Day 7, 07:31

Fluttershy stopped walking as she left the residence tower. The others would probably be gathering in the study as they usually did, Fluttershy might be expected to join them; Pinkie might have a job for her to do. But Fluttershy didn’t feel like joining them this morning, she couldn’t stop thinking about Derpy. Pinkie had assured Fluttershy it wasn’t her fault, but she still felt partially to blame.

Pinkie had trusted her to watch over the infirmary, if she had done her job properly then Derpy wouldn’t have been able to steal the curare or the wheelchair, and both her and Cheese would still be with them. Then there was the other point she had to consider, that everything that occurred yesterday was all necessary in bringing an end to the game. If so, Cheese and Derpy’s deaths were only temporary, simply stepping stones in the journey to achieving true happiness for everyone.

Fluttershy hoped so, when all this was over she might come clean about the hand she had in it, when the others saw what her actions had earned them they would probably be appreciative, perhaps even grateful. Fluttershy didn’t like that idea; no she would stay silent and simply enjoy her time alongside them.

Fluttershy…

Fluttershy jumped, not expecting to hear the voice. She quickly looked around to make sure she was alone before replying.

“Yes?”

Things are running smoothly, but I have a new task for you.

“Of course,” Fluttershy said, trying to sound as eager to help as possible. “What do you need me to do?”

Do you recall when this game began, Pinkie claimed to have woken up in a different area to the rest of you?

“Yes?” Fluttershy replied, unsure where this was going.

The truth is, I don’t know where exactly she woke up, or how she came to be there. I do not like unknown variables; their very existence puts everything we have worked for in jeopardy.

“Oh dear,” Fluttershy replied, genuinely worried. “What do we do about it?”

All I know is she woke up somewhere in the town, not far from the castle gates. I need you to be my eyes and go search there, see if you can find any evidence that would explain how Pinkie came to be there.

“Of course, I’ll get right on it,” Fluttershy stated, hurrying from where she had been standing.

It helped to be doing something proactive, to know that what she was doing would actively help her cause. As such she quickly made it out of the castle and found herself before the large iron gates leading to the town in record time. The gates were open ever so slightly, so Fluttershy just had to squeeze through them and she could officially begin her search.

She began waking casually alongside the houses on the right side of the street, keeping her eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. True she didn’t know what exactly she was looking for, she hoped whatever the voice was expecting her to find would be obvious. As she walked however she began to feel a pricking sensation running through her body. Confused, she began walking much slower, stooping closer to the ground, glancing around a lot more fervently.

The more she walked the stronger the feeling inside her became, until it finally reached an apex where it felt as if her whole body had pins and needles. She came to a halt, realising that she had stopped right next to a courtyard squeezed between two houses. Something about this area really grabbed her attention. Stepping inside the courtyard she began looking about, the space was confined and tightly packed with wooden crates and barrels. It seemed pretty insignificant and yet something about it drew Fluttershy’s attention, something about a single patch a bare brick wall at the opposite end of the courtyard that made her head spin just looking at it.

Fluttershy shook her head, she needed to get out of here, it felt like she was suffocating in here. She turned and swiftly walked back out onto the street… and walked right in front of Pinkie Pie.

Day 7, 16:31

Fluttershy watched Octavia’s sleeping form with little interest. She had already clarified that she would recover, right now all she needed was rest, and Fluttershy had too much on her mind to pay her any real heed.

That morning had been curious alright; somehow the picture Pinkie had discovered in that house was the least of it. Fluttershy still couldn’t shake that weird feeling she had got while exploring that alley, she was sure it had something to do with what the voice tasked her with finding out, but she wasn’t sure how or why going there had that effect on her. Perhaps if she’d had more time to look about, but then Pinkie had come…

Fluttershy cringed; she had lied again to Pinkie. It was becoming a horrible habit and it disturbed Fluttershy how easy she found it. She hated herself for doing it; this was the pony she claimed to…

Fluttershy…

“Hmm?” Fluttershy hummed, glancing up as she heard the voice.

How did your search fare this morning?

“Okay I guess,” Fluttershy muttered, she had decided earlier that when she reported back to the voice she would leave out everything that had occurred after Pinkie had found her. “I found an area just outside the gates, the closer I got to it the more I felt… I can’t really explain it, it was weird.”

Interesting, as you left the castle grounds my connection to you began to weaken, perhaps it was something in that area that caused it.

“I don’t think I found out enough to explain why Pinkie woke up somewhere different though,” Fluttershy responded. “I’m sorry.”

No, this information is good, you have done well. We will leave that question for a while now as I have another task for you.

“So soon?” Fluttershy said surprised, but not entirely disappointed. “What?”

You recall the last time I had you move the staircases?

