Dream of the Century "Hey Dash, I'm going to go around the city today, do you have any plans?" Light wanted to verify a few points first if RD was going to stay and slump all day, but that wasn't the case, she has to meet up with her friend at the entrance of the company's headquarters, the address has been given to her as well "Actually.. I do, I'm gonna meet up with someone, they said it was important and they needed company so i tagged along" RD replied with a rush in her tone, she's already dressed up, a leather jacket with a turtle neck shirt would do good for this report "Alright then, just make sure the door is closed tight, and things are in order" Light closed the door and left, RD made sure things are alright before leaving. Rushing, she had to bump into multiple people before reaching the said venue that was written on a piece of paper given to her when Spitfire explained what they'll do, RD arrived at the venue and checked the time and she's just 30 minutes early, a lucky shot for her. "Spitfire still isnt here" RD thought to herself, she hoped that this 'report' that her friend mentioned is legit and not just some phony bullshit, waiting, she looked at her surroundings and complimented the scenery in her thoughts, She felt a tap on her shoulder, was she lost in thought? "Hey RD! You're here early huh? Excited much?" Spitfire playfully pushed RD's arm, "I just needed some company, that's why" "For what though? You could've just do this yourself y'know?" RD scratched her head, visibly showing signs of confusion "Hmm.. Safety reasons, I heard terrible rumors about the CEO, I don't want to get in the middle of the crossfire" "Ahh, wise choice, Spitfire" Spitfire and RD entered the building and immediately headed to the CEO's office, an assistant was outside, fixing and calculating some numbers, probably finances, eitherway, they were expecting them and notified the latter, they were let in after that. "Welcome Spitfire, and your dearest friend, I was expecting you two here" The CEO greeted them with a sincere smile, he stood up and approached his employee to give him a small pat on the head "I've been observing you from afar my dearest employee, And I can say that you have an extrodinary talent, its a shame that someone like you is being wasted away, and it had to be in my company for goodness sake" The stallion went back to his desk and wore his glasses to read something RD felt uncomfortable, very uncomfortable, with what he's doing, its as if there's something fishy with this person to begin with, she wanted to say something to Spitfire for the last 20 minutes of awkwardness, but she couldnt After the stallion finished reading the papers, he looked at Spitfire and smiled, this was creepy for both of them but they had to hide their expressions, just so things won't go incredibly bad "Sorry, i kinda got a little ahead of myself with work, I was trying to say that you'll be the one succeeding my position for this company" RD's jaw dropped, she couldn't believe what she just heard from the latter's mouth, as for Spitfire, he just stood there, he wanted to be happy but he's feeling the opposite, he didn't want to be successful, but now he's offered such an offer, its hard to turn it down, yet he has to. "I don't know what to say, this is unexpected" Fear and excitement both rushed into him, he doesn't know what feel about this "I'll gladly accept this offer, sir." "I knew you'd accept, now follow me to the ballroom and we'll celebrate! Or you guys can just catch up" The stallion smiled again, with sincerity that felt so fake, he grabbed his coat and took off, leaving his office, as for the two, they looked at each other. "Oh my god. what in tarnation just happened.." Spitfire hasn't felt this much fear in his life, but now he has, he sat on the floor and curled himself up "I think this is a good thing, you got promoted to the highest position, you can basically do anything you want and all" RD continued rambling about the benefits with his promotion, but her friend still wouldnt calm down It took a solid 5 minutes until he calmed down and regained the strength to talk. "Look RD, I'm not scared because of the promotion, I'm fine with it, It's just that.. I couldn't believe that the boss of this company has been watching me for two years since i started working for him, and I had no idea.." Spitfire started to panic again, RD sat down and placed her hoof behind his back to help him calm down again, she then reached for her pocket and check if she has anything that could help him calm down, and luckily she did, some crackers that she bought before travelling to Manehattan "Here, eat this, then catch your breath once in awhile, after that, tell me the rest, if you're comfortable" He nodded and immediately opened the packet and ate, after 10 minutes, he calmed down again, and started talking "Its just that.. my older colleagues were in a similar position, they met the CEO, maybe for a request or promotion, then the next thing you know, they're not