Chapters Prologue
Once upon a time in the magical land of Equestria, two benevolent sisters ruled over their pony subjects: Princess Celestia; the bringer of the Sun and Princess Luna; the ruler of the night. Under their leadership, ponies would be taught compassion, trust, forgiveness and most importantly; friendship. With these teachings in hand, Equestria was peaceful, prosperous and tranquil. The sisters did not rule with an iron fist, but instead considered themselves equal to their pony subjects, and thus treated everypony with equal respect. They were fair, and allowed their ponies to say, believe, and choose, what they wanted.
Eventually, and unfortunately for the Sisters, the PIPs increased exponentially in size. As more ponies joined under the PIPs banner, including high ranking officials within the Equestrian military, the Sisters decided that they must take action against this rising opposition. This involved the banning of public speeches made by members of the party, the rejection of propositions for protests, and taking down posters encouraging ponies to join the PIPs.
This only made things worse for the Sisters, as by doing this, they merely provided fuel for the burning fire of the PIPs. and gave more ponies a reason to join them.
And so began a bloody new chapter in the Equestrian history books.
Death and destruction filled the years that followed. To help with the war effort, Celestia focused more on the areas of science, technology and the arcane. This did not end the war quickly, it made it worse. As new technology was introduced, the destructive power of newly-developed weapons became quickly apparent. Worse still, the PIPs would scavenge these weapons off the bodies of the Equestrian military, turning the war into a stalemate. As a last resort, the Sisters reached out to the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony to end the war.The Bearers had not intervened in the war yet through trying to protect themselves and their families. However, once the Sisters had asked for their help, they felt it necessary to finally act. Utilising the Elements, the Bearers attempted to make the PIPs peaceful towards the Princesses. It worked, the PIPs no longer felt the usual hatred towards the sisters, but by then it had been too late. The war had taken its toll on both Equestria and its inhabitants. Cities such as Hoofington and Manehatten lay in absolute destitution or were completely obliterated. Bodies littered the battlefields of the once peaceful lands. The once beautiful landscape had now become a rotting corpse.
It is the subject of speculation for the motives of what proceeded after the war, whether the war had psychologically damaged Celestia, or whether it had encouraged a part of her buried deep within to come forth and take control of the once kind Princess. Regardless, Celestia ushered in brutal new changes to Equestria.
These changes divided the land surrounding Canterlot into five distinct sections, each controlled by somepony specifically chosen for the task. Section Five was controlled by Princess Cadence. Her husband, the newly promoted General Shining Armor, ruled over Section Four. The mysterious Parliament ruled Section Three. Princess Luna, Section Two. And finally,Celestia, the self proclaimed Queen of Equestria, controlled Section One.
This had not been the only new change to occur. A mysterious new force known as the Authority began to rise. They were the police force of Equestria, under Celestia’s orders. They showed no positive emotions, and were fuelled by everything that would come under the term ‘evil’. Anyone who showed rebellious attitudes or other actions considered ‘not acceptable’ by the new regime would swiftly receive a visit from the Authority, and would be taken to ‘rehabilitation’. Their dreaded black armour caused fear in the hearts of whoever saw it, wondering whether it would be them that would be taken next.
This is the world we live in. This is the world we die in. No hope. No freedom.
But there are some out there who fight back. Who oppose this tyranny. Whose cries fall on the deaf ears of the common pony to join them. And while their reasons vary, from revenge to morals, one thing remains certain; they still have hope. And although there are ponies out there that still have hope and joy buried within them, these lucky few, the ones who shout ‘No more!’, have allowed that hope to flourish and guide them. And it’s those who choose to show this hope, to show this fire and to show their fight, that are the faint glimmer of a light in this sea of darkness.
However, one question arises: is it worth it? These ponies have been fighting against these tyrants for years, to no avail. To no improvement of their lives.
Maybe it’s time to hang up the reins.
Maybe it’s time to give up.
Or maybe it’s time for a spark, for even the smallest spark can bring on the biggest change. And maybe, just maybe, this spark will have the power shine the darkness away. To become a beacon of hope for all ponies to follow.
Or maybe, it’s just a dream. A sick, twisted dream to keep the pain of clutching onto that last piece of hope, rather than letting it go.
Still, the statement stands. The statement that has become commonplace in pony society. That everypony thinks when they wake up in the morning, look out the window and gaze upon their Section:
Maybe it is time for a change.
Chapter 1: Beginnings
Beep-beep! Beep-beep! Beep-beep!
“Uhhhh,” I groaned, the alarm clock piercing through my ears, “Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.” Extending my hoof I tried clumsily to turn it off, or at best smash it to pieces.
First try, “Nope.”
Second try, “Nope.”
Third time’s a charm.
Thwack!
‘Success!’ I thought, arising from my semi-comfortable bed. Rubbing my eyes, I was greeted by a slither of sunlight through my tattered curtains. Looking down at the floor, at the clock and its sparkle batteries, I whispered to myself.
“Another beautiful day in Section Five. Hail Cadence and our glorious ruler Celestia!”I said in a dry, sarcastic tone.
Moving up from the bed, I trod on the batteries of my morning enemy.
“OW! Fuck! So this is your payback, huh?” I said shaking my hoof at the broken contraption. Crouching down, I placed the batteries back into the clock. Red numbers appeared on the scratched screen.
“Eight CR, huh? Damn, must be a record,” I grumbled, placing the clock back on the nightstand.
“See you tomorrow morning!” I said, waving my hoof at it, still half-asleep.
I walked over to my curtains and pulled them open. The sunlight shined bright in my eyes.
“AH!” I exclaimed covering my eyes. Not a good idea to look outside just after having woken up. After letting my eyes adjust to the light, I braved the window again.
