Everything Falls Eventually

Rainbow Dash and I immediately moved forward to help the flaming city, but we didn't get far before being pulled back. Silent had us both by the tails and we watched as he threw us backward and tried to grab the furious Fluttershy, but didn't succeed. She charged forth, but stopped halfway to the gates of the town. The ground began to rumble and shake, trees toppled, and silence was bestowed upon us. A light chuckle to outright laughter came from Silent as he pulled out a booklet titled: "Fallen Allies" and wrote down Fluttershy's name.

"Why did yo..." I was cut off as the ground erupted from beneath the town. Deafening explosions sounded from all around as Silent told us to run. But we couldn't, because we were watching as fire began to circle around Fluttershy. She was frozen in terror as the fire completed it's circle... and we watched as the earth beneath her exploded...

"FLUTTERSHY!" shouted Rainbow Dash in panic. She tried to take off, but was held back by Silent once again. After a few seconds which felt like hours, Fluttershy's mangled body fell before us. It was the most horrifying sight! Her legs were blown off and her mane was singed off. Her underbelly was gone and her ribs were charred as black as coal. There wasn't any life in her eyes, and there was only the terrified expression she died in. Tears sprung into my eyes as we watched the ground crumble underneath the town, swallowed by darkness. Silent cursed under his breath.

"We can grief when we're safe! Follow me or die!" he commanded as he went sprinting into the woods. Without any options, we followed suit. Thoughts raced through my mind, clouding my focus until a strange voice began to echo in my ears.

"Princess Twilight. There are only six left, am I correct? You have limited time before you're sentenced to eternal damnation in hell, my dear. Perhaps you can save Equestria again and find me? Too bad you won't make!" The voice repeated over and over with a sinister laugh after each one. I tried to ignore it as we continued down the path. sprinting at full speed, trying to escape the black hole engulfing Ponyville. I didn't notice at first, but I was sobbing. I came into focus and saw tears running down my friends' eyes as well. Silent... didn't have a single tear, nor did he shed one.

After what seemed like hours, we came to an old warehouse containing food and fresh water.

"Welcome to my personal paradise! Sit down and I'll explain what's happening," he told us. We sat down, exhausted. Rainbow Dash collapsed as soon as she was safe enough to do so.

"Why...?" whispered AJ. I patted her on the shoulder and hugged her. I heard Silent scoff.

"Why are doing that? Can't we share a little sympathy for each other?" I was mad. He chuckled. "You insane bastard! Can you not show a little care for us?!" He hung his head.

"When you're me... you learn to not get attached to others," he responded darkly. I immediately looked down.

"Don't feel bad. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about," Rainbow Dash assured me. I looked up again, and saw a pained look in Silent's eyes.

"I'm guessing you want an explanation?" he asked.

"Of course we do!" replied Pinkie. He sat down with a glass of wine in his hoof.

"This is the apocalypse. The end. The safe haven is a true safe haven... considering it's the princess safe house. It is made to withstand anything... even the implosion of this world. What just happened was the beginning of this world's collapse. The black hole, the fires, the undead. Celestia never succeeded in bringing one back to life, but succeeded in poisoning this world and bringing on the destruction of an innocent planet. Our salvation? Kill the doom-bringer, Princess Celestia, and find the cure for our world. I know this because I was there... when the acid seeped into our world and I saw all this happening..." he trailed off.

"You knew that Fluttershy was going to die? What was that book you pulled out?" asked Rainbow.

"No and none of your business. Go and get some rest. I'll be in my room. Make yourselves at home," he ordered as he walked off.

"He's crazy," whispered AJ.

"No shit," responded Rainbow Dash. I knew he was insane, but there was something more to him that we all knew, and I was going to be the one to figure out what.

"Maybe he's been through more things then we have. The book was titled: "Fallen Allies", so maybe he's used to it," I defended. Rarity laughed at my remark.

"Probably because he kills his own allies," she countered.

"How dare you say something like that!" Silent was standing at the doorway. We sat quietly as he walked over and stared at Rarity.

"What are you going to do? Kill me?!" she bursted out in hatred. He looked at her with what appeared to be bleeding eyes. The pain and depression was clearly showing. He shook his head and walked slowly back to his room.

