Hail to the Dragon Lord, baby.
“I told her to not read this book! I TOLD her!” Spike ran through Ponyville in a blind panic, searching for any sanctuary left in this hell. He ran up to a randomly chosen house and bashed on the door.
“Please! Anyone in there please let me in!”
Spike heard a boom behind him and he turned to see the deformed, mangled form of ‘Twilight’ creeping up on him.
“PLEEEEEEEAASE!!” Spike returned to bashing the door.
‘Twilight’ took jagged steps closer, a dark purple glow around her horn.
_______________________________________________
“Oh Spike!” Twilight called in a sing-song voice as she entered the library. “I’m back from the two sister’s castle and you’re never gonna believe what I found!”
“Let me guess, books?” Spike responded without taking his eyes off the Power Ponies comic in his claws.
“It’s books! And what a haul! There’s ancient history books, royal cook books, princess spell books! I just have to invite the girls over for a book sorting sleepover!”
“Is that a thing?” Spike asked, crawling out of bed and walking downstairs.
“As Princess of Friendship I say it is now.” Twilight giggled to herself.
Spike looked over the stacks of books Twilight dropped on the table until his eyes stopped upon one with a grimy, leather cover. He slipped it out of the stack and inspected the cover.
“What the hay is this one? A demon summoning book?” He joked. The book’s cover was what looked to be a face of some sort locked into an eternal, screaming agony. The cover’s texture was rough and cold to the touch.
“Ha ha Spike, that would be an ancient spell book that Princess Luna herself used to study.” Twilight said proudly.
“I don’t know Twilight, I know I don’t read a lot of books but even I know they shouldn’t have an eye and teeth.” Spike responded, pointing to the cover’s uneasy features.
“Calm down Spike, the princesses owned this book, and they’re still around aren’t they?”
_______________________________________________
The door flung back and Spike fell forward into the house.
“GET BACK!” Golden Harvest yelled as she raised a bat overhead and cracked it against ‘Twilight’, who fell back and hit the floor limply. Golden Harvest slammed the door and pushed the barricade back in front of it.
Spike scanned over the house he found himself in and saw three other ponies besides Golden.
“Hey you, do you mind explaining what the hell is going on?!”
_______________________________________________
“I’m so glad you could make it over!” Twilight greeted to her five closest friends as they walked into the library.
“No problem Twi, it’s been ages since I had a good ol’ fashioned sleepover.” Applejack greeted back.
“I must agree with Applejack, I’ve been so overworked lately I have just been dying for a get together!” Rarity concurred.
“I can’t wait! We’re gonna sort books, tell ghost stories, do our nails, sort books, have a pillow fight, sort books, and probably something else cool like sorting books!” Pinkie hopped through the door, donning her comfiest pj’s and her hair done up in space buns.
“Strangely accurate Pinkie! I went to the two sister’s castle earlier today and came back with the most amazing collection of ancient books, and now we get to go through them together!” Twilight squealed in excitement.
“Oh thank goodness, I was afraid this sleepover would be too exciting for me.” Fluttershy said entirely sincerely.
“Yawn, wake me up when the pillow fights start.” Rainbow Dash snickered.
“Come on now Rainbow, anything can be fun if you’re doing it with friends.” Applejack put a hoof around Rainbow.
“Hey AJ? Stick to apples, cheesy doesn’t fit you.” Rainbow responded.
“…you’re right.” Applejack lowered her head and sighed.
“Alright girls, let’s get this party started!” Twilight announced as she floated her newly acquired books through the air.
_______________________________________________
“Golden don’t yell at him! What would he know anyway?” Roseluck chastised.
“He works with the librarian and all we know is that whatever.. illness? Is infecting ponies started there, so speak!”
“I-I don’t k-know what’s happening! It was all so fast!”
“Useless.. I should’ve known.” Golden Harvest muttered as she stepped away from Spike.
“Can’t you see the poor guy’s just as traumatized as us? I swear Golden if you didn’t think you could get information out of him you would’ve left him out there!” Cheerilee also chastised.
“She would’ve what?!” Spike yelled.
“Don’t listen to her, don’t listen to anypony, no one knows what the hell is happening.” Roseluck “comforted” Spike.
“Is it safe to come out now?” Silver Spoon poked her head out of the basement.
“I guess, but probably not for long.” Golden Harvest answered her.
Silver Spoon climbed out of the basement and huddled next to Cheerilee.
“Ms. Cheerliee, w-when will the monsters be gone?”
_______________________________________________
Applejack laughed uproariously. “What’d I say Rainbow! Told ya anything is fun with friends.”
“Yeah, friends and the bottle of cider in Twilight’s cupboard!” Rainbow Dash laughed at her own joke.
“Hey Twilight! Where does this one go? I can’t find a title on it. hiccup” Pinkie called to Twilight.
Twilight looked over to Pinkie and saw she was holding up the leathery book that Spike had pointed out earlier.
“Hm, let me take a look at it.” Twilight hovered it over to herself. She turned it over a couple times in search for a title, but ultimately found nothing, just like Pinkie alluded to. She cracked open the cover and scanned the first page.
“What the?” Twilight whispered to herself as she looked over the first page and saw it was all written in an old ponish language she was unfamiliar with. She quickly flipped through the pages and saw flashes of gruesome, sketchy illustrations of ponies being tortured and dismembered.
“Goddamn Twi, what’re you reading?” Rainbow Dash hovered over Twilight’s shoulder.
“GAAH!!” Twilight yelled. “Rainbow! You can’t scare me like that!”
“Hey if I knew what you were reading I would’ve been more gentle.”
“Why? What’s she reading?” Fluttershy asked.
“I’m.. I’m not sure.” Twilight answered. “There’s no title and it’s all in a defunct language.”
“I told you that book was weird.” Spike walked downstairs, rubbing his eye with one hand and still holding his blanket with the other.
“Oh, hello Spike! Would you care to join us?” Twilight offered.
