The Other Six

by ShadowDash2723

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Sad, Tragedy, Adventure
Length: 10174

Discord's reawakening as the Elements of Chaos seek revenge on Equestria for their painful past.

There are only two things which can awaken the god of chaos: the corruption of friendships in his presence or the arrival of the Elements of Chaos.

Six colts now seek the destruction of Equestria as vengeance for their ruined pasts and the Elements of harmony must once again take a stand against a chaotic foe for the good of Equestria. But how can they stand against their destined rivals; equal in both power and ability to the gifted mares? And what will Discord do to the world upon his reawakening?

(Rated Teen for light violence and mature language)

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-24 18:14:16 UTC

Prophecy: Treachery

Chapter 1

Prophecy: Treachery

Chaos, a state of utter confusion or disorder. An unstoppable force, with the power to uproot the very laws of reality. A prophecy foretold of a creature harboring this power to sweep the land and cause untold destruction and misery, until the chosen six came.

The elements of harmony were to face this demon and seal its power away to release the world from its evil grip. As it did almost a year ago. After eleven months, the citizens of Equestria have all but forgotten Discord. Once again trapped in stone as the elements of harmony continue to cleanse the land.

But there must always be a balance, for the prophecy continues. There are only two actions that can bring the freedom of Discord. Acts of violence and chaos before him, witch have been hindered from the walls now surrounding him deep inside the Canterlot Castle. The other action is for the other destined six to awaken.

The Elements of Chaos.

In the bustling city of Manehattan, a Pegasus lays in bed tired and lost in thought. Everything about him was cold and dark, from his attitude to his very appearance. The colt had a black mane with a streak of faded dark purple running through the center, he always kept it blown back and messy. His cutie mark was a  black lighting bolt shooting out of a dark cloud. His dark purple coat glistened in the moonlight as his dark plum colored eyes lye fixed outside the hotel room window.

Just another average night for Shadow Bolt, his occupation required him to constantly be on the move and hidden. He had no time or patience to make relations with anypony, he always prefferred the quiet distant life anyway. He was a mercenary for a gang of Pegasi that called them selves the Black Stable.

Shadow didn't talk much and kept allot to him self, but he was extremely loyal and did what ever the gang needed of him without question. On top of that he was the fastest flyer in the Black Stable and was renowned within the group to be the go-to-guy for quick, dirty missions. He didn't care what they needed him to do, as long as he got his pay there was no complaints or questions.

He had only one close friend within the group, his best friend ever since he dropped out of flight school. He was a young colt named Ace, they went on almost every mission together and Ace was the only colt the group had ever seen make Shadow Bolt smile or laugh. He was all Shadow ever really had. Bolt had a dark history he preferred to keep to him self, only Ace knew most of it. Too many stories of betrayal and pain. Bolt was just thankful to have Ace.  Bolt was started by a knock on his door and he quickly got up and opened it.

Ace stood on the other side, “It's time.” the colt said. Ace was a pale yellow with icy blue hair, his eyes were a bright blue that nearly lit up the room. the only abnormal feture of this pony was his large scar across his left eye. He got the scar from his father. He didn't talk about it often, some scars are deaper than others. Shadow grabbed his bag and headed out the door. As they began walking towards the stairs they began to talk about their mission.

They had been informed that some of their own gang members had betrayed and disbanded from the group. Three of their most talented members had left and one took the status of their new leader after killing two of his former allies. Their mission was to track down their base and eliminate them. There were to be no witnacess or survivors.

As they headed down the elevator, Ace placed a building layout on the floor and explained to him his plan. “Ok, here is a map of their base.” Ace sketched his hoof across the paper showing where each of them had to go, Ace was the technician of the group as well as one of their best strategists.

Ace continued his plan as he pointed and traced through areas on the paper. “Bolt, I need you to go in through this window and you will see a power box on your left side. Dont worry their won't be any guards there at this time, they are all meeting in the briefing room. Now, There is a kill switch on the far right side of the box that knocks out the entire building's power. Once they can't see, I need you to take these and go to their main briefing room and quickly and quietly eliminate them.”

Shadow nodded and took the pair of night vision goggles Ace was handing him. “While your doing all this, I'll be setting up traps and explosives on every exit so no pony gets out alive. Sound like a plan?”

“Got it...” Bolt spoke with a mid pitched gravely voice and when the elevator opened they both flew to their destination like bullets. When they arrived at the old building they immediately split up and set their plan in action. The building was an old factory that seemed to have been abandoned for some time. Most of the windows were broken and the outside walls were coverred in grafiti. Shadow quietly flew up to his assigned window and stealthfully crawled in, Thankfully it was one of the many broken windows. On his left side there was a power box just as his friend said.

As delicately as he could he opened the box, it creaked loudly making Bolt recoil and look franticly for witnaces. Thankfully no one seemed to hear it.  Shadow examined its contents, it was filled with colorful buttons and fancy switches. One stood out more that the others, a large vertical switch on the far right side of the box. It was amasing how acurate Ace's plan was. The Pegasus slipped on his goggles and slammed the switch down.

The entire building went dark instantly and Bolt flew through the corridors towards the briefing room. He pulled out a large knife from his bag and placed it in his mouth. As he aproached his destination he stetchlfully stopped and peeked around the corner and saw three colts aimlessly searching for a switch or weapon. Bolt prepared him self to pounce on the nearest one, but then the lights came on.

