I wandered through the Everfree, the wind in my face, the scent of berries and animals in the air, Ritual by my side, the beauty of fresh dew in leaves...wait. What?

"BOO!"

I gave a strangled squawk as I sprung up into the air. Landing to the sound of Ritual's laughter I glared at her ghostly form. "Yeah, fuck you too!" She just ignored me and continued laughing. "It's not that funny!" I yelled, swatting her head. And, surprisingly, I actually made contact instead of my blow just phasing through her, like it should have done now Nightmare Night's over.

"Hey, quit it, fucktard!" She scalded, but quickly dissolved into chuckles.

I shook my head, "Okay, go on."

She blinked. "What?" She asked innocently. Yeah, not working. I've worked with you, remember?

I gave a half-smile, "What did you do to be here?" I asked, before listing the most likely options. "Ancient spell? Magical artifact? Trick some poor sod into taking your place? Pinkie-Ex-Machina?"

She chuckled, "No, no. Nothing like-" She blinked. "Pinkie-Ex-Machina?"

I shuddered, "Don't ask. Just...don't."

She gave me an odd look. "Right. Anyway, I am here, young one," She intoned mystically. "To help you chose your path of destiny. For you are tied to the very fate of Eques-"

"Piss off!" I yelled, interrupting her. "And quit channeling Guardian!"

She snickered, "Yeah, yeah. Relax, I'm just fucking with you."

Sighing I asked again, "So, how are you still...you know, still physical?"

She gave me a grin, "Well, believe it or not, the Bossman let me stay like this for my actions last night. According to Guardian, at least." Yeah, she refuses to call it the 'Spirit of the Everfree Forest.' And 'Bossman' is so much easier on the mouth. "Still stuck in this damn forest though."

"Huh." I muttered. "Say...you, uh, you have any clue as to where I should go?"

She facehooved, "You...have absolutely no idea what you're doing, do you?"

I gave an embarrassed chuckle, "Er...no. Not really." To be fair, I haven't had to make the choice of where to go ever since I teamed up with Ritual, a good...three years or so before I was stoned.

She groaned, "Who do you know that would help you?"

I scratched my head, "Um...the...Changelings...?"

She grinned triumphantly, "Yes! Now go! The Changelings await!" She pointed dramatically into the distance.

"Yeah!" I yelled before muttering, "Um...where's the nearest Changeling Hive?"

She facetreed for a few minutes before pointing towards where the Scorching Wastes, or whatever it was called these days, was, according to my old map. "The Badlands." Ritual ground out. "They are in the Badlands." Fucking figures. You get trapped in stone for 750 years and everything changes its name.

"I see." I nodded. "Alright, let's go." We headed off for the Badlands, the forest growing darker as we went further into the unrecorded depths.

Celestia gave a soft chuckle as she and Luna passed through the Everfree Forest, heading to Tartarus. "I'm glad you're safe, Luna."

Luna, walking beside her sister, sighed, "But so many dead. I wish I could have saved them."

Celestia frowned before nuzzling her sister's cheek. "You did what you could. I feel for the loss, but life goes on. As it always has. As one life is ended another begins."

Luna suppressed a glare. At least Blood felt remorse for the dead. Why don't you? We may live longer, but life is precious all the same. "I suppose."

As they approached the Gates of Tartarus Celestia noticed something was wrong.

"Where's Cerberus?" She muttered.

"Oh, maybe he's just out on a walk." Luna chuckled, knowing perfectly well where he was.

"Perhaps he was feeling a little cooped up."

Giving her sister a strange look Celestia opened the Gate in her golden magic. As soon as the doors were open Cerberus, skinny and frail from starvation, came running out before charging into the forest for food.

Celestia frowned. "That's...strange. How did he get locked inside?"

Luna rolled her eyes, "Does it really matter? Let's go."

As they entered Luna prepared for the long trip down when Celestia stopped her and pressed her hoof against a section of the wall, which sunk in. The secret switch made a large rock move to reveal a pad. Standing on it, Celestia and Luna disappeared in a white flash and reappeared down at the base of the slope, right next to the cells.

Luna blinked. "What was that?"

Celestia smiled, "Teleporter pads. They are simple to make but fell out of practice for some reason or another. A shame since even those without magic can use them." She continued onwards, leading Luna over towards the cell. "And here the beast is." Celestia stated, pointing proudly...

At an empty cell.

"What?!" Celestia squawked, dashing into the cell. "Where is he? WHERE IS HE?!" She spotted chunks of broken stone on the ground. "No..." Celestia muttered, horror spreading through her. "No...It can't be...NO!!!" She looked around, spotting the marking made of blood on the wall as Luna entered. "NO!" She span around. "Luna! We need to tell the guards! No, Ponyville! No...all...we need to tell the world the monster has escaped!" She shot out, twitching, her eyes shooting from spot to spot.

