„What do you mean, a nightmare?“ Fear can be heard out in Twilight´s question as she views me appalled. We stand in front of the window with the best view on our looming doom. For a long few seconds I am unable to answer her and just stare outside. Meanwhile spreads the black cloud further and further, swallowing everything on its way. The area it contains is close to one and a half football fields and you are unable to see the ground through the thick dark mist. As if a painter decided to skip the landscape and only drew everything else.

“I-It´s like I said… a nightmare, supposedly something only out of my dream.” Without turning my head I glance over to Twilight out of the corner of my eye. “Someone was totally in the wrong and I will demand an apology.”

This is so wrong! Princess Celestia and Princess Luna said that it was only a dream. “R-Robert.” Sure, I didn´t believe it… but somewhere deep in my mind I wanted to trust those words. Whatever this is, it will not be something friendly. “Robert?” Those piercing eyes, a fluttering mane and this sinister smirk, these are the memories that flash before my eyes. He said he would come back! He said it and now he will take whatever he wants. “ROBERT!”

Wincing by her voice, I jerk my head around. “Yes?” Her expression is stern and makes me shut up immediately.

“Tell me everything. And by everything I mean everything. What did you mean by dream and who has to apologize to you?” A big lump in my throat makes it hard to speak and I feel cold sweat running down my face.

Screams of horror are audible from outside, looks like the first ponies took notice of it. “It was just a dream!” Scared, I shout my response at Twilight, who flinches by my outburst. “Both princesses said it was just that, a single nightmare on the night were we slept over at the Canterlot. You remember when I stayed back on the next day to talk to Celestia and Luna?” A single slow nod comes from her. “That was the time I asked them about the dream I had. Someone or something infiltrated the room where I and Rainbow Dash slept, attacked me and I was in fear of my life. Then there was some interference, don´t ask me what it was but I am grateful for it. I broke free and he told me that he would be back.” Dread is written all over Twilight´s face as I continue my story. “After that I woke up or something similar. It was like a shattering mirror and I saw Rainbow Dash shaking me repeatedly, stating that I was asleep. BUT I WAS NOT. A BLACK CLAWING MARK WAS ON MY CHEST. BUT IT VANISHED IN THE NIGHT AND I WAS TOO SCARED TO TALK ANYMORE AT THAT TIME.” My breath goes rapidly and I feel weak in my knees. The memories of pain and horror silence me completely.

A hoof on my shoulder sets me free of those memories. “And then?” Her silent question is like a breaking mallet.

Tears start to run down my face and mix themselves with sweat. “Princess Luna and Princess Celestia said it was only a dream. Nothing more and I shouldn’t worry. But I was so afraid. Even Pinkie and Rainbow Dash wouldn´t believe me. I tried to forget about it, set it aside, but it felt so real.” Sobbing in sheer fright, I go to my knees, burying my face in my hands.

“And you didn’t tell me because you thought that I would also not consider you words true?” Her reassuringly voice comes from before me as she caresses the top of my head.

“Y-y-yes.”

After a moment of silence she answers. “We will have a lot to work on, after this. If you can´t trust me then I am a failure as a teacher.”

“B-But that isn-…”

“Hush now. It is my task to look after you and I failed to realize that something bigger ate at you.”
With puffy eyes I look her in the eyes, those deep friendly purple eyes. “This is regretfully something we will postpone to a later moment. I have to go out there and help defending Ponyville and my friends.”

“YOU WANT TO GO OUT THERE?!” She is insane and it´s totally suicide. How can she take a bullet so simply?

“Of course I have to go and I want to. This is Ponyville, my home, the place my friends life, source of many fond memories and my responsibility as a princess.” A smirk appears on her calm face. “Also, this isn’t the first danger we had to handle here. Our friendship is strong enough to fend off all evil.”

Despite her serious expression, something else lingers behind that mask, something grim. “You stay here. Spike!” Her shout echoes through the castle, not very long after rushes a little dragon to us bursting through the door.

Barely stopping before us he comes to a hold. “T-Twilight, t-the… the town! What is it?” At least one of us is as scared as I am.

“No time explaining. You have to stay here with Robert. Don´t go outside!” Her demanding voice lets no room for protest. “I will try to find the girls and go up against this… thing.”

He immediately salutes before her obediently and peeks to me quickly. “Will make sure to do so, Twilight.” His expression changes to worry. “But be careful, ok?”

From the castle comes a responding glow as Twilight casts her magic. “No time for worries. I casted some defensive spells on the castle. You should be safe here.” She turns around and views Spike and me. “Stay safe.” And with a flash she vanishes from the room, leaving a baffled me and a worried dragon behind.

A loud screeching comes from outside and we both hurry to the window. By the scenery we get to see makes us gasp. My hands grab the ledge so hard that my bones are visible.

“This can´t be real,” I whisper ridden by fear. “What the hell is going on?” A big globe of black smoke shoots up in the air and suppresses the sunlight in mere seconds. It spreads evenly on a certain high, a few hundred feet up in the air. The area it darkens a few miles around Ponyville; I can see the sunbeams beyond it. Even without the sun is it possible to see your surroundings, but the mood became menacing, nothing left of the bright and colorful town.

A good thing is that the smoke stopped spreading now, pausing at a size of two football fields. Bad is just the fact that it doesn’t end with just that. Waves of black mist pile up and break in a breathtaking speed, giving us the impression of a raging sea. Each and every time a wave breaks it leaves behind shadowy figures, standing unaffected inside the raging smoke sea. Dozens of those things are set up, row after row. A living army of nightmare is being built before us. Due to the blackness of the creatures and the ground is it impossible to pin down their actual appearance.

After a few moments we can see at least one hundred of those things and as they all open their eyes at the same moment, shivers run down our spines. Dozens of white shining orbs stare at Ponyville, where a few ponies stand in front of the town. Not one of those things move for now, just staring disastrously. Twilight and her friends standing against the army with a few brave ponies, while other run panicked through the streets. Seem like they all want to get to the town hall.

“They are doomed.” By an outlook like this, everyone would lose hope. What can a few ponies achieve against a whole army of nightmarish creatures? Nothing! “How ca-…”

Another screeching sound erupts from the crack and sets the creatures free from their freeze. Like a stampede they charge right at town and as they run out of the black smoke we are greeted by their full forms. They look similar to bulky wolves made out of black flames, quivering nonstop and giving off small parts of flames to their surroundings. Luminous white light comes from their intimidating eyes and maws. A thirst is in their harried eyes, eager to carve their long sharp teeth into warm flesh. Vicious claws tear the ground as they engage, leaving behind a messy ground. This all happens while eerie predatory howls from hundreds of mouths resound.

There is no response from the defenders for a long time and I fear for their lives greatly. Finally begins the attack of the ponies as different colored magical beams travel across the gap between the two parties. I would be excited and inquisitively if the situation wouldn´t be so perilous.

“YES, take that,” shouts Spike enthusiastically and raises both fists to the air. His high spirits are crushed as the beams hit their supposedly target, only to pass through and having zero effect on their quick advance.

What happened? “They didn´t even flinch.” Not only we two are at a loss, especially the defenders are in a shock. But they had a second plan, it seems. A bright multicolored light comes from the defenders and illuminate the darken town in a somewhat crazy scenery. Are those lights the girls? Because of the brightness it is impossible to make out anything clearly. Especially if moments later a big light-eruption breaks forth that travels in all directions. Like a rainbow colored shockwave spreads the light and hits the attackers… only to do nothing. Unhindered they hurry to Ponyville, the glare in their eyes increased.

What was that? I think I can make out Twilight standing in front of the others as the light dims. “Come on, Twilight. Come on do something,” I recite hysterically as I watch in horror the gap between the shadow wolves and ponies decreases by the second.

Other things are thrown at the attackers and surprisingly slowing the wolves down minimally as a few creatures scatter briefly. Not that it matters much, since they are only a few remaining feet left. Shortly before both parties clash together flares a globe up, surrounding the defenders. A mere second later are the wolves crashing against it, clawing at it while other don´t even bother and just continue to advance into town. Luckily the globe endures the raid, while keeping the ponies inside trapped but safe at the same time.

Like a tsunami are the wolves collapsing upon the city. Wolves crawl over the buildings like disgusting spiders and I see them jumping from roof to roof, desperately trying to catch prey. Screams mix up with the howls from the wolves, as ponies try to get to safety. It gets pretty chaotic on the streets of Ponyville.

We spot one of these creatures jumping from a roof close to the castle and sailing right at us. Too scared to move we watch in horror as it sails through the air, its maw is widely open and his teeth clearly visible. Beside me falls Spike on his back and shrieks fearfully.