Shadow ripped off his goggles as the three colts pulled out their knifes and turned to him, “Shit!” he hissed through his teeth as he backed into a corner until he felt his ankle catch a wire. As soon as his mind registered he leaped forward as an explosion tore apart a quarter of the room. Bolt emerged from the smoke, his mane and coat singed. He coughed and wheezed as the leader finally showed himself, he was wearing a hood and mask and held a short katana in his mouth. He nodded at his minions and they all attacked the dark Pegasus at once.

He dodged the first slash and cut through the attacking colts jugular, his blood sprayed over Bolt's face as he deflected the second minions knife with his. Shadow quickly spun and kicked the new attacker in the face as hard as he could, he could hear his neck break before he was sent cartwheeling through the room. The third minion charged Bolt, he easily evaded and drove his knife into the colt's side and pushed it forward until the blade hit his thigh and the colt fell to the floor in pain.

As Shadow turned to face the leader he was caught off guard and he just barely escaped the katana slash to his face. He ducked but the blade caught the tip of his ear and it fell to the ground. As blood trickled down the Pegasus's face Shadow sprang back and charged, the leader barely made it out of the way in time and got a small cut on his side, the Pegasus's speed was too great. Bolt kicked the wall in front of him and sprang off rocketing at the leader a second time, this time the knife tore through the leaders hide and he let out a scream of agony.

Bolt sprang off the wall again and this time cut across the leaders face, tearing through his mask now revealing a pale yellow coat. The speeding Pegasus sprang off the wall a fourth and final time, this time driving his knife into the leaders chest. The leader collapsed and choked on his own blood as it filled his lungs.

“Now let's see the traitor.” Shadow said as he ripped off the mask. The Pegasus froze upon the horror laying on the ground. The defeated villain beneath him, the traitor of his gang, the very scum that killed two of his allies, was his best friend Ace.

The Pegasus stumbled back in shock. “Wh-why? Why did you... What the fuck happened!?” Shadow grabbed his friends shoulders and shook him, ordering to be answered. But he couldn't, Ace was dead. As the tears filled the Pegasus's eyes, hundreds of questions screamed through his mind. He was lost, betrayed by his best friend. Nothing seemed to make sense to him any more.

A voice in his head spoke up in a twisted evil tone, “Poor little Shadow... It must hurt to be so loyal but to have no one repay the favor. Even the one closest to you turned on you. I think it's time you gave up this pointless loyalty, in a world full of traitors...”

A large shadow loomed over him with blazing eyes that pierced right through his very soul. “You might as well join them...”

Bolt's eyes faded and his expression of pain turned into anger. The shadow vanished and the Pegasus stood up. The dark colt crashed through the roof of the building and began to rocket towards the voice guiding him as the anger and hatred built up in his heart.

“This world is going to pay...”

Hey I hope you guys like it so far, and yes this is pretty much how the first few chapters are going to be like! Explaining the back stories of each element of chaos! For those of you complaining that i haven't gotten deeper in their past, be patient. I'll give more information as the story progresses.

I look forward to writing the others! See you then!

Prophecy: Dishonesty

Chapter 2

Prophesy: Dishonesty

Rex lived out in the country with his mother. His father died a few months ago in an incident at the farm. It was just him and his mother, but his mother was always distant after his father died. Rex lay in a hammock staring up at the clouds, swinging gently in the breeze as he contemplated just going to bed. The sun was setting and his mother was away for the evening.

She said that she was going to visit a friend but she never does. She was probably at the bar, as usual. She always lied to him, telling him she was going to visit friends or relatives when really she was going to a bar or even a complete stranger’s house to get drunk and forget her problems and responsibilities.

No one really was honest it seemed now a days. Hardly anyone he knew told the truth anymore. In the country it's always “nice guys finish last.” As true as this seemed to be for him he still refused to be a liar. His father raised him to be honest and he could never dishonor him by changing that.

Rex had grown into a strong young adult. He had a dark red coat, with a short, messy, dirty yellow mane. It almost seemed to have a green tint to it. This stood out most on his face. His eyes were a dark, dirty green color. His cutie mark was of an assortment of crops that he was very proud of. He loved the farm and taking care of it, it was his home.

But it was as everyone says, nice guys finish last. They were losing the farm. They were running out of money, their crops weren't growing properly. The entire place just seemed to slowly fall apart after his dad died, the fact his mom wasn’t doing anything to help only added to the problems. Rex was doing his best to hold on to the farm by himself.

A tall mare approached from around the corner, “Y'all slackin' again?” Rex nearly jumped out of the hammock in surprise and glared at his mother coming towards him.

He thought suspiciously, ‘She's not drunk?’ This was something Rex hadn't seen in a long time; his mother had a smile on her face. “What's goin’ on mom?”

She squatted next to him and looked him in the eye with a smug look. “What? Ain't ah allowed to spend some quality time with mah boy?”

Rex's eyes wandered and he turned his head, “You just... never do...” The mare sighed and kicked the hammock, sending Rex spinning through the air until he hit the ground with a violent thud.

He slowly stumbled to his feet, still dizzy from the sudden assault. His mother walked towards the door, “Cummon, were goin' up town! I'll buy us some grub! If y'all behave ah have a surprise for after supper!”

Rex fixed himself up and followed her as she grabbed her saddlebag. “Ready to go?” She asked. Rex looked at himself; he seemed clean and presentable enough.

“Yup!” The colt nodded with a grin on his face. He was actually eager to spend some time with his mother. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he liked it.

During the brisk walk to town, they talked and laughed. It had been so long since his dad died that Rex had almost forgotten what it was like to laugh with his mother. They talked about so many things, from farm work to friends. The only subject they didn't touch was his father.

