Faithless

“tell me that my friends are all lying to me and avoiding me because they don’t like my parties and don’t wanna be my friends anymore!”

-

Black star slumped in his makeshift throne, his plans halted by the presence of an unknown factor. He levitated a small vial of blood some of his 'dedicated' servants had collected from the sight hero had died at. A snaking grin stretched across his face as a grim plan unfurled in his mind. "Dear Hero, it will be your own deeds that bring about your downfall. I'll just need to keep you occupied until your labor bears fruit. hmm hmm hmmm hmmm." The cork to the vial popped open, releasing a hissing steam. The blood began to bubble inside the rattling glass, swirling into a violet pus. The vial shattered under the vapid liquid's sputtering energy. The turned blood ejected itself into the air to briefly form a dark glyph before splattering to the ground. "POLISHED SHINE! GET IN HERE.... I have a job for you....."

Hero beat his hoof into the stone all of the cave they had made camp in, the water in the opening next to him rippled from the force. With a heavy defeated sigh he hobbled over to the water's edge to take a drink after exhausting his frustration. The water was cool, clear and refreshing as it trickled down his throat. He quickly reeled from the pool, something in the water caught had his eye. Something dark had briefly reflected back at him. The pain surging through his chest sent guilty pangs into his heart. The reflection was too close to his own image for comfort. Was this the result of his harbored thoughts against Nightwing? She was here to help him after all. "NO!" Hero shook his head, "My distrust is well placed" He stated as he stepped boldly toward the water again to see his reflection. Leaning down, he saw staring back at him nothing but his natural reflection.

A smirk spread across the bold white stallion's muzzle as he turned toward the entrance to the cave and the outer chambers where the others slept around a fire pit Sky had started. For such a shy pony she was very good in the survival area. As he made his way toward the cave entrance, tip-hoofing carefully over the sprawled out spiral and around the ball of puffy tail that was a freshly bathed sky, he couldn't help but notice the beautiful devil huddled against the supplies on the cave wall. The red eyes and black, scarred in white, coat that reflected back at him not but a minute ago flashed fresh in his mind. It was so real to him he could even put a voice to it. "hero.... hero....hero" it whispered into the depths of his mind, cradling itself against his loss of faith in the supposedly noble High Agent.

He had spent several hours walking through the Everfree Forest, striding along its borders as he gazed up to the distant city lights of Canterlot. It was only half a day's travel by wing. They planned to leave the wagon in the cave and take flight once the forest turned back into grassland. A mad dash from cover to cover. It was a coward's play but the only one he had. With any luck nopony in Canterlot would know him as a traitor as the ponies of Ponyville did. The doubts weighed heavily in his gut, he just wanted to huddle down and vomit... No wait.. he actually needed to vomit. He quickly trotted off to the side and hung his head into a bush, violently beating his wings against his sides as the contents of his dinner escaped his stomach and made haste toward the ground.

Maybe those berries weren't as good as Sky thought they were. Hero shook his head. No, he was just literally worried sick. The world rested on his shoulders and he didn't know what to do but follow somepony he hated. He gently rubbed his stomach, sitting back on his haunches, as the taste of vomit burned his throat and tongue. He needed some water. Hero sat for a minute to make sure he wouldn't lose his lunch too and made for a nearby stream. As he walked he noticed a few of the odd creatures that made their home in Everfree. Oddly enough, even through the warnings and obvious danger, they didn't seem all that dangerous to Hero. They even looked cute, something you'd keep as a pet. It's not like they ever bothered him. He had been traveling through the forest for three days now and not once did any of the creatures attack him.

Lost in thought about the adorable manticores he had seen on his walk, Hero nearly stumbled face first into the small stream. A quick shift of weight and he regained his balance, taking a stance that was a little more than embarrassing; his legs crisscrossed, his head to one side, his tail raised in the air and his wings splayed out wide over the water. Luckily nopony was around to see that. They weren’t around to see that right? He quickly glanced about, phew nopony but a little rabbit... what are you looking at bunny?

The water was cool and refreshing, much more fresh than the stagnant water in the cave. He made sure to rinse out the taste of bile and acid from his mouth before washing the fire in his throat back down to where it belonged. Just as he swallowed and began to turn a distant sound called to be investigated. Somepony was shouting off toward the main path. "Yeah I don't care how much work it is, I won't look bad in front of the king! I simply will not allow it. Now tell Silva Song to take up her work near Froggy Bottom Bog. That place is most fitting to a creature of her talents." Hero crept past the river and through the bushes to see a steel gray Unicorn, whose coat seemed to shimmer, shouting instructions to a potted plant in a cool but lazy voice. His exquisitely styled white mane and tail was complemented by a Violet stripe.

