>You help Rarity over a log, earning a thanks in the process.
>”Why don’t you help us as well,” Twilight prods as she and others reach the very same log.
“Because Rarity needs my help all the time.” *smack* “What? It’s true.”
>And another smack for the wall.
>The others scale the impossibly trivial obstacle with your assistance.
>You’re starting to have second thoughts about allowing them to tag along at all.
>The things out here almost kill you and that’s no easy feat.
>Keeping an eye on them will be your top priority.
>You’ll not lose them to any beast within these parts.
>Leading them, you find yourself at a vast bog, the mud slick and waiting for the right moment to suck you in, the water the same, but in liquid form.
>You pull out your book and run through it.
 
>”W-what does it say?” Fluttershy asks timidly.
“We’ve got a whole mess of things in these parts. Crocodiles, Mosquitoes, Mud Pits, Hydras, the works.”
>”We can take them,” Rainbow boasts in confidence.
>”Let’s be careful y’all,” Applejack states.
“I agree. It doesn’t say anything about wheel skeletons though so we should be alright.”
>”Wheel skeletons?” Rarity asks.
“They’re like skeletons, but on wheels with spikes on them and they charge at you.”
>”Celestia, how horrifying.”
“At least the Everfree forest isn’t that cruel.”
>”We’ll see about that,” Twilight replies.
>In truth she’s correct, there’s no telling what this place holds.
>For all you know there’s wheel skeletons her too, but now they’re on fire.
>A hilarious and terrifying thought all in one.
 
>You scan the waters as you traverse the edge of the swamp.
>You’re sturdy enough to survive a gruesome mauling, but one of them.
>Rarity smiles when you look to her.
>They’re not as lucky.
>Once you sense the coast is clear you sink to the ground.
>You can faintly pick up his scent over the swamp’s natural odor.
>He’s been a few days ahead of you but by the age of these tracks it seems he’s decided to stick around.
>They lead towards the cliff’s base off in the distance.
>Something’s off about that place. You can feel it in your bones.
“I think I found him. You all stay here. I can take care of him myself.”
>Rarity gasps, “I did not trek through such dreadful terrain to watch you get hurt. We’re not going anywhere.”
>The others agree with her, seems you’re stuck with them.
“Just be careful.”
 
>You drop into the murky waters of the swamp and Rarity almost screams.
>”How could you?!”
“It’ll wash out.”
>”By hoof! Have you any idea how long it’ll take to wash out?”
“Umm, a week?”
>”Try two.”
“I think you can knock that down to two.”
>”I loathe you.”
“Love ya too.”
>Her face burns scarlet, “What?”
“N-Nothing.”
>Not the time or place for that.
 
>Applejack jumps on in, splashing the others with a brown rain earning yet another squeal.
>You hold your arms out to Rarity.
“Would you care for a ferry?”
>”As a matter of fact I would,” she says sliding into your arms.
>”Me too!” Pinkie exclaims leaping on your back.
“Jesus fuck!” you scramble to regain balance while keeping Rarity out of the water.
>”Right, lean right!”
>You finally get both feet back on the ground and breathe a sigh of relief, Pinkie’s head slowly coming into view from above.
>”Weee?”
“Never again.”
>She frowns, but she smiles happily when you boop her on the nose.
“Kidding.”
>”Better not be,” Rarity sneers as she inspects her mane.
 
>You slowly traverse the waters, a dense fog cutting out light from above.
>The limbs of the trees seem to reach towards you whenever they can.
>Rarity holds your arm tighter the further you go and you can’t blame her.
>Not many dare venture this deep you imagine, with the threat of death and all.
>It’s an oddity that such a place even exists at all.
>You use your arm as a bridge as Rarity moves back onto dryer land.
>The others work their way out with your assistance, the bog almost pulling in an attempt to keep them in.
>Not on your watch, they go Bog Free.
>They shake the muck off their hooves as you breach the water, the grime pulling away from your cloth unnaturally.
>This earns a few stares from your friends, but they keep quiet about it.
>It’s not like your suspicious already.
>Oh wait…
 
