The seven ponies stopped dead in their tracks and spun their heads, looking for the source of my shriek, until they spotted me running at them as my eye burned in my forehead. "What the buck!? Did that filly just- What's happening to her head!?" One of the silver-clad guards stepped back as I drew nearer, glancing at her comrades fearfully.

I stopped several feet away, the green light of my magic beginning to fill the area. "Your time has come, vile filth! Your kind shall be eradicated for your crimes!" My eye widened to its full gaze and a fiery, lime aura burst to life around it. The guard that had spoken screamed in agony, scraping at her armor to tear it off as blood began to drizzle from her eyes, nose, and ears.

"Thunder Hooves! Quick! Somepony get that filly before-" The mare thrashed out at him one final time before her body seized and collapsed, pools of sanguine liquid growing around her. "Buck.... What the buck was that!? Didn't you hear me, you fools!? Get the Celestia-damned filly!"

Trixie stared at me stammering meaningless words until a cloud of roiling brown and green fog began to coalesce around us. She looked down into the miasma and reeled in shock as she saw bits of her fur begin to curl and turn dull. Her horn sparked to life and a shield surrounded her body. The guards sneered at the blue unicorn before one of them, a unicorn stallion, erected a shield of his own around the rest of them.

"This filly has to die! She's unnatural!" One of the pegasi of the ground pointed a shaking hoof at me as he spoke. "Wh-when I say, drop the shield and everypony rush her. She can't take all of us at once!"

"One.... Two.... Thr-"

The shield dropped and I cackled madly as spectral images of long-dead ponies shimmered into existence from the humming miasma. The pegasus had already begun his charge and it was too late for him to halt his momentum. The pegasus swung the sword he had drawn, but the blade passed straight through his target and began to steam in the warm air as ice covered its surface. He screamed in agony as the frozen blade burned his mouth, the near-flash frozen weapon searing his flesh like fire.

The ghost-stallion opened its maw, the jaw unhinging and spreading large enough to engulf a pony's skull, revealing jagged, razor-sharp teeth. He clamped down onto the pegasus' leg, tearing into flesh and quickly freezing him like his sword. His high-pitched scream filled the air and, just before the unicorn fired a beam of magic at the spectre to dispel it, he was silenced as the ice consumed his body.

"Quick! Before she attacks again!" The unicorn charged his horn and struck me in the chest, the beam burning my coat and sending me tumbling across the street and into the crowd of horrified onlookers.

I stood unsteadily, blood trickling down my forehead from a cut above my eye. I winced as it flowed into my vision, but held my magic in place. The miasma gathered around me thickened, and the crowd screamed as they realized that I was trying to sap their life. They ran in a multitude of directions, all of them away from me. "Do not fear me, foals! They are the murderers to be feared, not me!" I growled in frustration as they ignored me and my momentary distraction allowed an earth pony to get close enough to buck me where the magic had struck my chest.

I cried out once more, my unnatural voice echoing in the air. I landed and turned my attention to my assailant, hate burning my vision as much as the pain in my chest. "I will make you suffer as you have caused me to!" I loosed a bestial roar, magic amplifying the cry, and several tendrils of magic shot out of the miasma and around the earth pony's head and neck.

Just like the taxi driver's had, his body began to decay even as he lived. The skin rapidly blackened, almost completely skipping the oozing, raw flesh phase of live decay. He collapsed, spasming on the ground as the necrotic tendrils reached his brain, rapidly killing the cranial organ. I beamed proudly at the dying guard when a sharp whistling noise caught my attention.

I jumped to the side as a short sword swished through the air where I was standing, but it had still managed to slice down my side. The wound burned like a raging inferno as blood flowed from it. I dropped to my haunches, the magic dispersing immediately, and cried. My unholy voice echoed between the buildings as the three remaining guards descended upon me. "Moooooooooooommyyyyy! It huuuuuuuuuuurts!" My tears flowed freely and I couldn't move from my sitting position, the draining wound paralyzing me with pain.

"We have you now, foal!" The unicorn levitated the bloody-tipped sword that had slashed my side and prepared it to strike me, but never brought it down upon my neck.

