Fear Beyond Death

The sun rose, high and mighty over the distant horizon, blanketing the sky in its warm, celestial glow. Another day dawned before the city of Canterlot. However, the gleaming rays of the brightest star in the galaxy could not penetrate the thick, dark foliage of the Everfree Forest itself. Deep within these very woods, within the cabin of the now deceased Gloriosa Daisy, a lone figure sat in the dark… Jack the Ripper.

Staring through the sole window in the living room, he used a dirty cloth to wipe the drying blood off his knife. The corpse of Gloriosa Daisy laid within a few feet behind the mass murderer. Its eyes milky and lifeless, its dried blood caked the floor and walls. As Jack silently looked out the window, his demented mind wracked with thoughts of his next work.

Rip them! Break them! Broken! Torture!

The sinister killer slowly rose from his seat at the window, slinking toward the kitchen. He reached for a single jar sitting along the countertop, a jar having not been there before his arrival. Inside was the freshly removed kidney he had taken from Gloriosa’s body. Then he reached into the cupboard under the sink, procuring a frying pan. Placing it upon the counter beside the jar, he talked back toward the fireplace. He placed a few more logs sitting along the side, placing them inside. Striking a match he pulled from his pocket, he threw it directly into the center of the wood and watched the fire blazed to life.

After a few seconds, he made his way back over to the countertop and removed the kidney from inside the jar. Placing the bloody kidney onto the counter, Jack grasped his knife and in one quick flash… slashed the organ in two. The first half he placed back into the jar, but the other half he slapped into the center of the pan. Walking back toward the burning inferno, he held the pan over the flames and watched the kidney slowly cook. Once the lump of fresh was just right, Jack removed the pan from the fireplace, placed it on a place he had found in the cupboard, briefly lifted his sack-mask above his lips…

And ate it…

Slicing the meat with his knife and grasping the pieces in his bare hands, Jack devoured the kidney that once served as a vital organ for the girl who had been alive. Was he hungry? Not even close. The only reason Jack ate the kidney was a matter of adding insult to injury. Once he finished, he stood from his seat, and wiped the blood of the knife before putting it back in his pocket. With the same dirty cloth, he turned the knob on the sink to wash the blood off his hands before placing the rag in his coat, placing his hands back into his black gloves, and adjusted his mask the bottom half of his face was hidden. With one last look toward his latest work, he made his way toward the door.

Outside, Jack looked toward the ground before noticing the tread marks of the odd vehicle he’d seen the young man ride off in the night before. Knowing the prospect of these tracks would lead him to more victims, Jack slowly followed the trail the tracks made with one thing repeating in his mind:

Kill them all! Kill them all! Kill them all!

<>

*RING!!!*

The ringing of the school bell signified the end of another day for Canterlot High. All the students made their way out the front doors of the school, making their way for home. As some took the bus or sat waiting for a ride home or made for their cars to drive back themselves, one particular student stepped out: Twilight Sparkle. The lavender-colored bookworm clutched her textbooks close to her chest, as she climbed down the front steps of the school.

As she made her way towards the student parking lot, she didn’t even notice a silent figure slowly sneaking behind her. All at once, it reached out in front of her… and placed its hands over her eyes. The girl squeaked in surprise.

“Guess who?” The figure said playfully.

Hearing the voice made Twilight’s hear flutter; a small giggle escaped her lips. She quickly turned and saw none other than Timber Spruce smiling down at her.

“Hey you!” Twilight greeted happily.

She leaned up on her tip-topes and planted a peck along Timber’s lips.

“And those are the lips I’ve been thinking about all day,” Timber sighed in bliss.

Twilight playfully punched his shoulder, as Timber wrapped his arm around her waist. The two walked towards Twilight’s car in the parking lot where the rest of her friends were waiting as well. Rainbow Dash bounced a soccer ball on one end of her foot, Applejack fiddled with something, Rarity reapplied her makeup, Fluttershy pet her bunny Angel, and Pinkie was being… well Pinkie.

“Hey guys, what’s up?!” Twilight called out.

The group of girls looked over and smiled toward their approaching friend and her boyfriend.

“Howdy there, Twilight!” Applejack greeted.

“Hey Twi!” Rainbow waved. “Just practicing for the next Wondercolts game. It’s the big championship, and I want to make sure I’m in top form!”

“And how’s the team getting along so far?” Twilight asked.

“Awesome now they’ve got their secret weapon… it’s me.”

Rarity rolled her eyes as she applied her eyeliner.