“Yes…” Fluttershy said slowly.

It is time for another shift.

Fluttershy gulped noticeably.

Do not be afraid, I’m sure you will fare much better this night. And besides, the device only requires blood; perhaps you will be creative and save yourself some pain.

With that the voice faded once more, leaving Fluttershy to mull over what it could have meant by being ‘creative’. She was distracted from her thoughts by murmuring come from Octavia who she had forgotten was still sleeping in front of her. Fluttershy leaned down, trying to make out what she was saying.

“Don’t go… Vinyl…”

It was so quiet, but there was no mishearing what Octavia had said. Fluttershy pulled back, wearing a thoughtful expression on her face. She didn’t know much about Octavia, who she was or where she came from. But that name, Vinyl, now that sounded familiar…

Octavia turned slightly in her sleep, no longer muttering. As she did, she exposed her leg to Fluttershy. Fluttershy looked closely at it, her eyes drawn to the dried blood matting the fur just above the gauntlet, and she suddenly realised how she could be creative.

Standing up she walked over to her desk and retrieved one of the needles from where they had been left following the investigation into Cheese’s murder. She then hesitated for a few seconds, considering the ethical implications of what she was considering before walking back over to Octavia. All she needed was a little blood, and Octavia was well sedated, she wouldn’t feel a thing…

Day 11, 11:50

Fluttershy stared at the sleeping form of her best friend, soaking it all in, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the way a single stray lock of her mane fluttered every time she exhaled. Lying here beside her, it was everything Fluttershy dreamed of, and it was beautiful. She was tempted to reach out and brush those fluttering strands back over Pinkie’s ear, but didn’t dare for fear of waking her and ruining the perfect moment.

Fluttershy wasn’t sure what had driven her to act so boldly in asking Pinkie Pie to share a room with her, maybe it was this game, forcing her to think about life and death to the point where she wanted to grab hold of the one she loved and never let go. For the first night since this game had begun, there were no voices outside the door, no sounds except Pinkie’s breathing. Fluttershy wasn’t surprised; after all, the source of her nightmares was right here in front of here, sleeping peacefully. She wasn’t crying and screaming and running away from Ponyville never to see her again, no, for one night all those things were where they belonged, in the past.

Fluttershy…

No… No, please Celestia no! Not tonight, I beg you don’t take this night from me!

It had been days since she last heard from the voice, days since she was tasked with moving the stairs. Why did it have to be now? Was it because of what Pinkie had revealed that morning? What she had said about the horn? All day, dark thoughts had been creeping into her mind about the nature of the voice in her head, and how exactly it tied into what had originally happened to Pinkie.

I’m terribly sorry Fluttershy, but events will unfold this night and you need to play your part.

“What events?” Fluttershy whispered, so quietly nothing could have heard her had the voice not been in her head.

That will become clear in the morning, but right now I want you to grab that picture you and Pinkie found and deliver it somewhere for me.

Fluttershy felt her insides go cold upon hearing that.

Then you need to go to the armoury, an old friend is waiting for you there…

The voice faded, leaving Fluttershy feeling hollow, her perfect moment shattered before her. She looked down once more, no, it wasn’t shattered, these were the moments she was working to protect. Everything she was doing, everything she had done, it was all for her.

She leant down and nuzzled Pinkie as gently as she could and spoke in a low whisper.

“Thank you for tonight.”

Then, on a sudden act of impulse, she reached in and kissed her cheek. Not the sauciest act, but it felt special to her.

Then, feeling utterly drained at the prospect, she slid out from under the covers and stood up. Casting one final glance at Pinkie Pie she crept over to Pinkie’s desk where she fished through her saddlebags for the picture. She stared at it for a moment, wondering not for the first time what it had to do with any of this. Focusing her thoughts she turned back to the door, unlocking and opened it the tiniest crack, before slipping out to face the nightmares once more.

Day 12, 02:04

Leaving that picture in the chapel had been completely ludicrous. More than once Fluttershy considered second guessing the voice and going back to retrieve it, but each time the though rose she would swiftly strike it back down with the counter argument that the voice surely knew what it was doing. No, the picture would serve its purpose, Fluttershy was sure… was hopeful of that. Right now she had to get to the armoury and meet this… friend, whoever it was.

She arrived in the central chamber via the archway that would take her to the residential tower and the entrance hall. Once there she was pleased to find the room relatively untainted by the rampant nightmares, it gave her a moment to stop and catch her breath, to gather her thoughts.

