A Story From A Dreamby FiMFigmentChaptersThe StoryMore of the Story2b or not to be? That is no longer in question.Chapter 3: Some More StoryThe StoryThere she was, holding that ampule of mischief....perhaps that vile vial. All that needs to be said is that the potion inside is more than frowned upon, in the groups in which it is known, at least. It is thought to be the greatest blessing possible, but stories prove time and time again that whoever is afflicted by it will sooner or later realize its curse. I had not choice but to back away from her and that....that thing. I did not want to be anywhere near it, even though I had spend most of my life above its burial site, hoping to protect anypony foolish enough to attempt to take and drink of it. The feeling, no, pain that one of those fools was my very own student hurt so much beyond pain I have ever felt. We were coming closer and closer to that ledge that flanks my cottage, the rest is surrounded by the vast expanse of forrest. I could no longer look into her eyes, it hurt too much to think of her taking the...eternity...ah there was its name, the potion of eternity. How could such a simple name have escaped me? Though, it wasn't possible to look into her eyes either way, not with my gaze drawn to the ampule in her telekinetic grasp. Oh, how can I think that she is the fool, if it was MY purpose to protect it. I should not have taken up an apprentice before I even mastered being the guardian of such a dangerous artifact myself. Maybe I could convince her to give it back? Maybe she is not fully drawn into its false promises yet? Either way, I had to try something, and other options no longer existed. We stepped over the salt circle. "Please, don't be an imbecile! Have I not taught you enough times what happens to somepony who dares drink of that?" "Oh please," she countered. Not good! Not good at all! "You must have known this would happen, surely? You should have seen that nopony wants to become an old mumbling fool like you!" Those words, those terrible words. Had she been leading me with a carrot for the past 8 years? Had the pony I had come to love as a daughter only thought of me as a means to an end? It broke my heart to think of such a situation being our reality. "You have to listen to me," I pleaded. "Please, you know you will only be cursed. Nothing more! Do you have no love in your heart? Anypony you will ever love will die in your hoo-" The pain stopped. Why would it- I noticed a coolness spreading throughout me, tears filled my eyes, my thoughts, jumbled by time, became clear as day. When my gaze shifted down onto myself I realized the issue...or would it be the solution to my issues? Ah, a hole, that explains the loss of...everything. I looked up again, it was getting harder and harder to see through the darkness and tears, but there she was....her horn winding down. A sneer on her muzzle. I could see her telekinesis wrapping around the vile again, and... Goodness, What must have been only a heart beat or two for her felt like an eternity for me, but even eternities must end. Mine did, when my fall began. Heh, it is almost funny how things turned out. What would my kin think? An earth pony studying magic and failing to guard magical artifacts? Inconceivable! Ah, earth, how I missed you, even when you will end this beautiful moment for me. *flash* She had done it. The scream that wanted to emanate out of me never could, there was no more energy left in me. But I learned my lesson. If there is anything beyond, I will never allow myself to become so blinded again. I would never want her to become happy again! I...I....don't think I want peace...I want revenge...and nothing else. *impact* "Ssso, what do we have here?" it giggled. Nothing. The snake repeated itself: "I ssaid, what do we have HERE?" What? "RISE." How can I see? How can I hear? How can I....be? "Hello, old baron." "How are you talking to me? And how am I talking to you?" "Ah," she said. "That is a good question, you are a spirit." "So I did die...how could sh-" any words I attempted to say were interrupted by the intense burning hatred I felt. "You are angry. You are hurt," she said, leaving a moment to let me steep in my own frustration. "How does a deal sound?" That got me to stop. "A what?" "A deal...I help you obtain the revenge you desire so much, and in return you do something for me. How does that sound?" The audacity of her words almost made me furious again. "I have been around magic and magic beings long enough to know not to take deals from strangers. Snakes seem especially sinister." "Ah, you are wiser than you seem," she overflowed with sarcasm. "I do not want your deal, no matter how much you wheedle me...like..." Like her. "I take your deal." "I could add onto my offer, if that is what you- you take the deal?!" "Yes, but I have a condition. I have learned from experience." "Very well, though you surprise me. Your attitude seems so...much like an old friend. What is your condition?" "I keep my sanity and my mind." Even with her...simplistic physique, it was easy to see the snake tense up. Through her teeth she whispered a small, "Very well." She approached, slowly. I took a step back, maybe I had let my anger get the better of me? I should take it back, maybe there is something else I can do to... right I am doing this for revenge. She lifted her head into an attack position. I am doing this because of what she did to me. She strikes. I hate her. I woke up in... darkness. What? It had been midday, certainly. Where exactly am I? "..." What?! Why can I not speak?! I tried to move my forehooves under me to stand up, but there was....nothing. The Snake must have tricked me. "Would you come out now? It pains me to see one of my young possessed, the least you could do is hurry," a familiar voice said, almost exasperated. The Snake, she is still here? I tried moving, it...came to me. I can not explain it, potentially a sort of muscle memory or mind magic? This would be very interesting to experiment on. I am certainly a snake, but what wou- Right, I should move towards that voice. If I am her young, then she wouldn't attack me, right? Wait...if I am a snakelet, doesn't that mean I am much sm- ... It was daunting. As I left the cave I saw the snake, but she was seemingly meters taller than I was. While my eyes adjusted to the light she almost looked god-like. Like seeing Princess Celestia of Equestria for the first time. I should visit that nation once again, it was so vast and varrie- "Hello, baron, how are you feeling?" "W...at..dit...yoo...do?" I croaked out. "I am doing my part of the deal, but the next part is yours to complete." I tilted my head in confusion. "You, as you are, must become your heart," the Snake explained pointing to...my body. My body. It looked....dreadful. Like it had been there for days. How long had all of this taken me? It was her fault! Full of resolution, I turned my awkward body to the Snake and asked, "H..ow doo.....do thet?" "Ah, that is another good question. You must figure that out yourself, I may not help you." Helpful. I slithered to the...corpse. Looking for any clues as to how to do the impossible. Though with magic anything is possible, I suppose. Especially dark magic, and soulmancy and necromancy easily fell into that category. ... Where was I? ... Oh, body. I saw the cavity. It used to house a heart, and from the looks of it some lung and ribs. All taken from me by the monster I saw as a daughter. Maybe that the darn thing was the exact reason I died.....heh, ironic. What in tartarus am I supposed to do?! I tried going inside... Yeah, there was some magic there, my sense for magic was never that great (obviously, I wasn't a unicorn), but I think this magic is more emotional. Magic is influenced quite a bit by emotion and desire, of course, but emotional magic is a-whole-nother tome to read. It is quite hard to control, as it will also change your own emotion, which can make casting rather unstable, according to scholars who can actually cast spells. But it also has some questionable ethics, you see it takes something out of the caster's very being, to change the emotions of another, and the castee will likely also be hurt by- Focus! I think that I am on the right path, but one of the challenges in life is that nopony knows if they are on the right path until the trotted to the end. ....life.... The thing she took away from me. *a light* Huh, it seems to be working. Of course! Emotional magic becomes exponentially more powerful with the emotions of the caster....the caster. Am I casting a spell? She cast a spell on me. A....feeling. Some sort of feeling overwhelms me, it isn't purely physical or emotional, it is something else as well. It is everything. And nothing. Wait... I leave the cavity of my......heart again. The Snake views me with curiosity. "What are you doing?" I pay her no real heed. I attempt to take the locket of my.....friend....out of my hoof-holster and slowly bring it back. If it doesn't work, I don't want to lose everything. Lose everything like SHE caused me to. Once