Shining's eyes shot open, the cold bright night swallowing his vision. He shivered, the only warmth coming from the filly tucked up beside him. His hoof wiped his face of sleep's powder, his mind reeling from the transition into reality. His dream was disturbing, but hardly surprising. His head reunited with the ground, his breath shallow and weary, as he tried desperately to return to the land of the dreaming. Maybe he would see her happy this time. See her smile once again.
Slumber refused to return, and Shining groaned. He carefully rose to his hooves, wishing not to disturb his friend. He shed his blanket, and wrapped it around the filly, keeping her warm. His eyes turned toward the moon hanging in the sky, thanking it for its continued presence.
Good to know you're alive somewhere, he mused, as his gaze turned toward the illuminated valley before him.
The past years had done numbers to the land. Before him lay the remnants of Ponyville, the town where his sister used to reside. It's dilapidated buildings and ruins a sign of the absence of life. They would continue their trek into the town in the morning, but for now, they needed to rest.
The stallion let loose a sigh of resignation, as he cantered to their saddlebags. His magic grasped an all too familiar bottle, as he sat himself down next to the bags. It was the most filled bottle of whiskey they could find, and he was very pleased of its discovery. As he released the cap, he looked at the liquid inside, mourning its purpose. He began to take a hefty draught, one for each life that was lost.
One, for his wife.
The liquid burned a pleasurable sting as it cascaded down his throat in a fiery slither. His throat ached, as he readied for another. The sight of her body rushed through his mind, and it burned worse than the alcohol. His Cadence, reduced to such a defiled sight. Her sincerity, compassion and love were lost on her killers. So Shining gave them his wrath and vengeance instead. His coat had never been more stained in his life.
One, for his sister.
The second one was easier, as much as he hated to admit it. He was getting used to it, and it crushed his soul just thinking about it. At least the alcohol went down easily. At least Twilight had a choice. She had laid her life down to protect those she knew no longer than a month. She was a martyr, and he hated her for it. After Cadence passed, Twilight was his only support. He had nothing left.
Except for this young filly. She was what was left.
Young, inexperienced, and hopeful. She was on the verge of becoming a mare, and that alone made her a target. A disgusting hunt he knew all too well. Those deviant hunters that took his wife had died in the most painful way Shining could devise, and he would do it again for this pony.
Applebloom was her name. A simple Earth Pony, and a smart one at that. They had spent the past year together, searching for whatever remained of her family, primarily her siblings. He was convinced the search was hopeless, but failed to convince her. Without a place to really call home, Shining offered to help the filly on her way, as she wouldn't make far on her own.
He had seen the worst of what his kind had to offer over his years, and he grew to despise any other form of life that wasn't the filly he protected. The days were long, the nights cold, and his will had been drained dry a long time ago. Were it not for Applebloom, Shining Armor may have joined his family years ago.
The stallion returned his gaze to the bottle, readying himself for another mournful drink, when his neck tightened. The strange numbing sensation started, as he felt a slight vibration on the left half of his horn. He quickly raced over to the filly, shaking her awake with a hoof.
“Applebloom, up. Now,” He ordered, unsheathing a series of blades from their cargo.
The filly stirred awake, oblivious to the danger. “What is it, Shinin'?”
“Something or someone's tripped a ward, we gotta go. Quietly.” Shining gave Applebloom her knife, as he packed up as fast as he could.
The filly tiredly rose, but quickly sprung into action. Shining shot his gaze to the west. The vibration hadn't shifted position, but it was stronger. Whatever activated his sentries was heading straight for them. And fast.
Shining Armor quickly shoved their saddlebags on, and began leading Applebloom away. A sudden shock blasted through his skull.
It was here.
Everything happened in a blur. The air was knocked out of Shining's lung, as something slammed him against a boulder. He bucked it off him, brandishing his knife. A creature of silky black and teal, its carapace all too familiar and hated by the unicorn. The Changeling's horn lit up, the sickly green aura attempting to bash at him with primal intent. Shining's defenses fended it off, as he charged the beast.
Slashing across its chest, the beast screamed in agony. It continued its magical onslaught, occasional using its horn as a spear. Shining was exhausted, and his motions were clumsy and dull. Narrowly avoiding a number of attacks, he managed to stab the monster in its shoulder, before a reactionary kicked knocked Shining to the ground. It reared up, before getting knocked to the ground by a charging Applebloom.
She pinned it to the ground, but the beast was much too strong for her, as it tossed her off and against a wall. It's hooves held hers in place, as it roared its call, its fangs ready to bite. A swift kick knocked it away from her, as Shining stood between the Changeling and his charge. It rushed him, horn lowered. Shining mimicked its actions, as the two locked heads.
Shining fought against the strength of the beast, as its horn lit once more. A sharp needle pierced his neck, and he withdrew, screaming as the blood leaked from his wound. The Changeling was quick to react.
