Psychopath in Equestria: Chapter 6 (The Forgotten Realm)

>You groan as you hold your head, still throbbing from the guard’s assault.

>Your entire body feels like you were tossed into a trash compactor and left out to dry.

>Your eyes flicker open, greeted by the dry grey soil on which you rested.

>It’s not like that of which you’ve seen in Equestria, this is far too… dead.

>Pulling your remaining strength together you manage to sit up.

>This land is far too dead indeed.

 

>Rolling hills fill your view though not a single blade of grass graces their tops.

>The air is stale and the subtle scent of decay and ash hangs about it.

>Not even the sky has been spared.

>It’s dark enough to be night, but no stars can be seen in the sky, just an over looming sense of dread.

>Riff wasn’t even this dead in its later years.

“Where the hell am I?”

 

>A howl rings through the planes and over the hills.

>Turns out being quiet is the best course of action in this land, wherever this is.

>You get into a stance and reach for your knife, still hidden safely in the sole of your shoe.

>The howls get closer and you have nowhere to hide, just more open ground.

>A silhouette appears at the top of the hill, its blood red eyes staring you down.

>It licks its lips before howling and charging at you.

 

>You can’t get a good look at it before you dodge out of the way.

>You roll back up and face the creature, blade ready.

>It hisses and dives again at you.

>It predicts your movement and intercepts your roll, landing atop you.

>”Dammit Anon! At least put up a challenge.”

>That voice, why is it familiar?

>He digs his claws into your chest and throws you across the field.

>”I plan to bring you into the next life, but I’m a good sport and I’ll give you a chance to fight back.”

 

>That sounds like something you would say.

>You make your way back to your feet when you realize it.

>That is what you said, word for fucking word.

>This couldn’t be him though; he wasn’t this strong or fast.

>His body… it’s too warped to be him. It’s not possible.

>He turns to you and lowers his head ready to charge again.

>”The filly-fiddler wants to play!”

 

>You barely have time to blink before he crashes into you again.

>”Come now Anon, don’t waste my time.”

>You cough up a bit of blood as he tosses you off of him.

>He’d be down by now if you were fully recovered.

>He hovers above you in an act of superiority.

>”I tend to be better at reading people, but there’s always an exception,” he cackles.

>You join him in his laughter giving him pause for thought.

“Don’t you remember,” you ask driving the knife into him, “Never let your guard down.”

 

>He releases a gurgling howl, blood pouring into his throat.

>The knife does little from stopping him as he tosses you aside again.

“Why do you guys always throw us around instead of finishing us? I never got that.”

>Your knife is still thrust into his underside leaving you weaponless.

>Oh well, your starting to feel a bit better now, cracked ribs beside the point.

>”You’re going to pay for this!” he screams and charges you again.

“You’ve got heart, I’ll give you that.”

 

>He comes barreling in again full force.

>You don’t sidestep this time, instead meeting his charge full force.

>He ducks out of the way allowing you to grab him by the mane.

>It doesn’t take much to pin him back down.

>You tear the blade from under him and raise it in the air.

“Hypocrites always pay… the worst…

 

>Tarlike blood seeps from his wound, his body twitching under your force.

>You had tried to get away from all of this, and look at where you are.

>Back at square one, ready to tear him down once more.

>You lower the blade not wanting to head down that dark path once more.

>If you waver at all, then all would have been for not.

>You stand up and walk away, leaving the diseased Martin to his fate.

>Wrong move apparently.

 

>Martin grapples onto your back and bites deep into your shoulder.

>Taking your free hand you grip him by the mane and toss him over you.

“I gave you chance, and you had to piss it away.”

>You grab him by the neck and twist as hard as you can.

>The shattering of his bones scrapes against your ears.

>Why couldn’t he have just left you alone?

>You sit down, the adrenaline wearing off sooner than expected.

 

>What could have turned Martin into this thing?

>His hooves were replaced by menacing talons sharpened for maximum carnage.

>Only bits of his skin remain, the rest covered in a dark chitinous material protecting him.

>Thankfully his underside was vulnerable and allowed you to wound him.

>Those red eyes of his… indescribable. The soul may have been him, but the body is not his own.

>Blood seeps down your arm, the tingle turning your situation to yourself.

 

>You wrap up the wound with your tie and start walking.

>Not in any particular direction though, anywhere is better than here.

>If Martin was this troublesome then you’re worried about what else is here.

>You wander aimlessly across the plains, a light drizzle of rain dampening the ground.

>You still have to find out where here is for that matter.

>Another howl rocks through the plains, followed by several more.

>You can’t seem to catch a break.

 

>You sprint away as fast as you can, cradling your wounded shoulder.