>Twilight walks closely as you put a gap between the group, “When do you plan on telling them?”
“It doesn’t matter when I say it. They’re here. They’re going to see it.”
>”Couldn’t you hold back a little? You could play it off as being strong or-“
“I’m getting rid of this creature, all of it. Beating around the bush led to its escape in the first place. I won’t fail yet again.”
>She nods, “I’ll do what I can to calm them down if they- overreact.”
“I appreciate that.”
>Your ears pick up a faint shuffling coming up ahead and you stop the group.
>”It’s trapped,” Twilight says, “I think we can keep it there long enough to-“
“Not this time,” you reply interrupting her.
>”What is it?”
>The manticore walks out, tail at the ready, his transformation complete displaying his bare reddened muscles.
>And he’s got two more next to him.
“He made some friends.”
 
>They’re not manticores anymore, just some good ol’ brawlers with a few additions.
>Maulers…
>You push Twilight back towards the others and raise your fists.
>The Maulers growl to one another and the lead one bows its head to charge.
>You bulge your muscles and prepare for him.
>”Come on ya big oaf!” Applejack yells at your side.
>”Please do hurry up so we can escape this dreadful place,” Rarity adds with a bit more tact.
“This isn’t your fight,” you growl as the others come to your aid.
>”We’d never leave a friend alone,” Twilight says.
>You hide the smile on your face and turn back to the Mauler pack.
“Then let’s do this by the books, just for you.”
>The Mauler pack’s leader raises his head fearfully and steps backwards, the others quick to follow.
>”Even they don’t like these odds,” Dash boasts.
>But that’s because they see what only you hear.
>The drip of water back into the swamp.
 
>You whirl around in time to see a body crash back into the dirt, half its body gnawed off as it struggles to regenerate.
>”What was- AHHH!”
>You cover Rarity’s eyes from the gruesome view, pints of blood gushing out of the Mauler’s open belly.
“Twilight find a cave and hide.”
>”What could’ve-“
“Twilight!” you yell in no mood for detective.
>She sees what danger you’re in and finally takes your advice, ”Let’s go girls. Come on! Rarity!”
>Rarity pulls on your sleeve, “Let’s go Anon.”
“No such luck I’m afraid.”
>”Anon please…”
>The water ripples signaling the few moments you have left as the Mauler’s retreat back into their cave.
 
>You kneel in front of Rarity, “Come with us.”
“Rarity you’ve always been there to help me. Ever since you first found me you were there.”
>The ground rumbles ever so slightly, a fin breaching the water.
“I owe my life to you and I’d do anything for you. You know this.”
>”Anon hurry up!” Twilight shrieks.
>You hold her hoof in your hand.
“But this is my fight, right here. I can’t protect you forever, but maybe I won’t have to. Whatever happens here, just know that- I-“ You sigh, “I’ll tell you later.”
>”I’m not leaving you here alone.”
>You smile and embrace her as the cortet of heads enters your peripherals.
“I know.”
>You flick the tip of her horn and she faints in your arms, Twilight quickly taking her away.
“Keep her safe.”
 
>You turn to the open waters as the colossus stands before you, each of its four heads twisted and mangled with the infection.
>The Mauler who’d been discarded attempts to scoot away but a tendril pierces its chest and pulls him back into one of the creature’s hungry mouths.
“You’re a big one.” Your stomach growls with an intense need, “I’ve got a big appetite.”
>The center head screams with a stunning cry forcing you to hold your ears, a pain shooting through your chest.
>The tendril sends you flying at the hydra’s maw and almost manages to pull you in before you cut it off.
>You whip out your claws and dig into what is left of the creature’s snout while you try and free your leg.
>It bites down on your foot and damn near chops it off as its other head comes in for your upper half.
>You close your eyes and quickly raise your armor as its teeth clench down on your strengthened torso.
>No luck for him.
 
>Your glee quickly disappears as its heads begin wrestling for ownership of your body.
>Their teeth meet squarely on your waist and they try pulling you in two.
>You whip out your claws and begin tearing up the roof of his mouth, but it only makes him bite down harder.
>A tooth manages to cut into your skin and the others feel like they’re going to follow.
>Quick, quick- Barbs! You fire a blast into both of their mouths, relieving your stomach instantly.
>You scramble away from its smothering tongue and climb back onto the second head’s face.
>It’s eyes go cross-eyed as they stare at you.
>You grin mischievously as you tear into its left with your claw and move to blind him with its right.
>A tendril wraps around your wrist before you can finish and holds you back.
>It rips you off and back tosses you back into the bog where the thick water fills your lungs with the taste of piss and rotten fish.
 