Oh wow. Luna thought. I've never seen her this bad before. "Come on, Tia. Is this all you wanted to show me? An empty room?"

Celestia span to Luna, staring at her, her pupils shrunk to pinpoints. "NO! There was a monster here! It...it must have escaped! We...capture it!"

Luna stifled a laugh. This is priceless! Oh! I know! This'll be fun! "Oh, I get it." Luna said. When Celestia turned to her she continued. "This is where your coltfriend was."

Celestia's face turned red as she began to splutter, "NO...I...I don't...I...that thing isn't...you...I haven't..."

Luna suppressed a grin. Priceless! "Oh? So he wasn't a pony? Celestia if word got out about that just think of the scandal!" She teased.

"I-I-I...NO!!! We need to get to Ponyville! He can't have gone far!"

I finished my drink of water. Looking over to Ritual I smiled, "Wow. We've really gone quite far from Ponyville, huh?"

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!" Celestia muttered, staring at the wall.

"Okay, this is getting annoying." Luna moaned before summoning a ball of water and throwing it at her sister.

"No, no, bluggb!" Celestia gurgled. Blinking she stared. "Luna?" Her coat soaking and her mane, no longer flowing, was drooping to the ground.

Luna smiled, "There. Are you going to act rationally now?"

Celestia sighed and nodded. "Yes. But we have to go! Who knows what horrible things that monster has done?!"

In the schoolhouse Cheerilee smile from the window as she watched the children play on the new equipment in the playground. "I'm glad Wesker was kind enough to help make these for us." Her eyes glanced over to the roundabout. "And some things I've never seen before! So nice."

"Such horrible, evil, things he could have done!"

"Sister." Luna said softly. "Come. Let's leave." With Luna pretty much dragging Celestia they left.

"And that's why we need to find this beast!" Celestia yelled, finishing her explanation to the Elements of Harmony and Spike.

"Well...what does this...Blood...look like?" Twilight asked.

"Well, he's tall, almost as tall as me. He has these terrible claws, black and covered in blood, his teeth are all fangs, yellow and rotting, his body is grotesque in appearance, standing upright he lurches from side to side as he stalks his prey! His beady, red eyes, blinded by feral hunger for flesh!" As Celestia continued to embellish every little detail Luna groaned and felt like ramming her head through the bookshelf, if only to see Twilight freak out and try to save all the books from being damaged.

"Okay. That's enough." Luna cut in. "Let's try this again. Sister? Little details. You're scaring the little one."

"Hey!" Spike huffed indignantly. "I'm not scared!"

"I meant Fluttershy." Luna pointed out, the mare in question was shaking like a leaf and hiding behind Rainbow Dash.

"Oh."

After Celestia got the, real, discription out all the girls gasped. "That sounds like Wesker!"

Spike just shrugged. "Huh. Oh, so the bloodthirsty warrior is...a bloodthirsty warrior. You'll have to forgive me for not seeing a change." He said sarcastically.

"Who is this Wesker?" Celestia asked, ignoring Spike. Luna on the other hand was chuckling at Spike's comment.

"Oh! He's a Homo Sapien!" Twilight said happily. "A new species. He...actually...he looks a lot like you described. Brown hair, grey eyes, tall. And...he has that axe." Celestia's eyes widened in fear. "He called it a name, Roxy, and he talked to it a little. Oh! And he could speak Zebrican!"

"Girls," Celestia began. "That...creature you call Wesker was a monster named Blood."

Twilight blinked. "Blood?"

Celestia nodded while Luna subtly rolled her eyes. "Yes. A monster and beast of monstrosity!"

"Gee, that sure wasn't redundant or anything." Luna muttered.

"It feasts off of the fear of the living! It brought those monsters that attacked the town here! It-Ow, Luna! Let go of my ear!" She yelped as Luna tugged her ear with her magic.

"Then stop embellishing." Luna growled, releasing her magical grip.

"Fine. He's a bloodthirsty monster who attacked me, killed several hundred Guards I sent after him, destroyed several towns and constantly sent me insulting letters until, using the Elements of Harmony, I trapped him in stone."

"And why did you send Guards after him?" Luna asked.

"Because he killed the last batch I sent at him." Celestia replied.

"And why did he kill them?"

"Because I sent them at him."

Luna sighed, "No. Why did you originally send Guards after him?"

"Because he tried to kill me."

"And why did he try and kill you?"