"Trixie will not allow you to harm that filly!" All eyes turned to the once-terrified, boastful mare, the fear in her eyes replaced by a stern determination. She fired a magenta dart at the stallion, piercing his neck and dropping him to choke in a growing pool of his blood. "Oh, buck. That wasn't supposed to happen."

"You're with this filly!?" The second pegasus turned on her, rage in her voice. "We should have known you were with the enemy! Sunny Days! We need to get out of here and tell the rest of the guards! If we don't, then there'll be nothing to stop them from doing this again."

The two mares sprinted off before anything else could be done, leaving Trixie and I alone on the streets. "Why couldn't Trixie have been attacked by a monster? Why did it have to be a filly!? Now Trixie will be a criminal and it's all your fault."

She yelled at me, but I ignored her, more focused on the agony in my side and the growing cold. "M-mommy.... Make it stop hurting.... Please kiss it and make it better, mommy...."

"Fine! Trixie is not your mother, but Trixie will not let you die after ruining her life for you." Her horn lit back up in its magenta aura and she lowered it to my side, but a heart-stopping scream shattered her concentration.

"GET AWAY FROM DAZZLE, YOU BITCH!" Trixie looked up just in time to catch a glimpse of Blossom's hooves before they smashed into her backside and sending her skidding across the concrete. "Oh, Celestia. Oh, no! Dazzle! Are you alright!? Please, talk to me!"

"B-Blossooom.... It huuuuuuurts...." I teetered, my legs shaking uncontrollably, before collapsing fully, gasping for air and shivering as the warmth of my blood steadily flowed from the gash in my side.

"I'LL KILL YOU! HOW COULD YOU HURT A FILLY LIKE THIS!?" Blossom rushed at the recovering unicorn, but was stopped by a shimmering, magenta bubble.

"How dare you accuse The Great and Powerful Trixie of harming a foal!? Trixie saved this child from death by the blade of the Lunar Army and was trying to heal her when you bucked me!" Her magic grabbed Blossom and shoved her aside as she limped over to me, a soft smile on her face. "Do not worry. The Great and Powerful Trixie will help you."

Her horn glowed brighter as she healed me from within her shield, closing the gash, but leaving a tiny scar as she began to strain with the exertion. She loosed her held breath and admired her handiwork before turning back to Blossom. "Now, if you are quite finished assaulting your daughter's savior, then Trixie would like for you take both of us someplace safe. The guards will be back soon and they know what Trixie and the foal look like."

My vision began receding as consciousness slipped away from me. Blossom and Trixie stood above me, features filled with worry, as they spoke words I couldn’t hear over the throbbing in my skull. A pair of green orbs floated in the alley across from us and I fought to keep my eyes open to see their origin. Finally, after much effort, my body refused my will and plunged me into unconsciousness.

My eyes opened to absolute darkness, the absence of light stinging my eyes as I strained them to see. I perked my ears, swivelling them around to pick up any trace of anything. Talking, hooffall, breathing.... Anything would be better than this feeling of terror brought on by the inability to constructively use my senses.

I choked out a sob as my fear welled in my stomach and tears began to form in the corners of my eyes. "B-Blossom! Blossom, where are you!? Blossom...." I fell from my sitting position and laid on the hard flooring and had finally begun crying when a faint light in the edge of my vision caught my attention. The familiar green glow drew me to look and my fear abated. "Mor... la?"

A pair of glowing orbs hovered a short distance away from me, their luminescence revealing nothing but themselves. The icy grip of fear took hold once more, replacing the faint sense of hope I had just built. "Y-you're not Morla.... Who a-are you?" The orbs bounced and drew closer to me as if their source was walking, but not a single sound was made. "St-stay back! St-stay away from me!" I scrambled away from the oncoming... thing, but no matter how quickly I moved, I never seemed to be able to get away from it.

A thin, white line spread underneath the orbs, drawing out and curling upwards into a grin to reveal two rows of razor teeth. I screamed, my heart feeling like it was going to burst out from my chest, and took off at a gallop away from the formless monster. I ran as quickly as my legs could carry me, but, just as before, every time I glanced back, I saw it bobbing at the same distance behind me. I pushed myself harder, tears blurring my vision and lungs burning as they struggled for air, but was just about to give up and let myself be taken by whatever was chasing me when I heard a voice.

