Unique: Vengeance is Magic

Chapters

Chapter One: The Return Home
Chapter Two: The Offer
Chapter Three: A Dark Memory

Chapter One: The Return Home

CHAPTER ONE - THE RETURN HOME

Celestia's sun was a magnificent sight to behold that evening, as it always was. The sky, which had long ago been bright and blue, now was dim and displaying varying shades of orange and red, that accompanied the sun as it slowly descended into the horizon, signaling the end of the day, and heralding the eventual arrival of night, and with it the beauty of Luna's moon, along with her infinite stars and constellations.

It reminded Unique of another evening like this one, a few years ago from today conveniently. It was the ending of a summer day, when he took Serenity up to the top of the hill outside the village, beneath the elderly oak tree that overlooked the village and the splendid lake close to it. It was there under the branches where he summoned the courage within him, and knelt down in the grass before the pretty mare, looking right into her emerald eyes and asked her the ultimate question. A smile crept its way onto his face as he remembered her reaction to his question; the look of surprise and awe on her face. The excited squee in her voice when she said 'yes'. The tears of pure joy running down her cheeks as she threw her hooves around him and locked her lips with his. And that unforgetable night of romance they shared together shortly afterwards.

All of it was a happy memory, and it was one that Unique would cherish for the rest of his life, and even after it.

The setting of the sun also reminded Unique that another hard of work out in the farmland outside the village was over, and so here he was, trotting along the worn dusty path through the forest, the rest of the ponies whom had also been working that day in and the around the fields not far ahead of him. Each of them wore a weary expression on their faces, but they moved with haste on the way back to the village, wanting nothing more right now than to return to the safety and comfort of their homes, where their beloved families - not to mention a warm supper and plenty of rest - would be waiting for them.

For many of the worn-out ponies returning home, the thought of a warm, relaxing bath to wash away the mud and sweat clinging to their manes and coats and tails, would probably be as welcoming, Unique mused to himself as he followed the group. Being at the back of the group, Unique could see the amount of dirt and perspiration that covered each of their bodies. Mostly the Earth ponies were the filthiest, no surprise at all really, since they had handled all of the digging and ploughing and sowing of the day. Some of the Earth ponies had mud completely covering their behinds, obscuring their cutie marks, and whatever talents and/or special meanings they might have symbolized.

The Unicorn ponies of the group - of which there were few - had put their magic to work in helping the hornless and magicless farmers, telekinetically controlling spades and rakes and hoes and the like to aid them. But not all the magic in the whole world, let alone in all of Equestria, could keep them from getting dirt on themselves, despite the little to no physical labor; their legs and hooves were covered in mud simply from standing in the fields. The mud still stuck to them as they moved along with the rest of the group back to the village, farming equipment floating above their heads, bound in the grasp of their magic as they walked.

Several shadows suddenly then shot across the ground, and Unique looked above him to see the pegasi that had lent a helping hoof that day, dirt and soil flaking from their bodies as they soared above the group below, towards the straw-woven rooftops of the little wooden cottages that were just beginning to come into view amidst the trees. Seeing how close they were to home prompted everypony to suddenly pick up the pace, breaking out near to a gallop towards the village, their once tired bodies apparently rejuvenated by the thought of the little distance that remained between them and their darling wives and children. And the meal with rest, of course.

But Unique, on the other hoof, maintained his pace, taking his time rather than rush it. True, he wanted to be back home with the mare he loved more than his life, but he would get there all the same. Besides, he was a stallion who appreciated the natural beauty of his home, and as he moved through the forest and towards the end of it, he closed his eyes, and he breathed in the fresh clean air around him. He let the fragrant smell of the wild flowers and plantlife tickle his sensitive nostrils. He listened to the faint sound of leaves in the trees around him, barely swaying in the ever-so-light breeze, and to the chirping of the birds as they began to settle down for the forthcoming night. Walking through the forest like this, alone with his thoughts, was peaceful, and he savored every second of it until he was out of the forest and approaching the village.

When Unique arrived at the entrance to the village, the farmers were already being embraced by their loved ones, their wives hugging them and planting kisses on their cheeks, while thei young foals bounced around them, eager to share stories with their fathers about what exciting things they had done today. As they began to retire to their homes, mares by their sides and their bundles of joy carried on their backs, some of them turned and, upon noticing Unique, waved a hoof at him and bid him farewell, and he responded to each goodbye with a polite nod.

When the doors to every cottage were closed, and he was alone, Unique carried on his way through an empty street, a glance here and there at each cottage showing happy families together through the windows, and Unique could not help but smile. He continued walking until he came to the other side of the village, and followed the path there towards the hill, where the elderly oak tree still stood, strong despite its advanced age, and still overlooking that same splendid lake. And built nearby that tree was his home; his small cottage, where his beautiful wife Serenity would be waiting for him.

Unique closed the gate behind him and slid the wooden lock into place, keeping it firmly shut. After making sure it was secure, he turned around and started to walk through the garden, towards the cottage.

He felt the soft earth beneath his feet being replaced by a path of gravel, which ran in a straight line through the small garden, starting at the gate and ending just at the entrance to his home. A scrunching sound followed each step he took as he strode across the gravel towards the door. On both sides of the path, a myriad of flowers - each of them big and small in size, and in all the colors of the rainbow - were growing in neat and tidy flowerbeds, every one of them as pretty as the mare who planted them, nurtured them.

Unique smiled. Serenity loved flowers. She used to tell him about how she dreamed of Equestria being filled with flowers, spreading their natural beauty all across the kingdom and beyond the borders into other lands, bringing color and life to the rest of the world. That was her dream; to fill the world with flowers, and making it a beautiful place for children to grow up in. That was why she had set up this little garden, so she could make a start on fulfilling that dream.