When they arrived at Appaloosa, they made a darting path to the nearest restaurant. They were both starving when they sat down. A waiter greeted then and asked what they wanted. Rex asked for hay and oats with a side of corn and a glass of milk. His mother had the same but with a medium glass of apple cider.

They didn't talk much while they were waiting for their meals. It seemed they almost ran out of things to talk about. When their food arrived they ate vigorously, nearly repulsing everyone else in the building.

When they finished Rex let out a large belch and looked at his mother with a smug look. She raised an eyebrow and returned the smirk. “Oh please...” The cracked her neck and let out an even larger belch. Anyone who hadn’t left the restaurant because of them did at that moment.

The two watched the last mare leave the restaurant until the doors closed behind her, as soon as it did they both burst out laughing. Finally Rex wiped a tear from his eye and spoke up, “Man mom, ah missed you! What happened to you?”

His mother’s ears sank and her eyes traced the floor. “Well.... It was tough for me when you father passed...”

“It was tough for me too!” Rex spoke up, looking assertively at his mother.

“I... I know... And ah'm sorry... Ah realized that a few days ago but wasn't sure what to do about it... Then ah figured ah might as well just... try and rebuild...” Her gaze never left the floor.

Rex sighed, “Well... Thanks...” The mare looked up at Rex with a tear forming. “It hasn’t been easy for ether of us but... Ah'm just glad we can at least try... Together...” The colt stood up, walked up to his mother and threw his hooves around her. “Ah love you mom.”

The tear finally escaped her and she returned the hug, “Ah love you too Rex.”

After a moment the two departed and Rex sat back down. His mother stood up, still wiping tears from her eyes. “Now ah gotta use the ladies room, ah'll be right back!”

Rex chuckled and jokingly commented, “Will you? Wouldn't be the first time y'all up and ditched.”

The mare stopped and gave Rex a weak smile. “Ah know ah haven't been the most honest pony... But ah swear on your father's grave, from now on ah gunna be as honest as you Rex!”

The dark red colt raised an eyebrow, “As honest as me? Can you do that?”

She gave him a confident nod, “You betcha!”

“You swear?” He continued to pressure.

“Ah swear!” Nether her confidence or gaze shifted the slightest.

Rex sighed and gave her a kind smile, “Ok, ah trust ya mom.”

A smile lit up her face and she did a little dance, “Great, but, first things first!” She said, and she sprinted to the bathroom. Rex could hear the door slam violently behind her. The waited placed the bill on the table.

“Is this all together?” The waiter asked with a slightest bit of irritation in his voice.

Rex sighed and closed his eyes, “Ya, ah'll pay!”

“Ok, that will be forty-five bits sir.” The waiter held out his hoof and gave a strained smile.

Rex chuckled and handed him fifty bits. “Y'all can keep the change as tip, thanks for the food!”

The waiter bowed and left. “Thank you sir, have a good night!”

Rex sat and waited patiently for his mother to return. After ten minutes of waiting he began to get suspicious, and he began talking to himself. “Did her stomach not agree with her or what?” He giggled to himself a bit and shuffled into a more comfortable position.

After fifteen minutes had past he began to feel his emotions mix and flow. He stood up and made his way to the bathrooms. He knocked on the door, “Mom? Y'all alright!?” There was no reply.

Anger began to build up within him, “She better not have left again, she swore! She swore to dad!” As rage and fury began to consume him he opened to door and stormed in. What he witnessed on the other side, doused his anger immediately.

He shook in horror and fell to the ground, he could feel his stomach and heart wrench. In the middle of the room was a rope tied to the ceiling, and the other side of the rope was wrapped around Rex's mother's neck.

“HELP!” He screamed, as he ran to his mother. He grabbed the rope and tore it down leaving a massive hole in the ceiling. Two mares and a colt ran into the room and gasped upon what they saw. One stayed with Rex and his mother as the others ran to the phones.

Rex held his hoof to her neck to check for a pulse, but felt nothing. She was dead. He checked her bags for a note, and explanation, anything. But the bags were empty. The only thing they carried was the rope. No money, no surprise, this was her intention the whole time.

When the ambulance arrived, they gathered her body, put it in the ambulance, and drove off with the sirens still blazing. A colt knelt next to Rex sitting on the step. “You ok son?”

“Ya... ah'm fine...” He stood up and started walking home. He began talking to himself again, “How could you do this to me? You promised... You were supposed to tell the truth” He looked up into the sky as the rain drops replaced his tears. A sinister voice filled his head. “All the truth does is cause more pain, sometimes a lie is easier to take...”

A shadow loomed over him as his eyes fell and his body went numb. When the shadow vanished, Rex's eyes snapped open and he marched his way towards the voice guiding him.

“Ah've had it... with everything!”

Hope you guys liked it! I would specially like to thank my new editor!!! I'm in freaking business now!!! Can't wait to write the new chapters, and I hope you can't wait to read them! See ya next chapter!

Prophecy: Greed

Chapter 3

Prophesy: Greed

Majesty was the most handsome and elegant Unicorn in Las Pegasus. He came from a wealthy family and was raised like a prince. He took great pride in his shiny, pearl-white coat and flowing, dark blue mane. His deep crimson eyes stood out and exaggerated his pale features. His cutie mark was simple, but Majesty still wore it with great pride. It was a sharpened pencil crossing a paintbrush. Simple perhaps, but it was who he was: a talented and renowned artist. Painting, drawing, sculpting, crafting; if it was artistic, he could make it.

Amongst his high class virtues, Majesty was the most generous Unicorn in the city. Most of his best art pieces were sent to charitable organizations or handed out on the street to lucky civilians. He personally sent three of his favorite pieces to the local orphanage.

