Somepony's Disillusion

PONYVILLE ENEMY #1

The paths leading back to Ponyville are serenaded by the sounds of the animal populace awakening for their day; as the yellow pegasus trots her way down, she gleefully looks around to watch them rise. Rabbits crawl out of their holes to frolic, squirrels chitter and the birdsong of earlier continues. Fluttershy hums a quiet tune as she walks - what a lovely change of pace for this morning…

BZZT!

There it was again! Fluttershy yelps as another red energy arc connects from the path to the bark of a nearby tree.

“O-Okay…this isn’t funny!” The pegasus quietly calls out, looking around to see if she can identify the source of the magic energy. Still no pony to speak of, it’s just her and the critters. “I-If you’re there…j-just come out and face me!”

Fluttershy turns, and turns, she looks up, she looks down, pokes her hooves through the nearby bushes to peer incase somepony is lurking; she’s so frustrated and yet so scared, who’s messing with her like this? Troublemakers always tend to make a scene when they arrive, and yet despite that, she cannot see even a lick of evidence—!

BZZT!

A small energy arc strikes the ground in front of Fluttershy and slightly tickles one of her hooves with a small hot sensation; immediately, her legs spin fast as she screams and darts down the path at lightning speeds. In the commotion, Angel falls onto the ground, expressing their dissatisfaction with a pouty expression.

Fluttershy rapidly decelerates, flapping her wings to counteract her speed as she backs herself up against a wall on her hind legs. Scanning the area still, she almost feels like she’s being driven crazy.

“Show yourself!” She quietly yells once more.

She waits.

The only reply that the yellow pegasus gets is the gentle breeze of the morning.

She sighs.

“Oh no, wait, Angel!” Fluttershy realises, as she immediately pulls herself off the wall and gallops back towards where she had previously been, what if they go missing again?!

Just some distance away, another pony begins their morning with a delivery to be made to a friend. Carrying a small basket in her mouth, Applejack is on what should just be a quick little trip down to Ponyville’s Golden Oak Library.

“Twilight is real lucky to have asked for these when she did…” She says to herself. Looking down at the apples she’s carrying, they’re all exclusively of the red variety, just as Twilight had asked her for. “All fresh from the harvest!”

Suddenly, a quick burning sensation hits Applejack by the hoof, she recoils back to see some small red energy arcs fly across the path from her basket.

“What in tarnation..?”

She looks down at the basket, then looks around - was this a prank? It seems most likely, but as she scours the horizons of Sweet Apple Acres, there’s nopony to be seen. Applejack chuckles to herself.

“Didn’t realise I’d gotten zap apples, hah!”

Fluttershy gallops through the streets of Ponyville, with Angel holding on tight onto her head; the yellow pegasus wants nothing more to do with this weird red energy business.

Her mind continues to race, cluttering her thoughts - she was going to be okay, sure, but would it continue? Would it get worse or disappear? Were the animals going to be okay? It did nearly hit Angel…

All inner monologue of hers suddenly dissipates as she sees a similarly warm-colour coated friend emerge from another street, carrying a small basket. Foreseeing the collision with Applejack, Fluttershy lets out an ‘eep!’ as she immediately starts trying to grind herself to a halt, digging her hooves into the ground as she skids to a halt.

Applejack, hearing the approaching pony’s struggle to halt steps aside to avoid the collision herself.

“Woah there pardner! What’s got you running so fast, Fluttershy? Somepony comin’ after ya?” She asks with a hint of worry, glancing over behind the yellow Pegasus to see if somepony’s in pursuit of her. Squinting to see ahead, there’s nothing aside from a very, very distant pony headed the complete opposite direction.

“O-Oh! Um…Angel suddenly ran off and I had to see where he went… I found him though, he’s okay.”

The small rabbit nods quickly, gazing down at A.J. from atop Fluttershy’s head.

“Well, looks like you’ve got it sorted! I was just deliverin’ these here apples to Twilight, said she needed ‘em for a spell she wants to try…”

As Applejack continues, she takes a second proper glance at Fluttershy - she knows that poor lil’ Flutters may not be the most willing to converse with others, but something seems off today… she’s more worried than her usual self, so she puts down her basket.

“Flutters, you’re lookin’ a little pale in the face.” Applejack says, side-eyeing the yellow pegasus.

“O-Oh. Um. I…was just trying a… new… beauty product…?” Fluttershy replies, faking a smile and glancing her gaze up to make eye-contact.

She doesn’t sound very convincing.

“I see fear in ya eyes, c’mon girl. Something’s botherin’ ya, I won’t mention it to anypony else if need be.”

Fluttershy stammers, she’s trying to pick up the words to talk and they’re all just falling out of her mouth. She can’t help but be stuck thinking about it - there’s no reason this should be occupying her mind as much as it has. She’s seen so much more extravagant magic performed even by her friends…

“I-I just…when I went to find Angel, I kept getting followed by this… w-weird, red magic, and it burns..!”

