said.

“Fine…” Dae said.

* * *

As it turns out Dae and I seemed to work well together for the time being. With our combined efforts and the rest of our team backing us up, we were able to capture the first 50 of the escapes no problem. After that, we were going to next stop when we had to rest, or at least most of the team did expect Dae of course.

“I guess it's good for the team to get some sleep finally.” Dae said.

“Well,” I said, “you can keep watch.”

Dae nodded and sat down at the edge of the cave and crossed his arms.

* * *

I finally fell asleep and later that night I was woken up by what sounded like Dae talking to me. I looked over at him and he wasn’t even talking at all. For some reason I could hear Dae’s thoughts in my head clear as day. I also wondered if he could hear mine.

“Yes,” thought Dae, “I can hear your thoughts perfectly. Let me ask you a question.”

“What is it?” I thought.

“Why do you have so much anger inside of you?” Dae thought. “Let me take a wild guess, your mother? Was she really that bad?”

“Yup,” I thought, “like I said, black eye and bruises, the whole nine yards. There were even a couple of broken bones in there too.”

“Broken bones? “Dae thought.

“Yup!” I thought.

“Wow,” thought Dae, “you weren’t dealt a good hand in life were you?”

“And bingo was his name O!” I thought.

“I wonder,” thought Dae, “if you had the mother of your dreams, what would you say to her?”

“I have no idea…” I thought.

“Oh I see…” Dae thought. “That’s pretty sad, I thought I knew the love of a parent myself, but I was wrong and Lucifer won’t win any father of the year awards either.”

“You too huh?” I thought.

“Come over here…” Dae thought. “I have something to show you.”

I went over to Dae and he lifted up his sleeve. All down his arm were fresh burn marks but they were different than any burn mark I had seen, this seemed like it made some sort of symbol, but I couldn’t tell if it was or not.

“I recently earned Lucifer’s wrath for some reason.” Dae thought. “I have no idea why this time…”

“Wow…” I thought. “And I thought I had it bad!”

Dae then pulled down his sleeve.

“Listen,” thought Dae, “don’t tell anyone about this okay?”

“Sure,” I thought, “your secret is safe with me.”

“Now,” thought Dae, “I think it’s time for you to sleep.”

Before I could think of anything else, Dae came over and gave one swift punch to the gut and I was knocked out for the night.

Chapter Sixteen

That night I had the same dream that I’ve had before. I was running after someone, I knew who I was running after, it was my mom. I kept trying to reach her and not to mention it seemed she was getting further and further away.

“Mom!” I was shouting.

I could hear my mom’s voice as she was fading away. “I’m going to kill you, daughter of mine…”

I kept shouting after my mother, I was almost able to grab her hand this time and her image faded from view.

“Mom!” I cried, “I’m right here!”

I sank to my knees as I couldn’t see her anymore.

“I’m right here!” I cried. “I’m right here…”

When I woke up I found myself lying in the fetal position lying next to Dae. I almost scooted away from him but stayed where I was.

“I think I’m gonna hurl!” I thought.

“You okay?” Dae thought. “It sounded like you were having a nightmare.”

“The same broken record every time…” I thought.

I couldn’t hold it in anymore, I went outside the cave and threw up. Dae then came up to me and put a hand in my forehead.

“What’s that for?” I thought.

“You don’t seem to have a fever…” Dae thought. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” I thought, “stop asking me that!

“Okay, okay…” Dae thought.

I heard thunder and looked outside the cave, it had started to rain.

“Well,” I thought, “I guess we can’t head out until the rain stops and we still haven’t found Tirek yet.”

“Don’t worry,” thought Dae, “we’ll find him.”

“There’s one thing that kind bugs me when I fought Gorgar.” I thought.

“What was that?” Dae thought.

“Apparently,” I thought, “I didn’t use any magic at all when fighting him!”

“And that’s a bad thing because?” Dae thought.

“I don’t know,” I thought, “but it just bugs me.”

“Yeah know something?” Dae thought.

“What?” I thought.

“You’re eye not twitching anymore.” Dae thought. “What up with you?”

“I have no idea…” I thought.

Before I could think anything else a man came running up to the cave and he was soaking wet. Once he got to the cave he stopped to catch his breath.

“A message from your other teams,” said the messenger, “they only managed to catch 20 of the escapes and are headed out to catch more.”

“Great,” I said, “that makes 70! Looks like the other teams are doing alright, you stay here and rest.”

“Uh Betty,” said Dae, “ I don’t think he wants to stay.”

“He’s right,” said the messenger, “I really need to send this intel to Princess Twilight.”

“Okay then,” I said, “see you later!”

The Messenger then did a salute and ran off.

* * *

It was the next day when the rain finally let up. I once again found myself in the fetal position asleep right next to Dae.

“You’re cute when you sleep.” Dae said.

Normally my eye would’ve twitched at such a remark, but it didn’t bother me this time.

“You sure you’re okay?” Dae thought.

“I’m fine…” I thought.

Dae then gave me a weird look.

“What?” I thought. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothings wrong,” thought Dae, “I was just testing you that’s all.”

“Well,” I thought, “I think it’s time to head out. Don’t you think?’’

Dae nodded and I started packing things up. I looked and saw Dae smiling at me. I didn’t know why, but it gave me a strange feeling in my stomach.

“What’s up?” I said.

I then heard some clear their throat, it was one of my teammates.

“Uh, don’t mind us.” The teammate said.

“Awe, look at those two,” said another teammate, “they really do make a great couple!”

I gave a nervous laugh and thought, “Remind me why we have a five man team again?”

“You’re the one who set it up.” Dae thought.

“Okay,, okay,” I said, “let’s pack up and move out!”

* * *

We set out to catch the next group of escapes, when Cozy Glow popped up.

“I don’t have time for this!” I said.

“Oh so sorry,” said Cozy Glow, “I’m actually keeping track of your progress and reporting back to the Princess. It looks like you’ve only caught 50 of the escapes.”

“What?” I said. “But the messenger said that the other teams caught 20 more!’

“Nope,” said Cozy Glow, “something’s up and it’s not good.”

As I was running I made an abrupt stop and almost ran into a tree.

“Something tells me that the messenger that was sent to us,” I said, “was a fake!”

“What’s going on then?” Dae said.

“I don’t know,” I said, “ and I don’t like it!”

When I thought of what Cozy Glow said and couldn’t help but worry about it.

“You worry too much.” Dae thought.

“I can’t help it,” I thought, “I have a sneaking suspicion that our other teams aren’t doing so well. They might be dead for all I know. And that’s what I’m afraid of. Maybe we should take a detour and check on them.”

‘Sound like a good idea.” Dae thought.

* * *

“Listen up!” I said. “We’re going to take a detour to check on the rest of the Tracking Team. We have 50 men and ponies to check on and see if they’re okay, the sooner we do this, the sooner we can get back to the job at hand, understood?”

“Yes ma’am!” Everyone said.

“I got a bad feeling about this,” I thought, “a really bad feeling!”

* * *

We went to check on the other teams and were terrified at what we saw. Half the team were injured and the other half were dead. 25 Men and ponies were dead. The Medic ponies came with us to collect the dead and it wasn’t long before Princess Twilight came to see what was going on.

“What exactly happened here?” Princess Twilight said.

“According to the report,” I said, “the teams were ambushed and didn’t get a good look at the enemy.”

“I know what you’re thinking,” said Princess Twilight, “but this mission is not a failure.”

I balled my hands up into fists and was really pissed off after Princess Twilight said that.

“How can you call this mission a success?” I said.

“Excuse me?” Princess Twilight said.

“You heard me,” I said, “25 of my teammates died! And you call this mission a success? If you ask me, it’s a complete failure and I don’t accept people and ponies dying on my watch!”

“You have to understand,” said Princess Twilight, “both Captains and Commanders can lose people and ponies at moments notice! You can’t think that everyone is going to come home alive every single time! That’s especially if you can’t see the enemy!”

“But-“ I said.

Princess Twilight sighed, “I think it’s lecture time.”

Before I knew it, Princess Twilight gripped me in her magic and held me up in the air. I tried to fight against it, but it felt like I was being choked.

“Don’t fight this spell, it'll only tighten around your neck and you won’t be able to breathe for long, so just hang there and listen okay?” Princess Twilight said.

I nodded my head the best I could being gripped in her magic so I stopped fighting and did what I was told.

“When the humans first came over, you want to know what they did? They started a war! We lost half the military force, half!” Princess Twilight continued, “We thought we were done with them when they left, but no, they came back and started another war! That was the war when we lost Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and they were fighting one the front lines with their subjects! You think they could’ve protected every single one of them? No! They lost some of their subjects and so did I in that war. You think that losing friends and family set well with me? No it didn’t! And the scars form that will never go away! This is the same instance! Your mission was to catch the escapes from Hell am I right? You did your job, you caught 50 of them! You guys were sent to track people and ponies not to fight a war! So your mission was a success! You did great, so don’t lose your head about this okay? Now I think I’m done talking, I wasn’t going to do this at first, but I think you’ve earned it!”

Princess Twilight then used her magic and swung hard, before I knew it the lights were out as soon as I hit the wall.

* * *

I woke up exactly two minutes after I slammed into the wall and groaned.

“You okay?” Dae said, holding out a hand to help me up.

“I’m fine…” I said.

I stood up by myself and was a little shaky and dusted myself off. Feeling woozy I made my way over to a chair and sat down.

“It looks like you got a concussion from that hit.” Dae said.

I once again balled hands into fists.

“Damn it!” I thought. “We should’ve had fewer people! Next time I’ll have a smaller team, and I’ll be able to protect everyone. I promise that!”

My anger boiled up inside of me when Dae put a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s just like Princess Twilight said,” said Dae, “you can’t protect everyone…”

“Next time I will…” I said.

* * *

The next day I was summoned to Princess Twilight's Castle in Canterlot. When I walked into the Throne Room and gave her a bow.

“At ease Betty,” said Princess Twilight, “look at me.”

I stood up and looked Princess Twilight in the eye.

“It seems you need some time off again,” said Princess Twilight, “especially after what happened.”

“But-“ I said.

“Do I have to lecture you again?” Princess Twilight said. “You need to have some time to grieve over your teammates. Although I’m not sure if one month is going to do it. Let it go Betty, like I said, you can’t protect everyone. You think you’ll be able to protect everyone when Tirek comes around? That remains to be seen I guess.”

“I don’t know…” I said.

“One month off at least to attend the funeral if you’re able to.” Princess Twilight said. ”There is one more thing, there’s a surprise waiting for you at Sugarcube Corners. That’ll be all.”

“Yes your highness…” I said.

I turned around and left. I was pretty sure of what Pinkie Pie had in store for me and going to Sugarcube Corners and that was last thing I wanted to do.

* * *

As I was walking down the road in opposite direction of Sugarcube Corners I could sense that a rain cloud was following me.

“What do you want?” I said.

“I heard about what happened,” said Rainbow Dash, “you have a very long face. That’s not good, you really need to be around friends right now.”

“Rainbow Dash,” I said, “I don’t need this right now!”

“Yeah know,” said Rainbow Dash, “this reminds me of the time when my pet turtle Tank was going into hibernation.”

“This is nothing like a pet turtle!” I snapped.

“Anyway,” said Rainbow Dash, “you really should come with me to Sugarcube Corners, alright?”

“No thank you!” I said.

“If you don’t come willingly,” said Rainbow Dash, “I’ll drag you there by force!”

I smiled, “You like to race don’t you?”

“Yeah,” said Rainbow Dash, “why?”

“If you want me to go to Sugarcube Corners so bad,” I said, “you have to catch me first!”

So the race was on and instead of going straight through the Everfree Forest, I took the long way around. Rainbow Dash and I were neck and neck and I was almost back to Fluttershy’s cottage when Dae jumped out in front of me.

“Thank goodness!” Rainbow Dash said. “Dae can you please knock some sense into her?”

Dae put a hand on my shoulder to keep me from going any further. I couldn’t think of anything else except my teammates that I just lost. I sank to my knees and began to cry.

* * *

“Damn it!” I cried. “Half of my teammates died, Princess Twilight wants me to let that go? What’s the point in that?”

Dae held me in his arms as I cried.

“As if I didn’t have enough to worry about!” I said.

I guess at that moment Rainbow Dash couldn’t help herself, she started to cry too.

“Wow,” said Rainbow Dash, “I’ve haven’t seen anybody cry this much since Rarity.”

“Not now Rainbow Dash…” Dae said. “Come on Betty, Pinkie Pie as something waiting for you at Sugarcube Corners and it’s Nightmare night, this should be fun…”

I sighed, “Okay fine, I’ll go..”

Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief, “Thank you Dae…”

* * *

When we got to Sugarcube Corners, the lights were off. I rolled my eyes and turned the lights on and in true Pinkie Pie fashion balloons and confetti went everywhere.

“Surprise!” Everyone said.

I blinked and looked around dumbfounded at what I saw.

“What’s the matter?” Pinkie Pie said.

“And what is this for exactly?” I said.

“You silly goose,” laughed Pinkie Pie, “it’s your birthday!”

Pinkie then pushed a giant cake towards me.

“See,” said Pinkie Pie, “it says happy birthday Betty Jewel!”

“You’re kidding me right?” I said.

“Nope,” said Pinkie Pie, “not joking!”

“You were born on Nightmare night?” Dae said. “That’s so awesome!”

I laughed, ”I forgot my own birthday and here I thought it was a bad dream or something.”

“More like it’s or something!” Pinkie Pie said. “It’s okay, I forget things all the time! Then my memory comes back, with cake!”

“Oh Pinkie Pie,” laughed Rainbow Dash, “at least you didn’t get replaced by a bucket of turnips!”

The party lasted most of the night because it was Nightmare Night. As the party died down Dae pulled me off to the side.

“What is it?” I thought.

“I just remembered,” thought Dae, “I didn’t get you a birthday gift.”

“You don’t have to do that.” I thought. “It’s no problem really…”

“Close your eyes…” Dae thought.

“Why?” I thought.

“Just do it okay?” Dae thought.

Dae then pulled me closer to him and we shared our first kiss.

* * *

After that kiss we went to check the other events that were happening because of Nightmares Night. It wasn’t before long that we ran into Mystic Diamond and Silver Whiskers.

“So,” said Silver Whiskers, “this is the guy I’ve heard so much about?”

“Wow,” said Mystic Diamond, “I’ve never seen you smile so much!”

Silver Whiskers then scoffed at us and growled.

“Jealous much?” Mystic Diamond said.

“I’m not jealous!” Silver Whiskers said. “I’m going to go grab some apple cider…”

“What was that all about?” I said.

“Silver Whiskers found out you have a new boyfriend!” Mystic Diamond. “He seems to be the jealous type. So is it official or what?”

“Yes, it is…”. I said.

“You sure about that?” Dae said.

“Yes,” I said, “I am!”

Chapter Seventeen

When Dae and I got back to Flutershy’s cottage, Discord was there to greet us.

“Congratulations to the happy couple!” Discord said.

“Word travels fast, doesn’t it?” I said.

“Actually,” said Discord, “I was following you two around all night! I saw that first kiss by the way, it was so cute!”

I rolled my eyes, “Discord!”

“Discord,” said Fluttershy, “leave them alone will you?”

“Oh come on,” said Dscord, “I couldn’t help myself! Classic move by the way Dae, telling her to close her eyes and then kissing her, nice one if I do say so myself. Plus you guys look so cute together!”

“Discord!” I said. “Seriously?”

“What?” Discord said. “We’re all friends right?”

“Discord,” said Fluttershy, “that’s enough for now, leave them alone okay?”

“Okay, okay,” said Discord, “touchy!”

I took a deep breath and calmed down before I hit Discord in the jaw too. Discord seemed to be cued into it, he then faked a yawn.

“Well,” said Discord, “I guess it’s time for sleep now. You coming Fluttershy? I’m these two love birds don’t need us hovering over them.”

As Discord headed upstairs Fluttershy turned around and laughed.

“Don’t mind Discord,” Fluttershy said, “you kids don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

I could still hear Flutteershy laughing as she went upstairs.

* * *

I walked upstairs and practically crashed on the bed. Before I could close my eyes Cozy Glow popped up.

“Hello!” Cozy Glow said.

I sighed, “What’s up?”

“Congratulations about you and Dae,” said Cozy Glow, “oh I also heard about what happened with your teammates, you gonna be okay?”

“I was going to be okay,” I said, “until you showed up.”

“Ops,” said Coy Glow, “sorry…”

“It’s okay I guess…” I said.

“You’ll be fine,” said Cozy Glow, “there might be some flashbacks by the way. Have fun dealing with that.”

“Gee,” I said, “thanks…”

“You’re welcome!” Cozy Glow said.

Thanks to Cozy Glow the flashback’s did happen. I couldn’t help but think of the teammates that I lost and Princess Twilight saying that the mission was a success. The flashbacks kept happening one by one. It was like a movie playing in my head that I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t help it anymore, Iet a loud scream and then everything went dark.

* * *

I had no idea what happened after that, but according to Dae and Fluttershy told me that I was screaming my head off for two straight weeks. Cozy Glow was also constantly apologizing for even mentioning flashbacks. If I had it my way, Cozy Glow would be in a crystal prism and sent to Hell. But whatever was going to happen to Cozy Glow is apparently out of my hands. When I finally snapped out of whatever it was that I was going through I saw Dae sitting by my bedside and when I finally opened my eyes Dae jumped back a little.