“I’m awake, might as well.” Spike shrugged.
The dragon dragged himself over to the ponies and joined in on their group sorting.
_______________________________________________
“Spike! Please! Please let me in!”
Everypony whipped their head to a light tapping on a window.
“F-Fluttershy? How did you- but I- oh it doesn’t matter! You gotta let her in!” Spike urged.
“I was already being generous letting you in, we can’t risk much more.” Golden Harvest protested.
“Golden that’s an Element of Harmony out there asking for our help and we’re just supposed to ignore it?” Cheerilee argued, holding hooves over Silver Spoon’s ears.
“How do we even know it’s her?! We don’t know what these monsters can do!” Golden retorted.
“For the love of Celestia they’re not Changlings!” Roseluck interjected.
Fluttershy’s tapping slowly increased in speed and aggression.
“PLEASE!!” She screeched. The locked in ponies all held their ears in pain and shock.
“Goddamn! Are you telling me that was a normal pony?!” Golden winced.
Spike was stuck in the middle of the chaos as the ponies resumed the bickering. The world around him started to swirl as his ears rung with the overwhelming tension. All he could do was close his eyes and curl up on the floor to try and block out the shouting.
“Spike…”
Her voice sliced through the noise like a knife, invading Spike’s mind. His eyes shot open and he locked eyes with Fluttershy through the window.
“Please Spike. Save me.”
With seemingly no control, Spike creeped over to the window and reached for the lock.
_______________________________________________
“Twilight darling! We’re about to begin truth or dare if you intend on joining, you don’t wanna miss the draamaaa!” Rarity sang that last word, fluttering her eyelashes as she did so.
The girls had finished sorting for some time now, but one pony in particular felt there was unfinished business to attend to.
“Start without me! I’ll be there in a minute!” Twilight called out from her room up the stairs. She was sat at her reading desk, a harsh lamp light over the old ponish book she couldn’t wrap her head around.
“Hey Twilight, what’cha doing up here?” Spike asked as he ascended the steps.
“Spike, why aren’t you down with the others?”
“I never liked that game, the truth scares me.”
“Fair enough. I’m still trying to figure out this strange spell book.”
“Ugh, no offense Twilight, but this is starting to look like a lost cause. If I were you I’d file this one under ‘Trash’.”
“Maybe you’re right Spike.. say, why don’t you tell the girls I’m coming down now?”
“Sure thing Twilight.” Spike flashed her a smile and a supportive thumbs up before hopping down the steps to inform the girls.
“Hmm.. there is that translation spell I’ve been working on.. later Twilight, you’ll do it later.”
_______________________________________________
“Don’t you fucking dare.” Golden Harvest swatted Spike’s hand away.
“There’s children here! Language!” Cheerilee shouted, holding her hooves over Silver Spoon’s ears a little harder.
“Oh stick an apple in it! You and that child would’ve just died if I didn’t stop him.”
“That’s not entirely true.”
The group of ponies were taken aback by Fluttershy’s uncharacteristically haunting words. They are turned to her direction as she slowly backed away until she was out of sight.
“W-Where’s Ms. Fluttershy going? Is she getting help?” Silver Spoon asked.
“I.. I don’t know dearie. We can o-only ho-“
“Shh! Do you hear that?” Golden Harvest silenced everypony in the room. The quiet rhythmic trotting of hooves could faintly be heard outside, approaching rapidly towards them. Then, a beat of silence drenched the room in anticipation, the air turning thin within the tense second of nothingness.
But as soon as silence filled the ponies lives, it was swiftly replaced by the violent crashing of a shattered window and the harsh thump of ‘Fluttershy’s limp body smacking the ground before them. Her neck and front hoof contorted from the fall. Her body twitched and jittered as she lumbered to a standing position, her head hanging forward and locking sight with Spike behind her.
“It’s ok Spike. You tried to save me. But some ponies belong in hell.”
Her head snapped up with the crack of her spine. Her eyes a sickly red and her fur beginning to brown. All ponies in the room too stunned to run or scream in cowardice.
‘Fluttershy’ scanned her options, and chose an impending victim to her liking.
_______________________________________________
“Hmm… hm.. ugh, Twilight, can you turn it down?” Spike waved his claw out while half asleep. He raised his head to see what was making that noise but was surprised to find Twilight was nowhere to be seen.
“Twilight?” Spike sloppily sat up. He looked over the banister to search the downstairs, but was just greeted with the other girls in their respective sleeping bags. It wasn’t long before he took notice of a thin light reaching under a doorframe. “What is she doing in there?”
Spike ventured down the stairs and closed in on the lit up room, reaching for the handle with a strange feeling of unease running down his spine. He pulled the door open and found Twilight hunched on a stool over a table with a single candle at her side, muttering something indiscernible.
“Uhh, Twilight? You do know it’s four in the morning right?”
She continued her muttering as if she hadn’t even noticed Spike’s presence.
“Hey! Twilight!” Spike whisper shouted. She continued on with no response. “Oh for crying out loud..” he walked up behind her and snapped his fingers near her ear. She stopped on a dime, going completely silent. The two of them sat in the silence for a moment, unsure of the other’s next action.
“..yes, Spike?” Twilight finally spoke up.
“Oh! I was just uhh.. well I heard you talking while I was sleeping so… yeah.” Spike cleared his throat awkwardly. “You’re obviously fine anyhow so I’ll just be going n-“
“Stay. Let me read my new book to you.”
“Uhh, which one? You got like fifty new books.”
“Why, this one of course.” Twilight turned slightly and revealed the mysterious old ponish book to Spike.
“What the hay is that doing here? I thought you agreed to drop it.” Spike groaned.
“I did Spike. How stupid of me. How could I ever do such a thing. I deserve punishment. Retribution.”
“Uh Twilight, are you ok? You’re being.. slightly more twitchy than usual.”
“Tell me Spike, if a pony makes a mistake do they not deserve punishment?”
