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* CruelAndUnusualDeath: Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, while on the Construction Quarter, withness [[spoiler: a Zalgo-fied cultist ripping out an old man's heart and eating it.]] It is enough to make the former cry and almost vomit, and the latter nearly go LeeroyJerkins on them before Jack stops her.

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* CruelAndUnusualDeath: Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, while on the Construction Quarter, withness [[spoiler: a Zalgo-fied cultist ripping out an old man's heart and eating it.]] It is enough to make the former cry and almost vomit, and the latter nearly go LeeroyJerkins LeeroyJenkins on them before Jack stops her.


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* PsychoLesbian: The Spitfire from the Room of Desires once Rainbow Dash rejects her.
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* LateToTheTragedy: Subtle, but gradually the Mane Six's members arrive ''really'' the nick of time and barely manage to rescue each other, eventually culminating [[spoiler: on Twilight dying and the rest having to retrieve her soul to bring her back.]]

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** Another one on the very next chapter, but with the opposite switch: A green-eyed Applejack appears and, suspecting it's just another one of the Illusion Quarter's tricks, Fluttershy regretfully allows Jack to shoot her down. He aims at her hat instead, killing the creature that was controlling her and revealing that, after all, she was the real one.



* BigSisterInstinct: The Room of Horrors plays on Rarity's fear of being unable to protect her little sister, Sweetie Belle.



* GreenAndMean: The [[spoiler: monstrous lindworm]] that attacks the Mane Six in Chapter 1.

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* GreenAndMean: The [[spoiler: monstrous lindworm]] that attacks the Mane Six in Chapter 1. It even later comes back as Fluttershy's worst fear in the Room of Horrors.



** In "Chapter 1 - A New Threat", [[spoiler: the green lindworm appearing and roaring at the Mane Six.]] The [[spoiler: indirect debut of Jack Armstrong right at the end]] can count as well.

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** In "Chapter 1 - A New Threat", [[spoiler: the green lindworm appearing and roaring at the Mane Six.]] The [[spoiler: indirect debut of Jack Armstrong right at the end]] can count as well.well.
* YourMindMakesItReal: The rooms of the Illusion Quarter play this trope on any of their victims.
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* [[spoiler: The Pinkie Pie from The Room of Horrors]] is a walking reference to the infamous Fanfic/{{Cupcakes}}. The fanfic's story is also a recurring nightmare of Rainbow Dash.
* Cthulu and other H.P Lovecraft stories are part of the story's backstory lore.

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* ** [[spoiler: The Pinkie Pie from The Room of Horrors]] is a walking reference to the infamous Fanfic/{{Cupcakes}}. The fanfic's story is also a recurring nightmare of Rainbow Dash.
* ** Cthulu and other H.P Lovecraft stories are part of the story's backstory lore.

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* BaitAndSwitch: While entering the Illusion Quarter's first bit, the Room of Horrors, the group is greeted by the friendly laugh of [[GenkiGirl Pinkie Pie]] and it seems at first they'll be reuniting with another one of the Mane Six. Then, Jack points out where they are and, while remembering something, Rainbow Dash panics. Turns out this Pinkie [[ShoutOut is part of a]] [[Fanfic/{{Cupcakes}} recurring nightmare of Dash]]...



** The Room of Rage preys on the victim's BersekButton's.

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** The Room of Rage preys on the victim's BersekButton's.BerserkButton's.


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* ShoutOut:
* [[spoiler: The Pinkie Pie from The Room of Horrors]] is a walking reference to the infamous Fanfic/{{Cupcakes}}. The fanfic's story is also a recurring nightmare of Rainbow Dash.
* Cthulu and other H.P Lovecraft stories are part of the story's backstory lore.
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* PsychologicalTormentZone: The Illusion Quarter is split into three of those, which Jack explains that was formerly used for interrogation and torture. There are [[RuleOfThree three of them]].
** The Room of Horrors preys on the victim's worst nightmares.
** The Room of Desires preys on the victim's desires.
** The Room of Rage preys on the victim's BersekButton's.

