>Withdrawing your blade from his stomach you slide it into his mouth, giving him a taste of his innards.
“That good huh? It’s an acquired taste.”
>He coughs up a wad of blood as you clean off the knife.
>”When I get out of here-“
>You thrust the gag back into his mouth.
“Why does everyone always think they’re going to escape Chrysalis? Do I give off a vibe of incompetence?
 
>“Well didn’t that one guy get away?”
“If I’ve told you once I’ve told you a thousand times…”
>You insert a red hot rod into his wound, causing him to scream in agony. The blood stops flowing eventually, it’d be a waste for him to perish from blood loss.
“I let him go. It was a part of my plan remember?”
>”Of course it slipped my mind.”
>She’d forget her head if it wasn’t attached.
 
>The other pony Chrysalis is attending to has yet to awaken, while the third is sitting patiently.
>Thunder and Loyal there names were if you recall correctly.
>You let Chrysalis tag along on both tours.
>She wanted to see how you worked in the field, most of which bored her.
>A common misconception is that people like me think short term, snatching people with no afterthought.
>In truth it’s quite the opposite. Anyone who’s serious about their work is far more devious and wise than others give them credit for.
 
>We spent weeks tailing them both before we struck.
>We learned everything there was to know about them.
>They were a couple; favorite meals are Hay Soup and Rice Pudding.
>Thunder worked at a hardware store off of Stirrup Street from 11-5 on Monday to Wednesday, and 5-10 Thursday to Saturday.
>Loyal won the “Most Likely to Succeed” award in school, and is currently trying to land a job as a nurse.
>They both hike outside of town on Thunder’s day off, which was when we introduced ourselves.
 
>Thunder was a real piece of work. Anytime he spent away from Loyal and work he used to work out.
>He was training for the Dark Stripe Challenge, and he’d likely have won first prize if not for you.
>Loyal, being a unicorn, ended up putting up as much of a fight as Thunder did. She only had used basic telekinesis, but that’s all she needed.
>Either of them blew Martin out of the water in terms of challenge, both of them getting a few good shots on you.
>It still hurts a bit when you inhale.
 
>Anything we didn’t know about the two of them, Chrysalis knows now.
>You excelled in physical torment, but Chrysalis? She had psychological mindfuckery down to a science.
>Being able to shape shift into whatever form she wanted just from their memories was amazing.
>Watching Daisy Mane break down Martin into a sniveling pile of tears was an all-time favorite. Speaking of which…
>You give him a kick to the head, knocking him out like a light.
>”I think you’re food is ready.”
 
“Thank you,” you reply rushing over to the stove.
>You slide the contents onto a plate and prompt her to follow you upstairs.
>You take a seat on the crisp grass outside, observing the town below.
“Never shit where you eat,” you say stuffing your face.
>”Martin should’ve taken lessons from you.”
>Compliments are always welcome from her.
“He wouldn’t have lived long enough to use them.”
 
>You finish your equine meal and relax, staring into the clouds.
>”Do you think we’re moving too fast? It’s likely to cause suspicion.”
“You’d be correct, and I’ll be suspect numero uno.”
>”That’s not certain. Besides there’s no connection linked back to you, we made sure of it.”
“Intuition my dear, it’ll save your life. Trust your intuition always. The second you doubt it you’ll end up six feet under like the others.”
>”You won’t get caught,” Chrysalis says attempting to console you.
“Like I didn’t know that already.”
 
>You leave Chrysalis to finish up your work while you head back into town.
>She was anxious to have some alone time with Martin, sharing your hatred towards his kind.
>The streets of Ponyville are lifeless. They should be bustling about now.
>A pony brushes past you running deep into town.
“Hey, where is everyone?” you shout after him.
>”Town Square, someone took Thunder and Loyal!”
 
