Night's Lament

It was as if the very skies themselves had split open that evening, rain pelting down onto everything in sight, bright flashes of white fury cracked across the sky causing the very earth itself to rumble beneath Swift's hooves. His dark blue mane hung low over his iridescent purple eyes, peering up at the black blanketed sky. Sitting beneath large ferns in the forest, barely providing any cover from the rain, Swift was shaking violently and he stayed huddled in his small ball. There seemed no point in moving, his body ached heavily and felt burnt, the ice cold rain seemed soothing despite all things, the thunder sent jolts through his shivering body, every inch of him soaked.

"They're gone." He thought to himself as his eyes lowered to the small pools of mud, his eyes reflecting gently in the murky water. "I'm going to die here..." He mumbled, though his voice was completely swept away with the wind. Swift looked back to a small pile of twigs and leaves that he had gathered earlier... Attempting to light a fire, but he knew that it would be impossible. It was a struggle to find the twigs and leaves to start the fire, though the lush green forest could shelter the rain, there was not much left that wouldve been dry enough for him to burn.

"Dad said that rain was beautiful." He thought, looking back up to the sky. "Starlight would've loved this." He sighed, wiping his eyes clear of water, or tears, either way he didn't care. "Night..." He simply mumbled, remembering the golden eyed filly with the bright purple mane... And the fear in her eyes the last time he ever saw her. His heart lurched painfully and he sniffled heavily, wiping his eyes again before a small whimper emerged from his mouth before it turned into a longer cry out of pain, his eyes closing shut in pain.

"Why couldn't I have died instead!?" He thought angrily. "Why am I alive!" He soon yelled out into his hooves, wailing heavily into his hooves.

His cry seemed to echo out into the night, ringing around before dulling back into nothing... But it rose back up again, louder this time.. With a more distinct howl to it. Swift slowly raised his head, whimpering and sniffing quietly as he scanned the darkness.

Two bright green eyes stared back at him from a distance, a figure crouching beneath the brush of the trees. Swift sniffled loudly and sat up, wiping his nose as he stared at the figure. Slowly but surely it began to creep closer, twigs snapping under hoof as it neared, like some sort of animal circling its prey.... And then it snarled.

Swifts heart dropped into his belly and he gulped loudly, his cold shaking hooves spreading out as he got onto them, staring the creature in the eyes as he backed slowly into the brush. "Oh no... Oh no what is that?" He thought to himself in blind fear. "Ponies don't make that noise.." He thought, whimpered as it growled even louder.

"Run!" A voice screamed in his head, his hooves moving backing over tree roots and through mud, the crouched down beast crawling towards him even quicker, it's eyes staring straight into his very snarl. "What is it? What is it!?" He kept asking himself, scanning his memory for all the creatures he had read about. "Manticore? No... Changeling?... No... " He thought, backing until his flank bumped into the hard wood of a tree behind him. "Timber wolf." Was his final conclusion, the wood causing him to remember almost everything about them.

It finally came into view, the light moonlight just illuminating the beast. It's bark was black and burnt and was at least three times the size of a normal pony. The branches that made up its body were coiled with sharp claws at each end of its feet. It snarled and bared it's splinter of teeth as each claw thumped into the dirt, the silver moonlight seeming to disappear as it enter the black void of the wolf. It's eyes stared greedily at Swift, glowing a brightest and chilling of greens.

"Now run?" The voice asked as he stood there paralyzed, the wolf mere meters away. With one more claw forward, a heavy snap of branches was heard and he nodded to himself . "Yup!" He yelled before turning tail and pushing off the mud, kicking back as he flung himself forward. The mud flew straight into the timberwolfs eyes, causing it to recoil and growl louder while Swift got a head start.

Pain wasn't even a concern anymore, his hooves rippled and stung with every step, the mud clinging to his legs and the rain crashing onto his dark fur. He didn't bother checking behind him, only hearing the angry howl of the beast behind him before loud cracks and crunches echoing through the forest.