Dae breathed a sigh of relief, “Oh good! You’ve snapped out of it! You’ve come back!”

“Exactly where did I go?” I said.

“I don’t think you went anywhere, you seemed to have had some sort of trauma,” said Dae, “your mind was in turmoil the whole entire time. What exactly did you see?”

“The faces of those who died,” I said, “before the bodies were collected I saw their faces every single one of them. They were my teammates so I considered them friends. Well they were actually friends of the family so I guess you can count them as friends. But the worst thing about it was Princess Twilight saying that the mission was a success. I just couldn’t get that thought out of my head.”

Another thought them came into my head, but I thought it was going to sound stupid so I just changed my mind. Of course Dae could hear what I was thinking.

“You never know the answer,” said Dae, “until you ask the question.””

“Did you ever know what death is like?” I said.

Dae looked at me, “No because I was born in Hell. So I never really knew death.”

“Oh…” I said.

“By the way,” said Dae, “the ceremony for those that died on your Tracking Team was last week. Everybody understood you were having a hard time, so they were okay with it and I was your stand in for it.”

“Thank you…” I said.

* * *

Two more weeks passed and I was finally off my forced vacation. Knowing that I still had to catch those remaining 150 escapes and this time I decided that only a 10 man team was needed in order for me to protect them. I really didn’t want another repeat of what happened last month.

“You sure you just want 10 people on your team?” Princess Twilight said. “I can send another team to back you up if you want?”

“No,” I said, “I’ve made up my mind. Ten people should be enough, I shouldn’t need anymore.”

“But-“ Princess Twilight said.

“I’m going to finish the job I started,” I said, “and I’m also going to find Tirek!”

“Well, alright then…” Princess Twilight said.

“And this time,” I said, “I’ll protect everyone!”

* * *

When we set it to find the rest of escapes at each spot we were able to catch five escapes each. So far so good, one would think right? There was a little wrench in my plan again. I came across some pony that I thought could never die that early in life, he was way too young in my opinion. The pony I’m talking about is Dark Meadow.

I was shocked when I saw him, “What the-“

“Oh,” said Dark Meadow, “hi Betty, could you tell me the way out of this cave?”

“Um…” I said. “Well no, the fact is that you’re dead.”

“I’m dead?” Dark Meadow said. “Oh yeah, I remember having this rock drop on me and then I was in this Prison. Then this really nice pony helped me escape.”

“What was his name?” I said.

Dark Meadow shrugged, “I think he said it was Gorgar?”

“Did he say anything about creating a portal linking Heaven and Hell? Do you have any idea of what he was talking about?” I said.

Dark Meadow shrugged, “I didn’t hear much about it.”

“Yeah well,” I said, “I’m going to have to send you back to that Prison.”

“Where’s that?” Dark Meadow said.

I sighed, “The Prison that’s in Hell…”

I then pointed the crystal prism at him and sighed.

* * *

As we were heading to the next spot, I had trouble dealing with fact that Dark Meadow had died.

“Hey,” said Dae, “wasn’t that your bully in school?”

“Yeah,” I said, “he picked on me a lot for being half and half. But I have no idea what he could've done to die and ended up in Hell.”

“Maybe he was a serial killer or something?” Dae said.

“I don’t know about that.” I said.

My team had no problem catching the rest of the remaining escapes, some of the escapes were strong and some were weak. Finally the job was done and we had captured all 200 of them. Actually by my count it would be 201 if you include Tirek. In true Princess Twilight fashion she wanted me to take some time off.

“This again?” I said.

“Well,” said Princess Twilight, “you’ve finished the job, so you really should be proud of yourself and your team this time. The whole team is getting time off to rest. You need to rest too. You can’t keep going without taking brakes or anything that’s way too much stress.”

“I’m fine…” I said.

“Actually,” said Dae, “I agree with Princess Twilight. You’re not a Demon like me, and you’re alive too. I know some people say they can sleep when they’re dead, but that’s not really the case when you think about it.”

“He’s right on that one.” Princess Twilight said.

“Fine, fine…” I said.

“There’s no need to worry,” said Princess Twilight, “I’m gathering intel as we speak. I’ll send word when we find Tirek. Okay?”

“Sure,” I said, “Okay…”

* * *

“Damn it,” I thought, “what’s the use in waiting around here until things happen? This sucks and really bugs me.”

I was sitting on the roof of Fluttershy’s cottage not really doing anything.

“A little eager there aren’t we?” Dae said.

“I don’t even wanna know how long you’ve been standing there.” I said.

Dae then sat down beside me.

“Well, “ said Dae, “this time you didn’t lose anyone like you said. You kept your promise… But, I don’t think that’s a good promise to make.”

“I guess you’re right.” I said.

Before we could say or do anything else, I heard thundering footsteps coming up to the cottage there was no mistaking it, that was Spike.

“What’s up Spike?” I said.

Spike looked up at us, “Tirek’s come out of hiding and he made sure that everyone could see him! You’ve got to get him out of the innocents area! Go, before he hurts any pony else!”

“Well that vacation was short,” I laughed, “I think Dae and I can take care of him.”

“You sure about that?” Spike said.”We can send reinforcements to back you up.”

“Nah, “ I said, “I think we got this, besides I’ve been waiting for this battle anyway.”

“If you’re sure,” said Spike, “like I said, wwe can send backup if need be.”

Before anything else could happen I took to the air with Dae following close behind.

* * *

Flying towards town I could feel the footsteps of Tirek stomping down the streets of Ponyville. I also saw many ponies and people running to get out of the way.

“I take it, that is him?” Dae said.

“Yup,” I said, “that’s him!”

“Last Death Walker!” Tirek yelled. “Come out and face me!”

I was still in the air when I yelled at him, “Hey Tirek you looking for the Last Death Walker? Well, she’s right here!”

“You’re that Last Death Walker?” Tirek laughed. “Why you’re nothing but a puny runt!”

“Excuse me?” I said with a smile.

“You’re a little runt!” Tirek said.

Tirek was still laughing when I cleared my throat.

“Are you done yet?” I said.

“I couldn’t help myself,” said Tirek, “you’re just so tiny! Are you really sure you’re cut out for this?”

“Rule number one when fighting,” I said, “don’t underestimate your opponent.”

Tirek stopped laughing, “I heard that you’re the one who took down Queen Chrysalis and Gorgar in one try. I can’t believe a little runt like you could d that!”

I then flicked my tail in annoyance and spread my wings to show that I wasn’t kidding.

“I give you a challenge,” said Tirek, “seeing as you took down Queen Chrysalis and Gorgar in one try, I’d see you do the same thing to me! But trust me, I’m not going to go down easy!”

“Challenge accepted!” I said. “You know I heard some intel about you too!”

“What was that?” Tirek said.

“That you’re slow and stupid!” I said.

“What did you say you little runt!” Tirek said.

“I said, slow and stupid!” I said.

“What exactly are you trying to do?” Dae thought.

“I’m trying to get him away from the innocent people and ponies here before he does any more damage.” I thought. “I’m taking him to Ghastly Gorge! Just follow my lead okay?”

“Okay then…” Dae thought.

“Come on stupid,” I said to Tirek, “you are pretty slow yeah know! I doubt you can fight me!”

I started flying towards Ghastly Gorge, with Tirek yelling after me in anger.

“You little runt!” Tirek yelled. “Get back here!”

“I might be a runt,” I said, “but you’re still stupid!”

* * *

When I finally got to the tallest mountain at Ghastly Gorge and looked down at Tirek. This time, I was the one to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Tirek said.

“Oh nothing,” I said, “you’re still stupid! And by the time I’m done, you’ll be going back to Hell!”

Tirek growled and charged towards building up magic between his horns. He then shot his magic at the cliff that I was standing on and I started to fall with the rocks but took the air and stopped falling.

“Not bad,” said Tirek, “I’d like to see you jump out of the way of this!”

With his magic between his horns he sent a fireball at me. I used my staff to put up a shield to push the fireball away from me. Then there was a second fireball coming at me.

“Betty watch out!” Dae thought. “On your left!”

Dae slashed the next fireball that came towards me, and it split in two.

“I’m impressed!” Tirek said.

“Oh yeah?” I said.

Tirek then proceeded to catch me in his magic and throw me into the wall of the canyon. I shook myself off and flew towards Tirek and I pulled out my staff and made it into a blade. I threw it and it boomeranged around Tirek and he just jumped out of the way.

“And you took down Queen Chrysalis and Gorgar? Tirek said. “I don’t believe it!”

Tirek then turned around trapping me in his magic holding me on the ground. The next thing I knew Tirek had dropped a huge boulder on me. I could sense Tirek walking away as if it were business as usual. That made my anger go to a boil.

“Oh well,” said Tirek, “I guess the halfbreed couldn’t do it after all…”

“I wouldn’t count her out just yet.” I heard Dae say.

I purposely played dead and took the time to think. What really made me was that insult. I remembered all the times I got picked on for that and I was sick and tired of it!

“I am so sick and tired of being called that!” I said.

Tirek laughed as if it was all a big joke to him.

“Don’t you dare call me that insult ever again!” I said.

I couldn’t think of anything else because my anger was at a boil. I then shot through the boulder and it broke into pieces. I could see Tirek watching in terror because I was so angry. I looked down at my hands and noticed that there was a black outline around them.

“What’s this?” Tirek said.

“It’s called the Dark Aura.” Dae said.

“And what’s that?” Tirek said.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” Dae said.

I then felt my staff in my was like a hot potato, but I didn’t care. My anger was still at boil, I turned my staff into a blade again and threw and it landed in between Tirek’s horns. I was able to stretch my staff and it broke Tirek’s horns. As I called my staff back I could hear Tirek roaring in pain.

“Huh,” Dae thought, “I didn’t know you could do that to a ghost.”

“Tirek,” I said, “I’m not done with you yet!”

Tirek was still howling in pain. I then made my staff into a spear and threw it at him, and it pinned him down. He was struggling to get away from me but, it was of no use.

“You little runt!” Tirek yelled.

“What’s the matter?” I said. “I thought you said I couldn’t take down Queen Chrysalis and Gorgar? You didn’t believe me, did you?”

“I was bluffing!” Tirek said.

“Well,” I said, “you really shouldn’t play poker at all then. You have a bad poker face! If it’s any consolation, you’re going back to Hell!”

“Betty,” said Dae, “catch!”

Dae then threw the crystal prism and I caught it. The next thing I knew I could hear Tirek’s screams as he was sucked into it. Still shaking with rage even though I had caught Tirek.

“Betty,” said Dae, “it’s okay, you can stop now..”

I couldn’t think of anything else because my mind had gone blank and the world went dark.

Chapter Eighteen

I could feel being carried by Dae to Fluttershy’s cottage and could vaguely hear voices off the distance.

“So,” said Fluttershy, “how did it go? You guys catch him?”

“Actually,” said Dae, “Betty caught him by herself!”

“What?” Flutteershy said. “That’s amazing! I’m so proud!”

I couldn’t remember much as Dae carried me upstairs.

“Awe,” said Fluttershy, “she looks so cute asleep!”

When I woke up the next day, I felt like I had been run over by a bus.

I groaned, “What happened? I feel like I’ve been run over by a bus!”

“Well,” said Dae, “you did have a boulder drop on you, so I think that might equal a bus, maybe?”

Dae and I then exchanged a look and couldn’t stop laughing. There was a knock on the door and Fluttershy had the biggest smile on her face.

“You have a couple of visitors!” Fluttershy said.

“At this time of day?” I said.

Fluttershy nodded and in came Mystic Diamond and Scarlett Harmony, they looked at me and Dae and smiled.

“Are we interrupting something?” Scarlett said.

“Ah no,” said Dae, “actually I was about to go, I have something to take care of.”

Dae then gave me a kiss and Scarlett and Mystic laughed at the display of affection. I rolled my eye at both of them.

“I’ll be back.” Dae thought.

Dae then disappeared and Mystic and Scarlett smiled.

“What?” I said.

“So,” said Mystic, “I heard about your capture of Tirek. How did it go?”

I rolled my eyes, “If you must know, I’ll tell you the story.”

* * *

Of course Pinkie Pie wanted to throw me a party, I walked into Sugarcube Corners and wasn’t surprised that the lights were off. I the walked over and turned on the lights.

“Surprise!” Pinkie Pie said as balloons and confetti showered down on me.

This time my eye twitched because Pinkie Pie was right in my face examining me.

“Your eye is twitching,” said Pinkie Pie, “I thought only Dae made you do that.”

“Actually,” I said, “if anyone’s going to make eye twitch it would be you right now.”

“Oh come on,” said Dae, “lighten up will you?”

“This reminds me of the time I threw a party, when Princess Twilight first came to town!” Pinkie Pie said.

“You’re kidding?” I said with a raised eyebrow.

“Nope,” said Pinkie Pie, “she got so mad that she accidentally put hot sauce in her drink! Then of course she went up to her room and didn’t come out. That was when she lived in that stuffy old library.”

“Wow,” I said, “I knew Princess Twilight loved books, but I didn’t know she liked them that much!”

“Yup,”said Spike munching on a cupcake, “when I was younger for my birthday Twilight would give me a book as a gift. That’s all I got, until we moved to Ponyville.”

“Well,” I said, “that must’ve been nice…”

Spike laughed, “Nope!”

* * *

When I got back to Fluttershy’s cottage, I was actually happy with the recent turn of events. I seemed to forget, all about the trauma that happened before that.

“Did you have fun?” Dae said.

“Yeah know what?” I said. “For once I actually did.”

“Well that’s good…” Dae said.

I looked at Dae and he was giving me a really funny look.

“What?” I said.

For some reason my stomach felt tight like it was about to drop anytime soon. I noticed I never felt this way even with Silver Whiskers, and for some reason my wings spread out involuntarily.

“Well,” I said, “that happened…”

Dae laughed, “I wonder what that means?”

“I have no idea..” I said.

Dae was still giving me a funny look, before I knew it, we fell over onto the bed with Dae on top of me.

* * *

I woke up the next morning and noticed that I was sharing my bed. I then realized that it was Dae that I was sharing the bed with and we were both naked.

“I was wondering when you were going to wake up.” Dae said.

“Did we do what I think we did?” I said.

“Uh-huh…” Dae said.

Dae was still holding me in his arms when Fluttershy knocked on the door.

“Good morning!” Fluttershy said.

Fluttershy then looked around the room and then looked at the two of us. She looked like she was shocked and ran out the room. Dae and I then shared a laugh.

“Well she is married,” I said, “I would think she would know about stuff like this.”

“Maybe she thinks you need to be married first?” Dae said. “The look on her face was shock horror.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the look on Fluttershy’s face.

* * *

When I finally got downstairs, Fluttershy was making breakfast.

“So…” Fluttershy said.

“So what?” I said drinking a cup of juice.

“I take it you’ve never had the talk yet?” Fluttershy said.

I just about spit my drink out on Fluttershy.

“I think it’s a little bit late for that don’t you?” I said.

Fluttershy stared up at the ceiling, “I remember when I had my first time. I was actually younger than you! You want to hear the story?”

She said that after I took another drink and it went down the wrong pipe.

I punched my chest and coughed, “No thank you! I’m good!”

I guess Fluttsershy couldn’t help herself because she was on her back laughing until she had tears in her eyes.

Fluttershy stopped laughing, “Oh by the way, your brother Norman is coming over since he’s on break. He wants to hear all about your capture of Tirek!”

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door.

I guess Flutteershy wanted to torture me some more, “Oh yeah, don’t worry about it, I can give you the talk later!”

I gave a nervous laugh, “Like I said, it’s a little bit late for that.”

Fluttershy then walked away laughing.

* * *

“What’s this I just heard about the talk?” Norman asked as soon as Fluttershy left.

I gave another nervous laugh, “Ah Fluttershy just likes messing with me that’s all.”

“Yeah know,” said Norman, “mom gave me the talk when I was sixteen. I had my first time a year later. Let me guess, you just had your first time didn’t you?”

I rolled my eyes, “Can you please not tease me about that!”

“So,” said Norman, “how was it?”

“As if you need to know.” I said.

Norman cleared his throat, “I’ve already heard the story about your capture of Tirek. There’s some guy bragging about you at Sugarcube Corners, I was told he’s your new boyfriend? I take it that was your first time?”

”I said don’t tease me about that!” I said, “And let me guess, tall guy in black clothes, that be Dae.”

“The King of Hell?” Norman said. “You actually got together with him?”

“It’s a long story…” I said.

“If we hurry,” said Norman, “I can finally get to meet him for a change.”

“What’s the rush?” I said.

“Your blushing right now,” said Norman, “is that because I’m talking about him? That’s so cute!”

“Wait!” I said as Norman grabbed my hand and we ran towards Sugarcube Corners.

* * *

“Ah,” said Dae, “there’s the woman of the hour!”

I practically dug in my heels as Norman was pushing me in the door.

“Come on sis,” said Norman, “everyone wants to see the hero that captured Tirek!”

I could feel myself turning beat red and I wanted to go hide under a rock. I saw Dae looking at me and I couldn’t look away for some reason. Of course I heard a chorus of “awe’s” that sounded throughout the room.

