Method Actress

by Smoking Gun

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Queen Chrysalis, Adventure, Shining Armor, Princess Celestia, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Dark
Length: 5121

Chrysalis has gone insane, and is after the mane six

Chrysialis is back... and completely insane.

The changeling that once aimed to take over Equestria vanished after her plans were thwarted. But now shes back, with a somewhat altered agenda. She's become mentally unstable and is beginning to loose control... or is she?

What has driven Chrysalis to this point? What horrifying plans does she have in store for the mane six?

Published 2013-02-14 08:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-02-14 08:50:01 UTC

Act 1 - Chapter 1: Overture, Curtains, Lights

It was easy to tell that the whole stage was about to crumble. As each of her four hooves landed, a sharp, spine chilling creek echoed throughout the whole theater. Stage left to stage right, stage right to stage left, she trotted. Hooves pacing from one side of the stage to the other, turning around as she reached the crimson curtains that had been left open. A large stage light was set up for her to walk in front of. The purpose of this light was used in theater to create a silhouette effect, however, holes in the mares body caused beams of light to shine into the empty seats. The solitary figure continued to trot back and forth, watching the light shine through her and onto the seats. The creeks became louder and louder, making it clear that her body was not the only thing that stage had to support. Pain, anguish, fear and menace were trotting on four legs. The weight of these things made the inevitable clear; this stage was destined to come crumbling to the ground. She slowly stopped when she noticed six individual beams of light illuminating the seats. A dark, punctured tongue lolled out of her mouth, licking her lips that were covered in an odd green substance. Once her lips were dry, the corners turned upward, creating a sinister smile.

“And oh what heights I’ll hit... On with the show, this it!”

Method Actress
Act 1 - Chapter 1: Overture, Curtains, Lights

By Smoking Gun

The sun was not the only thing illuminating the Canterlot Gardens. The laughter of children, the gossip of mares, the jesting of stallions all made the Equestrian capital all the more brighter. It had never felt safer.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CADENCE!” shouted Luna as she levitated her neatly wrapped gift in front of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.

“Oh, Luna!” started the overwhelmed Princess. “You really shouldn’t have.”

“NONSENSE! WE FIND GREAT JOY IN BRINGING SPOILS TO-”

“No. I mean, you didn’t have to yell,” said Cadence with a giggle.

Luna quickly raised her hoof up to her mouth, blushing as she cleared her throat. “Yes... well, I suppose there’ll be plenty of time to cut loose later.”

After sharing a laugh, the two alicorns looked around the party. The two saw what must have been close to one hundred ponies in the area, mingling, drinking, eating, all the things one usually does at a party. The sun beamed down onto the guests, helping keep the spirits high.

Cadence returned her attention to the gift that Luna had given to her, immediately lifting the card off and levitating it in front of her face so she could read it. “Dear Cadence, may the next year of your life bring more joy and love than the last. You’re loving auntie, Luna.”

Putting the gift aside, Cadence lifted herself off her seat and embraced Luna. “Thank you so much, Luna. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Luna returned. “Please open it. I believe you’ll enjoy it.”

Cadence tore the wrapping off the present, throwing it into the pile of wrapping next to her that was almost touching the ceiling. The present was a book. Upon opening the book, she saw an collection of beautifully drawn pieces of art that depicted the events of her life. Everything from her birth, up until her wedding to Shining Armor. After that, there were several blank pages.

“We left those pages blank so that we may add to it later.”

Cadence gasped. “Wow... Luna, this is... wow.

“You’re welcome, birthday girl,” she said with a warm smile.

The smiles of everypony suddenly vanished as a loud bang was heard. Looking up, everypony saw that the metal shutters over the garden closed over them.

“Luna,” began Cadence. “Is this part of the party?”

“Not to my recollection,” Luna responded. “They’re only supposed to activate if it’s about to rain.”

The entire room felt a cold chill blow into the room from an unknown sort.

“Does raining blood count?” echoed a whisper.

Everypony in the room looked around the room, search every corner of the room for the source of the voice. Cadence got off her seat and joined the search. Several guards that had been waiting around the room grabbed their weapons and formed a circle around the two Princesses.

“SHOW YOURSELF! WHO ARE YOU?!” shouted Luna.

Everypony felt another chill as the echo returned. “Ready for the entertainment, birthday girl?”

