Ponycraft: The Maw of Insanity

As the bright rays of light shined through the window, the four ponies woke up. Again, Ruby found herself hugging Carees as she woke up. Berry chuckled at her ridiculous attachment to the stallion as she got out of the bed. Cannon got up fast, as he usually did in Azeroth, however Carees was not a morning stallion. It took both him and Ruby a while to realize they were awake. They ended up staying in bed for the next 5 minutes, bunched up. Once they lifted their heads up, they rubbed their eyes and groaned.

“No terrors about the beast the rest of last night?” Carees asked, concerned.

“No... I think it's because I felt protected and safe... that's awkward.”

“I don't think so. I'd be with you every night if I had to. I'm not letting Yogg-Saron have you.” Carees accidentally spoke of the name. The name of which shant be mentioned back on Azeroth.

“....Yogg-Saron? Is that... whatever that thing was?” Ruby asked.

“Unfortunately, I spoke too soon. I should not have told you that name... but yes. That is the beast's name.  He is the embodiment of insanity himself. He is the physical form of death and madness, which is why I've been given the duty by fate to protect you from him at all costs. You're not the only one with these problems. He'll obviously go after Berry as well. Cannon shall be in charge of that. However, you... you're mine. I mean that in more ways than one.”

Ruby blushed... again. “Oh, stop it. So how's about that date, eh? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink? This stupid Yogg-Saron dude isn't gonna change that, I will make sure of that.”

“Heh. So where do you want to go tonight? Anywhere will do.”

Ruby thought hard. “Hmm... what place to show you Maneside? Ah! How does steak sound for tonight? I know an excellent bar and grill a friend of mine named Applejack built when the big city was under construction.”

“Mmmm... Steak. That sounds splendid for tonight. I shall look forward to it! It's time I get to know my new partner. I shall explain my rigid life story as well. Both of them.”

Ruby lifted an eyebrow. “Both of them?”

“Ah, you shall find out tonight, shan't you? For now, though, I'd like you to teach me of these pony folk. I am very interested of their unique character and culture. I predict that they will be not much different than what I presume them to be.”

“Sure! Anything for you.” Ruby said, smiling. However, when she took a good whiff of Carees, her face turned to disgust. “...Okay, first, you're getting a shower, Mr. Stinky. You smell like Porky. How long has it been since your last shower?”

Carees made an embarrassed kind of face. “Uhhh... well I've been running from the greatest evil ever known for the past week and a half, so no bathing has occurred since then.”

“Eeyuck! Get in the bathroom and clean yourself... You DO have showers in... what was it... Azeroth, right?”

“I can figure them out. The blood elves, as strange as they were, had these. I was forced to use one, once. Well I'll be out in a few moments.”

After Carees' shower, Ruby explained the culture of ponies to Carees. Carees was very intrigued at the history of the Equestrian kingdom. They talked about it until 5:00 PM. It was at that time it was time to head out... on their first date. As they headed out the door, something struck Ruby.

“Hey, where's Berry and Cannon? They haven't been here all day! Where could they have gone?”

Carees sighed. “Ehem. You said you have a nice bar here in this city, right? You also mentioned it was run by Berry?”

Ruby looked at him. “Yes... what abou-- oh. Derp. That's where.”

“And there you have it. They won't be coming back from that sober, may I assure you. In fact, you may not see them until tomorrow.” Carees laughed.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. Berry doesn't come back from her bar drunk, but never comes back completely sober.”

“Cannon doesn't even come back tipsy, however his dwarf stomach can handle alcohol like nothing else. In fact, Berry might just crash on the floor in a drinking contest.”

“I'm laughing at her if that happens.”

“I'm laughing at Cannon either way...” Carees happened to look to the left to see a statue dedicated to Berry and Ruby.  “...Was your adventure that much worth noting?”

“Apparently. Wasn't my idea. They wanted to do it. There's a statue on the other side to commemorate Fluttershy, our innocent, deceased friend. Poor girl, she was a hero.” Ruby looked down to the sidewalk as she walked with Carees. Carees tried to comfort her in the most positive way he could.

“Hey, what did I tell you? I can make it so she never died. I've mastered resurrection.”

Ruby looked up with surprise. “You mean you actually MEANT that? How!?”

Carees smiled and looked down, as usual. “My dear, take Berry and Cannon tonight if they come home. Take us to her grave, and she will live once more, in full recollection of everything that has happened to her. She may appear... ghostly at first, but as the spell kicks in, her body shall recover, which normally takes 5-10 minutes.”

“Oh my stars! C-Carees! I... I don't know what to say! I... I...” Ruby almost said it. Too soon. The words were not ready to come out of her mouth yet.

Carees patted her shoulder. “Nothing more needs to be said. But for now, let's focus on our date, shall we?”

Ruby smiled, her heart was beating. “Uhhh... yeah.... heheh. Well here we are, Sweet Cider Bar & Grill.”

