Author's Notes:

So the next chapter is here. I don't want to spoil anything in this chapter. So I'll just let you all move right into the chapter. But one major note, my tags are officially changing. The 'dark' tag will now be added, but will only come in effect in certain chapters. I'll let you guess when I'll be using it. Another is the 'gore' tag. I'm not sure if this chapter qualifies for it yet, but for safety reasons, I will put it up. So go on and enjoy this action packed chapter.

Comment, like, follow, share and tell. Only two more chapters till a small break will come for this story. But I'll talk about that after chapter ten comes into play. See you all next time.

Stray Wolf

We all looked to see a figure come walking down the path the Timber Wolves had made. As the figure kept walking towards us, I could feel every hair on my body start to stand on end. This mystery character was something straight out of a horror film. The figure was a half male pony and disturbingly half Timber Wolf. The pony side was a little blue coat with a dark brown almost chocolate mane color. But his timber side nearly took up his whole body. His right hand had the most. It was built up like a shield. His eyes were both the sickly yellow color like all Timber Wolves had. He had no clothing on, as the wood seemed to serve that purpose. But I couldn't find any cutie mark for his pony side. I watched as he looked over all of us and gave us all a toothy smile. It made shivers done my spine as all his teeth were fangs instead of pony vegetarian style teeth.

"Ah, I see you brought some friends, how nice. At least they can watch as I rip you apart," said the male figure in a dark voice.

"What the hell?" I said

"I see you have never seen something like me." He said

"You got that right." Said Rainbow

"Ha, I expected that much." He said

"Now, who are you?" I asked

"I was waiting for one of you to ask that question. But to answer that question, we have to go back to the beginning of my life before I became what you see in front of you. So now where in my past should I begin? Ah, I know exactly where to start my tale for all of you. It all began when I was a still a pony. I came from a wealthy family of doctors, so it wasn't unseen I would have a cutie mark in the medical field and well that's what happened to me. I thought everything was great, but it seemed to keep getting better for me as life went on."

"After I had my license to do medicine, I moved to Manehattan to begin my medical career. But while there I got hooked on well a guilty pleasure. I got caught on strip clubs. I guess it was reasonable to work in a city like Manehattan. But that's where I meet her, a beautiful midnight blue earth pony with a red mane. She was perfect for me. Well after five months of dating, we were married. It was the happiest day of my life, or so I thought. After the fall heat, I learned my lovely wife was pregnant with my first child. I never thought in my wildest dreams. I would be a father. But my life would slowly begin to take a turn for the worse after that."

"Well after my daughter was born, I decided to move my practice here to Ponyville. I worked at Ponyville Hospital for the next three years of my life. My life was going smooth till I came home from work one day. Guess what I found in my bed, my wife, and another stallion. I couldn't believe my eyes at the sight of my wife bedding another stallion. Well, I didn't confront her and just let it go, how wrong I was for doing that. The next day, my wife sent me out to get some herbs in the Everfree Forest. It wasn't too far in the forest, so I was safe from the creatures that called it home. While I was out picking the herbs she needed, a storm began to brew overhead I was almost done when I heard a growling noise coming from behind. I looked back to see a Timber Wolf Alpha and three of his underlings. I backed up, but there was more of them. As the storm began, the wolves lunged and started to rip me limb from limb. That was it for me, or so I thought."

"As the wolves ate me, a large boom traveled across the airwaves. The wolves all stopped consuming me and spontaneously exploded into their primary form. Then came a dark, hate-filled, evil male voice. He told me that my wife had done this to me, she had given me a map that would lead me to Timber Wolf territory to kill me, so she can have as many lovers as she wanted. He told me that he could bring me back to life as long as I promised him one simple thing. I was to promise him that I would serve him for life. Well, I guess you can see that I did accept his offer. After accepting his offer, the area grew extremely dark, and sky become red with blood. I was lifted from the ground and into the air with the wood around me. My body merged with the former Timber Wolves, and it brought me back to life. But I wasn't just brought back to life. I was made new. He gave me this a new body and powerful dark magic. So when I woke, I was this now, a hybrid between pony and Timber Wolf. But my revenge would have to wait. For my next task was to combine the Timber Wolf tribes in the Everfree Forest."

