Chapter 1 - London Bridge Is Falling Down...
Day 17
On the 3rd of July, it came to pry.
Out of the blue, the nightmare came through.
Not once or twice, did it suffice.
So it came back for seconds, the very next night.
Tall, black, and slender was its description.
Some believe it to be true, and some believe it to be fiction.
It is not confirmed what she looks like, the victims being decorated on a pike.
In the dead of night is when she comes to spy.
Locked in your room, there is nowhere you can not hide.
When it comes to say hello, down it’s throat you go!
That’s the little village’s jingling, scaring the kids half to death when they're naughty. The boogyman of Ponyville… Or more appropriately, the boogygirl of Ponyville. It’s laughable how quickly I got my own song, I wished it was as simple as that on my own planet. Yeah, I wasn’t on my own planet or universe for that matter. I didn’t have a clue why, all I knew was when I woke up, I was in a world where ponies rule this land—yeah, fucking ponies. Not just any type of ponies; these ponies were multiple coloured and had tattoos branded on their asses.
There were some ponies with wings, and horns—there were even bat ponies which is fucking nuts, I would like to meet the bloodsuckers one day. That’s not all, get this… These ponies can talk, perfect English too. I almost swallowed my cigarette the first time I heard them… It was so unexpected.
Now, there is something you have to know about me. I’m not just some human, I mean, I use to be a human but, I died and became something more, something beyond a human’s capability. Humans… they were my prey now, and nothing has changed. I’ve been staying near the border of a forest, watching and learning as each day goes by, and at night, I feed on the ponies of Ponyville. It’s unconventional but, what can I say… I’m hungry. Sometimes I can’t control it, whatever happens, happens with carnage, I’m a messy girl like that.
It was easier to feed here than on earth. With too much security, technology and science, it’s not as easy as breaking into the property or taking people from the street. With CCTV being a thing, everything I touch being evidence and blood being the thing to catch out the criminal, I couldn’t get a break with all that bullshit.
However…
Here was a goldmine to get away with anything, no CCTV, no fingerprint technology or DNA technology, barely any advanced technology now that I thought about it. I could actually feed in peace in a home that wasn’t my own and walk away at night, to never be discovered. The detectives of this world don’t really help themselves, they think it’s some murderous animal that has been breaking in at night. Poor fuckers. Whoever took me here must have heard my cries for a break, a break that was overdue. Like always, I get bored easily, and when I get bored, I start to have stupid ideas, stupid ideas that usually lead to trouble.
So, as I kneeled in front of the fire in the fireplace I chuckled with mirth, feeling the ends of my mouth rise into a grin as I had dangerous thoughts on my mind. It's been a while since something exciting happened to me, I did get in a bar fight… that was pretty fun. I didn’t kill anyone though; everyone was too sloshed off their heads to really remember what happened. I need more of that, I think it is time to show the ponies who I really am.
“So, Kid? Do you like fire?” I murmured, watching the flames crackle beneath the firewood. There was always something about fire that has always intrigued me, its glories dance, its bright aura, its distinct heat… it’s a gift that keeps giving. The question was never answered. “Kid? You do know it is fucking rude to ignore when someone is talking to you, right?” I said, turning to face the cheeky bastard. Only then did I realise that I bound the little colt up in rope and gagged him as he shivered uncomfortably, looking me with wide eyes.
“Ohh… That’s why you weren't talking. Still could have made an attempt to talk at least, that’s what’s wrong with this generation, no respect at all.” I snickered, standing up from the fireplace and over to the couch that the kid sat on. He was an earth pony I believe with sky-blue fur and black hair, his golden eyes staring at me with fear. He didn’t have an ass tattoo thank god, she didn’t want to taste the ink. Plus, it would be kinda concerning for a kid of his age to have a tattoo.
I ungagged the boy and untied his strapped limbs, letting him scurry away to the end of the couch as I sat right in the middle, my arms around the back and one leg over the other, sighing blissfully.
“Ugh… I forgot what cushions feel like, it’s been forever since I sat on a sofa. Unfortunately, there are no couches out in that forest so my back feels like it’s about to snap at any moment now.” I whined, straining my back as I felt a few pops. I moaned with pleasure at the sudden release. I looked over to the colt who shuffled nervously as I caught him looking at the front door. I hummed menacingly.
“What’s your name kid?” I asked, hearing his heartbeat rise as his eyes watered.
“D-D-Dream Blue.” He responded shakily, looking down at the couch as he started to weep.
“Dream Blue…” I said sceptically. “What type of name is Dream Blue? What does that even mean? Are your dreams blue? Who names their son Dream Blue... That’s fucked up, you should try and sue your parents because that’s practically child abuse, I think. Do your parents love you? Because I wouldn’t have that if that was me, I’d rather climb up my mother's fanny just so I could be rebirthed and given a new name. I hate to say this kid but, I would have run away years ago to a different city or country with a new identity. Just call yourself Jack or Simon or whatever, just make it a normal name.” I ranted, making my disapproval very clear.
I was about to continue but, a sound of a pan dropping in the kitchen caught my attention. I turned to see a wide-open door, showing a part of the kitchen. The ruckus continued as scuffling was heard as I saw my companions chase a rat across the floor, I giggled at the Scooby Doo scene. Eventually, the rat squeaked as Connor pranced out with the rat in his wooden maw. George however had other ideas as he tried to snatch the rat from Connor. The two growled and whined as George tried to eat the rat on Conner.
