I got back to the apartment and put the guitars under my bed. I think I'll have to buy cases for them sooner or later. I can't afford them being dust collectors.

Alright, I was thinking about creating a band. And I can think clearly when I'm resting on my bed. Just lemme take my clothes off... There they go. All I need to do now is to climb up my bed.

...

Much better now. I am on my bed, and my brain is ready to function as it is supposed to.

So, making such a band like Ghost will take time. I will have to practice the vocalist's voice. Well, I am certain my voice can still change accordingly. I will try later, though, as Moonshine is here, and I don't want to sing with anyone around.

It's not like I have stage fright. Well, it's like... Uh, I can perform on stage if my face isn't seen, that is the thing. Thankfully, he band of Ghost has all of its members masked, and that means I will perform perfectly.

So, the first thing I need to do is to read history books. I need to make Ghost integrated into the Dark Ages, when different cults and religions were widely spread.

Where's that history book? I think it is... Aha, here! Well, let's see the table of contents first. Maybe there's something interesting. First time I opened the book, I just listed it until my eye caught something interesting. Now, I'll put more reason in this.

...

Yeah, there is "Archaic Words of Dark Ages", page three hundred thirty-three. Let's see, maybe there may be found a justified use of words such as "man", "woman", "human" and such.

Hm, interesting... Let's look at H section.

...

Holy crap, it actually has the word "human" in it! The meaning is... This word describes all sapient inhabitants of the planet. It is also said that this word isn't as widely spread nowadays mostly due to being mostly useless in day-to-day conversations.

So, man... Man means a male. Makes sense. I guess woman means female, but I better check this out, too.

...

Yep, it's so.

Good, now I know I can use those words and there will be no questions asked. One of the major problems solved. I should also read about the deities that were worshipped during that period of time.

***

Well, there is a lot of stuff that is important. I've been reading for a few hours now, and I found many interesting things. First of all, the concept of the Devil, the evilest being that is the source of everything bad is present in most known cultures. There is a bunch of stuff connected to different numbers, including three, as in trinity, six, seven, one hundred eleven, six hundred sixty-six, six hundred sixteen, three hundred eleven... That is a big bunch of numbers, including... SIX SIX SIX! Oh yeah, my absolute favorite!

Also, the symbolism of crosses, pentacles, pentagrams and so on are described, too. The cross was used in crucifixions, and many so-called "false gods" were executed that way. Some became saints later on, some remained false. Overall, the cross plays a large role in many religions and cults. There's no mention of inverted crosses, though... Well, there's but a few of them. There was a belief that if someone was crucified upside down, they will go to Tartarus, pony equivalent of Hell. Actually, Tartarus is a real place where evil is locked up, albeit not in a way Hell is described. There is just a big cave or something. But a few beings have access there, including the two alicorn sisters.

The pentacle and pentagrams were and are used in magic as symbols of protection and seals. Upside-down pentacles mean breaking the protection or seal. Pretty simple, I suppose, and it has nothing to do with the shape of a goat head.

And about goats... They were and are still known as the lest sapient of all "truly sapient" species. Having intelligence just above animals', they seem to be able to understand the speech, but they don't speak at all. Actually, goats were considered evil because they look alike sapient species but are much less intelligent, thus leading to a belief that they were punished for an unknown reason by Gods. Nowadays, they make the perfect servants or workers as they do what they're tasked with perfectly and without question, although complex operations aren't their strong side.

I feel sorry for those goats... Everyone else is clever but not them.

Anyway, there are many things that must be done other than reading books. I need to carefully introduce Ghost, and it must have a decent story to it. It's not your regular metal band, after all. It has a theme — satanism and devil worship. So, I decided that this won't be just a band but more like actors, all of them having different roles.

Actually, I think I should write down the following. I pulled out my smartphone, found the needed app, and prepared to type. Better not keep everything in my head all the time, right?

There will be four ponies at the start: the guitarist-vocalist, the drummer, and the keyboardist, and the Announcer. I will be the first one, and I will find someone who will be everyone else.

The head of the band and the cult will be the guitarist-vocalist (this name sounds stupid, by the way), and his name will be Emeritus. Well, because the real vocalist's name is such. The head of the cult, which is him, is Papa, making him Papa Emeritus. Others will be Nameless Ghouls — servants of the Dark Lord of Many Names, who is Satan, Sathanas, Lucifer, Belial, Behemoth, Beelzebub, and Asmodeus in one person. Whew, I think I remembered all those names... Anyway, that is everything about those who will play on the stage.