The voice hadn’t mentioned anything about the revelation they had received earlier, particularly the part about how Twilight had been exposed to a horn. Not just any horn either, but the horn of King Sombra. Fluttershy knew she recognised it the first time she laid eyes on it, she couldn’t even fool herself into believing they were two different horns. But then what did that tell her? That the voice that had brought her this far, had offered her so much, was the one responsible for the hurt she was trying so hard to heal in the first place?

She had to know…

“Pinkie said Twilight was the Mastermind,” Fluttershy began, keeping her voice as neutral as possible. “That she did all those horrible things because she was exposed to something, something that changed her. She said it was the horn of King Sombra, the same horn you were connected to. She was telling the truth, wasn’t she?”

Yes.

Fluttershy felt her head spin, she hadn’t wanted to believe it, but hearing it confirmed aloud made everything feel considerably more confusing.

“Why?” She managed weakly. “Is it you? Are you responsible for all this?”

In a way… I was not in control of how my presence affected those around me. If it was my choice I would have spared Twilight, but she exposed herself too much to my power and… well you’ve seen the results. I never wished for any of this to happen, I never chose to let my power hurt so many. I suppose that’s why I reached out to you; I guess you could say I’m seeking my penance through you.

“So… you really didn’t mean for this to happen?” Fluttershy asked, hope reigniting inside her. “You really mean it when you say you want to help me?”

Of course Fluttershy, I’ve only ever wanted to do the right thing. And I know that that is exactly what you and I shall achieve if we stick together and see this through.

“Alright, thank you,” Fluttershy said, sniffing slightly but smiling. “And sorry for doubting you.”

That’s alright, but now you must hurry. I sent you here for a purpose; one of Celestia’s closest companions is nearby. If left to their own devices they could seriously put a wrench in everything we’ve worked for.

“I’ll deal with it,” Fluttershy assured the voice, not exactly sure what she herself meant when she said ‘deal with’, but not wanting to appear incompetent to the one who had done so much for her.

With their conversation ended, the voice faded and Fluttershy continued towards the armoury. The staircase may be gone, but that didn’t pose a problem for Fluttershy who simply spread her wings and swooped up to the next level before touching down and walking towards the armoury itself. As she drew closer she began to slow down, unsure what she would be faced with when she entered, or who for that matter.

Standing outside the entrance, she mustered her courage before leaping inside. The first thing to hit her was the heat, the room was stifling hot. She had to shut her eyes against the sudden onslaught, only daring to crack them open again after a minute in which she quickly broke into a sweat. She looked around the armoury, which seemed just as it always had been apart from the orange glow that everything seemed to be bathed in. Then her eyes found the admittedly obvious source of heat, the furnace, huge and menacing, an intense white glow radiating from behind the grate on the metal door indicating it was well lit up.

Beyond the furnace nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and there was certainly nobody around that she could see. Curiously she began making her way closer to the massive over, having to brace herself against the intense heat that was hitting her like a physical wave. She needed to stop the furnace, there was no way she could focus with that kind of heat, she might even drop dead if she stayed in it for too long.

Fluttershy didn’t have the first clue as to how to turn off something like this, but the best bet seemed to be to open the door and work her way from there. Edging closer and trying to ignore the unbearable heat washing over her, Fluttershy began thinking of ways in which she could open the door without burning her legs off. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she almost missed the twin flashes of red from within the furnace. She did however see them, and with forethought she didn’t know she possessed dived to the floor just as the furnace door exploded from its hinges and the entire thing ejected a bout of fire into the room.

Fluttershy had been incredibly lucky, a second later and she would have been caught by the blast. There was no doubt in her mind that would have been the end of her. The trail of fire quickly went out and Fluttershy was able to look up at what had burst free of the furnace, and she ended up staring into the ferocious eyes of a giant phoenix.

“Philomena?!” Fluttershy exclaimed.

The only response she received was for Philomena to dive down upon her. Quickly she scrambled to her hooves and launched herself across the room out of harm’s way. Something was wrong, Fluttershy knew in her heart that phoenix was Philomena, but she had changed drastically. Her huge increase in size was only the beginning, her entire body seemed to be shrouded in tongues of writhing flame, and her eyes were a deep crimson, filled with hatred, the eyes of something that sought only destruction.

Fluttershy barely had a moment to wonder what had happened to the once docile and playful phoenix before it was turning on her once more. Obeying her instincts she made a sprint for the exit, slowing down to scoop up a short spear with a barbed blade. While she had absolutely no desire to hurt Philomena, it made her more comfortable to know she could defend herself. Rushing from the room she barely made it ten metres before the phoenix burst into the hall behind her.

Spreading her wings she sped into the central chamber in a sudden burst of speed that would have impressed Rainbow Dash, turning up at the last second to narrowly avoid Philomena who went crashing into the opposite wall. Turning in mid-air, Fluttershy began flying towards the first exit she could see. There was no way she could stop this bird now on her own, she needed to get far away and think of a strategy in peace.