“Oi! You two dickheads knock it off! Conner, fucking share you fat bastard, and George, stop being an annoying cunt!” I barked, making the two stop and stare with their green orbs. They both looked at one another before Conner snorted, ripping off a good chunk of the rat before leaving the rest to George as he jumped up on the couch, curling up next to me and laying his chin on my lap.
Awww, cute fat bastard.
Meet Connor and George, and yes… They are wolves that are made out of wood, oak wood to be exact. These two drive me up the fucking wall sometimes.
Connor, we all call him the fat bastard for a reason. He eats everything he sees, he’s bad for it. He doesn’t share his food whatsoever with anyone, ever. I have to tell him to share otherwise he would run away with the food. Other than that though, he’s a good boy. He listens to what I say and is a good hunter. He is also chill when there is nothing to do, mainly because he’s fat and lazy, I would take that over George though.
George could be described in many ways. He’s unpredictable, hyperactive, annoying, young, dumb and a cunt most of the time. I would have a better time surviving an atomic bomb with an umbrella than training this fucker to sit. He can’t sit! He doesn’t know how to! He can’t stop fucking moving! He’s like a child high on sugar. Other than his none stop nature; he has his physical traits to help in a hunt. He’s the quickest on his paws, he has the agility to avoid attacks and he knows the ins and outs of hunting.
Then, there was John. The third one of the group and the leader of the two. He lay still by the fireplace, watching carefully. He was the most mature of the group, the strongest and most fearless. He’s the one I can rely on the most, the one I can count on to do a task without fail, no matter how messy the job may be. He's a proud figure, he doesn’t like to be petted and likes his personal space so, you could imagine how things go down between George and John
All in all, they are all brothers that have stuck together from day one. They are a part of the Oak Pack, one of three packs that have secured their own territory in the amber zone in the Everfree Forest. The packs being the Pine Pack and Birch Pack and their empire. I haven’t personally seen a birch wolf yet but, the pine wolves are relentless as they are all about brute power and death. Compared to Oak and Birch pack, they are the most domestic and dominant in the forest, conquering a large portion of the forest.
I sighed as I stroked the head of the wooden head of Connor, the green, sickly orbs fading. Suddenly, my stomach rumbled.
“Would you look at that, I’m hungry.” I said nonchalantly, smiling toothily. “You know what time it is right?”
Dream Blue shook violently as he certainly did know what that meant. He has heard about ponies going missing at night out of nowhere, gone without a trace of evidence of who it was. Now that he knew, he was terrified he was next.
“P-please… I… I don’t wanna die.” Dream sobbed fearfully, feeling his heartbeat faster in his chest. “I don’t want to die!”
“Stop your crying, kid. There is no need to cry, I’m not going to kill you.” I said with a roll of my eyes, and a small smile on my face as I gazed at him. “I’m just going to take a piece of you for me, that’s all. Nothing more, nothing less.” I bargained, my giddy smile only rising as his mind raced. Poor kid, his parents should have known better than to leave the kid on his own while there is a big, bad monster on the loose. They're not getting parents of the month that’s for sure.
“Please, you don’t have to do this… You don’t have to do this!” he whaled in tears, hiding as he squeezed himself into the corner of the couch. I groaned.
“Kid… Calm down. Have your parents ever told you to man up? Suck it up, it’s going to happen one way or another.” I said, patting his back gently as he continued to sob. “It’s okay, it’s okay… I mean, it’ll fucking hurt, I can’t lie but, it’ll be quick.”
“NOOO!”
“Tough shit, now pick a hoof. Show me what you got on the menu.” I said, rubbing my hands together as I stared. The boy finally looked at me, his big eyes looking at me with pinpricks.
“W-what?” he mumbled.
“Pick a hoof, a girl has to eat, you know.” I responded, leaning back in my seat. That look of terror, that uncontrollable shaking, too scared to speak or think clearly—all the traits of fear that I am all too acquainted with. It’s a sentient instinct that all living things have, I remember that feeling too. The spike of pain in my heart, the blood rushing… That exhilarating feeling. I missed that feeling of dread. “Have you decided yet? I’m starving over here, make me wait and I might get greedy.” I hummed.
“I-I-I-I don’t want to. I need to use my hoof to-to walk, to run and stuff.” Dream said frantically, hyperventilating as he tried to list every reason he needed his hoof. I just chuckled, watching his world crumble.
“Little guy… You don’t have a choice. Pick… A… Hoof.” I said sweetly, hearing his heart spike. “I’m gonna start counting down from three, and when I hit zero, I better get an answer.” I warned, pulling out a curved blade from the back of my pants, I grinned as I heard the sweet nectar flow through his healthy body. It sounded… pleasing, juicy.
“3!” I said, loud and clear as George’s head perked up. I could see the conflict in his eyes, the dilemma of choosing the left hoof or the right. I wonder what he will pick. The left, or the right, the left, or the right? Ooo it’s a hard choice—the left or the right? Honestly, whatever leg is the juiciest. I can’t complain really, just as long as I get my meal.
“2!” I said with glee, watching him stutter and second guess himself. He raised his right hoof for a moment before lowering it. Awww, so close.
“1…” I said, stretching out the number playfully, standing up as he looked ready to run. Before I could speak the final number, Dream shot out his left hoof, his heart pounding. I groaned disappointedly; I was kinda hoping for his right hoof. I sighed.
