The Fall, Part 2 (I send a pestilence and plague)

>"Anon! Stop that!"
"Hmmm?"
>You turn to Twilight and raise a perfect eyebrow as you chew a delicious apple.
>Freshly plucked from some apple vendor's stall, of course.
>"That's stealing!"
"...My dear Twilight...you wouldn't want me to starve, would you? A starving demon is a useless demon, that's what mama Zuzu always said."
>"I...really?"
>You nod sagely at your non existant mother's wise advice as you finish off the apple.
>"Well...if you were hungry...I could have payed for that..."
"Oh no no no! Twilight Sparkle, I just couldn't ask you to -pay- for my needs. I am your -slave-, my dear. I am here to fulfill your desires, not my whims...in fact, if the apple makes you upset, simply say the word, and I will return what I have taken sixfold!"
>"S-WAIT A MINUTE. You're trying to get me to waste a wish!"
"Oh, so clever, Twilight Sparkle. I could never outsmart you."
>She glares at you as you walk unseen next to her through...Ponyville. That's what she thinks of this place as.
>What an utterly boring name.
>The wind muffles your step and masks your form as you walk in step with your small purple companion.
>You didn't want the locals to know you were here just yet...
>"...Anon? How come nop0ny can see you?"
"Ah, well, sorry, Mistress, I generally keep myself invisible when bound to such a puissant summoner as yourself."
>"...Why?"
"Well...in most of the places I have been called...summoning me is considered a heinous act. I've seen would-be masters and mistresses hanged, imprisoned, drowned, drawn and quartered, or worse. I'm simply trying to protect you."
>You hear her skid to a stop and don't bother to hide your smile.
>"W-what?"
"Well...that's -generally- what happens. I'm sure your Princess is incredibly forgiving of mistakes. It's not like she's reprimanded you in front of the entire town for miscasting a spell, right? There's no way she'd be disappointed in you for summoning me."
>You get a bird's eye view of the wheels turning in her head.

>"...Anon?"
"Hmmmmm?"
>"I order you not to reveal yourself to anyp0ny unless I say you can."
"Of course, master."
>You smile to yourself as you walk at her side.
>She was panicking, that much was clear. She needed help, and you knew very well that the first place good spirits like her went when seeking help was their friends.
>So she'd ordered you to accompany her to...a farm, of all places.
>You found it curious that a magical scholar of her aptitude kept company with farmers, but you supposed there was no accounting for taste among strange equine mortals.
>The two of you had left the little dragon, Spike, behind to clean while you ventured out to meet the first of her friends.
>Honest Applejack. That's really...all you could glean from her head. Applejack. Honest.
>You -loved- the honest ones. They were the easiest, really, once you discovered what made them tick.
>"We're here, Anon! Sweet Apple Acres!"
>...And apparently what made this one tick was apples.
>Apples, as far as the eye could see.
>Apple trees, each practically bursting with ripe red fruit.
>You idly wondered if there were any snakes hereabouts...
>"Twi? Is that you? Y'all come over to buy some more apples? Didn't think ya'd burn through all of those Fujis in one night!"
>"AJ!"
>Your purple summoner goes running past your invisible leg and tackles an orange pony in a hug.
>"Oh Celestia! ApplejackIreallyneedyourhelp!"
>"Whoa there girl, whoa! Slow down. What's wrong? Spike burn part of the library again?"
>"...No."
>"Some kinda ancient evil awakenin'?"
"Noooo..."
>"Ya mucked up a spell, didn't ya?"
>"..."
>"Right, thought so. Well, what's the damage this time?"
>Twilight turns and looks at you.
>You give her your best smile and let your veil drop.