>Relieving your weighty armor you cut free of the pinning tentacle and pull yourself out of the water, gasping for air.
>A hoof stands out in front of you, “Need some help?”
>You finish coughing up your lungs and move her hoof aside, “Or not.”
“Get out of here before you get hurt Dash.”
>”You need the help, don’t even try to deny that…” she hushes when she sees your morphed claw.
>The duo of hydra heads wobble about drunkenly in the background, “Your hand-“
“I said get out of here.”
>You get a running start and impale yourself onto one of the hydra’s necks.
>The beast wails as you run up its elongated neck, cutting it open long ways with the sweet sound of gurgling filling your ears.
>Your feet pound on its scales and you cut upwards in one last thrust, driving your claws up its throat and through the top of its head.
>It’s head falls to the swamp floor soaking everything around it.
“Don’t need help.”
 
“Get back with the others, I’ll have this punk down in a-“ a slick tendril grabs your ankle and pulls you fast first up the scaly neck.
>Your head bobs up and down, hitting the neck every few seconds as it keeps you immobilized.
>When you reach its mouth you hold out your hands to stop from getting slurped down once more.
>The creature almost cackles at this, a familiar head grinning at you as its eye burns red before healing back up.
“So you’re going to be like that.”
>The head you cut open shivers and bursts into the air as its neck stitches back together and boy does it look pissed.
>It hisses and lunges at you, the second head smacking him with a domineering gaze.
>A whiz of blue cuts through the sky and giving them both a one two bitch slap.
>Their eyes whirl in confusion as Dash lands next to you.
>”Thank me later.”
“Will do.”
 
>She kicks the hydra right in the eye and frees your ankle.
>Alright that’s three, but where’s the fourth?
>Dash hollers, one of her wings bound in the grip of a mouth tendril and sucked downwards.
“Hold on!” You leap off the hydra’s snout and bullet down past Dash.
>”ANON!”
>You stay on target and whip your fist backwards and crash into his snout.
>His bones crack as your weight shatters his neck into the swampy ground with enough time for you to leap up and catch Dash.
>Damn why are you such a badass.
>And those Maulers are just hiding in their cave.
>You land back on the ground, Dash cradling her wing, “I think he broke it,” she stifles a gasp.
“Can you still fight?”
>”I can-” she winces when she tries to move her wing, “I can try.”
“It’s alright. You’ve done enough.”
 
>A shadow overtakes you and you turn back, one of them towering above you.
>”Didn’t think I’d go out like this.”
“We won’t,” you reassure her. “You’ve still got plenty of life left in ya.”
>”For what it’s worth, I don’t care about what I saw. You’re my friend, no matter what.”
>You stare down the hydra as it licks its lips.
>”Might not want to show Rarity though.”
>The hydra throws its neck at you with the intent of crushing you.
>”See you on the other side,” she says as you cover her with your body.
>An electric crack surrounds you, “Yeehaw!”
>One swift buck to the face is enough to earn its retreat, the purple shield dissipating around you.
“Like I said, you’ve got plenty of life left in you.”
>Fluttershy helps Rainbow Dash away. “Want our help now?” Twilight asks.
“Don’t make a big deal out of it.”
 
>The creature rallies back and reevaluates its prey giving you time to prepare.
“Do what you do best, but make sure to keep on the defense. One misstep and you’re a goner, understood?”
>”Understood.”
>You grab hold of your claws with one hand, wincing as you snap them off, the nubs growing back seconds later.
>”What’d you do that for?” Twilight asks.
>You throw one at an oncoming tendril and cut it in two. “Oh.”
>The hydra goes on full attack mode now, flinging everything it has at you.
>Pinkie dodges every swipe and bite that comes her way like she were picking daisies in the summer, blasting off her cannon like it were nothing.
>Applejack sticks close to Twilight and they form a troublesome duo, AJ sticking to close range and Twilight being the ranged and support.
>Nice little RTS you got going.
 
