Author's Note

There’s a very small Shakespeare reference in this chapter. If ya spot it I’ll reward ya ;)

16 A Tall White Fountain Played

Walking, it’s what I do now, all I know. No that’s me being silly yet this hallway doesn’t seem like it wants to end. Peering down its vast length the far side is indistinguishable from the walls around it. Maybe it goes on forever? Nope just being dramatic, the stairwell I’m looking for passes by my right causing me to stop. Taking the spiral staircase down, I go until I reach the castle garden level, the supposed meeting place of me and Luna get together.

I’d left the room after receiving the letter without making a sound, leaving the slumbering party pony in her dreams. Picking a random direction I realized quickly I had no idea where to go but, I had til midnight to find the way so here we are. It must have been twenty or so minutes before I found this staircase and now the journey begins to find a way into the garden. Looking both ways down the hall it’s devoid of any life, no helpful maids or guards around to show me the way.

“Shit”

Left with no choice I keep walking back toward the direction I had previously came from if I were to be back on the guest floor. As I continued I would steal glances outside the many windows lining the wall to my right. Making sure that I never passed beyond the garden it could be only soon that I found the entrance. Generally making assumptions like this is one of my many downfalls however, I’m feeling lucky tonight and that feeling pays off. Reaching a large pair of glass doors, they appear to me relatable to a greenhouse entrance. I walk inside the garden.

Looking around it would be ridiculous to not notice the lack of snow or cold within the area. Plants of various sizes including the sculpted shrubbery had been lively, their appearance either altered through magic or illusion. Given the season these bad boys should be dead.

“Thou is rather early, did we not write the time?”

Spinning around I’m both shocked and relieved at Luna’s showing. “I was worried you might not show up”

Her appearance is that of her normal regal look, similar to Celestial she stands much taller in height than the average pony. Her coat a dark navy blue, complimented by her flowing mane engulfed in twinkling starlight. I enjoy every one of Luna’s appearances however, I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a favorite. Her normal pony form is a much cuter look and usually she acts with a more playful tone when using it. Likely to avoid any pony from seeing her in her outside of her normal form, she stands here with elegant confidence.

Giggling, she walks beside me gesturing to follow, “That would be imprudent of me would it not?”

“Given the fact everywhere I go bad things happen, I’d say it’s a calculated risk”

“Perhaps ‘bad things’ do happen often with you Joey. It would be dismissive to suggest it’s dangerous to others though. To me it might seem the only pony in harms way would be thou’s”

“Guess you got me there…” with a deep exhale it makes itself visible in the winter air. “Before things get all awkward, how is this garden alive? Like I can see my breath but, it doesn’t feel cold at all”

“You have my sister to thank for that. She’s spent many moons developing a spell that could cover this garden with protection from the elements. Maybe you might think it was a waste of time but, we would like to think of it as a wonder”

“Hm… yea I should’ve figured the answer would be magic”

“Well what did you expect us to say?”

“I don’t know, that it’s powered with friendship or something. You ponies seem to love all types of cheesy shit like that”

“Why there is no cheese of any sort involved, what are you referring to?”

“Doesn’t matter Lulu, what does matter is us talking again” we pause admiring the fountain in front of us. “I really miss our late night talks and honestly… I need your help sometimes”

Luna appears surprised, “Did we hear thou incorrectly? Did you say help?”

I puff my cheeks, “I’m trying to be sentimental here”

“Sorry” she giggles, “continue”.

“As I was saying… your my friend Lu and I like hanging out with friends. Even if they don’t know how to speak properly”

“Touché, it would seem we both seek to better ourselves”

“Yeah I’m definitely trying…”

“So would thou like to discuss our last departure?” She shares a light blush, barely visible against her coat.

“Luna I can’t court you”

“Awfully quick to answer. Could one care to explain their decision?”

“I kinda figured that you might like me like me once you tried to… you know. So I gave it some thinking and decided it’s for the best we don’t continue this relationship beyond friends”

Frowning she sits beside me, “Thou still has yet to give an explanation onto why this is the correct answer”

“Because… because your a ruler of Equestria and I’m just a dude”

“Surely your reasoning can’t be just that”

“Lulu I’m a distraction! I would be taking away from your job, a very important job that involves ruling over the fuckin planet! I’m not that important” I chuckle at the thought of my existence, it’s impact purely microscopic to the spectrum.

She dismissively waves me off, “Pish posh, that is ridiculous. We would never let something as little as courting a stallion effect our performance. Has thou forgotten my experience?”

“You’d have to make me a noble right?”

“… yes but-“

“And if I’m a noble that’s courting a princess then ponies expect to see me right?”

“I don’t see where this is going”

“Most ponies dislike me Luna and the few that don’t know anything about me are in danger of my weird magic bullshit. I’m a walking bottle of uranium waiting to harm anypony that gets to close! I mean how long until word gets out about my issue? They’ll want me dead”

“They would never suggest such a thing! Especially against our own lover unless they would wish for our wrath upon them!” Her eyes darken with intensity, her mane moving more passionately then before.

Her power is somewhat frightening yet I keep my composure, “See what I mean? You can’t use your power to deny the ponies of their fears! Even if it’s for my comfort”

“Purely hypothetical! Tis ridiculous to assume the repercussions of our relationship. We would never let thou’s secret out and I would never let harm come to you!”

“How’s it ridiculous? It takes one pony asking questions until everything is unraveled. ‘What’s with the collar?’ Oh I’m just… kinky. Like what would I even answer? I don’t want to live in secrecy with all eyes on me daily”

“We would make sure you needn’t worry about such trivial issues. Trust me, I wouldn’t lie to thou”

Maybe it was foolish to try and convince Luna… should I just lie?

“I don’t like the way this sounds Lulu. It sounds like a bunch of work for a ruler of Equestria to put up with”

“But we want to! We… I want this” her eyes seem to glisten, breaking down the entirety of my plan.

“I can’t… I...” struggling to finish my sentence I start to feel short of breath.

The world around me feels like it’s closing in, I have to sit down just to stop myself from panicking. Closing my eyes I start to pull at my hair in frustration. It’s all too much, I’d planned for things to be okay! What if I hurt Luna too much? I was her first close friend since her return and she’d been able to relate with me on some of her issues. I’ve been a stress reliever for her otherwise hectic life, some sort of normalcy and here I was seemingly trying to end that.

“Joey please! We are sorry! Things will be okay I promise!” She hugs me with her hooves worryingly. “We may stay friends if that’s what you wish, it is no big deal”

Reality seems to come back, things settling into a calm night once more. I can’t help myself from leaning into Luna, her warmth both inviting and soothing for a broken soul such as I.

“I’m sorry” I croak out.

“Tis fine, we shouldn’t have pushed thou”

“No I should be better then this”

“Every pony needs different lengths of time to deal with trauma Joey, it is perfectly fine for you to worry”

“Maybe I’m being too stubborn with pony customs, it’s just that a herd seems impossible to work”

She leans in close, speaking lightly above a whisper. “A herd? Does thou have another admirer?”