I looked out at my home. Section Five. A sea of buildings provided the landscape. And towering above them was Cadance’s castle. A magnificent structure, built with dark purple stone. A striking contrast to the decrepit buildings that lay beneath it. Banners hung from some of the taller buildings which pictured Cadance staring at us, embezzled with slogans such as ‘No pony escapes my eye!’ and ‘I am always watching you. Never forget’.
I stepped away from the window. I made my way to my bathroom and I stared into the grimy mirror. I could see my frazzled light and dark blue mane and the bags that had formed under my eyes.
I yawned
“Ah! Refreshing!” I said looking in the mirror, a slight smile on my face.
“Ok! I’m awake. Now it’s time to get changed”. I trotted to my wardrobe and opened it, revealing seven identically white uniforms as well as other miscellaneous clothing.
‘I wonder which colour to pick today?’ I thought jokingly. “This one goes with my mane,” I said pointing at the far left uniform. “But this one just screams Moonlight.” I said pointing to the far right one.
‘Ah hell. Let’s be spontaneous!’ I thought, grabbing the central uniform.
I pulled it over my body, covering my grey coat. I could feel the rough cloth against my skin, but after so many years of wearing it, I’d become desensitized to it. I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
“Pretty as a picture,” I said with a smile. I galloped downstairs, eager to tuck into my oats. Once I finished breakfast, I walked towards the front door and stepped outside into the streets of Section Five.
*** *** ***
I hated Section Five.
Sure, I put on a smile on the outside. But inside I detested this place. I hated the buildings. The way the people were treated. I even hated the sky. If something as innocent as the sky could be hated, then something truly is wrong. But I keep on smiling; because that’s the only way I can keep my sanity in check.
I walked down the street on my way to work. I had seen ponies grudgingly trotting to wherever they work, emotionless, like zombies. This is what the Sections did to you, if you let them have their way with you. Turned you into a husk of whatever you were before.
I turned my head to spot one of the families. A female unicorn with pale pink hair, brandishing a calculator for a cutie mark, along with a green earth pony, who bore a hammer on his rear. Two fillies walked slowly behind them, most likely on their way to school.
Seeing their cutie marks reminded me of mi-ohhhh wait, I didn’t have one. I’m a blank flank, though nowadays this is more of a blessing than a curse. You see, when a pony receives their cutie mark, they are taken away by the Authority for ‘examination’. This is where they check to see if your talent is beneficial to the Celestia regime. If it is, then you are free to go. However, if it is not, you are taken to ‘modification’. ‘Modification’, through technology unknown to me, forcibly removes their talent and cutie mark, and changes it to something deemed ‘beneficial’ to the regime. I hear the process is...painful. Both physically and mentally. To think, to have the one thing that makes you unique removed and you are forced to become someone you are not. The thought made me shudder.
I carried on trotting. I was coming on to the more dangerous sections of my street. I kept my head down, not wanting to accidently give a ‘look’ to any of the Authority members, or any of the ponies walking around for that matter. I walked past a tall grey post with a speaker on top.
“Anypony caught coercing with members of the Phoenix will be rehabilitated immediately. If you see anypony doing so, report them to your nearest Authority member immediately for a reward. Hail Celestia!” it blurted out in a tinny voice.
“Reward,huh? Yeah, right.” I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes. Any smart pony would know that that was just propaganda, but then any smart pony would know not to make a comment like that. I wasn’t a smart pony, but I was smart enough to know to follow the latter.
Oh! I should also explain one other thing! How could I forget? The Phoenix. They’re rebel fighters within our section, fighting against Cadance for control. They’re terrorists. Well, that’s what we had to call them. Otherwise, better prepare some tea and scones for a visit from the Authority. The Phoenix hasn’t been successful in their conquest, being little more than a mosquito bite on Cadance’s ass. They try though which is more than what other ponies can say.
I looked at the walls of some of the buildings I was walking past. Many had been emblazoned with green spray paint in the shape of a phoenix. Others involved vulgar language directed at Cadance, but it was hard to see what it was as it had been mostly cleaned off.
Suddenly, shouts erupted from one of the houses that I was approaching. Looking up with caution, I saw Authority members pulling ponies out by their manes, some wearing red uniforms with a phoenix on the rear. The homeowners were thrown into a wagon and were taken to who-knows-where. The Phoenix members however were forced to lie down.
One of the Authority members pulled out a small pistol and slowly trotted down the line. One-by-one , she shot the ponies in the head. There were no screams. Just bangs. Blood and brain matter trickled down the sidewalk and into the adjacent drains. The bodies were removed and a cleaner pony went to work on the sidewalk. Nopony said anything. Nopony even looked up. It wasn’t surprising, just another daily occurrence. And it made me sick. But I was just as bad as those ponies. I couldn’t do anything. I was just one mare. And with that thought, I looked down at the ground again and carried on trotting.
*** *** ***
I logged into my computer. I worked in one of the office buildings that towered over the rest of Section Five. I had a decent view of it from my desk. The sun was still high in the sky, showering the buildings with a blinding ray of light.
A piece of paper had been placed on my desk, detailing a time and location. I shook my head and chucked it in the bin. No doubt it had been from Stone Throw. That stallion had wanted a piece of my flank since the first time I walked in. I had told him already that he wasn’t really my type. Nor any stallion really. But still, he insisted.
“No. You want me; you just don’t know it yet.” I had remembered him saying when I first turned him down. I thought it was a joke at first. Now it made me giggle, even if it was creepy.
