Author's Note

Dear Readers,

This chapter will be a departure from the usual shenanigans and comic forté...a very dark and gory one. There will be blood, but there will also be a mystery...did it really happen?

I've given all the clues, plus thrown in one or two to throw you off, but in the end, there's only one right answer.

So I hope you enjoy this brief detour from the usual storytelling, but be warned, again, it is very, very dark. Happy reading!

Anticipations...and Blood?

Earlier that evening

Fluttershy waited in the shadows across the street from Davenport's Quills and Sofas (and Beds!) until he ushered the last customer out and flipped over the 'closed' sign. She quickly looked left and right until the coast was clear, then silently flew over to the door and quietly knocked. A few moments passed, then the door opened and a single eye peered out at her. Then the door was thrown wide and Davenport cried, "Well, hello, Miss Fluttershy! I was---" but that was as far as he got before she quickly silenced him and pushed her way inside. Taking a moment to glance back out the glass of the door, she then locked it and turned to face him.

"I got your message. What was so important?"

His grin was ear to ear. "Good news! I was able to pull some strings, and I got a rush on your 'special' order! It arrives tonight!" When she remained silent, and only continued to stare at him, his smile faltered. "What...what's wrong? Isn't that what you wanted?"

She looked away from him and down at the floor, clearly thinking. After a bit, she muttered, almost too low for him to hear, "It's early, but I can make this work." She looked back up at him and spared him a sunny smile. "Thank you, Mister Davenport. This really is good news."

Davenport heaved a sigh of relief. "That's good! For a moment there, I thought I'd made a mistake."

Fluttershy's smile turned sultry. "Far from it." She came a few steps closer to him. "In fact...I think you deserve a special reward for your efforts..."

Davenport blushed a deep red as he looked down at her, and he audibly swallowed. Fluttershy noticed his apparent discomfort and asked, "Something wrong?"

He looked at the floor and stammered, "E...even though you've..."rewarded"...me before, it never fails to come as a surprise that a mare as young and beautiful as yourself is willing to do the things you do to an older stallion such as myself."

She smiled up at him. "You're not that old, Mister Davenport. Let me prove it once again..." She closed the distance and slowly pressed her sweet lips to his, then whispered, "Lead me to your bedroom..." He swallowed, then turned and with faltering steps made his way to the back room, where he had a large bed made up. As she walked behind him, Fluttershy looked around for a certain object she'd need. Spying it just before they reached the bedroom, she quickly grabbed it and tucked it under one wing without him seeing.

They stopped in front of the unmade bed. There was a fireplace, where a merry fire was burning, with two high-backed lounge chairs facing it, along with the lingering scent of his pipe. It was very much a bachelor's home. He turned to her, still blushing, and said in a small voice, "Well...here we are..." She took one of his hooves and pulled him up onto the bed with her, then laid him down on his back.

"Just relax..." she whispered, as she climbed on top of him and began planting kisses on his lips, then nibbled his neck, then kissed down his chest, and finally to his cock, which was fully erect and throbbing. His breathing was labored as she paused and whispered, "So big and meaty! Is that a present for me?" She gazed up at him through her mane and smiled, watching his expression. She kept her eyes on him as she lowered herself down between his legs and took him into her mouth. He gasped and arched his back as her full, soft lips made contact. She licked and slurped the head, then ran her tongue from the top down to his balls, taking one gently into her mouth, rolling it around, and getting it sopping. She did the same to the other, then licked back up to the top and engulfed him fully, bobbing her head up and down while moaning. His cock was soon glistening with her saliva in the flickering firelight, as she continued to suck and slurp, watching his face the entire time. When she saw him close his eyes and begin frantically thrusting, she closed her eyes and took him all the way into her throat. He screamed as he unleashed his load into her, while she pulled back and let him fill her mouth until her cheeks were bulging, then she swallowed it all, holding on as he bucked and thrashed. She slowly drew back and let him fall out her mouth, while she licked her lips. "Mmmm...that was delicious. But...we're not done..."

