A Guessing Game

>You met the ponies at the door, letting them all in at once.

"Please allow me to introduce myself-" you cut yourself off with a laugh. "I jest. Let me say how much of a pleasure it is to finally meet you all. I just hope one of you can guess my name, before it's too late," you add ominously, but keeping up your cheery tone.

>One of the unicorns, Twilight Sparkle by the looks of it, eyes you suspiciously.

>She is the first to head off to the dinning room, two of her friends, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, follow close behind her.

>You catch the eye of the meek one, who was staying away from you and the other two that remain.

>You are almost certain she knew, albeit she probably didn't understand fully.

>Either way she didn't possess the gall to take action or speak up.

>The second unicorn and earth pony jump in front of he when they see you starring at her.

>However this was no attempt at defending their friend.

>Competition shined in their eyes.

>Has the zeal of the night's game taken hold of them?

>Or perhaps it was your charming smile that had them enthralled.

>Rarity comments on your impressive home, and your exquisite taste in clothing.

>She couldn't help but notice your obvious wealth.

>Applejack claimed to be interested in the hard work you had surely done to make such an honest fortune.

>Honest indeed, you think to yourself with a laugh.

>You see the other three had already seated themselves, how rude.

>They were different from the three you were in the hall with now, they would be a little harder to crack.

>One was oblivious.

>One loyal, but dumb.

>The third, oh the third would be tonight's real entertainment.

>Rarity and Applejack speed off toward the dining room, fighting for a seat next to you.

>That left you alone with Fluttershy in the long hallway to her final destination.

>You inquire as to how her furry forest friends are doing.

>Each syllable your cold voice forms sends chills streaking through her spine.

>With each step she presses herself up against the wall further, and shrinks down lower.

>She was practically crawling across the floor by the time you gave her that charming smile.

>But to her it wasn't no smile, a grimace rather, the revealing of your true face.

>You leave her shivering in the hall, taking your seat at the head of the table.

>Twilight had placed herself at the other end, she was giving you daggers.

>To her left Pinkie bounced up and down in her chair, overjoyed at the prospect of tonight's event.

>To Twilight's right was Rainbow Dash.

>She moved her seat to be closer to Twilight, the young pegasus glared at you suspiciously as you looked over at her.

>To your left and right Rarity and Applejack were seated, respectively.

>They bickered over you with a concealed intensity.

>Fluttershy was sitting between Applejack and Pinkie Pie, literally shaking in fear.

>She resolved to stay quiet during the discussion that was had as everyone waited for the food to come around.

>Twilight was grinding her teeth as you worked your magic on both Rarity and Applejack.

>The servant ponies brought around the food after a short while.

>The conversation continued through the meal.

>Rarity admired your dining etiquette, and made it apparent.

>Applejack praised your ability to forgo tradition for a brief laugh.

>It was essential to keep them at ends, vying for your attention.

>There would be no problem with those two.

>Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie would be equally easy.

>The real challenge, the hunt you look forward to will be with Rainbow Dash and Twilight.

>The foolhardy hero would no doubt be on to you quickly but Dash would not prevail.

>It will be fun to watch her squirm in terror.

>Twilight will be the most delectable little treat!

>Figuratively of course.

>Although breaking her psyche with sexual abuse wasn't beyond possibility.

>You bask in the glorious thought of forcibly deflowering that stupid mare, but it was just a little daydream.

>With her smarts, her cunning, and her level head she may just be the one that escapes.

>Rainbow Dash reveals a nice detail of information over dinner.

>Her aspirations to become a "Wonder Bolt" will surely be her downfall.

>The courses had long since been finished, the servant ponies had cleaned the table roughly nearly an hour ago after dessert, and by now they would have all left for home.

>Now you are enjoying wine with the other six ponies.

>They probe with many inquiries, but avoided the actual question.

>Except for Pinkie, who "Pinkie Promised" to keep your name a secret if you told her.

>This gives you a good laugh.

>You assure her she would know it well by the night's end.  

>The clock strikes twelve, the moon is at it's apex.

