Death (FiE: 11)

Part 11 (Death):
>You look at the flower stand attendant.
>”Hide. Now.”
>She doesn't need to be told twice.
>Gripping your scythe, you realize that you are far outnumbered.
>Charging in and swinging madly, your death would be quick and rather painful.
>Fortunately, you are not a being of impulse
>You are a being of logic, but more importantly, a being of fear.
>Diving into a nearby bush, you watch the actions of the dogs and bug p0nies.
>The battlefield here is complete chaos.
>The attackers are in squads of 3 or 4
>Doing a quick count, you figure there to be 30 dogs, and about 20 or so black p0nies.
>One of the dogs walks right in front of the bush you are taking residence in.
>You grab him by the scruff of his neck, and pull him into the bush, quickly cutting his throat from ear to ear with the scythe.
>The other dogs didn't even turn around.
>That will have to change immediately.
>You make quick work to cut off the dog's head, and throw it as hard as you can over their heads.
>It lands with a squishy thud in front of the dogs.
>Then you sense it.
>The fear.

>You step out of the bushes calmly as ever, scythe in hand.
>Crimson fluid drops from the edge of the fine blade as you approach the dogs, who haven't turned around yet.
>You kick the back of the leg of the largest dog, grabbing the back of his head as you do.
>Slamming him into the ground, you quickly stab your scythe into his throat, a gurgling whimper escaping before he finally passes.
>The dog to the right turns around and faces you, staring you in the eyes.
>Bad move.
>You lunge at him, holding him by the throat, and pull up his fear as quickly as possible.
>You conjure a dark magic, and throw it at the final standing dog.
>It forms into a crow in mid-air, and begins tearing at the diamond dog's face.
>The yelps of fear and pain carry far into the wind.
>They expected to take the town without a fight.
>How stupid.
>You leave the image of a scarecrow in the terrified dog's foremost memory, and turn to face the dog being attacked by your faithful avian companion.
>You swing your scythe from down low, and literally cut him in half.
>You look around at your handy work.
>There's blood, fur, organs, and feathers everywhere, not to mention the terrified dog mumbling about crows and scythes
>Perfect.
>You let out a loud, maniacal laugh, and dive into the nearby bushes again.

>After a few minutes, a few other packs of dogs walk into the gory scene you have left for them.
>A couple of the dogs look at each other with fear, others sadness, and one with fierce determination.
>”FIND HIM! KILL HIM!” the ferocious canine shouts.
>You usually aren't one for showmanship, but just this once, you'll make an exception.
>You walk out of the bush, and hold your hands up, scythe on your hip.
>*Ahem*
>All the dogs turn and look at you, some dumbstruck, others holding their weapons towards you.
>”If you leave now, I'll let you live” You are facing the ground, focusing.
>”And what are you going to do, monkey?” The dog with a helmet approaches towards you, sword in hand.
>”What am I going to do?” You let out a chuckle. “I am going to teach you fear!”  With glowing eyes you look up towards the dog.
>With a crack, you disappear from sight, and reappear in the middle of them all.
>Scythe in hand, you begin your assault.
>You cut through 2 dogs before they finally realize what is going on, and strike back.
>One of the dogs swings his club at you, and you quickly jump backwards, chopping off the dogs paw.
>You turn on your heel, and drive your scythe into the body of a dog behind you.
>Another dog juts a spear at your side, and you quickly sidestep it
>Grabbing the shaft of the spear, you drive it into the face of a dog on the opposite side of your attacker.
>You snap, and your one handed spear appears in time for you to deflect a blade.
>You duck below a halberd swing, and lunge at another dog, stabbing your scythe into his chest.
>With a sickening crunch, you tear through his side, and back up a little, facing the remaining dogs.
>You stare at them, and they at you.
>”And to think that I have only just begun.” you say through an ear to ear grin.

>A dog charges you with reckless abandon, and you sidestep him, slicing his stomach open.
>With a sickening wet plop, the dog and his internals drop to the ground.
>”Next” you say with a smile.
>The dogs look at each other, as if to say 'you first'
>There is a pause.
>You don't have time for this.
>You throw your scythe with full force into a dogs face while taking a step forwards.
>The scythe reappears in your hand, and you drive it through the chin of another dog.
>Willing it to be 2 handed, you raise your scythe horizontally, and block a strike from a sword.
>You kick the dog in the chest, and turn around quickly, slicing a dog that was trying to sneak up on you
>You continue charging forwards into another dog, who is shouting for help as you cut him down.
>More dogs are appearing out of the woodwork now. It would seem you've gathered quite a bit of attention.
>You now face a wall of muscle and fur, with somewhere around 20 dogs facing you.
>You back up, right into something soft and fuzzy.
>You turn around in time to see the dog stab the blade into your stomach.
>Just as planned.