The dark was no problem at all, his eyes piercing through it and letting him easily navigate through the forest... In theory. Stumbling over rocks and roots, under low branches and over small bushes he ran, not looking back for all he knew was that the wolf was close by. He could hear the very thumps of its claws and the rotten smell of its breath, ridden and plagued with a disease far worse than death.

"You're going to die... Face it." The familiar voice whispered inside him. His hooves began to slow and he whimpered painfully before shaking his head angrily and yelling out. "No!" His legs kicking back into their fast pace. He may have been able to see easily in the dark but he couldn't make out the sudden drop of a cliff face that was awaiting him. He had no clue how long he had been running for, his heart was pounding in his head, ringing loudly as if it were his last. But it was far too late to stop and the small colt continued charging forward to escape the Timberwolf.

His hooves fell forward and pushed the loose dirt of the cliff face away and he immediately began to plummet down, the sound of claws scratching to stay on top could be heard before a loud boom of lightning deafened him once again. His eyes widened as he realized what was happening and soon everything seemed to slow.

He could see everything from his point, falling quickly towards the ground below... He saw the beginnings of another forest, every droplet falling with him, as if they were floating calmly by. He panted and gulped as he fell, having not enough breath to scream. A flash of lightning illuminated the world once more as everything rushed up to meet him, his last ever view was to be the dark curelean sky, cracked by lightning as bright as day, the howl of the hungry timberwolf slipping a small smile onto Swifts face before a never ending calm filled his soul.

The rain was pouring far and wide, the ground being made quickly into large swamps of mud, the wind blew the fabric of the tents around wildly, everypony had done their best to pin them down but to no avail they were subject to the will of the weather.

Starlight woke with a jump, jerking up violently and panting heavily as she looked around the tent. It was dark... That much was evident, the heavy fall of rain echoed through the circular tent, the rumble of thunder could be heard miles away but the low howl of timberwolves were very near indeed. A small figure soon caught her eye, sitting at the side of her bed, staring at the entrance of the tent. A small spear with a silver tip cold be seen held in claw, an oversized helmet covered almost the entirety of the Gryphons head.

Small piles of junk lay around, a loose scrap of clothing, some sacks of food and several bedrolls lay in the corner. The tent was far too large for just herself and the armed Gryphon , the cold winds flowing freely inside the colored tent, a sturdy wooden pole holding the top up, the walls themselves shaking and moving to the force of the wind.

Starlight sat up in confusion and the tent door soon opened and Arden, the older gryphon walked in, pinning the door back before looking at Cross in confusion. "Cross... What are you doing?" He asked as he approached. "Is that dads helmet?"

Cross nodded and pulled the spear closer. "I'm looking after it." He said.

"I don't think the helmet needs looking after." Arden sighed, kneeling down to him.

Cross grinned and shook his head. "No I meant her." He said, correcting himself and looking back at Starlight, the helmet clearly visible now. It was a clean silver and if on a large gryphon would wrap around the head tightly, moving over and covering the upper beak and ending there. However on Cross, he just managed to look through the eye sockets, the beak guard going easily over his whole beak.

Arden sighed and looked to Starlight. "I see you woke her." He mumbled in disappointment.

"No I didn't!" Cross whined, Starlight looking at the two.

"He didn't... It was just that howling.." She mumbled quietly, both brothers looking to her.

"Something has gotten the Timberwolves going tonight... " Arden said before listening to another long howl. "They're close."

"That's why I'm here!" Cross announced happily, poising the spear towards his brother who pushed it down slowly.

"I know you got this as a gift but you should only be using it when you are old enough... Dad wouldn't want you fighting just yet." He smiled before taking the helmet off of Cross and ruffling his mane. "Besides, you're crap with a spear." He laughed before walking away from the pouting gryphon.

"Do.. Do you two live alone?" She asked nervously, still shaking gently from her rude awakening.

Arden leaned down and rolled out his bed roll before looking back to her. "Yes, among with many others that also live alone." He smiled sarcastically. "We're all a big family here, even though we're not related."

