Psychopath in Equestria: Chapter 7 (Escape)

>Celestia looms over you. Her gentle demeanor unchanged by this land.

“I’m so sorry…”

>You stay still awaiting her reply.

>”No need Anon. You may rise.”

“But princess I-“

>”Do not make me say it twice.”

>You stand up, still keeping your head downcast.

 

>”Walk with me.”

>For someone who’s in the realm of Tartarus she’s surprisingly easy going about it.

>The two of you walk along the shore not fearing any sort of attack.

>Celestia made short work of those abominations and most certainly could do so again.

>”I had heard tales of this place, many from when I was a child.”

“We had a different version of it, more fire and brimstone, and less pale and dead.”

>”Speak your mind Anon. What’s bothering you?”

 

“What’s bothering me? Besides being trapped in this wretched place, cast into the unknown, almost getting killed three times in the past two days? A lot actually.”

>”Well speak it.”

“How are you even here? The last time I saw you- well it wasn’t exactly you.”

>”Your dear friend Chrysalis paid me a visit after you left. Of course I didn’t know it was her at the time.”

“How could you? She didn’t exactly broadcast her identity.”

>”She took me by surprise, and I thought I could take her after the last time we met.”

“She told me about that, using the love from Twilight’s brother to overpower you. A fond memory of hers.”

 

>”The lack of a host led me to believe she had lost her power. I was wrong. She turned out to be more than I could handle alone.”

“This is all my fault. If I hadn’t led her on for so long, maybe you wouldn’t be…”

>”Be what?”

>There really isn’t an easy way to say this.

“You know… dead.”

>”Really, now you worry too much,” she says heartily, “This isn’t my first- what did Applejack call it? Rodeo, that’s it. She wasn’t the first to try and take me down, and she won’t be the last.”

 

“So you’re still-“

>”Alive. She was far too hasty in her disposal. All it would have taken was little initiative to find me out.”

“I’m glad she was a shitty student.”

>”As am I.”

>You come to a deserted dock. It had seen better days by the looks of it.

>She hops into the boat and beckons you, “You coming along?”

“Going along where?”

>She smiles, “To the Gate of Tartarus. To freedom.”

 

“But you can’t escape, that’s how this place works.”

>”Only those past are bound here. We are not.”

>You hesitantly step into the boat, not completely sure of her plan, if she even had one.

>The boat immediately heads out on its own. No way back now.

 >Your hand begins to twitch again. You can’t get a break from that.

>”Tell me about the hand.”

“How long have you known? About me and Chrysalis that is.”

>You dodge the question, to which she thankfully doesn’t pursue.

 

>”I didn’t learn about her until she confronted me, but you? I knew it was you before I had ever met you.”

“You couldn’t have known though. I made sure not to leave any evidence.”

>”Intuition. The work was too fine tuned for any p0ny to accomplish, even ones with magic. It takes years of practice to get that good, Twilight would have caught anyone else.”

“Of course, always trust your intuition. Wait, if you knew it was me then why didn’t you arrest me?”

>”I can’t give you a solid answer there. Maybe I thought you could change, and it seems I thought correctly.”

 

>Even though you were a total stranger she had high hopes for you.

>”What did you think your odds were at the Gala anyways?”

>Well if she wants to know…

“40% chance of success.”

>”That high huh? I guessed at 15.”

“Really? I guess ego had gotten my hopes up,” you try and joke.

>”I’m glad you didn’t do it. When you asked to speak to me in private I had thought that was it.”

“I wanted to change, so that’s what I’ve tried to do.” You grip your pants trying to stop the shakes.

>”Tell me about the hand Anon.”

 

>A thick fog encompasses the boat.

“What is up with this weather?”

>”Tell me.”

“Does this thing go any faster?”

>The more you try and turn away the harder she pushes on.

>”What are you so afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid of anything!” you shout, quieting back down after a brief silence.

>”Then tell me, why do you tremble so?”

“I tremble, because people like me don’t change.”

 

>The fog starts to lift.

“Killing is a part of me. That instinct will never leave me.”