He was a friend of everypony in Las Pegasus and was crowned favorite citizen three years in a row. Majesty loved the city and all of it's citizens, but most of all he loved his parents. His father was a gentlecolt who greatly supported his son and his talents. His mother was a beautiful Unicorn who also supported and loved Majesty.

He opened the door to great his parents in the living room. It was a massive room, bigger than an ordinary citizen's house. There were book cases and artwork all over the walls. Some were paintings made by Majesty and others were given from other renowned artists all over Equestria whom Majesty had met. There were also a few that his father won in auctions and gambles.

His father owned the largest and most popular casino in Las Pegasus, which kept the money flowing. Majesty walked to the center of the room to where his parents were sitting in front of a large fire place. His mother was reading a book while his father had a pipe in his mouth reading the newspaper.

His father looked over his shoulder and saw his son. He put the newspaper and pipe on the table and stood up. “Ah, My boy!” He threw his hooves around his son in greeting. “So how were your travels?”

Majesty had just gotten back from Canterlot. His art was in a contest to be hung in the royal castle. He was competing with five other artists all over Equestria. He had even made friends with his competitors. After winning the contest, Majesty got to reveal its beauty to Canterlot and even shake hooves with Princess Celestia. There was also prize money for winning the contest, but Majesty declined and donated it to Canterlot funds.

After explaining his exciting trip to his parents his mother got up and hugged him. “Oh honey," she cried, "we are so proud of you!”

Majesty hugged back, “Thanks mom.”

His father approached the two Unicorns and gave them a jolly grin, “Your mother and I are going to another auction this evening, would you like to join us?”

Majesty gave him a kind smile, “I'd love to! I'm just going to get cleaned up a bit, it was a long train ride.” The Unicorn galloped to his room as the parents looked at each other with pride.

Majesty dropped his bags on his large bed and had a  refreshing shower. He then fixed his hair in front of the mirror, and brushed his teeth. He went to his bag and grabbed his wallet in case he liked any of the art there, and trotted back to his parents.

He met up with his parents at the door waiting for him. “Are you ready?” his father asked. Majesty gave an eager nod and the three left the mansion to the auction house a couple blocks away. Along the way to the auction house, Majesty noticed that the citizens were acting different. He could put his hoof on it but it just felt wrong to him. His parents didn't seem to notice a difference, maybe it was just his imagination.

They walked into the building and to their surprise it wasn't very full. Usually the auctions in Las Pegasus were packed and they didn't have enough seats. Today there were over twenty empty chairs. Majesty began to become suspicious. Was there a holiday coming up? A flu going through the city? The three took a seat and the auctioneer began. The colt presiding over the auction revealed a beautiful large painting of a mountain and flowing northern lights in the sky. Majesty saw a lot of spirit and character in this painting and immediately loved it.

The auctioneer raised his hoof and declared the opening bid at two hundred bits; Majesty immediately raised his hoof and accepted the opening bid. No one said a word except for one colt in a hooded robe. He raised his hoof and shouted, “four hundred!”

Majesty grinned at his competition and quietly said to himself, “Alright, game on friend!” He raised his hoof and shouted in retaliation, “Five hundred!”

The hooded figure once again raised his bid to six hundred. The two colts traded blows by the hundreds until the hooded figure had bumped it up to a thousand bits. Majesty sat back in his chair and sighed to himself. He had plenty more money to spend, but he admired his opponent's integrity. He did not counter to his bid and the hooded figure won the auction.

The auctioneer congratulated the colt and welcomed him up on stage to claim his reward. The hooded colt walked up on stage towards the auctioneer and pulled out a knife. Majesty's mother held her hooves to her mouth and the hooded colt drove the knife through the auctioneer's chest. The auctioneer fell the ground, a pool of blood grew around him as the colt turned to the audience. Majesty's father was trying to comfort his wife while Majesty sat there in shock.

The audience all stood and turned towards the three in a synchronized manner; they were surrounded and trapped. Citizens each of them recognized were now holding them captive. “Wh-Whats going on!?” Majesty stuttered as the circle parted and the hooded figure approached through the hole. He lifted the knife, ready to stab Majesty.

The unicorn covered his eyes until he heard the sound of a blade plunge through flesh. He opened his eyes and saw his father block the blow with his body. The colt fell to the ground next to him with an open hole in his chest. Majesty sat there frozen in fear. He heard a scream behind him, he turned just in time to watch his mother's throat ripped open with another knife.

Tears ran down his eyes as he looked at his beloved parents on the ground, now lifeless and bloody. Majesty charged through the crowd screaming. He didn't know what was going on, he didn't know what to do. He broke through the doors and ran home as fast as he could, dodging the citizens of  his home city as each of them tried to attack him. The entire town had gone mad, killed his parents and was now after him. This must be a nightmare.

He turned around the corner and froze upon the sight of his home. As he felt the heat of the fire hit his coat, he knew this wasn't a nightmare. His parents were dead, the city was trying to kill him, and now his home was engulfed in flames. Everyone and everything he cared for, was now gone.

Majesty kept running; running from the fear of death, running from his destroyed home, running from his deceased parents. He ran out of the city and into a forest. He continued running until his front hooves hit a stump and he sent himself  tumbling through the forest until finally crashing into a tree.

Majesty just laid there sobbing in pain, heart-break and confusion. The same words played through his head over and over.Why did they do this? The Unicorn picked his tired and bruised body up to keep going. Whatever was going on, he had to get as far away from the city as possible. It was utter chaos.

