Sanguine Joy

Chapter 4: Making Friends

The last rays of sunlight filled Sugarcube Corner. As Pinkie was reaching for the keys, preparing to close the shop, her eyes fell upon a large group of ponies.

Why is there such a commotion? Maybe some travelling performer arrived! I hope he’ll be better than Trixie was.

Pinkie trotted towards the crowd, but couldn’t see why they gathered, until she heard a strong, authoritative voice.

“Move along, there is nothing to see here!”

There was a cordon of guards, carrying an object hidden under black cloth.

“What, or who, are you carrying? Is it Caramel?” one of the bystanders asked.

“I said there is nothing to see here!” said a gray stallion as he stepped forward. His brown suit underlined his stern tone as he stared directly into the onlooker’s eyes. “All information is classified, in order not to hamper the ongoing criminal investigation. Is that clear?”

“Y–yes.”

“Good. Now get out of the way!”

Suddenly, a light-blue pegasus shot down from the sky, stopping inches above the cloth covered object. It was Sassaflash, who quickly lifted the cloth and uncovered the mysterious object. She cried out an ear-piercing scream and collapsed to the ground, taking the cloth with her, as the object turned out to be a horribly mangled, broken body of Caramel.

“Who... Who did this to him? Tell me who it was, so I can do the same to him!” Sassaflash screamed, but another glance at dead Caramel was enough to send her weeping back to the ground.

“All I can say is that we gathered some evidence, which we believe will lead to the killer. Do not take justice in your own hooves, please. We don’t need you accusing everypony around.”

One of the guards covered the body again and the whole cordon continued moving towards its destination – the hospital’s morgue.

How? How did they find him?! Nopony is foolish enough to go into the Everfree forest!

It doesn’t matter how they found it. What matters is the evidence they claim to have. Lead them to the killer, they said. It seems like you didn’t do the job as properly as I thought after all.

Pinkie stood still in front of the bakery, following the procession with her eyes. Her mane looked flatter than usual and her usual trademark grin was nowhere to be found, replaced by a blank expression.

What should I do? Destroy the evidence they have?

No use. They already know what evidence they have, so they can trace you even without it. The fact that you haven’t been dragged off yet means that they don’t have enough of it, or that they didn’t piece it all together yet.

Her head lowered and small tears started to gather under her eyes.

So... they are going to arrest and probably execute me? Is everything lost?

It never is. Remember that you are strong. Stronger than you think. All you have to do is drink. Drink until you are full and then some more! Drink until you even sweat blood and then strike. Strike them down and tear them to pieces! You should also make some ‘friends’ in the process, they will prove helpful.

Tears started to fall on the dusty road, and small sobs began to escape her throat.

No!

Are we playing this game again? Very well...

Pinkie stood still for a minute, taking deep breaths, but felt nothing.

What? Why aren’t you attacking?

She clenched her teeth, squeezed her eyes and pressed her lips, ready to fight for her own mind. Isn’t taking control of her and destroying everything she holds dear what it wants?

Talk to me!

Opening her eyes, squinting at first, she found out everything was just the same as it was a minute ago. When nothing happened for another minute, she frowned and her posture sagged.

“Whatever,” she said, and slowly walked back into the shop.

———

Pinkie shuffled and turned in her bed, her bloodshot eyes looking at the ceiling. She was laying there for three hours now.

Why. Can’t. I. Fall. Asleep?

The alarm clock read midnight, and Pinkie turned over her pillow for about the twentieth time.

Hello there, Pinkie. I came to play our little game.

Pinkie clenched her duvet and closed her eyes, cold sweat forming on her back.

Leave me alone! I already told you that I don’t want to, and won’t, do it!

If you didn’t want to, then I wouldn’t either. And believe me Pinkie, you will do it.

A black fog started to cloud her vision. She tried to concentrate, to form at least some defences, but sleep deprivation and fear eroded her mental walls from within, so they only needed a little push to fall. What arrived was not a little push, but rather a large cannon ball, that blasted her into the black abyss of nothingness.

———

The lights of Carousel Boutique shone like a lighthouse in the dark. Rarity was working late into the night on one of her dresses again, her consumption of caffeine rivalling Twilight’s.

One stitch here, one there and violà! The dress is finished.

She took a step back, admiring her own work.

This is one of my very best ones. I’m sure this will catch everypony’s eyes!

She then gathered her threads and needles, putting each of them in their designated drawers.

I could use some moonlight silk for my next dress... No, that’s too expensive. I could use the white lily cotton – the difference is minimal and it’s much cheaper. The saddle co–

She spotted a shadow in the corner of her eye, but it was gone sooner than she could focus on it. She scanned the place where she saw it with her eyes, furrowing her brow when everything seemed to be in order. After staring there for a while, she finally moved on, getting back to her previous train of thoughts.

