The Pony of Smiles

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5

Chapter 1

The sun is shining and the birds are singing as I bounce towards my first destination of the day, the house of my best friend Swift Shot. She was the first friend I ever made in this town and I make sure to see her first thing every day. As I made my way up the small path to her home I couldn’t help but let out a big smile while looking over her front yard, a well manicured grass lawn, a path framed by metal arches painted white and flower beds bursting with color. As I reached her front door I went to knock and as always she beat me to it. The door opened and my best friend in the world was standing there waiting for me with a smile on her face.

The dark green unicorn mare looked me over as I did the same, her short black and acid green mane resting above a pair of bright red eyes that scanned over me in seconds.

“Hello Sanguine, you’re here right on time as always.” She said to me with the same smile she greets me with everyday.

“Swifty! You’re looking so good this morning. I guess you had a lovely nights sleep.” I answered while bouncing up and down, so happy that my friend had a good night.

“Sanguine, please call me Swift. We are getting a little old to keep the old nicknames aren’t we?” She scolded before smiling at me again and continuing. “But you wouldn’t be you if you didn’t hold on to the old ways, you’re still the same little filly I grew up with.”

“Of course! Why would I change? If I wasn’t me then I wouldn’t be happy all the time and if I wasn’t happy all the time I wouldn’t be able to spread smiles to everypony!”

“I really don’t know how we seem to have this same conversation every morning.” She said again for the -I don’t remember how many- time. All I know if that we have been repeating almost this exact same conversation every single day for what seems like years, but it never fails to bring big smiles to both of our faces.

“Ohh Swifty, we shouldn’t question it. It brings us smiles and that’s all that matters.”

“Hehe, you’re right Sanguine. Anyway do you have my newspaper?” She asked.

“Of course Swifty, like I would ever forget to do my job.” I answered while opening my saddlebags with my magic. The silver aura easily opening the latch and pulling out the daily paper before floating it over to my friend. She took the paper in her red aura and lay it softly onto her back before replying.

“Well you better get a move on before you’re late delivering to everypony else, I know you always rush over to give me the paper first instead of making it here on a proper route.” She scolded me again, just another part of our fun little daily routine.

“Of course you should get it first Swifty! What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t make sure you had everything you needed for your day? I know how you like to read the paper during breakfast every morning.” I answered with even more cheer in my voice.

“Alright off you get.” She said with a big smile.

I galloped off quickly towards my home before going to the house next door, the first house on my proper route.

Two hours later I had finished my job for the day, making sure that every home in Hollow Shades had the daily paper, it was a big job but I took it seriously. Ponies loved to know what was happening in our beautiful country and it was my job to make sure they knew every single day.

As the day had progressed though I noticed that things today were very different, after getting the paper their smiles would fall. What was wrong? I thought bringing them the news were meant to make them happy? I was giving it to them personally like every other day with a big smile on my face, but it wasn’t helping. As I neared the end of my route around the town I could see groups of ponies starting to gather together and talking in hushed tones with frowns on their faces.

Once I was done I could see that the groups were getting bigger. Spotting Swift I galloped up to her, she had the same frown on her face that everypony else in town seemed to have taken to.

“Swifty whats wrong? Nopony today was happy to get the newspaper and they have been joining in groups all over town.” I asked, a worried frown breaking out onto my own face.

“Something really bad has happened Sanguine. You know of the Elements of Harmony, right?” She asked me, her frown deepening.

“Ohh you mean those heroes from Ponyville? Of course I know them, everypony knows the stories of how they brought back Nightmare Moon and reformed Discord, how Princess Twilight became an alicorn and all that other cool stuff like saving Equestria. What about them?”

“Maybe it’s best that you read this.” She said simply, the paper I handed her this morning wrapped in her magical aura. I looked over the front page and gasped before reading further.

ELEMENTS FALL

Today dear readers it is with heavy heart that I must report that the Element Bearers are no more. A terrible accident occurred in the small town of Ponyville that hosted some of the greatest heroes Equestria has ever seen. Reportedly the friends were helping one of the bearers, Rarity the Element of Generosity, searching for gems for one of her upcoming fashion lines they were beset by a group of Diamond Dogs and taken prisoner. During a rescue attempt by Princess Twilight’s personal assistant Spike Sparkle apparently a few of the foul beasts decided that their prisoners were too much trouble when one of them realised who they had taken prisoner. Word around town is they had taken Rarity prisoner already on a previous occasion.

As the Elements were released however some of the Diamond Dog tunnels became unstable and a cave in occurred. When Spike reached the scene half the connecting system had already fallen and by the time he left and returned with a large amount of citizens from the town it was far too late. Witnesses who helped with the recovery effort that were capable of speaking told us here at Equestria Daily that the group of friends were crushed underneath the earth hours before anypony could reach them.

Princess Celestia was petitioned to give an official statement but has refused to speak to her ponies in this time of great loss and tragedy.

Anypony who wishes to may attend a memorial held in Ponyville in a week's time outside the castle of our fallen Princess Twilight Sparkle where Spike will be holding the service for his lost friends.

“How?” I asked, not believing that such great heroes could fall to such a terrible fate.

“I don’t know, but it’s true.” Swift answered before wrapping me in a hug.

“I-I think we will be ok. We still have Princess Luna, Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance. We will be ok Swifty, even though things are bad now things will get better.” I said to my best friend, pushing a smile onto my face.

“Yeah, you’re right Sanguine. We can’t give up hope.” She said with a small smile.

“Of course not, no matter how dark things get there will always be a light. Even if we have to create that light for ourselves. As your best friend I’ll always stand by you so if you ever need that light I’m here, okay?” My smile grew bigger as I comforted my friend.

“Thank you, I really needed to hear that. Hey, how about we go grab lunch? You’re probably hungry after all those deliveries.” She offered.

“That sounds like a lovely idea! Let’s go Swifty!” I said as I bounced towards the nearby bakery, my best friend at my side.

The days flew by after that, Swifty and I made the best out of it and the town slowly returned to normal. I continued my job delivering the news to the good town of Hollow Shades, but the ponies started to pay less attention to the news. Instead I started to talk to them more, helping them smile everyday. Sure it took an extra 3 hours to complete my route but it was worth it to see the smiles on everypony when I showed up at their homes and businesses.

I still read the paper everyday, seeing the stories get sadder and sadder. It began with ponies speaking out against Celestia, saying that she should have sent guards to protect them or that she knew long ago about the Diamond Dog nuisance and could have dealt with it long before it came to this. Soon every day there was a new story speaking out against the princesses and they were appearing in public less. Celestia’s court was only filled with ponies asking why she hadn’t acted sooner or telling her she should stand down and Cadance refused to leave the Crystal Empire regardless of who requested her presence.

I wouldn’t let that get me down though, what kind of pony would I be if I wasn’t trying to make everypony happy? I wouldn’t be myself, that’s who.

