Kill Your Heroes

by pokefreak13

First published April 6th, 2014 17:30

Fire Cracker tries to live through slavery in the Crystal Empire. While she also joins a group of rebels with a plan that may not only risk her life, but the other citizens as well.

Cover art by Jacob Bading

Chapters

A Hero
Execution
Rebels
Phase 1 and 2
Announcement
Phase 5
Goodbye
Rations
Phase 3 and 4

A Hero
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Kill Your Heroes

A Hero

After King Sombra came into ruling, he promised us a better life. We all called him a hero. Man what idiots we were.
He forced the stallions to become brainwashed soldiers, killed the hope some of us still clung onto, and forced the mares and colts into slavery. Even now those brainwashed soldiers call him a hero. Well I say kill the hero and fight. However I'm getting off track. Here is my life as a slave for all you ponies to read.

I walked to and from workers. Caring water in a bucket and giving them a drink.
I came to a filly and lowered the bucket into his ditch. He wiped his brow, smiled at me, and started to gulp the water down. A soldier saw this, raised his whip, and struck the filly's back. I glared at the stallion which earned me a punch to the jaw. Then the soldier walked towards a large group of freshly caught rebels. I can already picture ten new gravestones in the cemetery.
I picked up the bucket and walked towards Mr. Green. An old chap who always wore a hat too big for his balding head.
"Here." I said.
Mr.Green looked at me gracefully and took a few gulps from my bucket.
Once he was done, I picked up the bucket and headed to the old well.
I was gathering some more water when I was suddenly tackled to the ground.
I looked up and saw a familiar blue face smiling down at me.
"Hay Fire Cracker." he laughed.
I wiggled out of my friends grip and gave him a playful punch to the arm.
"What was that for Finnick?" I asked.
He beamed and levitated a wanted alive poster right in front of my face.
I gasped at the familiar faces. Mom and dad!
"There's a good chance that they're still out there Fire Cracker." Finnick explained.
I bit my lip to hold back the tears.
My mother and father. Alive and out there in this dreadful kingdom! Maybe they even escaped and are on their way to tell Celestia and Luna about our issue!

I kissed my friend's cheek and he smiled.
Suddenly, a cannon fired and soldiers corralled everypony to the castle gardens.

Wounder who's going to die? I thought to myself.

Execution
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Kill Your Heroes

Execution

We entered the gardens and craned our necks to see the execution post.
It was a log with rope attached to it. A large blood stained axe was dangling over it.
King Sombra walked out and everypony bowed low. Then the king cleared his throat.
"Today our guards found and captured ten rebels. Now they are here. Ready to pay the price." Sombra announced.
We all faked cheered.
Then the doors opened again and ten poor excuses for ponies were led up onto the platform in very heavy looking chains.
A mare cried as a colt the color of chocolate was tied to the log. Then she pushed through the crowed until she was in front.
"Please." she cried.
"That's my son. Please have mercy on him." she begged.
The chocolate colored colt raised his head to look at his mother.
"It's okay mom." he said.
He tried to stay strong for his mom. However everypony can see the tears forming in his eyes.
Sombra glared at the mother.
"Your son broke the most very important rule. For that he must be punished."
The mother looked at her son for one last time before she blended back into the crowed.
The axe fell and we all closed our eyes as we heard the sound of the axe cut into flesh.

After the other nine rebels joined the chocolate colt, we were corralled back outside and ponies started their back breaking duties like the execution never even happened.

"I can't believe that bitch of a king!" Finnick shouted.
We were back at the well and, luckily, out of ear shot.
"Watch what you say!" I hissed.
My friend stomped his hoof.
"I can't help it! King Sombra just told that mother off without feeling just a pinch of guilt!" he said.
I sighed and nodded my head.
"Some day karma will bite Sombra right in the ass. But for now, we are at his rule." I pointed out.
Before Finnick could say anything else, two soldiers walked up to us.
"Section eight now." one of them commanded.
When Finnick didn't move as quickly as they liked, the soldier that spoke whipped my friend on the neck.
"Go." he barked.
My friends cursed under his breath and headed on his way.
Then the two guards looked at me.
"Section twenty." the other guard commanded.
I took my bucket and galloped to the sculptures.