"For the next seven years, I took down the twelve Timber Wolf tribe alphas and made each tribe mine. But why did it take so long because I had to train my new body? I had to learn to control these new powers and learn to use this new body, after I had accomplished that, I took the throne as the king of all Timber Wolves. Nothing was going to stop me, and nothing did. All those wolves that didn't obey, I killed with my hands. Finally, I could seek my revenge, but I needed to do two more things before then. First, was to create new alphas for each pack. I never wanted the Timber Wolves to forget their king, so I created alphas that would make sure that all Timber Wolves would be loyal to me even if they went back to being twelve tribes again. Next, I needed a name. I knew my pony name would no longer fit me since I was no longer a pony. I started to remember my life in those seven years leading up to my kingship. I was a stray working my way to the top. I was a stray wolf, and that was how I came to be known as Stray Wolf. But now I should at least finish my tale for you all. So where did I leave off, oh yeah."

"So with a name and an army, I was ready to take my revenge. I went back to Ponyville with a few of my best wolves. I returned to my home. I approached the front door and bashed the lock in. I was finally back. I stepped in and felt so at home, but I wasn't caring for that feeling much. I gave my wolves the order to take my daughter to the hospital. They did as I had told them as I went to see my wife alone. Well, of course, she was still bedding stallions but looked to be much more in there than the last time I saw her. I bashed the door open and killed all her suitors, but spared her. Why you may ask, so I could make her death more painful, I didn't want to give her a quick death, but more of a slow painful one. I tied her to the bed as she begged for me not to, but her husband was long gone. I just gave her a toothy smile as I left the room. I went down the kitchen and turned on our gas stove. I closed the door and let the gas fill the house. When it was good and full, I lit a match and opened the door and threw it in. Well, I guess you can all imagine what happened to my house. I watched as it burst into flames. I laughed away as my old life went up in flames. My wolves returned and told me that the hospital was ready. So I went now to complete my plan."

"I arrived at the hospital. My wolves had already killed the night staff. I walked into the operating room where my daughter laid on the operating table. I knew I couldn't rule my kingdom alone, so I needed a princess to rule next to me. But I wanted something as powerful as me, and I knew the alicorn was the most powerful pony around. But I also wanted her to have my powers also. I'll spare you the details, but you should have heard her scream as I ripped her genetic structure apart and created the perfect alicorn. I removed her memories of her past and only placed ones I wanted her to have. When I finished, she was perfect. She was my little princess, my little Moon Star. But I was soon called to serve my master, and I did it with my daughter. You should have seen her skills, but some warrior in gold saved her. She became afraid of me. She seemed to remember who I was to a point. She didn't know I was her father, but more of her tormentor. I guess she was right on that point, but before I could reset my daughter, that warrior began to trap my master and us in prisons. But before frozen in my stone prison, I grabbed my daughter. So we were trapped together in the stone prison. Now I've returned to this world using the moonlight to free my prison, and the Timber Wolves came to see their king return. So I think that catches us up and answer all the questions any of you would have." He said

We were all silent, and he seemed to like that as he began to laugh. His dark laughter was backed up by a flash of lightning and a boom of thunder. We all couldn't say a word as his story just didn't seem right for this world. Sure I had only been here for a few weeks, but the atmosphere of Ponyville and the whole planet didn't feel like a place you would hear about such crimes or such evil.

"I guess my story caught your voices in your throats." Said Stray Wolf

"How could you do that to a filly?" Asked Fluttershy

"It was easy. Moon Star was more of a tool and weapon than a daughter." He said

"How can you say that?" Asked Twilight

"How easy, life means nothing. I learned through my medical career that life means nothing. Every life is expendable in this world. No life is sacred since there just be one more life somewhere on this planet to replace it. I can kill one of my lesser wolves and replace it with a newer much better wolf. So why should I care about life if the world just continues to spin." Said Stray Wolf

"No!" I said

Everypony and wolf looked at me. I looked at Stray Wolf with anger in my eyes. I drew my sword and pointed it at him. He seemed just to grin at me till I spoke to him.

