Chapter Six

The Gambit

I heard hoof steps approaching and I spun around.

“Did I overhear you ladies need help findin that friend of yours?” Leo said as he moved from around the corner, “the pretty one, with that crazy red mane?”

“How long have you been there!” I hissed.

“Not long enough to become a problem,” Luna reassured me, “I heard him trip and fall down the stairs on his way over here,” she snickered.

“Yeah, least when I do fall, I fall with style, and intention," he grinned as he straightened his bow tie clumsily.

I thought back to how he tried courting Ruby shortly after failing with the Princess and I rounded on him.

“What happened to Ruby after you talked to her!” I demanded, once again trying to make myself look intimidating despite my stature.

To my credit he actually shrank back and even fumbled his hooves.

“Nothin! Honest,” he sniffed and straightened himself out a little, “she told me fuck off yeah? Then I turned round only to get laughed at by some up city twat,” he sighed, “I left to get a few rounds in, and that’s the last I saw her, I swear.”

I backed down and moved towards Luna’s side once again.

“I believe you,” Luna said.

The dismissive tone in her voice suggesting she never suspected him to begin with, I suddenly felt very foalish and small again. I had to pretend to fuss with my wing so neither of them could see my embarrassment.

“Look, think we got off on the wrong hoof yeah? Let me help, can’t take that stuffy crowd back there anyways.”

Luna and I both stifled a snicker, “what could you possibly offer that would be of any help to us?” Luna asked indignantly.

“Your horrible fashion sense doesn't count,” I added.

“Come now luv, you're looking at the greatest private investigator in all of Canterlot,” he boasted.

“Doubtful,” I muttered, “besides if you're just some PI, how could you afford to even attend this gala?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Bits aren't everything luv, sometimes all you need is a cheap suit, a clever smile and a dashing bowtie,” He boasted with a smirk as he attempted to lean against the wall only to trip over himself stumbling to barely avoid ruining his so called dashing bowtie.

I stifled another laugh.

"Why do you even want to help us?" I asked curiously after regaining my composure.

“What, I can't do my honorable duty as a citizen of Equestria to aid royalty?

I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh stars forbid a guy wants help the Princess find her pretty friend,” he chuckled, “she’s a spitfire that one, I pity any poor sod that crosses her," he scratched behind his neck, "love another chance to try and talk to her."

I rolled my eyes, though I suppose it was innocent enough of a reason to want to help, as long as you have a thing for belligerent alcoholic soldier mares that is.

“Alright, I really don't care if you help,” Luna sighed, “we can use this stupid gala as a distraction, Feather go with, Leopold, was it? to find Ruby and Sunny; If I were you, I would check their barracks first.”

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“I am going to have a word with my sister, no doubt she has something to do with this, and if not, she should be made aware.”

Luna smiled and leaned into me for a quick kiss, “be careful Feather.”

“You too,” I murmured as she let go.

She turned and took to the air, as I watched her go I heard Leo clear his throat and I turned to look at him.

“Well then, we won't find your darling Ruby standing around here then will we? Now do try and keep up luv,” he smirked, turning and trotting back into the courtyard.

I trotted up past him, “hey Luna might have let you tag along, but don't be mistaken, you're just the help, I'm the soldier, so this will go a lot easier if you follow my lead.”

“Soldier? Really?” he scoffed, “And here I thought you were just another pretty face, do tell,” he prompted coyly.

“I’m Princess Luna’s Regent,” I said matter of factly.

“Well then, didn’t realize the Princess of the Night had anyone under her command.”

He paused.

“But I spose I was also unaware that the Princess had a marefriend,” he chuckled, “not my brightest moment I admit, not her type indeed.”

Leo stopped and looked at me, “bloody stars I never stood a chance.”

“Focus Casanova,” I rolled my eyes as we continued along down to the Royal Guards camp.

“Out of pure curiosity, how long is it that you two have been together?”

I gave him a look.

“What? it's called small talk luv,” he protested defensively.

“Fine,” I sighed, “technically we’ve only been together- together for a few nights now but we've known each other a lot longer, and I realize now that Luna had feelings for me for probably as long as I had feelings for her, long before recently.”

“I was gonna say, you two don’t act like a couple thats only been together for a few days.”

“Honestly, I was pretty much hers the moment we met,” I admitted, then added with a smile, “she saved me.”

He sighed, “unfortunately I don't seem to share your luck when it comes to matters of the heart.”

“Think maybe it's because you overdo it?” I offered, “maybe if you turned all of” I waved a hoof at him, “that, off you would have better luck?”

“No can do luv, it doesn't have an off switch, and even if it did why would I ever want to change perfection,” he smirked, tightening his bowtie again.

I almost snorted, “yeah, perfection indeed.”

