Atonement

Spike was fussing over Rarity, occasionally giving me a dirty look. It was clear he wanted me to stay away from her, considering what I was. It was also clear that he hated me for deciding I would break the news of what happened to Sweetie Bell to her. We had decided that I would before we left for Canterlot, as I was the only one willing to do so. Rarity, however, still had yet to awaken, and so Applejack, being the strongest pony among us, carried her on her back, both at Spike’s insistence and out of respect for me, thinking my current load enough. I carried the teenage boy, still in wolf form, over my shoulder as I walked on my hind legs. He wouldn’t wake up until later that day, unless this seemingly alternate world decided to screw with me yet again.

“So let me get this straight. You show up around the same time as this guy,” Spike started, jerking a thumb at the unconscious body slung over my shoulder. “You’re both werewolves. According to Twilight, you both seem to know a lot about our world, but you seemed to know what was going to happen before anyone else?” I nodded. There was no point in denying what was already known. “Who are you?”

“Remember Spike? He can’t talk in that form, so unless you understand wolf don’t even try.” Twilight said. We were all growing weary, both from our travels and Spike incessant questioning.

“Yeah Spike. ‘Sides, ya should show ‘im a bit of respect. He saved lives today.”

“But he didn’t save Sweetie Bell, now did he!?” Spike yelled, obviously angry. I hung my head in guilt. I never knew he felt so strongly towards her, nor did I know she was among the original casualties.

“There was nothin’ he coulda done Spike, ya’ll know that.” Applejack said, her tone comforting. It seemed to ease Spike’s pain, but it did nothing to ease mine, as I knew that was not true. I could have saved her, but chose not to, as not to reveal myself to all for what I really was.

A monster. An abomination from another time, and quite possibly another reality, born in the blood and tears of countless ponies. I whimpered quietly, hoping no one would hear. Alas, my hopes were shattered once more, as I saw all the conscious ponies that were present give me a look somewhere between pity and confusion. I looked away, seeing the sun begin to rise over the horizon.

“Well, it looks like we might be getting some things explained sooner than we thought.” Twilight said to nopony in particular. I felt the boy changing on my shoulder, but I held on for a while longer. We were almost there, and I did not wish to carry the burden without some added strength. I let out a low growl, the sun testing my will power, compelling me to let slip my feral strength and intimidation in exchange for my voice and ability to reason.

We were almost there. I could see the gates of the palace in the distance. I just had to hold on for a while longer.

But I could not. Despite my years of training and testing myself, I could not withstand the sun’s power for long. We were almost to the gates when I let the boy slip from my shoulder and allowed myself to return to my human form, my bones shifting once more. I barely winced as it happened, but was glad to have my voice back once more.

“Well…. I guess I’ll pick him up again. Hope I didn’t do any permanent damage.” I said with a laugh as I picked the boy up again, slinging him over my shoulder once more.

“And why not, huh?” Spike asked angrily. “He killed somepony, and could have killed more! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” he asked, seeming to plead to my sense of justice.

I laughed at him. “You obviously don’t have much knowledge of our kind, do you Spike?” I asked. He shook his head dumbly. I sighed. “A werewolf, under the spell of the full moon, no longer controls his actions, nor does he remember them. The feral instincts of the wolf inside take over, and the first thing they wish to do is feed, as their stomachs expand to fit their new size, making them eager to fill them.” I explained, sounding much like a teacher who was tired of answering the same question over and over again.

“Well if that’s what a werewolf is like, then why weren’t you like that, huh?” Spike asked, going into interrogator mode.

“I’ve had many years to train and study ways to remain in control at all times. A small amount of magic helps.” I said, tapping my mask with a finger.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that.” Twilight said. “Just what is the purpose of that mask?” I thought for a moment before answering.

“I guess you could say it keeps me human. You could also say it keeps me honest, but that’s stretching it a bit.” I said with a chuckle. No one else seemed to find it funny.

“If ya’ll need some fancy magic ta keep ya honest, what kinda person are ya?” Applejack asked, making me shrug.

“Not a very honest person. Most people I know of aren’t. However, even without this mask, odds are I’m the second most honest person you’ll ever meet.” I said with a laugh.

“Who’s the first then?” Twilight asked. I bumped my load a little bit, indicating that he was. “But ho-” I cut her off with a stare that said everything I dared not with words in our present company. She shut her mouth, and we walked through the doors of the palace. No sooner were we through in the door than I had spears at my throat. The guards holding them said nothing, making me laugh.

“That is not the best idea. Trust me. If you’re smart, you’ll put those down before you get hurt.” most of them listened, slowly lowering their weapons, but one seemed to be a new recruit, bold and eager to prove himself. He took a jab at my gut, and I quickly grabbed spear right below the tip. He showed signs of extreme exertion, while I wasn’t even trying. I soon grew bored and simply snapped off the spear head. “Be grateful, and learn from this. Don’t attack something you’ve never seen before. Especially when it’s bigger than you.” I said seriously before walking past them all, heading for the throne room.

“Wait! We need to wait for an” I stopped listening to Twilight as I simply pushed the doors open.

“Celestia!” I called out in a friendly tone. She looked from her sister to me, a look of disapproval on her face. “Well, I see I’m not exactly welcome here.”

“No, you are quite welcome here. Twilight sent me a letter detailing your actions. I simply wonder why he,” she said, pointing a hoof at my burden. “still draws breath.”

I dropped the boy to the floor. “Because this world needs him more than you know.”

“And just how do you know this?” she asked. I sighed, removing my mask once more. With a wave of my hand the doors to the throne room closed, leaving me alone with the princesses. They both seemed shocked by my power, but retained serious faces.

“Because I am his future. I am Christian Fleury….. And I am chaos incarnate.”