Chapters Chapter 1
Everypony has dark secrets, some worse then others. Snow is one such pony. Day after day he patrolled the great halls of Canterlot Castle. But he felt there was more to his life than just this. Like he was missing something. Snow looked out the window and saw fellow soldiers in combat drills. Snow's mind took him to a dark place in his past during the start of the rebellion strikes on Canterlot.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
One late night in the Castle, Celestia and Luna were sleeping peacefully in their chambers. There had been talk of rebels in Canterlot, but Celestia paid little attention to rumors. Besides, what could get past her elite guard? What she didn't know that night, was that something tragic would happen.
Unseen by the guards, a lone figure crept through the castle all but invisible. The shrouded figure made its way to the Sister's chamber. Once into the chambers, the figure surveyed the scene. Princess Luna laid closest, in her bed, Celestia on the other end of the room. The figure slowly crept up to Luna, who was fast asleep. Without a word it took out a razor sharp dagger, and plunged it into the young sisters heart. Luna startled from her slumber, not able to make a sound for the blood had risen into her throat. Slowly she could feel the life drained from her body. Then she was no more. The shrouded figure left as easily as it came.
The next day Celestia woke to a horrific sight. Her sister lay slaughtered in her bed, a message written in Luna's blood upon the wall read:
"SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS"
Celestia, driven mad by grief, ordered a strike on the rumored rebellion hideout. Ordering that none be spared. The guard was mobilized immediately, and among them Pvt. Snow.
"You heard the orders, not one is to remain alive!" ordered a white stallion with a blue mane.
"Yes, Shining Armor, sir!" Snow screamed, his heart like ice.
Everywhere Snow looked he could see the grizzly sight. Soldiers cutting down mare and colt alike. Age did not matter here, nor did gender. For a sword is not biased, it takes the life of everypony it touches. Snow could see mares and colts being dragged out of there houses only to be cut down in the streets, and why shouldn't they be. An attack on royalty will not go unpunished. A filly darted past him, only to have an arrow pierce her heart. As Snow looked up, he could just catch the flip of a yellow tail enter an ally. Snow sprinted after the tail and found a mare desperately trying to escape. She saw him and fear took hold of her like a prisoner awaiting the axe. The mare was gray with a yellow mane. She also had bubbles as her cutie mark. It appeared to Snow, as he looked at her longer, that her eyes were not aligned. Snow stared at the mare as she stared back at him, longing for a chance at life in her eyes. To be shown mercy in this dark time. These animals would never receive it, for they took his parents from him.
"Betrayal can never be forgiven," Snow snarled, as he drove his blade deep into her heart.
Blood spilled out of the young mare's body. Snow removed his sword and watched as the mare fell to the ground, chilled by the icy hand of death. Snow watched as the blood slowly surrounded the mare like a stream of water. Spitting on her corpse he turned to find more prey.
"Mommy?" a small voice said.
Startled, he turned to see who spoke. There before him stood a small gray unicorn with a yellow mane. Confused, Snow stared at the filly. He had taken this young filly's mother from her, like the rebels had taken his parents from him. What had he turned into, what made him different from the monsters that took his parents.
"Mommy, wake up. Mommy why won't you hold me?" the small filly started to cry.
His convictions melted like fire melting ice. Snow looked back at what he had done. The young filly had wriggled her way between her mothers limp arms, her tears mixing with her mother's blood. No, Snow knew this could never be forgiven, as he had never forgiven those who took his own mother's life.
"Look out!" screamed a voice.
Snow turned, but it was too late. He felt a burning pain all over his body like a thousand needles piercing his skin. Throat beginning to swell up, not able to speak. Lungs burning for air that was not present. Body convulsing to remove the foreign substance. Snow's eyes widened in fear, for he new he had been engulfed in gas. Then everything went black.
Snow awoke in what appeared to be a hospital. He looked down at his coat. Where it had once been pure ivory was now a dark dull gray. Forever tainted, an eternal mark on his soul.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Lt. Snow!" a voice startled him out of his thoughts. "Lieutenant. you're needed in the throne room."