“So, I've heard stories, bout the Princess of the Night,” he began, taking a darker tone, “I suppose then you would be the one to ask if they're true or not.”

“What do you mean?” I asked cautiously.

“Nothin, just…” he looked skeptical, “besides the fact that she’s an immortal alicorn, she is still just a pony, right?” he asked, his voice unsure.

“What kind of stupid question is that?” I laughed as convincingly as I could manage, “what else would she be?”

“I don't know… something else?” he murmured, staring at his hooves before shaking his head, “never bother, sorry, your right it was a stupid question.”

Could he have heard the same thing Ruby did? And if so, how? and when!? I looked over at him cautiously as we walked. What are you up to Leopold Dormain? I thought as I narrowed my eyes.

Finally, we arrived at the rows of small square shaped buildings that made up the barracks of the royal guard. The ground around the barracks was torn and beaten down by countless armored hoof prints. The buildings themselves didn’t look nearly as old as the castle but were still somehow worse for wear, something I never noticed from the distance when Luna and I would train out here. Thankfully mounted to a tattered and worn sign near the first building, was a roster of every royal guard unit currently stationed in this wing.

“Over here,” I called out as Leo made his way up.

Scanning the roster I desperately tried to remember what unit Ruby was in, I remember she had told me once, it had sort of a silly name. Eventually my eyes landed on the unit, ‘Pears.’ I giggled to myself, ahh yes, the dreaded Pears unit, not to be confused with units cupcake or fluffy pillow. My amusement was short lived however as I remembered the urgent situation at hoof.

“It says Ruby and Sunny are both assigned to barracks A12”

“Well then, what are we waitin’ for?”

We both turned to make our way down the first dirt road, all the buildings along each side of it had the letter A with a corresponding number, and it didn't take us long to find the barracks we were looking for.

“Dammit the door’s locked,” I cursed before backing up to get a running start at it. Just before I could charge it, Leo dashed in front of me!

“Oh, please there's no need for such violence, what did the door ever do to you?” he mused, “this simply requires a touch of finesse, perhaps a bottle of fine wine, but certainly not brute force.”

I face hoofed, “If you have a better idea, I’d love to hear it.”

“As a matter of fact,” he grinned, reaching into his undone tuxedo and pulling out a screwdriver and bobby pin.

“You could have led with that,” I face hoofed.

With the screwdriver being gripped by his teeth, and bobby pin in between both hoofs the door was open within the minute.

He looked back at me with a prideful smirk.

I rolled my eyes, “alright, that was impressive I admit.”

I still have no idea how earth ponies can manage to do anything like that. I always used my wings for tasks that required any amount of precision, and obviously unicorns had their magic, but earth ponies just had their hooves. I couldn't imagine trying to pick a lock with wings let alone just hooves.

He smirked, “after you,” he offered, swinging the door wide open to reveal the bunks inside.

Pushing my way into the room, I sighed, “alright let's see what we can see.”

There wasn't much to see, it was a long plain room with scuffed wooden floors and drab wooden and stone walls with double bunks lining those walls on either side. The air was musky from the dirty solider mare’s and bucks that called this place their home. I made my way down the rows of beds looking for something, anything.

“Over here,” Leo called out.

He directed my attention to small blood spattering on the corner of one of the bunks.

“I'm surprised you even saw that little thing,” I murmured moving up to get a closer look.

looking at the few dried crimson drops, I felt those shadows stir and couldn't help but lick my lips. Stars, what exactly had Luna done to me? I wondered before returning my attention back to the situation.

“Look there were signs of a struggle here,” Leo said pointing out the tossed up sheets before moving to the scuff marks on the ground.

I felt another tooth fall loose and I turned to quickly and descretly spit it out in the trash bin between the bunks. Thankfully though all of my teeth felt supremely loose it still seemed only my back teeth were falling out for the moment, making it far easier to conceal what was happening to me. I savored the small amount of warm blood left behind from the discarded tooth. Goddesses I was hungry, I really should have eaten some hors d’oevres or something.

“Whoever did this was sloppy,” he started, “there's a clear path that leads through the backdoor, I'd imagine whoever got nabbed was kicking and screaming the whole bloody way through. How did nopony see this happen?” he asked, baffled.

“Sunny has been on the nightshift consistently for the past few weeks, he was probably in here sleeping while everypony else was gone for the day,” I told him, “so, can you track where they went?”

“I can certainly try, but it might get a tad tricky after we leave the building.”

We made our way out the back door, following the signs of struggle past the back of the building, past a couple of other buildings and into a field. The tracks however ended right at the edge of said field.

“Must have been a pegasi, at least two in order to carry who I can only assume is your friend Sunny,” Leo said with a confident nod.

