Author's Note

While this is only one of two chapters containing outright death, this is the only chapter to include any form of gore. I save the gore tag for super extreme stuff like your about to read. If your one of those squimish types, you may want to consider skipping this chapter. But that is not recommended. However, I will warn you that what your about to read is some of my darkest story telling. This story telling is on par with the implications in "Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time" which has the darkest implications of any Mario game if not the darkest implications in video game history.

Chapter 72: Darkness Decending (Gore & Death Included)

Manehatten during the Gauntlet of Fire...

A stallion found himself cornered in his own appartment. "Wh-who are you? What are you?!" The Stallion exclaimed.

"I am the King of Despair." a strange katana wielding individual said. "But during your last breath, call me Slade."

Screams were drowned out by the noise of ponies outside.

Ponyville Present Day; two days after the Guantlet of Fire...

"This is the third pony that's been found murdered this way in the past month in the Manehatten district. There's no connection to the victims that even the best investigators could find." Princess Celestia said.

"No connection? Not even a shared interest at the very least?" Twilight asked.

"No connections. The only thing that connects these victims in any way, shape, or form, is how they were murdered." Princess Celestia said. "Each one had their insides sliced open, blood was being drained in a slow and methotical process. During this blood spill, it seems the killer takes the time to methodically dress the room in the victim's blood with the victims all conscious as they watch their killer in their dying moments. The final touch is a triangle pointing down with the letter 'S' inside of it before the victim looses too much blood and dies from the blood loss." She explained.

"Wait...those details...are you one hundred percent certain that the victim remained alive and concious as the killer painted the room in blood?" Deca asked.

"You've seen these details before?" Twilight asked.

"Many times. In fact, it's been way too long since that one's last murder." Deca said. "It's the work of one Slade Johnson; a serial killer who does contract killings. Essentially, he's selling his killings as a service. His victims seem to be all over the place, but the method used for killing is the exact same every time: Every victim is cut open, dies from blood loss while the room is painted in blood, and the final splotches of blood make an upside down triangle with an 'S' inside of it; but the one other detail that's normally kept secret is that each victim is also very much concious to watch their killer taunt them by painting the room with blood."

"How'd anything like that come to exist?" Luna asked.

"It...was a consequence that came about when Rob saved an ally & friend of his known as Veronica and her race. Veronica and Slade come from a planet not unlike Rob's planet which was named 'Alternate Earth'. Humans once existed on that planet, alongside many anthro forms of some of the animals you have here on Equestria: Rabbits, Owls, Pigs...you name it." Deca siad.

"What happened to those humans?" Twilight asked.

"They got used by an android they had created known as H1V3-QU33N. The android became too powerful for them to fight back against. Rob stopped the android before her plans could go through by making use of time travel. However, as a consequence of the altered timeline, Slade Johnson became a serial killer. It seems this one human is the only one who can go wherever he wants." Deca said.

"How is he able to remain human in Equestria? Our magic should've turned him into a pony." Celestia said. "When Sunset came over a while ago to ask about the Memory Stone, I know for certain she went from human to pony again."

"Beats me. I do sense a magical field that should've turned Slade into a Pony. But I can't seem to understand why it's not working." Deca said. "Regardless, if you should ever come across him, you should know that despite him being able to use both of his hands to attack, he is mostly left handed."

"Your telling this because...?" Luna asked.

"Slade will flee easily if you disarm his left hand." Deca said. "Any attempts to capture him have ended in failure."

"Any idea of his next target?" Celestia asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine." Deca said.

Meanwhile, Scootaloo and Rumble were enjoying their own time together. "Think we're getting serious too soon?" Rumble asked.

"Not really. I mean, we feel right." Scootaloo said. "Especially because after Soarin became my new dad, it's been easy to just call him Dad now."

"You deserve great parents Scoots. And Rainbow & Soarin are great parents." Rumble said.

"Thanks Rumble." Scootaloo said. However, she quickly moved him.

"What the..." Rumble looked towards a sword-wielding figure.

"Rumble...someone wants you dead. And I've got a contract to fulfill." The figure said.

"Who are you?" Scootaloo asked.

"I am the King of Despair. But you can call me Slade." The figure said. He swung again, but this time was met by a pony in a strange disguise wielding his own sword. "What?!" Slade was taken off guard.

"Isn't he wearing some sort of upgraded Mare Do Well suit? Didn't Mom's friends cancel that plan about my mom's ego?" Scootaloo asked.

"Call me Shade." The colt in the suit said. The masculine voice gave away that this was a pegasus colt in a Mare Do Well suit.

"You dare get in my way?!" Slade exclaimed. Suddenly, the princesses arrived.

"That's him! That's Slade." Deca said.

"Oops! Time to get out of here before that tablet sends a signal to Rob Snowden. But know this: I'll be back for your head, Rumble." Slade said before he suddenly vanished using dark magic.

"Wasn't that dark magic?!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Indeed. But, that is not important." Celestia siad.

"Whoa, what was that?" White Flame and the rest of the CMC soon joined.

"Not sure." Rumble said as every pony noticed Shade had vanished. "What the...where'd that colt go?!"

"No idea." Twilight asked. Suddenly, Prince Blooblood & Derpy arrived.

"White Flame, we need you to come with us." Blueblood said.

"Huh? Why? What's going on?" White Flame asked.

"It's about the parish district. We found some DNA at a courthouse there. It tested to be one hundred percent match to only one pony: You." Blueblood said.

"What? But that's impossible!" White Flame said.

"I have a bad feeling about this..." Twilight said.

To be continued