My work was boring. I didn’t know what I was doing. I just typed words into the computer. But somehow this benefitted the regime, so who was I to argue? I was bored so I pressed a buzzer near my computer. Slowly sipping some water and staring out at the window, I waited. And waited. Finally, a familiar voice broke my daydream.
“What’s the problem, Moonlight? Have you tried turning it on and off again?”
“No problem. Was bored so I thought you’d give me some company, Spark Plug.” I said with an expanding smile.
Spark Plug was the one of the office’s computer repairpony. And my closest friend. I’d known him since I was just a filly. He was a lot smarter than me.
He sighed, shook his head and then smiled.
“You know I could get in trouble for this. And I’m sure there are ponies in need of genuine help with their computers.”
“Ah, there are other repairponies for their problems.” I said with a wave of my hoof.
“’10 LR. On the corner by Mane Square and Sweet Lane. And bring that fine flank of yours.’ Let me guess, Stone Throw?”
“Who else?” I replied, still casually drinking the water.
“You know, you should report him or something if he’s getting on your nerves.”
“Ah. It amuses me how much he tries. Plus, nobody would listen to me if I did report him. So I’ll leave him be.”
Spark Plug looked at me and shrugged. He rolled the piece of paper back up and placed it back in the bin.
“So how are things going?” He asked, with a slightly worried look on his face.
“I’m fine. Well, as fine as you can be during these times. Mom and Dad are also doing okay. You?”
“Sky Blue and her family were taken for rehabilitation today”
I frowned, and placed a hoof on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I know she was a good friend”
﹡Spark Plug lifted his head, tears forming like crystals in his eyes.
“Thanks,” He said with a small smile, and he wiped his eyes “But what’s happened has happened. I shouldn’t let it get to me”.
I was concerned about how quick he was to get over it, but it’s happened so many times before that the concern rapidly disappeared. As I said, this was daily life. Not everypony is around forever. Especially in these times.
I stood back up and walked over to the window. My work area wasn’t that far up, so I could easily make out the streets below. Authority members stormed a house on one side of the street. I couldn’t hear the screams, but I knew they were there. On the other side, Phoenix members had been blindfolded and stood against a washed out blue wall. An Authority member wielded a weapon that fired at an amazing rate. The shots were muffled by the windows. The wall wasn’t blue any more. The bodies slumped against it like dolls.
Spark Plug walked up behind me.
“Huh. I don’t remember a time where it was better for it to get worse. This looks like the same as it was ten years ago” he replied.
I slumped down on the floor.
“This is all the Phoenix’s fault. The Authority was at least tolerable before the Phoenix’s rise. And we were safer, knowing it was less likely we were going to receive a visit. But now, they’ve agitated them, and the Authority are more hostile than ever! How many houses have they stormed? How many ponies have they killed?! How many foals and fillies?!”
“I’m fed up of waking up at night, expecting to hear my door crashing down and to be taken off to my doom. Or worrying that I won’t see you, Mom or Dad the next day because you were taken for rehabilitation.”
I started shaking, on the verge of breaking down. I could only keep smiling for so long. I had placed all my fears and hate within the depths of my mind, and now the dam holding them back was about to break.
I felt a hoof on my shoulder. I looked up. Spark Plug was smiling down at me. I hugged him and I began to calm down. The dam slowly rebuilt itself.
He whispered in my ear.
I let go of him.
“Thanks. You’ve always been a good friend, Sparkie” I said with a smile, some tears trickling down my cheeks.
“I told you not to call me that anymore” he said, rolling his eyes.
“Ah. You love it,” I said, giggling slightly, “Well I think our session is over for today. I’ll let you get back to work”
“Yeah. Looks like you’ve got some work to catch up on too” he said in a sarcastic tone, looking at the logon screen on my computer.
*** *** ***
Night had befallen Section Five. The streets were quiet, save for the odd shouts or buzz of a street light.
I was on my way to see my parents. This was a daily routine for me. Not only to see them, but to make sure they were safe. The moon shone bright in the sky, cascading white light onto the streets. I had always thought the night beautiful. The way the stars dotted the sky like tiny spotlights on a field of black. The way the wind blew cool against my face and mane. It was bliss. My moment of escape from this place.
I knocked on the door of the small house. The door cautiously opened halfway. A purple mare with a dark blue mane poked her head out of the side of the door, her horn standing proud on the top of it. She had wrinkles under her eyes, from both age and exhaustion.
“Hi, Mom!” I said with glee.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
“Oh Moonlight! It’s you!”
She pulled me in for a hug. I could tell she had been worried as I felt her chest rapidly rise up and down, slowing down as we finally released. She welcomed me in and I entered the living room. It was well-lit, the red of the walls making me feel warm.
“Your father has just finished the dinner.” she said, walking me to the wooden table.
“Wait? You’re letting Dad cook? You remember what happened last time? I was sure that he had intentionally tried to poison me”.
“Honey, be nice. Sure his food isn’t...the best. But he’s learning.”
“I suppose. Let’s just hope this time it’s a step up from whatever thing was on our plates last time.”
After waiting what felt like an eternity, Dad finally rolled in with the “food”. He had a dark-blue coat with a faded green mane.
“SOUP’S ON EVERYPONY!” he shouted.
Dad was eccentric. But I idolised him and with every reason. He was the toughest stallion I had known. He fought during the war as a soldier in Celestia’s army. ‘Sword Dancer’ he was known as by his comrades. ‘Idiot’ by the higher ups. During the war, Celestia’s science team had created the first guns to be seen in Equestria. Every soldier was outfitted with them. Except for Dad.
‘Only fillies use guns’ he would say. Dad was brave, though some would say foolish. Instead of using guns, he would run at the enemy, sword in mouth, dodging out of the way of bullets. He would slice through anypony in his way. ‘A master at work’ his comrades would say. Once I was five, he taught me everything he knew: parrying, where on the body to stab, what end to stab with. Anything to do with swords, he taught me.