A few weeks after all of this started Swift asked to come live with me, she didn’t want to be alone and I told her it was fine. I was always happy to have my best friend around. She even helped me out on my route, every morning she was up and ready to walk all around the town bringing smiles to the ponies of our town. When she first came she looked so down, but after a few days her smile grew. She was always thanking me but I couldn’t take all the credit, her smile made me happy and I just wanted to spread it back.

When the papers stopped being delivered I didn’t stop working, my job had long stopped being about delivering the news and I was now the Pony of Smiles as everypony around town had started calling me. That made me happy, all I ever wanted to do was make ponies happy and now it was my job! The mayor kept paying me the same wage so I wasn’t having any troubles with expenses and Swift was helping me so she was getting paid too.

One day a few months after everything began to change the air in town was suddenly different, stories had begun to spread throughout the town and the dark atmosphere was back. Swift went around to everypony to find out what had happened and when she came home she looked even more down than ever. Apparently some bad ponies had started to gather and were travelling the country hurting other ponies, she called them raiders.

“Swifty, I bet those are just stories made up by scared ponies. I doubt there would be anypony in Equestria that are mean enough to do that. Sure, some bad things have happened but no matter what this is a good country and we almost pull through. Even when big, dark and scary forces like that meanie Tirek came we always beat them and Equestria was bright and happy again.” I told her with a big smile on my face.

“You’re right Sanguine, I’m sure they are probably just stories.” She said with a small smile before walking off.

“Hey Swifty, why don’t we go out and practice with your bows tomorrow? I’m sure that will put you in a better mood.” I offered my still downcast friend who looked back at me as she was about to enter her room.

“That sounds like a good idea.” Swifty said, her smile growing a little more before closing the door behind her.

“I’m sure that no matter how bad things get, I’ll always take care of you Swifty” I whispered to myself before heading off to bed to get a good nights sleep.

Chapter 2

*Twang* *Thk*

“Go Swifty!” I call out cheerily to my best friend as she fires arrow after arrow into the makeshift wooden targets we’ve set up around the trees. Every arrow is notched and fired in moments, each one hitting dead centre in the targets no matter how far away or if she is moving when she fires. My best friend is one of, no the best archer in Equestria. I bet she could even win in the Equestria Games if she felt like participating, but she doesn’t like to stand out so much. No matter how many times I tell her that she is amazing she just says it doesn’t matter, so I cheer her on. It’s important that she knows how good she is.

*Twang twang twang* *Thk thk thk*

She hits three more targets dead centre and I cheer loudly.

“Sanguine, if you keep being so loud I’ll lose my concentration.” She chides me.

“But Swiffftyyyyy, if I don’t how will you know somepony appreciates how good you are at your special talent.” I say, indicating to the drawn bow with three arrows notched sitting on her flanks.

“I’m sure I’ll remember.” She says with a smirk. “It’s not like I don’t have a constant reminder sitting somewhere on my body.” Her face darkens. “But I wish it was something that could help out in town, how is an archery talent meant to makes lives easier for everypony else?”

I run up to my best friend and hug her. “Well what about these days? With all these bad things happening you can be the protecter of Hollow Shades! I’m sure everypony would feel safer with you around.”

My smile widens when I see light enter her eyes again. “You’re right Sanguine, before it might not have mattered but we have a town who rely on us now. You keep them smiling and I can keep them safe, if these stories of raiders and rampaging beasts are true.”

“I know, I know!” I say while bouncing up and down. “We should go tell the mayor, she can make you the official town Guardspony! We’ve never needed one before but you’re perfect for the job!”

“Alright.” She relents with a big smile. “That sounds like a great idea.”

I bounce over and grab her hoof, dragging her out from our secluded area of the woods. We have a long walk into town because we didn’t want to hurt anypony in case she ever missed with her arrows, not that she would ever miss! But we wanted to be careful. So we just walked side by side along a path we had long made in the grass back to town, casually talking about anything and everything that came to mind.

“So Swifty, do you think they would have armor for you? I mean if you’re going to be a guardspony I’m sure the mayor would have armor ready for you. Wait, have we ever had guards in this town?”

“I’m not sure Sanguine, I’ve never heard of Hollow Shades ever having any guards but I’m sure there will be something I can wear. Maybe I’ll get mom to sew something. She always did like making clothing for me, even if I rarely ever wore it.”

As we walked down the familiar dirt path between the trees we could hear a strange sound. Loud drums were beating in the air, a constant, slow rhythm growing closer with each beat. Swift looked at me, her expression suddenly serious. “What could that be? There’s nothing going on in town that would require the town band to play and this long, drawn out beat doesn’t sound like any song I’ve ever heard.”

“I dunno Swifty, but we should go find out. Maybe there’s somepony new in town and they are showing their talent to everypony!” I answer, trying to bring a smile onto my suddenly morose friends face.

“Don’t you hear it though? This is much more than one drum, the sound is all coming at once but there is a small echo. Like a whole bunch of ponies are all drumming at the same time, the occasional one being slightly off time.” Her expression instead of becoming lighter was getting darker the closer the sounds came.

I wasn’t sure what she could mean, I mean it’s just drums. Why would anypony worry about music? Even if it wasn’t the kind of music we were used to, surely anypony who would come to town playing music couldn’t be all that bad. Well we should just get into town and introduce ourselves! That way no matter who they are Swifty will get to meet them and then she can smile again.

Smiling to myself with my new plan I bounced along our path, Swifty cantering by my side.

While we reached closer to the town the drum beats started to speed up. What was once a slow measured pace was beginning to run out of control as loud beats practically vibrated in the air. Swifty looked at me, her expression darker than ever, and that was when we heard it. The cries of hundreds of voices, metal clanging against metal and the lighter beats of hoofsteps following the rhythm of the drums.

Step by step we drew closer to the town and the sounds only grew. Screaming voices were slowly being drowned out by yelling ones, their tones dark and scary.

"What's going on? What is happening to our town?" I asked myself, my smile breaking more with every second that passed by.

A loud shriek filled the air followed by a quieter gurgle as we passed through the final layer of trees and found a sight that if I wasn’t seeing it, I never would have believed possible.

My neighbour stood by the side of a house, her crying foal in her arms as a unicorn held her up by the throat. His magical aura tightening as she was raised higher. She eyes locked with mine, they pleased with me to help her, to save her. But I was frozen. I couldn’t move a muscle and I knew that she was going to die. As I was about to let out a cry Swifty grabbed me, pulling me back into the cover of the trees and held my mouth closed with her magic.

“Shh. If you make a sound they will know we are here.” She whispered before asking me. “Do you understand?”

I nodded, my eyes wide with fear.

“Good, I’m going to let your mouth go and when I do you have to make sure you don’t scream.”