Just as she was about to reach the archway that would have led to the infirmary however, the entire wall burst into flame. Fluttershy barely managed to steer herself away in time before she got herself cooked. Even as she looked for another exit she saw the wall of fire spread up across the entire chamber until she was inside the centre of a flaming pillar, she was utterly trapped.

She began flying circles; getting Philomena in her sights so she wouldn’t be taken by surprise. The phoenix had recovered from its crash and was now flying up to meet her, more furious than ever. As it got closer Fluttershy made a sharp turn and dodged around it, but it didn’t fall for the trick a second time and quickly followed suit, returning to Fluttershy’s tail before she had time to catch her breath.

Fluttershy didn’t know how long she could keep this up, she was doing well, but her energy was draining fast. She glanced over her shoulder in time to see Philomena clap its wings together hard, sending out a burst of flame in her direction. Fluttershy rocketed upwards out of harm’s way, but her grip on the spear loosened and it very quickly went careening to the floor. With no other means of survival at hand, Fluttershy plummeted to the earth, Philomena in hot pursuit.

With the fire illuminating the entire chamber, the ground floor was no longer cast in shadow and Fluttershy could clearly see the spear lying just off to the side of the pillar device. With all the energy she could muster she beat her wings until she was no more than a yellow bullet. She reached the ground, much too fast to make a proper landing so she ended up bouncing off it a few times before coming to a painful stop, but she had achieved her goal, she had grabbed the spear as she hit the ground and it was now clutched in her hooves.

Philomena gave out a loud screech as she descended upon the weakened Fluttershy, the heat she was giving off acting as an indicator of just how close she was. With the last of her strength, Fluttershy rolled over on to her back so she could see the hellfire bird bearing down upon her, and raised the spear straight up, clutching it tight in both hooves.

Fluttershy wasn’t sure how long she lay there with her legs jutting up in front other. She hadn’t honestly expected her hastily thrown together plan to be a success; she had expected a horrible fiery death. But since the latter hadn’t come, did she dare believe that the former was true. Finally after much deliberating, she cracked open her eyelids. The central chamber was much darker, the flames coating the walls now extinguished.

What Fluttershy saw first was the great form of Philomena lying slumped over her, her fires snuffed out, her body black and ashen, resembling a lump of wood pulled from a dying fire. Fluttershy’s spear had driven straight into the sweet spot between her ribs, piercing her heart and killing her almost instantly. It was a precision strike of impossible probabilities, Fluttershy should by all pretence and purposes be dead, yet impossibly she came out of this battle the victor.

However as time went by and she continued to look up at Philomena’s eyes, now devoid of light, the knowledge of what she had really done quickly began to settle in. She had taken a life. Her, Fluttershy, had ended the life of an animal. Not an animal that was suffering due to sickness or injury, this wasn’t something she could justify with mercy. No, she had killed another animal to save herself, acted instinctively and one fell swoop destroyed everything she ever stood for.

Fluttershy didn’t cry, which was a little surprising, she merely felt empty, physically ill for what she had done. As time went by she slowly found the strength to push Philomena’s precariously balanced body away from her. She continued to lie there for some time after, but eventually she would pick herself up and take to the air. Landing softly on the lowest platform and beginning her slow march back to the residential tower.

Day 12, 20:10

Fluttershy watched Rainbow Dash miserably as she stormed back and forth across the courtyard, screaming into the high heavens. She wanted nothing more than to take hold of her oldest friend and tell her it would all be okay, that Soarin would return to her when this was all over. But Rainbow was in a bad place right now; she might take what Fluttershy was saying the wrong way, blame her for Soarin’s death and refuse to understand the necessity behind it.

But she had to do something; it killed her to see her closest friend so distraught. Mentally preparing herself for something far more terrifying than dungeon lurking monsters and wrathful phoenixes, she stepped out from the safety of the entrance hall and began walking towards Rainbow Dash who was staring up at the statue of Celestia, her eyes cold and spiteful.

“Rainbow,” Fluttershy began in an unsteady voice. “Rainbow, talk to me. I hate seeing you like this.”

“Please just leave me alone,” Rainbow Dash said through gritted teeth, not looking at Fluttershy.

“Please don’t shut me out Rainbow,” Fluttershy begged, stepping closer. “I understand how you feel, and I know how having all that was left of him taken from you has made everything many times worse. But I’m here for you Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow was now looking Fluttershy squarely in the eye, but something was wrong, there was no good will about the look she was giving her.

“Did you just say ‘you understand how I feel’?” Rainbow asked, her voice low.

Fluttershy stayed silent, knowing just from her friend's tone that nothing she could say was going to save her.

