Note de l’auteur: I want to apologize for such a short chapter, but I won’t. I will, however, state that the next will be far longer. And that mania I mentioned last chapter? That is coming… or perhaps schizophrenia is more accurate… correct me later. For now, READ!

I stood outside in the snow sipping on my cup of hot chocolate as I inhaled deeply, taking in the scents of winter. I loved winter. I swear I was a penguin in a past life, as I was almost entirely immune to the bite of the cold, needing only a scarf about my neck to keep my warm in below-freezing weather. I surveyed the falling flakes and the ice clinging to the trees when suddenly a certain mare jumped onto my back from behind. I laughed as she gave me a peck on the cheek and I tried not to spill my drink.

“You’re up rather early, Red Storm. Is there something wrong?”

“Not at all, my sweet. I was simply enjoying the morn’. If anything, I would have to ask you why you are up so early. It’s just about six In the morning.”

“I rolled over in bed, and you weren’t there. So when I got up, I found you out here. Anyway, isn’t it a little too cold to be standing around outside this early?”

“Come now love, I’m wearing my scarf. Besides, it’s just a little brisk out. I think it is hardly cold enough for me to fall ill. However, I do see your point.” I trotted back inside with the yellow mare still clinging to my back. As I carried her inside, I kicked the door shut behind me, and I let her down. She nipped me on the ear playfully as she made her way over to the kitchen for breakfast. I sat down on the couch, where Angel sat. As I sipped my hot coco, he drank from a flask, and was wearing a blue bathrobe. He shot me a dirty look, before looking off again. He had gotten more or less used to me over the months, but he obviously did not like the idea of the two of us dating. I about fifteen minutes later, the mare waved us into the kitchen, and a grand feast was spread before me. Carrots, apples, flowers, and wheatcakes. Certainly more than what we usually ate, but I was not complaining. What was fun about it is that the wheatcakes had little smilies on them, made of chocolate chips. I looked at the mare happily, and she wore a small smile, along with a cute flower apron. I helped her take it off, before seating her. I sat down across from her and Angel next to her. As we began to eat, I couldn’t help but chuckle in my mind. ‘I have a beautiful, caring, delicate, and simply amazing marefriend. I don’t think I could be happier.’

We finished the meal in mere minutes, as we didn’t talk this time around. I was thinking about what I should get Fluttershy for Hearth’s Warming, but other things clouded my mind as well. The voices were giving me disturbing if not stupid suggestions.

‘Give her the heart of one of her enemies.’

‘Give her your ear in a box with a pretty pink bow.’

‘Get that filly a hydra head. Fillies love hydra heads.’

Like I said. Disturbing if not stupid.

I washed dishes as Fluttershy went out to check up on the animals. I looked back on the past month and a half blissfully, and recalled how it has been the happiest time of my life. Before we started dating, we would only normally spend time together at home; otherwise she would leave me alone with Angel and visit friends or run errands. Now that we were an item, we could do just about anything together. We would visit friends together, run errands together, take leisurely flights or walks, and even have a weekly romantic date. I will never admit it due to pride, but in order to make ends meet, I have been working at a mine in the mountains for some extra bits every other day. I thought it would be an excellent way to keep in shape, help the local area, and use my skills for something other than killing ponies.

As I finished washing the dishes, Fluttershy returned from outside shivering.

“I don’t know how you can stand being outside in that cold for more than a minute!” she squeaked as I got a blanket from the couch and wrapped her in it. “At least my little animal friends are warm in their trees and burrows. But I’m sooo cold.” She gave me a light smile followed by a shiver as I gave her a kiss on the forehead.

“Come love, let’s get you to bed for some rest. I have some business to attend to, and I don’t want you to get sick.” She nodded as I led her upstairs, tucking her into bed before returning downstairs. Before I left, I moved to the closet near the door, and I removed a box from within. Inside was my suit Royal Sanguinary Armor, which I began to put on. I had not worn the armour in months, not since my original arrival into Equestria; however the armour had not a speck of dust on it, and shone sparkling gold as it always had. I donned the grey mail before the gold plate, and shouldered the now-alien weight.