When her magical aura left my muzzle I quietly whispered to her. “Should we be helping them though? I’m sure that if we get to the mayor we can find enough ponies to make them leave us alone.”

“Sanguine, how many screaming voices do you hear right now?” She asked while we continued to watch the mare being choked from behind a bush by the tree line.

“Umm, not many.” I answered, not wanting to hear my friends answer.

While she prepared her answer I watched the foal fall out of the mare's hooves, her mother finally giving up on her struggle for life. The raider merely threw her body to the side before kicking the foal into the side of the building. I had to force my hoof into my mouth to prevent myself from crying out at the cruelty. I sat there, watching the small bundle of fur shake, before it stopped moving altogether.

“Every screaming voice is somepony we know.” She said with a hardened expression. “And every yelling one, is one of them. Every time one of those screaming voices stops it means somepony we know just died.” She used her magic to seal my mouth before I could cry out again. “Now I hate to say this but for us to hear so few screaming voices then it means that those raiders have already won. Now we need to get out of here before they either start searching for survivors, or somepony finds us.”

I nodded to her as she again removed the magic muzzling me. Tears streaked down my face, matting my coat and dripping down into the dirt. Swift pulled me away but I barely noticed my surroundings, the look in the eyes of that mare as she died was emblazoned onto my mind. I barely blinked because all I could see were those eyes, haunting me.

We travelled far back into the forest that only minutes before felt just as much home as the town we were slowly leaving behind. But now it was just an image that passed by unnoticed in my vision. Numbly I let Swift drag me back to our little archery range and I sat on my haunches the moment she let go of my hoof, recent memories playing through my mind on a constant repeat.

The next moment blinding light hit me as a hoof smacked me over the side of the face, I held a hoof up to what would surely be a bruise and looked at my assailant.

“Snap out of it Solly!” Swift called out to me, using the nickname she came up with while we were barely out of our foalhood years. “I need you right now!”

I looked at my friend, finally noticing the tears covering her muzzle and the dark look in her eyes.

“I’m sorry Swifty! Come here!” I leapt up, wrapping my best friend in a bear hug. No matter how I felt, taking care of my best friend was more important!

“Uh- not so hard, okay?” She groaned, before breathing deeply the moment I let go. “Look I know it’s hard right now Solly, but I need you to hold it together. Remember, you are the Pony of Smiles and I need you. Now, we can’t be sure that those ponies got everyone, so what we need to do is lay low here and when we are sure that they have passed on. We head back into town and search for signs of survivors. Do you think you can hold on that long?”

“I-I’m not sure Swifty, but I’ll try for you.” I answered before asking her with fear in my voice. “Do-Do you think anypony else made it?”

“I’m not sure Solly, but we need to have hope.”

No! I’m sure of it! I’m sure with all those drums somepony must have gotten away. We could hear them for ages while we travelled back. I bet a lot of ponies realized what was happening and we get back to town we will find them. The mayor will have gathered everypony and we will work on rebuilding the town. Things will be hard for everypony for a while but no matter what happens we will push through, because that’s what we always do.

I looked into the eyes of my best friend, wiped the tears from my face and brought back my smile.

“We will find as many ponies as we can and make everypony smile!” I declared. “No matter how dark things get, I will be here and everypony will smile!”

She stared back at me, not moving for a moment before smiling. “Yeah. I’m sure you’re right Solly.”

“Now Swifty, I don’t know about you but I need some sleep. We can head back after a good rest, what do you say?”

“I think that’s a good idea” She said, visibly letting go of tensed muscles and laying down on the soft grass.

I lay down not far away and closed my eyes, the vision from earlier coming back before I willed it away. I just lay there, thinking of how many ponies I would make smile when we get back to town and help them find their families, when I felt something press up against my back. The dark green form of my best friend was cuddled up against me and I felt her dual coloured mane pressing against my neck.

I smiled before whispering. “Don’t worry Swifty, I’ll always be here for you.” I saw her smile before her breathing slowed, finally asleep.

When I awoke I could see it was morning, the early sun was only barely raising itself into the sky and I smiled. I could feel that today was going to be better. After so much darkness yesterday it just had to be! Raising a hoof to my face I brushed the sleep out of my eyes and slowly brought myself to my hooves, but not before softly removing Swifty’s hoof from my side. I don’t want to wake her yet. She looks so tired and I wasn’t about to interrupt her rest, not with that little smile so delicately resting on her face.

I cantered over to a little stream that ran along our little archery range and plunged my face into the water before shaking it all out. I straightened out my mane, coat and tail using a small brush that I took out of a small bag we keep out here. Mainly due to some extra long stays in the forest. I had to look presentable when we came back! Nopony would smile if I came back to town looking all dirty and with a messed up mane full of twigs.

After making sure I looked presentable I moved back other towards my best friend and with my magic began softly brushing her mane back into place, occasionally stopping to remove some twigs or grass that had gotten stuck in there. When I was halfway done she shook and suddenly jumped up, staring at me smiling at her.

“What’s going on? Where are we? What about the town?” She blurted out in under a second.

“Calm down Swifty, let me finish brushing you.” I said, the brush still running through my overactive best friend.

She looked at me with a strange expression before resigning herself to my ministrations. My brush continued to straighten her mane before I moved onto her tail and it wasn’t until they were completed that she started talking again.

“Do you think anypony made it Solly?” Her voice came out in barely a squeak.

“Of course silly, I’m sure many ponies got away. I’m willing to bet when we get back into town there will be many ponies who will brighten up when they see Sanguine and Swifty.” I answered.

“If you’re sure.” She whispered softly before standing up.

“Let’s head home, I’m sure everypony is missing us and we don’t want them to worry for too long do we?” I asked while grabbing Swift’s hoof and dragging her off back towards the path back to the town.

“Just don’t be too disappointed Solly” Swift said, too quiet to be heard.

“What was that Swifty?”

No-Nothing Solly, don’t worry about it.”

My best friend and I galloped through the path back to Hollow Shades again, winding between trees and undergrowth quickly. I just couldn’t wait to get back and see everypony smile so I dragged Swifty along as fast as I could. It only took 15 minutes to make the whole trip, that’s probably a new record!

The entire journey Swifty had been looking up with a worried look on her eyes. I wasn’t sure what she should could have been thinking about but I’m sure once she sees everypony, it won’t be hard to bring her smile back.

Swifty started to slow down as we neared the tree line, her gallop coming to an almost complete stop.

“Solly, I think we should go back. Something feels wrong.” She said, barely above a whisper.

“What are you talking about Swifty? We are almost home.”

“Look up Sanguine.” She added, switching from my nickname when a scary look entered her eyes.

I looked up, expecting to see a bright blue sky above my head through the trees. What I saw shocked me when instead I could see plumes of smoke leading up into the sky from in front of us. In that moment the air shifted and the smell of burning filled my senses.

