Hell's Mercy

“Here it is Chronicks. Remember this?” Kunik pointed to a cold isolation chamber with a glass window in the door.

“Yeah.” I pointed out. “That’s the isolation chamber you found me in when you claimed this place.” I might have gone on further, but I wanted to see where he was going with this.

“Indeed it is. I freed you from your captivity. I gave you a sanctuary to rest. And through all of it we have helped each other.” He was acting weird, no doubt. I had never seen him so soft, nor nostalgic.

“Why are you showing me this?” I asked, genuinely concerned.

“You’re getting old Chronicks. I don’t know how much time we have left together. I just want to make the most of it.” He replied, in a softer tone than I’d ever heard him speak.

“Thanks, I appreciate the concern.” I felt bad for judging him so quickly, but at the same time I certainly didn’t buy any of it.

“Great news Kunik.” Came a voice from the end of the hallway. I spun around and saw it was the same diamond dog from earlier in the day.

“Spit it out.” Kunik said. His sudden change in tone was jarring. Now I knew something was up.

“We’re assaulting Canterlot! We’ll have Shadow Shield here in no time!” The diamond dog said. Kunik glanced over to me, signalling me to take over the conversation.

“You did what?!” I growled.

“Well, we won’t hurt him!” He promised, his smile quickly fading off his face.

“Onnera is there! You could get her killed! And what happens when they strike back? You’ll be massacred!” I wasn’t worried about them however. They deserved whatever miserable fate fell upon them. Onnera was innocent though.

“We can handle ourselves. Besides, We’re going to lose many friends out there too. You might lose Onnera but it’ll be worth it!” Wrong choice of words. I reached out and grabbed his neck, like I’d done many others. I lifted him a few feet off the ground before I heard him speak again.

“Please… I’m sorry…” He choked out. I was expecting a reprimand from Kunik, but instead he spoke a different command.

“Kill him.”

I wasn’t an idiot. I knew Kunik wanted him dead for some sick plan. Or maybe he just wanted to stay on my good side and not call me out. The anger that swelled inside of me prevented conventional thought however. I squeezed tighter around his throat until he couldn’t breathe. He beat his paws against my arms unwilling to accept his fate. As he squirmed I dug my claws into his neck. Warm blood trickled down along my talons. The squirming stopped, and his eyes closed. Dead. I dropped the corpse onto the ground and looked away from the it in shame.

“What will you do now?” Kunik asked me.

“I’m going to Canterlot.”

“But you’ll get noticed. You’re eyes Chronicks, remember them?”

“I have to make sure Onnera is alright. Maybe I’ll even get Shadow Shield, I have to try.” At this Kunik seemed to ease up a little.

“You know what? Go ahead. But don’t come back without Shadow Shield.” This came as a surprise. Kunik had never threatened me before. “And bring Fali and Gwandon with you. They are professionals, you never know when they can help.”

“Fine.”

*******************************************************

Life is a line, drawn continuously along the wall of time. A pen, forever pushed until it runs out of ink. Never can we pull it away, change the decisions we’ve made in the past, nor the ones made for us. Instead every moment is but a pivot. some will mean little. But others, will change everything that comes ahead. Nothing is truly set in stone, as the stone will always age. The markings will become blurred and unreadable. No future is ever sprung fully formed from a pony’s head.

Nothing in my life had ever been so pivotal. The moment lasted seconds, but it felt like hours. The thoughts rushed through my head, yet I considered every one thoroughly. Anger. Sorrow. Adrenaline. Frustration.

And above all, denial. None of this was happening. None of the horrors would last. None of the Pivots would matter. These were the thoughts that flowed through my mind. none of the anger, sorrow, adrenaline, or frustration would matter. And yet my eyes welled up. my heart pounded. My brows scowled. My teeth were grit. It all felt real, and it was. To deny it would only made the pain stronger.

“Now breathe out, slowly. don’t let what remains tear you up inside.” My eyes refocused, bringing back to where I stood. The balloon of denial slowly drifting downward, no longer paining me. I breathed out like she said, letting the reality sink in.

I had just killed a Diamond dog with dark magic. I watched the pain that has gripped his entire body. I watched him feel the burning in his flesh. I watched his pain as his blood boiled inside of him. I hadn’t stopped him from feeling that pain. I caused it.

“Shield, we need to get out of here.” Her voice seemed calm despite my emotional state. “Come on.”

I didn’t respond. I just stared at the body, wondering what it must have felt like. wondering if he deserved it.

“There are at least 7 more coming this way, we need to go!” She was starting to worry, that was obvious.

“How did you know?” I finally responded.

“Know what?” I thought she was joking, but there was what seemed to be genuine confusion in her voice.

“Is killing so brutally really so mundane you just forget it that quickly?” I spat out. I had my wits about me again, but my hooves still wouldn’t budge.

“You did that, not me.” At this point I was losing patience.

“You told me how to breathe. how to aim. how to focus. how to kill. An adviser wouldn’t tell me how to use dark magic so effectively.” Three diamond dogs came around the corner. Fifteen meters separated us. They were moving closer never faster than brisk walk.

“I’ll explain later. Right now we need to run!” Twelve.

“And just how can I even trust you?” Nine.

“They’ll see the body of their friend, they’re going to kill you!” Six. I began considering running, but I didn’t know what plans she had for me, or even who she was.

I sighed heavily, weighing my options. Five. While I did this, I saw Sylwen sprint around the corner. Four. I began backing up, hoping to buy her enough time to get to them. I could always fight them myself. Could I really do it intentionally though?

I was glad I didn’t have to. Sylwen came up from behind one of them and slammed into him. The other two spun their heads in surprise. I took advantage of this by tackling and pinning another to the ground. The ‘adviser’ joined in, slamming the third against a wall, hard enough to knock it unconscious. I moved my horn to the face of the one I had pinned.

“Don’t. Come. Back.” I grunted. He nodded, fear in his eyes. I moved away from him and he scurried off away from us. when he was a considerable distance away, I turned my gaze over to Sylwen. “Thanks.” Looking me in the eyes, her expression changed.

“Your eyes…” Sylwen said, backing up. I was suddenly aware of the burning in them, and the green tint I saw everything in.

“I know.” I replied. A long ways behind her, I saw Shining Armor turn around the corner and trot along the hall. I spun my head behind me, making sure he didn’t see my eyes. I wondered if there were any laws about dark magic. I wondered if advisers were above them.

“Halt!” Shining Armor yelled. I’d wondered if he saw my eyes. “You’re under arrest.” I realized his voice was directed not at me, but at Sylwen.

“Why?” I asked. I wanted to know what crime she committed, she never told me that.

“Murder.” Shining Armor stated. I had to stop myself from turning around from surprise.

“It’s… true.” Sylwen admitted. I wondered if I could trust anyone at this point.

“But she’s a hero! she stopped at least 3 diamond dogs and saved my life!”

“I’ll... take that into consideration.” He replied sternly, but still showing sympathy.

“Shield, it’s okay.” Sylwen conforted. I wondered why I was even being so defensive of someone I hardly knew. I was so naive.

The guard took her unrestrained, and I turned my head to watch them slowly walk away, somewhere out of sight...