Fallout Equestria: Mercy

“He killed them!”

The pistol trembled in Blackflints grip as he levitated it at the crippled raider.

“He set them on fire! He laughed! He made me watch!”

The raider lay still, eyes wide with fear as unicorn pressed the gun to his head. A voice came from behind Blackflint, It was calm and gentle.

“Will killing him bring them back?”

Blackflint’s face contorted.

“No but-“

“But what?”

Blackflint spun to face the speaker.

“If I don’t kill him he’ll go and kill more ponies. How many has he killed already?”

The pony he was addressing stepped forward and placed a hoof on his shoulder. He was wearing a black hooded cloak that hid his face.

“Maybe, but he was only following orders, you know this and you still blame him?”

The hooded pony spoke quietly, almost whispering as Blackflint snarled.

“HE DID IT! HE WAS THE ONE WHO SHOT THEM! HE CHOSE TO!”

The hooded pony stepped closer, the soft light from Blackflint’s pipbuck catching his purple eyes.

“Killing is all he knows, all he has ever known. He did as he was told because that’s all he knows how to do.”

The hooded pony pointed a hoof at the raider.

“If you kill him his master will find another pony to replace him and his death will have been for nothing. If you want somepony to blame, somepony to kill to prevent more innocent deaths, blame the one who sent him. Killing this pony is a waste of a life.”

The gun began to shake in Blackflints grasp. It remained pointed at the raider for a few moments before it was slowly lowered. Blackflint turned to the raider.

“Who told you to attack my village?! TELL ME!”

He snarled. The raider stared at him in disbelief as he hesitantly answered.

“Y-you aint gonna’ kill me?”

“Not if you tell me who sent you”

The raider looked conflicted, his eyes darting from Blackflint to the hooded pony. Blackflint spoke again, this time more calmly.

“All I need is a name”