“Do you know what buildings or structures are out in that direction?” I asked.

“Just an old mine, and that train station next to it, but both have been closed down for years.”

“Ten bits says that's where they went,” I said, spreading my wings and taking flight, “tell me what I should be looking for,” I prompted, hovering there.

“Fly until you see the old rail system, then follow it off to the left until you see where the tracks diverge, from there follow the right track and it should lead you to the old mine.”

“That was oddly specific. Have you been out here before?” I asked cautiously.

“Not a chance luv, I just rode the train here, goes right past the old tracks. Also it's right next to that little town out there, I forget the name.”

“Ahh,” I turned and started flying a bit higher up.

“Hey, what about me!” Leo called out.

I stopped and turned, “go find Princess Luna and tell her where I went.”

I figure if he is somehow involved in Ruby’s disappearance, Luna would make short work of the fool and if he wasn’t, Luna should still know where I am.

He nodded.

“And Leo, be careful,” I warned.

“Can do ma’am,” he said with a little salute.

___

Flying over the nice open field and occasional tree patches was calming, there was no longer the busy noise of the gala in my ear, nor any annoyingly suspicious company, just the wind in my mane and the moon shining down from above.

Who would kidnap royal guards? I thought to myself. I mean it makes no sense! An institute from Canterlot shows up, takes royal guards, puts them in some kind of trance before returning them to the castle. I shook my head. I'm sure this is just some kind of misunderstanding, it's probably a legitimate operation that Luna and I are unaware of. Knowing Celestia I think it's safe to assume she could care less to tell her sister the things she’s up to.

I frowned.

They mentioned a contagion, Luna assumed they were talking about the darkness, but maybe there is a real contagion? Maybe the institute ponies from Canterlot are here to help and they’re just doing it quietly to not spread panic?

No matter how I tried to justify the situation in my mind, something still felt off.

“I have a really bad feeling about this…”

I didn't have to fly for very long before I saw the train rails come into view and I veered off to the left, then to the right once I got to the older, more rusted track. Not soon after, an old worn building came into view made up of dilapidated bricks and overgrown vines. There was a large archway off to the side of the building that the tracks ran through. An empty train cart and rusted down train engine rested underneath it.

I glided down and landed next to a chained and rusted door that rested under the large archway and lead into the station proper.

“There's no way I'm getting through that,” I said aloud before lifting back off and flying out from under the archway.

Sadly, I lacked Leo’s lockpicking skills. Making my way up to the roof, I noticed a section of it had caved in but somepony appeared to have recently boarded it up. The wood used to patch the hole was still bright and unweathered by its time outside. In the distance I heard ponies laughing and shouting. Taking a mental note of the hole in the ceiling as a possible entrance I lifted back into the air. The noise was coming from behind the train station in a clearing, I flew low, sticking to the tree line as I approached for a closer look.

The glowing light from a bonfire illuminated over a dozen ponies. I saw ponies singing, dancing and drinking. Clearly the Grand Galloping Gala wasn't the only party going on tonight. I saw a lilac colored pegasus fly down from above the trees. Her saddlebags seemed to be brimming with some very tasty looking pastries. I saw a caravan parked near the opposite tree line. I also noticed a couple of the ponies at the party carried weapons. A few had flintlocks and some had swords. Caravan security maybe? I didn't see Sunny or Ruby anywhere in the group and decided to fly back to the roof of the train station. Leo had mentioned there was a town nearby, maybe this was their version of the Gala, it made sense that those unable to attended might try and create their own fun.

Moving over to the poorly constructed reinforcement I looked at the boards, I noticed they were only held in by a few nails. Taking a breath and using my hooves as leverage I slowly began to lift away the wooden panels. After a few minutes of struggling and sore hooves, I managed to make a hole big enough for myself to squeeze through. Dropping down, I used my wings to quietly catch my fall before resting my hooves back on the ground. The old train station was pretty open for the most part, there were old broken benches, mummified parchments littered the ground, glass and other debris was scattered into every corner and there were still plenty of dark corners even I couldn't see into that well.

No pony was around; however I did notice the soft glow of candle light from around the corner behind the reception area near the deeper interior of the old station. Moving as quietly as I could, I crept up to get a better view and saw that the light came from a lantern hanging above the entrance to a staircase that seemed to lead down. The entrance to the staircase looked like the brick walls had been bashed in to make it. I noticed the reception booth to the right had all its windows shattered, I had to watch my step if I didn't want to cut up my hooves.

I took a deep breath, “remember what Luna taught you,” I whispered to myself before making my way to the staircase.