Starlight frowned lightly and looked down to the blanket covering her momentarily. "Sounds familiar." She thought with a gulp. "So.. You said this was a circus?" Starlight asked, trying to change the topic as quickly as possible, the memory of her home being destroyed still very fresh inside her mind.

"Yeah! My brother is the fighter!" Cross piped up

Arden laughed and lay down on the bed roll, padded with sheeps wool, an attempt to make the ground seem soft. "Not quite... Ponies pay to see if they can fight me and they win a prize if they knock me down." He smiled. "All perfectly safe."

"And... And Cross?" She asked with a slight quiver.

"Cross is scared and shoots at targets with a machine and others have to beat him." He teased, Cross immediately glaring at him.

"Actually I'm safe and shoot arrows at a target." He corrected.

"And all the big ponies think they can do it." Arden grinned. "There's a reason we're still here."

"It works? Have your ever lost?" She asked the two of them in slight amazement.

"Ponies get lazy when they think they're safe." Cross said, an obvious quote from Arden as he gave him a firm nod.

"So you're tricking them?" Star accused in shock.

"Everything is rehearsed here... Even the ones we 'trick' are planned... They're just apart of a larger game." Arden explained. "It keeps us warm and puts food in our belly."

"But... Won't they be mad?"

"Quite the opposite... They see it as a game and merely bad luck... What they don't know won't hurt them."

"We can show you in the morning!" Cross said excitedly. "She could be our comic." Cross suggested.

Arden nodded with a smile. "We'll draw in many if she beats me in combat."

"Wait what?!"

"Wakey Wakey!" Blaze yelled as he kicked the door open with a wild grin on his face, dragging a long metal pipe and a small bowl, clanking the long piece of metal heavily on the ground, sending sharp vibrations through the air. It had gotten dark, the light from the small window was blackened and the room had become significantly colder, a soft dew was beginning to line the floor but Blaze seemed exceptionally warm to see the small filly in the basement, his mane looking more alive and destructive than ever.

Night groaned and covered her ears with her hooves, letting them fold down. "Get away get away!" She thought in terror, squirming away slowly as he approached, dragging the pole along the ground and purposely causing a high pitched screech from the metal.

"You look hungry." He smiled, throwing the bowl of soup onto the ground, letting it spill and scatter as the bowl rolled around slowly before it came to a wobbly halt. "Why don't you have something to eat." He laughed as he watched her tremble and whimper.

"Get him away! Get him away! Get him away!" She yelled inside her mind, closing her eyes shut as she tried calling some higher presence to help her.

Blaze tapped her with the pipe, looking down to the spilt food. "Eat." He commanded in a low growl, knocking the bowl on further as he continued to watch her cower beneath him. Night remained curled up in her small form, finding comfort and solace in her own warmth.

Blaze sighed quietly before smacking the pole across her flank, hearing the tired yelp of the filly he tried again. "Eat." He repeated, holding the pole in his red magical aura, preparing to strike her again.

Night sniffled and shook her head, still holding it with her hooves in some form of petty defense. The pole struck again, this time at her belly, causing her to lurch and cry out in pain before he struck her again in the same place, hearing a satisfying crack and another sharp cry.

The pain was excruciating, a sharp throb could easily be felt in her side where her ribs lay row by row, now in a strange line to be snapped and broken by Blaze. Tears sprung to her eyes and her body shook more vigorously from the pain, every breath now starting to hurt. "If you eat he'll stop hurting you." She thought. Night, clearly not wanting to get hurt anymore, leaned forward towards the mush which lay near her. Her stomach growled as she got near the food, it smelled as bland as the air she breathed but it was food none the less.

Just as she opened her mouth to eat the food off of the cold concrete floor it was quickly scattered away from her with a firm sweep with the metal pole. "Took too long." He laughed macically, smacking her across the face with it, causing another cry out of pain. "Stupid bitch." He growled.