>You’ll lose in a straight up. Martin was a hassle to take on, and if there were more of him…

>The very thought is troubling.

>It doesn’t take long for the deformed beings to catch up with you.

>You make out a vast lake at the bottom of the hill.

>With no other choice you slide down taking care not to injure yourself further.

 

>You’re about half-way down when you lose your balance and begin rolling uncontrollably.

>The pursuers laugh menacingly at your suffering as you continue spiraling down.

>When you finally reach the bottom you’re shoulder is torn to shreds, now gushing blood.

>They circle you debating who gets the first bite.

>You crawl towards the lake with your uninjured arm, a last ditch effort before the inevitable.

>”Where do you think you’re going?”

 

>You’re at the water’s edge when it thrusts its claws into your back.

>”We’re going to have some fun with you.”

>It laps up your blood, reveling in its taste.

>”You’re just delicious aren’t you? I think I’ll take my time with this one.”

>”Leave some for us; I haven’t tasted fresh meat in a millennia.”

“You won’t get- *cough* the chance.”

 

>You rise up and kick him off, crawling towards the lake.

>”I like my food with a little fight in it.”

>He wraps his claws around your foot and pulls back, your fingers digging helplessly into the dirt.

>He flings you overtop and onto your back. You’re nothing anymore just a broken shell of your former self.

>The creature moves overtop of you, your blood dripping from his teeth.

>”This won’t hurt… at least not for me,” he says grinding his claws in your chest.

 

>You close your eyes accepting death’s approach.

>A warm liquid splashes your face followed by a pained howl.

>”GAH! YOU!”

>An arrow sticks out of the creature’s eye and he reels back, distancing himself from you.

>Another arrow whizzes through the air striking him in the side.

>One of his pack members falls beside you, someone clubbing him over and over again.

>The rest of the pack retreats leaving you and their comrade behind.

 

>A pony, the one who brought down the other creature, says something to you, but you can’t hear.

>You try to move, but the loss of blood makes it almost impossible.

>She drags you off as you slip back into unconsciousness.

>You find no rest however, plagued with images of Her.

>That damned smile… those eyes… That deceptive vixen…

>She’ll pay dear for her betrayal.

 

>”Burn it, we don’t need that thing attracting more of them.”

>”I know Flavus, it just looks so… good.”

>”Dapper if you don’t do as he says I won’t hesitate to take you down.”

>You look at the three individuals huddled around a small fire, a unicorn holding your blood-soaked tie.

>”You wouldn’t do that to me.”

>”Wanna bet?” the earth pony replies picking up her club.

 

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

>The three of them turn to you before continuing their argument.

>”Don’t test us Dapper.” The griffon says with authority.

>”Can’t even take a joke,” he mutters tossing the tie into the fire.

>They don’t look like the others you’ve seen. Instead they’re fairly normal, just paler than you expected.

>The female pony comes over and inspects your condition.

>Your shoulder seems to have healed, though it left a nasty scar. You probably have to thank the unicorn for the patch-up.

>”He’s good to go boss.”

 

>”Roger, pack up your stuff we’re leaving.”

“Hey wait a minute,” you say getting up, “I need some answers.”

>”You can ask on the way, but for now try and keep up.”

“No I want answers and I want them now.”

>The griffon looks around, his team still getting their stuff packed.

>”Fine, but hurry it up time is of the essence.”

>At least neither of you like to waste time, that’s a good thing.

“Who are you people?”

 

>”The name’s Flavus, those two are Dapper and Winter.”

>That’s descriptive.

“My name’s-“

>”Anonymous, we heard. It’s not everyday someone like you joins us here.”

“You say here. Where exactly is here?”

>”You don’t know? Didn’t they tell you before sticking you in here?”

“I wouldn’t be asking if I knew.”

>He chuckles and moves out with his group.

>”Well let me be the first to welcome you to our humble abode...”

>”The realm of Tartarus.”

 

>Tartarus? That’s impossible, you’re not dead. There’s no way that’s right.

>You follow them, catching up with Flavus.

“I think you made a mistake. I can’t be dead, it’s just not possible.”

>“Trust me kid, I’ve been here a long time, but you’re right about one thing. You’re not dead.”

>His words ring true and puts a name to this place, but it doesn’t make you feel any better.

“So you’re all- umm dead?”

>”As a doornail, but don’t fret. We’re just as lively as the next soul.”

 

>You four stroll across the coast line. This place sucks the beauty out of the very land.

>The water itself appears sapped of its livelihood.

“I never did get the chance to thank you all for helping me back there. I don’t know where I’d be if you didn’t show up.”

>”In the bellies of those starving abominations,” Winter replies.

“Abominations?”

