Darkest Equestria

When her wounds were finally stitched, Pinkie was released with a warning.

"Don't go jumping around, the stitches might rip open." Redheart set the needle down she had been holding. "No strenuous activity."

"You betcha!" Pinkie slid off the table, wincing at the feeling of flesh pulling on stitch. They were masterfully done, each stitch not too tight, and not too loose.

"Apply this once every morning until it heals." Redheart withdrew a glass bottle from her saddlebag. "If the wound gets infected, I will have to cut out the surrounding flesh. Unless the tonic is finally completed…"

Pinkie took the bottle, making sure to safely stow it away. That sounded terrible. No flesh cutting for her, thank you.

"Is Spike okay?" Twilight asked from behind her.

"He will be fine. Wounds are superficial, the greatest danger is due to possible infection." Redheart said. "Possibly fainted due to vasovagal syncope."

"Vaso what?" Pinkie asked, the term going in one ear and out the other.

"Oh, it's just shock then." Twilight let out a breath of relief. "Thank Celestia."

"Indeed." Redheart said. "Do you need treatment as well?"

"No. Thank you, nurse." Twilight said.

"Then I will be going. Other patients need me. Pinkie, I don't want to see you back in here with open stitches." Redheart packed up her things and without wasting a moment walked out the door.

Pinkie Pie let the tension in her shoulders release as she saw Redheart leave. The mare was scary when she needed to be, that she could attest to. "So... you want that tour?"

"I do. It's just, I don't want to leave Spike here alone." Twilight said. "I should be there when he wakes up."

A massive snore came from the dragon, and then a plume of green flame shot from his nostrils.

"Are you sure he isn't just asleep?" Pinkie asked.

"Spike? Are you awake?" Twilight gently poked him. "Spike!"

"Wha- What's going on?" Spike woke with a start, his claws immediately flying out. His green eyes were wild. "Bandits?"

"It's okay Spike!" Twilight said. "We're safe."

Spike glanced around the room. "We made it?"

"Yes. We made it. Pinkie saved us." Twilight said.

Spike touched the stitched wounds on his face. He winced. "That mare cut me. How did we get away from them?"

"I made them disappear!" Pinkie said with a wicked grin. "You know, they-"

"They're gone." Twilight said with a nervous laugh. "That's all that matters."

The two hugged, and the sight warmed Pinkie's heart. At least there was still a little warmth left. She couldn't even remember the last time some pony had hugged her. She couldn't help but feel a little jealous, but she held her tongue. This was their moment.

"You saved me?" Spike asked, his gaze turning to her.

"Yep!"

"Thank you." Spike slightly bowed. "And thank you for saving Twilight as well."

"Don't worry about it. Hey, how about we get out of here and check out the town!" Pinkie said. "Don't you want to see what you're working with?"

"Is there anywhere Spike can rest?" Twilight asked.

"I'm fine-"

"He can stay at my place. Come on, I got plenty of unused rooms." Pinkie tried not to think of who used to be in those rooms. They were long gone.

"Can you walk Spike?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, I feel fine." Spike said.

"Then let's get going!" Pinkie bounced on the ends of her hooves, then stopped as she felt a pull on her stitches. "I have to show you the tavern! And the... Well, that's the most important one."

Then she remembered that she promised to be there tonight. She looked towards the window. Then Pinkie remembered that the position of the sun didn't matter. It wouldn't set for another day. It was hard to tell the time when the sun didn't set.

"Lead the way then Pinkie." Twilight said. "If we can stay at your place for now, that would be very welcome."

"Tour first, then home?" Pinkie asked.

"I don't want Spike to-"

"Tour! I'm fine Twilight, really." Spike huffed, crossing his little arms. "We have a job to do, best not wait on me."

Twilight looked hesitant but nodded. "Alright. Would you show us around town then? I need to take notes on the state of the facilities."

"Sure thing! Follow your resident tour guide on a journey beyond your wildest dreams!" Pinkie was glad to be walking out of the hospital. The blood-stained rags and floors weren't exactly her favorite things in the world. Unless it was from bandits, she could get behind that.