Glancing away I blush, “I’m courting Pinkie, the element of laughter”

“Is that so? Why that would be the rambunctious pink pony with the puffy mane?”

“Never met her before?”

“Few times. You see being a princess known for her tyrant behavior I don’t seem to make many friends outside of thou… yet you are a strange case”

“Heh, you could say that again”

“So the element of laughter would be the pony you court? Is she not expected to carry responsibilities beyond thou’s self proclaimed worth? Why that would mean by courting her you’ve deemed her duties as of less importance than yourself. What is it that makes thou’s relationship different?”

“Luna you can’t pretend th-“

“That her duties are less than a princesses?” She wraps a wing around me and stares up into her night sky. “I believe in your attempt to be selfless, thou has become the very thing they seemed to avoid. Tis selfish to assign responsibility unto others of your own accord. Do you understand what we are saying?”

I have a mini revelation, her words ringing around the inside of my skull. I decided based on my own thoughts, dictated what was more important based on my knowledge, and assumed what was the correct decision without knowing anypony’s own capabilities or responsibility. I can’t just assume what’s right based on what I know! I even argued with Twilight to convince her she can’t do something she might already know she can! I was deciding for both sides, not for what they thought was best for them but, for what I thought was best. Incredibly selfish, ignorant, foolish, and flat out stubborn.

“I’m… wow I’m a fucking idiot” I slap my forehead loudly in disbelief. “Here I thought I was getting better”

Giggling she pulls me closer while resting her muzzle on top of my head, “Thou is truly making an effort, it’s more than most can attest to”

“Yeah, that and a dollar fifty and you can buy a soda”

“Hmm?”

“Oh yeah…. Pony money. Let me say it again, that and a few bits can buy you a drink”

“A rather humorous way to say effort is meaningless”

“It’s not meaningless. Just…
Meaningless in this particular situation”

“But we disagree” She pulls away giving me a smile. I stare on confused. “Even if you have wronged others, it is admirable to say it was intended for their benefit especially at thou’s displeasure”

“So I did something pointless at my expense, for others, that was in fact at the expense of everyone. Geez, makes me sound like a real ‘admirable’ guy”

“Ha! Now imagine you’ve been banished to the moon for your crimes! Then we could see eye to eye”

“Okay not the same!”

“Perhaps..” she turns away trying to hide a sly grin.

I try and hold my fake anger but, it doesn’t last long until we both break. Chuckling I stand up offering my hand to help her as well.

“You know you really do remind me of myself sometimes and that’s not a good thing”

Laughing herself, Luna takes my hand and stands up with me. “We find it pleasing to know another plagued with the same issues”

“Fitting in?”

“Loving thyself”

I frown and cross my arms, “I love myself!”

She shakes her head, “Yes and the night sky is brightened by the sun”

“Technically the only reason you can see the moon is because of the sun so…”

“That is completely untrue! We have personally controlled each night down to each star Mr. Marshall! Everything that touches our night sky has been perfectly crafted to our liking!”

“Tsk tsk, never taken a class in astronomy I see. You have much to learn”

“And you have yet to answer the question, do you wish to court us or not? And thou’s original excuse has been proven useless in defense!”

And just like that we’re back to square one. Do I say yes now or do I follow the same decision I came to with Twilight? Given the conversation, Luna and Twilight defiantly deserve a chance however, it would still feel awkward and forced to form a herd as early as now. I might have cleared up any doubts with courting the girls but, the issue of comfort still festers.

“I can’t Luna, it wouldn’t feel fair to you and honestly… I’m not sure if I want to be more than friends. We haven’t really spent a ton of time together. Maybe in the future… we could try something but right now it feels a little sudden”

Taking a quick peak her way I expect a different reaction than a smile. “This is fine with us. In due time when thou feels comfortable enough to… court us, we would appreciate a warning of such change” she fails to hide a blush.

“Thank you… for understanding” I give her a hug. “Trust me it isn’t for a lack of willingness. I just feel like I need some reassurance before I make a decision like that”

Walking away she turns back to me, “Yes, this is perfectly fine but, remember who it is you truly love the most” she gives a wink and blows me a kiss. “Enjoy thine night Joey, we will accompany you once more in the dream realm”

She fades away after stepping into the shadow of a hedge leaving nothing but a thin black mist in her disappearance. With her disappearance the garden seems to lose its welcoming feel, a still yard without sound. I place a hand to my head brushing back my hair stressfully.

What a saint, I really don’t understand what I did to deserve friends like that

Given the opportunity I take a moment to enjoy the night sky, a rare sight I’m unfamiliar with compared to Earth. There’s no smog or cloud coverage to block the celestial beauty before me. All of this only confirms my statement that the night is clearly the superior time of day. I stop my stargazing and begin the journey back to my room, thankfully remembering the way back.

It doesn’t take nearly as long to get back as it did to reach the garden and once I’ve made it back completely I shut the door to the room behind me. Leaning backwards into its wooden frame, I slide down into a fetal position left in thought. Had I done the right thing with Twilight? It sure doesn’t feel that way now. Pulling me away from my worries, a few clops of pony footsteps approach my position. I don’t move allowing Pinkie to find me exactly the way I’ve settled. She rubs an eye with a yawn.

“Joey? What’s going on, you okay?”

Not feeling like worrying Pinkie, I sit up and scoop her into my arms in a cradle hold. “I needed a walk”

I carry her back over to the bed and place her under the covers, changing into my pajamas before joining her.

“Mhm… can’t sleep?” She must think I had gotten up from sleeping, unknowing to the fact I never went to bed.

“Yeah, tried making myself tired looking at some boring noble art”

“okay… just make sure to… give me tons of cuddles” she’s barely awake, desperately snuggling into me.

Her hooves wrap around me in a tight grip. I won’t be getting free anytime soon and that’s okay with me… until it isn’t. Maybe 20 minutes go by before I feel hot, the thick covers on our bed are much too good at keeping in heat. I feel sticky, needing some separation from this little pink oven attached to me. I give her a light shake.

“Pinkie, can you give me some space? I’m really hot”

She mumbles back, “mhm, yeah you are”

“Pinkie!” I whisper loudly. “Please, I’m all sweaty!”

“I don’t… mind”

“Yeah but I do! C’mon you little leach” her grip doesn’t weaken in the slightest along with my discomfort.

Feeling like things are drastic I’m willing to do something rash. Using my free arm I’m able to pull my shirt off along with my pajama pants. It’s the most I’ve ever been exposed to Pinkie outside of the whole bath moment. Immediately I start to feel much better yet the heat remained strong, I had only dampened the struggle. Adding to my misfortune, Pinkie suddenly gets even closer with her head laying against my now bare chest. Sure we’ve had physical moments that involved getting touchy but, this felt different… vulnerable. A level of discomfort that resurfaced specific trauma.