"Yes of coarse," Snow said in a stern tone.
As Snow trotted to the throne room, he could only imagine why. It was not common for him to be asked to the throne room. Usually it was Shining Armor along with some of the generals. As Snow trotted to the throne room he heard what sounded like muffled sobbing from Celestia's chambers. Snow crept to the door to see Princess Celestia in tears on the balcony. Luna's side of the room was as she had left it, not a single thing out of place. Everything clean to the point of obsession. Like an embalmer beautifies a corpse. Celestia's side, on the other hand, looked as though no one had cleaned it in weeks. Books scattered on the floor, Snow also noticed that Celestia's mirror was fractured. Snow, feeling awkward at the sight of his Monarch in tears, moved on to the throne room. Never had Celestia seemed so vulnerable.
Snow arrived at the throne room, a brilliantly lit court with stain glass windows of several different periods of history. Across the court Snow could see Shining Armor.
"Lt. Snow," Shining Armor yelled to him.
"Yes sir, you wanted to see me," Snow responded.
"I've sent for you, because I have a task," began Shining Armor "Princess Celestia has suspected the rebels base of operation is centered in Ponyville. She is sending her pupil to ascertain the truth. I want you to make sure she is kept safe on her mission. Do you understand?" questioned Shining Armor.
"Yes, sir. I will do everything in my power to make sure she is kept safe," answered Snow.
"See that you do. Now follow me, ordered Shining Armor.
Shining Armor led Snow out of the throne room and down a hall. They came to a room Snow recognized as the Castle Library. As they entered the room Snow saw a purple unicorn sitting on the ground with several books around her. Just then his mind took him to a small happy part of his past.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Snow had met a unicorn in the city of Canterlot after the raid on the suspected rebel outpost. She was a white unicorn and when he saw her for the first time, his heart raced and it felt like a thousand butterflies where in his stomach. Snow had always been shy when it came to talking to the mares of Equestria, she sat outside of the cafe sipping some tea and reading a book. Snow sat on a bench across from the cafe. He continued to steal glances at her. She would look up, then he would look away. This game continued for quite some time. Then he looked up as she looked at him. Their eyes met. Snow felt extremely embarrassed. He immediately dropped his gave to the ground, blood rushing to his face. But it was too late, she had seen him. She then did something he did not expect, she proceeded to get out of her chair and walk toward him. Snow could feel his face burning red. Then he saw her hooves in front of him.
"O, how are you? Are you ok?" she inquired.
"I... um, what," Snow sputtered in confusion.
"O that's right, you probably don't remember me. I'm the one that treated your burns," she said with a smile.
"May I ask you what your name is?" Snow asked.
"My name is White Velvet, but just call me Velvet," she answered.
"Ok Velvet, and as a thank you, how about this," Snow proposed, "I take you out for dinner."
"I would love to go with you," she responded "When and where were you thinking?"
"Well I just happened to have two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala," Snow said with a smile.
Velvet's eyes lit up like stars. She had always dreamed of going to the Gala, as did every mare. She was so excited she kissed Snow on the cheek. Snow dazed and blushing didn't know how to respond to this.
"O look at the time, I have to be down at the hospital soon," she said concerned. "Come to the hospital at ten O'clock. That's when my shift ends."
"Wonderful! I'll see you then," replied Snow gleefully.
* * * * * * * * * * * *[
"Who is this?" a voice startled Snow out of his thoughts.
"This is Lt. Snow. He will be accompanying you to Ponyville on the task Princess Celestia mentioned," Shining Armor answered.
Irritated, Twilight said, "Why do I need an escort? I'm perfectly capable of handling things on my own."
"Because that's what Princess Celestia ordered," retorted Shining Armor.
"But I don't need him," Twilight began.
"Twilight that's enough," Shining Armor yelled.
"Lieutenant, you know your orders. Make sure my sister is safe," Shining Armor commanded.
Shocked at the news that Princess Celestia's pupil was his Captain's sister, Snow regained his composure and answered, "I will do everything in my power to keep her safe, sir."