here anymore, when you ask the manager, they'd say that they quitted.. but that's just a lame excuse, even if they quit, they won't just suddenly.. disappear from the face of earth.. in fact, they would still make sure that we'll stay in touch, but I haven't heard a word from them since.." RD stayed silent throughout this, she didn't know how to comfort her friend. "Lets.. just try to look at the bright side here, maybe we wont end up in a pit after this" "A-Alright then.." RD helped Spitfire get up and left the office, they asked the assistant on where the ballroom is and she showed them the way, the CEO was expecting them, for awhile he served the two some champange and made sure the two felt like they're at home, other people were there and all congratulated the young lad for the promotion. After the party, the trio had a long talk with all sorts of things, The Compassionate CEO allowed them to stay at his apartment which was a 2 buildings away from his workplace, but once they got there, things started getting a little woosy, and the two passed out. --- -- CLING -- RD was awoken with a metal object falling, ropes.. or more like chains, are currently wrapped around her, they feel tight, very tight, her head is fuzzy, she clearly had no recollection of what just happened after she passed out, of course, its because she wasn't aware of anything. She took a moment to regain her senses and be fully awake, her drowsy head made that harder unfortunately, eventually she did get her head back on track, and immediately looked scanned her surroundings. There were more chains hanging down, some clinging to bones, others to decaying bodies, they're all dead, what on earth is happening She looked at the ground, there were puddles of blood scattered around the room, but the room was dim, so RD wasn't sure if it really was blood or it's just something else, nevertheless, the room is horrifying she tried to look behind to see if there's anything else, she got a glimspe and there were heads, they may look like displays, but at the same time, they're too real to be, she had the same thought with the bodies, what on equestria is happening? Silence swooped around the room, RD never felt so much fear until now, she took a sniff and it was awful, something was up, whoever brought her here might be after something. Just as RD is about to take a small nap and hope that she was just dreaming, the door opened, a pony came, holding a knife with his mouth, he threw the child in the room, her four hooves are tied in a rope, her mouth sealed shut, her eyes blindfolded It was too dim to know if the child had been hurt before or not, and she kept moving around and screaming for mercy, for freedom, but the stallion, his intentions say the opposite. He took the knife from his mouth and started slaughtering the child, giving the foal some cuts, from her chest to her legs, maybe her entire body, RD wanted to look away but the man already knew what she was trying to do, so he looked at her dead in the eye, threatening to watch what she was seeing, refusing his command would probably mean the end for her, so she had no choice but to watch for her dear life He proceeded to grab a whip and hit her with it, each hit giving more force and power than the last, the foal kept screaming, her blindfold soaking up from the tears, it was obvious that she wanted mercy, but he didn't stop, he continued, after a ton of beating he took the knife that he dropped on the floor for the whip and slitted her throat deep, he left at that. He dropped the knife at the floor again, looked at RD and smiled, something about that smile is asking her if she enjoyed the scene he made, to which RD responded with a fear on her face and trembling around her body, he was disappointed with the response and picked up the knife again and stabbed her, she continued screaming in pain until that is, she stopped, her body motionless, the last thing she did was cry, but that meant nothing to his face He grabbed a set of chains, and hanged the child on the spot, all of this happened while she was awake, there was no exchange of words, just the sound of metal chains clacking, the stallion left the room afterwards, his expression was just nothing. This continued on for 2 days, a new child is brought up and was continously slaughtered infront of RD, she did saw one instance that the child survived all of that and began to cry, RD comforted and the child and calmed them down, for awhile the child didn't want to talk but he eventually warmed up, RD asked the boy how he was caught and he said that he wasn't, he was originally an orphan until the stallion came along, he thought things were going to be fine but it was the opposite in the end, crying midway there RD felt bad, she wanted to save the boy, give him a happy life, but she couldn't, she's tied up, forced to watch children be slaughtered and be turned into hanging corpses. The stallion eventually came back and killed the boy for good, the same thing that happened to the