“I don’t know, depends I guess. Wait why are we talking about this?”
“Because I’ve been told the truth Spike. I’ve seen what bad ponies deserve. And everyone’s been a very bad pony.” Twilight fully turned around, allowing Spike to see half of her face fully decaying away, with bits of flesh barely attached and her eye fully exposed. A seemingly never ending stream of blood oozing from her horn as she smiled wickedly.
“T-Twilight!” Spike shouted. “Y-your face! It’s.. it’s..” Spike couldn’t find how to formally continue this discussion after this revelation.
“Now please Spike, allow me to read you a chapter from my favorite book.”
“S-stay back! You’re not Twilight, you can’t be Twilight!” Spike slowly backed up out of the small, nerve racking room as ‘Twilight’ took labored, delayed steps closer. She jerked forward in an attempt to grab Spike, who narrowly avoided her grasp. He slammed the door on her and barred it with a nearby chair.
“No way that’s holding, I gotta find something bigger..” Spike nervously said to himself.
“Spike? Is that you? What are you doing making all that racket this early?”
“AJ! It’s, it’s, I just- I don’t-“
“Woah there sugarcube, slow your roll now. Take a breath, and tell me what’s got ya so riled up.”
Spike tried to correct his breathing, but was seemingly unable to slow it down anymore than the panicked state it was in right now.
“Is something wrong?” Fluttershy asked in a barely audible whisper, seemingly only waking seconds prior.
“I don’t know, poor guy can’t get a word out.” Applejack told her.
Spike shakily raised a claw and pointed to the barred door in front of him. “I-it’s, it’s-“
“Is there something in there?” Applejack pointed her hoof to the same door. She walked over and raised a hoof to the handle.
“NO! D-don’t!” Spike shouted. If anypony was still sleeping before they weren’t now.
“W-why Spike? What’s in there?” Fluttershy asked, clearly startled.
“It’s Twilight! Her face was all messed up and her horn was bleeding!”
“Well it sounds like we gotta help her!” Rainbow approached the door.
“No! She’s not being normal! She’s rambling about ‘punishments’ and speaking some weird language, it’s like she’s possessed or something!”
“P-possessed?!” Fluttershy shuttered.
“That’s number twenty-three on most fun things to do at sleepovers!” Pinkie pointed out.
“Spike you’re not making any sense! Just let me go in there and see what’s going on with-“
“What’s that noise?” Rainbow thought aloud. The others went silent as they also picked up on the low hum that started at some point in their discussion. They followed their ears and traced it back to the room Spike was guarding, noticing a deep purple glow seeping out from under the doorframe. The glow got brighter as the hum turned into a crackling fizz. The ponies backed away from the door before the staticky noise crescendoed with a flash of light and the door now sported a large singed hole. ‘Twilight’ stood there, hunched over with her face to the floor, her mane hanging over her face. She was breathing heavily with slight twitches in her muscles and, just as Spike said, blood dripping from her crackling horn.
She raised her head slowly, mane covering half her face, leaving the skeletal half exposed. Her jagged, misshapen smile sending everypony into unease.
“Hello girls.” She smiled.
“Holy shit..” Rainbow whispered to herself before promptly vomiting on the floor.
The five ponies and one dragon were shocked into silence, all feeling a deep sickness and unsure if the pony they were looking at could even be considered alive.
“Twilight, d-darling.. are you-“ Rarity swallowed nervously. “-are you feeling alright?”
“I’m feeling amazing Rarity. I just read the most incredible book, would you like to hear a chapter from it?”
Nopony knew how to answer, it was clear now this was not their Twilight. There was an evil tone behind every word she said and a predatory glare behind her eyes, as if everything she saw was something for her to destroy and corrupt.
“Um, what uh, what book would that be, sugarcube?” Applejack gulped.
“I’m glad you asked Applejack. It calls itself The Necronomicon, but you can just call it The Book of The Dead.” ‘Twilight’ beamed, eager to share her new favorite book.
“Oh, that sure sounds interesting Twi but uh, it is getting mighty early ain’t it? I’m sure everyone needs to get back home now, ain’t that right y’all?” Applejack turned to her living friends as she slowly backed away from her undead one. The others nodded and muttered in agreement.
“I think I hear Rarity calling for help actually, looks like I have to go too, hehe.” Spike laughed awkwardly.
“Before you all go.” Twilight’s haunting voice stopped everyone in their retreat. “Are you sure you don’t want to read my new book?”
“We’d love to sugarcube, but everypony really should be getting back ho-“
‘Twilight’ suddenly vanished in a flash and appeared with a hoof thrown around Pinkie, the book floating inches from her face.
“What about you Pinkie? Are you a true friend? Or do you deserve punishment.”
“T-Twilight, I-I don’t know what’s happening to you, but y-you’re scaring me..” Pinkie teared up.
“Are you my friend Pinkie?”
“Twilight, just step away now, I don’t wanna do nothing to hurt you.” Applejack warned.
Pinkie’s sobbing grew harsher. “Please Twilight.. please don’t do this..”
“Read it Pinkie.”
“N-no! I won’t! You can’t make me!” Pinkie shut her eyes as hard as possible, not intending to open them anytime soon.
“…Fine.” ‘Twilight’ grabbed Pinkie’s eyelids with her magic and pulled them open, ripping them entirely off her face. Pinkie screamed in anguish as blood came rushing from her eyes, casting her vision in a pool of red. She dropped to her knees and continued to cry to the heavens.
Rarity and Fluttershy broke into tears, while Applejack and Rainbow Dash readied themselves to take down ‘Twilight’ where she stood. Spike felt his stomach coming up his throat as he barely processed what he just witnessed.
“Holy fuck Twilight! What the hell’s wrong with you?!” Rainbow yelled.
“She was a bad friend. She deserved punishment.”
“That’s enough out of you! Just back down now before things get ugly!” Applejack threatened.
