Dark Pony Brotherhood

A Dark Meeting and More Nightmares

Two dark figures came to a clearing next to a small pond, where two more figures stood waiting. One of those that stood there was wearing a cloak, the hood over his head, hiding his face. Though just from his presence and the aura he seemed to exude, all ponies present knew exactly who it was. The newcomers gave him nods of respect.

“You came,” he spoke, his voice showing approval for the nurse and farm pony who had just arrived. A happily smiling Pink pony stood next to him.

“Are these my new Brother and Sister, Luci?” asked Pinkie Pie, recognizing them.

“They are,” Lucien chuckled, amused by his Little Sister’s excitement.

Big Macintosh looked at the Pink pony with some surprise, he would have said something had Redheart not beat him to the punch, “Who would have guessed you were a little bloodthirsty?” the nurse asked.

Pinkie smiled brightly and proudly proclaimed, “I’d do anything for my family,” she said, giggling a little.

Lucien smiled as well, “I am glad to see our family grow so fast, but we are still a hand without a thumb,” he said. He looked at each of the ponies whom he now considered family, “I will take care of that,” he told them. “I have a job for the three of you,” he said.

He opened his cloak, and reached in with his mouth, pulling out the newspaper from earlier, detailing the discovery of the murder in Manehattan. He dropped it to the ground and let everypony see it. “This is the result of what Big Macintosh and I did in Manehattan some time ago,” he explained.

“Now, pretend you’re a regular everyday pony, like you all used to be,” he went on, smiling, earning a smile from Pinkie Pie, showing how excited she was. Big Macintosh and Redheart were paying close attention.

“The fear you would feel, knowing that somewhere out in the night, is somepony who can, and will murder you, for reasons you are not aware of,” he said, chuckling darkly as he spoke.

He went to the edge of the pond, “everypony in Manehattan is feeling that fear, worried that they are next,” he said. “I want more of Equestria to feel that, to know that feeling.” His voice darkened. “I want them to know Sithis.”

He reached into his cloak again, and produced several pieces of paper that Pinkie had helped him with earlier. Each one had a Black hand on them. It was the symbol of the Dark Brotherhood. He set them atop the newspaper, “The mission I am giving you three is to go to different towns, to places you won’t be recognized, and you are to end somepony’s life, and make sure they will be easily discovered, and don’t get caught,” he warned them darkly. “And lastly, you are to leave this sheet, ponies will begin to associate it with us, and they will know that this isn’t the work of one child of the night, but of a Dark Brotherhood,” he said, his grin almost glowing in the night.

Pinkie Pie giggled, excited that she would be doing her family’s bidding once again, “I can’t wait to make Sithis proud of me,” she said happily while trotting in place, finding it hard to keep still.

Big Macintosh kept his cool, and gave a respectful bow, “If it’ll help the family,” he said, his mind focused on the business of the matter rather than the pleasure of it.

Nurse Redheart’s expression was one of a solemn pleasure; finally she would get to feel what she felt when she killed that bastard of a doctor.

Hearing no objections, Lucien passed around the pages with the Black Hand. “Then I wish you wall luck, my Brother and Sisters,” he said. “Good night, and may the Night Mother embrace you,” he said, turning away, and heading back into town, to his new home.

………………………………………………………………………..

Twilight walked down a corridor, the same dark presence she felt in her last Nightmare was all around, but did not chase her about. This time, she walked willingly towards the end of the hallway.

The old Mare was standing there, waiting for her. She walked towards her, but something was wrong.

It seemed like she had been walking for hours, she never got any closer to the mysterious Mare. No matter how she ran and no matter how she wanted to meet the Mare who was haunting her dreams, she couldn’t get any closer.

Tears ran down her face from frustration and how she exerted herself. She collapsed on the floor of the corridor, and looked up to see that the Mare was right next to her now, looking down at her. “I’m sorry child,” she said, leaning down and nuzzling her with affection, “but I can only come to you, and when the time is right,” she said.

“You are almost ready, now wake up.”

…………………………………………………………………………….

Twilight awoke with a start, breathing heavily, as if she really did run like she had in her dream. Seeing how tossed about the blanket was on her bed, she probably had been. He mane was matted down from a cold sweat.

After a few deep breaths, Twilight sighed and got up from bed, grabbing the dream journal she had been writing in, and writing down what little evidence the new dream had added, ending with the words, “Almost Ready?”

“I need to look into this more,” she said to nopony in particular.