"No that's wrong, everypony has a right to a life. Life is the most sacred thing we all have. No pony has the right to take that life away in any way. Even your wolves have a right to live without fear of you killing them. You think that every life is expendable than your crazier than I expected. I would have thought a doctor would know the value of life." I said

"Ha, boy that was funny. Even as a doctor I saw the truth. I saw it when ponies would come in that were on the brink of death. They wanted me to help them to stay alive. Well, that's what I did, but as I grew into my career, I saw that it was pointless, they were all going to die. So let's say I helped them see that light of death come towards them. I guess why it was so easy to take these wolves lives and the lives of my enemies that face me. It was even easier when I turned my daughter into a weapon. Plus, I never got caught for the patients that I did kill, but at least I helped them to the next life." He said

"You didn't care for life period." Said Twilight

"That's right. I saw everything as expendable even before becoming Stray Wolf. So what do you have to say to that warrior?" He said

"All I have to say is that I'm going to put you down for good. What do you think about that?" I said

"Ha, I knew you would say something like that, watching you fight my wolves made me think how lame my past foes were. Sure the man in gold was the most powerful opponent I ever faced, but you might be the second best. But besides the point, if you think you can beat me, then bring it on. Show me what you can do." He said

"Gladly, get ready to go to Hell," I said

"Then bring it on." He said

***
3rd Person POV

A large flash of lightning illuminated the area. Fluttershy gave an 'eep' as the boom of thunder followed. Both sides were quiet till Xavier ran screaming at Stray Wolf.

"Prepare to die, you bastard!" Exclaimed Xavier

"Yes use your anger against me. Use everything you got, give me a fight I will remember." Said Stray Wolf

Xavier slashed his sword back and forth. Each swing filled with anger and hatred towards Stray Wolf. Stray Wolf just kept dodging each attack, making Xavier's passion continue to rise. Stray Wolf grinned as Xavier was becoming more and more angered with each passing attack.

"I thought you were some skilled warrior. All I see here is a boy filled with hate and anger throwing around a sword." Said Stray Wolf

"You won't be saying that when I cut you down to size." Said Xavier

The girls just watched as Xavier's anger grew more and more. They could feel their anger toward Stray Wolf for everything he said, but they could see Xavier wasn't fighting the way he has been.

"Xavier needs to calm down." Said Twilight

"Why?" Asked Rainbow

"Because a warrior filled with anger and hatred doesn't fight the same as the one that is at peace." Said Twilight

"I see your point Twilight. I just hope Xavier finds himself before it's too late." Said Rarity

Xavier kept swinging his sword around trying to make contact with Stray Wolf. Damn, nothing I do works! No, I need to get hold of myself. If I fight with all this anger and hatred, I will indeed die where I stand. I need to find my center again and then get back to the fight. Xavier jumped back and held his sword with both hands as he settled his emotions. Stray Wolf and the girls watched as Xavier stood still. He let out a sigh as he a spun his blade in his hand. He smiled as he readied himself for the fight again.

"Now I think I'm ready to take you on." Said Xavier

"You go get him, Xavier." Said Pinkie

"Show no mercy." Said Rainbow

He gave a thumbs up before going back into the fight with Stray Wolf. He charged forward and started to use his sword skills the right way. Xaver was able to throw Stray Wolf off guard, and it was enough for him to go in for an attack. He swung his blade down as Stray Wolf blocked it with his right hand. Xavier left a nice deep gash in the wood and leaped away.

"Now we're talking." Said Xavier

The girls were cheering for Xavier, but soon they stopped as a dark maniac laughter filled the air. They were all thrown off by it. Stray Wolf looked at them all with his crazy filled yellow eyes.

"You think that was going to stop me. Then I think I underestimated you." Said Stray Wolf

They all watched in horror as wood began to grow back and heal the wound. Soon it was like Xavier hadn't even attacked him. There was no indication that Xavier even attacked him.

"For you see, young warrior. I can regenerate wood to heal any wounds you deal me." Said Stray Wolf

"No way!" Said Xavier

"This is bad." Said Fluttershy

"Oh, it's going to get much worse." Said Stray Wolf

Soon Stray Wolf's right hand began to shack. Wood began to splinter out to the front. It soon formed a blade of sorts, and Stray Wolf charged Xavier. Xavier was now on the defense as Stray Wolf came at him with fierce attacks. Some were easily getting past Xavier and leaving small cuts on his arms. But each time Xavier made a successful attack, Stray Wolf quickly recovered from each of them. Damn, nothing I do is working. Xavier was starting to pant as he was using up a lot of energy defending and make fruitless attacks. But Stray Wolf was perfectly fine.

"Tiring out, young warrior." Said Stray Wolf

"I have a name." Said Xavier

"That would be." Said Stray Wolf

"Xavier."