I did say eccentric, right? I mean who in their right mind would teach their filly how to fight? With a sword?
“Umbra, shush! You’ll wake the neighbours!”
My dad’s face went slightly red.
“Oops. Sorry honey.”
It was hard to believe that after everything that’s happened in the world, Mom’s still worried about waking the neighbours. Such a normal thing to worry about. It made me smile.
Dad passed me a plate. I looked down at the mush, hoping it wouldn’t move. Actually it might be better if it moved. At least it would be off my plate. I moved the green gunk around with my fork, gagging slightly at the way it moved.
“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh” I thought as I lifted the fork to my mouth, placing it in.
“Ohmygoshohmygoshoh...oh? Oh my gosh. OH MY GOSH!”
The mush was...nice. Really nice. Impossibly nice! My taste buds danced in joy as I swallowed the glorious food. I immediately scoffed it all down.
My dad leaned back with a smile.
“I knew I’d get it right eventually” he said casually.
This was weird. Unprecedented. But who was I to complain? I let out some gas, and held my plate up. With a cheesy grin, I looked at my Dad.
“Seconds?”
After dinner, I walked around my parent’s house. It wasn’t small, but it wasn’t big. Paintings and photo’s adorned the yellow walls of the main corridor. The photos were mostly of Dad in the army. Sword in mouth. Helmet too big.
There was a picture of me as a foal. I’m glad Spark Plug hasn’t seen this. That would be pretty embarrassing.
I walked past the basement. I stopped. My ears perked up.
“Was that... a whisper?” I thought. I was about to open the door when suddenly Mom appeared out of nowhere like a ghost.
“AH!” I screamed, jumping back, almost knocking a vase over.
My Mom smiled at me and giggled.
“Aw, you were always such a scaredy-pony Moonlight. Now come on, your Dad’s made dessert”
“Mom, I... I think I heard a whisper in the basement. You want me to check it out?”
“Whisper, honey? Ha, most likely the wind. I’ve been meaning to get Dad to fix that hole,” she said looking at the basement door. She faced me again.
“Like I said, scaredy-pony” and she patted my mane.
“I’m not a scaredy-pony!” I thought.
I looked back at the basement door. It was quiet now. I shrugged.
“Guess it was the wind” I whispered to myself, and I followed behind Mom.
*** *** ***
“One out of two, Dad. Not bad” I thought, feeling slightly queasy from dessert. I’d left my parents and made my way back home. The moon still sat in the sky, though it’s light was smudged out by the clouds.
I crashed through the door, narrowly avoiding the droplets of water that slowly started falling. I yawned; my eye’s slightly stinging from tiredness.
“Goodnight, Section Five, you worthless piece of shit” I grumbled as I pulled the duvet over my body, ready to get lost in dreams of what life could be like.
The rain splashed against the window sill, heavier than it was before. I closed my eyes and let the darkness take me away, to peace.
Chapter 2- Changes
I stood in a dark forest. I looked up. There were no stars. There was no moon. Just an endless black sky. Trees watched over me, their branches outstretched like claws about to swipe. There were no noises except for the dead leaves crunching underneath my hooves. I felt no fear, only curiosity. Questions raced through my mind.
“Where am I?”
“How’d I get here?”
“What the hell’s going on?”
I proceeded through the maze of plants. Thorns scratched against my body like tiny needles.
“Hello?” I called out. No answer.
I moved closer and closer until I was right next to them. They were still shadows as I stood by them.
“H...Hello?” I lifted my hoof towards them.
They turned their heads suddenly and looked me in the eye. I recognised the faces.
“Mom? Dad?” I said in a slightly panicked tone.
They stood up, the movement creating a haze which followed them.
“Moonlight?”
“Mom, it’s me!” I said trying to get a reaction.
“Moonlight” Dad said.
“It’s me, Dad. Please snap out of it!”
Their tones turned more worried.
“Moonlight!”
“M...Moonlight!”
“MOONLIGHT!” they screamed out in terror. A bang erupted out of nowhere.
“AHHHHHHHHHHH” they screamed in agony. Before my eyes, they melted. Skin. Then blood.
Then bone. I stumbled back in horror, falling on my back.
“Moonlight. We’ll always love you. But you’ve got to wake up, honey” it whispered in a ghostly
Another bang.
A light blinded my eyes but I didn’t close them. As my sight returned the area around me had turned red as if it were ablaze.
“Wake up, Moonlight”
My screams echoed through the forest.
“Please, wake up!”
.*** *** ***
I awoke, gasping. Sweat clung to my mane and coat. Thunder boomed outside while lightning lit up my room. It was pouring down with rain. I jumped out of bed, still breathing heavily. I ran to the toilet and slid onto the floor. I proceeded to vomit into it. Tears were in my eyes as my mouth and throat stung. I sobbed quietly. That dream had been really vivid. And it scared the living crap out of me! I stood back up and rinsed my mouth out. I walked back towards my bed. It was still dark. I couldn’t have been asleep for more than a couple of hours.
My ears perked up. Loud noises, but it wasn’t the thunder. It was shouting by the sounds of it. It was strange because it’s usually dead at this time of night. Eager to see what all the fuss was about, I put on a hooded coat and made my way out into the rain.
The rain was coming down fast. I tried my best to jump from shelter to shelter. Other ponies ran with me, as curious as I. In the distance was a bright light which seemed to be the origin of the shouts. A burst of lightning cracked through the sky, lighting the area up around me. In the brief flash, I could make out ponies by their windows, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever was going on.