“Could you please not do that!” I said. “Seriously!”

“The story was so awesome!” Rainbow Dash said.

“You captured Tirek all on your own!” Applejack said. “Now I’m a strong pony but you actually broke through a boulder! Not even I can do that!”

“It was nothing really…” I said.

“Oh don’t be so modest darling!” Rarity said.

“Yeah,” said Rainbow Dash, “take credit where credit is due!”

By this time I seriously really wanted to hide underneath a rock.

“Ah you look like Princess Twilight did before she became ruler of Equestria!” Pinkie Pie said.

I then felt something tug on my shirt and looked down only to see a foal looking at me. She had a smile on her face and had an autograph book opened to a blank page.

“Can I have your autograph?” The foal said.

I paused not sure of what to think.

“Oh go on,” said Rainbow Dash, “she really admires you!”

“Yes,” the foal said, “I want your autograph right next to Rainbow Dash, she was a hero once too!”

“What do you mean once?” Rainbow Dash said.

“Rashbow Dash!” Rarity said.

I looked at the foal and sighed, “Sure kid, who do I make this out to?”

“My name's Ditzy Do!” Ditzy Do said. “I’m Derpy’s sister! Derpy works in the mail department right under Princess Twilight just like you!”

“Okay…” I said and signed the book.

“Thank you so much Betty!” Ditzy Do said.

“Well,” I thought, “it couldn’t get any worse.”

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Dae trying to stifle a laugh. Ditzy Do then put her book in her bag and left excited. I really wanted to hide underneath a rock and fast.

“You’re really getting a kick out of this aren’t you?” I thought.

“Yup!” Dae thought.

“Okay, okay!” Rainbow Dash said standing in front of me as if she were about to push people out of the way. “As Betty’s personal BodyGuard, she’s not taking anymore autographs at this time! And no pictures! Please give the girl some space!”

“Actually Rainbow Dash,” I said, “I don’t think I need a bodyguard, I’m good.”

Rainbow Dash stood proudly, “I think you do! Every famous person needs a bodyguard!”

“I don’t think so,” I said, “as long as I don’t have anyone stalking me, I think I’m good.”

“Awe come on!” Rainbow Dash said. “Don’t you feel a little bit worried?”

I was so ready to leave at that point.

“No Rainbow Dash,” I said, “I’m good!”

“Okay fine!” Rainbow Dash said.

* * *

That night, I went to sleep and was summoned to the Land of the Dead and I was greeted by Celestia.

“I’m so glad to see you again!” Celestia said.

I looked at Celestia, “I think I’ve enough embarrassment for one day, please don’t do anything embarrassing.”

“Well…” Celestia said. “I want to commend you on a job well done with catching Tirek and the rest of the escapes! I’m so proud of you! Word is you caught Tirek all by yourself! I’m impressed, is that what the embarrassment is coming from?”

“You guessed it.” I said.

“And let me guess,” said Celestia, “Pinkie Pie wanted to throw you another party?”

“Yup,” I said, “and I had to sign an autograph.”

“What’s so bad about that?” Celestia said.

“I have no intention of being a celebrity.” I said.

“It can’t be helped,” said Celestia, “it comes with the territory. On that thought, Princess Twilight agreed that upon your recents achievements, that you should get this medal! We wanted to give you a big celebration but maybe a private celebration would be better. Don’t worry, the medal will go back with you the Land of the Living. Now, go ahead take it!”

Celestia then took a box that she had gripped in her magic and floated over to me. I opened the box, staring at it in disbelief. On the medal was angel wings and a devil's horn on it. It also had the words, “Thank you for protecting us!” They were engraved at the bottom of it. I was in shock staring at the medal and couldn’t believe my eyes.

“This must be some sort of bad dream or something…” I thought.

“You okay?” Celestia’s said.

I just gave her a look and couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Well,” said Celestia, “that’s all I wanted to do. I have other things to take care of at the moment so I shall take my leave.”

* * *

When I left Celestia’s office I took a deep breath, I still couldn’t believe what just happened. I kept thinking that wasn’t in the Land of the Dead and really thought it was some sort of bad dream.

“You are in the Land of the Dead by the way.” Dae said.

I looked at Dae in disbelief, “I shouldn’t have this.”

“Why not?” Dae said.

“I shouldn’t have this,” I said, “because so many people died under my watch.”

“You’re still carrying around that guilt? Didn’t you hear a word Princess Twilight said?” Dae said.

I looked down at the ground, and had no answer for him.

“Let it go,” said Dae, “it wasn’t your fault. The report said they got ambushed, and not to mention they didn’t get a good look at the enemy. So you have to let this go.”

“I’ll work on it…” I said.

* * *

I woke up and I was the Land of the Living and looked down to see the medal hanging around my neck. I then looked over to see Dae with a look of concern on his face.

“Get dressed,” said Dae, “I’ll be waiting outside.”

I got dressed and went outside.

Dae then took my hand, “I have something to show you.”

Dae then took me to the local Graveyard on the outskirts of Ponyville.

“Look around,” said Dae, “what do you see?”

I looked and saw exactly 25 new tombstones and all of them had the Equestrian flag on them.

“If it’s any consolation,” said Dae, “23 of your teammates went to Heaven and only two of them went to Hell.”

Chapter Nineteen

“Good morning!” I heard a voice say as the sunlight was pouring into my room.

I rolled over and put my head underneath my pillow.

“Does everyone have to be this cheerful in the morning?” I said.

“Time to wake up now,” said Cozy Glow, “it’s a brand new day!”

“What’s got you so happy?” I growled.

“Oh,” said Cozy Glow, “Dae told me he had to take care of some things at the castle and he’ll be back later.”

I yawned, ”So, what else is new? You’ve been gone a lot lately.”

“I’ve been helping Princess Twilight out at the Castle lately,” said Cozy Glow, “I’m used to being tethered to the Land of the Living, it’s actually kind of fun.”

“Okay?” I said.

“Yup,” said Cozy Glow, “oh and Fluttershy’s making breakfast for you downstairs. You probably should eat something. I heard you haven’t been much lately, probably because you’ve been so busy lately. That can’t be healthy for yeah.”

“Yeah,” I said, “thanks for the advice…”

“Okay,” said Cozy Glow, “I need to go now. See ya!”

I then went downstairs and Fluttershy was waiting for me. As soon as I sat down, Fluttershy passed me a plate of food.

“I noticed you haven’t been eating much lately,” said Fluttershy, “you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine…” I said.

“You don’t look fine,” said Fluttershy, “you still dealing with your teammates dying?”

I looked down at the food and stopped eating.

“Oh I see…” Fluttershy said. “You take all the time you need to grieve for them, okay? But you should eat something.”

“I’m not hungry.” I said.

“Oh,” said Fluttershy, “okay…”

I then headed out to the Castle of the Two Sisters.

* * *

When I finally got to the Castle of the Two Sisters I found my favorite spot and sat down. But before I could think of anything, I heard a creepy laugh fill the Castle. The Castle wall practically shook with laughter. I couldn’t place who was laughing because it wasn’t Discord and it definitely wasn’t Dae.

“Who are you?” I said. “What do you want?”

A man then came out of the shadows. He looked a lot like Dae except his eyes were red and his hair was grey. I stepped back feeling nothing but terror. The man laughed again and it was as if he was all too happy to see me. My eyes widen because I had an idea of who it was, it was Lucifer.

“You guessed correctly,” said Lucifer, “I am Lucifer, you must be the woman that my son has fallen in love with. You really need to come with me.”

“And why would I do that?” I said.

“The reason doesn’t matter at this time,” said Lucifer, “but if you must know, I do want to get to know the woman that my son has fallen in love with. If you won’t come with me willingly, I’ll just have to take you by force.”

“Gee,” I said, “I’ve heard that line before…”

But before I could say anything else, Lucifer snapped his fingers and my hands were tied behind my back. I tried to break free of the rope but this was stronger than the rope that Mr. Harmony used on me. It was only my hands that were tied. I sat down just staring at Lucifer in terror. Then Lucifer came up and pointed one finger at my forehead and my mind went blank.

* * *

After I had my thinking abilities back, I had no idea where I was. Wherever I was, it was cold and dark. I could hear Dae calling out to me but it was like I couldn’t hear his voice, it was like he was yelling through a brick wall. Then a voice broke though the silence, Lucifer started talking to me.

“Yes, yes,” said Lucifer, “Dae is calling to you but I wouldn’t bother calling back, he won’t be able to save you. I think I should put him in his place.”

I then heard Dae screaming in the distance and it sounded like he was in pain.

I couldn’t do anything about it, my mind felt hazy, “Don’t…. Leave him alone…”

“What can you do?” Lucifer said. “You can’t get out of my magic at all. Right now, you’re in the dark, your mind is so dark, do you hear the dark souls that are calling out to you?”

“I don’t,” I shook my head, ”I don’t hear anything.”

At that moment I heard screaming and it was loud, a little too loud, so I covered my ears.

“That hurts!” I said. “Make it stop!”

“Don’t cover your ears to the dark souls,” said Lucifer, “they’re calling out to you.”

I shook my head because it was hazy and I trying to get the screaming out of my head.

“You’re my puppet now,” said Lucifer, “I’m going to look inside your soul. If you can’t break out of my magic your soul will be mine forever…”

At this point I wasn’t sure of what to do. It was like a movie playing inside my head again. The flashbacks started coming one by one, the things I hadn’t dealt with yet. The death of my teammates, seeing their graves, running away and being forced to come back. I couldn’t take it anymore and screamed.

“Get out of my head!” I said.

“Can’t take the flashbacks?” Lucifer said. “You do want to keep your soul don’t you?”

“Get out my head,” I said, “and I’m keeping my soul by the way, you can’t take it!”

“What are you going to do about it?” Lucifer said.

I could feel myself getting angry and my mind started to clear up and the haziness started to go away.

“Get. Out. Of. My. Head!” I said.

I noticed that my staff was suddenly in my hand, I made it into a blade.

“What did you say?” Lucifer said.

“I said, get out of my head!” I said.

The darkness then faded away and I could see Lucifer standing right in front of me. I also the rope that he had me tied in was broken and on the floor. I looked around to see that I was in a cage.

Lucifer clapped, “Bravo! You’ve broken out my magic. I’m impressed, by the way, what was that last thing you said?”

“Are you deaf or something?” I said. “I said get out of my head!”

Lucifer raised an eyebrow, “Oh, I see you’ve achieved the Dark Aura. You must be really pissed off right now. I can see why Dae has fallen in love with you.”

“Dad stop!” Dae.

“I thought I told you,” said Lucifer, “to stay out of this!”

I saw Lucifer flick his finger and Dae fell backwards double over in pain. I knew what it was that was causing the pain. It was the burn mark that, Dae had shown me before.

“Leave him alone!” I said.

I made my staff into a blade and made it as sharp as I could. Then I threw it at Lucifer and it boomeranged around the cage breaking it in half. I was really pissed off by this time and wanted to kill Lucifer if it was possible. Or least do has much damage as I could. I threw my blade again and it went though Lucifer’s chest of course his wound healed up automatically and it just left his shirt ripped. It also forced him to drop his cigar. Lucifer smiled as if it were nothing and looked very amused.

“I’m really impressed with you,” said Lucifer, “you did your best to try and kill me. It was a good attempt, I give you A for effort at least. Someone should put you in your place now.”

Lucifer then snapped his fingers and then gripped me in magic.

“I think it’s story time!” Lucifer said. “Yeah that little thing that you two have with being able to hear each other’s thoughts? That comes naturally to Demons because Demons can either choose to have that line of communication with one person or several people at the same time. It seems that Dae has chosen you to be exclusive with, isn’t that romantic? And after all the arranged marriages he managed to drive away! It seems he’s found a girl that fits the bill. Now, let’s see here,you broke, my cage, ripped my favorite shirt, and made me drop my cigar. I think you deserve a little payback.’

Lucifer then moved his hand and threw me up against the wall, he then proceeded to drop a hug boulder on me.

“Okay,” I thought, “now I’m really pissed! I’ve been thrown up against a wall, and had a huge boulder dropped on me for the last time! I think Lucifer’s going to pay for that this time!”

My anger had reached its boiling point, I then burst through the boulder and smashed it half.

“Well, well ,well…” Lucifer said and he looked very amused by then.

“What’s so funny?” I said. “I think someone needs to put you in a cage!”

Lucifer yawned, “As if you could really do that! You’re hitting a nerve ya know!”

“As if I care!” I said.

Lucifer was bored and as if I were still his puppet.

“You seem to get it don’t you?” Lucifer said.

“Oh I get it pretty clearly!” I said. “And you need to get your hearing checked!”

Lucifer then came over to me and we were face to face.

“What are you going to do about it?” Lucifer said.

“You want to know what I’m going to do about it?” I said.

Once again I made my staff into a blade. Next I took the blade and drove it through his head. Lucifer’s eyeballs actually popped out one by one as the blade went though. I stepped on them for good measure. Lucifer stepped back howling in pain. Somehow I had gotten control over his cage and I used my magic to rebuild it. Before me appeared iron chains and the rope he used on me earlier. I tied Lucifer up and threw him in his own cage with the rope and chains around him. The last remember was using my magic to sink Lucifer into the abyss and in my hand was a black crystal. I took the crystal that was in my hand and pushed into Dae’s forehead and passed out.

* * *

When I woke up, it was dark out and I thought I just had a bad dream or something.

“More like or something…” Dae thought.

I looked at Dae’s forehead and on it was what looked a picture of a key on it.

“Is that what I think it is?” I said.

“Yup,”said Dae, “it’s the key to the abyss that Lucifer is sealed into. I’ve always wanted to do that but didn’t know how, you seemed to have beat me to it.”

“Ah…” I couldn’t think of what to say.

“Oh and by the way,” said Dae, “it’s gone.”

“What’s gone?” I said.

Dae lifted up his sleeve to show that the burn mark was gone.

“I owe you one…” Dae said. “Let’s see that’s how many people and ponies and people you've defeated by yourself now?”

“That makes four,” I said, “actually that makes three because I had help with catching Gorgar. I was just tired of people underestimating me. That really pisses me off.”

“No kidding,” said Dae, “remind me never to get on your bad side. I still can’t believe you took his eyes out and stepped on them!”

“Yeah…” I said.

“What’s the matter?” Dae said.

I balled my hands up into fists, “Lucifer…”

“Look,” said Dae, “what happened just happened you saved me and that’s what counts. I guess I have to say I was saved by a woman now.”

I sighed, “There's a couple of things that need to be taken care of now.”

“What?” Dae said.

“Well there’s this whole portal business with Gorgar, and I’m still going to have to face my mom.” I said.

“You think you can do it?” Dae said.

“Facing someone else’s parent is one thing,” I said, “but facing your own is another…”

* * *

The next couple nights I kept checking in with the Afterlife Guards to see if they found anything on the portal that Gorgar was trying to make.

“We haven’t found out anything yet,” said the Afterlife Guard, “we’ll start interviewing his accomplices next and see if they start singing. They’re bound to sing like a parrot when they start talking.”

“I wouldn’t be so quick to assume that.” I said.

“Well,” said the Afterlife Guard, “we’ll keep you informed.”

“Thanks…” I said.

* * *

Little did I know that Gorgar’s plan was being put into action. The Afterlife Guards finally found out what Gorgar was up too. Gorgar was actually collecting from Death Walkers, their abilities that they had. The exact number of abilities he needed to create the portal was nine. Apparently I was interrupting him when me and Mr. Harmony captured him. It turns out that Dark Meadow had been working with Gorgar even when he was alive.

So far Gorgar before he got to me he only had six of the abilities. When Gorgar took some of my magic, that made seven souls magic that he had collected. In finding this out, the Afterlife Guards tighten security around the Prison and they made sure on one was talking about escaping. But with Gorgar only needing two Death Walkers magic to create his portal, that was bound to come into play sooner or later. We just had to stop him before that happened. All I could do was wait for the time I could stop him.

As I was waiting for Gorgar to put his portal in place, I was pacing in my room back and forth. I kept doing this when I heard someone clear their throat.

“Just how long are you going to keep doing that?” Norman said. “It’s enough to make me nervous. What’s going on? And more importantly where’s Dae?”

“He had some things to take care of,” I said, “he'll be back later.”

“I see…” Norman said. “You want to talk about it?”

“I don’t think you can help,” I said, “this is Death Walker territory.”

Then out of nowhere Cozy Glow popped up.

“Hi Betty! Hi Norman!” Cozy Glow said.

“Who’s that?” Norman said.

“Oh,” I said, “this is Cozy Glow, as you can see she’s dead.”

“And how come I can see her?” Norman said.

“I don’t know,” I said, “I don’t have time to explain it right now. What’s up Cozy Glow?”

“Oh yeah,” said Cozy Glow, “I have a message from Princess Twilight, the two souls the Gorgar needed came into play. Princess Twilight wants you at the Caste immediately!”

“What?” I said. “Okay I’m going, I’ll explain this whole ghost thing to you later Norman! I gotta go!”

I ran out the door and Cozy Glow was right behind me.

“You gonna fly or run there?” Cozy Glow said.

“You’re forgetting I’m a pretty good flyer remember?” I said.