"Hm, I think I'll remember that." Said Stray Wolf

Xavier breathed in the night air as he watched Stray Wolf begin to shack. He raised an eyebrow to the hybrid creature. Soon hundreds of wood spikes began to form across his body. Xavier raised his sword ready for anything. Twilight instantly pulled up a shield to be ready for anything that might come towards them.

"I've got a bad feelin' about this." Said Applejack

"I hope you can handle this. Hundred Splinter Spike Strike!" Said Stray Wolf

The wood spikes shot out of his body straight towards Xavier. Xavier started to block most of them, but there were just too many for him to handle. They quickly passed by him scratching up his body. Twilight's shield blocked the incoming attack on them.

"Good thinkin' Twi." Said Applejack

But before Twilight could say a thing, they heard Xavier scream out in pain. They looked to see Xavier fall to his left knee. They saw a spike was smashed right into his right leg. Xavier touched it and hissed out in pain. Stray Wolf just gave him a toothy smile at Xavier's pain.

"It seems that I finally struck my first wound on you, warrior." Said Stray Wolf

Xavier kept touching the spike in his leg. I can't fight with this thing in my leg. I'm going to have to pull it out. Oh, this is going to hurt like hell. Xavier grabbed the spike and began to pull. Stray Wolf started to laugh as Xavier struggled to pull the spike from his leg. The girls watched him but cringed as Xavier screamed out in pain. They laid their ears against their heads to block out his blood-curdling scream. They looked to see Xavier raise up from the ground and drop the spike. Blood began to flow freely from the wound. Xavier was now breathing even heavier.

"Your screams of pain are music to my ears." Said Stray Wolf

"You're sick." Said Twilight

"No, I'm perfectly fine." Said Stray Wolf

"We going to stand around talking or are we going to fight. As far as I can see, I'm still standing." Said Xavier

"If you wish to." Said Stray Wolf

Xavier held his sword tight and tried to place weight on his right foot, but the pain was incredible. But he pushed through the pain to get back into the fight. Stray Wolf just laughed but then looked up to the sky. Xavier looked up as the rain started to fall.

"Oh great, rain." Said Rarity

"No need to wine Rarity, the shield will keep us dry." Said Twilight

"Yeah, plus we should more concerned with Xavier than with getting wet." Said Rainbow

"Rainbow's got the point, but I don't know if Xavier can take anymore." Said Pinkie

The rain started out slowly but began to come down much harder. It began to soak Xavier, Stray Wolf and the Timer Wolves. Xavier hissed as the rain hit his open bleeding wound. I'm not too sure if I can even win anymore. My right leg is in unbelievable pain. Not mentioning the blood I'm losing from the open wound. Xavier watched as Stray Wolf took a step forward and grinned at Xavier.

"I'm glad the rain has started to come down. It will wash away your blood from this peaceful valley after I spill it all." Said Stray Wolf

He rushed forward, and Xavier took a defensive stance, but the pain wouldn't let him do it fast enough. He watched as Stray Wolf's fist struck him hard in the face. Then came a barrage of fists to his body. The girls just watched in horror as Stray Wolf beat the living crap out of him.

"Fight back Xavier!" Screamed Twilight

But Twilight's words were falling on deaf ears. Xavier had no way to fight back. Stray Wolf wasn't giving him a chance. But the worst for Xavier hadn't even come yet. The Timber Wolves howled for their king as he continued to pound away on Xavier. Soon Stray Wolf took the arm that Xavier was using to hold his sword. He gave a faint smile to Xavier, and Xavier's eyes began to shrink. Stray Wolf, with his right hand, smashed with all his might against Xavier's right elbow. The girls froze as Xavier screamed in horrible pain. Fluttershy looked away with tears in her eyes. The girls were speechless. Xavier's sword fell to the ground with a clank. Stray Wolf kicked it away before grabbing Xavier's broken arm and flipping him onto his back. Xavier coughed up blood as his back made contact with the ground.

"Oh, Celestia no." Said Twilight

"This can't be happenin'." Said Applejack

"Please make it stop." Said Fluttershy

Stray Wolf watched as Xavier slowly got to his feet. But before Xavier could even get all the away to his feet, Stray Wolf smashed his foot against Xavier's left leg, breaking it. Xavier screamed as the bones in his left leg were broken. The girls started to form tears in their eyes as they watched the horror unfold in front of them. Stray Wolf approached Xavier's head and with his mighty fist, sent it barreling into the ground.