...could be done in the saddle-arabian style or–

There it was again. Rarity could swear she saw it, but found nothing. She had that itch on the back of her neck, like someone was looking at her. Even when she carefully inspected each and every corner of the room, the feeling still refused to go away.

“Is anyone here?”

All that could be heard was the wind whistling through the branches of a nearby tree and a distant howling of a stray dog.

“I guess it was nothing.”

Rarity walked towards the stairs, but after three steps a floorboard creaked behind her. Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated when she heard it. She knew she should be alone, but something, or someone, was obviously here too! She didn’t wait for another second and bucked behind her, hitting something soft. She turned around and took a boxing stance. In front of her lay a pony dressed completely in black with even his face covered, who was now getting back on his legs. A stallion, Rarity guessed, because he reminded her of a bank robber from her favourite book.

“Who are you? What are you doing in my house?”

The pony rose from the floor back on his hooves and launched himself on Rarity, completely ignoring her
wanna-be boxer posture.

"Hel–!"

The assailant buried his teeth in her neck, but Rarity drifted out into the merciful land of unconsciousness before he even started to suck.

———

The candles in the boutique had already burned out by the time Rarity woke up. It was still dark, yet she could see just fine.

What happened?

She slowly stood up, her torpid muscles screaming in protest, and leaned against the nearest wall for support.

I was attacked...

Her hoof quickly rose to her neck to check the place where she was bitten, but found no trace of any injury.

I thought he bit me in the neck...? But it was no dream, I remember the psychopath vividly. I have to report him before he attacks somepony else!

She managed to make two steps towards the door on her shaking legs, but then collapsed on the ground.

I feel so weak... Maybe someone can help me?

Rarity cleared her throat and shouted.

“Sweetie Belle?”

The shout wasn’t really loud – she didn’t have the energy for that – but it was enough to be heard upstairs. When no response came, Rarity started to hyperventilate.

What if he got Sweetie too?

As soon as the thought appeared, it was dismissed and Rarity grimaced at her own folly.

Oh, right, she sleeps over at Applejack’s tonight.

“Help! Anypony, please help me!”

With silence being the only answer, Rarity’s brows furrowed.

I can’t be expected to lie here until morning!

“Help!”

Rarity continued screaming her lungs out, until somepony finally knocked at the door. It was Berry Punch, who then walked into the boutique.

“Hello? Did anyone shout for help here, or was it just my own imagination? Maybe I drank too much again...”

Rarity loudly cleared her throat, which caused Berry to quickly look directly at the grounded mare.

“Rarity? What happened? Why are you lying on the ground?! I’ll help you get up!”

Berry Punch hurried towards Rarity and offered her a hoof. As Rarity took it to get back up, she felt the heat of Berry’s body. Her horn started to itch.

“Thank you, Berry. Some ruffian broke into my house and attacked me.” she said, and observed Berry turning pale, “I woke just a few minutes ago and felt too weak to even walk. Could you help me get into my bed and then call the guards?”

Rarity spoke calmly, like she was describing her trip to the spa. Berry, however, changed colours like a chameleon, going from pale to red in mere moments. At last, she gave a firm nod and supported Rarity by letting her lean on her, as she walked up the stairs.

During that, however, Rarity leaned against Berry’s side, feeling her body heat again. The itch in her horn changed into pain, until it stopped suddenly.

Strange, I’ve never had a headache that stopped so suddenly... I should probably be thankful.

Of course you should. It is not every day that you gain a new friend, after all.

Rarity stopped abruptly, causing Berry to almost fall.

“What’s the matter? Does anything hurt you? Maybe I should take you to hospital instead...”

“No, thank you, Berry. That won’t be necessary,” Rarity said, laughing nervously.

Berry shrugged and they both continued on their way up the stairs.

What was that? It was like somepony spoke inside my own head...

...Which is exactly what happened. Please allow me to introduce myself – I am you.

Rarity jerked a little, but continued walking. Berry looked at her and shook her head, saying nothing.

What do you mean by ‘I am you’? I am I! Or am I going crazy?

You are anything but crazy, darling, I assure you of that. I am just the part of you that had always wanted to get out, to fulfill your secret desires, but was stopped by your social restrictions and self-control. Having my own voice is... pleasant, to say the least.

They arrived to the top of the stairs, changing their course towards the bedroom.

What secret desires? And why do I hear you now?

I know nothing more than you do, so why I can speak is as much a mystery to me as to you. And by secret desires I mean... Do you remember the night at the gala? Prince Blueblood and his inexcusable behaviour?

Of course I do! How could I forget that brute?

I am the part of you that wanted to kill him on the spot.

Rarity’s face was whiter than freshly fallen snow now. She pressed against Berry’s side even more and started forming some response in her head, but the voice of her friend tore her from her musings before she could come up with anything.

“Here we are. Are you sure you don’t want me to call a doctor?”

“Thank you Berry, but there is no need for a doctor. I feel just fine.” Rarity said, and gave Berry a weak smile while getting into her bed.

