Chapters The Worst Possible Game EVER
“Do you fancy a cider, Rainbow?” A white, posh unicorn with three rhombus diamonds for a cutie mark, a purple mane and tail walks up to a cyan Pegasus with a rainbow thunder bolt coming from a white cloud for a cutie mark and rainbow mane and tail whilst using her magic to levitate a silver platter with three wine cups with cider freely swishing about in the cups.
“Umm…Maybe later. Thanks anyways, Rarity.” Rainbow dismisses Rarity who heads through a doorway on the other side of the wooden floor to disappear somewhere below, heading down a staircase. Rainbow turns around to head over to the side of the deck of the yacht to rest her fore-hooves on the white railing, gazing out into the dark, starry horizon, taking in a deep breath and letting it out, calming down from her excitement.
“Taking in that new adventure smell?” Rainbow rotates her head to face a tan pony with a black mane and tail wearing a jungle hat and utility vest with a compass for a cutie mark. The tan pony rests her arms on the railing, gazing to the invisible ocean floor, miles below their location, casting a deep, dark blue shade.
“Actually, I’m just taking Twi’s advice before hunting those timberwolves and changelings.” Rainbow takes in another deep breath. “She said that relaxing can calm me down and allow me to hunt better. She said that they can feel fear and any stress in the air along with the excitement, but I never really thought it true, but I would like to test it out.” Rainbow reaches to a white round table to pick up a rolled up white paper cylinder with an orange tip and hangs it in her mouth before grabbing a lighter from under her wing and lighting the white tip, blowing puffs of smoke out once in a while.
“This may sound crazy, but I believe those words. I’ve hunted before and they always seemed to find me when I got excited and fled.” Rainbow glimpses at Daring before looking out at the night sky again.
“Despite that coming from a celebrity such as you, I have to see it for myself to believe it.” Daring breaks away from the railing and stretches.
“Right, well I’m going to hit the hay. We have a long day tomorrow. Good night.” Daring heads down below deck, passing by Rarity who joins Rainbow at the railings.
“You know, darling, some of the sailors are a bit worried. We’re traveling by an infamous island.” Rarity searches the horizon as if looking for the island.
“Yeah, Ship Maul Rock, right? I heard about it. Honestly, I don’t believe in those myths and legends.” Rainbow breaks pushes off from the railings to sit on a chair, puffing out some more smoke.
“Well, I for one think that possibly those legends and myths to be true. I’ve seen a few records of ship departures that never came back. All traces lead there.” Rarity gives up the search and spots one of the smallest crumbs on a table, pulling out a rag to clean it up.
“Yeah. Keep saying it. I won’t believe it. Why do you believe in such superstitions anyways?” Rarity pulls away the rag and puts it away before replying.
“Superstitions add a little fun to ones, life, does it not? Now, I’m not saying I believe in ghosts and other supernatural entities like that, but I find it fun avoiding ladders. Sometimes I even make a game of it if there is a lot of town renovations back in Ponyville.” Rainbow chuckles.
“That’s a bit much, isn’t it? Avoiding going under every ladder? I’ve done it hundreds of times before and nothing happened. Watch.” Rainbow gets up and finds a metal ladder, setting it up before prancing about in a circle under the ladder a multitude of times. “See? Nothing is going to…” A bucket of water falls off of a platform above rainbow, soaking her from head to hoof. Rarity chuckles in amusement. “That was just dumb luck.”
“Say what you want. I’ll still believe in superstitions.” Rarity heads over to a cabinet filled with towels, using her magic to toss Rainbow a towel. Rainbow reaches out and grabs the towel to start drying off.
“Thanks!” Rarity closes the cabinet before heading down the flight of stairs. After drying off completely, Rainbow sits on the chair again, thinking about the night ahead. I wonder how the hunt will be. Hopefully there’ll be a lot of changelings. Those are the really challenging kind of game. I want a challenge. After pondering for a while, a mysterious bang is heard way off in the distance. Getting rather curious about the mysterious noise, Rainbow gets up and heads over to the railing again, searching in all directions to pinpoint the location of the noise.