"This is to much fun; I think I'll take back my comment, I am sick!" Said Stray Wolf

Xavier slowly rose his head as he coughed up more blood. Thank goodness for my Fable powers. Otherwise, that would have been near fatal. I'll have to force my abilities into shielding, to protect my body from further damage. Xavier felt Stray Wolf grab his hair and yank his head up to his face.

"Do you wish to surrender?" Asked Stray Wolf

Xavier was silent as he coughed up more blood. Stray Wolf grinned and gave a deep laugh before looking back at Xavier. Borrowing his yellow eyes deep into Xavier's soul.

"I'll take that as a 'no.'" Said Stray Wolf

He took Xavier's head and began to bash it into the ground each time a little harder. The girls couldn't look anymore at the horror. But Twilight couldn't take her eyes off of what she was watching. Fluttershy was just curled up on the ground crying. Applejack had her face covered up with Stetson as tears ran down her face. Rainbow just had to look away. Pinkie's mane had become completely deflated with tears running down her face as she shook at the level of violence she was watching. She finally had enough and closed her eyes not wishing to see any more of it. Rarity just had her mouth covered from the shock from what she was watching. She looked away in disgust of what was happening. Twilight just watched, her eyes never looking away from the battle. She had tears running down her cheeks as her body shook right there.

Stray Wolf dropped Xavier's head as he laid motionless on the ground. His breathing was shallow and weak. Can't continue this fight. Not enough energy to protect my body anymore. No, this can't be the end of me. Stray Wolf raised his arms into the sky as his army of wolves howled for him. Lightning and thunder flashed and boomed in the background. Stray Wolf walked back to Xavier, still not done with the young warrior.

"Don't wimp out on me yet Xavier. I thought you were still willing to fight. Where is that fighting spirit when you began this fight? I know where it was, nowhere. Your just some kid, who thought he could play hero. Picking up a sword and knowing how to wield it, doesn't make you some master. I'm ashamed that I would even consider you a threat to me. You're nothing but a worthless worm." Said Stray Wolf

Stray Wolf pushed Xavier over to the side with his foot. He then brought it back and gave Xavier a powerful kick to his chest. It quickly broke three ribs and sent Xavier flying. He landed only a few feet from Twilight and the girls. Stray Wolf slowly walked towards the dying warrior as he summoned his blade. He picked up Xavier by his throat as all the girls watched in horror. Stray Wolf raised Xavier to the sky and was about to give me the final blow, but stopped as he looked at the girls. He then looked at the beaten dying warrior. He stopped to think before lowering his sword.

"You know what, I won't kill you today. You, Xavier, were the best fight I had in so long. So I think I'll spare you from death today. But I'm only saving you on one condition. You train yourself. I want you to grow stronger and stronger. So the next time we meet our battle will be even better. So keep my daughter, I'll take her back after I finally kill you. You hear that little ponies. I'm sparing your warrior friend today, but make sure he grows stronger or else you might be visiting him in a cemetery. For I will return in time to fight him again and if he fails as he did, this time, I won't spare his life." Said Stray Wolf

He dropped Xavier's body to the ground. He began to walk back to his wolves. They looked up at him and followed him back into the Everfree forest. The fight was finally over, and Stray Wolf had won. After Twilight was sure Stray Wolf and his wolves were gone, she ran out to Xavier's motionless body.

***
Twilight POV

I ran out in the rain as it continued to pour. I kept the spell up to keep the others dry. I flipped Xavier over on his back and placed my ear up to his chest. I could faintly hear the sound of his heart, but it wasn't good. He gave a slight cough as blood came up. I watched it roll down his mouth as he tried to breathe. I could feel tears run down my face in droves as I looked over his beaten body. The wind was whipping up, and the rain was coming down harder.

"Twilight."

I looked to see the others coming up. Rarity was even getting soaked. They all just looked over Xavier as he laid motionless.

"Oh, Celestia." Said Rarity

"That guy is going pay." Said Rainbow

"No Rainbow!" I exclaimed

They looked at me as I wiped the tears from my face. I got up to look at all my friends in the eyes.

"We get Xavier to a hospital, and we never touch Stray Wolf till Xavier is ready," I said

"But Twilight." Said Rainbow

"Rainbow you saw what he did yo Xavier, and he has training. Think what Stray Wolf will do to you? For know we leave him be, if he returns, then we deal with him." I said

"She's got the point. Help me get Xavier up, Rainbow." Said Applejack

Rainbow sighed and helped Applejack pick him up as I began the teleportation spell to the hospital. Rarity grabbed his sword in her hands. I looked over to Xavier in Applejack's and Rainbow's arms. Stay alive just a little longer Xavier, were going to get you help. Soon the white light of teleportation took us away to Ponyville Hospital.