>Well. That's one way to be greeted.
>You wipe the slimy bits of apple from your face and duck as the orange mare kicks another one your way.
>"What in tarnation IS THAT!? Some kinda monkey-headed minotaur? A mutant diamond dog? What in Celestia's name did you call up, Twi!?"
"Madam, please, there's no need for this kind of violence. I'm entirely harmless, I assure you."
>You give her a calming smile even as you sidestep another apple.
>"Harmless mah flank. What's yer name? And where'd ya come from?"
"I'm-"
>"His name is...Anon, AJ. I...summoned him."
>"...Summoned? What?"
>"Errr...he's a...he's from..."
>She gets quiet and pushes the tips of her hooves together.
>Then she mumbles.
>"What was that Twi? Didn't quite hear you."
>" he's from tartarus."
>For a moment, there's silence in the apple orchard.
>You take the time to admire all the different types of apples hanging from the trees.
>"...You called up somethin' from TARTARUS?"
>"Notonpurpose!"
>Applejack rubs her face with her hooves.
>"Twilight you are the -dumbest- smart p0ny I know."
>Twilight's ears droop and she kicks a hoof at the dirt.
>"...Dumbest isn't a word..."
>You chuckle, and Applejack shoots you a death glare.
>"What's he want?"
>"...So far, he says..."
"I live to serve. I'm a helpful spirit, you see? I grant wishes. I can call the rain. Grow the crops. Chase the locusts from your fields. I live to serve Twilight Sparkle and her friends."
>"...Well, stuff like that."
>Applejack eyes you warily.
>"...And what's your name, mister?"
"Ano-"
>"Your REAL name."
>Oh, she was a wily one, that was for sure.
>"...Ah might not know much 'bout magic and all that other fancy unicorn stuff, but ah'm an earth pony. And if ah know two things, it's these. Never trust nopony who won't give ya their real name from the get-go, and..."
>She turns and glares at Twilight.
>"Never call up what ya can't put back down."

>Well. She WAS clever.
>"...Applejack? How'd you know I can't-"
>"Because there ain't no other way you'd be runnin' around with a monster from Tartarus. Izzat why you came to me, Twi? You wanna ask -me- what ya should do?"
>Twilight scuffs her hoof on the ground.
>"I'm just...Applejack I don't know what to -do-!"
>"Send the critter back!"
>"I don't know how!"
"If I may interrupt?"
>Both mares turn and glare at you.
"Ladies, I don't wish to be bound in this infernally bright world anymore than you want me here. But, Twilight Sparkle cast the spell, and I must do my duty. I am not allowed to leave until she, and her closest friends, are completely...satisfied."
>Applejack raises an eyebrow.
>"...Satisfied?"
"I'm here to satisfy all your ills! Take away your aches and pains! I grant wishes! And when you and your friends are finally satisfied with all I have to offer, I will be gone."
>You sketch a bow, doffing your hat.
>Twilight and Applejack both blink.
>"...Ah don't trust 'im."
"Please, Applejack, most trustworthy and -dependable- of ponies, I implore you to reconsider! I can solve so many of your ills!"
>"...Liiiike?"
"You're overworked. Overtired. Undervalued. Your farm needs workers. Why, call on me, and I can whistle up a band of helpful ponies before you can-"
>"Not interested."
"Perhaps I could make your apples sweeter! Your yields more bountiful!"
>"Sweet Apple Acres has the best apples 'n all of Equestria, pard. Gonna have to do better'n that."
"Oh come now, what of famine? Plague? Drought?"
>You manifest a shield upon your arm.
"Call upon me, and none of those foul plagues of misfortune shall strike you down! Your farm will prosper while the fortunes of others wither!"
>"Well that don't sound very neighborly to me, pard."
>She gives you a sweet smile, one you return.
>Neither of your smiles reach your eyes.
>You have the measure of each other now.
"Well...just in case you change your mind.."
>You whisper your True Name to her.
>You watch as the wind carries it to her.
>She tries to deny it, the truth of it. Of what you are.
>She can deny you, but she cannot deny the wind.
>And the wind is yours to command.
>Her snout curls up in a way some creatures might find 'adorable', and she shakes her head.
>"...Right...well...I..."
"Remember, whenever you need -anything-."
>You sketch a shallow bow beneath her emerald eyed glare.
"Twilight?"
>Twilight glances at you, confused.
"I need to relieve myself, have I permission to depart from your presence, ladies?"
>"...Uh...yeah Anon, you can go."
>"Twi...I don't think ya should..."
>"You're right...Anon? Stay inside the farm."
>"Thas not what I-"
"Of course, Mistress."
>You bow to her again and depart, the wind veiling you from sight as you travel.
>This was perfect. Such a...paragon was the wrong word...a woman of will. Of strength. Of goodness and growth and living things.
>So firmly grounded in truth and honesty and self-sufficiency.
>It was like nectar, like water in the desert, like an alluring perfume that you couldn't resist.
>You were going to break her.
>The mare she is today would recoil at what you will make of her.
>You assume your true form, still invisible, and alight on a tree on the other side of the Acre, away from the girls, away from the large red stallion, the child, and the curious old woman.
>You cough above the apple trees, looking at the green field below you with a crooked-beaked smile.
"I send the locusts on a wind such as this world has never seen."
"On ev'ry leaf on ev'ry stalk until there's nothing left of green. "
"I send my scourge. "
"I send my sword."
"Thus saith the Lord."
>You open your beak, and the first of a swarm of locusts leaps from your throat, veiled and carried by your will in the wind.
>The insects buzz and burrow into the leaves of the trees, hiding.
>Waiting for you to give the word.
>Soon and very soon, Applejack will call upon you.