Rebels
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Kill Your Heroes

Rebels

I ran up to a jet black colt and set down my almost empty bucket for him to drink. The colt took a sip and then looked around anxiously. When all the soldiers were out of earshot, he leaned into my ear.
"Tonight go to the bakery. Knock three times then say Luna Republic." he whispered.
I nodded, grabbed my bucket, and trotted along to a mare who was painting the marble statue of King Sombra.

I snuck past a solider and galloped to the only standing bakery. Then I looked around before I knocked on the burnt door three times. A small grey filly opened the door and smiled like an idiot at me.
"Luna Republic." I whispered to him.
The filly nodded and let me in. Then he closed the door quietly and led me to the basement.
Once we were in the basement, the filly lifted a cardboard box and motioned me to climb down a hole the box was covering up.
I reluctantly climbed down and was instantly greeted with smoke and whiskey.
"There you are." the same black colt said.
I coughed and glared at him.
"Is this some kind of joke! I risked my life just to see drunk colts smoking crystal weed!" I shouted.
A brown colt with a scar over his eye took a swig from a bottle.
"We are the resistance." he explained.
I raised an eyebrow.
"We are the only rebels left. I called you here because we have a five stage plan that will need your assistance." a yellow colt with a missing ear informed me.
I bit my lip. Should I? Killing King Sombra will be rewarding. However, there is a huge risk of dying in the process. A risk I'm able to take.
"What's the plan?" I asked.
The black colt patted my back.
"Well first I should introduce ya to the gang."
He pointed to the colt with the scar.
"That's Chief Furry."
Then he pointed to the one eared colt.
"That's Sulfur."
Then he pointed to himself.
"And I'm Killer."
"I'm Fire Cracker." I told the squad.

Killer led us into a small room with a large table and a map of the Crystal Empire on it.
We circled around and Chief Ferry cleared his throat.
"We have a five stage plan that will for sure defeat this ass of a king."
Then Sulfur began to tell us of the plan. Let me just say it was one of the craziest plans I have ever heard of.

Phase 1 and 2
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Kill Your Heroes

Phase 1 and 2

We galloped quietly into the dim night. Sulfur carried five homemade bombs in his saddle bag.
Our small group soon came to the huge statue of our "great king" and Sulfur started to place the bombs around the statue.
"Okay Fire Cracker." Killer said.
I rubbed my hoof on the hard ground and my hoof ignited. Then I placed my hoof on the bombs. Awakening them from their slumber.
Then we all ran into the alley and cheered quietly as the statue crashed to the ground.
"See ya tomorrow night new bee." Killer gave me a playful noogie then galloped down the alley.
"Ya. See ya later." Then Chief Furry and Sulfur headed back to the bakery while I walked down the dark alley with a smile on my face.

I limped to the bakery the next night.
Once news of his precious statue went up in smoke, the king was so pissed off that he made us do extra back breaking work and even banned matches.
Now the reason I was limping was because a soldier started to beat Mr. Green for spilling a basket off crystal berries. I tried to step in which only earned me an iron stick to my left leg.
As I entered the basement, Killer greeted me with a smile. I was confused at first. However when I noticed my friend Finnick talking with Sulfur and Furry, I started to get the picture. And I was not happy about it.
I looked at Killer and glared at him.
"Why did you let Finnick enter!" I yelled at him.
My friend walked over to us and stared at me with so much confidence, I started to wounder if this was the same Finnick.
"Fire Cracker. I made them let me join." he explained.
"You could get killed!" I yelled.
"You could too." my friend pointed out.
Chief Furry cleared his throat.
"Enough arguing. We need to go now if we're going to be able to do phase two." he said.
Finnick and I glared at each other for a little while before heading back outside with the rest of the gang.