I got up. I tried looking at what was going on but I couldn’t see over the ocean of curious ponies. I had to get closer. I moved my way through the crowd, squeezing my way past everypony that was in my way. This was big, whatever it was. I’ve never seen this many ponies out at this time of night.
I came to a point where I could get a clear view of what was going on. I was right near the front. I stood before a make-shift wooden stage. The bright spotlight lit up the scene; hooded figures in what looked like stocks.
“What the fuck’s this?” I whispered. This was new. Scary new.
‘The Authority. Figures.’ I thought. Whatever it was, I doubt it was anything good.
The stallion cleared his throat.
“We understand this is a change to our usual schedule, but we needed to make it clear. We tell you, again and again and again: if you are caught coercing with Phoenix members, you will be rehabilitated. But you refuse to listen. So we are trying something new.”
The stallion pulled out a pistol.
“Underneath these hoods are ponies that have refused to listen. To obey. And now, to make you listen, you will witness their deaths first hand, so you know we are serious”
He looked out on the crowd.
“Some of you will know these ponies. They could be your friends, neighbours, families. But theyscum . And so, they deserve to be punished.”
He took the hoods off the first two ponies.
No.
Fuck no.
NO!
“MOM! DAD!”
The stallion looked at me.
“Ah, looks like somepony does know these two. Quite well by the sounds of it. Well, little mare, mommy and daddy are fucking traitors. And will die a traitor’s death.”
Mom and Dad looked down at me.
“Moonlight! We’re sorry. We’re so sorry.” Mom called out, tears streaming down her cheek.
“It’s going to be alright. Please, don’t do anything drastic.” Dad begged of me.
The stallion interrupted.
“Aw. Well isn’t this fucking cute? Get me a tissue!” he said, after which he laughed.
“Well this tirade has gone on long enough. Time to say goodbye to mommy and daddy!”
“Don’t you fucking touch a hair on them, you son of a bitch!” I shouted. I didn’t fucking care about his little minions.
He cocked the pistol. I ran at him. I was going to kill him. But I was stopped by the impenetrable wall of Authority members. I shouted and screamed.
“NO! NO! YOU FUCKER! GET THE HELL OFF ME!” I shouted at the wall of black.
“For the crime of harbouring terrorists and coercing with Phoenix members, I sentence you, by the power invested in me by the great Princess Cadence and her Majesty, Queen Celestia, to death”
He placed the pistol in Mom’s mouth. She started crying.
“Goodnight, mommy”
Bang!
My dad shouted in agony.
“YOU FUCKER! I HOPE YOU ROT IN WHATEVER HELL YOU CAME FROM!”
“Tut-tut, you kissed her with that mouth? And what a poor example to show in front of your child. I can imagine you were a useless father!”
He placed the pistol in my Dad’s mouth.
“DOOF IT! DOOF IT!” Dad screamed from around the pistol.
He laughed.
“Hah-hah, as you wish.”
He pushed the gun further into his mouth. Dad started to gag on it. Tears fell down his face.
“Goodnight, daddy! Sleep tight!”
Bang!
The shots echoed through the night. The stallion was covered in my parent’s blood.
“Fuck, they were messy!” he said wiping it off his armour.
Time slowed down around me. I wanted to cry and to scream. But nothing came out. I could see the droplets of rain splash against the lifeless bodies of my parents. The blood seeped through the wood, staining it. My heart felt like it had been sliced into a hundred pieces and put through an incinerator. My stomach ached inside me, making me feel like I was going to be sick. I felt dizzy; my mind was trying to compute what was going on. I moved back from the Authority. I wanted to shout, to punch and buck. But I was paralysed, and as much as I tried, I couldn’t move my legs.
“Moonlight!” A fuzzy voice called out. I tried to look around, but I felt sick doing that.
Suddenly, Spark Plug manoeuvred out of the crowd. He ran towards me. The crowd around me moved back, creating space for the broken pony that sat on the ground. I felt him hug me. I still couldn’t move. He helped me off the ground, and put his hoof around me. He walked me out, the crowd creating a corridor for us to go through.
The rain matted my mane as I gave a vacant stare into the emptiness that was the street I had walked down. We were by the edge of the crowd.
“I’m so sorry, Moonlight. I really am. I should’ve gotten there sooner”
I didn’t reply. I was trying to figure out what emotion to show. Sadness? Anger? Hatred?
He went to put his hoof on my shoulder.
“NO!”
I pushed him away and he fell into a puddle. He looked shocked.
“I don’t want to talk!”
I needed to run. I needed to figure out a plan. This was the last straw. No more. I took one last look at Spark Plug, who had stood up. His coat was soaked.
“I’m sorry!” I shouted at him. I ran, ran as fast as my legs could go. I needed to go home.
“Moonlight!” he shouted after me, but I ignored him.
The rain was heavier now.
I kept running.
Bang!
I closed my eyes and saw the faces of my parents, right before they were killed.
Bang!
My lungs burned. I had never run for this long.
Bang!
It was time for a change.
Bang!
Cadance... I’m coming for you.
Bang!
*** *** ***
I burst through the door. My house was dark. The storm was still happening outside. I moved my way through the kitchen and up the stairs. I entered my room and proceeded to open every drawer and cupboard I could see. Nothing.
“Where is it?!” I shouted in my head. I thumped it trying to get some idea of where to look. Then it hit me.
I ran downstairs and turned left. I stood before a worn-out door. I grabbed the torch that rested by it and proceeded to open it. The door creaked loudly. Cobwebs covered the room like paint. I tried the lights. They turned on and flickered on and off. Then they bathed the room in an orange glow.