“How dare you compare your silly school girl crush to what I’ve just been though!” Rainbow snapped.

Fluttershy gasped, she had expected to be reprimanded, but that was just… she didn’t even know how to describe it.

“Oh don’t act so surprised,” Rainbow continued, rolling her eyes at Fluttershy’s reaction. “You act like a filly the way you fawn over her, nattering on to me about it but never actually bucking up the courage to do something about it. It’s a joke that you can call that real love, but whatever, if you want to waste your life chasing after a pony who clearly isn’t interested in you that way, then be my guest, but don’t complain to me because you’re too much of a coward to tell her yourself, and never compare it to what I had and lost with Soarin!”

Fluttershy stood there, her eyes welling up as her oldest and dearest friend tore into her. As soon as Rainbow finished, Fluttershy could see the regret in her eyes, but the damage was done. Fluttershy turned tail and ran, ran from the one pony she thought would never judge her. She didn’t stop running until she was safely barricaded in her bedroom, where she sobbed her heart out, unaware that her and Rainbow Dash had just shared their final… and worst moments together.

Day 13, 12:19

Fluttershy closed the infirmary door behind her, letting out small panicky breaths. The voice had never called out to her before while she was with other ponies, a part of her was afraid Pinkie would look up from the bed she lay on and demand to know what was going on.

“What is it?” she whispered nervously, afraid Pinkie come out to see why she left in such a hurry.

I have another task for you.

“Can it wait?” Fluttershy begged. “Pinkie really needs my attention right now, she hit her head and she might be…”

Pinkie Pie is fine, and this cannot wait.

Fluttershy sighed, her shoulders slumping.

“Alright, what do you need?” she asked.

I need you to go to the courtyard; an urgent matter requires our attention. I will explain more when you get there, but first you need to find a sharp object.

Fluttershy pondered the strange request as the voice faded away. A sharp object, whatever for? Still, she wasn’t about to question this, so she turned and walked back into the infirmary where Pinkie was sitting upright, looking slightly annoyed.

“Sorry about that,” Fluttershy said quickly before Pinkie could ask any questions. “I went to go get some painkillers I left in my room, but I must have left the note with the details somewhere in here.”

As she lied through her teeth, she made a show of searching about her desk, picking up random bits of paper and, when she was sure Pinkie wouldn’t see, slipped a scalpel in between the stack.

“Just hold tight for a bit,” she insisted. “I’ll only be a few minutes.”

Pinkie looked ready to object, but Fluttershy was already out the door. Gliding down the central chamber, her mind set on the courtyard. She didn’t want to go back, the memories of last night were still too fresh, but she knew it must be important, and like all the other tasks the voice had set her, it must be necessary.

When she arrived at the courtyard, thankfully passing no one else along the way, she threw down her stacks of paper, leaving only the scalpel in her possession.

“Alright, what’s this urgent matter?” Fluttershy asked.

You see the statue of Princess Cadance?

Fluttershy looked over to the one he meant, seeing the very depressed looking princess encased in her stone prison.

Something terrible is going to happen to her, and we need to try and stop it.

“What terrible thing?” Fluttershy asked, walking over to it. “How do we stop it?”

You can see she is suffering from a deep sadness, if it continues I don’t know what will happen to her. However you can carve a very special sigil on her pedestal, which may be able to prevent her fate.

“Okay, what’s the sigil?” Fluttershy asked, holding out the scalpel, preparing to carve into the stone pedestal Cadance stood atop.

I’ll tell you, just do exactly as I say…

Day 14, 01:45

Fluttershy sat on the edge of her bed, feeling utterly hollow. She almost wished for the nightmares to begin, to hear the screams and cries, they would have been horrible, but nothing could be worse than this silence in which only her darkest of thoughts could be heard.

Cadance is dead… she’s dead because of what I did…

The voice had told her to carve that sigil and she obeyed, the voice said it would protect her and she didn’t question it. True the voice had said the sigil may prevent her fate, so it was possible that the voice had been telling the truth and it just hadn’t worked. But Fluttershy couldn’t find the energy to trick herself anymore, the voice had lied to her about what the sigil would do, that was the simple truth. And if it had indeed lied about that, what else had it lied about.

Everything Fluttershy had done over the past weeks, the past months even; she was beginning to see those actions in a whole new light, as the actions of a deluded fool who willingly helped an evil entity do unspeakable things. So many ponies were dead, so many of her friends were gone, until now Fluttershy had found comfort in the belief that it was only temporary, it was all necessary, and that when it was all over everything would go back to the way it was.