He stared up at her as she climbed up on his lap and spread her legs. Reaching back, she positioned his still erect, slick cock at her throbbing asshole, then sat down with a sigh. "I want you in my ass, Mister Davenport..." There was some resistance at first, then he slid into her tight, warm depths. She flexed and relaxed her ass muscles around his dick, then slowly began bouncing. She placed her hooves on his chest and looked down at him as she rode him. "Does my ass feel...good...Mister Davenport...? Do... you ... like...it?" He grabbed her cheeks and started thrusting with all his might. She cried out in delight as she was bounced up and down, his cock going deeper with each pump. Her body was rocked and her ass jiggled with each thrust, as her eyes rolled back in her head with pleasure. "That's it! More! Harder! Fuck me!" she screamed. Her screams grew louder as her orgasm hit, and she gushed marecum all over his lap. He soon followed after his screams of his own, as he filled her hot ass with his cum over and over...

She fell forward onto his chest as they both relaxed and tried to catch their breath. Then she pulled her head up and kissed him, long and deep. "Thank you, Mister Davenport. But...we're still not done."

He smiled through his panting. "I'm...sorry, Miss...Fluttershy. I think...I think...I'm...finished...for the night. You...you wore me out."

She sat up and stared down at him, then quietly said, "Unfortunately, yes...I think you are actually finished...almost..." She pulled forward, and let him fall out of her asshole, then inserted his slowly softening dick into her pussy, then clenched her muscles down on it, trapping the blood inside, keeping it semi-erect. "Have you told anypony about my project?" she asked.

He winced at the pressure she was putting on his now-sensitive dick then looked blearily up at her. "Wha...what? Umm...no. I would never tell anypony."

She was silent for a moment, then whispered, "I know you won't." The only warning he got was her smile...which contained two sharp, glistening fangs. With one swift motion, she took the box cutter she'd hidden under her wing and slashed the razor-sharp blade across his throat, severing the jugular. His eyes grew wide as the blood gushed in a jet all over her still smiling face. His body jerked and spasmed, while she closed her eyes and rode him one last time.

She managed one more orgasm as the light faded from his eyes. She gasped and moaned as she came down, then opened her eyes and looked down at the body.

"Nopony in town must know about my little project. Sorry, Mister Davenport." She climbed down, then for the next hour went about covering her tracks, and working on her alibi.

Just as she was about to leave, suddenly, the room began spinning, and darkness enfolded her.

She screamed into the echoing Blackness...

The next morning, a very excited Twilight opened her eyes and looked over at Spike. He was flat on his back, with one arm thrown over his head and his mouth open, snoring loudly. She smiled, and eased her way carefully out of the bed, so as not to wake him. She crept silently down the stairs and into the kitchen, where she then began making breakfast. She was just starting on the pancakes when she heard a sleepy voice behind her say, "Twilight? What...what's all this?"

She turned around and pouted. "Oh, poo! I was wanting to surprise you with breakfast in bed!" She put down the skillet and walked over to him, then gave him a hug. He smiled up at her and returned it.

"You didn't have to do that for me, Twilight. I would have gladly made breakfast."

She went back to the stove. "Nonsense! I can do it, and I want to do it for you, Spike. Just this once!" He sighed and took a seat at the table.

"Alright. But this doesn't change anything. I'm still your assistant." He then surveyed the meal she'd already made and politely kept his thoughts to himself. The eggs were runny, the toast was burnt, and the fresh-squeezed "orange juice" had little bits of...something...floating in it. She finished the...pancakes...and set them down in front of him with a big smile.

She gave him a huge stack on his plate and pushed the syrup over to him. "Dig in, Spike! I expect you're hungry!"

He looked at his plate and fought to keep a neutral expression. Taking the syrup, he covered her offering in a big dollop, then took his knife and fork and cut a piece. Just before he brought it to his mouth, he noticed she was still eagerly watching him. To buy himself some time, he asked, "Aren't you eating?"

She shook her head. "No, I had a quick bowl of instant oatmeal before I started cooking." She used a hoof to sweep over the table. "This is all for you!"

He forced a smile, said, "Thanks, Twilight! You...really shouldn't have..." then committed himself to eat every last bite. Finally putting her offering into his mouth, he mightily kept the grimace off his face as he chewed...and chewed...and swallowed. The pancakes were overdone on the outside but still had raw batter inside. She'd made them too thick. He grabbed the orange juice to wash it down, thus solving the mystery of the floating particles. He looked up at her and managed a smile. "Twilight...is this...?"