>You lead the ponies into the adjacent drawing room, dimming all the mansion's lights from a master switch.

>Now only the mansion's various fireplaces and the moonlight are providing illumination.

"I know you're all excited for tonight's guessing game, but I must first alert you to a few rules."

>They all sat patiently by as you explained the few rules you had formulated.

>You tell them sufficient evidence to make a guess about your name was placed in nearly every room in the house.

>They may ask you three questions each every hour and you would answer truthfully, but they may not ask what your name is.

>They could not be in the same room as another pony, and they were free to switch rooms as long as there wasn't another pony there.

>They could not enter the basement, under any circumstances.

>Violating any of these rules would result in disqualification.

>You wish them luck and head for the upstairs parlor with your half filled glass in hand.

>As soon as you reach the top of the stairs you hear the hurried hoofsteps of ponies rushing about to find a room to search.

>To pass the time you begin reading your book, sitting in the comfortable chair beside the fire.

>It was a simple black book with no markings on the binding or covers.

>It was bound with a special kind of "leather", written in a special type of "ink", yet its most alluring quality was its simplistic appearance.

>To your surprise Rarity was the first to find you.

>You set down your drink and book, offering her the other chair beside the fire.

>She placed her hoofs on the small table between the two seats, trying to hide her blushing face as you comment on "the glow of the fire on her gorgeous mane".

>"So, Mr. Anonymous," she begins, snickering a little, "what's the origin of your real name?"

>You grin maliciously.

"An excellent question, my dear. My name is derived from an old human language. In that very dated dialect it means 'light-bringing' or 'morning star'," you explain with a smooth urbane tone.

>"How elegant," she replies looking at you dreamily.

>In your chest some amount of disgust welled, but you kept it internalized.

"Have you found any clues yet?"

>"No, I think I've missed them all."

"Really? Someone as resourceful and smart as you? Perhaps, with your new found knowledge, you'll have better luck finding a clue."

>She hurried out of the room, that last remark must have sent her over the edge, you've never seen a face that red.

>You took up your glass and exited the room, the game was just beginning.

>You made it to the end of the hall without seeing any ponies.

>That's when you looked into the small library at the end of the hall.

>It was a small room, and existed only because the first floor library wasn't able to hold all the books you had collected.

>The room's curtains are drawn shut.

>The only light comes from the dying fire.

>In the half glow of the burning logs Fluttershy was sitting, shaking in fear.

>She sees you and promptly covers her mouth, muffling a shriek.

>You give her a winning smile.

"How goes the search?"

>You shut the door behind you as you enter, the loud slam makes her jump up in surprise, but she was quickly back in her original position.

>She offered only a whimper in response to your question.

"Do you have objections to us speaking in private?"

>She mewled pathetically, cowering beside the fire.

>You loom over her, your shadow enveloping her, fighting off the fireplace's light and replacing it with ominous dark.

"Do you have any questions? Or maybe you want to take a guess?"

>"Wh-what are you?" she replies, fighting back a few sobs.

>She looked at your real face and tears welled in her eyes.

"I'm a background process that services such things as file transfers," she wouldn't get the joke, but you have yourself a good laugh.

"What would you like Fluttershy? You can have anything, anything at all."

>"I-," she sniffled, "I want to go home."

>A fair request.

"What would you be willing to give in return?"

>She whimpered again, "anything, please just let me go home."

"So you're making a deal with me? Anything I want in exchange for you being able to go home?"

>She seemed to be trying to speak but only a fearful moan came out.

"Say it. Say you are making a deal with me," you dropped your calm facade.

>"I'm making a deal with you!" she said, tears streaming down her face.

"Good."

>You forcibly shake her hoof.

>Now you could let her be, taking your prize without violence.

>But you couldn't stand this pony's weakness.

>So you drink the rest of your wine in one swig, tossing down the empty glass with one hand and grabbing an empty candle holder from the mantle with the other.

>You bring it down on Fluttershy's skull three times with ferocious anger.

>Three wet smacks and a crack, music to your ears.

>You kneel beside her body, whispering in her ear, "you're home now."