We all galloped to the storage and while Finnick began to hack into the security cameras, the rest of us put on pale masks and dark jackets to hide our appearance in case one of us ran into a soldier on guard duty.
"Cameras down." Finnick said.
Furry turned to Sulfur.
"Protect Finnick." he ordered.
Sulfur nodded, took out his dagger, and positioned himself in front of Finnick.
I sighed and followed the rest of the gang into the storage.
"Look at all this food!" Killer gasped.
Once we entered the storage, we were instantly greeted with all sorts of yummy looking food.
"Grab some food. Then we'll celebrate." Furry said.
Killer nodded eagerly and started to act like a filly in a candy store. Trying to decide which food to pick and which to leave behind.
I followed Chief Furry down the rows of food and into the weapon section.
"Ready Fire Cracker?" he asked.
I nodded and shot some flames at three barrels of gun powder.
Then we started to gallop as fast as we could.

"Apple pie or cherry pie?" Killer muttered to himself.
Then he saw us running and got the memo. So her just stuffed the apple pie into his bulging saddle bag and ran outside with the rest of us.

"Great job team." Furry congratulated.
We were back at base and were enjoying roasted nuts, apple pie, and wine.
"We couldn't have done it without Fire Cracker." Finnick said.
"It wasn't just me." I blushed.
Sulfur elbowed me playfully.
"Quit being so modest." he teased.
I smiled. This was the most fun I've ever had in a long time.

Announcement
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Kill Your Heroes

Announcement

I was letting an orange mare drink out of the water bucket when a large group of soldiers started to corral us slaves into the garden.
"Move it." a soldier ordered.
The orange mare and I galloped into the garden and then I left her in search of Finnick or the other rebels.
Soon I found Killer and Chief Furry.
"Do you know what's going on?" I asked.
"I heard from one of the soldiers that King Sombra has an announcement." Furry informed.
"This should be fun." Killer muttered.

Soon Sombra teleported onto the stage and cleared his throat.
"Today my lovely citizens we have found one of those dreadful rebels."
The crowed gasped.
I looked around the crowed for Finnick and Sulfur desperately.
Killer nudged me and I looked on stage. My heart shattered into a million pieces. For there stood Finnick.
He had two black eyes, missing teeth, and his lovely blue coat was stained red.
Finnick was led to a new log and was strapped down with chains that had what looked like small thorns. From my friends expression as the executioner wrapped a chain around his leg, I was correct.
Then King Sombra levitated the log upwards for all of us too see.
"Finnick Waterfall, do you have any last words about your treachery?" Sombra asked.
My friend looked at me and smiled.
"Yes."
King Sombra smiled as Finnick gulped.
"Fire Cracker, I love you." my friend announced.
Sombra glared at the blue colt. He was probably expecting Finnick to burst into tears and beg for mercy. Instead the blue colt confessed his love to a mare he, hopefully, didn't know.
King Sombra gritted his teeth. Then he nodded to the executioner who raised an axe.
I closed my eyes as he swung the axe at Finnick's throat.

Once the blue colt's head landed onto the ground, the soldiers forced us outside and back to work.
I picked up my water bucket and cried a stream as I walked to a group of diggers.
One of the diggers saw me and smiled sadly at me.
"You okay kid?" she asked.
I set down the bucket and nodded sadly.
A larger digger dropped his shovel and shook his head.
"You must be devastated Fire Cracker." he said.
I bit my lip and wiped the tears from my eyes.
The mare patted my back.
"He's in a better place hone."
I nodded and waited for the diggers to take a drink of water. Once they did, I picked up the now empty bucket and walked to the well. Dragging my hooves in the process.

"Stay strong."
I looked up from the well and gasped.
There stood an orange stallion with blue eyes, a cutie mark of an arrow, and a dark red mane and tail.
I jumped across the well and landed into his arms. Happy tears started to flow down my dirty face.
"Dad." I sniffed.
My father stroked my tangled mane and smiled.
"I saw the execution. You okay?"
I looked up at my father and nodded. He pushed back my bangs and smiled.
"I'm sure your mother and little brother will like to see you."
My ears shot up.
"Brother?"
My father blushed.
"Well you see.."
"Never mind." I cut in.

I followed my father into a burnt building and beamed as I saw my mother holding a yellow filly in her hooves.
"Fire Cracker!" My mother cried.
I walked up to her and gave my mother a bear hug.
"I've missed you so much." I whispered.
"I've missed you too."
Then I unleashed her from my grip and looked at the filly.
"What's his name?" I questioned.
"Neon." my father replied.
I giggled like a filly as Neon started to suck on my mane.