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* HeroicSacrifice: Downplayed, but Rarity prioritizes Jack's bandage use on Fluttershy's hooves instead of her wound. This teaches Jack the trait of Generosity.



* IWorkAlone: Jack's usual mode of operating.

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* IWorkAlone: Jack's usual mode of operating. At least, until he met the ponies.


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* SkewedPriorities: [[DramaQueen Rarity]] gets saved from imminent death? Her biggest worry? Her coat being ruined by the blood. It especially gets on Jack's nerves.

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* BodyHorror: A frequent favorite of this fic, down to dead body descriptions to monster descriptions.



* CruelAndUnusualDeath: Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, while on the Construction Quarter, withness [[spoiler: a Zalgo-fied cultist ripping out an old man's heart and eating it.]] It is enough to make the former cry and almost vomit, and the latter nearly go LeeroyJerkins on them before Jack stops her.
** [[SarcasmMode Fortunately]], that's not the only death we see being described in Chapter 4. [[spoiler: We also see another cultist chainsawing a fawn's throat. Imagine what was going on in [[FriendToAllLivingThings Fluttershy's]] head...]]



* DeathTrap: Right at the beginning of Chapter 5, Rarity has to be rescued from one with a sawmill that threatens to rip her in half. [[SpotTheImposter Two of them, actually.]] Thankfully, Fluttershy's experience with Rainbow Dash's phony manages to tip her on who's the fake one.



* GlamourFailure: The phony Rainbow Dash and Rarity have transparent eyes. This is the biggest tip the protagonists have while saving the real ones.



* IWorkAlone: Jack's usual mode of operating.



* SpotTheImposter: To save Rainbow Dash and Rarity, Fluttershy and Jack have to figure out which is the real deal and which is an impostor posing as one of them (the impostors are given thanks to [[GlamourFailure their transparent eyes]]). The latter's especially dramatic, as it is a TimedMission where the one chosen ends up dying.

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* SpotTheImposter: To save Rainbow Dash and Rarity, Fluttershy and Jack have to figure out which is the real deal and which is an impostor posing as one of them (the impostors are given thanks to [[GlamourFailure their transparent eyes]]). The latter's especially dramatic, as it is a TimedMission where the one chosen that is left behind ends up dying.dying by a sawmill.
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* AntagonistTitle: Also doubles as ThePlace, since its the name of the set of dungeons that Fluttershy and co. must escape from.


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* BigBad: [[GodOfEvil Zalgo]].


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* TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt: A part of Zalgo's desires.


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* MouthOfSauron: Jack's initial description of "the Avatar of Zalgo" somewhat fits this trope, as they'll be the one to sing their master's world-ending song.


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** During the group's exploration of the tombs, parts of the Zalgo Invocation's lyrics are cited by a mysterious whisper. It even gets commented by Jack.
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* UndyingLoyalty: Fluttershy decides to follow Jack in the Catacombs to save her friends, [[CowardlyLion even if it means facing its horrors]]. Same to the Element of Loyalty herself, Rainbow Dash, once she learns about the rest's situation. The latter's speech about it makes Jack learn about that value.
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* SpotTheImposter: To save Rainbow Dash and Rarity, Fluttershy and Jack have to figure out which is the real deal and which is an impostor posing as one of them (the impostors are given thanks to [[GlamourFailure their transparent eyes]]). The latter's especially dramatic, as it is a TimedMission where the one chosen ends up dying.
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** A minor one, but Fluttershy [[InnocentlyInsensitive innocently]] asking if Jack had any friends or family briefly sets him on a silent rage against her before he remembers she's barely aware of what he went through.


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* EvilCannotComprehendGood: Downplayed variation. [[{{Jerkass}} Ja]][[GoodIsNotNice ck]] doesn't understand why [[AllLovingHero Fluttershy]] is being nice to him instead of frightened/angry, despite what he put her through. This leads to the pegasus explaining the first Element of Harmony to him, Kindness.


