Fool Moon, Part 28 (Blood of Kings.)

>Finally, the moment has arrived.
>The dawn of the last day of Blueblood's filthy fucking life.
>Rarity has dressed herself immaculately for the occasion, burying her fears and anger deep, far too deep for her friends to sense it.
>You, on the other hand, don't have that level of self-control.
>Whatever happens at this 'party', whatever he's planning, Blueblood's gone too far.
>He's threatened a child, for no other reason than to coerce a woman.
>YOUR woman.
>There is no creature, in this world or the next, who is so low, so base, so craven.
>Blueblood would pay for what he'd done.
>You sit in silence as Rarity helps you adjust the silly bow tie you're wearing.
>She looks up at you, and you give her the best smile you can muster, a bloodless, mirthless grimace.
>She frowns, putting a hoof on your leg and nuzzling your chest.
>"We're going to be okay, remember? She's going to be okay."
>You don't respond.
>How can you?
>If you're wrong, if you're too slow, if he hurts her...
>If you fail to keep her safe...
>How could you live with yourself?
>How could you live with her, if you let her sister come to harm?
>How could she love you?
>These were the thoughts that dominated your mind on the long train ride to Canterlot.
>Rarity sat next to you and idly chatted with her friends, deflecting the occasional verbal barb from Applejack or the crude questioning of Rainbow Dash.
>Fluttershy would occasionally glance at you and her in concern, while Twilight bickered with Spike and Pinkie was...Pinkie.
>You couldn't join in their activities. You couldn't. Not with that smell.
>The damned smell, filling the train like wood smoke.



>The rest of the evening passes like a blur in your mind.
>The smell in the train.
>The cream pony and her mint buddy, sitting in the back and giggling to each other.
>The increased stench once the train door opened and let in the Canterlot night air.
>Rarity and her friends, chatting with each other as you all make your way to Blueblood's mansion.
>The mansion itself.
>Beautiful, marble with platinum engravings on every stone surface.
>Guards in platinum and blue barding come to greet you, opening the gates for your offered invitation.
>They smile and say a few words that go in your ear and back out.
>They stank. That filthy monster stink that Fleur wore like perfume.
>Ponies, some masked, all wearing fantastic clothing, danced and talked and ate on the mansion's green garden.
>You watched Rarity's friends split in all directions with only a vague sense of concer-
>"Anon?"
>You glance down at Rarity, whose eyes are shining with concern.
"Hmm?"
>"You havn't said a word in three hours, darling. What's bothering you?"
"Sweetie."
>She frowns at you.
>"Do you think I'm not worried about her?"
"Of course I know you're-"
>"Do you see me moping about?"
"Well no, bu-"
>"Don't you think your behavior is exactly what Blueblood wants? He invited us here expecting broken, furious, defeated p0nies. That's not what he'll receive! We will conduct this entire business with grace and fearlessness, Anon."
>She levitates a fan from her ensemble and hits you twice with it, weakly.
>"So stop. Moping."
>You frown at her, and she giggles.
>"Come along, Anon. At the very least, let me show you to the snack table. Pinkie and Fluttershy were there last I looked."


>You give her a smile and oblige as she wraps a hoof around your arm and pulls you towards the food table.
>You have to admit, it's a pretty fantastic spread.
>Even if you don't eat...
>Hay...
>Fantastical vegetable and fruit dishes pile up over the table.
>Boiled eggplants swimming in some strange sort of sauce.
>More salads than you can shake a stick at.
>Cakes and cupcakes and croissants and pastries of every stripe sit on the table, steaming and simmering in the cool night air.
>And there, wonder upon wonder, sit...
>Deviled Eggs.
>Untouched.
>Some days, God is good.
>You make a beeline for the eggs, vaulting the table so you can start stuffing your face with egg.
>Rarity shakes her head in disgust before giving you an irritated smile as you embarrass yourself.
>You spout Pinkie Pie literally rolling across the table, devouring sweets as she goes, and you chuckle as she starts devouring an entire cake in one bite.
>If it weren't for your...purpose here tonight, this might have been enjoyable.
>The gasping of the crowd catches your attention as you shovel eggs into your mouth.
>You glance up, smiling at the sight of two massive wing spans in the light of the garden's lamps.
>One a brilliant white.
>The other a midnight blue.
>Celestia and Luna circle the party once, before making a graceful landing, to the enthusiastic cheering of their subjects.
>You offer them a polite clap as they give slight bows, their escort of royal guard parting to let them mingle among the partygoers.
>"Graceful, aren't they?"
>You stop clapping.
>"Like beautiful little birds."
>You turn to the sound of the voice.
>"Birds, of course, are fragile things."
"Hello, Blueblood."