She starts leaning outwards a little when her lips loosen a little, causing Rainbow’s cigarette to fall out of her mouth. Instinctively reacting, she reaches her hooves outwards to try and catch it, but falls off the yacht herself. WINGS!!! Damn it! She swims upward, gasping for her breath as she sees the yacht heading away from her.
She tries shouting for help, but no response comes. They must be asleep. Perfect timing. As if an insult from the universe, the towel Rainbow used floats over to her. Not going to be much help now, are you? Rainbow grabs the towel and throws it in the opposite direction in her anger, when she notices a small shadow on the horizon in the direction she threw the towel. Perfect timing!
She starts swimming in the direction of the shadow to find it is a small island. Mustering up her strength, she grabs onto the rocky cliff of the island and starts ascending the wall. She collapses onto the ground, breathing heavily. Okay. I’m safe now… A small, crisp bang, followed by the scream of something, comes from off in the dense jungle. Rainbow gulps. I think…
She takes a moment to gather herself before getting up and cautiously heading in the direction of the scream. Going over in her head, she tries to identify the noises. So, the brisk popping noise I heard must have been a pistol, but what was that scream? As if on cue, Rainbow comes across a patch of flattened grass, painted scarlet with blood. Well. This must be where it died. I guess I’m not alone on this damned island…
Rainbow kept trudging on in the dark of night, shivering in the sold. Luna, I hope winter isn't coming soon. After pushing through the shrubs, Rainbow came across what seemed at first to be a small village. Oh thank Luna! Hopefully somepony here is willing to help me out! Rainbow gallops over to the structure, when she realizes it isn't a village, but a mansion. Whoa. A mansion in the middle of nowhere. How the hell did this get here, anyways? Rainbow walks up to the doorway and starts knocking. After a few minutes, the door opens to be greeted by a white pegasus with an abnormally large body and muscles and extremely small wings pointing a revolver directly at her chest.
"Uhh, hey! Do you mind me coming in? I kinda had a little trouble coming here. Cute story. You'd love to hear it." The white pegasus pulls the hammer on the revolver. Rainbow gives a sheepish smile. "Assuming you like stories. Heh heh..." Rainbow loses the smile, flattening her ears to her head and backing away a little. Then a voice cuts in, but not the white pegasus.
"Enough, Roid. This pony is good." A red hoof lands on the white pegasus's shoulder who looks to a pony behind him and puts the gun down. He steps aside to reveal a blood red pony with a mane and tail with a green stripe running down the middle along with a hunting rifle for a cutie mark. The pony seems rather old and wrinkly, but still young and slim. The stallion's eyes almost seem void, but in the outline of the dark black pupils, there is a darker red, almost like blood. Something about the pony seems unnerving to Rainbow Dash, whether it be the looks or the accent. It almost seems as though the pony has a deep, dark secret about him. "Welcome, Mrs. Rainbow Dash! I always hoped to meat you!" Rainbow just stands there, staring for a while, somewhat annoyed the pony has a Russian accent. "What? Nothing to say?"
"Umm...How do you know my name?" The Russian pony chuckles.
"I am a huge fan, Rainbow. I read books about you. Reports about your speed. A book somepony made about the wonders of a sonic rainboom and how you made it possible." Rainbow cocks her head to one side in confusion.
"Huh?" The Russian face hoofs before standing aside to let Rainbow in.
"Just come inside. You can't stay out there or you'll freeze. Or worse. I will explain later." Rainbow cautiously enters the mansion, not taking her eyes off of the Russian. The name is охотник by the way." Rainbow gives the same confused look.
"Umm...English?" The Russian gets annoyed at the lack of knowledge.
"Hunter." Rainbow nods in acknowledgement before looking around.
"The guest bedroom is upstairs to the right. I will explain some more to you tomorrow at breakfast." Rainbow begins heading up the staircase before looking down to where Hunter stands.