"If you don't want my help... just say it," he whispered coldly. We glared at Rarity as she eyed Silent with absolute hatred.

"Rarity! Why?" asked Pinkie.

"I wasn't lying. He's heartless and cold. He wouldn't care if any of us died!" she exclaimed. I got up and pointed at her.

"How about you show some respect for the one who kept us all alive! Your calling him cold when you haven't even made a heart-full move since this started!" I stormed off towards his room. Did I hate her? No. Just her opinion on him. I didn't like him either, but he was all alone and needed somepony to be around. I started up the weak stairs, wondering at what that noise was. It sounded like... sobbing? I creaked open the door to find a room decorated in old house items. Framed pictures and chests were everywhere. "You okay?" I asked. I got closer and tugged at his shoulder. then I realized his mask wasn't on, but sitting on the bed beside him. I decided not to look at what he might look like. He grabbed the mask and put it on.

"Wasn't expecting somepony to check on me," he whispered sadly. I sat on the torn bed and looked at him. I heard sobbing noises, but his eyes weren't teary.

"I heard somepony crying. Was it you?" I questioned curiously. His brow furrowed.

"Want to know why I didn't grief when Fluttershy died?" He was straining to talk.

"Well, yeah," I responded.

"It is because I've been through so much. I don't have any more tears to shed... I don't have enough feeling to grief.... I'm emotionless and cold... just as Rarity said. I've watched my family murdered before my eyes... my friends... my home burned to ashes... my final tear... dropped from my cheek when my father handed me my hidden blades and robes. I have nothing to lose Twilight. The only thing I got to lose is you guys... then I'm alone once again. I understand if you want to leave... I won't stop you... just be safe if you do..." he explained in the most depressing voice I've heard. My eyes began to water.

"We're not leaving. We're going to get to that safe haven together, and we're all going to make it," I assured him. He smiled.

"This mask is a lie you know. I keep it on so no pony sees the years of pain I've suffered," he told me. He unhooked the mask and threw it off. His face was reddened by tear marks. Multiple scars covered his face, and one of his eyes was revealed to have a scar on it.

"How did that happen?" I asked.

"After passing the sign: Welcome to Hell," he responded darkly. He stood up and removed his guns. "The radioactive waves from the core collapse will render these useless. Hope you like swords," he explained. Just then, screams sounded from the main floor. Silent swore as he picked up two axes and raced down the stairs. I followed.

"Help!" screamed AJ as the zombies that had broken down the door came after them. Silent threw an axe that curved around, cutting off the heads of three zombies and returning to his hoof. He chuckled and lifted his hood.

"Run!" he commanded as he charged into the horde. One after another, the zombies collapsed, blood spitting out in horrendous amounts. Silent was completely fluent with his movements, slicing open one zombie and decapitating the next. Two brutes surrounded him as he held them back with his axes. One brute grabbed his axe and tore it from his hoof, while the other swung at him. He ducked and bucked the swinging brute so hard, the brute's foreleg went spiraling off! He then stabbed his horn into the other brute, and moved his head downwards, slicing his stomach open! As the brute began to fall, he flicked his hooves and a hidden blade appeared under each one. He stabbed the falling brute in the head, and used the other hoof to rip the head clean off! The one without one of his forelegs tried to get up, but was beheaded when Silent bucked him again, blasting open the brute's head! We watched flabbergasted as he finished off the horde, leaving none "alive" I guess. As the final zombie approached, he head-butted it, smashing in it's skull.

"Done and done!" he shouted proudly. Rainbow Dash stepped forward.

"How did you do that?! With the horn and bucking?!" she squealed.

"Years of pain gives you something in return," he responded.

"I guess I was wrong about you. Sorry I said all those hurtful things," apologized Rarity. Silent laughed.

"Water under the bridge! Let's get going to the safe haven shall we? Also, drop your guns, they're useless now. Hope you guys like swords and axes!" he cheered. He certainly was a war-hardened pony. Seemingly unbeatable and not afraid to do anything. Bravery, compassion, strength, knowledge. All these things applied to him. He was definitely some pony to have as a friend.