That’s a lie and you know it. You don’t feel fine at all! There is a voice speaking in your head, for Celestia’s sake! But I might know about something that will make you feel better...

And what is that? Some terrible, insane thing, I’d wager.

“If you say so...” Berry said, walking towards the door.

Stop her!

Without even thinking about it, Rarity’s horn flared with a dark-blue, almost black, colour and aimed at the door. The door slammed shut with enough force to make the windows shiver. Berry winced and looked at Rarity with a raised brow.

“Is there anything else you wanted? All you had to do was ask, there’s no need to be so dramatic.”

Tell her to come closer.

Why?

Do you want to get rid of me, or not? Just tell her to come closer!

“Could you come closer, please?” said Rarity, and gave Berry a wide smile.

“Sure,” Berry replied, and walked right next to Rarity, still lying in her bed.

Good. Right now, there should be a spell trying to get into your horn. Cast it.

What will it do?

It will get rid of me.

Rarity quickly started casting the spell, the air around her getting darker and darker. Berry took a step back and spoke with a wavering voice.

“Uh... Rarity? You are starting to scare me.”

Rarity ignored her and continued weaving her spell. She recognised some parts of it, and knew that she shouldn’t be able to cast it, but right now it was easier than even the gem finding spell.

“I’m getting the hay out of here!” Berry said, and galloped towards the closed door. Try as she might, the door remained firmly closed.

Rarity cast the spell, which hit Berry Punch in the back. It slowly levitated Berry towards her, preventing her from kicking and screaming.

What? I thought it will get me rid of you!

It will, you just have to wait a little longer.

Berry hovered in front of Rarity, her head leaning to the right, exposing her neck. Rarity stared at the whole thing, wide eyed.

Now, for the final step, bite her into the neck.

What? Why would I want to do something so disgusting?! And why would I want to harm her; she helped me, after all!

Because you want to bite her. If you didn’t, I wouldn’t push you into doing it.

Rarity thought about it for a while, her eyes drawn constantly towards the veins On Berry’s neck.

Nonsense. Even if some perverted part of me wanted to do it, there is still a strong part that doesn’t!

That part doesn’t have a voice. Also, if you don’t do it, you’ll never get rid of me. It’s just a little bite, nothing else.

Every time Rarity looked at the exposed neck of her purple friend, saliva started to gather in her mouth, and every time she looked away, it got harder and harder to resist looking again.

What do you have to lose? She already thinks you are insane, and unless you bite her, she might be correct! Only an insane person would willingly keep another voice in her head.

Willingly? I want nothing more than to get rid of you!

Prove it. If you truly want to get rid of me, bite her. If you don’t, then I will continue pestering you forever. And by forever, I mean every day, every hour, every minute and every second. How long will it take for you to go insane, I wonder? It will be, however, too late to change your decision then.

“It seems like I have no other choice...”

It’s just a little bite. I’m sure Berry will understand.

Rarity leaned towards her, licking her lips as she looked at the exposed arteries. She then pressed her lips against Berry’s soft coat and pierced her skin, noticing only now that her teeth seem to be longer. When the first drops of blood touched her tongue, she moaned. What hit her tongue was a symphony of tastes, like a culinary masterpiece. It tasted like green grass, freshly harvested from a meadow in summer. Like wine, old and mature, that even the best of restaurants can’t provide.

This is simply divine! Never before had I tasted anything as magnificent as this!

Rarity was now swallowing the crimson liquid with deep gulps, not noticing what her horn did. Small tendrils of darkness started to seep out of it, moving towards Berry’s head. When they reached the wide-eyed mare, they invaded her, going through her eyes, ears, mouth and nostrils into her head. Soon, the tendrils started to pulse and Berry looked paler and paler.

More!

After a few minutes, Berry Punch was dead. Her blood was now inside Rarity’s belly, which she now rubbed, wearing a big smile. Darkness no longer surrounded her horn, which was now faintly glowing with its inner light.

That was positively delicious! Are you still there, Voice?

She tried to clear her mind from everything, making place for the voice to say something. When no ‘alien’ thought appeared, her smile widened even more.

That worked too! Everything is alright then...

Rarity closed her eyes and continued to smile for the next few seconds. Then her eyes snapped open.

“By Celestia...! Berry!”

She hurried towards Berry, who showed no signs of movement, and started to push on Berry’s chest repeatedly, checking for pulse every few seconds. Soon, she realized that it doesn’t matter whether the heart works or not, when it has nothing to pump.

“Berry... I’m so, so sorry. I didn’t want to... I didn’t mean to... It is all fault of that thug who did this to me!”

Rarity’s features hardened, her brow furrowed and the pulsating light inside her horn intensified. She rose from the floor, taking a wide stance, like she was challenging the world to throw all it can against her.

“I will find him, and when I do, he will pay. I promise this to you, Berry. It is the least I can do...”