>Twilight shields the three of them from another smash which leaves it open for a nice counterstrike.
>You sprint under its stunned form and leap up at its neck claws first, the force piercing the scales and lodging you in its throat.
>You cut through its neck in a clean line, shredding through both flesh and bone before your hands connect with a pop.
>The steamy air of its throat meets the dense fog of the swamp and- Well it’s not that different.
>What is is that its neck is now firmly detached from its body.
“Take that you piece of shit Hyyyydra…”
>You forgot that little part. The fact that it’s a hydra.
>Another neck smacks you into the mud and rises.
>Your armor goes up as it lays into you again. *crack*
>You gush up a mess of blood as your armor cracks under the blunt force, another strike doing the same.
 
>You raise your hand only for it to beat you down again, your limbs breaking and healing in an endless cycle.
>Twilight raises a shield to help you, but before you can warn her it’s too late.
>It was waiting to strike at that very moment, binding not just her but all three of them with its tendrils.
>Its fourth head mocks you silently as it bops to and fro.
>Have to- move…
>Your bones don’t heal this time though, leaving you a heap on the muddy terrain watching as your friends are held just out of reach.
>Someone… Please-
>“Call them,” the voice whispers to you, “They will listen.”
>Cowards. Just look at them, hiding in their cave while you fight and bleed.
>”Embrace us and they will aid you.”
>Your muscles twitch painfully, “Choose.”
 
>You form a fist with your hand, countless screams filling your mind.
>Fields of your fellow man mowed down for this- this thing in you.
>Your father said you always had a choice and this one is yours.
>You force yourself up, life burning within once more.
>The maulers peak out from their hiding spot and meet your gaze.
>You can feel the blood in their veins and you call out to it with your own.
>Kill.
>They bare their teeth in defiance, but you won’t have it.
>Kill it!
>Desperation takes you as they refuse once more.
“KILL THE DAMN HYDRA!”
>”Say please.”
>Shut up.
 
>The creatures howl in the fog and bolt out their hidey holes.
>You watch as they climb the hydra like it was a wall, their claws carving through its scales with ease.
>They slash into the fleshy part right under their chin, devouring all they can.
>The tendrils holding your friends give in and sends them in freefall, the maulers leaping underneath them to dampen their fall.
>The two remaining heads grab hold of one such Mauler and tear him in two with a resounding gulp.
>You hold out your arms and catch Twilight in your arms, the Maulers setting your friends down.
>The look in their eyes show how deep their hunger rages within them, but you silently order them to back down.
>And now there’s no denying your hold over them.
>”Anon?” Twilight asks opening her eyes.
“Ain’t that easy is it?”
 
>You set her down and step forward with your maulers at your side. Applejack and Pinkie passed out from the trauma.
“Get them with the others, we won’t be long.”
>She doesn’t argue this time and you stare down the menacing hydra.
>Its scales flush red as the infection continues to spread within it.
>But it’s still part of you, and that means it’ll listen.
“Go home and hide,” you command, “Get out of my sight.”
>It shifts its head in confusion like it didn’t understand.
“You’ve got ten seconds to recede into that shit pile you call your home or I will end you.”
>You slice outwards to your sides, decapitating your two helpers with ease, your body consuming them in seconds.
>Their strength is added to your own, the strength an intoxicating drug.
“Leave or you’ll end up like them.”
>You’re not bluffing this time.
 
>It’s lead head moves closer to you almost innocently.
>”Consume.”
“7 seconds.”
>Its tongue flicks out and softly caresses your face like a dog would its owner.
>Your face is stone, an unflinching plate of rage.
“5 seconds.”
>It rises up, a pout on its face and you’re almost fooled that it’s going to leave.
>But you catch the smile of its peers and raise your armor.
>Its opens its maw and lunges back at you, forcing you down its slick throat pushing down on you.
“3 seconds.”
>Its throat resonates with a laugh as you’re drug further down his throat.
>Your nose curls at the stench of… lollipops?
>You stop yourself just short of its stomach and peer into the acidic lake.
>Well fuck you sideways that book was right. Melted gumdrops and lollipops.
 