Phase 5
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Kill Your Heroes

Phase 5

I quietly got out of bed and tiptoed downstairs. I was about to opened the door when I saw Neon looking at me with his small hoof in his mouth.
"Shhh." I whispered.
Neon smiled like an idiot.
I sighed, crept outside, and headed to the base.

I entered the base and Killer was waiting for me. His eyes dark with anger.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
Killer pointed to a tied up Sulfur.
"He was a spy sent by Sombra!" the black colt shouted angrily.
I looked at Sulfur and gritted my teeth. Then I walked up to him and punched him hard in the chest.
"I'll deal with you later." I hissed.
Then I turned to Killer.
"Where's Chief Furry? I want to do phase five as quickly as possible." I said.
Suddenly, Furry came out of the other room with a long sword in his saddle bag.
"Ready?" he asked.
I nodded and followed Furry outside.

We crept silently into the castle.
"Now Fire Cracker, I need you as a look out while Killer and I hack into the security system." Furry said.
I nodded my head and covered them as the two colts started to hack into the security cameras and alarms.
"Okay." Killer whispered.
Then I followed them to a huge silver door.
"What the?" I questioned.
"This is were King Sombra stores all of the dough." Killer explained.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why would he put dough in a store room?" I asked.
Killer hoof palmed.
"He means money." Chief Furry replied.
I bit my lip and blushed.
We entered the store room and I gasped in delight.
The room was a plain white room. However it was filled with shiny bits, gems, and really shiny dragon eggs.
"Okay, put the eggs in the bag. Then Fire Cracker, I need you to shoot fire balls in this room." Furry explained.
Once Killer and Furry got all the eggs packed up, I shot ten fire balls and then we galloped out of the burning room.

We were almost to the exit, however, ten soldiers blocked our path. Weapons ready.
"Nice job."
We turned around and saw King Sombra smiling devilishly.
"We aren't scared of you." Killer shouted.
Sombra rolled his eyes. Then he motioned his brainwashed soldiers to attack.

I shot fire balls at them while Killer and Chief Furry slashed at them with swords. At first it looked like we were winning. However, more soldiers started to file in. So whenever we killed one, another soldier would take it's place.
This plan wasn't working. If we kept attacking, soon all of us will die.
"You two go! I'll hold them off!" I commanded.
Killer looked at me dumbfounded.
"No!" Flurry stated.
I looked at the chief with so much determination, he reluctantly agreed.
So I bit my lip and concentrated for a long time. Then I felt myself beginning to be consumed in flames. I opened my eyes and stared at the scared soldiers.
"Dame." I heard Killer say.
I turned around and looked at them.
"Go!" I shouted.
The two colts nodded and started to run to the exit while I defeated the soldiers. Once by one.
Soon, King Sombra was tired of all his soldiers falling by my hooves.
"Enough!" he yelled.
Then Sombra charged at me. I tried to dodge, however he was fast. When I tried to move out of the way, Sombra used his dark magic to smother my flames.
I landed on the marble floor and Sombra stood over me.
"That was fun." he purred.
Then he had two of his soldiers drag me to the dungeon.

Goodbye
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Kill Your Heroes

Goodbye

I awoke with a kick to my ribs.
"Get up." ordered a guard.
I got up and followed the guard out of the damp cold cell and into the blinding light of outside.
Once my eyes adjusted, I trembled in fear. Not from the fact that I was heading to my death, but from the fact that there were a lot of ponies staring at me and my stage fright started to kick in. I know it's stupid, but crowds really scare me.