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* SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids: Jack considers love and friendship emotions that betrayed him and that he can't understand due to his DarkAndTroubledPast. The ponies rebuking that attitude with SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers is what kickstarts his development for the better.


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* WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes: As shown in Chapter 3, Fluttershy has hematophobia (fear of blood).
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* BerserkButton: The Room of Rage, one of the [[PsychologicalTormentZone]]'s of the Catacombs, presses the berserk buttons of the unfortunate ones that come across it. In particular, the manifestation of Jack's one, [[spoiler: his AbusiveParents]], is dangerous enough that he has to warn the ponies of it beforehand.

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* BerserkButton: The Room of Rage, one of the [[PsychologicalTormentZone]]'s PsychologicalTormentZone's of the Catacombs, presses the berserk buttons of the unfortunate ones that come across it. In particular, the manifestation of Jack's one, [[spoiler: his AbusiveParents]], is dangerous enough that he has to warn the ponies of it beforehand.

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* BerserkButton: The Room of Rage, one of the [[PsychologicalTormentZone]]'s of the Catacombs, presses the berserk buttons of the unfortunate ones that come across it. In particular, the manifestation of Jack's one, [[spoiler: his AbusiveParents]], is dangerous enough that he has to warn the ponies of it beforehand.



* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Due to reasons that are gradually developed as the story goes on, Jack initially wants solely revenge on [[BigBad Zalgo]] and by the time he debuts he doesn't care about anything else, even if he dies while trying to do it.

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* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Due to reasons that are gradually developed as the story goes on, Jack initially wants solely revenge on [[BigBad Zalgo]] for ruining his life and by the time he debuts he doesn't care about anything else, [[NotAfraidToDie even if he dies while trying to do it.his revenge]].

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* DarkAndTroubledPast: At first, he only tells Fluttershy how he was a forced member of the Cthulu-focused ReligionOfEvil that lived in R'lyeh before Zalgo personally came and transformed it into his Catacombs, while sparing Jack from [[KilledOffScreen the fates he inflicted]] [[TheAssimilator on the other cultists]]. [[spoiler: It goes way deeper than that, though, complete with AbusiveParents, having his role being misunderstood by birth, which caused his entire hometown to hate him, and a CainAndAbel situation he only grew aware of really close to the finale.]]



* GenderFlip: Zalgo was of ambiguous gender in the origins. Here, he's a male.



* OminousFog: The Catacombs has lots of these.



* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Due to reasons that are gradually developed as the story goes on, Jack initially wants solely revenge on [[BigBad Zalgo]] and by the time he debuts he doesn't care about anything else.

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* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Due to reasons that are gradually developed as the story goes on, Jack initially wants solely revenge on [[BigBad Zalgo]] and by the time he debuts he doesn't care about anything else.else, even if he dies while trying to do it.


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* SpeakOfTheDevil: In Chapter 3, Jack advises Fluttershy to ''not'' speak Zalgo's name, unless if it's within his presence or his catacomb, as horrors happen otherwise.

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* {{Determinator}}: Fluttershy becomes determined to try and save her friends, even if she has to endure a terrifying catacomb and its terrors and, to a minor extent, a {{Jerkass}} human as her companion.



* {{Hell}}: When you get someone (namely, Jack) comparing the former house of a {{Cult}} of a ReligionOfEvil that performed horrible experiments, now transformed into the titular lair of the BigBad, with the house of Satana himself, then you know Fluttershy and company are in big trouble.



* HopeSpot: In Chapter 1

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* HopeSpot: In Chapter 11. See the CurbStompBattle example above.