>This isn’t good, no one should have noticed for another few days at the least.
>You follow him to the mass surrounding the town hall.
>You see Mayor Mare and Twilight trying to calm the people down.
>”Anon,” Applejack calls out to you, “over here!”
>”How could something like this happen?” Rarity says as you arrive.
>”Must be that Martin guy, he’s back for revenge!” Pinkie exclaims.
>Really? She thinks he did it?
>The crowd picks up on Pinkie’s idea and goes into an uproar.
 
>”Yeah! It’s Martin, you didn’t follow up and now he’s back!”
>”He could be anywhere, who knows what he’s doing to them.”
>Their idiocy is insulting; Martin couldn’t handle me let alone Thunder.
>It isn’t even his MO, he abducts kids not adults.
>”We need to stop him now before he hurts anyone else.”
“Are you all stupid!?”
 
>The crowd goes silent and everyone turns to you, even Twilight.
>”Something you wish to add?” she asks.
>This is why you keep your mouth shut.
“Did I stutter, or do you have a hearing problem? Martin was a pedophile, he doesn’t target grown-ups.”
>You walk through the mass of ponies that part away from you.
“Put yourself in his… hooves I guess. Would you come back? Would you honestly take that risk?”
>You don’t need an answer to know that they agree with you.
“Thought so. He’s long gone by now, but you have another problem on your hands. Something worse than him.”
 
>”Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out don’t you. Maybe too well.” A voice from the crowd challenges.
“Say that to my face! Someone like him left my father bleeding on my doorstep you ignorant fuck, don’t you dare try and pin this on me!”
>He doesn’t respond like the coward he is. Works like a charm.
>”Then what should we do?” the mayor asks.
“Nothing will stop him.”
 
>You climb onto the stage and address the crowd.
“But you can watch yourself and those around you, arm yourselves, take precautions, whatever it takes to make his job more difficult.”
>”We still need to find whoever’s doing this.” Twilight cuts in.
“You won’t catch him, not someone like him,” you warn her.
>”Me and a few others will investigate the disappearances; in the meantime stay calm everyp0ny. We’ll get through this.”
>You march offstage, Twilight hot on your tail.
“The answer’s no, and that’s it.”
 
>”Anon just slow down and let me talk to you.”
“I can’t help you Twilight, don’t waste your time.”
>”At least give me an explanation. What in Equestria were you talking about back there?”
“I’d love to talk about my past, but that’s all it is, the past. It was wrong of me to bring it up.”
>”But you know what we’re looking for?” You sigh.
“Yes. I do.”
>”Then help us Anon. You know what you’re talking about, all I ask is for you to point us in the right direction.”
>This is depressingly easy.
“You don’t get it, how could you…”
 
>”Help me understand why. I won’t bother you, just give me that much.”
>Twilight wants a story, so you’ll give her one.
“My father was a detective, a decent one at that. He- was working on a case before he died, a serial killer like the one here had been piling bodies up like you wouldn’t believe.”
>You put your back against the wall and stare Twilight dead in the eye.
“He got too close… I swore after the funeral that I would hunt down his killer if it took the rest of my life.”
>”You didn’t catch him did you?”
 
“My father was a good detective, but he wasn’t me. I found that son of a bitch like I set out to do, but it didn’t take.”
>”I don’t follow you.”
“I didn’t have solid evidence; all of it was circumstantial, not enough to convict him. He should have walked away a free man, but ended his own life in his jail cell before the trial ever took place.
>”That doesn’t make any sense, why would he do that?”
“Let’s just say he had a little help with that,” you say head downcast.
 
“I lied to you Twilight. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s also not something I wouldn’t do again.”
>She doesn’t say anything. Just staring blankly at you.
“I’m sorry, but if I catch this man, there won’t be a place in this world where he’ll be safe.”
>”I… understand, I think. I don’t blame you for what you did, if it was Spike or one of my friends… I don’t know what I would do.”
“It’s not an easy position to be in.”
>”Even so, you lied to me and made me feel guilty for doing so to you.” You chuckle lightly.
“I guess I owe you one.”
 