Pinkie Pie led the way out of the hospital, newfound friends trailing behind her. She thought of where to go first. The tavern should come last, if she went there now, she wouldn't leave for the rest of the day. Or was it night? Night-day?

"I know just where to start." Pinkie Pie said. Her gaze locked onto a nearby building.

"And where would that be?" Twilight asked.

"That would spoil the fun if I just told you." Pinkie waved a hoof. "Don't you want to be surprised?"

"I would actually prefer not to. This is a serious matter and-"

"Oh, come on Twilight, it's only a little way ahead!" Pinkie said. "Just a hop and a skip."

They didn't walk far before Pinkie saw the building. "Here we are!"

"What... What is it for? This wasn't here the last time I was in Ponyville." A notepad floated shakily in front of Twilight, her horn sparking with magic. Sweat beaded down her face as she focused on it. Spike grabbed it from her magical grip and withdrew a quill. With a calming pat to the distressed Twilight’s side, he set the quill to paper.

It was sad, the state of magic in the world. It was dying.

The building was a blocky thing, made of old wood and chiseled cobbles. It sat solemnly near the edge of town, built up on a small hill of withered grass. The entire roof of the building was caved in, and its doors and windows were boarded up. It had a central spire at the front of it, from which hung a rusted bell. Faded red paint coated its sides, so faint that it could be mistaken for the natural coloring of the wood. On the front of the door was a painting of a golden sun, standing boldly against the dilapidated surroundings.

"This is the old schoolhouse, repurposed into an abbey." Pinkie said. "Not many ponies come here anymore, but I'm sure there is somepony inside!"

"So, this is... the old schoolhouse? Where are the foals?" Twilight asked.

"Gone." Pinkie's eyes dropped to the ground. She swore that she could still hear their faded laughter echoing through the rotten planks of the schoolhouse. "Most left. Others grew up. Some..."

Spike's expression turned grim, and he started scribbling in the notebook.

"So, what is it used for now?" Twilight coughed, looking a little unnerved. "It's an abbey?"

"That's right! Religious types love this place. Church of the dawn and all that." Pinkie said. "We don't have any vestals or crusaders here, but the abbey is still a place for worship."

"I heard about that. It's strange to think my former teacher is now seen as a goddess." Twilight shivered. "You wouldn't believe what showed up at my door. They tried to stick me in one of their churches as some kind of saint."

Pinkie could still remember when the church of the dawn started showing up. With Princess Celestia gone, ponies started looking for answers. They found something, a way to use certain magic with worship to the sun princess. Rare and powerful, the magic was said to have the ability to seal wounds and cleanse evil. She had never seen it herself, but it was still whispered about in the nooks and crannies of the tavern.

"Well, I'm sure we won't have to worry about it. Any crusaders and vestals are probably up north, doing whatever it is they do." Pinkie said. "Not much news comes to Ponyville."

"Warring with King Sombra." Twilight said. "Some are fighting in the dragon lands, others with the griffins. We can't expect any help to come from them. Too absorbed in their own zealous troubles to aid us. Not that I was much better..."

"A travesty." Pinkie shook her head. A little magic would go further here than anywhere else.

They both looked at the abbey, its frail timbers creaking in the wind. Despite its downtrodden nature, it seemed almost warmer than its surroundings. Perhaps it was the phantom ghosts of the laughter of foals and sunny days, or maybe it was just another trick of the mind.

"Well, let's keep going! There is so much more I have to show you." Pinkie said.

"Hmm... I could use this place..." Twilight whispered as she walked, deep in thought. "Is there a town blacksmith, how about any pony who can train others to fight?"

"No. I'm self-taught." Pinkie said. "I'm one of the only ones here that knows how to fight. There is no blacksmith either."

"That is one of the first things we need to solve." Twilight said. "Spike, take note of that please."

"Already on it!" Spike was scribbling away furiously.

"Then where to next, Pinkie?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie thought for a moment. There were many places in town to see, too many in one day. What place could provide the most information in the shortest amount of time? A certain place came to mind. "I know where to go. It might be a bit morbid, but what isn't nowadays?"