>He's been standing next to you, some fruity drink in his horn's grip.
>He's wearing his regular apparel, a bow tie and some sort of flap thing that you think is a pony suit.
>The look in his eyes, though, it's new.
>It's beyond contempt. Beyond the maddened hatred you saw in him before.
>He's gloating.
>"Oh, Anonymous. Welcome to the party! Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Where's Sweetie Belle?"
>He takes a long sip of his drink.
>"I do believe she wasn't able to make it. Terrible shame, that."
>You clench your fist and turn on the stallion next to you, glaring down at him.
"What do you want, Blueblood?"
>He takes another sip of his drink.
>"Nothing you can give me."
>You follow his eyes as he stares at the Princesses make small talk.
"You're jealous of them, aren't you?"
>His eyes seem to flash, going dead and cold as he turns to look at you.
>"What did you just say?"
"I said you're jealous. All they have to do is show up, and they get a round of applause. You put this whole shindig together, and I bet every p0ny here hates your guts."
>Those eyes, like cold, dark blue marbles, skitter over you, a humorless smile spreading on Blueblood's features.
>"I hope you enjoy the party. After all, although it is Aunt Luna's name, truly this celebration was meant for you, Anonymous."
>The smile flickers, just for a second, into an expression of such naked hate you can't help but feel shocked.
>"You and your little white mare."
>He goes to move past you, and you stop him with a hand to his shoulder.
"For your sake, Blueblood, I really hope she and her family couldn't make it."


>Ice-cold eyes stare up into yours.
>"Remove your hand."
"You only get one warning, Blueblood. If you hurt her-"
>"Remove your hand, or I shall have it removed."
>A smell intrudes on your senses, and you spot a few of Blueblood's guards eyeing you from afar.
>You look at them.
>Four guards are close enough to get to you before you can strangle Blueblood to death.
>None of theM ARE CARRYING SILVER, EITHER.
>You glance into the crowd of ponies.
>Rarity glances back at you, noting Blueblood next to you.
>Her eyes immediately cloud with worry.
>You remove your hand.
>Blueblood smiles.
>"That's better. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a speech to deliver."
>You smirk back at him.
"Knock em dead, junior. Who knows, maybe some of them might give you some of that attention you crave."
>His eyes flash again, but he only gives you a grateful smile and a graceful nod.
>You watch him trot away towards the edge of his mansion, bile burning in the back of your throat.
>You wanted to kill him. You wanted to rip him limb from limb and watch him bleed out on the dirt.
>You have never wanted to steal a life so badly.
>And that's what stopped you from doing it.
>Not the guards, who would have died as easily as he would.
>Not the Princesses are Rarity's friends, who would watch you commit such a heinous act.
>But the desire.
>You didn't want to become that thing. Not that way. Not unless you had to.
>And if you gave in...if you let it out...it would own you. Body and soul, it would own you.
>You walk over to Rarity as Blueblood makes ready to give his great speech.
>"Anon? What's going on?"
"...Nothing."