‘Twilight’ dawned a heavy frown, glaring daggers to her former friends before dropping to her haunches and staring at seemingly nothing on the floor.
“Now that’s what I thought. C’mon Rainbow, help me find some rope to keep her down. The rest of y’all just watch her now.” Applejack ordered.
As ‘Twilight’ stared at the floorboards, she glared at Pinkie laying in a small pool of her own blood, quiet whimpers escaping her mouth. ‘Twilight’ grinned devilishly and began to mutter indiscernible words under her breath.
“W-what’s she doing now?” Rarity asked, taking notice of her whispers. Spike looked over to see what Rarity was talking about and noticed the book cracked opened at ‘Twilight’s side.
“The book! Get it away from her!”
Rarity followed Spike’s orders and locked in on the book, levitating it towards herself. As the book floated over Pinkie, her blood soaked hoofs suddenly shot up and grabbed it out of the air.
“P-Pinkie?! What’re you doing dear?” Rarity started to panic.
Pinkie climbed to her hooves and stared down Rarity. Dried blood red streaks stained her face, her unblinking eyes sat in gory cavernous holes. An unfitting toothy grin plastered on her face.
“Why are you stopping the fun Rarity? Am I not fun enough? Do you not like me anymore?!”
“Y-you’re hurt Pinkie! You need to rest dear!”
“I can’t rest now, or I’ll miss out on all the fun!”
“P-pinkie, can we p-please h-have that book?” Fluttershy struggled to speak through her sore throat after her violent sobbing.
“Hmmmmm… ok! But only if you let me read it to you first!”
“Pinkie dearie we don’t have time for that, just please hand it over.”
“You’re being a bad friend Rarity. Don’t you agree Pinkie?” ‘Twilight’ spoke up.
“Absolutely Twilight, she’s being a really big meanie!” ‘Pinkie’ pouted.
“What the hay is going on in here?!” Applejack returned, a newly equipped rope around her hip.
“Oh hey AJ! Will you let me read to you?” ‘Pinkie’ asked with a smile.
“Not this again..” Rainbow groaned, returning alongside Applejack. “Pinkie weren’t you just maimed?! How the hell are you even standing?”
“Well I started feeling all better after Twilight read her book to me! Don’t you wanna feel better?”
“Feel better? But I’m completely fine.” Rainbow said in annoyance.
“I wouldn’t say that.” ‘Twilight’ whispered in Rainbow’s ear, suddenly appearing behind her.
Rainbow Dash whipped around and met ‘Twilight’ face to face. Before Dash could properly react, ‘Twilight’ lunged forward and bit ferociously into Rainbow’s muzzle, immediately releasing a gush of blood. Rainbow screamed in anguish as Applejack sprung into action and tackled ‘Twilight’ to the floor.
“AAHHHH!! MOTHERFUCKER!” Dash screamed.
“RAINBOW!!” Fluttershy cried out.
“EVERYONE JUST GET OUT OF HERE! I’LL MEET UP WITH Y’ALL LATER!” Applejack motioned for everyone to run as she held ‘Twilight’ down.
“We can’t just leave you here Applejack!” Spike bargained.
“She said she’ll meet up with us later now GO!” Rainbow began to usher Spike out as she held a hoof to her muzzle. Rarity tried to escort Fluttershy as she completely broke down into incomprehensible sobs.
“No one likes a party guest that leaves early.” ‘Pinkie’ stood in front of the entrance, not intent on letting anypony leave.
“I know you’re not my friend anymore, I know that she… I know that Pinkie.. is gone. So I really don’t have a problem with kicking your ass right now.” Rainbow stood her ground, managing to sound strong through her labored breaths.
“Ooooooo that sounds like a fun party game!” ‘Pinkie’ giggled. The two stared the other down for a second before ‘Pinkie’ jumped forward, Rainbow dodging in time to pin her down and begin to wail on her. Spike, Rarity and Fluttershy slowly backed away, unsure of what to do amongst the chaos. Spike’s eyes then drifted towards the book, lying unguarded in the middle of the room.
“The book!” He blurted, mostly to himself, and dashed to retrieve it.
“Spike! What’re you doing?!” Rarity called out.
“We gotta keep it away from them!” He called back.
Spike retrieved the book, managing to avoid the carnage around him. Clutching the book in his claws, he ran back to Fluttershy and Rarity.
“Follow me!” He told them as he headed up the library steps. The two mares followed the dragon to Twilight’s study.
“Oh this is all just awful, I don’t know how much longer Applejack and Rainbow Dash can hold off those.. creatures.” Rarity commented.
“Those ‘creatures’ are our friends, Rarity.” Fluttershy corrected, an unusual sense of anger in her voice.
“Fluttershy, darling..”
“They are our FRIENDS! Please Rarity! You can’t just forget about them!” Fluttershy was resuming her hysterics, a mix of sadness and irritation behind her words.
“They’re gone Fluttershy! Pinkie Pie and Twilight are.. are gone.. I’m sorry.” Rarity felt the twinge of tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
There was a beat of silence as the mares stared each other down, one looking on with regret and pity, the other with annoyance and betrayal. The ponies were alerted back to their situation when a pair of pink hooves reached over the ledge of Twilight’s study.
“What’re you doing up here? You’re missing out on all the fun!” ‘Pinkie’s voice came out distorted and unrecognizable.
“I’m not.. done with you.. you FUCK!” Rainbow screamed from downstairs. She was battered, bruised, out of breath and clearly just had her shit kicked in but she’d be damned if she was about to give up. She hobbled to her hooves and gained a quick running start before jumping into the air, using a single flap of her wings to boost herself she grabbed ‘Pinkie’ before she could fully climb up into the study and tossed her through the window above Twilight’s bed.
Rarity, Fluttershy and Spike watched in awe as ‘Pinkie’ flew through the air helplessly before smashing into the ground, her limbs contorting and twisting in several different directions. A pool of her own blood slowly forming around her.