The armour was forged from Adamant, a nigh-indestructible metal found only in my homeland, tempered by master Artificers with dragon fire, before being gold plated and enchanted for further protection. It was, however, incredibly light, and fitted especially for me, making it not unlike an impenetrable second hide. Something that always baffled me was the lack of a helmet. Anypony could easily attack the head, ignoring the rest of the heavily armoured body, but I suppose that is what the bright red droplet-shaped Blood Ruby and gold plating was for; to draw attacks to the torso rather than the head. Still, I couldn’t help but think that whoever thought excluding a helmet from the set was a good idea was an idiot, but that was merely my opinion. As I finished tightening some straps, I thought about the letter I had received a few days ago.

“Meet me in the Everfree forest at 5:30 sharp! Saturday! VERY IMPORTANT!”

I only knew one pony who wrote the way that letter was written was my sister, Scarlet Rain. We were on much better terms since Nightmare Night, but I made it clear that we should keep communication scarce, in case my father were to trace the letters. If she sent me a letter, it must be pretty buckin’ important.

I trotted outside and headed for the Everfree forest. The snow crunched beneath my boots, and I observed the snowflakes fall. As I continued along the path, the combination of the falling snow and the cool air made it easy for my mind to wander.

I recalled all of the romances that have occurred in the short span of time since Nightmare night. Twilight Sparkle had admitted to dating Big Mac; a revelation that was news to everypony but Spike and myself, though we didn’t say so. Ditzy and Doctor Hooves are also getting along splendidly, and Ditzy even told me that they are also an official couple. Apparently, Dinky has taken to the Doctor fondly, and I can’t help but admit that I am happy for Ditzy having found a steady relationship.

I made my way into the dark forest, and after trotting along for about five minutes, and then I spotted her about a hundred paces ahead. She was leaning against a tree, and was standing in its shade. She also wore her armour, and although it was purple instead of gold, it was otherwise identical. I trotted closer, but stopped at about twenty feet when I could see her face clearly. It was covered in cuts and bruises, with fur missing in spots. I spread my wings to attempt to fly away, but she reacted faster than I could make lift-off, grabbing me in a telekinesis spell. She straightened up and moved towards me. I could now see that one of her eyes was also screwed shut, as if she was in extreme pain, but I suspected the true reason was far more sinister.

“Hello, brother. It’s been while, hasn’t it?” I glared at her in silence, and she shrugged, losing what little animosity towards me. “Let me apologize to begin with, and let me apologize for what I’m about to say. I think you have already realized that this is a trap, ordered by your father who had found out about you, tortured me, and had me come for you. However, while he still doesn’t know where you are, for he did not ask; he does want to send a message. He wants you to suffer, and I know just how to do it. I’m gonna force you to watch as your world burns and your friends die. Best part is?” Her look of satisfaction turned to one of pure madness. “You’re gonna do it for me.” I simply scoffed at the threat.

“Oh, really? And how do you plan on doing that?”

“Like this.” She tapped me on the forehead with her horn, and there was a huge flash of orange light, and I suddenly understood. I felt my muscles tense up, my jaws clench, and my very irises shrink. Then, came the flood of voices.

‘Yes… embrace us… let the hate flow through you.’

‘Let blood flow down every street like rivers, let every soul scream and perish in fire.’

‘Maim. Kill. Burn. MAIM. KILL. BURN.’

‘Let none suffer to live. Go forth, and KILL.’

‘Death to the weak! REJOICE IN THE SLAUGHTER TO COME!’

My sister let me down, and now I was frothing at the mouth. My mane was wild, and my tail was twitching. Looking around, I realized we were in Ponyville town square, with a crowd forming. I then looked up to my sister, in a crazed way as she leaned in and whispered in my ear:

“Search and destroy, servant. Any force which opposes you is to be crushed underhoof. All obstacles are to be reduced to dust and ash. Search. And. Destroy.” She then disappeared in another flash of orange light, leaving me alone, twitching; surrounded by countless ponies. I looked straight ahead and saw a familiar face that I knew from somewhere before. However, in my maddened mind, all she looked like was a nice, tasty, flesh sack of blood and marrow and etc. I could only watch in horror in my own mind as I lunged forward at the mare, teeth bared. Screams.