“Oh honestly Rainbow Dash!” Rarity shook her head. “I never understand why you enjoy sports so much.”

“Yeah?!” Rainbow shot back. “Well, I’ll never understand how you can enjoy makeup and fashion so much.”

Hearing this made Rarity snap her eyeliner case shut, as the two girls glared each other in the eye.

“I’ll have you know fashion and looking good is the core of any successful endeavor,” Rarity argued. “Playing sports is just sweaty, dirty, and not at all attractive!”

“Sports teach you some useful skills like hand-eye coordination!” Rainbow shot back. “That’s a lot more important than putting a whole bunch of gunk on your face that you’ll just wash off eventually!”

“Why I never!” Rarity gasped.

Before things could escalate any further, Fluttershy pushed herself between the two trying to calm them.

“Oh please don’t fight guys!” She begged. “You know I hate watching my friends fight! Please just stop.”

The two girls glanced toward their meek little friend, noticing the tears welling up in her eyes. They didn’t know how she did it, but anytime she pulled that move it always made them stop immediately and work it out. Both girls sighed, as they turned back toward each other.

“Sorry!” They both said in unison.

Then Pinkie popped right between them, wrapping her arms around them.

“See? Now that’s Wondercolt spirit!” She said excitedly. “We’re all best friends here; we love each other very much.”

Suddenly, a loud beeping drew Pinkie toward the wristwatch on her arm. She gasped loudly when she saw the time.

“Oh my gosh! I’m late! I’m late! I’m late! I need to get to Sugarcube Corner for my shift! See you guys later!”

Pinkie quickly took off down the street quick as a bullet, leaving a trail of smoke behind her. The force of her running created a huge gust of wind that nearly blew the others away. After regaining their footing, they all looked off in the direction the energetic party ran toward and shook their heads.

“Ah will never understand how she does that,” Applejack spoke, bewildered.

“What about you Twi?” Rainbow asked. “Any plans tonight?”

“I have to head over to the police station,” Twilight told them. “Today’s the day Shining Armor becomes the youngest captain in the history of the CCPD.”

She then looked down toward her own watch, noticing the time. It was only ten minutes away from the ceremony starting and she needed to get a move on.

“Oh boy, I really need to get going!” She said urgently. “I’ll text you guys later, and we can make plans to hang out.”

“Can do, Twi!” Rainbow nodded.

“And do tell Shining Armor congratulations for us, will you darling?” Rarity asked.

“You got it!” Twilight smiled.

Twilight turned back around and gave Timber another quick kiss before hopping into her car.

“See you tomorrow, Timber!”

“I’ll see you later, my little twinkling star!” Timber said cutely.

Twilight’s cheeks blushed a deep red, blowing another kiss before driving off.

<>

Later, Twilight pulled into the parking lot of the Canterlot City Police Department. She quickly made her way into the middle. Just in the middle of the precinct, a few rows of chairs were set, and a variety of folk were already in their seats. Up front, there was her mother and father, as well as her sister-in-law Cadence and her little toddler niece Flurry Heart. She smiled at the sight of her family, quickly making her way over to sit with them. Flurry’s eyes lit like a Christmas tree the moment she saw her aunt.

“Auntie Twily!” She cried excitedly.

Hearing her daughter yell out, Cadence looked over toward Twilight walking over to them. She smiled as she stood to greet her.

“Twilight! I’m so glad you could make it!” She said happily.

The two embraced in a big hug, eventually pulling away as they smiled at one another.

“There’s no way I’d miss this for the entire world!” Twilight responded.

Twilight looked down and saw her little niece bouncing up and down in her seat reaching out for her. Twilight giggled and knelt down to greet her.

“Hi there Flurry!” She cooed. “How’s my favorite little niece today?”

Flurry giggled, as she threw her arms around her aunt for a hug. Twilight was more than happy to reciprocate. After pulling away, Twilight hugged her parents as well before taking her seat. Her mother, Twilight Velvet, grabbed a tissue from a box in her lap to dry the tears forming in her eyes.

“Oh, I can’t believe it!” She cried. “My baby boy is becoming the youngest police captain in the city’s history! It seems like only yesterday I was tying his shoes before sending him off to kindergarten!”

Night Light grasped his wife’s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

“We did good honey!” He stated proudly.

The ceremony started to take place as the other members of the police force walked into the room and stood at attention. Commissioner Legal Law walked up before his men, standing tall and proud before the audience.