But before the wolf hits the window it catches a bypassing brown pegasus, that we couldn’t see from our current position. Probably did the pegasus try to get to the town hall but caught the attention of the beast. They both clash midair and in horror I watch the creature´s jaws clamp down, plunging it´s fangs into its victim´s warm flesh. Fresh blood splashes against the window as both bodies hit the window, which miraculously doesn’t break, and they drop out of sight a moment later.

“Urgh…” Spike vomits his breakfast and holds painfully his stomach. Barely able to not do the same, I can only stare at the blood as it runs down the glass. Terror, panic, nausea and despair mix together. The picture burns itself in the back of my mind, the shocked and fearful eyes of the pegasus, the teeth burrowing into the pony and these white wild piercing eyes.

Something deep inside me awakes a surge of power against the upcoming breakdown of mine. From the depths of my existence comes forth a strong wish to help those ponies, to not be useless. Rescue as many as possible and use every ounce of my body to do so.

“Can´t we let them inside the castle?” My whisper had the impact of a thunder against the silence and it makes Spike regain some of his composure.

Shakily standing up, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. Thoughtfully he answers after a moment. “Uhm… yes… the castle…is big enough. You are right… but… but it is as you see. These ponies all rush towards the town hall. They don´t even consider coming here! How will you accomplish to guide them here if we are not allowed to go outside?”

“We just have to ignore that.” Don´t ask me where my courage comes from. It is just there and energizes my whole body, repelling most of the entwining fear. I am also set on using this power.

Slowly I turn around to Spike, whose expression tells it clearly ‘are you insane?’ and I have to say… maybe I am. But right now this feels right. “We are minced meat before we reach them! You saw those creatures, they are tearing us apart. Didn´t you see, magic didn’t work on them, regardless the fact that you are in no position to use spells.”

“You don’t say,” I blurt out my response bluntly. “We have to find a way to fight back and then act quickly.” Not really convinced by my statement, Spike shakes his head. Think Robert, what could work, if magic is not the solution. Was there something that gave off a possible…

“OF COURSE!”

Spike looks at me inquiringly, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “What?”

How could I not see that the moment it happened? “Before the wolves spawned they blocked the sunlight. What does that hint?”

“They get easily sunburned?”

Ouch that hurt! I really feel the need facepalm myself here, but I just shake my head rapidly. “Noooo! They are weak to natural light. That’s at least the theory. Otherwise this wouldn´t make sense.” I point at the sky. “They didn´t spawn or attack, not before the mist cowered the sky! Maybe they are weak to sunlight or it even harms them. This is just a theory, but it is a chance worth gambling on it.” A big ‘Ooh’ comes from Spike. It´s so obvious! Why else would they blacken out the sun for only this area? “We have to make natural light!”

Spike doesn’t share my euphoria and points at the sky. “But that smoke stuff blocks the sun. And it is no doubt also immune to magic. That means, using pegasi to move it is futile. Their interaction with clouds is magic based too.”

Wow, for being at a loss at the beginning he actually picks up quickly and his speculation makes sadly sense. Didn´t know that this small dragon could… hold it. He is a dragon that can breathe fire! “What about you? You can spit fire.”

Another hope-crushing shake comes from him. “Also magical.”

Shit! Our options decline second after second. Valuable seconds in which the ponies outside are at the mercy of those dangerous shadow wolves. Each passing could be fatally for another life. Natural light… we need… natural light. What about a big fire? Wouldn’t be sufficient, just a temporary solution, but would buy time. Great amount of torches? Not enough light to help all citizens and we couldn’t handle so many. Soooo should we burn down a few houses to safe the ponies? No! I forgot that it would also be too dangerous to stay too close to such a fire.

Something, probably the spells Twilight casted, keeps them away from the crystal tree, which means that defensive spells really repel them and only aggressive spells doesn’t affect them. Or is it the tree? I saw a pony casting something on a house but that was just ignored by an assaulting wolf.

My gaze wanders over the horrific scenery that Ponyville has become. Those shadow wolves are everywhere and crawl on the walls and roofs, hunting for another prey. If one doesn’t get scent of anything for a few moments they howl to the black sky. … The sky… the black sky… as black as a storm cloud...

“If we can´t get something from above the smoke through,” I slowly conclude, „then we just have to make something UNDER it. That’s it! A storm, we need a big summer storm with a lot of lighting.” This idea drastically raises my spirits and I jump from one foot to the other. “Rainbow Dash and her flying buddies have to create a storm, as powerful as possible.”

Finally this idea seems to satisfy my little purple lizard companion. “That could… indeed work!” Then his expression changes back to worry. “But even if these things are affected by light, we can´t say for sure that they don´t just ignore it to get us.”

“It is worth the risk. Twilight and the others have to know about this. Think Spike, it could turn the whole momentum of the battle in our favor.” If we only have a little bit more help on our hands. What about Discord? Where is he at the moment? Remembering his explanation about summoning him, I shout out loud his name. “DISCORD! We need your help. Are you there?” My voice echoes from the walls, but there is no response from him. “Shoot!” Somehow I thought I would hear an answering machine, but my thought stays unfulfilled.

“Great, in the greatest time of need he is away.”

I glare at Spike angrily and defend the draconequus. “Who said that he isn´t busy? Maybe he is battling against those shadow beasts elsewhere.” With a sigh I put down my cape and my hat on the chair, the bells would announce me miles ahead. Not something helpful for what I plan to do.

“Maybe,” he shrugs frustrated, “maybe not.”

Nothing can be done about it. “We have to go, come! Lead us to some torches and from there we go straight to finding Rainbow Dash.” Quickly I head to the door and glance once back to the blood stained window. Everything beyond the glass is in all shades of red. Like a world filled with blood and fire. Not far off, to be fair. Then I rush through the door, Spike a step ahead of me.

We hurry silently though the corridors, each of us alone with one´s thoughts. Spike told me that the torches are kept near the front door in a secluded room. That means we don´t have to make any detours. We bypass a particular open door and I am only able to get a brief peek at what was inside. After a few more steps I stop on the spot.

Spike, being aware of my abrupt break, asks me breathlessly, “what´s *huff* wrong?”

“I got another little scheme. You go ahead, while I grab something beneficial. Let´s meet up at the front door.” Giving me a nod, he continues his way to get the torches, while I go back to the open door. My eyes didn´t disappoint me. This will be good. “That is exactly what we need. Perfect,” I whisper to no one in particular and go inside.

Maybe ten minutes passed as I turn around a corner and see the entrance area before me. Creepy darkened light shines through the windows, dyeing the room depressingly grey. At the front door is Spike, already expecting me with two dark wooden torches lying in front of him. I make sure that nothing falls out of my pockets as I get to him.

“Did you get what you wanted,” asks he me uneasily, clearly distressed by the sounds from beyond the door. The howls from outside give me shivers and I feel for him.

“Yes, sorry for the wait.” I give him a sneak peek at some crystal flasks that are in my pockets. “Everything set up and hopefully helpful.” I pick up a torch and step before the big massive doors that divide us and the hell outside. Am I really up to it? This is a stupid idea and against common sense and the order of Twilight Sparkle. And yet, this seems right.

“What is this? Twilight won´t be happy that you used her laboratory without permission. Never mind that, how are you able to make something helpful in the first place?”

“I will tell you on the way, but we don´t have the time chit chatting here.” I put a hand on one half of the gate. Slowly I turn my head to my little companion and he audible swallows. ”Ready?” His wide green open eyes meet my own and he lets out a long groan, before breathing fire at both torches at the same time.

“Ready,” he announces with as much courage as he can muster. Then he mirrors my move and puts his claw on the other door.

“We have to be fast, silent and invisible. Our primary target is to get to Rainbow Dash and inform her of our idea. Ponies we meet do we order to seek shelter in the castle and defend the door with as many natural light sources as possible.” My voice is calm and collected, quite the difference to my mind. Taking a deep breath I whisper, “here goe-….”

“Wait!” I stop my movement and look at Spike quizzically. “What if they came to the same conclusion as we did, but it isn’t working or they are prevented to do so?”

“Then we help where we can and lead the ponies to go to the castle.” Fear is seen in his eyes and who am I to judge him for that? We are probably about to take a bullet for this bet. Funny, exactly what I thought about Twilight. Hopefully she and the girls are safe and this idea is worth the risk.

“Here goes nothing,” I declare solemnly and we both push open the gates. They move slowly and unexpectedly creaking as if the door wants to go outside. After both doors swing open Spike and I dart outside. We are only two small lights against a complete oppressive army.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5VCr4B5fqg

It is a disaster out here, not only is it as dark as in a starless night, the smell of death and horrified screams add themselves to the hellish spectacle. Every now and then is distinguishably the howl of a shadow wolf to be heard. The empty streets and abandoned houses is a total turnaround from a few hours prior. No happy greetings, no fillies crashing into you, fun with friends at boutiques and the cheerfully mood… all gone.

