Perpetual Torment

"The Slipgate is ready. I will open the first exit portal outside the cave."

Your gauntlet covered fingers scratch up and down the ears of the tiny bunny on your lap. The Dutch looking rabbit nuzzles against you, eyes closed as it thumped its rear legs in delight at your dexterous touch. Reaching over to your helmet which was resting on the ground, you pull out a baby carrot and feed it to the critter.

"Alright. Gotta get back to work, Pumpkin." You coo out in a grizzled whisper, gently scooping the rabbit off your lap and setting him on the ground.

Whimpering in response, the bunny paws at the carrot, before munching away. Rising to your feet, you glance over to the exit of the cave. Just as VEGA said, right outside the entrance was a large blue portal, blue particles flowing around the inner radius of the deep blue void.

"Before you enter, I suggest sending smaller organic material through the portal to test the effects. While the power flow is stable, I am not certain of any repercussions using arcane energy would hav-"

You don't hear VEGA finish his warning, as you stride towards the active Slipgate and walk into it. Blue particles surround your body as you are consumed into the deep blue portal. You feel reality bend around you, velocity increasing to speeds unimaginable, as stars and solar systems flash before your eyes. Your vision fades to black, as all light is sucked out of the void.

...

...

Silence.

...

Deafening silence. There is a distinct lack of anything around you. You're conscious, but you're not connected to your physical form.

...

Was VEGA wrong? Was the connection between the portals broken?

...

Your right foot lands on the muddy road outside your cave. The sun beats down overhead, casting light and warmth to the world around you. You can't help but give a small sigh of relief, but not before you pat yourself down to check for your essentials.

Arms. Legs. Internal organs. Check.

"Analysis complete. Due to our limited power supply, as well as the inherently weaker energy of this world, Slipgate traversal will take 32 percent longer than if powered by a Sentinel battery."

Figures.

The blue portal behind you closes, leaving you standing alone outside your cave. You've forgotten just how beautiful Equestria is. It's almost shocking how vibrant and colorful every aspect of this world is, you'd swear it looks like a children's cartoon from Earth.

Chirping from above catches your attention, as you glance up to see two birds flying around each other. Squinting your eyes, you try to see what kind they are, but the sun above is making it difficult.

"Nrrgh..." You grumble out, placing a hand above your forehead in an attempt to block out Horse Lady's glorious star. If you had to guess, you'd say they are sparrows. The two birds fly around in circles before settling in a tree, taking turns placing sticks in their work-in-progress nest.

Kinda reminds you of the times you and Horse Lady would play with that little tabletop game. The one with the tower of little wooden blocks. Jonga, you think it was called.

"The arcane regulator has reached critical temperatures, and will need time to cool off before I can activate the Slipgate again." VEGA cautions you, speaking through your chest-plate. "The regulator will be ready for use in approximately three hours and two minutes."

Heading back inside your cave, you decide that now is a good time to dispose of that lion thing. You never did get to finish that leg, and you could really go for something besides stolen fruit or vegetables right about now. Speaking of which, Pumpkin has completely pushed over your helmet, gluttonously feasting on the baby carrots that were hidden underneath. You'd discipline that little runt if he wasn't so adorable about it, honking away as he happily stuffs his tiny maw.

Walking past your recently acquired roommate, you grab the scorpion tale of the lion thing, as you drag it towards the entran-

CRACK

Looking down at your hand, the tail dangles back and forth in your grip, having dismembered itself from the corpse. With a deadpan gaze you toss the stinger into the fire pit, before grabbing the decomposing kitty and hoisting it over your shoulder.

"I'll be back." You call out to the bunny sitting inside your helmet, as you exit the cave once again.

The corpse of the winged lion beast slams onto the forest ground, being quickly engulfed by the massive bush you threw it into. Patting the foul smelling fur and skin clumps off your armor, you take a deep breath as you take in the scenery. From what you gathered of the townsponies reactions, this forest is pretty dangerous and terrifying. You'll admit, it's spooky compared to the rest of the land, but in a comical sense. The trees and fauna engulfing the land are deep shades of green and maroon, and you could swear more than one tree had 'evil' faces in the bark.

You walked about five or so acres away from your cave, not wanting the nasty smell of the corpse anywhere near your base. Sure, you're used to nasty smells; but home is supposed to be pleasant. Turning around to head back home, your attention is taken by an opening in the dense forest that somehow went unnoticed. Extending the blade on your arm, you use it as a machete to chop away at the branches and shrubbery in your path.

Stepping out into the open field, your eyes lay upon a sight you never wanted to see in all of your life.

Celestia and Luna's castle. The very same castle you and the rest of your people helped lay the foundation for stands in front of you, in a state of absolute ruin. Where majestic and carefully crafted towers once stood, remains nothing more than the vast air of Equestria. Moss and fauna cover the crumbled and half destroyed walls, the once pristine stone bricks dulled by the withering effects of time.