I was yanked up onto the stage and King Sombra greeted me with a smile. Then he turned to the crowed.
"We are very lucky. For today we have finally captured all of those foul traitors." Sombra announced.
The crowed erupted into cheer. However, this wasn't the fake cheer that we slaves usually did. Instead this was a real cheer.
"What did you do to them!" I shouted at the king.
"Why, I only opened their minds to the truth." he hissed.
Then, I was led to the execution log and the executioner strapped me to it. I let out a yelp as the thorns dug into my skin.
The log rose up and the crowed of hungry faces looked at me like I was a demon.
"Kill her!" they shouted.
Sombra smiled and looked at me.
"Fire Cracker, do you have any last words?" he questioned.
I looked at all those angry faces and took a deep breath.
"Kill your heroes and fight!" I shouted.
Then the executioner swung the axe at my throat.

What? Expected a happy ending? Well life isn't all happy like some ponies make you believe. Sure life can have a happy ending. However for me I was one of the few who got the sad ending.

Rations
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Kill Your Heroes

Rations

I woke up, stretched, and quickly ran outside. For today was Food Day.
Food Day is were at the end of each month, King Sombra has his soldiers give out food to us hungry slaves.
I walked up to one of the many soldiers who were handing out food.
"Here." He dumped three apples at my hooves.
"That's all?" I questioned.
"Some rebels foolishly blew up the storage that contained all the food. Luckily our hero managed to scavenge some food that didn't get blown up." the soldier explained.
I gulped. What have we just done! I smiled at the soldiers and picked up the three apples. I've got to find Chief Furry and the others.

"I can't believe it!" Finnick shouted.
We were all huddled in the same alley.
"I guess we should've thought about phase two more carefully." Sulfur sighed.
Killer and Furry nodded sadly.

Author's Note

I know this chapter is short. However the next chapter is going to be a lot longer.

Phase 3 and 4
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Kill Your Heroes

Phase 3 and 4

We galloped into the castle gardens.
"Okay. Now be very quiet." Killer advised.
The four of us nodded and walked quietly up to the execution post.
"Time to get rid of this thing." Finnick breathed.
Sulfur and Chief Furry were the lookouts while Killer, Finnick, and I started to use our throwing axes to chop down the execution log. Once we were done with that, Killer climbed up onto the pole that held the bloody axe and started to cut down the thick wire that held it together.
"Okay. Just a little more...got it." he whispered.
Killer cut the wire and the axe began to fall.
Finnick started to gallop out of the garden. However I waited for Killer before making my escape.
When the axe landed on the ground with a crash, soldiers started to race outside to see what happened along with King Sombra.
Luckily we raced into a dark alley before anypony saw us.
"That was close." Furry whispered.
"However, it was hilarious to see Sombra's face when he saw his execution stand all destroyed." Sulfur laughed.
Finnick laughed along with the yellow colt. However, Furry, Killer, and I just shook our head.
"We'll all meet here tomorrow night." Furry announced.
Then he turned to Sulfur and added, "Make sure you bring your homemade dynamite."
The yellow colt smiled.

I dodged five soldiers and sighed. Ever since we destroyed the execution stand, King Sombra ordered a lot more soldiers on patrol and even gave us slaves a curfew of ten o'clock.

I soon entered the alley and saw Finnick, Killer, and Chief Furry all talking. When they noticed me, Killer motioned me to come closer.
"Where's Sulfur?" I asked.
"Right here."
I turned around and saw Sulfur walking towards us with a big smile on his face.
"What the hell took you so long?" Killer whispered.
"Well sorry. I was just trying to dodge like one hundred soldiers with six very heavy explosives in my saddle bag." Sulfur said.
I sighed and looked at Furry.
"So ready to put phase four into action?" I questioned.
He nodded.

We all sneaked into the soldier house and entered the basement.
"We aren't going to blow everypony up right?" I asked.
Sulfur patted my back.
"Don't worry Fire Cracker." Sulfur said.
"We're just going to be giving them a wake up call." Finnick added.
I nodded. However, I wasn't one hundred percent on board with this phase.
Sulfur dumped the sticks of dynamite in a corner and then I shot flames at the sticks.
We all galloped out of the basement, into the night, and ducked into some bushes.
The explosion blew out the basement and soldiers in their pajamas started to run outside.
"See you in two days." Killer whispered to Finnick and I.
"Two days!" my friends moaned.
"Phase five is going to need some very careful planing." Chief Furry explained.
I nodded, said goodbye, and galloped quietly to my home.