“Uh.. P-pinkie? Can you please… give me s-some room?” I gulp trying to fix my drying throat.

She opens an eye noticing the distinct lack of clothing against herself. Slowly looking down she blushes up.

“Are you… naked?”

“W-what!?! No! I’m hot as shit right now and your burning me up”

She lets go giving me a my much needed space to cool down. I take the opportunity to pull back the covers revealing my bare skin, everything visible beside what lay beneath my briefs. Fanning myself off with the bedsheet Pinkie fails to look away absorbing the view into her dirty little brain.

“Do you mind?”

“No not at all. Actually it would be nice if you could take those off as well”

“Hardy har har”

At this point I don’t even care anymore. I’m tired, stressed out, and sweaty. Letting Pinkie gawk over me is the least of my problems.

“Can we cuddle?” I give her a death glare. “You just look sooooo smooth! I need to see how much better it would feel instead of the normal way we cuddle”

“I’m sweating to death over here, the last thing I want to do is cuddle”

“Pleeeease?”

“No”

“Pretty pleeeeeeease?”

I shake my head.

“Pinkie pleeeeease with a cherry on top?”

“Do you want to sleep in the tub?”

She frowns while flipping over facing away from me. Continuing my fanning, Pinkie turns back to me with a mischievous smirk. Slowly she approaches with a half lidded look.

“What if we… got a little frisky?”

My already flushed face burns with embarrassment. I stop dead in my tracks, watching Pinkie as she climbs up close. Leaning in her intentions are clear. I’m unable to deny.

We come together with a passionate embrace, our lips pressed fighting for pleasured dominance. Something stirs within me, a lustful desire. I don’t even remember the reason for my discomfort anymore. Placing a hand around her head and another around her body I pull her to me, getting as much Pinkie as possible. It’s a slow frenzy, constant shifts in position with the occasional stop. Finally after a minute or two we pull apart gazing to each other. Our breaths labored and hot.

Even with her pink coat shrouded in the night I can still see the heavy blush sprawled across her face. Something below bumps against me making me aware of my new stiff appendage. I furrow my brow with a worried expression, unsure if I’m willing to go any further.

“Are you okay with cuddling now?” She appears almost triumphant.

“We can a little bit” I shift myself away some to separate my ‘issue’. “I’m definitely going to need a bath after this”

“Me too! We should share. It’ll save water, it’ll be fun, I can wash your back, you can wash mine! Everything will be fair square and even”

“Yeah I don’t know about sharing a bath. Kinda tough to wash myself with a little perv in there watching me”

“You call me a perv? Your the one getting all… big down there and trying to hide it!”

“Yeah cause it’s embarrassing!”

“I don’t think it’s embarrassing I mean I’m your marefriend! It’s okay to get all funky cause of me… it makes me feel kinda hot too” she looks away bashfully.

Things have gone too far now. I can feel it between us, that next step waiting to be taken. I want it. No, I need it but, I know it isn’t right. This is rushing things, isn’t it? Pinkie seems to notice my hesitation.

“If your uncomfortable we can stop. I don’t want you to be worried that I’ll do something”

Her words sound weird to me, clearly the adaptation of gender reversed roles making me feel more submissive. Pinkie probably thinks I’m worried about her going to far without my consent, as if I couldn’t stop her.

“No no no, I’m not worried about that at all”

“Oh, okay good”

“I’m just not ready for… sex” her eyes widen. “I don’t want to rush things is all… I want us to be more about each other. Not about… all that”

“I would ask if I was thinking about it… if you want I can let you ask when your ready” I’ve killed the mood, Pinkie now settled down.

“I don’t want you to feel like you can’t ask though. Next time how about you ask and I’ll let you know”

“That’s fine with Pinkie! Buuuuttt… what are we gonna do about your wittle friend right now?” She speaks about my dick as if she were speaking of a dog, putting a cutesy tone at the end of her sentence.

“Can we not talk about my dick and his awkward need for attention?”

Pinkie pauses for a second, turning to me with a serious expression, “If you want…. I can take care of it” her eyes look to me to see if she’d gone to far.

“That kinda fits under the category of sex does it not?”

“Not if it’s just a hoof job! It’s only a tug, how could that be any different than us kissing?”

“Because it’s my dick! You know, my sexual reproduction organ? What do you also think ponies get pregnant from kissing?”

“Then can I use my mouth?”

“What?!? How’s that any better?”

“From what I’ve heard it’s a whole lot better but, I do- please don’t tickle me I was joking!” I put my hands back to resting around her away from her stomach.

“Even when I’m okay with everything, I want you to know that oral is off the table”

“Whaaaaat? How come? I mean I’ve never done anything like that before but, it’s not that different from us kissing”

“Because when I want to kiss you I’m not going to want to if your mouth is all… me”

She giggles, “Fair enough”

Silence comes over us letting me soak in the moment. A warm sticky experience with a strong musk but, a warmth inside of me knowing that everything is okay. That I’m not alone. It’s enough to make me close my eyes and enjoy it’s euphoric sensation.

Sunlight, it peeks through our curtains breaking up the peaceful existence between man and pony. I’d fallen asleep, my collar on the night stand beside me. Pinkie must’ve slipped it off me while I slept. Her slumbering shape rests closely at my side, her head resting in my shoulder with a hoof draped over my chest. I’m shocked at the realization of my lack of clothing, only my boxer briefs protect my privacy. Only a second or two goes by until I remember last night, the sticky and sweaty feeling I have also explained. Although slightly uncomfortable, the sight of Pinkies cute face sleeping makes it easy to endure.

“Cute” I whisper with a boop to her nose.

Glancing over to the meticulously ticking sound beside me I’m able to get a time. 10:30, kinda early for a night owl like myself. Closing my eyes I decide to enjoy this moment instead. It’s a much better experience then Canterlot could ever wish to bring. A few more minutes go by and I find myself playing with Pinkies overhanging mane, a small extension that normally supports itself right in front her face. Like the rest of her poofy hair, it’s resilience to spring back into shape is hilarious.

Boing…. Boing

“I can feel that….” A groggy voice speaks up.

“Morning Pinkie” my own voice sounds much more gravelly than usual.

She gives a small smile without opening her eyes, squeezing tight into me. For some reason I feel incredible in the moment. Like I’m floating on a cloud. Euphoric. It’s the best I’ve ever felt since coming here. If it were up to me I’d never let this end, an eternal existence laying here with Pinkie.

“I love you”

This gets her attention. Slowly she pulls herself up to kiss me. “Love you more”

“We could just love each other the same you know, not everything has to be a competition”

“Hmm, nope love you more”

I huff at her silly antics and pull my face into her stomach. Before she even realizes what I’m about to do I blow a large raspberry directly into her gut.

“BWAAAA!” She yelps.

I push myself away avoiding her hooves with a laugh. “That’s for yesterday!”