>The sound of a breath that was held too long finally being released could be heard in the quite room.

>Just as expected something had materialized in your pocket.

>Dropping the bloodied candle holder you reach into your suit pant's pocket, pulling out a small vial.

>You held the little glass bottle between your index finger and thumb.

>With pleasure you examined the smoky wisp held inside by a cork stopper.

>You thought you saw the smoke separate to form three little butterflies, before reverting back to the shapeless cloud it was before.

>You lick your lips, pleasure and energy coursing through you.

>So invigorating, and there was still five more little ponies to go.

>Perhaps it was time to pay a visit to the party animal.

 

>Twilight Sparkle was tearing apart the downstairs library, but there was nothing that she didn't already have in her library.

>There were no clues!

>Not even the slightest indication of who this Anonymous "man" was.

>She saw Pinkie Pie bounce past the door, headed down the hall.

"Pinkie! Get over here."

>Her head pokes out from around the corner, her curly mane moving in a comical way.

>"Twilight I can't talk, I'm investigating. I don't want to get disqualified either," she said in a harsh whisper.

>The pink pony disappeared down the hall.

>Twilight rushes to the threshold, peeking down the hall - her friend was gone.

>With a huff she sat herself down in a chair, wondering where this elusive stallion, er, man had hid the clues.

 

>You find Pinkie Pie in the downstairs living room.

>The Earth pony was frantically searching the mantlepiece above the fireplace.

>You sneak up behind her.

"Boo," you whisper in her perked up ear.

>She shrieks, shooting straight up, then collapsing into a giggling mass of pink.

>"Hi mister Anonymous!" she says, wiping a tear from her eye and trying to regain her composure.

"Is the search going well?"

>"You bet! I found this funny book under a chair," she fetches /Paradise Lost/ from behind her, "I don't understand any of it though."

"Ah, don't trouble yourself with that Pinkie," you say, tossing the book to the nearby table.

"You like parties right?"

>"Of course! I love parties, I wish this one had balloons though."

"I'm sorry to disappoint in that respect, my dear. Perhaps I could make it up to you.

>The glint in her eye told you to continue.

"Imagine the biggest, grandest party you've ever been to," you say, gesturing with your hands the size of this imaginary party, "now double that. Imagine the place littered with balloons, streamers, lights and drinks of every color."

>"Are you going to host it here?" her body seemed to bubble with excitement.

"No, not I. I believe you are better suited for the job. On one condition."

>"ANYTHING!"

>You loved when they said that.

"I want your soul in exchange," a fiendish grin curls across your vile face.

>She pats herself down, openly displaying her confusion.

>"I don't think I have any."

>You let out a laugh, this pony was good.

"Rest assured, you do. Everyone does, it's a little piece of you that has no real purpose."

>"Oh, but why do you want it?"

"I'm a," you pause, searching for the right word, "a collector."

>"Can my friends come to the party?"

"Everyone can, everyone you know can come if you want."

>she bounced left and right in glee.

"We have a deal?"

>"Yes! Wait, I don't know where my soul is, sorry," she looks down in sadness.

>You get on one knee.

"No worries," you run your hand through her mane, keeping your smile up.

>You find the spot you were seeking, digging a clawed finger into it.

>"Ow!" she squeaks.

>You feel something cold leak onto your finger.

>It felt like both a liquid and a vapor at the same time.

>Another vial joins the one in your pocket, you hear them clink together as you stand.

"That's it. Does it hurt?"

>"No," her voice had lost all emotion, her eyes looked up at you distantly.

>You were no liar, you would uphold your end of the deal.

>Pressing your hand against her forehead you mutter a few words.

>The mare falls to the side.

>You pick her up and place her in the chair next to the table.

>She was in an irreversible comatose.

>It would be sometime before she realized the party in her mind kept repeating, and a longer time before death released her from her prison.

>You had the feeling she would welcome it warmly.

>You check the vial, three little balloons floated in a triangle before disappointing into a formless wisp.

 

>Rainbow Dash had just raided the kitchen for clues.