Looking over the darkest corner of the room, a small green ember ignited, growing larger with every passing second. Suddenly, it shot itself towards the alicorns. Luna projected a shield around the guards that had come to defend them. Unfortunately, the fire passed through the shield like it wasn’t even there, engulfing the guards and the Princess in its light. When the light faded, Luna looked around the find the guards and Cadence were gone. The only other ponies in the room were the petrified guests.

“Cadence? CADENCE?!”

Flapping her wings, Luna rocketed into the sky, blowing through the metal shutters, heading straight for the guards quarters near the palace.

“A flying shark.”

That was the first thing Shining Armor heard as he entered the guard quarters, trotting past a group of ten or so soldiers sitting in a circle on the benches.

“Why would yours be a flying shark?” asked one guard the one on his left.

“It’s a shark that can fly!” retorted the first guard. “What about that isn’t scary?”

After hanging up his helmet, Shining looked back to his soldiers. “What are you all talking about now?”

All the guards shot up onto their hooves and stood tall, saluting their commander. “Sorry, sir!” shouted the guard at the front. “We were discussing personal matters, sir!”

Armor raised his hoof in a relaxing manner. “At ease, stallions. I’m just curious, that’s all,” he said as he removed his uniform. “Mind if I join you?”

The soldiers darted their eyes at each other, each one sharing a nervous and uneasy expression on their brows. Rolling his eyes, Shining trotted over to the group and sat down one of the benches that the soldiers were sitting on when he waked in.

“Gentlecolts, I think by now we can speak candidly with each other as long as we’re not on duty.”

“ Aren't you late for your wife’s birthday, sir?” inquired one of the younger guards.

“I’ll be honest, I hate those parties,” said the captain. “All the attention, bright lights and colours- that’s always been Cadence’s thing. Even the wedding made me a little on edge. I prefer smaller gatherings like this. Besides, I’ll see her for dinner tonight.”

Shining’s friendly smile eased the soldiers breathing, allowing them to sit back down with him.

“So,” continued Armor. “What are we talking about?”

“Our biggest fears,” said one of the older guards. “Command Chain over here says his greatest fear is being eaten by a flying shark.”

“Really think about at!” Command Chain lent into the circle created by his co-workers. “Giant. Flying. Shark…. Rawr!”

As the guards descended into bickering, Shinning couldn’t help but chuckle, feeling at ease in the company of his fellow soldiers. However, his serenity was cut short when one guard tapped him on shoulder.

“Sir? You phased out for a second.”

“Did I? Sorry. Did you say something?”

“Yeah,” said Command Chain. “What’s your biggest fear?”

The room went dead silent as Shining paused before responding. “What?”

“What’s yours?”

Shining’s eyes drifted to the floor for a brief moment. They then rotated up to the faces of his men who seemed to be waiting in anticipation for his response. Years of being captain of the royal guard had taught Shining several skills that were rather useful in his line work. Two of which being the ability to hold back sweat and steady breathing, allowing him to present a calm demeanor.

“Pass.”

“But sir—“

“Pass, soldier.”

All conversation was brought to a halt by the slamming of the door behind the captain. All the soldiers stood up to see their Princess of the Night standing before them, sweating dripping off her face and a face of genuine fright.

“Your Highness!” All the guards followed Shining’s lead in kneeling before Luna. “What’s wrong?”

Luna gulped. “There’s been a situation…”

The Ponyville Express had a maximum amount of baggage its passengers were allowed to take with them. One bag per pony. There was also a specific list of items that ponies were allowed to include in said baggage. Such items include: Clothing, toiletries, money, toys, book and traveling aids for the disabled. The train service has received more than a few complaints in regards to the limit accessories that ponies were allowed to bring, to which the representative would always respond with: Despite what an individual may think, one pony can only handle so much baggage.

This was a rule that Rarity would often ignore, bringing cases and bags of scarves, coats, umbrellas, and other such excessive things. Her friends were far less attached to their possessions. Applejack only brought her Stetson, and a rope for lassoing purposes. Fluttershy brought her drawing pad, which was filled with several, nicely drawn images she had done in her free time. Rainbow Dash had nothing, as usual. Pinkie packed a suitcase full of balloons, in case of a balloon emergency. Twilight, who was the last to board the train, had a saddle bag, with only one thing, a book labeled ‘The History of Equestrian Theatre.’