again anger flares up inside of me and I am *gone* She loved life. There is nothing better than the feeling in your prime for 20 years. He was wrong.....and that makes her feel bad. She...was different then. She had no idea what she wanted. She had murdered somepony. Somepony who cared for her. Somepony who...trusted her. "Ah, ignore such thoughts," she told herself. It was a beautiful morning in the village she had come to be an active member of and she was happy. Life could not be any better for her. "Good Morning Young Lady," exclaimed Mr. Flour, the local baker. "Mornin' Rising Flour, how was you trip to the north? I heard there were quite severe storms up there!" "No storm could take the view of my beautiful homeland, but it was very tedious to travel anywhere!" That made her wonder... "Did you meet Celestia personally?" Rising could barely contain his laughter, and exclaimed that, "Nopony could just stomp into the princess's throne room and just say 'Hi.'" "But you said you used to be quite important, you were a guard!" "Yes, but even an ex-guard can't simply trot up to Celestia." "Hmm, well....maybe one day you will?" "I doubt it, she must either way be busy, with the upcoming celebration." "Oh yeah, weren't you there because of it?" "Yes, but other matters brought me home." She was starting to get a little sick of this conversation that's just there for the author to tell the reader when/where this story is taking place. "Well, I hope you will meet her one day, maybe I will, but have a nice day!" "I doubt any of us will meet her, but you as well!" So they departed, and she started on her way to the town's coffee shoppe, just like every other day. *step* "Finally." The salt ring has finally completely worn off! It has been so long since I have seen my own home. So long since I have seen the books within. So unbelievably long since I have had tea. ... It was not in good shape. The wood had visibly begun decaying and anything within that was perishable has.....perished. Yet, it was home. My home........ it also was her home It still hurts to think of the betrayal of that monster, all those summers ago. Even her bed was still here, reeked of her. I can find her. But I would have to leave the forrest. My only shelter. My only sustenance. Ooh, how she loved the late macchiato. The Coffee Shoppe had this waitress, she made the best coffee in the entire town. She could sip on it for hours on end, if it wasn't all gone within a few minutes. He sat down. "Um, hello Mr....?" "Hello, Lora." "WHAT?! No!" She did not mean to yell that so loudly. Everybody turned to look at her, even Max.....who was blind. "So, Bella Flora, how has your life been? Mine has....well it has not, in a way." "How....how? You should be-" she caught herself and fell into a whisper, "oh, I am so happy you are alive! I am not a murderer!" "Those feeling are only one way, I must inform you. And you ARE a MURDERER!" He yelled that, now she would have to use that memory wiping spell again. ... They were walking down the street. It was a while before anypony spoke. "So, are you a ghost?" "No, more of a spirit." "Why do you look like that." He looked at himself, in a flash he was.....normal. Like he used to look, just younger, less tired. "And if your question pertains to my facial expression, I am considering how to kill you." "WHAT?!" "Isn't it obvious? I am here to take revenge." "But....wait, I can't die!" ... After thinking for a moment, she looks back at him. Where did he go? Ah, there he is.....trying to bite my neck.....are those canines? "Would you stop? I can not die, you were wrong, I am as happy as can be." Her life was perfect. "You think that now. Wait until the curse of the potion you took all those years ago rears its beautiful head! You will one day notice how terrible of a mistake you have committed, and you will come back begging for mercy. I know just what I have to do." "What?" "Wait..." Author's Note Yeah, the dream was quite different, and I tried not pressing too much. Maybe I will make a 2nd page as well, if anybody notices this. (Which I doubt.) I tried not pushing certain things too hard, but it still comes over as push-y. Still, I gave my best and hope you enjoyed it! (Oh, and if someone wonders, when I have time I WILL come back and add/remove some things. In my rush to make writing this fit into my schedule, I made some...poor choices of what words to use and how to explain things. (As well as how much to explain.) Plus, things in dreams just...make sense, certain things that didn't need to be explained all of a sudden need an explanation from my uncreative mind. If anybody has criticism/feedback, I will take it.) More of the StoryThere was that sound again. "Ah, I see you have finally come to visit me." "Baron, dear!" the serpent cooed, "It has been such a long time since we last conversed!" "40 years, to the point. How you managed to evade me is beyond me." "Evade you?" she melodramatically said as she finally moved into my view, "What reasons would I have to try and avoid meeting my favorite spirit?" "That is exactly what I am trying to find out. Ever since you gave me your....opportunity, you have simply avoided me. It has been four decades and I still do not even know what my end of this bargain is!" Somehow, the snake smiled at that. A horrible sort of smile. A smile that tells of many promises that have ended in pain. I thought any sense a normal pony would have escaped me a long time ago....but that horrible expression made my fur stand on end. "Oh, my dear Baron, I do not have to tell you what your part in this deal is, when you are already fulfilling it." "What?!" A slow laugh escaped her lips, until finally, "Ah, Baron, you never cease to sate my hunger. Now, I must go." "Wait! You can't just go, I still need to know what you meant!" But she had already disappeared. Oh no. Why did I accept a deal as dangerous as this one. I had to take my mind off of her.....what should III- Oh! I'll go hunting again! Rabbits did have an exotic sweetness to them. She should NOT have gone into the forest alone. It isn't like she could get mauled to death by anycreature, but scary was still scary. You learn a few tricks in self-defense, sure, but a shield spell will do about as much against a scary movie as a- Did something move over there? "H-Hello? Is anybody there?" Lora would have stayed outside of the forest at all costs, but after weeks of arguing with herself, she finally decided to make the trip to Canterlot, Equestria's Capital. She could finally see where all of Rising's stories took place! Rising. She could visit...him... "Happy thoughts!" Um...maybe I can see Princess Sparkle! Ruler of Equestria since Celestia and her sister, Luna's, retirement. How much good would that do for them? I know Celestia has lived for thousands of years (heh, we have so much in common), so I think she is fully immortal. Why would you retire if you never die? If you never have a midlife crisis? Well, I guess you could get tired. She could get tired. And hungry... That was an unpleasant experience. "Ugh, I said happy thoughts!" "Why do you feel the need to remind the trees that they should be joyous?" That is actually a good point, when had she started talking to hers- WAIT...that wasn't a thought! "GAH!," she yelped. He flinched back. "Not so loud, cursed one," he chided her. He chided her. "Oh," she intoned, making sure anypony within a 50hoof radius could see her roll her eyes, "It's you. Back for round two of 'How shallt I kill the unkillable pony?'" He chuckled at that. "No, not really. That task was proven fruitless to me the last time we met. I must say I am a bit surprised that you recognized me so quickly, considering last time. And....what are you doing in the forest at this time of night?" Had he always acted so...clear? It feels like he became 20 years younger instead of older! "It isn't that hard to recognize the scary monster pony, stalking around in the forest," she joked, "And I am on my way to catch the morning train to Canterlot!" Now, should I tell her or not? Hmm.... (Tell her.) Ooh! A fellow spirit? Eh? Alright, but for the next opportunity I see, I will let her try to untangle herself from the spiderweb she flew into! "You know, you are north-bound, the train station is north-east of the village, though by now, you would have to trot due east." "Gah! Stupid forest, stupid, non-existent sense of direction, and stupid maps!" She still has the same temper as back then. Before... No, I promised I wouldn't let this continue to control me. I am in control of myself, not my anger, not my frustration. Just focus on your good memories. "You know, I studied at Canterlot for a short while. I haven't been there in a long time, but I know it hasn't changed for even longer. I could be your guide, so to speak. And...what are you doing there anyways? I hope you don't plan on hurting the princess." She huffed, "Ha, ha, very funny. No, I am not there to plan any sort of attack on anybody. I am sorry, ok! I am sorry for what I did to you, it still haunts me sometimes, and I will