“Okay,” said Cozy Glow, “see you at the Castle!”

Cozy Glow then gave me a salute and disappeared.

* * *

When I got to the Castle I stopped to catch my breath, once I did that I entered the Throne Room and gave Princess Twilight a bow.

“You can look at me now,” said Princess Twilight, “I have some news for you. Gorgar has already put up his portal. You need to be Death Walking for this one, but there’s no need to fall asleep this time, come with me.”

I nodded, “Sure.”

Princess Twilight then opened a door underneath her Throne. My jaw dropped at the sight, there was a platform with mirrors surrounding it.

“I’ve done some research on Death Walking and there’s a formula to transport a Death Walker to the Land of the Dead while being wide awake.” Princess Twilight said. “Now, it’s not perfect but it’ll get you to where you need to go. Just step on the platform okay?”

I did as I was told and stepped on the platform and a bright light surrounded me and in the blink of an eye I was transported to the Land of the Dead.

* * *

When I got to the Middle Ground I was heading to the Prison, I stopped in my tracks and what I saw next made me stunned. What I saw was actually beyond the Prison walls.

“Do you see it?” I said I didn’t even have to look to know that Dae was behind me.

“Yup,” said Dae, “we’d better hurry!”

“You’re telling me!” I said.

I then took to the air with Dae running right behind me.

* * *

When I got towards the sight where the portal was, I could not believe my eyes. What Gorgar was standing in front of was a mirror that was floating above a platform. I could only assume that it was the portal. Gorgar looked like he was having the time of his life laughing hysterically.

“Gorgar…” I growled.

“Finally,” laughed Gorgar, “I have obtained all the nine powers of Death Walkers, darkness, light, glass, fire, earth, wind, water, iron fist and copper blade! And only a legendary Death Walker can stop me and only if the Death Walker achieves the Dark Arua. I don’t see any Death Walker that’s capable of that!”

“Hey old geezer!” I said. “Remember me?”

Gorgar stopped laughing and looked towards my direction.

“Well, well,” said Gorgar, “if it isn’t Betty Jewel! Nice to see you again! You caught me once, but I doubt you will catch me again!”

“Oh,” I said, “we’ll see about that!”

After I said that, I felt a strong wind that came from the portal ripped right through me.

“A little chilly out here isn’t it?” Gorgar said.

I laughed and then took out my staff. Gorgar then went back to laughing, however I turned my staff into a blade. I then threw it at Gorgar and landed in mer inches in front of him. I then remained standing where I was.

“Awe,” said Gorgar, “the little kitty cat thinks it’s all grown up! But wait, you’re not of age yet, isn’t there something that you need to take care of before taking care of me?”

“Oh yeah?” I said. “Nope, I think I need to take care of you first!”

“Still trying to be a warrior aren’t we?” Gorgar said.

“Ha,” I said, “I already took you down once, I can do it again!”

Gorgar started laughing again and it was enough to make my eye twitch.

“Ah Betty,” thought Dae, “I think we should take care of the portal first, then we can worry about Gorgar.”

“Fine.” I thought.

Gorgar then faked a yawn, “I’ll just be here waiting to see if you can stop me!”

I then threw my staff at the portal and the portal deflected the blow. It boomeranged around and came right back to me, it was then that I had made up my mind.

“Wait a second,” I thought, “that’s it!”

“What’s it?” Dae thought.

“Remember how I can take an opponent’s attacks and throw them right back at them?” I thought.

“You’re not going to do what I think you’re going to do are you?” Dae thought.

“Yup,” I thought, “I know what I need to do…”

Chapter Twenty

I ran as fast as I could towards the portal and braced myself for impact. As I got to the portal I spread out my wings and put my hand on the portal. I could still hear Gorgar laughing in the background andI tuned him out as much as possible.

“If I’m going to die,” I thought, “I’d rather die doing this.”

With my hand still on the portal I used my wings to push myself forward. I then tried to use my magic to absorb it, but I just kept going forward. I could still hear Gorgar laughing and Dae screaming, but as I kept pushing on the portal I soon heard nothing at all.

* * *

When I got to the other side, I couldn’t believe what I saw. It was like one of the gardens on Earth that I had heard many tales about. The place was so beautiful and it seemed like the place was well taken care of. I turned around to see that an old man was standing beside me.

The man cleared his throat, “It’s nice to finally meet you Death Walker. We’ve heard many praises about you all around Heaven, you’ve had songs written about you far and wide.”

“Songs?” I said. “About me? But why?”

The man smiled, “I think I should take you to our ruler Divine, she’ll explain everything.”

I followed the man in white robes to a gate beyond the edge of the garden. The man then pointed a finger at the gate and it turned into a key. The man then opened the gate and led me inside. Sitting on the Throne was the Divine, it wasn’t a man ruling Heaven like most people would think, it was a woman, the woman then smiled at me.

“Is this the Death Walker that I’ve heard so much about Herald?” Divine said.

“Yes your Highness…” Herald said.

I bowed to Divine acknowledging her as a ruler.

“You can look at me child.” Divine said.

I stood up and looked at her.

“It’s okay Betty,” said Divine, “you are welcome here…”

I then gritted my teeth and balled my hands into fists.

“Why am I here?” I said.

“Betty!” Herald said. “That’s not the way to talk to a ruler!”

“It’s okay Herald,” said Divine, “I’ve brought you here for a reason. It’s to help you deal with what you’ve been feeling.”

“But how?” I said. “Just how can you do that? Tell me!”

Divine sighed, “You know very little about yourself do you?”

I then went to my knees with tears in my eyes. Herald was about to pick me up when Divine put her hand to stop him.

Divine similed, “You still mourn over the deaths of your teammates right?”

I nodded and tried to stop myself from crying.

Divine then continued, “Well, all 23 of them are here.”

Divine then swept her hand as if doing an honor salute. I looked around to see all 23 of my teammates standing there smiling.

“These,” said Divine, “are the ones singing your praises. The songs that have been written about you, come from these people.”

“Hi Betty,” said one of my teammates, “we’re always watching you, always!”

“Who killed you?” I said. “Tell me, who was it?”

Then there was one name that kept circulating around them, it was Gorgar.

“Now,” said Divine, “Gorgar linking Heaven and Hell together will not only destroy the Afterlife, but it will destroy the universe as we know it. Now, go destroy Gorgar before he destroys everything.”

Divine then pointed towards the portal and I nodded and went back to the other side.

* * *

When I got back to the other side, I saw Gorgar smiling at me.

“So,” said Gorgar, “did you see the other side?”

I spit on the ground as if sealing his fate.

“Don’t think it’s not lady-like to spit?” Gorgar said.

“Oh yeah?” I said. “And I care about what you think because?”

“Oh nevermind,” said Gorgar, “anyway, the portal is almost complete!”

“Oh really?” I said. “You know what? I have a feeling that you’re the one who killed my teammates!”

“Oh,” said Gorgar, “and how did you figure that out?”

“They told me themselves!” I growled.

I then pulled out my staff and turned it into a blade.

“You really think you can beat me?” Gorgar said.

“Like I said before,” I said, “I’ve taken you down once, I can do it again!”

“I’m standing by just in case you need me.” Dae thought.

“Actually,” I thought, “I think I might need your help on this one.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” Dae thought.

Dae then ready his sword and stood by my side.

“Oh,” said Gorgar with a raised eyebrow, “tag teaming now aren’t we? Let’s see, it’s two against one? I think we can even the odds! Golden Ace!”

Out of nowhere came a male Alicorn and he stood beside Gorgar.

“I’m right here Master!” Golden Ace said.

“Take care of these two for me, will ya?” Gorgar said.

“Yes sir!” Golden Ace.

“Well whose tag teaming who now?” I said. “That’s not really tag teaming if you ask me.”

“Well in case you didn’t hear right,” said Golden Ace, “my name’s Golden Ace and I work for Gorgar. This portal will be complete and I’m going to make sure you don’t get in Gorgar’s way!”

I rolled my eyes, “Yeah, and I’m supposed to be scared of you? Oh give me a break.”

“Well Golden Ace,” said Gorgar, “have at it, will you?”

Golden Ace then nodded, he then flew up into the air in a spiral like fashion. Before, we could do any attacks against him, a lighting bolt shot out of the sky. Dae and I dodged it, but just in the niche of time. We had to keep dodging the lighting bolts kept coming at a fast speed.

“Damn it,” I thought, “I can’t catch him.”

After a while of dodging the lighting bolts, I heard a voice in the distance call me name. Spike was standing off to the side with a huge smile on his face.

“Reinforcements are here!” Spike said.

Now, I was able to catch the lighting bolts and started throwing them right back at Golden Ace as much as possible. Of course Golden Ace had no problem dodging me. I looked behind me and saw Fluttershy, Discord, Princess Twilight and Celestia right behind Spike.

“Uh…” I said

“Come now Betty,” said Discord, “did you really think you could do this all by yourself?”

“I’m not by myself in case you haven’t noticed!” I said.

I took another lighting bolt from Golden Ace and threw it back at him.

“Yes, yes, “ said Discord, “I can see Dae but we’re here anyway! Alrighty then, half of you take whatever that is, and the other half take Gorgar!”

“Right!” Everyone said.

The battle then inestinfied as Fluttershy and Discord backed me and Dae up, while Princess Twilight, Celestia and Spike took one Gorgar. This only aggravated Gorgar and he roared at them in anger.

It was Discord that dealt Golden Ace a severe blow, he snapped his claw and it ripped one of Golden Ace’s wings off. Golden Ace then crashed to the ground, he was clearly in pain but didn’t scream.

“Tough guy huh?” I said.

“I don’t care what I am to you!” Golden Ace said.

It was clear to me the Golden Ace couldn’t fly with just one wing but he tried to attack me anyway. I caught his magic and threw it right back at him. This sent Golden Ace flying into a wall and fell to the ground. When he got up, he spit blood out of his mouth.

“Hum,” I said, “I didn’t know dead creatures could bleed.”

“I’m not dead you idiot,” said Golden Ace, “I was born here!”

I shrugged, “Like I care!”

Before Golden Ace could attack me again much to the horror of Dae and I, Fluttershy picked Golden ace up in the air and dropped him from fifty feet.

“And stay down!” Fluttershy yelled.

“Remind me never to get on her bad side,” I said, “if I haven’t already!”

“Oh no,” said Fluttershy, “I could never be mad at you. I was so worried about you when you ran away, I’m just glad you came back home!”

“Okay…” I said.

Discord then snapped his claw again and a huge boulder dropped on Golden Ace.

Discord laughed, “I’d like to see you get up from that one!”

I blinked, “Alrighty then, let’s go take care of Gorgar then!”

Gorgar saw us coming and shot a couple more attacks at us. Princess Twilight then up a barrier to shield us from the attacks. I then thought of an idea that I thought I should give a try.

“You’re joking right?” Dae thought.

“Nope!” I thought.

We then nodded at each other and exchanged a look.

“Princess,” I said, “can let down the barrier, just for Dae and I?”

“Are you two crazy?” Princess Twilight said.

“Nope,” I said, “I have an idea and it’ll only work with the two of us.”

Princess Twilight nodded, “Well alright then!”

“Dae,” I thought, “you take the right and I’ll take the left?”

Dae then nodded at me and we both jumped out of the barrier.

“Hey Gorgar!” I said.

Gorgar said, “I thought I told Golden Ace to take care of you!”

“Well you thought wrong!” I said. “And you won’t be able to attack without those eyes of yours! Now take this!”

I turned my staff into a blade, and aimed it at Gorgar’s left eye. It hit the mark.

“Bullseye!” I said.

Dae then threw his sword at the right eye and it hit its mark.

“Wow,” said Spike, “look at those two go!”

“I know,” said Princess Twilight, “it’s almost like they can hear each other’s thoughts or something.”

Princess Twilight had no idea of how right she was.

“Let’s end this!” I thought.

Dae nodded at me and we knew exactly what to do. I made my blade as sharp as I could, then Dae and I both threw our weapons at Gorgar and it pinned him down. Gorgar was screaming in pain and trying to get out from underneath my blade and Dae’s sword. This time it was Princess Twilight that had the crystal prism and it sucked Gorgar right into it. After Gorgar got sucked into the crystal prism the portal shattered into pieces.

“Well,” I said, “that’s over with…”

* * *

“It’s time for you to head back now.” Princess Twilight said.

I heard someone clear their throat, Princess Twilight and I both turned around.

“Oh,” said Princess Twilight, “Head Councilman, you need something?”

“I need to show Betty something before she goes.” The Head Councilman said.

The Head Councilman then nodded for me to follow him, I sighed and followed him. We walked through the doors that led to the Afterlife Court and past that. We ended our walk when we got to a room that held a huge computer in it and my jaw dropped.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I said.

“No joke,” said Head Councilman, “I have a question for you.”

“What is it?” I said.

“Do you know how we keep everything sorted here?” Head Councilman said.

“Let me guess,” I said, “the computer?”

“Oh,” said Head Councilman, “you’ve ran into it before? How did that happen?”

I looked down, “I tried to kill myself…”

“I see…” The Head Councilman said.

“When I saw the computer,” I said, “it was said I was too early to die. Celestia also did voice commands or something with it.”

“Oh yeah,” the Head Councilman said, “that, Celestia got a little bit nuts with the voice commands so we took them off. And about you being too early to die the computer was, right you’re expiration date wasn’t due yet.”

“So,” I said, “when was it supposed to be?”

“Let’s see, Betty Jewel,” The Head Councilman said, “ah, here we are.”

The computer showed my picture and it said an expiration date that was supposed to be two hundred years later.

The Head Councilman continued, “We try to predict the future as much as possible, but that doesn’t mean we know everything. Anyway, what I wanted to show you was this.”

The Head Councilman then pressed a couple of buttons and it showed the pictures of all 23 of my teammates that died. It also showed that they went to Heaven like I saw when I went through the portal.

“I understand,” the Head Councilman said, “that you’re still carrying around the guilt of your teammates dying?”

“I was,” I said, “but I saw them already and got payback for their deaths. They told me Gorgar killed them, so I took care of him.”

“Oh yeah,” the Head Councilman said, “and you heard that two of your teammates went to Hell?”

“Yeah,” I said, “who were they?”

The Head Councilman then pressed some buttons again and showed who the two teammates were. When I saw this, my eyes went wide in shock.

“Lacy? And Carter?” I said. “But they seemed like pretty nice people. Why were they sent to Hell?”

“It says right here,” the Head Councilman said, “that they used the ambush as an opportunity to kill some of their teammates.”

“Oh…” I said.

For some reason, I remembered the medal that Celestia and Princess Twilight had given me. I still felt that I didn’t deserve it.

“I understand,” the Head Councilman said, “that you’ve recently received a medal from Celestia and Princess Twilight?”

“Yes,” I said, “I still don’t think I deserve it.”

The Head Councilman laughed, “I think you do, you should be proud of the achievements that you have done. That's what your dead teammates would want for you. Don’t you think? I also understand that you don’t like parties?”

“It’s not that I don’t like them,” I said, “it’s Pinkie Pie tends to go overboard with the idea, and she tries to make up an excuse to throw one for me every time I see her.”

I guess the Head Councilman got a real kick out of that he was doubled over in laughter.

“Oh that’s Pinkie Pie for yeah,” the Head Councilman said, “she was like that towards me when I was alive. Now, I’m going to make a request of you, can you please promise me something?”

“Sure,” I said, “what is it?”

“Will lighten up a little bit?” The Head Councilman. “You’re young only once you know?”

I smiled, “That might be a hard promise to keep…”

“That may be true,” the Head Councilman said, “but I think you can do it.”

I sighed, “Fine, I’ll try, I think it’s time for me to go now.

The Head Councilman nodded and then I went home.

Chapter Twenty- Two

At this point I didn’t care if it was raining, I didn’t care that there was blood dripping down my hand from where I had punched my mom and sent her to her death. I heard hoof steps running up to me and Dae put out a hand to stop them.

“Dude,” said Rainbow Dash, “what happened? Twilight cut off the transmission before we could see the end of the fight, that was so not cool!”

“Seriously?” Dae snapped. “What do you think happened?”

Dae then pointed to where my mom’s body was.

“Let me ask you this Princess,” said Dae, “ruler to ruler, will she be charged with a crime?”

“Oh no,” said Princess Twilight, “Betty’s mom was a cold blooded killer, she actually killed some people before she got to Betty. She left a special calling card at the murder scene too.”

“How many did she kill?” I said.

“What now?” Princess Twilight said.

“You heard me!” I said. “I believe I said that clear as day! How many!”

Princess Twilight hung her head and sighed. “Since you need to know 20 that we can confirm.”

“Oh…” I said.

“We suspect that she was killing people waiting for a chance to get to Betty,” said Princess Twilight, “we don’t know exactly what she was waiting for. We just know that she killed all those people, as if they were easy prey for her to pick off one by one.”

I had never seen Dae upset before but he was starting to look pissed. Then Pinkie Pie did something that really pushed him over the edge. Somehow Pinkie Pie had taken a drum set out of her mane.

“Well,” said Pinkie Pie, “I guess Betty’s mom was just killing time!”

She then did two short notes on the drum and one bang on the symbol.