>You dive into the pool of stomach acid and ignore the sweet smell.
>How many seconds have passed? Has to have been ten right?
“Times up.”
>This thing’s going to learn the same lesson that scorpion did, along with every creature that tried to make you its lunch.
>You make a far better dinner, but that’s not the point.
“You don’t mess with Anon.”
>When the hunger hits you it’s as natural as breathing.
>You dive your hands into the acid and imbed your claws into the flooring, the skin of your back crawling with anticipation.
>You can definitely get used to this.
“Feed.”
 
>The sizzling of acid corroding your skin washes out over the layers of flesh splitting off from your body.
>It’s- too big…
>No, you can do this Anon. Just- GO!
>Everything goes fuzzy as the infection within you pulls all the strength it can into your core, your head weak with the lack of blood.
>At last you fire your tendrils in all directions, your inner strength shining through like a beacon.
“I gave you the chance!” you scream as the stomach walls clench around you as the hydra wails.
>A spark ignites within your chest, the first inches of hydra flesh melding with your own.
>You throw your hands into the mass surrounding you and scream, the suffocating folds silencing you as they’re pulled down your throat.
>You draw more of it in, and more, then more, and more after that.
>Not an ounce left…
>You eyes flutter weakly in the blackness.
>And close.
 
>”Time to wake up.”
>You stir at the light chirping of birds, a gentle hum in your ears.
>The light burns as you open your eyes, a mere annoyance.
>A blanket wraps around you as you sit up, hands clenching the soft bedsheets.
“Where-“
>A relieved sigh fills in the final gap.
>You should’ve been able to tell from the smell.
>”How are you doing?” she asks in that delightful tone of hers.
“Better than expected,” you reply taking the hot cup of cocoa she offers to you.
>She sits beside you with a warming smile, “You’ve been out for a while.”
>You shrug and sip the delicious concoction.
“What’d you expect? Hydra slaying ain’t easy.”
>”For a stout stallion such as yourself I thought you’d come trotting back home, not sleeping.”
>She has you there.
 
>You realize quickly you’re in Rarity’s room, the finest dresses displayed for her viewing pleasure.
>”Oh I have to show you something,” she says hovering the cup away, “Let’s just put this down and…”
>She smacks you across the face with a handkerchief, “That’s for knocking me out. How could you do such a thing?!”
“I just wanted to-“
>She interrupts you again with a hug, “And this is for caring about my safety.”
>You welcome the hug with open arms, “That was still very rude of you.”
“Uncouth you could say.”
>”Exactly the word I would use.”
>You hold onto her for a little longer, a niggling voice irritating the back of your mind.
>It speaks to you, but you ignore it and lie next to Rarity.
>”Such a sloth, is sleeping all you think about?”
>She couldn’t be more wrong.
“Just about.”
 
>She yawns and covers her mouth, “I do say that little adventure took some out of me, maybe a quick nap is just the thing to rejuvenate me. I need my beauty sleep after all.”
“I don’t think sleep could make you anymore so.”
>She blushes and lays her mane neatly on the bed sheets and slips next to you.
>”What did I do to deserve someone like you?”
“I could ask the same thing.”
>She grins and closes her eyes, chest rising softly, “Be a dear and turn out the lights would you?”
“Don’t you have magic?”
>”You’re closer.”
“That’s not fair.”
>”Tough,” she grins and nuzzles into the pillow.
>She plays a hard game.
>A cute one too.
 
>You throw the sheets off you and flip the lights off, fingers clenching on the door frame.
>The hunger returns still. You thought you’d rid of it with the hydra.
>”We had a deal,” the voice echoes in your head, “We’re one now.”
>Your foot steps back towards the bed, fingers curving into blades as you try to fight it.
>You won’t let it. Not anymore.
>”Finish her, and let us begin.”
>You grip the bedpost and sink to your knees, your own body fighting against you.
>”You’ll never win Anon. Never.”
>Loosening your grip you feel- relieved. You don’t need to win.
>Your hand smoothes out and you give it an experimental clench.
>Stalling is enough for you.
>You slip back into bed with her, hand caressing her hair.
“Beautiful…”
>The voice lies dormant as you drift off into slumber.
>…
>”So be it.”
 