"That's what I like to hear," Shining Armor said, as he left the library.
Chapter 2
"I don't need your help," Twilight said, looking at Snow.
"The Princess thinks you do," retorted Snow.
"Twilight! I got those books you wanted. O, sorry I didn't know you were talking to," the little dragon trailed off, "Who is this?"
"This is Lt. Snow, Spike," Twilight said irritated. "He's here because they don't think I can handle my mission."
"I'm here to provide security for Miss. Sparkle on her mission," Snow retorted. "Now we must go."
Angerly, Twilight followed Snow down the winding halls and staircases out onto the castle grounds. A chariot and two Pegasus soldiers waited for them.
"Miss Sparkle, you will be taken by two of my soldiers and I will fly ahead," Snow told her.
Twilight stepped into the chariot and Snow took off, as his men followed. Snow flew out ahead, it had been so long since he had been able to use his wings. He thought back to his time in Cloudsdale. What a simple life it was. Yet something he could never have again. Hours passed.
"Miss. Sparkle, we have arrived," informed Snow.
Snow had never been to Ponyville before. It appeared to be a very peaceful place. But Snow knew that it was often the most peaceful places that could harbor danger. Snow looked at Twilight, who was talking to Spike, then to his soldiers.
"Fly back to Canterlot and inform Shining Armor and Princess Celestia that we have arrived," Snow ordered.
With a nod the Pegasi flew off. He then returned his attention to Twilight.
"Ok, as well as trying to find the rebels, I also need to make sure everything is being done right for the Summer Sun Celebration," Twilight said.
And off they went to complete Twilight's tasks. A rather strange Pink pony gasped and ran off when she saw them.
"Well that was rather, odd," observed Twilight.
"Indeed it was Miss Sparkle," Snow answered.
"I have to check on the food at a, Sweet Apple Acres?" Twilight said, a little confused.
Twilight quickly found out how to get to Sweet Apple Acres, and the entourage was off. On the way Snow observed that this pony probably didn't have many friends in Canterlot. When other ponies passed Twilight, waved or greeted her, Twilight would say nothing and almost not even look at them. Shortly after they arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, an orange pony with a yellow mane and cowboy hat greeted them.
"Well hi, mah names's Applejack! We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like makin new friends."
"Whoa, lets not get ahead of ourselves here. I'm just here to check on the food for the celebration," Twilight said, annoyed.
"Well we got that under control, let me introduce ya to the family," Applejack said, with great pride.
On the word, family, Snow's mind shot to a dark time when he was just a colt.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Fire, that's what he remembered. Screams of agony and the smell of searing flesh. Fire crept up the walls like an army of ants, consuming everything it touched.
"Snow!" A desperate voice screamed.
He recognized this voice as his mothers.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Snow's eyes burned from the smoke, tears filling his eyes.
Then he felt himself picked up, his mother's loving arms holding him tight.
"Mommy, I'm scared!" Snow wailed.
"I know baby, everything will be ok," his mother said, trying to calm him down. Her eyes burning, searching desperately for a way out.
CRASH!!!
A beam fell from the flame engulfed ceiling just inches away from them. Snow's mother scanned for any way she could get her son out. That's when she spotted a small hole in the wall. The hole was far too small for her to get out, but she knew Snow could fit. Staggering toward the hole, lungs burning from the black smoke, she set Snow down in front of it.
Almost not able to speak she coughed, "Snow... cough cough , get out baby. Go through the hole, cough !!
"Mommy what about you?" Snow asked, still terrified.
"I'll be right behin... cough , you," she lied, "Now go baby, get out!"
Snow, tears in his eyes, crawled and fought his way through the hole. Just as his head poked out into the air he saw his father and felt a pare of strong hooves pull him out.
"Mommy, come on Mommy!" Snow wailed.
CRASH!!! A thunderous sound came from where the house stood.
"MOMMY!!!!" Snow fought to get out of the hooves that held him but they were too strong. "MOMMY!!!!"