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* TeethClenchedTeamwork: More one-sided (at least until Rainbow Dash joins in), but Jack is not that willing to help the ponies escape the Catacombs at first, even after receiving the Stare from Fluttershy. He puts rules for the partnership, while nonchalantly claiming that if he dies she'll be on her own, and initially only cares about doing his Revenge, or dying trying to.
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* DeathGlare: Fluttershy gives her trademark Stare on Jack to get him to help her on the RescueArc. Not only it works, but he actually feels an emotional recoil after staring back at it long enough.


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* MythologyGag:
** After her minor EurekaMoment and regaining faith in her friend's survival, Fluttershy decides to give Jack ''the Stare'' to comply him to help on rescuing her friends.


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* SirSwearsALot: Downplayed a bit for the trope's average, but Jack's definitely this compared to the nearly squeaky clean language ponies.

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* AncientTomb: The titular setting; a pretty terrifying example for the trope.

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* AncientTomb: The titular setting; a pretty terrifying example for the trope.trope that mildly crosses over with EldritchLocation.


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* EldritchLocation: The Catacombs; of {{Mordor}} variation.


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* WhamLine:
** In Chapter 2, Jack's line as he reacts to Fluttershy's worry over needing to save her friends (the five other Mane Six), revealing this [[DarkerAndEdgier won't be]] ''any'' similar to the previous ones.
->"''Fluttershy, hate to break it to you. By now, your friends are probably dead or being slaughtered. [[EldritchLocation This is no ordinary place]] [[{{Mordor}} you're treading in.]]''"
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* DefrostingIceKing: Jack. He starts off the fanfic by being a mostly-one-sided [[teeth clenched ally TeethClenchedTeamwork]] to Fluttershy and the Mane Six, being annoyed by them and solely being driven by his {{Revenge}}. Learning about the values of [[ThePowerOfFriendship The Elements of Harmony]] slowly breaks his shell.

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* DefrostingIceKing: Jack. He starts off the fanfic by being a mostly-one-sided [[teeth [[TeethClenchedTeamwork teeth clenched ally TeethClenchedTeamwork]] ally]] to Fluttershy and the Mane Six, being annoyed by them and solely being driven by his {{Revenge}}. Learning about the values of [[ThePowerOfFriendship The Elements of Harmony]] slowly breaks his shell.
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* DefrostingIceKing: Jack. He starts off the fanfic by being a mostly-one-sided [[teeth clenched ally TeethClenchedTeamwork]] to Fluttershy and the Mane Six, being annoyed by them and solely being driven by his {{Revenge}}. Learning about the values of [[ThePowerOfFriendship The Elements of Harmony]] slowly breaks his shell.


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* DontCallMeSir: Jack explains to Fluttershy he doesn't like being called mister after saving her from the chains and introducing himself.

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* Cliffhanger: Chapter 1 ends with someone entering inside [[spoiler: Fluttershy's cell]]. Turns out that its the story's {{Deuteragonist}}, Jack Armstrong.

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* Cliffhanger: {{Cliffhanger}}: Chapter 1 ends with someone entering inside [[spoiler: Fluttershy's cell]]. Turns out that its the story's {{Deuteragonist}}, Jack Armstrong.


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* RudeHeroNiceSidekick: Inverted and Played with. Fluttershy and Jack are more {{Protagonist}} and {{Deuteragonist}} and Fluttershy is the nice, good-hearted hero to Jack's ruder and tougher hero.


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* WeaponOfChoice: [[KatanasAreJustBetter Katanas]] and [[GunFu guns]]. Both which he can [[DualWielding dual wield]].
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* ByronicHero: Jack fits most of this trope's characteristics.

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* Cliffhanger: Chapter 1 ends with someone entering inside [[spoiler: Fluttershy's cell]]. Turns out that its the story's {{Deuteragonist}}, Jack Armstrong.



** In "Chapter 1 - A New Threat", [[spoiler: the green lindworm appearing and roaring at the Mane Six.]]

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** In "Chapter 1 - A New Threat", [[spoiler: the green lindworm appearing and roaring at the Mane Six.]]]] The [[spoiler: indirect debut of Jack Armstrong right at the end]] can count as well.
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* DarkerAndEdgier/BloodierAndGorier: The main tropes this fic runs on, at least on the MLP: FiM behalf.

