I took a deep breath, feeling my skin boil as the fans continued to cycle hot air into the chamber I was held in. The men behind the viewing glass observed as I ignored the burning sensation.

They locked me up inside this room, a room made to simulate different climates such as extreme cold and heat. I sat in the middle of the room, sweating and wanting nothing but a cold drink. Thinking about it, the men outside wouldn't hesitate when I tell them to retrieve something for me, knowing I can and will annihilate them for disobedience.

It has been three years since Bucky and I had stolen the serum, and during those years we have been modifying the formula, but in the long run the Winter Soldier program was a complete sham. The Hydra kill squad had been turned into mindless fighting machines, while Bucky and I were the only ones with full control.

I was still subjected to some experiments, some lethal and some non, but Bucky had by far the worst of it, being brainwashed with codewords to activate his trance.

I knew they did the same to me long ago, but they have forgotten the phrases. So I sat here with legs and arms crossed as the men turned the temperature up to one hundred and fifteen degrees Celsius.

The serum had upped the amount of heat my body could take before any serious harm could occur during such an extreme heatwave. It's astonishing really, if only the major was here to see it.

‘The Major…’ Guilt filled my very being as I was reminded of my actions. It was one of the reasons that the men have forgotten my phrase.

The Sergeant was to blame, and all know this - including the scientists. The Sergeant used the phrase and ordered me to kill the man I could call my father - and through his last dying breath that he not only took me out of my trance but had also said how he was proud of me for my prowess, how guilty he was for taking me from my true family and that he was glad that he could call me his son.

In my arms he passed away, taken away by some power hungry soldier looking for an easy way up the ranks. It was that day that I took vengeance. I had also turned fourteen that day, adding to the pain and turmoil I felt for my actions.

To say how shocked the was to find me out of my trance is putting it mildly, he was paralyzed with absolute fear. He begged for mercy as I broke his arms, he pleaded innocent when I shot his kneecaps, and he screamed in pain as I broke his lower jaw.

A bloody mess was what remained of the man that laid before me, laying in a puddle of his own blood. His rapid breathing made it clear of how much I had done to him, but I wasn't done yet. No; rather, I had just started.

With a knife in hand, I began cutting open his chest. His ribcage soon was fully on display with his barely-functioning organs contained inside. I stood up and placed the sole of my boot on top of his ribcage, before stomping once, twice, and finally, with a powerful third stomp, his ribs shattered and his organs were punctured by the fragments. He laid there in his room, choking from his own misplaced blood flooding the remains of his now-shredded lungs, before finally succumbing to the bitter mercy of death.

From that day forward, any and all evidence leading towards my control phrases were burnt, shredded, or otherwise destroyed. We still honor the Major to this day, and any disrespect towards him would be rewarded with a week in the hole.

I opened my eyes, feeling the tears evaporate from them as I did. I then stood up before walking up to the door while hearing the room shutting down. Opening the door, I was greeted with a guard holding my clothes. Handing me the clothes, he saluted before leaving.

Only putting on the cargo pants, I placed the shirt over my shoulder before walking down the hall. Just yesterday I had turned seventeen, and I show more intelligence than almost anyone of the same age.

Seeing my destination closing in, I also saw two guards stationed in front of the door. They stood in attention once they saw me.

“ Ser (Sir).” They said before stepping aside, allowing me to enter my room. Closing the door behind me, I then turned the lights on and saw my room.

It belonged to the Major before his demise and the others had said that I had deserved the room more than anyone else. Age had gotten to the soldiers and scientists, and with age came wisdom and sympathy.

Seeing the queen sized bed neatly made, I tossed my shirt onto the bed before I headed into the bathroom and took a cold shower. It was after the cold shower that I had flopped onto the bed, tired and exhausted - as well as angry.

‘Time will tell if I deserve to live or die but until then, I must find a way.’ I thought before drifting off to sleep. How I thought that time will decided my fate seemed foolish, but I was right in certain ways.

I sat in front of the fire, holding my staff that had a large salmon embedded on the tip of the blade. The fish hovered over the fire for what felt like hours - but were only minutes - before it was fully cooked and ready to eat.

Sinking my teeth into the center of the salmon, I bit off a large chunk of it before I began to chew. Swallowing before taking another bite, the fish was slowly eaten away, leaving the bones in a pile after almost swallowing them multiple times.

It was after I had eaten that I had felt as if I was being watched and with a quick turn of my head, I caught a glimpse of something pink before it vanished. I did nothing and waited as I started putting out the fire.

Stomping the burning wood with my boot before the fire was fully put out, I grabbed my staff just as I heard someone nearby. Slowly walking towards the opening of the cave, the voices became clearer and I realized I could recognize one of the two voices. The one that I knew was Princess Twilight, but the second voice was an as-of-yet unseen speaker.

I retracted the blade from the staff before walking out, almost bumping into Twilight as I did. She looked surprised to see me while I observed her friend, who's hair is as pink as Twilight's cheeks suddenly were.

Silence grew between us as no one said a word. Growing annoyed by the sudden lack of conversation, I chose to be the first to speak.

“Can I help you two?” I asked, breaking the silence. Twilight shook her head before looking back at me.

“Why did you leave?” Was her response, a question that I didn’t quite expect. Raising a brow at her, I crossed my arms.

“Pardon?” I said in slight confusion at her question.

“You left the palace without any warning. Why?” She asked. Blinking a bit at her question, I found it odd that she traveled to find me only to ask that question.

“I had no reason to stay after seeing you were in good hands, so I left.” I answered her while her friend stood in silence.

“But we could've given you a room in the palace to stay as a way of showing our thanks for aiding me.” She said. This got a questioning look from me, but I shook my head before speaking.

“I can live without a bed. Is this why you're here? To ask me why?” I asked her. Her ears folded down and the rosy tint on her cheeks returned.

“It's just that you left before I could even thank you and-”

“Thanking me is unnecessary.” I said to her. My answer didn't seem to satisfy her as she frowned.

“You may think that saving my life isn't a thing to be thanked for, but I disagree. Without you who knows what would have happen to me.” She said, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. “Just please, let me thank you with a place to stay.” She said.

I would've said no, that I actually liked living out in the woods, but what I said left me internally surprised.

“Alright, just don't start crying on me. I don't like seeing women cry.” I said, while I internally wondered what I had just said, why the hell I did say it. With sniff from her, she nodded before wiping away her tears.

My gaze then turned to look at her friend, whom had yet to be introduced. Unlike Twilight, she had no horn and had a safari outfit adorning her body.

Noticing my gaze, the woman gave let out a quiet ‘Eep' before quickly hiding behind Twilight. The latter looked at her friend before back me.

“I almost forgot about you, Fluttershy.” Twilight admitted. So her name's Fluttershy, I can see where the shy part comes in.

“Fluttershy, this is…” Twilight trailed off before realizing that didn't know my name.

“Ben.” I introduced myself. Fluttershy, still hiding, had given me a small wave. Without another word, I entered the cave again before coming back out only minutes later with my pack.

“So, you two know more of the forest than I do. Where to?” I asked the both of them. Hearing this finally got a response from the shy woman.

“Just follow me and we'll be there in no time.” She said before taking point. With a sigh, I followed behind her while Twilight kept up beside me.

Somehow I feel as if this'll turn out worse than I can imagine. I can only hope it's just a feeling, a terrible, terrible feeling...

Author's Note

Sorry for not updating, been busy for a while and didn't have time to write another chapter

Edited by CommanderWolffe and Dragonoidsix Seekers.