Spike and I hurry through those empty streets, taking mostly the narrow alleys. We only walk out on the main streets if really needed. Our goal is the far north of Ponyville, where we last saw the princess and her defenders. Hopefully they are still there and if not then at a possible clue to their current whereabouts.

“This way,” Spike speaks under his breath as we go straight for the next alley. His breath goes rapidly and struggles to contain himself as he sees his hometown slowly turning into ruins. “We are on the right way here.”

“Lucky, those creatures didn´t notice us up till now. Because of this we make good progress.” My remark doesn’t seem to have any effect on him. His narrow eyes are fixed on our way and he´s grinding his teeth. What is up with his negativity? Maybe we really stand a chance to get through this.

Drawing closer is the end of this alley, as it connects with the main streets again. A shadow swooshes past the entrance to our alley, making me and Spike stop immediately. Our eyes are wide open as we stare at the point where it vanished, our holding our breath. Another few shadows follow now and a feral panting is shortly audible. No one of us moves a muscle for a few seconds feel like an eternity. Another time we are lucky, nothing happens and we sigh with relief.

“T-That was cl-close.” With a shaking voice I state the obvious, which earns me another ‘you don’t say?’ expression from Spike. “We should hurry before more of them come.”

We peek around the corner and see the shadow being a pegasus, now surrounded by three shadowy wolves. Slowly and threateningly drawing closer and closer and the pegasus backing further against the wall. A pitiful whimpers strike a chord inside of me and I feel panic. It seems to be a she and that is one dire situation.

“She is done for. We can´t help her against three of them. I don’t even think we could handle one.” Shocked by Spikes blunt heartless comment, I turn to him, only to see the sorrow and pain in his face. Is he trying to contain his feelings so it doesn’t hurt anymore?

“No,” I answer him silently.

“What do you say, no?”

I point at the four who are around fifty feet away. “We can save her.” I counter his disbelieving look with a suggestively nod to my trouser pockets. “She isn´t doomed, at least not with this. But you have to stay behind. If things go wrong than you proceed with the plan.” Normally I would say this is just dumb, and maybe it is, but I have a feeling that this pony needs to be saved and I don’t want to endanger the primary objective.

Without waiting for his response I sneak quietly out of the alley. The four down the street don´t notice me and I hurry from trash bin to corner of houses, always aware of the fact that I am carrying a lighted torch. I am scared shitless; if they catch me before I am in reach then I will be in a lot of trouble. But the strong desire to help right now overshadows all fears. My hand goes down to my trouser pockets and grabs one of the four flasks I was able to prepare in the short time at hand. It is a nearly transparent blue crystal phial, filled with a greyish powder and a short oiled cord sticking out of. Rarity will probably give me quite an earful for tearing up one of the curtains. If all works out, as in the theory, then she will forgive me this sin.

As I hide behind a stoop of a house, I have cleared over half the gap. This seems like a good position to make my move. Now I ignite the string, which thankfully catches fire instantly, and peek over the parapet. “Please work,” saying a quick prayer, I fling the filled crystal flask over to the shadow wolves.

They sense that something is coming and change their attention to me; their intimidating snarl makes me take a few steps back. Meanwhile, sailing through the air is my created hope at them, which they luckily doesn´t take note of. Time seems to slow down and I see the heavy muscles in their legs tense. Cold sweat runs me in my eyes, but I pay it no mind since the fire hits the mixture in this very instant.

My eyes go wide as nothing happens and the flask drops before my eyes on the ground. Slowly I look up from my vanishing hope and see the wolves jumping in my direction. Their teeth bared, ready to dig into my flesh. Pictures of the pegasus, that got caught before the window, appear before my eyes and also some memories of back home. Is that what they meant, you see your life flashing before your death?

All four of them are in the air as fate rejoices and favors me this time. Loud angry fizzles come from the flask and a mere second later is everything brightly lit with white light. It is so bright that I have to close my eyes and turn away, covering my eyes with my hands. A little me inside my head jumps happily, the agonizing yelps coming from the wolves are music to my ears. In between the yelps is the shocked shriek of a female voice to be heard. Then an ominous silence takes over.

Forcing myself to open my eyes at the enemies, I am greeted by three lifeless bodies lying on the ground. “IT WORKED,” I scream enthusiastically, before I remember that there are far more wolves still around. Quickly, I hurry to the pegasus mare and give the wolves only a quick glance. I must say, that worked better than expected. My mixture out of sulfur and magnesium worked wonderful against them. Luckily Twilight´s laboratory was open and the chemical substances are named the same as back home. The idea came after seeing the laboratory and chemical light is still non-magical and should definitely work… if my theory about natural light hurting them was right. Luckily it was.

If I ever get home again, then I will thank my uncle thousand times for the little chemistry set that he fortuitously tuned up a little… much to the chagrin of my parents. Well that set and the lessons in school. Something tells me Mr. Hojo didn´t intend to teach us chemistry to fight demonic shadow wolves from another world.

“Are you ok?” My question lets the mare perk up and her ears twitch nervously. She has a grey coat and yellow hair, currently holding her hoofs in front of her face. “It is alright, you are save now.” I try to sound as comforting as possible and come closer. “They are go-… Oh my god what have I done?” Shocked as she gazes at me, I go down on my haunches. This is not what I intended! I didn’t even know this could happen.

Cautiously looking around, she sees that I told the truth and gives a relieved sigh. “They really are gone. That is good and oh yes, also thank you.” Then she surveys me. Puzzled by my reaction she turns her head slightly sideways. “Huh? What´s wrong?”

Guiltily I point at my eyes. “Your eyes… I… I think I m-messed them up.” The pony in front of me has twisted eyes. One of those beautiful yellow-orange eyes looks up while the other looks down. “I-I am soooo sorry,” I sob sadly.

“Hehehe you are silly.” Her giggling confuses me and I look up, only to see her smiling face. “I was born this way. My name is Derpy.” This makes me breathe a sigh of relief. “Say, you are this ‘Hjumen’ right? I saw you earlier with the princess. Oh and also Rainbow Dash told me about you.”

“Human,” I correct her quickly and then look at Spike who joins us. “And yes, I was with Twilight as I am currently under her care. Name is Robert, pleased to meet you.” Then the little assistant reaches us and I greet him eagerly. “Hey Spike, it worked nearly perfect.”

Happy with the success of my little trick, he grins at me before waving to Derpy. “I saw that… I also saw the fact that you were close to dying. My heart stopped as they jumped and your mixture didn´t go off. Hey Derpy.”

Giving him a nod, I bow down and grab the now empty flask, it´s blackened with soot. Due to the quick reaction it is safe to touch and I am proud of myself. The mixture did a great job and only a quick wash is needed before it will be reusable again. “Yeah… I was nearly a goner.”

“What are you two doing out here,” Derpy asks us as I walk over to the lifeless bodies of the wolves. “You shouldn´t be out here.”

“We have to get to Rainbow Dash. We have an idea and for that, we need at least one of the weather team members,” I explain without looking up to her, these wolves look fascinating and scary at the same time. The swirling shadows around them are their fur and beneath it is a solid body. Even if the body is solid, it is still bloodless. No source of life oozes out of the holes. Instead are there just the holes and I can see through it completely; quite disturbing.

Magic immunity, enhanced strength and greater senses come with the drawback of strong fragility to natural light sources? These things are clearly made for the hunt against magic users. And there are a few dozen more of them around.

The mare just stands there and gives us some room, staying silent. Meanwhile I continue to investigate the body; maybe I can discover some more advantages over these things for the near future.

“Are you not part of the weather team too, Derpy?” Spike´s statement makes me refocus my attention to him.

“Er yes, I am.”

I blink a few times and look confused at her, who doesn’t get Spike´s point. Now she tilts her head again and raises her eyebrows. That may make her look cute as hell but isn´t helping against flesh eating shadow wolves out of a living nightmare. And that is the problem we have at the moment.

Deciding not to go deeper into her denseness, I point at the sky. “Derpy, we need a big storm, one with lots of lightning.” I point at the holes in the body lying before us. “Those things are weak to natural light and we probably can´t get rid of the smoke that blocks the sun at the moment. I need you to get your colleagues together and do just that. Can you do that?”

“Oki doky. I am very good in creating storms, Rainbow says that I am the best at being a disturbance. And a storm is a biiig disturbance,” she answers and is about to lift off. What is wrong with this mare?

“WAIT! You have to be careful.” She stops midair and responds with a smile. “And can you tell everypony else to seek shelter inside the castle of the princess? They should be safe there.”