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* DarkerAndEdgier/BloodierAndGorier: DarkerAndEdgier & BloodierAndGorier: The main major tropes this fic runs on, at least on the MLP: FiM behalf.

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* DarkerAndEdgier

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* DarkerAndEdgierDarkerAndEdgier/BloodierAndGorier: The main tropes this fic runs on, at least on the MLP: FiM behalf.



* MoodWhiplash: The first two chapters (Chapter 0 and Chapter 1) are this in spades, especially the latter.



* RedGreenContrast: Our protagonist's (Fluttershy's pink hair, Jack's green shirt) main visual contrast.



** In "Chapter 1 - A New Threat", [[the green lindworm appearing and roaring at the Mane Six.]]

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** In "Chapter 1 - A New Threat", [[the [[spoiler: the green lindworm appearing and roaring at the Mane Six.]]

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* CurbStompBattle: [[CurbStompCushion Downplayed]], then Subverted, and then Double Subverted. At first, the [[spoiler: monstrous green lindworm]] proves to be a big threat, but the Mane Six manage to get a few hits on it. Then, Twilight manages to defeat it by tossing it into the distance. [[spoiler: [[HopeSpot But just when we think it's over,]] three more brute creatures appear and TRASH the Mane Six.]]



* DeerInTheHeadlights: Poor Fluttershy becomes too scared to move while the rest of the Mane Six fight [[spoiler: the lindworm]] in Chapter 1. Not even Rainbow Dash shouting at her to get out of the way is enough.
* GreenAndMean: The [[spoiler: monstrous lindworm]] that attacks the Mane Six in Chapter 1.



* HopeSpot: In Chapter 1



* TheLoad: Fluttershy heavily believes herself to be this in the beginning.



* RedEyesTakeWarning: Lots of the villains in this fanfic love this trope.



** In "Chapter 0 - Prelude Towards Madness":
*** When Fluttershy spots a silhouette evoking the DarkIsEvil and RedEyesTakeWarning tropes. [[FromBadToWorse And then]] it begins to talk to her about "his" arrival...

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** In "Chapter 0 - Prelude Towards Madness":
*** When
Madness", Fluttershy [[spoiler: spots a silhouette evoking the DarkIsEvil and RedEyesTakeWarning tropes. [[FromBadToWorse And then]] it begins to talk to her about "his" [[BigBad "his"]] arrival...]]
** In "Chapter 1 - A New Threat", [[the green lindworm appearing and roaring at the Mane Six.]]
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* HeroicSelfDeprecation: Fluttershy in the prologue. The narration details how she blames herself for being a coward not only to her friends but to herself, the guilt she feels for her period under Discord's control, and [[AlasPoorVillain the deep-down guilt for being unable to help Discord]].



* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: A bit inevitable, considering that this fic was made during the show's Season 2 run, and InUniverse is set right after the premiere's finale.

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* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: A bit inevitable, considering that this fic was made during the show's Season 2 run, and InUniverse is set right after the premiere's finale.finale.
* WhamShot:
** In "Chapter 0 - Prelude Towards Madness":
*** When Fluttershy spots a silhouette evoking the DarkIsEvil and RedEyesTakeWarning tropes. [[FromBadToWorse And then]] it begins to talk to her about "his" arrival...
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* MultipleEndings: {{Downplayed}}. The story only has two endings, and what changes on them is the outcome of the FinalBattle. [[spoiler: In the [[SurprisinglyHappyEnding official ending]], Jack's soul is transferred to a pony body and he can finally start a new life in Equestria. In the [[BittersweetEnding alternate ending]], he's KilledOffForReal.]]
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->''"It is been said, confronting emotions at its peak shall conquer one's self in life. However, when they are faced with an even greater level of emotions beyond one's intuition, the spirit shall crumble in defeat upon its overwhelming wake.