“Are you kidding me!” Dae roared. “That fight was not supposed to be broadcasted! In case you didn’t notice that fight was a fight to death! Don’t know all of you would’ve been held accountable if Betty died?”

“Ops,” said Pinkie Pie, “my bad!”

“Your bad,” Dae roared. “Your bad? This isn’t a joke! Mr. Harmony and I were on standby in case Betty needed help! And you, Princess, what kind of ruler are you? You’re not a ruler at all! You’re just some strange Alicorn with a crown on your head! I would think a ruler with more common sense would not have broadcasted it! I think someone needs to knock you up against a wall! I think I’ll just go ahead and do that!”

Princess Twilight started to charge at Dae when he put one finger and trapped her in his magic. He then put his finger into a fist and swung his fist as hard as he could. This knocked Princess Twilight up against one of the pillars of the Castle. Everyone went to the Princesses aid when Dae put out a hand to stop them.

“Not another step!” Dae roared. “Or you’ll be next!”

“Okay,” said Rainbow Dash with a nervous laugh, “backing up now, every pony back up if you want to live!”

I just came to realize that the Castle was shaking so hard at the rath that Dae was putting out.

Mr. Harmony said with a nervous laugh, “Uh, Dae you might want to calm down before the Castle comes down on us.”

“Shut it!” Dae roared. “Or I’ll kill you where you stand!”

Honestly truth be told I wanted to smile and laugh at the site, but I chose not too, at least someone was standing up for me for a change. I was in awe of the fact that Dae went and knocked Princess Twilight up against a pillar knocking her out instantly.

“How dare you do that to the Princess!” Rainbow Dash said. “You apologize for that right now!”

“No he won’t!” Fluttershy said.

“What?” Rainbow Dash said. “Why not Fluttershy?”

“Because he’s a ruler too!” Fluttershy said. “He’s right about everything he said.”

“And he’s the ruler of what now?” Rainbow Dash said.

“He’s the King of Hell.” Fluttershy said in a matter of fact way.

“What?” Rainbow Dash said. “But I thought it was Lucifer the last time I checked.”

“Nope,” said Fluttershy, “Lucifer stepped down 20 years ago and named Dae as his successor.”

“Trust me,” said Dae, “if Betty died here, I would’ve made sure Princess Twilight stepped down from the Throne!”

“And who would’ve been her successor?” Rainbow Dash said.

“Anyone but her,” said Dae, “heck I would’ve named Derpy if I could. She’d probably do a better job anyway!”

Everyone except Dae and I gasped at that comment, I seriously wanted to crack a smile then. But again, I chose not to, I remained right where I was. The Castle however was still shaking from the rage that Dae was putting out.That was when I finally got up and put a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay Dae,” I said “You can stop now, you’ve made your point.”

This made Dae settle down a little bit but I could tell he was still pissed off and I don’t blame him. Dae took a deep breath trying to get himself to calm down more, but I don’t think it was helping.

“Come on Betty,” Dae said, “let’s go home, you’ll catch a cold out here in this rain.”

“I’m worried about you to Betty,” said Fluttershy, “we need to go home so you can rest, I’m so very worried about you.”

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash said. “What about the Princess?”

“What about her?” Fluttershy said. “If you ask me she’s no friend of mine if she’s going to behave this way and act like it’s okay, because it’s not!”

“Are you serious right now?” Rainbow Dash. “Twilight is our friend! And you’re the Element of Kindness! The Elements of Harmony won’t work without you!”

“I don’t care!” Fluttershy said. “You‘ll just have to find some pony else for that Element! Equestria can crash and burn for all I care!”

“But-“ Rainbow Dash said.

“Shut up,” said Fluttershy, “or I’ll give you the stare!”

“Okay, okay, fine,” said Rainbow Dash, “is it safe to go help the Princess now?”

Dae waved his hand, “Sure, you can go help that pathetic excuse for a ruler!”

At that without another word everyone that felt loyalty to the Princess rushed to her aid.

* * *

I don’t remember much of what happened next. I went back to being dumbfounded about what just happened between me and my mom. All I remembered, was that somehow I was in my bed in a fetal position with the last words that my mom had said echoing in my mind. It made me ever more angry that my mom had waited until her last breath to say what she said to me. It made me angrier still that it seemed like my mom had died on her own terms. I was trying so hard not to accept that. But the more I thought about it, the more I couldn’t push adside what happened. Then there was also the constant knocking on my bedroom door; it was the ponies that had rushed to Princess Twilight's aid when she was knocked out. I was pretty pissed off about that, because nobody rushed to my aid when I got knocked out by the Princess.

“Sugarcube!” I could hear AppleJack say. “Are you gonna come out anytime soon! We’re really worried about you!”

“We can throw a party for you!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Shut. Up!” I yelled at them.

“Well,” said Pinkie Pie, “at least she doesn’t have any cats…”

“Pinkie Pie!” Rarity said. “This is no time for jokes! This is the. Wrost. Possible.Thing!”

“If you don’t shut up,” I said, “I’m going to find the biggest brick I can find and stone you with it!”

Everyone gasped at that and Dae had a really concerned look on his face.

“Gee,” thought Dae, “angry much?”

“You should talk!” I thought.

The ponies that were outside continued to knock on my door.

“Remember the time we all played the part Mare Do well to teach Rainbow a lesson?” Pinkie Pie said.

“What does that have to do with this?” Rainbow Dash growled.

“I think you need to be taught a lesson again,” said Pinkie Pie, “you weren’t very nice to Betty at all!”

“And you were?” Rainbow Dash said. “You’re the one who made that joke about killing time! Who wasn’t nice to who again!”

“Well,” said Pinkie Pie, “let’s just say the Mare Do Well story had a happy ending, this not so much.”

“Pinkie Pie!” Rarity said. “Honestly, this is no time for jokes, you should be ashamed of yourself! You make jokes at the worst possible time! I think some pony needs to put your brain back in your head, because you don’t seem to have one!”

“I said shut up!” I roared.

At this point Dae sighed and opened up the door, I could tell just by that he was trying so hard not to be upset again.

“Listen guys,” said Dae, “she just wants to be left alone. Don’t you understand that? You’ve been knocking at her door for days now, just her alone and just give her some space, okay?”

I could hear Fluttershy’s voice next, “Would you please leave her alone? Dae’s right you guys have been coming around just about everyday now! That’s nice that you’re trying to make up for what you guys did two weeks ago, but how would you feel if you just lost a parent? You know what that’s like, don't you AppleJack?”

“Yes,” said AppleJack, “Applebloom, Big Mac and I grew up without parents, so I know how that feels. We’re just concerned about her, that’s all.”

“Fluttershy and Applejack shut up will you!” I shouted. “Do you guys not know English of something?”

Everyone then gasped at that probably because they couldn’t believe that I would be mean to Fluttershy who was standing up for me.

“Okay now,” said Dae, “just clear out and leave her alone seriously! She’s not even talking to me right now. And I don’t blame her, since her mom died by her own hand! And what did you guys do? You rushed to that pathetic excuse for a ruler's side! You have no right to be concerned about her, since you didn’t even care! Fluttershy’s right Equestria can crash and burn! I’m begging you guys, seriously just leave her alone!”

“Fine, fine…” AppleJack said. “He is right, you know. Come on guys, leave her alone, it’s okay… Go on, get!”

I could hear Pinkie Pie start to cry as the footsteps we’re leaving my bedroom door. I could also hear Dae give a big sigh of relief. At this time I think he was probably getting a headache from everything, if Demons can get that. I was starting to get a headache myself and it was starting to turn into a migraine.

“And that means you too!” Fluttershy said.

“What?” Discord said. “I wasn’t going to do anything, honest!”

“Just come with me Discord…” Fluttershy said.

* * *

The following week my mom’s body had been collected and prepared for burial.

“The funeral is tomorrow.” Dae said.

“I’m not going,” I said, “besides, I’m the one that killed her.”

“She’s probably going to get the worst possible punishment they can give her in the Afterlife, that should make you feel a little better.” Dae said.

“Not really,” I said, “considering she actually died on her own terms. That wasn’t fair at all. I wonder if everything I said to her was even necessary. I don’t even think it got through to her.”

“Maybe,” said Dae, “maybe not that depends on what you said. What was the las word she uttered again when she died?”

I sighed, “It was my name…”

“And what did you say in response to that?” Dae said.

“Don’t ever say my name again.” I said.

“Well,” said Dae, “I was told that when a human hears the last words that were said to them, it sticks with them for all eternity.”

I rolled over and looked out at the window not wanting to think about anything else.

“Think of it this way,” said Dae, “if your mom had been turned to stone would that’ve set well with you?”

“Actually no,” I said, “I think turning her into stone would’ve been too kind. In my eyes she needed to die.”

“So,” said Dae, “what are you going to do now? Are you going to cry for her? Grieve for her? What exactly are you to do next?”

I sighed, “Honestly, I don’t know…”

* * *

It was almost a month later that I felt that I could come out of my room and face the world. I went out of my room and sat on the couch, staring at nothing. Not long after I had sat down, Discord popped up.

“Hi Discord…” I said refusing to look at him.

“How are you doing Betty?” Discord said.

“About as okay as I could be.” I said.

“Oh I see…” Discord said. “You know I didn’t see you at your mother's funeral.”

“How could I?” I said. “I’m the one that killed her.”

“Yeah,” said Discord, “that’s understandable, just so you know, she did smile for you in the end.”

“And I care about some psycho’s smile because?” I said.

“Well,” said Discord, “she was your mother after all. I think she was trying to send you a message. Let me tell you a story.”

“Grown ups and their stupid story’s!” I said. “I think I’ve had enough stories to last a lifetime!”

“Children and their stupid childish ways!” Discord.

“I think I’m more of a grownup than you are!” I said.

“Ouch,” said Discord, “settle down now, this story won’t take too long, okay?”

“Fine…” I said.

Discord cleared his throat, “Eons ago, let’s say about a thousand years ago, give or take the first pony and human war began. There were a lot of losses on both sides, human and pony. Although the History made it out to be a lot more horrible than it actually was, I know, I was there. Anyway, after that war, I guess the Humans decided to come back and try to finish the job. There was a third pony and human war that the history books don’t talk about and I have no idea why. It wasn’t until the humans decided to make peace with ponies that the Human Treaty Act was signed by both sides. True we lost two great Princesses in those wars but peace finally happened in Equestria. Why do you think there’s different areas where Humans are allowed to live? Anyway, something happened that no one expected to happen. Humans actually started minging with ponies, so in essence, there were no longer purebred humans. Thanks to technology children of parents that were human and pony were born. Unfortunately, not everyone was fond of that happening but as of now, there is no way to prevent that. So that’s how children like you came to be. So that’s all I have to say.”

After Discord had finished his story I heard some pony clear her throat.

“Discord,” said Fluttershy, “a lecture at this time, really?”

“What?” Discord said. “I was just trying to explain history to her, that’s all.”

“Not at this time!” Fluttershy growled. “She doesn’t need that right now! She needs to be protected from people and other entities that try to harm her! That’s why we adopted her two years ago! Honestly Discord! You tend to work a nerve sometimes!”

Fluttershy took a deep breath and calmed down.

“Sorry about that Betty,” said Fluttershy, “I’ll handle him, he is my Husband after all.”

“It’s okay Fluttershy…”. I said.

“Not really…” Fluttershy said. “Discord upstairs right now! I have a feeling this argument is going to take forever.”

I then to contain my laughter as Fluttershy led Discord up the stairs, with Discord handing his head.

* * *

I sat in disbelief at what Discord had just done when Norman came and sat down beside me.

“How are you holding up?” Norman asked.

“I was fine,” I said, “until Discord decided to give me a history lesson.”

Norman laughed, “He seriously did that?”

“Yup!” I said. “Fluttershy’s taking care of him as we speak.”

“Nice…” Norman said.

* * *

Later that night, I could still hear intense arguing coming from upstairs and I just couldn’t contain my laughter.

“Boy,” said Dae, “he’s really getting what’s coming to him. Exactly what happened?”

“You can hear my thoughts right?” I said.

“Yeah so?” Dae said.

I then proceed to relay everything that happened in my mind. Dae couldn’t help but laugh also.

“Yeah,” I thought, “Discord also told me that she had a smile on her face in the face in the end. Honestly, I don’t remember it that way but okay then.”

“Well,” thought Dae, “she did seem sincere about it.”

“Typical,” I thought, “she did die on her own terms after all.”

I stood up and made up my mind about what to do next.

“I think I need to confirm something.” I said.

“What?” Dae said.

I headed out the door and ran towards the Everfree Forest.

* * *

I kept running as fast as I could to the Castle of the Two Sisters, with a smile on my face. I didn’t stop until I got towards the bridge that was leading the Castle. I then paused to catch my breath.

“Could you give a guy a little bit of a warning before you do that?” Dae said he was clearly out of breath more than I was.

“Yeah know,” I said, “I could beat you in a race with two hands tied behind my back. You really need to workout more.”

I stared at the bridge wondering if I should cross. It was because I knew what awaited me on the other side. I started to cross and that’s when Dae put a hand on my shoulder.

“You don’t have to do this you know,” said Dae, “it’s too soon for this don’t yeah think?”

I just nodded at him, “Yes, I think I do need to do this. There’s really something I really need to confirm.”

I started to walk across the bridge and saw where the recent battle with my mother took place. Looking around I saw that the Castle was left in worse shape than it was left in. I walked up the steps and saw the pool of my mother's blood and where it was running down the steps right where her body landed. That’s when I saw it out of the corner of my eye. I picked it up and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“I guess this is my mom’s calling card.” I said.

On the card was Princess Twilight's cutie mark. On the card was written, “Mom kills Betty” on it and on the bottom left corner was a bloody fingerprint.

“I don’t believe it,” said Dae, “I guess she was trying to kill you. Although I wonder, she did say she was happy to die by your hand. I guess she could’ve been a great actress if she wanted to be. I wonder what made her come with that for a calling card? I’m surprised she didn’t have Flutteshy’s cutie mark on it instead?”

“Beats me,” I said, “I have no idea what that snake was thinking in the end.”

“I guess that’s what you can call her now,” said Dae, “she did act like a snake after all. This should be a fight that goes down in history. I tend to favor history books, that’s my favorite subject.”

“I guess,” I said, “you like books a lot too?”

“Yeah,” said Dae, “they do have libraries in Hell believe it or not. Sometimes I go there to escape the hectic life of being a King. And to hide from certain people and ponies. I know, silly right?”

“Not really,” I said, “if a Princess has a love of books, so can a King. I’m just surprised you didn’t go for the Princess and not me.”

Dave gave a nervous laugh, “Princess Twilights not my type.”

“Remember when I said I needed to confirm some things?” I said.

“Yeah,” said Dae, “I couldn’t really hear your thoughts well on that one.”

“Well,” I said, “I now know what I needed to know. And you know what?”

“What?” Dae said.

“I know, I’ll never grieve for her,” I said, “I’ll never shed a tear for her and I’ll never call her my mother again! I told her not to say my name anymore and I meant it. I will take that to my grave, happily.”

I wanted to laugh at that comment and this time I got the last laugh.

* * *

The next day I was in the kitchen talking to Fluttershy about nothing in particular, I heard thundering footsteps come running up to the cottage. There was no mistaking it, that was Spike. Fluttershy then opened the door before he could even knock. I couldn’t help but laugh because it was one of the few times that I’d seen Spike out of breath.

“Hasn’t anybody heard of the word exercise!” I said. I was trying so hard not to laugh. I couldn’t help it, I laughed so hard, it brought tears to my eyes.

“I have… A message… For you…” Spike said in between each breath.

“What is it?” I said.

“Princess Twilight wants you to come to Castle asap!” Spike said.

I rolled my eyes, “I hope this isn’t about more time off, or another excuse to knock me up against the wall again.”

“I don’t know,” said Spike, “but she seemed pretty excited about it! You need to get going!”

“Oh for the love of-“ I said

I then took a deep breath, as if Princess Twilight hadn’t gotten on my bad side enough already.

“Okay fine,” I said, “I’m going…”

Before Spike could say another word, I was up in the air and flying towards the Castle..

“She’s growing up so fast,” laughed Fluttershy, “isn’t she Spike?”

“A little too fast if you ask me,” said Spike, “I gotta go back to the Castle, see you there!”

* * *

When I got to the Castle I started to walk up to the Throne room. I hesitated at first, not sure if I wanted to enter.

“Oh boy,” I said, “this isn’t going to be what I think it is?”

When I finally entered the Throne room, a chorus of the word “Surprise!” Took me by surprise, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Still dumbfounded by what I saw, Pinkie Pie took the opportunity to shower me with balloons and confetti.

“This is the biggest party I’ve ever thrown you!” Pinkie Pie said. “I’m so proud!”

It was as if on cue, at least five party cannons went off all at once.

“Pinkie Pie honestly!” I said. “You can’t be serious right now!”

At that comment everyone was doubled over laughing. I was about to wring Pinkie Pies neck when Princess Twilight cleared her throat.

“We have quite a few things to celebrate,” said Princess Twilight, “so first things first!”

I watched in horror as Princess Twilight pulled out a huge chalkboard and a piece of chalk as she was about to lecture like she was lecturing a class at The School of Friendship. She then proceeded to write on the chalkboard the title and it said, “Reasons to celebrate Betty!”