girl, he hanged him with metal chains, and left, the next hour, he bought a nother child in the room, did the same thing and left, this kept happening for 10 more hours, and little by little, RD's sanity began to dwindle.. --- Light wished he taught Rainbow how to use a phone, thanks to that little recluse, he couldn't directly contact her even if she is far away, the only clue he has is that RD went to accompany a friend to a meeting, that's all, It's already been 3 days since she hasn't returned and Light is on the verge of giving up and assume that Rainbow wasted her second chance, that seems to be what is in Light's mind when suddenly the hotel door started knocking. He wasn't in the mood to yell a word, so he stood up and opened the door. "Hey.. uhm.. Are you RD's friend?" The stallion spoke hesitantly, afraid that he might anger him, but instead of replying, he just let him in, The stallion proceeded to sit on the couch and waited for Light to sit as well so they can discuss what to do. It took awhile for Light to grab the courage to talk again, the stress has been impacting his mentality for awhile that he refused to speak at all, eventually, he snapped out of the sulking. "Before we go in any topic, how did you know I was friends with RD?" "Ah that, Spitboy told me about her and you a few days ago, speaking of him, he's also missing alongside his friend, I tried calling him but i couldn't reach him, even now." He replied with a shaking tone "Oh.. Then it seems like we're going to work together here.. I'm Light Firestar, what's your name?" Light handed his handshake to declare the truce between him and the pony, in response, he also reached his hand and did a handshake "I'm Galorium, a fashion designer.. and I'm glad that we're working together for now" He chuckled, They stopped handshaking and went back to the topic. The two discussed what they know and where they could possibly be, Galorium suspected that his boss, the CEO, might've baited both of them into something, causing them to be gone for so long, though this is the closest they could get to, there might be other possibilities. They decided to go and meet up and the Grand Showdown the next day, as it is guaranteed that the CEO will be present, he might bring his living victims with him so he won't be suspected. --- Her hooves are chained, and so is her neck, RD was beaten instead of the child, she accepted the pain, since there's literally no way to escape the young pony, she tried looking for Spitfire, atleast any signs of him, but there's none, she wanted to ask but thanks to the beating she got a few hours ago, her throat was slit deeply, saying a word would open the wound and it would give her severe pain (and discomfort) She watched the stallion relax in comfort while their driver is driving them to the venue, thanks to RD's hazy mindset at the time, she had no idea that the driver was trying to save her, but to no avail that she succeeded, She was immediately murdered on the spot once they reached their destination, her body crept of blood. RD was pulled by the stallion, he grabbed her head and forced her to watch the mare slowly die from blood loss, RD didn't express anything on her face but internally, she was horrified, she wished to look away, like she usually does,but doing so would mean that she'll be rid of her second chance in living. After this, she turned and followed the stallion who was pulling her neck cuff to tag along, as soon as the lights shone on his face, his identity has been revealed, The CEO of the company that Spitfire worked for, now dragging her like a slave as they approach the stadium, RD didn't saw anyone behind the scenes, which was weird, most of the people are in the stage sets. he lead her to a room and pushed her there, it had windows that are small enough to not let her escape, he immediately closed the door and locked it as soon as he sensed that someone is coming, RD, with the remaining energy she has at the moment, eavesdropped at the conversation on the other side of the iron door. "Good Evening Sir Jacob, I would like you report to you that things are set" Replied the female employee, her voice filled with a pinch of terror, its as if she's aware what is happening but tried hiding it so she won't become toast "That's great my dear, I've set up VIP seats for the both of us so we can watch the showdown" He chuckled happily and pointed at the seats, which are located on the very top, this is after all, an opera stage. The employee nodded, but stll was scared, once the CEO left the scene to go and check up on the other things, like he should be doing, the employee immediately, unlocked the door with the spare keys that her boss handed to her. RD took a few steps behind, the mare closed the door immediately so she wont be suspected, then took her phone and activated the flashlight for a light source "I know what you've been through my child, and I'm going to bail you out of here" She proceeded to grab a let of lockpicks that were neatly stashed