"Because he's a bloodthirsty monster."

Luna glared at her sister and muttered, "...Sometimes I think Nightmare Moon had the right idea with you."

"B-but he could be out there now!" Celestia squealed. "Hurting my ponies!" What about non-pony races? Luna thought with a hidden glare.

"Do any of you have any idea where he could have gone?!" Celestia twitched.

All of them shook their heads except Applejack. I don't know for sure but...there is that place he showed me...but...

Blood led Applejack through the Everfree Forest, pushing through vines and trees with ease. "I'm trusting you with this place, okay?" Blood said, pushing a vine out of his way.

Applejack followed behind, giving the area a look. She'd never been to this part of the Everfree before. "I don't get what the big secret is."

Blood chuckled, coming to a stop. "Trust me, you will." He turned and stepped onto an old, unused path. "Ah! The old pathway! I remember this!" He led Applejack further along before finally reaching their destination. "Welcome, Applejack, to the Circle of Tranquility."

She looked around. "...It just looks like an old clearing."

Sighing Blood shook his head, "Yes, yes. But can't you feel it? Don't you feel...calmer?"

"Well...I guess...but that's the big secret?" She didn't understand why it was a secret.

Blood sat in front of some stones. "Take a seat." He said, patting the ground next to him. As Applejack sat he continued. "Now. Close your eyes. Breath deep. Exhale. Let your mind flow. Just...relax."

Applejack did as instructed and felt...peace. Calm. Like she was a leaf floating down a lazy river. Opening her eyes she saw Blood smiling softly. "I guess I know why you keep this place a secret."

"Applejack, I need you to swear not to tell anyone at all about this place. You can show it to Apple Bloom and her friends, but not anyone else. I need your word."

Applejack nodded, "I swear. On my honor as an Apple."

I can't break my promise. But I can't lie to the Princess either. Applejack thought. Wait...what are the chances that he's there? It's unlikely. He's smarter than that. So...just got to word it right. "Ah...sorry, but I don't know where he is." I didn't break my promise as an Apple and I didn't lie! Phew, that was a close one. Doesn't feel right, but he saved Apple Bloom's life! That's got to count for something! Why would someone evil save her?

Celestia sighed. "Oh. I see. Well, I have to get back to Canterlot to announce his escape. We need to begin a search for him. He's evil and therefore must be brought to justice."

Spike raised a claw. "Question."

"What's your question, Spike?" Celestia asked.

"If he's so evil, why'd he help save the town?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"...He...he was..." Celestia struggled for words. "He was trying to gain your trust! He probably killed all the ponies that died!"

Spike raised his claw again. "Question."

"Uh...yes?" Celestia asked slowly.

"If he wanted to kill us then how come more didn't die? Piecing together eyewitness statements and the bodies, it's clear he killed over five hundred undead. Plus, he helped save Rarity and Sweetie Belle when I was getting overwhelmed."

Celestia's eyes widened. "No! It's his fault! He's a remorseless murderer! He was no goodness in him!"

Spike raised his claw yet again. "Question."

"..." Celestia stayed silent. "Yes?" She pretty much hissed.

Spike ignored her tone. "If he has no goodness in him why did he help build equipment for the foals during their breaks? If the attack was his fault why did it happen more than ten weeks after his arrival? And if he did organise the attack why was he wandering through town having a dance and playing around when they attacked? And finally, if he's remorseless why did he help Twilight get over the fact she had to 'kill' to defend herself from attack? Why would he do that of he was just a monster? Also, throw away that 'murderer' card you're about to use. After last night, I think most of the town technically qualifies for that. Including me and five of the Elements."

"I...No! He's evil!" Celestia insisted. Spike sighed and just left the room.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, "Oh, come on! Spike's right! Me and the guy hung out a bit, he spent at least a full week with each of us! I doubt he's evil!"

Celestia stared incredulously as the other Elements of Harmony nodded. "You...he...I don't believe it. He's brainwashed you all!"

Luna groaned, "Oh, for...Tia! Why are you...are you...shaking?" True enough Celestia, the Solar monarch was shaking.

Spike returned holding a cup. "Princess. Have a drink, you'll feel better." Nodding Celestia held the cup in her magic and took a sip. She blinked and wobbled before dropping the cup, which Spike promptly caught, and crashed to the floor. "Worked like a charm." Spike muttered.

"SPIKE!!" Twilight yelled. "What was that?! What did you do to the Princess?! What's-" She stopped as Spike held the cup under her nose, the fumes invaded her nose. She lasted for half a second before joining Celestia unconscious on the floor.

"Spike." Rarity said slowly. "What is that?"