Her cries of pain soon turned to yell of anger and with a grunt she sprung to her hooves and charged at Blaze, pushing through the pain and holding back her tears. He grinned as she charged and stood completely still and only mere centimetres from managing to reach him, she felt a tug on her hoof and was thrown off balance, immediately being pulled back and crashing onto the ground. With a glance back she soon remembered the chain around her hoof that held her to the wall. She averted her gaze back up to him, glaring angrily with her tears running freely down her cheeks.

"I hoped you would do that." He smiled, raising the pole to her head once more and bringing it back before giving a few practice swings at her head, if trying to get on the team for some carnal sport. Once he swung back... Twice... And on the third he put the full force of his magic behind it and swinging it as hard as he could towards...

"Blaze!" Savant yelled from the doorway, the pole stopping right before crashing into her skull, letting the cold metal stroke her cheek gently as he continued to grin. "Hello Savant... Go grab a hot dog and come watch the game... I hearthe next batter is quite good." He laughed, looking behind him to the white stallion, another bowl of warm food in his hooves.

"Leave." He growled.

"Aww but i was just about to start having fun!" He whined like a colt.

"Now!" Savant yelled.

With a sigh Blaze let the pole drop to the floor with another clang, looking back to the filly he was now shaking once more, still staring in shock and terror of almost being beaten with the pole. "I'll see you tonight sweetie." He smiled, leaning in to whisper. "And trust me... I'll bring a much bigger pole." He giggled before pushing her head around. With a small prance in his step, Blaze began to leave, passing Savant with a mocking grin.

Savant watched him leave and trot up the creaking wooden stairs before he sighed and began to trot forward towards Night in the basement. "How badly did he hurt you?" He asked in worry, briskly moving over and leaning down to the bat filly who stared at Savant blankly, her mouth hanging open still.

"Night?" He asked again, touching her shoulder with a hoof.

Night moved away almost instantly, scooching back with another small whimper.

"Night if he hurt you I need to know." He repeated, getting closer again.

She stared him right in the eye as he got closer again and opened her mouth to speak, before spitting straight into Savants face.

He closed his eyes and let the blob of saliva hit him between the eyes and slowly roll down. He sighed and wiped it off with his hoof, being greeted by the angry scowl of the filly. "Night you have to eat." He said as he offered the warm food to her, the bowl being smacked from his hooves and all over the floor, the bowl rolling around awkwardly before stopping.

"I'd rather eat a bowl of wasps." Night croaked out.

"Poetic... But don't say that too loud... Blaze might take you seriously."

"Let him... "

"Night... Why would you say that?" He asked with a worried look, wiping the last stands of spit off of his face.

Her scowl faded and turned to a strange amused smile, sniffling and whimpering all the while. "Because then it actually might hurt."

Savant looked at her in surprise before smiling and chuckling. "Oh wow... You really are a Tsutsi." He smiled before putting a hoof on her shoulder. "But you have to eat, Night." He said again, his smile fading to a serious glare. "You need to keep strong."

Night fell silent and she sighed. "He hurt my side..." She mumbled.

"He did?" Savant asked with a nod. "Does it hurt a lot?"

Night nodded and hovered a hoof over one of her ribs. "Right here.." She sniffled again.

"Alright... I'll go get Somepony to help you." He said before standing back up, Night whimpering gently as he did. Savant looked back at her with worry, seeing the sad look in her eyes. "I'll only be gone a few minutes... You'll be fine." He smiled.

"Savant." She called out as he trotted to the open metal door, the rotten wooden planks of the stairs beyond staring in. "Why are you nice to me?"

He stopped and looked back in confusion. "Pardon?"

"Why are you the only one nice to me?"

Savant sighed and looked to Night looking for the words to try and explain it to a filly of her age. "Because... There is enough hatred in this world and a smile has its weight worth in gold."

Night raised a brow and imagined the imagery he had just given her... "A smile made of gold? Isn't that heavy and it would turn it to a frown?" She asked him.

Savant laughed and shook his head. "No... It's... A figure of speech." He staggered, looking for the correct words to use.

"A figure of speech?"

"I'll tell you all about it when I get back." Savant left with a melting smile. "Try and keep warm, its going to be a long night."