The mares took their seats in the cart that they had all to themselves. Rainbow rushed for the window seat, Rarity fluffed her pillow, and Applejack instantly laid down on her seat, tipping her hat over her head.

“Wake me when we get there, yall,” said Applejack as she drifted off to sleep.

Looking for a seat, Fluttershy noticed Twilight, nose deep in her book, sitting on the elise side. Fluttershy took a seat next to her friend, opening her sketchbook and pulling out a pencil that was resting on her ear. Twilight lifted her head to see that Fluttershy was doing a rather detailed sketch of her friends in the cart.

“Wow,” gasped Twilight. “That’s really good. When did you start drawing?”

“Oh, it’s just something I do for fun,” remarked Fluttershy. “I spent of a lot of time in school alone, so I started drawing to keep myself busy.” Fluttershy lightly blushed. “I’ve had plenty of practice.”

Twilight leaned over to get a better look. “That’s really impressive. You should be proud!”

Fluttershy put her pencil in the book as a marker and quickly closed it. “I didn’t realize you were interested in the theater.”

“Oh, this?” she said, nodding towards the book in hooves. “The Princess was telling about the plans to reopen the Canterlot Cosmo Theater. It was closed over a decade ago, but they want to reopen it later this year to help reinvigorate the arts and culture side of the city.”

Fluttershy leaned forward. “When you say ‘Princess,’ which one were you talking about?”

Twilight chuckled. “All of them actually. Well, it was Celestia that came up with the idea, but Luna and Cadence are all for it, from what I’ve been told.” She gestured towards her book. “That’s why I’m reading this. She wants me to help out, so I’m doing some research to see what I’m getting into. I’ve been reading this for a couple hours now, and I have to say, this is fascinating!”

Fluttershy scooched over, several paintings of ponies on the stage, wearing decadent costumes, standing in dramatic poses. Next to the paintings were blocks of text that explained the context of the painting.

“It looks very extravagant,” stated Fluttershy. “Is this what Celestia wants?”

“Definitely! She wants the whole deal. Epic scale sets, all-star casts, huge orchestras, they want to make... well, a production out of it.”

Turning the page, Fluttershy noticed a painting that wasn’t to her liking. She saw an alicorn, driving a dagger into another alicorn, spilling blood onto the stage. “Umm... I hope that’s not what Celestia was asking for,” Fluttershy said as her lips trembled.

Twilight shifted awkwardly in her seat. “Actually, this is one of the plays the Celestia suggest be put on first. The play’s called ‘Majesty,’ and it’s about two Queens, representing two different nations that are on the verge of war. The play follows their meetings and private discussions as they try to bring peace, but are still questioning the each other.” Twilight taped her hoof on the painting. “And this is how it ends.”

Fluttershy looked uneasy as she stared at the painting. “I don’t think I wanna see that play. I hope there are nicer ones.”

“Well... Most of the plays in this book involve murder,” she flipped the page to show a gruesome scene of multiple ponies stabbing another in a toga. “Betrayal,” she said as the next page revealed one pony pointing a bearded one in a garden. “And... other stuff.” Twilight closed the book, for Fluttershy’s sake.

A small drop of water creeped out of Fluttershy’s eye. “Why? Why would ponies make stories about horrible things like this?”

Twilight breathed deep before exhaling, looking concerned for her friend. “Well, you should know that there are plenty of plays that are comedies and romances. But... I’m not sure what else to tell you Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy, looking far more depressed than she did when she boarded the train, leaned back in her seat and resumed sketching her friends. Twilight resumed her research.

“Sometimes ponies want a tragedy.”

The green energy faded and Cadence finally opened her eyes. She was in an area of the palace that was all too familiar: the wing in which her wedding was held. However, there was one noticeable difference: It was dark, very dark. There was no sunlight coming through the stain-glass windows, the lights had been turned off and because of it, Cadence could only see a few feet in front of her, and that was including the light coming off her horn.

“Your Highness!”

Cadence jolted at the touch of a hoof on her shoulder. Swiftly turning around, she saw a guard standing by her side, spear at the ready. “Calm down, your Highness. We’re here and ready to lay down our lives for you.”

Cadence turned to her left and saw another guard standing close by. Breathing slowly, she was able to hear all the hoof steps of all the other guards that were swept up in the magical energy with her. She couldn’t see then, but were there for her. They always were.

“Good to hear!”

The room went dead silent as the guards and Princess darted their eyes all over the darkness, searching for the voice that just shouted at them.