The rabbit nods once more, attempting to make a scary face and slashing through the air, mimicking lightning strikes.

“Hmm, that sure is weird. Certain you didn’t just walk in on a unicorn doin’ their damndest to work their magic? Or maybe that Twilight’s spell involves time-hoppin’ apples on fire?” Applejack snickers. “I did see some of that magic flyin’ as I was leavin’ the farm myself.”

Fluttershy could almost breathe a sigh of relief - okay. That means at least she’s not going crazy or that this is somepony messing with her specifically, but it doesn’t explain the ‘why’ or ‘how’ of the matter. If only there was…

“Hey, once I’ve dropped these off at Twilight’s library, why don't we tell her ‘bout it? Maybe she’d know what’s happenin’.”

Nervously glancing about, Fluttershy looks at A.J. from the corner of her eye, the hatted pony replying with a smile.

“Just let me get Angel home first...”

“That’s all good pardner, I should be at the library by the time you’re back!”

Fluttershy nods, before breaking off back into a gallop towards home; now that they’ve got Applejack willing to help figure things out, it makes her feel more comforted. Hopefully, Twilight might have the answer in one of those books of hers - it can’t be too complicated, surely.

At the site of teleportation, the Red Pegasus makes his way through the field, glancing from side to side, back to front - what a fascinating location he’s ended up in.

When he heard Equestria was so bright and colourful, he could’ve never imagined it was to this level, almost straight out of a picture book - a far cry from the place he calls home, where it would be common-place to run across towns, cities and more with completely unnatural urban planning, buildings hiding underground chambers, military compounds almost extraterrestrial in nature and enough missile silos of contrasting colours to end the planet...

Sure, he’s even seen some real colourful places across his journeys, but…it was nothing like Equestria, truly.

There’s something so alluring about this place, about its natural colours and sights to behold. He stops near a tree to sit for a moment; while he may have successfully teleported to Equestria in under a second, he feels as if he’s spent years travelling, and that disorienting headache is coming right back - such teleportation isn’t easy on the mind nor the body.

Damnit, surely there’s gotta be somebody around here he can loot for a quick snack. A few glances reveal what he should have expected - no one. A second glance upwards reminds him it’s the morning - of course, not many people would be out and about yet.

“If that’s even how it works here to begin with...” The Red Pegasus mumbles to himself. “These damned ponies are gonna pay.” He continues, grinding his teeth on the blade’s handle.

As he stims idly, he watches the wildlife of Equestria go by, it’s as if he’s no big deal to these creatures - to them, he is just another Pony after all, even despite his origins and his… creator. It makes his mind drift for even just a moment, pondering over the potential that he doesn’t have to do what he’s come here for, but he quickly shakes it off - that’s heresy. He was born for this, it’s all he knows after all.

The Red Pegasus stands tall and prideful, his blade drawn he readies his wings and quickly darts up into the air to scout the surrounding region. With his birds-eye view of Ponyville, he looks about, raising a hoof above his face to block the sunlight. He notes some places that seem to be notable landmarks - at the very least he’ll be able to use them as reference when traversing.

As he continues to look around the layout of Ponyville, he spots the yellow and pink pony from earlier, perfect. She’ll make for a first—

“Hey! What are you up to, nerd?”

“AGH!“

Jumpscared by the voice, his sword drops from his mouth. Watching it fall his mind races with options - Does he call out the mystery voice? Does he turn around to see where it came from? Does he go after the sword? ~~Why did the voice sound so...~~? In mere seconds, the Red Pegasus suddenly changes his angle of flight and darts all the way back to the ground, catching the blade’s handle back in his mouth-

“Got it!“

-before immediately crashing at high speeds into a bush.

Rainbow Dash lifts the pair of shades she’s wearing with a hoof as she glances over the edge, looking down from the slowly drifting cloud she’s laying on as the other Pegasus plummets.

“What was his deal? Had a cool looking sword and everything.”

Back on the ground, The Red Pegasus groans as he stumbles forward and falls out of the bush, some sparks of red energy flying from his mane as he does. Great. He’s just got here, he’s feeling a pounding headache, absolutely starving, and like the absolute genius he claims himself to be, decided to dive headfirst into the ground wielding a sword.

Looking up at the sky for the unknown Pony he heard, he sees nothing - it’s a clear morning sky aside from a cloud passing by.

Grumbling, he picks the sword back up and looks around for a path to hop over onto. The blade now dragging a line through the ground as he walks, he’s regretting not getting a sheath for this thing.

“If I hear that pony again… She’s gonna get what’s coming for her.”

