Ghost Of Equestria

Inside Capper’s house, Spike was looking out the window, watching the Umbrums that walked past with no knowledge that there was an enemy in their midst. Completely oblivious to what was going to happen in a few days.

Just like Spike wanted.

He may want the Umbrums to fear him, but what good would that do when they were expecting him to liberate Klugetown? They would call for reinforcements which would be overwhelming.

It was something that Spike had thought a lot about. It was already overwhelming with the Umbrums who patrolled the Klugetown streets, so anymore Umbrums and Spike might as well give up.

However, just a few days prior, Capper had offered to help them fight the war. Originally, Spike had been hesitant because Capper was the only one who practically knew every creature that could get them valuable information, what good would he be if he was dead? Capper on the other hoof seemed to know what he’d been thinking and told both that he could fight. Even gave a statement that made them blush.

“Were in the Badlands, Klugetown, did you really believe I couldn’t fight?”

It was obvious, they weren’t in any kingdom where you had no reason to fight. They were outside any kingdom with law and order. Most creatures in the Badlands literally fought for their food or place to sleep.

With sheepishness, Spike allowed him to fight.

Since then, Capper has been training hard with a spear that he had hidden from them and potentially others so they wouldn’t demand a weapon that would be used against him.

The spear was a meter long, the blade looked to be sharp enough to leave wounds if needed. How it would penetrate the metallic armour the Umbrums wore, Spike had no idea but he was sure that Capper knew a few tricks up his sleeve.

Continuing to look out the window, Spike could hear the panting from behind him.

Capper was at it again with his training. He hadn’t done much else unless Spike asked for any locations he could find usable weapons or escape routes. But that was the rare few occasions.

Turning to face him, Spike saw Capper swinging the spear the same way a few Umbrum leaders would do. At first, he panicked, believing Capper to be working with the Umbrums after all, but then he noticed a movement that forced Capper down to one knee and stabbed the air in the “stomach” where the Umbrum would have theoretically stood.

Getting up from his knee and taking a few steps back, he repeated the motion as if to perfect it. His swinging was on par with a professional spear user, so he was not a newbie by any means.

Watching Capper, Spike couldn’t help but be reminded of when he was training with his ancestor. The grueling training he went through was something he would always appreciate. During all the hardships and times he wanted to give up but still got out of bed in the morning and went to train because he knew he could free Equestria.

If Capper trained hard enough, he certainly could become something more than a simple criminal trying to earn a living.

“You swing good,” Spike said when Capper got up from his knee once more. The cat turned to face the dragon, drenched in sweat from his previous activity. “If you continue to do that good, you could become something more than just a criminal.”

There was a pregnant pause between them, looking at each other, one in confusion and the other one at his potential future student.

“What?” Capper finally asked in disbelief.

“You can become something more than just a criminal.” He repeated as if he expected the question. “You have talent as a warrior if you are dedicated to its studies. I’ve seen you fight with that weapon of yours, it shows that you have had to use it at some point.”

At that statement, Capper looked to the floor not looking at Spike to see his reaction. When the purple dragon didn’t get a response from the former criminal, he grew concerned that he either offended him or awoke some memories from the past.

However, curiosity was there. What happened to Capper in the past? It was not important for him to know what he did, but it would be nice to know at least the need-to-know basis of his character.

Deciding against it, Spike spoke up after the silence between them became unbearable.

“Sorry that I said anything, I shall—” But he couldn’t finish his sentence.

“Have you ever regretted it?” Capper’s question took him by surprise. What did he mean by that?

“What do you mean?”

Capper looked suddenly very uncomfortable and kept looking around as if the Umbrums would break down the door any second. His eyes darted from the windows to the door and even to the roof.

He seemed to be panicked, but he quickly regained himself before it could go any further.

“Have you ever regretted … killing any creature?” His voice was so quiet, that Spike wouldn’t have heard it if he didn’t pay attention.

If he would be honest with himself, he shouldn’t have been surprised by the question. It was bound to be asked sooner or later. But did he regret it? There were very few instances where he did but there were other occasions where he could have cared less about it.

“Both yes and no,” Spike responded, surprising Capper who looked up after feeling the embarrassment creep upon him like a shadow that was about to swallow a creature whole.

“What do you regret about it?” Capper uncertainly asked. He wasn’t sure if it was appropriate for him to ask such a question, but he could try and see what the response was.

“I regret not giving the Umbrums the chance to be free once more. I keep taking their lives away not knowing if they would have wanted to die or not. Because I haven’t tried, I will never know the answer, and it’s for the best that I don’t.”