Unique approached the door and knocked. From inside the cottage, he heard a familiar sweet voice. ¨Just a moment! I'm coming!¨ A moment later, he heard somepony undoing the lock, and the door opened, creaking a bit as it did. In the doorway, one hoof on the door handle, there appeared a light blue-coated mare. She had a kind smile on her face that made Unique feel warm inside, and her wide, bright emerald-green eyes, glimmering, sparkling even, like they were made from the precious gemstones themselves, gazed into his own, and into his very soul, with a look that spoke volumes of affection and compassion. Her mane was long and neat, and strands of fine jet-black hair fell down the sides of her face. On her flank, her cutie mark depicted an image of a snow-white dove holding a flower with heart-shaped petals in its beak.

With her free hoof, she was gently rubbing the large bulge on her stomach, where life had slowly been taking shape and form within the womb during the past 11 months. She was pregnant, and with his child.

Unique stepped into the cottage, the light-blue mare closing the door behind him. He turned to face her, and they embraced each other, nuzzling one another affectionately. "Welcome home, my love," Serenity said quietly to him. "It's good to be home, Serenity," replied Unique, still nuzzling his soulmate, his eyes closed as he felt the warmth of her delicate body against his own. The warmth spread all over him, and even inside of him, and he felt happy and rejuvenated by her.

This incredible mare, and her affection, her care for him. This was what made each hard day so worthwhile. Knowing that each morning, he would wake up, and she would be the first thing he laid his eyes on, still asleep and laying next to him, her very presence radiating a wonderful and pleasant warmth that even Celestia's brilliant sun could not match. Knowing that she would be waiting for him at the end of the day to return from the farming fields, a hearty meal prepared for the both of them, which they enjoyed together, in the company of one another, as if all they needed was each other. Unique considered himself a lucky stallion each and every day, in every moment he spent with Serenity, with the mare he loved dearly with all the love in his heart.

Serenity broke up the nuzzling, blushing slightly and giggling as she looked into her partner's sapphiric eyes. "That's enough for now, Unique. I think our guest has seen enough."

Unique gave Serenity a questioning look, his eyes still shut. "Our 'guest'?"

"Only your old brother-in-arms," spoke a male voice in a teasing tone. Unique's eyes suddenly shot open, and he immediately spun his body towards where the voice had come from, while Serenity gasped in surprise. His body instinctively assumed a defensive stance, his wings stretched out, and his horn charged with magic, ready to strike down whoever was going to be unfortunate enough to be at the receiving end.

A red pegasus with a black-and-grey mane sat at the wooden dining table, his hind legs resting on top, cross-legged. His cutie mark was of a spear being held high by a white hoof, its tip pointed up towards the heavens. On the table next to his legs, there was a steel helmet,with small metalic pegasus wings on its sides. On the front of the helmet, there was an image of a crescent moon, which looked similar to the cutie mark of a certain majestic alicorn of the night.

Usually for most ponies, the sight of an alicorn who appeared ready to fire a blast of potentially very painful magic would make them fall flat on to their stomachs and cry, begging and pleading for their life to be shown mercy. The red pegasus, however, simply sat there, his fore legs folded, no so much as even flinching in the face of danger. He observed Unique with bright orange eyes, grinning at the alicorn before him.

The pegasus chuckled. "Well, Unique. This certainly isn't any way to greet your friend, now," he said teasingly. "A simple 'hello, old buddy' would have sufficed.''

Unique's eyes widened in surprise as he suddenly recognised the stranger's voice. As quickly as he had begun charging his spell, Unique immediately ceased the flow of magic he'd been channeling to his horn, which caused the blue aura that had been surrounding it to fade away. Tucking his wings back in, he straightened himself, and stared at the red pegasus, who was still grinning at him, observing him still with those orange eyes,and acting as though nothing out of the ordinary had even happened.

Chapter Two: The Offer

CHAPTER TWO: THE OFFER

A moment of silence had passed before Unique finally spoke. "Is that you, Sky Wind?''

The pegasus stallion broadly spread his fore hooves out, his grin growing even wider. ''The one and only Sky Wind in all of Equestria, my old brother-in-arms!''

Unique frowned at him. "I'm not a soldier anymore, Sky Wind. Don't call me your 'brother-in-arms'." He pointed at the table and added, "And we happen to eat our food there, by the way." Sky Wind, taking the alicorn's hint, quickly moved his legs from off the table, almost knocking his helmet off in the process, and sat up straight in the chair.

Unique's frown then softened into a small smile as he approached the table. ''It's been a while, Sky Wind. I never imagined I'd be seeing you again.'' Suddenly, a thought struck the alicorn's mind. Raising an eyebrow, he looked at the red pegasus with curiousity. ''Come to think of it, Sky Wind, how did you even find me in the first place? I don't remember ever telling anypony where I was going after I left the military. And why are you here?''

The pegasus shrugged. ''You aren't related to the princesses, and you're not of royalty, so obviously you wouldn't be living it up in Canterlot Castle. And you never seemed the type to live in some big fancy house like the nobles, so I assumed you'd be living somewhere outside of Canterlot. I didn't know you'd be living this far out, though.'' Sky Wind paused and looked around the small cottage. ''It took me about a month to find this place. Not many pony-folk know this village even exists. And I would have thought an alicorn would at least be living in a more...'decent' abode,'' he added, a clearly disapproving tone in his voice as he spoke those last words.

Unique frowned again. ''This may not be luxury, Sky Wind, but it's home. MY home.'' He felt a hoof on his shoulder, and Unique turned his head to look at Serenity, who was stood by his side with a gentle smile on her face. Unique smiled back, and put his hoof around her before looking back at the pegasus. ''This is OUR home,'' Unique added.

Sky Wind just shrugged, and continued. ''Yeah, well anyway, Unique. As for why I'm here, I have an offer to give you. One that I think you will like very much.''

Unique raised an eyebrow. ''An offer? What kind of offer?''