"What was that, Dazzle? Are you awake?"

"B-Blossom! Help! Please!"

"Trixie thinks she was just talking in her sleep. Still, having her speak like that after mumbling in her normal voice for so long is... disconcerting."

I looked around, searching for the source of the voices, and heaved a shuddering sigh of relief when I didn't see my pursuer. I closed my eyes and the voices faded back into nonexistence as I found myself drifting back into unconsciousness.

"Trixie does not understand what your problem is, Orange. Trixie saved your daughter from dying. Trixie will be staying with you since both of us are likely criminals wanted for the assault and murder of a squad of Lunar Guards." I cracked open an eye to find Trixie, the blue unicorn I had saved from the guards, trotting about our hotel room and sifting through the various complimentary gifts in a small basket.

"My name is Blossom and, for the last time, Dee Dee is not my daughter."

"Oh? Then what, pray tell, is she if not your daughter? You kicked Trixie much too aggressively for you to be her foalnapper."

"Blossom...."

Blossom flinched at the sound of my voice and immediately turned her attention to me and stroked my mane. "Oh, Dazzle. I'm so glad you woke up. How are you feeling?"

"I hurt... so much.... All over...."

She winced and nuzzled my cheek. "You were hurt quite badly, but it would've been much worse if Trixie hadn't healed you.... What happened?"

"Trixie has already informed you of the goings-on of the previous day. Trixie does not underst-"

"Could you please stop talking in the third-pony? It's annoying."

Trixie opened her mouth, her brow furrowed as if in indignation, but a quick glare from Blossom halted all forms of protest. "Trixie supp- I suppose that would be acceptable. I still do not see why you cannot trust my telling of the incident."

"I didn't say I don't believe you. I just want to hear what Dazzle has to say." She looked back down at me, her expression stern. "Now, Dazzle.... I'm not going to lie to you. I'm very disappointed that you lied to me and didn't stay where you said you'd be. Not only that, but you also killed three guards and very likely got the both of you in serious trouble. I want you to be honest with me. What happened?"

My ears folded back as the gravity of Blossom's mood weighed on me. Blossom.... She.... She hates me now. I bawled loudly into my forelegs, hiccups shaking my body. "I-I'm s-sorry! P-please d-don-don't hate m-me! I'm s-sorry! I'm sorry! I-I'm sorry!"

Blossom wrapped me up in a hug, wiping the snot and tears from my face with a towel. "Shhh.... I don't hate you, Dazzle. I still love you more than anything, but you hurt my feelings and nearly scared me to death when I couldn't find you: And then, when I found you bleeding everywhere? I thought you were going to die and I was so heartbroken.... I'm so glad you made it..., but that doesn't make me any less angry. Why did you run off and do something like that?"

“I h-heard Trixie t-talking and wanted to see what was s-so loud. I j-just thought that I’d look and co-come back, but they had her captured and laughed at her! I thought.... Just like mommy... and daddy....”

“You killed them... to save Trix- Me? Why would you think I needed to be saved?”

“Her parents were murdered by the guards two weeks ago. I.... I’m not surprised that this happened. Ever since... that incident, she’s been having problems controlling her magic and emotions.... Then there’s Morla....” Blossom blinked, then facehoofed. “Why am I even telling you this? We barely know you and, even though I’m grateful that you saved Dazzle, I still don’t fully trust you. You could just turn us in and try to clear your name.”

“What I don’t understand is how you cannot trust me! I saved your filly and even killed somepony to do it, albeit unintentionally. While I may be fully capable of defending myself, your filly doesn’t seem like she can fully handle... whatever magic that was.” Trixie huffed and popped open a bottle of cheap wine she had found in the gift basket. “What was that, anyways. And who, or what, is Morla?”

“Morla.... is a voice in my head.... I think she called the magic... Neck roh mane che. It sounds really... silly...." I closed my eyes and leaned against Blossom as much as I could. "Blossom.... I feel so... tired.... I think I'mma... take another nap...."

"Okay Dazzle, but when you wake back up, we're going to have to talk about your punishment. Sleep well, my Dande-"

"Do not let the pony child fall asleep!" All three of my eyes cracked back open against my will leaving me with limited vision as I tried to force them closed again.

