Never Alone - Part 4   [23:41:25] The cold, deadly peace of a Winternight in the woods is interrupted by an awful noise. Deep in the forest, surrounded by mounds of snow and dead trees, the shadow of a pony trots towards the edge of a gape in the ground. The shaft isn't too long or wide, but its depth is considerable, dark and abyssal when looked from above. The starless sky above is the only witness to the scene. A grumble and a grunt escape the ungraceful figure as it leans over the fissure, its shape extending down as if melting. Soon, all of the creature has slid into the gape...   [23:45:48] What goes on in the outside isn't as important as what happens in the strange internal creation Sling is trapped in. During his lonely stance in a dark, warmth room, he had time to meditate and wonder about his future, his past and his current situation... After all, this could as well be the afterlife. His back leans on a wall he can't see, and the unchanging shadows around him give him a tedious peace to continue pondering about everything.   [00:03:04] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] sits quietly, eyes closed... How long had passed since the bespectacled Mare had appeared... and disappeared, he could not say. There was no way to track time here. Wherever here was... Was he dead? Was this Limbo? Hell? Sling could not hope to know. The last thing he could recall was a great flash and tumbling through the cold night air... He had found his voice quickly enough and shouted after the Mare, shouted out for anyone. His shouts had turned to rage, flinging obscenities, then mumbles as his throat grew raw. He spoke to himself, quietly in the darkness. To Titus and Arrow, wishing them well, hoping that they had escaped. To Aurora and GreenHoof for their friendship and aid. To Orange Burst for hers... To his family and friends back on Earth... and, for a time, he spoke only to keep himself company... But now, he could find little more to say...   [00:07:21] Unable to perceive time properly anymore, Sling can't tell if minutes, hours or days passed before the stillness was disrupted by a murmur. There is still nothing to see, but to hear. "All those names you shouted... interesting names." The mare's voice was smooth, smug, clear. It no longer held the eerie touch it had during the attacks on the house. Sling finally finds something to reward his eyes with as well, when a bright light sprouts from above him. This blinds him, though, and he's reduced to continue listening to the voice rather than seeking for its source. "Sorry for leaving you alone for so long. I made you a promise I intend to keep, Sling Swivel..." The voice makes a thoughtful pause. "I'm frankly surprised I still have to use your name. Why aren't you gone like your body?"   [00:16:02] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] 's eyes snap open, his ears standing erect at the first sound sound to grace them in... who knew how long. His lips curl up as a spark of rage flickers back to life deep within him, now recognizing the voice... Before he can respond, a blinding light assails his sensitive eyes and he clasps his forelegs over his head to block the blinding rays. “Urgh!â€? he grunts, “My Friends' names...â€? he mutters, gathering his nerves, “Who are you? What promise? I... I don't understand,â€? he growls.   [00:19:06] "You still don't get it... is not a big surprise. The one I ate before didn't quite catch it until it was too late" The first sight of what is front of him is blurry, but gradually Sling distinguishes the shape of the same mare from before, with the combed mane and glasses, standing in front of a moss green door. The walls around them look paddled, like the ones of a room for mental institution inmates. The silver mane of the mare looks precious on the clear light, almsot reflecting it in a gracious manner, and her white coat gives her an angelical aspect. "For some reason you are still here anyways...  You see, when I became 'this', I could became 'many'. You should be a part of me. Is that clear enough?"   [00:25:48] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] slowly moves his forelegs away, squinting as the speaker comes into view, ears turned, listening... “The one you... you're the creature... you're the thing that attacked us, aren't you?â€? he begins, face scrunched up both in anger and due to the light... “Where is here? I don't... I want to be me... not a part of you...â€? he replies, leaning off of the wall and onto his haunches, gathering resolve.   [00:29:04] Sling finds his body... surprisingly light, and in spite of the time he's passed without tasting water or food, he isn't tired at all. The mare blinks once in astonishment at Sling. Perhaps at his words, perhaps at how easily he got up. Whatever it was, she doesn't say it and instead recovers her calmed expression. "... Is a bit late anyways. Your body is already part of mine. I could use your face if I wanted... what I want to get over now is your mind, or spirit, or whatever you exactly are that I can't tear apart and feed on. So why don't you just give up? You'd have a first line seat for the next hunting" Her tone gained some seductiveness to it, as if she were trying to tempt Sling into giving up his soul. "Or perhaps I could give you more than that. Wouldn't you like to be free and strong alongside us?"   [00:38:09] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] peers over at the strange Mare in mild revulsion... she was the creature. He was sure of it. His hardened, scrunched expression nearly lapses at her words and he feels a tendril of despair brush his innards... but as she continues, her words only stoke his anger... “You're going to kill more people... that's what you mean... like you were going to kill Titus and Arrow... No... no... I want no part of that!â€? he growls, leaning forward and steadying himself on all four hooves, “I want no part! You can go to hell!â€? he snaps.   [00:43:43] The unicorn mare continues to stare at Sling with tranquility as he enters /v/ mode. "Of course I'll kill and consume. How else do you expect me to be strong enough in time to finally get my revenge?" She frowns when the stallion leans forward, and stomps a hoof on the ground. At this, the lights in the room blink a few times. "You think this is for pleasure only? Hah, you are dead, kid,   [00:49:04] your spirit is all that's left of you, and is trapped inside me. If you want me to play for a while with you before I 'convince' you to submit, so be it..." The lights blink again, every time for longer. By the time they stop, and Sling has a clear sight of his surroundings again, the mare is nowhere to be seen... and the green door's knob twists as it unlocks.   [00:53:40] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] grinds his teeth, “We didn't do shit to you! You came after us! In our own home! You think I care about your vengeance quest?â€? he snarls, wincing a bit as the lights flicker, but maintaining his resolve, “That's... that's... Bull! I'm still here! I'm not gonna roll over for you!â€? he shouts, pawing at the floor like an angered bull.   [00:53:46] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] looks about frantically as the lights flicker, ears swiveling this way and that... the Mare is gone... where? “Where'd you go?â€? he snaps, then catches sight of the doorknob, biting his lip anxiously as it turns...   [00:56:28] The lights flicker every so often now, adding to the suspense. The stallion hears the voice again, this time sourceless, as if it lingered in the air, coming from nowhere. "... Go in. I'll let the few of us that made it alive from the last encounter with 'him' and his 'new friends'... We are waiting for you"   [01:04:17] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] glances about as the lights flicker, but keeps a steady eye on the door... “That's just what you'd like! Isn't it?â€? he shouts up at... up... It seemed the best place to direct his fury... “I'm stayin' put right here!â€? he declares, sitting back upon his haunches, facing the door.     [01:09:50] The room stays silent, the door still, the air smelling of humidity. "Fine..:" Says the voice with disappointment. "... If you don't want to go out, I can make one of them to go in." By the end of her sentence, there's banging on the door, and the knob turns a few times as something tries to enter the small room. The door creaks and is pushed inside... [You can make a reflex save to try and block the entrance, if you want]   [01:11:52] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] rises back to his forehooves and bolts for the door, trying to slam it back shut and brace it close... Where is that couch when you need it?   [01:11:54] !roll 1d20+2 [01:11:54] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] rolled 1d20: 4     [01:15:03] The door is opened before the stallion can react, and he just manages to stand closer to whatever is coming in. "P-please! don't h-- O-oh?" Sling hears a young voice talking, and in front of him sees a young stallion of green coat and brown mane. His plead turns into confusion when he notices how Sling means no harm... yet. The door slams shut before the Cannonite can see what's on the other side. "...who are you?" Asks the unknown pony, whose height and build reveal him as something more than a teenager.   [01:20:05] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] stops abruptly in surprise, unable to reach the door in time! He quickly wheels, around putting some distance between himself and the newcomer before turning back to face him in one fluid motion... He eyes the young Stallion skeptically, “Who're you?â€? he asks, gruffly, his body poised in an aggressive, ready stance of some sort.   [01:22:48] The green pony takes a hoofstep backwards, increasing even more the space between him and Sling. With their rears almost pressed against the opposed borders of the small room, and both eying each other with distrust, the suspense dies abruptly when the voice in the air says. "Get acquainted with each other. Spades won't be around for long..." To the mention of his name, he replies with fear on his voice. "Sh-shut up! I--I... w-what is going on? Where am I? Who is this one?"   [01:28:40] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] glances upwards long enough to shout up at the voice, “Piss off, Spider Cunt!â€? he snaps flipping his tail angrily, before looking back at the young stallion, regarding him coolly for a few moments more. “Spades?â€? he asks, at last.     [01:34:06] The voice giggles before Spades also shouts. "Y-you heard him you awful whorse!" The giggles intensify before dying out to let the stallions talk. The green one looks at the ground, and sits on his haunches, talking in a defeated tone. "...That's my name, I think... i-is really hard to remember things anymore.*sigh* I barely know where I am, I just know that door was in front of me and I opened it. Then there was you... W-what is all this? I miss my... oh shit, my brother. I wonder if he is alive"   [01:42:03] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] 's ears twitch at the giggling, but his attention remains on the young Stallion. "Okay... well... I don't know where we are... beyond, I guess... inside this monster or something... That thing that was talking, it attacked my friends and I... It probably attacked you too...â€? he trails off. “Your brother? Were you from Four Cannon?â€? he asks, his expression softening some.   [01:45:19] Spades glances at Sling's eyes at the mention of a monster. "T-that... that means the spider thing that atacked us a-ate me? Am I dead?" Instinctively, he scoots closer to Sling, needing to feel a bit of safety as he looks around the room in panic. "... FourCannon... isn't it that t-t-town full of blank flanks? I w-was..-- ouch.. my head. I- I can't remember... Zippo and I were going there for s-some reason... but wh--" Spades' mumbling comes to an end when he grabs his head and drops to the ground, eyes shut tightly. Sling gets to see the pony's cutie mark, a crossed axe and shovel. "My head... i-it hurts! Aw! I think... gah, what were we going to do there?"   [01:52:53] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] backs up against the wall and slides along it, trying to maintain some distance... “Woah, bud, keep your distance...â€? he begins, reaching a corner, “Well it... I guess it might have... And, uh, that's where I'm from, I'm one've those Blank Flanks,â€? he replies, in a tone harsher than he'd have liked. Bad memories from down south don't fade too quickly...   [01:53:09] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] slides down the next wall a bit, getting a better view, but keeping his distance, “You, uh... you're an Equestrian, then? Maybe... some kind of mining or prospecting?â€? he suggests, studying Spades' mark for a clue.     [01:56:52] The green stallion continues to complain and rub his temples, nodding to what Sling says. "Y-yea.. oh shit, my head, it hurts...""Well, enough fun for now... See, that's what happens when somepony that stays 'here' for too long is given the freedom of trotting around... figuratively." To the mare's words, Spades begins to tremble and scream more, his coat turning pale and eventually white. A horn sprouts from his forehead, and his brown mane turns silver. By the end of the transformation, the white mare from before is getting up from the ground, facing Sling as she puts on her glasses. "You saw a figment of what's left of his memories... delicious memories. Are you going to succumb now? For some reason you haven't faded away yet"   [02:06:16] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] looks back up abruptly as the vile voice from before returns, bearing his teeth as his ears lie back... His gaze reverts immediately back to the young Stallion as he begins to scream. Some instinct suggests he try to help the young fellow... but he finds himself pressing back against the wall of his prison, looking on in horror...  As the transformation concludes, Sling steels himself, grinding his teeth at the sight of the Mare. “You think that's going to make me want to submit to you!?â€? he snaps, “I told you before! You can go to hell!â€? he reiterates, leaping from the wall and taking up his aggressive stance towards the specter.     [02:09:48] The mare clears her throat and accommodates her glasses. "That I know... I can't get rid of you. I've tried some spells during your little time with Spades." She frowns now, and releases a long, annoyed sigh. "I'll have to break you the old way before you become more than a nuisance... Perhaps going for your friend and his dog would do the trick. If they were to be here with you, you'd find it easier to accept me"   [02:13:52] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] begins to stalk around the Mare, though keeping his distance from the door, “Ooh? So I'm a problem for you now, eh?