>Looking down at the sword, you stumble back a bit as the dog pulls it back out.
>You let out a smile, and look at the dog who stabbed you, who is now completely terrified.
>Who the hell gets stabbed and smiles about it?
>Taking a short step forward, you focus on making his life force your own.
>A green aura wraps around your wound, and around the dog.
>The wound starts healing before your eyes, and a deep stomach wound appears on the dog.
>Once the aura fades, you tap the dogs head.
>He falls over with a thud, and you let out a menacing cackle, not turning around quite yet.
>”I will never die. You see, there's something you must understand. You can kill the man...”
>You focus more, and imagine your burlap form.
>”But you cannot kill the fear!”
>You disappear with another crack, and reappear among them, this time in your scarecrow form.
>Terror is your business.
>And oh man, is business good.
>You summon dark magics again ,and imbue the idea of terror into it and throw it at a dog.
>Summoning another wad of magic, you toss it into the air, where it forms into a crow, and begins to strike the dogs.
>You need to end this quickly.
>”You will know fear before the day is through!” You let out that signature terrifying smile, and hold your arms out, and dark green magics start to float around you.
>A few dogs take this opportunity to strike at you. Not that it matters. This form is a bit tougher than the human one.
>With a boom, a wall of crows circle around you, the murderous flock tearing at the eyes and flesh of the dogs.
>You start laughing maniacally, and begin slicing, a wide, sickening smile on your face.
>After not but a few seconds, all the dogs around you are dead and their flesh being picked off by your avian friends.

>You quickly glance around, and see that the black bug p0nies are nowhere to be found.
>Did they run away from your terrifying display?
>”Oh! You're ok!” you hear a familiar voice from behind you.
>You turn to see Rarity.
>How did she get here so fast?
>”I'm so glad to see you're alright!” she jumps at you, and wraps her hooves around your burlap neck.
>Something about this doesn't sit right.
>”Of course I am, Twi. Why wouldn't I be?” Your incorrect name drop was not on accident.
>She backs her head up and looks at you, avoiding your eyes.
>”Well, when you went from ape form to your current form, I was afraid it would have hurt you.” her smile seems forced.
>She didn't mention her name being misspoken.
>Your jimmies are rustled enough to justify your next action.
>You grab her by the throat and slam her into the ground.
>”I can't wait to feast on your soul, you wretch” you smile inches above her face, black ooze dripping onto her pristine white coat.
>You stare into her eyes, and search for her fear.
>It's a completely different mind, and therefore, a different fear.
>You see her coat begin to melt away, and turn into black hardened armor.
>The eyes change into giant insect-like orbs. The fear is still there though.
>You pick this insect p0ny thing up by its neck, and slam it into a wall
>”What are you? Tell me, or I will end your feeble existence.” You frown at it.
>This being's fear went up tenfold when you frowned.
>”Changeling. I'm a changeling! Please, don't hurt me!” It says with tears in its eyes.

>Well, this being looked like a splitting image of Rarity. That fact fuels your next question.
>”How can I see through your disguises?” You ask as you tighten your grip slightly.
>It isnt saying anything, opting to stare at you instead.
>You will your scythe to be one handed, and stab into one its wing.
>It cries out in pain
>”Tell me what I want to know, or your death will be... horrifyingly slow.” you say with a slight smile.
>His gaze shifts from you and his wing.
>You grab the scythe, and give it a twist.
>Another distorted yelp of pain comes from the changeling.
>”Tell me!” You shout.
>”Look beyond what you see, and the truth will be set free.” the changeling starts crying.
>”Do not speak in riddles with me, insect. Speak simply, or face my wrath!” You are an inch from it's face.
>”I dont know! I haven't figured it out myself!” it says.
>”Is that so?”
>He nods in response.
>Putting your mouth near his ear, you whisper in a chilling voice.
>”Then you are of no use to me.” You pull your scythe out of its wing, and quickly slit its throat.
>The gurgling form hits the ground with a thud.
>Shifting back to human form, you grab the dead changeling, and walk toward the center of town with it slung over your shoulder.