Capper felt depressed by the answer. He sort of had a gist about that but he hoped that the answer would have been different, demanded it almost. But the truth is undeniable. It’s not something you can try to not feel guilty about.

The memories would always haunt the creature, always remembering the creature they had killed, the family and friends that grieved for their loved one and tried to solve the case but couldn’t find the one that did it, never getting the response they so desperately need.

Capper gulped as his mind started to wander down the guilty path but was saved by Spike’s next answer.

“But I also don’t regret killing them. They have—as Umbrums—committed many atrocities across Equestria and beyond. They have killed children, forced parents to watch it happen, forced families apart, and so much more. There are so many things that I cannot forgive them for as Umbrums, I don’t think any creature can, so it’s better to fight for our home and not feel guilty for the things we have to do.”

Surprised, Capper looked at Spike for guidance. He wondered what he should do. From the sounds of both of the statements, they were good in their own right, but he wasn’t sure if he could go that extra step.

Yes, he was a criminal by all means, but he had never stepped over the line. When you kill a creature then there is nothing else you will ever think about. You will always be haunted by the fact that you did it.

“Capper, I must ask; why did you ask that question?” While Spike waited for a reply, Fluttershy was secretly eavesdropping from behind a large chest that covered her presence there.

She had been watching for any Umbrums in the area, but so far they had only marched past the house, not bothering with them. It was a relief but slightly odd. Fluttershy felt that they should be banging on the door asking for taxes or something close to it.

Not that she wanted them to, but it would be logical; to force the places they take under their flag to pay taxes so they could make their King richer than he already was, but they didn’t.

However, it could be that King Sombra knew that it would only make the Badlands even more unstable.

“Well,” Capper began with a cautious tone. “I know what it is that I have to do, but I cannot help but second-guess my motives. What am I doing this for? Who am I doing this for?”

Spike nodded in understanding.

“So I cannot help but wonder why I’m doing what I’m doing. Yes, I do not want to see any more creatures suffer at the hands of the Umbrums.” Capper admitted. “However, years ago, I would have easily sold any creature to the highest bidder. So why am I helping you two is what I’m trying to figure out.”

Silence reigned for a long time, Fluttershy held her hoof to her mouth to not gasp from the shocking revelation from Capper. However, the atmosphere in the room didn’t change.

The yellow-coated mare didn’t dare peek around the corner. She shouldn’t be listening to the conversation and she knew the information the cat shared was very sensitive that was only meant for Spike to hear.

“It doesn’t change much,” Spike finally said. Capper looked up ready to argue, but the purple-scaled dragon held up a claw. “Yes, what you have done in the past is absolutely horrible, I will admit, you have put me on edge.” Capper looked to the floor, trying to avoid eye contact. “But if you were the same creature, then I highly doubt that Fluttershy and I would be standing here.”

Capper stifled a giggle. It was true, around this time if not sooner, he would have secretly contacted a rich creature and sold them for great money.

Now, however, he cannot bring himself to do it even if he would starve.

“I will never truly be rid of such memories …” Capper sadly stated with a loose grip on the spear. He closed his eyes and he kept seeing them. He kept seeing the faces of the creatures he’s betrayed over the years, seeing how sad they looked, calling him a monster, scum, traitor.

Sympathetically, Spike placed a claw on his shoulder. He may not understand what Capper did, but he can understand the guilt.

“Capper, you and I have committed different sins, but in the end; you and I will suffer the same fate, for the better or worse. I have never claimed to be a saint, not will I ever claim to be.”

The words hit Capper harder than he initially believed they would. He didn’t realize that when he joined Spike that he directly or indirectly would lead to murder. The Umbrums may not be who they used to be, but it doesn’t take away the fact that they were once creatures with normal jobs, with normal problems that they needed to solve …

And he would not allow them to chance to live that life again …

“Thank you, Spike,” he said with a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Nonetheless, Spike smiled back knowing that Capper would make the hardest decision of his life.

It wasn’t easy for either of them. Both of them have suffered greatly in their own ways, but none could truly understand each other’s suffering because they had yet to experience it.

And hopefully, neither of them would.

Silently from behind the large chest, Fluttershy moved away with a smile on her face.

Admittingly, she would find it hard to trust Capper in the future because of what she learned, but she knew that he was not the same creature he once used to be and she could tell that he regretted what he has done.

If he wouldn’t have regretted it, then perhaps Fluttershy would have been a lot more worried for not just hers, but Spike’s being as well.

Walking back to the window, she glanced from the left to the right trying to find any Umbrums in the area but found none. She only saw a few creatures walk by, chatting with friends, acquaintances, or dealers that could give them whatever they needed.

She sighed, it was going to be a long day.