The bridge that was once used to cross the massive canyon between the two pieces of earth has collapsed in on itself, something that looks to have been a recent occurrence. Slowly, you walk your way to the edge of the canyon, an overbearing sadness beginning to sprout inside of you.

What happened?

Taking a few steps back, you launch into a sprint, jumping off the ground as you soar above the canyon. Just before you begin to fall, the jets on your boots kick in, activating a double jump. It doesn't look like you're gonna cross the gap off your own sprint alone, so you activate the jets on the back of your armor, dashing forward. Mud and grass kick up as you slide to a stop, now standing in front of your lover's destroyed castle.

Oh god. It's even worse up close.

Making your way inside, your eyes take in the mold and moss covered ruins, banners of the two sisters still remain, though they are sun bleached and covered in mold. As you make your way deeper into the castle, you can only wonder as to how exactly Celestia and her sister's reign was over-taken. Judging by the structural damage, a fight of massive scale had to have happened. A pang of guilt hits your stomach, hoping to the heavens above this wasn't the result of demons.

Nearing the throne room, you drag a hand across the stone bricks of the once magnificent halls. You feel the smooth stone graze your gauntlet's finger tips, before a brick out of place catches your index finger. The brick is pulled out of place with ease, and falls onto the floor with an echoing thud. Picking up the brick, you turn it over in your hand to inspect it.

A N o n

+

Celly!

"I have made another discovery." VEGA's voice shakes you out of the daydream that was beginning to take place.

You kiss the engraving of Celestia's pet name, before reaching behind your back and pressing the stone to your hyperspace inventory. The device on your waist opens up, sucking in the stone before shutting not a second later.

"I can only open portals to destinations known by your automap. In order to speed up the process of leaving this planet and returning to Earth, I will require maps of both astronomical and geographical varieties. To further my potential functionality, I suggest finding any literature of historical, as well as magical significance." VEGA Explains.

Looking over the castle, you make your way back outside and back towards home. You have to hand it to VEGA, he can really keep you on track when you let your emotions get the better of you.

"Our exact coordinates on this planet are unknown as well. When we acquire a map, you will have to find our location before we can continue. By my calculations, we have approximately 138 hours before Earth is completely consumed by the forces of Hell."

Boosting yourself across the canyon once again, you increase your speed to a jog. It hasn't even been a full 24 hours, and it looks like you're going to have to pay that little town a visit once again.

Celestia's sun above your head, you stride your way back into town, intent on borrowing some more supplies. It's for the greater good, these shop owners can spare to lose some product.

You'll admit, you're well acquainted to being feared, and you've grown to enjoy the freedom your sheer intimidation grants you. Despite this, you can't help but feel that the terror these townsponies have for you is different. Typically you are feared by those who know who you are, and what you are capable of. The Hellwalker, the Doom Slayer, whatever name those intimidated so wish to call you. What is different about this fear is that they are treating you as if you're some sort of alien.

Surely they have seen or even heard about humans before? The Kingdom of Man had lost a great number of men that fateful day you were dragged to hell, but you know for a fact some humans had immigrated to Equestria before then.

Not a soul is out and about today, windows and doors have been boarded up and blockaded with heavy objects. As you walk further into town, you can see the remains of the camera you smashed. They didn't even bother to pick it up.

"Bio-scans indicate that the populous has barricaded themselves inside their homes." VEGA pipes up in your helmet.

Scanning your eyes over the various signs to the shops, you take interest in a small bookshop. Walking up to the storefront, you wrap your fist against the tiny, hickory door.

No answer.

Your eye twitches, as you give another three knocks.

Nothing.

Gripping the door with both hands, you sink your fingers against the wood. Fibers splinter and crack, giving underneath your intense grasp. With a grunt of force, you pull the door towards your body, easily breaking it off it's hinges and busting the lock. Tossing the door into the dirt road, you duck down to enter the tiny doorway.

"Momma!" You hear a small filly cry out in terror, popping out from behind a bookshelf as she dashes into the backroom of the store. Your eyes glance to the upper left corner of your HUD, activating an area scan.

"One moment." VEGA replies to your request, as your helmet begins casting a three-dimensional scan of the store to your automap.

You glance over the shelves of the tiny store, noting the distinct lack of non-fiction.

"Scan complete. This store does not contain any literature of magical or historical relevance. There does appear to be a small section in the backroom dedicated to cartography."

Shit, that's the room the little kid ran off to.

As softly as you can, you close in on the backroom. Your heavy boots rumbling the shelves and furniture around you, floorboards underneath threatening to break under your weight. Ducking down and entering, you find the filly from before being cradled by a middle-aged mare with glasses. Both ponies are trembling in fear, as the mare shakily strokes her daughter's yellow mane. Neither of them speak a word, and neither dare open there eyes, terrified they will anger you.

