A Thorn in the Empire

Narrating: Arts Desire

When I opened my eyes I saw that I had been chained in a cell. The only light came from a dim torch. The walls were covered in moss and the floor in straw. The bars of the cell were rusted brown. The chains that held me were also rusted, but kept in better condition.

My head was still sore and I felt dizzy. I muffled a groan, as I tried to stand, but fell immediately. My legs aching, I tried to stand again, being successful this time.

I took a few steps and collapsed once more. Realizing my hooves were chained, I just stayed there. The silence scared me. Why was no one here? Why was I chained up and in a cell? "Hello?" I whispered. I'm not sure I actually wanted an answer. What would I say to anyone that came up to me? But I asked again anyway. Louder this time, I yelled, "Hello!"

A soft voice from the shadows answered me with concern. "Are you okay?"

"Who are you and why would you care?" I asked, sitting up as a figure crept into the light. He seemed familiar, but from where? I inched closer to the bars. "I remember you. I met you when I was young."

He nodded. "That's right, Arts Desire." He smiled slightly.

I stared at him. "How do you know my name? I don't know yours."

"The king told me." He smiled once more. "My name's Dark Knight."

I glanced around to make sure that nopony could hear me. I leaned towards him as much as I could and whispered. "Could you help me? I just wanted to find my parents."

His face lost a little of its expression. "I would love to, but I can't."

"You can't or you won't?" I asked him flatly. I expected him to try and give a reason to convince me he wasn't a coward.

"I can't. Okay?" He checked behind himself and then to the left. "I just can't."

I turned away from him. "Your just like everypony else! You are to scared to do anything! Why don't you do it for those you love? I'm sure they don't like this life! I know I don't! Sombra took my family, I never got to meet my sister. Do you know how that feels?"

He looked up and answered. "Actually, I do. I was taken from my family, because I was like you. I tried to escape. Now I have just one to care for, because she cared for me. She took the blame for something I did. She protected me and saved me from Sombra, so now I do the same."

I felt sorry for him. Not for what I said. He is a coward, but he is suffering like a lot of ponies are. I would do something if I could, but I can't. A creaking from the door sent Dark Knight back to his post. Another guard came in and unlocked the cell. He then stepped in and unchained me from the wall. He began tugging me and I was on my way to speak with the king. I did not know if I would come back.