“Welcome everyone, today we are here to commemorate a very special occasion,” He announced. “Now as you all know, one of the most dedicated and determined members of our ranks will receive the great honor of captain. I was there when this young man first walked into this station with the intention of becoming an officer of the law. Since that day, he has proven himself as the best through his passion at keeping this great city of ours safe. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your newest police captain: Shining Armor!”

The doors to the left opened, as everyone looked toward Shining Armor walking before them. As he passed his family, he smiled at them all and they waved and smiled back. He made his way center stage and stood before Commissioner Law. The commissioner grabbed a big leather book and held it out before himself, which Shining Armor placed his hand upon.

“Shining Armor, do you solemnly swear to captain the brave men and women of the Canterlot City Police Department with honor, integrity, and perseverance?”

“I do!” Shining nodded.

“And do you also swear to keep the good people of Canterlot safe so long as you are the captain?”

“I do!”

“And to do so from now until death, whatever the cost may be?”

“I do!”

The commissioner smiled and grabbed a jacket with the stripes of the police captain embroider on the sides. He handed it to Shining Armor, who put it on with pride.

“Then it is my honor and privilege not only as the police commissioner but also as your friend to name you as the newest police captain for the precinct of the great city of Canterlot!”

The two shook hands as the audience stood on their feet and clapped with great applause. Shining also shook the hands of all his fellow officers, both men and women, who offered him words of congratulations. Once he was finished, he quickly made his way over toward his family.

“Yay daddy!” Flurry cheered.

Everyone laughed at the little girl’s excitement, as Cadence handed her over to her father, who spun her around and planted a big kiss on her cheek.

“Thank you princess!” Shining smiled.

“Oh, you are going to do such an amazing job Shining!” Twilight velvet praised.

“Thanks mom!” Shining thanked her.

“I’m proud of you son,” Night Light said, shaking his son’s hand.

Twilight ran up and jumped right into her big brother’s arms. Shining almost fell back from the force of the impact but thankfully he caught himself and hugged his little sister tightly.

“Congratulations BBBFF!” Twilight giggled.

“Thanks Twily!” Shining responded. “Glad you could make it!”

The two pulled away, as the entire family made their way for the exit of the police station. Once they got outside, the sun shined down upon them basking the family with its rejuvenating rays and the cool crisp air blanketed over them.

“You know what this calls for?” Shining asked.

Everyone looked toward him, waiting for his answer as he smiled brightly.

“Ice cream on me!” He laughed.

Everyone else laughed as well, while Flurry clapped her tiny hands excitedly. They began to make their way down the street toward Sugarcube Corner. As they walked, Shining hung back for a tiny chat with Twilight.

“So… how have things been with you and Timber?” He asked.

Twilight blushed over the question. For her, it was awkward to discuss matters like her relationship with her big brother.

“Oh you know,” She replied awkwardly. “They’ve been good.”

Shining chuckled over her obvious nervousness.

“Well just be sure he remembers that if he ever hurts you in anyway, I’m the police captain now.”

Hearing this made Twilight giggle again.

“I’m sure he already knows that!”

As the family continued down the sidewalk, Twilight turned toward the trees leading to the Everfree. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. Behind one of the trees, she thought she could see a figure looming in the shadows. As she tried to peer closer, what really spooked her was how the figure seemed to be… staring directly at her.

“Twilight!”

The sudden voice of her brother made Twilight jump and turn back toward her family. They all looked at her in confusion.

“You okay?” Shining sked.

Twilight turned back toward the trees, only to find that whomever or whatever she had seen was now gone. She shook her head and turned back toward her family with a nod.

“Yeah, I’m alright,” She responded.

“Are you sure?” Cadance asked worriedly. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Nah, it’s okay,” Twilight assured. “I just thought I saw something in the trees… probably my mind playing tricks on me.”

Everyone kept staring at her in confusion for a moment before they shrugged it off and continued down the road to Sugarcube Corner. Twilight, however, took one more glance back toward the trees unable to put what she had seen out of her mind.

<>

Jack the Ripper stood behind one of the tall trees littering the outskirts of the Everfree. He’d been watching the little family walk down the road toward the city. As he watched, he noticed the lavender-colored girl with glasses looking right at him. Staring back at her, his cold eyes gaze right into hers as though he could peer deep into her very soul. So pure, so innocent, so… perfect.

After a few seconds, he receded back into the darkness of the forest. All the while his thoughts remained upon the girl and her family. And the thoughts he were thinking were certainly not good at all.

Kill them! Rip them! Cut them!