The Dagger 2: Innocence Lost

Chapter 5

Sweetie Belle took the rest of her weekend to get herself mentally prepared for what she was going to do. She couldn't believe it. She was actually planning on killing a pony! This wasn't like Rumble. That was self defense ultimately. That and a bit of an accident. This was her choosing to actually take a pony's life herself.

Could she actually do this?

The night before she went back to school for the week, she sat in her bed nursing her dagger. Silver Streak was a horrible pony based off what Fluttershy had told her, but did he truly deserve to die?

“Sweetie Belle?” Rarity asked knocking on the door, “You're light's still on, are you up?”

“Y-yeah,” Sweetie Belle said putting the dagger away, “I'm up. Come in.”

Rarity opened the door and stepped in looking worried, “Sweetie Belle, it's awfully late. Shouldn't you be in bed?”

“I couldn't sleep,” Sweetie Belle sighed looking away, “I've been… thinking about a lot lately.”

“Is there anything you'd like to talk about?” Rarity asked sitting on the bed next to Sweetie Belle.

“N-not really,” Sweetie Belle hugged her legs close to her chest, “I just… need to work some things out in my head.”

“Sweetie Belle, I can assure that there's nothing you could say that I wouldn't understand,” Rarity said placing a hand on her sister's shoulder, “Talking to another pony might help put things into perspective.”

Oh if only that were true, Sweetie Belle thought. Still, she did wonder what Rarity would do in this situation.

“Rarity, let's say that someone you cared about was in danger,” Sweetie Belle started, “Like, someone was hurting them, and… there was no way for this pony to get out if it. What would you do?”

“Well, if it's a legal issue, I'd have this pony arrested,” Rarity answered.

“What if that didn't work though?” Sweetie Belle pressed, “Like, the system failed, and now this friend was constantly being harassed. What would you do then?”

Rarity took a deep breath, “That's… a hard one honestly. I mean, the natural response to that would be to want to take matters into your own hands, but…”

“But…?”

“There are laws against that. That's the hard reality, isn't it? Truth is… we want to help everypony, but we can't save everyone,” Rarity looked somber, “There are a number of moments in my life where I wish I could have taken action myself, but the law prevents that. Our system isn't perfect, but… there isn't much we can do about it.”

“But… hypothetically, if you could do something, and you knew without a doubt that you wouldn't get caught, you'd do it?”

“Hypothetically? I suppose I would take action then,” Rarity confirmed.

“Y-you would?” Sweetie Belle asked a bit shocked.

“Tell me, this friend, if nothing is done, what will happen?” Rarity asked, now intrigued apparently.

“I don't know. That's the scary part, Rarity. This pony is at the end of their rope. The system failed them, and now somepony is harassing them, and… there's nothing they can do.”

Rarity took a deep breath, “I see. Interesting.”

“How so?”

“Well, what you're describing, it reminds me of something that… a friend of mine is going through right now.”

Did she mean… “Um… who is it? If you don't mind telling me.”

Rarity looked to the side unsure, but then relented, “It's… Fluttershy. I shouldn't put her business out there, but… recently I heard from Rainbow Dash that a pony has been harassing her. Someone that we know very well. He was arrested, but because of a technicality, he walked.”

She was talking about Silver Streak, “How does it feel? Knowing that he's still hurting Fluttershy?”

“I hate it,” Rarity said immediately, “Honestly, I wish he'd just… go away.”

That resonated with Sweetie Belle. That phrase. Go away.

“If you could make him go away right now, and you knew that you wouldn't get caught, would you do it?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“In a heartbeat,” Rarity stated venomously, “The only thing stopping me from doing it right now is, well, you know.”

“Yeah, I know,” Sweetie Belle said, secretly holding the dagger under her covers, “Hey, I'm going to try and get some sleep.”

“Did I help you, darling?” Rarity asked. Sweetie Belle nodded with a slight smile.

“Yeah, more than you realize.”

Rarity smiled and kissed Sweetie Belle's forehead, right above her horn, “Good night Sis. I love you.”

“Night Sis. I love you too,” Sweetie Belle said, lying down on her bed and pretending to drift off. Rarity stepped out of the room, and turned off the light before closing the door. Once she was sure she was alone, Sweetie Belle pulled out the dagger, this time gripping it.

“It's decided then,” Sweetie Belle said darkly, “I'll make Silver Streak disappear, forever.”

The following that at school, Silver Streak was apparently scheduled to give a presentation at her school. It was perfect, because it gave her a chance to scope out the target. She read the book that Bloody Harvest gave her and learned that the Dark Brotherhood had a process that they followed.