>Blueblood idly taps a fork against his glass as he trots to the head of the garden, taking his place on the marble porch of his mansion.
>"Fillies and gentlecolts! May I have your attention, please?"
>You take small satisfaction in how long it takes for the idle chatter to die down.
>Blueblood, unfazed, offers a grateful, toothy smile to the crowd.
>"There we are! I would like to propose a toast!"
>Rarity leans into you, whispering.
>"I'd bet four bits he wants a toast to himself."
"I wouldn't take that bet even if I WASN'T broke."
>She giggles, and you break out a smile even as Blueblood continues.
>"Specifically, a toast to our Beloved Princess Luna!"
>You hear a single quiet gasp from the back of the crowd, and ponies break like a wave, revealing a startled Princess Luna.
>Blueblood favors her with a smile.
>"Yes, Auntie, you. Though it's been less than three years since your return, I feel that you have not been given your proper due as one of the Royal Pony Sisters."
>He raises a hoof, indicating the crowd.
>"So I felt it best that I throw this banquet, in honoring She of the Night, who raises the moon every evening. Who had the willpower and the fortitude to wrestle with the darkest of nightmares for over a thousand years. Who often goes forgotten in the minds of her ungrateful subjects."
>The crowd has gone deathly quiet.
>"You do so much for us, Luna, and receive nothing in return. Tonight, allow me to recognize your importance with a gift."
>He motions her to come forward, and the dark alicorn takes a few unsteady steps forward, pushed towards the mansion by her giggling sister.


>Princess Luna finally makes her way to Blueblood's side, and he bows before her.
>He then raises his head and once more addresses the crowd.
>His eyes fall on you, and you lean forward, struck with sudden terror.
>"The Elements of Harmony saved you, Princess, and returned my beloved Aunt to me."
>He closes his eyes in a reverent gesture.
>"More, they returned to us a ruler. A steward of the Night who watches and protects Equestria when we cannot protect ourselves."
>He opens his eyes and looks up at Luna, smiling.
>"And so, I would like to dedicate this, the last Sunday of the month, to you, Princess Luna of Equestria."
>He emphasizes the word sun and glances at Celestia, who offers a small, calculating smile.
>Luna, for her part, frowns in confusion.
>"It is my greatest hope that tonight marks the beginning of a new celebration! A Celebration of the Moon!"
>He claps his hooves, and his assistant, Amethyst Star, marches out of the crowd, levitating a small jewelry box.
>"To commemorate this new ceremony, I have had my House's smiths hard at work, creating their finest piece of work."
>He accepts the box.
>"A necklace, worthy of the Princess of the Night."
>Icy fingers work their way down your spine.
>He opens the jeweled box.
>"A gift, for one whom eternal life has give far too few."
>Blueblood's telekinesis pulls something out of the box.
>A silver necklace, set with a single glinting ruby.
>You start to move, trying to push your way through the crowd of ponies.
>Luna gasps in delight, lowering her neck to Blueblood.
>"Please, accept the greatest gift my meager House can offer."
>Blueblood's magic slips the pendant over Luna's neck.
>And all Hell breaks loose.


>Luna brings a hoof to her head, stumbling away from Blueblood as the Prince looks on.
>You turn and see Celestia stiffen in concern, moving her way through the crowd even as you struggle to make your way to the stage.
>If you can get to her in t-
>A roar splits the night sky, and your heart sinks into your stomach.
>One pony, perhaps more perceptive than the others, gives a name your terror.
>"DRAGON!!!"
>Flames light up the night sky, a billowing sheet of burning fury that sends party ponies scattering in horror.
>A few level headed unicorns put up barriers, shielding themselves and their brethren from the flames.
>The roar rings out again, wind from the massive beast's wings sending tablecloths and hats flying.
>You crouch down against the force of the beast's passing, cursing as a hat flies into your face.
>"SISTER!"
>You turn look at Celestia, who is watching the dragon fly by with fury in her magenta gaze.
>"Fly with me, and we shall drive this beast away!"
>Celestia doesn't wait for her sister's response, leaping into the air with a sound like a thunderbolt.
>At the base of the mansion, you watch Luna look up after her sister.
>She shivers slightly, then launches into the air after her sister.
>You turn and watch Rarity comes after you, screaming over the rushing wind and the roars of the dragon.
>"Anon!? Anon we're under attack! What are you doing!?"
>You turn and look at Blueblood, who's gazing into the sky with a smile on his face.
"I'm going after that limey, grinning fuck."
>You run up towards Blueblood, dodging panicking party ponies.
>He turns to you and smiles as you approach.
>Then you hear something crash into the table behind you.

 Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd9qQiwhP5U
>You freeze as sounds make their way to your ears.
>A sort of slurping...low, pained moaning...the distant roars of the dragon.
>And the screams. Horrified screams.
>"Nightmare Moon! It's Nightmare Moon, she's returned!"
>You turn around.
>The table shattered under the impact, shards of wood cracking beneath furred bodies.
>Celestia lies sprawled on the grass, her wings spread, one bent at an odd angle.
>Her eyes are open, and she's breathing shallowly, hysterically.
>Crouched over her, like an animal at a feast, sits Princess Luna.
>Her jaws are clamped around Celestia's neck like a vise, and it's from her you hear the horrendous slurping sounds.
>Her eyes are just as wide and horrified as Celestia's, but they're glassy.
>Distant.
>Even as you watch, she pulls herself away from Celestia's neck, shivering, and looks at the ponies in the crowd.
>Her mouth opens slowly, fangs sliding out in a monstrous display.
>Then she leaps away.
>Celestia lies where she fell, moaning in agony as her sister charges into the pack of terrified ponies.
>You take a step towards the chaos, and then you hear him laughing.
>Blueblood. He did this.
>You whirl on him, even as the dragon roars over head and Luna hisses below.
>Chaos. Everything was Chaos now.
>And it was his fault.
>He sees you, and his laugh dies in his throat.
>Then he turns and runs.
>He'd keep doing this, if you let him go. Keep sending monsters and beasts after you. After her.
>Endangering her. Threatening her.
>You feel your teeth grow long and sharp.
>The prey is getting away, and you must give chase.


>You watch the white stallion run to the door of his mansion, wrenching it open and diving inside.
>You follow him, heedless of the three "guards" behind the door.
>You smell them, the stench of them wafting into the lawn.
>They are nothing but wind and air to you, now.
>You are so close.
>So very close to just turning, and ending it.
>The dragon, Blueblood, Luna.
>Rarity.
>Ending everything.
>You slam into the guards like a wrecking ball, toppling one of them and leaping past the other one as the Dark Half lends strength to your legs.
>You will make him pay for what he's done tonight.
>For what he's unleashed.
>He's a madman, a dog. And you have to put him down.
>You corner him in his own home, backing him up against a marble wall.
>The stench of fear is thick on him, even as he turns a cool gaze towards your approach.
>"You'd follow me here, Anon? While your beloved is outside with a dragon and that monstrous Nightmare?"
"Luna'll come to her senses. And we both know that dragon's not the real threat."
>"Oh? Then what is?"
"You. You poisonous little maggot."
>"What will you d-"
>You move.
>Your arm comes up, your hand clamping around his throat and lifting him up.
>You slam the back of his head against the wall and snarl at him.
>Fingernails, grown think and sharp, come up to his eyes.
"I'm going to rip the flesh off your skull and feed it to you."
>"Anonymous, wait! We can solve this another way!"
>You tighten your grip on his throat.
"You turned your own ruler into a monster. You threatened a child. You don't deserve to live."
>"Please...mercy..."
"Not tonight, Blueblood. Not tonight."