“Okay… fine.” I rolled my eyes, grabbing the child’s hoof as he struggled. I lined up my kukri near his shoulder. “Now, just stay still. I’m not gonna lie, this is going to hurt like a bitch, like—I’m not even kidding, it’s gonna-”
In a quick and swift movement, I cut right threw the muscle and bone with one thrust. Dream ceased all movement as he looked at his arm. He was confused as he tilted his head, he saw my blade cut right through his leg but, it was still attached to him. I could see the thoughts running through his head like a tidal wave. That ended very quickly as his whole leg slowly slid off, a look of horror on his face as blood start to squirt out rapidly. Then, he started to scream.
I picked up the limp leg, weighing it in my hand.
Hmmm… Could be heavier…
I took a bite of the piece of flesh, tasting the young flesh of the boy that screamed in agonising pain, squirming in his seat as he sprayed blood everywhere. As I chewed, it had a tender taste to him as a young pony should have, the blood was delicious as expected and it made me sigh in bliss as I swallowed, smiling back at the boy who watched with atrocity.
“Y’know—if I seasoned you up a bit—you would have been one of the best meals I would have tasted but, I guess this will do for now.” I murmured, taking another bite out of his juicy leg. He didn’t respond, he just continued screaming his lungs off. “Bloody hell, kid. Will you use your indoor voice please, you’ve just fucking woke Connor up.” I scolded as I chewed. Honestly, the new generation has no respect at all.
“It hurts, IT HURTS!” Dream cried out, waving his little stump around.
“I mean, I did tell you it would hurt.” I responded casually as I shrugged. Eventually, his cries of pain slowly weakened as he had a tired look.
“You-you said you wouldn’t kill me. You lied to me.” He said weakly, tears flowing down his cheek. I grinned at that.
“That’s true, I did say I wasn’t going to kill you, never said anything about my wooden friends finishing the job though.” I sniggered, watching as the boy looked at me with a pleading look. John, George and Connor looked at the child hungrily, showing their splintered canines as the stalked closer to the boy.
“Please don’t.” He begged, not having the energy to move. John had the pleasure of striking the throat of the bloodied boy and twisting it harshly as a crunching sound was made. After that, the boy lay still, quiet, and obsolete to the world around him.
Dream Blue is dead…
“Right, everyone dig in, we have plenty to fill our bellies so don’t be shy and Conner, fucking share!” I shouted, watching as I saw Connor growl at his two brothers. “Take a leg each, don’t be greedy. There is plenty to—OI! Fuck off, Connor! This one is mine! You literally have a whole child, fucking eat— George! Fuck off!! Eat the fucking kid! Why can’t both of you be more like John!” I shouted, trying to fend off the two cunts as they tried to take away my share.
After defending my food, they eventually found it futile and walked away as they ripped the kid's organs out and turned them into mush. As they were doing that, I had a little wonder around the house.
It was a nice house, better than many she has broken into before. Not many had a fireplace to start with or firewood to burn. This village isn’t doing well in the poverty situation they are in so, it was surprising to see a sofa in this house – a ripped and stained one but, still something to sit on. I kinda want to take it with me, I can’t be assed sitting on the floor like a hippy. Hell, I would take the whole house if I could.
Behind the couch and pressed against the wall was a cabinet with little bits on top. There were two vases next to each other with pictures next to them. One with a pink mare with a long green mane and blue eyes, and there other was a purple stallion with a black mane and green eyes. Ohhh, this must be his parents… That’s a bummer, the kid is an orphan. The kid died alone, now that’s fucked up. Does he have a house cat, dog, or anything—no? Damn… He truly died alone. Oh—hold on…
I opened the drawer to the cabinet to see a few things. House keys, a bag of gold coins, – yoink – a diary, a knife and a photo of his family. I picked up the picture and took a long, good look at it.
It had the stallion and the mare in, Dream was in the picture too but, there was one more. A big sister by the looks of things. She was a dry sand-coloured earth pony with green eyes and a chocolate brown, long ponytail mane with cream streaks going through her mane and tail. She had her left ear pierced, wearing two light blue earrings as well as a light blue bracelet around her left front hoof.
They looked like a happy family with all their smiles and cheers in the pictures, the photo must have been taken a few years ago as Dream looked younger.
I remember when I had a family… I had a brother, a mother and a father I barely knew. It was good while it lasted but, it never did last as all of us went our separate ways. They went somewhere else while I stayed put in London, well… Until I magically turned up here that is. I wonder how they're doing.
That thought was interrupted when I heard heartbeats, multiple approaching the house. I smiled as I suspect this to be the nosy night guards coming to see what all the screaming was about.
With everything in place, It's time to have my fun.
It was a cold, windy night for those who patrolled the streets. It was quiet, too quiet but, the small night guard squad knew that wouldn’t last long as they knew who lurks in the shadows of Ponyville.
The Night Terror…
There have been stories about this monster that has been taking ponies at night. Some say it’s all a hoax, a stunt to make ponies move away from Ponyville so there would be more food to go around. The poverty in Ponyville is bad and the living conditions have only gotten worse as the materials to repair structures are always being taken by royal guards, ordered by the nobility. So, making up a monster that takes ponies would surely hear of the news and scram to the next town so spare food could be shared if afforded.
Another theory behind the disappearance is just the royal guard themselves taking ponies at night. It wasn’t a bad theory considering these past years of abuse and hate towards the earth ponies of Ponyville. It was no secret that the authority of the royal guard's misuse has brought the village into misery and ruin but, to take ponies… Why? Forced labour? For their sick and twisted pleasure? Murder? It's possible but, why would they hide the fact that the royal guard is taking ponies? Princess Celestia has made it very clear that she had no interest in the treacherous ponies of Ponyville, she is only using them as a source of supplies so, it wouldn’t really make any sense for it to be the royal guards.
