Dark Shadows

Chapter 5: Number One Assistant

As Poison Apple went further into the orchard she began to laugh hysterically. Now only did she manage to get two of the elements in one house, but she got Rainbow Dash right after her romantic encounter with Big Mac, causing him to kill himself. To her sick, twisted mind, it was the funniest thing in the world. Her laughter died down as she neared the edge of the orchard, knowing that it would give her position away. She quickly climbed into an apple tree to get a better view, her thoughts being interrupted by Hysteria as she sat down on a branch.

You have done well so far little one, so I will give you a hint as to how to find a dragon's tail, Hysteria said quietly as the orb began to glow, In the town there is a baby dragon, kill him and take his tail

"Yes Mother" Poison Apple said as she moved to climb down from the tree.

Be careful young one, this dragon lives with the element of magic, and she may put up a fight, Hysteria whispered as her voice left Poison Apple's head. Poison Apple knew there was only one way to take them both out in one night, but she had to be quick about it. All she needed was something to cut off Spike's tail with...

Here you go young one, Hysteria said as an axe appeared in front of Poison Apple. She quietly thanked Hysteria as she picked up the axe, thankful that it was the dead of night, meaning no one would be outside to see her carry it into town.

As she neared the library she could hear papers flying around. Looking into one of the windows she saw Twilight rapidly writing something down. She turned quickly to Spike, who was half asleep, holding one of the papers.

"Send this to the Princess right now!" Twilight ordered, but Spike waved her away.

"I'll do it in the morning, I'm too tired to do that right now" Spike said, yawning as he turned to head for his bed. Twilight shook her head angrily as he walked away, then looked at the clock on the wall.

"I guess I should get to sleep too" Twilight said as she blew out the candle she had been using for light. As the room went dark a faint purple glow started to come from Twilight's horn, which she was now using the light the way to her bed. Outside Poison Apple looked around for an open window, finding one on the upper floor, which lead into the room next to their bedroom. Quietly making her way inside, Poison Apple began to plan her course of action.

First, she would take care of Spike, then, using him a distraction she would take down Twilight and cut off her horn. She started to think if it was necessary to kill Spike, since he would wake Twilight if she wasn't careful.

You do not need to kill the dragon, but the choice is yours, Hysteria said as Poison Apple began to head for the door. She nodded to herself, ready to make her move. As she made her way into the room she could hear loud snores coming from the dog bed that Spike slept in, meaning he was obviously fast asleep. Looking over to Twilight's bed she couldn't see the Unicorn. At first it worried Poison Apple, but a smile quickly spread across her face. If Twilight was downstairs she could kill Spike, and use his corpse to trap Twilight.

Slowly walking towards Spike's bed she noticed his head and tail were both sticking out of the bed. Poison Apple laughed quietly to herself as she raised the axe, bringing it above with Spike's neck. Knowing it would be best to not waste time preparing she quickly brought the axe down, ending Spike's life in a split second, without a noise. Before she could do anything else she heard Twilight coming up the stairs. Poison Apple quickly ran behind a bookshelf that was in the room, getting behind it just as Twilight came into the room.

"Now that Gone with the Pegasi is in the right section I can sleep" Twilight said, still not noticing that Spike wasn't snoring. As she walked further into her room she finally noticed that her assistant's loud snoring was missing. She walked over to see if he was still asleep.

"Spike?" Twilight said quietly, just in case he was still asleep, and just wasn't snoring. When she got over his bed she noticed the blood pool around him, and fell back in terror. As Poison Apple made her way out from behind the bookcase Twilight levitated one of Spike's hands towards her, which had been cut off along with his head.

"Spike?!" Twilight cried, her eyes filling with tears. Poison Apple quickly ran forward, knowing she was about to scream out Spike's name. Raising the axe she prepared to swing at Twilight's horn.

"Spi-" Twilight started to yell, but was cut off as the axe was brought to her horn, cutting it clean off. She fell to the ground, her horn flying off and getting stuck in the wall. Poison Apple took out the orb and a purple mist began to make it's way out of where Twilight's horn had been. Twilight's colour began to drain just as the other's had, and she curled up into a ball, tears still flowing down her face. Looking over to the wall where Twilight's horn had gotten stuck Poison Apple got an idea.

Moving over to Spike's corpse she quickly cut off Spike's tail, picking it up and moving over to Twilight's horn. Taking the horn out of the wall she moved the tail over the hole where it had been a moment before. She quickly stabbed the horn through the tail, nailing it to the wall. Poison Apple took a step back and smiled, appreciating her work.

Good work young one, Hysteria said, laughing, I did not think the element of magic would fall so easily. You have done well

"Thank you Mother" Poison Apple said, jumping onto Twilight's bed.

Next, you must take the laughter and smile away from another of the elements, Hysteria said, pausing to think for a moment, But she should be easily dealt with, just wait for the news of her friends to reach her and she will be yours

"Yes Mother" Poison Apple said, laying down on the bed, closing her eyes, planning on sleeping after two days of hard work.

Sleep young one, you have a lot of work ahead of you..., Hysteria said as Poison Apple drifted off to sleep.