"According to my scans, the bookshelf on your left is the cartography section."

Walking over, you idly scan the various book-spines, your attention constantly being drawn down to the pair of ponies. Your heart aches at the sight. They really are frightened.

"I am detecting a lapse in your concentration. Would you like me to auto scan?"

Without taking your eyes off the mother and daughter, you give a small nod as VEGA takes over research duty. Kneeling next to the mother, your heart strings are tugged as you watch her flinch violently, clutching her daughter tighter. The filly begins to sob, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I don't wanna die, Momma..." She whispers out, her mother nuzzling against her mane.

"Just be strong, Sweetie..."

Reaching a hand out as gently as you can, you place it behind the mother's head. She yelps out loud and whimpers, recoiling from your touch as she tries to shuffle away.

"Momma!" The filly cries out.

Not one to give up so suddenly, you manage to cup the mare's cheek with your right hand, holding her gently. Taking your left hand, you slowly pet her mane, reaching to scratch behind her ear. Her frantic breath begins to slow and normalize, sniffling as she tries to comprehend what you are doing. Her deep blue eyes slowly flutter open, looking up at you with a fearful expression.

"Scan complete. All of the literature on the shelf is dedicated to fictional stories about cartographers." VEGA calmly speaks.

"P-please... Take anything you want, just don't hurt us..." The mother shivers in your grasp, not sure how she is supposed to react. Her eyes dart back and forth from your face, to the retracted blade on your arm, to the equipment launcher on your shoulder.

Rising back to your feet, the floorboards underneath you creak violently, which makes the young filly flinch before opening her eyes.

"Please mister monster, you scare everypony in town..." She wipes some tears away from her eyes.

Your eyes fall on the young filly, before you notice what looks like a framed map on the floor behind her. Reaching over the mother and daughter who cower away in response, you grab the large picture frame and hold it up to your helmet.

0075256 - "EQUESTRIA" ADDED TO AUTOMAP CATALOG.

Goddamn, how much time has past? Equestria is a lot larger than you remember, and there are so many more cities and towns. Your eyes glance up and down the map, inspecting every detail. Manehatten, Appleloosa, Cloudsdale, the list of towns just go on and on.

"I am charting down the cities and towns. We will still require some form of astronomical map, as well as literature on magic so I may understand how to optimize my systems with the foreign power supply. Going off of previous records; 'Wonderlight's Wizardly Wares' potentially has the type of spell books we require."

A tiny hoof taps you on your boot, snapping you out of your concentration. Without even thinking, you have taken a seat on the floor with your legs crossed. You raise your left arm to reveal the small filly pressing a hoof to your leg.

"Um... M-mister monster? I was studying that, for a school project..." She looks at the map you are holding, a longing look in her eyes. "If you're going to take it, please bring it back before next week... Momma said if I get an A on the project, she'll take me to the arcade in Ponyville..."

That's adorable. You glance up at the mare, who is sitting straight across from you. She's still shaken up, but it seems that sitting down like you have has calmed the situation down a lot. Slowly, you place a free hand on the filly's head, gently petting her like you did to her mother.

"You're lost..." The mother speaks up, watching your index finger slide across the map, as you try to pinpoint your exact location.

You give her a nod, before looking down at the map once again. From what you can remember, the ponies here call that forest you come out of the...

"That's where you live, I think." The filly says, tapping a hoof above the Everfree forest. "And this is where Momma and I live, and where we are right now!" Her tail wags as she climbs up into your lap, now pointing to Dodge Junction.

Out of the corner of your eye you can see the mare take off her glasses, to gently dab her eyes of dried tears. "I... saw that you were checking out the bookshelves. I only sell novels. To be honest, this is really the only bookstore in Dodge Junction. Are you... Looking for a library?" The mare asks.

You nod your head.

"Sweetie, can you point out Ponyville to Mister Giant?"

"Mhm! It's right here, Mister!" The little filly's tail wags as fast as a little puppy dog who just caught a ball, as her hoof stomps onto a small village just north west of the Everfree.

"There's a library in Ponyville called Golden Oak. I'm not sure how welcoming they'll be to you, seeing how uh... assertive, you are." The mother speaks up once again.

Setting the map on the floor, you carefully pick up the filly and place her down, before standing up. Giving the two of them a nod, you begin heading for the entrance to the bookstore.

"Mister Giant?" The mare calls out to you before you take even a step forward.

Turning your head, you give her your attention.

"You're... not going to hurt anypony... are you?"

"I am detecting multiple life signatures rapidly approaching our destination." VEGA pipes up.

You kneel down to meet her at eye level. Placing a fist over your heart, you shake your head.

"Thank you..." She gently whispers.