Looking down, it seemed to go on forever as I couldn't see more than a few strides on account that the lantern light was messing with my vision. Taking several steps down inside, my eyes began to adjust, and I could see a small light way down at the bottom of the long staircase. This wasn't part of the original building, I noticed, looking at the dirt walls and makeshift stairs, or was it?

As I got near the bottom, I saw the shadows of a few ponies move by. Sticking to the darkness, I made my way quietly though the entrance at the bottom of the stairs. Looking around I tried to spot the ponies whom those shadows belong to however seemed to have gone. I looked around at the multiple passageways and tunnels, the wooden support beams looked old and worn, some were even bending at very uncomfortable angles, everything was poorly lit with only the occasional lantern to light the way.

“What in the stars is this place?” I murmured, was it part of the old mine? I wondered.

I walked along the main larger passage, hugging the walls as I went. The low light environment giving me a huge advantage over anypony else down here whose eyes were not as accustomed to the dark as mine.

Suddenly I heard the ear wrenching scream of a familiar mare in the distance. Her voice bouncing off the walls of the cavern like a kaleidoscope of echoed pain.

“Ruby…” I breathed.

Using my wings, I dashed silently to where I heard the scream come from. I heard it again as I made my way towards the voice, as I got closer I heard the voice of another mare.

“Please calm down, we’re going to take away your pain, doesn't that sound nice?”

I moved closer to an entrance and the room slowly began to come into view.

A fire pit sat in the back of the room providing most of the light. I assumed it had a chimney that led to the surface however I didn't recall seeing any smoke on my fly over here aside from that of the bonfire. The rest of the room was littered with shelves of dusty old books and rusty tools.

And then I saw her...

Ruby was tied to a wooden table. Her head being held down by a metal clamp, there was some kind of ring attached to her horn, her dress was torn to shreds and she was crying and struggling in place. The bruises and lacerations on her hide and face indicated she had either not gone so quietly, or she had been tortured.

Oh, sweet Luna what in Stars is this horrible place...

“Let me go, you psychotic bitch!” Ruby screamed, clearly still in a somewhat drunken stupor.

The Pegasus mare standing over the table was wearing some sort of strange grey uniform mostly covered by what looked like a lab coat, though nothing gave away what she really looked like.

“I can't, not yet. Listen I’m sorry, I realize that this ‘facility if we can even call it that is, unacceptable, but It’s all we could manage in such a short amount of time,” the mare said, "smugglers used these old tunnels to steel ore from the mines, fascinating that this place still holds up at all really.

“I know you work for an Institute, I’m a royal guard in Princess Celestia’s army, I’m ordering you to let me go!”

“Not a military institution, sorry.”

“Then why?” Ruby pleaded.

The Institute mare sighed, “look I don’t really buy into all that spiritual crap, I like to stick to science and the facts, and the fact is that there is something, call it a pathogen or whatever, but this thing scary. I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s got the others acting like zealots, but they’re right in a sense, best thing we can do for you now is at least try to, well save your soul.”

Ok what the hell is going on? I thought. Moving into the room but sticking to the shadows, I was about to go up and take the pegasus mare by surprise, but I heard hoof steps from the passageway I had just come from, as well as the sound of rolling wheels.

Six more ponies all wearing the same kind of strange uniform entered the room. One of them was pushing a cart with an unconscious Sunny strapped down to it, and I stopped myself from moving forward. There were way too many of them now, no way I could handle all of them, I thought as I shrunk further back into the shadows.

One figures was wearing a cloak over their uniform, he threw back the hood after stepping inside. He was a burley unicorn stallion with a light beige coat and yellow mane, I could see the collar of that uniform a little more clearly now and took a mental note of the acronym embroidered onto it: I.A.M.R. He had a scarred face and his bright green eyes looked down sadly at Ruby.

“I'm sorry it has come down to this,” he started, “but it is for your own good, both of you have already let yourselves become infected. You needn't blame yourself, there are not many that can resist such temptation.”

The burley beige stallion took a solemn step back from Ruby.

“We will cleanse this infection unfortunately the only way we can, and hopefully save your souls in the process.”

Ruby spat at his face, “I’ll fucking kill you if you lay a hoof on my partner!” she promised in angered defiance.

“You and your partner will serve in a fight far beyond the scope of your comprehension, most importantly you will be free of the darkness you have let corrupt your souls. Observe.”

The unicorn stallion moved over to the table Sunny was strapped to and floated out a long metal rod that ended in a point, the next thing he floated up was a small little hammer.

“Don’t you fucking touch him!” Ruby screamed but nothing stopped the beige stallion as he moved the metal rod place to the base of Sunny’s muzzle

I swear I saw the stallion mouth the words ‘I’m sorry’ but couldn’t really tell.