Instead of "changing" papas with each album as the original bands do, there will be something new in this version of Ghost. First, the early costumes will be simple black robes that will hide everything but the hooves and snout of the members of the band. Papa's costume will be a mix between the first two original papas' costumes: a bit modified black-and-red clothes from the first papa, and face skull pain from the second. And I shouldn't forget the mitre — it will stand out the most.

With each album, costumes will change into something more rich-looking. They will become more complicated and feature decorations such as patterns, and the ghouls will receive masks. Thus, it will tell the listeners that the band is becoming greater and bigger with each album.

I think it is everything for the papa and the ghouls. Let's talk about the new character.

So, there will be the Announcer — a mysterious figure with a black cloak with white edges (early version) and a white mask (from the second album onwards) that is different from others', and it must be a mare. While original Ghost has something like this — an old lady that seems to be running the cult, I aim to create something a bit different. The Announcer will be a calm story-teller. The old lady from the original band is a bit... shouty and impulsive. I don't really like her much.
The thing is, there is a story running through the band's albums, and it is divided into three stages as of now: preparations to Antichrist's birth, the creation of satanic empire and Antichrist's ascension, and his reign. Well, I am maybe a bit wrong here and there, but it is how I see it. And I think it will be perfect.

So, the entire story will be set in the Dark Ages, when cults were widely spread. It will be like an alternate universe of sorts — there is a dark cult that is calling on for their dark lord to rise, and it will actually work, unlike real religions. That is fairly simple, I suppose.

The Announcer will tell bits of story that the songs don't capture.

Let's talk about the first stage. The Announcer will tell a few bits of story right at the beginning. Hm... Well, it will be like this: There are many cults spread throughout the lands of Equestria. There is an ancient legend that says that a powerful being will come, uniting all under his power. And that being is referred to as Christ — omnipotent white alicorn of light. But a dark and hideous cult is going to turn the prophecy another way — there will be Antichrist, a mighty being not unlike Christ, son of the Dark Lord of Many Names. Antichrist will come and change the world, and he will bring it into darkness, but not in the way others might expect...

That is but a sketch, of course. I need a writer to make this perfect, I don't want it clunky or awkward, after all.

So, that speech that will be spoken during Deus Culpa track, which is kinda creepy because it's actually a reversed pipe organ song... it's related to Christmas, as far as I know. Con Clavi Con Dio will play next, and that track is going to perfectly recreate the atmosphere of a cult: a chant, introduction, and dark music. As this track just fades, the end will happen accordingly — the lights will fade, turn off, and then the band disappears, leaving, say, a cloud of black smoke. The Announcer will then tell that the band cannot preach openly yet as it still has to gain more power, and that the audience can help with that. Thus, the Announcer will hint that the ponies that came to the first band performance should spread the word and, well, give money. I'm doing music for the sake of it, but I still need money to do everything related to it.

So, the Announcer will bow and disappear behind the stage.

Yeah, I suppose it will work just fine. Though, there must be someone who will agree to be the Announcer. She must be somepony with a powerful, a little bit sweet, but steel voice. I suppose Moonshine can do this role perfectly — when she acted as Ghuleh, her voice was what I now need. It was perfect.

Alright, this is the beginning. If we, i.e. the band, collect enough money, we will have another performance that will end just like the previous one. It will begin with something like this: Tonight, the cult is assembled for the ritual... A very important ritual that will grant their Lord more power. It is... the carnal ritual. One last ritual that will change the world. Then, the song Ritual will be played.

...

Also, that small speech sounded kinda silly. I really need a writer to do this job for me.

Anyway...

Well, the lyrics of the song go like "Evoking our master, to procreate the unholy bastard", and that obviously means sex. While we won't perform sex on stage for obvious reasons, we will still sing the song. Thus, there will be a hint that sex gives more power to Satan. Well... maybe it will cause a spike in the demographical situation in Equestria, huh.

Anyway, a couple of next songs end without fading. But there is still one song that ends in the fading way, and that would mean that the worshipers of light want to prevent Ghost from accomplishing their goals, and that is why Ghost's members are forced to stay just for the song. Ultimately, those efforts at bringing the darkness down will be proven futile as the two last songs won't fade, and the last song will be about the birth of Antichrist, thus completing the first album and the first act, meaning that the evil begins to rise. Also, if we collect enough money, we will make a short movie about the birth that will play during the song. The song's instrumental, it will work perfectly for the film's soundtrack.

The film will be made according to the second-to-last song (Prime Mover) — the protagonist will be the nun that was impregnated with Antichrist by Satan.