“No problem.” And with this she is up and gone. I see her flying from chimney to chimney, hitting some of them. Letting out a long sigh, I question myself to ask her. Me and my companion watch the pegasus vanish from our view, speaking no word for a long lasting moment.

“You will still inform Rainbow Dash on the fastest way possible,” questions Spike with a knowing tone, still looking in the direction where Derpy went.

“You bet I will!”

In the next twenty minutes we continue our way towards Ponyville´s border, hopefully finding Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Sneaking from one alley to another, we only had to use two more flasks to surprise some wolves that we otherwise couldn´t pass without being noticed. Luckily we also met a few ponies, who were mostly unharmed. As I talked to them about seeking shelter in the castle tree, they didn´t trust my words. Only after Spike stated the same, they accepted it. Instantly they recognized the assistant of the princess and agreed to search for other ponies on their way to the castle.

Ponyville was a mess. Everywhere we looked was horror and destruction. Doors were broken in, windows smashed, roofs partially ripped open and also some buildings caught fire. The number of screams and howls decreased over the past minutes and most of the time we walked in a spooky silent ghostlike town.

“Are we not there yet? Was Ponyville always this big?” Slowly but surely I feel my stamina diminish, that´s what I get for avoiding too much physical work. I only did the bare minimum on the farm, which was still too much in my opinion up till this. Now I curse me.

Spike is still tiptoeing in the front of me, his torch clutched tightly in his claw. Looking back at me, he nods quickly and points ahead. “It is not far. Only two more alleys to pass through and we have reached it.” Muttering to himself, Spike grinds of his teeth. “Hopefully she is still there, which I somehow doubt.”

This is also one of the many disputes in my head, which gives me a headache. “Hopefully Fortuna is with us. And yes,” I say quickly answering him before he can say the question, „another human-thing. It means that the goddess of luck is on our side.”

Spike grins and shakes his head slightly. “I thought you had only o-… eeeewhhh what is that.” Something dropped onto Spike´s arm. It is white and slimy, Spike touches it grossed out. “It is sticky. Where did it co-…AAAAAAHHH!”

His frightened scream as he looks up tells me that my greatest fear came true. Trembling like a leaf, I slowly raise my gaze above us and I feel a cold fear running through my body. Two terrifying wolves observe us from the roofs. They are at least twice the size of all the other wolves we encountered and the roof creaks due to the weight it has to hold. Salvia drips down from their jaws, what makes them look even more threatening.

One is a few feet ahead of us and the other directly above us, closing off all possible escape routes. We are trapped like rats and they know it. I may have my last flask with me but I doubt that they will just let me ignite it. Validating my assumption, I move my hand slowly to my pockets, only to be rewarded with a primal growl from both. No, they won´t let me do this. But it is our only hope, the torches, as we saw it before, have only little effect on them.

Yes… little… but not zero. “Spike,” I whisper carefully, „we have to use the flask. But we need time; time to ignite it and wait for the reaction to start. Can you hold them off?”

No reaction comes from Spike and I can only hope that he can do it. There is just no time to plan further, as the wolves slowly crawl down the wall on both our sides. One could guess their strength as they hold up their body. Every time they make another step down the wall, the claws dig into the wood with a loud splintering noise. These two are hungry for us and enjoy having their prey hopelessly trapped between them. Mercy is a not one of their traits and if something comes in between those jaws, it is sure to be brutally crushed.

With a quick move I grab the flask and hold the fuse to the flame of the torch. The wolves answer with a quick dash of their own as they launch themselves off the facade. It´s terrifying how quick such a huge body can move with sheer physical strength.

Shocked, I get a glance at Spike, who doesn´t take any kind action and just stands there motionless. I trusted him too much and this will probably seal our fate. The fuse ignites after a short moment but it is too slow as the wolves reach us and I get swept off my feet. A sharp pain surges through my chest and I scream up till I land on my back and all air is pressed out of my lungs. Another high pitched scream is hearable as Spike crashes into something.

Ridden by pain, I try to open my teary eyes and look in the direction where I heard Spike. I spot him crouched in between some dustbins, he seem out cold if not something worse. “Urgh… S-Sp-Spike?” No response comes from him and that destroys that hope. Where is this damn flask? God it hurts so much. Never in my life did I feel pain and fear like this and I would scream if I could find the energy to do so.

A flesh crawling snarl comes from before me and I raise my head, only to be greeted by the wolf that attacked me. He is only a few steps away and is coming slowly closer. I also take a quick glance at my chest and it´s no wonder I feel so much pain. My shirt is torn and bloodied by three claw marks, which start at my left side and goes over my chest up to my right shoulder. Slowly but surely the red dots increase in size. This is the second scariest thing I ever saw... only the nightmare pony was worse.

Everything is lost. We were close, but our luck ran out it seems. Somehow I doubt that my end will be long-drawn-out. Oh god, one of those bites and I will be done for. “I don’t want to die,” I whine and my mind goes wild.

Thinking about my family, I remember the faces of everyone and bid them goodbye, sadly that I will not see them again. Rachel will be really sad about this and so will be my parents. My friends back in school will graduate without me. These and similar thoughts cross my mind, as something catches my eye. The flask!

The stupid thing is right under the wolf and the fuse unfortunately went out as it dropped to the ground. If hit correctly it should reignite and send the wolf to oblivion. The thing is that the torch, which luckily is still in hands reach, is hard to throw because the pain makes it hard to move my arms. But I had to at least give it a try.

“Dear god, this hurts so much.” Even stretching out my arm is painful and I can feel the increasing amount of blood running over my chest. I cry and grab the torch desperately and slide it across the ground with all power I can muster.

Light flickers on the dark walls as the torch rolls towards the wolf, which jumps over it, hissing at it annoyed. Not paying it much attention, the wolf now pounces at me and I scream in panic, holding my arms in front of my face, even if it won´t have much effect. I can smell its rotten breath washing over me and a loud scream comes from the top of my lungs. Without great effort he pins my arms down on the ground and I am face to face with it. In fascinated fear I stare at its white teeth and eyes, the floating ghostly mane and the muscles working under it.

The teeth are only inches away from me. Now I am also able to see inside the maw, where a red long tongue lashes out. It drags over my face and it covers me in sticky salvia. Let me correct myself… this is the scariest scene in my entire life. But then I hear a certain fizzling sound from behind the wolf, making it clear what time it is. Payback time! “Urgh… rot in hell,” I curse with clenched teeth and after that the mixture ignites.

Focused by the design the light is bundled in beams and they pierce the wolf above me. Light beam after light beam bursts through the shadow body, leaving behind fist-sized tunnels. A short pained cry is all the wolf is able to do before it drops dead, unluckily right on top of me.

As its body impacts with my chest, I let out a scream of my own and feel the increased blood flow out of my wounds. “AAAAAAAAAhhhhhh damn… urgh.” The pain is too much and I vomit my breakfast after turning my head sideways across the ground. My mouth feels dry and disgusting, my head hurts and my body trembles. Breathing is difficult due to the heavy body on me and it also pins me down to the ground.
This worked out nearly fine, but how the hell do get out of here? Giving it a little try, I press against the huge body of the wolf in vain. It is too heavy… and painful for my body. “Spike? Wake up…,” I plead anxiously and try to catch a glimpse on the purple dragon.

“Grrrrrh.” Oh god, the second wolf! I completely forget about the other one of the duo. By the sounds of it did the wolf not only survive, it´s also pretty pissed. Well I killed his buddy, who wouldn’t be angry

I try to turn my head and confirm my fear, flexing my head as far as possible. And there he is. Unharmed, angry and hungry for revenge comes the second wolf right for me. This is it. I got no more flasks and my torch lies down the alley. No more aces up my sleeve… I played my hand and it wasn´t enough.

“HEEEEEEELP!” Fearfully I scream for a wonder to happen, which only seems to amuse the wolf. “HELP ME! SOMEONE… SOMEPONY!” Slowly the wolf comes closer and I try again to get the dead wolf off me fruitlessly. There is nothing left of the braveness from before as big tears run down my face. “Come on, geeet… ooof me.”

I look up and see the second time a shadow wolf up close as the salvia drops on my forehead, ready to bite my head off. Nothing left to do, I stare defiantly with redden eyes at it. “NOOOOOOO!”

“OH YEAH!”

Something blue connects with the wolf and hits it right in the face. The wolf disbands completely, scattering twisting shadow parts everywhere. Still staring at the position where my doom stood, I am confused and in disbelief. Due to me lying on my back, I am unable to see who exactly came to our rescue. But I have a solid guess.

“R-Rainbow D-D-Dash,” I ask sobbingly and get a look at my savior. “Is that you? Please, help me.”