“I’m a monster, no better than the abominations here. I feel their hunger every second of the day. The shaking reminds me of who I really am, just another psycho.”

>”That’s not who you are, not truly. You are who you choose to be.”

“And a part of me chooses to stay.”

>The fog lifts, the shore coming into view.

>”I guess we’ll have to see which comes out in the end.”

>She climbs ashore, you remaining in the boat.

 

>”It’s time to make a choice.”

“I don’t deserve one. This is the punishment for my crimes, and I will accept them.”

>She flies back over and lifts your head eye level to her.

>”This is not your fate. One day your judgment will come, but not today. Not from a creature who would betray you so.”

>You remember those eyes of hers. How she toyed with you, how she fed off of you. It was disgusting.

>Celestia is right. You’ll cross that bridge when you come to it, but for now you have a score to settle with an old friend.

“Lead the way your highness.”

 

>She smiles and leads you ashore.

>It’s nice having someone to support you when you really need it.

>”It won’t be long until we reach the gate.”

“So are you going to fill me in on the plan?”

>”I don’t exactly have one yet.”

“We’re trying to escape the bowels of Tartarus and you don’t even have a plan?”

>”Would you rather have stayed in the boat?”

“No… I have unfinished business to attend to.”

 

>The trek towards the gate is not without consequence.

>The lack of food and water has started to get to you both, and if you don’t get any soon you may not even make it back.

>Your goal is in sight, a large mountain range, higher than the eye can see, awaits you both.

>Bits of plant life begin to appear to your pleasure.

>If you could nick off a piece of that…

>Celestia pulls you behind a rock, covering your mouth.

>You don’t resist as you trust her.

 

>The two of you peek around the boulder.

>You see an abomination patrolling the road though it hasn’t seen you yet.

>This one is bigger than the others, likely stronger as well.

“We can take him out,” you whisper, “He’s no match for both of us.”

>”It’s not him I’m worried about.”

>The abomination walks down the road towards you both.

>If not him then what?

 

>A piercing shriek forces you to cover your ears.

>The ground quakes and splits open, a monstrous figure emerging from the blackness.

>The abomination runs, but is not fast enough.

>The colossus swoops down head first and devours it whole, diving back underneath the surface.

>It leaves a gaping crater in its wake before emerging a ways away, a small shrub popping out from the ground.

>And to think you wanted to try and eat that plant.

“Well… that was interesting.”

>”Not everything is at it seems here, let’s continue on.”

 

>You encounter more abominations along the way, but the two of you make it through.

>Her magic proves useful, keeping back anything that tries to get close.

>However, it becomes clear that her powers seem to be weakening.

>You told her to lay off on the magic for now, at least until she recovers.

>She agreed, relying on her physical strength which was not as great as you’d hoped.

>Unicorns tended to be weaker due to their over reliance on magic, and it hurt now more than ever.

>You’d slowly adapted to the abominations combat style and could get through a fight mostly uninjured.

>Celestia isn’t so lucky.

 

>You set her down by a small fire you made.

>Her breathing grows heavy as she fights to subdue the pain.

>The tears well in her eyes, breaching the dam and flow down her face.

>You strip off your jacket and tear it to pieces, bandaging her wounds.

>Her pulse is weak, slowly dropping.

>”Anon-“

“Save your strength.”

>She cringes as she tries to move.

“You’re going to be fine.”

 

>”Anon…”

>You hush her, mending to her wounds.

>She eyes your side, a dollop of blood escaping your vest.

>”You’re hurt.”

>You cover it up and continue to see to her.

“Just a flesh wound, nothing to worry about.”

>In truth it was more than you let on, but you couldn’t have her worried about you.

>You can see the light in her eyes start to fade, the loss of blood and fatigue catching up to her.

 

“You have to stay awake now. You hear me?”

>”When you get back-“

“When WE get back. You’re not going anywhere.”

>You stroke her mane, trying to calm her down.

“You know what you have to do.”

>”I’m no good without it, you know that.”

>She’s true, but at this point you don’t care.

>You’re not going to lose her whatever the cost.

