‘Into darkness you will go, one by one, be a part of my show.’
The snow....
Keeps falling.
The skies above the once green hills are muted now, a dull grey, serving as a seldom reminder of the boundless splendor they once held for the likes of me.
It only drags out those buried memories from the deepest corner of my mind.
Memories of a place where like the air time stood still,frozen in place like the snow that now dances upon the colors of my mane.
Silence.
Stillness.
I no longer hear the pounding of my heart in my ears nor do my nostrils fill with the scent of rusted iron but I feel those orbs of darkness upon me, the holes that pierce through flesh and bore their way into my very soul.
Ah yes, I remember it well.
Only when your hooves are stained can you finally see,what it means to strive for purity.
~~~~
THREE DAYS EARLIER...
The bright yellow light danced its way into the window pane, slowly it enveloped the room like a much needed warm blanket on a winters night revealing the form of a cyan mare curled up under the covers which carried the distinct yellow and blue embellishments of the wonderbolts.
The mare lied there in silence,the rose colored orbs staring down into the fluffy white pillow nestled between cyan hooves. It had been another one of many sleepless nights.
There were times where no matter how many stunts she performed or tricks she played, No matter what antics the mare could do to occupy her mind, those memories still returned from that dark place in her mind that thirsted to know more, the truth.
At first she would awaken in a cold sweat in the middle of the night, counting her lucky stars that she would never have to see that wretched world again. Now the mare wanted to know more, it was like the plate of cookies just in hooves reach before dinner, a secret temptation that presented itself again and again.
The last words upon its lips were the ones that started this whole mess, the temptation.
‘Just you.’
The cyan mare had grown used to the adoring of fans and praise of her peers but she for one reason or another had become a beings reason to be.
This notion sickened her, the atrocities it committed for the sake of capturing her were almost as depraved as the methods it used to carry out its wicked plans.
However deep down inside she could not help but feel pity for this thing, the more and more she thought on the subject as to the ‘why’ the more she could begin to see some actions as justified.
The mare slowly rose from her bed, her back making a rather loud cracking noise as she set her hooves upon the floor boards. With a slow pace she made her way to the small kitchenette. Rainbow dash opened the bottom most cabinet and grabbed a metal cookie sheet ,the silver tray wedged between her teeth firmly as she gave a slight kick to the cabinet door.
Today was another one of Pinkies trademark parties but this time she wanted to contribute something as well other than an aerial trick or two.Truth be told she had always been quite the skilled baker and seamstress but she did not want to take away from any other ponies spotlight so she found it best to pretend not to notice Pinkie not using enough butter and to turn a blind eye to some of the incorrect hems on some of Rarities dresses.
She simply would play it off and continue portraying herself as the groups athlete of the sky.
“A pinch of salt and some chili powder should do the trick.” She said to nopony in particular as she finished mixing the batter in the bowl by hoof, things always tasted better when stirred by your own hooves. They always have more to them in the end, more heart.
Today was special indeed,it was Scootaloo’s birthday. Not only was the filly her number one fan but she was the closest thing to any family she really had.
The cyan mare often imagined them participating at the sisterhooves social together but her daydreams were cut short as the oven began to chime.
“ Come on now, get your head in the game.” The mare encouraged herself as she gently eased the cake in, making sure not to burn herself.
Now Rainbow was, like most everypony, using her mouth. The cyan mare had plenty of burns to show for it and often wondered just how did Pinkie and the Cakes move things with such skill using their hooves alone!
It would just have to be another unsolved great Equestrian mystery up there with where Pinkie came from and just what exactly was that place and why she seemed to be the only one who can remember it.
The cake was done and the present made, it was going to to be a grand party indeed. A special scooter that worked on clouds and a chocolate lava cake, everything any filly would ever want.
The party was just like any other Pinkie catered get together, same games,same punch, same music, and some sorry excuse for dancing.The cyan mare watched the party from the comfort of her perch aside the punch bowl, finding more and more that this once fun type of event was just plain boring. Everything after her last adventure through Hell here and everywhere in between was just dull in general.
The more she thought on it the more something began to build within her, a need for something bigger, something more.
It could have been the sleepless nights that danced the ideal into her mind for it to grow and grow without her noticing but all the same she simply found everything boring now and the things that once brought a smile to her face were just irritating.
Scootaloo on the other hand was the exception, a smile crossed the cyan mares features as the little orange filly danced in her own different way.
Everyday the filly grew more amazing and bold, she like herself, was a star waiting to take to the night sky to shine.
Pinkie jumped out from seemingly nowhere surrounded by balloons and streamers of more colors than Rainbows own mane.
“ Happy Birthday!!!!” The pink mare cheered as the crowd sang along, the cake they brought out however was not the one she had brought. No. It was a towering commercial white cake slathered with what else but white and pink frosting.
Rainbow walked up and sang along with a smile, leaning to whisper to the pink mare.
‘Hey, what happened to my cake?’
Now the cyan mare said this in the nicest of ways, it was no more than an honest question.
The pink mare giggled and whispered back.
‘Well I figured yours was good but you would want the best for Scootaloo..I am a professional after all.’
The smile faded as she backed away from the other, feeling something in her begin to creep along the back of her mind.
This feeling was new and was highly alarming yet strangely alluring, Dark lingering touches that grazed lovingly at the locks of the pandora's box of the mind, scant moments away from releasing what should never be unbound.
‘’You've returned to this life yet you still want more, You yearn for things you've never dreamed before. The world of light is not what it seems, close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams.’
Hush now....