>No birds chirp in the morning sun, no humming as you wake.
>Only silence surrounds you, the scrapping of wood interrupting the serene atmosphere.
>You roll onto your stomach reaching over to the opposite bedside, the cold sheets meeting your hand.
>Of course, the past is such a time vampire isn’t it?
>You sit up and crack your back, shoes forming to the soles of your feet.
“What’s for breakfast today?”
>”Anything you wish,” it responds.
“Wonderful.”
>You near skip out of the room slide down the handrail and out the door.
>You bask in the glory of the sun as its light graces your town, a small step towards bigger things.
>A foot squishes into the veiny ground, the red mush sticking to the underside of your shoe.
“Damn and I just washed these. Still, at least I like red.”
>A Mauler lands beside you panting and gazing left and right.
“Good boy,” you pick up a stick, “Fetch!”
 
>He runs off in the gloomy mist within the town and you place your hands on your hips.
“What is up with this? Where’s the joy?!”
>A slow clapping of hooves resonates through the town as you command their attention, the p0nies cheering lightly.
“That’s the spirit!”
>God you love this town. It’s about town you get another one too. Everyp0ny loves your happy fun times. Everyp0ny.
>You find your way to the town square where Twilight’s overseeing the labor force.
>A filly sits before her trembling, Twilight smacking her across her face.
>You sneak up behind them without their knowledge, “I know you weren’t alone when we found you, so spill it, or do you want another round with the stallions.”
>”Please,” the filly begs, her tiara crumpled under Twilight’s hoof, “I was hiding by myself, promise. Don’t send me back there.”
>Her flank’s reddened from the mauling they must’ve given her before.
>Busy busy busy.
>It’s all work these days.
 
“So she doesn’t know jack shit huh?”
>”Please no Anon!” she cries fearfully before Twilight hits her again.
>”You will speak when spoken to!”
“It’s quite alright Twilight,” you say kneeling next to the filly. “I assume you know who I am?”
>She nods. Of course she does.
“And you know I’ll do to you if you’re lying right?”
>She sobs and nods again, “Please don’t.”
“Just tell me what I want to know then. Where are your friends hiding and I promise I won’t hurt you.”
>She looks to the floor and you lift up her chin.
“You have my word.”
>”They- I’m sorry,” she mutters. “They’re- hiding in Sweet Apple Acres. Oh Celestia…” she cries to your amusement.
“See Twilight, she can be reasonable. Grab my bib.”
 
>The filly’s eyes widen, “What?!”
“You’re far too trusting. Sweet Apple Acres is a bit out of my way and I need a snack first.”
>Actually, screw the bib.
>You chest cavity splits open and you silence the screaming filly with a single crunch.
“Ahh,” you pat your belly, “Good eating.”
>”So shall I send for Applejack?”
“No,” you reply sifting through her thoughts, “She’s been harboring these ones it seems. Foolish, but I admire that spirit. Take a Mauler pack and- Hold that thought.”
>You see their caravan packing up, the last of them preparing to move out.
“They’re moving to Canterlot. Applejack will lead them.”
>”Shall I move to eliminate her?”
“A little cold blooded of you don’t you think?”
>She licks the splatter of blood off her hoof, “I think you’ve trained me well enough.”
“Then no. Let her move to Canterlot. We’ll be following shortly anyways.”
 
>You call Pinkie and Dash to move out their fellows. The zombielike creatures need a leading mare in charge.
>”So Anon, where did you go last night? I had hoped to speak with you.”
“Oh you know. I decided to take a stroll down memory lane.”
>”Is it the same as you left it?”
>You nod, a foreign sensation filling your heart.
“I try not to think about her too much. Too much baggage in the mix.”
>”Sometimes a little extra baggage is what keeps us who we are.”
>You look down to the crowd of p0nies shuffling along.
>”Would you do it again?”
“It wasn’t my choice. I played the cards I was dealt.”
>”And you had the winning hand.”
>You shake your head, that image of her next to you burned into your memory.
“No. I didn’t.”