“R-Rainbow… how c-could you.. do that to your.. friend..” Fluttershy cried silently as she stared out the window to ‘Pinkie’s deformed corpse.
“That wasn’t our friend, Fluttershy, and I think it would help all of us if you realized that.” Rainbow sat as she tried to correct her breathing. The blood around her nose was turning a strange brown, and it stung like hell in her veins. At this point she was sure what she was gonna become, and was determined to fight it off for as long as she could.
Fluttershy continued watching the pink mare’s body. Could she really still say it belonged to one of her friends? It looked like her friend, but didn’t at the same time. It had the same bouncy pink mane as her friend but it was now crusted and dry, blood stains hinted throughout its color. It had the same wide smile as her friend but it was now yellowed and sinister. It had the same name as her friend, but it, was not her friend. She stepped away from the window and wept again, not because she was angry or sad, but because it’s all she knew how to do anymore. Her whole life ripped away from her in mere moments, the only familiarity she knew anymore was the familiar stream of a tear down her cheek.
Rainbow got to her hooves and shook her head a bit. “Okay, alright.” She whispered to herself. “Hail to the king, hail to the king.” She hyped herself up. Rainbow stretched her legs quickly and readied herself.
“Alright, this one’s for you Twi.”
Rainbow launched herself down the stairs and joined Applejack in her struggle. ‘Twilight’ was currently over Applejack, attempting to squeeze her throat with her hooves. Applejack was able to keep her at bay, but didn’t know how much longer she could keep up the fight. Rainbow Dash picked up speed quickly and was able to blindside the unicorn, successfully tackling and restraining her.
“Rainbow? W-where’s Pinkie?” Applejack asked, taken aback. She was so preoccupied with keeping ‘Twilight’ at bay that she had grew unaware of the others’ situations.
“I took care of her, don’t worry. Now you. I suggest you leave us alone and go back to whatever hell you came from.” Rainbow kept a firm hoof on ‘Twilight’s neck. Applejack joined Rainbow and also held the unicorn down.
“I’d love to go back, but I don’t want to wait that long to see you all again.” ‘Twilight’ gave a devilish grin. She was being oddly docile under Rainbow and Applejack’s restriction.
“Is this fucking funny to you? I had to kill one of my best friends because of you, and you think you get to fucking joke with me?!” Rainbow screamed.
“You’re right.. I should start joking with you after you kill Pinkie.”
“What? Wha-what do you mean..” Rainbow’s eyes slowly drifted to the window she sent ‘Pinkie’ through. “Quick! Somepony check Pinkie!”
Rarity got to the window as quick as possible and inspected the area ‘Pinkie’ was laying. “She’s.. she’s gone!” Rarity said with a gasp.
“Shit! Ok, ok, o.. Fuck! Aj! Help me tie up Twilight and then me, you and Rarity will go get Pinkie. Fluttershy and Spike will stay and watch this BITCH!” Rainbow ordered with a clear anger raising in her tone. Applejack quickly helped Rainbow restrain ‘Twilight’ and motioned for Rarity to follow them out the door.
“Keep a close eye you two, and don’t be scared to get us as soon as something goes wrong.” Applejack instructed as the three left out the door. Spike and Fluttershy locked eyes with ‘Twilight’. She sat motionless, tied up and unblinking. She stared back at them with the smallest hint of a smile on her face. The dragon and pony duo ventured down the staircase to get closer to ‘Twilight’, unsure of what to do other than simply talk to the demon.
“I used to think we were friends, but you two haven’t listened to my friendship lessons at all. You let Rainbow Dash and Applejack walk all over you, doing everything they tell you without a second thought. Tell me, did they leave you with me because I’m a lesser threat than Pinkie in their eyes, or because you two are the most expendable and will leave the smallest scar on their lives after I kill you?”
Fluttershy and Spike were beginning to doubt the ‘making a connection’ plan.
“N-no, they left us in charge of you because they know we’re capable a-and responsible.” Fluttershy stuttered in an awkward fear.
“Yeah! You can try your stupid mind games, but we know who our friends are and we know they love us! So go stick an apple in it you creepy.. creep!” Spike added triumphantly.
“Very cute, if cheesy. You do have a point though, I doubt I can effect you much psychologically.” ‘Twilight’ pondered.
“Heh, told you Flutters. She’s got nothi-“
“Physically, however, is much more effective.” A violent spark of purple flashed from ‘Twilight’s horn and shot at Fluttershy, striking through her shoulder. The skin on ‘Twilight’s back began to bulge before ripping open, allowing wings made of bones to spread out, bits of her flesh dangling and dripping blood.
Fluttershy stammered and fell to her back as a stream of blood shot from her shoulder, she began hyperventilating as she pushed a hoof to her wound.
“F-Fluttershy! What should- I mean w-what do I do?! I don’t- I can’t-“ Spike panicked.
“S-s-spike you j-just n-need to r-r-run..” Fluttershy stammered as her hyperventilating continued.
“B-but I can’t leave you like this! Y-y-you’re..” tears began dripping from Spike’s eyes.
“G-get the others, just please.. just please RUN!” Fluttershy yelled with the last of her energy.
Spike hesitantly backed away before grabbing the book and running for the door out to Ponyville. He slammed open the door and saw the chaos unfolding throughout the town. Deformed ponies stalked through the town, the dusk of the night making them unrecognizable.
“W-what did Pinkie do..” Spike was awestruck with terror. ‘Twilight’ roared in anguish as her skeletal wings expanded and ripped apart the rope that constricted her, making Spike jump in surprise and run into the dead of night to find shelter. ‘Twilight’ eyed him down with a sneer.
“Run as he might, hell will always follow his tracks.” She shot her eyes to Fluttershy, and recited a spell that was becoming all too familiar. Fluttershy’s eyes widened as a tar like stream escaped ‘Twilight’s horn and entered the wound on her shoulder. Her insides suddenly felt as if they were burning and she screamed as she lost control of her muscles, which began to twitch and contort before she fell limp again, and a new host entered her body.