“First of all,” said Princess Twilight, putting a bulletin on the first point, “you took down the biggest serial killer in Equestria! That just so happened to be your mom, (sorry about that.) The second one is, it’s your birthday today! You turn 22 right on the dot. The third one is I want to give you two things that are my birthday presents to you. That’s because you deserve them!”

Princess Twilight then handed to small boxes one of them a pin on it and looked much like the medal that I got from her and Celestia a year earlier. I stared at it dumbfounded at what I was seeing.

“Go ahead,” said Princess Twilight, “put it on! You deserve it!”

I then put the pin on and then looked at the other box. In it was a blank coin that looked just like the bits that we use to pay for things.

“Awe,” said Pinkie Pie, “she’s so excited she can’t even speak!”

“Huh?” I said, not sure of what to do next.

I looked at Princess Twilight and her wings were fluttering in excitement. I put the coin in my hand and what happened next was there was a light that surrounded me. I tried to drop the coin but. My fist would not open, the light from the coin got brighter. I then felt like I was being lifted off the ground.

Chapter Twenty-Three

When I opened my eyes, I found myself on the floor. Not only that but everyone was staring at me with excitement on their faces.

“Ta-da!” Princess Twilight said. “It’s your very own cutie mark! Congratulations!”

“What?” I said. I then looked down at my hand and there was no mistaking it, there was a picture of my staff on it.

“I did some research,” said Princess Twilight, “I found out that half human and half pony children don’t get cutie marks. So I talked to the Afterlife Court and they agreed that you deserve your own cutie mark! Ta-da! And you deserve it, because you’re the most decorated warrior in Equestria! You came out of your room just in time!”

“Yeah it’s a good thing too,” said Rainbow Dash, “or me and Dae would’ve had to drag you here! That would be after you were hog-tied!”

At that comment everyone laughed, some people more than others.

“Oh,” said Princess Twilight, “and one more thing before we get this party started. It’s been decided, and here it is! It’s a certificate that makes you an honorary adult! I’m so proud!”

“But,” I said, “I don’t become an adult for eight more years.”

“I know,” said Princess Twilight, “but you’ve grown up so fast and might as well be an adult! So, I couldn’t help myself!”

“Okay,” said Pinkie Pie, “not that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get this party started, hurray!”

* * *

Later that night when I got home Fluttershy told me to come into the kitchen and I had no idea what horror was waiting for me there. Apparently Fluttershy was planning on doing this for a long time and just never got around to it.

“Okay,” said Fluttershy, “I think it’s time we had the talk.”

My eyes went wide in horror, “I thought it was a little too late for that.”

“Nope,” said Fluttershy, “It’s not too late.”

“Nope!” I said.

“Discord!” Fluttershy said.

Before I could run, Discord popped up and trapped me in his magic and forced me to sit down. Fluttershy then proceeded to tie me to a chair and gag me for good measure. I looked at the kitchen table to see that she was definitely prepared for it.

“Why me?” I thought.

Fluttershy cleared her throat, “Okay, let me see if I can explain this simply. You know people call this talk the birds and the bees talk, but I think it’s more like the bee and the flower talk.”

At this time, I seriously wanted to scream but I was gagged so that wasn’t going to happen any time soon. I just stared at Fluttershy in horror.

Fluttershy sighed, “Let’s see, you know how a bee goes into a flower to drop off pollen? Nod for yes and shake your head for no.”

I nodded and at this point I was frozen in fear. Fluttershy then proceeded to take a paper flower and what looked like a paper that she had managed to make. How on earth she managed to do that, I have no idea. Anyway, Fluttershy took the paper flower and proceeded to put the bee on top of it.

Fluttershy said, “See that’s what happens when sex happens, just think of you as the flower and Dae is the bee. I have a question for you, how many times have you two done it? Oh that’s right, you can’t answer right now.”

Fluttershy then put a hoof on my forehead and nodded.

“Let’s see,” said Fluttershy, “I’m getting five by my count, am I correct?”

I so wanted to shake my head no, but I figured Fluttershy would be able to tell if it was a lie. I just nodded my head as slow as possible.

“Oh boy,” said Fluttershy, “there’s a couple more things that I want to discuss with you.”

“Well,” I thought, “it couldn’t get any worse…”

I realized that even thinking that statement things could get really worse anyway.

“Oh yeah,” said Fluttershy, “I should tell you what an organism is. I have a note prepared for you here.”

Fluttershy then picked up the note that was on the table, I stared at it in horror.

“Do you understand it?” Fluttershy said.

I nodded again and Fluttershy smiled.

“Oh,” said Fluttershy, “one more thing, it’s about your wings coming out involuntarily. I think I’ll just whisper it to you.”

Fluttershy came over and whispered what it was in my ear and yeah I seriously wanted to scream. Fluttershy then nodded as if she had completed her sense of responsibility.

“Okay,” said Fluttershy, “that’s the end of the talk, you can go, oh yeah let me untie you.”

Fluttershy then untied me and I ran upstairs as fast as I could and locked the door.

* * *

The next day Scarlett came over and took out into our training area. Once there Scarlett sat me down and the edge of the creek and smiled.

“Yeah know what,” said Scarlett, “I don’t think I have anything else to teach, it seems the student has surpassed the master here. And after that fight with your mother I think you don’t need to be trained anymore. So let’s just go back to being best friends okay? You don’t really need someone to protect you anymore. Although you seem to have found a protector anyway.”

Scarlett then nodded her head in Dae’s direction.

“Your protector is waiting for you,” said Scarlett, “that’s cute if you ask me, and he’s handsome too! You sure know how to pick ‘em huh?”

“Yeah sure…” I said.

* * *

“Come on,” said Dae, “let’s go for a walk around town shall we?”

“Okay,” I said, “what’s this about?”

“It’s because,” said Dae, “we haven’t been on a real date in awhile. It’s because of everything that’s been going on lately. I think we’ve earned a chance to enjoy ourselves don’t you think?”

Dae then grabbed my hand and we started our little walk. Little did we know that Scarlett and Mr. Harmony were closely following us.

“Awe look at those two,” said Scarlett, “they’re so cute together!”

“Yup,” said Mr. Harmony, “those two sure do go well together. It’s almost like they can read each other’s thoughts or something. That is so adorable, I remember the first time I met your mother.”

“Yuck dad,” said Scarlett, “gag me! Shh or they’re going to hear us!”

“Sorry..” Mr. Harmony said.

“I’m pretending not to notice those two.” Dae thought.

“You mean,” I thought, “the two stalkers that are following us?”

“They’re worse than the press following you around everywhere,” thought Dae, “that’s what happened when I first became king. Those two are really starting to bug me.”

“What should we do about it?” I thought.

“I would say try to ditch them,” thought Dae, “but at least where we’re going you have to have a reservation.”

When we got to the restaurant there was a hostess standing waiting for customers.

“Last name?” The hostess said.

Dae then whispered the last name and the hostess got the biggest smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.

“Yes, yes,” said the hostess, “right back here.”

When we got to the room, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The room was very private, with a table set for two. Dae pulled out my chair and acted like the perfect gentleman. The funny thing was that I felt a little bit nervous, I thought it was even more funny that I didn’t even feel this way with Silver Whiskers. I guess I really fell hard for Dae.

“So,” I said, “I know we haven’t been on a date for a while, but there’s something else isn’t there?”

“Okay,” said Dae, “you got me, it’s our anniversary. Actually it was yesterday but I thought it best to celebrate it today. What do you think?”

I couldn’t say anything else. I was just stunned by what was happening.

“And,” said Dae, “I got you something.”

“But,” I said, “I didn’t get you anything…”

“Actually, you did…” Dae said.

Dae then pointed at his forehead that had the mark of a key on it.

“You put Lucifer in a cage,” said Dae, “was the best gift you’ve gotten me, so don’t worry about it, okay?”

“Okay…” I said.

Dae then smiled and passed me a thin box. I opened it and gasped at what I saw. In the box was the most beautiful piece of jewelry I had seen. It was a gold chain that had a sapphire pendant on it. Dae got up and put the necklace around my neck.

“It looks good on you.” Dae said.

We smiled at each other and it seemed like time stopped when we shared a kiss.

* * *

Not long after the kiss, we were unaware that Mr. Harmony and Scarlett had slipped past the hostess stand and somehow found our room. While still sharing a kiss Dae and I were interrupted when we hear Mr. Harmony and Scarlett’s voices.

“Awe!” Mr. Harmony and Scarlett said. “That’s so cute!”

Dae and I then broke our kiss to see Mr. Harmony and Scarlett hovering over us. Dae was starting to look pissed and I don’t blame him.

“How did you two get in here?” Dae said.

Dae eye then twitched, and I saw that he was seeing red.

“So much for being private…” I thought.

“I’m asking you two again,” said Dae, “how did you two get here? And more importantly, why are you two here?”

“Oh well,” said Scarlett with a nervous laugh, “we were just following you two to make sure you didn’t do anything inappropriate, and it looks like you’re not, so we’d better be going right dad?”

“Oh...Right…” Mr. Harmony said.

“Get. Out!” Dae said.

“We’re going now,” said Scarlett, “right dad?”

At this point Scarlett was practically pushing Mr. Harmony out the door. I was hoping that Dae would not be too angered by this. Dae closed the door and took a deep breath.

“Um,” I said, “sorry about those two. Just don’t demolish the restaurant okay? I don’t think it’s scheduled for that yet.”

Dae sighed, “What is with those anyway?”

“They’re idiots I guess.” I said.

* * *

When we finished the date we went upstairs to my bedroom, that was when Dae started giving me a funny look.

“You know,” I thought, “you make me nervous when you give me that look.”

“Let’s see,” thought Dae, “we’ve been going out of a year now.”

“Your point?” I thought.

“Come over here…” Dae thought.

I stood up and hesitated then my wings came out.

“Did Fluttershy talk to you about why that happens?” Dae thought.

“Yeah,” I thought, “and it was horrifying, talk about a bad dream!”

“Exactly what happened?” Dae thought.

I then told him everything that happened, I guess he got a real kick out of it. That was because he almost fell over when he fell out laughing.

“That’s not funny Dae!” I thought.

“I’m sorry,” Dae thought, “it is… At least you have a parent to do that for you, me I just did my research on the subject.”

“You know, you sound like Princess Twilight when you say that.” I thought.

“You know what it’s called right?” Dae thought.

“Yeah it’s called sex I know.” I thought. “Stop looking at me like that!”

Dae still had that weird look on his face and I still stayed where I was. Dae then started to walk towards me and I took a step back and fell over.

“Ouch!” I thought. “Stupid tail! Stop looking at me like that!”

My wings then came out again, by this time that was getting to be really embarrassing.

“That’s so embarrassing!” I thought.

“Actually,” Dae thought, “I think it’s kind of cute, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“Yeah,” I thought, “it only happens when you give me that look.”

“Hum?” Dae thought.

I thought, “Seriously, what’s that look for?”

“Oh,” said Dae, “I’m just imagining you naked.”

My wings came out again and that was starting to get annoying.

“Oh come on,” Dae thought, “it’s not that bad, I thought I said that I think it’s cute.”

I didn’t say anything, I didn’t have anything to say.

“Yeah know,” Dae thought, “we probably should do this more often.”

“Yeah…” I thought. “Right…”

Dae then pinned me down on the bed, it happened just like the few times when it happened before.

* * *

“Good morning!” Fluttershy said when I went downstairs the next morning.

I felt very cautious about entering the kitchen.

Fluttershy just looked at me, “Don’t worry, I won’t tease you about it this time. It’s just a natural growing up thing. As long as I don’t walk in on you again, I’m good.”

“Remind me to keep the door locked.” I said.

“So,” said Fluttershy, “Norman will be here soon.”

As if on cue the doorbell rang.

“Hi Norman!” I said.

“Hi Betty,” said Norman, “I heard you and Dae had a special occasion yesterday.”

“Yeah,” I said, “it was our anniversary, let me guess Scarlett and Mr. Harmony told you?”

“Yup,” said Norman, “sounds like you two are getting serious, when’s the wedding?”

I just about choked on those words.

“I don’t know about that just yet,” I said, “there’s still some things that need to be taken care of first, it’s complicated.”

“Why?” Norman said.

“It’s got something to with being a Death Walker.” I said.

“Oh…” Norman said. “Speaking of death, I’m glad you’re out of your room now. It seems like you’re doing a little better at dealing with mom’s death. I know you were the one that killed her and in my eyes you were correct at doing that. Mom was a serial killer after all. Princess Twilight told me that.”

I sighed, “It was a struggle but I really think she died on her own terms.”

“Why’s that?” Norman said.

“She waited until her very last breath to say that she loved me.” I said.

* * *

Now normally, I would usually head out to the Castle of the Two Sisters to think about things that I needed to think about. But because that’s where the battle with my mom took place, I preferred not too. So instead I sat up on the rooftop of the cottage and began to make the choice that I had to make. I was debating about becoming a permanent resident in the land of the Dead or just wait until later in life.

“I know what you’re thinking,” said Cozy Glow, “you don’t have to do it. You can stay here and wait until you die naturally. I don’t mind, really I don’t.”

“This isn’t your decision to make,” I said, “I have to do it on my own.”

“Like I said,” said Cozy Glow, “I don’t mind being here.”

“That doesn’t make my decision any easier.” I said.

Cozy Glow then disappeared and that comment made things even harder to think about. Finally I had made up my mind, I sent word to the Head Councilman of the Afterlife Court that I would like to speak to him in private.

* * *

“You wanted to talk to me about something?” The Head Councilman said.

I took a couple of deep breaths knowing what was going to say.

“I’ve made up my mind,” I said, “I want to become a permanent resident of The land of the Dead.”

“You sure about that?” The Head Councilman said.

“Yes,” I said, “I’m sure. I also have a couple of questions for you.”

“Sure,” the Head Councilman said, “what are they?”

“I was wondering,” I said, “where did my mom go after she died?”

“Well,” said Head Councilman, “she didn’t go to Heaven or Hell, that would’ve been too kind of a punishment for her. She went to purgatory, the reason being is because in purgatory, the cycle of torture just keeps continuing, it never lets up. She’ll be that way for the rest of eternity. Oh and Gorgar is there too. What was your other question?”

“I was wondering if you don’t mind me asking,” I said, “how exactly did you die?”

The Head Councilman laughed, “I guess you can blame that one on Pinkie Pie. I had a heart attack at the age of thirty. Back then Pinkie Pie was young and hyper. Even more hyper than she is now. I spent years trying too hard to figure her out. So actually it was my fault.”

“Wow,” I said, “no one can figure Pinkie Pie out that’s for sure. Don’t feel too bad about that.”

The Head Councilman laughed, “Actually I don’t feel bad about it all.”

When I got back to the Land of the Living I summoned Cozy Glow to my bedroom.

“Well Cozy Glow,” I said, “this going to be goodbye, I’m going to finish what I started. It’s going to be like how my mom died. I’m going to die on my own terms.”

“You’re seriously going to do this?” Cozy Glow said.

“Yes,” I said, “and I know exactly how I’m going to do it too.”

* * *

The next day, I prepared myself for what I was about to do. I felt completely nervous as I knew that flying in this world would be my last time. I didn’t stop flying until I reached the tallest peak of Ghastly Gorge. I then used my staff to make an X five feet away from where I was about to jump.

“You sure about this?” Dae said.

“About as sure as I’ll ever be.” I said.

I then heard hoofsteps and footsteps running towards me and stopped right before I had drawn the X.

“Betty please don’t go!” Fluttershy cried.

“This is my choice Fluttershy,” I said, “and I’ve made up my mind okay?”

I looked over to see Norman with his eyes full of tears.

“Please don’t do this!” Norman cried.

“It’s time…” I said.

I then backed away towards the edge of the cliff. I then did a salute and gave Norman and Fluttershy one last smile.

“See you on the other side!” I said.

After those last parting words I made myself fall backwards to my death.

Chapter Twenty-Four

The next time I opened my eyes I was at the bottom of Ghastly Gorge. I realized that I was out of my body when I saw it laying five feet away from me.

“Yup,” I thought, “definitely dead…”

I then scooted away from my body and felt a sense of horror at what I had just done. I looked at the cliff that I had just fallen from and my staff had lit and made what looked like a portal that would let me through to the Afterlife. I didn’t need my wings to float up to the edge of the cliff.

“No way!” Norman said. “I can’t believe… She did it…”

“Well,” said Cozy Glow, “she finished the job this time.”

“That’s not funny Cozy Glow!” Norman said.

“Oh no,” said Cozy Glow, “that’s not what I mean.”

“Then what do you mean?” Norman said.

Cozy Glow then let out a long breath, “If you recall, two years ago, Betty tried to kill her by slitting her wrists her mom found not long after. I’m surprised her mom didn’t finish her off when she found her. She was waiting for something, for what I don’t know. I’m surprised Fluttershy didn’t tell you about that.”

“I meant to tell him about that,” said Fluttershy, “but I thought it was best not too…. But, did you have to go? And while you’re still young?”

I sighed, “It was my choice in the end, I told you that Fluttershy.”

“No!” Norman cried. “I just came back into your life, just to lose you? That’s not okay!”