 

“I need you, Equestria needs you. Don’t leave us. Please.”

>Her eyes flutter and her breathing becomes erratic.

“I’ll be better, just stay with me.”

>She closes her eyes, resting still.

>Not like this, not now.

>You embrace her one last time.

“I’m not leaving you.”

>”Neither am I.”

 

>Fucking Trollestia.

“I’d kill you if I wasn’t so happy.”

>She returns the hug, “I doubt that.”

>Her wounds have closed up, the lost blood flowing in her veins once more.

>The feel of her beating heart calms your own.

>You lay back, content with her health.

>”I apologize for the scare.”

“The ends justified the means. I’m just happy you’re safe.”

>”Now about you…”

 

“I’ll be fine don’t worry. I’ve been through worse than this.”

>You also had medical supplies then. Just not now.

>She moves away your torn clothing, uncovering the wound you tried to hide.

>The gash cuts in deeper than you thought, as you cover it up before more blood can escape.

“I’ll get through this.”

>You take the bandages off of her and wrap them around your side.

>”Are you sure?”

“Positive,” you wince as you tighten the bonds.

 

>”Tomorrow’s the big day. Cerberus won’t make things easy on us.”

“I think I have a plan for him.”

>She looks intrigued, “Do you care to share said plan?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.”

>”You’re certainly stubborn.”

“That I am, just go to sleep. I need you ready.”

>She doesn’t complain as she rests her head and falls into slumber.

>You should do the same. The sooner you’re out of here the better.

 

>The morning is as dark as ever when you continue to the gate.

>With Celestia’s assistance you make good time.

>You had to lean on her once or twice, but other than that it was smooth sailing.

>The vegetation grows thicker the closer you get to the mountain, but Celestia is not bothered by it.

>Sap drips from a nearby tree which you help yourself to.

>It tastes of ash and tar, but you gulp it down all the same.

>You won’t be going down because of thirst, that’s for sure.

 

>The two of you come across a great clearing, far below laying the gate which you both sought.

>”There it is. The gate of Tartarus.”

>The gate itself is carved into the mountain. Light cannot escape its grasp as it’s pulled into the vortex.

>The door does not concern you however, but more so the titanic creature guarding it.

>You had heard of the one Twilight brought back, but it can’t compare to this one.

>Its fur is that of obsidian, and you’re fairly sure its hide is thicker than it lets on.

>Cerberus stands at least five stories tall, which only makes your heart sink when you realize it’s lying down.

 

>”So are you going to fill me in on this plan of yours?”

>You gulp, not entirely sure of it yourself anymore.

“You go around to the mountain’s edge and wait. I’ll go straight down the middle.”

>”That doesn’t sound like a very good plan.”

“I never said it was, just be ready to bolt for the gate if things turn south.”

>She nods and leaves you, sneaking through the underbrush.

>That just leaves you with the big guy.

 

>You reach the bottom of the crater, avoiding more of those hidden colossi.

>It smells of wet-dog, something you haven’t smelled since childhood.

>You take baby steps towards the sleeping monstrosity.

>For a guard of the underworld it does a pretty shitty job.

>Sleeping on the job, how pathetic. You’d tell him that if not for the fact that he could practically inhale you.

>Its ears twitch, causing you to freeze. It merely scratches itself and snoozes on.

>It may be more like a pet than you imagined.

 

>You’re inches away from Cerberus, its hot breathe washing over you.

>You look over to Celestia and give her the signal.

>She creeps out of her bush and waltzes over to the gate.

>You move over to join her. *snap*

>Your eyes turn to the Cerberus, still oblivious to your presence.

>Home clear, just to work your way around-

>Cerberus opens his eyes, you in full view, a howl coming from behind you.

 

>The dog heads snarl as he snaps awake, rummaging to his feet.

>Merely his movement was enough to throw you onto your back.

“Go!” you yell to Celestia who had started towards you.

“I’ll be right behind you.”

>She turns to the portal and jumps through, taking you at your word.

>Cerberus looks down at you and snarls, a drop of drool coating your pants.

>His eyes are bloodshot as he brings his heads down to you.