"Morbid?" Spike asked.

Pinkie led the way. It was a place she wasn't particularly fond of, but it was a necessary place. A place for solemn contemplation and respect. The field of her failures, and a bitter reminder of what was at stake. Of what had been lost, and what was to be gained.

It was on the outskirts of town, as all new places seemed to be.

It came into view ahead, not far from the abbey. Iron-wrought gates bordered it, black as death. Inside, flagstones created a cracked path that weaved through fresh tombstones. Modest stone crosses from the early days stood at angles, subsidence of the muddy ground having taken its due. The rest were mere wooden crosses, held up with a bit of cloth and stuck into the dirt. The poisoned earth was constant, and the subtle stench of decay encroached with a powerful undertone.

"Most end up here, waiting for the sun to rise again." Pinkie whispered as she stood at the gates.

"A graveyard?" Twilight stood next to her. "Why would you bring me here?"

"Maybe by starting at what is lost, you will find what is needed." Pinkie gently opened the gates with a hoof. They creaked open on rusted hinges.

"I... didn't expect such wise words from you Pinkie." Twilight said. "But that is an excellent idea."

"Low tones, Twilight. They are trying to rest." Pinkie whispered as she walked in.

She took slow and soft steps. While cheer was her calling, Pinke knew that there was a time and place for such things. And this was not one of them. The departed surrounded her on all sides, their graves a constant reminder of what was lost. Pinkie read the headstones, her throat tightening with each familiar name. She could have done more for them, if only she was stronger, faster, deadlier, braver, better.

Not a coward like she once was. Still was.

One gravestone caught her eyes in particular. The seat of her failures. She stopped before it, her fluffy pink mane ruffled by a cold breeze. On it, carved into stone, was a name.

Here lies Ditzy Doo, friend to all

May she find rest from this wicked world,

and may damnation find those who wronged her.

"This is a wealth of information." Twilight whispered next to her. "I just... I can't believe how many are buried here."
Pinkie said nothing for a moment, staring at the grave. When Ditzy Doo started having visions of a dark future, no pony believed her. When it finally happened, she was finally believed and welcomed back. And yet... there were some. Some who thought she was a dark harbinger. And after that...

She had no eyes to see such a future any longer.

Those who had done such a thing were dispatched in orderly fashion by her own hoof. But the damage had already been done, and Ditzy had fled screaming into the Everfree.

"Pinkie? Are you okay?" Twilight asked.

"Oh. I'm alright Twilight." Pinkie said with a sad smile. She perked up a little, forcing her smile a little wider.

"They won't have died for nothing. We will stop this." Twilight placed a hoof on her back.

"Thank you, Twilight. I... will be there, even until the end." Her throat tightened, but she forced a smile. As long as she could smile, then she could keep going.

Twilight released her with a calming pat on the back. Then, she paced between the gravestones, Spike by her side. They took notes on who had passed, and Pinkie answered any questions on the dead, as well as who had survived. By the time they had finished looking at the graves, Pinkie could feel exhaustion starting to seep in. It should be near a time where it would usually be night, should the celestial bodies move as they should have.

"What do you say we leave this behind and hit up the tavern?" Pinkie spoke up as they left the graveyard. "Lighten up the mood."

Twilight glanced back at the graveyard in all its oppressive dread. "Spike, do you want to go to the tavern?"

"Yeah. I feel great." Spike flexed his arms. "Thanks for showing us around so far Pinkie."

"No problem!" Pinkie Pie said with a smile. "Let's go. I'm playing the lute tonight, so you're in for a doozy!"

"Wait. Pinkie. How do the ponies in this town feel about me? I mean, I was the princess's student..." Twilight trailed off. "Do you think they would do anything?"

"Not with me there." Pinkie Pie said.

"Are you sure? Some ponies blamed me for what happened." Twilight said.

"They will be happy you are here." Pinkie thought back to their grim faces and sagging shoulders. "They don't care who comes to save them anymore, they just want to be saved."

At that, Twilight said nothing.

They walked towards the tavern, 'The Torch and Crown'. It was the same as Pinkie last saw it, besides the presence of a new hole in a window. A wayward tankard told her all she needed to know about its origin.