Those eyes of brilliant ruby burned with the fury of a rogue Valkyrie,No longer wanting to protect its chosen warriors, It sought only their suffering.
Quiet now...
Another shot, a way to soothe the pain until its nice so she can savor their cries as they pay the price.
Rest your sleepy head....
The cries no longer prove daunting to her, no. They only serve to entice a state of devious euphoria, the sweet seduction of the power to alluring for any being to overcome.
Hush now....Quiet now...
The lights snuffed out, the colors no more. The pray at her mercy, in fear of what is in store.
Its time to go to bed.
The crazed look, a toothy grin flashed once more.
She has tasted blood and she wants more.
Rainbow Dash awoke with a gasp, her hooves still tingling. The feeling of the sweet liquid life she danced in while in her dream still lingered upon her cyan flesh.
In the waking world Dash felt herself out of place more and more as time went on, Scootaloo’s party was proof enough of this disturbance within her soul.
It was the first time her mind strayed from loyalty, her element.
It would have been one thing if the notion of breaking ties with Pinkie crossed her mind but that was not the idea that crept into her head.
She was changing more, growing more depraved as time went on. At first she thought it was a split personality disorder, similar to the depressed and aggressive Pinkamina persona Pinkie once exhibited.
But that would imply one party not agreeing with the other.
The cyan mare backed away from the other as something began to creep along in the back of her mind.
‘ A professional she says? don’t make me laugh. The best cake she ever made was when she was turned into one.’
The mare gasped and caught herself mid thought, had she really just thought of that horrific brutality all over again? The cyan mare sighed as Sweetie Bell stared up at her, those eyes now wide.
“ Hey why aren't you playing with Scootaloo?”
The white unicorn stared at her, trembling even.
Unknown to Rainbow for she did not see, when the thought crossed her mind her mouth twisted into a smile of utter depravity.
Oh Rainbow why so sad? It's quite fun to go utterly mad.
The cyan mare stopped in her tracks, she recalled many things of that damned other world but the voice that now called to her she would have burned into her mind for all time.
Rainbow frantically searched around for the source of its voice, this time she was ready for it. Knowing all the horrors of the world and beyond were mere child’s play for the being who so desperately sought out her attention. It gave her solace knowing that this entity wished to cater to her every desire and not unleash its fury upon her form.
“ Show yourself, I’m not scared of you anymore!” A brash statement she would have to admit but submission is the one thing her pride would never allow.
Before her in her mirror the did replace, the image of Rainbows face.
The stallion of white with massive wings and a horn upon its head appeared before her, the image of dread.
He looked upon her with a smile on his face, quite sure he was about to win this race.
“I never wanted to give you fear Dashie my sweet, But alas without it life’s not complete. Tell me Dash do you think Life sweet? When all they think of you is a jock at the meet.”
There it was again, the way the words flowed from his mouth. A smooth legato only comparable to a rich wine paired with dark chocolate.
A bitter and decadent taste, It often invaded her thoughts and desires. That voice who spoke only praises for her but then of course every rose has its thorn and this voice that lures her so has one as well. That insidious laughter that followed its spell, was a sign that all was going to Hell.
“ I will give you all you have been dreaming of, the ground at your feet and the sky above all I ask is for your love.”
The cyan mare’s legs moved upon their own accord, inching closer and closer to the mirror. Her very soul in danger of shattering into sweet nothingness. It was different than those Shadow Bolts, that much she knew for she had seen the things this being could do.
The temptation was there, no worries to be had no call for despair all she had to do was be his mare.
Hush now.....
She stopped in her tracks once more as the door flung open to reveal a most delighted Pinkie Pie leading along Applejack at her side. By way of some odd invention upon their hide,now upon the clouds they could stride.
“ Hey Dashie!!! I figured since you showed an interest in baking and put in a good effort me and AJ should come up and teach you how its done!” The words held no contempt nor malice, it was a simple offer from one friend to another.
It only made the key upon those locks turn. ‘If anything,’ she thought. ‘Its you who should learn.’
Quiet now...
Her world became black for an hour or so, for what had occurred not many do know.
A faint gurgling noise filled her ears, lulling her back into consciousness.
Rest your sleepy head...
The two mares before her stared up to her, their eyes beginning to glaze over.
Rainbow stared in disgust at the two before her, crudely deformed and re attached to one another. Pinkie stared at her with a saddened smile, the laughter was gone once more and her time had come. Making the deal meant new lives were made and a price yet to be paid.
The pink mare’s limbs had been removed leaving only a torso and head, her mid section had been cut open wide like a specimen under the microscope. The farm pony dangled limply beside her, hooks pierced into her flesh, spreading the skin to look as if the earth pony had wings of leather.
A tube was jammed into her throat, connecting to the blood around Pinkies body.
Each time the pain elicited Applejack to vomit, it would travel down the tube and coil around Pinkies body, mixing with the blood before it was forced back up the tube again for Applejack to swallow once more.
It was Hell.
Hush Now..Quiet Now...
Rainbow backed away in horror as the vomit spilled down the tube again, the mixture smelled like rotting flesh. It was then that she noticed why there assailant bothered with this contraption at all. Each time the earth pony vomited and was forced to swallow again, the more and more stomach acid was brought up into the mix.
The open sores on the pink mares side were the work of this volatile mix. When the acid rushed back up the tube it ate more and more of the earth mares throat and stomach as well. They were being made to eat each other. To suffer.
Its time to go to bed.
The Lights faded from their eyes as death took them into its sweet embrace.
Her eyes wide in horror as the tears streamed down her face.
That laughter then echoed in the back of her head, making her wish it was she who were dead.