in her pocked and unlocked the cuffs, RD wanted to thank her through words but she couldnt, or else she'll suffer again, the mare noticed this and told her that she can hug her as a 'thank you' instead. Tears shed from RD's eyes and went to carress the woman who's saving her life, after this, the mare also took out some bandages from her go bag and tended RD's wounds, cuts and bruises, touching them would make RD scream in pain, butt she couldnt, she had to keep it low, The mare also adjusted the bandages on RD's neck, making sure that they wont open up the scar when she talks. It took awhile and RD was able to say a word again, and the wound didnt open up again, the two stayed inside the room for awhile so they can have a little chat, minding the time as well. "W-what.. happenend.. to Spitfire.. is h-he alright?" RD still had to get used to the bandages, she was afraid it'll open up again, which is why she kept stuttering "Sir Spitfire is alright, he also suffered the same injuries as you but he managed to run for his life when he gave CEO Jacob an opening, I met him on the streets when I was going home and I gave him a place stay, so don't worry about it" The pony replied with reassurance and safety, she wasn't lying about anything she said RD was relieved, her friend as alright, but just as she was happy that he was alright, she remembered her travel partner, Light, she had to look for him, and tell him everything. She immediately explained things to the the mare and wished for her cooperation in finding her friend, both devised a plan in order to get out here and also expose the CEO's little hobby.. --- Light and Galorium arrive at the showdown, a lot of people are present as this is a yearly celebration that celebrates the death anniversary of Rarity, the city's legendary fashionista Thanks to Galorium's status in the company, He can let in any of his friends in to the backstage, they stay there for awhile finding any sign of the CEO sitting on his designated place, or anywhere even. Light decided to walk around and explore the place, like he usually does and finds an iron door closed, he smelled blood, which was really weird, he looked harder to see if anyone was even there until a hoof was placed on his shoulder Light was startled and looked behind, a mare in formal wear is looking at him with her one of her eyebrows raised; "Uhm.. Sorry, is this off limits?" He asked, fearing that he'll be kicked out since he's not a part of the staff "Oh, It is, but im not going to scold you for that, I was just curious on what you saw in there" The mare rolled her eyes playfully, but she wasn't angry at all. "I.. see, anyway, What's your name? Wait no, I'll introduce myself first, I'm Light Firestar- HAHA, Yeah.." Nervousness threw him hard, but still did his best to give a good impression The mare giggled at this, "I'm Rosethorn, an assistant in the company, and I'm glad to meet you, Light Firestar" A sweet, welcoming tone was introduced, smiling sincerely at him. "Light..?" Light heard a familiar voice, he turned to the direction on where it came from and there she is, RD, with bandages, she continued to shed her tears and yelled his as he came to hug him, Light hugged her back. "She suffered alot.. Sir Jacob is a maniac i could say.." Rosethorn looked away and disgust once she started mentioning the boss she works for. RD immediately pulled from the hug and playfull smacked his arm as a way of saying that she's glad to finally meet him and know he's safe While the two were talking, Light thought of the name he just heard from Rosethorn, The name ringed a bell, even though there are alot of ponies that he knew who's first name was 'Jacob' the description of him being the CEO reminds him.. of somoeone.. "Sir Jacob..? Can you atleast tell me his full name?" Light asked with hesitance, something was up, It couldn't possibly be the guy he met in the adoption center a few days ago while trying to earn money for a short while. "Oh, his name is Jacob Starclaw, why ask" Rosethorn raised her eyebrow again, this time though, she was curious on why Light asked, but she stopped giving him the expression when she realized Light just started.. standing there, with a horrified face. The thought hit him hard, what did he just do? his body continued to tremble while trying to process everything, RD tried reaching for Light's back and give him a sense of comfort but he realized what she was trying to do and backed away, making RD flinch. He looked at both of them with fear and ran out of the backstage, heading to the plaza, RD tried running after him but Rosethorn stopped her. "Let him, Lets concentrate with our main objective and find the CEO" RD nodded and they proceeded to head to the main room of the backstage, blooming with alot of people, coincidentally, Galorium was there, helping with the props while also looking for his boss, he notices the two and approaches them with hurry. "Boss Rosethorn, What are you doing here, didn-" Galorium saw RD walk on her side, he was