>You could do it.
>Right here, right now.
>It would be so easy to just rip out his throat and be done with it.
>Damn the consequences, his schemes could not be allowed to continue.
>But you think of what you'd have to give up.
>Your humanity, lost to the beast.
>Rarity...
>You hesitate.
>And that hesitation is enough.
>Stink pervades your senses, and green light flares behind you.
>Your vision blurs, and gravity is torn away from you as you're tossed high into the air, then slammed into a wall.
>Blueblood slides to the floor, coughing and holding a hoof to his throat.
>"I told you you shouldn't have let him follow you."
>You turn your eyes to the voice, and behold a nightmare.
>A monstrous thing, like a pony, but larger, the size of an alicorn, slender, black.
>Riddled with holes and shelled like a bug, horned and winged like the demons of old.
>A fey thing, born of air and darkness.
>This is the thing you've been smelling, the source of the tell-tale stench.
>Blueblood greets it tersely, still gripping his throat.
>"I didn't expect him to get past your brood of failures. How is our little party?"
>The fey-thing smiles, revealing sinister fangs.
>"Perfection. Celestia has risen and battles her sister. Our beloved Luna has taken down three ponies in her little feeding frenzy. Razor, of course, is busy burning down Canterlot."
>Blueblood smiles, and you cough as you get your wind back.
>The monster turns poison-green eyes on you.
>"What about this one?"
>Blueblood waves a hoof weakly, still rubbing his throat.
>"All yours. Just...get him out of here."
>You struggle in the thing's grip as it's horn begins to glow.
>Then everything goes black, and you struggle no longer.

Rarity's Perspective
>You scream as Princess Luna looms over you, mouth dripping with blood and spittle.
>She seems to be waxing between lucidity and insanity, shrinking away from you and your friends one moment, charging them like a maddened beast the next.
>You and Twilight have spent the last ten minutes hurling table legs and the like to keep her at bay, but she simply grabs them and tosses them aside with contempt.
>Three ponies already lie still on the grass, too slow or too scared to escape the hungering Goddess.
>Luna closes her eyes and backs off momentarily, shaking her head as if to clear it.
>You take the chance to run over to Celestia, ignoring the screaming ponies racing around you.
>"NIGHTMARE MOON'S COME BACK!"
>"IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!"
>"THE HORROR! THE HORROR!"
>"PRINCESS CELESTIA IS DEAD!"
>Luna's head snaps around towards the racing ponies, baring her teeth and hissing as they run by.
>Suddenly, fire pours into the gap between you and Celestia, a roaring torrent of dragonflame that cuts off your escape from the Moon Goddess.
>You hear Luna wail in frustrated, wordless rage as her eyes fall on you, and you back away, terrified.
>There is a burst of white light from behind the dragonflame, and you see Celestia, glorious and terrifying, rise above the fire.
>Her eyes, glowing white, are fixed upon her sister.
>Luna has eyes only for you.
>Deep...dark...eyes.
>You feel yourself growing faint.
>The fire...teeth...the dragon's roars...
>Eyes...blue eyes...the sunlight...
>A white coat...
>Everything goes black.

Blueblood's perspective (1 day later)

>"And so, it is with a heavy heart..."
>She looked so sad.
>So old.
>So weak.
>It was right that you take over for her, after such a traumatic loss.
>Celestia's wavy mane hangs low on her body, falling like natural hair instead of its usual billowing nature.
>Her white coat is even paler than before, and you smile to yourself at the sight.
>Blood loss, you'd been told. What kind of God bled?
>"That I step down as Princess of Equestria...
>Celestia had chained her under the Castle, in the caves of crystal that Twilight had pointed out.
>Chained her and studied her and struggled to figure out the problem, figure out how she had become a beast.
>She was sane, now. Sane, but not sated.
>You'd seen her just the other day, her eyes staring at your neck as you visited your "beloved Auntie" in her imprisonment.
>Sparklers spells were still holding. The necklace could not deliver its whispers. It could only impart the hunger.
>And that was enough.
>"Until such time as I can devise a cure for my beloved sister, and the victims of her...condition."
>Three poor little ponies, caught and drained and discarded.
>Trapped in the caves with their attacker.
>"In my stead, I raise..."
>That was your cue.
>You stand up, giving a solemn frown as you march towards her.
>"...Prince Blueblood of Equestria, blooded heir to the throne..."
>You ascend the stairs, noting the despairing, pleading look on Celestia's face.
>"Keep them safe," those eyes said. "Protect them."
>"To the noble position of King Regent of Equestria!"
>You kneel, and she places the crown on your head.
>The applause are deafening.