“Jojo that was pretty mean! I could’ve peed!”

“How am I supposed to know if you have to pee?”

“I never said I did”

“…”

“Okay I really do need to pee”

She gets up and hurries off into the bathroom leaving me without my pony pillow. You never realize how much you’d miss it once it’s gone. I flip over a look at my collar, the silver ring still locked in place in front of the restraint.

I really hope I don’t need to use that

A flush comes from the room next to me followed by a few clops. As she gets closer she has to stop for a yawn with a big stretch, standing on two hooves while she does it. Absolutely adorable would be the only way to describe it.

“Hey miss?”

She points to herself, “Who, me?” Taking a look both ways.

“Yeah you. Awfully pretty mare mare to be all alone this fine mornin. What’s your name miss…?”

“Mrs.” she corrects, “Mrs. Marshall. You see my hubby is inside the saloon right now so you best get on now before he sees you talkin with me”

“Alright easy Pinkie, we just started dating. You’ll scare a man off with that kinda talk”

Giggling she starts to pull my arm. “Cmon we gotta get up and bathe big guy. Otherwise we’re gonna be late for all types of activities!” I’m much to heavy for her to pull off the bed, I go limp to make it even harder for her. “Geez your so fat!”

Laughing I get up and stretch. Pinkie seems to be hypnotized at the sight of me, admiring from head to toe. A light breeze snaps me to my senses. “I’m just eye candy to you huh?”

“What no! I never get to see you all nakie is all” giving a large toothy smile as she says this.

“Normally I’d tickle you for being all pervy but, I’m too tired for that right now. Consider yourself lucky”

“I’ve always been pretty lucky Joey!” She follows behind me while a walk into the bathroom starting the water for a bath. “Even when I was back on the rock farm. You see there was a time where I was super duper scared of going into our mine but, pa said that I need to toughen up. ‘Our family needs to be tough cuz it’s us against them’. He always thought that everypony was just out for themselves and I never could agree with that I mean look at you! Your always helping out even when you don’t need to!”

“I thought you were explaining why your lucky?”

“Was I? I don’t know, who cares”

While she stands there smiling brightly I hover over the bath testing the water temperature. Fluctuating it from hot to cold I eventually fill the tub enough for my liking, along with a more reasonable temperature then the lava Pinkie bathes in.

“This is perfect”

“It sure is isn’t it” Pinkie says while getting into the tub.

“What the shit Pinkie?! I was gonna take a bath first!”

“I thought we were going to share…” her innocence is clear, she really thought we were going to share.

Giving the tub a look it’s way larger then the one back home. Plenty of space not only in length but in width as well. You could probably fit two full grown humans with some space to spare. It even holds a small ledge to sit on the inside of the tub surrounding the walls.

“Ugh, fine but turn around when I say so”

“Okie dokie!”

Unlike most places on Earth, these palace bathrooms come equip with almost every amenity. Using some soap I give the tub a bubbly top covering my lower half once I hop in. Sure enough Pinkie turns around at my command and I slowly get in, adjusting to the temperature.

“Ahhhh, this feels fucking great”

Pinkie peaks back to see me resting along the outer ridge, turning to face me after confirmation.

“Would it be okay if we… cuddled some?” She hesitantly asks.

I swear I’d said last night to give me some time before I’m comfortable with that. “I already told you to give me some time Pinkie”

“But… but we already cuddle and stuff and we um..” her face is already red attempting to explain herself.

“That’s different. This would be way more… I’m uncomfortable with doing that right now”

“Sorry I… I’m sorry I’ll stop” sitting back against the tub it’s clear it’s eating away at her, ears flattened against her skull.

“Can you not guilt trip me please? I just need some time Pinkie”

“I understand I’m being too needy, I get it” she gives a fake smile.

What the fuck is going on? Why is she acting like this? Its the second time she’s gotten all… sad

“Pinkie… what’s wrong?”

Her smile falters and her eyes look away from me. She’s definitely distressed about something. “Sorry I’m being stupid. It’s alright, I’ll be fine”

Leaning forward I’m tempted to go hug her. Anxiously I struggle to make a decision. “You can tell me what’s wrong Pinkie”

“Really it’s fine, I’m being stupid”

“Pinkie you told me I should ask for help when somethings wrong. So let me help you when somethings wrong too”

“I’M F… fine” She practical shouts, catching herself right at the end. She can’t even face me now, looking away at the wall.

It’s too much for my heart to take causing me to swoop over and hug her. I prop her up onto my leg and hold her close.

“Please Pinkie what’s going on?”

She stays silent for a moment and hugs me back. With her face still pressed against me she starts talking.

“I’m scared”

“Of what?”

“That you’ll get sick of me…”

“I’d never get sick of you Pinkie, you know that”

“I keep… bothering you. I really don’t mean to… I just can’t help myself sometimes I’m really sorry”

I stroke her wet mane, “Shhh, it’s fine Pinkie. I won’t leave you no matter what”

She stays quiet for a few minutes while I continue to stroke her mane. Surprisingly it becomes very straight very easy, it’s even much longer then I anticipated.

“I’m sorry”

I nuzzle her close, “Your fine I promise. How long has this been bothering you?”

“This? Only recently”

“You make it sound like there’s more” she stays silent. “Are you okay?”

She shift with uncertainty, unsure whether she should continue. With a look into my eyes she builds up the confidence. “I… I feel sad sometimes. Even when there’s nothing to be sad about”

“How long has that been going on?”

“A little after I moved in…” I’m taken aback, the timing seems all too convenient.

Is this because of me? Twilight and Celestia said I couldn’t harm the elements though…

“I don’t want you to worry about me though, I’m fine really. I’m just being a baby”

Her whole tone and behavior feels completely off, nothing similar to the Pinkie I’m accustomed to.

“Can you tell me when your not feeling okay from now on?”

“…okay”

It’s a sigh of relief. I was worried it would be more difficult to get her to agree. The room remains still with the exception of a few drops of water. She sniffles a few times but, never started crying. The whole incident has raised even more questions and has made me want to wear my collar even more. It’s a little ironic given the start I had with wearing it compared to now.

She settles down given some time and let’s me take the time to wash her coat. Still shaken up she doesn’t talk much for the rest of our bath, even once we’ve gotten out. The whole experience was still uncomfortable yet I powered through for Pinkie’s sake. Getting dressed while she dries her coat, I place the collar around my neck with haste, not wanting to waste another moment with it off. If I’m truly hurting Pinkie, I can’t ever take this fucking thing off. With my magic now blocked I grab the parchment from my bag and write a small letter to Luna asking to meet soon. Even if it’s daytime she seems reliable enough to not sleep through my plea.

Tapping my foot I start to lose patience worrying that Pinkie will finish drying up before I get my reply. Just as I’m about to write another a letter to Luna’s one appears in front of me. Catching it I roll back the paper to read her answer.