>You may not be behind her after all.

 

>He sniffs at you, determining what you are.

>You turn away as he opens his mouth.

>”Go… home…”

>Did that thing just talk?”

>Cerberus shakes his head and looks ahead, getting in a stance.

>You look behind you as well, a wall of abominations lining the crater’s top.

>They hiss and growl at the giant, each ready to taste freedom as well.

>Cerberus howls himself, the abominations charging into the deep.

 

>Cerberus swipes away dozens at a time, a dozen more advancing.

>A familiar shriek sounds as the colossus takes care of some disturbing intruders.

>Cerberus backs up, you trying to keep up, as he moves to guard the gate.

>Some abominations make it to you and begin toying with your wounded self.

>You kick one of them away, awakening yet another colossus.

>It pulls the small group underground and sends the rest fleeing.

>Cerberus pounds another section, the earth shaking at his force.

 

>You get back to your feet as abominations flood the crater.

>Cerberus can’t take them all on by himself, he’s not fast enough.

>He howls, stunning everyone within earshot.

>This brings you back to your knees, Cerberus clawing away at the opposing force.

>A few abominations pass under the preoccupied gatekeeper and make it to the portal.

>If they get through who knows what damage they’d cause to Equestria.

>Too bad back-up had arrived.

 

>Another creature jumps through the gate, pinning the abominations underneath it.

>It tears apart the fugitives with its fangs, all three sets of them.

>This is yet another Cerberus, though considerably smaller than the other one.

>Cerberus howls again as the miniature takes its place by its side.

>More coming barreling through the portal from who knows where, each charging into the fray.

>Cerberus seems to be able to hold them back for now, but who knows how long that’ll be.

>You take off towards the gate, cradling your side.

 

>An abomination blocks your path about halfway to the gate.

>It winks its good eye, the other a mess of blackened sludge.

“Long time no see.”

>”I’m back for seconds.”

>A gleam catches your eye and you can’t help but smile.

“We’ll see about that.”

>The abomination screams bloody murder as it claws at its face.

>You pluck the arrow from his eye and shove it down his throat.

“Here’s your main course.”

 

>His body crumples over, another nuisance gone from your life.

>You look back towards the trees, a griffon and pony at the edge.

>Flavus salutes you and fires another arrow into the crowd, lodging into his next target.

>Another abomination leaps at you, engaging in a little wrestling match for dominance.

>You get the upper ground and pin him under your blade.

>Two more dart to you, collapsing mere inches at your feet.

>Winter extends her hoof helping you back up.

 

>”Flavus sends his regards; he’d hoped to be here sooner.”

“I thought I told you both to get out of here.”

>”And we didn’t patch you up for nothing.”

>She clubs an oncoming attacker, “You get back home you hear?”

“Thank Flavus for me, and give him this.”

>You hand her your trusty knife.

“Something to remember me by.”

>”I will,” she says rushing out of the chaotic battlefield.

 

>You limp over to the portal, its defenders starting to get overwhelmed.

>You look back one more time before you depart.

>The mindless battle rages on, bodies lying about, violence ensuing.

>A part of you wants to stay here and revel in its simplistic lust for blood.

>It needs to taste that sweet essence of another, but you already have someone in mind for that.

>A certain “princess” who you have to make amends with.

>You step into the portal, sinking away from this reality.

 

>You gasp for air, the sweet smell of flowers filling you.

>You dig your fingers into the moist soil reveling in its beauty.

>Birds chirp away happily, their music floating on the breeze.

>The simplest things of this world seem to be the most important now that you’ve lost them.

>You kiss the very ground, never wishing to part from it again.

>”Enjoying yourself?”

>You had almost forgotten Celestia was here as well.

“Yes. Yes I am.”

 

>The gate is far less menacing from this side. A single guard lies beside it, snoozing away.

“Like father like son.”

>You make your way to a nearby river, enjoying the refreshing water.

>Celestia too drinks deeply from its depths before coming up for air.

>”So what are you going to do now?”

“Now?” you say with a grin, “I visit an old friend.”