suprised that she was with him, but that's when he noticed that his pal isnt with them "Wait.. If RD is here.. Where's Light?" "He ran off, Jacob's name itself may have scared his guts" She replied with a pinch of worry but did her best not to show it at all. Galor lead the two to a room where there's no cameras or audio devices that will record their conversation and discussed how they will expose the CEO, they agreed that they'll bait him into the stage since RD is his slave and he doesnt want his toy to be roaming around the premises, being the walking proof of his crimes --- Spitfire was adviced by his savior that he must not go to the showdown today, as his life is more important than witnessing the event unfold, unfortunately, he didn't listen and snuck from her room and rushed to the venue of the event, but he lost his breath while running, noticing that he's currently at the plaza, he sat on one of the benches, he notices a gold-colored pony with pale yellow mane (with a hint of brown in one of his strands), his face mixed with stress and horror. He was hesitant at first on whether he should approach the young pony or not, his mind was currently in debate, but eventually, he settled with the fact that he should sit down and actually make friends, but noted that he still needed to keep his guard up, just in case anything bad happens that might be able to flee to safety. Approaching, he gave himself some space with the colt, watching would make him look like a creep so he looked up and stared at the stars so he would have something to do, while at it, he listened to the pony's heavy breathing. "He was sitting for hours, but he's still panting? did something happen to him?" the thought wondered in Spitfire's brain, if his assumption were correct, then maybe he might a victim of the CEO. Spitfire looked at the pony sitting right next to him and noticed that his faced showed terror, tears following down his face, staring at the ground as if he's in an endless nightmare. Because of the fact that he couldnt bare to look at the fear-stricken face his seatmate is showing, Spitfire broke the silence; "I know its not in my position to judge and interfere with whatever you're going through, alright? but I still want to know.. if you're okay?" he frowned, looking at the pony with worry, as if he was his therapist. Regardless, silence came back, Spitfire decided to leave it at that, if the struggling stranger wasn't willing to talk, then it maybe too p ersonal, so he tried looking afar to see if there's any shop open at this hour, but to no avail did he see anything, displeased, Spitfire slouched a little and decided to let time pass by; The stranger stopped crying, and finally felt comfortable, but Spitfire didnt do anything, because of him slouching, he already fell asleep, but he was awaken with a tap on the shoulder "Hey, uh.. you asked something but I didn't answer.. do you mind telling me again?" A cough followed, probably from all tha t crying, his throat dried up "I was asking if you're alright, your face showed horror, so I thought being a therapist would be the best option" Spitfire scratched his head as he turned away, but he looked again "Oh, That's actually.. thoughtful, you asked even if its a stranger" The pony blushed out of embarrassment and engulped a bit of his saliva "Eitherway, I'll tell you.. just the short version though, I don't want to waste your time" "Oh no, no, you're not wasting my time, in fact, I have plenty of free time, go on, I'll listen while you talk" The tone of reassurance was pretty convincing, so the stranger explained everything ... "So that's about it, It took me time to recollect my feelings, I doubt I'll be able to let it go unfortunately" Spitfire was listening, and he had no words, nor any questions either, he didnt know this fellow stranger me t his boss a few days ago, probably a day before he was even imprisioned. He didnt want to sound rude, so he lightly put his hoof rubbed his back to comfort him, the stranger appreciated the act but still told them that they didn't need to. The mood seemed gloomy so the topic was quickly switched around, They had quite a laugh with the jokes they shared, to the point that they didn't realize so much time has been passed, roughly 2 hours "Man! That was hilarious!, By the way, what's your name?" Spitfire was laughing so hard, he might even choke with his own words "Oh!, Haha, I'm Light Firestar, What about you?" "Spitfire Jr's the name" He looked at the time, and realized he that if he were to arrive at the venue, he would be at the speech of the CEO, so he immediately stood up, stretched, said his goodbyes, saying he had to attend to something urgent and dashed, but he was stopped in his tracks immediately. "I know which direction you're tryna go to, my friend" Light smacked the latter's arm playfully "It's best if we go there together, I'm planning to go back anyway." Spitfire only nodded in agreement, and rushed to the venue, only hoping that they made it on time. ---