I galloped forward, breaking through the tree line and saw for the second time something I could have never believed. The entire town, all of Hollow Shades burning. There wasn’t even anypony around trying to put out the fires. I froze there after falling to my haunches, what I was seeing was too much. I could feel something pull at my hoof and some part of me could hear Swift trying to say something to me but none of it mattered, nothing mattered anymore.

My soul died, my heart broke, and the world turned to black.

Chapter 3

Black… Black was all I could see. The complete absence of color surrounded me, and shouting… Shouting voices, so familiar, and yet not. A chorus of cries surrounded me in the dark. Minutes, maybe hours passed by as I watched the dark field I found myself in.

After what felt like lifetimes the dark started to fade, but the voices never did. Slowly images came to my sight; visions of me, hundreds, maybe thousands of them. The fought one another, beams of silver and scarlet magic, swinging hooves striking one down after another. As each fell they exploded into particles of dust that separated in two, half dissolving into the one who defeated them, the rest floated over to me. Disappearing as it entered my eyes, but it didn’t sting. In fact as each cloud entered my eyes I felt stronger and my vision became lighter as the dark was banished from my sight.

As I looked over the battlefield before me I noticed something, each pony looked like me and sounded like me. But that’s not strictly true, each was slightly different. One might have a slightly lighter or darker coat and mane, while another’s voice would be softer or harsher than my own. One by one the mares would fall and both I and the victor would become stronger. I looked down and saw my body, it was not quite solid. As if I was a ghost I could see through my body, but as I saw another cloud of dust approach I became slightly more solid and I felt more like myself.

Soon there were only a few of my copies left and my body was almost whole. I watched as a charcoal coloured mare with my scarlet mane and tail blasted it’s opponent with a powerful beam of magic and another with my silver coat and a light pink mane and tail merely lifted a hoof to another that stood before it. The mare bent down in front of her, bowing before disappearing in another cloud of dust. Before long they were all who stood before me, the two mares staring at one another. Neither moved and I worried about what that could mean, the two looked like polar opposites and yet also looked like me.

The darker of the two growled and my pink maned copy just smiled warmly at her. As they moved at once a charcoal and pink bubble appeared around each of them, neither able to move within range of the other. But they continued to clash, one after another would bound forward only to be repelled by the barriers they seemingly were not in control of.

“I can’t take any more of this!” I screamed, bounding forward and stopping between the two. “Will everypony please stop fighting?”

The pink maned one looked at me, still smiling warmly. “We cannot, this is all we know.”

“Yeah, don’t try to stop us you stupid little filly.” The dark one growled at me.

“But, why should we fight? We should all be friends!” I squeaked in fear, the growl sounded so dark and scary.

“Friends? Such a stupid little idea befits such a weak mare.” The dark one growled again.

“As much as I dislike my dark counterparts explanation, I am inclined to agree with her. We are opposites, surely we cannot exist in harmony with one another.” The brighter one said calmly, her smile never leave her face.

“Well I think you’re just being silly. Everypony needs friends and if you need more to believe it then just look at your flanks!” I said while indicating to my own.

There against the backdrop of my silver coat, scarlet mane and tail lay my cutie mark, a silver smile framed by a red heart. The stubborn mares then looked to their own, the dark ones being a black smile in a red heart and the bright ones was a silver smile in a pink heart.

“See! We all have similar cutie marks. If nothing else then that means maybe we can all be friends, right?” I pleaded with them, smiling widely despite my fear and nervousness.

“Maybe she has a point.” The bright one said.

“I don’t know, this friendship stuff all sounds like bucking horseapples to me.” The dark one added, though with less stubbornness than before.

“Solly”

“Alright!” I said, bouncing from one mare to another. “Now that we are friends we should introduce ourselves! My name is Sanguine Soul and I love making everypony happy, a smile is the best payment you can ever receive!”

“I’m not sure if I have a name but I believe that I represent something, so I’ll use that. My name is Goodwill and it is very nice to meet you Ms Sanguine.” The bright one that I now know as Goodwill replied.

“Yeah, I guess it’s the same for me as that loser over there. Call me Vengeance.” The scary one added.

“Solly!”

“Yay! Well my new friends, what do we do now?” I said while lifting the hooves of the two mares.

“Solly!”

“I don’t-Does anypony hear that?” Goodwill said, her ears twitching.

“SOLLY!” A voice cried out, the realm I was in with the two mares disappearing in an instant.

I opened my eyes to see Swifty, her mane dishevelled and face covered in tears. Jumping up I wrapped her up in a big hug.

“What’s wrong Swifty? Why are you crying?” I asked while squeezing her tightly.

“Solly, I’ve been trying to wake you for hours! You collapsed, screaming outside town and frozen solid!” She answered, fresh tears streaming from her eyes joining the ones already matting her coat.

“I’m so sorry Swifty, look I’m here now so please smile for me ok?” I said trying to calm my overwrought friend before another voice spoke from my mouth. “It would appear that you are not the only one to come back Ms Sanguine.”

Swifty and I jumped when the voice spoke.

“Umm Solly, why did you say that?” Swifty asked.

“I-I didn’t Swifty… Goodwill, was that you?” I asked tentatively.

“Yes Ms Sanguine, it would appear that you were not the only one to be awoken when Ms Swift called for you.” Goodwill answered from my mouth.

“Yeah, she isn’t the only one.” Another voice answered, this time in a growl.

“Solly, what’s going on? This isn’t some strange joke is it? It’s not the right time for jokes.” Swifty fearfully asked me.

“No-No Swifty, when I saw the town everything went black and I was in a warzone. Ponies that looked similar to me were fighting each other, but two of them were too strong and couldn’t win. Because I didn’t want them to keep fighting I asked then to be my friends. They named themselves Goodwill and Vengeance.” I explained to Swifty. “But I thought that was just a dream!”

“It would appear not Ms Sanguine. While I don’t begin to fully understand, Vengeance and I appear to be just as real as you and your friend. Although we do not have our own physical bodies.” Goodwill attempted to explain.

“Umm Solly, this is real isn’t it?”

“You’ve got that right missy.” Vengeance growled out in response.

“Well if you two are real then we can all really be friends!” I said happily while bouncing in place.

“Sanguine, this is strange or whatever but I think one of us needs to go look and see if anypony have tried to get back into town. And after what you went through just by looking at the town I think it would be best if I did.” Swifty told me, her voice was noticeably lower.

“I’m really sorry I can’t go with you Swifty. I understand, don’t worry. I’ll just wait here for you.” I reassured my best friend.

I watched her turn and canter through the trees until she disappeared from sight. Looking around I could see nothing but trees, boring tree and after boring tree. Thinking about Swifty or anypony else from town only hurt and made me feel lonely. I knew how much better I would feel if I could see anypony else, but that was impossible for now.