Rainbow Dash´s face appears in my view and she looks concerned at me. “Oh my gosh, kiddo. That was a close call. Let´s get you out of there.” She steps around the body of the other wolf and pushes it off me enough for me to rob away from it. Another whimper escapes my lips as I feel my chest throb painfully. “You are hurt!” With shocked expression she looks at my chest and inspects it instantly.

Her soft hoof lifts my shirt and I hear her gasp and snort. “What the hay are you doing out here! Twilight told me she left you at the castle.” I try to say something but she just goes on. “Now I fly above town only to see you and Spike nearly being dinner for those things.” Angry with my decision to go outside, Rainbow Dash gives me a soft hit on my head, still with zero chance to defend myself. “Lucky for you that this wound seems to be not too deep and Spike here,” she rushes over to him, hears for his breathing and drags him out of the trash, „is just out cold for the moment.” Relieved she sighs and shakes her head. “I need to get you two to safety. Fluttershy has still to take a look on that wound.”

Tears run down my face and I throw myself at my savior, hugging her as well as I can. The pain from the chest is a small price for it. “Thank you! I was soo scared… they were so close.”

The pegasus is confused for a moment before she hugs me back and starts rubbing my back. “Hey kiddo, it is alright now.”

For a few moments we just stand there, while I try to calm down a little. After that I whisper, “these wolves are weak to natural light. But only if it is really bright. Urgh,” groaning I grab my blood covered chest, which only makes it worse.

“Robert wait wait wait. The egghead already came to the same conclusion.”

“What?”

“Yes, after the first attack we found out that neither magic nor the power of the Elements of Harmony worked on them, but they strangely stayed away from every natural light source,” Rainbow tells and looks warily around. “Twilight saw that and we tried to clear the smoke to let Celestia´s sun burn them to a crisp…”

“But that didn’t work either,” I finish her sentence downcast.

“Exactly! Quite annoyingly, the smokescreen up there is immune to everything. That up there is a spell, Twilight is sure of that but has not the time to go deeper into it. She also suggested splitting up. Pinkie Pie and Applejack are collecting the ponies in danger, Rarity and Twilight fortify the castle and Fluttershy tends the wounded. I was about to create a storm with enough lightning to blast them off to Tartarus as I spotted you two in your desperate situation.”

Useless… all I did was useless. The risks we took were for nothing. How could I think that I was smarter than Twilight? Of course she comes to at least the same conclusion as I, if not a better. Wow I screwed up. “Sorry, it was dumb of me,” I mumble my apology before remembering something. “Did you see Derpy?”

“No, didn’t have the time at hoof to look out for her. Why do you ask?” Rainbow Dash puts Spike on her back and comes to me.

“I told her the same plan that you and Twilight came up with. I also told her that she should tell everypony to go to the castle for shelter.” Hopefully nothing happened to her. My guilt feels like it would crush me any moment.

“Hmmmm. Like I said, I didn’t see her,” she answers thoughtfully and notices my uneasiness, „but she should be safe. Yes, she is clumsy and causes trouble like nopony else, but when it comes to making storms… intentionally or not… is she one the very best.” She pokes my nose with her hoof. “Now hop on and hold on tight. I get you two out of here”

I gawk at her, not really sure that she can hold me and Spike while flying in a war zone. “You sure? I don’t want to escape the stomach of a beast only to drop to my death.” Slowly I step closer, my hand still on my chest.

“Of course I am. Hello?! Best flyer in Equestria here! Did you forget that little detail?” She signs me with a wing to ride her, what I slowly do. I grab her mane slightly to give me something to hold onto and swing my leg behind her wings. Her surprisingly soft mane feels nice in my hands and I bury my face in it. Spike is before me and I am leaning over him, holding him. “We better hurry; this one will be up in no time.”

As she mentions it, I take a look at the scattered pieces and take a sharp breath. They are moving to one another, slowly rebuilding the body. “Go go go go,” I scream at the top of my lungs. It didn’t cross my mind up to this moment, but how was Rainbow able to destroy the wolf like that in the first place?

Her body tenses up and I feel her muscles under my legs. With spread wings she goes into a crouching stand and looks at me over her shoulder. “Hold on tight,” declaring with a grin, she jumps into the air leaving the unfinished thought and ground behind. I didn’t even have the time to ask her where to hold and so continue to hold onto mane. Wind swooshes around my face and I shut my eyes tightly, holding onto her for dear life. Her wings flap rapidly, her muscles work at full strength and her breathing increases. My hair gets wildly ruffled by the strong winds and I feel my heart drop into my gut.

Just as quickly as the ascent started, it stops again. The occasional howls and the continuously crackling from the burning buildings, the rhythmic flapping and Spikes slow breathing are the only sounds I hear. “It is over, squirt. Come on. Open your eyes. I promise you will like it.” I would prefer to exactly NOT do this, but the voice of the rainbow colored mare comforts me enough to do so. Slowly I open first one eye and then the other and see that I am about sixty feet above the ground. The sheer high scares me a little and I try to hold as tight onto my only safety as possible.

“Would be quite the sight normally, too bad that this situation ruins the view.” Pain is hearable in her voice and she makes a slow turn and heads for the castle in the distance. I can still understand where she comes from. First I thought that the view from below is horrible, I didn´t see what it looks from above. Ponyville is burning. Everywhere are small and big fires, thick black smoke ascends to the dark sky, wolves crawl over the roofs and run around the streets and the in the distance is the disastrous rip in reality. “Hopefully Twilight´s plan works.”

“Yeah, hopefully,” I agree on her and let my eyes wander across the scenery. Normally I would be thrilled to fly, but all I feel is guilt. “Hey Rainbow?”

Keeping an eye on the wolves under us, which are not really pleased by the uncatchable prey above them, Rainbow Dash nods slightly. “What is it Robert?”

“I am really sorry.”

We two fly a little further before she responds. “Squirt, you… yeah… about that.” She desperately struggles for words and sighs loudly after. “I am not good with these kinds of things. Yes, you bucked up great there. Leaving the castle was not the smartest idea.” Her words hit me like another shadow wolf and make me cringe. She is right and I knew it the moment she said, that Twilight already has the same idea as I do.

Apparently she feels my depressive mood and she looks over her shoulder with tender eyes. “Hey, don´t mope now. Your heart is in the right place. Heck, even I wouldn´t go outside if I were your age.”

“Really?”

“Nah. I would still go out,” adds Rainbow mischievously and giggles. “Just don´t take it too hard.”

Talking with her uplifted my mood a little and I can even force a shy smile, before I see the castle getting closer. A lot has changed since I left it an hour ago, it could be an hour… or a lifetime for all I feel. There is a wall completely created with lit torches, the windows are barricaded and on the balcony stands a certain pony princess. Right now she lets out another bunch of lit torches only to let them also rotate around the castle. Somehow this reminds me of a planetary orbit. “Do you think Twilight will also be so understandable?”

Rainbow Dash´s body shivers under me and she shakes her head. “You should prepare yourself for that talk. If the egghead´s best subject is magic, then giving lectures is her second best.”

Well that sounds promising.
And with my sarcastic thought we descend towards the castle gates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUZeSYsU0Uk

“JUST WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?” Twilight´s angry shout echoes from the walls of the entrance hall and ponies around us take a few cautious steps back. No one wants to get in between the angry princess and her target, me. The ponies that took shelter in the castle are in the big entrance hall and all of them are watching Twilight giving me hell. This went on for about five minutes in which Twilight shouted, cried and scolded. Primary one of those things, but she even pulled off a moment where she combined all three. I don´t have to tell you that I had not one chance to defend my actions up till now, where she breaths heavily, probably only to continue further.

“Uhm… I… I only thought that I could help you guys. How could I guess that you came to the same conclusion?” I know that my excuse is weak and not really on the same level as my stupidity to go outside, but at least it´s something. “I wanted to help you.”

The big hall is silent and all eyes are set on Twilight, who scowls at me and cheeks blown out. I thought she would explode at me again but luck is on my side. Letting out a long-drawn sigh she gives in and forces a weak smile. “What should I do with you?” The tone changed to a more moderate one and she comes closer before pulling me into a light hug, careful with my injury.

“You could have been killed out there… correction, you would be dead if not for Rainbow Dash. Do you have any idea what this would mean? How I would feel, to lose my assistant and my first student?” Remorse hits me hard and I let my head sink on her shoulder. “For now, I am just glad that you two are alright, but we will have some ground rules after this.” I feel horrible and respond with a silent “sorry” before looking up at her gentle and relieved expression.