"Are you sure this is a safe place?" Twilight slid the tankard out of the way.

"Yep! Safest in town." Pinkie approached the door. "This is where everypony likes to gather."

She opened the door. Ponies were speaking to one another inside in hushed voices. As Pinkie entered, she gave them a smile. The talking stopped, and eyes burned into her. There was complete silence for a moment, the clinking of tankards and dice halting in their cacophony.

"It's Pinks!" A voice rang out.

Cheers erupted in the tavern, and Pinkie Pie found herself being pulled inside by a hoof. In a second, she was surrounded by ponies cheering and patting her on the back. She laughed, joining in on the cheer until a hoof slapped against her stitches and she winced.

"Ouch!" Pinkie Pie jumped to her rear hooves. The ponies around her backed up wide with eyes. She took this moment to speak. "I have an announcement to make!"

"Pinkie, what happened to you?" Cloud Kicker was in the crowd, her eyes full of worry.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. And I brought back who was on the balloon!" Pinkie Pie stepped to the side and gestured behind her. "Meet Twilight Sparkle!"

The eyes of the tavern went from Pinkie's wound to the purple mare standing behind her. Twilight shuffled on her hooves and put on an awkward smile full of too many teeth.

"Is that... Princess Celestia's student?"

"Yep! And she is here to make things better." Pinkie Pie said. "I can vouch for her; she has nothing but good intentions."

The tavern was silent for a moment. The brooding eyes of the dispirited townsfolk bored into Twilight. Pinkie tried to lighten the mood with a beaming smile. She wasn't sure if it was helping.

"Now of all times? Why now after all these years?"

"It's Princess Celestia's student! The sun is still with us!" A stallion cried with zeal.

"Like she is going to do any good around here..."

"Salvation! Salvation at last!"

"Shut your insufferable trap you-"

A cacophony of voices filled the room. Tension heightened, and ponies raised their voices in response to one another. It was getting out of hoof quickly, with ponies grabbing one another and snarling.

"Please, listen!" Twilight suddenly cried out. "I have something to say!"

The voices drowned her out, uncaring, unheard.

"EVERYPONY LISTEN UP!" Pinkie Pie yelled, slamming a hoof on a table. "OR NO SONGS TONIGHT!"

The room quieted.

"Go on Twilight." Pinkie whispered, nudging her with a shoulder.

"Thank you." Twilight whispered.

The room of ponies turned towards her. Some huffed, some snarled, some had eyes full of rekindled hope. All were waiting for her to speak, to say something.

Twilight cleared her throat.

"I am sorry for not showing up earlier. I lost hope, I will admit. I..." Twilight stood a little taller and released a breath. "I have come to make things right. I received a letter from Princess Celestia two weeks ago. It was delayed by magic, but it told me what I must do now."

Hushed murmuring heightened in the crowd. "Princess Celestia sent a letter. She must still be alive then..."

"Or she is lying..." Another murmured.

Pinkie looked between the crowd and Twilight then nibbled on her hooves nervously. It was a spur of the moment thing to introduce Twilight like that, she just hoped she hadn't made a mistake.

"I will restore this town to its former glory. This town belongs to me now, as do all of you. As the ponies under my protection, I will ensure that you are all well protected and defended." Twilight's voice grew firmer. "I- no- we will restore this town. We will raise groups to cleanse the evil of the Everfree, and avenge the needless deaths. We will restore the dawn that left Equestria. We will not be beaten by this evil. You, the ponies of Ponyville, have survived much. Now it is time to stop lying down and make a stand."

"We will be the flame that burns the corruption away!" Twilight's eyes burned once more, with fury, and with determination. "We will be the dawn!"

The ponies looked forward, stares pinning into Twilight. One in the back sipped his drink, a thoughtful expression on his face. They said nothing and did nothing of note. A long, exceedingly awkward moment passed.

Twilight had a bead of sweat dripping down the side of her face. She looked nauseous; all the eyes were locked onto her.