‘Twilight’ spread her wings and shot a hole in the roof with her horn. She flew through the ceiling and honed in on Spike as he ran away.
_______________________________________________
Roseluck felt ‘Fluttershy’s gaze pierce through her. Her muscles had stiffened and her breathing sparse, she was completely frozen in fear. Golden wasn’t taking any chances and swung her bat as hard as possible, smashing it against ’Fluttershy’s face and snapping her neck backwards.
“EVERYPONY GET DOWN HERE NOW!” Golden commanded as she popped open the basement door. Everyone hurried down into the basement, everyone except Spike. He was stuck eyeing ‘Fluttershy’, despite the condition of her neck she was still standing upright, completely motionless.
“What the hell are you staring at?! Get over here!” Golden yelled to the dragon. He continued to just inspect the undead pegasus. “Fine then, it’s your funeral.” Golden slammed the basement shut.
The harsh rush of wind could be heard for miles. It seemingly was swerving through the town, slipping between buildings and dashing through trees. As if it was a creature honing in on its target, the wind whipped around the house Spike was located and crashed through the window that ‘Fluttershy’ had done before. Spike whipped his head to the booming noise of the wind and screamed in terror at the mysterious source of the sound before it rammed into him and pinned him to the wall. A full foot off the ground, Spike struggled against the invisible attacker as he could feel something holding him against the wall, even though there was nothing in front of him.
As he struggled to remove himself, a stinging began to burn in his left hand. His claws twitched violently as black veins appeared on his burning hand before he promptly dropped to the floor. He held his left claw with his right as it violently jittered, as if it was trying to attack him. The claw twitched forward and left long scratch marks along Spike’s right cheek, making him wince in pain and hold ‘his’ claw down with more force. The claw fought back and jerked sporadically in every direction, making Spike stumble through the living room until he eventually ended up in the kitchen. Spike scrambled through the drawers and countertops for anything that could help him, knocking over basically everything that stood there neatly before. His search was cut short by the wicked claw grabbing the green scales atop his head and pulling them forward as hard as possible, making Spike smash his head into the counter and drop to the floor in a total blackout.
The living hand took this opportunity to slowly make its way to a knife that had been knocked to the floor. It inched every closer, dragging Spike’s limp body along with it. The hand reached for the knife’s handle when Spike suddenly drove a screwdriver through the palm with the last of his energy. He breathed heavily as the claw twitched frantically, somehow releasing high-pitched squeals of pain. Spike’s eyes drifted to the knife he was dragged to.
“I.. I have to do this..”
He picked up the blade and shakily held it to the wrist of his possessed hand, before drawing it back and thinking to himself for a second. He blew a small flame onto the knife, heating it for a smoother cut. He placed it back to his wrist and began to shake again. The knife clattered in his shaky hand before dropping to the floor as Spike broke down in quiet sobs.
“I-I can’t do this, I j-just can’t..”
“Do you want me to help?”
Spike felt his heart drop as the haunting voice of ‘Fluttershy’ came back into his life. He turned his head up and met the towering form of the undead pegasus, her neck contorted and jagged, her legs rotted and weak, and the penetrating stare of her blood red eyes. She lowered her head down and stared directly into Spike’s eyes.
“I said, do you want me to help?” She repeated.
The initial shock finally washed over and Spike connected the dots on what she meant.
“N-no! I’m fine, j-just back off!” He warned as he grabbed the knife and weakly swung in her direction.
“I insist. Let me help.” ‘Fluttershy’ emphasized that last word by stomping down on the screwdriver in Spike’s hand. He yelled in pain as he dropped the knife in shock, clattering to the floor. ‘Fluttershy’ gingerly picked it up in her wing and held it over Spike.
“Don’t do it! Please you don’t have to PLEEAAAHH!” Spike screamed as the knife seared all the way through his wrist. Tears streamed down his face as he retracted his bloody, clawless arm and curled into a ball on the floor. ‘Fluttershy’ leaned down into his ear, completely apathetic to the sobbing mess he had become.
“You know Spike, I was so kind for helping you, now won’t you kindly let me eat your soul?”
Spike laid on the floor motionless, his quiet sobs the only indicator he was still alive. After some silent seconds Spike finally answered ‘Fluttershy’ with a mumble under his breath. ‘Fluttershy’ leaned down and met the dragon face to face.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that, was that a yes?”
“..I said eat THIS!” Spike raised his voice as he drew the screwdriver from his severed hand and jabbed it into ‘Fluttershy’s eye. She reeled back in pain and yelled to the heavens. Spike grabbed the simmering knife and tackled ‘Fluttershy’ to the floor, pressing the blade against her neck.
“Spike! Please don’t hurt me! W-what are you doing?” The pegasus suddenly returned to her normal appearance, begging for mercy. Spike stared her down intently as tears formed again in his eyes.
“YOU’RE NOT MY FRIEND!!” Spike screamed and pushed the knife through her neck, decapitating her in a single motion. ‘Fluttershy’s head detached and rolled across the floor, putting the mare to rest at last. Spike dropped the knife and yelled at nothing in particular. He fell to ‘Fluttershy’s side and panted heavily as an anger built inside inside him. He weakly got to his feet with the knife in his hand and located the book lying on the living room floor.
“T-this.. this is all your FAULT! WHY?! WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE THIS? TELL ME!” Spike yelled at the inanimate object. Did he really expect a response? He wasn’t sure at this point. His fury grew as the book stayed silent. He gritted his teeth and violently slammed the knife down into the cover, over and over and over again. Spike was so blind with rage that he didn’t even process that the book actually bled. It bled a lot. With every stab another spurt would mask Spike’s face. The blood flow was seemingly endless.