>Dapper rolls his eyes at your apparent lack of knowledge.

>”Those creatures we killed to save your ass,” Dapper clarifies. “That’s what we call them at least.”

“I understand what she was referring to, but what are they exactly?”

>”Souls of the damned, creatures of hate who have fallen to their inner hunger.”

>”They stalk these lands, hunting down anything that looks appetizing.”

 

>You come across the remains of a caravan, bits and pieces scattered around.

>”You’re up Anon, go check it out.”

“Why do I have to do it?”

>”I knew he was a chicken, we should have left him there Flavus.”

>”And I should have let you get torn apart when I first met you Winters. I’ve got your back Anon, don’t worry.”

>Not having any other choice you scour through the remnants, hand on your knife.

>You look in the wagon, the previous owner splattered throughout.

 

>A rattling disturbs the cabin trying to throw you out.

>You hear a snarl on the outside, the abomination slashes at the exterior panels.

“Where’s my backup?!” you shout back to them with no response.

>Guess you’re on your own.

>You reach for the shadow as it passes over you and pull it inside.

>The creature goes into a frenzy and frantically claws at you.

>You wait for it to tire out before slamming your knife in its stomach.

 

>It squeals in pain as you drive it deeper into its body eventually striking its heart.

>You withdraw, your arm coated with the black goop, leaving the dead creature in the cabin.

>You’re greeted by an applause as you leave the wagon.

>”Congratulations, seems you weren’t as unprepared as we thought.”

“This was a test!?” you yell in anger.

>”We had to be sure you could keep up. It’s not everyday that-“

>His ears perk up suddenly cutting him off.

 

>You swing around using the momentum to throw your knife as hard as you can.

>This is followed by an arrow, both of which pierce the stalking creature.

>It falls off the wagon twitching uncontrollably.

>You curb stomp the creature and wipe its blood off on your jeans.

>You’ll end up like your old self in no time.

>”Nice throw,” Flavus says stowing his bow. “Where’d you learn to do that?”

“Everyone has their secrets, especially me.”

 

>Your group makes camp for the night, not like you could tell, this place is always bleak.

>This ragtag group of yours is more interesting than they let on.

“So what’s your story?”

>”Story?”

“What got you here? You don’t seem to be typical citizens, so what happened?”

>They don’t seem to want to talk about it which only makes you more interested.

“I’m not leaving here anytime soon so come on, throw me a bone here.”

 

>”Alright then,” Dapper speaks up, “I was an arcane scholar working off the eastern coast. I was researching some ruins submerged under the sea; turns out I should have stayed on shore.”

“What happened?”

>”The cave collapsed, trapping me and my team inside. It didn’t take long for air to run low. After that I woke up here, I would have died long ago if I hadn’t found Flavus and Winter. About 100 years later here I am.”

“That’s one down, how about you two?”

 

>”Mother of two,” Winter follows up, “We lived near the Everfree forest.”

>You don’t like where this is going.

>”My children wandered off one day while I was sleeping. They never came back. I searched for years before I finally gave up. I couldn’t live with that…”

“That must have been horrible.”

>”Not as horrible as finding them here, warped and twisted like the others. I couldn’t let them continue like that. Flavus found me fighting off the rest of their pack. He saved my life. 76 years I’ve been here.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. How about you?” you ask Flavus who’s nursing his bow.

 

>”427 years, give or take.”

“Oddly specific.”

>”I was a commander in the army, battle-field promotion. My squad was tasked to defend a small settlement from the local wildlife. Easy enough job on paper.”

“What happened?”

>”Manticores, an entire herd of them came rampaging through. My CO was the first one down, putting me in command. I managed to bring down one or two before getting snatched. Woke up, wandered around hunting down those hellspawn.”

>”And what about you Mr. Curious? Tell us something about you.”

 

“It’s a long story.”

>”We’re not dying anytime soon.”

>You laugh the tension leaving you.

>You don’t know how they’ll react to your story, but fuck it you’ll be dead soon anyways.”

>The night drags on, your story enthralling the others as you continued.

>You talked about Chrysalis, Martin, all the things you’ve done, Luna, everything.

>Sounds like a shitty fanfic now that you think about it.

 

>”Well… that’s new.”

>”All this talk has gotten me hungry.”

“Speaking of that, what did you mean when you said hunger before?

>”The hunger, that insatiable need to feed. It’s not one of our prouder attributes.”

>”It’s our inner evil, the one that resides within us all.”

>”If you give in to that evil you become one of them. The abominations.”

“But you guys don’t have to feed right?”

>”We wouldn’t be talking right now if we couldn’t.”

 

“But you still feel it though.”

>”All the time. Just be lucky I don’t lose my composure.”