She beamed at him. "That's right! It's onion! Onions contain antioxidants called Quercetin, which lowers blood pressure! And orange juice fortifies the immune system and lowers cholesterol levels, so I thought, "Why not combine them into one nutritious drink?!" She leaned forward. "Do you like it?"

He again forced a grin and took another sip. "It's...different..."

She clapped her hooves together and squeed. "I knew you'd like it!" Then she put her elbows on the table and rested her head on one of her hooves. She gave him a dreamy look and said, "But please: go on eating. You have no idea how happy it makes me to watch you enjoying my food..."

Spike went, "Heh..." then began shoveling it in as fast as he could.

After breakfast, Twilight jumped to her hooves and said, "Now, Spike! I want you to relax for the rest of the day! I've got some errands I need to run, then I'll be right back!" Before he could protest, she'd put on her saddlebags, gave him a hug, then was out the door. Spike sighed, got up from the table, and started to stack all the dishes. Then his stomach roiled, but he fought it down. No. She worked hard on that meal...I'm not going to throw it up. After a few moments, he got himself under control. But then still feeling a bit green he went upstairs to lay down. The dishes could wait.

Meanwhile, Twilight's first stop was Sugarcube Corner, where she burst in to see a line already formed. Pinkie looked up and saw her, then called out, "Twilight! Hello! What brings you here so early?" There was some muttering as she walked to the front of the line, but Twilight was too excited to notice.

She beamed at her friend and said, "Good news! Spike's back! I want to throw a big party for him, TODAY! Can you do it, Pinkie?"

Pinkie waved a hoof in dismissal. "Remember who you're talking to, Twilight! Of course I can! Just a sec!" She turned away from the counter and yelled, "Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Cake! I need to take off early today!" She heard grunting, then two ponies hastily looked around the corner, both their faces flushed.

"Of...of course, Pinkie," panted Mr. Cake. Then he grabbed his wife and disappeared from view once again.

"Okie dokie lokie!" cried Pinkie, then she faced Twilight. "What time do you want it?"

The alicorn glanced up at the clock. It was just after ten. "About three would be good. See you then, I have to go invite the others."

"Wait!" cried Pinkie. "How many others?"

"Oh!" said Twilight. "Well, all our friends, plus Alex, if he'll come."

"This is at the Library?"

Twilight nodded. "Yes, just a private affair for all of us. I don't want Spike to be too overwhelmed."

Pinkie gave her a snappy salute. "Count on me, Twilight!"

Twilight started to turn away, then she remembered. "One more thing: I want a gem cake for Spike, as well as a regular cake for everypony else. I'm on my way to Rarity's to get the gems. How many will you need?"

Pinkie considered. "Just a few pounds. Since he'll be the only one eating it, it doesn't have to be too big."

Twilight smiled. "Excellent, Pinkie! Be back soon."

"Can we get served now?!" cried one of the ponies in line. Both Pinkie and Twilight jumped and blushed.

"Sorry, everypony! Who's next?" said Pinkie as she turned her attention to the impatient line.

Just before she made it to Rarity's boutique, she decided to stop over to Davenport's Quills and Sofas (And Beds!) to order Spike's new bed. As soon as she came within sight of it, she could see something was wrong. It was Saturday, the busiest Market Day of the week, and like all the other merchants on the Square, he usually had his merchandise laid out in front of his store. But his store was dark and locked up tight. She landed in front of the door, where there was a sign taped on the inside of the glass: "Closed for family emergency." She stuck out her bottom lip, thinking, "I hope everything's alright." She turned and took flight for Rarity's, giving the matter no more thought.

She soon touched down at the Boutique and excitedly rushed in looking for Rarity. The store was mostly empty at the time, just a few ponies browsing, but the fashionista was nowhere to be seen. Twilight impatiently called out, "Rarity! I need to see you!"

"Heavens, Twilight!" cried Rarity, as she rushed from the backroom. "Whatever is the matter?" She turned to her customers. "Nothing to be alarmed at, everypony! Please, continue shopping!" She took Twilight by one of her hooves and led her to the back. "What's so urgent, darling?"

Twilight grinned. "Spike's back! He came home last night!"

Rarity turned slightly pale. "He...did? And...how is he?"

"He's great! We had a long talk, straightened a few things out, and then, since he's too big for his old bed, we slept together!" She clapped her hooves in glee. "I was so worried about him being angry with me, but he was as glad to be with me as I was with him!"

