Black Butterfly III

>The rain taps loudly against your umbrella as you trot; cold lances thrown from an angry sky that seeks to drown you in it's impotent rage.
>The wisp over your head cleaves the darkness with it's glimmering radiance, but never enough to make you feel truly safe.
>Ahead of you; your fashionista friend converses softly with her admirer as they move ever forward into the gloom, but you remain oblivious to their words.
>You couldn't hear them over the din of pounding water even if you wanted to.
>Yet each subtle glance cast back at you confirms it, and you can't bear to meet their worried gazes.
>They're talking about you.
>Poor, delusional Fluttershy.
>Seeing shapes in the shadows flitting about in the darkness on the edges of her vision; hearing phantom voices that aren't there; overreacting like a scared filly.
>Your eyes see only the wet ground beneath you; hidden behind your mane as you grit your teeth.
>The things you've seen are real.
>But what if they aren't...?
>Even now; you feel the eyes behind you, watching your every move with a frightening intensity.
>If they had mouths; you're quite sure they would be cackling and panting in lust.
>It's all you can do to keep from breaking down into panic from their staring, and continue moving forward.
>The only thing to keep you distracted from those abhorrent eyes that never blink, is thinking about Anon.
>How terrified he must be being kept at the hooves of that vile witch.
>Using such words feels extremely unnatural to you, but there really is no nicer way to describe that abomination and her gaze that speaks of a world without kindness, or light, or love.
>That abomination that is you.

>Thinking back; you try to piece together what could have lead to this.
>What monstrosity Anon could have seen in you; to construct such a ghastly nightmare world where the sun is but a distant dream in the back of your mind.
>Where laughing alongside your friends as you flew, and played in the light is a quickly fading memory.
>Where you're left alone; even in the presence of others...
>You can admit that your feelings may have been a tad... Extreme when seen from the viewpoint of an outsider, but you had always known that Anon would eventually see it for what it was.
>An undying love that would eventually break through his hard exterior with its ineffable sincerity.
>He never returned your feelings; even going so far as to spurn them...
>But you knew it was only a matter of time until he realized how happy you could make him.
>That's all you ever wanted; his happiness.
>Each time you stole into his bedroom at night; every sneaking glance through his window; all the peeks into his shower as he cleansed himself were in an effort to lead him to his happiness.
>At least; that's what you've always told yourself...
>All of the sudden; these eyes staring immorally into the pit of your soul have a sense of familiarity.
>This is your punishment for your lack of care.
>He told you time, and time again that he just wanted his privacy.
>Screaming in anger that he didn't hate you; that he just wanted to be left alone.
>But you wouldn't listen in your selfishness, and now you have to endure the very scrutiny that you subjected him to.
>Trotting on with your head down; the shame is more unbearable than the severe eyes that judge you silently; it presses down with more weight than the darkness all around.

Recommended Listening
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xABEpnkht8

>But then you halt abruptly with a nerve wracking realization.
>...When did the sound of the rain stop?
>Quickly looking upwards; you don't find the wet streets of the town as you were expecting.
>Your friends are nowhere to be seen; only the deep darkness around you.
>A whispering voice is carried through the silence to your pricked ears, but it's too far away to make out.
>And instead of the rain that has relentlessly driven itself into your mind with its constant descent; you see something else being cast down from above.
>If the pounding torrent of water was the hatred and rage of the sky; then these are its' tears.
>Slowly drifting down all around you like snow on a windless winter night; are dead butterflies.
>They gently fall on limp, black wings; floating down like ashes.
>Reaching the ground; they don't collect into a layer of insect corpses as you'd suspect, but simply continue sinking.
>Casting a black ripple into the earth as they pass through; just like that orb of shadow that she used.
>Huddling further under your umbrella; you do everything you can to keep from coming into contact with these dread butterflies; the spectral emissaries of Thaneightos.
>You sense no malice, or ill will from the shadowy forms floating down; and yet you shy away in fear all the same.
>They feel more than just unclean; as though to touch one would mark you for a fate worse than death.
>The whispering voice is gaining in volume, and you can just barely make out what it says now.
>It's a call for help; pleadingly speaking your name in hushed, fearful tones.
>It's Anon...
>And with just a blink; the sound of the deluge returns with another bone trembling groan from above.
>A flash of lightning confirming that the overwhelmingly infinite stream of butterflies above are alive and well; or whatever passes for alive with those ghostly wraiths.

>Looking around nervously; you see your friends standing in front of you, worry painted across their faces.
>"Fluttershy, please, we have to keep moving..."
>Nodding your head slowly; you look back down to the ground as you continue to trot forward into the never ending night.
>No words pass your lips as you make your way through the town.
>The rhythm of the pounding rain lulling your mind gently into acceptance of your fleeting sanity.
>For what other explanation could there be for the things going on around you that only you seem to take notice of?
>Rarity and Spike are right to whisper in concern for your mental state; you're beginning to become more than a little concerned yourself.
>Another anxious glance back from your friend; and she drops back to trot beside you.
>"Darling; are you alright? I understand this is a very stressful situation we've found ourselves in; but I have every confidence that we shall overcome it."
>What does she know?
>She wasn't there; she didn't have to gaze into the abyssal eyes of the end itself; she didn't see how badly your Anon was...
>No; you need to stop this.
>She only wants to help, just as you do.
"I-I know, and I'm a-alright..."
>You are anything but alright; the pressure from the sky in combination with the maddening stares from behind you are slowly bringing you to your breaking point.
>Feeling a hoof on your withers, you glance up into the sapphire eyes of your friend that wishes only to comfort you; yet knows that such a feat is beyond her ability.
>"Come along then; we're almost there."
>Attempting to smile as best you can; you continue on together.