>”Or two, but consider us even.” All of my what.
“Exactly what do you mean by that?”
>”I may have said you were going to have a meeting with the Princess.”
“What! When?”
>”Today… in a few hours.” Nuclear facepalm inbound.
“I presume Sophie will also be attending.”
>”Oddly enough, no, but where is she?”
“She’s at the house; Pinkie’s last party took the life out of her.”
>”I’ll drop later and tell her about Loyal and Thunder, the sooner everyone knows the better.”
 
“That’d be best, for now I have to change my attire. Rarity would throw a fit if I wore this to a royal meeting.”
>”That sounds like Rarity alright.”
“Also um, as a personal favor. Please don’t tell anyone what I said. Not everyone is as understanding as you.”
>”Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” she says cheerfully.
>You smile and briskly walk back home, locking the door behind you.
“If I didn’t know her so well, she’d be dead…”
 
>Chrysalis peeks her head around the corner, “Fun day in town?”
“Don’t even get me started. How are the guests?”
>”Just swell,” you head upstairs to the bedroom, “Where are you going?”
>You pull out a clean pair of clothes, finely stitched by Rarity, and put them on.
“Twilight granted me an audience with the Princess in a few hours, just sprucing up.”
>”Now you have to tell me what happened.”
>You go through it step by step, Chrysalis listening intently.
>“You certainly pulled through at the end, quick thinking with that story about your father.”
“Who said it was a story?”
 
>”What?” You laugh at her confusion.
“I told the truth, well mostly the truth anyways. I just tweaked a few details.”
>”Like what!?” she practically screams in anxiety.
“The person I killed at the end, he wasn’t the actual killer.”
>”Then who-“
>You give her a wink and finish grooming yourself.
>”That’s just evil.”
“When you’re in my kind of work family has a tendency to get in the way. I just dealt with the problem myself.”
 
>There’s a knock at the door which Chrysalis answers.
>You hear voices, but can’t discern the words.
>”Your escort is here Anon.”
“Coming!” you shout down to her.
>Two pegasi clad in golden armor stand in the doorway guarding a chariot.
“My personal transport, how kind. Good to meet you gentlemen.”
>”Are you ready to depart sir?”
“Yes I am. Sophie, please remember to feed the animals while I’m gone, I’d hate for them to get hungry. Shall we?”
 
>You board the chariot and take off without hesitation.
>You must be late, not like it’s your fault.
>The clouds thicken upon your ascent, blurring your vision.
>When you pop above the layer of fog you’re greeted by a brilliant view.
>The sun, now a vibrant hue of orange and red, shimmers valiantly in the sky as it descends.
“Never stay inner city…”
>”Excuse me?”
“Nothing sir, just admiring the view.”
 
>The flight itself is uneventful, no one to talk to but yourself.
>You tried to converse with the guards, but they just wanted to get back to Canterlot in peace.
>Fair enough. They appreciate the nature of silence as do you.
>One seldom has time alone with their thoughts these days it seems.
>You break through another block of fluff Canterlot lying behind it.
>You always wanted to visit a castle.
 
>The chariot swoops over the courtyard adorned with various statues and vegetation.
>”Watch your step.” You cautiously step out of the chariot, taking their advice.
“So could you be so kind as to direct me to where I will be meeting the Princess.”
>”Follow us.” That’d be a yes.
>You’re led through the main gate of the castle and into the greeting hall.
>A line of ponies wait their turn to speak to the Princess who sits at the end of the hall.
>You settle in behind them and wait.
 
>The princess notices you and nods to the guards.
>”This way sir.” Even better, a private audience.
>”The princess will be with you shortly.”
“Thank you gentlemen.”
>They close the door, likely standing just outside.
>Wonder when Twilight was going to tell you about all this.
 
>You decide to poke around and see what you can find.
>You sift through her drawers most of which are filled to the brim with old scrolls and quills.
>Does she not have anything of substance here?
>Scouring the room proves fruitless. Nothing of value is stored within these chamber walls.
>A latch sounds at the door and you scurry back to the sofa.
>The princess steps inside the chamber greeting you with a warm smile.
>”Good evening Anonymous.”
 