A mysterious voice ran through his head, “Look at everything you gave them. Look at what your generosity got you.” Majesty's eyes fell and his body went weak. Tears began to fill his eyes as he thought of his parents and his home.

The voice continued to sting through his brain, “And what did they do to repay for your generosity? They took everything away from you. I think it's time you took everything from them!”

Majesty shivered from the cold words and closed his eyes. He opened them slowly and his expression changed from an expression of agony, to hate and and lust for revenge. The Unicorn marched towards the voice with a burning fire of greed.

“I will take everything back!”

Hey guys! Hope your enjoying the story! I would like to once again thank my awesome editor for fixing my fourth grade grammar! And I look forward to writing the next one for you! Sorry they are taking so long, busy with exams and other hectic affairs! But ill be up and typing like wild fire again soon!

Prophecy: Cruelty

Chapter 4

Prophesy: Cruelty

Flicker was the eldest son of the Eclipse family.  His two brothers had moved to distant cities to live progressive lives while Flicker an his father protected the forest. Despite being a family of pegasi, the Everfar Forest had been their home for generations, the Eclipse family protected its rich history from agriculture and destruction for as long as both existed and they have both sworn to protect it like their fathers before them.

Flicker's great great grandfather loved nature but lived far out in the wasteland. He couldn't afford to move so he took countless plants and seeds from the Everfree Forest, and planted them all around his home. Finally the baron wasteland around his home was teaming with life; the unusual tendencies of the Everfree Forest plants kept the plants alive through the harsh terrain and impossible growing conditions. His great great grandfather affectionately called it the Everfar forest, being that it was a distant spawn of the Everfree Forest.

But, for as long as the forest has been there, some ponies have wanted its destruction. A widely known oil company, The Greased Harness, had been trying to get to the vast oil springs deep below the Everfar Forest. For years Flicker and his father had been driving them off, using every bit of strength to protect their ancestors' treasured forest.

Flicker's mother died when he was very young. She fell victim to a virus that no one understood. The doctors franticly studied her under almost ever method known to ponykind. But she died before they could learn anything about the virus, and now his father has it too. For months the doctors had been going over tests, but still learned very little about the virus. And his father didn't have much time left.

He began to get very ill. Some days his fever would reach temperatures of a hundred and four degrees. He would start shaking uncontrollably, and, on very rare occasions, his tear ducts would leak blood. Flicker had to watch over him carefully to make sure he didn't push himself too far or just fall into another seizure.

Flicker himself had grown into a strong pegasus. His rich yellow coat glistened in the sun, and his thick mahogany  mane was spiked into a mohawk. His cutie mark was of a rich green leaf, representing his love for nature and all its beauty. Flicker sat by his father's bed side with a bowl of cool water and a cloth. He dipped the cloth in the water and reached out to his father.  As he placed the cool wet cloth over his fathers burning forehead, his father let out a painful sigh.

“It's ok dad... you're gunna get better. The doctors are gunna find out whats wrong with you and in no time you'll be up and rarin' to go!” Flicker gave his father gave his father a weak smile. The weak old pegasi used all his strength to look at his son. He deserved that much.

The ground started to shake, the bowl of cold water used to cool his father's forehead fell off Flicker's lap and crashed to the floor. “Not again!” His father also began shaking, Flicker held him tight and looked him in the eye. When his father stopped shaking he stood up and headed to the door, “I'll take care of this!”

He ran outside and saw the colossal machines of destruction approaching. They were massive deforesting machines, operated by two earth ponies each. The giant rollers in the front had spikes ripping and crushing anything in their way. As the machines approached the forest, Flicker ran between them and stood stern and ready.

The two hulking vehicles came to a creaking halt and the passengers stepped out of the vehicles and angrily marched towards the Pegasus. This was not the first time Flicker came between them, he recognized all four of them. This was the first time they ever stepped out of their vehicles though. The four earth ponies circled Flicker until one spoke forward. “We've had enough of you stepping in and guarding those trees!”

Flicker stood his ground, “Sorry, but this is my home... That forest is a symbol of my family.... I can't let you tear it down.”

One of the other workers stepped forward, “We don't care! The boss has wanted that waste of space outa the way for years! Were gunna give you one last warning. Stand aside, and there won't be any trouble!”

The pegasus stood rooted, “Sorry, but I can't do that.” Flicker didn't like fighting, His father taught him how to and he enjoyed practicing, but he never wanted to hurt anyone. Not even the workers, but he knew what needed to be done.

It was a long pause until the worker finally spoke again, “Fine, you leave us no choice hippie!”

The two workers behind him dived to grab him, the pegasus drove his front hooves into the earth and kicked his back feet into the faces of his two attackers. They fell backward as one of the front attackers grabbed Flicker's left hoof and kicked him across the face. Flicker stumbled backward and grabbed his attacker, he launched himself into the air still holding onto the earth pony. He spun and threw him to the ground. The Pegasus dove to the ground and drove his hooves into the fallen colt's ribs, he let out a scream of pain until Flicker kicked him across the face. The final attacker kicked up Flicker's jaw and sent him on his back. The colt dove at the pegasus while he was on the ground but Flicker quickly leaped into the air and dropped into the attacking colt, smashing him into the ground. Flicker delivered quick, powerful kicks to the pinned colts face until he fell limp and unconscious.

The pegasus staggered to his hooves, bruised but victorious. He looked up at the machines and stumbled towards them. He dug through the engine and mechanics of the vehicles and took any useful parts from the machines and limped back home to his father. He threw the metal parts and devices into the shed next to his house and went back inside.