“Canterlot’s Finest, I’m so glad you could make it. Now the show can begin!”

As the guards continued searching the room, Cadence searched her memories. Searching for that voice, that spine chilling voice. Her eyes shot open.

“Chrysalis?” she asked the darkness.

The voice gasped. “Congratulations, birthday girl! You get a prize! A riddle. It’s one of my favourites.”

“Show yourself, parasite!” shouted one guard who was lost in the shadows on the right side of the room.

“About that riddle…” continued the voice. “What’s strong as stone, but weak as tissue?” After the voice stopped, the whole room head a thumping sound off to the right side of the wing. “How about you, loudmouth?” said the invisible voice. “Do you know?”

“Stand back you—“

The brave soldiers’ voice was silenced by a loud crunch, followed the thumping of flesh hitting the floor.

“Stallions. The answer is Stallions.”

Cadence could hear the two guards at her side shaking in their horseshoes. Their spears were wobbling and perspiration seeped through their helmets.

“They put on their armor, they go to work and they tell you that they’re tough, that they can take anything life can throw at them.” The voice was suddenly behind them. “But you and I both know better, don’t we?”

“Chrysalis!” shouted Cadence. “By the authority of the Canterlot Royal Family, I place you under arrest! Surrender immediately and be judged for your crimes!”

“Let me finish, child.” The voice suddenly sounded deeper. “I was talking about our favourite colt. Our better half, hehehehehe.”

Cadence took a step forward, glaring straight into the darkness. “Don’t you dare mention him!”

“Why? He’s my husband just as much as he is yours.” Now the voice sounded smug.

“How dare—“

Cadence was interrupted by a brush of wind to her left side. She and the guard on her right turned to find nothing. The other guard had vanished.

“Oh Celestia, please!” cried the frightened soldier from the ether. His cries were turned into muffles until he was silent.

“I know Shining Armor better than you do. You should have seen him when we were alone. The things he would tell me, open up with me… the things he would do to me.”

“I said stand down!”

The breeze moved around the room. Every second, Cadence and her guard heard thump after thump after thump until the only sound in the room was their increased heart rates. Looking down, the two ponies found a spear covered in blood roll out of the darkness until it bumped up against the Princess’ forelegs.

The Princess’ eyes started to water. “You… You monster!”

“No, but close.” The voice was sounding less and less playful with each passing sentence. “I’m a method actress. I take on a role with all of my being. I like to really get under a character’s skin. Find out what makes them tick. And boy oh boy, do I know how you tick!”

“Y… You’re lying,” Cadence forced past the lump out of throat.

“Really? Then how did he not know it wasn’t you? How did he go for weeks without getting a hint that his wife was gone?”

Cadence and the guard started to tremble.

The changeling Queen continued. “It’s because I was you. That’s what a good actress does. They convince the audience they’re something else. And I had everypony buying it… Let me ask you something. Do you enjoy the theatre, birthday girl?”

“Silence,” growled Cadence.

“I asked you a question.”

“I said Sile—“

Another breeze went past the Princess. The last guard was gone. She was all alone in the dark.

“I know I do. The acting, the drama, the tragedy, I love it. I love it to death. I’ve always loved to tell stories through plays, but I never had the chance to tell my story to a wide audience.” The Queen’s voice sounded like it was bouncing around the room. “But now I can! I’ve got a great three act play. And guess what? You’re the star!”

Cadence’s voice started to squeak and her face began to crack.

“I’ll give you breakdown. It’s about a selfish little bitch of Princess, her coward husband and their extended family. A lying, out of control family that runs a nation with an iron hoof, not caring for the lives those that serve them.”

“What are you—“

“But that’s when our hero enters!” continued the Queen. “She brings them down one by one. Breaking their bones, spilling their blood and crushing every little piece of their pathetic little lives. It all builds up to a great climax where this Princess dies by the hoof of Equestria’s favourite Son. What do you think?”

Cadence mustered all of her strength to swallow the saliva that had built up in her mouth. “I think you’re insane. You have no right!”

“On the contrary, I have every right! All of Equestria’s a stage, and all the mares and stallions merely players.” The voice was getting closer and closer. “And I’m the director.”

Cadence couldn’t respond. How could she? Her mind was blank and fear constricted every muscle in her body.