In the history of Equestria, Equestrians lived in true peace and harmony. The nature of fear and violence has always been reduced to a minimum point to where Equestrians feel confident and at peace. However, outside the Equestria borders, a greater evil surrounds the ever-lasting tranquility of the land. [[DarkerAndEdgier For soon, the childish creatures shall endure the true meaning... of fear and horror.]]"''

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->''"It is been said, confronting emotions at its peak shall conquer one's self in life. However, when they are faced with an even greater level of emotions beyond one's intuition, the spirit shall crumble in defeat upon its overwhelming wake.

In
wake.''

->''In
the history of Equestria, Equestrians lived in true peace and harmony. The nature of fear and violence has always been reduced to a minimum point to where Equestrians feel confident and at peace. However, outside the Equestria borders, a greater evil surrounds the ever-lasting tranquility of the land. [[DarkerAndEdgier For soon, the childish creatures shall endure the true meaning... of fear and horror.]]"''



The story can be read on Website/FanfictionDotNet here, on Website/FimfictionDotNet here, and on the author's DeviantART account here.

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The story can be read on Website/FanfictionDotNet here, [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9785051/1/The-Catacombs-of-Zalgo here]], on Website/FimfictionDotNet here, [[https://www.fimfiction.net/story/2568/the-catacombs-of-zalgo here]], and on the author's DeviantART account here.
Deviantart [[https://www.deviantart.com/mlp-the-abyss/gallery/63326626/the-catacombs-of-zalgo here]].
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->''"It is been said, confronting emotions at its peak shall conquer one's self in life. However, when they are faced with an even greater level of emotions beyond one's intuition, the spirit shall crumble in defeat upon its overwhelming wake.

In the history of Equestria, Equestrians lived in true peace and harmony. The nature of fear and violence has always been reduced to a minimum point to where Equestrians feel confident and at peace. However, outside the Equestria borders, a greater evil surrounds the ever-lasting tranquility of the land. [[DarkerAndEdgier For soon, the childish creatures shall endure the true meaning... of fear and horror.]]"''

''The Catacombs Of Zalgo'' is a ''MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' FanFic that crosses over with the {{Creepypasta}}/Internet meme ''WebOriginal/{{Zalgo}}'' (and some droplets of Cthulhu) by Nintendoboy1000.

After the defeat of Discord, the main six decides to take a pleasant stroll outside of Ponyville. But unexpectedly, they were all knocked out and been seized by ungodly creatures they've never seen before. With Fluttershy now awoken in a dark and terrifying dungeon, she's been unexpectedly saved by a rude yet courageous human who's only purpose is to bring vengeance on his adversary. Now, the two unlikely allies teamed up with each other to confront what lurks deep within these hell's tombs while Fluttershy keeps questioning herself. What has become of her friends? Who is this mysterious human? What place is she in? Only time will tell... when he comes.

The story can be read on Website/FanfictionDotNet here, on Website/FimfictionDotNet here, and on the author's DeviantART account here.

!!This story contains examples of:
* AncientTomb: The titular setting; a pretty terrifying example for the trope.
* BroodingBoyGentleGirl: Non-romantic example between Fluttershy and Jack Armstrong.
* DarkerAndEdgier
* JerkToNiceGuyPlot: The CharacterDevelopment of Jack. As he and Fluttershy venture deeper into the titular catacombs and rescue the yellow pegasus' friends, he learns about the values of the Elements of Harmony and becomes a more selfless guy.
* RescueArc: Fluttershy's initial main goal while traveling in and enduring the horrors of the tombs is to rescue the rest of the Mane Six.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Due to reasons that are gradually developed as the story goes on, Jack initially wants solely revenge on [[BigBad Zalgo]] and by the time he debuts he doesn't care about anything else.
* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: A bit inevitable, considering that this fic was made during the show's Season 2 run, and InUniverse is set right after the premiere's finale.

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