>You bow, “Evening your majesty, you may address me as Anon if you wish.”
>”And you may call me Celestia. Please, take a seat.”
>Celestia sits across from you.
“Busy day I imagine. That many people lined up to see you that is.”
>”Not as busy as it seems. I mainly serve to advise, not to rule, and so they seek my counsel.”
“Why? I don’t mean to take offense, but I would assume others are more in tune with their situation.”
>”There may be, but 1000 years of guidance puts weight to my words.”
 
“Understandable, with age comes wisdom.”
>”Do you not doubt me?” she asks in surprise.
“You’re not a liar Celestia, I can see it in your eyes.”
>”Hmm, you are an interesting man Mr. Anon, that I can see within you.”
“Please Celestia, you slay me.”
>The tension in the air dissipates putting you both at ease.
>”So tell me, as the newest arrival to Equestria how does it compare to your homeland?”
“I wish I was raised here to be honest. The land and experience are both breathtaking; I would choose this land in a heartbeat, though Sophie may feel differently.”
>”Ah yes, your companion. How is she?”
“She’s doing well. It’s good to have her here; she’s one in a million I’ll tell you.”
>”I’m sure she is.”
 
>”Back to your stay,” she changes the subject.
“There’s not much else to say. I enjoy the peaceful atmosphere; it’s a refreshing change of pace.”
>”Really? Twilight doesn’t seem to think so.”
>Ms. Sabotage is at it again.
>”Ponyville is not as quiet as it used to be I’ve heard.”
>You should have known this would come up.
“Yes, with the disappearances and such. Troubling times…”
>”You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you?”
 
“Only as much as the next person. I hope to stay out of this wretched business.”
>”As would I Anon, as would I.”
>The two of you get off of the subject, instead speaking of other Equestrian affairs.
>For a land of peace she sure knows a lot about waging war.
>She’s wise, cunning and powerful. The deadly trio you so admire.
>”Will you stay for dinner? Since Twilight left I have found myself low on company.”
“I don’t want to intrude…”
>”Don’t be absurd you are my guest, and shall be treated as such.”
>Why the hell not? It’s not like you have anything better to do.
“Lead the way,” you cheerfully reply.
 
>The dining hall is just as extravagant as the rest of the castle from the floor to the drapes.
>Celestia sits at the end beside you.
>A guard walks beside here and whispers something to her.
>”Handle it with care, no need to overreact.”
>He nods and trots off.
“What was that about?”
>”Just more little things I’m asked to sort out, nothing to be concerned with.”
“I’ll take your word on that.”
 
>A waiter rests several platters before you both.
>You both serve yourselves and dig in.
>”How is it? Is it to your liking?”
“The chef’s choice of dressing was a bit off. A simple vinaigrette would have better suited the salad than the presented louis. Also-“
>You realize you’re being far too critical and quiet down. You’re a guest after all.
>”I’ll be sure to let him know.” She doesn’t express any disdain for your criticism.
>It’s probably for the best.
 
“So… will your sister be joining us? If she’s anything like you then we should get along famously.”
>”She has duties to attend to. Even so, she doesn’t like to mingle with others. She hasn’t been the same since she returned.”
>She was the one pony you actually wanted to meet. How disappointing.
“Banishment has a tendency to change people.”
>”Indeed.”
>You continue your conversation on and off as time goes on, but soon it comes time for you to leave.
 
>”It has been a pleasure. However, before you go may I ask a favor?”
“Anything Celestia.”
>”The Grand Galloping Gala is coming up in a few months, and I would appreciate it if you could attend.”
“Of course. It would be a privilege to attend, and I assume my friends will be joining as well.”
>”Yes yes, I’ll send a ticket for both you and Sophie sometime tomorrow. Good night.”
“To you as well Princess.”
>You bow and show yourself out.
 
>You embrace the wind as you exit, absorbing the night’s natural beauty.
>The moon stares down at you, gracing the land below.
>The guards have yet to return to the chariot so you wait inside.
>Crickets chirp away and ponies settle in their homes.
>You close your eyes and hum quietly to yourself.
>If only this could last forever.
>”Who goes there!?”
>Well fuck me sideways.
 