A popular belief is about a creature that comes from the Everfree Forest. Seen briefly as a tall, black and slender figure, just like the song entailed. It takes its victims and devours them until the next night. It’s not too far-fetched but, with multiple reports of seeing such a thing... It’s becoming something to fear.
Others say it’s the remains of Nightmare Moon’s spirit, taking a host of some pony or creature and terrorising the pony folk. This is one of many absurd explanations for these disappearances and Night Roar wasn’t amused with them. Night Roar is a young pegasus and a leader of a small group that is investigating the missing ponies of Ponyville. He had a night blue coat with a purple mane and tail, he also had eyes as bright as the blue sky.
“Night, why exactly are we here again?” a female voice grumbled, the tone being bored. Night Roar turned to the thestral night guard who wore Luna’s issued armour and was armed with a spear, coming out of the darkness of the alleyway with two other thestrals.
This was Moonlight, she was a grey bat pony with a short purple mane and tail with light purple streaks and red crimson eyes that can terrify or charm any stallion. She is a childhood friend of Night Roar and a squad member in the night guard division. It was a choice she made to join the guard, not only because it was what she wanted but, it’s because it was the only choice she had, and Night Roar followed in her hoof steps. After the war… It was hard for any thestral to find a job or run a successful business as they were looked down upon as inferior to the rest of the ponies, even earth ponies.
“There have been reports of a strange creature hanging around the Glassrise Bar and, everyone says the same thing: it’s tall, dark and thin… I want to know exactly what this creature is, Moonlight.” Night Roar responded, keeping a sharp eye out for any dark figure that matches the description.
“Tall, dark and thin… That can’t be a coincidence, right?” A tall, bulky thestral murmured, looking down on Night Roar and Moonlight with a neutral stare. This is Dusk Wing, a mouldy green coated bat pony with a dark purple, sharp, short mane and golden eyes that holds experience behind them. He is a friend and squad member of Night Roar’s group. Dusk Wing has many years in the military, being in many operations and classified missions, and in that time, he had done many things he regrets during the griffon conflict. He had moved on after the war with Equestria, the things he had done and seen… he couldn’t handle it anymore. The old bat pony had retired and transferred himself to night guard where he hoped to live his life in peace.
“So… your plan is to sit here and wait? I can already tell this is going to be a long night.” The fourth and last thestral sighed, leaning against the alley wall. Her name was Lulu, a grey-coated bat pony with jet black mane and tail, her grass green eyes being her brightest feature. She was the brightest of the bunch, jovially playing pranks and telling jokes. Her combat experience isn’t the best but, her scouting and stealth were on a whole other level.
“Yep… it may be boring but, there’s a chance that we could solve the mystery of the missing ponies.” Night Roar shrugged.
“I don’t get it, kid. You’re a pegasus, what the hell are you doing in the Night Guard? I would have expected you to be more of a… Wonder Bolt.” Dusk Wing grunted with his rough tone, looking down at Night Roar with an inquisitive glance. Night Roar smiled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head.
“Long story short, I joined because Moonlight joined.” Night Roar giggled embarrassingly, feeling his cheeks heat up.
“Ohhh~ is that so…” Lulu chimed in, wrapping her hoof around Moonlight’s neck. “ What do you have to say for that, huh?” Lulu nudged, making Moonlight roll her eyes and shrug Lulu off.
“It’s not a big deal, besides… I wanted him to join.” She responded, trying to play off the blush she had. Lulu’s brows raised slowly as a smile grew. As for Dusk Wing, he had his eye on Night Roar. Dusk Wing hadn’t known much about this kid other than he’s a talented kid but, to join the night guard with his potential… to stand by with bat ponies and treat them with respect… Why? In all his years, he’s been looked at like an animal by many ponies around Equestria, why is this kid different? His thoughts were rudely interrupted as his ears sharpened. Moonlight and Lulu froze too as they heard the exact same screaming buck. Night Roar looked between them.
“What’s wrong?” Night Roar asked, looking worried by their horror-filled look. They all looked to the pegasus.
“The Night Terror…”
When they arrived at the scene where they estimated where the screaming came from, the four-night guards immediately knew something was wrong by the wide-open front door and the familiar odour of blood leaking from the house, almost like the door was daring somepony to walk into the devil’s den. It was intoxicating for the thestrals as they felt drawn to it, the hunger towards blood… instinctively, Lulu started to drool.
“This is bad… Lulu head back to the base, inform Captain Starshine this has been a break in and come back with reinforcements.” Night Roar ordered; a calm look on his face as he gazed into the black abyss that flickered with a hint of a blaze. Lulu was knocked out of her trans as she nodded, taking off with a powerful flap of her webbed wings.
“What now? Should we wait for backup?” Moonlight asked, her spear at her side and ready for anything that comes out.
“No, we can’t wait. If your correct, a colt is still in there and with the smell of iron… we can’t afford to wait.” Night Roar said with determination, being the first to step forward to the door. A hoof stopped him.
“Wait, kid. Are you sure that’s the right choice? If that thing is what I think it is… you’re putting your and the squad’s life at risk. I recommend that we wait for reinforcement and secure the perimeter while we wait.” Dusk Wing murmured in his old voice, watching as Night Roar turn with a sceptical look.