"Thanks, I guess." Rainbow heads into the room to get situated before lying down on the bed before gathering all the questions flooding her mind. Who the buck are these ponies and why did he welcome me so warmly? Hunter looks really shifty. Why does he seem so secretive? Why the hell are they living on this abandoned island? One that has sheer cliffs and rocky shores, nonetheless? There's something I'm missing here... Luna, I hope I'm not murdered in the middle of the night. I pray nothing bad will happen... With that, Rainbow cautiously locks the bedroom door before drifting into a safe, soundless sleep.
The Worst Possible Game EVER
Rainbow woke up with a start at first, not knowing where she was. Recollecting her memory, she calms down as she realizes two things. She's on a strange island, and she's still alive. She is glad that she wasn't murdered in her sleep. Even if she was, the two shady ponies would have to burst down the door, but it didn't seem like doors were a problem for that Roid pony. Rainbow shivers at the thought of how strong that pony must be. Does he take steroids or something? That strength cannot be physically possible, unless he either went through a millennium or by taking some substance to help that kind of muscle growth. The more Rainbow ponders about the pony's unusual girth, the more intimidated she gets. Rainbow decides to unlock the door and head down for breakfast.
When she looks down, she sees Hunter staring at her as if she were expected a second ago to exit her room.
"Ahh! Miss. Rainbow. Good Morning. If you will please, follow me to the diner. You're breakfast awaits." Hunter trots off into a hallway while Rainbow shudders. Staring at those eyes makes her feel all kinds of spooked and uncomfortable. It's as if I were staring into the entrance of death and eternity in limbo, never to return to ever see my loved ones again, forever stuck in the expanse of space to look around and cry out for help, but nopony will ever hear a single word. Forgetting the poetry she just created, Rainbow heads off to the diner with Hunter.
As soon as she steps in, Rainbow is breath taken by the decor of the place. Below her is an elegant carpet that feels soft and plush under her hooves. Along the white walls are crystal lamps with the most beautiful paintings she ever seen, multiple suits of armor, some of which remind her of the Royal Gaurds in Canterlot, and huge windows that give an exellent view of the island in almost every direction. The table is massive with multiple chairs surrounding it. It strikes Rainbow Dash as odd that only she and two others were sitting at it at the moment. Where is everypony else? Rainbow Dash thought. She pushed that aside as she looked up to see the biggest diamond chandelier she ever seen.
"Wow... Quite some decor you've got here..." Hunter laughs to himself at the comment.
"I know. isn't it just beautiful? I've gotten exquisite decorations from many who have come here. Isn't it just striking?" Rainbow Dash nods her head.
"Were they friends?" Hunter laughs rather creepily this time.
"You could say that. Come! Let us have breakfast." Rainbow sits in the chair closest to her as Roid sets an assortment of exquisite foods that not even she could name. Not to mention, she had no clue what these foods were.
"Wait, what is this stuff?" Rainbow dash inquires, poking at her food curiously.
"Oh, these are just some Russian dishes. Try it! You may enjoy what Roid has brought before you." Rainbow picks up her fork and takes a bite out of one of the exotic foods in front of her. After a moment of swishing food around in her mouth, her eyes fly open as she soaks in the taste of the delicious meal. Mind boggled by the taste, she tries some of the other dishes and comes up with the same result. Soon, she starts scarfing down food like there is no tomorrow. On the other side of the table, Hunter starts laughing. "Typical Equestrians. They just can't get enough of their food. In fact, they get too much." Rainbow Dash looks straight at Hunter after hearing the comment.
"Arr you shayin were fat?" Rainbow Dash asks with a mouthful. Hunter just laughs even more.
"I never said that." Rainbow swallows her food.
"But you implied it." She states defensively.
"I might have." Hunter admits.
"But not every Equestrian is. The only one I can think of is this pink puffball of a pony that has no end to her fur!" Hunter gives a mischievous smile.
"Hence, a fat Equestrian." Rainbow gets more angered by this.
"Shut up about Equestrians!" Hunter chuckles.
"Who says I won't?" Rainbow extends her left wing out towards Hunter in a vulgar gesture. "Alright. I'll stop. No need for that kind of language."
Rainbow enjoys her food for a moment before asking a question that has been bugging her a little bit.
"So you said you had something to explain to me yesterday?" Hunter sighs.