Making his way towards Ponyville, he catches sight of the pink and yellow pony again who seems to be running somewhere, but after seeing other ponies, proceeds to back himself up against the wall of a house - he doesn’t know the populace’s level of security, do they have a police force or something equivalent? That blade of his would certainly set off alarms. The Red Pegasus grunts as he drags the sword up and clamps down on its handle tighter, keeping it raised off the ground to stop the marks that have formed from his trek. Better not leave a trail.

The rumble of his belly reminds him that he’s still hungry and tired. As he glances around the corner again, he sees the yellow and pink pony meet with an accomplice, one with a hat - and she’s got… a basket? Oh this cannot be even more perfect than it is now. He ruminates over what she could be carrying, but at this point, he’s going to take anything edible.

“A two for one deal and snacks to enjoy… Heh, this’ll be a perfect first impression.“

Over with the warm-coloured pony pair, Fluttershy has finally caught back up with Applejack, panting a little from the involuntary morning workout she’s gone through.

“Fluttershy! Told ya I’d be here.”

“Oh thank goodness…” Fluttershy breathes a sigh of relief.

Hiding behind whatever he can come by, the Red Pegasus slowly inched his way closer to the pair of ponies walking towards the Golden Oak Library. He had to do this in such a manner that wouldn’t alert everypo- everyone to his actions.

Of course, this wasn’t going to be easy, but he figured that inevitably he would have to make a scene anyways, a statement, to show these ponies who they should fear the might of. He feels pumped, all that preparation has finally culminated, and he feels his heart race as the adrenaline courses through him.

As the sword-wielding pegasus gets closer and closer, he’s able to hear the pair of mares talk.

“...Gotta say, you’re looking better than when I saw you earlier.”

“Yea… Nothing has happened since the morning, so I think it’s all okay now…”

“That’s the spirit!”

Applejack and Fluttershy arrive at the door, as Applejack knocks on it with a hoof, the yellow pegasus suddenly catches a blur in her vision - a red & blue streak of motion leading to behind the tree the Golden Oak Library is built into. Was somepony following her now? It was rather fast-

The door to the library suddenly swings open as Twilight greets the pony pair with a smile. “Perfect timing seeing you Applejack! Thanks for doing this for me.“ she says. Applejack returns her own smile and tips her hat at Twilight, only for Fluttershy to poke her head out from behind the Earth Pony.

“Oh! Hi Fluttershy, you brought her along, A.J?“

Conversation is occurring on the other side. Not much time left to make the move. It’s finally happening.

“Yup! She’s been shaken to the apple core by some weird magic and she’s been stickin’ to me like glue ever since. Figure you could help us with what she’s worryin’ about?”

Use wings for additional propulsion through the air, need to be decisive about this.

“Sure, let’s just get this out of the way; c’mon, you two.“ Twilight raises a hoof to welcome the two inside, Applejack trots inside as Twilight focuses her gaze on her, turning her back on the front door.

Just need to tackle her to the ground and swing.

As she takes her steps forward to the door, Fluttershy mutters in a whisper “I t-think somepony might be following us...”

Now or never.

SLASH.

Before she could even get a hoof into the library, Fluttershy is suddenly sent flying as the Red Pegasus makes impact, the two Pegasi tumble across the ground as she feels a sensation of light-headedness overcome her. Ponies all around the streets watch on in horror, all some levels of stunned, shocked, utterly flabbergasted at the scene unfolding before them.

THE RELEASE! The ABSOLUTE sensation… Oh it’s HAPPENING..! I’m going to SHOW these ponies what it means to feel true fear! I could almost cackle, I’m going to drain these weaklings of all life they hold! They deserve NONE of it!

The tumbling Pegasi brakes to a stop as Fluttershy lands on her back, gazing weakly up at her attacker, her eyes well up in tears. She feels so utterly hurt and paralyzed, she attempts to raise a hoof to strike back with a slap, anything, and she can barely muster the energy to.

The Red Pegasus looks down upon his victim, part of her mane has been sliced right off and a cut has formed across her chest just below the neck, and she is bleeding. Just one final strike will be enough to finish her right off.

“FLUTTERSHY!”

As he raises his blade to finish her off, he looks down into those terrified eyes, his green eyes lock gazes with her blue pupils. The Red Pegasus, seeing another one of his kin for the first time in his life, so up-close, so personal, suddenly has his expression turn from pure ecstasy, utter pleasure in the actions he’s taking…

…to complete fear.

Time seems to slow to an absolute crawl as he hears hooves rapidly approaching, ponies in the streets screaming in terror and running, either choosing to hide themselves in their homes or to flee the scene outright. His mind is suddenly punctured with thousands upon thousands of thoughts racing, it’s as if everything around him and the trembling Pegasus underneath has frozen in place.

The Red Pegasus stumbles backwards, tears welling up in his own eyes as his head drops weakly behind him, his jaw losing its grip on the sword as it drops, he hears the hurt female Pegasus wail, shriek and cry, and the sounds of her pain resonate deep inside him. His ears start to ring, unable to hear any of the commotion.