“Do you know what Shining Armor’s greatest fear is?” the voice asked. “I know because he told me in bed one night. He mentioned that he had never told you before. Let me guess… he hasn’t told you, has he?”

Despite Cadence’s vision, it sounded like Chrysalis was standing only a few feet away from her.

“I didn’t think so.”

“SHUT UP!” Cadence’s cry echoed throughout the wing. “You want to kill me?! Why don’t you just do it?!”

“Oh Cadence, where’s your sense of drama? You need to tell the story before you get to the good stuff. We have to set up the characters, establish why you deserve to die, give the audience a bit of hope that you’ll survive… and then you can die. And trust me, when the fat mare sings for you…”

Cadence felt a punctured tongue brush up the side of her face, leaving a trail of something disgusting behind.

“She’s going to squeeeeeaaaaalll!”

Letting out a blood curdling scream, the light on Cadence’s horn vanished, leaving her a realm of darkness, waiting for it all to take her.

However, the darkness was shattered by the doors to the wing swinging open, letting the bright sunlight as well as a whole battalion of guards, the first of which being the captain.

“Cadence!” Carrying a robe with his magic, Shining wrapped up his wife as his guards illuminated the room, silenced by the horrifying state of their fellow soldiers. “Cadence, what happened?”

“I’m not afraid,” cried the Princess. “I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid.”

Giving off its usual hoot, The Ponyville Express departed the Canterlot station, leaving the mane six, alone at the station. Glancing around the interior of the station, Twilight noticed there was nopony else in the station, the lights weren’t even left on.

“Twilight,” began Rarity. “Did the Princess mention anything about this to you?”

“Rarity, I can safely say that I have no idea what’s going on,” Twilight answered.

The mares trotted around the room, looking for signs of life. Their hoofsteps echoed throughout the hall, no other noises could be heard.

“HELLO!” shouted Rainbow. “ANYPONY HERE!”

The pegasus’s voice bounced off the walls for what seemed like a good while. Shivers traveled down each of the ponies spines, when they actually heard something back: more hoofsteps. Hoofsteps that weren’t coming from them.

“No, there is nopony else here.” The source of the voice emerged from the darkness. “And as far as anypony else is concerned, that includes the seven of us.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “Princess Celestia? What’s going on here?”

The Princess took a cautionary glance around the station. “The station has been evacuated under emergency circumstances. Termites or something, I haven’t decided yet.”

Rainbow shot the alicorn a suspicious look. “Princess, could you just spit out what the hay is going on here? You’re freaking us out.”

The Princess came closer, now putting herself in the light of the moon that was coming through a large window. “On the contrary, Rainbow Dash, I am the one who is freaked out.”

Twilight came closer to her teacher. “Princess, please tell us what’s going on.”

Celestia gulped. “Twilight, Chrysalis has returned, and I’m afraid that nopony is safe this time. It’s worse than before. Far worse.”

Twilight and her friends gasped.

“Chrysalis?!” shouted Applejack. “Tell us where she is and we’ll put her in her place.”

“I wish I could,” said Celestia. “We have no idea where she is, where’s she’s going, or what she wants. And even worse, we don’t even know what she looks like.”

“Princess, what happened?” asked Fluttershy.

Celestia took another look around the station. “During one of Cadence’s parties, she teleported her and several guard into a confined space. She then killed all the guards, and threatened Cadence, saying she was going to kill her and her ‘extended family.’ She’s not out to take over the city like before. She doesn’t want love, she wants blood.”

The mares shivered in place, even Pinkie couldn’t put up a smile.

“Princess,” began Twilight. “If Chrysalis is here, you need to alert everypony and start a citywide search for her. Why are we meeting in secret here?” Twilight noticed that the moonlight had darkened Celestia’s brow.

“Do you have any idea what happened after the wedding? The ponies of this city grew suspicious of us. Wondering how we could have been so incompetent as to let the Changeling Queen into the city undetected. If they hear that she’s back, and killing with no remorse, there’ll be panic in the streets. There’ll be riots, and for all we know, that could be exactly what she wants.”

The girls gave each other worried looks. Turning back to Celestia, her darkened eyes did nothing to make the girls feel any more comfortable.

“You girls will be moving into the palace for the foreseeable future. You have a job to do. And you’ll be doing it discreetly.”

The door to Cadence’s and Shining Armor's room creaked open as the two crawled inside, shutting the door behind them, Shining making a point to lock the door behind them.