Sky Wind grinned that same grin as he looked straight into Unique's eyes. ''How about I tell you over supper?'' The red pegasus glanced over at Serenity, and then back at Unique. ''If that won't be a bother, of course...''

Darkness was just beginning to take over the sky, signalling the arrival of Luna's night. A few stars had already appeared amidst the black canvas above the world, making themselves known to all those below who should look up to the heavens. Back in the village, most families had decided to retire to the warmth and comfort of their beds, no doubt still tired from their exhausting day. Those families who had not yet gone to bed were either still finishing their suppers, or had decided to extend playtime with their fillies and colts for a little while longer.

At their own cottage, Unique and Serenity, along with their guest Sky Wind, were sat at the dining table, tucking hungrily into their meal, served upon small wooden plates, each with a glass of water next to them. In the centre of the table was a large wooden bowl, of which its contents - or what remained of it after the ponies had helped themselves to it - consisted of a mix-up of dandelions and lettuce, served with just the right amount of sunflower oil. Next to the bowl was a jug of water, and a lit candle - one of several which had been placed throughout the cottage, partially illuminating each room.

Much of the meal had been spent in conversation, and much of the conversation revolved around Sky Wind himself. Between mouthfuls of dandelions and lettuce, the red pegasus told the couple a tale of how he had found life in the Equestrian military service boring shortly after Unique had left. With the war now at an end (a topic which Sky Wind quickly dropped after he received a deathly glare from Unique upon mentioning the word 'war'), and with his alicorn comrade having left the army with Serenity at his side, there had been very little action and excitement for the pegasus. And when Princess Celestia decided to disband the military in favour of creating the Equestrian Royal Guard, Sky Wind had chosen not to accept the offer of joining that group. He had wanted thrills and the adrenaline rushes that only life-and-death situations could provide, not the dull task of patrolling streets while being on the lookout for petty thieves and criminals.

Sky Wind had decided then to sell his home and properties, and set out to find the adventure-packed life he had been craving for. The next three years of his life on the road had seen the pegasus fending off highway ponies, the occasional timberwolf pack, and one occasion, to the amazement of Unique and Serenity, he had somehow managed to survive an encounter with a manticore. These small adventures had given the pegasus plenty of thrills and excitement, but none of it had been enough to truly satisfy his thirst for adventure.

Unique had been eating his food during Sky Wind's tale, but he had stopped every now and then to look up at the pegasus, to show that he was listening. Serenity found Sky Wind's tale quite fascinating, and now and then she would ask the pegasus a question about the places he had been, and about the things he had seen. To her disappointment, however, Sky Wind spoke very little of the cities and towns he had passed through. He did not seem to care for the sights he had witnessed as much as he had cared about the conflicts and fights he had gotten into during his travels. Nevertheless, she did not show her disappointment, mostly out of politeness, but also so as to not sour the mood and atmosphere of the evening.

"It seems like things have been quite interesting for you since your leaving the army, Sky Wind," Unique said. Sky Wind made that same wide grin again. "Nowhere close to as interesting as what I have been doing this past year, old friend," the pegasus replied, silently reminiscing over the events of the year thus far.

Wiping her lips with a napkin, Serenity turned to Sky Wind. ''Would you care for some more dandelion salad, Sky Wind?'' Serenity asked politely, gesturing to the bowl.

Sky Wind looked up from his plate to the mare. He swallowed the mouthful of food he had been chewing and nodded his head. "I believe I shall, madam. Right after I finish my first serving of this tasty delicacy. Which by the way is one of the best meals I have had the pleasure of eating, madam." Serenity's cheeks turned slightly red as she blushed. She was always complimented on her culinary skills by her alicorn husband, who was happily consuming his food and savouring the taste of every mouthful. Receiving appraisal from a stranger, on the other hoof, was another kind of compliment in itself.

"I'm glad that you enjoy it so, Sky Wind. And you can call me Serenity," the mare smiled cheerfully. "Is there perhaps anything else I can get you?" she inquired.

Sky Wind reached out for his glass, which was empty, and held it out towards Serenity. "For now, I wouldn't mind a refill".

Serenity smiled. "Certainly." She was about to reach out to grab a jug of water that was on the table, when a blue aura appeared around it. The jug then proceeded to lift itself into the air, and float towards Sky Wind. It tipped itself, pouring water into his glass, and once it was near enough full, the jug then returned itself to its place on the wooden table. Serenity and Sky Wind both looked at Unique, who had his head down as he tucked into what was left on his plate. The same blue aura covered his horn, and quickly began to fade away as the alicorn ceased his magical spell.

Sky Wind smirked and raised his glass to Unique. He gave him a nod and took a sip of his drink. "Cheers."

Unique swallowed a mouthful of his food, and looked up from his plate to Sky Wind. "You're welcome." Picking up his own napkin in his hoof, he wiped his mouth and pushed his plate aside. He cleared his throat, and then turned his attention back to Sky WInd. "So, what about that offer you were talking about before?"

Sky Wind had actually nearly forgotten about that, having been lost in his previous conversations earlier. He straightened himself and faced Unique. "Ah, yes. Well you see, Unique. About a year ago, I was travelling through a town - I think it was Trottingham, if I remember correctly - and I was very thirsty, so I head over to the town's local bar to get a drink..."

Sky Wind pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside the building. After travelling for three days straight, and after having to fight off a particularly nasty timberwolf, as well as having exhausted his water canteens, he was in much need of a drink. As soon as he set one foot through the door, his nostrils were assaulted by the stench of musky, yet oddly alluring tobacco. Venturing further into the establishment, Sky Wind traced the source of the stench to several stallions who were seated at individual round tables in the room, contently puffing away on their smoking pipes. There were a dozen ponies within the room, including the smokers. As Sky Wind stepped into the room, they each flicked a gaze towards the red pegasus, and quickly resumed whatever it was they were doing before.

