Running from the Past

Lloyd was again in a snowy, desolate Ponyville. He looked around and saw the same setting as before, but this time, something was different. Blood was spattered on the ground and the walls of many buildings were also covered with it. *Damn, not again.* Lloyd walked around the town even longer than he did last time he was here. He felt like he had been walking for so long.

He kept walking into town, not seeing a single pony. He kept looking and eventually reached the town hall. The winds had gotten so fierce that a blizzard had developed, and Lloyd had to stay inside if he didn't want to freeze to death. Lloyd walked throughout the town hall, seeing many books and records that detailed various events. He eventually reached a room downstairs that was very dark. *There has got to be a torch or something around here.* He decided to backtrack a bit. Lloyd found a torch displayed on the stairs leading down into the room.

As he was walking, Lloyd saw a trail of blood leading further down into the complex. He kept following it until he reached what seemed to be a small room. As soon as he came close to the room, his torch went out. *Damnit, did it just have to go out now?* Lloyd decided to keep walking. He only walked a few more steps however, before he saw the same thing he had last time. It was the same creature, except this time, it was crouched over a chair. The chair was in the very center of the room, and a lot of blood was on the ground around it.

Lloyd tried his best not to vomit. He just swallowed it down. As he got closer, he saw the outline of a pony on the chair, but he couldn't tell who. Unfortunately, the creature noticed him. It turned around slowly, the same way it did last time. This time, blood stained its visage, aswell as its tendrils. The creature screamed again, and then leapt onto Lloyd. He held it by the neck, with limited success. The creature's tendrils then expanded. *Oh, shit.* The tendrils then dug themselves into Lloyd's chest, causing an insane amount of pain. Lloyd couldn't hold on any longer, and let go of the creature. He was on his knees, and looked up only to find that same, pale face staring right back at him. Lloyd couldn't do anything, even if he wanted to. He couldn't move. After staring into the remorseless eyes of it for a few more seconds, the creature quickly raised up its tendrils and consumed Lloyd.

Lloyd woke up sweating and screaming, a lot worse than last time. Twilight heard him this time, and ran into his room. Twilight quickly calmed him down.

"Lloyd, what happened?"

"Another nightmare, worse than last time." Lloyd said.

"Why don't we talk about it, I'm sure you'll feel better." Lloyd looked at her, and could tell that this time, she was not gonna take no as an answer.

"Alright, don't blame me if you're disturbed by the end of this, though."

Lloyd then filled her in on both dreams, the creature, Ponyville, everything. He made sure not to go all out and scar Twilight for life. After finishing his story, Lloyd sighed and laid back down. Twilight just stood there, completely shocked.

"You okay, Twi?" Lloyd asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Um, I guess you on the other hand, need to get some sleep."

"Happy to oblige, goodnight, Twilight." Lloyd said as he turned back around.

"Um, goodnight, Lloyd."

Lloyd then snoozed off.

He woke up the next morning, relaxed. He streched his arms and legs, and then got up. He got dressed and then walked downstairs. Twilight seemed to still be in her room, sleeping. Lloyd didn't want to be rude and wake her up, so he made breakfast for himself and Twilight. After finishing his breakfast, he went to go wash the dishes. Twilight then came out of her room. She seemed to be tired. He felt bad, thinking that he had woken her up. Twilight sat down to find her breakfast made for her. She then took a look at Lloyd to see him smirking at her.

"You didn't have to do that, Lloyd."

"Twilight, I wanted to thank you for your hospitality. Honestly, this is the least I could do." Lloyd said with a smile.

Twilight only smiled. She then ate her breakfast. After breakfast, Lloyd was eager to learn more about Equestria.

"So Twilight, what is with the various kinds of ponies?" Lloyd asked. He had seen unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies, and alicorns, but he wanted to know more about them.

"What do you mean, Lloyd?"

"Well, I'm just asking about the kinds of ponies, like, what are their charactristics?"

"Alright, well there are 4 kinds of ponies. Earth ponies, pegasi, unicorns, and alicorns."

"Alright."

"Earth ponies are connected to the earth and nature, thus making them very good farmers. They typically have the most strength and stamina out of the different kinds of ponies. Pegasi are ponies with wings, and have the ability to fly and manipulate weather. They can walk on clouds as well. Unicorns are ponies with horns, and they can cast magic. See?" Twilight then lifted up a book with her magic. Lloyd nodded.

"Lastly, there are alicorns. Alicorns are ponies like Princess Celestia and Luna, they have both wings and a horn."

"I see, thanks for that Twilight." Lloyd said. The two of them talked for a while, Lloyd occasionally asking questions about Equestria.

Spike walked in, with a letter in his hand.

"Twilight, got a message from Prncess Celestia, she says she wants to see Lloyd, immediately."

"Did she state why?" Twilight asked nervously. *Clearly, Twilight doesn't want to disapoint the princess.*

"No, she just said that she wanted Lloyd to meet her in Canterlot. Carriage for Lloyd is right outside."

"Guess I should be going, then." Lloyd said nonchalantly. Twilight just let him go.

"Off to Canterlot I go!" Lloyd laughed as he walked out.