When he reentered his father's room he gave him a shy look, expecting to be schooled or even hit again. “S-sorry dad...” The pegasus gave him a weak smile and sat next to him. A tear ran down his fathers cheek. “Oh dad don't worry... I'm fine, see!?”

The old pegasus looked at his son covered in cuts and bruises, if only he were strong enough to protect his son again. Flicker let out a sigh, “Don't you worry about me dad... I can take em!” He gave him a confident grin but his father only gave him the same tired, concerned look, he didn't have the strength for any other expression. Flicker fought back the tears trying to escape his eyes. He had to be strong. For both of them.

He stood up and headed out the door, “I'm gunna head to bed, goodnight dad.” He turned off the light and left the room. The pegasus stumbled to his room and collapsed on his bead sore and exhausted.

Flicker awoke the next morning sore, dizzy and a pounding headache. He stumbled into his fathers room, “Uhg. Hey dad do we have any medication for a hea...” His eyes snapped open and his headache was suddenly a thing of the past. He dove to his father laying limp on the floor. He picked up the cold body and shook it. “Dad!? Wake up! Dad!” He franticly searched for a pulse but there was no sound or beat, his father was gone.

Tears flowed from the Pegasus's eyes. His hooves shook and his breathing became spastic. He let out a final scream in agony and plea,

“Dad!!!”

The ambulance arrived and carried his father off.  The Pegasus sat on his porch, staring into nothingness. He could hear the police and ambulance colts speaking about him. “Poor kid. First that one's mother and now this. Does Celestia have no mercy?”

That name echoed through his head, Celestia....

A voice shot through his head, “Yes, Celestia...” Flicker shook his head, chasing away the voice.

A doctor startled him in his daze, “May I sit down?” Flicker lazily nodded and the doctor sat beside him. “I am terribly sorry we couldn't make it in time... for either of them...”

Flicker answered but his expression or daze never shifted, “You tried your hardest...” He hung his head, “I forgive you...”

The doctor also hung his head and sighed, “And I feel even more terrible about this but.... last night we discovered the origins of the virus.”

Flicker's ears twitched and his eyes shifted to his visitor, “And?”

The doctor wiped his forehead, “The virus is from a special toxin found in plants. The plant that emits this is only found in the Everfree Forest.... and...”

“The Everfar Forest.” Flicker finished the doctors sentence and felt a pain he had never felt before. It was as if every word the doctor spoke emitted an electric shock connecting straight to his heart. The pegasus looked to the ground in utter agony, he couldn't speak, he couldn't move. His mind was broken.

The doctor stood up and have him a light pat on the back, “I'm sorry...” Flicker never moved. The doctor approached the group, the group all looked at Flicker in pity, “Oh Celestia, why him?”

The name screamed through his head again, Celestia.

The evil, twisted voice returned. “Ah, Celestia! Once again she has taken someone you hold dear. Are you going to swear to be kind again hmmm? How did that work for you the last time?” The voice continued to pry at his emotions while he sat there helpless, “Ever consider giving up on them? What has kindness gotten you?” Flicker bit his lip and started to shake,  “It got you beaten up by brutes and then took away your parents, that's what it gave you!”

The words shot through Flicker like a thousand knives, he cringed at the thought. When he opened his eyes a twisted shadow loomed over him and its manipulating eyes tore through his mind, “In a cruel world like this, a pony's gotta strike back!” The shadow vanished along with the ambulance and the crowd.

The only figures remaining were the four colts he beat up the day before. Flicker had stopped shaking and let go of his lip, but the bitterness of in his eyes stayed and he stood up. All with looks of pity the workers gave him made Flicker sick. He marched towards the colts and they flinched, expecting to get beaten again for showing their faces. Flicker stopped before them baring his teeth in rage. The workers stood their shaking with fear in their eyes. The pegasus pointed towards the forest and looked each colt in the eye with grueling hatred,

“Tear it apart.”

Prophecy: Hatred

Chapter 5

Prophecy: Hatred

It was a night just like any other in the life of Crimson. His parents were out of town as he hosted a party in his back yard. Crimson was the only foal of the Lotus family and was particularly spoiled as the baby, but he didn't mind. Every night they were gone he would host a big party and his parents didn't care as long as they didn't wreck the place.

So there Crimson stood at the DJ station, the music blaring and lights flashing. Tonight was an unusually large party. He usually had twenty to thirty guests for his parties, but tonight there must have been well over forty. The yard was packed with dancing mares and flirting colts. But most of all everyone was having fun, that's what made Crimson's night.

As the dark red colt played the music, his crimson mane swayed as he bopped his head to the beat. His rich blue eyes sparkled watching all the happy ponies laughing and having fun. The house was smack in the middle of Baltimare, a small town with only a couple hundred residents. The house’s central location made it the perfect area for Crimson's parties.

Crimson loved to bring smiles to pony's faces. He did everything he could to make everyone happy. He didn't have a lot of money or talent, but he used what he had with his wild sense of humor and big smile. He had never met a pony he couldn't make smile for any reason, except for one.

As the tall colt stepped up to the stage, Crimson left the music to entertain his guests as he led the other back and away from the noise. His whole body shook, terrified of the dangerous gang leader. “Wh-what are you doing here? My parents are out of town tonight!”

The tall colt stepped intimidatingly toward him, “Then your gunna have to deliver the message for me. Your father has two days!” The colt stomped his hoof, Crimson flinched and backed away.

“Ok, ok I'll tell him!” Crimson backed into a corner with his hooves up, ready to defend himself. The colt only turned and began to walk away.