not do anything of that sort ever again. As for why I am there I am....visiting a friend." Something changed in her, he hunched down a bit, her eyelids sagged a little, and her voice seemed to....deflate. Ah, now I know who you are. She stopped walking for a moment, and nigh whispered to me, "But I would like you to accompany me." She perked up. It was almost unnatural to see. I should ask her what techniques she uses to lift her spirits. What she said next should really have been more insulting than it felt. "But only if you look nicer!" "Okay, just give me a moment to pack!" I-in f-front of her w-was a wolf, all of a sudden. "Meep," was all she could muster to say. "Calm down, I just have far better stamina like this. And also, you wanted me to look nicer," he finished off with a toothy....too toothy grin and ran off. What am I gonna do now? She waited.... About 5 minutes, before she decided to head eastward. If he wants to, he can find me pretty quickly, I assume. "Other way!" she heard a yell over the tree tops. "....right," she mumbled before she was off on her merry way. (More of a scary way, being all alone again.) A solid 5 hours later, two odd passengers were the only ones in Cube's food car. The old mare was never one to judge others, based on their appearances, but the way they looked was simply unnatural! A younger mare and an older stallion, she looked like the had not slept properly in months and he looked like he was sitting somewhere between gentlecolt and great grandfather, but somehow neither. It was just something about the way he carried himself, it didn't match anypony she had ever met. (Not to mention that their emotions seemed calm on the surface, but deep down, she could taste how they were seeping in angers, sadnesses and frustrations, revolting.) Yet, she decided to approach them, a job is a job is a job, afterall. "Good morning, you two! I am Kandis Cube, and I will be serving you on this trip. Would either of you like any coffee to start off with?" I immediately don't trust her. It isn't the attitude, sweeter than pure sugar, or the fact that her name has Germane origins, it is something else entirely. She feels like a spirit, or at least like she is part spirit, but I can't tell wh- "Oh, I would like a....how late is it?....ooh, still before 11! I would like a cappuccino, please," Bella Flora almost beamed. It is creepy how quickly she goes from one state to another, one moment she is half dead due to lack of sleep, the next she is full of sunshine. Like way back when... (Kandis seems to have also noticed, judging by her scared look.) I don't trust that pony! (Oh, now THAT is a scared look.) Got it. "I would simply like sparkling water," I said, but as she started to leave I quickly added, "Oh, but I don't want you to have to carry all those drinks yourself, here, I will come help you!" "Oh-kay, but are you sure? I am quite alright with carrying your drinks myself!" "No, no. Please, I insist upon helping you!" "In that case, follow me, please." She started to leave, and I followed. I gave a quick glance to Bella to see if she seemed....unaffected, though I do not know what it would be like if she WAS under any sort of effect. I studied magic, not fantastic creatures and where to locate them! But she seemed alright, if not a little confused. We stepped into a segmented off compartment of the dining car, which seemed to be the drink station. Nothing suspicious was going on here, and Ms. Cube started to prepare the coffee.....maybe I had misjudged? No. There was that feeling again! And I am NOT letting myself be fooled by trust again. Kandis was making the coffee as she had a few dozen times, since she acquired this job. Ponies tend to ignore coffee on long trips where they can't expend the extra energy. It worried her how insistent the stallion had gotten after his burst of anger and something else...she was still trying to figure that one out. She tried feeling for him again. He was still behind her. Now it was time to foam the mil- There it was again! It tasted like....suspicion. And then it was gone. She turned around, only to realize that she had not been in time, before being slammed into the ground by a....WOLF's paw. "What the-" was all she could muster before being silenced by a paw to the muzzle. "Now, you will tell me exactly why somecreature like you is still in going around in disguise!" Author's Note This still has lots of parts of the dream, but starts to deviate from it. I really hope it isn't too bad! Again, if anybody sees anything that needs correction/parts of the story that need to be changed or clarified, just tell me! I hope you enjoyed. If I survive the testing period that is about to begin, I will try to update and add to the story again. 2b or not to be? That is no longer in question.Author's Note So...this is chapter 2B. Ever since I wrote chapter two, I wanted to write a version that was much closer to my dream. Here it is. I should give some warnings, number one Dark, this story-line gets much darker, and number two Spoilers, some of the mechanics that are only starting to be explored in chapter 2 are in full force here, so this may spoil some of the other story line. I would also like to say that while this is AN end, this is not THE end. This weekend, if I have time, I would like to either redo chapter 2 or write chapter 3 (going off of 2, and maybe fixing 2 later). I don't think this story line will be continued, but yeah. Sorry if it is too dark, you have been warned. (The other story line is also dark, but not THIS dark.) 2b or not to be? That is no longer in question. There was that sound again. "Ah, I see you have finally come to visit me." "Baron, dear!" the serpent cooed, "It has been such a long time since we last conversed!" "40 years, to the point. How you managed to evade me is beyond me." "Evade you?" she melodramatically said as she finally moved into my view, "What reasons would I have to try and avoid meeting my favorite spirit?" "That is exactly what I am trying to find out. Ever since you gave me your....opportunity, you have simply avoided me. It has been four decades and I still do not even know what my end of this bargain is!" Somehow, the snake smiled at that. A horrible sort of smile. A smile that tells of many promises that have ended in pain. I thought any sense a normal pony would have escaped me a long time ago....but that horrible expression made my fur stand on end. "Oh, my dear Baron, I do not have to tell you what your part in this deal is, when you are already fulfilling it." "What?!" A slow laugh escaped her lips, until finally, "Ah, Baron, you never cease to sate my hunger. Now, I must go." "Wait! You can't just go, I still need to know what you meant!" But she had already disappeared. Oh no. Why did I accept a deal as dangerous as this one. I had to take my mind off of her.....what should III- Oh! I'll go hunting again! Rabbits did have an almost exotic sweetness to them. The day had come. She had been hoping it would. After a few attempts at relationships, Lora was finally getting married to the most handsome stallion she ever met. Narcissus Delight. He was everything she had hoped. He was confident, he loved her as much as his flower shoppe, he was able to support both of them, and he-despite his name sounding like a certain Roaman myth-cared for her with all his being. She had practiced this, she could do it. "I do," she managed to say, despite her heart nearly exploding out of her chest. "You may now kiss the stallion," the pastor recited. She was so happy! [they kiss] Her heart fluttered from all her excitement. This day, this very day, the day all fillies dream of. When they finally become a mare. Granted, she was closer to 60 years old by now, but better late then never. It would be a long time before her midlife crisis. Ha! Oh, the look on that idiot's face, when he finds out! She was happy, truly happy. When she had taken that potion, and she knew she wouldn't regret it. And now she had proof! Her life could never be ruined again. I was sitting. One might say contemplating. I had...been able to think much more clearly over the years. In a way, it was the opposite of what should have happened. May be the forest. At this point I am sure it is what gives me the energy to continue my existence, to allow me to continue to fuel my hate. I wasn't a monster. She was the monster! The only monster I could ever be is the monster she made me into. ... I could tell more and more, that I was becoming a spirit. In a way I had been a spirit for the past four decades, but a part of me held on... Held on to being a pony... Tried to live. Tried to find forgiveness. ... That disgusting word. Pah! Forgiveness? For that...that... Ugh, she made mistakes, yes. She seemed to regret them, yes. But she also KILLED me. I...I... I can feel that part, no matter how weak it is. It still continues to smolder, it may do so forever. But it is easy to ignore next to the inferno that is my rage. "She killed me!" ... Great, now the animals are looking at me again. You can somewhat feel what they