â€? he asks, managing a toothy grin, “And you failed to capture Titus and Arrow then?â€? he presses, “I thought as much.â€? [02:13:58] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] 's cruel grin persists, “You wouldn't want them, they'd be worse than me. Far worse...â€?   [02:16:50] The mare looks displeased at the defiance, gritting her teeth and frowning more and more. "When I'm through with you..." Follwing him with her eyes, she adds in a harsh tone. "You should be thankful I'm still weak f-- oh." Her angry demeanor fades away abruptly, replaced by a smug smile. "Hahah, I get it now. It's all because I'm still weakened. Just wait until I've consumed a few more things... I didn't 'fail' with your buddy, I just didn't care about him, but now that you mention him to be a problem."  She shots a snarky laugh and, slowly, approaches the door. "I'm sure he must be quite delicious. You were just lucky not to be digested properly..." The mare looks distracted now, giving her back to the stallion. Her flanks are adorned by a half moon cutie mark.   [02:25:42] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] 's ears perk up, flopping a bit, “You seem upset...â€? he begins, still circling, “A few more?â€? he asks, quirking a brow, as she continues, “Titus is twice the Stallion I am... and it sounds like you're in denial... You didn't catch him. The Town will know you're out here... your next meal won't come half as easily... Next time you might not be so lucky,â€? he croons.     [02:29:56] She holds a hoof on the door's knob. Only now Sling notices how, in spite of being a unicorn, the mare hasn't used magic during the whole time she's talked to him. "We can manage having to swallow a few more ponies on our way to your friend. If it hadn't been for 'him' and Vita, you cannonites wouldn't have had a chance to defeat me that time..."The door opens, revealing a dark corridor with red carpeted floor and gray walls. "...which reminds me of your little trick with the dagger. That actually hurt, you know? Being this thing doesn't mean I can't feel pain. I just have a harder time doing it"   [02:39:35] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] paces back and forth behind the Mare, eyes locked upon her, cruel grin still upon his lips, “You're cruisin' for a bruisin', hun. They'll be waiting for you,â€? he replies, edging a bit closer to her with each pass, but retreating a few steps when she opens the door... He glances up the way briefly, trying to see what might be down there... “Oh? Did it? Good.â€? he replies, viciously, “There'll be more where that came from. You really don't realize how lucky you were...â€? he chides.     [02:42:46] The mare trots into the hallway, talking in an annoyed voice. "Being snarky won't get you anywhere here. You are the prisoner, remember? I'll make you watch when I slice his throat..." The last menace is spoken in a cold tone, and as the door closes behind her, the lights begin to flicker. "Enjoy your stay, it'll last just... forever..."   [02:48:35] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] flips his tail, “Someone's upseeeet,â€? he begins in a mocking tone, “Implying you'll get your spider-cunt legs on Titus,â€? he adds, managing a chuckle, “Oh I will, but will you?â€? he shoots back as she departs. [02:51:51] The mare marches on without a reply, and the door slams shut behind her. The sound of a lock clicking is all Sling hears afterwards. The room he is in remains lightened, allowing him to see the walls around him and the door. A weird noise in the ambiance, like the one of a dying beast, reaches his ears, but it soon disappears... Sling Swivel, or rather his spirit, is left alone again to ponder on what just happened. The events flash on his head a few more times before he reaches a new realization; He can't sleep. During all his time inside the monster, he hasn't felt mentally tired, or the heavy sensation of wanting to rest...   [03:04:14] “Mmmmhhmm! Someone's upset,â€? he calls after her as the door slams shut and locks. Sling sits back upon his haunches and takes a deep breath in though his nose, letting it out through his mouth, rather satisfied with the outcome of the exchange, his spirits... or Spirit lifted some. Small victories, he knew, were essential in the captivity environment.   [03:04:23] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] looks around the room, “Well now... what shall I do next...â€? he ponders aloud, grinning faintly...   [03:10:48] Sling_Swivel_[MIA] clears his throat and begins to sing "Mmmh... This is the song that doesn't end..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXHXUgXG1tM   [03:14:44] Sling sings aloud... Outside this strange realm of trapped identities, a monstruous groan can be heard escaping the gape in the middle of the forest... [03:15:11] [cue credits song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5YhlMNM6Nk] [03:15:34] [See you on the next episode of FourCannon:The game: The movie: Autism Unleashed]