Ignoring the stench of tobacco, Sky Wind proceeded towards the bar counter, where the bartender - a bulky brown-coated stallion with a neatly combed black mane, and a black moustache to match - watched him with wary magenta-coloured eyes, cleaning a recently used drinking glass as he observed this newcomer. Behind him were large wooden barrels, each with a tap sticking out from their sides. There was also a small shelf on which there were a number of bottles, which were most likely gins and tonic and other mixable liquids.

Sky Wind spared a moment to look around the room as he walked over towards the counter. The room was quite large, but it would have had to be to accommodate for the ponies of the town, and any travellers who should venture through it.. Paintings of rivers and meadows and grassy fields hung from the walls; and hanging from the ceiling, above the heads of the ponies sitting at the tables beneath, was a large ornamental chandelier. The ponies themselves seemed to be cheerful enough. At one table, a trio consisting of two earth ponies and a unicorn, were sat together laughing, presumably from sharing jokes or some hilarious story, Sky wind thought. At another table, an elderly unicorn stallion sat with his eyes close, wearing a content expression as he smoked his tobacco pipe, puffing out smoke like a steam engine. Sky Wind approached the counter and seated himself on the bar stool, dropping the saddlebag he was carrying down by the side of him.

The bartender put his glass down on the shelf underneath the counter and addressed his customer. "What will it be then, sir?" he asked Sky Wind. Sky Wind, not knowing really what beverages were served here, and caring less about inquiring on what was on offer, shrugged his shoulders and gestured to the other inhabitants within the room, all of whom had glass mugs that were filled or half-empty with alcohol . "Just give me whatever they're having", Sky Wind answered wearily.

With a nod of his head, the bartender knelt down to retrieve a clean glass mug, and turned his back to Sky Wind to face one of the wooden barrels. He twisted the knob, allowing the alcohol contained within to escape from its wooden-and-metal-ringed prison as it poured from out of the tap. As the brown liquid flowed into the glass mug, Sky Wind took another glance around him, seeing if there was anything particularly eye-catching on the walls in the paintings, but found nothing that of any interest to him. Half a minute later, the bartender placed the glass mug in front of Sky Wind, now filled to the brim with beer, and with a frothy head.

Sky Wind was about to grab the mug and take a swig of its cold alcoholic contents when the bartender stopped him. The bartender held out his hoof. "That will be five bits please, sir." Sky Wind leaned down to retrieve the bit jar he kept in his saddlebag. He had only just opened his saddlebag when he heard the sound of something metallic landing upon the counter, followed by a deep, cold voice saying, "Allow me to pay for my friend here" Looking back up, Sky Wind saw five shiny gold coins already on the counter. From the corner of his eye, he saw somepony taking a seat next to him, and he sat upright to see the stranger at his side.

Sitting on the bar stool next to him was a stallion wearing tattered, worn robes and cloak. A hood covered his head, obscuring his face to Sky Wind. A horn protruded from a hole on top of his hood, which immediately led Sky Wind to assume his 'companion' was a unicorn. The stallion's hooves were jet-black in colour, and his tail, which swished side to side behind him, was a dull grey colour, although the tip of his tail was blood-red in colour.Although Sky Wind couldn't quite put his hoof on it, the air surrounding this stallion seemed - felt - cold, as if all of the life present within the establishment had suddenly been drained. Even the bartender seemed uncomfortable in this strangers' presence, quickly scooping the five bits into his hoof and moving hastily to the other end of the counter to serve another customer who had chosen that moment to appear there.

Sky Wind took his drink and looked at the stranger who had paid for him. The stallion did not look his way, keeping his head down and staring forwards, though Sky Wind couldn't help but feel as though the stranger was looking his way from underneath that hood. The red pegasus raised an eyebrow, a questioning look on his face. ''Thanks for buying, but I don't think we've ever met.''

''No. We haven't met before," replied the stranger, still keeping his head low, staring forwards. Sky Wind still felt as though the stallion was looking at him from beneath that hood. "But that doesn't mean that we can't become friends now, am I right?''

Sky Wind scoffed. ''You're going to have to buy me a lot of drinks before I start calling you my 'friend'.''

The stranger raised and turned his head slightly towards Sky Wind - not enough for the pegasus to see his face, though - as Sky Wind raised the mug to his lips to take another sip of his drink. "Or maybe I could make you a better offer, Sky Wind?"

Sky Wind's eyes widened, and what of the drink was in his mouth was spat straight back into the mug. This seemed to amuse the stranger, as he started to chuckle sinisterly at the pegasus, who stared at him, his face an expression of both confusion and surprise. "How in Tartarus do you know my name?" demanded Sky Wind.''I have many ears, and I have many eyes. I see things, and I hear things. But only that which interests me, that which is worthy of my attention, do I listen and watch with my own true eyes and ears,'' answered the stranger. Sky Wind swore the stranger was smiling as he said this. ''And you, Sky Wind, do so interest me.''

Sky Wind stared at the stranger for what seemed like the longest few seconds of his life. He blinked a couple of times, and opened his mouth to speak, but could form no words. The stranger paid no heed to this and continued. ''I know what you are looking for, Sky Wind. I can give it to you. I lead a small group called the Brotherhood. My followers were once ponies who were like yourself. They hungered for adventure, and thirsted for purpose and wealth. I gave them their desires, and much more.'' The stranger turned his head to look directly at Sky Wind, who froze at the sight of the menacing purple orbs staring into his own, and quite possibly into his very soul. The smile that accompanied the stare didn't help matters either.

''And just as I have given them their wants, so can I give them to you, Sky Wind. You have talent - much talent - and it would be such a shame for that talent to go to waste. You also yearn for the same adrenaline-rush you experienced during the war, do you not? I can give you the satisfaction that you long for, but that is only if you decide you wish to join the Brotherhood. If you join me, you shall serve as my General, and lead your own task force to do my bidding. You shall be given the most...exciting missions, of course, and you'll be rewarded well for your servitude.''