Cadence sat at the foot of the bed, and stared into the mirror on the other side of the room. Staring into the mirror, she saw her husband take his place by her side. After a moment of silence, Shining spoke up.

“I’m sorry I missed your birthday.” He heard no response from his wife. “I was busy with work and I--”

“She was toying with me,” stated Cadence bluntly. “She could’ve killed me right then and there. She could’ve done it slowly and painful, yet here I am.”

Shining gently laid a hoof in his wife’s lap. She jolted, but settled. “Honey, I’m sorry I wasn’t there. But I made a promise to you that I would be there for you, no matter what. I know I don’t have to make this promise again, but I will take care of this, Chrysalis will pay for what she’s done, and you will be safe.”

Armor wrapped her hoof around his wife, holding her close. Cadence, however, just continued to stare into the mirror, sweat dripping onto the floor.

“I feel selfish,” she whispered. “You being here with me should make me feel like we can accomplish anything. But all I can think about is how scared I am. How frightened I am that she could be anywhere at anytime. And I don’t even know if she wants to kill me or not.”

Shining rested his head on hers. “Sweetheart, you are not selfish. You’re just scared, I’m scared too. But we’ll be fine.” With his free hoof, he stroked her hair with a sly smile on his face. “You know, I didn’t give you your birthday present.”

Cadence pulled her gaze from the mirror, staring into her husbands eyes with a look of disbelief. “Are... you serious?”

Shining laid his wife onto the bed, rolling on top of her and gazing lustfully into her eyes. “Very.”

The Princess shifted her eyes. “Shining, I’m really not in the mood right now.”

Ignoring her, Shining kissed her, pushing his tongue into her mouth. “You need to relax, forget about your troubles,” he said, after pulling away.

Cadence gazed up at him in shock. “Those were your soldiers she killed. How can you be--”

“Sssshhhh!” Shining lowered her his head until they were only an inch apart. “This is how it’ll always be, baby. No matter what. It’s just you and me, forever.”

Without warning, the door to the bedroom slammed open, shattering the lock. Cadence and Shining turned their heads to find a surprising guest. A white stallion, with a blue mane, covered in garbage. His cutie mark was a purple shield.

“Cadence! I was knocked...”

Shining trailed off at the sight before him. Another him, on top of his wife. Cadence stared, wide-eyed at her new guest. She slowly rotated her head the stallion on top of her, who, in turn, rotated his head to her. When their gazes met, they shared a moment of silence.

Slowly, the stallion on top of her started to smile, revealing his teeth. Instead of the pearly whites he had a few seconds ago, they were now green and full of holes, out of his mouth dripped a disgusting green substance, as well as a punctured tongue that hissed at her.

Cadence screeched at the top of her lungs, only to be cut off by a blinding blue light that emitted from Shining’s horn.

A powerful energy beam knocked the imposter off Cadence, sending them through the window. As the body plummeted to the ground, it was suddenly engulfed in a green flame, which then shot up into the sky and disappeared, leaving nothing but an echo of maniacal laughte.

Rolling on the bed, Cadence screamed and screamed, letting tears openly flow onto the bed. Shining jumped onto the bed, trying to restrain his wife.

“Cadence! Calm down! CADENCE!”

She didn’t respond. She just kept screaming, waking up the whole palace in the process. From the outside, it looked like the whole castle had lit up.

It was easy to tell that the whole stage was about to crumble. As each of her four hooves landed, a sharp, spine chilling creek echoed throughout the whole theater. Stage left to stage right, stage right to stage left, she trotted. Hooves pacing from one side of the stage to the other, turning around as she reached the crimson curtains that had been left open. A large stage light was set up for her to walk in front of. The purpose of this light was used in theater to create a silhouette effect, however, holes in the mares body caused beams of light to shine into the empty seats. The solitary figure continued to trot back and forth, watching the light shine through her and onto the seats. The creeks became louder and louder, making it clear that her body was not the only thing that stage had to support. Pain, anguish, fear and menace were trotting on four legs. The weight of these things made the inevitable clear; this stage was destined to come crumbling to the ground. She slowly stopped when she noticed six individual beams of light illuminating the seats. A dark, punctured tongue lolled out of her mouth, licking her lips that were covered in an odd green substance. Once her lips were dry, the corners turned upward, creating a sinister smile.

“And oh what heights I’ll hit... On with the show, this is it!”

Next: Break a Leg!