>Hitting the center of town, you drop the form down with a thud, and shout into the wind.
>”I, Fiddlesticks, challenge your leader to a duel.”
>You wait around a minute before a large red p0ny approaches.
>”Are you the leader of this pathetic invasion?” You say with disgust.
>It's red fur begins to melt away into black armor like plating.
>This particular changeling is much larger than the other one you just killed.
>”Yes. Did you murder this changeling?” His voice is distorted.
>You smile.
>”You wish to duel me, potato man?” He spits out in anger.
>*nod*
>”Alright. What are the terms?” he begins pacing around you.
>”If you win, the town is yours to do with as you please. And if I win, you and your fighting force leave forever. Deal?” you say unmoving as the changeling walks around you.
>”I, Ditto, first commander of the Change Marines, accept your challenge and your terms.” He places himself in front of you, snorting and kicking his front hoof on the ground.
>You grip your scythe in your hand, and face your opponent.
>”Then let us begin.”
>No sooner than you finish, he is charging at you.
>Sidestepping him, you knock his body aside with the handle of your scythe.
>Ditto lands on his side with a thud.
>”You must try harder than that.” You smile again towards him.
>He shudders at your smile, then charges you again.
>You sidestep, but he follows suit, and runs into you.

>Grabbing his horn, you twist your body aside, throwing him behind you.
>Facing him, you see his horn starting to glow.
>Damn, forgot to mention “no magic” in the terms. Oh well, you'll make due.
>Smoke clouds your vision for a moment.
>Taking a step back, you focus on the sounds that surround you.
>You quickly raise your scythe to deflect a weapon.
>Is that a scythe?
>Weapons crossed, a face appears in front of yours.
>You are staring at your burlap form's face, only this impersonation has blue eyes.
>”Your end is near!” It says with a smile.
>A wave of unease and nervousness wash over you.
>Those feelings are quickly replaced by unbridled rage.
>With the efficiency of a machine, you swing your scythe to and fro, striking his scythe and his body high and low.
>From the wounds, green blood emerges.
>Ditto blocks another shot, tying up your scythe with his own, and tosses both asides.
>You kick him square in the chest, and watch as he fades into the could of smoke.
>Lunging towards the smoke, you bring your fist up to beat the hell out of this scarecrow.
>You tackle something soft, rolling on the ground for a moment.
>Your hand is on Rarity's throat, your fist poised over your head.
>Stopping for a second, you bring your fist down on her face.
>Every time you punch her, it kills you a little more inside.

>You are sitting on her chest, and punching repeatedly with both fists.
>Your knuckles are covered in blood, and most of it is not your's.
>She is simply crying as you continue to punch slowly and steadily.
>”Please, stop this Fid! Please! Why are you doing this?” she pleads, her hooves doing hardly anything to block your fists.
>'This isn't Rarity, this is a fake.' you tell yourself as you punch again and again
>”Please, Fid, stop! You're killing me!”
>Your timing between punches is further and further apart.
>”Stop, Fid! Stop hurting the p0ny that loves you!”
>You freeze.
>She is looking at you through a black and blue eye, a smile on her face.
>”I love you, Fid.” Her blue eyes are quite a sight in this light.
>”Re...really?” you lower your fist slightly.
>”Yes, really!”
>”I've... seen what you do with the ones you love. Will you do that with me?” you ask, a hint of a smile on you face.
>”Yes, I will. I promise I'll do all that and more!” Her smile is missing a couple teeth.
>Your smile drops.
>”Then I want nothing to do with you.”
>Her smile fades “What do you mea-” She doesn't finish her sentence before your fist is in her face again.
>This time, you do not stop striking until the thing under you stops moving.

>You rise from the bloody mess you've made to find yourself surrounded by changelings.
>You look into the eyes of the largest of the group.
>”I defeated your pathetic leader. Leave now, before you suffer a similar fate.” your voice is a low growl.
>The changeling picks up Ditto with its magic, and hoists it on its back, and takes off into the air, the others following suit.
>You snap, your scythe appearing in hand, and head to the boutique
>Once there, you enter, and walk into the bathroom.
>You turn on the shower, and strip from your burlap poncho.
> The warm water washes away the crimson red fluid that covered your arms and face, and you watch as it drains away
>You lean on the sliding glass door, water running down your back.
>Thoughts flash in your head of causing so much pain and hurt to your sweetest friend.
>She has shown nothing but generosity and kindness to you, and yet you did not hesitate to beat her to a pulp.
>In the end, you were no better than the monster with blue eyes.
>Even after she told you she loved you, you continued to beat her.
>With a scream, you drive your fist into the glass door
>It shatters from the impact.
>Sliding down the wall of the shower, you sit down, and stare at your bloody knuckles.
>For the second time in your life, you cry.