She didn’t even know if that was possible anymore, didn’t know whether to believe that the voice really would stay true to its word and honour their deal. If it did, if by some miracle everything that she had done wasn’t done in vain, did that really exemplify her? Did the ends truly justify the means? The terrible means she had been responsible for, could her friends ever forgive her for putting them through all this? And if the voice didn’t honour their deal…

Fluttershy stood up. She didn’t know where she was going, but she needed to go somewhere, she would search all night until she found answers… found a direction. That mysterious figure who gave her the horn at the Gala said she was on the right path, at the time Fluttershy had thought of her as an ally, been thankful for another to dissuade any doubts she was having… but now she couldn’t have been more lost, and that pony's words brought her no comfort.

Perhaps she had become complacent to the nightmares during her night-time wanderings, perhaps the castle felt as sorry for her as she felt for herself. Whatever it was, she encountered no threats, foes or obstacles as she travelled to the central chamber and began ascending the staircase. There was only one staircase now, a single spiral one that could take her to all floors; she knew it was the blood of Philomena that she had spilt that caused them to move into this formation.

She continued to walk until she arrived at the very top floor, until she came face to face with the three doors, one unspectacular, the other two quite the opposite. She tested Celestia’s door first, finding it locked. It made sense, the sun princess’s door opened during the day but locked during the night, meaning that Luna’s door…

It was cold to the touch, and a part of Fluttershy already knew why that was the case, the other part of her pushed the door open in order to find out. It was predictably well furnished, ornate and majestic, almost a complete replica of its daytime counterpart. There were two major differences however, the first was the ice. The entire room looked as if it had been exposed to a localised blizzard, with every surface and object coated in a layer of solid ice. It resulted in the entire room acting like a giant walk in freezer, probably to serve the second major difference.

The second difference… was the bodies. They were scattered all over the room, dumped into random positions by something too lazy to give them any proper respect. The charred corpse of Spitfire stood propped against the door to the ensuit bathroom, Filthy Rich clumsily tossed behind the vanity. Derpy’s body lay on one side of the bed, relatively undamaged compared to the others, while Applejack's brutalised body lay beside her. A body she could only assume to be Fleetfoot’s was lying half under the four poster bed, the mutilated head mercifully out of view. There was even a cardboard box with the words ‘Cheese Sandwich’ daubed on the side; Fluttershy didn’t dare look inside that.

Chrysalis’s remains were nowhere to be seen, but what really drew Fluttershy’s attention was the body at the centre of the room. Soarin, frozen in a strangely purposeful position on an equally icy love seat, with one of his forelegs draped over a large empty space beside him, obviously meant for the one pony the Mastermind hadn’t been able to steal from them, to be slotted in like they were dolls.

Fluttershy turned away from the twisted sight, walking slowly towards the bed and her other dear friend, her shaky breaths misting before her. As she drew near to Applejack she raised a trembling hoof, only to leap back as the voice sounded right in front of her.

It’s sad, isn’t it? To lose those closest and dearest to you.

Fluttershy stood trembling, out of a mixture of fear, disgust and anger. For once the voice didn’t seem to be coming from all around her or within her own head; it was like it was speaking directly from the desecrated body of her departed friend.

It would make even the strongest willed ponies lose sight of what they sought to achieve.

“No…” Fluttershy murmured in a quavering voice. “I didn’t lose sight, you blinded me! Everything I’ve done… all the pain I’ve caused… You never wanted to help; you never did anything but lie! Discord was right…”

Have you forgotten everything I’ve told you? Have you lost faith in me? In my word?

“Your word has no value!” Fluttershy raged, angry tears spilling down her cheeks. “Cadance is dead because of what I did, admit it!”

Cadance’s sacrifice was necessary! Just like all those around you…

“Necessary! Necessary! No more!” Fluttershy screamed, tearing her gaze from the bodies of her friends. “I let you talk me into believing… No, I let myself believe that I could do anything and it wouldn’t matter so long as the eventual outcome was a good one. I fooled myself into believing the ends justified the means, but they don’t. Even if you could take all this back, even if you could fix the hurt we caused, my friends would never forgive me… I could never let them, not after the pain they endured because of me.”

There was a long moment of silence in which Fluttershy began to worry how the voice would react to her defiance.

So… that’s it then? Our deal is at an end?

“Was there ever really a deal?” Fluttershy muttered. “Or just your schemes?

Well then, I guess you have one final choice ahead of you. Look around you Fluttershy.

“No…” Fluttershy attempted to say.

I said LOOK!

Fluttershy, startled by the sudden forcefulness of the voice, obeyed. She turned and looked around the room at the bodies of all her friends, all the lives ended by her actions.

Tomorrow… no, today marks the beginning of the end of our little game. What you see now is all you will receive if you walk away from our deal, they will never come back, and the few that manage to survive will never find happiness in their lives… and she will never be yours.