Snow knew that he would never see his Mother again. Since then Snow had thought about this accident, only he knew it wasn't an accident. The threats on his family began after his father captured, and killed one of the rebel leaders. The rebels had never forgotten, and one thing the rebels where good at was causing you great pain. Not only physical pain but emotional. The rebels often tried to break the mind of there victims. But when that failed they would strike with blades. The attempt to take Snow and his mother's life was to drive his father to madness. But when that failed they sent assassins to finish the job.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Are you alright, sugercube?" Snow, startled from his memories, looked to see Applejack starring at him. Twilight and Spike where also looking at him.
"Yes, ahem ," Snow cleared his throat, "I'm fine."
"Are ya sure? You seemed mighty upset bout somethin," Applejack said concerned.
"No I am fine. Miss. Sparkle are you ready to move on?" Snow asked, searching for her among the other ponies.
"Yes Snow, I'm ready," Twilight answered, walking towards him.
As they walked away from Sweet Apple Acres Twilight looked up at Snow.
"What happened?" Twilight inquired.
"It was nothing Miss. Sparkle," Snow said, a little shorter than he meant to.
"Well it was obviously something, you stood there starring at something that didn't appear to be there." pressed Twilight.
"Miss. Sparkle I do not wish to continue this conversation." Snow said sternly.
Exasperated, Twilight sighed "Fine, if you don't want to tell me that's fine. I know there's something wrong though, and stop calling me, Miss. Sparkle . It's Twi-light, got it?"
"Yes, Twi-light," Snow teased.
"Ha, ha," Twilight said sarcastically. "Lets get to the Town Hall. I need to check on the decorations."
"Lead the way," responded Snow.
Love Taken
Snow, Twilight, and Spike entered the town hall, the sight surprised Snow. The decorations were like that of the Grand Galloping Gala, the colors were so much like the sun. Many could have mistaken it for the real thing. There where intricately woven banners that showed the Royal Sisters, the rising and setting of the Sun. Snow was so absorbed by the magnificent colors around him; he had not seen Twilight walk up to a white unicorn who had been decorating the room.
Hearing Twilight speaking to somepony, Snow turned to see who it was. His heart jumped, and he felt a shock of pain. The unicorn resembled White Velvet so much. His mind was shot to memories he thought he had locked away forever.
*****
He remembered back to his old life, when everything was right. When he had been seeing White Velvet for a little over a year now. Snow had never felt this way about anypony in his whole life. When he was with her he felt happy, he didn't notice the dark things in his life. Ever since his parents had passed he had been wary of becoming attached to others, however when he saw White Velvet he knew he could never leave her. What they had was something very special.
It was the week before the Gala and Snow had planned something big for her. Snow planned to take her to the Royal Canterlot gardens and propose to her that night. On his way to her house he could only think about how happy they would be together. He knew that this mare was the one. Trotting along happily, he soon came to Velvet’s house.
Snow knocked on the door saying, “Honey? It’s me, Snow.”
He waited but no response was heard. Snow thought to himself, ‘That’s rather strange.’ He then pushed on the door to see it creek open. Now this was odd, White Velvet always kept her door locked.’
“Honey, are you here?” he asked, cautiously entering the house.
The first thing that caught his eye was that books and papers were scattered on the floor. As he ventured further into her dwelling he noticed furniture flipped and various items thrown about the room.
“No…” Snow whispered to himself, “No, not again.”
He wasn't going to lose someone he loved again, not again! Snow, frantic with worry, darted upstairs to Velvet’s bedroom, the door was slightly open. Snow almost didn't want to open the door, he didn't want to lose another person in his life. Snow had lost his father to war, his mother to a fire, and now… Snow slowly pushed the door open. There on the floor was White Velvet.
“No!” Snow wailed in a pain that was horribly new to him. “Why, why, why?!” Snow asked as he looked at White Velvet lay on the ground, her pelt stained red with her blood.
Her eyes glazed over, the life gone from her gaze. There next to her, lying on the floor was a broken picture of them together. An elegant dress lay torn on the ground next to her. Snow could tell she was getting ready for their date when she was murdered.