''Or you simply continue to travel around the land, if not the world, searching for what you seek, but never finding it, or ever being satisfied by what little adventure you do find. So I shall let you decide as of now, Sky Wind. Yes or No?''

Sky Wind considered his options in his mind for but only a moment. He had already decided his answer seconds ago; he didn't need to be given time to think. If this was the opportunity he had been waiting for, he was sure as hell going to take it. Bringing the mug to his lips and gulping down every last drop, he wiped his muzzle and looked at the stranger, a smile forming on his own lips. ''When do I begin, 'friend'?''

''...and since then, I have had everything I could want given to me, Unique. And I even get to keep a memento from each mission I'm sent out on as a trophy, and as a reminder of the good service I am doing for Equestria. Thanks to the Brotherhood, I am living like a king, and doing our nation a great deal of good.''

Sky Wind leaned back in his chair and sighed contently, as he reminisced over the memories of charging straight first into the heat of battle, and of the enemies falling before him and his fellow soldiers as they slayed them, one by one, one at a time.

Serenity had excused herself from the table a little while ago to take the empty pots and dishes into the kitchen to be cleaned, leaving her alicorn husband alone to listen to the pegasus' story. Unique listened to Sky Wind's tale closely, taking in every word he said.

Sky Wind snapped out of his daydreaming and returned to the subject at hand. ''Anyway, Unique. Everything I have told you is the reason why I have come here. You have a wife who is with child. Your child. And you obviously care a great deal for her and for your unborn foal. Well, the Brotherhood is in need of new recruits, Unique. We need ponies like you to help us make the world a safer place. Think about it - in exchange for your service, you can provide your family with a better home. You'll be rewarded with as much money as you could possibly need to help look after your family. Why, you could even have your own servants to care to your every need, and to see that your loved ones are all cared for in your absence. But most importantly Unique, is that you'll be making a huge difference in the world. You'll be keeping the world safe for your family to grow up in, and you'll be making it a safe place for other families as well. You'll go down in history as one of the greatest heroes Equestria has ever had the privilege of having!''

Sky Wind leaned forwards in his seat, resting an elbow on the table. He held out his other hoof towards Unique, a smile on his face, his eyes wide with hope. ''So, what do you say, my old friend?''

And, after considering the offer for a mere three seconds, Unique's immediate response was a simple, ''No''.

Chapter Three: A Dark Memory

CHAPTER THREE: A DARK MEMORY

Sky Wind stared at Unique, his hoof still held out to the alicorn, still waiting for the hoofshake that it was not going to receive. The grin on his face was gone, and the look that took its place seemed unsure whether he had heard the alicorn correctly. The room was silent, awkwardly silent, save for the sound of Serenity's humming from the kitchen as she cleaned the dishes used for supper. The silence lasted for only a few seconds, though for the two ponies sitting at the table it may well have felt like hours, before Sky Wind finally spoke.

"What...did you say?"

Unique leaned back in his seat and folded his forelegs across his chest. He glared back at the Pegasus, his sky-blue eyes narrowed, and his face contorted into a frown. ''You heard me, Sky Wind. I said, 'no','' Unique repeated, his voice slightly raised at the end of his reply.

Sky Wind sat there, utterly shocked, his eyes wide and expressing disbelief. "But why? Why would you turn down an offer like this? Do you have any idea what you're doing? You're turning down the opportunity of a lifetime!''

''No, Sky Wind. I know what it is you're really here for. You're here to try and persuade me to fight again. To fight battles for this...'Brotherhood', as you call them. I left the Equestrian military for a reason, Sky Wind, and that was to get away from the fighting, and the past. What in the name of Celestia makes you think I'll become a soldier again, especially for some group I've never heard of?''

''B-but, Unique! Think of what you'll be able to give your family!'' Sky Wind gestured to the room they were in. ''You and your wife can live in a better place than this shabby shack in the middle of nowhere!''

Unique lowered his head, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on the red pegasus, glaring at him from beneath a fringe of his hair. The look in his eyes showed that he was starting to get annoyed. ''This 'shabby shack', Sky Wind, is my home, as I've told you before,'' Unique growled, ''and Serenity and I are happy together right where we are, out here in the 'middle of nowhere'.'' Unique added, putting sarcastic emphasis on the last few words.

Sky Wind's mind began to race as he tried to think of a way to convince the alicorn. ''Well...well, then what about your foal when it's born? Do you think you can give your son - or daughter - a decent life here, so far away from other towns and cities? The Brotherhood can provide your child with education and medicine! Can you give your child those things here? What is there here, that you can possibly give your foal when it's born?''

Unique held a hoof to his blue-marked chest. ''I can give my foal a father, who will be there for him, when and where he's needed most,'' he answered, before pointing a hoof at the window, ''instead of being out there in some pointless battle, leaving him and his mother to fend for themselves. As for education and medicine, I'll work harder to pay for it all. Besides, I would rather choose who teaches my foal,'' the alicorn replied.

Sky Wind was grasping at metaphorical straws at this point. He wasn't getting through to Unique at all. ''But...but...but what about your skills? Back in the military, you were one of the best soldiers I had ever known! Your abilities in combat made you the most feared warrior on the battlefield! You can't just let those skills go to waste! You - ''

''Enough of this, Sky Wind!'' Unique snapped. He got up from the chair onto all fours, and walked over to the door ''I told you once already, and now I'll tell you for the last time. My answer is no. I will not join the Brotherhood, no matter what you offer me. I've put my fighting days behind me, and all I want now is peace, and to raise a family with Serenity.'' Unique opened the door, letting the cool night air rush into the cottage, and turned to face Sky Wind. ''It's getting late, Sky Wind. I'm tired, and I want to go to bed. Go back to the Brotherhood, Sky Wind. Go and live your life how you see fit, and let me live mine. ''

Sky Wind did not move. He remained where he was, standing with his hooves balled up, as if he was clenching them in anger. He looked at Unique with wicked eyes, and a malicious scowl plastered on his face. ''So then,'' Sky Wind sneered, his voice adopting a dark, mocking tone that took Unique by surprise momentarily, ''this is what you've become after five years, is it? The 'Unique' I knew five years ago was one of the best soldiers the Equestrian military ever had serving in it, but five years later, you're just a shadow of your former self! Dull and soft, like grey clay! You're not the soldier I fought beside during the war. That 'Unique' back then, was a great warrior!''