I watched in horror as the hammer came swinging down and the long pointed rod was jammed through the green stallion's muzzle and up into his brain, his eyes shot open and bulged, his body spasmed in agony for a few moments before he finally laid still.

“NOOO!” Ruby screamed at the top of her lungs tears running down her face

The fuck...

I put a hoof to my mouth to stop myself from screaming and throwing back up my punch.

Looking back up I noticed to my horror that Sunny was still breathing! But his eyes were blank, mindless... Ruby was still a crying kicking screaming mess.

“Do not cry, his mind may be gone but at least he is free,” the stallion said sympathetically. “This thing, this corruption… Despite my best efforts there is no known cure. I know this may seem extreme, believe me if I thought for even a second that I could save you and your partner, I would.”

I watched as a single tear fell from the stallion's eye. “This, thing... took my wife, I've seen what happens to a pony if the infection is allowed to develop, I saw what happened to her. Believe me what I’m doing for you two is a mercy.”

Ruby was a mess; in fact I doubt she even heard him, she just looked away, and continued sobbing.

I saw Sunny was still occasionally twitching sporadically. I was continuing to look on in shock, as much as I wanted to turn and run away. I knew I couldn't… so I just continued to watch as the unicorn stallion floated out some kind of jar, and something inside was moving... He opened the jar and floated out a small bony looking creature that couldn't have been larger than a small mouse, it had tendrils riddled with thorns protruding from where its head should be. It was disturbing to look at.

“The ambrosia parasite, native to the swamps of zebra lands. This marvelous little creature normally spends its days feeding on small fish and frogs. It attaches itself to its victim and slowly invades its way to the brain, taking control of motor functions ensuring its prey cannot fight back or flee. However, with some minor modification and magical augmentation…”

The unicorn stallion floated the angry looking creature over Sunny's still breathing corpse and set it on top of his chest. The terrible little creature immediately dragged its way up to his muzzle before digging its thorny tendrils into his nostrils! It worked its way further in until I couldn't see it anymore.

Goddesses this was beyond horror, this was sadistic, psychotic! my heart raced a million miles per second as I could do nothing but continue to watch in absolute dread.

Several seconds passed before he went into another series of spasms before falling completely still again.

“You are saved,” one of the unicorns said wistfully, causing the one Pegasus mare from earlier to roll her purple eyes, before the beige one turned to Ruby.

“Now-” he was cut off however as another pony came rushing into the room and moved to whisper something into his ear.

“I see,” he paused, looking back to the rest of the ponies in the room. “You three finish up with this one,” he directed, nodding towards two of the unicorns and the first pegasus from earlier.

“The rest of you come with me,” he ordered before turning and making his way out of the room with the others. The door was pulled close behind them as they left.

The three made their way towards Ruby.

“Just stay calm, it will all be over soon” the pegasus mare whispered softly as one of the unicorns floated up another metal rod.

Ruby screamed in terror.

Oh, fuck no!

Moving out of cover and using my wings, I dashed up above and behind the pegasus mare, bringing my hooves crashing down on her spine. I heard a crack and she screamed falling down on her face.

“Feather!” Ruby gasped, still in tears, “you came for me!”

I nodded; the two unicorns backed away in alarm grabbing rusty saws with their magic from one of the tool racks as they scrambled away from the table.

“It's her! the demon!” one of them screeched in a terrified voice, “kill her!” the other one shouted before charging at me clumsily with the saw. I pushed off the ground with my wings and slammed my hooves down on the saw, knocking it out of her magical grasp.

“I'm not gonna let you bastards hurt anypony else!” I screamed before taking the rust covered saw in my mouth and spearing the end of it into her neck! She let out a gurgled yelp, the action of pulling the saw back sprayed me with gore as the unicorn mare’s body dropped limp.

All I could see was red as I glared at the last one in pure fiery fury.

The other unicorn threw his saw at me with his magic in panic as he tried to run, but he missed. I pushed off the ground with my wings slamming him up against the bookcase, old torn books cascading to the ground from the impact. My hooves pushed on his throat, he struggled and tried kicking at me but I pressed harder. Then I felt a snap and with a final gurgle he fell limp.

I let go, his body dropping to the floor with a heavy thud, the rage fading as quickly as it had come...

“wha...”

The realization of what I had just done pierced my heart like a cold dagger.

I had just killed three ponies...

I froze in shock.

I know Luna had been training me to kill, I just had never thought it would ever actually happen… I looked down at my bloody hooves. The stench of gore perforated my nose, my throat ran dry as I struggled to catch my breath! I could feel myself shaking but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't seem to stop!

“Feather please!” Ruby whimpered, dragging my attention back to reality. I turned to look back at her and below the table to my surprise I saw that the pegasus mare whose spine I crushed was still breathing.