Standing up once again, you make your way out of her establishment, careful not to break anymore of her property after the waterworks they gave you. Stepping outside back into the open air, you make your way several stores down town hall, towards the store with the flashy sign. With a grunt of annoyance, you decide to try knocking once more. Balling your hand into a fist, you rack it against the wooden door a couple of times.

To your surprise, the door actually opens. Wonderlight peers up at you, clearly intimidated, yet optimistically friendly.

"Oh! Well good afternoon, Mister Giant! Is there something I can help you with?"

You duck your head down and enter through the front door, scanning your eyes over his wares once again.

"I must apologize, a client who is starting up a sawmill in Los Pegasus just bought out all my arcane regulators..." He notices your attention is on the bookshelves of spell books. "Though, it seems that's not of concern to you today!"

You don't pay the elderly pony much mind, as you grab a random book off the shelf, letting VEGA scan through it's contents quickly. You repeat this process for multiple books, Wonderlight stands in the corner awkwardly, smiling at you.

The clip clop of hooves coming up a staircase in a back room catches your attention, as a young mare speaks up. "Papa, you wouldn't happen to know how to make a batch of Eldrick's Curse, would you?" The young mare presents herself before you. She has a beige, almost orange coat like her father, and a turquoise mane and tail. Upon seeing you, she tenses up. "O-oh... H-he's back?" She points a hoof to you, looking at her father.

Wonderlight nods, and smiles politely. "Why yes, Hazel. He's a customer just like anypony else. Isn't that right?"

You don't respond, and opt to stare at Hazel. There's something about her that's off. She seems almost infatuated with you. Slowly, she trots up to your side, rubbing herself against your leg like a cat. "Well allow me to introduce myself... I'm Hazelblossom! You uh, really... Scared me back there." She trails off as she rubs her body all over your legs, rather forcefully too.

Getting annoyed with her antics, you grab her head and shove her away.

Did she just lick your hand?

"I have completed my scan on the bookshelf. None of these are of significant value to us." VEGA says.

You toss the book to the ground, and make for the door.

"Wait! You're leaving so soon?" Hazelblossom seems shocked, trotting by your side all the way to the door. "You've got such a wonderful taste- taste in fashion! A wonderful taste in fashion! I'd love to know more about that suit of armor you've got on!"

Weirdo.

You shake the pony off your leg and re-emerge outside once again. You hear the sound of multiple wings flapping in the distance, followed by the clanking of metal wheels spinning freely. Turning your attention to the sky, you spot exactly what VEGA warned about.

Clad in regal looking armor, six pegasus stallions pull a heavily armored flying chariot. Inside the chariot, two stallions sit. The first was a broad, white coated unicorn with a mane of multiple shades of blue. The other looks awful familiar, a smaller, grey earth pony with a brown cowboy hat.

You know that pony, he was inside the house with the brat who snapped a picture of you. So he went and got royalty, huh? You can't say your very surprised, but it looks like the stealthier approach you were attempting to take will have to be abandoned. No point in trying to hide when the head haunchos know of your presence.

"The Slipgate is ready. Routing power to prepare a portal now."

The chariot lands on the edge of town, in front of the train station. Standing your ground, you watch the two stallions dismount out of the chariot, whilst the pegasi guards detach themselves from the reigns.

"That's him! You see! I can't even leave my town for a damned day without him barging in and causing a ruckus!" The mustached pony rants and raves. "Look! He busted the door down to the bookshop!"

"Stay behind us, Mayor Buckington." The unicorn says.

Levitating a gladiator helmet onto his head, the white unicorn whistles to the six guards, who take up formation behind him. After a couple seconds, they begin marching towards you, the unicorn keeping his stern gaze focused on you.

Very regal looking. Wonder who they serve under?

"The portal will open in ten seconds."

Stopping their advance around four yards away, the unicorn leader clears his throat. "Strange creature!" His voice booms with volume and authority, as if he is trying to let the whole town know he is here. "We mean you no harm, and we are hopeful you do not mean us any! Under direct command of Princess Celestia, you are hereby ordered to surrender yourself into my custody, so I may bring you to her at once!"

"Opening the portal now." Vega says, as a massive blue circle forms behind you.

Celestia. She's alive...

Part of you wants to throw off your helmet and hug this stallion. Run away with him and go reunite with Celestia after all this pain and torture. You stopped letting that part of you make decisions a long time ago, and you'd never be able to live with yourself if you did that. Billions of lives are at stake here. Celestia would understand.

Right?

You can see looks of confusion on the guards, and even the unicorn can't help but glance behind you at the portal.

"Get ready for protocol Thunder, boys..." The unicorn tilts his head to the side to speak to his team, as his guards stiffen up.

Turning around, you begin to walk towards the portal.

"Wait! Halt! By the order of Cel-"

Blue particles embrace you, as you rocket off through space towards your cave.