‘Dearest Joe,

We would love thou’s company although it comes without question what is thy purpose for such haste. Especially after our prior meeting not a night ago

Love Luna’

A stir comes from my side as Pinkie seems to be finished up. Quickly I write another letter stating I wish to meet her back in the garden as soon as possible. It’s the only location I know I can find her fast

“Okay I’m feeling much peachier now! Let’s go tackle the day!” She hops out of the bathroom and tackles me.

“Oof… nice to see your feeling better”

“Yup! No thanks to you doughy Joey! All I needed was some hooman love and I’m all ready to rock!” I can almost hear an electric guitar through her fake playing.

Her cheerful change is helpful in relieving my worry somewhat. Not enough to stop the constant thud beating away in my chest. I need to get a move on and get some answers or I’m going to freak out.

“Hey Pinkie I actually need to go meet with Luna real quick. Can you go with the girls without me and let me catch up?”

“But how are you gonna know where to go? Plus I know how you get lost all the time silly. There’s no way I can leave you alone! Your like a blind pony without his walking stick!”

“Okay I’m not the best with directions and I get lost sometimes but, I know where to find Luna and I’ll have her teleport me when we’re done”

“Loony doesn’t know where to make you go still. How ya gonna solve that?” Crossing her hooves she feels like she’s got me beat.

“I’ll just send Twilight a letter asking where you girls are” I pull the parchment into view. “Using this bad boy”

She deflates a little. “Sugar! Fine Joofus but be quick! I don’t want you to miss anything”

“Thank you thank you thank you” I give a quick peck on her forehead with each thanks.

Hurrying to the door I slip my shoes on and dash down the hall nearly running into a sleepy Rainbow Dash. “Woah easy big guy! Where are you going?”

“Ask Pinkie!” I yell, still sprinting down the hall.

With the speed of one average male, I make it back to the garden with a new personal best time. Shifting my focus around I doesn’t take long to spot a large navy alicorn among the foliage. Still confused on how this garden can sustain life during the winter I ignore my questions and rush over.

“Luna!” I gasp catching my breath.

Confused at my behavior she tilts her head in question. “Why is thou so rushed? Has there been a new development with that disgusting excuse of a pony?”

“No… no not at all. Actually I need your help”

“I’m listening”

“Okay so how much do you know about my whole magic sickness bullshit”

“As much as our sister has told thou”

“And there’s nothing else? Nothing else she might be hiding?”

“Why suggest she would withhold from you?”

“Because Pinkie has been having these moments whenever my collars off for a long time and we’ve spent a lot of time together and Celestia said the elements would be fine because of there special… whatever! I don’t know but, she said they’d be fine!”

“Are you sure thou isn’t being too worrisome? Perhaps she is acting normal around you because she feels she can trust you. How do you know this is abnormal?”

“That’s not it though! Celestia knew a bunch of shit already when I talked with her that she never told Twilight or me before! She’s hiding something I fucking know it!”

Luna moves over to me and places a hoof upon my shoulder. “Calm thyself, you are getting too riled up and are not thinking clearly”. After she’s says this I realize that I had been clenching my fists, shaking in anger. “I worry about you Joey, what has happened to make thou so paranoid of my sister?”

“It doesn’t make sense! None of it makes sense…”

She sits me down on a bench nearby with herself, slowly stroking my back with a hoof. “Not everything is meant to have meaning. An example of such would be Discord, the spirit of chaos”

“There’s a spirit of chaos?” She nods. “And y’all waited til now to tell me?”

“I don’t see how knowledge of his existence would help thou at all”

“Who’s to say he isn’t the one who caused all of this?!?”

With a giggle she distinguishes most of my anger, “Chaos magic is very noticeable young Marshall. It would have been rather easy to spot the remnants of his role”

“… then back to my original theory. Celestia is hiding something”

Luna seems to get impatient, “We feel the more likely candidate of thou’s confusion would be your brain”

“I’m not crazy!” I yell while standing up.

“We never said you were…” she squints with judgement.

“How about this. You take me to Celestia’s private library and we figure out together if she’s telling the truth”

“How do you know of the library?” Her quick glance to me tells me everything I need to know.

“Doesn’t matter, what’s important is that she has a fucking hidden private library”

Standing tall Luna seems to become much more frightening. It seems like I’ve overstepped my bounds.

“There are some dangers better left from public reach Joey, you know this” her tone screams ‘your over your head’.

Lowering my voice I attempt to reason with her, “That’s why I’d have you there. We go in and search specifically for anything to do with Quantum Matter, his studies, or contagious magic diseases and nothing else”

She gives it some thought, pacing in front of me for a minute. Coming to a stop she glares at me with the most serious of expressions.

“Thou is to stay at my side and do as we say. Do we make ourselves clear?”

“Crystal”

“Good now prepare thyself”

“Huh for wha-“

Blackness fills my vision. Shadows seeping over the edges of my sight until there is no more. I’m quick to panic yet it feels as if I have no body to worry over. No feeling, no… anything. Then, just as suddenly as the world ended, it began again in a different location. I stumble into this new reality or so it seems, frantically looking for explanation.

“Calm thyself Joey, I have simply transferred us in front of the library”

With a look to Luna and then back around I can see in fact, we’re at the entrance of a small library, somewhere high up among one the many spiraling towers. Much smaller in size than I expected, the ceiling was roughly 8 1/2 feet tall. Even the space between shelves was crowded, barely large enough for both me and Luna to stand side by side.

Thank god I’m not claustrophobic

“Now do as we said and stay close… and DONT touch anything”

“Eye eye ma’am” I give a salute and follow her lead.

Her eyes gloss over the many tomes and documents. Nothing seems to really peak her interest until she’s found a section of bibliography’s. Looking around myself I notice that most of the written language contained was in another text then English. It wasn’t familiar to anything I’d ever seen before, almost to appear like scribbles or a poorly written cursive. Maybe it’s the language of doctors and their terrible ability to write prescriptions. Joking aside I can’t read any of this shit.

“Can you read any of this?”

“Of course, tis the former language of Equestria. A form of Poneish that has been long since forgotten. Few texts that remain outside of this library contain such writing”

“So why change it?”

She scans over a specific shelf with intensity, “To ease language barriers with… other cultures. There appears to be a book missing here” she seems concerned and confused. Turning back to me she frowns, “Stay here for a moment, we must look into what is missing. It’ll only be a few minutes so do not-“

“Touch anything, I know I know” glaring angrily she doesn’t seem amused. “I won’t I promise. Shit looks like it’ll fall apart if I touch it anyway and I don’t want that liability on my hands”

“Only for a moment, sit tight”

Vanishing into a puff a smoke I’m left with my hands in my pockets and nothing to do. Walking through some of the previous isles it’s quite noticeable the change in writing, a more recognizable form to today’s writing. Moving around on my toes to observe the many texts I find a pattern. Most of what’s hidden hear appears to be important documents and other legalities. Some of the books look to be incident reports, notes taken after disasters or battles. Then there’s the few books that seem unsettling. Things named like, ‘soul manipulation’ or ‘hexes for Pegasus foes’. Real shady shit that’s better locked up then available to anypony else.