>You take your leave from the tree, stepping on the wind and retaking your human shape as you land before the two mares.
>They appear to be engaged in a hushed discussion about...you, of course.
>You lean in for a listen and swiftly grow bored.
>It's nothing you haven't heard before.
>"No, Twi, he's dangerous, I'm tellin' ya. We tell stories 'bout things like him-"
>"Applejack, trust me, I've dealt with all kinds of spells gone awry before, haven't I? Nothing will go-"
>You tune them out and sigh.
>Why don't they ever listen to the country bumpkin?
>You reappear next to Twilight, sighing in relief as if you had actually used the restroom, an action which, come to think of it, you'd never done in your actual form.
"Well. Girls. Have we come to a decision? Do you need my help, Applejack?"
>"Never. Not now, not ever. Ah know what you are, and ah know better'n to trust ya, no matter WHAT Twi says."
>She stomps a hoof and glares at you, and you feign injury.
"...Applejack, please. I'm...many things, but I'm not a monster. I just wish to discharge my duty and go home. Won't you help with that?"
>She snorts and flicks her tail.
>"Nope. Now get off mah farm."
>Twilight sighs next to you as you frown.
"...I'm sorry, Twilight."
>The purple pony looks up at you, surprised.
"I didn't want to cause such division between friends. Whatever my nature, friendship is simply...too sacred a bond to break."
>Her eyes narrow in suspicion.
>"How very....noble of you, Anon."
"My dear Twilight, I am nothing if not noble. Who must we visit next?"
>"...Rarity, I guess. She'll be excited about your outfit, if nothing else..."
"And she can give you advice?"
>"...She's a...worldly mare. And a unicorn. If anypony will know what to do with you...it'll be her. Or Fluttershy."

>Now this, this was a mare of taste. Taste and manners.
>You laughed at another of her high-class jests as you both sipped tea and dined on crumpets.
>"Oh Twilight, dear, where did you find this creature? He's so -charming-! And his outfit, it's just...oh Celestia, can you believe there are creatures who wear clothes all the time!? What a paradise their world must be..."
>She swoons, and Twilight rolls her eyes while you laugh politely.
"Paradise for those with the right money and the right taste, my dear Rarity. Such a fitting name..."
>She giggles at you and blushes.
>This one would be...easy.
>And that bored you already.
>"What's your name, darling?"
"Well...Anonymous is what I go by...but...if you must know my real name..."
>You whisper your True Name to her.
>The truth of you enters her mind, and she blushes and giggles again.
>"And you're...bound to dear Twilight's service?"
"I'm afraid that's the truth. If my Master makes a demand of me, I must obey. I am here to aid her and her friends in any means they wish. I am a servant."
>Rarity looks at Twilight, who's been glaring at her friend and cradling her tea cup in her hooves.
>"Oh Twilight, listen to him! He's so polite and gentle!"
>"He's also from TARTARUS. It's an act!"
>Rarity pouts.
>You think it's time for you to do your work.
"Excuse me, all this tea went RIGHT through me. May I use the restroom?"
>"Oh, yes dear! It's upstairs, on the right."
>Twilight glares daggers into your back as you make your way upstairs.
>She doesn't trust you. That's good. After your visit with Applejack, you were worried things would be too easy.
>You become as wind as you glide into a room upstairs, filled with fine silks and dresses.
>You know how you will ensnare her now.
>You pass your fingers through the dresses and imbue them with pestilence.
"I shall smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and the itch, whereof thou canst not be be healed."