>You rise, smiling at Celestia, even as she gives you that pleading look again.
>How pathetic.
>You turn to ponies filling the Royal Antechamber, raising a hoof for silence.
"CITIZENS OF EQUESTRIA! I must begin by thanking you, the ponies, for the honor bestowed upon me today. For the burden. For the duty."
>You bow your head, as if in shock.
"We have suffered much, my brothers and sisters. A dragon, a massive, rogue beast, assaulted and burned part of the city. One of our rulers, she who raises the Moon, has succumbed once more to madness..."
>You close your eyes, as if in pain.
>Celestia looks at you sharply, but does not contradict you.
>She very well can't, when it's the truth.
"And...I have lost a pony near and dear to my heart. A heroine of uncommon strength of character, lost in that single night of Madness."
>You raise a hoof to your chest, your face grave.
"Missing with her, the human, Anonymous, lost in the chaos that plagued our fair capital."
>You let the implications of that sink in before continuing.
"I do not know why such horror visited us that night, Equestrians. I do not know why we suffer so. What I do know, is that we will arise from this calamity, from this chaos, harder and stronger than ever before!"
>You raise your hooves, stirring up the crowd as they begin to stomp in approval.
"I tell you, Equestria, that WE WILL ENDURE! We will survive this crisis! We WILL return our Princess to us! We will make the dragons PAY for this assault on our capital! We will show the world that Equestria does not take such affronts lying down!"
>The applause grow louder, and you smile at your adoring public.

Later...


>”Where is he?”
>She had so much...fire.
“Dead.”
>"You're lying. Tell me where he is!."
>You smile at her, smile at the defiant glare in her blue eyes.
"Perhaps I am. It doesn't matter. You'll never see him again."
>"He'll find me."
>You smile at her.
"No, he won't."
>"When he does, he'll come for you."
>You cluck your tongue and take a seat across from her, idly examining the new crown in your hooves.
>Silence reigns.
>After a moment, she speaks again.
>"What's to be done with me?"
"Nothing you don't want."
>She jingles the manacle on her rear left hoof.
"Well, I may be lying."
>Rarity gives an ice cold glare.
>"I repeat my earlier question. Are you going to..."
>You draw back, as if shocked.
"What do you take me for? A brute?"
>"A traitorous, lying swine, a foalnapper, a monster, and a brute, yes."
>You put your hooves on the table of her opulent holding chamber.
"I assure you, Miss Rarity, whatever you may think of me, I would never stoop to that. Never would I take a mare against her will."
>Rarity's eyes move away from yours, for only a moment, but long enough to signify relief.
>Your smile widens.
"No, when I take you, you're going to want it."
>She looks back at you.
" I will break you, Rarity. I will own you every way a stallion can own a mare. And you're going to love it. You're going to beg me for it."
>Those fearful eyes stare into yours, and you smile.
"Have a nice day."
>You leave the room.