“I have my reasons Norman,” I said, “like I said, my choice, I was going to die in this world anyway. As a matter of fact, I could’ve died when I was fighting mom. But like I said, it was my choice and you can’t change it now.”

“Listen Fluttershy,” I said, “you’ve been more of a mother to me than my biological mother ever did. And I thank you for that. Norman, I know it ended sooner than we wanted it too but I’ll be watching you from the Afterlife.”

I then looked at Dae and I couldn’t tell whether he wanted to laugh, cry or what. He certainly had a good poker face on. I looked at the portal and sighed.

“Cozy Glow,” I said, “you might want to follow me before this portal closes. And Dae, I’ll see you soon! It’s time for me to go.”

After that, I couldn’t hear Normans cries as I stepped into ready to start the rest of my Afterlife.

* * *

When I opened my eyes again I found that I was at the bottom of a river. What river it was, I didn’t really care either way.

“This is interesting,” I thought, “the water’s not even cold.”

I just stood where I was not wanting to move.

“Are you crazy or something?” Dae said.

“Huh,” I thought, “it might be I’m crazy I don’t know, at least I wasn’t dropped on my head as a baby like mom was.”

Dae cracked a smile and thought, “‘Come on, let’s go…”

Dae then grabbed my hand and we swimmed up to the surface. When we got to the surface, I saw that I had landed at the river that was going from a cave. It made my blood run cold, it was Mr.Giggles cave.

“Oh boy…” I said staring at the cave in horror.

“This the cave where…” Dae said.

“Yup,” I said, “it’s the very cave where Mr. Giggles is hibernating. I say we get out of here before he wakes up.”

“Fine by me,” said Dae, “we can deal with that later. But, there are a couple of things that need to be taken care of first.”

“We?” I said.

“Yes we,” said Dae, “it’s time to go!”

“Okay, okay,” I said. “I’m going!”

* * *

I walked through the doors to the Afterlife Court nervous about what might happen. When I saw the Head Councilman he had the biggest smile on his face.

“Welcome Betty,” Head Councilman said, “to the first day of your afterlife!”

I just stood there not wanting to move.

Head Councilman laughed, “No need to worry Betty, you’re a Death Walker right?”

I blinked, “Yes…”

“Well for Death Walker’s we don’t sort them, “said Head Councilman, “for they are neither here nor there.”

It was kind of comical when the Head Councilman said this because he used one finger to point in one direction and the other finger to point in the other. I almost laughed at the sight, thought it was best not too.

“However,” the Head Councilman said, “you can decide where you want to be. The choice is yours.”

The Head Councilman then looked at me and Dae smiling at each other. The Head Councilman smiled when he saw that. It was as if the rest of the Afterlife Court saw what he saw. Then there was a chorus of the word “awe”. I feel myself turning red out of embarrassment. Dae then pretty much did the same thing and looked away.

“Why do people always do that with us?” I thought.

“I don’t know,” Dae thought, “it must be a gag reflex or something.”

“Well,” Head Councilman said, “the whole Afterlife Court is dismissed for the day. I think we all could use a break.”

The Head Councilman then got up and nodded in my direction.

“Go get her!” The Head Councilman said.

Finally when all of the Afterlife Court left, Dae let out a big sigh of relief.

“I thought it would never end.” Dae said.

“You and me both!” I said.

Dae walked with me towards the Castle in Hell and what I saw took my breath away. I had never seen the Castle from the outside before. The Castle looked like the Castle in the Crystal Empire but the crystals that the Castle was made of where black.

“Let’s go in the back way.” Dae said.

We walked in the back way and what I saw was a beautiful garden. How the flowers survived I had no idea. I could guess that it had something to do with magic.

“This garden,” said Dae, “was made a thousand years ago why I don’t know. But how it was made, you guessed it, by magic.”

When we stopped walking, I realized that we were in the middle of te garden.

“Stay right here okay?” Dae said.

“Why?” I said.

“Just stay right there…” Dae said.

Dae then went around the corner and I wondered what he could be up to. When he came back, he had one hand behind his back, I then realized what he was up to. Dae then pulled out a small box in his hand and got down on one knee. I couldn’t believe my eyes on what was happening.

“It’s true,” said Dae, “I drove off some arranged marriages because I had no desire to be married at the time. But I’ve finally found the right person that I want to be with. I am a King without a Queen. The question I’m trying to ask is, will you be my Queen?”

I gasped as Dae opened the box to reveal a gold ring with a black diamond on it. I barely got out the word yes when he slipped the ring on my finger.

“You can breathe now Betty…” Dae said with a smile.

I didn’t even realize that I was holding my as I was trying to process everything that just happened.

Dae laughed, “Maybe I should’ve made you sit down first?”

“No I’m fine.” I said, still not believing what just happened.

We then entered the Castle with me in Dae’s arm, when we ran into Parada. Although I had a feeling she was waiting for us.

“Awe!” Parada said. “If it isn't the happy couple!”

I then realized that I had turned beat red from embarrassment. Dae must’ve got a kick out of that and couldn’t stop laughing.

“That’s not funny Dae!” I said.

“Actually,” said Dae, “it kind of is.”

* * *

The next day there was a knock on the door to the Kings chambers.

Parada came in looking panicked, “Betty you’re being summoned to the Afterlife Court!”

“What?” I said. “Why?”

“I don’t know,” said Parada, “Head Councilman said that it has something to do with Cozy Glow.”

“I’ll be there I’m on my way!” I said.

“Sure thing!” Parada said.

I walked through the doors of the Afterlife Court and saw that Cozy Glow was standing there waiting for me. I could see that she was nervous and I don’t blame her. It made me even more nervous to see that the Head Councilman had a big stack of papers in front of him.

“Now Cozy Glow,” Head Councilman said, “”since you were a resident of Equestria, and not a Death Walker, I think it’s time that you should be sorted. Don’t you think?”

“Yes sir…” Cozy Glow said, I could tell that she wasn’t so sure of what was going to happen next.

“Let’s see here,” said Head Councilman, looking through the papers, “you’ve done some good things and some bad. We of the Afterlife Court agree that it balances out. So Cozy Glow, you have a choice to make. You can either go to Heaven or be resurrected as a young pegasus, starting your life over again.”

“Gee,” said Cozy Glow, “that’s a big decision to make.”

“I know,” said Head Councilman, “you have until tomorrow to think about it. Oh and one more thing Betty.”

“Yes?” I said.

“You have another choice to make,” Head Councilman said, “you must decide whether or not you want to be a human or a pegasus, or stay the way you are. Your answer?”

“I think I’ll stay the way that I am.” I said. “This is who I am after all.”

* * *

Cozy Glow decided to go back to the Land of the Living, she also chose a wonderful name for herself, Amythiest Rose. I was there to send her off to the portal.

“Now,” I said, “make sure you contact my brother Norman. Actually I sent word to him already, he should be waiting for you on the other side. Okay?”

“Yes Betty,” said Cozy Glow, “and thank you, for everything!”

“You’re welcome!” I said.

Cozy Glow then stepped through the portal and disappeared.

* * *

“Yes, yes,” the seamstress said, “this’ll do fine, I have the perfect idea for you!”

“Is this necessary?” I said.

“Oh yes!” The seamstress said. “Every Queen must wear a dress for their wedding!”

I waited patiently as Taylor continued measuring me from head to toe.

“Oh boy,” I thought, “this is so not me!”

Parada saw the uncomfortable look on my face and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ha, Ha, this really isn’t funny.” I said.

“Oh come on,” said Parada, “you’re going to be a Queen soon, I suggest you start acting like it.”

“I know one things for sure,” I said, “I’m not wearing a dress for the rest of my Afterlife. No thank you!”

“Well,” said Parada, “that’s up you but only after the wedding and your coronation ceremony. Oh and you’re gonna have to wear those medals you got.”

“Medals?” I said. “I only got one.”

“Actually,” said Parada, “that pin that you got on your birthday is a medal, oh it gives you highest honors as a warrior, got it?”

Honestly I seriously wanted to hide those underneath a floor board again, but Dae kept insisting that I have them out in the open more.

“I got it.” I said.

“Oh,” said the seamstress , “and we need to measure you for your crown fitting too!”

I took a deep breath and kept thinking, “I’m not going to hit her, I’m not going to hit her…”

Parada looked at me and laughed again.

“Oh bye the way,” said Parada, “Fluttershy is going to be at your wedding too she’s your maid of honor and Discord, your adoptive father will be walking you down the aisle! Isn’t that wonderful?”

“It’s bad enough I have Discord as a dad,” I said, “don’t get me started on that one.”

“Let’s see,” the seamstress said, “now let’s measure you for your crown.”

“Am I going to have to wear that thing,” I said, “all the time?”

Parada laughed again, “Yes, you will, it’s a requirement for royalty.”

I did a face palm and rubbed my head. I took another deep breath because I really wanted to punch Parada at this point and she really couldn’t contain her laughter.

“This is wonderful!” The seamstress said. “I remember when Dae had his coronation ceremony, it still brings tears to my eyes.”

“What,” I said, “did he have to wear a dress too?”

Finally the seamstress joined in on Parada’s laughter.

“Oh no,” said the seamstress , “he wore the most wonderful suit and tie, and with a cape that wasn’t too long or too short. And his crown was even more wonderful, as will yours be! It’s going to be absolutely perfect!”

“Great…” I said. “Wonderful!”

* * *

The day of the wedding was total chaos and my dad Discord was definitely in Heaven. He had no problem making me feel as uncomfortable as possible.

“Oh come on Betty,” said Discord, “you look so cute! And Dae’s definitely going to have fun with you on your wedding night!”

“Discord!” I said.

“Just call me dad will you?” Discord said.

“Fine dad,” I said trying not to bite my tongue, “would you stop making me uncomfortable, it’s bad enough I have to wear this stupid dress!”

Discord couldn’t contain himself as he was doubled over in laughter.

“Seriously!” I said.

Fluttershy cleared her throat, “Discord, you’re not supposed to be in the bride's quarters! And don’t tell Dae about the dress!”

“Okay, okay,” said Discord, “I’m going, see you soon wifey!”

Fluttershy sighed, “Sorry about your dad Betty, I’ll keep him in check.”

“As always mother,” I said, “I just want to get this over with. I really don’t like big crowds at all. And having to wear this dress to boot.”

Fluttershy laughed, “I think you look cute in it.”

* * *

The wedding went off without a hitch, although I could’ve done better without the cameras following the whole time. I seriously wished I could hide under a rock.

“Gee,” I thought, “where's a boulder when you need one?”

I could tell Dae was really getting a kick out of it and I kept trying to ignore him so I wouldn’t punch him in the face. The following week later, we were watching the news reports about the wedding.

“Alright folks!” The first reporter said. “It’s the wedding of the century!”

“That’s right,” said the second reporter, “yes our King is finally getting married! He finally found a Queen! And after all those arranged marriages he managed to drive away! I must say the girl is a beautiful woman! Boy, he sure knows how to pick ‘em doesn’t he!”

“Yup,” the first reporter, “that is correct, and our new Queen’s coronation ceremony will be next week! We’ll also have footage of that too!”

I closed the portal that was linked to the news station and smiled.

“What?” Dae said.

“I was wondering,” I said, “exactly how many arranged marriages did you drive away?”

“Including Princess Twilight,” said Dae, “nine…”

I couldn’t help it, I was on my back laughing so hard.

“That’s not funny!” Dae said.

“You turned down an arranged marriage with the Princess?” I said. “How’d you manage to do that?”

“I had no intention of marrying a horse!” Dae said. “Besides we couldn’t stand each other anyway. I made it that way on purpose.”

“Gee,” I said, “that sounds a lot like what I went through in school except there wasn’t a marriage proposal involved. Remember when I said I could beat you in a race with two hands tied behind my back?”

“Yeah so?” Dae said.

“I actually had to do that once on a bet,” I said, “I told the guy to take a number and get in line, when he wouldn’t leave me alone, I bet the guy if he couldn’t win the race he had to stop pestering me. Of course I won that one, so the guy finally left me alone.”

“And how many guys did you turn down at school?” Dae said.

“I lost count after ten,” I said, “it didn’t solve anything, the boys still wouldn’t leave me alone and I have no idea why.”

Now it was Dae’s turn to laugh, “Well you sure are a looker, I don’t blame them! Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you that your funeral is tomorrow.”

“I forgot about that!” I said. “I don’t know if I’ll watch it though. I’ve never been good at funerals and this one’s mine.”

* * *

Sure enough I got word from by brother Norman about when the funeral was and I opened up a portal to watch it. Trust me, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. I cringed at the site and watched until my body was buried and closed the portal. After the funeral I let out a big sigh of relief.

“Well,” I said, “glad that’s over with…”

The following two days were my coronation ceremony, and the reporters started following me around again. I tried my best to hide from them but again Dae made me stay out in the public. I seriously wanted to punch him cause I could tell he was having way too much fun with this.

Then the following year something happened that I didn’t think was possible but Dae had informed me that it was possible, I gave birth to a baby girl. She had wings and looked a lot like Dae, she also had a ruby on her forehead. Two weeks after the baby was born, Fluttershy came to the Castle to see the baby.

“So,” said Fluttershy, “what’s her name?”

“We were thinking about Ruby.” Dae said. “That’s because of the Jewel on her forehead.”

“Huh?” Fluttershy said.

I pointed at Ruby’s forehead, “Look!”

Fluttershy looked at Ruby’s forehead and saw the Jewel on it.

“Yes,” said Fluttershy, “that’s the perfect name for her.”

“We both agree!” I said.

* * *

After Fluttershy’s visit, Parada came running up to the Throne Room.

“We have an important visitor!” Parada said. “It’s the head of the Icebreakers!”

“What?” I said. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

“Nope,” said Parada, “he’s here right now!”

“What’s his name?” I said.

“It’s Hankle…” Parada said.

Dae and I then exchanged a look.

“Let him in…” Dae said.

“Right away sir!” Parada said.

In walked a man in strange robes that looked like they were ripped at the bottom of them. The way he looked reminded me of a grim reaper.

“Betty,” Hankle said, “the last Death Walker in your generation…”

“Okay?” I said.

“When we first announced the Last Death Walker,” said Hankle, “we thought that it would’ve been the end of the Death Walkers period. But we have decided that there should be a new generation of Death Walkers.”

In my mind I was in shock by this information, I never thought something like this would happen.

“I know this must come as a shock to you…” Hankle said with his words slow and deliberate.

“So who is going to be the first in the next generation?” I said.

“We have named,” said Hankle, “Amythiest Rose…”

Hankle then turned around and walked out as swiftly as he came.

* * *

After the Icebreaker walked out I just stared at the door, dumbfounded at what I just heard.

“Amythiest Rose?” I said. “That’s Cozy Glow!”

“I know,” said Dae, “but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

I still couldn’t believe what I just heard.

“Your wings are out.” Dae said.

“Huh?” I said.

I looked down to see I was almost at ceiling hovering over my throne.

Dae laughed, “You always hover when you’re worried.”

“I do?” I said.

“Yup,” said Dae, “just calm down, we’ll figure something out okay?”

I forced myself to sit down and took a deep breath. For some reason I then had a flashback of when half of my Tracking Team died. The funny thing was, that I thought I’d dealt with that already. Dae’s eye then went wide.

“It’s nothing like that,” said Dae, “and you can’t protect everyone. There Are thousands of citizens in Hell and you think I can protect everyone? Heck, some of them don’t even want protection.”

“Okay I get it,” I said, “there’s got to be something we can do. I can send word to Norman I guess, I heard that he’s adopted Cozy Glow now.”

“Hum,” said Dae, “it’s a start.”

* * *

After we sent word to Norman, he sent word to Princess Twilight and she came to the Castle as fast as she could.

“Yes Betty,” said Princess Twilight, “you wanted to see me?”

“Oh,” I said, “your highness, thank you for coming!”

“Oh no,” said Princess Twilight, “we’re both rulers now, just call me Twilight.”

“Yes…” I said with hesitation, “Twilight… That’s going to take some getting used to.”

“It’s okay,” said Princess Twilight, “I understand so Norman told me about what the Icebreakers announced. You want me to keep tabs on Cozy Glow?”

“Actually I would like Norman to keep tabs on her and report back to you.” I said.

“Ah, Betty,” said Twilight, “your wings are out and you’re hovering. I do that when I’m worried. You must be really worried about this. Don’t worry it’ll be fine.”

“Oh, sorry…” I said, forcing myself to sit down.

“It’s okay,” said Twilight, “I’ll find a trainer for her as soon she starts showing signs of being a Death Walker okay? Oh and I heard you had a baby recently. Can I see?”

“Sure,” Dae said, “you can see her.”

“Awe it’s girl.” Twilight said,

“Yup!” I said.

Dae then sent word for the nanny and she brought Ruby to us. The nanny placed Ruby in my arms.

“Awe,” said Twilight, “she’s so cute! She’s got wings just you but looks a lot like Dae.”

Twilight then paused and looked at Ruby’s forehead.

“What’s that on her forehead?” Twilight said.

“It’s a Ruby,” I said, “don’t know how but she was born with it.”

“I see..” Twilight said. “Don’t worry about Cozy Glow okay? Norman is taking good care of her and I’ll find a trainer for her when it’s time.”

“Thank you,” I paused, “Twilight…”

Twilight then left prancing as she went.