Spike got taken straight to the makeshift infirmary in the big dining room, where staff from the local hospital and Fluttershy tending the wounded. Telling by the looks that the nurses gave Spike, he doesn’t seem to be in mortal danger. He still got taken there so they can have an eye on him. Since my wound is only nasty by the looks and not life threatening, I got it wrapped up in bandages with some ointment. Twilight took it in her hoof to do that, so the nurses could tend those who need more attention. At first I thought I would get away with my stunt, only to wince at the glare I got before she started scolding. Before that happened, Rainbow grabbed a few of the pegasi that arrived in the meantime to get the storm going.

Twilight´s hug tightens and she rubs her cheek over the top of my head, humming a slow melody. I am not sure if she wants to calm herself or me. For a long few moments we just stand there, not caring about the eyes set on us. The feeling of her fur against my cheek is nice and I hear her rapid heartbeat slowing down, together with my own.

“Oh Robert, what shall I just do with you?” Her gentle voice pierces right through me like an arrow. Guilt and a deep feeling of failure rush through my body. I don´t respond to her and just burry my face deeper into her neck.

Sadly, the nice moment didn´t last forever as Twilight separates herself from me and holds me at hoof´s reach. Gone is the gentle smile and it´s replaced with a stern expression. “We have to hold down the enemies while Rainbow and the others create the storm.”

I nod and look at her timidly. “Can I help somehow?”

She stare deprecating and seems to think hard about my question. “I would like to know you save in a locked up room.” With big puppy eyes I try to bypass her defense, it works. She lets out a sigh and shakes her head. “But you would do it anyway.” Not really having an answer to this, I look at the ground in silence.

“Ahem. You could get the as many torches as you can from here to the second floor. I guess you already know where they are?”

“Yes inside the small room beside the entrance,” I answer quickly, happy that my punishment is postponed.

Discontented with me getting my way, she frowns and points behind her. “After I checked the defenses around the castle I will meet up with you at the office. You know, it is the room with the big balcony.”

That shouldn’t be a problem; I saw that room twice already. It´s her personal office for official royal matters and she has there tons of books about politics, the customs of different countries, important documents and a variety of maps. Pinkie once told me that she has a similar room where she has everything written down what she needs to know about everypony. I didn´t understand what she meant by that and after I asked her again, she just said that the rest is all a secret.

Right this moment opens the big front doors and a dozen ponies rush inside the castle. They look horrible. Matted fur, smaller and bigger wounds, faces of horror and they are totally out of breath. Seeing their homes in ruins and the fear inflicted by the wolves had a good amount of impact on them. Some ponies help other walking, supporting them with their bodies. Kids ride on the back of their parents, trembling and sobbing. The view of a yellow earth pony mother tending her little foal, who has some blood splashed over his face, strikes my heart. Desperately tries the mother to rub off the blood of the kids face, a pained expression on her face. It has a similar aspect to the pictures you see online that is about war. But there is a great difference between seeing some pictures online and on TV or seeing it live in front of you.

My stomach cramps and I have to look away from it and if I would have some tears left, I am sure I would shed them right now. But my eyes stay dry and I just feel like a mess.

A hoof is placed on my shoulder and I see Twilight pointing me in a certain direction. There, between all the other ponies is a certain pink party pony and a cowgirl pony, looking as if they had a trip to hell… twice.
“Pinkie, Applejack,” I shout and wave to them, happy that they are fine.

As they spot me they seem to be relieved and after talking quickly with the new refugees, they hurry over to Twilight and me. Coming now closer, I am able to see their bodies more clearly. Applejack limps a little; her left front leg has a long claw mark. There are also some cuts along her midsection, her mane is open and not in her normal ponytail style and her legs are cowered in dirt. Have to admit, the open style would look quite nice on her, if not for the current condition. Pinkie Pie isn´t unharmed either and she has a swollen blue eye, probably took a punch to the face. She also has some wounds along her hind legs and the normally puffy mane is as flat as a pancake. Her fur is also in a horrible condition and if it isn´t for her smile, I wouldn´t believe that this is Pinkie Pie.

Beside me starts Twilight to walk and meet her friends halfway. One can tell how much she was worried by the affectionate hug that follows. In utter relief they cuddle each other and Twilight is already inspecting the damage on them. Applejack tries to push her off but it is futile as I can see Twilight demanding that her friend holds still. Pinkie sits there and talks quietly with Twilight in a fast pace and gestures wildly. All girls exchange some silent words with one another, which I am unable to understand. Pinkie waves me over and I slowly come closer to them.

“… and that was his reason,” I hear Applejack ask Twilight, making it obvious what they talked about. The gazes from them couldn’t be more accusing and I stop in my tracks a few feet before them.

“Yes, but he is save and so is Spike. Thanks to Rainbow who picked them up in the middle of an alley. Two wolves had them in a pinch, one got taken out and the other got momentarily disabled.” There is a hint of comprehension in Twilight´s voice, but I could just imagine that.

Pinkie charges forward and brings me in for a tight hug. With watery eyes she looks down at me and cuddles with me like a teddy bear. “Oh Roby, how could you do something like that? I am sooooooooo happy that you are alright. You are alright, right? Nothing hurts or pains you.”

“Actually,” I groan with a cramped smile, „this hug could be a little bit less… crushing.”

Quickly she releases the grip on me and blushes a little. “Oh… uhm hehe... my bad. Sorry.” Rubbing the back of her head, she grins a little. “Got a little overexcited there.” You think?

“Glad to see ya alright sugarcube.” Applejack steps next to me and ruffles my hair with her hoof in a friendly manner. “Was pretty stupid and mighty bold of ya to go out there in this darn mess.”

I push her hoof of my head and beam at them. “Likewise, glad that you are back here safe and sound. And yeah… maybe it was stupid.” Trying to change the topic, I look at her leg. “What happened?”

“Oh that?” She raises the harmed leg and flashes a scrunched smile. “We were at the city hall and picked up some of the ponies to bring them to the castle. One of those beasts ambushed us in an alley close by and attacked. Darn thing wanted to get a bite out of one of the foals, but I bucked him good for that try. Then it escaped, but not without returning the favor with a slash. Luckily it was only a graze.” The way she tells the story seems like it isn’t a big deal for her, what I totally disagree with.

“You are a hero,” I declare amazed and the other two nod. “Not only defended you a group, you also fended off one of those wolves, without any kind of help.”

“You should have seen her! Without any second thoughts she jumped directly at the creepy wolf, if not for her, one of those cute little fillies would be hurt.” Pinkie puts a leg on Applejack´s shoulder and gestures wildly.

Blushing brightly under her coat, Applejack looks embarrassed and rubs her neck. “Everypony would have done the same in my situation.”

“Applejack don´t be so modest. What you have done is really great; you´ve done well.” The praise from Twilight only increases the blush on her face and she only mumbles something unintelligible.

Remembering my question, that I wanted to ask Rainbow Dash, comes to my mind. “Am I right in assuming that these things are touchable and that a good hit wrecks them for a brief moment?”

All three of them nodded and Twilight explains it. “Yes, these things are immune to any kind of magic, but a strong hit scatters the body. Sadly only for about three minutes or so and after that they rebuild themselves.”

“Ok, so non off your spells worked, but your defensive one worked? Spike and I saw the globe around you, after this… rainbow explosion?”

“Yes, that is also one of the reasons that they don´t attack the castle. Oh and also the torches, which I set up around the castle. What really bugs me is that the powers of the elements didn´t work on them. Quite disturbing.”

“So where are we at?” Applejack asks and looks at Twilight. “Anything new or are we good for the moment?”

They start talking about the current situation. By the looks of it are we safe here, Rarity helps setting up the torches in the back of the castle with two other unicorns that offered their help. Due to the laboratory and the full stock in the storeroom shouldn´t we have any problems, providing supplies and medical attention to the citizen. Twilight is now quite happy that her castle is so gigantic and able to fit all the ponies inside the castle.

Peeking over her shoulder at the ponies, I wonder. The total number of citizens should be more, if I think about the size of Ponyville. “How many do you think are still out there?”

Instantly the smiles on both earth pony´s faces vanish and they look pretty devastated. They drop their heads and Applejack puts her hat down, not giving me an answer. Pinkie seems to be close to breaking down and draws circles on the ground with her hoof. I regret my question right away, as I feel a lump in my throat. The whimpers, weeping and groaning around us increases the depressing mood. Twilight also fell silent and looks glum.

My gaze wanders over the citizens. Some tend their friends and families, if they were lucky enough to find them in the masses of ponies inside the castle. Those who still search wander from pony to pony and ask if they saw their beloved, while others only walk aimlessly between the rooms. There are also a few ponies that just sit around crying or with only deadpan faces, dwelling on their own thoughts

“Robert, didn´t you say that you would help me with the torches? You better start now; I will be with you later on.” Twilight draws my attention away from the citizens and pushes me in the direction of the room with the torches. Her gentle push is all I need and to start moving.