I moved and rolled her over to stare into her dark purple eyes.

“Why!” I screamed, tears streaming from my own eyes.

“I only wanted to help… save them,” she coughed, choking on her own blood, “you're a monster, you just don't realize it yet,” she gurgled.

I felt Luna’s shadows tighten around my heart, that same constrictive feeling I'd felt before, but this time I didn’t dare resist, I didn’t want to.

“The only monster I see here is you,” I said coldly, putting my hooves on her throat, she looked up at me terrified. These weren’t ponies, these were monsters, and they needed to be put down, I thought. Besides I just really wanted to see her bleed for trying to kill my friend.

After a few moments of struggling, she finally went limp as blood trickled down from her nose and eyes.

I felt the shadows that had tightened around my heart and mind loosen.

“What did I just do!?” I gasped, taking a step back and looking at my bloody hooves, “how could I think like that?” This wasn’t me! I wasn't a murderer!

Though was it really considered murder? Perhaps more of a public service? The little pony in the back of my mind pointed out.

“Feather your eyes,” Ruby gasped, and I looked back at her, “they’re pitch black...”

“It's uhh, just a spell,” I murmured absentmindedly, still staring at my bloody hooves.

She shook her head, “Feather, pull yourself together, you did the right thing, I would have gutted these monsters myself if I could,'' Ruby coughed, tears streaming down her face.

I turned my attention back to Ruby, quickly undoing her restraints.

“Come on we have to hurry, before any more of them come back,” I said, my voice still shaking as I lifted her up around my shoulder.

“Fucking magical restraints,” she groaned as she pulled the thing on her horn off.

Something shiny caught my eye and I leaned Ruby against the wall. On the pegasus mare's corpse I lifted back her lab coat and saw she had a pair of wing blades attached to her.

I strained a smile, “we might just get out of here after all,” I stammered with a dry laugh.

“Sorry Luna,” I whispered as I tore off parts of my already bloodstained dress. Sliding on the blades and pulling them tight into place, I flexed my wings back and forth a few times making sure they were secure.

“Thank you Feather,” Ruby groaned in pain.

I looked back at her, “I'm sorry I couldn't save Sunny,” I whispered.

She just buried her face into my shoulder and cried.

I heard something snap behind us and I turned in horror to see Sunny pulling off his restraints!

Ruby's eyes shot up, “Sunny! You're alive!” she exclaimed, moving to run over to him.

“Wait!” I shouted, stopping her with my forehoof.

His eyes were lifeless, looking at us, but it felt like he was looking past us. He moved strangely as he finished pulling off his restraints with ease. No normal pony was that strong.

“That's not Sunny,” I warned, moving her behind me.

Ruby and I looked on in horror and disbelief as he got up off the table.

He was shuffling slowly towards us with those lifeless eyes, those eyes looking down, he picked up one of the bloody saws that lay on the ground with his teeth.

“I'm so sorry sunny, you were a good pony, you didn't deserve this,” I murmured before dashing in close and stabbing him through the heart with the ends of my wings. To my surprise it did nothing! He just stood there and proceeded to slam the saw towards the back of my neck! I dashed back a second before I was made into a rolling wall decoration. I gaped in horror, the hole I had left gushed blood, though it did not seem to faze him in the slightest!

At least he’s slow, I thought.

Watching the blood pour from his chest, I felt the urge to run over and lap up as much as possible. I blinked, now I know what Luna meant about the cravings. I dashed in for another blow this time going for the throat and ramming the pointy ends of my blade all the way through and out the back of his neck. I had to just get out of the way before another swing of the saw came crashing down.

Looking at my wings, I saw his throat, still on my wings...

“Fuck!” I shouted, jumping backwards to shake it off, “eww eww eww!” I looked back at the now throatless bloodless Sunny still shambling towards us.

“Just take a hint and fucking die!” I screamed charging at him using the bladed side of my wings to push through his already damaged neck.

It made a wet meaty sound as his head rolled off and his body finally dropped with a heavy thud.

I panted, glancing back at Ruby who had been watching in horror as I just decapitated her best friend. I didn't know what to say, I suppose there was nothing I could say.

She turned and puked. Needless to say, I did the same...

Suddenly the base of his skull started moving. I wiped my muzzle and watched in disgust as the small disturbing little creature that had been attached to his brain slowly pulled itself out through the fleshy remains. I backed away, it spasmed on the ground for a moment before shriveling up and lying still, only having the smallest movements. a red glow wrapped around it as Ruby lifted it up and tossed it into the burning fire pit. It let out a horrid little shriek as it shriveled into ash.

“Come on,” I prompted, “let's get out of this horrible place,” grabbing her over my shoulder I made for the door.