Pinkie's hoof nibbling heightened, and she glanced between all of them. Maybe she should say something, but what could she say? This awkward silence was absolutely stifling, she wasn't sure if she should even break it. Thankfully, her savior arrived.

"Well, I for one am willing to give her a chance." Cloud Kicker stepped forward. "What's the harm in it? If anything, we get more dead bandits and a safer town."

There were a few murmurs of agreement. A few scoffs, but no outright rejection.

"I'll give her a chance." Another said with a shrug. "No harm in it. Say Pinks, are you still playing that song?"

Pinkie Pie jumped to her hooves, glad to get attention off of Twilight. "You betcha! Stand by for a jolly tune!"

To that, the tavern cheered. Pinkie unpacked her lute from her saddlebag and glanced over to Twilight. Hopefully she didn't feel down by that. It clearly wasn't the reaction she was hoping for with that speech. She was probably feeling defeated or lost.

And yet, Twilight had a thoughtful look on her face. Lost deep in thought, she didn't even seem to notice her surroundings anymore.

"Pinks? Are you playing or not?"

Pinkie started and shook her head. "Yep! Hmm... what to play?"

"The one about the ale! The ALE!"

"YEAH! THAT ONE!"

"Alright!" Pinkie played a few cheerful cords on her lute. "Now, every lesson must be learned, but pray I tell you; the taste of ale is not to be scorned..."

Cheerful merriment filled the tavern as Pinkie played, and for this night, spirits were lifted, and purpose was made clear.

Life thrived even beneath the sagging roof of the tavern.

It was later that night that Pinkie led Twilight back out the tavern doors. Pinkie wasn't much of a drinker, but tonight, she partook a little. Just to thrive in the merriment. Now her head was pounding though. She groaned as she walked, mane tousled and coat slick with sweat and blood. Her stitches were leaking drops of blood. That probably wasn't good. Redheart might kill her.

The cold night air was a blessing To Pinkie, as it soothed her head and wounds.

"So? What do you think?" Pinkie croaked as they walked.

"It's... workable." Twilight said. "At least I know that the town's ponies wont actively resent me."

"They are still good ponies. Deep down." Pinkie said. "Reeeealllly deep down."

"I hope you are right.' Twilight said.

"So, what now? What's the plan?" Pinkie asked.

"Before I left, I spread the word as much as possible. Ponies should be showing up here soon." Twilight said. "I paid a hefty sum of bits for that. As for everything else... that will have to wait until we have more bits. I have a good amount in stock as the former student of the princess, but I want to make sure I have income before spending it all."

"We need more gold then?" Pinkie asked.

"Yes. More gold, and more skilled ponies. We need instructors, warriors, adventurers." Twilight pointed to the nearby buildings. "The town needs to be repaired. A blacksmith needs to be set up to repair and improve weapons and armor. There is so much to do, and we don't have the resources to do it."

"Then what now?"

"We wait." Twilight sighed. "There isn't much more we can do. If some ponies still have hope, they will show up along the road or by balloon. In search of gold or glory, it doesn't matter as long as they come. Until then, we can only do so much."

"I wonder who would show up?" Pinkie asked. Hopefully it would be a crusader, or a great warrior. A vestal appearing would be life changing. It was said that a single touch from a vestal could seal any wound.

"I don't know Pinkie. I don't know." Twilight’s gaze wandered towards the distant Castle of the Two Sisters in the Everfree. Pinkie followed her gaze.

Its old cyclopean stones stood tall against a backdrop of wretched forest. It was the seat of evil, looming over the town like a tyrant. Pinkie couldn't help but feel a shiver go down her spine, an ancient instinct telling her that something was about to fall. Alas, it was no mere physical object.

"I just hope they have what it takes."

The two stood and watched the castle. Side by side, their manes blew in the bitter wind. Spike was draped over Twilight's back, snoring away.

And as Pinkie looked at the shattered glass windows of the castle, she could have sworn she saw something staring back, eyes pits of the abyss.

It did not have a heart, even if it was an organ made of flesh. For the thought of a heart invoked images of emotion. Of feelings of fear or love. This thing that dwelled, it did not have a heart.

It had an engine.