*****
“Darling, what’s the matter?” a very concerned voice asked.
Snow looked up, and realized he had been crying. There before him stood the white unicorn.
“I… was just, remembering.” Snow said holding back tears.
“Oh my dear, whatever were you remembering?” Asked the white unicorn with more concern then he was used to.
“I… I, lost somepony very dear to me,” Snow answered trying to avoid her stare.
“Twilight is this stallion with you?” Asked the white unicorn.
“Yes he is. He is assigned to protect me,” responded Twilight rolling her eyes.
“Twilight, why don’t I take him to my home and see if I can help him,” the unicorn suggested with a radiant expression.
“Well I have things I need to do, so if you wouldn’t mind,” Twilight trailed off.
“It would be my pleasure,” the unicorn answered, with a cheerfully grin.
“Thank you, Snow is that alright?” asked Twilight hoping to get rid of Snow.
Snow, now consumed by his grief nodded. Twilight and Spike left to learn more about Ponyville and its inhabitants.
“Miss, I don’t know your name,” Snow said, a few tears running down his face. It was difficult for him to keep his composer just from looking at her.
“Oh, my name is Rarity,” she answered in a soothing tone.
“Thank you…Rarity,” Snow told her, feeling the grief subside a little.
“It’s no problem at all darling,” she said with that radiant smile of hers. Snow accompanied Rarity to her home, all the time trying not to cry. Snow felt embarrassed for crying in front of her. When he looked at her, Snow couldn't help but see White Velvet. How she trotted was like White Velvet, and the soothing tone of her voice, even her appearance.
“Is something on your mind?” Rarity asked him, breaking him from the small trance he had fell into.
“I um…” Snow realized Rarity had seen him looking at her. Blushing from the embarrassment he said, “Miss Rarity, you remind me of someone I knew.”
“Is that so darling, who is she?” inquired Rarity with curiosity.
“She… was somepony very close,” a twang of pain shot across his face at the thought of White Velvet. There was no hiding the pain he was feeling. Rarity could easily see the pain he was in.
“Oh, dear if it’s not a nice topic for you to think about, then we shan’t talk of it anymore.” Rarity said concerned.
“Perhaps later, Miss Rarity,” Snow said with a frown.
“Ah, here we are Snow,” Rarity informed feeling a little tense. Snow saw that the building he now stood in front of was a boutique. A brilliantly designed building with what looked like carousel ponies on top. Rarity opened the door and beckoned Snow to enter. He walked into a shop and noticed instantly it was filled wall to wall with outfits.
“I think I’ve figured out what you do for a living Miss Rarity,” Snow said feeling the painful memory slowly fade.
“Oh you have, have you?” Rarity asked with a laugh.
“I must say, these outfits look like the outfits I see in Canterlot, Velvet would have liked them,” Snow trailed off not realizing what he was saying.
“I’m sorry dear, who is Velvet?” asked Rarity confused.
“She… she, was…” Snow struggled to speak, the painful memories came flooding back again. Taking a deep breath Snow said, “She was my very special somepony.”
“Was?” Rarity asked with concern.
Snow was suddenly filled with the same hate and anger he had felt after he found Velvet on the ground and couldn’t help but yell, “She was taken from me! Murdered the night I was going to propose!” Snow realized he had yelled and tried to take a breath, but what came was a sob. His anger soon subsided but was replaced with sadness.
Rarity shocked and not quite knowing what to do, wrapped her hooves around Snow in an attempt to comfort him. “Snow I… I’m so sorry,” Rarity said with a soothing tone.
To her surprise Snow wrapped his hooves around her, hugging her close to his body. Rarity could feel his tears trickle down onto her shoulders. Suddenly Snow came to his senses and quickly let go of Rarity and backed away.
“I’m s-sorry Miss Rarity,” Snow stammered, “I d-don’t know what c-came over me.”
Rarity, trying to suppress the blush overtaking her cheeks. “Darling it’s quite alright, I want to help you.”