Step 1: Learn about the target's motives. This is to confirm that the target truly needs to be murdered.

Sweetie Belle wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying. Mostly she was looking at his mannerisms. He was apparently talking about his flight team, the Silver Streaks. He was so arrogant that he even named his team after himself.

“Gods, can you believe this asshole?”

Sweetie Belle turned to her left and saw Diamond Tiara sitting back at her desk with a smug smile.

“Um, what?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“This guy's a real piece of work,” Diamond Tiara said, “It's almost like he actually believes his own bullshit.”

“Look around,” Silver Streak said to the students, “Each and every one of you kids can become great. All you have to do is be willing to take what you want, by any means necessary. Let nothing stop you, and just like me, you can become the ruler of your world.”

All of the students applauded, and were eating up his words. Sweetie Belle couldn't believe it. She looked around, seeing even Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looking inspired. Next to her, Diamond Tiara shook her head and rolled her eyes, and in the back, Silver Spoon sat back in her seat hiding her face behind a book.

At least some of them aren't falling for it.

She looked up at Silver Streak, taking note of his mannerisms again. The way he sat up straighter, the smirk on his face, and the way his wings flared out. He felt empowered. He was almost driven by the applause.

Is that all he cares about?

“That was truly inspiring,” Cheerilee said clapping her hands as well, “Now, are there any questions from the students.”

“Yes,” Sweetie Belle raised her hand, “I have a question.”

Silver Streak's eyes went to her, and twinkled in an odd manner. He licked his lips in a very subtle way, making Sweetie Belle cringe internally.

Oh my Gods, he is NOT checking me out! I'm like, thirteen!

“Go ahead, Sweetie Belle,” Cheerilee said, a little nervous, “What's your question?”

“You said that in order to become the rulers of our worlds, we have to have the courage to take what we want, by any means necessary, right?” Sweetie Belle asked, crossing her legs under her desk, hating how she could see his eyes lower to her view them.

“Yeah, that's right Sweetie,” Silver Streak said.

“It's Sweetie Belle,” she shot back at him, “I was just wondering what you'd do if the thing that you wanted, didn't want you.”

Silver Streak frowned a bit confused, “I'm, not sure I understand.”

“Like, if what you were striving to get, was out of your reach?” Sweetie Belle sat back and folded her arms, “Or was just, not yours to have? What would you do then?”

“Nothing is out of my reach,” Silver Streak said arrogantly, “If I want it, I'll take it.”

“And if the thing that you want resists, what then?” Sweetie Belle asked darkly, narrowing her eyes.

“If that's the case,” he walked over to Sweetie Belle, placing his hands on her desk and looking her in the eyes, “Then all you have to do is persuade it. Even then, if it figuratively says “no”, all you have to do is say yes right to its face.”

Oh yeah, she could tell. He was exactly what Fluttershy said he was, and he wasn't even sorry.

Cheerilee laughed awkwardly, “Okay, that's enough. Um, why don't we all go out for recess? Silver Streak, could you stick around for a bit.”

“Sure thing, Miss Cheerilee,” Silver Streak said, putting on a fake smile, “Whatever you say.”

Sweetie Belle noticed that his eyes went right to her breasts when he turned to Cheerilee. She was incredulous.

Oh you have GOT to be kidding me! He's already raping Fluttershy, and he's checking out my teacher?!

As the students all rose up to head out, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo walked over to Sweetie Belle.

“So, what was that about?” Apple Bloom asked her gothic friend, “You sounded like you were attackin' him or somethin.”

“You couldn't tell?” Sweetie Belle asked, taken aback, “He doesn't believe any of this shit! All he's trying to do is look good for Miss Cheerilee!”

“I was inspired though,” Scootaloo said rubbing her arm, “I mean, the whole class was.”

“It's not hard to say a bunch of inspiring words that make ponies think they can do anything,” Sweetie Belle said harshly, “Ponies do it all the time, and make money off of it. Besides, I know you noticed how he was checking me out.”

“Sweetie Belle, I mean,” Apple Bloom looked away grimacing, “Ah don't know. That's kind of a stretch.”

“He was looking at my legs!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, “I even saw him licking his lips!”

“Well, if he was… it might be because you're still dressed so… you know,” Scootaloo winced.

“That's not the point!” Sweetie Belle said, “He's an adult, I'm a kid! It's creepy as fuck!”