“There is a colt in there, I’m not going to stand by while the kidnapper is doing luna knows what to the buck. We need to get him out before anything else happens to him.” Night Roar said, stomping his hoof as his mind was made up.
“Night is right, we have to take action before it’s too late.” Moonlight added, standing by Night Roar with a firm glare.
“I have a bad feeling about this, I smell too much blood, I-I don’t think the colt is alive.” Dusk Wing said, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end as Night Roar flinched at his response. Night Roar turned to Moonlight for a second opinion but, with the worried look she had, Night Roar was conflicted. He didn’t want to put his team in danger for nothing but, there is a poor boy in there that is greatly injured or dead, he didn’t know but, he wanted to find out. Moonlight and Dusk Wing turned to Night Roar for the final decision, and with a deep sigh, he turned to the door.
“Let’s end this madness.” Night Roar said, determined to catch The Night Terror and end the investigation of the missing ponies of Ponyville. With a can-do grin, Moonlight followed. Dusk Wing didn’t like this one bit, and it showed as he glanced down at his hoof blades. Things are about to get bloody.
The first step was the hardest for Night Roar as he could smell a stench of iron fill his nose, and he flinched at the odour. It was strong, very strong as the door was the only exit for the smell to leave. He couldn’t see much with just the fireplace ablaze but, he froze with what he could see. Blood was smothered all over the couch, floor and walls, there was so much of it but, he couldn’t find any bodies that it belongs to, however, he did find a trail of blood.
Moonlight covered her nose as she cringed. Moonlight gasped, looking in horror at the gruesome display. She had seen blood in her line of work before but, this amount… somepony must have died, there’s no way. Dusk Wing only gave the blood a side glance as he looked around the living room. He could smell the metallic scent of blood but, he stayed focused for the sake of his squad.
“Luna have mercy, what happened here?” Moonlight said strangely, Night Roar has never heard Moonlight sound so scared. “This… could this be The Night Terror’s doing?”
“I—I don’t know… I hate to say it but, this could be something worse.” Night Roar murmured, his stomach feeling the urge to release his lunch.
“This is bad, I don’t like the feeling of this.” Dusk Wing warned, getting ready in a stance. Suddenly, Moonlight jumped and turned as the door slammed shut, making everyone’s hearts increase in speed. Night went over to the door and tried to open it but, to his confusion and concern, the door wouldn’t open. He twisted the knob again and barged his body against the door but for no results. This door had a key lock… So… Why is the door locked? Did someone lock it on the outside?
Night Roar was quickly knocked out of his thoughts as the whole group heard hoof steps from the floor above them, hearing the floor creaking and dust fall. Moonlight looked over to Night Roar with an anxious stare while Dusk Wing glared and tensed his jaw as he heard a female’s pleasant humming from upstairs that unnerved them all. Who was upstairs?
“What’s the plan, Night Roar?” Moonlight asked in an uneasy tone.
“We don’t have much of a choice, let’s see who is upstairs and see who that was. Be on your guard, it could be The Night Terror.” Night Roar warned, being the first to step forward, Moonlight sticking close as she held her spear tightly to her side. Dusk Wing followed wordlessly, ready to strike with his hoof blades at any moment.
Slowly they made their way to the stairs, carefully watching their movements so as not to make any sudden noises to disturb the humming melody. Night Roar thought this to be a sick game when he saw a blood trail leading upstairs and further down the hallway that the darkness covered. It’s like whoever did this is trying to split them up, which begs the question, is there more than one? Where do these blood trails lead? This is 100% a trap.
Dusk Wing scowled at the servility of this situation, he has known wickedness and seen sickening things in his time as a special force’s agent but, this was mentally testing. In every operation he had been deployed on, he felt like he had every single situation under his control. From walking in behind enemy territory to being ambushed but, this… He couldn’t help the feeling that somepony or something is watching him.
Moonlight has a reputation for being tough and fearless, there are many times when she has handled herself from attackers. To bar fights to robberies, there is almost blood spilt in the dirty old village of Ponyville. Murder wasn’t uncommon either, Moonlight remembered her first murder case and how she felt woozy at the sight of a beaten, violated mare. She had a firm mask but, on the inside, she was mentally screaming.
Night Roar has seen death in his time but, nothing this obnoxiously haunted. He saw war at a very young age, he was a runner in the Royal War, The War between sisters many calls it. His parents died in that battle for Canterlot, it was a slaughter, and he could remember the day very vividly. After the war ended, he remembered being hollow, angry and alone. That changed when he meant Moonlight, a thestral, the race that killed his mother and father.
From the bottom of the stairs, they looked up at the bloody message on the wall, making Dusk Wing growl. The message was clear as day of its intentions.
Death…
“This is a bad idea, Night. This is a trap.” Moonlight said, shaking slightly from the niggiling feelings creeping in.
“I know but—”
“But nothing, kid. We need to find a way out before one of us dies.” Dusk Wing interrupted Night Roar in a tone that meant no further demands. Night Roar turned with an agitated look.
“A murderer is in this house and we are the guard, we are not—”
A sudden crashing sound stopped Night Roar, the interruption coming from the door where the blood trail stopped at a door, somepony whining erratically. Everyone stopped and stared for a moment, their mind racing. What the hell is going on? Was that… The colt? The question was answered as they looked down to see a small, bloody hoof in front of the door, blood oozing out. It was clear where the colt was, and he was alive.