Intrigued I lean closer to one book in particular, it’s cover wrapped in several locks with an ash like substance coated over its edges. Feeling compelled I start to reach out to touch it.

“I think it would be best for both of us if you didn’t touch that”

Chills run down my spine. I’m drenched in a cold sweat. It wasn’t Luna’s voice. Turning slowly it’s none other then the goddess of the sun. Draped in regal armor she takes a second to remove her protection.

“Sorry if I frightened you, I had noticed a disturbance within my private library and felt an unfamiliar being with my sister. I should’ve assumed it was you given the lack of magical aura”

Staying silent I back up some and attempt to calm myself down.

“Where is my sister by the way? Had she left you alone?”

“Uh… y-yeah, yeah she said she wanted to check out a book that was missing”

“And why is it that she has you with her as well? Might you be interested in this book as well?”

I’m terrified but I can’t back out now. “We can cut the act, I’m sure you know why I’m here with her”

Stepping closer she closes the gap between me and my only exit. “You fear I am hiding something from you and that I would leave such a thing in my own private library which I still do not understand how you’ve found out about”

“I have eyes and ears everywhere”

“Yes and it would appear so however, you are in no position to bargain. Where does your mistrust in me stem from? Have you been inflicted by Discord in some way? No… I sense to chaos magic within you…”

“Where’s the book?”

“Perhaps you are unaware of the situation. Currently you are in act of conspiracy against your princess. Now I do believe you are inherently pure in your actions so I would suggest you do not withhold any information from me”

“There’s nothing to tell, your hiding shit from me, Luna, and the elements, It’s obvious! I mean you seem to know an awfully lot about my issue even though the only document we have is that journal you gave Twilight. I don’t remember it saying anything about how to deal with my sickness yet you made a pretty good ‘guess’!”

In response to my accusations she seems to rise in size, now peering eye to eye with me. Her hair flows violently like fire. “It appears there is no going back”

Flinching I expect her to strike down on me with her wrath, killing me instantly. My eyes stay closed for a few seconds before I realize I’m still alive. Taking a peek she’s shrunken back down to her normal size and holds a book in front of me. I hesitate to grab it, snatching it quickly to read the cover.

‘Quantum Matter’s experimental log’

“You were right to judge. I have led you all astray in hopes of avoiding this moment”

I feel my soul leave my body, floating above, drifting into the abyss. This can’t actually be. Truthfully it was a desperate attempt to hold sanity, a belief that there was some hope. I could cling to any idea I could come up with until my time has come but, this changes everything. My hand shakes to lift the cover. Sweating profusely my heart battles to burst from my chest. A white hoof closes the book, taking it back into her possession. I stand lost, unsure what to think. Struggling I’m able to get out one word.

“Why…”

“Because the answer will not bring peace only suffering”

Leaning back into the wall behind me I slide down into my knees. “I have to know….” My eyes are watery and lost.

“Quantum Matter did not seek to share magic with other races. His actual intentions were to change his own race. He suffered from insanity, believing that to be a unicorn is to be a plague on ones own kind. His thoughts were polluted by some sort of illusion of how things should be. He took matters into his own hooves and experimented with himself until he perfected a way to presently change a pony’s race. His own self hatred affected his ability similar to the darkness that posed my sister. He failed to cast the spell and in turn created a self harming magical ailment that would harm the user. The catch? The sickness could only be prevailed if the one affected could find love with themselves otherwise their self hatred would seep outward into the ones around them”

Taking it all in it doesn’t make any sense. I didn’t hate myself, or at least not enough to cause this!

“That doesn’t make sense… I don’t hate myself”

“This is precisely the problem, you see Quantum had discovered this and figured with his new body he would be self satisfied with the result. As he lived on, those around him would become sick and parish. Leaving him with only himself to blame. He never found peace with his actions and in turn hated himself for the pain he caused others. Whatever you heard of his demise was false, he was Equestria’s first suicide. My first failure… I was afraid to tell you this in fear you’d blame yourself as well. I hoped the elements would help you find peace before things ever got this far”

“You lied to me…”

“I protected you!”

“If you would have fucking told me already I could’ve been trying to fix this from the beginning!”

“It isn’t that simple Joey Marshall! One does not simply solve an issue this complicated because they wish it! If you had any patience you would have been fine over time”

“Your a monster! A fucking villain!”

“I never wanted to deceive you I only wished to help you, can’t you see that?”

Standing up I’m fuming, enraged. “DO YOU THINK I WANTED THIS? TO BE A FUCKING OUTCAST? LIED TO BY THE ONE PONY THATS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT ME?!?” I push past her to the opening in the room. “You had a fucking job”

“Joey please calm yourself. Understand that I-“

“I’ve had enough of this shit. Send me anywhere but here! I can’t fucking look at you”

“I’m sorry I-“

“ENOUGH!”

Her ears flatten as she charges a spell, “As you wish, I will place you near my pupil”

Shooting me with her spell I start to vanish into a smoke. As I fade I look her way one last time.

“Don’t ever talk to me again”

Looking away shamefully she’s greeted by a confused Luna pointing in my direction. I can’t hear their conversation, the light engulfing my senses.

With a slam I fall onto the street. I’m somewhere in Canterlot, more specifically around the tourist location of the city. Blinded by my rage I don’t even bother to look for Twilight or any of the girls. I pick a direction and start walking. Walking…. and walking… and walking. By now the cold had started to beat me down forcing me to take shelter in the nearest building. Conveniently it’s a pub so accordingly I take a seat at the bar. There isn’t much of a crowd given the time of day so the tender makes her way over. I stop her with a wave of my hand.

“I’m good, just dodging the cold”

“You know a few drinks might warm you up” the stallion beside me jokes while enjoying a drink of his own.

“Dude it’s like 1 o’clock”

“It’s Friday night somewhere”

Huffing at his comment I go back to my brooding. A glass of water is suddenly slid in front of me by the bar tender and she gives me a wink. Raising an eyebrow I say whatever to the gesture and take a drink. Either she’s a pervert or a nice pony.

“You look like you’ve had a heck of a day, somepony die?”

I don’t feel like talking. Instead I twirl the glass around looking at the ice.

“Hm, I guess It would be pretty tough to have a nice day if I was an ass too”

“Do you talk that way with all of your customers” I say still trying to appear uninterested.

“Only the ones who deserve it”

I look her in the eye with an angry stare, “Well maybe if you took a hint and fucked off I wouldn’t be so pissy”

For a moment she seems to become angry as well only to burst into laughter. “Wow your a real sourpuss! Do you beat puppies for a living?”

I sigh and chug the last of my glass. Getting up I head toward the door and say “Have a nice day”, in a sarcastic tone.

