Commitment

by Controller624

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Slice of Life, Human
Length: 4468

I am a servant to the filthy rich estate and now work for lady diamond tiara.

My name is Silver Hooves. I work for Mr. and Mrs. Filthy Rich; that is until their unfortunate death. I cooked, cleaned, and served them and, still, their daughter at every moments notice. Some ponies say that I just wasted my time since they don't respect me or treat me as a pony. But they don't know the connection I have with the family. They don't know the contract.

(Based in the Victorian era)

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-02-14 09:26:19 UTC

Prologue

     The sky was clear and blue as the air was fresh. Lord and madam filthy rich sat out in the court yard and watched their daughter, lady diamond tiara, chase her friend, silver spoon, around the field. Their laughs filled my ears as I prepared the morning tea. I picked up the platter and sat it down on the table next to the lord and madam. “Good morning, hooves” Mr. Rich said.

     “Good morning, my lord. Today you will be having Jam Roly-Poly; a traditional desert. It is a flat-rolled suet pudding, which is then spread with jam and rolled up, similar to a Swiss roll, then steamed or baked” I replied as I handed them the sweet, as to diamond tiara and her friend. “My Celestia, silver hooves, you have out done yourself once again!” Mrs. Rich complemented as I poured their tea. “Thank you, my lady. But if I couldn't serve my masters with proper entrées what kind of butler would I be?” I asked, handing each person their tea as the girls giggled. I smiled, but that simply faded away as several loud crashes echoed through the estate followed by crying and shouts with cockney accents. “*sigh* I still don’t see why you even hired those buffoons” madam rich said, pinching the bridge of her nose.

       “Because, my dear, even though he can be impeccable, silver can’t do everything on his own” my master said as I walked into the manor. With a slight smirk I walked up to the source of the disturbance. “What happened here?” I asked in a flat monotone voice seeing that there were several shards of glass and plate scattered across the dining room floor. Three servants (sugar heart, strong hoof, and bronze bolder) stood together and stared at me with terrified eyes. “Well?” I said somewhat aggressive.

     After a meager amount of time, the three delinquents stopped quivering, fell to the canvas, and began grabbing at my trousers. “Please, silver, I didn’t mean it. I was only trying to get the table ready for dinner later today!” sugar heart bawled into my leg; I could see her thick glasses begin fog from her tears. “This is the fourth time this week. If this keeps up well have to order more” I said brushing them off. “You two…” I said pointing at strong hoof and bronze bolder “get a broom and a dust pan. I want this cleaned up before tea is over. Do I make myself clear?”. “Sir, yes sir” the two said as they ran to the kitchens pantry.

     “Sugar,” I said gaining her attention “I see that you chipped your glasses. Give them here, I’ll send it into town for repairs”. “No, sir, please! The misses gave them to me! I don’t want to give them up.” She said backing away. “As you wish, but if the problem becomes larger don’t be surprised when they goes missing overnight” I announced. “Yes, sir, Thank you, sir” she said as I exited the room. Strong hoof and bronze bolder entered the room and began to clean the mess.

     “Man that guy gives me the creeps” bronze said as he swept the floor. “I’ll say, I ‘ate the way ‘e looks at us, wit’ those devilish eyes of ‘is. Makes me feel hollow” strong hoof agreed while retrieving the shards with the dust pan. I arrived back in the court yard and saw that Mr. Rich looked worried. “Is something wrong, my lord?” I asked as he folded a letter and placed it in a used envelope that lied on the table. “Silver, you have been serving my family for ten generations now and you know how many enemies we have made over that time” he said while watching diamond play.

“Yes, sir, as I recall I vowed to protect and serve your family ever since your ancestor, Julius Rich, signed our contract” I replied.

“Good. The reason I ask is because I don’t have that much time left and I worry about my daughter”

“Yes. Lady Tiara is growing to be a fine young woman”

“Silver, I want you to do something for me”

“Certainly, master”

     “Whatever happens to me and my wife, I want you to protect diamond and our home” he said turning to me. “As you wish, my lord, but let’s hope that nothing will happen to you” I said as I poured his tea. Hours later, bronze bolder and I were making dinner as sugar heart and strong hoof set the dining table; lady spoon had returned home. When we all finished I sent the three to continue their work around the manner as I announced that dinner was ready. “For the first course you will be having julienne soup. For the second course, there will be broiled salmon, red mullet, and lobster rissoles” bronze announced as I placed each dish in front of each person.