'War'. A subject that Unique had always avoided in a conversation. A subject that he had spent the past five years trying to forget. At the mere mentioning of the word, Unique's mind was already starting to flash with memories of the battles he had fought in. The stallions dying around him, both friend and foe. The bolts of deadly magical energy flying around and past him. The look of fear and terror in the eyes of the fallen that lay still beneath his hooves...

So many memories, all of which had been pushed far into the deepest depths of his consciousness, where they could not enter his thoughts. So many memories, all of which had now broken free from their prison, and all because of a single stallion.

Now Unique was starting to lose his temper. He took a few steps towards Sky Wind, baring and clenching his teeth as he struggled to suppress the rage that was building up in him. The thought of using his magic to forcibly - and painfully - remove the Celestia-be-damned pegasus from his home, and from his sight, crossed his mind. Had Serenity not chosen that moment to enter the room, having finished cleaning and putting away the dishes, Unique may very well have done just that.

The cheerful smile on Serenity's face changed into a look of worry and confusion as soon as she entered the room, and saw her husband and his old brother-in-arms locked in some kind of death-staring contest. She gasped in surprise, which alerted the two stallions of her presence, their eyes looking to the mare for a brief second, then back at one another. Her own eyes darted frantically back and forth between Unique and Sky Wind, her mind trying to understand the situation.

''What's going on here?'' Serenity asked, a concerned tone in her voice.

The angry frown on Unique's face softened as he turned his head to face Serenity. Just her being there, with a worried expression on her face and in her eyes, seemed to calm the alicorn down a bit. His attention diverted from the cause of his anger, that being Sky Wind, Unique mustered a small smile and replied to Serenity, ''It's...alright, honey. Everything's alright'' Oh Celestia, Unique hated lying to his wife, but with her being pregnant, the last thing he wanted was for her to get stressed or worried. It wasn't helping matters that Sky Wind had to come, of all ponies, to his home, with some Luna-forsaken proposal for him to become a warrior again, and for some organization he had never heard of before and whose motives just seemed...shady, to him. ''We're just having a minor,'' Unique returned his eyes back to the red Pegasus, his frown returning to his face, though it lacked the intense fierceness from earlier, ''disagreement. In fact, Sky Wind was just about getting ready to leave, weren't you?''

Sky Wind said nothing, but continued to glare at the alicorn, before looking over to Serenity, his gaze fixed upon her for a few seconds. He then looked back to Unique, with a cruel smile on his muzzle, as he raised a hoof and pointed at the mare.

''I see, now. Now I understand. It's because of her isn't it, Unique? Your wife, she's the reason why you've gone soft and pitiful. Ha! A simple filly has soothed the savage beast! Oh, Unique! I almost actually feel sorry for you!'' The red pegasus began to chuckle, his laughter like the giggling of a deranged mad pony.

Unique's temper was very close to reaching its limit. It would only take one more insult. One more wrong word, before he...

''How embarrassing for you, Unique! And to think you were once the mighty Bloody Alicorn!''

That did it. Unique vaulted the distance between him and Sky Wind, and grabbed the surprised pegasus by his throat, eliciting an alarmed gasp from Serenity. Still grasping the pegasus by his throat, Unique then slammed Sky Wind against the wall, so hard that Sky Wind swore he felt bones in his ribs and spine cracking from the impact. Sky Wind was now pinned against the wall, raised inches from the floor, and struggling to breathe. His eyes looked to Unique, and his pupils shrunk in terror at the sight he saw.

Unique's face had twisted into a terrifying expression of rage, pure rage. His sky-blue eyes now had a tinge of crimson red to them, which shared the same furious expression. The alicorn bared his teeth, revealing that his canines had lengthened, and razor-sharp like vicious daggers. When Unique spoke, his voice sounded unnatural, as though an otherworldly demon was speaking through him. Just the absolute anger in his new devilish voice seemed to shake the cottage more than the volume at which he spoke, the venom and ice dripping from every word - if that combination was even possible - both chilling and poisoning his very soul.

''Don't you DARE utter that name in front of me! And don't you EVER dare associate me with that monster! I am not him anymore, Sky Wind, and I will NEVER become him again! I will not become that monster as long as I still live! Not for you, and not for this 'Brotherhood'! For the last time, Sky Wind; I will NOT join the Brotherhood, and the Brotherhood can burn in the pits of Tartarus for all I care, along with you!''

''UNIQUE!''

The alicorn heard hoofsteps running across the wooden floor towards him. Turning his attention away from the gasping pegasus, Unique saw Serenity at his side. The sight of the fright on the mare's face seemed to bring Unique out of his frenzy, though he did not remove his hoof from Sky Wind's throat. Serenity placed her hooves upon her husband's shoulder, and look straight into his eyes, her own emerald eyes a mixed expression between demanding and pleading. ''Let him go, Unique. He's not worth it.''

Unique stood there, looking at her. His rage began to slowly subside as he began to come out of his frenzy, quickly coming to terms with how his actions had worried the poor mare just now, worry which Unique had wanted to avoid burdening her with. The red tinge in his eyes disappeared, returning to their original sky-blue colour. He looked back at Sky Wind, who looked close to passing out from asphyxiation. Unique closed his eyes for a moment, and then released his hoof from Sky Wind's neck. The pegasus fell to the floor with a thud, gasping for air and going into a coughing fit. The pegasus, after filling his lungs with precious oxygen, hesitantly looked up at Unique, that look of terror still plastered upon his face.