“You'd better! Or your papa's in for a surprise!” The colt disappeared into the shadows and Crimson let out a sigh of relief. The tall colt was the infamous gang leader known as Charles Lucky Hoofciano. His name was legendary across Equestria. “Lucky” was a nickname given to him from his gang, he escaped police so many times the nickname just seemed to fit.

Crimson's father had just recently quit drugs. After two years of heavy drugs, five months of interventions and a year of rehab, they could finally be a family again. The only thing in the way was a tremendous debt to his former drug dealer.

His parents finally had a day to spend by themselves and they wanted to spend it as a couple. Crimson was thrilled at the idea and threw the party to congratulate them, even though they wouldn't be attending.

After Crimson finally hushed away his fear, he stepped back onto the stage and concluded the party.

The crimson colt awoke feeling chipper and ready to start the day. Crimson slid down the stairs, greeted his two loving parents and sat down for breakfast. He vigorously chowed on the hay and wheat dish prepared for him. Despite the colossal amounts of junk food he consumed the previous night, Crimson was starving.

His father chuckled at his eating habits. “Woah! I didn't teach you those table manners!” He jokingly exclaimed. The elder colt looked at his wife with a snickering smile.

She looked back at him, raising an eyebrow and a smirk. She returned another condescending comment to her husband, “He's your son! All he has are my looks, the rest are yours!”

The two continued jokingly arguing as a loving couple does, while Crimson continued scarfing down his meal, mostly oblivious to his parent's dispute. His father finally turned back to Crimson and continued conversation with the boy, “So, anything interesting happen last night?”

Crimson's ears fell and his heart stopped. He remembered the words of warning given to him from Lucky. The colt didn't want to ruin the morning by telling them, but they needed to know. Crimson caught his breath and began to told them the last thing in the world he wanted to mention. “Hoofciano came by last night...”

Crimson's mother held her hooves over her mouth, His father just kept silent and as calm as he could, “What did he want?” The colt calmly asked.

Crimson sighed and hung his head, “He told me, to tell you that... that you have two days to pay your debt...”

Crimson's mother shook in fear, “B-but he said he'd give us a month! Why is he doing this!?”

Her husband raised his hoof to shush her momentarily, still fixing his calm expression on his son. “Son, please go to your room for a bit... Ok?”

The red colt hesitantly nodded and headed for his room. He went halfway up the stairs and pressed his ear to the wall in an attempt to hear his parent's conversation. His parents were just on the other side of the wall and he could make out every word.

“What do we do!? We don't have near enough bits to pay them off, and there's no way we'll make that much in two days!” A mare’s voice shuddered through her words.

“It will be ok, I'll go check what we have in the bank later and we'll see what we can do after that,” a colt spoke, still calm and caring.

“W-what if we don't make the deadline?” the worried mare asked, stuttering in fear of the thought.

“We will! Have faith...” the colt raised his voice but still kept his caring tone.

It was silent for a long time after that and Crimson finally removed his ear from the wall. The young colt hung his head and sighed, a tear fell from his eyes.

“I wish there was something I could do...”

For the most of that day the colt laid in bed, staring at the ceiling in hopes that it would give him the answers he needed. As Crimson tossed and turned his desperation grew, and a tingle tear began to build up in his eye.

His thoughts were broken by a knock on his door. The colt sat up in bed and wiped his eyes dry as fast as he could, “Come in.”

His father opened the door but stayed outside. He had a sincere grin on his face that confused Crimson. “C’mon, I'm taking us out to dinner tonight!” His father spoke with a jolly gusto, as if the very secrets of Equestria were revealed to him.

Crimson was weary at first, but upon seeing his father’s overly large smile he couldn't help but let out a restrained giggle.

The large colt outside the room clapped his hooves “Alright! Clean yourself up and meet us down stairs!”

After a hasty shower Crimson rushed down the stairs and to his porch, his coat was already half on by the time his parents got up. When everyone was ready Crimson burst through the door, nearly breaking it off its hinges. His parents trotted beside him as his father offered him a friendly challenge.

“I'll race ya there! Last one has to tip the waitress!” His father took off in front of him, his mother hot on his hooves.

“Oh no you don't!” Crimson yelled as he gained speed, a steady smirk built across his face.

The three earth ponies gasped and heaved as they ascended the stair case of the restaurant. There were only four steps but each one burned as they went higher. An exhausted grin slid across Crimson's face, “Ha ha! Looks like your last dad!”

His father staggered up the stairs with the same expression, “Ya... Well I guess us old folk aren't built... for track anymore...” he gasped.

His mother chuckled at them still hardly even sweating and still fit. “Speak for yourself!” She chuckled ahead of the group. They laughed but soon realized their sides hurt too much to laugh that hard.

As the family sat down and ordered their meals, Crimson looked around at the attire. It had been a while since he had been at a fancy restaurant like this. When the food came they each ate vigorously, starving from the race that seemed a lot longer of a trip than they remembered.

His father was the first to break the silence, “Son, could you do me a favor?”

Crimson gave him a confused look, “Sure dad, what is it?”

“I know how much you love throwing parties, and well...” His father paused as his son's eyes grew with excitement. “I was wondering if you could throw us a party tomorrow.”

The young earth pony nearly jetted out of his seat upon hearing the request, “I'd love to! What would you like at your party!? Streamers!? Fireworks!? Music!? Balloons!? Candy!? Presents!? Cake!? And how many guests would you like!? I can usually gather around twenty to thirty ponies but last party...”

He was finally silenced by his father’s hooves flailing in the air in desperation to calm him down. “Ok, ok! Get what you think is necessary! Surprise us,” his father said as he bit his lip.