Just as my hand reaches the door a voice chimes up behind me, “Hey buddy, I think I can help ya”. The voice sounds hoarse and southern, unfamiliar.

With a turn I face the stranger, he’s almost entirely across the bar. His face is obscured by his dirty hat, the wear and tear making its years obvious. A smile resides across his face, wicked and long. He’s menacing as fuck looking but, what the fuck is he going to do midday with witnesses around. With a wave he motions me over. Not wanting to take my anger out on any of the girls I take up his offer, hoping I’d be calmer by the time this weirdo finishes his proposal.

I sit across from him in his booth, it’s around the corner near the back but just visible from the entrance. “Just so you know I’m not into gay sex or anything like that so if that’s what this-“

“The heck you talkin bout boy? Golly that’s one weird assumption!”

“Just checking”

“… anyway I think I know a mare that has the answer to yer problem”

“You don’t know my problem cowboy and what the fuck is a hick like you doing in Canterlot? Isn’t this a little out of your comfort zone?”

He chuckles tilting his hat up for a second, his hazel eyes try to size me up. “Ain’t you a little too ugly to be walkin round town stead of livin in a zoo?”

“Ponies have zoos too? Isn’t that kinda awkward?”

“Yer forgettin the point, I have a way to fix yer day”

“You don’t have any idea what my issue is so” I start to get up, “I think I’m done here”

“Hold on jus a minute” glancing back for a second I’m drawn to the item slid onto the table.

It’s an image of a stallion, the very same stallion who’s ass I beat. The very same stallion who’s daughter raped me. At first sight I figured it was my imagination but, taking a closer look it’s definitely him. Quickly I grab the stallion and pull him behind the wall out of sight. Placing a hand around his neck I pin him against a wall near a back exit door. We’re just around the corner making us not visible to those walking in or already seated.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Whispering desperately he lifts his hooves in defense, “Easy there partner! I didn’t mean to rile ya up like that. Like I said I think I can help”

“I’m listening” I make it very clear his next words determine how many teeth he walks out of here with.

“Alright, well… I heard that stallion braggin bout somethin his daughter done did to an alien and I put two and two together-“

“From what I’ve heard is that, that very same stallion is hiding right now so if you know where he is-“

“No! No I don’t! This was jus before he up and vanished! Wasn’t anywhere even special really but, I met a mare who said she knows where he is and I figured you might be interested”

None of this makes sense.

“So what do you get out of all of this? And how did you know where to find me?”

“As for findin ya, I heard the elements were headin to Canterot and I figured if that story hold any truth you’d be in a place like this”

So dumb luck

“In case you haven’t noticed I’m not an element”

“Oh cmon like yer not wearin a blasted collar and always followin them around!”

“You suggesting I’m their pet?”

“You aren’t?”

I cover his mouth and sock him once in the gut. Muffled he tries to double over. Pulling him back up I remove my hand from his mouth.

“*cough* sweet Celestia what the hay!”

“You’ve been stalking me. I should turn you in right now for even-“

“Alright! Okay I’m sorry! Yeesh I didn’t know honestly!” He rubs his stomach with an off hoof while the other remained holding the hand around his neck.

“So why help me? It doesn’t make sense that you would go to all this trouble just to help a fellow Equestrian”

“What’s so wrong with that?”

Rolling my eyes I cover his mouth again and punch him another time in the stomach, this time much harder than before. Immediately he struggled to breath, I’d knocked the wind clear out of him.

“*gasp* oh heavens *gasp* what have I gotten myself into”

“Cmon ‘buddy’ spill the beans or were spilling teeth”

“Okay I promise, I’ll tell ya the truth” he cowers fearfully. “The mare I was talkin bout hired me! She said she’d pay me real good if I found ya and gave ya that” he points back to the table.

Confused I question whether he’s talking about the picture he showed me or something else I can’t see. Then his words register to me, she hired him. Just as I’m about to turn back to him a dark bag is pulled over my head causing me to fall down onto the floor. I lose my grip on the stallion and pull against the tightened grip around my neck. It’s another individual attacking me, one beside the stallion I had already. I go to shout but, I’m unable to make any noise beside a gurgle with the restraint on my neck. Whoever or whatever it is strangling me it’s way stronger then I can handle, dragging me deeper into the back of the bar. I can hear the door beside me open and feel my heels brush against the ground in the direction of the back exit. The cold air stings against my skin while I struggle. Each second that goes by I lose more and more strength until I’m unable to keep fighting. It’s too much, I pass out.

Like a switch I’m back again, wide awake but, blind. A weak light gives me proof of my awakening, it’s presence just noticeable through the thin slits on the bag covering my head. I’ve been abducted.

Im a fucking idiot, I’m a fucking idiot, I’m a fucking idiot

The only thing I can even think is how stupid I am. For leaving the girls, for talking to this weird ass stallion, and for falling for that pathetic excuse of a bluff. Feeling around a bit I can tell that my hands our bounded, or maybe chained? The cold metal against my wrists certainly makes it seem that way but, who owns chains let alone chain cuffs? My feet feel free though and the room smells of mold, musk, and iron. My gut churns at the thought of what sight is beyond the mask. It’s not until a few minutes pass until I remember the situation I’m in… the ponies that have me.

Fear… then panic sets in. Like reliving a nightmare only this ones for real, and it’s happened before. My mind wanders to a distant place, dark thoughts of what might be planned for me, imagining the worst naturally.

“Fuck! Fuck… this is insane”

The empty room echos my voice ever so slightly. From my outburst a noise above stirs, creaking of wooden floors followed by the clops of hooves. Adrenaline starts to run high and my flight or fight instincts start to kick in. Pulling against my restraint the pain in my wrists makes it obvious I’m not going anywhere. Speaking of pain my throat was raw and dry. I needed water desperately and the skin around my neck was burning as well. Other than that I felt surprisingly unharmed.

With a loud bang I can hear the bolt of a large metal door unlock, the intruder taking their steps down a flight of wooden stairs leading to me. It’s at this point I feel myself begging to have a panic attack, I fight my nerves attempting to steady my focus. If I’m going to have any chance at getting out of this I need to be calm.

“Aren’t you real tough til we chained ya up” it’s the voice of the stallion at the bar.

I stay silent.

Pulling the bag from my head my eyes adjust fast, the room already dark and animus. I focus to the stallion in front of me.

“Ya know yer a real stupid one. I mean I didn’t even have a plan really. Heck you would’ve gotten away if my pa hadn’t been there”

Keep talking asshole

Moving to my side he starts to spin a wheel covered in several handles, something similar to a steering wheel of a ship. Wrapped around it is a bunch of chain which eventually leads to a pulley above my head and then to my hands. The whole structure is a cross like set of beams meant for holding me up.

“Don’t like talkin much huh? Not what sis told me” spinning the wheel more and more I start to feel myself get pulled up toward the ceiling.