The Scorch-mark on the stylish pony's side gave Hero all the reason he needed to avoid him. The last pony to have that mark was an earthpony and had some interesting powers, who knew what a unicorn could do with such enhancements.

"OKAY, ALRIGHT, FINE!!! hee hee hee. I'll let her know, I'll tell her, we'll talk." cracked a horrifyingly familiar voice. "I'll spread the message through the.... VINE... HAAHAAHEEHAAA HA. SO GET OFF MY BACK, LEAVE ME ALONE, SHUT UP! Using the plants like this is exhausting Polished." Lord V. Complained from his pot. He was a little pony head on a flower stem. It looked like a sick joke nature had played in order to invoke wishes of eternal illness rather than see it. Hero went to vomit again, but nothing came out. Apparently his stomach had nothing left to toss.

Lord V. spit a seed out of his mouth which promptly dug itself into the ground upon impact. "Good, lets move on toward the end of the path, any more of this humid forest and... UGH.. insects and my hair might frizz. I want these traps set and then i want to go back to my studio. " Polished huffed before levitating the disgusting 'plant' that was Lord V. along with him. Hero stepped back, keeping his eyes trained on the two superponies. The Rocks at the top of the river bank did not agree with this reckless act and gave way beneath him.

Hero fell backward, stones clacking and banging about him. NO! they had heard him. It was impossible that they hadn't. Hero clambered to get back on his hooves as he heard Lord V. shouting that he had heard something. His heart stopped as the bushes above him rustled, the violent laughter of the disturbing plantpony screaming through his head. He was going to have to get up,be strong, be a hero. Even if he died here the others would be safe, they would have their prize and go.

With a steady hoof he dug into the embankment, wings spread, ready to burst forth into fray as the mighty warrior he was supposed to be. Yes, this he knew would be his defining moment. He would succeed and place his first true mark against the Tyrant Black Star. He would with great effort get smacked in the face by a giant scorpion tail. Hero tumbled back once more, getting his coat soaked in the icy night time water. The roar of the manticore blasted into the fray before the unicorn shouted something about it being hideous and a bright light splattered manticore bits all over Hero. "EW! oh oh oh! that was the most hideous thing.. EW! Come on lets get out of here before another of those... those THINGS make themselves visible. Ugh..."

With that the monstrous pair made their way down the road, leaving Hero soaked, cold, and covered in the blood and guts of a manticore. He back pedaled in horror, sending himself up the opposite embankment and leaving quite a trail dug into the earth. "whwhat the fuck? Why did it.. but.He just fucking blew it up! it..." His stammering was cut off by a very calm and familiar voice.

"Of course the manticore leaped to your rescue." That silky voice cooed to try and calm the massively disturbed Hero before lifting him out of the muck. "You have a deep connection to this place. You, just like the forest and it's creatures, are filled with mystery and power. The princess will know more." Nightwing tried her best to turn Hero about and calm him down. But she was the last thing he wanted to see or hear right now. She murder three ponies in cold blood, that's all he could see in her.

Hero shielded his scowl with his blood soaked wing. "No! I don't want to hear anything from you. Why are you even out here?" He mumbled as he hoofed his way through the brush and back towards their camp. He shook what he thought was intestines from his celestial patterned mane, which surprisingly didn't seem to have a drop of blood staining it. He was red from head to hoof and fuming to boot. He had been the cause of yet another death, all be it an animal, but still a death due to his carelessness.

"Some hero" whispered the voice in the back of his mind.

Nightwing stared after him, pity in her teary eyes as she sat back on her haunches. "Because I care Borealis... Because I care." Her chest sank lower than she had felt in a long time. She had come out to help clear the air between them but only felt worse after her attempt. She already knew the extent of what he needed to know... but she wouldn't, couldn't risk telling him before he was ready. all the secrets she had to keep were starting to dig into her heart. She stared into the blood caked flank until it was clear out of sight, sigh and resting her head up against a tree as she contemplated taking a different approach to Hero. She needed him to inspire others, not make them feel bad. It was her job to mold him after all. It was her job to mold the one she cared most about, and even that she couldn't tell him.

"Are you serious!?!" shouted Blueflame, dropping the glass he had been holding in his telekinetic grip. Dazer shook his head up and down with the widest grin possible.

Grapple leaped forward giving the pegasus a mighty hug. "OH Celestia! This is incredible!" She could have almost kissed him..... almost. She jump back, the earth pony prancing and kicking the air in glee.