Poking my head out slowly, I looked around, it looked clear for the most part, but I heard voices in the distance getting closer every second.

“Can you walk without help?” I asked and she nodded.

I let her go, “bite the end of my tail and don't let go no matter what,” I told her.

She did as I said before I started leading her back out the way I had come in. Pulling her through the dark, I knew she couldn't see, but I could as we stuck to the shadows, avoiding any more confrontation as we made it to the base of the long staircase that led to the surface.

We finally broke through to the surface and the fresh air, I looked up at the hole I had made in the ceiling.

“Alright, let go of my tail and hope I don't let go of you,” I told her before grabbing her in my arms.

Slowly I ascended up towards the hole on in the ceiling, my wings flapping vigorously as I struggled to bring us both up. Once on the roof I rested for a second before taking off again and bringing her outside of the train station's perimeter before setting her back down on the dirt. I was winded from carrying another pony by myself, I sat taking heavy breaths.

“Come on Feather we can't stop... We have to get the fuck out of here!” she pleaded in panic.

I nodded.

We just started to move again when I heard a familiar sound, I knew only wings with metal could make.

“Get down!” I shouted, pushing Ruby out of the way a millisecond before another pegasus mare almost cleaned both of our heads from our shoulders as she flew past and landed in front of me.

She was wearing the same uniform as the Stallion from earlier, I saw that acronym again.

I.A.M.R.

I recognized her as one of the other two uniformed ponies that were with the beige stallion. In better lighting I could see her entire uniform clearly now. The uniform was dark light gray, patches containing symbology I didn't recognize were sown to both of the shoulders and a small patch sewn to the front depicted imagery of a yellow star in front of a red cross encapsulated by a silver circle.

Clearly, she had thought she had gotten us as I saw the surprise in her green eyes when I closed the distance. She was faster though as she managed to dash up just in time and I only managed to cut into one of her blue hind legs. She let out a yelp of pain before she flew back around for another lighting fast strike which I barely managed to dodge. Coming back around I saw confusion in her eyes, I assumed she thought I would have tried to fight her in the air by now, but Luna had taught me exactly how to deal with this.

She raced back down at an inconceivable speed, the blades on her wings outstretched, whistling through the air. Right before she hit me, instead of dodging out of her way, I rolled underneath her and stuck both my wings straight up in the air.

The world seemed to move in slow motion, and I watched in perfect detail as the entire bottom of her torso was split open in two parts from each bladed wing tip. Gore sprayed over me before she slammed into the ground, making a crunching sound as she hit.

Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough. I looked down at my own side to see the giant line where the tip of her wing had cut through my hide. It was oozing blood and it hurt to stand up as I wiped the viscera from my face. I was shaking a little from the shock, Ruby looked impressed and terrified all at once.

“Well done,” I heard the familiar somber voice of the beige stallion who had butchered Sunny only moments ago, “I would expect nothing less from a creature such as yourself.”

“I’m going to fucking kill you!” Ruby spat.

She could barely manage to stand let alone fight. I took a deep breath, I was injured, if something happened to me, Ruby would be left defenseless, but I figure I could buy her some time. Besides, I didn't plan on losing to this asshole.

“I am sorry child, I tried to save you the only way I know how, but it is clear to me now that you are too far gone,” he said in a sincere tone of sadness.

“You tried to fucking lobotomize me and shove some parasite in my brain!” Ruby screamed.

“Yes, and while it may seem cruel to you now, you would have been at peace, and your body would have served a greater purpose.”

“You're sick!” I spat.

“I do what must be done, at least my soul remains intact, unlike yours, monster,” he boasted in a righteous tone that only made me more furious.

“Ruby, Run,” I said quietly.

“But-”

“Dammit I said run! Follow the old tracks, I'll take care of this monster.”

Even with her limp, she turned and started running.

She stopped for only a moment to look back, “thank you Feather,” she murmured before turning and disappearing through the tall dry grass of the field.

I turned back to the beige stallion, “so does the delusional psychopath have a name?” I taunted, mostly trying to buy time.

“My name is Elijah Kane, I am not the first to take a stand against the darkness which threatens to consume this world, I will certainly not be the last,” he proclaimed before using his magic to draw out a large sword from the sling on his back.

The sword was elegant, the blade was covered in markings I couldn't make out, it had an orange gem on its hilt, and I swore it looked like it was glowing.

“A creature such as yourself cannot be allowed to exist in this world, you are an aberration, a curse, both you and that dark abomination whom you serve.”

“You leave Princess Luna out of this!” I spat.

“After I have dispatched of you, she will be the last of your kind left, and once she is gone, the world will finally be safe from darkness,” he stated righteously, “and maybe finally, I can stop watching good ponies die…”

“Everyone who died here today, died because of you!”