Crimson held his hoof to his mouth and thought out loud in excitement, “What's necessary huh? So then we'll need absolutely everything, as many guests as possible, around a hundred if I can...”

His father banged his head on the table. “Dear Celestia, what have I done!?”

His wife put her hoof on his back with a kind smile on her face. “Don't worry so much. If there's one thing he can do, it's party!”

The father mumbled to himself, never raising his head. “That's what I'm afraid of....”

The next day Crimson got up early and prepared his party. He ordered his parents to stay inside and not look at the back yard. His mother had no problem with the surprise, but she had to keep his father on a short leash.

Crimson worked harder than ever on this party. This would be the very first party he has ever thrown that his parents would attend, so everything had to be perfect.

In the early evening Crimson finally stepped inside and bowed to his parents in pride, “Lady and gentlecolt, welcome to your party!”

Crimson opened the door as the parents stepped outside, the huge crowd erupted as they saw the guests of honor “SURPRISE!” everypony shouted. Streamers and fireworks screamed through the air as the DJ began to play his music.

Crimson's mother clapped her hooves and gasped in amusement, as his father nearly fainted. The crowd spread apart releasing hundreds of balloons and revealing a dance floor as the DJ began to play Crimson's parent's wedding song.

His mother gasped and grabbed her husband’s hoof. “C’mon lets go dance!”

“I really don't think that's a good idEA!” His father screamed and Crimson shoved him onto the dance floor with his mother.

Halfway through the song it changed into a more upbeat remix and the crowd joined them on the dance floor along with Crimson. As the night progressed Crimson watched as his father’s fear and embarrassment turned into laughter and even he was dancing like the world wasn't looking.

Near the climax of the party Crimson's father patted him on the shoulder in admiration, “Thank you son, I haven't had this much fun in a long time!”

Crimson gave him the biggest smile he ever made. “Any time dad!”

The next morning Crimson's father awoke with a slight headache but it was the least of his concern. He went to the back yard and, to his surprise, it was completely unscathed. It was as if there had never even been a party.

He sighed in relief and closed the door. He turned to see his son sitting at the table pouring himself a bowl of cereal, “Mornin' dad!”

“Good morning son, hey after breakfast could you run some errands for me?” The colt hastily asked.

“Sure what do you need?” Crimson asked eagerly.

“I just need you to pick up a few things up town, the fridge is getting empty!” he said rubbing his hooves together.

“No problem!” He quickly gulped down his breakfast and tossed the bowl in the sink. “Can I have a list?”

“Oh! Sure!” His father grabbed a small slip of paper and a pen and quickly jotted down a few random items on it and handed it to Crimson along with a couple bits to pay for them.

Crimson grabbed the slip and money and headed towards the door, “I'll see you guys in a bit!”

He passed his mom in the hallway and he stepped out the door. His parents ran to the doorway as he walked down the sidewalk. “Love you!” his mom yelled.

“Love you too!” He turned and waved, then continued on his assignment.

His father held his wife and she uttered the words she never wanted to say. “Take care of yourself...” A tear ran down her cheek.

As Crimson carried the few bags of groceries home he whistled a merry tune to himself. He saw his house down the street and gained speed as he stepped onto his property; he felt something out of place. He ignored his instincts and continued inside.

He opened the door and the moment his eyes fell on what was inside his smile fell along with the groceries. His father lay on the ground in a pool of his own blood and he wasn't breathing. His mother was tied to a chair and horribly beaten. As a shadow loomed behind her, she saw her son and with the last of her strength she pushed out one last word, “run...”

A knife plunged into her back and Crimson could see the end stick out his mother's chest. She gave one last jolt of resistance until she slumped over, stopped by the rope binding her.

The shadow behind her turned to Crimson and began to step forward. The young colt panicked and slammed the door. He ran as fast as he could as far as he could. More shadows emerged from behind, “Should we go after him?”

Hoofciano emerged from the shadows and spoke, “Nah... Let him suffer!” The gang let out a blood curtailing laughter.

Crimson kept running as his own panicking voice screamed in his head. This doesn’t make sense! I thought that my father had the money! That's why he acted so happy! The truth came to him as he tripped over a large rock. He tumbled down a hill and came to a stop as he crashed into a fallen tree.

Tears ran down his face as the truth ran through his head. They couldn't make the money... so they wanted to make their last days count. Crimson slammed his hoof down and let out a painful scream. The only thing that went through his mind now was the very name he hated more than anything in Equestria- Hoofciano...

Hatred and pain flowed through him like the blood in his veins. He trembled as his name repeated itself in his head, getting louder and angrier each time in repeated. Until a different voice interrupted. “I can give you what you want...”

The new voice startled Crimson and he began to look around for where the voice was coming from. “Wh-Wha? What I want?”

The voice continued, “Yes, power... The power to take revenge...”

Crimson shivered at the word, Revenge... His desperation pulled him further and further into darkness. “H-How!?”

A dark and twisted figure appeared with eyes that shot through Crimson's very soul and sanity, “I can give you that kind of power... But first you must give up something!”

Crimson's mind finally broke, “Please! Anything!”

The figure reached out towards him, “Take my hand... let go of happiness and parties, you won't need them anymore! The power you need comes from anger and hatred!”

Crimson reached out and touched the figure and it burst into nothingness. “You know what to do...” Crimson's eyes opened darker than ever. The move onward with ambition and hatred in his heart.

Hey everyone, sorry this chapter took so long. There have been issues around here lately, but i'll do my best to work through them and get more or the story for you guys!

Plus you may have noticed my new cover art, let me know what you think of it!

See you guys next chapter!