think, if you are around them long enough. That part, the part that tries to stay you. Well, you can repurpose it. One might say, you can become like them. Actually, being a spirit fueled by magic, anything is just a matter of will. A will to live. A will to...be. It may be a small part, but it is important. So... What should I... Oh! I will see how my favorite monster is doing. ... "So, what do you think?" She asks that, with such a....knowing attitude. Doesn't she know exactly what I think? That she is a monster. That she will regret the decision she made so long ago. That she should not meddle with other ponies. I haven't. Despite us being predisposed to live in groups, communities.....families....it is better for your sanity to stay alone, when you outlive anypony. "I feel you are foolish for taking on a husband, but your decisions are yours." She frowned at that. Then whined, "Oh, come on. Aren't you at least a bit happy for me?" The nerve! "Happy!? Why should I be happy for you?" She made a mock shocked expression and exclaimed, "For finding somepony! You said that I would regret taking that potion, but I have been nothing BUT happy! I have learned so much! I have met so many! I proved you wrong!" "Once again," I calmed myself, "I will only have to wait. You know what will happen to him. Maybe that is why you are so angry? Do you know, what his fate will be, while you watch? Forced to damnation without relief?" "ENOUGH!" I remember when she used to get so red, it always filled my heart with delight. Maybe it would do so now as well, IF I had one. "I can tell I have overstayed my welcome, goodbye." She ran after me for a bit, but I was faster. Hunting is a good exercise! Who knew? I heard her fading screams. "No, NO! You get back here! I am not done with you! How dare yo-" And she was gone. No! No, no, no no no no no no! "Please, Delight! Wake up!" Oh, please no. She galloped into the street, as fast as she could. She nearly stumbled a few times, but managed to keep going in her panic. She arrived at Local Doctor's clinic. (Yes, his name is Local Doctor, how original.) "Doctor Doctor, PLEASE! Come with me!" "WHAT is it, Bella?" "Narcissus! He! He!" She almost couldn't breathe, chocking on her own cries. "Bella, calm down, please." She doesn't calm down. "BELLA!" The yell got to her. She snapped out of her panic attack, and began to cry more consistently. "He didn't wake up! He feels cold." ... The doctor ran into his clinic, then he galloped into the direction of their home. The squirrel sat there, on the tree. He watched, as the town square is filled with a small crowd. Mothers hushed home with their foals, some foals pointed at him. He had become a small legend. When a foal was disrespectful to their elders, they were told that the Baron would come and eat them. It was a bit brutal for his taste, but it seemed to be for a nice purpose. Everypony in town knew, though, that he had his attention on 'the Witch.' It was odd, how not a single pony thought he could have something to do with her husband's death, but it made him somewhat relieved. He would never kill another pony....except for Flora. That got his attention back to the town square. In the center were gallows. How archaic. You see, the news spread quickly, that one of the most handsome and well known stallions in the small town had died in his sleep. He was only 40 or so years old. His wife, who had been married to him for about 15 or so years, was distraught. But one or two of the town's gossips began to talk. "Is it true that she has been around for over 50 years?" "Yes, I heard she was in her 70s." "WHAT!? She looks to be in her 20s!" "How come he died so young?" "No clear cause, I heard. May have been an emptied pool of magic." "That is impossible, unless..." Then, a word was uttered. "Dark magic." And it SCARED the ponies. "What if she kills us next?" "Is it true that she eats foals?" "Do you think she feels any remorse for her victims?" "Rising Flour died not long before she married! Do you think he was her victim before Narcissus?" "Witch!" "We must destroy her!" He knew, of course that the rumors were false. He hypothesized that the same way he has to be fed by the magic of the forest to stay alive, she slowly absorbs the magic around her. Like an alicorn, but unlike Princess Twilight, princess of Equestria, she does not have an unnaturally large pool of magic in her. Add that to the fact that Narcissus may have had a naturally small amount of magic inside him... And death is almost a natural result. And ponies, peasants, can be the most peace loving beings in times of harmony, but scare them, Really make them fear, make them worry for their loved ones and themselves... And they will go to extreme measures. Even from the distance, the squirrel could see Lora crying. Of course, he had no idea if it was for Delight's or her own life, maybe she never felt anything for Narcissus, maybe she cried and feared for both deaths, maybe she herself didn't know. Either way, she has to walk onto the podium, onto the collapsible floor. The mayors, twins, begin to speak. THIS is what he had been waiting for! For her to realize what grave mistake she made so long ago. He would almost feel bad, but this is the retribution of which he had dreamed. NO, this is so much more. SO MUCH BETTER! He smiled with glee. (It makes part of him sick.) It is what she deserves for killing him. For what she did to him! An eye for an eye and a life for a life. The mayors conclude and give the signal to proceed. They may not seem pleased, but the town has spoken. Only a bit more... The trap door gives out... And...well, he knew what would happen, but it still disappointed him when the oh-so-beautiful snap never came. She struggled, he could tell from afar that her lungs struggled. Now she finally knows what it feels like to be in deathly pain. To wish things went differently. To wish the pain would stop. He was happy. The mayoral twins were mortified. This is cruel! They had to stop this. "Release her," they ordered. They heard her drop into a gasping heap. The onlookers were mortified, but it was easy to see they felt justified. She really must be using dark magic. She really must be evil. Was it placebo, or were they feeling weaker? Maybe she was using her dark powers? "We are sorry, but you must all return to your homes, for the time being," one of them said. "You have gotten what you came for," expanded the other, "So please leave the town square for now." Mortified, yet dejected, the inhabitants of the-usually-quiet town went home. What had they seen? What should they do? What had they done? "I feel as though we are even now," I said. "Maybe," Lora mumbled. "Come on, be a little less sad! You didn't seem like this when you murdered me!" She looked up at me. After a while, I felt as though we were done talking for the day, but just as I got up, she replied, "This... this is almost different. I...was sad, mortified even over what I had done to you. I wanted to take it back. I didn't understand why I had done what I had, not fully. Maybe some part of me is inherently evil, but...I loved him. I- I felt as though I deserved this punishment, even though I didn't kill him." Should I.....hm. "In a way, you did cause his death." She snapped up. "What?" "You may continue to live forever, and major damage to you can't happen. But small repairs, like aging and wounds, require you to absorb magic from your surroundings. I had not idea that the potion would present itself in this manner, and it may not, this is just the most plausible theory." Then she ran. I hadn't seen her for a while. I don't think she was in the village, or the forest. It must have been a good 10 years, but eventually it happened again. I don't understand what made the villagers try this again. After about five years, I stopped closely listening to news about her, but I think another death happened due to her. How could they be so stupid? To try the same again? I...had to see it again. I came as a raven, it was fall, so I fit more into the season. But it was different. The mayors did NOT want to repeat the same incident as last time, so when these gallows were built-as the last were burned down-they added extra height. Now, this could be disasters, any other pony would have simply been decapitated by the forces of the body versus the rope. They also made sure to have guards posted, so everypony could quickly be distracted if, Twilight forbid, the same incident reoccured. But the biggest difference was Flora. She...didn't seem there. Her eyes were empty, her face showed no emotion. The only way of seeing how she had felt was her bloodshot, puffy eyes. He should have been happy, once again he can see revenge. But that small smoldering in his soul began to mumble. The trapdoor opened. He wasn't sure if it had worked, she hadn't moved and her expression hadn't changed. Until she blinked. But there was just nothing in her expression. There was less pony in her than in him. And, after a long time, the small smoldering in his soul spoke. And he felt regret. Chapter 3: Some More StorySomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