Spike chuckled as he saw everyone eyeing the drink nervously. "It's what I use when Twilight either stays up all night, goes crazy because she can't figure something out, or when it seems like another 'Smarty Pants incident' is about to break out. The scent is usually enough to knock Twilight out, though I suspected Celestia's made of sturdier stuff so she got a sip. I got the recipe from Sweetie Belle."

Rarity blinked. "Sweetie was making knockout potions?"

Spike shook his head. "Nah, it's her recipe for ice-cream." He took a sip. "It's actually not too bad."

Luna cleared her throat. "Well, I should get my sister back to the castle for some rest. And, Spike? Thank you."

He blushed, "Ah, it was nothing." He said modestly.

"Oh. And everypony? I'd like your thoughts on Blood."

Applejack spoke up, "Well...he saved Apple Bloom. And the town. Sure he might have done bad stuff in the past, but...he made it clear he's not the monster the Princess is making him out to be."

"Yeah!" Rainbow added. "He's a good guy! Well...maybe not good but...he's cool."

Rarity nodded, "While...quite vulgar, he can be surprisingly elegant."

"We're talking about his character, Rare." Applejack reminded.

"I am aware of that, Applejack! As I was about to say. He is a fine gentle...gentle...what did he say? Ah! A fine gentleman."

"He's, um...he's nice." Fluttershy whispered.

"Well," Pinkie said. "I think he has a lot of anger in him, but he tries to use it for the right reason. He obviously cares for young children a lot, he probably had something happen to him when he was young. He cares a lot for that axe, you remember how he called it Roxy? He loves that axe like it's alive. Or...maybe like it's family. But...when that ghost turned up did you see him smile? It was like a light had come back on in his heart. He clearly has a strong will. Remember how he said that he was frozen for around eight hundred years? To go through all that, alone, cut off some all senses of sight, just watching for year upon year...it would be heart crushing. But in the end, he's a good person. He's not the good guy. But he's not evil."

They all stared at Pinkie, except Spike, who just shrugged. "I honestly don't know why you guys are even surprised what comes out of her mouth anymore."

As the others got over Pinkie's...Pinkieness, they turned to Spike and looked at him expectantly. "Oh, come on, we know Spike thinks he's a good guy. I mean, he defended him!" Rainbow cried.

Spike shrugged. "Not really."

Rainbow's jaw dropped. "But you defended him!"

Luna nodded, "True, but he never used any of his own opinions. He merely stated the facts of the matter."

Spike nodded, "Right. I believe he was the potential to do good. Just as I believe he was the potential to do evil. As Pinkie said, he's angry. Anger makes it difficult to make things like moral choices."

"And you, Princess?" Rainbow asked.

Luna chuckled. "Please, call me Luna. We are friends are we not? And Blood? I met him before you. We...didn't exactly have the best of introductions."

"How so?" Rarity asked.

"We had a fight."

Rarity gasped. "A fight?! But surely that a fight would have attracted attention! And wounds!"

Luna smiled, "That is the wonder of the Dreamscape as Blood prefers to call it. Ah, a glorious battle! He hit me with what I assume are vehicles from his home, trapped me in a giant pinball machine and had the ball careen all over the place with me attached. In return I blasted him through the air, through a castle across a sea of blades, onto a catapult and out into space and through the moon. Before crashing back through the moon and all the way down to the planet." She smiled wistfully. "Fun times."

"Whoa." Rainbow muttered.

"Anyway, I best be off. Oh, and if my sister or the Royal Guards come to see you it'd be for the best if you pretended you hate Blood. Although if it's me or my Lunar Guard, you don't have to. Pass my message along to Twilight when she awakens. Farewell!" Luna and Celestia then disappeared in a deep blue flash.

Author's Notes:

Yeah, that was a chapter of Celestia's reaction to Blood's escape.

Now, before you start flaming in the comment section about how Celestia was out of character listen to me. This is the one enemy of Celestia's that has killed. All her other enemies were just arses or easily defeated. Blood had been a threat to her and Equestria for years before she finally used the Elements on him. So when she finds him gone, she has no idea how long he's been gone and she doesn't know where he is. The two things that he exploits.

Hope that explains her actions more.

Now! Time for a poll down in the comment section! In a few chapters there will be a flashback chapter! It's time for you to vote for what flashback you want!

Vote for either 'Meeting Ritual', 'Arrival in Equestria' (Which will also show the party he was at before but not why Celestia is after him.), 'The Minotaur warrior Skarlak Leopek' (Mentioned in 'The Final Night Of Harmony'.), or 'Blood in Sunny Town'.

See you next time!