"Yes, I suppose I do. You see, I am a hunter just like you." Rainbow leans on the table, listening with interest. "I've hunted all the game the was to be hunted. I've fought manticores, changelings, cockatrices, and timberwolves. Most of which had very interesting ways of attempting to kill me as I was a threat. Some changelings had traps set up when they found out I was coming for them. However, they failed to stop me. I eventually got bored of using guns and such." Rainbow perks her left ear up and cocks her head to the right. "I decided it was time to make things a little more... interesting. So, I dropped the guns and hunted with just a knife." Rainbow widens her eyes in surprise.
"Were you nuts?! Most ponies would never be able to do that!" Rainbow protests.
"Most ponies. Only you and I. Maybe some other ponies with great talent in hunting as well, but I'm still here, living and breathing, right?" Rainbow solemnly nods in agreement. "Anyways, I've hunted like that for a while and I had such great pleasure doing so for a long time. However, I slowly began to realize that doing what I loved most was beginning to bore me. You can bet that I didn't like that one bit. So, there I was in my old home, thinking and pacing back and forth. I was miserable in the state I was. I didn't know what to do. Just then, as I was taking a walk, and an idea hit me as though an anvil crashed on my head! Quite literally, actually." Rainbow raises an eyebrow. What was Derpy doing in Russia? Rainbow wondered. Oh! Maybe that's why she was gone so long from Ponyville a until Twilight's coronation! She never did want to say what happened on her delivery... Then again, she never admits she made an accident because most ponies already know about it when it happens. Exiting her thoughts, Rainbow continues to listen to Hunter's rambling. I found out about this island and bought the place. After that, I got together with Roid and we 'shipped' in our own game from different places." Rainbow perked up at the sound of "game".
"So there is some game here! What kind? Manticores?" Hunter replies no. "Cockatrices?" Hunter shakes his head. "Timberwolves?"
"No, Rainbow Dash. I only ship two kinds of game here and they are the only two that can actually reason! The others are all too stupid to be able to reason with anypony." Rainbow looks upwards trying to think of what Hunter is talking about. "Let it soak in..." Hunter calmly waits for Rainbow to think of what it is. On realization, Rainbow's pupils shrink, eyes widening again, shooting a look straight at Hunter.
"You mean... what you hunt are changelings and..." Hunter slowly nods yes.
"So you finally realize." Rainbow feels a great surge of terror flowing throughout her body. Inside, she feels a huge alarm blaring, telling her she has to get off the island as soon as possible. "While we're on the topic, would you like to see my new set of heads and wings?" Rainbow suddenly feels like she is going to throw up.
"Umm... I think I'll pass... Where's the bathroom?" Hunter sighs.
"To the right down the hall. Second door on your left."
"Thanks. Rainbow flies out as soon as possible, dashing into the bathroom. She rushes to the toilet and opens the lid as soon as possible before losing her breakfast. "Holy shit..." Rainbow closes the lid and flushes before sitting down, holding her hoof to her stomach. In all her life, she never heard of such a thing before. She never heard of this kind of game. Should she even consider it game at all? I gotta get off of this bucking island as soon as possible. Rainbow calms herself down a little with some terror still tearing at her insides. Holy Celestia... I never thought some po...no, monster would go so far into hunting that he would hunt... Rainbow gulps at the thought. Ponies..!
The Worst Possible Game EVER
The Hunter: Let the Games Begin
Rainbow Dash takes a moment to gather herself before getting back onto her hooves. She stares into the bathroom mirror and stares at herself. She is pale after knowing about the horrifyingly dark secret Hunter holds. The panicking feeling builds up in her as she begins to ask herself questions. I gotta get off as soon as possible! How will I get off though? The nearest town isn't for miles and I don't have a boat or anything to escape on... Rainbow Dash calms herself before attempting to think clearly. How I wish this was a dream. TO know I could just blink and I'd be back safe and sound on my yacht. It's not like I can just ask Hunter if I can borrow a boat and get off the island... Rainbow Dash raises a hoof to her chin, thinking deeply. Can I? After taking a moment to clean herself up and gather her bearings, Rainbow exits the bathroom and heads back to the diner.