The StoryThere she was, holding that ampule of mischief....perhaps that vile vial. All that needs to be said is that the potion inside is more than frowned upon, in the groups in which it is known, at least. It is thought to be the greatest blessing possible, but stories prove time and time again that whoever is afflicted by it will sooner or later realize its curse. I had not choice but to back away from her and that....that thing. I did not want to be anywhere near it, even though I had spend most of my life above its burial site, hoping to protect anypony foolish enough to attempt to take and drink of it. The feeling, no, pain that one of those fools was my very own student hurt so much beyond pain I have ever felt. We were coming closer and closer to that ledge that flanks my cottage, the rest is surrounded by the vast expanse of forrest. I could no longer look into her eyes, it hurt too much to think of her taking the...eternity...ah there was its name, the potion of eternity. How could such a simple name have escaped me? Though, it wasn't possible to look into her eyes either way, not with my gaze drawn to the ampule in her telekinetic grasp. Oh, how can I think that she is the fool, if it was MY purpose to protect it. I should not have taken up an apprentice before I even mastered being the guardian of such a dangerous artifact myself. Maybe I could convince her to give it back? Maybe she is not fully drawn into its false promises yet? Either way, I had to try something, and other options no longer existed. We stepped over the salt circle. "Please, don't be an imbecile! Have I not taught you enough times what happens to somepony who dares drink of that?" "Oh please," she countered. Not good! Not good at all! "You must have known this would happen, surely? You should have seen that nopony wants to become an old mumbling fool like you!" Those words, those terrible words. Had she been leading me with a carrot for the past 8 years? Had the pony I had come to love as a daughter only thought of me as a means to an end? It broke my heart to think of such a situation being our reality. "You have to listen to me," I pleaded. "Please, you know you will only be cursed. Nothing more! Do you have no love in your heart? Anypony you will ever love will die in your hoo-" The pain stopped. Why would it- I noticed a coolness spreading throughout me, tears filled my eyes, my thoughts, jumbled by time, became clear as day. When my gaze shifted down onto myself I realized the issue...or would it be the solution to my issues? Ah, a hole, that explains the loss of...everything. I looked up again, it was getting harder and harder to see through the darkness and tears, but there she was....her horn winding down. A sneer on her muzzle. I could see her telekinesis wrapping around the vile again, and... Goodness, What must have been only a heart beat or two for her felt like an eternity for me, but even eternities must end. Mine did, when my fall began. Heh, it is almost funny how things turned out. What would my kin think? An earth pony studying magic and failing to guard magical artifacts? Inconceivable! Ah, earth, how I missed you, even when you will end this beautiful moment for me. *flash* She had done it. The scream that wanted to emanate out of me never could, there was no more energy left in me. But I learned my lesson. If there is anything beyond, I will never allow myself to become so blinded again. I would never want her to become happy again! I...I....don't think I want peace...I want revenge...and nothing else. *impact* "Ssso, what do we have here?" it giggled. Nothing. The snake repeated itself: "I ssaid, what do we have HERE?" What? "RISE." How can I see? How can I hear? How can I....be? "Hello, old baron." "How are you talking to me? And how am I talking to you?" "Ah," she said. "That is a good question, you are a spirit." "So I did die...how could sh-" any words I attempted to say were interrupted by the intense burning hatred I felt. "You are angry. You are hurt," she said, leaving a moment to let me steep in my own frustration. "How does a deal sound?" That got me to stop. "A what?" "A deal...I help you obtain the revenge you desire so much, and in return you do something for me. How does that sound?" The audacity of her words almost made me furious again. "I have been around magic and magic beings long enough to know not to take deals from strangers. Snakes seem especially sinister." "Ah, you are wiser than you seem," she overflowed with sarcasm. "I do not want your deal, no matter how much you wheedle me...like..." Like her. "I take your deal." "I could add onto my offer, if that is what you- you take the deal?!" "Yes, but I have a condition. I have learned from experience." "Very well, though you surprise me. Your attitude seems so...much like an old friend. What is your condition?" "I keep my sanity and my mind." Even with her...simplistic physique, it was easy to see the snake tense up. Through her teeth she whispered a small, "Very well." She approached, slowly. I took a step back, maybe I had let my anger get the better of me? I should take it back, maybe there is something else I can do to... right I am doing this for revenge. She lifted her head into an attack position. I am doing this because of what she did to me. She strikes. I hate her. I woke up in... darkness. What? It had been midday, certainly. Where exactly am I? "..." What?! Why can I not speak?! I tried to move my forehooves under me to stand up, but there was....nothing. The Snake must have tricked me. "Would you come out now? It pains me to see one of my young possessed, the least you could do is hurry," a familiar voice said, almost exasperated. The Snake, she is still here? I tried moving, it...came to me. I can not explain it, potentially a sort of muscle memory or mind magic? This would be very interesting to experiment on. I am certainly a snake, but what wou- Right, I should move towards that voice. If I am her young, then she wouldn't attack me, right? Wait...if I am a snakelet, doesn't that mean I am much sm- ... It was daunting. As I left the cave I saw the snake, but she was seemingly meters taller than I was. While my eyes adjusted to the light she almost looked god-like. Like seeing Princess Celestia of Equestria for the first time. I should visit that nation once again, it was so vast and varrie- "Hello, baron, how are you feeling?" "W...at..dit...yoo...do?" I croaked out. "I am doing my part of the deal, but the next part is yours to complete." I tilted my head in confusion. "You, as you are, must become your heart," the Snake explained pointing to...my body. My body. It looked....dreadful. Like it had been there for days. How long had all of this taken me? It was her fault! Full of resolution, I turned my awkward body to the Snake and asked, "H..ow doo.....do thet?" "Ah, that is another good question. You must figure that out yourself, I may not help you." Helpful. I slithered to the...corpse. Looking for any clues as to how to do the impossible. Though with magic anything is possible, I suppose. Especially dark magic, and soulmancy and necromancy easily fell into that category. ... Where was I? ... Oh, body. I saw the cavity. It used to house a heart, and from the looks of it some lung and ribs. All taken from me by the monster I saw as a daughter. Maybe that the darn thing was the exact reason I died.....heh, ironic. What in tartarus am I supposed to do?! I tried going inside... Yeah, there was some magic there, my sense for magic was never that great (obviously, I wasn't a unicorn), but I think this magic is more emotional. Magic is influenced quite a bit by emotion and desire, of course, but emotional magic is a-whole-nother tome to read. It is quite hard to control, as it will also change your own emotion, which can make casting rather unstable, according to scholars who can actually cast spells. But it also has some questionable ethics, you see it takes something out of the caster's very being, to change the emotions of another, and the castee will likely also be hurt by- Focus! I think that I am on the right path, but one of the challenges in life is that nopony knows if they are on the right path until the trotted to the end. ....life.... The thing she took away from me. *a light* Huh, it seems to be working. Of course! Emotional magic becomes exponentially more powerful with the emotions of the caster....the caster. Am I casting a spell? She cast a spell on me. A....feeling. Some sort of feeling overwhelms me, it isn't purely physical or emotional, it is something else as well. It is everything. And nothing. Wait... I leave the cavity of my......heart again. The Snake views me with curiosity. "What are you doing?" I pay her no real heed. I attempt to take the locket of my.....friend....out of my hoof-holster and slowly bring it back. If it doesn't work, I don't want to lose everything. Lose everything like SHE caused me to. Once again anger flares up inside of me and I am *gone* She loved life. There