“Was she prancing?” I said.

Dae laughed, “I think so, let’s just let Ruby sleep.”

I then handed Ruby over to the nanny and she took Ruby back to her room.

* * *

The next Parada asked to see me in her office. She said she had something that she wanted to talk to me about.

“I have a confession to make.” Parada said.

“What is it?” I said.

“Remember back when you first met Dae?” Parada said.

“Yeah,” I said, “I tried to kill him, so what of it?”

“Yeah well,” said Parada, “Dae actually liked you before that. It started right about the time you ran away from home. He was tracking you that whole time.”

“That sounds like stalking,” I said, “maybe I should’ve asked Rainbow Dash to be my bodyguard…”

Parada laughed, “Exactly what was running away about?”

I then told Parada the story behind that, she was floored by the story.

“Okay,” said Parada, “anyway, Dae wanted to approach you then, but knew you were having a hard time, so he decided not to. He really didn’t like when Mr. Harmony dragged you back to Equestria and was being tortured by him. But there was nothing he could do to prevent it. He finally worked up the nerve to meet you, he didn’t know exactly how to do it. Instead he decided to test you for some reason. I still have no idea what that was about. Anyway I just thought I should tell you about that. Everything worked out didn’t it? You’re a Queen now, and a legend too! You should be very proud of yourself. I think you made a fine wife for Dae.”

“Okay,” I said, “Queen yeah I’ll accept that, but legend, I’m not so sure about that.”

“Oh come now,” said Parada, “you took down a lot of people and ponies all by yourself, although you did have help on some of them. And get this, A.K Yearling has agreed to write your autobiography! The History books have been edited too! You must accept the fact that you are a legend in this world and in the next.”

“I guess so…”. I said.

“Anyway,” said Parada, “that’s all I have to tell you. I bet Dae is probably waiting outside for you now. You should probably go to him.”

Sure enough I went outside and Dae was waiting for me.

“Having fun now aren’t we?” Dae said.

“I don’t even wanna know how long you’ve been waiting for me.” I said.

“Long enough…” Dae said.

“There’s one more thing that we need to take care of.” I said.

“Yeah,” said Dae, “I know…”

* * *

I knew Mr. Giggles was coming out of hibernation, so I walked down to the cave to meet him. I also had Dae by my side.

“Do we really have to do this?” Dae said.

“Yeah,” I said, “I think we should.”

“So,” said Dae, “what are you going to do about it?”

“I’m not sure yet,” I said, “but if he goes to Equestria we’re gonna have a problem.”

“No kidding…” Dae said.

Then I heard it, the laugh that sounded like a hyena that escaped from the zoo. That laugh made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

“Betty…” Mr. Giggles said. “Betty…”

I wanted to run away because I saw Mr. Giggles come slowly out of the river and he was in the form of a clown again.

“Miss me?” Mr. Giggles said.

“Not really…” I said.

“It’s been awhile,” said Mr. Giggles, “have you thought about our deal?”

“I don’t think I made a deal with you,” I said, “and don’t go thinking you did!”

At this point I had never seen Dae scared before but he looked so terrified that he was hiding behind me.

“You little wuss…” I thought.

I then yanked Dae out from behind me and pulled him to my side.

Dae then gave a nervous laugh, “Hi… Mr. Giggles… It’s so nice to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you, Dae.” Mr. Giggles.

Mr. Giggles then looked back and forth at me and Dae.

“The King of Hell,” said Mr. Giggles, “and the last Death Walker. This an interesting change of events, I never saw this coming…”

“Your point?” I said.

“Oh,” said Mr. Giggles, “so did you two have a baby?”

I didn’t like the way Mr. Giggles was smiling at me. Dae’s eyes then went wide.

“Please don’t tell him anything!” Dae thought. “It’s the least we can do to protect our daughter!”

I then gave Mr. Giggles the dirtiest look I could and sneered at him.

“Ah,” said Mr. Giggles, “so you did have a baby! Tell me, is it a boy or a girl?”

By this time I was getting really pissed off and I wished I could kill the stupid clown.

“Okay, okay,” said Mr. Giggles, “you don’t have to tell me, but I do give you my congratulations.”

I then looked up to see that there was a beacon of light that was going straight up into the sky.

“Oh,” said Mr. Giggles, “it looks like I’m being summoned.”

“To Equestria?” I said, hoping that I was wrong.

“Oh no,” said Mr. Giggles, “I can’t eat Equestrian children, it doesn’t sit well with my stomach.”

“But what about your brother Discord?” I said.

“Oh,” said Mr. Giggles, “he’s a half brother he doesn’t mean anything to me.”

I then watched as Mr. Giggles float up into the sky and he was gon in no time.

“Well,” said Dae, “glad that’s over with.”

“You’re a wuss, you know that?” I said.

“What?” Dae said. “I just don’t like clowns okay?”

So that was a lot of problems that were solved all except one. When would Cozy Glow show signs of becoming a Death Walker? I guess I won’t know until it happens.

Chapter Twenty- One

I got off the platform and Princess Twilight was waiting fro me.

“Well,” said Princess Twilight, “how did it go?”

“You know you sound like Fluttershy when you say that?” I said.

“Anyway,” said Princess Twilight, “when you get home, there’s something waiting for you.”

I rolled my eyes, “Gee I wonder what that will be…”

When I got home the lights were off.

“Let me see,” I thought, “hopefully nobody’s home?”

That was wishful thinking of course, because as soon as I turned on the lights, I heard a chorus of “Surprise!” Of course knowing Pinkie Pie balloons and confetti rained down on me. I did a face palm at the site.

“Oh for the love of-“ I said.

“You can’t take a rain check this time!” Pinkie Pie said. “I have you cornered now!”

“Pinkie Pie,” I said, “can you please not make an excuse to throw a party every time you see me?”

“What?” Pinkie Pie said. “Parties are fun, we get to play games and have cake…”

I took a deep breath and noticed that my eye was twitching. I turned around to see Dae trying so hard not to laugh.

“Let me guess,” I thought, “you’re in on this too?”

“Yeah,” Dae thought, “you can’t run this time, or I’ll tie you to a chair!”

“Fine…” I thought.

“Oh yeah,” said Pinkie Pie, “I heard you got a medal from Princess Twilight! Where is it? I wanna see!”

“I don’t have it.” I lied.

Truth be told I’d hid the medal under a floorboard underneath my bed.

“You mean,” said Dae, “this old thing?”

I looked in horror to see Dae holding the medal on his finger.

“How did you?” I thought.

“I can hear you thoughts,” thought Dae, “duh!”

Dae then tossed the medal and I caught it.

“You should wear that more often,” said Fluttershy, “it looks good on you.”

I took a deep breath and put the medal around my neck.

“Oo,” said Pinkie Pie, “wonderful!”

“I guess this is the perfect time to remember my promise.” I thought.

“What promise?” Dae thought.

“I’ll tell you later…” I thought.

“See!” Pinkie Pie said. “You’re decorated warrior Betty! That’s plenty of reason to celebrate!”

Dae laughed, “Pinkie Pie, you’re something else.”

“Thank you!” Pinkie Pie said. “I’m in a league of my own!”

“Alright everyone,” said AppleJack, “stop yapping and let’s party!”

At that comment everyone cheered.

* * *

After the party I went upstairs instead of going to bed, I went outside to the balcony and sat down and looked up at the stars. Dae came and sat down with me.

“I wonder what my teammates are doing right now?” I said.

“What do you mean?” Dae said. “You already saw them yourself.”

“Yeah I know,” I said, “stupid question…”

“So,” said Dae, “what was that promise that you made?”

“The Head Councilman of the Afterlife Court made me promise to lighten up.” I said.

Dae laughed, “Yeah that’s just like him.”

At that point I didn’t need to say anything else, I just sat there and looked up at the stars.

That night I had the same dream that always have. It was like a broken record in my head. Once again, I was running towards my mother trying to catch up to her. I didn’t catch her as always, but when I woke up, I had a feeling that I would be seeing her soon.

* * *

The next morning Cozy Glow popped up and I since I hadn’t seen her In awhile I kind of jumped back.

“What’s up?” I said.

“Princess Twilight told me to tell you that your mother as popped up on the radar again.” Cozy Glow said.

“One round of an abusive mom coming right up!” I said. “Where is she?”

“Well,” said Cozy Glow, “Princess Twilight said that she’s at the Castle of the Two Sisters.”

At that I was up and running.

“You’ll never make it time!” Cozy Glow said.

“Oh yes I will!” I said

I took a leap off the balcony and was up in the air in no time.

“I know you’re going to be there mother,” I thought, “you threatened my life and now you’re going to pay!”

* * *

When I got to the Castle of the Two Sisters, I looked around and couldn’t see her at first, but then I heard her laughing. My mom then stopped out of the shadows.

“My, my, my!” Mom said. “Look how much you’ve grown!”

Mom then cracked her knuckles and laughed again.

“What’s so funny?” I said.

“Oh I just want to see something,” said mom, “why don’t we settle this with a little game of hand to hand combat?”

That was when my anger came to a boil.

“You’re joking right?” I said. “You’ve been out of my life for a year and a half and this is how you want to settle things.”

“Think of it,” said mom, “as round one of our battle. Okay, you’ve been able to hold your against me when you were younger, I want to see how much you’ve progressed!”

“Fine by me!” I said cracking my knuckles too. “Then I get to kill you with my bare hands!”

“We’ll see about that.” Mom said.

I then dealt the first blow, it was a knee to the chest and then an elbow to the shoulder. She stumbled backwards and wiped the blood off her mouth and laughed.

“I didn’t say go yet.” Mom said.

“As if I’d take orders from you!” I said.

Mother got up as if my blows that I just dealt her were nothing, and she laughed again.

“What’s so funny?” I said.

“What’s that?” Mom said.

“I said, what’s so funny?” I said.

“Judging by those first two hits,” said mom, “you’ve gotten much stronger over the years. It seems that my daughter has done well for herself.”

“You don’t get to be a mother!” I said. “You’re not a mom at all! You’re just some strange woman I met. I’ve been through Hell and back because of you!”

Mom smiled, “This time, I’ll make you finish the job you started!”

“I don’t think so!” I said. “Cause you’re going to be the one to die!”

“Well then,” said mom, “I say go!”

“And I said,” I said, “I don’t take orders from you!”

“Well come on then!” Mom said.

“With pleasure!” I said.

So the battle started and blow for blow we seemed evenly matched. Every kick, and every punch and everything in between, we seem to not be getting anywhere. Finally, half way through the battle Dae and Cozy Glow caught up to us.

“How’d you know where to find her?” Cozy Glow said.

“I tracked her thoughts to here,” siad Dae, “how else would I find her?”

Then Mr. Harmony came running up the Castle steps and he was definitely out of breath.

“I’m getting too old for this!” Mr. Harmony. “So what’s going on here? Wait a minute, I knew Betty was good but not that good!”

Then I heard Pinkie Pie over us as if to tell the spectators what was going on.

“It looks like the fight I evenly matched folks! Oh look at that hit it seems Betty’s got the lead here!” Pinkie Pie said.

“She’s joking right?” Mr. Harmony said.

“I don’t think so.” Dae said.

“Oh for the love of-“ I said, “will you guys shut up!”

When I said that I almost got a hit to the jaw, but I blocked it just in time. But of course Pinkie Pie would not shut up.

“And there’s another hit folks!” Pinkie Pie said. “Oh, and it looks like another block too! There’s a pause that looks like they’re taking a break! Maybe we should have a word from our sponsors.”

I rolled my eyes as my mom tried getting me with another punch.

“How’d you get to be fast daughter?” Mom said.

That was my chance to land a hit on her jaw.

“How’d you get to be slow,” I said, “old timer?”

The hit made mom stumble backwards and I was able to get behind her and give her a kick to back and that sent her flying into a wall. Mom laughed again and got up from the hit and wiped the blood off her mouth.

“Give up yet? Can I kill you now?” I said.

“Who said I was going to die here?” Mom said.

“I did!” I said.

“Okay then,” said mom, “let’s go to round two shall we?”

Mom pulled out her weapon and I gasped at it. The weapon was a staff just like mine.

“Huh,” I said, “that’s just what I was thinking! Although it looks like you’ve reset the game consul just to get to level two! That’s cheating by the way!”

I took out my staff and made it into a blade. Mom took out her staff and made it into a bow and arrow.

“Looks like you like to turn your staff into a sword,” said mom, “I prefer a bow and arrow, let’s which one will work shall we?”

“I think a blade will work better,” I said, “it doesn’t matter though.”

“Looks like you’re being serious now,” said mom, “I think I’ll be able to take you down in one blow!”

“As if!” I said. “You couldn’t take me down in the first round!”

What I saw on her face next was a smile. That smile really pissed me off.

“You’re underestimating me aren’t you?” I said.

“No,” said mom, “I’m just impressed that’s all.”

“O ha, ha, ha!” I said. “That was so funny I forgot to laugh! Yeah know something snake? I forgave Luna for the attempt on my life, but I won’t forgive you!”

“Who says I want forgiveness?” Mom said.

“Good,” I said, “You’re not getting from me! You don’t get to laugh! Not when you’re going to die!”

Mom had that stupid smile on her face again.

“And wipe that stupid smile off your face!” I said.

“That wasn’t very nice,” said mom, “let’s just get this over with!”

“Fine by me!” I said.

Mom then fired the first shot with her bow and arrow I snatched in mid air and crushed it with my hand. I then noticed that the outline on my hand was black again and mom smiled at me once more.

“Well,” said mom, “my daughters achieved the dark arua, I’m so proud!”

“Proud?” I said. “You don’t get to be proud! Well then, how’s a little bit of water, and lightning to go with it?”

Out of my staff came a tide wave of water and a lighting bolt shot straight through it, mom took to air and what I saw made me even more pissed off. She had an outline that looked like a griffin and roared like one. Her bow and arrow were made of fire and started rapid firing the arrows at me. I couldn’t think of anything else as I kept up attack after attack. She seemed to only have wind and fire in her arsenal of attacks, but I seemed to have more all of the sudden.

“I didn’t know she could do that,” said Mr. Harmony, “did you?”

“Nope…” Dae said.

“Oh,” said mom,”by the way, I heard you’ve got a boyfriend now? What’s he like?”

“As if you’d like to know!” I said.

Mom then started rapidly firing her arrows at me but I used my staff to deflect them. Finally, after a long time of fighting I was able to take to the air and get behind her. I then dealt her a fatal blow. The blade went right into her chest and she crashed to the ground as if she were a meteorite and when she landed, a big hole was where she landed. I thought she was gone as soon as she hit the ground, but I was wrong. She stood up like it was nothing even though she had a gaping hole in her chest that was bleeding.

“Hum,” said mom, “this is an interesting change of events.”

“Shut up!” I said. “Or maybe I should cut your tongue out next! Is that how you want to die?”

Mom smiled at me again and laughed, she stood straight up when I landed on the ground.

“You don’t get to laugh!” I said. “Not in the face of death! Do you actually think that dying is going to atone for everything you’ve done? And you’re still laughing? How dare you!”

Mother stopped laughing finally and looked me in the face and coughed up blood. I sneered at her wanting to do more damage to her but I could see she was going to die very soon.

“I’m very proud of you actually,” said mom, “I wanted you to kill me, it seems I got my wish.”

I gripped my staff as if I were ready to chop her head off next. I gripped my staff so hard I was very surprised that it didn’t break.

“You wanted me to kill you?” I said. “Were you dropped on your head as a baby?”

Mom then coughed up more blood.

“You wanted to die by my hand?” I said. “And what problem is that going to solve, you snake?”

“Snake?” Mom said. “Is that what you’re calling me now? I guess that’s a fitting name for me isn’t it?”

“Yeah think?” I said.

Mom then coughed up more blood.

“It won’t solve anything I know,” said mom, “and it won’t atone for everything that I’ve done. You’re right, I don’t deserve to be called a mom.”

“I told you to wipe that stupid smile off your face!” I said.

Mom coughed up more blood and clenched the wound on her chest. She then did something that took me by surprise. She held out her hand to me, I figured she was going to try and take me with her. But mom dropped her staff and showed that she was unarmed.

“It’s okay Betty,” said mom, “I’m not up to anything, just take my hand.”

“And why should I trust you?” I said. “You haven’t done anything to give me a reason to trust you!”

“I understand,” said mom, “but if you won’t come to me, I’ll come to you.”

I stepped back and wanted to run away but mom embraced me.

“It’s kind of poetic justice don’t you think,” said mom, “a mother dying by the hand of her own daughter. You’ve grown up so fast, and it’s my fault.”

“Like I care about that!” I said. I was determined not to embrace her, I just kept my arms down and my body shook.

“What I want to say,” said mom, “is the very words that I should’ve said to you growing up.”

“What’s that?” I growled.

“The last thing that I want to say to you,” said mom, “is that I love you…”

“Like I care!” I said.

I then pushed her back and dealt the final blow. I punched her right in the wound in her chest. Mom’s body went flying backwards and down the steps, the last word she uttered was my name.

“And don’t ever say my name again!” I said.

I then sank to my knees in anger, the dark aura was no longer around me. I just stayed there on knees dumbfounded about what just happened. It was as if the clouds of the Everfree Forest knew just what to do, it started to rain.