Ages went by before security went back to normal. #20429 and I didn’t return to the door during those weeks. We didn’t speak much during that time either. Things were kind of dead all around the carnival. I could always see many in the crowd becoming bored by the same routines being replayed over and over for years. There was a lack of imagination, and with it, enthusiasm. Their entertainment was our responsibility. It was odd. We couldn’t change anything in the carnival, everything was handled by these seemingly emotionless star ponies. How could dull minds make creative changes? That’s the thing about growing up, once you’re there, you kill the child you used to be. I don’t remember being a child. Sure, one could say I still am a child at my age, but being a child isn’t about age, it’s about a whole lot more than that.

The Taskmaster still thought it was a brilliant idea to whip us after the carnival to “improve” ourselves. Hell, what did I know? Maybe it was a great idea, probably a safer idea, but it wasn’t pleasant at all, it was just horrible. He threatened to do worse if things would not improve during the next carnival. I hoped the others knew what they were doing.

It was the morning of what would be our last carnival in Baltimare before our preparations towards Canterlot. It was, at an angle, an exciting move. We didn’t hear much about the other cities, as none of the Baltimare ponies, who were in eavesdrop distance, had ever been to or never talked of the city, not even their own city was a topic. We, and by that I mean I, was so curious of the outside. It seemed dull, but even here, we clowns saw the world grey.

I got up, or rather I woke before the others. I sat there, staring at the ceiling for quite some time, for reasons unbeknownst to me. I was glad we were leaving soon, but this was my home, no matter how much I hated it. It seemed like an eternity would go by before the siren went off and the others woke. We went back into our usual routine, showering, putting on our disguises, and addressing our tools. There was, as usual, little work for me to do today. Since the security had been going down, I had planned to visit the door possibly one last time. I still wondered if the mysterious star pony was there, chained as before. Only time would tell, but I didn’t exactly have a whole lot of time left. Most, if not all, of my answers about the chained pony, about the odd room, about the world outside, they would go unanswered. I would have to deal with it, as curious as I was, but it couldn’t hurt to take but a peek into the restriction.

As soon as we were shut out of the locker room, I darted off towards my area in hopes to look eager at work for the Taskmaster and his overseers. They paid no attention to my little area, giving me all the time in the world to spend with #20429 and his constant thoughts about that kiss. I could tell he liked me, he didn’t try to hide it, he thought I wanted him, but I didn’t, I couldn’t. He knew I was planning to head back to the room, just by the way I kept turning my head towards it, always looking around to see if it was clear enough to take off towards it. I needed a distraction though, it was easier during the carnival when they did more than just watch us. #20429 knew this too. I waited about two hours for a chance, but sometimes in life you have to make your own and take them, even if they’re slim. The manticore had been acting up today, she was in heat, she was riled up with the need for another. It was perfect. I went over to its cage and unlatched the first of three locks. I would’ve gladly let #20429 help me on this, but we needed at least one handler to stay behind to keep the illusion alive. After the second lock, it started banging on the door, the third latch was bending, breaking under her superb strength. It shattered its way through, leveling the sides of the cart. She gave her mighty roar before storming away. I heard the terrified scream of another pony of in the distance. Some yelled for handlers to get her tied, others ran. In the heat of it all, I sprinted towards the door. I didn’t even look to see if an overseer was watching me, it just seemed like they wouldn’t be.

The door seemed lighter today. I couldn’t explain why. Maybe I was stronger, or maybe the world was simply weaker. I opened the room to a disturbing scent. It was cold, yet burning at the same time. The window was opened for some reason. I didn’t know how, he was still chained there, there was no way he did it. Ashes from the sky fell into the room, slowly filling up the floor. His mask was yellowing, turning frail. His skin had patches where there was no skin at all, just patches of flesh. It wasn’t natural. I could feel my lungs burning. I couldn’t stay here long, but I wanted answers to questions I didn’t have.

As I walked over to his body, surely screaming on the inside, he just sat there and gave me the same look as before. I could see the pain in his eyes, no tears necessary. His mask began to crack before I could even give the mute my first question. I knew damn well that he couldn’t answer them at this point. He was dying, nothing stopping that. As his mask fell apart, I noticed something similar to something before. The wire that held it to his face began to melt, spilling out of the holes in his face. It fell to the floor, piece by piece. It was the first time I had seen anypony’s face before, but in truth I didn’t see it. It was all gone now, just like his mask, falling on the floor. I looked at the chains, they were unaffected by this caustic air. There was nothing I could do to free him, but I still yanked on the chains. I tried to pull him out, but with each pull he lost more of his limbs. There was no escape for him. I looked down once more at the chains, only to see my skin beginning to bubble. There was no time left. I gave him a tear as I left, but no more than one. I had to stay strong, even if this was no display of strength.

It was silent when I entered the main tent again. I could see them in the center circle with the manticore lying there, motionless, surrounded by handlers and overseers. I tried to hurry back and blend in but a hoof caught my mane and pulled me off towards Taskmaster. He greeted the overseer who grabbed me with a laugh, punched me in the face, and told him to take me to his quarters. I was scared. I tried to fight the overseer but everytime I struggled, he screamed at me and hit me again. He popped a few of those blisters that I had recently developed. I could feel blood and pus roll down my body. I stopped struggling about halfway to the Taskmaster’s quarters. I had no idea what was going to happen, I didn’t want to. The overseer threw me into the room, I slammed into a desk in a pitch black area, he closed the door and turned on the lights, just standing there, waiting for his boss to arrive. He just kept standing there, probably smirking behind his mask. He knew very well what was going to happen to me. Death, exile, whipping, I was scared, but I was ready. I just wished I could’ve said goodbye to #20429. The train would be leaving soon, and I probably wasn’t going to board it with him.

The Taskmaster opened the room, laughing with another of his colleagues. The overseer left on his command, wishing me good luck, as if it were luck that I needed to be good to me.

“So,” he began, getting out a glass of something strong, “you’d think we wouldn’t have known, did you?”

“N-no, sir.”

“Then explain to me why you defaulted on your duties and ventured beyond your understandings!” he took a swig of his drink.

“I don’t know!”

“Then I shall remind you! Come here!” Taskmaster came at me, out of instinct I swatted at him.

He came back with his hoof, smacking me to the ground. I could taste blood. He grabbed my throat and picked me off the floor. I couldn’t breathe as he grasped tighter and tighter. The world started the turn black and motionless. Then he threw me against his desk, only to pull me on top of it. The Taskmaster started to kiss me, I struggled to keep my head away from him, but he forced himself against me. I was pinned, but still I kicked him, though my front hooves were trapped under his might. He hit me again to keep me from fighting back but I kicked upright into his face. He fell backwards and I pushed myself off the desk. He came around and grabbed my hind hooves as I tried to crawl towards the door. I could feel him near my backside. I started screaming, crying my eyes out. I wasn’t ready for this.

When it was all over, while I was there, stuck in a pool of my own blood and tears, while he was drinking in his seat, the overseer came back. He said something about the train coming here early. That was all I wanted to hear at that point. Apparently it came early, but still it was late for me. I was sent, or dragged to be exact, towards the train. I could barely move. The pain was immense on my body, but deathly in my mind. The others were already lined when we reached the hallway to the train. I kept close to #20429 when the overseer left. I didn’t say a word, he knew I was hurting, but I didn’t give him anything but silence. And so, I boarded the train as a new mare.

Author's Note

So...
I wrote this
Sorry for the rape :c