Unique did not look back at the pegasus. He stood there, his eyes still closed as he slowly began to calm himself. His face was scrunched into a scowl, and his breathing was heavy. ''Get...out...''. His voice was as quiet as a dying whisper, but loud enough for the Pegasus to hear him.

Serenity stayed there with him, taking his hoof into her own and stroking it gently, which seemed to aid in his calming. She shot a glare towards the pegasus, with a look that silently told Sky Wind, You better do as he says, and while you still can. Sky Wind awkwardly shuffled away from the alicorn until his back hit the cottage door, which had remained open the all time. He began to rise onto all fours, and as he did the terror on his face faded away, and a smirk came and took its place. Halfway outside and inside of the cottage, Sky Wind pointed his hoof at Unique. ''So, your other self is still inside you. Behind all that softness and not-wanting-to-fight-again talk, he's still alive.''

Unique turned his head slightly, though not enough for Sky Wind to see his face. Not that the pegasus needed to see his face to know his next words were like icy, razor daggers piercing the poor alicorn's heart.

''You can't hide your true self behind this lie that you call a life, Unique. You can plough as many fields as you like, and grow and harvest all the crops you want, but no matter how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise, you are - and always will be - a warrior, born to fight, born to kill, born to spill the blood of others, and take their lives,'' Sky Wind lowered his head slightly, and his tone deepened, ''and deep down, you know it's the tru-''

CLANG!

Unique stood in front of the bedroom window, gazing up at the moon ruling over the stars scattered around the heavens. There were very few clouds out tonight, and so he was able to see the shadowy silhouette upon the surface of the white sun of the night; the silhouette of Nightmare Moon.

Just looking at that shadowed portrait brought back awful memories for the poor alicorn. Memories worse than those which Sky Wind had awakened within him. Memories of a princess to whom he had pledged his loyalty to, only to be betrayed by the very charge he was sworn to fight for, to protect. Memories of believing he was ridding the land of dangerous assassins and necromancers, when in truth he was hurting innocent ponies whilst under the influence of the corrupted moon princess. Memories of the great battle against Celestia's forces - those remaining who had not fallen to Nightmare Moon's brainwashing spell - as they fought upon a darkened battlefield, the two sisters engaged in their own fight high above them, before they took their fight towards Canterlot, leaving the soldiers behind to continue their struggle.

And then, there was that one memory. The one memory he wished he could forget. The memory that wrought him man sleepless nights, as he tried in pathetic attempts to convince himself it was all a dream. It was the memory of himself, standing atop a dirt mound, looking down upon ten thousand terrified soldiers. Half of them had been fighting for Nightmare Moon, but soon had regained their senses when the wicked mare was subdued by the power of the Elements of Harmony. All of them, except for one - the alicorn standing atop the dirt mound. His white coat slowly changed to the colour of night-black, and he had an evil twisted smile glued to his face. His once sky-blue eyes had changed to a colour of crimson red, accompanied by soulless black pupils that would surely paralyze even Death himself with dread, and were opened wide, wild with a frenzied lust. His feathery wings were twisted upside-down, the wing-tips looking sharp enough to slice clean through metal.

But most hideous and terrifying of all was that laugh. Oh sweet Celestia and Mother Faust, that laugh! That demonic laugh made Discord's sound like a cuddly kitten mewing, and that was while he wasn't pretending to be one. And that laugh echoed across the battlefield, and was heard by all the royal soldiers, their hearts gripped with fear and their mouths agape in awe before the monstrosity that stood before them, laughing as blood dripped from his stained hooves.

The monstrosity that was better known, as the 'Bloody Alicorn'.

''Unique?'' The alicorn ceased his reminiscing upon hearing his wife's sweet voice, and turned around to face Serenity. She looked concerned, and there was a hint of worry in her glimmering eyes. After the events that had transpired over an hour ago, it wasn't surprising. Unique had come close to killing his so-called 'friend' tonight, after all.

Serenity walked over to her husband, and sat down with him by the window. Once she was comfortable, she rested her head against the alicorn's shoulder. The fine hairs of her mane felt like luxurious royal silk against his body. They sat there by the window, nothing but silence between them. After several minutes of quietness, Serenity finally spoke. ''What happened tonight...Unique, it wasn't your fault.''

Unique sighed and closed his eyes. ''Serenity, we both know I'm to blame. I should have thrown that bastard out of the house the moment I saw him.''

''So why didn't you?''

''Because I was curious to know why he had come. Of course we knew each other, but he was hardly a friend back then. And after tonight, he is a long way from being one.''

Serenity chuckled a little. ''Well, he's gone now. And if he knows what's good for him, he won't come back to bother us.''

Unique turned his head to look at his beloved. ''But that's not the point, Serenity. He found me. I thought that the past would never find me here, yet from out of the blue Sky Wind turns up. In my home. In our home.'' He sighed again, and hung his head. ''But the past is the least of my problems right now. I let him get to me, Serenity. I let my other self take over, right in front of you. Then I looked at you, and I saw how frightened you were. I caused that fear in you.''

''Serenity,'' Unique began as he reached his hoof out and laid it upon his mare's bulging tummy. ''What kind of father can I be to our child if I frighten you as a husband?''

Serenity suddenly straightened herself up and, to Unique's surprise, grabbed both his shoulders with her hooves and stared hard into his eyes. ''Don't say that! Don't you ever make yourself out to be somepony I should be afraid of! What happened here tonight, Unique, was the fault of that damned pegasus, not yours! You told him you didn't want to fight for meaningless causes, and he just kept going on. Yes, I was afraid when you...changed, but that was only because I was worried about you. I will never be afraid of you, Unique, because I know what you really are inside. A kind, hard-working stallion who would do anything to help others. A stallion who stands up for what he truly believes in, not what others want him to believe in. You have done wrong things in the past, Unique, but so have we all. But you are willing to do what is right here and now to atone for those wrongs. And look at what you have here and now. You have a good life, you live in a cottage in the most peaceful and out-of-the-way village in Equestria, and more importantly, you have me, and pretty soon, you'll have a son or daughter. So don't make yourself out to be some kind of horrible pony, Unique, because I know you're nothing like that. Otherwise, I would never have married you.''

