Chapter one: Most Paths Cross Only Once
Dusk had just fallen upon the small town of Snowdrop the only thing extinguishing the darkness was the bright lights from a nearby village. Iron stood to his father, Golden Hoofs' left, his brother, Azoro was to his right. Standing in complete silence, the family gazed upon the village until the muteness was broken by Golden Hoofs voice. “The time has finally come for our first, and probably most important attack.” He said in almost a complete whisper.
“Seriously father.” said Azoro “why do you think conquering this meek village is so important? After All we have pillaged much larger villages.” clearly, azoro was unaware of his father's diabolical plan. He knew that they were trying to take over Equestria by force but why was this there first and most important attack? “Shouldn't we be after a larger city or something?” He asked beginning to question Golden Hoofs reasoning,
“Silence my child, the reason that this is the most important out of all of the attacks is simple...I've had my eye on this place for awhile now and something tells me that this village contains a valuable resource that will be of importance to us.” Their father said sternly.
“What is it father?” Iron asked curiously. Iron didn't want to be here, he didn't even want this whole war. His mother taught him young that war was never the answer to any of the world's problems. Unfortunately his mother and father had very differing opinions regarding problem solving.
“You'll know what it is when we reach our destination my son...now, come children...I think it's time we make a little home visit.” Golden Hoof said as he lead the two unicorns down the mountain range and into the town.
Flames engulfed the town, as the sound of screaming and yelling ranged throughout the night. The family of pillaging ponies made their way to a small home with a wooden door.
“This is it, this is where it is.” Golden Hoof said as he gestured to the wooden door before them.
Azoro wasn't amused. “This is it? What's the catch?” Azoro asked trying to figure out what this was all about.
“There Is no catch.” Golden Hoof replied, he was quite tired of his sons attitude towards him but this was normal for the red unicorn. For some reason Azoro thought that he was better than everyone just because he could use a sword.
Golden Hoof loudly knocked on the door. when no one answered he kicked it down and charged in. Iron and Azoro were right behind him. “Alright where is it!? Where is the kid!?” He demanded in a harsh and unsettling tone.
Two ponies, an earth pony stallion and a Pegasus mare were huddled together quivering in fear. “Wha-what kid? We don't have a kid.” The Pegasus spoke but in a very quiet tone.
“Don't lie to me…I know there is a kid here, a very...unique young Pegasus with unique abilities, and if you don't hoof her over to me right now, there will be tartarus to pay.”
The red earth pony let go of his mare, and stood before the three unicorns with rage in his eyes. “And what makes you think I'd give my daughter to the likes of you?!”
Golden Hoof stared directly into the pony's eyes “because if you don't we will have to take her by force.”
“D-dad...let's, not…” Iron murmured before being shoved by Golden Hoof, he was now face to face with the two quivering ponies.
“Do it...come on...kill him…” golden demanded as a small smirk creeped across his face.
The grey unicorns heart was pounding. He had never killed a pony before and he didn't want to start now. “Dad I-i can't…” he said nervously “I-I refuse to kill anypony…”
“Iron you are going to kill him or else you will suffer the consequences ...” Golden Hoof replied in an intimidating tone.
Iron spoke up again in a shaky voice. “N-no I am not going to do anything to innocent lives such as these”
“You know father if you really want this done right I’ll take care of this.” azoro exclaimed, chiming into the conversation.
Golden Hoof turned to his son showing an expression of pure annoyance. “Leave Azoro, leave now and see if the troops need your help with the rest of the village.”
The red unicorn noticed the annoyed expression and tone coming from Golden and left the residence in silence.
Golden hoof focused his attention back to Iron who looked almost as scared as the innocent ponies before him as he gripped his blade in his magic. “So? Are you going to it or do I need to do a little more convincing first?”
Iron let the magical grip surrounding his sword go letting it hit the ground with a small clink. “No, I refuse..” he said knowing what would come next would not be pleasurable for him or this family. He didn't understand why his father wanted to do something like this to get his hooves on a little filly. What was so special about this pegasus?
“Fine.” Golden Hoof responded with a sinister grin. Swiftly, he managed to pick irons sword up with his magic, pull Irons head to face him, and put a deep slash going down Irons upper half of his face.
Iron let out a loud scream of pain and agony as he quickly went to the ground and covered his eye, blood dripped from the young unicorns face and onto the wooden floor. The two ponies watching this occur gasped in pure shock.
“You monster!” the motherly pegasus yelled.
Iron slowly got back up to hs hooves and gripped his sword with his magic and stared into the two terrified ponies eyes. “I’m….i’m so sorry…” he said before lifting his sword and stabbed them both in the chest, making their deaths quick.
“Well done son, now find that child and bring her to me….” he ordered.
“Yes father..” Iron answered obediently.
Smiling Golden Hoof replied. “good now, I will be checking on Azoro” now satisfied with Iron Hoofs action, Golden Hoof left in search of Azoro.
After several moments of searching the modest dimly lit house Iron soon discovered a small blanket with a slight lump underneath it. “Is this it? Is this the kid?” he asked himself as he slowly lifted up the blanket revealing a tiny, pink, purple maned, green eyed pegasus pony. “Well this kinda fits the description….
“Mwe mwe” uttered the pony
In a soft voice Iron says “Hi there little one.” With a gentle touch Iron cradled the tiny pony close to him. In a reassuring voice iron says “don’t worry little one I’ll protect you from father.” with light hooves iron escorted the pony out of the house.
“Mweeeeee” the oblivious pink bundle of innocence said enjoying the horse back ride
“Are those the only words you know little one.”Iron asked as he chuckled while he concealed her underneath a bush.
Not knowing the surrounding dangers the little filly voiced an innocent “mwe”
“Go, leave! Before father finds you!” iron ordered with a stern tone.
The pony was startled by the shouting and ran off. It was at this moment that iron realized that he would possibly never see the young Pegasus again.