is nothing better than the feeling in your prime for 20 years. He was wrong.....and that makes her feel bad. She...was different then. She had no idea what she wanted. She had murdered somepony. Somepony who cared for her. Somepony who...trusted her. "Ah, ignore such thoughts," she told herself. It was a beautiful morning in the village she had come to be an active member of and she was happy. Life could not be any better for her. "Good Morning Young Lady," exclaimed Mr. Flour, the local baker. "Mornin' Rising Flour, how was you trip to the north? I heard there were quite severe storms up there!" "No storm could take the view of my beautiful homeland, but it was very tedious to travel anywhere!" That made her wonder... "Did you meet Celestia personally?" Rising could barely contain his laughter, and exclaimed that, "Nopony could just stomp into the princess's throne room and just say 'Hi.'" "But you said you used to be quite important, you were a guard!" "Yes, but even an ex-guard can't simply trot up to Celestia." "Hmm, well....maybe one day you will?" "I doubt it, she must either way be busy, with the upcoming celebration." "Oh yeah, weren't you there because of it?" "Yes, but other matters brought me home." She was starting to get a little sick of this conversation that's just there for the author to tell the reader when/where this story is taking place. "Well, I hope you will meet her one day, maybe I will, but have a nice day!" "I doubt any of us will meet her, but you as well!" So they departed, and she started on her way to the town's coffee shoppe, just like every other day. *step* "Finally." The salt ring has finally completely worn off! It has been so long since I have seen my own home. So long since I have seen the books within. So unbelievably long since I have had tea. ... It was not in good shape. The wood had visibly begun decaying and anything within that was perishable has.....perished. Yet, it was home. My home........ it also was her home It still hurts to think of the betrayal of that monster, all those summers ago. Even her bed was still here, reeked of her. I can find her. But I would have to leave the forrest. My only shelter. My only sustenance. Ooh, how she loved the late macchiato. The Coffee Shoppe had this waitress, she made the best coffee in the entire town. She could sip on it for hours on end, if it wasn't all gone within a few minutes. He sat down. "Um, hello Mr....?" "Hello, Lora." "WHAT?! No!" She did not mean to yell that so loudly. Everybody turned to look at her, even Max.....who was blind. "So, Bella Flora, how has your life been? Mine has....well it has not, in a way." "How....how? You should be-" she caught herself and fell into a whisper, "oh, I am so happy you are alive! I am not a murderer!" "Those feeling are only one way, I must inform you. And you ARE a MURDERER!" He yelled that, now she would have to use that memory wiping spell again. ... They were walking down the street. It was a while before anypony spoke. "So, are you a ghost?" "No, more of a spirit." "Why do you look like that." He looked at himself, in a flash he was.....normal. Like he used to look, just younger, less tired. "And if your question pertains to my facial expression, I am considering how to kill you." "WHAT?!" "Isn't it obvious? I am here to take revenge." "But....wait, I can't die!" ... After thinking for a moment, she looks back at him. Where did he go? Ah, there he is.....trying to bite my neck.....are those canines? "Would you stop? I can not die, you were wrong, I am as happy as can be." Her life was perfect. "You think that now. Wait until the curse of the potion you took all those years ago rears its beautiful head! You will one day notice how terrible of a mistake you have committed, and you will come back begging for mercy. I know just what I have to do." "What?" "Wait..." Author's Note Yeah, the dream was quite different, and I tried not pressing too much. Maybe I will make a 2nd page as well, if anybody notices this. (Which I doubt.) I tried not pushing certain things too hard, but it still comes over as push-y. Still, I gave my best and hope you enjoyed it! (Oh, and if someone wonders, when I have time I WILL come back and add/remove some things. In my rush to make writing this fit into my schedule, I made some...poor choices of what words to use and how to explain things. (As well as how much to explain.) Plus, things in dreams just...make sense, certain things that didn't need to be explained all of a sudden need an explanation from my uncreative mind. If anybody has criticism/feedback, I will take it.)
More of the StoryThere was that sound again. "Ah, I see you have finally come to visit me." "Baron, dear!" the serpent cooed, "It has been such a long time since we last conversed!" "40 years, to the point. How you managed to evade me is beyond me." "Evade you?" she melodramatically said as she finally moved into my view, "What reasons would I have to try and avoid meeting my favorite spirit?" "That is exactly what I am trying to find out. Ever since you gave me your....opportunity, you have simply avoided me. It has been four decades and I still do not even know what my end of this bargain is!" Somehow, the snake smiled at that. A horrible sort of smile. A smile that tells of many promises that have ended in pain. I thought any sense a normal pony would have escaped me a long time ago....but that horrible expression made my fur stand on end. "Oh, my dear Baron, I do not have to tell you what your part in this deal is, when you are already fulfilling it." "What?!" A slow laugh escaped her lips, until finally, "Ah, Baron, you never cease to sate my hunger. Now, I must go." "Wait! You can't just go, I still need to know what you meant!" But she had already disappeared. Oh no. Why did I accept a deal as dangerous as this one. I had to take my mind off of her.....what should III- Oh! I'll go hunting again! Rabbits did have an exotic sweetness to them. She should NOT have gone into the forest alone. It isn't like she could get mauled to death by anycreature, but scary was still scary. You learn a few tricks in self-defense, sure, but a shield spell will do about as much against a scary movie as a- Did something move over there? "H-Hello? Is anybody there?" Lora would have stayed outside of the forest at all costs, but after weeks of arguing with herself, she finally decided to make the trip to Canterlot, Equestria's Capital. She could finally see where all of Rising's stories took place! Rising. She could visit...him... "Happy thoughts!" Um...maybe I can see Princess Sparkle! Ruler of Equestria since Celestia and her sister, Luna's, retirement. How much good would that do for them? I know Celestia has lived for thousands of years (heh, we have so much in common), so I think she is fully immortal. Why would you retire if you never die? If you never have a midlife crisis? Well, I guess you could get tired. She could get tired. And hungry... That was an unpleasant experience. "Ugh, I said happy thoughts!" "Why do you feel the need to remind the trees that they should be joyous?" That is actually a good point, when had she started talking to hers- WAIT...that wasn't a thought! "GAH!," she yelped. He flinched back. "Not so loud, cursed one," he chided her. He chided her. "Oh," she intoned, making sure anypony within a 50hoof radius could see her roll her eyes, "It's you. Back for round two of 'How shallt I kill the unkillable pony?'" He chuckled at that. "No, not really. That task was proven fruitless to me the last time we met. I must say I am a bit surprised that you recognized me so quickly, considering last time. And....what are you doing in the forest at this time of night?" Had he always acted so...clear? It feels like he became 20 years younger instead of older! "It isn't that hard to recognize the scary monster pony, stalking around in the forest," she joked, "And I am on my way to catch the morning train to Canterlot!" Now, should I tell her or not? Hmm.... (Tell her.) Ooh! A fellow spirit? Eh? Alright, but for the next opportunity I see, I will let her try to untangle herself from the spiderweb she flew into! "You know, you are north-bound, the train station is north-east of the village, though by now, you would have to trot due east." "Gah! Stupid forest, stupid, non-existent sense of direction, and stupid maps!" She still has the same temper as back then. Before... No, I promised I wouldn't let this continue to control me. I am in control of myself, not my anger, not my frustration. Just focus on your good memories. "You know, I studied at Canterlot for a short while. I haven't been there in a long time, but I know it hasn't changed for even longer. I could be your guide, so to speak. And...what are you doing there anyways? I hope you don't plan on hurting the princess." She huffed, "Ha, ha, very funny. No, I am not there to plan any sort of attack on anybody. I am sorry, ok! I am sorry for what I did to you, it still haunts me sometimes, and I will not do anything of that sort ever again. As for why I am there I