>You leave the infected clothes where they hang as you walk downstairs.
>Twilight and Rarity have returned to having civil discussion over tea.
"Well, that's -my- business taken care of, girls. I trust, Master, you've received useful advice?"
>Twilight rolls her eyes while Rarity giggles.
>"Well, I did get -some- kind of advice, didn't I, Rarity?"
>"I'm just saying, he -obviously- knows how to dress himself. He's fashionable, darling. He could help you out when-"
>Twilight gives Rarity a death glare.
>The white unicorn giggles again.
>"..."
>"...We're leaving. Anonymous, come along."
"Yes Twilight Sparkle. Of course."
>You give Rarity a formal brow and waggle your eyebrows before departing after Twilight, a grin plastered on your face.
"She seems nice."
>Twilight snorts.
>"Nice, generous, and trusting. Too trusting."
"Is it REALLY so hard to believe that I have no destructive intent? Why, you even defended me against your friend Applejack."
>"...I don't think you're -destructive-. Just dangerous. Maybe not as dangerous as AJ thinks, but..."
"Twilight Sparkle. How much do you know about Tartarus?"
>"...Cerberus guards it, and..."
>She trails off, and her eyes widen.
"Nothing beyond that, eh? Stop looking at this as a potential disaster, and realize the opportunity. You have a direct line of communication with a demon of Tartarus. I can tell you -anything-. Can teach you -everything-."
>Twilight doesn't respond, but you hear her thoughts race as the two of you make your way to...
>Sugarcube Corner?
>Really?
>That was the name of this place?
>How...sickeningly swee-
>You open the door.
>And suddenly the largest bundle of goodness and happiness you have ever encountered barrels into your midsection.

>You look down, perplexed, as a large pink pony bounces off your abdomen and falls to the ground with a quiet 'Ooof'.
"What the-"
>"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie and I've never seen you before you must be new in town what's your name oh hi Twilight who's your friend?"
>You blink. Twice.
>Twilight trots past you, unphased.
>"Hi Pinkie. This is...Anon. He's from Tartarus."
>The pink blur of cocaine and suger gasps before vanishing.
>It's crawling on you.
>Slightly soft hooves press over every part of your assumed form as she starts speaking at a breakneck pace.
>Your eye twitches.
>This one would be difficult. Perhaps even more difficult than Applejack, though for different reasons.
>Your attentions slid off her mind like oil on water, and from those brief telepathic probes, you realized what bubbled away in that felt-formed monstrosity she called a brain was no place for the likes of you.
"No."
>You pick up 'Pinkie Pie' and set her on the ground next to Twilight.
>Then you turn to your purple 'master' and repeat yourself.
"No."
>You aren't even having a conversation with this one.
>You'd like to keep your sanity intact.
>You hear her babble away at Twilight while you walk behind the counter of the store, picking up a pastry as you go.
>The smells of baking bread greet your nose as you devour a cupcake.
>You hear the mechanical sound of ovens, and-
>The cries of babes.
>Perfect.
>You move as the wind into a nursery room, where the cooing of small children reaches your ears.
>Two of them, tiny baby foals in their beds, look up at you hopefully.
>Their babbling is music to your ears as you take your true shape and caress their fuzzy little heads with your talons.
>You have always been so good with children.

Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbb-5Bv_s-w
>You reach out with your hands and caress their manes, the touch of your talons as soft as a cloud's kiss.
>The two foals giggle at your touch, the little girl reaching up for your talon with her hooves.
>You whisper her fate first.
"I shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from this land, whither thou goest to possess it."
>She shivers, but does not cry. Not so long as you hold her with your eyes and your hands.
>You turn to the boy, who sees his sister and cries out for her.
"I shall smite thee with a consumption, with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with a burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and they shall pursue thee until thou perish."
>Both children shiver now, and you lean over and kiss their foreheads with your beak.
"This pestilence I level upon thee, until such time comes as your cries drive those who lovest thou to call my name."
>You whisper your Name to them, and they both shiver again.
>They will cry your name when the time comes.
>They will ask for you.
>And then the Pink one will cry for you in desperation, and you will come to them.
>You smile, and lift your talons from their heads, backing away into the space behind the counter and retaking human shape and visibility.
>You take another bite of your cupcake as you walk back towards Pinkie and Twilight.
>Pinkie turns to you and starts to say something.
>And then the foals start crying.
>Pinkie jumps.
"Ohmygosh! Pumpkin!? Pound!? HoldonPinkie'scoming!"
>The pink blur shoots past you.
"We're leaving."
>Twilight glares at you.
>"What did you do?"
"I scared the babies."
>Twilight blinks.
>"Why would y-"
"If I stay in here another minute I'm going to start choking ponies. Twilight. Please. Let's go."
>She continues to glare at you as you open the door and lead her out.

>"...So why does Pinkie freak you out so much?"
"She does not 'freak me out'."
>"Every other friend of mine, you got to know. You wouldn't even talk to Pinkie. What is it about her that drives you off?"
>Interesting choice of words, that.
>'Drive you off'.
>She was probing for a weakness.
>She was intelligent, this Twilight Sparkle.
>Your ruse of subservience wouldn't last as long as you thought.
"So, who are we visiting now?"
>"You're evading the question."
"Yes, Twilight Sparkle, I am. Would you like to wish that I would cease evading?"
>Her eyes narrow.
>"...We're going to go see Rainbow Dash. And Fluttershy."
>She trots ahead of you towards a great, rolling green field.
>You aren't sure if it's a park, or-
>You glance at Twilight out of the corner of your eye.
>She was trying to shut you out her mind.
>Impressive. Most impressive.
>Ahead of you, you see something whirling through the air, blasting a rainbow trail behind it, while a yellow pony on the ground lets out some of the most quiet cheers you've ever heard.
>Wings.
>You have to hold back a laugh. These two wouldn't even be a challenge.
>"Fluttershy!"
>Twilight gallops past you towards the yellow pegasus while you walk after at a leisurely pace.
>The flying one makes her way to the ground, and you hear them chatter amongst themselves.
>Twilight's making 'introductions'. Or, more accurately, explaining how you're an evil monster from Tartarus and she doesn't know how to banish you.
>You sigh, shake your head, and make your way over.
>Immediately, the blue one is in your face, while the yellow one cowers behind Twilight.
>"Hey, you! Twilight already warned us about you, you evil frea-"
"Calm."
>She calms immediately. She rides the wind, and the wind is yours.
>The yellow one hears your command, and ceases cowering.


>Twilight looks between her two friends with a dawning expression of horror.
>"What did...what did you do to them?"
"Nothing, Twilight Sparkle. I just calmed them down, that's all. No work of magic, just...honesty."
>Both pegasi sit before you, docile and content, more passive than the babes in the Sugarcube nursery.
"See?"
>Twilight, for the first time, looks panicked, afraid.
>She waves a hoof in front of her friend's eyes, screaming their names.
>They don't respond.
>You whisper to each of them.
>You pat the yellow one on the head and speak in her ear, far too quiet for Twilight to hear.
"I shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies. Thou shalt go one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. And thy carcasse shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away."
>You turn from her to the blue one as Twilight desperately tries to grab your attention.
>Her magenta eyes tremble as you speak to her through the wind that she rides.
"I shall send upon thee cursing, and vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settlest thine hoof unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of they doings, whereby thou hast embraced me."
>You speak your Name to them. The yellow one shivers, and the blue one slowly smiles.
>Then you pat both of them on the head and remove your influence.
>Both pegasi gasp and look at you, then at Twilight.
>The blue one shakes her head and groans.
>"...What just...wha...I...uh...I need to fly. Talk to you later, okay Twilight?"
>She takes off and zooms away.
>The yellow pegasus whimpers something and runs off.
>Twilight turns and gives you a look that blends fear, and anger, and awful realization.
>"...What did you do?"
"Shall we go home, Twilight Sparkle?"
>She trots backwards.
>And then she starts running.