Rarity blushed. "He...was?" She cleared her throat. "Well, if you two are happy, then I'm happy for you both, Twilight."

Twilight hugged her, which Rarity awkwardly returned. "Thank you, Rarity!" She pulled back and added, "I'm so excited, I'm throwing him a party this afternoon. Can you come?"

"Of...of course, darling! I wouldn't miss it..."

Twilight smiled and turned to go, then stopped. "Oh! Before I forget, I'll be needing some gems for his special cake. Do you have any I could use?"

Rarity pointed to a basket in the corner where she kept all her scrap jewels. "Over there are some I don't need. Take all you like." Twilight walked over, then loaded her saddlebags with about half of them, while Rarity watched her with a still stunned expression on her face.

She managed a smile when Twilight turned back to face her. "The party's at three, at the Library. See you then, Rarity!"

Rarity gave her a slow wave as she left, then sat down. Then she drew a deep breath, walked back into the main shop, and announced, "I'm very sorry, but we're closing up early today. Please bring all your purchases to the register. I look forward to serving you all very soon!" When she'd taken care of the last customer, she locked the door, turned out the lights, and went to her kitchen. Taking out a fresh tub of ice cream, she sat facing one of the windows and proceeded to devour the entire thing, her face never changing its flat expression.

Fluttershy awoke with a scream. She sat straight up in bed and looked frantically around her. All appeared normal; the Sun was shining brightly through her windows, her bedsheets, though rumpled from her tossing and turning, weren't covered in blood, nor was she. She licked urgently around in her mouth, feeling for fangs. Nothing, just her normal teeth. She drew a deep, shuddering breath and got out of bed.

After attending to all her animals, she made herself a cup of calming chamomile tea and sat down on her porch, still somewhat shaken by her nightmare.

That's how Twilight found her later that morning, her eyes empty, staring into space, cup of tea long gone cold in her hooves.

After dropping off the gems with Pinkie, ( and offering a few "helpful" suggestions for the cake's ingredients, which Pinkie politely but firmly refused ) Twilight headed for Sweet Apple Acres. On the way, as she was passing underneath a low-hanging cloud, she distinctly heard...snoring. She looked up, only to see a rainbow-colored tail hanging off the end of it. She flew up and alighted on it. Sure enough, there was her pegasus friend, flat on her back, dreaming away. Twilight started to nudge her awake when she stopped as Dash started talking in her sleep. "Oooo, baby...just like that...more! Zzzzzz...gimme...more...I...can take it...zzzzz...."

As Rainbow started to move one of her hooves down to her lady parts, Twilight closed her eyes and shouted, "Rainbow! Wake up!"

"Zzz...what? Who?" Dash sat up and rubbed her eyes. She looked around sleepily and spotted Twilight, whose face was a deep red. "Oh, hey, Twilight..." She yawned and smacked her lips a few times. "What's up?"

Twilight cleared her throat noisily and stammered, "I...I just wanted to invite you to a party I'm throwing this afternoon for Spike at the Library. He came back home last night, and we're celebrating."

Rainbow's eyes grew wide. "Spike's back?!" She rubbed her hooves together. "Aww, yeah! I get first crack at him!"

Twilight blushed even harder. "Rainbow! He's been changed back to his normal self! He's not like he was before!"

Dash's shoulder's visibly slumped. "What? You mean...he doesn't have that monster cock anymore?"

"No!! And even if he did, I highly doubt you and he would be an "item!" Twilight huffed and stuck her nose in the air.

Rainbow smirked at this. "Don't be too sure, egghead. I can be pretty irresistible when I want to be!"

Twilight was starting to regret this conversation. "Just...behave yourself, alright? The party's at three; will you come?"

Dash waved a hoof. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be there. But I can't promise I won't be dreaming about that big dick!"

Twilight turned to go, but spared a glance at her over her shoulder. "So I saw..."

"Huh?"

"Never mind! See you at three!" Then she flew off and was gone.

All of the Apples had just finished the Zap Apple Ritual and were all seated on the porch, still wearing their costumes. Applejack had had the idea to record their performance this time, so she was just putting away a stopwatch when her keen eyes spotted a purple blotch in the distance, headed their way. She got a wicked grin on her face and quickly pointed out the approaching pony to Big Mac, then made a bet with him. He returned her smile and shook on it, then they settled back to wait.