“Yeah… get ya nice and ready for sis”

I fight the urge to puke, truly horrified at this sick pony. He’s everything you’d imagine out of a horror hick flick, some Texas chainsaw massacre type shit. Keeping my face neutral, I refuse to give any emotion to him.

Now fully standing, my hands remain above my head chained. Standing on my toes, it’s the only way to avoid having my weight pull against my wrists.

“Before she gets her fun, I’d love to get sum payback for earlier” stepping to the side I’m unable to see him behind me.

There’s some shuffling, sounds of a toolbox. Reappearing in front of me he hold a large crowbar in his mouth. He stands on two legs grabbing it into his hoof and starts to wind up a swing.

“Ya see whatcha did back there really hurt!” During his swing I grab the chain above me and pull myself up.

With a swift kick I avoid his swing and knock him straight on his ass. Their morons for not chaining my legs.

“Argh! Ya broke my nose!”

Blood pours from his face rapidly, his hoof unable to stop any of the bleeding. Dropping the crowbar here rushing back up the stairs.

“Sis! Sis get the hay down here and use yer magic on that rat!”

Still shook with the whole experience I’m unable to enjoy his pain, looking around the room for any signs of escaping. Looking up to the pulley above me, the chain is barely held on only wrapped around the tool without any support. With a little effort I could easily unhook this sucker. Sure enough with a swing I manage to get the chain from the pulley, giving me enough of a drop to now be flat on my feet. My guess is they didn’t expect to chain an individual my size, I’ll take the advantage. With another grab of the chains, I pull myself upward onto the beam it’s wrapped around. Fortunately there’s enough space for me to pull myself up and over so that there’s nothing holding me up. Unfortunately, I slip causing myself to fall rapidly to the ground. In an attempt to break my fall I hold out a wrist. With a pop I’d either dislocated or broken it completely.

“Oh sweet mother of god!” Curling around my injured wrist, another set of hooves rush down to greet me in their cellar.

“How the hay did you get out!?!”

With a quick flick I turn back to the voice, it’s disgustingly familiar. She stands there, separating me from freedom.

“You fuckers kinda suck at kidnapping” I’m furious but, still aware that I need to buy time to think of an idea.

She smirks thinking she still has the upper hand. “There ain’t no way you getting out this cellar past me buckeroo. I know ya don’t have any magic so tying you back up ain’t gonna be a problem for this mare”

Glancing around I notice the wheel used to pull me up holds the end of my chain. I could easily unravel it and carry the chain with me.

“I wouldn’t call you a mare… more like a psychotic bitch with daddy issues”

She takes a step to her left, I copy her movement and move to my left. At this point the only thing keeping me from getting zapped is the beam separating the two of us. It’s a standoff.

“I can wait aaaalll day!”

“Not surprising a psycho mare wouldn’t have anything to do but play in her little rape dungeon”

“Ha! Ya think yer real funny huh?”

The adrenaline in my body floods my senses keeping me aware of every little movement she makes. Knowing that it will eventually ware off and my wrist will become unbearable, I decided to make a move. With a juke I manage to get her to shoot a shot of magic off, missing me by near inches. Grabbing the chain I quickly swing it around the wheel and pull it into my hands like a lasso.

“Stand still you little…”

Snapping it like a whip I hit one of her front hooves causing her to stumble backward with a yelp. Foolishly I think she’s stunned enough for a tackle only to see her charge up another shot straight toward my face. Closing my eyes I know it’s over.

Electrical zaps loudly fill the room and my body seizes at the current pulsing throughout my body. I’m shot backward into the beam with serious force, enough to make it crack at the center. With a gasp I struggle to breath, my lungs feeling deflated and useless. I’d likely punctured a lung and broken a few ribs, there’s no way I could continue fighting with another hit. Only it never comes. Instead when I look over to where the mare stood, she wasn’t there. A strong burning metal smell fills me nostrils as smoke seems to come up from below me. Using my healthy wrist I reach to my neck to feel my collar still in place, the ring burnt and broken. It crumbles in my hand.

Holy shit Twilight I’ll date you whenever you whenever you want you little genius!

With a painful huff I pull myself up against the beam and look back toward the exit and to my surprise there lay the mare. Her body smoking and sizzled, motionless and broken. I didn’t feel like getting too good a look once I had noticed how gruesome her front half had looked. She was completely fried… dead.

I choke on a sob, not believing any of this was real. She truly was dead. I couldn’t waste any time though, dragging myself up the stairs using the wall as leverage. I had grabbed the crowbar as well before leaving, holding it in my one good hand while the chain was wrapped around my other arm I made my way up to the first floor. I probably looked badass to be honest.

Pushing the door open a pony jumps into the entrance holding his nose, his focus not on me.

“Ya get him yet sis….” His voice shrinks once he turns to me.

With a vicious slam I crack his skull with the crowbar, likely killing him on impact. His body falls to the floor limp, a few gargles bubbling up from his mouth.

With a large step I walk over him, my face and shirt sprayed with his blood. I try to ignore the smell, the realization that I’d killed a living sentient being but, it’s all too much. With a heave I throw up whatever contents remain in my stomach. With a wipe of my sleeve I look around for an exit.

Apparently I’m in some dingy shack, pushing the screen door open using the crowbar I step out onto the porch. I’m on a farm, and with further inspection close to Canterlot. The cities impressive appearance on display over the horizon. When going to step down off the porch I slip, falling onto my face. I’m sore, unbelievably sore and with a flip I lay onto my back exhausted. I can’t go on without a break and a break I will not get.

“YOU MONSTER! YA KILLED MY KIDS!”

Lifting my head I look up to see the stallion yelling at me, his stupid face still scarred from the beating I gave him months ago.

“I’MA KILL YOU…. YOU MONSTER!”

“Shut the fuck u-“ he boots my face with his hoof and sits atop my chest with tears in his eyes.

He beats me, over and over, until I can barely see through the blood pouring around my face. Reaching over he grabs the crowbar and lifts it high above my head, he shakes with hesitation. With a gasp I’m able to say a few words.

“I’m.. *gasp* sorry…” even with me struggling to speak with the blood in my mouth he’s able to understand me.

Even after I’d killed his children he still doesn’t have the conviction to finish me. He never was a killer, only a pony with a big mouth and no spine to back it up. He drops the crowbar to the side and collapses.

Crying he looks around as if some sort of message was to come to him in this moment. Something to tell him what to do. With hooves pressed into his eyes he breaks down.

I fade in and out of conciseness. The toll finally catching up to my body. I place a hand against my burning side and hold it in front my face. Blood covers almost the entirety of its face. With a glance I see a large piece of wood sticking out of my side. I let my hand fall to the ground beside me looking to the sky.

A light snowfall starts to flutter down from above. Glistening flakes falling upon my beaten body, settling on my stained clothing. It’s quiet now and peaceful. My body feels cold and numb. My eyes heavy, I need to rest them if only for a moment.