“This isn’t right, something is wrong. There is enough blood to fill a bathtub, this couldn’t be just the colts.” Night Roar said, looking around him at all the blood. Only then did Night Roar realise. “There is too much blood, Dusk Wing, the pony that broke in and attacked the buck is injured.” Night Roar said, a look of determination on his face and Dusk Wing knew what that meant.
“But—no… there is no struggle, The written blood on the wall, this game-like layout. I-I think the bastard that coursed this is insane enough to injure themselves just to write messages on the wall and make a trail of blood but, they are hurt and possibly weak, I think we should split up?” Night Roar said, looking up at Dusk Wing. Dusk Wing scoffed.
“We should wait for backup, the last thing I should be doing is approaching an unstable pony that would cut off the hoof of a colt. You’re not thinking straight, Night Roar.” Dusk Wing muttered, making Night Roar angry.
“We don’t have time for backup, there is a colt bleeding out and the fucker is up there writing twisted messages upstairs. He’s weak and demented and you’re the strongest bat pony I know, you don't need backup.” Night Roar interjected. “We don’t have time for this, me and Moonlight will retrieve the colt while you subdue the criminal, this will be quick.” Night said, quickly turning away from the scowling thestral.
“You're playing this insane game, Night.” Dusk Wing barked, making Night Roar freeze.
“A game that we are going to win.” Night said with a strange calmness but, Dusk Wing could see through his mask of determination and could see the anger he holds. Wordlessly, Dusk Wing just nodded as they walked their separate ways, holding their breaths for what was to come.
When Night Roar opened the door, he wasn’t expecting to see a staircase leading down into the dark abyss, the blood continuing down the concrete stairs, and a lit lantern with blood on it ironically hanging beside the door, waiting to be carried. Night Roar hated how the lantern was ready for him, prepped for him to go down to retrieve and take with him, knowing that they would go down to retrieve the colt that was hopefully alive.
As Night Roar and Moonlight’s armoured hoof clank against the crimson stairs, staining their purple armour as they sneaked down as quietly as possible, as much as Night Roar wanted to rush to the colt, he couldn’t excuse the fact that the basement could be rigged with some sort of trap.
“Who would do such an evil thing? This couldn’t be a pony; this has to be a carnivore or some sort of monster.” Moonlight whispered, seeing her breath from the cold temperature of the basement.
“The Night Terror… tall, black and slender… All I could think of who this could possibly be is a black female minotaur.” Night Roar replied, his body spasming from the chill basement. “The smothered blood on the wall, it had finger-like prints on it, it couldn’t have been a pony or griffin.”
“Your nerdiness amazes me sometimes.” Moonlight muttered, nearly reaching the bottom.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
When the lantern flame light brightened the void that was in the basement, Night Roar was unnerved greatly by the layout. It was significantly big compared to many other basements, the light didn’t reach the four walls but, the blood trail was the only thing Night Roar could see. Moonlight however could see everything, and she didn’t like what she saw.
“Night… There is more writing on the wall, and I don’t know what it means.” Moonlight said, walking forward into the darkness the light didn’t reach. He followed her and eventually, his face scrunched up in confusion. On the wall was another bloody message but, it made no sense.
London Bridge is falling down…
The two guards were baffled, even more by the blood. It was different, it was… Rippling? Responding to the freezing temperature? Is this a magical effect? No… from Night Roar’s understanding, blood isn’t magically affected to any degree by any race, what the hell is going on?
“Night Roar… There’s more.” Moonlight said, snapping Night out of his bewilderment. He turned to see a faint outline of his partner further down, looking at a wall. When he got closer, he saw the message she was looking at.
Falling down…
It was strange how neatly it was written despite the mess, it was joined up into cursive writing. Whoever did this took their damn time, in no rush to finish it, they even had the time to make the correct punctuation to the message. Whoever this is, he or she has done this before.
Next to the message was a passageway that turned to the left, the blood trail going through. Looking down the makeshift path made out of large containers, small racks and wooden crates, Moonlight immediately knew that it formed a zig-zag-like design by the complete u-turn at the end. Moonlight cringed as she could hear her heart pound.
Deeper within the basement, a loud crash of glass echoed, making the on-edge thestral jump and step back in a fright, making Night Roar rush forward defensively. The only thing they could hear now was little whimpers that made Moonlight shiver from the creeps. Without a word or warning, Night Roar walked into the narrow pathway. Carefully, Night Roar checked for any traps that could have been possibly planted with each step he took. Reaching the turn, he looked up to see another message on the wall.
Falling down…
Seeing a pattern on where this is going, Night Roar didn’t stop as he turned a corner down another tight passageway. As he walked down, he stopped in his tracks as he felt something crack under his hoof. He looked down to see the crashing sound he heard before as thousands of pieces of plates and cups lay broken. Then, he saw it, in the corner of his eye on a rack with many more fancy plates and cups was another bloodied limb of the colt but this time, a bite was taken out of it and the bite mark was like nothing Night has ever seen. It was more oval-shaped, the canines being flatter at the ends of the bite, it was so bizarre than any other bite he has ever saw. Yet again, another message was written down on the wall at the end. It sounded like a melody as he joined all the writings together, a historical event in the past of The Night Terror?
Falling down…
Night Roar stopped and stared, watching as the blood from the message was being pulled by an invisible force, dripping not down but, to the side as if something was attracting it. Night poked the thick crimson liquid just for it to fly straight off his armoured hoof and into the darkness. Night Roar briefly wondered what could possibly be going on but, he soon realised that the boardwalk had come to an end as an exit was made. Walking out of the structure, Night continued following the blood and was getting concerned by how much there was. It had gotten quiet too, with no moans, no groans. Did the colt… pass away?