Soon, Twilight landed, and her eyes grew big. Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny were all wearing...bunny costumes. Granny Apple was snoozing, but both the Apple siblings had unreadable expressions on their faces, with no hint of explanation. Applejack suddenly started a stopwatch, then addressed her. "Mornin', Twilight," said Applejack. "What brings you by?"

Twilight's eyes shifted from one to the other, and her lips trembled. Applejack leaned forward in anticipation. But then, Twilight said, "I...just wanted to invite you to a party at the Library I'm having for Spike this afternoon."

Applejack's eyebrow's raised. "Spike's back? Is he okay?"

She nodded. "Cadence was able to return him to his normal self, so everything's fine." Still, sweat was starting to form on her brow, a detail that did not go unmissed by the Apples.

Any second now. "Wahl, Ah'll be sure to come! What time?"

"Th...three..."

"Fine an' dandy! See y'all there!" smiled Applejack. Her shoulders slumped when Twilight turned away and was about to take off when the door opened, and out walked Alex, followed by Apple Bloom, both in costume. He had floppy ears that stood straight up from his head, large pink feet, and padding that made his belly look two sizes larger than it was.

When he spotted the alicorn, he smiled and said, "Hey, Twilight! What's up, doc?"

That did it!

She turned back around and screamed, "Why are you all wearing bunny costumes?!"

Applejack clicked the stopwatch off and showed it to Mac. With a smug grin, he said, "Pay up."

Applejack scowled. "Y'all only won by two seconds, Mac!" The smile never left his face.

"Fair's fair, AJ. Ah won, pay up."

"Will somepony please tell me what's going on?!" exploded Twilight.

Applejack waved a hoof. "Oh, we jus' had a bet ta see how long it would take you to ask why we're all wearin' this stuff...Ah bet a minute, but even Ah thought it wouldn't take that long!"

Twilight frowned as she shifted her gaze from the ponies, to the Human ( who had produced a carrot from somewhere and was now munching it ) and back to the ponies. "So...now that you've had your fun, mind explaining the costumes?"

Applejack smiled. "Don't you remember? It's Zap Apple season!"

Twilight still looked lost for a few moments, then her memory caught up with her, and she finally returned the smile. "Oh, okay. All those actions you all do for the Zap Apple harvest every year!" She turned to Alex. "But...why are you dressed up?"

Alex took another bite of his carrot and said, "Applejack told me all about it, and it sounded like fun! So I had one of the clothiers make me this costume! Isn't it great?"

Twilight smirked. "If Fluttershy saw you in that, you'd quickly become her favorite."

Alex's brow knitted. "Fluttershy. That's the really shy yellow one, isn't it? I don't think she likes me very much."

"Why do you say that?" asked Applejack.

Alex shrugged. "All this time, she's never spoken to me. Even that time we all had dinner here, she didn't say two words to me, and hardly looked at me."

"You just have to get to know her. She's really quite sweet!" said Twilight. Then she added, "I don't know if you heard, but I'm throwing a party for Spike this afternoon, and I'm inviting all my friends, so she'll be there. Maybe you two can talk then."

Alex did a double-take. "Wait: Spike's back? Is he alright?"

Twilight smiled brightly. "He's better than alright! Princess Cadence was able to change him back to his normal self, so he came home, and he and I patched things up! I can't wait for everypony to see him!"

Alex shifted uncomfortably in his seat and patted his "paws" together. "Umm...is he pissed at me?"

Twilight's brow's raised. "No! Why would he be?"

Alex looked away. "It was me that changed him, and caused the rift between you two. I'm glad you two made up, but he might still be blaming me."

Twilight stomped her hoof. "Alex! That was an accident! Spike is a noble dragon! I'm sure he doesn't blame you!"

He remained unconvinced. "I'd blame me...but if you're sure, I'll certainly come."

Apple Bloom piped up. "Can Ah come too?" She looked up at her idol. "Ah wanna go with Alex."

Twilight and the others smiled warmly at her. "Of course, honey! We'd love to have you!"

She sighed. "Now that that's settled, I'm on my way to Fluttershy's. See you all at the party!" With that, she turned and flew off.

