The Mirror and the Rose (Cancelled)

>>Night in Ponyville
>>You've been here for three years
>>It's a quiet place
>>Peaceful
>>You look over at the bed stand
>>The clock reads 1 AM
>>You lie back on the mattress, your head sinking into the pillow
>>The sound of Twilight's soft breathing beside you puts you at ease
>>She's sleeping soundly; your 'special somep0ny.' She started using that phrase a lot recently
>>At first it was awkward, but you quickly grew used to it
>>After all, you've been together for six months already
>>You met just after the Discord Crisis. Roseluck had wanted to send her and her friends a 'thank-you' bouquet and you decided to accompany your friend to give it to Twilight.
>>After that, you started seeing more of the violet unicorn until finally the two of you became a couple
>>You start drifting off to sleep amongst the memories
>>A sudden commotion outside grabs your attention
>>Next to you in bed, Twilight stirs
>>”What's going on, Anon?”
>>You roll out of the bed and grab your jacket and shoes
I don't know, Twi. Stay here. I'm going down to see what's happening
>>She nods, tired, and you head out the door.
>>Outside you see lights coming on all over town
>>You look back up to the bedroom window
>>Twilight looks back at you nervously and you give her a reassuring nod
>>Ponies are poking their heads out of windows, yelling to each other for information
>>You stop the pony nearest you; a brown stallion with an hourglass on his flank
What's happening? It's 1 in the morning and everyp0ny's out and about.
>>”It's bad, Anon... three fillies are missing.”
1/x

>>You feel your eyes go wide
You don't think it's related to-
>>”That's the general consensus, I'm afraid”
>>He looks shaken
>>You look back up to the window
>>Twilight's gone pale
Twilight, I need you to stay inside. Please.
>>”Anon, I have to go and help! Applejack and Rarity need me!”
No, Twilight. I'm not having you put at risk. Stay there
>>You turn back to the stallion
>>What else can you tell me?
>>He hesitates
>>Your heart is pounding. It's been a month since the last disappearance; you were hoping it was all over.
Out with it
>>”Nopony's seen Thunderlane, Fleur-de-lis, or Roseluck since this afternoon”
>>Your heart stops
Roseluck's missing?
>>”Anon? You ok?” The stallion is trying to keep you calm
>>A sudden noise from the market district snaps you to attention
>>”What was that?”
>>”It came from the bakery”
>>”Come on, I'm sure I heard it come from Sugarcube Corner!”
>>Ponies all around you are yelling. You start to run.
>>Run past the confused ponies in the street
>>Run past the stalls and barrels in the market
>>Run all the way to Sugarcube Corner, its windows darkened and its doors locked
>>Your heart is racing
>>You dart into the alley and try the back door
>>Locked
>>You're about to try to kick it in yourself when you see a pair of yellow legs fly in front of your face, sending the door off its hinges
>>Applejack looks inside, her eyes burning with determination
>>You look in after her and see a faint glow around a section of kitchen wall
>>A secret panel
>>Suddenly a scream
2/x

>>Before you can react, Applejack has sprung into action again, pulling the panel down
>>You overtake her on the stairs, heading down into the basement, both of you slowing down to a crawl as a sense of dread weighs you down
>>Haggard breathing and hushed sobs meet your ears before a melody registers, coming from below
>>”Come on, everyp0ny, smile...smile...smile...”
>>Roseluck's weak voice sounds
>>”...please...stop this...stop...”
>>”Fill my heart up with sunshine...sunshine...”
>>The song is horrifying to hear. There's a level of joy to it that makes your every fiber yell at you to run, but you keep going until you can see the scene below.
>>”...why are you doing this to us...?”
>>You see Roseluck strapped down to a slab, her flanks bleeding profusely as a pink mane shuffles flatly, reacting to the movements of the pony under it.
>>You look back at Applejack. Her hoof is over her snout and tears are welling up in her eyes
>>A sudden pounding on the front door causes the pink pony to whip around, her blue eyes meeting yours as you turn and bolt up the stairs in a panic.
>>So cold, those eyes, calculating...
>>Six stallions, led by Big Mac, charge through the kitchen as you and Applejack sprint up the stairs.
>>They tackle the pink mare, who slashes at them with a scalpel in her teeth
3/x
>>After she is subdued, you follow the stallions downstairs
>>Roseluck is still on the slab. You go to her as she looks at you, her eyes full of fear
>>You start unstrapping her when you hear her exhale deeply
No, no, no, stay with me, Rose. Stay with me!
>>No good. The light fades from her eyes as she succumbs to blood-loss and shock
>>You look up from your friend's body to see Thunderlane and Fleur-de-Lis in a corner, similarly cut up. They're gone too. A weight sinks on your chest
>>A light rapping sound, followed by more sobs comes from a door underneath the stairs
>>Big Mac opens it to see Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom, huddled deep at the back
>>You and Big Mac pull the three fillies out and carry them to the kitchen
What happened?
>>You manage to keep your composure in order not to panic the fillies
>>Applebloom quietly responds, her voice shaking violently
>>”Sh-she s-said sh-sh-she was gonna he-help us g-get ah'r...c-cutie m-marks... b-but she- she-”
>>She dissolves into incoherency and she curls back up, traumatized
>>On her flank, fresh stitches hold a familiar rose symbol as blood drips from the edge
>>”Fill my heart up with sun-shine, sun-shine...” The quiet song echoes from the living room where three stallions hold Pinkie Pie, her eyes cold, staring at you with sadistic glee
>You wake up panting, a cold sweat covering you as you look around. Canterlot.
Christ, only a dream...just a memory...
4/x