Night Roar ran to the end of the basement, no longer afraid of any danger that would come his way. it didn’t take long but, when he did manage to reach the end, he felt his whole world crumble and his blood freeze. He couldn’t believe it… he was too late; it wasn’t even close. There was a desk with a chair tucked in and on that desk was a piece of paper with familiar bloody handwriting and the decapitated head of a small buck with the rest of his body missing, looking back with black holes, blood leaking down as he wore an expressionless face. Night Roar couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t stop shaking as fear crept up into the darkest depths of his mind, and his heart pounded as he felt sick to his stomach. Tearing his eyes away from the head of the colt, he glanced over to the note left next to the head. In blood, it read:
London Bridge is falling down…
my fair lady…
What did this mean? What does this insane bastard get out of this? Dead… The young buck is dead… If the colt is dead, then what was making the noises? Who knocked over the plates and cups? He wasn’t alone.
Slowly, he turned to scan the room and a look of terror as it dawned on him. This is sick and twisted, he was expecting a trap but, to set up a game and mentally break Night Roar by leading him to a dead end, making him lose courage by scattering body parts and blood. Night Roar felt his fur stand on end as his surrounding was silent, just him and his lantern… Wait, where is Moonlight? Moonlight! Night Roar’s mind raced as he felt his heart sink. She was just behind him, where is she?
“Moonlight… Where are you?” Night asked warily, surveying the room for any sign of his friend.
No response…
“Moonlight, this isn’t funny, where are you?” Night said shakily, feeling his hooves tremble under this stillness that crushed him. He started to walk back, and step by step he retraced his movement, through the constructed structure, over the plates and passed the bodiless limb and out the way he entered.
He didn’t want to think of the possibility of his friend being taken or murdered, dead on the floor as blood pooled beneath her. A god-awful smell reached his nose, his heart racing as he smelt the iron getting stronger. Slowly he crept around corners, ready to fight but, he was never ready for what he saw. He stopped as soon as the light reached a prone form and Night Roar felt his mind break as he gazed down at the gruesome sight. It was Moonlight… She was dead. Her throat was torn out and her stomach was devoured as she lay on her side as her intestines leaked out, a horrified look on her face as blood pooled out the side of her mouth. How? How could this happen? She was beside him a minute ago and now… She’s dead. She must have made a sound, a shout to warn Night Roar that there was danger but, that whole time he heard nothing. Not a hint or clue of Moonlight’s whereabouts.
Night Roar let a tear fall as he couldn’t move; he just stare into his lifelong friend’s dead eyes as she lay still. Why did it have to be her? Why now? Why so young? Why couldn’t it be him? He would have laid his life on the line if it meant for Moonlight to live for another day. Suddenly, his trembling of fear turned to rage as he clenched his jaw, his face scrunching up into a look of murder. Someone—had killed and eaten his best friend… someone has taken the most precious thing away from him. Kill… He wanted to kill the one that did this.
A low growling grew behind him, making him slowly turn as he saw the last thing he’d expect to see in a basement.
Two green, glowing orbs…
It stepped into the light with its wooden paw, the next being the bloody maw with its razor-sharp canines, only then did he realise that the predator in front of him was a Timber Wolf, and he wasn’t alone. Two more came out from the darkness, covered in as much of Moonlight’s blood as the first.
Slowly, Night Roar stepped back, his anger still present but, his mind rationally saw the fact that he was in a bad situation. He looked to where the stairs were and moved towards it. They would lunge forward at Night Roar, barking and snarling as they were swatted away by his hoof blades. When he got to the stairs, he begrudgingly turned and hoofed up the stairs, hearing the paws click-clack behind him, chasing him as they barked their threatening intentions.
When Night reached the top, pain erupted in his back hoof as the oak wood teeth snagged into the flesh of Night Roar, making him growl in pain and trip up the stairs. Just as quickly as the pain came, Night instinctively kicked out with his other hoof, connecting and feeling something crack as the pressure on his hoof lightened. He continued through the door and slammed the door shut, locking it with a twist of the deadbolt.
Night had to stand and stare at the door for a second as he breathed heavily, his hind leg raised as blood trickled down. He watched as he heard the wolves barging into the door, hoping the door will stay strong as the pain in his leg enhanced significantly.
He couldn’t take it, he laid down on his side, hearing his heart pound in his ear as tears slowly fell, sobbing pathetically as memories of Moonlight flashed in his mind. Her sweet smile, her ruby eyes, the fun and happy times they had, and yet, to the lowest point of her life. She had so much to live for, so many things to experience, and time to learn and grow old—together. Now—now she couldn’t—Night Roar couldn’t tell her his feelings, how he truly felt about her. It hurt, it hurt more than his bite wound, he just wanted to lay there for the rest of the night, waiting for the door to finally break down and go out the same way that his friend did. It only made sense, he didn’t deserve to live, why should he after he let his friend die under his protection? His anger raged in but, his rage was mostly towards himself.