The others watched her go, then Alex grinned and said, "Think we should wear this there?"

Applejack thought about it for a moment, then shook her head. "Naw, that would be too much. You stick out enough as it is...seein' you in a big bunny costume would probably cause a few heads to explode."

Alex took another bite of his carrot. "You're no fun."

"Fluttershy! Fluttershy! Are you alright?!" Twilight waved a hoof in front of her eyes, trying to get her attention.

The yellow pegasus shook herself and blinked, then looked at her friend and quietly spoke. "Oh, hello Twilight. I didn't see you there."

Twilight frowned. "I've been trying to rouse you for several moments! What's wrong?"

She looked away. "Nothing. I...just had a really bad dream, that's all. I was trying to process it."

"It must have been a bad one, to get you like this." She gently took her hoof. "Would you like to talk about it?"

Fluttershy put down the cold teacup in her other hoof and sighed. "It's...very personal, Twilight. I'm not sure I should share it with anypony..."

But still, Twilight pressed her. "I've never seen you like this, Fluttershy. You don't have to give me the details, but I'm certain it will help if you try to talk about it."

Fluttershy chewed her bottom lip, thinking. Finally, she whispered, "If I do bad things in a dream, does that make me a bad pony?"

Twilight sat back and thought for a moment. Then she said, "Luna is actually the expert on dreams, but from what I've gathered, dreams are just the subconscious sorting out emotions. For example, if one has been undergoing undue stress, one tends to have dreams that match that stress." She took her hoof again. "But to answer your question, no, it doesn't make you a bad pony. What we do in dreams isn't real, they're only part of our imaginations."

Now it was Fluttershy's turn to frown. "So...my imagination is still part of me...that means it was part of me that did it."

Twilight nodded. "Yes, Fluttershy. We all have our dark sides. That's unavoidable. But it's what we do in the light, while we're awake, that's the true 'us.'" She gripped her hoof. "Do...you feel your 'dark side' taking over?"

Fluttershy looked sharply at her, then looked away again. "Sometimes...I don't know..." she answered in a soft voice.

Twilight patted her hoof. "Fluttershy, I think you've been spending too much time alone. I did see you out at the Nightmare Night...err..."celebration," but I think it would be good for you to spend some more time with us." Her face brightened. "I have some good news! Spike came home! Cadence was able to return him to his normal self, so we're celebrating! Come to the party I'm throwing at three; it will do you good."

Fluttershy gave her a wan smile. "That does sound like a good idea." She looked at her. "Who's going to be there?"

"Well, all of our friends, plus Alex." At the mention of the alien's name, Fluttershy's demeanor changed, which Twilight noticed. "Is...something wrong?"

Fluttershy chewed her lip again. "It's just that...I haven't spent too much time around him." She looked at Twilight again, though this time her gaze was more intense. "What's he like?"

Twilight smiled. "You have nothing to worry about! He's a fine and gentle stallion, very considerate and kind. I think you'll really like him once you get to know him."

Fluttershy stared at her, then dropped her voice to a whisper. She leaned in close and said, "I mean, what's he like...in bed?"

"Oh!" Twilight drew back as her face began flaming. "Oh...that..." She cleared her throat nervously. "Well...I don't have a lot of experience with males, but I have to say....he's fantastic!"

The yellow pegasus perked up for the first time in their conversation. She turned her body fully towards her friend, grabbed both her hooves, and grinned. "Really?! I need details!"

"Fluttershy!" exclaimed Twilight. "You know I don't like talking about such personal things!" Still, she barely hid a smile as her thoughts were clearly shown on her face.

Fluttershy looked away again and smiled as her eyes drew inward. "Maybe I'll just have to find out for myself," she muttered.

"Hmmm, well, you need to talk to him, first!" said a still-blushing alicorn. She got to her hooves. "The party will be at the Library; will you come?"

Fluttershy nodded. "Of course, Twilight. You're right: it's time I spent some "quality" time with this alien."

The innuendo flew right over Twilight's head. "Great! See you there!" She turned and took off.

Fluttershy watched her go, as she turned over her plans in her mind. All she needed now was that special bed she'd ordered...but perhaps...it wouldn't hurt to see if she could arrange some "alone" time with Alex beforehoof...as an appetizer before the main course.

She smiled again, and licked her lips.