"Why can't... I sleep? I'm... so tired...."

"Your soul is feeding off of you, child. You used more magic than it could handle, so, should you not allow it to drain from another's, it will kill you. I warned you about the repercussions of Necromancy."

"She's talking strangely again and it doesn't seem to be her this time. Trixie is very much concerned for her well being. What is the matter with you ponies?"

"There's nothing wrong with us! Dee Dee is just possessed by an ancient... thing and can cast-" Blossom stopped and bit her lip. "Okay, maybe this whole situation is somewhat beyond the norm, but that doesn't mean you can insult us whenever you please."

"I will have you know that, before I had come here, I had never had any issues surviving on my own!" She tilted her head up haughtily before realizing that Blossom was glaring at her. She huffed again and poured a glass of the red wine and downed it in one go. "As I was saying, your filly's magic was- Wait, did you say Necromancy?"

"Yes, young one. It is surprising to find one outside of my own kind that has heard of it."

"Trixie- I have read many books and it came up in a-”

"Please, be quiet.... You're making my head hurt more.... I'll stay awake, I promise, but it hurts... when you talk...." I felt her presence in my mind lessen as I regained the ability to move my own body again.

Very well, but you should be careful. I will be maintaining a heightened watch from now on and I shall strive to prevent you from over-casting.

I nodded and looked at Trixie who was downing another glass of wine. As my eye blindly 'watched' her actions, I began to feel the drowsiness drip away. It wasn't as immediate of a fix as I'd have liked, but the massive pressure in my head was slowly receding. "Why are you staring at me like that? It's making my skin crawl." She shivered and shook out her mane before moving to pour a fourth glass of wine.

“W-well, when I use-”

Immediately, I was wrapped up in Blossom’s embrace as she pulled my face against her chest and smiled towards our guest. “I think Dazzle and I will take a bath and get ready for bed. Trixie, why don’t you, uhm....” She looked over to where the unicorn was wobbling and refilling her glass with another tip of the cheap wine and frowned. “Just... do whatever. We’ll have to ask for some extra blankets or something. Come on, Dee Dee.” She smiled down at me and I felt my heart thud in my chest as I nodded and allowed her to whisk me away into the apartment’s single bathroom.

She immediately set about filling the basin with steaming water, preheated by magical furnaces in the hotel's basement, then turned to face me with a concerned expression showing behind her smile. "What's wrong, Blossom? I-I didn't do anything bad, did I? I'm really sorry if I did!"

Her expression softened as she lifted me up again to deposit the both of us in the tub. "No, no. You didn't do anything wrong. I just.... I don't trust Trixie. She's seen your magic and knows at least enough about it to recognize that it's dangerous. I could see it in her eyes when Morla spoke of it." Gently, my fillyfriend kissed the top of my head and grimaced, her tongue hanging out as if she had tasted something vile. "Let's get you washed up. You taste like blood."

I giggled as she ruffled my crusty mane, making small flakes of dried blood fall off into the water. "Sorry. I know I shouldn't-"

"Ah-ah. None of that. It is bath time and bath time is supposed to be fun!" She grinned down at me and her eyes seemed to twinkle with mirth. Before I knew what was happening, her hooves had pulled me tight to her body and began to nudge into my sides with just the right pressure.

I screamed in surprise and writhed to get away from her as my laughter filled the room and drowned out her antagonizing giggles. "Nooo! Don't! I-I'm gonna peeeeeeee!"

My pegasus lover soon released me from her torturous grasp and allowed me to turn around as I puffed my cheeks up in an angry huff. Gently, she stroked my mane and pulled me into a tender kiss that stole my breath away. I melted to putty under the pressure and heat of her lips as I relaxed completely onto her chest. Unfortunately, the embrace ended and left me smiling breathlessly as I held my hooves to my lips. “That’s much better. Just because we’ve been through so much in such a short time, it doesn’t mean that you should be sad all the time. You’re my beautiful little filly and you deserve to live as one.”

“Th-that was... even better than what the books say.... Can- Can we, uhm... kiss again?” I averted my gaze, embarrassed at having asked such a silly question, but kept shooting curious glances up at her smiling face. That kiss had definitely taken me by surprise, but I was certain I’d never forget it. She nodded slowly and I felt my heart race as she pulled me closer again.