>And maybe a snack.

>She found only a weird stone with some strange star carved on it.

>Yet the pegasus was determined to find out who and what this "Anonymous" was, that guy was up to no good - she felt.

>She followed a short dark hallway that led to a set of creaky wooden stairs.

>With one look over her shoulder, she said her goodbyes to the dimly lit kitchen and delved into the sea of black below her.

>She took care with each step, as to not tumble down the stairs.

>Every step produced a loud squeak and each step Dash cringed and froze, hoping no one had heard.

>She reached the bottom, cold air from an unknown source made her wings shiver.

>But that wasn't the only thing causing her to shake.

>She felt around in the darkness, feeling closed in and like there was a foul beast looming just behind her.

>Eventually she found a wooden cellar door.

>She gulped as her hoof hit against the wood.

>With some more searching she found the door's handle.

>She yanked it up with her hoof, throwing the door to the side, ignoring the loud clatter it had made.

>Light emanated from within the secret room, but she could not see what was inside.

>She hastily clambered down another small set of stairs, unsure of what she would find.

>It was nowhere near what she had expected.

>None of it.

>The light from so many candles jitter around, creating nervous shadows on the blood stained walls.

>She stood still as stone, panicked huffs of breath escaping her gaping maw every now and again as she tried to take in what was around her.

>The ghastly air choked her - the biting stench of viscera and fleshy rotting clumps that were laid out on cutting boards, or placed in dusty jars on shelves filled with too many horrors to count.

>In front of her the body of a mint colored pony was strung up by chains and cuffs.

>Her midsection was sliced open, the skin held back by wall mounted clamps.

>Rainbow Dash gagged and turned to run for escape.

>Mid turn she heard a deafening slam.

>The door was closed.

>she stopped, facing the sink and cutting board, her eye caught the image of a suited man slowly and carefully descending the stairs.

>"Ah! Dashie, my dear, you seem to have stumbled upon my little secret. Now what are we going to do with you?"

>A long silver object emerged from inside his suit jacket, he twirled the blade in one hand, taking careful steps one at a time toward Dash.

 

>You bring the saw down on her wings a bit more.

>She thrashes and tries to wriggle free from the chains to no avail.

>Now the appendage was hanging by an inch or two of bloody flesh.

>She moaned, whimpered and her eyes stream tears.

>But this one was tough, she didn't cry out or scream.

>You place the saw back on the surgical instrument table next to you.

"come now, I can end your pain with just a word. But I refuse to stop there, I'll grant you the fastest wings know to your kind."

>After a few moments of silence you grab the nail from the table beside you.

>With just your hand you jam it into the base of her other wing, crushing most of the bones.

>You turn, allowing her a moment of respite

>From the shelves you fetch the jar with the still beating heart of a pony named Lyra.

>With it you return to Dash, the heart beats furiously, like it remembered your touch even through the glass jar.

>You simper.

"Dear Doctor, please help me, I'm damaged!" you say in a sing-song voice, waving the heart in front of her.

>She wasn't amused.

>You put it down on the table.

"Don't make me turn you into," you hold back a giggle, "a Jigsaw Puzzle."

>She responded by closing her eyes and turning her head away from you.

"How about I sweeten the deal further," you grab the scalpel from the table.

"I can make you famous, how does lead flyer for the Wonder Bolts sound? You'll outshine and impress both Soarin and Spitfire."

>With no response you dive in with the scalpel, starting just below the middle of her stomach.

>You cut a few inches, not very deep, it was mostly a scare tactic.

"I won't kill you, that's too easy. I'm going to take away your pride. Your wings - gone. But I'm not stopping there."

>You undress, hanging your suit on a convenient hook near the door.

>You press yourself up against Dash, you bite her ear softly.

>Her hot, hurried breath washes over your neck, her tears warm your cold cheek.

"I will violate and destroy everything you love. But I don't have too, just make a deal with me. Everything I said, and more, just submit. You'll be patched up in an instant."

>You prepare yourself to enter her.

>"Don't! Please."