My old training room. Where Dad had taught me what he knew. They used to live here before they moved out. And now the house belonged to me. I glanced at the cupboard that stood to the side. I opened it. A cloud of dust clouded the room. I retched and coughed, my insides burning slightly. I picked up the touch and turned it on. I scanned the cupboard.
“Nope”
“Nope”
“NO-wait”
There it was. An oak case with a gold latch. Inscribed in metal letters was U.G. Underneath it, scratched on was M.G. I bit on the latch and lifted the case. I trotted over to a nearby table and placed it on top. I flipped the latch and opened it. Inside laid a blade. Dad’s blade. I lifted it up.
Hoof accessible, meaning I didn’t have to hold it in my mouth. I moved it around. The handle looked worn, but still had grip. The blade shined in the reflection of the light, casting an orange glow around the sword. There was a small button on the side. I pressed it. The blade shot into the handle.
“Retractable,huh? Convenient”
A leather sheath also lay in the case, initialled ‘Lt. U.G.’ I picked it up and attached it to my back.
“So what’s the plan, huh?”
I turned around. Spark Plug stood behind me. I hadn’t even heard him enter. I turned back to look at the sword.
“It’s simple really. I’m going to go to Cadance. And I’m going to stick this sword through her throat, slowly. I’m going to make her see her own blood on the blade.”
“I don’t care if it is suicide, as long as I take her with me.”
“Moonlight! Listen to yourself! You’re not thinking straight! There’s got to be a better way!” he shouted at me, obviously distressed. I didn’t listen. I needed to do this.
He looked down and sighed.
“Look, I understand what you’re going through bu-“
I turned back and glared at him.
“NO! Don’t you EVER say that! You have NO idea what I’m going through!”
He looked shocked. I walked towards him. He slowly backed away.
“YOU didn’t see your parents executed right in front of your eyes! You don’t have a CLUE what I’m feeling! You couldn’t possibly understand!”
He whispered to me.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it, but this isn’t the way.”
“I don’t want to hear it!”
I turned quickly and picked up the sword and sheath.
I made my way towards the door.
“Is this it?! Is this the time the section breaks you?!”
I stopped.
“No. Not yet.”
“Oh you keep telling yourself that! Take a good long think, Moonlight! You are NOT the same pony you were yesterday. You are walking to your death. Now please, I implore you, don’t do this! Let’s find another way. Together!”
I turned back.
“I’m sorry. But this is the only way.”
I trotted up the stairs.
“Don’t try and stop me, Spark. Otherwise, I can’t be held accountable for what will happen.”
*** *** ***
I felt awful. I had just threatened my best friend, but I needed to make sure he wouldn’t follow me. He has something to live for. I don’t. Cadance’s castle stood high. My next destination.
The rain had stopped now, but the atmosphere was eerie. Street lights were dotted around as I
I had once thought the night beautiful. I suppose in some regards, I still do. But it was tainted now. I would never look at it the same way again. Feel the same way again. Death would be all that I was reminded off whenever I stepped outside.
I wondered how Spark Plug was doing. Whether he was following me, keeping out of sight or if he did just leave me be. Regardless, I would still end Cadence.
I had entered the dark alleyways that lined the Section. A light fog covered the ground. I had run past ponies that were homeless or were doing something dodgy under the cover of night. It was a surprise really to see that, despite the threats from the Authority, there were still ponies dealing banned substances or selling themselves. These were new sights for me. I had never traversed the alleyways before. I only knew where I was going by using the castle as a landmark. It was lucky I lived so close; otherwise I would have had to find a more difficult way.
I stopped suddenly and hugged the wall. I could hear speaking further down the alley. It sounded like Authority.
“Well, well,well, what do we have here? You lost, girl?”
“Listen, I’m sorry. I just went out for a stroll and took a wrong turn. I’ll be leaving now.” she said hurriedly, obviously afraid.
I looked over at the ponies. I was right. Two Authority members were harassing a hooded pony. She tried to leave.
“Ah, ah, ah,” one of the members said, putting his arm in the way of her “Not so fast. This is a very serious offence”
The hooded figure shook her head in confusion.
“O...offence? I haven’t done anything!”
The other Authority member stood forward.
“Oh, yeah. Handling banned substances. That won’t go down well”
“Y...you have no proof!”
The Authority members laughed.
“Proof? We don’t need it. One simple word and you’re gone”
The hooded figure moved back.
“There is... one thing that you can do. To negate this offence.” he said, stroking her body.
“G...get off me!” she said pushing back his hoof.
“Looks like we got a fighter” one of the members said.
“Good” the other said sinisterly.
The first Authority member pushed the mare to the wall, and put his arm across her neck. The other pulled out a baton.
“If you don’t do what we tell you to do, you’re going to regret it”
She started sobbing.
“Now are you going to get started, or are we going to have a problem?”
Uh-uh. This shit wasn’t happening on my watch. The mare started to move down.
“HEY! OVER HERE!”
The Authority members looked at me.
“Well, looks like we got another lost soul”
“Yeah, I’m a little lost soul. What do I need to do to be found?” I purred seductively.
The members laughed.
“She’s feisty” one of them said.
They walked over.
“I’ll meet you in the alley” I whispered, shaking my flank from side to side as I made my way into the adjacent alley. I heard them trot behind me.
I turned around and secretly grabbed my sword.
“So, you starting?” one whispered
“Sure. But do you mind if I used my toy first?”
“Absolutely!”
“Thanks. I always prefer a bit of foreplay”
And with that word, I flicked out the sword and sliced the first member’s throat. He clutched at it, the blood seeping out over his hoof.
“OH SHIT!” the other one shouted.
He went to pull out his pistol.