A quick, but insistent, cough brought us out of the loving reverie we had lost ourselves in and drew our attention to a cerulean unicorn with a serious expression plastered upon her alcohol flushed face. "Trixie knows that- urp.... You should be more cautious with where you.... Stop looking at Trixie with that eye!"

I flinched back and turned to face away from her. I could see how much my stare disturbed her, especially in her drunken state, but the words of Morla still rang clearly in my mind despite the joyous situation I had taken part in seconds prior.

I felt Blossom’s body tense under mine as she shifted forward, her wings now wrapped tenderly around me. “Hey! How dare you barge in here and yell at her! You’re staying here only because I’m letting you! If you want to scream at fillies, then go scream it up at a guard station!”

“Nopony yells at the Great and Powerful Trixie! Especially not some foal-fiddling kid! If it wasn’t for Trixie, then she wouldn’t even be alive!" I cowered under Blossom's wings, hiding from the drunken mare's accusing hoof.

I felt my shelter flinch and tense at Trixie's remark, but the protective embrace remained. "I know.... I know and I've thanked you. You know fully well, drunk or not, that we can't just trust anypony we meet! Just because you helped her once doesn't mean you won't betray us just to save yourself! I've met ponies like you before and they don't care about anything, but themselves."

I peeked out from behind Blossom's wing, my curiosity piqued by the sudden silence, to find Trixie glaring at Blossom, a glare that looked as if it could melt metal. Blossom held the mare's gaze, never faltering even if I could feel her heart thundering in her chest. She was scared, of what I wasn't entirely sure, Trixie was furious, and I was caught in the middle.

Tear unwillingly welled up in the corners of my eyes and I began to cry. I was terrified that something would happen and that I wouldn’t be able to stop it, or that somepony would come and take me away from Blossom. That thought brought true fear to my heart just as the attempted molester’s actions pull rage from the depths of my being and the only way I knew how to deal with it was through tears.

The two ponies halted their glaring contest and looked to me and the terrified mess I had become. Blossom, as she was the closest to me and already had me in her grasp, clutched me tighter and peppered my forehead with kisses as Trixie huffed and stormed out, but not without casting a furtive glance in our direction. “Trixie does not wish to see foals cry, so Trixie shall drop the subject for now, but do not think it forgotten!”

“I’m sorry Dazzle. I didn’t mean to get angry like that.” She tenderly stroked my mane as she cuddled closer against me in the warm bath water. “I am sorry, but I still don’t think we can trust her. Just, don’t tell her what your magic can do. We kind of have to let her stay with us, at least because it’s our fault she’s in trouble, but she doesn’t have to know everything, okay?”

I nodded slowly, still sniffling, but slowly calming down. “I-I’m sorry, B-Blossom.... I didn’t mean to do anything b-bad.”

I watched as my pegasus companion smiled down at me, a forced, sad smile, and pressed her lips to mine. “We’ll figure it out and everything will be fine. Don’t you worry.”

I nodded, content that I had the one pony with me that truly mattered, but I couldn’t fight off the doubt that something bad would happen again and that I would be the cause. However, I didn't have long to dwell upon the subject as I soon succumbed to the unavoidable draw of exhaustion. I smiled softly as I felt the pull of slumber take over my body and curled up as close to the love of my life as possible. I was still covered in dried blood, but I knew that I could rely on her to wash me and so I soon lost the uphill battle to retain consciousness.

My grin was wide as I dashed wildly through the lobby of the hotel, weaving in between legs and around the various ponies that had gathered there to mingle. I was drawing closer to my destination, the front doors to the hotel’s lobby, and slowed to allow myself time to observe the other tenants or, rather, giggle at how silly they looked.

Why are those stallions wearing poofy vests? Woooooow! That hat has, like, a bajillion feathers! Hee hee, her nose is so bi- “Oof!” I stopped and rubbed my nose to look up and find myself face to breast with the day proprietress, Fluff. I smiled widely and gave her the biggest hug I could. “Hi, Fluff!”