>You leave her, cleaning the blood off your torso, and dressing promptly.

>Forcibly shaking her hoof, you claim your prize.

>Her wings appear no different after you restore and improve them, and she appears unharmed - accept for her empty eyes.

"You will remain here, I will unshackle you soon."

>She mutters something inaudibly, looking into the distance behind you.

 

>Twilight stalks into the downstairs living room.

>She spots Pinkie in a chair, curled up in a ball.

>She looked in a very deep sleep.

>Twilight creeps over, reasoning that it was unlikely she would get caught.

"Pinkie," she shakes her friend with a hoof.

>Nothing.

>Short snorts of breath exited Pinkie's nostrils every few seconds.

>Twilight shakes her harder, getting a little scared.

>No movement, no response at all.

>This damn mare.

>She moved on, figuring Pinkie would wake up on her own.

 

>Rarity had just found Anonymous' master bedroom.

>And it was magnificent.

>Masterfully crafted furniture, expensive sheets and clothes, it was a wonderland for her.

>She shivered, feeling the divinely soft red quilt on his bed.

>Turning to the mirror near the king sized bed she spruced herself up a bit.

>with a sigh she collapsed back into the bed.

>How could she go on after seeing the handsome, virile creature she knew only as "Anonymous"?

>For some reason she felt warm.

>A soft 'umf' escapes her lips.

>Surprising even herself she arched her back, moaning louder as her hips bucked a few times.

>But the foreign grip slipped away, a wide eyed Rarity jumped off the bed, hoping he wouldn't find out.

>She saw a few drops of clear fluid had gotten on his immaculate sheets.

>With a gulp she turned to escape the room - only to find him at the door way, grinning.

 

>"Darling, you startled me," she says looking away and taking a step back.

"Apologies. I was just wondering how you were."

>"I'm," she pauses, "exquisite."

>She looked flush, you could think of a few reasons why.

>Soon your silver hammer would knock this one out too.

>She turns from you and trots to the open window on the other side of the room.

>Cold night air drifted in from the outside, the sky held a sorrowful moon.

>"Beautiful, no?"

"Not quite as stunning as you," you come up behind her.

>Perhaps she interpreted your presence as comforting.

"What if I told you I could give you anything you wanted, but just one thing. What would it be?"

>She looked into you with huge eyes, but they didn't see you.

>"A...A kiss?"

"That's all you desire?"

>"Yes."

>She looked excited, keeping it at bay best as possible.

"I might need something in return," you say, like the spider to the fly.

>"Is that so?"

"Yes, just a little request. I need you to surrender yourself, all of you, to me."

>She shivered in not fear but enthusiasm.  

>"Yes," she replied in little more than a whisper.

>You lean in toward her, and she stands up a bit, quivering in apprehension and utter joy.

>You lay your lips on hers, extracting your prize in an unusual manner, breathing in a cool vapor.

>Pulling back after a few seconds you look into her lifeless eyes.

>Your pocket feels a little heavier.

"Our business is done. You'll remain here, hidden in this room, until I say. You may refer to me as master if it so pleases you," you say with smirk on your face.

>"Yes, master," an almost toneless voice responds.

>You exit the room.

>These salt of the Earth ponies were too easy.

 

>Applejack trotted around the second floor of the mansion apprehensively, shuddering with each step.

>Admittedly she was a little scared, frightened of some strange presence she was sure was both behind her and nonexistent.

>She came to the end of a long hall, and discovered what appeared to be a library.

>But she could only tell that from the sliver of moonlight that slashed across the shelf full of books at the other end of the room.

>The rest of the room was indistinguishable shapes, she noticed it was unnaturally dark, like something had extracted all the light and life from the room.

>She saw some kind of mass on the floor, it could have been a pony.

>Walking over she could just make out the pink of Fluttershy's hair.

"Fluttershy? You alright?"

>She steps forward one more pace, a hoof landing in something wet.

>Examining her hoof she sniffs the metallic smelling fluid.

"Flut- AAHH!"

>She stumbles back.

>Moonlight reflected off the pool of blood, light was restored to the room in some degree.