>You step sideways and emerge in her library.
>You assume your true form and seat yourself, crossing your talons under your beak.
>Twilight comes sprinting back into the library, turning and slamming the door shut.
>"Spike!? SPIIIIIIIIIIIIKE!"
>She runs to the blinds and windows, shutting them and floating up books to brace them.
>Spike comes running down the stairs, huffing and carrying books.
>"Twi!? Twi I'm right here, what's wrong?"
>"Anon's crazy! He's a crazy evil monsterthing and he did something to Fluttershy and Rainbow and-"
>You cough.
"Right here, you know?"
>The screaming starts again.
>You sigh and put your head in your talon and wait for it to die down.
>Eventually, they tire themselves out.
"Finished?"
>Twilight points a trembling hoof at you.
>"What did you do to my friends!?"
"Nothing, dear Twilight. I was simply growing tired of pony assaults. I calmed them and sent them on their way."
>"I thought you couldn't do anything unless I commanded you!"
"You thought wrong. I obey you. But I am otherwise autonomous."
>Twilight stays on the opposite side of the library.
>"S-spike...take a letter. Celestia has to...she has to know. What we called up."
>The tiny dragon turns and runs up the stairs.
>You make no move to stop him.
"I am not your enemy, Twilight Sparkle. I will be glad to meet your...Princess."
>She glares at you.
>"STAY OUT OF MY BUCKING HEAD!"
>You blink and flex your talon-feet.
"...As you wish."
>Twilight backs away from you, going up the stairs after Spike, leaving you seated in your broken pentagram on your air throne.
>You relax and flex your fingers as you think.
>Five ponies. Five plagues.
>You already have a finger placed on Twilight's soul.
>The others will call upon you soon.
>And when they do, you can finally get started on having some real fun.

ELSEWHERE
>Fluttershy was having a very, very bad day.
>It had started after she'd met Twilight and her new critter friend.
>She'd gone home...and her beloved angel bunny had hissed at her.
>Then he bit her.
>And the other animals started going into a frenzy.
>Bears and ducks and chickens and dogs kept slamming against her door and windows, while flying birds tried to force themselves inside through her chimney.
>Today was awful, just awful!
>Even her neighbors had been so cruel to her on her way back home.
>Bon-Bon threw candy at her!
>It was just too much at once...
>Fluttershy hid behind her bed and put her head in her hooves, sniffling as her animals roared and raged outside.
>She needed help. She needed...P-
>All the animals outside fall quiet.
>Fluttershy lifts her face from her hooves as someone knocks on the door.
"G-go away! I don't want any!"
>"Fluttershy?"
>Wait, was that-
>There is a flash of light and an odd sound as he decides to just bypass the door.
>A chimaeric snakelike creature in suit, top hat, and monocle appears in Fluttershy's cottage.
>"Why so glum, chum? I thought we were going out on the town tonight! I even pulled out my best outfit! See?"
>He squeezes a fake flower with a lion's paw and it squirts out lemonade.
>Fluttershy manages a weak giggle.
"Oh Discord...it's so good to see you...and you're not mad at me like everypony else!"
>She flies over and embraces the draconequus in a hug.
>"Mad at you? Why would I-?"
>Discord's brows lower and he lets out a confused grunt as he stares at Fluttershy's forehead.
>"...Well. Well well well. That right there is miiiiiighty odd. Mighty odd indeed."
"Wha...?"
>Discord gently pries Fluttershy loose, taps her on the forehead with an eagle talon, and pats her head.
>"I'm afraid, dear Fluttershy, I'll have to call off our night of revelry and wait for a later date. There are...matters that require my attention."
>He departs through the door, floating away on an umbrella.
>Towards Twilight's library.