She returned my smile, but kept tossing glances back towards the counter where her sister was managing the check-ins. I turned to look at the cream mare behind me and waved excitedly, my happiness not faltering despite the half-hearted wave I got in return. Satisfied, I grinned and bounced around Fluff. “Soooooo, how are you? Aren’t ya supposed to be sleepin’?”

Fluff tensed as I spoke, but I shrugged it off with the fillyish glee that I had been exuding since I woke several hours ago. “Oh, I’m okay. I was going to be heading to sleep to let Comfort take over, but we got the best idea.”

I gasped, my eyes widening as I leaned closer, suddenly eager to know what could possibly be the best idea ever. “Oh, oh! What is it? I wanna know! Pleaaaaase, tell me!”

She smiled, her lips curling into a grin that almost resembled a smirk, before looking around as if to make sure nopony was around to hear her. She motioned for me to come closer and I obliged, too enticed by her words to do otherwise. “Well, we thought we’d bring you two a special lunch since you’re our favorite guests.”

Immediately, my eyes lit up and I began bouncing around her in glee. It’s not everyday that you get something so super special like that, after all. “Ohhhhh! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’mma go tell Blossom right away! I was s’posed to be getting food, but now I don’t have to and it’ll be super-special-awesome!”

I sprinted off, leaving our generous hostess behind, and wove my way back through the crowd of ponies, though without the skill and grace I had minutes ago. I was too excited to worry about bumping into ponies and, now that I was completely disregarding the space of the other guests, I returned to our room in half the time it took to get to the lobby. Squealing in joy, I burst through the door after unintentionally running face-first into it due to forgetting that I had to open the door to get past it, and tackled the first pony that I saw.

“Wh- Get off of Trixie! I am not a trampoline!” The azure mare flailed under my crushing hug, but I relented quickly. I couldn’t stay so riled up or else I would be asleep before the food even got here.

Blossom, having heard the commotion of a pair of ponies tumbling gracelessly to the floor, poked her head out the bathroom door, a slight frown tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Dee, weren't you supposed to be getting us food?"

"Yup, but Fluff says I don't hafta!" I casually trotted over to her, my grin still plastered upon my face. "She says that she's gonna bring us lunch! 'Cause we're their favorite ponies!"

"Oh. Well, that's okay then." Her disappointment disappeared and was replaced with a soft smile. "That's pretty nice of them, especially after what happened when we first got here."

"What do you mean by that? Tell Tri-, erm, me what happened."

"Well, the morning after we acquired a room here, Miss Fluff discovered Dazzle's... eye. I was able to keep her quiet by blackmailing her with her sister's inappropriate work ethics the night before."

Trixie grinned devilishly, a broad grin drawing across her muzzle. “It’s no wonder they haven’t been by to check on us. You are quite the devious pony, Orange. I’m sure you could work yourself out of any situation. You’re not much different from Trixie after all.”

“I’m nothing like you.” Her smile was gone, replaced by a scowl that creased her forehead. “I only did it for Dazzle. I would do anything to keep her safe. No matter what.” She sighed softly and pulled me into a welcome hug as I wrapped my arms around her leg. I took a moment to think about what she meant, wonder how she could do anything else to make me happy. She’s my filly friend and I’m living with her and she makes sure I don’t get in trouble. What else could she do?

Something is happening. Be on your guard.

“What? What do you mean something’s happening?” Both of my companions cast a confused glance at me, but none of us had any opportunity to voice our questions as a rapid knock sounded at the door. “Oh! That must be Fluff! I’ll get it!”

“Dee! I’ll get the door.” I sat on my haunches pouting when she blocked my movement with a leg and quickly fluttered to the portal as a second round of knocking began. “I’m coming. Just one moment!” She cast a glance towards Trixie and tilted her head, confusing me until the unicorn dashed into the bathroom.

Needless to say, I was confused about why she was hiding, but Blossom knew best and I wasn’t going to question her. Especially after what happened with the guards. As the door opened, I quickly forgot about Trixie and focused on the tray of food being rolled into the room on a cart. I beamed in excitement as the twins trotted in behind it, Comfort’s blue glow dying off to allow the rolling metal to come to a stop.

“H-hello! I hope you w-weren’t waiting long.” Comfort smiled exceedingly wide, constantly casting quick glances towards me, as her sister set about removing the platter’s dome cover to reveal an extensive assortment of baked vegetables and sweets.