I waited there, thinking about the smiles of everypony I knew until I picked up the sound of hooves coming from the direction of town. Ducking behind a bush I watched as a shadow pulled itself from the undergrowth, my breath caught in my lungs as thoughts or who or what it could be. I quickly calmed as Swifty walked out from between two tall bushes, looking slightly different from before.

Standing in front of me was my friend, garbed in mottled green and black fabric. It covered her from neck to hoof with only a hole at the back for her tail and another on her flank to display her cutie mark, a black bow, much more ornate than her usual one was held in her magic with an arrow notched as she looked around for me.

“Solly. Are you there?” She called out softly.

“I’m here Swifty, what’s with the new stuff? It looks so cool!” I asked my best friend before I remembered why she had to leave me behind. “Oh right, did you find anypony?”

She lowered her eyes and a dark look entered her face. “No, and you really don’t want to know what I found.” She looked up after that, her face a little brighter. “But I did find tracks leading out of the village and I reckon some of the villagers were taken by the raiders, maybe we can still save some of our friends.”

I was shocked, but with a tinge of elation, the prospect that some of our friends might still be around filled me with a cautious joy. I looked at Swifty again before asking a previous question again, desperate to change the subject before she could tell me anything more about the state of our town. “So what is with the clothes and bow? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Well I went to the town hall first, I figured that anypony that wanted to be found by other survivors might hide there, but because I didn’t find anypony there I searched around for a bit. In the mayor's office there was a display case with a sign on it that said, ‘Slight Step, the greatest hunter and protector Hollow Shades has ever known.’ With everypony gone I guessed nopony would mind if I borrowed it.”

“A useful find Ms Swift, I’m sure you will honour the memory of such a great hero.” Goodwill said in her usual calm voice.

“And that bow will come in handy dispatching anypony who gets in our way.” Vengeance added, once more growling from my mouth.

“I-I don’t know about that, I’ve only shot at targets. I don’t think I could shoot anypony.” Swifty stammered.

“It’s ok Swifty. I’m sure we will find a way to get everypony back without doing mean things!” I said to my best friend, a hoof resting against her back to calm her.

“I doubt it, such pansy thoughts will only get us killed.” Vengeance stated.

With those words hanging over us we left, tracing our way through the trees and bushes. The gloom set upon us from the thick lattice of leaves and branches which blocked out much of the suns light and darkened our mood. Our path lead us around the outskirts of the town. I didn’t want to get any closer, Swifty’s words had me filled with fear at the prospect of seeing the state of our town again. After about half an hour of silent walking we found something, a wide trail of crushed undergrowth passed east and west moving away from the town.

“I think it’s safe to say this is the way they were headed.” Swifty announced quietly.

“Yeah! With this many hoofsteps many ponies from town are with them. I bet if we catch up we can get everypony back!” I said cheerily looking at the trail.

A branch snapped nearby, causing Swifty and I to jump. “Ughh.” A voice groaned out from nearby. “Is anypony there?” It asked slowly, like the words were hard to say.

Swifty moved towards the source of the voice carefully, a large bush on the edge of the trail. “Who, who's there?” She asked.

“I-Is that little Swift Shot? Please come here child.” The voice called out softly.

We broke from the path and looked behind the bush. Laying there with blood pooling around him was an old stallion who looked incredibly familiar, his charcoal coat, gray and white mane, fangs and leathery wings only pointing to one pony.

“Mr Shadow Claw! What happened to you?” I said after gasping loudly.

“Ohh Sanguine, it brightens my day to see that you two made it. I’m sorry for my appearance but those raiders didn’t like it when I couldn’t keep up with everypony else. These old bones don’t move as well as they used to.” He answered with a pained chuckle before loudly coughing, a spray of red liquid flying out of his muzzle. “They took many of us, some tried to fight them off but this town hasn’t had a reason to fight for a very long time. We were outmatched but many surrendered so some should still be alive. Please, help them.”

Rage flooded my mind and my leg moved on it’s own, slamming my hoof down in the dirt as a voice that was growing more and more familiar made its way out of my mouth. “These scum will pay! Vengeance will come upon them and give no quarter!”

“Ge-Get out of here girls, find everypony and bring them home.” The old stallion said, his voice getting weaker, his eyes were glazing over and it didn’t seem like even noticed my outburst.

“Solly, let’s go. We will talk about what just happened later” Swifty said, pulling at my hoof with her magic. “We can’t let them get away!”

I stood in place for a moment, watching the pool of red spread further and the batpony breathe less each time. But the magic around my hoof increased in strength, pulling me away. The next moment I broke out of my stupor and saw Swifty ahead of me already cantering east. Immediately I began to gallop, catching up to Swifty before slowing down.

“Please don’t leave me behind.” I said with tears in my eyes.

“I would never leave you behind Solly, not now, not ever.”

“We will be with you too Ms Sanguine and while my companion may not be the best company we will be here for you should you need us.” Goodwill added.

“T-Thank you everypony.” I said, looking through the trees before me and to Swifty by my side.

Just wait everypony, we are coming for you.

Chapter 4

This is so boring! I thought as we trudged along the path of crushed bushes between the trees. I mean I should be worried about everypony but all this walking is just so boring. Swifty keeps avoiding my attempts to talk to her. Her smile is gone now and it’s my job to bring it back!

“Hey, hey Swifty do you remember that time we tried to build a catapult and it ended up flying across town?” I asked while bouncing beside her.

“Sanguine, this isn’t the time for that. Keep walking.” She chastised me like every other time I tried to make conversation.

Hours passed as we continued to walk east. One view blurred into another as we passed tree after tree. When the sun began to set we finally stopped and Swifty sent me off to make a fire. Looking around I found a few dry sticks that would be absolutely perfect.

Hey! Now that we have stopped maybe I can finally help Swifty smile. She can’t tell me off now!

While I thought this I heard a crack from in front of me. Knowing Swifty was back in the other direction I hid behind the closest tree. When I heard another crack I froze for a moment, I just knew that somepony else was out here and maybe it was one of the villagers. Maybe somepony had escaped! I slowly crept forward, one slow step in front of another.

When I heard a low muttering voice I froze again. Up ahead was somepony I had been really hoping not to see again. It was the stallion I had seen from outside town, his body was covered in thick, roughly sewn barding, like Swifty’s but much lower quality and brown with splatters of red covering it. Underneath the barding was a coat of dark gray while his mane was a two tone blue.

I backed up a step, not wanting to alert the raider but when I stood on a stick a sharp crack echoed out around me.

“Who's there? Ugh did one of those damn villagers slip away? The boss will gut me if I let anypony get away.” A deep voice came from the stallion and I squeaked in fear.

Immediately the stallion rushed in my direction, picking me up in his magic and forcing me against a tree. The force knocked the breath from my lungs and cut off my screams.