It's jagged horn found its mark, and impaled Shining thorough his left shoulder.
His cry of anguish could be heard for miles, as his magic took over. Grabbing the knife, he stabbed the beast, now lodged in his torso, over and over as the knife soaked in its blood. A final swipe of the blade cut its horn from its head, freeing Shining from its custody.
He dropped the knife, falling backwards onto the wall, ripping the horn from his lesion. Applebloom stabbed the carcass repeatedly, confirming its death, before she saw the severity of Shining's injury.
“Oh Celestia no! Shinin'!” She shouted, rushing to his aid.
“Quick,” He said, his voice strained and barely audible. “The bags. Get the cloth and whiskey.”
Applebloom felt tears in her eyes, before nodding and retrieving the requested items. She had done this routine countless time. Disinfect as much as possible, and bandage. But with a wound this fatal, she knew it wouldn't be enough.
She gave him the items, as wrapped the cloths around the length of his shoulders, pouring over half of the bottle of alcohol into the wound. The burn was worse than fire, as he screamed in pain. He strained to sit upright, trying his best to apply whatever medical magic he knew. It was deep, and he was losing blood fast.
“Shinin' c'mon! We have to get you help! We have to find somepony--!” She started, the tears becoming visible.
“And just where the hell are we gonna find help, huh?” Shining asked, already drinking out of the bottle. “Ponyville is just as dead as the rest of Equestria, Bloom.”
“No, it's not! There's ponies down there, I know it! Please Shinin', we need to hurry!”
“Look at me,” He said, coughing and wincing. “There's no way I can walk like this...”
“Then I'll carry you! I'll--!” She cried, desperately think of solutions. Her tears dripped upon the soil along with his blood.
He cut her off. “It's not gonna happen like that, Bloom.”
Applebloom sobbed, as she buried her face in his chest. “Please Shinin', don't...”
He stroked her mane, trying his best to hide his pain. “Don't worry Applebloom. I just need to rest. Some medical magic over night, and I'll be able to walk again in the morning. I'll be fine.”
The filly wiped her face, as she looked at him with hope in her eyes. ”Y-You promise?”
He grinned, painfully. “You know we don't make promises, Bloom.”
“Promise me!” She demanded, the agony in her eyes seemed worse than his own.
He shook his head. “Fine. I promise.”
Applebloom smiled at him, before another sob broke through. She rested her head, as she calmed her breathing. Shining continued to console her, assuring that everything was fine. He would be better with some rest, and they could continue on their way. Evade yet another one of death's traps. Applebloom sighed in relief, as she felt the gentle hum of his magic.
He was all she had left, and he would be fine.
The morning came too soon. Applebloom groaned as she opened her eyes. The sunlight blinded her, as her vision adjusted to the bright light. The first thing that came into focus where two distant figures, seemingly lost. She grew anxious, as she tried to nudge her protector awake. He would not rouse from his sleep easily.
“Shinin', hey. We got some ponies in the distance,” She stated, shaking him awake, her tone cautious.
No response came.
“Shinin'?” Applebloom asked. She shook him again, his closed eyes unwavering. She noticed one of the figures point in her direction, and began to gallop. “C'mon Shinin', wake up! This is serious!” She shouted, and yet there was no reply. Not even the slightest movement came from him. Applebloom placed her hoof to shake him once more, growing worried. She withdrew her hoof, before quickly placing her head against his chest.
It was cold, and no heartbeat met her ears.
She sat there in disbelief, looking up to him in shock. She couldn't even hear the approaching hooves, as the tears fell down her face. “Shinin'... No...” She saw his face. His eyes closed, in the most peaceful sleep that was uncharacteristic of him. A small smile could even be seen. “Please... No...” Applebloom continued to push at him, helplessly trying to coax some sort of movement out of him. She only managed to cause his body to fall over onto its side. Her breathing became labored.
Applebloom bashed her hoof against his idle chest. The feeling of a pony's coat, but lacking the warmth or the rhythm of a heartbeat disturbed her immensely. She prayed to Celestia that she was dreaming. That whatever twisted nightmare this was, she would wake up and find him right as rain. She closed her eyes and focused through her tears, trying with all her might to wake herself from a slumber she wasn't having. Again and again she tried, to no avail. Only his body met her gaze.
Her eyes stung, as her worst fears became a reality. “You... You promised me... You said it'd be alright!” She shouted, pounding away at his torso. “You promised me...” Her tears stained his coat, as they fell until the sound of hooves stopped behind her. She continued her sobs, refusing to be interrupted by whoever was here. A small gasp came from the pony behind her. Contempt and rage built up within her, ready to lash out at her guest.
Until she saw the mare's face.
“A-Applebloom...?” Her visitor spoke, in a voice shaken with disbelief.
The filly's voice, drenched in grief and shock, mirrored her sister's. “Applejack...?”
Author's Note
AL
MOST
THERE