“Are you okay, Comfort? You seem tense.” Blossom frowned, eyeing her with the intensity of a hawk. “We’re really grateful that you’ve made such wonderful food for us. There isn’t any need to be nervous.”

“Oh, she’s just tired. Just before we got here we got a call about night security. Apparently, there’s a pair of murderers running loose in the city.” Fluff smiled sweetly and patted me on the head. “Anyways, we thought that you two would like something special today. Dazzle has been such a sweetie and-”

“You’re lying.” My head turned of its own volition towards the bathroom where Trixie was hiding out. Morla! Stop it, that hurts! “There isn’t time, pony child. Unicorn, come out. There are ponies converging on the hotel that are searching for us. Pegasus child, you must help us to escape.” What do you mean? I thought we were having lunch!

“You- You tried to turn us in?” Blossom glared at the twin unicorns, her wings going rigid as her body tensed with obvious anger. “Trixie! We’re leaving! We have to get out, now!”

“Trixie heard what the foal said, Orange. You do not need to tell me what to do, but we- Where do you think you’re going?” Trixie wrapped the unicorns in her magic and lifted them, kicking and squealing, back into the room, a scowl on her face. “Trixie does not appreciate being tricked and Trixie knows just the spell to keep it from happening again any time soon.”

“Don’t hurt them! We’re in enough trouble as it is!” Blossom dashed frantically through the hotel room and stuffing everything that they had unpacked back into their travel bags. “Just...” She looked into Comfort’s eyes, a sad frown dominating her features. “Why?”

“I-I didn’t want to! Fluff said-”

“Shut up! They blackmailed you because that little freak had a secret that could get her in trouble!” She glared at me, a piercing, hate-filled stare that would have made me cower and whimper had Morla and Mi’rith not taken over my bodily control. “You won’t be able to escape! As soon as you’re gone, we’ll just tell them exactly who you are! They already know the mutant by her cutie mark.”

“Hmph! Trixie isn’t scared of your threats! Trixie knows just how to keep you two from talking!” She turned her nose up and looked towards Blossom. “We’re going to need about an hour. I need to fix their memories.”

“We do not have that time, young unicorn. It will be minutes at best before it will be too late.” Can you see the future or something? That’s pretty cool! “It is not as simple as that, child, but for now that will have to suffice. Regardless, we must be leaving before we are overwhelmed.”

“What are we going to do?” Blossom’s gaze flashed back and forth between Trixie and I and the Coltson twins, worry etched clearly across her face. “We can’t let them tell the guards, but we can't hurt them either!"

"You know it would be much simpler to kill them and prevent them from ever talking."

Fluff glared at me, her angry stare masking the fear shown by her trembling lips, but Comfort broke down into frantic sobs. "P-please, don't kill u-us! I-I don't w-wann-na die-heh-hi!”

“No! Stop, Morla! You’re making her cry! Comfy is nice, so you shouldn’t make her cry!” I was merely making a suggestion child, but since you have amazingly dominated my will again, you must inform them that we have naught but a few minutes to make our escape. I scratched my head, trying to sort out what she was saying. Why did she have to talk so weird? “Uhhh.... Morla says we should... go? She was talking real fast and said something about running away and a few minutes.”

“Do not worry, for Trixie has the solution to our problems. She is not a master of illusionary magic without reason, after all. Watch and be amazed!” We all stared at Trixie as her horn glowed brighter causing the magenta aura around the suspended unicorns to darken around their heads until a bright flash illuminated everything for the briefest of seconds.

When the light cleared and I had regained my vision, I saw Blossom staring in horror at the two limp ponies and Trixie standing with a smug smirk, her magic still holding the pair suspended. “See? Trixie has it all under control.”

“Under control! You killed them! Why did you kill them!?”

“Trixie did not kill them, imbecile! She merely stripped them of a week’s worth of memories. When they wake, they’ll have no recollection of what has transpired during the past eight days, so we’ll be able to escape without fear of pursuit.” She frowned slightly and settled the mares down upon the bed. “Trixie does not like using this spell, though. It is sloppy and far from permanent. They’ll know something is amiss when they cannot recall who their guests are or why they woke up in this room, but it’s the best Trixie can do with such limited time.”