“If.. if only Twilight never found you.. at.. at the..” realization set in as Spike quickly formulated an idea to hopefully end all of this. He stormed through the house until he finally found what he was looking for in a dusty storage closet. He retrieved the large empty box off the top shelf and brought it back to the living room, placing the book inside and then climbing in himself.
“Here goes nothing..” Spike drew a deep breath before engulfing the box in green flame. Before he knew it everything suddenly felt weightless, only for a brief second before he suddenly crashed to the floor and rolled out of the box. Coming to his bearings, Spike inspected his surrounding and realized his plan was a success.
“It worked! I-it actually worked!”
“Spike? What are you doing here?” Celestia asked, entering the throne room.
“Princess Celestia! I need to talk to Luna, what does she know about this book?” Spike held up the book of the dead. Celestia’s heart seemed to drop.
“S-spike, where did you get that?”
“Twilight found it, and it made her go, like, crazy! You gotta help me save her!”
“…we must being this to my sister at once.”
Celestia’s horn glowed it’s comforting golden color and she and Spike were instantly transported to Luna’s quarters of the castle.
“Sister!” Celestia pushed open the door to Luna’s room. “This is of critical importance, what do you know of this?” Celestia asked as she levitated the book in front of her.
“W-where did you get that?!” Luna asked, taken aback. “Remove it from here at once! I wish to never see it again!”
“We need you Luna! This book is destroying Ponyville and making everypony crazy and I LOST MY HAND!!” Spike practically begged for Luna’s assistance.
“I wish I could be of assistance, but the only solution for this evil is far too drastic. It could have ramifications for moons to come.”
“Sister if you have a way to put an end to this all then I implore you to act upon it immediately!”
Luna lowered her head in thought, she knew how to end this. She knew how to stop the bloodshed. But to do so could permanently damage Equestria forever. Luna wrapped her brain around the conundrum, before finally making her decision on the matter.
“Starswirl’s book of counter spells against dark magic, we must retrieve it immediately.”
“It’s in the restricted section of the Canterlot library, who knows where it could be down there.” Celestia informed.
“It’s in the what?” Spike asked in confusion.
“Never mind that, we mustn’t waste time.” Luna disappeared in a flash. Celestia followed suit, transporting Spike along with her. The three of them reappeared in the library’s aforementioned restricted section, taking no time in beginning their search.
“There’s like a million books in here! Unorganized, might I add. How are we gonna find anything?!” Spike huffed, frustrated.
“With due diligence, if we must brute force through this endeavor then so be it.” Luna said as she began to levitate books from various piles. Spike sighed and accepted the conditions, searching through his first of many book stacks.
What felt like minutes began to feel like hours, whether the three were really down there that long was unclear to them, all they knew was that the end of their search was drawing closer with every second.
“Hey.. hey! I think I found it!” Spike excitedly called out, pulling a regally decorated book entitled ‘Defenses Against Dark Magic Users’ out of a mess of scattered books. Luna immediately gave Spike’s claim her full attention and inspected the book intensely.
“Yes, this is it! Excellent work Spike.” Luna hovered the book to herself and quickly flipped through the pages in search of the correct spell.
“What do we do sister?”
“I shall recite this spell, and while I am doing so I will need you to raise the sun at the same time. This will draw out the spirits and return them to whence they came.”
“And turn everypony back to normal, right?” Spike asked.
Luna went silent, unsure how to answer Spike. Celestia took notice of her sister’s unease and took the burden of honesty into her hooves.
“I am afraid not, Spike. Once a pony is taken over they’re.. lost, unfortunately.” Celestia draped a wing around Spike, knowing he would soon need comfort.
“No, that can’t.. there’s gotta be a way right!? What about Twilight! You need to save her! She was like a daughter to yo-“
“Trust me, Spike. I wish more than anything to be able to cure my ponies of this darkness, but that is not a privilege I am given.” Celestia stated sternly, seemingly unaware of the tear running down her face. Spike went silent. He’d never seen Celestia cry, let alone be sad.
“..I suggest we travel to the center of Ponyville, I believe it to be the most effective location to conduct the spell.” Luna said, cutting through the tense silence.
“Then we shall leave.” Celestia said before making her and Spike vanish. Luna followed suit and quickly transported herself next to her sister in the middle of Ponyville, the decrepit husks of undead ponies quickly taking notice.
“What if the spell doesn’t work?” Spike questioned, growing nervous of the soul sucking eyes staring them down.
“If the spirits resist the spell I will have to infuse it with alicorn magic, the effects of which will be highly destructive, and I will only do it if I must.” Luna explained and warned at the same time. “Ok, let us begin.” Luna levitated Starswirl’s book of counter spells and began to chant his writings. “Nos-feratos-allo-memnon-kanda..”
Celestia took this as her cue to begin raising the sun over the land, slowly dragging it up in timing with Luna’s readings. As the light wafted over Ponyville the walking corpses began to burn and cry out in pain. The demonic souls inhabiting these bodies slowly being drawn out and casted back to hell. There was only one demon holding on to their vessel, that being ‘Twilight Sparkle’.
“AAAARRRGGH! YOU CAN’T KILL ME! I WILL HAVE YOUR SOULS BY DAWN!” ‘Twilight’s eyes glowed a dim purple as she yelled into the heavens and released a spell from her horn. It traveled across the town and began to reanimated the fallen corpses.
“Princess, we got a problem!” Spike tugged on Celestia’s tail. “They’re getting back up!”
Celestia took notice of the bodies and turned to Luna. “Sister! Is it time?”
Luna looked to her sister and simply nodded. Celestia nodded back and activated a searching spell for any and all living ponies, who she then transported back to Canterlot alongside Luna, Spike and herself. The three of them stood upon the balcony of Canterlot Castle overlooking Ponyville.
“How many are there?” Luna asked.
“Only ninety-four, meaning we’ve lost over half of Ponyville’s population.” Celestia answered.
“And how many are Elements of Harmony?”