Snow could feel his face get warm like the time he first laid eyes on White Velvet, “I um…”
Cutting Snow off before he could say anything, Rarity said, “Snow its quite late you may stay here for the night if you wish. I have a room ready for guests.”
“I must find Twilight Sparkle,” Snow answered remembering he was there for a job. Shining Armor would skin him alive if he knew what he had done.
“I wouldn't feel right if something happened to you tonight Snow, would you at least stay until you feel alright?” pleaded Rarity.
Then what seemed like fire entered the room. The fire transformed into a scroll and dropped in front of Snow, hitting his hooves. He retrieved the message and found that it was from Twilight telling him that she was safe and staying at the town’s library, and further on to meet her at a place called Sugercube Corner the next day.
Snow turned to Rarity and said, “I will stay here tonight Miss Rarity,” a small smile showing on his once sad face.
“Wonderful darling,” Rarity said happily. “I’ll just go get everything ready for you.”
Snow watched as Rarity hurried off to a different room. He stood there in the shop alone, felt a feeling he hadn't felt since he had met White Velvet. Everypony he had ever loved or cared for had been taken away from him; he couldn't bear to have another taken from him. Snow unstrapped his armor and let the heavy material fall to the floor with a clang. He stretched his wings and legs out.
Snow felt stiff from being in his armor all day. Every night he gratefully took it off, it was like a cage that reminded him of all the terrible things he had done in the name of justice. He thought back to the night he took that young filly’s mother from her. His armor was a scar he could never be rid of.
“Darling I have everything ready for you...” Rarity trailed off as she saw Snow for the first time without his armor on. Rarity couldn't help but notice Snow's muscular body. Rarity's face turned red for a moment as she entered the room.
Snow looked up at her a smile on his face. “Thank you Miss Rarity.”
“Oh it’s no problem at all, and call me Rarity.” she said cheerfully.
“As you wish, Rarity.” Snow responded feeling a warmth in his chest.
“Now let me show you to your room,” Rarity said as she led Snow down a hallway.
As they walked down the hallway Snow heard a voice yell to Rarity.
“Rarity, can you tuck me in?” a young voice called from a room.
Rarity entered the room that Snow had heard the voice from. He followed Rarity to see a young unicorn with a white and pink mane. Snow thought of the young unicorn that he had seen after he killed her mother. A tear in his eye as he watched Rarity tuck the young unicorn into her bed.
Rarity leaned over and kissed the filly on the head saying, “Good night Sweetie Belle, I love you and I’ll see you in the morning.” Rarity walked back into the hallway to join Snow.
“I’m sorry Snow that was my sister, Sweetie Belle. Do you have any siblings?” inquired Rarity.
“No I don’t have any siblings.” Snow said sadly, “I don’t really have anypony.”
“Now Snow what do you mean by that? You have Twilight and I’m sure you have some friends back in Canterlot. If you would like I would love to be considered your friend,” Rarity smiled at Snow.
“I really only have one person in Canterlot I would consider my friend, and I would be happy to have you as my friend Rarity,” Snow said with a small smile on his face.
“Well then, shall I show you to your room now?” Rarity asked cheerfully.
“That would be nice,” Snow responded a little cheerful.
Rarity led Snow to the guest room she had prepared for him. His room was at the end of the hallway they had been walking down. Snow walked in to see a brilliantly decorated room with bright vibrant colors, done up in intricate patterns along the walls with a large bed in the center of the room. Snow stood there stunned, mouth open.
“Yes, it is rather fabulous isn’t it,” Rarity smiled smugly as she watched Snow’s reaction.
Snow realizing his mouth was open, feeling slightly embarrassed. “It is very nice Rarity.” His cheeks turning red.
Smiling at Snow Rarity said, "My room is right across the hall if you need anything.”
“Thank you, goodnight Rarity,” Snow smiled, face still feeling hot from embarrassment.
“Goodnight Snow, I’ll see you in the morning.” Rarity smiled back as she left the room to retire for the night.