>Reaching the area of empty space around town hall; you see that you weren't the first to arrive.
>Pinkie Pie and Twilight stand near the fountain; the former bouncing in her usual joyous fashion despite the rain causing her mane to hang limp.
>"There they are there they are!"
>It bothers you immensely that she can still be so cheery despite what's going on around her, but at the same time you can't help but feel envious.
>She's like Anon in a way.
>Nothing standing in their path is able to defeat their relentless attitudes; Nothing can hold down their indomitable spirits.
>But you've seen Anon break today.
>You pray to all the goodness that still remains in this dying world that Pinkie doesn't suffer the same fate; it would just be too tragic.
>Reaching the base of the fountain where your friends wait; you are immediately wrapped into a warm embrace by the pink mare.
>"Everything's gonna be A-okay Fluttershy; don't you worry..."
>Feeling your lip tremble; you return the hug that you so desperately needed.
>Her wet coat is cold and sticks to your own, but for just a moment; you feel connected to the vibrant pone.
>The will to continue seeps back into your body as your other friends encircle you in a pone cuddle pile.
>"Auntie Pinkie always knows when somepone needs to be cheered up, and you needed it like you wouldn't believe!"
>Feeling her hooves release you after a moment; you wipe the few tears that have pooled into your eyes away as she smiles at you brightly.
"I-I'm... *sniff* older t-than you..."

Recommended Listening
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8fUFmjqXZo

>Genuinely smiling back at her softly for the first time since this began; you can't help but think on how true her words are.
>You needed more than cheering up.
>You needed to feel like you weren't sinking into the ground; deep into shadowy obscurity like those dead butterflies.
>"Rainbow Dash should be arriving soon with Applejack; we just have to wait. Were there any hangups on your end Rarity?"
>Glancing over to the rippling pool at the base of the fountain; the words of your friends begin to fade as your attention is drawn elsewhere.
>It's difficult to make out, but even through the cascading rain upsetting the surface; you think you can see something in it.
>Trotting over slowly, you look down at the usually placid water.
>Cold terror takes hold of you as you stare into what little you can see from the reflection.
>The view is dominated by black; just as it would be if you were to look up directly, but it would be impossible to miss that dull red glow as it glares down at you maliciously.
>It's her; you can feel her bitter spite boring through your very soul.
>Even as they shine with disinterest and uncaring contempt; the absolute focus of her eyes on the top of your skull is enough to turn your insides to ice.
>Blinking as you throw your head back to confirm what you already know; you no longer hear the rain as you stare into the pitch black sky.
>The dead butterflies fall once more; a silence overtaking the world that suddenly feels like it has turned all of its' dark hostility towards you.
>Seeing nothing but the night at the edge of your light; you look back down in panic to the now calm water.

>There she hovers at the border of your vision; smiling down at you with all of the warmth and sincerity of a serrated knife whose only purpose is tearing flesh.
>Her cloak wrought of midnight spreads out around her; reaching down as if to consume you, and the light that you bear.
>As the lifeless butterflies drift down and sink into the ground around you; the reflection shows the apparitions rising into the air with lazily flapping wings.
>They float upwards past the being of pure malice to be swallowed up by the blackness above.
>The darkness of the sky seems to be almost sentient; sustaining itself from the flow of umbral butterflies that rise up to it en masse.
>It's pressure bears down on you greater than ever; like a moon barely restrained by a single thread is suspended there; waiting for the perfect moment to crash down upon you with it's endless fury.
>Nowhere is safe from it's crushing weight; no force can resist it's fall.
>And at the forefront of it all; that malevolent stare that rips through you with it's murky red gaze.
>Looking down at you with all the hatred and wrath of more eons past than you could possibly begin to fathom.
>You wish to turn away from the reflection; to lay down and beg for mercy from the pain and sorrow promised in those eyes.
>But there is no mercy to be found as they hold you locked in a limbo of misery.
>To fight against them would be to seek dominance over a force of nature.
>To implore a moments respite from the seething storm that slowly drags the sinking ship into the oceans embrace; to entreat the flames that lick agonizingly against the skin to cease their ravenous torture.
>A hushed whisper passes her lips far above; but the words come to you as though roared down from the fiercest of Royal voices.
>"My children are coming."
>And then your vision is obscured once more by the pounding rain on the surface of the water; the vermillion eyes lost to the darkness.

>"-nny Smith dern near went inta conniptions from all that racket, an' poor Applebloom was still shakin' under her bed when ah was on tha' way out. Ah left Big Mac in charge a' tha farm; Ah don't think ah need ta' worry about em."
>Continuing to stare into the pool beneath; your tears mix with the drops of rain as they fall into the churning water.
>A hoof on your wither once more has you turning to the pink mare standing at your side; wearing a serious expression that is rare to see on her face.
>"It was a doozy, wasn't it?"
>Emotionally drained; you simply nod.
>Turning to face the group that has grown in number during your episode; you see them looking back at you with an apprehensive resolve.
>"Everypones finally here; it's time to go, Fluttershy."
>The thought of returning to your cozy cottage would normally brighten your mood considerably; but you can't dredge up the will to look forward to what awaits.
>What was once a cathartic escape from the stress and worry of everyday life has surely been transformed by the hatred of that witch.
>Yet there you must go; to pull Anon from the root of this darkness.
>To the den of the beast.
>Silently trotting past the worried faces of your friends; you begin the trek through the night to what's left of your home.