>A rattling shakes you off of the chariot and onto your back.
>You spring up and ready yourself against… your… attacker?
>Her sparkling mane sways in the wind, her blue eyes peeled on you.
>You form melts at the sight, her beauty rivaling nature itself.
“I’m um- M-my name is Anon, your majesty.”
>”I do not know of you. What is your business here?”
“I had a uh- meeting with the princess. I was just a-about to leave.”
>Talk clearly you idiot. Stop acting like a buffoon.
 
>”You are that Anon?” she lowers her tone. “We- I recall you now. Celestia spoke of you.”
>You try to say something, but no words come to fruition. It’s uncanny.
>”Why do you remain while your business is done?”
>This you can at least answer.
“I’m waiting for the guards to return me home. They have yet to do so.”
>”The patrols have shifted, no one will be returning.”
>At least someone tells me.
>”Perhaps, I could take you?”
 
>You feel like someone drove a steamroller over your chest, but in a good way.
“W-what about your duties? Celestia said-“
>”I can watch the moon as we go. Do you accept?”
“Yes! I mean, thank you Princess Luna.”
>She doesn’t say anything, let alone express any emotion you can comprehend.
>Her horn shimmers as she generates another chariot, this one fitting her prestige, two guards already tied in and ready to go.
>She boards the craft, “Are you coming or not?”
>You leap aboard and sit across from her as the chariot takes off back home.
 
>You haven’t felt like this since… well you’ve never felt like this.
>You feel giddy, is that the right word? It doesn’t sound right, how about ecstatic? That’s not it either.
>What the hell is the word?
>Luna keeps her eye on the moon, not giving you a second thought.
“Thanks again, you’re a life savor.”
>She doesn’t respond, still staring at the moon.
>Did you say something wrong?
 
>She doesn’t act like anyone you know, like she’s off in another world. Is that how people see you?
“Excuse me Luna, may I ask you something?”
>She merely humphs at you in response.
“Why are you helping me? Why are you even here at all, you could have just got some guards to take me back?”
>She finally looks back to you, “You wanted me to.”
>The reader just got read.
 
“Did you want to?”
>She looks away again and doesn’t reply.
“You won’t hurt my feelings, just tell me the truth.”
>”I did not.”
>That was unexpected.
“Oh, ok…”
>Turns out you were the liar.
>You lean back and look overhead to the sky.
 
“The night always had a certain tranquility about it, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I remember the first time I looked at the night’s sky. I laid back and watched it, just watched, all the way until daybreak. It was worth every second.”
>The stars dance across the sky, shifting playfully with one another.
>”I remember it as well.”
>You sit back up to look at Luna.
>”It was that day I learned about my gift.” Her horn glows and the stars continue their dance.
>”The grace and wonder captivated me as a child, and does so to this very day…”
 
>Perhaps you both had more in common than you thought.
>The chariot shifts as it descends back to the ground, right in front of your home.
>You slowly exit the chariot and look back to Luna.
“I had hoped we could talk more Princess.”
>”I as well.”
“Maybe- If you’re not too busy, we could speak again sometime.”
>”I think I would like that.”
>Her chariot rises back into the air as you both wave your goodbyes.
 
>You open the door, your mind clearing back to normal.
>You could hear Chrysalis upstairs in the bedroom.
>”How was Canterlot? Did they finally finish repairing that castle of theirs?”
“It was beautiful…”
>She could tell something was off.
>”Ok Anon, spill the beans, what’d you do?”
“Nothing, nothing at all.”
 
>She isn’t sated by your answer, but drops it regardless.
>You slip into bed until she’s fast asleep.
>Once you’re certain she is, you creep out of bed and onto the balcony.
>You sit down in the chair and relax.
>The night seems brighter than it was when you entered the house.
>You’re calmer than ever before, comfortable in the knowledge that whenever you looked towards the night’s sky…
>Luna was as well…