“So what will I do with you? Such a cute little mare deserves some special attention.” The stallion breathed out, his words coating me in fear while his putrid breath brought bile to my throat.

“Don’t-Don’t hurt me please.” I sqeaked with what little breath I could get back.

“Ohh don’t worry, I’ll be very good to you my dear.”

No no no no no!

Sanguine, I can get you out of this. Just let me take over and you’ll be safe. I heard the voice of Vengeance speak to me in my head.

How? You’re just a voice in my head. I thought, trying to block out the stallion as he held me against the tree and looked over my body.

No. I’m a part of you, probably one you would never like to admit exists. Just say yes and I’ll save you. Vengeance whispered in his gravelly voice.

Alright! Please help me! I thought in desperation and fear.

You have to say it! Say it now!

No don’t! I heard quietly behind Vengeance’s voice.

I took in the largest breath I could and screamed. “Vengeance, help me!”

The moment the words left my mouth my vision started to go dark and the last thing I saw was a look of fear in the stallion's eyes as a growl broke forth from my mouth. “Now it’s my turn.”

“Solly! SOLLY! Wake up!”

I woke up to a voice screaming in my ears and tried to answer her but my throat was in too much pain, like I hadn’t drank water in days. I opened my eyes to find Swifty looking at me, with worry and fear on her face. When I looked at her she stepped back, the fearful look growing further.

“Solly, is that you?” She asked slowly.

Unable to speak I nodded and pointed to my mouth, miming drinking. As I nodded her face brightened for a moment before she floated a canteen over to me from her saddlebags.

“Oh I am so glad you are back, when I heard you scream I galloped over as fast as I-” She said before freezing mid sentence.

Taking the canteen in my magic I drank as much as I could before looking back at my friend. She looked scared again.

“Wha-What happened Swifty? I remember looking for firewood and then waking up with you screaming at me.” I said with a raspy voice.

“You mean you don’t know what happened?”

“I have no idea Swifty. Why are you so scared? Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked, worried for my best friend.

“Solly I think I have some things to tell you. I was searching for something for us to eat and drink, after finding a small stream to collect some water for us I heard you scream. When I made it to you though I found you fighting with an armored unicorn. Solly, you were choking him up against a tree! I tried to stop you and you pushed me away and when you looked at me there was so much hate in your eyes. When you saw it was me you growled at me to back off and went back to choking the stallion, asking him how he liked to be choked. It was just like what we saw back in town. You tortured him Solly, and after he told us where his boss was you broke his neck and threw his body into a tree.” Swifty said while crying. With every word she spoke I felt colder, like her words were sucking all the warmth out of my body.

“I-I, How? Why would I do this?” I asked while the water I just drank threatened to escape my throat.

“I believe I can answer that Ms Sanguine.” The warm voice of Goodwill came out of my mouth.

“Goodwill? What do you know about this?” I rasped.

“Well I should start by explaining a few things. It would seem that although we do not hold physical bodies our consciousness cannot remain active all the time. So we require a rest every now and then, in a similar manner to how you need to sleep. I regrettably was resting while you searched for firewood and met the unicorn stallion Ms Swift mentioned. When the unicorn reacted to your presence you froze and were unable to react or protect yourself. In that moment Vengeance offered you a choice, let him take control or suffer whatever your assailant had planned for you. By this time I was only beginning to wake from my rest, I tried to warn you but by the time I could reach you it was too late. Vengeance had taken control of your body and you lost consciousness.” Goodwill explained.

As they explained what had happened the memories began flashing back, being choked against a tree, Vengeance talking in my head, me screaming for her help, the torture. When the memory of what Vengeance had done while controlling me I felt something for a moment, a sick thrill that filled my mind when the memory of snapping the stallion’s neck hit me. As soon as the thrill left I immediately felt my stomach tense and everything was violently ejected. I collapsed as my mind and body was overwhelmed. I was disgusted at myself for feeling so good for killing another pony.

I felt Swifty wrap her hooves around me but it was only on the edge of my mind as that memory replayed over and over again in my head. I could distinctly hear the snap and see the moment the light felt the stallion’s eyes. Again it filled me with equal parts pleasure and disgust, the two feelings at war inside of me.

Pain lanced through my senses and the thoughts stopped for a moment. I opened my eyes to see Swifty in front of me, her hoof still raised.

“Solly, listen to me right now.” She said forcefully. “That wasn’t you that did those things, it was Vengeance ok? I know you Solly and I know you would never do something like that. Now please stand up. Night is falling and we need to get back to the path.”

Trying to push the thoughts out of my mind I slowly stood up, falling a couple of times before I could completely make it to my hooves. I looked up at Swifty, seeing half a smile on her face.

“O-Ok Swifty. L-Le-Let’s go.” I stammered, trying to walk. Swifty stood by my side and every few steps I would fall slightly. She would then push up against me, keeping me upright.

When we made it back to the path night had fallen. Swifty had collected as much dry wood as she could with her magic as we walked and before long she had a small fire going. She gave me the canteen again and I drank deeply before she levitated a few flowers over to me. They were probably delicious as most wild flowers were but I could barely taste them. Each felt like ash in my mouth as I could only think of the things I had done. Swifty had said that it wasn’t my fault but I let Vengeance take over, I gave him the ability to do those things with my body. If it wasn’t for me that stallion would still be alive. He may have been a raider but he was also a living pony and nopony deserves what happened to him, even if he had done to same to others. Killing was never the answer. But what hurt the most was how pleasurable it felt living the memories of killing him.

I had never felt anything like that in my life, the power rush of taking a life. It consumed my thoughts even as the disgust came to fight against it. I hate it and I love it. Thoughts of how I had to live with what I had done fought with how much I wanted to feel it again.

Swifty can never know this, she would hate me. I’m meant to be to the always happy pony, The Pony of Smiles. The pony who could make an entire town smile with just her presence. And we have to go save what’s left of our town.

We might get to break some more necks when we save them. Vengeance whispered to me.

Ms Sanguine, these thoughts are not good. You must fight them. Don't let Vengeance win! Goodwill argued.

I-I’m not sure if I can. It felt so good and so bad. How do I live with what I’ve done? I asked in my mind.

You need to focus on the good you have done. You’ve already done amazing things in your life. Even after the fall of the element bearers you were the one who kept the towns spirits high, nopony else could have done that. You’re special, you’re strong and you can beat this. Goodwill answered warmly.

Buck that, let’s just find the bucking raiders that took everypony and kill them all! Vengeance growled.

“Enough!” I screamed out loud. Swifty jumped back, her bow lifted in her magic and eyes scanning around us.

“Solly, what’s wrong?” Swifty asked with fear in her eyes.

“I’m sorry Swifty, I was fighting with Goodwill and Vengeance.” I explained to her.

“Umm ok? But you weren’t talking until you yelled.”

“Yeah… I think they can speak inside my head now.” I said while looking down at my hooves.