“..two.”
“Very well.. let us put an end to this.”
“W-what’s going on? Why’d you bring us back to Canterlot?” Spike questioned.
“I didn’t want it to come to this, but me and Luna must infuse Starswirl’s spell with our alicorn magic, and it’s to dangerous for any living creature to be in Ponyville when we do so.”
With that, Celestia and Luna’s horns grew brighter than ever before as a barrier formed around Ponyville. The sun rose directly over the town as the two sisters began to chant the spell in unison
“Nos-feratos-allo-memnon-kanda..”
The ground beneath Ponyville began to split, a heavenly light seeping through the cracks.
“..tandet-kalmar-fento-alamemon-yando..”
The protective orb encasing Ponyville was filled with light, a blinding brightness as bold as the sun.
“..dandet-moeno-kalamanar-sinto!”
Celestia and Luna’s eyes released a bright glow as a pillar of light released from the barrier and stretched to the sun, shaking the very ground of Equestria. The pillar of light dimmed before dissipating entirely, revealing a large crater where Ponyville once stood, with no sight of the walking corpses. The town, and anything within it, completely reduced to ashes, and dust. The two sisters fell to their knees, left weak after needing to channel nearly all of their energy.
“Ponyville.. it’s.. it’s gone.” Spike stated. There was an undertone of unknowing emotions in his voice, as if he was unable to process what he had just witnessed.
“I’m sorry.. I’m so sorry..” Celestia sobbed into her hooves, laying meekly on the floor. This is the day she feared. The day she would need to hurt her ponies. As far as she was concerned, she had betrayed those that trusted her.
Luna struggled to get to her hooves. She placed herself between Celestia and Spike and draped her wings over the both of them. “I am sorry. We wish it didn’t.. have to come to this.” Luna stifled a bit, only letting herself shed a single tear.
“What do we do now..” Spike asked, seemingly asking himself more than anyone else.
“I will begin the planning for the rehousing of the Ponyville residents in Canterlot, as well as the patching of the damaged land.” Luna explained somberly. She wasn’t proud of this. She hated the words she spoke. But any other words would be lies. “I’m sorry for my abrupt leave, but there is something I must attend to.” Luna solemnly returned to her quarters of the castle, locating the book of the dead in her room. She levitated it up to her face and felt her anger boiling.
“I shall make sure you are never seen for moons to come.” Luna stated coldly. She grabbed the book with her magic and teleported to the dungeons beneath the castle. She ventured into the deepest parts of the cellar, finding an enchanted chest she had locked many moons ago. A purple haze released from her horn and unlocked the chest.
“I am sorry everypony.. your blood is on my hooves.”
She dropped the book into the chest, the purple haze locking it again. Luna sat there for a second, finally allowing her tears to show.
The wonder of Equestria dimmed that day.
The sun seemed to raise slower everyday.
The magic had died.
_______________________________________________
“What is up Petalheads! I’m currently in Bridlewood heading over to my favorite spot to hang, The Crystal Tea Room, to try their new sapphire shine blend! I’ll make sure to make a post about how fabulous it is, see you all later!” Pipp sang as she posted her short video.
“Petalheads? I thought you called your fans Pippsqueaks.” Zipp questioned her sister.
“Pssh, they’re not kids anymore Zipp. I relate to a more mature audience now, it’s a total refresh.”
“Uh huh, and how’s that going for you so far?”
“It’s going.. alright. Look, I just gotta finish the lyrics for my apology song and this will all blow over.”
“Didn’t you release an apology song last week?”
“HEY LOOK we’re here let’s get our drinks!” Pipp chuckled awkwardly as she rushed into the cafe. Zipp rolled her eyes and followed her sister inside. As the two princesses stepped inside they saw an all too familiar sight.
“Oh girls! I was just telling Alphabittle here about how absolutely terrified Zipp used to be of the easter bunny.” Queen Haven laughed to herself.
“MOM!” Zipp yelled in embarrassment.
“You used to be what?” Pipp asked smugly.
“Scared of the easter bunny! Were you even listening Pipp?” Izzy answered Pipp as she suddenly appeared behind the bar.
“Oh my goodness how long has she been back there?” Queen Haven questioned with a blush.
“All day! So what brings you two here?” Izzy curiously asked the royal pegasi.
“We’re here to try Alphabittle‘s new sapphire blend, or I am at least.” Pipp answered.
“Yeah, I don’t do tea. I’m just here for the atmosphere really.” Zipp admitted.
“Then come on over, we’ve got plenty of atmosphere and tea to go around.” Alphabittle invited the sisters over. The two took their seats at the bar and patiently awaited their order. As the group of ponies conversed with their small talk, something behind the bar kept catching Zipp’s attention.
“I hate to interrupt but, what’s that?” Zipp pointed a hoof to a book perched on a shelf.
“This ol’ thing? Not sure to be honest, a pony round here found it poking out the ground and they bet it in a game against me, which I obviously won. Honestly it was one of the easiest games of my life, it was like they wanted to lose it.” Alphabittle quickly explained.
“So what I’m hearing is that it’s up for grabs?” Zipp smirked.
“Are you challenging me?” Alphabittle raised a brow.
“I don’t know Zipp, that thing is super jinxy.” Izzy shuddered slightly.
“Yeah, jinxy and totes spooky. If you don’t win it I don’t think I’ll ever forgive you.” Pipp joked.
“Alright then, you’re on.” Alphabittle accepted the challenge.
“Bring it!” Zipp geared up.
As the ponies set up for their head-to-head confrontation, Izzy looked back at the book, unable to shake the uneasy feeling it gave her. She joined the others as their game began, the moon slowly rising over the horizon just outside. As night fell over Bridlewood, the warmth of the sun became a faint memory. Let the games begin.
Author's Note
The title is like, it’s like, ‘dead’ and ‘friend’ kinda sound alike right, so like, y’know, deadites but with, with friend, cause they sound alike