“Whoa, whoa, language!” Scootaloo scolded lightly, “Okay, I mean, if he was, that is creepy, but it doesn't mean he's going to do anything.”

She couldn't believe it. They literally only saw what they wanted to see. Were they that determined to see him as a good pony?

“Sweetie Belle, could I talk to you for a bit?” Cheerilee requested. Sweetie Belle groaned.

“Great, now I get to be scolded by her,” Sweetie Belle sighed. She rolled her eyes and pushed past her friends without a word. They both shrugged and went out of the classroom outside.

“Sweetie Belle, those questions seemed like a personal attack on Silver Streak. Is everything okay?” Cheerilee asked.

“Nothing is wrong, Miss Cheerilee,” Sweetie Belle muttered rubbing her arm, “Can I just go outside?”

Cheerilee sighed placing a hand on Sweetie Belle's shoulders, “I'm just worried about you, Sweetie Belle. Lately it seems like you're always angry about something, and then this. You made Silver Streak uncomfortable.”

Sweetie Belle wanted to say that he made her uncomfortable, but refrained. Instead, she tried a different approach.

“What about Fluttershy?” Sweetie Belle asked Cheerilee almost accusingly, “You know that he's a rapist, right?”

Cheerilee gasped and pulled Sweetie Belle to the corner of the classroom, “Sweetie Belle, what have you heard about that?!”

“I heard that he raped Fluttershy and then got arrested!” Sweetie Belle shot, “The only reason he's not in jail right now is because he walked! Why is he even here?!”

“I don't know how you found this out,” Cheerilee said looking around a bit, “But he was proven innocent.”

“No, he was judged innocent. Does that make Fluttershy a liar?” Sweetie Belle asked. Cheerilee bit her lip looking away from Sweetie Belle.

“I don't want to say yes, but… there are things about her that I'd rather not tell a child.”

Sweetie Belle was aghast. Cheerilee honestly was judging Fluttershy because she was a prostitute. Suddenly, she wasn't sure how she felt about her teacher.

“I'm going outside,” Sweetie Belle turned and walked to the door.

“Sweetie Belle-” she slammed the door shut, refusing to even look at her teacher, who had lost a lot of respect from Sweetie Belle. She walked down the hall to the exit of the school, seeing Silver Streak waiting for her by the door.

“So, are we okay, Sweetie?” Silver Streak asked with that same smug smile. Sweetie Belle took a deep breath.

“Belle. Sweetie Belle,” she said through gritted teeth, “And no, we're not okay. I know what you did.”

“What are you talking about?” Silver Streak asked walking over to Sweetie Belle, “Did I do something to offend you?”

“I don't know. Gone to visit Fluttershy lately,” Sweetie Belle asked venomously. The way Silver Streak's eyes widened briefly said everything. That was step two.

Step 2: Confront the target. Let them know that their crimes won't go unpunished. Do not mention the brotherhood yet.

“I'd be very careful, if I were you,” Silver Streak narrowed his eyes, “You don't want to start accusing ponies of things they didn't do.”

“I'm not,” Sweetie Belle said narrowing her eyes as well, “I'm just letting you know that there are ponies out there who know the truth, and they're not pleased with you.”

“Oooh, I'm so scared,” Silver Streak taunted waving his arms, “Did she put you up to this?”

“No, she didn't,” Sweetie Belle lied, “But she's a very good friend of mine, and she's afraid of you. Now, I'm going to give you one chance to make this right. One, and that's it. Will you leave Fluttershy alone?”

Silver Streak laughed loudly, “Listen to you! You're trying to sound intimidating! Look, Sweetie, you seem like a good kid, and I like your spirit,” he backed her up against a wall and leaned in close to her, “But if I were you, I'd stay out of the affairs of adults. What goes on between me and that whore of a pegasus, is our business. Now, I'll let this go, if you apologize to me.”

Sweetie Belle's heart was racing, but she knew that this wasn't going to work. He wasn't the type to retaliate, nor would he be afraid of a warning. So she nodded.

“You're right Mr. Streak. I should stay out of adult affairs. I'm sorry if I upset you.”

Silver Streak smirked, “It's fine. I accept your apology.”

With that, he moved out of the way, and Sweetie Belle pushed outside. Her hatred for Silver Streak was growing. He wasn't just a criminal. He was a monster. He was even worse than Rumble. Him, she killed by accident, and she at the time regretted it.

Silver Streak, she'd enjoy killing.

