Occult Rising

"Wake up!" Dash yelled as she kicked the cultist in the ribs.

"Oof!" He said as he got up off the floor and grabbed his side.

He began to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Dash asked.

"Oh, nothing. Just the fact that you think you can hurt me. Our master has caused us much more pain than that little kick of yours." He replied.

Dash growled and kicked him in the other side of his ribs. This time there was a loud crack as several of his ribs snapped.

"Gah!" The cultist yelped.

"Why are you and your friends kidnapping people?" Dash asked.

The cultist simply spat a wad of spit and blood onto the ground in front of her. Dash slapped him across the face, leaving a red handprint on his cheek.

"You hit like a girl." He said.

"That's because I am a girl. Perhaps a more direct approach is needed. Applespice?" Dash said as she turned to Applespice, who was standing in the doorway of the jail cell.

He entered and approached the cultist.

"Now, I'm going to ask you once again. Why are you kidnapping people?" Dash asked.

"Do your worst." The cultist said.

Applespice turned to Dash. She nodded. Applespice picked up the cultist by his throat and choke slammed him. The cultist gasped as the wind was knocked out of him.

"Now, one last time. If you refuse to answer my question again, I'll be forced to let Applespice here end your miserable life." Dash said.

The cultist shakily got to his feet.

"It doesn't matter. Even if I do tell you, our master will kill me himself. So, either way, I'm dead." He said.

"Well, maybe we'll just have to force the answers out of you. Wind, honey. Care to take a crack at him?" Dash asked.

"What am I going to do that you guys haven't already tried?" Wind asked.

"Try using your inheritance." Dash said.

"What are you... oh! I'll try. But, I can't make any promises." Wind said as she entered the cell.

She placed her hands on the sides of the cultist head and willed his thoughts to reveal themselves to her. She began to flashes of a large room filled with candles. At the far end was a podium that was emblazoned with a red and black version of the Wonderbolts symbol. Behind the podium was a black robed figure, he was saying something that Wind couldn't make out. Just in front of the podium was a blood red pentagram. At each of the five points sat a bound and gagged earth pony. In the center sat her father. He was slouched over and was a sick pale white color. Wind realized with horror that the pentagram was formed from his blood, he was spilling blood from a bullet hole in his chest. Wind couldn't tell if he was even breathing. Just as she was about to yell out for her father, a red light blazed from the circle around the pentagram and blinded her.