As I walk further away from them, I hear the stifled cries of two earth ponies adding to the chorus of calamity in the hall.

My next thirty minutes are occupied with walking up and down the stairs between office and storeroom. It is a tiring task and sweat runs down my face after only a few times. Only seven torches, that is the number I can carry at once. By glancing outside at those torches flying and standing outside, it´s sure that I need a lot more. Twilight could have finished this in mere minutes with her magic, but I am thankful for something to distract myself.

I didn´t see one of those six girls or Spike in the whole time, but I didn´t care. They had their tasks to attend to or are taking a breather. By the looks of it would this really be understandable, especially for Pinkie Pie and Applejack, who looked devastated.

Only one certain being gives me a headache, Discord. The draconequus still doesn’t answer to my calls and stays missing. I had not asked Twilight, but I don´t think that she knows more. A feeling in my gut tells me that he is helping somewhere and is too immersed in this task to respond. Then again, he is the spirit of chaos.

With a groan I put down another batch of torches on my increasing pile. I cannot say how many times I dragged myself up here, lost count after a few times. Stretching my back, a popping sound comes from my spine. “I hate physical labor,” I mutter to myself and take a look around the room.

The big office is tidy, while being packed to the brim. A big desk is close to one of the window, a little bit of light from outside shines through there. On the desk are at least a dozen trays, all labeled and filled with documents. Some folders with clippings are on the desk beside some containers with pencils, quills and other writing materials. In front of the desk is a brown comfy armchair that looks welcoming.

A globe is in one corner of the room and next to it is a big painting of Canterlot. It is a peaceful picture, the creator chooses soft colors and it feels as if you look through a glass. The moon, rising behind the mountain and the setting sun represent probably the dual reign of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Come to think of it, what are they doing? They should see what happens here. Where is the help of these so called demigods that are so powerful that they can raise sun and moon by their bidding?

They would be already here, if they could. I am sure of that, but what keeps them and also Discord away? Hopefully we will survive this and find out later.

My gaze goes around the room, looking at all the dark wooden shelves, filled with books, the different paintings and pictures on the wall and the big soft red and purple colored carpet on the floor. Four big windows, and the window door to the balcony, would give the room enough light, if not for the smoke cloud that blocks out the sun.

I go towards the beautiful glass door and open it slowly. The balcony is not exceptional big, nearly big enough to fit maybe five people, even less ponies. I go outside and look at the nightmarish scenery before me. Through the flying torches and those on the ground I see Ponyville. Beasts crawl in the shadows of the buildings, eying the castle hungrily. But they are clearly avoiding stepping into the light of the torches. Seems like that one torch has little effect on them, but a bigger amount has one. Has it something to do with the lux? …Maybe.

Ponyville is in a really bad shape. Nothing left of this happy-go-lucky-mood from earlier today. Crossing my arms on the parapet and putting my head on, I look sadly around.

How could this turn so bad in such a short time?

Is this all the doing of this horrible looking nightmare pony from my dreams? And if so, where is he? He said that he would come and get me, for whatever reason. Up till now we didn’t see him, only this crack in the sky and those wolves that came out from it. There is also the possibility that this is not his doing, but I don’t believe that. The overall feeling is far too similar with my ‘nightmare’.

Is all of this maybe my fault? Did I bring this disaster up on Ponyville?

This is not something I can answer myself and I shouldn´t think about it. Yet… I can´t stop this thought to spread its dark roots deep into my mind. Feelings of guilt, regret and grief hold me in their grasps. I feel my heartbeat increase rapidly and so does my breathing. No no no no… I don´t want to be responsible for this. If you hear me god then don´t let this be true.

Before the feelings take up my entire mind, I hear the relieving tremendous roar of thunder, rolling across the city. The air feels charged and my hackles stand up. I didn´t notice the big black cloud, because it isn’t easily distinguished from the smoke cover above it. A few pegasi fly around the clouds and punch, jump and kick it. Every time they do it, the cloud increases in size of the cloud and a thunder erupts from it. That’s how you make a storm in Equestria? I see Rainbow Dash, easy to recognize due to coloring, and she directs the whole group.

Bright light illuminates the town every few seconds, as a new thunder comes from the cloud. Every time this happens the smoke around the city billows and partly disappears. Furthermore are pained howls shouted to the sky and I spot a shadow wolf on top of a building. As the cloud brings forth another bright flash the wolf gets hit without any defense. Its upper half of the body swirls up and the wolf rears up before dropping from the building. After he hits the ground, I am able to see the fairly gruesome result. Only the lower half of the body remains solid and the rest is gone, as if a chef chopped off the rest with a cleaver. Similar results are seen or heard around the city and the sounds of thunder and howls create an atrocious concert.

The number of lightning increase by the second and mercilessly drop the number of wolves in a fast pace. Some of them try to run towards the hole in the sky, but they die as soon as they leave their cover. Wouldn´t they be such cruel creatures, I would feel pity for them. This is something like genocide.

Cheering comes from the clouds, as the pegasi in the sky shout out their joy. Joining in are the ponies inside the castle as the citizen finally achieved a victory over the invader. You can hear relieve and joy in their voices as it swells to an astonishing volume. I see the pegasi in the sky hugging one another, dancing and jumping around. In the far distance vanishes the smoke around the crack completely and also the sun blocking cover in the sky breaks up. Scattered sunbeams drill through the holes, giving the city a somewhat peaceful war field outlook. If a sunbeam hits a dead body of a wolf then it dissolves completely, leaving only behind a dark spot on the ground.

It really has end? The crack in the sky is still there, but it does nothing. “Yes, take that,” I say halfhearted and look at all the dead bodies, lying motionless across the city. Not one more howl is heard and just the thunders and cheers remain.

Don´t misunderstand me here, I am glad that this is over most likely, it´s just… this leaves a sour taste. We may have won, but at what cost? The city took truly really some damage, ponies are hurt and lost and there will definitely be some mental scars left. I don´t even know if I am ok. Right this moment, probably, but some memories are burned into the back of my mind. Pictures like the pegasi bitten in front of the window, blood dripping from glass, wolves pacing around the streets, blood and fire everywhere, ponies pushed into corners, sharp vicious teeth right in front of my face, the smell of their brea-…

“There ya are Robert,” says a voice from behind me, interrupting my train of thoughts.

I turn around and see Applejack standing at the glass door. Her aura is mostly back to be calm and settled; only her eyes do not mirror that smile on her face. She has bandages around her leg and side, together with some patches on various places. Her fur and mane are still a mess and she still limps.

“Now we don’t need those troches anymore.” Looking at the pile that I created, I sigh heavily and shake my head.

A smirk on her face, Applejack goes to the pile and puts a hoof on it. “Seems like it.” She gazes towards the sky, where the pegasi are still having their little dance party. “Pulled it off, huh?”

“Yeah,” I agree and look back at the sky, „it was really time for it to end. How do you feel?”

“A lot better. After the doc took care of these annoying wounds I didn´t have to fear dripping blood and dirt everywhere.” Honestly, I don´t believe her, but I won´t push her. “And you? I mean, you had a pretty adventurous walk around town.”

Deciding to use the same tactics I will also hide some of my chaotic thoughts. “Somewhat holding up. I am tired and exhausted. Hopefully we can rest now.”

A lighthearted chuckle comes from Applejack. “Then I have just what you need. Come on now Robert, Pinkie said something about a ‘defeating the evil invader’-victory party. I came to pick you up. Don´t know how but I saw that she pulled out a cake already.” Not even ten minutes after the triumph and she already throws a fete? And how was she able to bake a whole cake in that short time? This pony is tough and a mystery in herself.

After one final look over the town, I turn around. A gripping tenseness leaves my body and I stretch my arms to the sky, letting my neck pop. Maybe a little party is just what we all need right now. My body feels sore and I am really drained. Probably could fall asleep right this moment… while standing.

As I walk over to Applejack I see her expression change from relieve to horror. Her eyes widely open and her mouth is agape in a silent scream. This really scares the shit out of me and I get shivers. What is wrong?

But before I am able to state my question she jumps right at me. Her hoofs grab me and she throws me with unbelievable force towards the glass door. I sail headfirst through the air and my shoulder hits the glass, a cracking sound comes from both. Tumbling further, I land on the carpet inside the office. Even if the carpet is soft and cushions the fall, the landing still forces out all of my air out of my lungs. Due to the force I spin around a few more moments before coming to a halt on my belly.

My head spins like crazy and I lost my sense of direction. The throbbing pain in my shoulder adds just perfectly. I let out a load groan and feel my chest wound reopen.

Urgh… What just happened? Wait, Applejack! The thought of her makes me push up from the ground. Instantly my head answers with another sharp pain. I clench my eyes. I feel weak, but I am able to raise my head enough to look outside to the balcony.