Unique listened to Serenity's words, allowing them to sink in and work their magic upon him. Her speech was touching and gentle, her words held so much love and care. Unique cold not help but smile as he brought the mare he loved dearly closer to him, planting a kiss on her lips, and holding her in his arms, wrapping his wings around her like warm feathery blankets.

They sat there together in silence, looking out of the window and at the starry night sky. In silence, they enjoyed the warmth they radiated upon each other from their coats, and from the closeness of their bodies. The silence lasted for a good long minute, before Serenity broke it.

''So make sure you don't forget what I told you, Unique, or you won't be getting any of my world-famous dandelion salad surprise again,'' she chuckled, nuzzling her husband's neck.

''Oh no! Whatever will I do without your delicious dandelion salad surprise?'' Unique joked, putting on a mock display of horror and panic. ''Oh, the thought of it all!''

Serenity giggled, which was followed by a yawn. Getting up from the floor, she moved towards the bed. ''Come on, you comedian. It's getting rather late, and I need my sleep.'' She paused on her side of the bed. ''And so do you.''

Folding his wings in, Unique got up from the floor and made his way over to the other side of the bed, using his magic to raise the covers as he laid himself beneath the sheets, releasing his magical grip on the sheets when he comfortable enough on the mattress. Serenity slipped into the bed and edged her way closer to Unique's side, snuggling up to the alicorn who wrapped a hoof around her. Serenity kissed Unique on his cheek, as she moved her hoof under the covers and placed it upon her womb.

''Goodnight, my love. May your dreams be sweet tonight.''

Unique's eyes started to close as he chuckled. ''After what you did to Sky Wind tonight, I will dream well enough, Serenity.'' His head sunk into the soft pillows as the thought entered his mind. ''You have really good throwing aim, you know.''

''Well, it was more luck than skill, but it was a good throw, wasn't it?'' giggled the mare.

It wasn't long before both husband and wife entered blissful slumber, whisked away into the world of dreams, and outside the moon and stars shone down upon them, watching silently from the heavens, like transcendent guardian angels making sure that all was well in the world down below.

In the forest that stood outside of the village at the base of the hill, something stirred within the shadows...

Sky Wind made his way to the edge of the forest, where he was supposed to have rendezvous with his master half an hour ago. He held a hoof to his head in a futile attempt to rid himself of the painful swelling that had appeared there prior to being struck by his own helmet. He swore under his breath. That mare had quite a throwing arm, and if Unique hadn't been in the same room as them, he would happily torn it from her body and beaten her with it. To have been hurt by a simple pony was humiliating for Sky Wind, and anypony who humiliated Sky Wind was always marked for death by the crimson pegasus.

But his revenge fantasy would have to wait, as would the throbbing pain in the swelling on his head. Right now, he was late, and if he continued to make his master wait any longer for him...well, he had seen plenty enough of what he was capable of doing to know that he had better hurry up.

When Sky Wind arrived at the rendezvous, there was a large pony clothed in a worn and tattered cloak waiting for him. His cloak covered practically his entire body, covering him from head to hoof. His tail - blood-red in color, and with a nasty jagged tip - swayed side to side as the red pegasus approached him. The pony's face was obscured by the cloak's hood, through which his ears and a long, sharp horn poked out though holes in the top. All Sky Wind could see in the darkness beneath the hood was a pair of menacing purple eyes, and red slit-pupils.

Sky Wind gulped as he fell into a bow before his master. When the hooded figure gave him a nod of his head, Sky Wind rose up from the floor. ''So, will the Bloody Alicorn join our cause?'' questioned the hooded pony, his voice deep as an abyss, and cold as a dying whisper. His cruel eyes burned into Sky Wind's own, filling the pegasus with an intense feeling of dread.

''I...I r-regret to s-s-say...I mean, Unique r-refused your p-proposal, my lord Abbadon,'' stammered the shaking pegasus, fearful for how his master would respond to the news. To his surprise, his response was not to kill him, but instead he sighed and hung his head, as though disappointed. ''What a shame. Truly a shame.''

Suddenly, his head shot back up, and beneath the hood, Sky Wind saw the most twisted, maddening smile he had ever seen in his life. ''Oh well. That means we can execute Plan B, then,'' the hooded figure exclaimed in a perky tone. The hodded figure pointed a hoof towards Sky Wind, prompting him to stand to attention. ''Proceed to the village at once and meet with our fellow brothers there. They are to burn the settlement to the ground, and execute any pony that survives. You will observe the attack from the air, and eliminate any pegasi that try to escape. No pony is to leave that village alive.'' The hooded figure's eyes narrowed and his voice dropped to a hushed tone, quiet as a whisper, but loud enough for the red pegasus stallion to hear his words. 'I trust you know the consequences should you let even one survivor escape, correct?''

Sky Wind gulped again, bringing a hoof up to his throat as he remember what happened to the last pony to fail one of the master's tasks. He nodded his head.

His master smiled. ''Good. Now, get going. It is late into the night, and by this hour, not a single soul will be stirring. They will not know their fate until it is beyond late.'' He chuckled, a sound which could only be described as a grating noise. ''Most of them will die while they are still dreaming before everypony realizes what's going on. They will be the lucky ones.''

Sky Wind started to turn around to begin heading to the village and fulfill his orders, but paused for a moment to turn back to his master. ''But what about the Bloody Alicorn, my lord? What is to become of him?''

His master slowly turned to face him, that evil smile growing even wider beneath his hood, his eyes crazed and wild. ''I shall put his name to the test.''