     “And what for the final course?” diamond tiara asked. “Roast Ducks and charlotte Russe” bronze answered as he handed me the third course. The family seemed to be pleased. After dinner the riches decided to retire. I stayed in the dining room and cleaned the table as bronze washed the kitchen.

     Once we finished, I bided the three good night and headed for my quarters. As I walked the halls I began to hear a faint wine; it was coming from lady tiara’s room. As I knocked on her door the wine dulled and miss tiara weakly asked me to come in. “Is something the matter, madam?” I asked closing the door behind me. “Yes you idiot! My father said that he was dying!” she yelled.

     I was taken aback by her sudden outburst “when did he say that?” I asked. “I overheard you and him talking. *sniffle* is it true that you worked for my family for ten generations?” she said as I sat next to her and whipped the tears, with my handkerchief, from her face. “That is true” I said with a smile. “But you don’t look a day over twenty” she acknowledged. “Why thank you, lady tiara. That warmed my heart.” I praised causing her to blush.

    “Don’t be stupid! I didn’t mean it like that!” she said slightly embarrassed. I laughed and tucked her into bed. “Good night, lady diamond” I said while walking to the door. “Good night” she said as I closed her door. Continuing my walk down the hall, sugar heart and the others ran at me; in their night gowns no less.

     “Do you bare no shame?” I asked as they stopped. “Silver, come quick there something you need to see.” They each said with fear in their lungs. I followed them to where they wanted me; into the study. “Now what is it you want me to see?” I said somewhat flustered since I had been working before anyone else had woken up. “It’s out this ‘ere window. Sugar saw smoke rise from the forest and now its move closer” strong hoof explained.

     “With the speed its going, I doubt it is a fire” bronze said continuing to watch the smoke. “Were we expecting anyone?” sugar asked. “Now that you mention it, I did ‘ear the master talk on the phone with someone. He didn’t seem none pleased when ‘e finished” strong hoof said. My mind was puzzled by who was or what was going on out there. I noticed light moving along behind the trees.

     “Well whatever it is lets show it the filth rich hospitality” I said exiting the room. “What’s ‘e up to?” strong asked as they all watched me leave the manor. The forest was black and the wind was cold. “Come out now or I will be forced to make you” I shouted. The bushes rustled and a several dark male figures stepped out.

     “And what are you gone a do? Serve us to death?” one man said; the others began to laugh. “I’m warning you. This is your last chance to leave” they didn’t seem to care much “alright then” I said as I adjusted my gloves. “Get him boys!” they charged at me with weapons in hand. I stood and watched as they came closer. As one of the brutes swung his bat at my head, I jumped over their heads and landed behind them.

     “What the hell? How did he do that?” they asked. “You should have taken up my warning. Now I have no choice” I said pocketing my glasses. Fear struck their souls as my stair penetrated their nerves. “Wh- what are you waiting for. Kill him you morons!” they charged once more. “Right then” I muttered, charging them as well. They were taken aback by my speed.

     In a matter of seconds I was close enough for one of them to hit me; unfortunately for him I was too. Before he could land a hit with his pocket knife, I dodged and punched his sternum. His colleagues stopped and watched in terror as I continued to attack his chest. After a few more carefully landed punches, I began to break his ribs then advanced onto ripping his lungs out of his chest. The others were dumb founded and dropped their weapons.

     “What are you?” a ruffian asked as he hid behind his partners. “Sir, I am simply one hell of a butler” I ran to them and made what would be considered a bloody massacre. I put my glasses back on and headed to the manor. As I entered the building I unequipped my gloves and handed them to sugar. “That should be the end of that. And be sure to scrub the blood out.” I said going to check up on lady diamond.

     Entering her room I saw that she was sitting up and shaking. “Lady Tiara, go back to sleep. Everything is all…” I was interrupted by the cocking of a pistol. A bullet was shot into the back of my skull. Diamond jumped up from the bed and sat on her knees next to me. “No, please, no. don’t die you can’t die” she said as the shooter walked to her.