Fluttershy fell to her knees, her anger draining from her as she was overcome by sorrow and guilt.

But… if you put your faith in me and my words one final time, if you help me do what is necessary, I can change all that. Everything I promised you will be yours; your sins will be washed away along with their despair.

“How can I trust you?” Fluttershy asked weakly. “How do I know you’ll really do any of that?”

You don’t… but isn’t it worth the risk? If there is even the slightest possibility that you can undo all your mistakes, wouldn’t you take it?

Fluttershy didn’t answer; she no longer trusted her own judgement.

The choice is yours, take the leap of faith… or accept you’ve already lost everything.

With that, the voice faded leaving Fluttershy alone with the dead. That suited her just fine, she was going to need a lot of time to think… as well as make some late apologies.

Day 14, 11:08

Fluttershy was feeling utterly miserable, not due to the complete lack of sleep, no she barely noticed that. She was faced with an ultimatum, continue down the path that caused so much pain in the slim hope that the voice would honour their deal, or stop now, come clean to the others about everything she had done before she could hurt them anymore. The thought terrified her more than anything she had been made to face under the instructions of the voice, she had lost so much through her own deluded actions, Pinkie Pie and Rarity were all she had left. If they found out what she had done, if they left her…

Fluttershy was torn from her reverie by the sound of galloping, looking up she saw Pinkie charging in her direction. Could Pinkie maybe offer her some advice on her dilemma, Fluttershy could be subtle about it, find out where Pinkie stood on the whole matter without making it obvious why she was probing.

No, she already knew how Pinkie would answer. Ever since they arrived here Pinkie had been their leader, their stone of hope against the waves of despair. She worked tirelessly day after day to try and save everypony, she would never have considered sacrificing a life for anything, even if that life could be salvaged after, Pinkie would always look for another way. Fluttershy envied that about her, but more than that, she admired it.

I wish I could have been as strong as you… I should have been there for you, putting my faith in you and not some voice in my head.

Pinkie was getting closer; she had a distant look about her, as if she had just had some great revelation. Fluttershy was glad, she knew how hard Pinkie worked, it was nice that it was paying off for her. Fluttershy found it best to usually stand to the side and let Pinkie do her thing, but still… she did have a habit of working herself to the bone. She was getting thinner by the day, paler, and Fluttershy had noticed her reluctance to take her medication. She needed to address this, even if she couldn’t tell her the terrible truth of what she had done, she could still help in her own little ways.

“Pinkie Pie, can we talk for a mo…” she began to say, but before she could finish Pinkie had sprinted past her, like she hadn’t even registered her presence.

Fluttershy felt a twinge at that, but it was quickly drowned out by her concern. Whatever Pinkie had discovered must have been really big, but she was hurting herself. Fluttershy had dealt with more death in the last couple weeks than she had in her lifetime, she had lost some of her closest and oldest friends, but at no point had she ever seriously considered the possibility of Pinkie Pie dying during this game. That was one sacrifice she would never make no matter how necessary it appeared to be.

Fluttershy!

Fluttershy jumped slightly at the urgency of the voice.

The time is now! You must choose. Accept that your friends are gone and never coming back… or do as I say and save everypony?

Fluttershy shook from head to hoof, she knew the decision had to be made, but she wasn’t expecting it to be sprung on her so suddenly. She needed more time, she needed…

FLUTTERSHY!

The voice was screeching now, no longer resembling the calm, comforting tone she had heard all those months back, but instead something… evil, demonic, unnatural.

Fluttershy took a deep breath, she had been backed into a corner and she knew it. All she could do now was pray that it would all be worth it in the end.

“What do you need me to do?”

Day 14, 11:50

Fluttershy watched Pinkie Pie from the shadows, holding the wooden perch she had taken from the aviary so tightly it made her hooves go numb. She knew instinctively what she was expected to do, the voice didn’t even need to instruct her, and the thought of it made her insides go deathly cold. Once she had the perch the voice had directed her to go to the chapel and wait for Pinkie to return, she knew something terrible was a foot when she was instructed to hide from her.

She watched as Pinkie entered the room, watched her throw the knife at the rose window and get thrown back. Fluttershy had been shielded from the shockwave by the pillar she hid behind, and she wanted nothing more than to rush out of it and go see if Pinkie was alright. She watched as Pinkie undressed herself before clumsily trying to jump through the broken window, doing even more damage to herself. Fluttershy had to shut her eyes, knowing she wouldn’t be able to hold her ground if she watched Pinkie hurt herself anymore.