>Sparkler is already waiting for you on the outside of the confinement cell.
>You close the door to the sounds of frustrated cursing and screaming.
>Music to your ears.
>The best mares were the defiant ones. It was so much more satisfying to see them just...succumb.
"Sparkler, I have a task for you."
>"M-My Lord?"
>You turn a baleful glare on her, and she bows, suddenly terrified.
>"My King! I apologize. It will not happen again."
>You nod, accepting her apology, and she rises.
"We're still not done, Sparkler. There's one link left."
>She waits for you to finish, following you as you make your way to your new Royal Chambers in the Canterlot Palace.
"Sweetie Belle."
>"T-The filly, My King?"
"Yes. The only being other than Anonymous, you, and myself who knows the truth about Luna's...condition. The only one who would know how to remove it."
>You see Sparkler's eyes brighten in comprehension and horror.
>"Forgive me, my king, you want me to...you want me to kill...a child?"
>You pause in your stride, looking up from your crown.
"Is that a problem?"
>"No, of course not, my king!"
>You smile at her hesitance.
"She's Rarity's sister, you know."
>Sparkler tenses. Now you had her attention.
>She'd never said it around you, but your faithful assistant hated Rarity more than she hated even the changelings.
>Jealousy. Such a useful emotion.
>"It will be done."
"Good. One other matter. Take Bon-Bon with you."
>"The Changeling?"
"Chrysalis insists on having one of her...kind present."
>Sparkler curls her lip in distaste, but bows.
"Bring me her head on a platter, Sparkler. It will make a fantastic wedding gift."

Epilogue.

>Something is dripping onto your face.
>It's wet, and warm, uncomfortably so.
>Your ear flicks, and you hear a sound like rustling leaves, hundreds of them, all at once.
>Light, muted and dim, pierces the closed lid of your eye.
>You slowly crack your eyes open, confused.
>You try to flex your arm, and find that you can't.
>Pain, instant and blinding, shoots into your limbs whenever you move them.
>Dull aches cover your body, and you let out a pained grunt at the agony in your back.
>The rustling grows louder, and you force your eyes open against the dim light.
>A cave greets your vision.
>Dismal and dark and dreary.
>The walls are gray, and weep a thin fluid.
>Stalagmites and stalagtites dot the cave like teeth, water dripping from them in a painfully slow manner.
>"Anon!?"
>Your head jerks around, surprised at the sound of...
>Her voice.
>A pair of white hooves come into your vision, followed by her face.
>Blue eyes stare into yours, and a pair of white lips press against yours.
>You gasp as she embraces you, her hooves holding the side of your head.
>She draws back, tears in her eyes, as you regard her.
>"Oh, Anon, I thought I'd lost you! You were hurt! And after the fire...Blueblood and the changelings..."
>She draws in a shuddering breath before hugging you again.
>"I"m just glad you're okay!"
>You run your tongue across cracked lips, struggling to sit up.
"Where..."
>"Hmmm?"
"Where are we?"
>She gives a mirthless little chuckle.
>"For now, Anon, we're home. Everything's gone mad! I thought...I thought I lost you!"
"You couldn't lose me, Rarity..."



>You lick your lips again.
"Especially if you never had me to begin with."
>The smell.
>It was here.
>Everywhere.
>It permeated even the stone you were lying on, wafting up your nose like a poisonous cloud.
>Rarity's eyes flash, turning a lime green with slitted pupils.
>"Hmmm. Disappointing. I truly thought that would work. I suppose we'll simply have to try again, won't we, Anonymous?"
>Her eyes flash again, and your world melts.
>The cave evaporates in a flash of burning green vapor, exploding away until all you can see is tinged a faint green.
>You open your mouth, gasping out a string of bubbles into the viscous green fluid you are entombed in.
>You struggle, trying to tear at the walls of your prison against the weight of the thick green goo.
>The monstrous changeling queen places a hoof on your cocoon as you scream silent vitriol at her.
>"Welcome, Anonymous, to my hive. Welcome to the last place your eyes will ever behold again."
>A hive it was.
>And here there be monsters.
>Great, soaring caverns greeted your vision, dotted with green pods full of writhing, silently screaming forms.
>Insectoid monsters, hundreds of them, crawled or fluttered over the pods, chittering and hissing at each other before flying away.
>The Queen leans forward and plants a kiss on the pod, grinning at you.
>She opens her mouth, and Rarity's voice issues forth.
>"Welcome home, Anon."
>You scream.
>A silent scream, full of helplessness and bone-chilling terror.
>The insect things notice your terror and press in, a wave of blue-eyed, black shelled things on every side.
>The Queen notes their interest, and smiles at you, her horn glowing with a sickly light.
>The horror is only beginning.