     Tears dripped to the floor as she backed into the coroner. “*scuff* don’t worry, madam, I will deal with this marauder swiftly so you may return to your slumber” I stated. “But- but I shot you. You should be dead!” the man shouted as miss tiara stared with a “blown away” face. “Yes, well you can’t kill what can’t be killed” I said coughing up the bullet. “I believe that this belongs to you” I flicked the used bullet at the man’s face and killed him on the spot.

     As I stepped over the dead man I reached down to miss diamond and brought her out to the hall. Calling out to bronze, I gave miss tiara to him and instructed them to find the others and leave the building. As they ran I quickly and quietly, for there may be more intruders, moved to the master’s bedroom. “Master! Madam! We must leave at once! We have intruders! Master?” as I looked more closely I saw two bodies lying in blood. “Silver…” master rich muttered.

     “Master, save your energy, please” I begged as I kneeled down to him. “Silver, I’m not going to make it” he said with a cough. “Don’t talk like that” I said. “I want you to do something for me” I leaned closer to hear him. “I order you to make the contract between you and my daughter” I said with his last breath.

     “As you wish master” I stood up and walked outside to the others. “Silver are you all right? Where’s the master and madam?” they asked. I just kept on walking and told them “come we must be going” strong hoof grabbed my shoulder. “What about the master and madam?” I looked at him in the eyes and he then knew to drop the discussion. “Were heading to town” I stated.

Chapter 1

     For a few short hours of walking there was nothing but silence and the ongoing chirps of birds. “‘ow much longer?” strong asked bolder in annoyance. “For the last time, I don’t know!” he yelled. “Are you alright, lady tiara?” I asked while ignoring the twos bickering. “No, I’m not. I’m cold, tired, and I want to go back home” she said with her eyes watering.

     I stopped as did everyone soon followed in surprise. Kneeling down, I lifted her up into my arms to carry. “I’m sorry, madam, but that is not possible at this moment” I argued. She was shocked by the sudden occurrence, but didn’t seem to care much. “Go to sleep miss. I promise we will arrive before you wake” I said making sure that the others were still behind.

     An hour had passed and my lady was sound asleep. “Are we there yet?” strong asked. “Ask silver! I’m tired of being your personal answering box” bronze declared while pointing to me. “Yes we are” I replied soon hearing their cheer of relief. I quickly reminded them that lady tiara was sleeping.

     “Now stay quiet!” I ordered. “Yes sir” the said while rubbing the back of their sore heads. “Where are we supposed to stay?” sugar asked. “There is only one place in this town big enough for the five of us and that would be same place the master conducted business. The apple family farm” I stated while continuing to walk on. We shortly arrived at the farm and knocked on the door.

     “Hello?” a young girl asked. Before I could speak she saw madam tiara and ran back inside, locking the door; we knocked once more. “Apple bloom that is no way to treat a guest!” a more grown voice said. The door opened to reveal a blond, tan woman. “Howdy, what can I do you for?” she said shaking bronze’s hand. I stepped forward “our home, filthy rich manor, has an infestation. We were wondering if we could borrow your accommodation for the time being” I said with a smile.

     She blushed and began to stutter. “Ugh… su- sure. Just take a seat in the living room” she moved aside and allowed us to enter. “Thank you” I nodded.  Sitting down, I laid madam tiara on the sofa next to me. “So who are you?” the little girl from before asked with enthusiasm.

     “Apple bloom, be more polite with our guests!” the older sibling demanded. Raising my hand “it’s quiet all right. I am silver hooves, the butler of the filth rich estate, and they are sugar heart, strong hoof, and bronze bolder other servants” I said while bowing. “What about the little one?” a bold muscular man asked. Apple bloom looked over “that’s diamond tiara” she said disappointed.

     Shortly after, lady tiara woke and took in her surroundings. “Where are we and…” she looked at everyone “what are they doing here?” she asked, distraught by the sight. “I asked them to let us stay until our problem is over, my lady” I answered. “But why do we have to stay here, you twit?” she said standing on her feet. “Because, madam, they are trusted cohorts to your family’s business and that their home is the only one in town that can hold us” sugar said.