"Hey, it's been nice meeting you and listening to your story, but I need to get off this island soon. Mind if I borrow a boat or something? I have a gir...umm, a friend who will worry about me greatly. We're close friends and she worries about me pretty quickly." Rainbow gives a grin while Hunter sighs.
"I suspected as much... I was looking forward to hunting with you, Rainbow. It would have been a pleasure." Rainbow loses the grin and gives an appalled look.
"What? Hunt ponies? No. Never in my life." Hunter shrugs.
"But I thought you enjoyed hunting! Why wouldn't you want to hunt with somepony just as great as you?" Rainbow shakes her head.
"Because it's immoral! Hunting ponies is probably the most sick and twisted thing I ever heard of! How can you deal with yourself?" Hunter sighs heavily.
"Rainbow, I thought you would understand. You've had experience in a war." Rainbow gets enraged by this, stomping a hoof onto the table, causing the silverware to clatter and the chandelier above to sway slightly back and forth.
"My experience in war does not make me condone to cold blooded murder! Your sport is hunting innocents! Individuals who have done nothing and you're killing them and for what purpose? Fun! You think this whole thing is a game, don't you? Well you can kiss my flank if you think I see hunting as the same thing as you. Hunting innocents is not a game and I think you should know damn well about it you Russian piece of shit." Rainbow argues. Hunter stares calmly at Rainbow Dash who is hovering defensively above the table.
"Very well. I would at least like to play the game. With, or against you. It is clear I can't do with. Get plenty of sleep tonight. Roid will send you out at the break of dawn. I will give you only a knife and access to any clothing you need. You will have until the time I wake up to begin surviving. After three days time, if you are alive, I will supply a transport back to land. If not, have fun in hell." Rainbow sits back down.
"I want the hell off this island NOW." Hunter smirks and shakes his head slightly.
"Then I will turn you over to Roid. Trust me when I say you do not want him to get his dirty hands on you. All those hours of agonizing pain and torture..." Rainbow Dash snaps.
"Alright! I will play your 'game.' So long as you keep your promise." Hunter nods.
"I am a stallion of my word." Rainbow Dash gets up and turns to head back to the guest bedroom. "I look forward to the game tomorrow, Rainbow Dash. It will be an honor seeing how you do in the outdoors." Rainbow turns her head to face Hunter again.
"You will be sorry you ever played. I will make sure of it you despicable, sick bastard. You will suffer." Rainbow heads down to the guest bedroom, filled with thoughts and impressions. I can't believe somepony would ever do this kind of thing! This isn't a game. This is mass murder! Nothing of this sort should ever happen. If no pony who crashes on this island can stop him, I can. I will kill him for those who died here. He will pay! Rainbow Dash is about jumps on the bed, landing flat against it, about to fall asleep when she hears a small, muffled wrinkling. She takes a peek under her pillow to notice a letter with a heart sticker sealing it. She opens it and begins reading it. "Sonofabitch." Rainbow crumples up the letter and throws it out. "I would never go for somepony like him! I already have Twilight!" With vengeful thoughts, Rainbow falls asleep.
The next morning, there is a slight knocking on Rainbow's door, but Rainbow continues snoring. The knocking gets louder, but she still remains asleep. Then Roid comes crashing into the room and starts shaking Rainbow. Surprised, Rainbow wakes up and flies to the other side of the room. "Oh... right." Roid leads Rainbow to the breakfast hall where she is given a complimentary breakfast before being led to the wardrobe. Rainbow Dash selects moccasins and a utility vest with multiple pockets in to store any useful materials out in the forest. After getting geared up, Roid hands a knife to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow takes the knife with her right wing, holding it in a firm grip. "You are so going to be sorry you let me have this." Rainbow threatens, letting her anger move her and build up. Her grip becomes tighter as she starts gritting her teeth at the thought of the operation Hunter is holding on the island. With that, Rainbow Dash is let out the door. :You want a game? I'll give you a game." Rainbow's scowl turned into a wicked grin. "Let it begin."