“So what happened when I woke up…”

>”Dapper here was tempted by the hunger. On his own he would have turned, but we look out for each other.”

>You could see it in his eyes, you saw the same in yours before. That need…

>”He’s fine now though. Forget about it, just try and get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.”

>You’re more worried about tonight. Dapper as well.

>Regardless you lie down and shut your eyes receiving a much needed rest.

 

>You awaken with a pain in your neck.

>Reaching up with your hand you feel a wet spot.

>A small shiver of pain is emitted upon further tampering.

>You can’t make clear what’s up until you look over your hand, a bright red fluid upon your fingers.

>You look around seeing Winter and Flavus still snoozing away, Dapper being the only one missing.

>Seems about right to you.

 

>Tearing off a piece of your suit you bandage your cut, making sure to see if Dapper is around.

>You don’t know how long the process takes, but you sure as hell don’t care.

>You give both of them a light tap with your shoe to stir them up from their slumber.

“We may have a problem.”

>”What type of-“

>Flavus’s eyes narrow as he sees your bandage, understanding right away what’s happened.

>”Winter, get that club ready. We’re going to have guests.”

>He draws his bow, howls barreling over the hills.

 

>Three abominations are circling you in no time.

>Flavus takes a few potshots at them, but they do nothing against their thick chitin.

“You’ve got to hit them where it hurts.”

>”The eyes and stomach I know.”

“So what do we do now?”

>”They’ll tire eventually, it’d be best to wait them out.”

>Another set of howls reaches our ears giving him a pause for thought.

>”Or we could take them out now.”

 

>You don’t need to be told twice.

>You and Winter charge towards two of them separating the group.

>She clubs the first one against its back, effectively breaking its spine.

>”Watch out!”

>The third pounces onto your back as you fight off the other one.

>Placing the knife behind you, you slam your back against the ground, taking him out of the fight.

>It wheezes as you roll off of him, Flavus taking care of the remaining one.

 

>”Get this thing off of me!”

>More abominations arrive, one already latching onto Winter’s back.

>Flavus can’t get a good shot at his angle leaving her helpless.

>She saved you, you save her.

>Ripping off the bandage you throw it into the pack immediately catching their attention.

>Their eyes brighten, the smell of fresh blood lighting their primal fire.

>The creature leaps off of Winter and stares you down.

 

>She heads back to the safety of Flavus while the others are preoccupied.

“You did me a favor. Now I’m asking for another, get the hell out of here.”

>The crowd parts, a diseased Capper making his way to the front.

>”Don’t you worry about them. They’re next.”

“Take Winter and leave, I’ll keep them occupied.”

>He merely nods, grabbing her and escaping.

>”Nobility won’t save you Anon.”

“It’ll help me sleep better at night.”

 

>He seizes up as another patch of his skin hardens into the black armor.

>”I’m looking forward to another taste of that sweet blood of yours.”

“Funny, you won’t get the chance.”

>You throw the knife, catching him right between the eyes.

>”How rude, I might just let your pal here finish you off.”

>He levitates the knife away, no wound present, and points to another fellow, his right eye missing.

>”Remember me?”

 

>Capper’s eye’s turn red as he bows his head.

>”Time to play.”

>You ready yourself for the oncoming charge, the tide crashing against you.

>The force is too great and forces you onto your back.

>Claws grasps at you ruining Rarity’s suit.

>She’ll kill you if she ever saw you like this.

>You struggle against the weight, but are unable to get free.

>Their faces contort wildly each fiendishly laughing at you.

 

>The smell of burnt flesh emanates from the group forcing you to fight harder.

>You make a little progress, some of the creatures backing off.

>A wave of energy knocks a few of them off of you, the smell returning.

>The cavalry has arrived at last.

>You get enough of a foothold to go on the offensive, striking against your attackers.

>A third wave washes over you, though strangely it doesn’t harm you. The abominations… not so lucky.

 

>Their skin bubbles, their plating melting off of them.

>A few drops hits your skin searing you as well.

>It’s not the worst pain you’ve experienced but it’s up there.

>The waves keep coming forcing the pack to retreat, but not before leaving you plenty wounded.

>The crisis was over without you joining the dead, at least that’s something.

>You pick yourself up with your slashed knees, the stranger helping you up with magic.

 

>The figure is robed, though a horn protrudes from the hood.

>Whoever this person is, they helped you out and that’s enough for you.

“Thanks, you really helped me out there.”

>”I’m sure you won’t forget this as well.”

>That voice…

>Her wings shed off the cloak revealing her multi-colored mane, flowing despite the lack of wind.

>She looks down upon you, her smile warm and forgiving.

>You take a knee and bow your head down.

“Princess Celestia…”