A Twisted Mare Tale (Ugly Truths and Pretty Lies)

A TWISTED MARE TALE
BY THE YOUNG AND FREE DRAGON

As I rape your soul of virtue
I am god of lust and sin
Cold black, as I slay your soul of virtue
You are a slave of flesh and sin

CHAPTER THREE: CYCLOPS

Twilight Sparkle opened her eyes slowly to find a large fire burning in front of her. She tried to turn over, away from the flames and found her hooves were chained. She did manage to put the fire to her back though. When she moved, she found that her head was throbbing, blood pounding in her temples. Her vision blurred as her blood flow changed and she felt herself passing out.

However, before she did, she could see a familiar rainbow figure and a griffon-like creature.

“Clavus is not going to be happy if she's not healthy when he gets her. Just give her some of your rations.”

“I'm not giving her anything! Clavus be damned, I'm not going hungry because of that stupid unicorn,” The griffon said.

“Ugh, fine. Why do I even work with you...!”

You're awake. Welcome back to the land of the dead.

Twilight opened her eyes again. Three dry and very small baby cut carrots lay in front of her with a small tin saucer of water.

Do you remember when you connected our minds?

Twilight glanced around quickly, wondering who had said that, and then regretted it as her head began hurting again.

Of course not. I don't want you to....

“Rainbow Dash...?” Twilight called groggily.

She wasn't sure what was happening. Rainbow Dash couldn't have-- wouldn't have --hit her hard enough to cause this sickly feeling in her head and stomach. Had they given her something to subdue her?

I subdue you. You're getting closer to me and you know it....

“Dash! Where are you?” Twilight groaned, rolling over again, and finding herself in warm embers.
The fire. It had been put out a little while ago. She rolled back out of the ash and rested her head for a moment, trying to resist the urge to pass out again.

Nopony had answered her. Had they left her to die? No, they had left her some food, probably some of Dash's rations. But where were they? And who was this Clavus they kept talking about? Was he the leader of the Griffons? If it was, Gilda certainly showed no loyalty to him.

Suddenly, a hoof fell over her mouth. She looked up to see a royal guard, clad in some sort of suit made to hide him among the brush.

“They're coming back soon, Miss Sparkle,” he whispered. “We have to get you out of here.”

He took his hoof off her mouth and moved to start breaking the chains that held her as quietly as possible. Twilight looked up and spoke, “What are royal guards doing here?”

“Celestia sent us to protect you, and bring you to Canterlot if it was in best interest of your safety,” he said using his magic to work a set of lock picking tools.

“She knew they were coming to Ponyville?”

“She knew they were coming for you,” he corrected. “The destruction of Ponyville was an unfortunate side-effect.”

“But Pinkie Pie! Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy! What happened to the other elements?”

“Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are M.I.A. Rarity was captured and Applejack is in Canterlot,” he replied.

“We have to save Rarity then!” Twilight cried.

“Mrs. Sparkle, please,” The soldier shushed “You are our first priority,” He unlocked the chain and Twilight stood up shakily. “Let's make sure that we both get out alive.”

“But Clavus! He's leading the Griffons! I have to give Celestia vital information on--”

“The princess already knows all about Clavus. He is leading the dragons.”

Twilight was quiet for a moment, before saying; “For how long has she known?”

“Weeks.”

“And she didn't tell me?”

“I'm sure she had a good reason.”

She's a liar!

Twilight fell to the ground, groaning loudly as the voice echoed through her and caused her head to feel as though it might explode.

“Miss Sparkle!”

Dead bitch!

Twilight shook, letting out a squeal as the words rattled her bones. She opened her eyes, squirming in pain as she looked at the confused guard. Didn't he hear it?

Come to me....

“Miss....” The guard began but suddenly a yellow talon pulled quickly across his throat from behind. Blood squirted out, spattering on Twilight's face and then her hooves as she tried to wipe her eyes clean. The guard stood stunned for a moment, only a whistle through his torn throat marked his breathing until he collapsed.

Twilight payed no attention the Griffon that roughly grabbed her and began beating her into blackness, as a Pegasus yelled for her to stop.

Clavus...? What did it mean? Think Sparkle, think. Think Latin...Clavus is... nail? Rivet? Spike? Wait...Spike?