Atonement

I grabbed my cowl and put it back on just as the door opened to reveal that my guess was right. Rainbow had showed up with Fluttershy in tow not too long after we got here. “Come on Twilight, I know you’re desperate to get laid, but really?” she said with a laugh as she walked in, not seeming at all fazed by my presence. Twilight began to stutter, looking indignant, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly, trying to find the right words to say. I chuckled, though inside I was dieing from Rainbow’s mere presence.

“Yes, well, desperate or not she’s not getting any today.” I said with a laugh as I stood.

“And just who are you supposed to be, pal?” Rainbow said, now glaring at me. “Last I checked, the only human supposed to be around here was strapped to a table. That and I‘m pretty sure you weren‘t on the guest list for Rarity‘s party.”

“Yes, well there was a change of plans. I had to get in, otherwise there’s a good chance we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” I said, sounding far more grim than moments ago.

“Ha! Like anything can take me down, I would’ve whooped his flank into next week!” she exclaimed, just as proud as I remembered. She still had the same scent as well. I know it sounds weird, but a few centuries go by and you remember the little things more and more. She smelled of singed hair and grass after a light storm. It was a combination I thought I’d never smell again.

“I never said it would be because you got taken down. It would be because you were too busy grieving over the massive loss of life.” I said, which shut her up instantly.

“Well, how did I get here?” I heard from outside, and I knew Rarity was up. I sighed.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have news to break. Twilight, fill her in on everything she needs to know.” I said, pointing from Twilight to Rainbow as I walked away. “Rarity.” I called out as I grew closer to her. She looked startled at first, but otherwise unfazed.

“Yes? Can I help you?” she asked, taking a quick look around the room. She noticed Christian tied to the table and looked from him to me and back again.

“I can explain everything….. But you’ll want to sit down.” I said, making her seem more nervous than before. She used her magic to summon an all too familiar couch, almost making me laugh as she slowly sat down. I took a chair from the table and sat on it, looking her dead in the eyes. “Rarity, right now you’re at the royal palace”

“The palace!? Oh, what happens when I drink….. I’m sorry, but I simply must get home, my sister” she started, beginning to get up. I gently placed a hand on her shoulder, lowering her back to her sitting state.

“Rarity…. I’m sorry….. Sweetie Belle isn’t going to be there when you get home.” I said, trying to stall while I found the right words to say. It’s amazing, really. I’ve broken the news of death to countless widows during the many wars of my reign with no problem.

But then again, this was more personal for me. “Why, whatever do you mean? Is she staying with Applejack? Please sir, you must explain!”

“Rarity…… Sweetie Belle died last night….. There was an….. Accident, of sorts…” I said, choking up slightly. “I guess the more appropriate word would be ‘mistake’……” I could see tears welling up in her eyes, and saw that her inner strength was fading. I have to commend her ability to keep them back for as long as she did. “Christian….. He made a terrible mistake….. Now, you must understand that it wasn’t his fault, but….. He made a deal with the wrong being….. And he ended up becoming a werewolf.”

“A-a-a wh-wh-what?”

“A werewolf. Some say it’s a disease, others a curse, others still a blessing.” I sighed. “All I know is that when the full moon rises, most werewolves lose their humanity. They turn into something between wolf and man, and primal instinct takes over. I’ll spare you the details, but Sweetie’s death was not his fault.” she looked shocked by what I told her.

“Y-y-you mean….. H-he killed her?”

“Yes, but not by his own will.”

“How so!?”

“A werewolf doesn’t know of his or her actions until they are told…. Or the nightmares kick in.” she didn’t seem convinced at all. In fact she seemed suspicious.

“J-j-just how do you know all this? And wh-who are you anyway?” she asked. Though her face held a stern look, her voice and eyes gave away her uncertainty, fear, and pain. I sighed and shook my head.

“I know all of this because I’m a werewolf…” I looked away for a moment, my gaze catching a nearby mirror. In it I saw my own eyes, pained, sorrowful, bloodshot…. Tired. I could still see the traces of my humanity I had fought so hard to retain. “As for who I am”

At that moment, Applejack reappeared, walking into the room. “Well, he told me to call ‘im ‘Lone Wolf’, but ah don’t really think that’ll work. Lone wolf is more’ve a description than a name, way I see it.” she said, which slightly surprised me. I never thought of her to be the kind to actually think about those distinctions. I chuckled sadly.

“I guess you’re right.” I said as I looked towards the farmer pony. “I could do with a change of name.” I said as I put a hand to my chin in thought.

“W-w-well, when you’re done with that, come find me…. I’m going to go…. Take care of some things.” Rarity said, to which I nodded. She’d need some time to recover from the suddenness of the loss. She got up and trotted off, and I could see a small trail of tears following her as she left. I shook my head lightly, the full scope of my actions beginning to reveal itself. Applejack sighed and walked away to check the ‘prisoner’.

“I never meant for any of this to happen…” I whispered as my own tears began to fall, splashing against the floor. I felt a comforting hoof around my shoulder, and looked to see Twilight smiling at me.

“It’s alright. Time heals all wounds.” she said, her voice comforting, but useless. I knew all too well the effects of time.

“You have no idea.” I whispered, not wanting Applejack to hear. “There are some wounds time makes worse….” I looked away. “Some losses that haunt you forever…. That make you stay up at night, wondering ‘why? Why did I go this path?’….” I sighed. “Some faces that never leave you alone.” I whispered, my past coming back to haunt me once again. She knew what I was talking about…. But not who.

“I’m sure they’d forgive you.” she whispered before walking away. I sighed and watched my tears splash on the white marble floor.

If she only knew.