“Tha-That’s weird Solly. Like really weird.”

“I don’t really feel like talking about it. Can we just get some sleep?” I answered, not waiting for an answer and laying down in the grass.

“Sure, goodnight Solly. Sweet dreams” I heard Swifty whisper before going quiet.

My eyes open and I am in a large room made of dark stone. Guards line the walls in crimson armor and a line of ponies stand before me, the back of the line was far beyond the black metal doors on the other side of the room. The entire room was lit by bright red lanterns, giving everything a bloody hue.

I watched as a pony was ushered forward by a guard that stood at the front of the line. The pony stumbled for a moment before looking up at me with fear etched on his features. I looked down at a long list that trained down to the floor. On the parchment was a name and the word traitor next to it. As I looked I also saw where I was sitting. My silver fur was a stark contrast to the black throne I sat on, looking further I saw that the thrones sat upon a hill made of pony skulls. Each one was stripped of flesh and yet parts of them were stained a deep blood red.

I sat upon my throne of death and looked back over at the pony that stood before me visibly quivering. Against my will my mouth opened and a voice that was almost a growl came from it.

“Solid Shield, you stand accused of being a traitor to the Crimson Crown. What do you plead?” My voice growled.

The pegasus mare before me shook before snapping still and looking at me with hate in her eyes. “I am not your subject, you have no right to accuse me of any crimes.” She stated.

“It would appear that you don’t wish to follow me. I cannot abide to have somepony in my realm with such distinct stupidity. Guards, put her to death.” My voice growled out again before the lead guard lit his horn.

Purple light shot out from the guard's horn which enveloped the mare. For a moment a scream was heard until a loud bang shook the walls of the large room. When the magical aura disappeared nothing but a cloud of dust stood in place of the pegasus and a pair of unicorns came forward to brush it away before disappearing.

Pleasure ran through my mind as I watched the dark spectacle and I knew it was about to happen again when another pony walked up to the front of the line.

Suddenly a loud crack burst through the room and bright light filled it.

“ENOUGH!” A voice shouted.

The pony in front of the line had transformed into a dark blue alicorn who stood there glaring around the room. Everywhere she looked the dream changed, the dark stone walls turned into bright white marble, the guards looked nicer in their gold and purple armor and the line of ponies had shrunk to two happy pegasi who looked excitedly up towards me. Finally the alicorns sight moved to me, the pleasure I had felt turned into disgust and I felt myself gaining control of my body again. When I looked around I saw that the hill of skulls had turned into white marble stairs and the throne was made out of a blue stone lined with gold.

“It would appear that your dreams are quite tortured my little pony. I am glad I had the power to fix it. Not many ponies believe in my sister and I enough to allow me to enter their dreams anymore.” A calming voice spoke to me from the blue alicorn.

“Princess Luna! Thank you for coming. That dream was so horrible!” I said before galloping over to her.

She moved forward to wrap a wing around me and I sighed in the warm embrace.

“What could have caused such horrible dreams though, you seem like such a nice little mare.” She asked.

“Things have gotten bad your majesty, ponies attacked my village and took nearly everypony away. I was found by one of them while we tried to follow and I killed him.” I said while crying into her wing.

“I am so sorry you had to do that, none should be forced to take another's life but that is the world we live in today.” She froze before continuing. “I must apologize again my little pony, it would appear my time in this dream is short. I will however ensure that the rest of your dreams are calm. Sweet dreams.”

Luna pressed her horn against my head and the room became Hollow Shades, with everypony waving to me.

“Thank you Princess, I’m Sanguine Soul by the way.”

“I know Ms Soul, may your rest be peaceful.”

With that the alicorn disappeared and my dream was good.

Chapter 5

The gentle morning light woke me as the sun rose between the trees. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and slowly walked over to the stream Swifty had found yesterday. Dunking my head into the chilly water shocked me from my morning stupor and with it memories of last nights dream ran back through my mind. Disgust was soon replaced with joy when I remembered Luna coming to my rescue. I mean who can say that the Princes of the Night has personally shown in their dreams? Nopony in town has ever been visited before by the dark blue alicorn.

I galloped back to our makeshift camp and shook Swifty awake.

“Huh? What is it Solly? I’m trying to sleep here.” She said groggily.

“Swifty! Luna came to me in my dreams last night! She saved me from my nightmare and we talked and stuff. How cool is that?” I said rapidly while bouncing around my best friend.

“Princess Luna? But I didn’t think she could do that anymore. Not since the sisters lost their ability to rule.”

“I bet it’s because I still love them as our princesses!” I said to my friend as she shook her head and wiped the sleep from her eyes. “How cool is it that she actually came to me! I mean I’m just some random pony and she thought my nightmares were important enough to help!”

“Heh, yeah. But you aren’t just some random mare Solly. You’re special, okay?” She said, climbing to her hooves. “Anyway we should get moving, I know where we are headed now.”

I shuddered as I remember the previous night. We had gotten information thanks to Vengeance even if her methods were wrong. The stallion had been more than willing to give up his bosses location after everything he had gone through at my… no Vengeance’s hoof. Now we only have to make our way there quickly and rescue everypony!

Swifty lead the way, still following the rough eastern path through the trees. For hours we walked barely saying a word until we came to the far edge of the woods. The sounds of shouting came from just beyond the tree line so we slowly crept forward, barely making a sound. When we made it to a final line of undergrowth we looked out from between the thick cover of leaves in front of us. Sitting around a small campfire was a group of six raiders, three earth ponies, two unicorns and a pegasus.

“Swifty.” I whispered.

“Yeah Solly?”

“I don’t think we are going to be able to get past them.” I replied softly.

She looked around and knew I was right. The entire area was a small valley, any attempts to get past them would be useless as they would spot us easily. No matter how quick or quiet we were there was no way they wouldn’t notice two ponies two ponies scaling the hills around them.

“We have to fight.” Vengeance growled quietly.

“W-What?” Swifty asked, barely holding herself from crying out in shock.

“We can’t sneak past and there is no way the raiders will let two young mares pass them by.” Vengeance stated in her quiet growl. “Our only option is a sneak attack.”

“But they haven’t done anything to us, I can’t just kill somepony in cold blood. I don’t know if I could do it at all.” Swifty said and I could see tears in her eyes as she tried to fight against the things she was being told.

Words fell from my mouth before I had time to even think them “If they are here they must have been with the group who raided the town, I say we strike them down.” The moment they left however I held my hooves to my muzzle, fearful of the words that I had just said. That voice had come in my own voice, it wasn’t Vengeance, it was me!

“Solly what are you saying?” Swifty asked while taking a step back from me.

“I am loathe to say this I have to agree with Vengeance and Ms Sanguine. There is no other choice than to engage in battle.” Goodwill spoke out from between my hooves.