     Lady tiara only ignored her and stormed off outside. “Oh dear, please wait here. I’ll be right back” I said while following behind. “What was that about?” bronze pondered as I closed the door. “She and I don’t exactly get along” apple bloom said, looking down and sorrowful. “Madam, where are you?” I yelled while searching around the premises.

     I kept searching and searching but found nothing. “Lady diamond, where are you?!” I began to panic. After looking through the barn I heard that a mumbled rough voice followed by frightened whimpering was behind the chicken cope. I followed the sound and found miss tiara, but there was an unsightly fellow with her. “That’s a very nice head dress you got there. Dis be a shame if it had been stolen” the man said with a bastard smile.

     “Please leave me alone. Don’t come any closer!” my lady begged. I was ready to end this little attraction, but before I could the savage backhanded madam tiara. Her scream chilled my bones as my anger boiled my blood. I stepped into view “You… how dare you soil the person of lady diamond tiara” I said while clenching my fists. “Oh, is that who this is. Ah who the hell cares, I’ll deal with you and be on my marry way” he laughed.

     His fun quickly ended once he looked into my, empty, black eyes. I stepped forwards “hey, what do you think you’re doing? Stay back!” he said while holding up his weapon. “You have besmirched my master’s good name and now it is my duty to reset balance” I said while taking off my coat and placing it upon my lady’s, unconscious, body. “Just shut up and die, Damnit!” he swung his weapon at my head; I didn’t budge. He did so again and again until I grabbed his wrist, crushing it.

     His face was pail and scared; like one of a filthy dog who knows that he is going to be neutered. I squeezed more and more until the bone broke and caused some internal and external bleeding. His screams filled the air and irritated me as well. I turned and rested his elbow on my shoulder. Lifting it up, I greatly forced it down; dislocating the whole arm.

     I grabbed him by the thought and held him high above the cope; I gripped tightly. “Stop this instant!” a high pitched voice yelled. “Lady Tiara” I gasped, letting the man fall to the floor. The brute ran off into the woods not to be seen for some time. “Madam, are you hurt?” I asked lifting her back on her feet.

     “Did you really have to do all that?” she asked slightly scared by who she thought was a humble servant, but is now a force not to be reckoned with. “No, mam, I apologize. I got carried away; it won’t happen again. Now please we must return to the others” I said leading with my hand.  “What’s with all the screams?” sugar asked as we entered the door. “Just stray hounds looking for a meal” I explained, holding the entrance for my lady. She seemed shocked and disgusted by how calmly, and without remorse, I could tell such a lie.

     But it wasn't a lie; before we returned I noticed several pairs of yellow eyes circle the path of the man who attack the madam. “So y’all say that you want to stay while your home is fumigated. Where are Mr. and Mrs. Rich?” an old scrawny woman asked. Strong, sugar, and bronze’s face frowned by the reminder of their late employers. “They left, three days ago, on a business trip” bronze said. “Pardon me, but I suggest that we retire for the evening” I stated. “There are spare rooms upstairs and to the left” the bold man told.

     I escorted madam tiara to her room and tucked her in. “Silver, you’re not a normal person are you?” she asked. “No, I’m not. One thing that can separate me from everyone else is that I don’t lie” I declared standing next to her. “What happened to my parents?” she asked catching me by surprise. I smirked “They were murdered” her eyes began to water.

“You liar, they’re not dead! They’re not!” she yelled while throwing a pillow at me.

“My lady, as I said before I am not at liberty to tell a lie. Please calm down”

“But they can’t be dead they can’t” she sat down and rested her head on her knees as she sulked.

“If you’d like, madam, I could help you find those who attacked” she raised her head in interest

“Go on” I grinned and snapped my figures.

     The room went dark and every object that previously inhabited it was removed. A desk appeared from the floor. It held a quill and ink. “Where are we? What’s going on?” she asked terrified by the darkness. “In order for you to acquire revenge, you must sign the contract."

Chapter 2

  "What contract?" She asked as I pulled up her seat. "The contract that bonded me to your family for generations, that cause me to grant your every wish and the contract you will sign to possess the will of a demon at the tip of your tongue" I said as I sat the stack of paper in front of her. "What do you get for in return?" she asked while lifting the quill. "Why," she dipped the edge into the ink "I devour your soul" the color in her face grew pail as her grip on the quill loosened. She tightened her grip "fine" she condoned by endorsing the papers.