Carees questioned her with a confused face. “Doesn't Berry have a bar though?”

“Ah, but this is a bar & GRILL. Mainly for a nice dinner.” Ruby explained.

“Interesting, looks very... human-ish. I guess I'll just have to find out.”

They walked in to see a pretty, southern restaurant. Before Carees could even put a word in on it, they were greeted by an orange pony with freckles and a cowboy hat.

“Howdy, pardner! Welcome to-- oh hello mayor Black!” The pony took her hat off as she bowed.

“Hello, Applejack! How's it been?” Ruby asked politely.

“Been pretty durn well! Business is great! Oh hey, ain't cha gonna introduce me to yer friend here?”

“Oh, my apologies! This is my new boyfriend, Carees!”

Carees made his genuine smile he likes to do and shook Applejack's hoof. “A pleasure to meet you, miss Applejack.”

“Oh, boy! I can already tell you two are gunna get far! Haha!” Applejack joked.

Ruby and Carees blushed.

“Aww, I just be tootin' yer horn! Follow me, you two. I got a table open for yall.”

The followed the orange earth pony as she hummed a tune. She stopped at a table and spread two menus.

“There yall are! I'll be back in a sec!” Applejack said as she trotted off to the kitchen.

Ruby smiled at her date. “A cute lil' joint, wouldn't you say? I come here every so often.”

Carees smiled... again. “I would if I were you, too. This place really reminds me of my home land. Reminds me of the ol' Westfall. That place was the place to be. I only say was because a bandit group basically took over the whole land. That was my first adventure with Cannon. It was a fun. So fun. Beatin' up Defias Brotherhood Bandits like there was no tomorrow.”

Ruby didn't know what to say. “Ummm... well, it sounds like you have had more adventures than I have. I''m actually pretty jealous...”

Carees looked at her. “Well, soon enough, we both will be in for one of the biggest adventures in the universe.”

Applejack came back and took orders. While ordering, Carees was thinking about something.

How am I going to break this to her? Hmmm... I'll just let her have it, see what she says.

After Applejack trotted off again to fix the food, Carees was ready to tell her.

“Ruby, there's something you must know about me if you're going to be this close to me. It may or may not disturb you, and I don't know if you'd even want to be in this relationship after I say this.”

Ruby covered her mouth. “Why would I ever want that? You're an amazing guy, and I feel like you're the one for me!”

Carees sighed. “...You're dating a zombie.”

Ruby couldn't grasp the true meaning of Carees statement at first. “What? You're a zombie? In what way?”

“I'm dead, basically. I've died in battle. I'm an undead. A very life-filled undead. I was resurrected by the Lich King, an evil master of the undead. However, with my life-filled mind, I was lead by Lord Darion Mograine in a rebellion against him and we, the knights of the Ebon Blade, broke free. We joined up with our old factions and friends and continued to fight along side them. I was just a warrior back then, but now, I have the power of ice and disease. Along with that, I can raise the dead and resurrect if the heart of the resurrectee doesn't hold much evil. I'm a proud knight of the Ebon Blade. I am a Death Knight. I'm sorry if this disturbs you, but I needed to tell you.”

Ruby had just heard the most unexpected tale she had ever heard. However, rather than disturbed, she was in awe at the most amazing background of anypony she had ever met. “That's... that's...”

“Creepy and weird? Yes, I know.” Carees said.

“SO COOL!” Ruby spurted out. She had a huge grin on her face with excitement written all over it.

“...What? You find it neat? I find it somewhat horrifying.”

“Naw! That was such an impressive tale! I've never heard anything more amazing in my life! No story I've ever been told comes near that! I feel even luckier to have you now! You're so stunning!” Ruby said. She let loose everything she had. She tried so hard to make Carees blush, and it worked.

Carees smiled, not genuinely, but happily. He had never had someone think of him in this way. It was an entirely new feeling to him, and he loved it. For once, Carees was at a loss of words.

“I... I don't know what to say currently. I never had someone like you in my life that thought of me this way...” Carees became nervous, very nervous.

Ruby laughed. “Well, I guess I'm the first! I'm  lucky to be the first! I don't even know why nobody fell for you before hoof, you're so amazing! You could make any girl scream, let along me!”

Carees almost cowered at the pure sincerity. “Th-- Thank you, I feel quite lucky to have you as well. Not many people can proudly say that their girlfriend is the grand power of powers. You should feel lucky to graced with such beauty along with that power. Most ultimate beings have no looks to them, but your physical appearance is unmatched, and your heart pure!”

Ruby had found it. She had found the emotion her body worked so hard to find, love. Not friendly love, but true love. Ruby Black had found her stallion she would stick with forever. A beautiful thing it was. But that beautiful moment was now put on pause as Applejack returned with a huge steak and beans for both of them.

“I'm back, ya two love birds! Aha! Here yall are! Hope ya like the dinner!”

Carees genuinely smiled at Applejack. “Oh, we will, trust me.”