Once Pinkie was up the ladder and safely out of sight, Fluttershy flew up behind her, staying as silent as possible. She didn’t even need to be subtle as Pinkie was so distracted by the wondrous invention all around her to pay any heed to Fluttershy stalking her. Fluttershy would have loved to take time to examine it as well, but she was too focused on her final mission, too focused on the awful thing she was about to do.

Now as she stood several feet behind Pinkie, the perch in her grip, a battle was raging inside of her, paralysing her to the spot. She couldn’t hurt Pinkie, of all ponies Pinkie was the one she could never bring herself to harm.

But I’ve already brought harm to her… I’m responsible for her being here, for her having to endure this nightmare a second time. And now the only hope I have of saving her from it… is to hurt her again.

Fluttershy knew what she had to do, and she knew she had to do it soon; Pinkie was looking right at the horn. She stood up on her hind legs, raising the wooden baton high, every muscle in her body trying to rebel against her, her eyes threatening to burst with the strain of holding back her tears.

“I’m so sorry…” Fluttershy whispered, so quietly she wasn’t entirely sure she had spoken it aloud.

Then, before she could stop herself, she brought the perch crashing down.

Pinkie’s body crumpled almost instantly, a faint croaking noise emerged from her slack mouth as she toppled over and rolled onto her side slightly. Fluttershy felt her own muscles weaken, dropped to all fours, her legs barely keeping her up. She stumbled forwards a few paces right past Pinkie’s body, her mind having come to a halt, unable to process what she had just done.

Then it hit her. The perch fell from her grip, clattering to the floor, and her legs gave way, allowing her to fall to the ground where she could wail and cry and not give a damn.

Fluttershy was a monster… she had brought death and suffering to so many ponies, to ponies she had the audacity to call her friends. And now she had committed her final sin, she had struck down the one pony she claimed to love with all her heart. Fluttershy was a monster, even if this could all be undone, she didn’t deserve any of it. She didn’t deserve to have such wonderful ponies in her life, she didn’t deserve happiness and she didn’t deserve love.

Fluttershy…

Fluttershy didn’t respond, but she did start dragging her limp body across the rest of the clockwork room to where the horn was being held by those metal prongs, siphoning it off its power. When she finally reached it she began to pick herself up, prepared to bring an end to the nightmare she had started.

“You’ll keep your word…” she said miserably as she reached out. “You’ll bring them all back, you’ll make them happy.”

That is what I promised you…

Then Fluttershy’s hoof wrapped around the horn, and the power the machine was drawing from it ceased flowing… and instead directed itself into her. When the voice spoke again, its tone was malicious and victorious.

I lied!

Day 16, 07:00

Fluttershy’s eyelids cracked open, much to her dismay, she was tired, she wanted nothing more than to rest. As she opened her eyes however, they were immediately drawn to the figure directly opposite her. Pinkie Pie stood, strong and defiant, even as the darkness threatened to overcome her. She was talking, it was definitely Pinkie Pie talking, Fluttershy knew that in her heart. She sounded… victorious? Had she done it? Had she won?

But then why were they here? Who had died? Who was the killer? Somewhere deep within Fluttershy, she knew the answers to those questions. She heard Rarity’s cries of objection, confirming the fears in her own heart, but she also heard Pinkie’s response, assuring them that it was going to be alright… and Fluttershy believed her.

I’ll put my faith in you Pinkie… like I should have from the beginning…

She watched Pinkie turn her own dial, she knew what was coming. Fluttershy wanted to stand up so much, to speak to Pinkie one last time, to tell her… what? That she loved her? That she was sorry? Or just thank you… thank you for everything?

She couldn’t do it however, no matter how much she wanted to stand up and speak those words, the call of sleep was too overpowering. She needed to rest, just for a moment. She wasn’t sure why, but the idea of this particular rest… it made her feel happy, it felt right.

She heard those final two words, and watched as Pinkie fell through the floor, into the waiting hands of death. She managed a small smile, knowing Pinkie was doing the right thing. And that just left her, and this incredible feeling of fatigue…

Fluttershy allowed her eyes to close once more, accepting her sleep. She didn’t mind, it felt… no, it didn’t feel necessary… but it was what she wanted to do, and that made her happy.

Author's Notes:

Here we have it, months after I said it would be released, the first bonus chapter. It's been a long time since I did any writing, and it really makes me happy to get back into it. I plan to release the next bonus chapter soon before my university work really kicks in again after the holidays.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this little insight into Fluttershy's struggles and trials.
Random tid-bit, the chapter title is a reference to Saw 4. Also anyone with a good memory (unlike me clearly) will remember that the letter found in Celestia's bedroom stated that the horn was going to be moved TO the vault after the presumed attempted theft, not FROM it which is the case here because I got it mixed up while writing.