He didn’t know how long he lay there, minutes, hours, days? It felt longer. Eventually, the banging stopped, and Night Roar could only imagine that they went back to feasting on Moonlight once again, he felt disgusted with himself that he just thought that. He felt responsible in so many ways, he could have avoided her fate by just not going down in the basement in the first place, he could have brought Dusk Wing for more protection, and he should have just waited outside for backup from the start. This all could have been avoided, all of it. This was his fault, he thought he had it under control, he was too ignorant to the fact that they were in a dangerous situation from the moment they walked in. He was the leader; he was meant to make the right call but now, he could see that he did not make one good decision, too eager and selfish to be the one to catch the infamous Night Terror of Ponyville, so blind that he did exactly what Dusk Wing warned him about. Why didn’t he listen? Why must he be such an idiot?
He eventually stopped sobbing as he felt like he had no more tears to spill, anguish being the only thing he felt under his heavy heart. He did hear a bit of movement from upstairs, the bits of dust falling on him but, he didn’t take much notice of it, it must have been Dusk Wing subduing the bastard that left three Timber Wolves in the basement. He had no doubt in his mind that he had the fucker face down on the canvas. The old bat pony was a special agent veteran and a specialist in combat, Night Roar was believed to be one of the strongest thestral of all time but, he couldn’t take that risk, not now, so, he stumbled to get up on three hooves and like the miserable sack of shit he felt, he headed up the stairs of death.
Each step was a struggle as he limped up, feeling the warm liquid run down his shaky hoof. When he turned up the stairs, his mind screamed when he saw more mind games as more writing was on the wall.
Build it up with wood and clay, wood and clay, wood and clay, build it up with wood and clay, my fair lady…
It continued… The song that he has never heard before haunted him, a dark voice in the back of his mind singing it with pleasure. It was following him, on the wall opposite the lyrics, it continued.
Wood and clay will wash away, wash away, wash away, wood and clay will wash away, my fair lady…
Wood and clay? Maybe wood but, why would you use clay to build up the bridge? And who is this fair lady? This melody makes no sense, just build it up with metal and iron.
When he reached the top, the song never ended as the ripped-apart wallpaper was displayed in blood.
Build it up with iron and steel, iron and steel, iron and steel, build it up with iron and steel, my fair lady…
The hallway of the floor was briefly brightened up by the moon’s source of light through the smashed and boarded-up windows, showing the room’s details with a husk atmosphere. More pictures of the family hanging droopily, wallpaper pealing as it shrivelled up from old age and force, the planks of wood-decaying and dishevelled and spider webs clinging onto every dark corner, watching and waiting for the horrors of tonight’s gore. He cursed when he saw more writings everywhere.
Iron and steel will bend and bow, bend and bow, bend and bow, iron and steel will bend and bow, my fair lady…
Build it up with silver and gold, silver and gold, silver and gold, build it up with silver and gold, my fair lady…
Silver and gold will be stolen away, stolen away, stolen away, silver and gold will be stolen away, my fair lady…
Set a man to watch all night, watch all night, watch all night, set a man to watch all night, my fair lady…
Suppose the man should fall asleep, fall asleep, fall asleep, suppose the man should fall asleep? My fair lady…
Give him a pipe to smoke all night, smoke all night, smoke all night, give him a pipe to smoke all night, my fair lady…
That was the last of the writing, the last bit being on a family portrait, the colt in the picture being scarily familiar. He was the one in the basement, where are the rest of the family? The mother? The father? Their daughter? Where are they?
*Thud, thud, thud…*
Further up the hallway, behind a closed door were soft thuds with a hint of scratching against wood. It started to get louder with each second Night stood on the spot. It was so bizarre and out of place, it sounded like something was being dragged across the floor. Must be Dusk wing finishing up his business but, Night Roar has this feeling of dread as it continued. The door opened with an agonisingly slow creak and, that dread turned into horror as he saw a green muzzle appear from the doorway, the chin digging into the floor and pulling itself with a grunt.
It was Dusk Wing but, his hooves… They were gone. Dusk Wing laid his terrified eyes on Night Roar’s own, his pained groans and shaking making Night stiffen in fear.
“R-run—Night, run for your life.” He croaked as blood poured from his gob, his eyes going down to pinpricks. “RU—!” The door was quickly slammed shut on Dusk Wing’s neck, snapping Night Roar out of his trans. He tried quickly to get over as Dusk Wing was suffocating. Dusk was trying to speak but, his jugular was being crushed.
With all his power, he grabbed the other side of the door, pushing the door with all his might despite his new injury. Night Roar could feel the door budge just a bit but, as soon as progress was being made, Night Roar roared in agony as he was being pushed back.
“Run…” Dusk Wing uttered out, his voice horse and weak as he tried to breath.
“No! I’m not leaving you here!” Night Roar groaned, the pain in his hind hoof making him flinch. “On 3 Dusk Wing, I’ll count to 3 and I’ll push the door as hard as I can and you’ll wiggle your head out, okay? Come on, 1, 2—”
“3!” said another voice on the other side of the door and with an aggressive pull, the door closed and Night’s heart dropped. He couldn’t breathe, and he couldn’t move as he didn’t want to look down but, gradually his eyes wandered down and he gazed into the eyes of the bodiless Dusk Wing.
No—no this can’t be happening. He’s dead… Dusk Wing and Moonlight are…
Night Roar’s lips quivered as a fresh wave of tears rolled down his face. He was killed… And he was powerless to stop it. Effortlessly the door closed despite Night Roar’s strength. The one behind the door, he could hear her muffled laughter, that gut-wrenching giggle that felt no tenderness behind it. Who is this monster?
Suddenly, the door slowly opened wide, revealing the one who laughed with mirth, to see the soul-stabbing red eyes of the tall, black and slender form of The Night Terror.
“Congratulations, boy. You have finished the game.”