So, the nun will be chased during the rain by the worshippers of the light that know she's fallen to darkness. She will run away from them to the rocky mountains, and find one of the secret entrances to Ghost's worshipping grounds. She will be quickly taken in by one of the Nameless Ghouls. She will be assured that she is safe with them. And then, the birth will begin — Ghouls will put the nun on the stretcher and carry her to the birthing room, where Papa Emeritus will recite ancient spells while the birth happens. After the birth, the nun will be taken by Satan to Hell where she will stay with him, and their son will be brought into a large hall of the worshipping grounds. He will be brought by Papa Emeritus, and the latter will stand on the balcony, raising Antichrist for all to see. Below, many Nameless Ghouls will stand, most of them will be represented by the most loyal fans of Ghost that will be willing to partake in the filming. They will loudly applause, and everything will end with a large orgy in the name of Antichrist.

...

Many would say it's kinda fucked up. I say this is my mind. Still... these aren't opposite.

Also, the orgy won't be real. There will be a suggestion that it happens. Well, I don't know how it will perhaps go during the filming. I hope that everyone will wait until the filming ends and everyone is back at home. As for me — I've never been to an orgy, and I cannot say will I like it or not. My preference is having sex with a maximum of two girls. More will be very hard for me to sate.
Not that I am some kind of alpha sex predator or something! I don't actually know how I am rated in bed. Well, I can certainly say that I am not a complete failure.

Alright, I think I shouldn't delve deeper into describing each album of Ghost, as I'm not yet completely sure if what I make will bear fruit. I really hope that metal will cause a revolution in music and become one of the most popular genres, but I can't be too sure. I don't want my overconfidence and overly high expectations to ruin the results.

Actually, if that doesn't become popular, I will be really, really, really disappointed in myself. Just, come on! If I fail at bringing metal to this world, my life will be forever tainted by this! I will be ashamed of it till the end of my life!

...

Alright, I'll polish my ideas later. Now, I better... Actually, I don't know what I should do. Moonshine's reading a book now, and I don't really feel like going anywhere or doing anything. Well... I'll take a nap. It will move the time forward, closer to tomorrow, when Luna will be teaching be stuff about flying.

I'm already on a comfortable bed, it won't take me much to go to sleep.

...

And oh my, I'm glad Moonshine wasn't reading what I was typing. And I hope telepathy isn't a thing in this world. Otherwise... My half-perverted half-demon-worshipping mind will be revealed!

Yeah, my mind is a very strange place. I get lost in it sometimes. And sometimes, I think of things that I don't usually think about. Like orgies or just sex in the name of a deity. I never knew I had it in myself.

...

Am I not supposed to sleep right now?

Some hours later.

...

Damn my head hurts, I think I've overslept. It's really dark in here, I think I woke up at midnight or so.

Ugh, my head... That annoying pain that messes with my focus and concentration, I hate it.

...

Alright, what should I do now? There's something odd right here... Something soft and warm by my either sides. To my right is surely my cat, I can hear her purring softly. But by my left...

Oh hell no! What the heck is Moonshine doing here?! This bed isn't big enough for the two of us! Also, she's being a little forceful right here, trying to, I dunno, make me love her. Uh...

...

Everything is great, yeah. Though, I doubt Moonshine knows a lot about love. Um...

...

Alright, this has gotten ridiculous. Why would Moonshine want to sleep with me? She's too young to have those kind of thoughts I would if I wanted to sleep with someone of opposite gender. Is it even comfortable for her to sleep here? There's not much space, after all, and I make a habit of throwing pillows around while sleeping. How hasn't she fallen to the floor by now?

Well, considering that she's already slept with me in the log cabin, I suppose she finds it, I don't know, comforting? I'm not against it as long as she doesn't do anything stupid or outright intimate... Which I am sure won't happen due to her age. Well, I hope so, because doing that with someone who hasn't reached adolescence will be pretty fucked up in more meanings than one. Even if I am a child and should be manipulated into that easily, I'm really not. I mean, I'm psychologically uncomfortable about that, so... Yeah, I should wait and be aware. It would've been better if whatever transformed me into a pony chose my age as eighteen and not eight. I would have fewer problems... Although, you never truly know what option is best. I mean, I can't experience both and compare them. Well, I'll be a teenager in... about five years, but that isn't experiencing it from the beginning, so to say.

Ugh, I think I've just messed up my line of thoughts. I just made everything so confusing I doubt I can understand myself right now.

Anyway... What was I going to do? Or, what will I do now? I dunno... I'm in a kinda awkward situation, my head hurts, and it's still night.

Where's my smartphone?

...