We soon came out of the white into the lobby of the hospital. The storm outside had begun to pick up. The hospital still wasn't up to par after Moon Star wrecked up the place. Red Heart immediately came over to see us with a few nurses they were cleaning up the lobby. Lucky for us a gurney was already in the waiting room. The nurses brought it over, and Applejack and Rainbow set him down.

"What happened to him, he looks worse than the first time you brought him in." Said Red Heart

"He had a fight with a hybrid pony, Timber Wolf. You can see the results of the fight." I said

Red Heart began to check his pulse, and it seemed raise alarms. I watched as her eyes shrank then expanded again.

"We need to him to surgery now. His heart is on the verge of stopping! Let's go, ladies, to room one! Tell Doctor Horse that this is a code black," said Red Heart as the nurses ran Xavier into the operating rooms

"Red Heart, what's a code black?" I asked

"A code black means the patient is on the verge of death." Said Red Heart

Red Heart ran into the operating room leaving us all silent. We didn't make a sound as we just looked at the doors. It all seemed to be a nightmare to me, and if I blinked my eyes, I would wake in my bed. But no matter how many times I did, I was still in the hospital. A flash of lightening filled the windows with its white glow. It made the image of Stray Wolf with his toothy smile filled my mind. I couldn't hold back and let my emotions just go.

"XAVIER!" I screamed as the boom of thunder followed behind me.

***
Xavier POV

I was floating that's what I remember. I was floating in a black nothingness. I opened my eyes, but I couldn't see a thing. Where am I. As I floated in the black nothingness, I heard a dark, hate-filled male laughter fill the air. I watched as flames consumed the darkness. As the flames destroyed the blackness, blood-curdling screams of death could be heard all around me. I covered my ears to stop the screams, but it was fruitless as they just kept coming.

"Stop that screaming!" I said

The fire around me increased, I could feel the heat it was giving off. The heat coming off the flames was indescribable. It was like nothing I had ever felt. Is this Hell, have I died and gone to Hell. Soon that deep laughter returned and the next thing I knew, I was falling into the fire. I screamed as I continued to fall into the flames. But I soon stopped and began to float once again. I looked around and watched as a box came up from the fire. I looked at the box, and my mind started to click, it was the box I saw earlier today. But now I could see everything about it.

I was a modest size rock carved box. It was on the scale of a large stone that a 6' person could still stand over. The design was nothing fancy. The bottom was colored red like blood. It had drawings of people screaming as they boiled in blood. Above them were strange black blots. They looked like ink blots that a psychiatrist would show you. The top was like the roof of a house you would have drawn as a kid. The edges were raised and colored in gold. The middle had a human skull. Chains wrapped tight around it, no locks that I could see. As I stared at the box, the laughter returned.

"Who are you?" I asked

It didn't answer, but I started to hear the sound of metal. I looked to see the chains were removing themselves from the box. I could feel every hair on my body stand on end. After the chains had disappeared, the lid began to move slowly off. The laughter continued to get louder and more demonic in nature. After the cover had fallen away, it started to suck everything up. It was like an intense vortex or under toe pulling everything around it into it. I tried with all my might to resist, but I was too tired for some odd reason. So I was sucked into the box. Again I was floating in another dark realm. I thought I was alone, how wrong I was.

I watched as two giant bone hands covered in fire appeared out of the darkness with a massive human skull on fire. I tried to run or swim away, but my legs and arms wouldn't work. It took me in its grasp, and I screamed out in pain as the flames burnt my body. It brought me close to its face.

"Who are you?" I asked

"I. Am. Pandora!"

Everything in my body seemed to stop when it spoke. It was like something far worse than the devil himself. It opened its mouth, and I knew what it was going to do with me. I struggled to get free, but nothing was working. It had somehow paralyzed me with fear. It laughed as I tried to speak, but my voice was gone. It was like everything had shut down. I felt the hand release me towards the mouth. I wanted to scream, but nothing came out. I was helpless to do anything. Then a strange feeling began to take over my body. It left like death's grip. Soon the skull closed its mouth, and the darkness claimed me. But it wasn't darkness. It was death. Death had finally taken me.