The blade went cleanly through his hoof. The now dissected appendage flew onto the floor. The Authority member looked at the stump on his arm, the blood spitting out.
“You’ll pay for that!”
He charged at me. I hadn’t noticed the baton in his other hoof. I tried to dodge out of the way but the baton caught my hindhoof. A painful sensation went through it. We were one on one. His hoof had been removed. My leg had been broke, I think.
I limped towards him and thrust my sword. He parried with his baton, knocking me back a bit. I went for him again. This time I pushed against his force when he blocked. I was able to knock him to the ground. He roared in pain after landing on his stump. He tried to get back up, but I bucked him down. He looked up at me, and started laughing.
“HA! Do it then! Kill me!”
I smiled.
“Oh don’t worry about that. I had no plans on keeping you alive. But I’ll make it extra slow, since you really want to die”
I moved round his body. I slipped the sword into his hindleg and turned it.
“AH! You fucking WHORE!”
“Ah-ah-ah, language”
I pulled the sword out and walked back to his front. I knelt down.
“Now, I didn’t appreciate what you and your friend were doing to that mare.”
“Fuck. You.”
I feigned shock.
“Well that’s not very nice!”
“Go to hell!”
I smirked.
“I guess I’ll see you there.”
I stood back up. The alley was still dark and quiet. I wondered if that mare had moved off.
“Since I showed you my toy,you’ll have to show me yours.”
“Oh no! Your armour’s in the way. Don’t worry, I can deal with that!” I started slicing at the armour near his area.
“AHHHH!!! FUCK!!!!” he screamed clutching his region.
“Oops! How clumsy of me!”
“You bitch!” he spoke between gritted teeth.
I yawned.
“Well I’ve had my fun but you’re boring me now.”
He squirmed on the ground, still holding his region.
“Who the hell are you?!”, he shouted, looking up.
I knelt down again and looked him in the eyes.
“I’m Moonlight Glisten. And I’m your fucking nightmare.” I whispered.
I held my sword at the ready.
“YOU BI-URGGHH!!!”
My sword pierced through his head, spilling blood on the sword and the floor.I grinned as it splashed against my face. I stood back up and wiped the bloodied sword on the dead stallion’s flank. I was breathing deeply and looked down at what I had done. I dropped the sword in horror.
“What the hell just happened?!”
This wasn’t me. There’s no way I would do this.
“If Mom and Dad had seen what I just did... would they have even recognised me?”
I walked over to a puddle near a dumpster that had formed from the storm. I looked down at my reflection. I had blood splatters on my face. I knew it was me staring back, but it wasn’t me. I didn’t recognise this version.
“You do recognise me Moonlight.”
I looked back in shock at the puddle. The reflection was speaking!
“Ok, I must be dreaming.”
“Are you sure? Look around you. Does this seem like a dream to you?”
“No. No. This is crazy. I’m going crazy.”
“Maybe you are, but this is what you wanted, right? Revenge? For Mom. Dad. ”
“Yes but not this!”
“You knew you would have to kill.”
“Yeah, but that was torture!”
“Wha...what the hell’s going on?!” I started shaking.
“You’re wising up. You’re breaking out of the cage that you put yourself in.”
“No! This isn’t me!”
“Sure it is. I’m what you buried deep inside you. All that hatred and anger, where did you think it went? Behind some imaginary dam? No, it was always there. You just wouldn’t let it out. But trust me, you’re going to see a lot more of me. And soon...well, let’s just say I won’t be the one in the reflection anymore”
“NO!”
I stomped the puddle hoping to kill this horrible hallucination. I looked back. My head was slightly disfigured from the ripples. It was me in the reflection, and it wasn’t talking.
“Maybe Spark Plug is right. Maybe this section has broken me.”
I wiped the blood off my face. I thought about what I had intended to do. Was I really planning on just waltzing in and killing Cadence? Just like that? Take on an alicorn? All by myself? No, this isn’t what Mom and Dad would’ve wanted. They wouldn’t want me to kill myself. I had been so consumed by rage that I didn’t think about anything but revenge. And I don’t want to know what my mind was doing during that attack in the alleyway
I picked the sword back up and retracted the blade. I placed it in the sheath on my back. I left the bodies where they lay. Somepony else will clean them up. I was about to leave to see Spark Plug, hoping he didn’t hate me for what I had said and the way I acted, until I remembered the mare.
I made my way back out into the alley. The mare was crouched, facing the graffiti-laden wall. She was sobbing faintly. I didn’t know what to say. What had almost happened to her, there was no easy way to approach it. A pony on the brink of insanity was not the best one to talk to about this. I slowly walked over to her.
“Hey. Are you alright?” I whispered, trying not to scare her.
She continued to face the wall. The sobbing quietened.
“Listen, I took care of them. There’s no need to be scared anymore.”
She sighed and whispered in a shaken voice.
“Wh...who are you?”
“Moonlight. My name’s Moonlight.”
“Why?”
“W...why what?” I asked confused.
“Why did you stop them?”
Was she really asking this?
“B...because they were hurting you. Weren’t they? And I couldn’t stand to watch that. So I killed
“T...thank you.” she said, seemingly appreciative of my actions.
“Don’t worry about it. But who are you? What’s your name?”
She didn’t answer. I noticed a faint blue glow reflect of the wall.
“What’s that? What are you doing?”
Still no answer.
“Hey! Talk to me!”
I understand this wasn’t the best approach, but I needed to know what she was doing. I grabbed her. She turned her head, her horn contacting mine.
All I remembered was a bright flash, then darkness.
*** *** ***
There was black everywhere. This didn’t look right. I ran but I never moved. Was this another dream? I stopped running when I realised it was pointless. I heard hooves trot behind me.