“Oh god, no,” I whisper under my breath. What I see there makes me lose all hope. My body begins to tremble horribly and I dig my fingers into the carpet. Now all is lost, because standing on the balcony in all its glory is no one else than the nightmare pony from my dreams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sdJXTtH4NY

He is just as I remember him. His big earth pony like body is covered in fur darker than black, just as if light doesn’t want to shine on his body. Two big piercing white eyes stare at me and I get the eerie feeling of my soul being exposed to him. He looks at me with an evil grin, exposing his white glowing mouth. Around him floats his extremely long mane and tail. This time I identify the color as a deep dark purple with pitch black spots on the edges. Smoke oozes from his body, covering the ground of the balcony and flows off it like water. Surprisingly the smoke is only up to the threshold and stops there.

On his hind legs standing, he has both his front legs outstretched. Snakelike smoke spreads from his shoulders and holds two ponies at their neck in the air. Dangling a few feet above the ground and desperately struggling against the grasp are Applejack and Rainbow Dash. The smoke doesn’t look solid, but it is clearly holding both of my friends up.

“Sooooooo we meet again, as promised. Did you miss me?” The calm resounding voice rushes over me like cold water. “And look what I´ve got already?” He lets both of his hostages shake from side to side, making both groan.

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I am terribly sorry for the delay, but I got occupied by someone. Didn´t expect him to be still such a hassle after all these centuries. Not that it matters much.” His voice is filled with confidence with no thought of losing.

“And now, you unsuspecting vessel, come here or those two,” he shakes them again, „pay dearly for your disobedience.”

Fear takes a hold of my body and I am unable to move a muscle. With big eyes I stare in his cruel gaze and every bit of my mind tells me to run. I feel helpless against his overpowering presence. My mouth feels dry as a desert. I cannot win this battle.

“Ahem,” he taps impatiently with one of his hoofs with an annoyed expression. “I am waiting here. GET UP RIGHT NOW YOU VERMIN!” His roar runs me down and my muscles twitch. Gradually I get back the feeling in my body back.

“Y-y-yes… I… I c-co-come… right away. Do-don´t… hu-hurt them, please.” Cowed by him, I slowly raise to my feet, which feel like jelly and I have to help myself at the desk to stand up. Wobbly I put one foot after another, slowly closing the distance between me and him.

I know it is stupid to go to him… but he has Applejack and Rainbow Dash! Risking their lives is something I just can´t do. Applejack even saved me from him!

Pleased by my action he yearns for me. “That is right. Do as being told. Ooooh how maaany centuries have I waited for this moment?” He reaches out with a hoof, stopping centimeters before the glass door. My eyes are set on my nightmare and my two friends, who are in grave danger.

I am close to stepping outside, as Rainbow Dash forcefully turns her head as much as possible. She looks deeply in pain as she speaks through clenched teeth. “NO! Don´t do it!” Her voice breaks the control and I stop on the spot. “Robert, stay inside there.”

“Rainbow is right. Urgh… don´t you dare stepping through that door, you will only be caught too.” Applejack cannot turn her head and just speaks out loud to me.

“GRAH SILENCE!” Another time rolls out his roar followed by terrible screams from the two girls. “You two stay silent, till I get to you. I waited too long, had too many failures and too many interferences. MOVE IT IMBECILE.”

“Don´t *groan* listen to him. Stay where you are, the spells seem to wor…” Applejacks voice breaks as she chokes hard and struggles against the narrowing smoke around her neck. Same happens to the cyan pegasus beside her.

Making a demanding gesture with his hoof, he threatens me. “I am losing my patience here, you know. Just get out here and I will make it quick.”

But they are right, going outside will only mean another hostage and who says that he doesn’t hurt them even if I do as he says. I can´t shout for help or search for it, he would certainly do something to those two in the same moment. I am in between helping them or getting a mental breakdown. My mind chooses the second. Burying my face in my hands, I sink on my knees. I bitterly weep and clamor, cursing this whole day and this pony that threatens my friends.

“Tch,” the nightmare hisses peeved. “I gave you a chance. Now I will have to settle with you two.” Shocked, I lift up my head and see the smoke around them expand rapidly.

“Nooooooooo.” I cry helplessly as their bodies are completely covered in black mist, obstructing the view. Jumping up I reach for them in vain, not stepping outside on the balcony.

Both of his front legs outstretch and merely touch the two black clouds. “Quite some time since I did this, but it should work.” Greatly concentrating, he mumbles some inaudible words, which sets the smoke clouds in motion. Like a heart they pulsate and a sucking sound is heard, followed by two agonizing screams.

Panicked, I have to observe paralyzed the procedure. Their cries rise to an ear piercing volume and I never imagined that one could make sounds like that. I clench my fists strong enough to draw blood. “Please… don´t.” Big tears run down my cheeks as I witness the smoke retracing back into the pitch black pony with each pulse. The bodies of the captives are getting slowly visible again as their fur shines partly through the mist.

“SOMEBODY PLEASE! TWILIGHT, DISCORD… ANYONE!”

“Yes, just like that.” A mad grin spreads from ear to ear, looking like a madman. “Don´t bother screaming. No one ca-…”

An explosion erupts right next to the villain. The source seems to be a small surprise box that came out of nowhere. It opens and out comes Discord, heavily beaten and his fist clenched. Blood runs down his face and he has a lot of bruises, scratches and open wounds all over his body. Also his deer antler is missing, only a small stump remains. “Knock knock!”

“Oh no, you persistent…” The nightmare pony is not able to speak further, because Discord punches him directly in the face. As his lion pawn connects with the pony another eruption shakes the castle and I lose my footing. Bright yellow light detonates, robbing my vision. A protracted groan comes from the black pony. Heat engulfs me and I hear the windows around the castle shatter into millions of pieces. Furthermore gets the office messed up, as books drop from the shelves, papers flying wildly around the room and the pile of torches gets scattered.

Time seems to slow down, as I franticly try regain vision. It takes another eternity lasting moment before I am able to clear my vision. On my haunches I get to see Discord and the black pony standing there, Discord´s fist still connected with the cheek of the villain. They seem to stand still up till I witness in disbelief the body of the black pony changes. White glowing cracks spread over the body, like a spider web. A screeching sound is in the air, similar when a chalk gets dragged wrongly over the blackboard, or when something sharp is dragged over glass. The glow from the crack increases immensely and he looks like an exploding planet. Vibrating deep rumble comes from his body and Discord jumps back.

With a loud burst the nightmare gets torn apart like a black glasswork, the pieces sail through the air and scatter around. Some of them fly at me and startled I cover my face, but it never happens. The pieces disintegrate the moment they hit the doorway, an invisible barrier blocks the pieces like it did with the mist before. Similar results happen as pieces hit the wall of the castle. A gust of pushes the smoke away and instantly the hold on the two captivated ponies cease, their bodies dropping to the ground.

My body is frozen as I stare at my two friends lying there, Discord beside them with a grim look as he kicks away some of the remaining pieces. Did he do it?

“You know that this will only stop me momentarily.” The terrifying voice of the pony comes from numerous mouths at the same time. In horror I watch white glowing eyes appearing on each piece, like the reflection of a mirror. “I already got two. The other ones are also in hoof´s reach.”

Still with a grim look on his face, Discord steps to one of the bigger pieces and groans. “You were always the hard to deal with. Even now, in this age, are you nothing more than a lose fragment of your former self. Return being a memory, Pride.”

All the eyes watch Discord and a cocky sparkle is noticeable in them. “Hahahaha until we meet again.” Then the shards simultaneously melt into thin air. His spooky laughter echoes over the land for a few more moments before silence takes over.

I slowly crawl on all four to my two tortured friends. They are in a horrible shape, blood flows down to the ground form many small punctures. Gradually, a pool of blood builds around them. Despair rattles my body and I scream out all of my frustration to the slowly clearing sky over Ponyville.

Author's Notes:

Wow... sometimes it gets so easy to write the chapter and other time it gets really hard.
I enjoyed writing this chapter, since it is the first dark chapter. Don´t misunderstand me here, I hold the "slice of life"- and "happy go lucky"-chapter pretty dear but this is an adventure. What would an adventure be without some drama or towering problems?

I would really appreciate some productive comments such as suggestions and opinions. Even if I(!) enjoyed this chapter, doesn’t mean that you do the same. I also started to add music For future improvement and for a good story, I hope that you oblige my request.

Also a little side note: This chapter was written quite quickly because I have a lot of free time at hand, till my therapy starts. Next chapters will be again at my set pace of 3-4 weeks. I could change that, if you enjoy smaller chapters with around 6-8k words, which would decrease the time by at least 1 week. Make a choice, you decide.

Thanks for reading my story.