Benevolence Over Vengeance

Zephyr

I awoke with a start, surrounded by darkness. I was dead, certain of it. At least I'd given my life in service to Rainbow Dash and the people. But yet, I felt so empty. I had failed to protect her. I broke my vow... my oath. I'm more likely in pony hell than pony heaven.

"It took you long enough to wake up!" shouted a voice. I tried to sit up, but was bound in iron chains.

"Is this hell? To be tortured for failing my lady?" I asked.

"No no no. You're still alive, but you won't be if you don't agree to help me," the voice responded.

"If it would mean getting back to Rainbow's side, I would do it," I told the stranger confidently.

"Good! So you won't mind killing your own friends?" he asked. Who the hell was this person?

"Who are you?" I asked back.

"You don't remember me? I am Xaipher, leader of the rebellion." My mind turned from the friendly environment to a large fire of rage and resentment.

"Let me go coward! Have me chained up to silence me? Why not face me yourself?!" I shouted.

"Such foolishness. I need you,"  he replied.

"Why?!" I screamed at him.

"You are the greatest warrior in the land. Can't you see Dash brings despair? As we speak, she marches to reinforce Nova Castle. I need you to slay the two ponies that could stop me from taking it before their arrival. Flash Sentry and Guardeye," he explained.

"I'll never turn against my friends!" I shouted back.

"You will if you want to see your precious Rainbow Dash again," he countered. I didn't know what to do. Kill my friends to see her again, or die and end the Equestrian forces chances of winning?

"You promise I shall see her again?" I asked.

"I promise Zephyr. Now we begin the march. Take out Flash Sentry and Guardeye, then bust down the gates and slay the enemy commander!" he ordered.

"They know I'm alive Xaipher. They'll look for me," I told him.

"Good! But, only Dash would think you're alive considering we had a look-alike take your place at the battlefield. We dragged you off so you could do this service to us," he explained. Another shard of hope, gone.

"Who commands the forces at Nova Castle?" I asked.

"Your old friend... Fluttershy."

We arrived at the brink of dawn. We set up camp and began to set up defenses. I could only stare out at the forces before me. My friends... the ones I fought to protect... stand ready. Not knowing that I will be the one they fight...

"Why do you look so down Zephyr?" asked Xaipher. I didn't even acknowledge his question, just continued to look. "Pah, you're useless for having a conversation with!" he exclaimed after walking away. The horn sounded and the Rebellion forces charged forth, with me leading the pack. The first cry of battle was heard.

"Lord Zephyr?!" Voices began to shout among the now frightened ranks. I did nothing but continued to repay my debt. I killed soldier after soldier, none being able to match my strength. I knew where my objectives were stationed. The east and west gates. Flash Sentry was my first target, considering he was the strongest. Defeating him will lower the moral of every pony of the battlefield. As I continued on, the pain in my heart grew. The blood splattered my armor and my spear was no longer shining, but was drenched in the blood of the people I used to fight for. After continuous battle, I spotted him.

"Flash Sentry!" I shouted as I swung my spear, cutting through 3 pony soldiers.

"Lord Zephyr? What are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm sorry... but I must repay my debt to Xaipher. He kept me alive so I could see her again... now I must slay you," I responded with bitterness in my voice. I did a swift upper-cut, which he dodged.

"Zephyr! Could you really betray us like this? If Rainbow knew..." his sentence was interrupted by another swing by me. I continued to cut at him and we continued on like this for several minutes. Eventually, we were locked in a battle of strength. My speared place against his sword.

"Zephyr! Please! Listen to me!" he pleaded as I threw the sword out of his hooves. I towered over him.

"Flash Sentry... forgive me..." I whispered as I stuck my spear into his heart. I watched the life escape his eyes. I was a monster... how could I have done this?

"Excellent work Lord Zephyr!" cried out a soldier.

"Silence you insolent scum! We now march to Guardeye!" I commanded. However, we didn't need to go far...

"Zephyr? You killed Flash Sentry? Is that true?!" he questioned.

"Words are not needed on the field of battle. Raise your blade and fight me!" I exclaimed as the twirled the spear in my hooves.

"Could you really do this? Dash will hate you!" he countered.

"She already does..." I told him solemnly. I sliced down, causing him to jump back.

"Isn't there another way?!" he asked. I stopped my attacking and began to think. If I were to betray Xaipher and prepare an attack to destroy the main camp, surely he'll flee like the coward he is. But how? I thought to myself as Guardeye stood, fighting off my unit. I came to the decision and swung back with my spear, slicing open the stomachs of my own unit.

"Guardeye! Get a fire attack unit ready! Set ablaze to the wooden barricade protecting the castle as they approach. I will be by the gates awaiting another fire attack unit to lead to the main camp. We will burn down Xaipher's ambition here!" I ordered. He nodded and sprinted back to the castle. This had to work. If it didn't... I'll never see her again. I would've failed once again...