"That's great news." stated Hopscotch flinging his mane back. "This means Equestria still has a chance to survive." He levitated a few chairs out of their positions on top of the tables. "But since they're on their way here we should probably stay put and make sure Hero has a warm place to stay when he gets here."

Dazer stomped his hoof into the fine wood floorboards. "No way! If he's alive we should go and help him." His wings at full span."I could fly Blue out there with a skycart and-"

"-get them all killed." countered Hopscotch. "If what you're telling us is correct the two of them are pegasi. They would have flown if it was safe." Dazer folded his wings, scrunching his face inward. He clearly didn't like the waiting but Hopscotch was right. The Pegasus stamped fervently in place before flopping his ears down and falling hard on his haunches. Hopscotch got straight to work, mixing up a drink for his young drink-loving friend. "Here let me fix you something to calm you down. Lets go Celebratory, Hero's Special perhaps?" Dazer perked back up, smiling his trademark grin under droopy eyes.

Grapple calmed herself and trotted up next to Dazer, placing her hoof on his back."Hey it'll be alright. I personally don't like waiting either Dazer. But hey, if it'll work it'll work." She leaned forward to make sure Dazer could see her face. "I'm going to go get some supplies in the morning for when he gets here. Would you like to come with me? We can make a day of it." Dazer brightened up further to a full blown smile. A good drink today and some supply shopping tomorrow, plenty to keep his mind off things for now.

Blue stepped out from his dish-washing area. "Hey I thought I was going with you. I need to pick up some chemicals."

"Just get me a list Blue. Dazer needs the distraction." Grapple calmed. Blue Flamed shrugged, muttering something about quality goods before going back to his dishes. "Thanks Blue! You're a good friend." He shouted something back in return that was intelligible. The chemist was calm natured but they all knew he had lost something dear to him during Black Star's attack. More than his laboratory, More than his greatest experiment, his dearest Carrot Top is for now lost to the tyrant in Ponyville. They had all lost something and the cracks were beginning to show.

"Celestia..... Celestia... We need to get you out of there" Came the sweet sound of a mare from outside the window of the room turned dungeon. The great princess of the day rose her head weakly to hear the sound, the tales of her injuries told plainly by the dried blood that stained her dirty white coat.

Her knees wobbled then buckled under her as she attempted to rise on her own volition, but Black Star's torture had proven too brutal for her weakened frame. "m-my sister. Cadance is that you?" She managed to choke out. Her voice holding some echo of hope.

"Yes my sister, I've gathered Twilight and her friends. We are staying safe and gathering some of the Old Prince's armaments... are you okay Sister?" What a stupid question to ask, the clop of a facehoof could faintly be heard outside the window.

Celestia managed to find the heart to smile softly at Cadance's little mistake. "I will be fine Cadance. But I have some information you need to take to our sister, Black Star is telling me more than he thinks. Haaaagh haaaghkk. "Celestia coughed through her burning throat. "I'll do the most good here..." she paused to take in a slow breath so as to not choke on her dehydration again. "He want's me alive and I can learn."

Cadance fluttered up to the window, a cloak was draped over her face. She placed a hoof over the glass. "Oh my sister...." Worry filled her every word.

Hero looked over at the sleeping forms of Sky and Spiral, trotting angrily towards his bedroll. The past two hours were frustrating, terrifying, and exhausting. Never had he been more aware of his mortality and the threat that was being posed. He laid down as he let his eyes glaze over in the light of the campfire.

Hero sighed deeply as he looked over the three little fillies under his care. They were frightened. The two pegasi and the little unicorn huddled under his wings shivering, wide eyed in fear of what was before them. Hero flutter his blackened wings and stepped back, looking back up into the violets of the demonic mare in front of him. She growled billowing shadows that threatened to consume the very earth beneath them from under her silvery armor. Nightwing placed her hoof over his chest and thrust him up and onto his back. He didn't want to watch but he had to. It looked like she'd gobble them up in one foul swoop but her hooves would suffice.

Hero watched in utter horror as the world turned red, the three he had been trying to protect becoming crushed beneath the mare's thunderous hooves. The foals’ bones twisted and snapped wretchedly " They need to die!" Her silky voice screeched through his dark black coat and into his bones. "There is NO OTHER CHOICE!!!!" The looming shadow of Black Star began to boast a hearty laughter has his azure eyes greedily watched the foal get pulped. Hero stretched out his hoof aching to help but knowing in his heart that it was hopeless. He couldn't defeat an enemy who had already won.

