When Red woke up, he saw that he was no longer in a cast. The fuck? "Your welcome." Thanks... Red got out of the bed, and realized that something was off about the infirmary he was in. It looked more filthy, almost like it had been abandoned some time ago. Uh, Broken, you getting deja vu too? "Yeah, any idea why?" None whatsoever. When Red looked out the grime covered window, he saw only a heavy fog. Wait... Oh no. Broken, it seems we're back... "Where?" Well, not exactly back, but somewhere pretty fucking close. "Wait, you're not seriously saying..." I'm afraid I am... "Um, would somepony please explain to me what's going on?" I'm guessing we're in this world's variation of a place where it's a personal hell to whoever goes there. "Shit. Here I was, thinking we'd never see that place again, and we're suddenly dropped off in it, without a single warning. Sometimes life gives you lemons, then takes the lemons back, and squeezes the juices into your eyes."

Red walked out of the room, and saw no guards. He wasn't surprised, last time he was here, it was only him and Broken, and he had barely made it out alive. It was like life had a personal grudge against him. Walking to the throne room, Red saw some kind of creature. As he drew closer, Red saw that it was the corpse of a pony. It was flat on it's stomach. As Red knelt down to inspect it, he saw that the mark on the back of the pony was gone, and it looked like it had been carefully cut off. Wait, I know someone who did this before... Turning the body over, he saw that the insides of the pony had been either ripped or shoveled out. Wait, is she here? It sure looks like her handiwork.

Red stood up, and continued walking to the throne room. After about five minutes, Red heard something that sounded a lot like giggling. Stopping, he looked around, but saw nothing. "Shit, is she seriously here?" She must be, who else would giggle like that in this kind of place? "Dammit, I was not looking forward to seeing her again." Red kept walking for what felt like five minutes. Stopping, he looked ahead. The hallway looked infinite.

Turning around, he saw another creature, this one was definitely alive. Walking to it, Red saw that it was a pony. With a flat mane, and tail, and the entirety of the pony was pink. Shit. "Well, this can't end well. The pony saw Red, then gasped. Then Red was suddenly in a bear hug, on the floor. Red sighed. "Hey Pinkamena, it's been a while, hasn't it?" "It sure has!" Pinkamena hugged him even tighter. "Oh god, are you two going to fuck on the floor? If so, what the literal fuck man?" Shut it, we're not going to have sex. "So, Pinkamena, how have the others been since... I left?" "Not good. Without your brother to keep everyone in line, they've all been at each other's throats. Literally. Jeff nearly ripped out Jane's throat." "And that's different from any other day, how?" "I don't want to go into detail, but the mansion's been nothing but pure chaos. Red? Do you think you'll ever come back?" "Maybe one day. Maybe..." "I hope so. I've missed you, and so have a few of the others." "Really, like who?" "Well, Jack, BEN, Jane, Masky and Hoodie, and even Jeff." "Wait, Jeff misses me?" Pinkamena nodded and said, "Yeah, I was surprised too, considering how much you guys fought. But Jack's probably the one who misses you the most. He's done nothing but look at the door in his free time. I guess he's hoping you'll come back one day." "Really? Well, when you get back, tell them I said hi. It's the least I can do. I haven't talked to them in so long..." The two just hugged each other, before Red spoke again. "If I could, I would visit. Even if only for a minute." Then, the two heard a low growl, coming from behind Red. Red turned, and saw the creature he had passed by earlier.

Pinkamena rolled off of Red. Red stood up, ready for a fight. Red gripped the sword on his back, grateful he had a weapon. The pony was walking toward the two. As it drew closer, the two noticed it wasn't heading to them specifically, only the direction that they were in. Looking behind the pony, Red saw something else. Something bigger, and, if he knew anything of this world, badder. Squinting, Red saw that it was another pony. With a helmet in the shape of a pyramid. Red's eyes snapped open, and Red sheathed his sword. Picking Pinkamena up, Red ran as fast as he could with the extra weight. Red took as many turns as he could. Kicking a door open, rushing inside, and kicking it closed, Red set Pinkamena down.

Red was breathing heavily, he wasn't used to having to run at full speed, with an extra passenger in his arms, for fifteen minutes. "Uh, what was that all about?" Red took a deep breath before explaining, "The thing behind the pony, it had a helmet, one that was too familiar to me. It nearly took my life more times that I can remember. Trust me when I say do not fuck with that thing." Red began breathing heavily again. Pinkamena was shocked. He was actually afraid of something other than himself? "This place, you've been here before, haven't you Red?" "Yeah, I'd rather not talk about it. Whenever I tell you to do something, do it, without any hesitation, got it?" "Yeah, why do you sound so afraid?" "Because I am. This place, it won't let me use my abilities. It won't allow me to. I had to learn to not be relying on my powers all the time."

"Wait, what do you mean, this place wouldn't 'allow' you to use your powers?" "Exactly that. I couldn't do a thing. Nearly died finding out." "So, you can't use any of your powers? How exactly did you survive the first time?" "Honestly, I'm not sure. Maybe I was lucky. Maybe there was something that just kept me going. Maybe this place decided to let me live. Could be any of those reasons." Red sighed, then sat down on a rusted bench that was in the room. Pinkamena walked up to him, then hugged him again. "Hey, Red? Remember how we first met?" "Of course I do. I tried to kill myself multiple times." "Yeah, but someone always stopped you. Remember our first mission together?" "Hmph, that's something I could never forget. And it's a memory I hope I never forget."

Red sighed again. He wished that they could stay like this for a while longer, but he knew better. Next Chapter: Return Part II Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 24 Minutes