     "Very good, madam..." I inspected the sheets "I am now at your disposal" I said placing the contract into my suit. "Just take me back to my room, now" she ordered. I snapped my figures once more and lady tiara was back in bed. "Present dreams, my young lady" I smiled while closing the door. I walked back to the living room to see that bronze and the other two had gone to their room, but our hosts were still there. “Excuse me, miss applejack” I said walking down the stairs.

     “How do you know my name?” she inquired. “If I didn’t know the people my master works with, what kind of butler would I be?” I said gaining a laugh from the old women who was sitting in a rocking chair. “Right… so what do you need?” she said as I stood next to the couch. “I was wondering if I could occupy your kitchen for breakfast” I uttered. “Oh you don’t need to worry, as a guest you just sit back and relax” she stated.

     I smirked and walked over to her “but it would hurt me so if I couldn't pay my host back in anyway” I said looking into her eyes; her cheeks turned crimson and her hands started shaking. “Ugh… you… you c-can do what you wa-want” she stuttered as her brother raised his brow. “Thank you, madam. Now if you will excuse me I must retire” I walked back upstairs and rested in my room. The next morning rose as I was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. It was somewhat difficult with the limited resources I had.

     After an hour madam tiara and the others entered the room. “Good morning, madam. I expect that you had a wonder full sleep” I said. “Shut up” she growled while I placed every ones meal in front of them. “What is this?” she asked while poking at the plate. “It is what the less fortunate call grits” I answered.

     “Disgusting” she pushed the plate away as the others looked at her with bacon and eggs in their mouths. “Don’t knock it until you try it” apple bloom said as she dunked a slice of butter into the grits. Madam tiara rolled her eyes and sat there. “Please, miss, you must eat. You won’t have energy for the day otherwise” I begged. She huffed, pulled the plate back and began to eat.

       “Thank you” I said while I began washing pans. “You sure you don’t want our help, silver?” sugar asked. “No, I’m fine. Just eat” I replied. As everyone finished and the dishes were clean, I left the house and began helping around with any chores that might be needed to be done. “You can help buck apples off the trees, if you like” applejack said while placing a basket of apples onto a wagon.

     I accepted her offer. I walked up to a large, thick tree and inspected it. “Hold up there, little man. I wouldn't suggest bucking a tree like this for the first time. Why don’t you let me take care of it” big Macintosh said while leaning on the tree. I smiled and stepped out of his way. He put on a pair of steel knuckled gloves.

     While positioning himself, big Macintosh raised his fists as if he was going to fight the large mass of wood. I watched as he swung his punches into the bark. After several more punches the tree didn’t seem to have scratch. “Stubborn little piece of fire wood, aren't you?” he insulted with a slight heavy breathing. His sisters and madam tiara noticed and giggled.

     The tree just waved with the wind. “May I?” I asked stepping into his line of view. “Fine, but I doubt it’s goin’ to make a difference” he huffed while taking off the gloves. Handing them to me, I declined his action. He tossed them aside and crossed his arms.

     I stood face to face with the tree and continued to analyze it. Feeling around I found a damp soft spot. Taking a step back, I breathed in deeply. Focusing on the weak point, I lifted my leg. Big Macintosh chuckled; probably at the thought of me breaking my leg.

     I bent back and extended my leg with such force a small shock wave affected three other trees to drop their apples into the baskets below them. Big Macintosh and his siblings all stared at wonder and disbelief; madam tiara was also surprised by my performance. Swallowing his pride, mister Macintosh congratulated me and began to pile the baskets onto the wagon. “Enjoy the show, madam?” I said while standing next to her. “It was interesting” she said while sitting on bail of hay.

     “That seems to be all for today. Thanks” applejack said extending her hand. “It was my pleasure, miss” I said grabbing it. Letting go, I asked lady tiara what to do next. “We go back home” she said as she stood off her seat. “But, madam, we don’t know if the pests are gone” I said.

     “That was an order, silver!” she yelled. “Yes, madam” I clapped my hands; bronze, sugar, and strong ran from the house and stood at attention. “Sir!” they shouted. “I want you to stay here and help this family in way necessary, until we come back. Is that clear?” I announced. “Sir, yes, sir!” they said as lady diamond and I left for town.