It was funny though wasn't it? How much he wanted to struggle against 'clearly' impossible odds. The entirety of Equestria wanted his head for leaving Celestia to the hooves of the "King". Actually it was pretty hilarious, so funny in fact he cracked a smile, watching his forced companion kill the fillies. Look at that, the irony is absolutely hysterical. He cracked out into laughter as the world melted into white sky above him, the little black stars dotting the skies. It was always like that wasn't it? It didn't matter, that was funny too. Everything was funnier. He laughed and laughed and laughed some more. Everything was so pointless, why did he even try to begin with? He was such a silly pony, he should have just laid down and given up right then and there in the town hall. He should have just given-

"-herooooOOOooo. Hey sleepy butt!" Spiral had her face in his. "Hey fancy flank. lets goooOOO. you've been asleep straight through breakfast." She rolled her eyes, glancing back to Sky as Hero sat upright with a hoof to his head. "Sky said we should save you some. She's So nice...." She looked back to him with a grin. "But I kinda ate it. I had the munchies. Besides you don't like carrot flakes.... right?"

Before he could even get a syllable out Sky had fluttered over and pulled the hyper mare off. "Come on Windsie he's clearly had a rough night." Spiral stuck her tongue out and trotted out to the readied cart. Knowing the two mares didn't have the strength to pull the heavy wooden frame, Hero assumed that Nightwing must have moved it into place for them though she was nowhere to be seen. Sky's sweet smile filled the stallion's vision. "Come on, I saved you a little extra" From the wreck she had been the after leaving the smithy she seemed to have bounced back rather quickly. How did she do that? It was like she had completely forgotten that brutal murder. During Hero's moment of contemplation Sky had moved to push him off his rump. "You can't sit here all day. We're only one day from Canterlot and the.." she giggled a little bit, he imagined her blushing from the tone of her voice. "the Princess is going to see us. hehe."

Hero wasn't stubborn and quickly found himself on his hooves, Sky fussing over his bed feather. She was like a mother. Hero hadn't had one himself, but he saw fillies and colts with their mothers before. He didn't bother fight off the mare's motherly mothery motherness. All he could do was shake his head, mares were weird. "Hey sky?" He managed after making sure Spiral was out of earshot and the Nightbitch was out of sight. The gentle mare stopped her obsessive preening and looked up to Hero. "What do you think about all of this? I'm feeling kind of lost here."

Sky trotted off from Hero's side and turned to face him, sitting hard on her haunches with a dignified sigh that told she had been thinking of what to say long before the question was asked. "I think this is something out of my control but something I clearly have a chance to help change." she looked back and then to the stallion again. "I have never seen the things I have in the past few days in my entire life. I'll admit I even had a few panic attacks. But just between you and me?" she frowned a little bit, glancing towards the cart and Spiral again."I think Windsie is taking all this hard than I ever will." That was hard to believe, the mare was practically in party mode over there. Sky gave him another quick look over. "But that's not what you meant is it?" she frowned again, feeling concern grow as Hero's eyes darted off to the side. He didn't want to make her worry.

"I-I.... What about all this stuff that agent mare is shoving at me? After these past few days I've started to think that maybe..." He choked on his own words, his heart sinking in his chest as he drooped his head in thought.

"yeah? maybe what? Come along now Borie, tell me what's on your mind." She had gotten much closer than Hero had realized and was actually stroking his cheek with one hoof as she spoke. Right there, he wanted to say it so bad, he wanted to tell this mare his every secret and thought. Her words could give even the most devout of ponies naughty thoughts if she had so wanted it. Part of him wondered if she had ever used this talent to her 'advantage' before. No no no! He mentally shook the perversion from his mind as he refocused on what he was trying to tell her. He needed to get away from all these mares at some point.

He stammered as the thought of a very provocative Sky danced in front of his thoughts. "I uh... what if... Ahem.." Hero gathered himself. "I was thinking, what if I'm not actually a hero. what if I took on that name like a blind fool. I mean I didn't really know any better at the time. Hell I still barely know any better. I could have lit-"

Sky pushed a hoof up against his lips and shook her head with and understanding smile. Again with the motherlyness. "No Borie.... Hero. You didn't see what Nightwing showed us, what all your friends saw, what all of Equestria bore witness to that day you fought Lord V." She trotted back over to Hero's side to finish preening the few feathers she had missed. "You're a hero Borealis, Whether you like it or not." The finality of her statement dared Hero to speak further, back by a stare that would beat a cockatrice in a no blinking contest.

Hero lifted his head just in time to see Nightwing step up to the cart and assist Spiral in the final preparations. The remaining supplies were being bundled into four saddlebags for the flight to Canterlot. He did feel a little better, even managing to smile a bit at Sky's words. That type of absolute faith in who he was reassured him things would be okay, but a growing shadow in the back of his mind still stabbed at his doubts. 'that's two down, the entirety of Equestria to go.'