Blossom made as if she wanted to respond, but a quick tap on her leg stopped her in her tracks. “Morla says we need to hurry. She’s reeeeeeeeaally worried.”

“Right.... Okay, let’s go. I’ll carry the saddlebags. Trixie, you grab the suitcase and Dee Dee, jump on my back.”

As quickly as we could, the three of us arranged our belongings, the pair of saddlebags draped across Blossom’s back with me laying upon them and our suitcase suspended in the air by Trixie’s magic, and raced out into the hallway. “Morla says go out the back exit. There are bunches of ponies in front that’ll make us slower.”

Following my symbiotic companion’s assistance, the three of us galloped across the carpeted floors, aiming for the metal door marked by a glowing red sign that read exit. In seconds, we came upon the door and, with a burst of magic, Trixie shoved it open and allowed us to break off into the cover of darkness. Despite the fact that nothing was around us currently, neither Blossom nor Trixie stopped to rest and make a plan. We had to move quickly.

“Trixie is certain that there is a vacant apartment complex a few blocks from here. She stayed there for a few nights before agreeing to join the queen’s army.” She led us onto the streets and into the crowds of midday pedestrians which allowed them time to finally slow down and breathe. “Trixie must admit that she has not had this much entertainment in a long time. It may not be entirely fun, but performing for the common pony for paltry bits is much less exciting. Even if Trixie adores the attention they pour upon her.”

I listened contentedly from my fillyfriend’s back as we pushed through the clustered ponies that had gathered for their lunch breaks, looking around in awe at the lights and sheer size of the buildings around us. Even after a week in the city, it was still a phenomenal sight for a filly that had spent her entire life around relatively small houses and shops.

“Trixie, we are going to have to break you of that habit.” Blossom sighed, but allowed a small smile to creep upon her face. “You may grate on my nerves at times, but at least I can believe you are with us for now.You wouldn’t have protected us as you did if you weren’t our friend.”

I gasped and stood upon Blossom’s back using her wings to support me. “We’re friends now, right? I’m so glad, ‘cause I thought you didn’t like us ‘cause I got you in trouble, but if you helped us then we just have to be friends!”

Trixie spluttered and stepped away from us to cast a disbelieving stare our way to try and mask the tinge of pink staining her cheeks. “Tr-Trixie does not need friends! Trixie has done, and can do, perfectly fine without them!” I giggled as our unicorn companion continued to fluster about her words at each jab Blossom made towards her until we came upon another building modeled like most of the others we had seen aside from the large sign on the front that read ‘South Saddle Apartments’. “This is the place. It’s kind of run-down, but we won’t have to pay. Trixie never saw anypony leave or enter during her last visit.”

“It’s kind of....” Blossom stared up at the building, taking note of the busted-out and boarded-up windows dotting the complex’s face, and shivered.

“Spooky. I’m not sure I want to stay here.”

Trixie scoffed and adjusted the hat upon her head. “There is not to be afraid of. Trixie spent several nights under this roof and she hasn’t seen nor heard anything other than the wind. Besides, we have the most powerful magician in all of Equestria and your necromancy to keep us safe.” She pushed past us and trotted through the front door after unlocking the deadbolt with a thought.

I hopped off of Blossom’s back, landing on the concrete with an audible clop, and looked up into her eyes. Both of us swallowed hard, unsure of what we wanted to do, but as Trixie’s form disappeared around a corner up ahead, we rushed after her. “Trixiieeeee! Wait up! It’s scary!”

Author’s Notes: Woo! Finally! Chapter 4 of Necro Domina is here and everypony will rejoice as this means more ATFN in the near future! This one took so much time to write and I struggled with it for fucking ever. I don’t know what it was, but Jeky-poo said something about falling conflict being a bitch to write, blah, blah, blah. Anyhoof, enjoy and cross your fingers for a quick release of ATFN’s next chapter! See you space cowponies! Peppy out~!

Editor’s Notes: Hmm, I actually had to go serious-mode in order to get Peps to continue writing this chapter. I don’t normally do that but... Peppy wouldn’t stop whining about how hard it was, boo hoo. Meh, I guess I’m being a bit harsh so... See ya guys next time, hope you like it.