“These dreams are driving me crazy,” she went to her bathroom and filled a bucket with some water, and splashed her face. She looked down at her reflection in the water, seeing her mane in a mess and bags under her eyes.

Fluttershy’s herbs didn’t help her anymore, half of the bag was still unused and sitting in a drawer next to her bed. She considered taking more, but wasn’t willing to risk the dangers of the drug.

With another sigh she left the bathroom and went to make a small breakfast. Spike was still asleep snoring in his bed, his blanket half hanging off of him. As Twilight passed him by, she used her magic to tuck him back in.

She went to the kitchen and set to work making something quick. She left out a small dish of gems for Spike once he woke up. Afterwords, she made herself some toast and picked up a few apples for a trip along with some bits she had layed aside.

With that she wrote a quick note to her number 1 assistant as she ate her toast.

Dear Spike,

I have gone on a trip to Canterlot to look through the library for answers to questions that have arisen recently. I can’t tell you everything, but I promise I’m alright. Please take care of things while I am gone.

Love, Twilight.

It was hastily written, and lacking of any other info. She set it down and put on her saddlebags, putting in her bits, and apples. The last thing she grabbed was the journal that held all the things she dreamed about for the last few weeks.

She was determined to see this through. She knew she wouldn’t get a good night’s sleep until she did.

With the resolve to solve the mystery of the Dark Brotherhood, and her strange dreams, Twilight left her house, intent on going to Canterlot.

……………

The dark pony walked the streets of Ponyville, observing quietly, smiling in satisfaction. There was a sense of edge in the air as the ponies went about their business. It seemed perfectly normal on top. But he could practically smell the fear. Murder was indeed rare for these ponies. It happened of course, but not so brutally or efficiently.

The paper didn’t even bother trying to censor the details of it all, something he was sure would change by the time the family was in full motion. His three accomplices had already gone to their destinations to complete their tasks.

He would wait for them to return, or for word of their capture, or to see news of their work in the Equestrian News Paper.

He was thinking of what he would do while he waited for them and considered going to visit this Zebra that he was told about just the other day. But as he was wondering where the young fillies who told him about her were, he noticed Twilight heading toward the train station.

When he had first seen the strange machine, he was almost frightened of it, but after noting how it worked, he figured out it was a very fascinating machine used for transportation. Back in his old world, he had never seen something so technologically capable. Well, perhaps the ancient Dwemor were capable of something similar, but he never witnessed it himself.

Regardless, he made for Twilight, and called out to her, noting that she seemed a bit flustered.

The Lavender pony turned at hearing her name and seeing Lucien approach her, she smiled tiredly, “Lucien? What are you doing here?” he asked him.

“I was walking through town and saw you going this way, you seemed in a hurry, is something wrong?” he asked her, honestly a little concerned for her, his mind was set on bringing her into the family, both for personal reasons, and because he felt the Night Mother wished for it as well.

“I’m fine,” she tried to say, smiling unconvincingly. Just seeing Lucien’s expression told her that he didn’t believe her. She sighed in defeat, “I’m not, I can barely sleep, and when I do I have Nightmares,” she said. The stress of it all was getting to her, her eyes starting to water. “I need to figure it all out, I need to go to Canterlot and see if there are any books in the Royal Library,” she said.

She looked to the train, “that’s why I’m here, I was going to go and not come back till I learn all about it, it’s just so important now,” she said quietly, suppressing the urge to let out all her emotions in a cry.

Lucien looked upon her, and knew he was looking at a pony who was at wits end with her obsession. He was almost certain she would find no answers in the Library she wanted to head to. It would not do well to have a potential Listener go insane. There was only one thing to do. Help her hold onto it.

“If you want, I can travel with you, and tell you whatever I can,” he told her. “And I’ll even help you look,” he said.

Twilight looked at him, a little surprised. “You want to help me?” she asked.

“Of course, I know a little of what you are seeking, and I’ve grown rather fond of you,” he said, a slight teasing tone in his voice when he said the last part.

Twilight smiled faintly, “I’d like that,” she said. She brightened up a little, “yes, a research partner is just what a need, especially one who is qualified in the field of study,” she said, taking on a more scientific tone. “Would you like for me to pay for your ticket?” she asked.

“I could run home and get some money for myself if you want,” he said.

The train whistle blew, and Twilight shook her head, “there’s no time,” she said, motioning for him to follow, going to the ticket booth and buying the both of them tickets.

The Unicorn and Earth Pony got onto the train, “Well Ms. Sparkle let us find a seat and I’ll tell you what I can,” he said.

She smiled and nodded, “Please.”