Elijah sighed, “unfortunate, but necessary sacrifices.”

“Hoh, I'm going to enjoy watching you bleed,” I growled.

“You are a worthy opponent demon, do not disappoint.”

My side hurt like a star on fire, but I didn't care as I pushed off the ground, moving as fast as I could, closing the distance and going for his throat. The large stallion was faster than he looked however and dodged my attack with ease. Not letting him regain his bearings, I stayed up in his face, not holding back as I repeatedly slammed my blades against his, I was only able to clip his hide a couple of times however as he managed to either dodge or block most of my attacks. But at least I was keeping him on the defensive. Jumping back to avoid one of his large counter swings I felt something hit my legs as I accidentally bumped into the crippled body of the pegasus mare I had killed earlier.

Kane stopped his advance, “do you not see the evil you have committed, do you not see what you have done!” He demanded.

“You're one to talk,” I murmured as I held up one of my hooves and looked at the dead pegasus mare’s blood that was dripping off it.

Unable to help myself any longer I lapped up every drop of blood, licking my foreleg clean, and reveling in the pleasure that it brought. It tasted good, sweet even, and I felt a jolt of energy shoot through me.

He balked in disgust.

Suddenly the dead mare’s corpse was wrapped in an orange glow of magic and swept my legs out from under me.

Catching myself with my wings I pushed and flew at his throat faster than I had ever moved before, but inches away his horn flashed, and my wings were stopped as I came crashing hard to the ground.

A sharp burning pain shot through the base of my wings. I screamed in agony and watched in horror as my wings fell and tumbled to the ground in a bloody heaps, blood pooling out from each of their ends...

I felt something die inside me, as I collapsed and stared at my butchered wings.

“No...” I gasped.

Then I felt a pain, a pain so sharp it took my breath away, it burned and itched like mad, and I tasted metal as I felt blood begin to pool up in my mouth. Looking down I saw the polished metal of his sword pushed deep into my chest. He twisted it deeper and I let out a scream.

“I am truly sorry for what that monster has turned you into,” he murmured.

The sword was retracted, and I collapsed in a heap.

“Take solace in knowing there is no greater calling than dying fighting for what one believes in,” he paused looking down at me, “even if what you believe in is evil.”

This pain was too much! I couldn’t breathe! Stars it hurt...

“Luna will kill you…” I gurgled weakly.

“Maybe, but my life is not important, I am but a servant, and there will always be another,” he said matter of factly.

He gave me a sad smile, “goodbye, demon.”

My vision was starting to get blurry as I watched him disappear in an orange flash of his magic.

“I’m… so sorry Luna,” I mumbled weaky, coughing as I glanced up at her beautiful moon, “I promised never to abandon you but-” I coughed up more blood, the taste no longer bringing me any pleasure, “I've failed you…” I heaved.

I wasn't going to be taken away from Luna without a fight. it took everything I had to keep my eyes open. I felt the shadows in me stirring like mad as I could feel them struggle to keep me alive. I could feel the sweet temptation of empty, quiet, peaceful, nothingness I knew waited for me, it would be so easy to just give in.

I lay there, moments feeling like eternitys, and then…

“Feather!” I heard Luna’s sweet voice scream and felt her land next to me grabbing me in her arms.

“Luna I lo-” I couldn't get the words out as I choked on my own blood. I wished I could tell her at least once how much I loved her, but I suppose now I would never get the chance...

I felt a wave of healing magic wash over me, but I felt no better, and the image of her teary beautiful face only got more blurred.

“No, you're not allowed to die!” she wept, holding me as tightly as she could.

At least I was going to die in Luna’s arms. The thought brought a smile to my face.

“I told you to be careful…” she sniffed, “you can't die, not you!” she cried.

Luna sniffed, standing up and wiping the tears from her eyes, “I won't let you.”

I watched as her coat turned pitch black, her cutie mark turning a resounding purple, her eyes turned back to slits and her fangs reformed.

In a darker sounding voice, I heard her whisper, “if anypony is going to kill my Feather it's going to be me.”

She bit into the side of her forehoof and put it to my muzzle, “drink!” she ordered, “quickly!”

I did as she said, using what little strength I had left and obediently drank her blood. It was warm and sweet almost like cherries while it still tasted like blood, it was better than anything I had ever tasted before.

She then leaned down and I felt her fangs plunge into my neck. I felt a shock of cold, this time however, it didn't hurt. I could feel her drinking, her shadows were pouring from her eyes and mouth and wrapping around me.

The increased blood loss pulled me even faster into the sweet arms of death. I couldn't fight it anymore, I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore, I couldn't drink anymore, and as much as I didn't want to, I finally let go...

Author's Note

Now it's getting dark. :)