am....visiting a friend." Something changed in her, he hunched down a bit, her eyelids sagged a little, and her voice seemed to....deflate. Ah, now I know who you are. She stopped walking for a moment, and nigh whispered to me, "But I would like you to accompany me." She perked up. It was almost unnatural to see. I should ask her what techniques she uses to lift her spirits. What she said next should really have been more insulting than it felt. "But only if you look nicer!" "Okay, just give me a moment to pack!" I-in f-front of her w-was a wolf, all of a sudden. "Meep," was all she could muster to say. "Calm down, I just have far better stamina like this. And also, you wanted me to look nicer," he finished off with a toothy....too toothy grin and ran off. What am I gonna do now? She waited.... About 5 minutes, before she decided to head eastward. If he wants to, he can find me pretty quickly, I assume. "Other way!" she heard a yell over the tree tops. "....right," she mumbled before she was off on her merry way. (More of a scary way, being all alone again.) A solid 5 hours later, two odd passengers were the only ones in Cube's food car. The old mare was never one to judge others, based on their appearances, but the way they looked was simply unnatural! A younger mare and an older stallion, she looked like the had not slept properly in months and he looked like he was sitting somewhere between gentlecolt and great grandfather, but somehow neither. It was just something about the way he carried himself, it didn't match anypony she had ever met. (Not to mention that their emotions seemed calm on the surface, but deep down, she could taste how they were seeping in angers, sadnesses and frustrations, revolting.) Yet, she decided to approach them, a job is a job is a job, afterall. "Good morning, you two! I am Kandis Cube, and I will be serving you on this trip. Would either of you like any coffee to start off with?" I immediately don't trust her. It isn't the attitude, sweeter than pure sugar, or the fact that her name has Germane origins, it is something else entirely. She feels like a spirit, or at least like she is part spirit, but I can't tell wh- "Oh, I would like a....how late is it?....ooh, still before 11! I would like a cappuccino, please," Bella Flora almost beamed. It is creepy how quickly she goes from one state to another, one moment she is half dead due to lack of sleep, the next she is full of sunshine. Like way back when... (Kandis seems to have also noticed, judging by her scared look.) I don't trust that pony! (Oh, now THAT is a scared look.) Got it. "I would simply like sparkling water," I said, but as she started to leave I quickly added, "Oh, but I don't want you to have to carry all those drinks yourself, here, I will come help you!" "Oh-kay, but are you sure? I am quite alright with carrying your drinks myself!" "No, no. Please, I insist upon helping you!" "In that case, follow me, please." She started to leave, and I followed. I gave a quick glance to Bella to see if she seemed....unaffected, though I do not know what it would be like if she WAS under any sort of effect. I studied magic, not fantastic creatures and where to locate them! But she seemed alright, if not a little confused. We stepped into a segmented off compartment of the dining car, which seemed to be the drink station. Nothing suspicious was going on here, and Ms. Cube started to prepare the coffee.....maybe I had misjudged? No. There was that feeling again! And I am NOT letting myself be fooled by trust again. Kandis was making the coffee as she had a few dozen times, since she acquired this job. Ponies tend to ignore coffee on long trips where they can't expend the extra energy. It worried her how insistent the stallion had gotten after his burst of anger and something else...she was still trying to figure that one out. She tried feeling for him again. He was still behind her. Now it was time to foam the mil- There it was again! It tasted like....suspicion. And then it was gone. She turned around, only to realize that she had not been in time, before being slammed into the ground by a....WOLF's paw. "What the-" was all she could muster before being silenced by a paw to the muzzle. "Now, you will tell me exactly why somecreature like you is still in going around in disguise!" Author's Note This still has lots of parts of the dream, but starts to deviate from it. I really hope it isn't too bad! Again, if anybody sees anything that needs correction/parts of the story that need to be changed or clarified, just tell me! I hope you enjoyed. If I survive the testing period that is about to begin, I will try to update and add to the story again.
2b or not to be? That is no longer in question.Author's Note So...this is chapter 2B. Ever since I wrote chapter two, I wanted to write a version that was much closer to my dream. Here it is. I should give some warnings, number one Dark, this story-line gets much darker, and number two Spoilers, some of the mechanics that are only starting to be explored in chapter 2 are in full force here, so this may spoil some of the other story line. I would also like to say that while this is AN end, this is not THE end. This weekend, if I have time, I would like to either redo chapter 2 or write chapter 3 (going off of 2, and maybe fixing 2 later). I don't think this story line will be continued, but yeah. Sorry if it is too dark, you have been warned. (The other story line is also dark, but not THIS dark.) 2b or not to be? That is no longer in question. There was that sound again. "Ah, I see you have finally come to visit me." "Baron, dear!" the serpent cooed, "It has been such a long time since we last conversed!" "40 years, to the point. How you managed to evade me is beyond me." "Evade you?" she melodramatically said as she finally moved into my view, "What reasons would I have to try and avoid meeting my favorite spirit?" "That is exactly what I am trying to find out. Ever since you gave me your....opportunity, you have simply avoided me. It has been four decades and I still do not even know what my end of this bargain is!" Somehow, the snake smiled at that. A horrible sort of smile. A smile that tells of many promises that have ended in pain. I thought any sense a normal pony would have escaped me a long time ago....but that horrible expression made my fur stand on end. "Oh, my dear Baron, I do not have to tell you what your part in this deal is, when you are already fulfilling it." "What?!" A slow laugh escaped her lips, until finally, "Ah, Baron, you never cease to sate my hunger. Now, I must go." "Wait! You can't just go, I still need to know what you meant!" But she had already disappeared. Oh no. Why did I accept a deal as dangerous as this one. I had to take my mind off of her.....what should III- Oh! I'll go hunting again! Rabbits did have an almost exotic sweetness to them. The day had come. She had been hoping it would. After a few attempts at relationships, Lora was finally getting married to the most handsome stallion she ever met. Narcissus Delight. He was everything she had hoped. He was confident, he loved her as much as his flower shoppe, he was able to support both of them, and he-despite his name sounding like a certain Roaman myth-cared for her with all his being. She had practiced this, she could do it. "I do," she managed to say, despite her heart nearly exploding out of her chest. "You may now kiss the stallion," the pastor recited. She was so happy! [they kiss] Her heart fluttered from all her excitement. This day, this very day, the day all fillies dream of. When they finally become a mare. Granted, she was closer to 60 years old by now, but better late then never. It would be a long time before her midlife crisis. Ha! Oh, the look on that idiot's face, when he finds out! She was happy, truly happy. When she had taken that potion, and she knew she wouldn't regret it. And now she had proof! Her life could never be ruined again. I was sitting. One might say contemplating. I had...been able to think much more clearly over the years. In a way, it was the opposite of what should have happened. May be the forest. At this point I am sure it is what gives me the energy to continue my existence, to allow me to continue to fuel my hate. I wasn't a monster. She was the monster! The only monster I could ever be is the monster she made me into. ... I could tell more and more, that I was becoming a spirit. In a way I had been a spirit for the past four decades, but a part of me held on... Held on to being a pony... Tried to live. Tried to find forgiveness. ... That disgusting word. Pah! Forgiveness? For that...that... Ugh, she made mistakes, yes. She seemed to regret them, yes. But she also KILLED me. I...I... I can feel that part, no matter how weak it is. It still continues to smolder, it may do so forever. But it is easy to ignore next to the inferno that is my rage. "She killed me!" ... Great, now the animals are looking at me again. You can somewhat feel what they think, if you are around them long enough. That part, the part that tries