I lay there in shock. All three of us had agreed to kill the ponies that stood in our way. Why would I ever think this was a good idea? I don’t want to hurt anypony! I just want to make everypony happy.

If you fight you can get everypony back safely. They will all smile and when you are done Swifty won’t have to fight again. You can take care of her and nothing bad will ever happen again. You only have to fight, just for now. The voice of Vengeance whispered in my head.

You’re right. We just have to fight for now. Then Swifty and I can go back to our happy lives. I can keep her safe and nopony will be able to keep us apart. I thought.

Goodwill tried to speak inside my head but I interrupted him, looking at Swifty and speaking to her quietly.

“Swifty, I think I have an idea. But you’re going to have to do something you aren’t going to like.” I said to her.

“Wh-What d-do you need me t-to do Solly?” She stammered back to me.

“We need to take out that group as fast as we can. So I’ll need you to take them out in order of the most dangerous at range then close up. How many can you get in the head and how fast can you do it?” I asked her, noticing my voice was feeling a little raspy.

“I-I’m not sure if I can do it at all Solly.” Swifty squeaked quietly.

“You have to or we will never find everypony.” I stroked her mane softly while speaking to her. “It’s ok Swifty, this is going to be hard but I’ll be here to protect you okay?”

“O-Ok I’ll try. I think I could get three before they can move. Maybe one more before they reach us.”

“Good, that will make this a lot easier. We need to stay inside the tree line, that way the pegasus won’t be able to dive us. You need to take out the unicorns first and then as many of the earth ponies as you can.” I explained, my voice again getting raspier.

I can take out the rest of the scum if you let me. Vengeance whispered again in my mind.

No, I need to do this myself. I have to protect Swifty. I thought while watching her notch three arrows onto her bow and floating another next to her.

I walked over to my best friend and lay a hoof over her body while whispering in her ear. When I had finished explaining the plan to her she looked at me, her eyes wide with fear. “Are you sure about this Solly? Something could go wrong and they could catch us. I’m still not sure if I can do this!”

“Just do what I say and everything will be ok.” I rasped.

We took our places in the bushes, Swift was directly between two trees and I was behind one to the right. She looked at me with fear in her eyes and I nodded. With a pulse of magic she pulled back the string on her powerful bow, drawing the arrows back before she let go. The arrows streaked out of the cover and impaling the heads of two unicorns and an earth pony. The moment this happened the raiders jumped up and Swift moved to the left, taking cover behind the tree opposite to me. She notched another arrow in her bow and I levitated an object next to me. It was a long thick stick, one that would normally look pretty unremarkable. It however had its end carved in my magic. The regular blunt tip now held a sharp conical point.

We heard the remaining earth ponies approaching with heavy beats of their hooves. A moment later they passed by our trees and we struck. My makeshift spear was flung forward in my magic and dug deep into the side of an earth pony mare. Likewise of the other side Swifty had loosed another arrow, this one striking the earth pony who had crashed through the tree line looking to exact revenge for his fallen compatriots.

The pony I had attacked was still alive unlike the rest, his body spasming in pain around the large hole I had dug into the side of his body. She lay there screaming and for a moment I felt giddy, the pleasure from yesterday finding it’s way back into my brain as I watch my victim cry out in pain. I started to laugh and could hear it echoed in my head by Vengeance. A quiet whimper could also be heard but it wasn’t important. Disgust worked it way up from my stomach even as I laughed. Looking up I saw Swifty staring at me, like she was looking at a stranger.

A cry shook us from each other as a figure burst through the tree line between us. It stopped next to the dying body of the mare in front of me and fanned her wings. Hate was all that was held in that gaze as it stared at me. It took a step forward before planning it’s wings, slamming into my body. The pegasus had lifted me up into the air and slammed me back into a tree before it turned around and went back after Swifty.

Pain lanced all over my body as I tried to pull myself to my feet. I knew something was probably broken from how hard it was to breath. But that wasn’t what mattered now. This bitch was going after Swifty! With my sight still groggy and barely any breath entering my lungs I climbed to my hooves. I broke into an immediate gallop and as I reached them I heard Swifty let out a scream. The pegasus had bucked her right in the chest!

“You don’t TOUCH SWIFTY!” I screamed at the pegasus and I lit my horn, funnelling all my rage at the fool that decided touching my Swifty was a good idea.

A thin beam lanced out of my horn and struck the pegasus between the joints of her wings. Where it hit a small red spot dotted her coat, a spot that soon grew as lines like spider webs spread from the centre. I walked over as it spread and the pegasus soon became pure red as the lines of her original coat were replaced by the pattern. The moment no color but red remained the creature exploded inwards, her body replaced with nothing but a spray of red that coated my muzzle, hooves and the ground around me.

“Swifty are you ok!” I screamed, running over to my friend who was laying against the trunk of a nearby tree.

She lay there groaning for a moment before opening her eyes. My friend then jumped back the moment she saw my blood covered form. “Stay away!” She screamed, trying to run away but I caught her in my magic.

“Swifty it’s me. Please don’t run from me. Let me just get cleaned up and I’ll be as good as new okay?”

“Solly?” She said freezing. “Blood, but how?”

“I’m not really sure. I shot a spell at the pegasus after it bucked you. It kinda exploded.” I said while brushing my hoof in circles on the ground, not daring to look at my friends fearful eyes.

You just don’t want her to see how much you enjoyed that. The rush of taking a life, watching a pony writhe in pain and then killing one so fully that it exploded all over you in a rain of blood. You hate it but some part of you loves it and that part gets stronger all the time. Vengeance growled before continuing. Can you even hear Goodwill now? The more you kill, the weaker she gets and soon it will only be you and me. It’s too late for Goodwill, she was doomed the moment you let me out before. I have an idea. Why don’t you kill your little Swifty? Then nopony will be holding us back.

No! I will never hurt Swifty. She is my best friend and I will always keep her safe!

You will submit Sanguine, nothing can stop me now that you have let Vengeance into your heart. She screamed inside my head.

“You won’t hurt my Swifty!” I screamed back, this time out loud.

“S-Solly what’s going on?” Swifty asked while backing away from me.

“No no no, you’re not going anywhere Swifty. Don’t worry I’ll protect you from mean old Vengeance.” I said as I grabbed her in my magic aura again, bringing her close so I could wrap my forehooves around her body. “You’ll always be safe with me here.” I whispered in her ear.

“You’re hurting me Solly, please let me go.” She whimpered in my hooves.

“Ohh I would never hurt you my dear Swifty. I’ll keep you safe forever so I need you to smile okay? Smile for me Swifty.”

“Just let me go!” She screamed.

I grunted as she tried to pry herself from my grip. “It’s okay Swifty. I know this seems scary right now but don’t worry, you are safe. You’ll be safe with me, forever.” I lit up a magical aura again from my horn, this time pointed at her head. “Now, sleep.”