What was it doing on a drawer? I don't remember putting it there. Did Moonshine use it? Let's see... Well, she tried to unlock it, it seems. There are some marks as if someone tried to swipe the screen. Good thing I still have that graphical code that prevents anyone from using my smartphone. Well, ponies don't seem to have that technology, but better safe than sorry. I still have some porn there... Which was ponified. And that discovery was rather shocking. But hey, there's a good side! I'll be able to masturbate to it when I grow up! Yay!

...

Good thing I didn't say it out loud. It'd be embarrassing. And it sounded stupid, too.

Alright, I have my smartphone now. I think listening to some music will ease my nerves and my headache.

***

After a few hours of listening to music, the sky outside began to brighten up. It's seven in the morning, and everyone except me is still asleep. Well, not exactly, my cat is walking around the apartment, exploring it. Sniffing stuff, that kind of thing. Good thing Molniya isn't male cat — everything would've been covered in piss by now. She just rubs against everything, which is a cute thing to watch. Peeing cats... you guess it, not much.

I better check the litter box and the bowl. If needed, I'll refill them.

...

Alright, the litter box needs to be refilled. Better dump the contents into a bag and tie that bag so that no foul smell gets through. Then, I'm going to dump that bag in a trash bunker outside. Yes, ponies have trash bunkers, thankfully. Otherwise, there'd be no place to dump the trash into besides the streets. And that would be awful.

The litter box is clean now. Let's check the food bowl.

...

I need to refill it as well. The cat food was somewhere... Here. And now... Done. Excellent.

As for the water, I keep the water in the sink running. Well, not exactly running but falling drop by drop from the hose. Molniya refuses to drink any other way.

Alright, everything about the cat is done. After gently stroking her for a few moments, I returned to my bed. Well, all I can do is get in.

Here I go... Moonshine's still here.

...

Time flies really slow right now. It's seven twenty. There's no school for another few days, and that means there are still... almost nine hours until I meet Luna.

Ugh... That is so long! The only thing I've left to do is to listen to music or play some games that are still on the smartphone. And I don't really feel like doing either.

Yeah, this world needs more music and games. I've still not seen any computers. All I know is that phones are very expensive, and I doubt there are computers good enough even for the simplest games. The first computers took much place, like a whole building, as far as I know. Well, it seems I'll have to wait for at least a hundred years before I see anything resembling a gaming computer.

Yeah, this world is really underdeveloped in the recreational department.

...

Alright, I still don't know what I will do until my first training. I just... Well, I don't know. There's just nothing I feel like doing. I can't practice playing my instruments, too, as Moonshine's still sleeping, and I don't want to disturb her.

...

...

Let's learn the alphabet! A is for Action, B is for BOREDOM!

Guess which thing is happening now.

Hard, isn't it?

...

Fuck, I don't even have anyone to talk to other than myself and all my imaginary friends.

And I don't have imaginary friends.

...

This is making me go insane! Never knew lying on a bed could do this.

Well... My life has changed. Some time ago, I could lie in the same position for hours doing nothing in particular. Now, I am already bored. Why? Is it how ponies affect me? Maybe... Yes, it is right. When I was a teenager, I didn't even want to go out ever again. I wanted to just stay at home and do nothing except maybe playing video games alone. I just... expected that, um, anything I do will not be worth it. Just... that depressive feeling of everything being... unimportant. I didn't really care before, but now I do. Um... Maybe because now I have another childhood. I mean, I have more friends now than during my "first" childhood. The point is, I now understand everything more clearly and can act more reasonably.

Uh, it's so strange to think about how much my life has changed since I became a pony. I can even say it became much better... And it makes me look pathetic. I mean, colorful mini-horses have changed my life, how crazy and laughable does it sound, huh? They belong to a child-friendly cartoon, not the real life. At least, that is what I would've expected if I heard of them before appearing here.

...

Why am I even having these thoughts? Yeah, right, because it's boring otherwise.

...

If I were older I would masturbate to pass the time. Or go find a hooker. Um... Maybe not the best way to spend time, but, well... Why not? But I'm still a child, I can have neither. At least I don't feel the desire do it, and that means my body isn't ready yet.

...

Alright, everything went towards sex again. The fuck? Something is certainly wrong with my head... or with the lower part of my body. Or with my everything.

...

Well, maybe I should get laid, but I really can't because of things I cannot change or force to happen. Yeah, leaves no choice to me but to wait until I am old enough.

...

There are a lot of pauses in my thoughts. That is certainly not good. I need something to do! But what? Ugh... I don't have anything interesting on my mind. It's too early to do anything, too. I wish I could just go back to sleep and wake up at the right time. Some video games have this useful feature, why not bring it to the real life? I wish it was that easy...

Well, I suppose I just lay here. Yeah...