“Yeah, you’re dreaming.”
I turned to see who spoke but from where the voice came was nothing.
“Who are you?!” I shouted, echoing throughout the nothingness.
The voice giggled. I turned around again. Still nothing.
“Stop hiding!”
“Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?”
I froze up. I turned my head to see the blood-stained face with a smirk on its face. It was the reflection. It was me. But bloodier. Darker.
“Leave me alone!”
“Well that’s going to be difficult. A, I’m in here”, she pointed her hoof to her head, “so it’s going to be kinda hard to get rid of me. And B, I really have no intention of leaving.”
“What do you want from me?!” I screamed at her.
“Simply, I want you to accept me and embrace me.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because I’m better. All your...morals and stuff get in the way. With me, there’s no need to worry about that. No need to fear anything. Unlike you, I can get the job done. Quickly and efficiently”
“No! Go away!”
I punched the figure and it disappeared into a dark mist.
“Gah, I really am a dumb pony,” she muttered behind me, “I’m in your head, numbskull. I’m not physical! You think a punch is going to get rid of me?”
I did it again.
“Try again” she said mockingly.
Again.
“Ooh so close.”
I did it again. This time she disappeared before the punch even hit her. I heard a whisper in my ear.
“Gotcha!”
I turned my head suddenly. She was right up against my side. She began to nuzzle my neck.
“Oh I love playing with you!” she said, kissing my neck slowly. Okay, I was officially freaked out.
I couldn't move. She turned my head for me and smiled. Our eyes connected. I felt her lips touch mine. Her tongue forced into my mouth meeting mine. It was warm and moist. I went red. She removed her lips from mine, and laughed.
“Aww, look at you. You’re so cute when you do that.” she said, slapping my cheeks with her hooves. She smacked her lips together.
“Hmm, so that’s what I’m like when I kiss. Eh, could do with some work”
“What the hell is going on?”
“Ah I’m just having some fun. Don’t think too much about it. I wonder what they call it when you kiss yourself?” She put her hoof under her chin to mimic thought and then shrugged her shoulders.
“Ah! What the hell?!”
She looked at my side.
“Ooh, looks like my cue to leave. I’ll see you soon!” she said, kissing my cheek, before vanishing.
“Ok. That was weird” I muttered.
The voice echoed through the pitch black
“Hey, it’s your head. And oh-ho-ho, there’s a hell of a lot more fucked up shit in here!”
I flinched at another pain in my side.
“Oh yes! You should probably think about waking up now!”
“W...wake up?”
Suddenly, I fell through the emptiness. The room sped past me growing lighter and brighter. The pain in my side became more intense and I screamed as I fell back into reality.
Chapter 3- Magic
I awoke suddenly. I moved my head up to ascertain where I was. The room was pitch black.
This wasn’t the best idea I had. I tried moving around in the black, my hooves out in front of me, limping from the pain in my leg.
“This is the thanks I get for helping somepony?”, I muttered to myself. A light switch. A torch. A candle. Anything that would let me see. I had kicked multiple objects whilst I was at the mercy of the dark. I’m so glad nobody was seeing me this vulnerable. I banged my head against a solid object.
*** *** ***
I shielded my eyes from the bright light. I looked about my surroundings. It was dingy, wherever it was. I had never seen this place before. I looked back at my temporary prison. It was a rusted shed in an overgrown back garden. The house,which was situated by the shed, looked run down and deserted. I didn’t dare enter, for fear of it collapsing on me.
I trotted through a nearby alleyway and entered a street. Just like yesterday, ponies were trotting off to work or school. But something was different. There were a lot more Authority members around. I walked down the street, hoping for a sign or something to let me know where I am. The speakers that inhabited the street spoke in their tinny voice.
I had entered into the main square. It was bustling with ponies, buying goods or working. A statue of Cadence adorned the center, her imposing figure looking down upon us with malice in her eyes. I knew where we were now. Hoofton Square. Spark Plug wasn’t that far away.
Authority members were in their droves here; questioning, frisking, arresting. I kept my head down and hooves crossed hoping they wouldn’t ask me any questions.
I turned a corner, and crashed head on into another pony. I fell to the floor, dazed. The other pony was lying face down on the floor.
I walked into the alley, the fighting still going on. The pain in my leg was incredible. I leaned against the wall of the alley and sobbed into my arms. A foal. Dead in my hooves. I could’ve done better. I needed to be better.
I was in Spark Plug’s home. It was messy. Technological components were scattered across the floor. Looks like he brought his work home with him. I was resting on his couch, waiting for my leg to heal. Most of the pain had gone, but it was difficult to move on it. A bandage was wrapped around the wound. Spark Plug walked in, looking at me with disappointment and a hint of sadness in his eyes.
*** *** ***
“Astonishing!” Spark Plug exclaimed. He had his head in the book that I was given, making notes and muttering ‘wow’ and ‘amazing’ every now and then.
*** *** ***
I stood alone in a misty street. The fog was so thick I could barely see in front of me. I made my way through the blanket of gray, but I felt like I was making no progress. From this realisation, the dream became lucid.
*** *** ***
“Moonlight! Wake up!” Spark Plug said shaking me.
*** *** ***
We had spent some time practicing. It was tough and tiring, but in the end, I was able to grasp some control over the spell, allowing me to manipulate the object and use the spell at a reasonable speed. I fell back on the couch and sighed.
Spark Plug is the smartest pony I know. Most of his decisions were logical, and work out a hell of a lot better than mine. So why was I doubting him? Could we really trust the Phoenix? They say they fight for the people, but how could I be sure? How could he be sure? Words don’t say a lot nowadays. Better question, how does he know where to find them?