Chapter 4 – Marek's Greatest Challenge

A/N: So here's chapter 4, with extra Marek antics! This chapter revolves around our beloved villain, including a nice little flashback about halfway through. This chapter also marks one of the first times I've tried to write dialogue for one of the mane six, so please tell me if you thought it was in character or not. As always, remember to review/fav!

Marek emerged from a brilliant flash of light, stumbling into a nearby tree. He wrapped his hooves around it in an attempt to steady himself.

"Right, hooves, that's a good start," he muttered to himself. "Ok, standing, how does that work again?"

Marek pushed away from the tree and placed all four hooves on the ground. For a moment he remained upright, then he began to wobble. A wave of dizziness overcame him and his legs gave in, sending him face-first into the dust.

"Note to self; standing is more difficult than it looks."

Just then the silence was broken by a voice, so quiet and hesitant that at first Marek was sure he had imagined it.

"Umm… Excuse me? D-do you need some help?

Marek scanned the shadows intently, unable to find the source of the voice.

"Uh, up here," whispered the distinctly feminine voice.

Marek looked up to see a butter-yellow Pegasus with a vibrant pink mane looking at him with concern.

"Help?" pondered Marek, "I don't need any help!"

Marek attempted to rise to his hooves once more to prove his statement, but all he received for his efforts was some ground to the face.

"A-are you sure? You look like you're having some difficulty," said the mare, edging towards him.

"No! I don't need anyone's help!" Marek growled from where he lay. The yellow Pegasus flinched at the outburst. Marek tried once again to rise to his hooves. He almost made it. All he had to do was straighten his legs, but he couldn't. It was like a great weight was placed on his back, and it forced him to reunite with what was now his least favourite patch of ground in the entire universe.

Marek sighed in frustration. He lay there, utterly defeated by his inability to stand.

The Pegasus landed and gingerly approached Marek's prone form, helping him to stand with some difficulty, her yellow hooves encircling his brown torso.

"Sorry, I'm not used to lifting more than a bunny or two."

"It's… It's fine," Marek muttered quietly. Then, in a tone more suited to him, "I would have done it myself. Eventually."

"My name's Fluttershy, what's yours?" she asked as she slowly carried him away from the treeline. Marek could hear the gurgling of a small stream nearby.

"M…" began Marek, but then he stopped. This could be a great opportunity to have some fun. "Gerard. My name's Gerard."

"It's very nice to meet you Gerard. What were you doing out in the Everfree Forest so late at night?

"Umm… I was… experimenting? Yes, I was experimenting with magic, that's it!"

"Oh, you like magic. Maybe when you've healed I could introduce you to my friend Twilight, she loves experimenting with magic."

The name set alarm bells ringing in Marek's head. Twilight, the lavender mare from the party. The one Gerard had such problems talking to.

Marek stared idly through Gerard's eyes, barely taking in the titles on the books. While it was true that he was just as intelligent as Gerard, and shared his love of books, he simply wasn't in a reading mood at that moment. He barely registered the cough that caused Gerard to jump in fear. As soon as he saw the mare sitting on the bed in the half-light however, he became instantly alert. Here, he thought, was something worth paying attention to. Over his years in Equestria Marek had gained an appreciation for the equine form. Admittedly, some would have found this Twilight Sparkle's form a tad thin, but Marek didn't mind.

His train of thought was interrupted by a deafening silence.

"Well this is awkward…" he stated.

"Tell me about it," responded Gerard. "I mean, is she just going to stand there all night?"

I wouldn't mind… thought Marek to himself. To Gerard however, he said;

"Well if it's that bad, why don't you say something?"

"What?! Me? You're the only pony I've talked to in centuries, and I'm still not sure if you're even a pony!"

Marek chuckled at Gerard's reaction. If only Gerard knew what he truly was, then he would fear Marek as he should. But Marek wanted to be left alone to observe the Unicorn some more, so he said;

"Well you spoke to Starswirl all the time…"

"Yeah, about magic! That's different!"

Marek couldn't pass up the opportunity to embarrass Gerard.

"Chrysalis was your friend, wasn't she?"

"Please don't mention that weirdo she-demon…" he begged.

"Okie dokie lokie!" replied Marek, unsure what possessed him to respond in such a way.

"You can be so odd…" sighed Gerard.

"I'm just trying to help. But seriously, you have to say something…"

He grinned wickedly in anticipation of what he could do. He noticed they had arrived at a tree house quite similar to Twilight's library, only in miniature. Fluttershy took him inside and lay him on the sofa before turning on the light. She gasped in horror when she saw the ghastly burns on his body and the cut on his muzzle.

"Oh my! This is dreadful! Stay right there, I'll get my medical supplies!"

As she left the room Marek was given some time to survey his situation. His wounds cried out for attention, and he was barely managing to stay conscious due to the pain. But for the first time in several months, he was happy. He had a sense of purpose now. He was once again free to torment Gerard and destroy anyone in his path.

Fluttershy returned with her first aid box and began to tend to Marek's wounds. By the time she was finished Marek was covered in bandages and reeked of disinfectant and antiseptic.

"There, all finished. You can stay here for a few days to rest up and regain your strength. Then we can see about arranging that meeting with Twilight."

"Yeah, that sounds good," replied Marek. Not wanting to break character he continued, "And thanks for patching me up Fluttershy, it was really kind of you."

"It was no problem at all," she beamed, "Goodnight Gerard."

"Goodnight Fluttershy," said Marek, already drifting off to sleep.