>Her mind echoed with Fluttershy's pleas, begging for home.

>She heard her own voice, denying her friend comfort, and in the pool of blood, the blurry image of her bringing down a candle stick on Fluttershy's head.

>She charges out of the room, trying to out run her mind, but it was not possible, she crashed into a wall at nearly full speed, falling to the side.

>She had to do something, tell somep0ny, do something!

>She struggles to get up, nearly tumbling down the large stairs to the ground floor.

 

>Hearing a loud crash Twilight perks up from her spot in the dining room.

>Her plan to wait for Anonymous had failed miserably, she hadn't seen him all night.

>Applejack burst into the room without warning, wide eyed and terrified.

>"TWILIGHTWILIGHTIJUSSAWSOMETHINTERRIBLEIDONTKNOWWASGUNNINONITHINKIDIDSOMETHINGIMSCARED," she said a mile a minute, tears streaming from her eyes.

"Slow down, what happened?"

>"Ah found Fluttershy upstairs, somep0ny killed her," she choked out between violent shudders and sniffles.

>It took a second to hit Twilight, she just sat back down in her seat, trying to adjust to a world where her friend was gone.

"L-lets stay calm, okay. We have to get everyp0ny else, we have to tell Anonymous. The game is over."

>"Twilight?"

"What?" she said, headed toward the room where Pinkie was resting, her legs felt like jelly, he breathing was irregular and heavy.

>"What if Anonymous did it?"

 

"Master of puppets I'm pullin' your strings-"

>You stop your singing.

>Hoof prints of red led away from the second floor library.

>With a vicious grin, that of the hunter seeing his prey you think a simple though:

>The game had begun.

 

"Pinkie this is serious, wake up, please!"

>Applejack paced around the room, muttering something about a candle holder.

>"Can't your magic do something?"

>Twilight expresses her confusion, but an old wake up spell comes to mind.

>This would work without a doubt.

>Her horn sparked, a small stream of purple hit Pinkie Pie.

>The Earth pony didn't stir, just kept laying there, breathing.

>"Whay didn't it work?"

"I don't think she's asleep. If she was that would have woken her up immediately."

>The gruff sound of someone clearing their throat was the only response.

 

-unedited, so be careful-

 

>You didn't expected to have Applejack survived this long, but she did so simply because you didn't bump into her.

>"Anonymous something serious has happened!" Twilight says.

"What's the matter?"

>"I found Fluttershy's body upstairs," Applejack cuts in before Twilight can respond.

"Really? Is she alright?"

>"No, there was blood everywhere. She's dead," AJ replies

"Twilight, fetch your friends. Me and Applejack are going upstairs to see the body. Meet us here."

>She runs off without question.

>Hopefully she does see your ruse.

>Either way it would matter not.

>You place a comforting hand on Applejack's back, she stays her distance as you led her to the stairs.

>But just as planned she began warming up to you, leaning against your leg and whimpering slightly as you ascended with her to the second floor.

>She was shivering by the time you reached the room Fluttershy was in.

>Applejack was so afraid she didn't even realize you know exactly where the body was, without her even saying.

"Oh my, I must admit, this is unnerving."

>You led her in the room, she does not notice as the door silently closed.

>She stood in the darkened room over Fluttershy's body.

>"Ah found her like this I swear."

"I believe you," you say, drifting to her side.

>"What's th-that?" a tear drops from her eye into the pool of blood where she stood.

>A grin curls across your face, white teeth showing through parted lips.

>A blurry image could be seen inside that glittering pool of crimson.

>It was none other than Sweet Apple Acres, Big Macintosh and Applebloom working hard to harvest crops for their farm.

"What's this? A stallion, he seems well off. He wants to buy the farm. Of course Big Mac refuses. You're in debt, seems you owe him so money. He loaned you bits and crops last season. He'll seize the farm if you don't sell! You'll be out of a home!" you did not say this audibly, rather feeding it to her mind through the pool's magic.

>She turns to you and begins bawling into your leg.

>Just as planned.

