Mysterious Alicorn

Chapter 8

Ashes to Ashes

By Aponymous

I am fairly nervous about this chapter, moving the story along and such.

After Cleaning up the picnic I started back down towards the cottage, thinking of the trip to the lake we were undertaking, hoping it would go better than my last one.

As I walked down the hill I wrapped myself in thoughts of the different ways I could have handled the situation with Fluttershy.

I thought of how nice it would be to live here, surronded by the peace and quiet, no wonder Fluttershy lives here.

Quiet... something felt wrong about that...

I realized for the first time since the Cutie Mark Crusaiders arrived it was quiet.

I picked up the pace and listened, still not hearing anything.

Even while in sight of the cottage I couldn't hear anything.

I walked up to the door as silently as I could and opened it.

"I'm glad your here." Said a voice I hadn't heard before, coming from the darkness.

The darkness faded away as a lamp was lit in one of the corners of the room, revealing a unicorn colt standing next a mare and three fillies.

The colt had tied Fluttershy to the three fillies and taped their mouths shut. They sat there, back to back and only Fluttershy and Scootaloo could even see me.

I could see the fear and concern in their eyes. All four of them were making muffled sounds and trying to free themselves from their bonds to no avail.

The colts demeanor seemed casual, almost as though this wasn't a hostage situation.

"Now, are you almost done with this miniscule village so we can continue our work, you surely didn't expect us to not find you? After all, that storm you conjured up was easy enough to read. Although, I must say your attempt at escape was impressive."

I cock my head to the side, still not taking my eyes off of him or letting my guard down.

"What? Nothing to say? You were always so talkative before."

He seemed to realize something and sighed before saying

"You dont remember anything do you?"

I just glare at him

"I suppose thats a yes. Well then, I suppose your a lost cause. Lets get this over with. Shall we?"

He levitated a knife and moved it toward Fluttershy.

"I suppose this one took care of you then? I'll do her first."

Fluttershy's whimpering could be heard easily over the tape covering her mouth and she shut her eyes in anticipation of the coming pain.

He drew the blade back before looking at me, smiling and then swinging.

His blade never got close to her.

The unicorn stumbled back and looked in horror and shock at his hoof, which was starting to turn black.

The blackness of his hoof crept up his leg like a moss, spreading quickly and unevenly. After a few moments the blackness on his hoof disappeared and he looked in horror as the ashen remains of his leg fell on the ground, next to the fallen knife.

As the blackness continued to spread it faded just as quickly, leaving ash behind. As it crept up his neck he opened his mouth and let out a soundless scream, before collapsing into naught but a pile of fireless, cold, ash.

I just stood there in shock. I had just killed somepony.

After a few moments I composed myself, I had to be strong, for Fluttershy and the fillies.

I approached them to untie and ungag them.

Once I got close Fluttershy recoiled in fear instincivly. That hurt, bad.

I quickly unbound them and galloped out of the cottage before they had time to respond. It was raining again but I didn't take notice.

I ran, not caring where I went and ended up somewhere in the heart of Ponyville.

I looked down at the cobblestone road and sighed, laying down and consigning to myself to sleep, praying tommorow would come soon.

"Are you okay?"

I roll over and groan

"Well... He's alive."

I pry my eyes open and two faces stareing back at me.

"Are you okay?" one of them repeats.

I look around, I had seemed to have stumbled into the town sqaure. The events of the previous night came rushing back to me, horrified I galloped off toward Fluttershy's cottage.

My gallop slowly lost steam as I realized I would have to explain myself. In truth I wasn't really sure what I had done. I suppose I knew what had happened, but I hadn't called upon the magic on purpose, it just kind of happened.

If only I could explain that without words. My quick trot quickly degraded to a slow walk, I sat there are brooded about what Fluttershy would think. The fear in her eyes as I approached her weighed heavily on my conceince, how could she love me now. How could she love a murderer, whether it was in her defence or not.

As I approached the cottage I saw nine figures standing outside the cottage, three fillies and 6 mares, talking.

They fell silent as I approached them.

Well that got dark... Kinda. also, I am moving the story along :)

Short but sweet. Promise