to stay you. Well, you can repurpose it. One might say, you can become like them. Actually, being a spirit fueled by magic, anything is just a matter of will. A will to live. A will to...be. It may be a small part, but it is important. So... What should I... Oh! I will see how my favorite monster is doing. ... "So, what do you think?" She asks that, with such a....knowing attitude. Doesn't she know exactly what I think? That she is a monster. That she will regret the decision she made so long ago. That she should not meddle with other ponies. I haven't. Despite us being predisposed to live in groups, communities.....families....it is better for your sanity to stay alone, when you outlive anypony. "I feel you are foolish for taking on a husband, but your decisions are yours." She frowned at that. Then whined, "Oh, come on. Aren't you at least a bit happy for me?" The nerve! "Happy!? Why should I be happy for you?" She made a mock shocked expression and exclaimed, "For finding somepony! You said that I would regret taking that potion, but I have been nothing BUT happy! I have learned so much! I have met so many! I proved you wrong!" "Once again," I calmed myself, "I will only have to wait. You know what will happen to him. Maybe that is why you are so angry? Do you know, what his fate will be, while you watch? Forced to damnation without relief?" "ENOUGH!" I remember when she used to get so red, it always filled my heart with delight. Maybe it would do so now as well, IF I had one. "I can tell I have overstayed my welcome, goodbye." She ran after me for a bit, but I was faster. Hunting is a good exercise! Who knew? I heard her fading screams. "No, NO! You get back here! I am not done with you! How dare yo-" And she was gone. No! No, no, no no no no no no! "Please, Delight! Wake up!" Oh, please no. She galloped into the street, as fast as she could. She nearly stumbled a few times, but managed to keep going in her panic. She arrived at Local Doctor's clinic. (Yes, his name is Local Doctor, how original.) "Doctor Doctor, PLEASE! Come with me!" "WHAT is it, Bella?" "Narcissus! He! He!" She almost couldn't breathe, chocking on her own cries. "Bella, calm down, please." She doesn't calm down. "BELLA!" The yell got to her. She snapped out of her panic attack, and began to cry more consistently. "He didn't wake up! He feels cold." ... The doctor ran into his clinic, then he galloped into the direction of their home. The squirrel sat there, on the tree. He watched, as the town square is filled with a small crowd. Mothers hushed home with their foals, some foals pointed at him. He had become a small legend. When a foal was disrespectful to their elders, they were told that the Baron would come and eat them. It was a bit brutal for his taste, but it seemed to be for a nice purpose. Everypony in town knew, though, that he had his attention on 'the Witch.' It was odd, how not a single pony thought he could have something to do with her husband's death, but it made him somewhat relieved. He would never kill another pony....except for Flora. That got his attention back to the town square. In the center were gallows. How archaic. You see, the news spread quickly, that one of the most handsome and well known stallions in the small town had died in his sleep. He was only 40 or so years old. His wife, who had been married to him for about 15 or so years, was distraught. But one or two of the town's gossips began to talk. "Is it true that she has been around for over 50 years?" "Yes, I heard she was in her 70s." "WHAT!? She looks to be in her 20s!" "How come he died so young?" "No clear cause, I heard. May have been an emptied pool of magic." "That is impossible, unless..." Then, a word was uttered. "Dark magic." And it SCARED the ponies. "What if she kills us next?" "Is it true that she eats foals?" "Do you think she feels any remorse for her victims?" "Rising Flour died not long before she married! Do you think he was her victim before Narcissus?" "Witch!" "We must destroy her!" He knew, of course that the rumors were false. He hypothesized that the same way he has to be fed by the magic of the forest to stay alive, she slowly absorbs the magic around her. Like an alicorn, but unlike Princess Twilight, princess of Equestria, she does not have an unnaturally large pool of magic in her. Add that to the fact that Narcissus may have had a naturally small amount of magic inside him... And death is almost a natural result. And ponies, peasants, can be the most peace loving beings in times of harmony, but scare them, Really make them fear, make them worry for their loved ones and themselves... And they will go to extreme measures. Even from the distance, the squirrel could see Lora crying. Of course, he had no idea if it was for Delight's or her own life, maybe she never felt anything for Narcissus, maybe she cried and feared for both deaths, maybe she herself didn't know. Either way, she has to walk onto the podium, onto the collapsible floor. The mayors, twins, begin to speak. THIS is what he had been waiting for! For her to realize what grave mistake she made so long ago. He would almost feel bad, but this is the retribution of which he had dreamed. NO, this is so much more. SO MUCH BETTER! He smiled with glee. (It makes part of him sick.) It is what she deserves for killing him. For what she did to him! An eye for an eye and a life for a life. The mayors conclude and give the signal to proceed. They may not seem pleased, but the town has spoken. Only a bit more... The trap door gives out... And...well, he knew what would happen, but it still disappointed him when the oh-so-beautiful snap never came. She struggled, he could tell from afar that her lungs struggled. Now she finally knows what it feels like to be in deathly pain. To wish things went differently. To wish the pain would stop. He was happy. The mayoral twins were mortified. This is cruel! They had to stop this. "Release her," they ordered. They heard her drop into a gasping heap. The onlookers were mortified, but it was easy to see they felt justified. She really must be using dark magic. She really must be evil. Was it placebo, or were they feeling weaker? Maybe she was using her dark powers? "We are sorry, but you must all return to your homes, for the time being," one of them said. "You have gotten what you came for," expanded the other, "So please leave the town square for now." Mortified, yet dejected, the inhabitants of the-usually-quiet town went home. What had they seen? What should they do? What had they done? "I feel as though we are even now," I said. "Maybe," Lora mumbled. "Come on, be a little less sad! You didn't seem like this when you murdered me!" She looked up at me. After a while, I felt as though we were done talking for the day, but just as I got up, she replied, "This... this is almost different. I...was sad, mortified even over what I had done to you. I wanted to take it back. I didn't understand why I had done what I had, not fully. Maybe some part of me is inherently evil, but...I loved him. I- I felt as though I deserved this punishment, even though I didn't kill him." Should I.....hm. "In a way, you did cause his death." She snapped up. "What?" "You may continue to live forever, and major damage to you can't happen. But small repairs, like aging and wounds, require you to absorb magic from your surroundings. I had not idea that the potion would present itself in this manner, and it may not, this is just the most plausible theory." Then she ran. I hadn't seen her for a while. I don't think she was in the village, or the forest. It must have been a good 10 years, but eventually it happened again. I don't understand what made the villagers try this again. After about five years, I stopped closely listening to news about her, but I think another death happened due to her. How could they be so stupid? To try the same again? I...had to see it again. I came as a raven, it was fall, so I fit more into the season. But it was different. The mayors did NOT want to repeat the same incident as last time, so when these gallows were built-as the last were burned down-they added extra height. Now, this could be disasters, any other pony would have simply been decapitated by the forces of the body versus the rope. They also made sure to have guards posted, so everypony could quickly be distracted if, Twilight forbid, the same incident reoccured. But the biggest difference was Flora. She...didn't seem there. Her eyes were empty, her face showed no emotion. The only way of seeing how she had felt was her bloodshot, puffy eyes. He should have been happy, once again he can see revenge. But that small smoldering in his soul began to mumble. The trapdoor opened. He wasn't sure if it had worked, she hadn't moved and her expression hadn't changed. Until she blinked. But there was just nothing in her expression. There was less pony in her than in him. And, after a long time, the small smoldering in his soul spoke. And he felt regret.
Chapter 3: Some More StorySomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