>You get on your knees, grabbing her chin and raising it, trying to be comforting.

"Are you alright?"

>"Fl-Fluttershy dead, my farm in trouble. I just can't handle it all, it's too much."

"Are you having a bit of financial trouble?"

>She buries her head in your shoulder, dampening it with tears and other fluids.

>"Y-yes."

"Perhaps I could assist in that respect, as you may have noticed I have more than I need here.  I could pay your debts. But funds like that are somewhat hard to come by, I'll need something exchange."

>"Like what?"

>Seems she has forgotten she is standing about two feet from the bleeding corpse of her friend.

"I just need a simple thing from you. You won't miss it, merely shake my hand and your problems will be solved. In fact, all your future problems will be solved, you won't have to worry about a single thing."

>"I'm not doing that, I need to know what you're taking," she steps away from you.

"Hmm. How can I put this? If you don't go into a pact with me you'll lose the farm. What will you tell your family? That you refused the chance at saving them?"

>She looks to the side, the gears in her small mind trying to deiced the best course of action.

>Her apprehensive hoof rises toward you, a fresh tear rolls down her cheek as you vigorously shake it.

>She recoils at your touch, but you don't pay attention, running your fingers through her mane - gliding to your prize.

>A small grunt escapes her lips as you collect your well deserved earnings.

>Another bottle joins the others in your pocket.

 

>Applejack follows you out of the room, you collect Rarity along the way.

>The stay close behind you, not making a peep as you evade Twilight.

>Finally you release Rainbow Dash from her chains, and she joins the precession behind you.

"Twilight," you shout up the stairs, "I've found them all."

>She hurries down the carpeted steps, visibly taken aback when she notices the dead look in their eyes, and the beaming light success in yours.

>"Why are you smiling?" she says, her voice was uneven and gave away her fear and disgust at the situation.

"You lost the game."

>"This isn't a game! My friends dead, you maniac."

"Well, I could bring her back, if that's what you want."

>She takes a few steps back up the stairs, flabbergasted.

"Or I could give you something more. Perhaps the power and knowledge to do it yourself?" you advance toward her, feet silently stepping on to the stairs.

"Maybe you want something more? Immortality? I could give you everything. If fact, all I need you to do is say 'yes' and you'll have all of this, and more. The sky's the limit dear."

>"I-"

"I-I-I what? You're scared? Why? You're friends are here with you, aren't they?"

>In unison, the four below you mummer a mindless "yes".

"Just say yes. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain."

>She had forgotten to keep moving once she was at the top of the stairs, and now you towered over her, practically exuding your power.

>You could almost feel her flesh tingle with fear, and perhaps a twinge of curiosity.

>And curiosity will kill the pony.

"What about just a taste?"

>You reach out and brush her soft cheek, lending a portion of your knowledge to her.

>Her eyes light up and go distant, she staggers back.

>The memories of a war, a plane crash and the proper procedure for raising a pony from the dead would do that to you.

"Want more?"

>Her bottom lip trembles, but her words a solid and clear, they reverberate through the house, "yes."

>Your mouth curls back into one final toothy grin.

 

>"Here is the final draft, master," Twilight says.

>She has come a long way since the game, her innocence and naivety gone.

>Her movements were more rigid and seriousness.

>And her eyes, her marvelous eyes, had become cold and unloving.

>Just what you need in a successor.

>You take the scroll of parchment from her with a nod.

>Next to your Rarity lays, content with her position as a servant to you.

>She did very little, she was in fact no more than a trophy.

>In the other room you catch a glimpse of Fluttershy dusting the mantle of a fireplace.

>You wonder whether Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie were happy, it didn't really matter either way.

>They had made deals and their fates were sealed.

>You refocus on the task at hand, reviewing this letter.

>You unfurl it, and read it aloud to no one in particular.

"Dear Princess Celestia, as a guest in your fine land I feel obligated to repay you for your hospitality. Thus, I invite you and your sister to my residence near Ponyville for dinner and a pleasant game..."

 

 

 

 

 

-27- Pay no attention to this number