Before he can land on the ground on his back with his neck positioned to hit the flat part of the blade, he’s surrounded by a purple aura and kept afloat in the air. He watches as the cloud drifting above him suddenly dissipates into a puff as a rainbow streak catapults itself down from it.

…This is how I die. Isn’t it.

“YOU… MANIAC!”

THWACK.

The Red Pegasus is suddenly sent flying in a different direction as Applejack kicks him with her hind legs right in the head. He tumbles some more and crashes into a wall head-first, his green headphones snap clean in half as he impacts the wall, feeling the blood rush from his head and right out of his scalp. The Red Pegasus falls forwards from the wall and lands on his belly on the ground, his vision weakens, it blurs with tears. It hurts.

The last thing he sees as his eyelids shut close and his grasp on reality begins to waver, is a pair of ponies - one purple, and the other the hatted orange one - running towards him, before suddenly… His vision goes completely dark, and his grip on the conscious world slips.

“Rainbow! Get Fluttershy to the hospital NOW!” Twilight Sparkle calls out as she rushes towards the limp Red Pegasus with Applejack. Rainbow Dash salutes the command as she scoops up the shivering Fluttershy, immediately darting away.

Fury in her eyes, Applejack looks as if she’s ready to kill him on the spot, only for Twilight to place a hoof on her chest and push her back. “Be better than him. Don’t push him any further than you have.” She says to the earth pony who currently looks like she could collapse a barn in a single glare.

“Fine.”

Twilight reluctantly steps forward closer to the Red Pegasus, turning him over with a hoof onto his back she places an ear up to his chest. The bleeding from his head is still going, and it’s slightly staining the base of his mane.

“Well… he’s still beating. Just knocked unconscious now.”

She breathes a sigh of relief, lifting her head as she looks over at Applejack. “We’re going to need to figure out what to do with him now, we can’t just leave him bleeding out like this.”

“I ain't helpin’ him.”

“Please..?”

“No. I’m gonna go see if poor lil’ Fluttershy is okay. My friends matter more than this weirdo.” Applejack replies as she tips her hat down, immediately breaking off into a gallop before Twilight can fit a retort in.

Twilight Sparkle looks around, seeing the Ponyville populace still in shock from the moment and sighs. None of them are gonna want to try to help this attempted murderer get to safety, and understandably so, but if she leaves him like this, she’s never gonna get an answer as to why he performed such a horrible action, against Fluttershy nonetheless.

She attempts to lift him again using her magic, her horn flaring up with a purple aura, but she quickly exhausts herself and drops him back onto the ground - she’s really not able to muster it after that mess. Out of other possible ideas in the moment, she moves to his side and attempts to start nudging the unconscious red pegasus into a roll utilising her head. A small red energy spark flies from his mane as he hits the ground on his side.

“Oh! Twilight! Twilight! Surely I could help, right?” Spike asks, waving his arms as he runs up to her. He’d been fearfully witnessing the commotion from the door of the library and seen this moment as his chance to shine - something to take his mind off the horrible scene he just watched play out.

Twilight looks up at Spike, and sighs. “You can try. Come on then.”

“Thanks! I won’t let you down!” Spike immediately grabs a front leg of the downed red pegasus and slinks it over his shoulder, trembling a little under the weight as he starts to pull them.

…Very, very slowly.

Twilight rolls her eyes as she watches Spike try to pull him all by himself, so she walks over to behind the red pony and uses her front legs to start pushing him, accompanied by Spike pulling from the front, the pair start gaining much more distance.

This is gonna be a doozy of a report to Princess Celestia once this is all over.

“There we go! Good as new.”

Spike sits on the back of the unconscious red pegasus, having finished bandaging up his scalp and now holding an ice pack to their head. The pair have brought him upstairs in the Golden Oak Library to rest somewhere better and possibly nurse him back to health a little. “He’s gonna be more willing to talk if we show him we mean no harm. Thank you Spike.” Twilight says.

“But didn’t we… y’know?”

“…We mean no further harm.” She elaborates. “Look, Applejack knocked him out good, but I suspect that he might wake up soon, the ropes tied around his legs should keep him immobile.”

The alicorn closes the book she’s reading and puts it back on the shelves. “I’m going to go visit Fluttershy now, Spike, you know what to do in case he wakes up.”

“You betcha!” Spike salutes Twilight as she descends the stairs, the small dragon turns to the red pegasus he’s sitting atop and lets go of the ice pack, rubbing his hands together. “I’m going to make him talk… Hehe…”

Twilight pops her head back up to the second floor, bemused. Spike awkwardly darts his focus around the room before returning to holding the ice pack, sighing. Twilight continues down the steps, pondering to herself…

“He better have a good reason for his actions.”