“Wait, was she serious?” Diamond Tiara asked, hiding behind a corner listening to that exchange, “Oh Hermes, it's just like that book I read. Could she actually be with THEM?” she looked down in deep thought, “I better keep an eye on this, just in case.”

School ended without incident. Thankfully Silver Streak stayed at the school for the rest of the day. She didn't want him to mess around and go after Fluttershy. She was following the guidelines of the book, but she knew there was a risk of him hurting Fluttershy. Especially since she still had school. Once it ended though, Sweetie Belle ran away from the school building before anyone had the chance to get her attention.

She stayed close to Silver Streak, noticing that he seemed to be real busy through town. At one point, he did track down Fluttershy, actually watching her while she was talking to Twilight about something.

The way he narrowed his eyes at her had Sweetie Belle worried, but as she was with a friend, she was safe. Still, she knew that she had to see this through now, or else Silver Streak was going to get revenge on Fluttershy.

She shadowed him for the rest of the day, keeping a distance and observing him as he moved around through the day. She wanted to make sure she got him when he was alone.

Step 3: Watch the target, and capture them when they're alone if possible. If not possible, ensure that you have an escape route.

She followed Silver Streak all the way toward where his hotel was apparently. It was close to an entrance to the Everfree forest, so that was good. He stood outside of the hotel and lit up a cigarette, which gave Sweetie Belle the opening that she needed.

It's all or nothing now. Time to make this world just a bit cleaner.

Silver Streak finished his cigarette and flicked it away. He debated on whether or not to call Fluttershy. He didn't think that she had anything to do with that weird kid in the gothic dress, but still. She knew about what happened, and she could end up getting others involved.

So maybe he should head over to her place and shut her up good.

Right when he resolved to head over though, he saw someone walking over to him. They stepped out of the shadows, revealing that filly. She slowly sauntered over to him, her eyes downcast, and her horn glowing a light green.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked, “Shouldn't you be home doing your homework?”

“I am,” Sweetie Belle looked up at Silver Streak, giving him a hateful glare, “And you're my assignment.”

She shot a bright green light out of her horn, and a second later his whole world went dark.

Silver Streak stirred awake, realizing that he couldn't move. There was a tree behind him, and he was tightly bound to it, sitting in front of the tree with his legs spread out. Even his wings were spread out and tied to the tree. He seemed to be in the Everfree Forest.

“Finally. I thought that you'd never wake up.”

Sweetie Belle was sitting on a nearby boulder, her math book open, and using her horn as a light, as it was nighttime now.

“I was able to finish all of my homework from school,” Sweetie Belle said, closing her book and walking over to Silver Streak, “You're a real heavy sleeper, you know that?”

Silver Streak shook his head laughing, “Oh this is rich. This is some kind of prank, isn't it?”

“No prank,” Sweetie Belle knelt down in front of him, “I warned you, didn't I? That there were ponies who weren't pleased with what you were doing with Fluttershy?”

“She did put you up to this, didn't she?” Silver Streak seethed, struggling against the ropes.

“She called for help, and I just so happened to be the one who answered,” she lifted up the side of her black skirt, pulling out her dagger and holding it as his neck, “I'm here to take your life in the name of the Night Mother.”

Silver Streak's eyes widened, and he looked down at the dagger. For a second he seemed to be trying to rationalize what was happening, but then he laughed, “You're here to kill me?! Come on, Sweetie, you're not really going to-” he screamed as she stabbed him in the shoulder.

“How many times do I have to say it?!” Sweetie Belle shouted, “My name is Sweetie Belle! I'm not your “Sweetie” or anything like it!”

“You're… insane!” Silver Streak said wincing in pain, “You're going to be in a lot of trouble for this, you know that?!”

“I'm going to be in a lot of trouble? I'm not the one who gets pleasure in raping innocent mares! I'm not the one who harassed Fluttershy to the point where she's all but completely broken! She's the nicest pony I've ever met, and you treat her like she's nothing but a cheap slut!”

“That's because she is a slut!” Silver Streak seethed. Sweetie Belle narrowed her eyes at Silver Streak.

“What?” Sweetie Belle asked, her voice low and even.

“I did research on that bitch before I called her,” Silver Streak said with a sneer, “Not only is she a prostitute, but get this. She enjoys it. A filthy slut inside and out. I figured that I'd do her a favor and make her feel like a real slut.”

Sweetie Belle looked away nodding, “So, you literally did this, just to hurt her.”

“That bitch thinks she's doing the world a “service”, that she's “helping” ponies. All she's doing is feeding her own addiction. So now she gets to feed my addiction. I get a helpless bitch to fuck anytime I want, and she gets the fucking that she needs and deserves.”

Sweetie Belle took that in, “Thank you, Silver Streak.”

He raised an eyebrow, “What are you thanking me for?”

“For telling me that. I'll admit, I was having second thoughts about this, like, could I actually do this. But… now that I heard you, I realized something,” she turned to Silver Streak with a look of realization, “I actually do want to kill you.”

The color faded from Silver Streak's face, “Wait, were you serious about killing me?”

“But, I don't want to it quickly,” Sweetie Belle took her dagger and ran is along his cheek, “No, I want you to suffer a bit. I want this death to be as painful as possible.”

Silver Streak winced in pain as the dagger ran down his cheek. He couldn't speak at all, and just looked at Sweetie Belle in horror as the reality hit him. He wasn't leaving this forest alive.

“Now, what can I do that's really going to hurt?” Sweetie Belle said thoughtfully, “Oh, I know. That's perfect.”

“W-what's perfect?” Silver Streak asked trembling. Sweetie Belle went to his pants and lowered them, revealing his dick. His eyes went wide as he saw the dagger run along it.

“I was thinking a bit of poetic justice,” Sweetie Belle said examining the member before her, “You like tying up mares and taking their power away, right? Well, now you're tied up, and I'm going to take your power away.”

“No… No please!” he begged as his cock was held in Sweetie Belle's magic aura, “Don't do this! Stop! STOP!!!”

SLICE

He screamed loudly as the gothic preteen sliced his dick clean off with her black dagger. Sweetie Belle stood over him and looked down in hatred as the grown stallion cried his eyes out in pain.

“Do you like this feeling?” Sweetie Belle asked scowling at the stallion, “This is exactly how Fluttershy feels right now. This is what you do to her!”

“I-I'm sorry!” Silver Streak sobbed looking up at Sweetie Belle, “Please, have mercy!”

“It's too late for mercy!” she stabbed her dagger in his left wing, pinning it to the tree and making him scream again. She stormed over to her backpack and pulled out her Dark Brotherhood book and showed it to Silver Streak, “Tell me, do you know what this is?”

Silver Streak looked at the book's title and read it, “The Dark Brotherhood? B-but they're just a…” he looked up at Sweetie Belle, a horrified look on his face, “Oh Gods…”

“They're real,” Sweetie Belle said, voice low and oozing with venom, “And I'm one of their members. Fluttershy performed the Black Sacrament, and the Night Mother sent me as her black angel of judgment.”

“But… y-you're a…” he trembled.

“Now, before I kill you, I want you to do something,” she pulled out her dagger, “Say my name.”

“I…” Silver Streak screamed again as Sweetie Belle used her magic to blast his wing clean off.

“Say my name!” Sweetie Belle commanded. Silver Streak was still screaming, and Sweetie Belle gripped him by the mane getting right in the face, “SAY! MY! NAME!!!”

“SWEETIE BELLE!!!” Silver Streak screamed. Sweetie Belle charged her horn to full power, and for a split second, her eyes flashed red.

“AND DON'T YOU FUCKING FORGET IT!!!” she fired another large blast out of her horn at Silver Streak, hitting him right in the chest and going through him. The life left him immediately.

Silver Streak was assassinated.

Sweetie Belle stepped away from Silver Streak's body and looked over her work. She had done it. She had killed him. She killed someone, and did it of her own free will. Her heart was racing, and she stepped away from the deceased trembling.

“I… I killed him…” Sweetie Belle said to herself, “I killed… another pony…”

“And what a glorious kill it was, Sweetie Belle.”

Sweetie Belle turned around suddenly, and saw a mare walk toward her, wearing the skintight red and black body suit and hooded mask of the Dark Brotherhood. Her shimmering blue eyes cutting through the darkness.

“Bloody Harvest…” Sweetie Belle said, tearing up a bit at the sight of the mare that introduced her to this side of herself. She was right. She did kill again. And she did wanted to kill him.

Bloody Harvest stood before Sweetie Belle, and pulled her into a comforting embrace.

“It's okay, Sweetie Belle,” Bloody Harvest said, her voice a soft comforting whisper, “The first and second ones are always the hardest. Just let it out, child.”

Sweetie Belle completely broke down, and actually held onto Bloody Harvest in a tight embrace. She didn't know if she hated this mare or not, but right now, she was the only one who understood what was going on in her head.

But oddly, the more the thought about it, the more she realized it. She wasn't guilty in the slightest.