Author's Note

Warning, Contains Violence, sexual themes and rape.

Viewer discretion is advised.

Little Match Colt

We had been walking along the coach road for most of the day in an attempt to get to town before nightfall. Neither of us had been to town before and I wasn't certain that we would make it at this rate. I glanced over to my new companion. He was not a traveler. He constantly stumbled, He was not used to hiking, and he complained about everything. In a way, I felt bad for the kid. His voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"So Adam, I. I saw what happened to your family. When I was chained up. I saw what they," He shivered slightly, "what they did."

I sighed and closed my eyes. I didn't need reminding.

"I saw what you did too. They deserved that." He glanced at me, then deflated a bit. Then in almost a whisper. "Family is the most important thing in the world. Having a family, having a special somepony. Having the right people in your life."

I looked at him. "I guess I'm between families right now."

I saw him perk up a bit. "You don't have a family. I don't have a family. We could be a family together! You can be my older brother, and I can be your little brother! We can look out for each other. I could protect you from the mares. His voice went strangely flat. "You can't trust mares…"

I felt bad for the kid, it's hard to be trained as a housecolt, then be tossed out into the cold. No support, no money, and no useful skills. He is probably frightened. I smiled.

"Like I said already, You aren't alone now. I'll look after you for as long as I can."

He glanced at me and cleared his throat. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"That large gold chain link necklace thing. Around your neck. Shouldn't the big lightning bolt be in the center?" He cleared his throat. "It's nice, don't get me wrong, but it looks a little weird, cocked off to the side like that. Kind of twisted."

I glanced at the chainlink petrol that forms Black Adams breastplate. I hadn't noticed before, but he was right. The suit was an older design from an era when the lightning bolt came from the shoulder.

"It does look a little odd. I'd never really thought about it before." I Cock my head and grin. "It's supposed to look like that. Besides, it's more of a gold sash than a regular petrol."

Heart grins back. "Between that and the gold shoes, you look like an Amazon."

"Sabatons."

"What?"

"The Shoes, they are called sabatons."

Heart looks around in thought. "So where are we going now, What's the plan?"

I scratch the back of my neck and watch the passing woodlands for a moment before answering.

"What they did to us was wrong. Killing my family, stealing from the poor, buying you into servitude. It's wrong and I am going to tell them so."

"But they're dead. I watched you kill them all."

I smiled. It wasn't a nice smile.

"I killed the tools, I didn't kill the craftsmare. Now we go to the capitol and cause a change in management." I toss the small coin purse into the air and snatch it with an audible jingle of coins.

"I made a promise that Princess Platinum would get her taxes, and I intend to hand it to her myself."

Hearts Obsession staggered back a bit, his hoof to his chest. I looked in surprise before realizing that my expression had gotten rather dark. I think I may have scared him.

"I'm sorry. I'm just angry."

To my surprise, I was embraced into a tight hug.

"Don't worry, your little brother will help you pay them all back."

He hummed in thought. "You know, you can't just walk in and kill everyone. You're just a colt. They have mares in arms who have trained all their lives. You wouldn't last long, even with my help."

I grin. You're wrong about that. I could walk in and kill everypony in sight. Heck, I could fly in at mock five and take out all the support pillars in the castle, then watch as all the weight fell on them. No muss, no fuss."

He looked at me like I had lost my mind. "Be serious about this!"

I stifle a grin then continued. "BUT, I'm not going to do that. No, I want to send a message, and to do that takes planning. What we are going to do first, is go to town and get a map, so we can learn where the capital is. Then we hit the capital and scope it out. Keep our ears open and learn what we can. Make a plan based on what we know, and "Poof! Bobs-your-uncle."

Hearts gave me a deadpan look. "Blossoms Edge is my uncle, not Bob."

It's a figure of speech.

Unfortunately, I had misjudged the distance to the town and we did not get there until well after dark. During the entire afternoon, the sky had been overcast and the dark clouds that approached us promised a hard rain. As we finally crossed the town border I could smell the coming rain and the wind suggested a wild storm was coming.

The night and the clouds made the town pitch black and if it wasn't for my unicorn partner's horn light we would have been in real trouble. We stood in the town square looking around for anyplace we could spend the rest of the night. Since we were both stallions and neither of us could read, none of the signs that we saw was of any help.

"Hey Adam, isn't that the General Store?"

I turned to see what Heart was looking at and scowled at the squat wood structure. "Can't read the sign, but I bet that it is." I turned and moved on. "Leave it be. Karma will get her eventually."

Hearts stared at the building, horn-light shining on the sign.

"Dry Good's General Store. Hurm."

I turned in irritation. "Hey, stop grumbling and get up here, I can't see a dam thing without your light." I squinted from the rising winds and tried to make out something useful, anything useful at all.

A voice made us both turn to see a rectangle of light bobbing its way toward the two of us.

Then a gruff. "Whose there? Is that you Tree Dancer? I told you if I caught ya wandering around drunk again, I'd …"

I covered my eyes against the lantern light that was now shining on us.

"Well, I'll be, Stallions."

With my eyes adjusted, I could now make out the form of the earth pony talking to me. It was an old mare with a scruffy look and an oil lantern. She removed her cap and scratched her head as she looked us over in confusion.

"I don't reckon I know you two damsels. Where's your mare? What by dirt, are you wandering around in the dark fur?"

I spoke first, afraid that Heart might say something dangerous.

"We lost our mares. We were all walking on the path and heart showed me the most beautiful flower and I just had to stop …"

"Yeah yeah, I get it, ya stopped for a fool reason n got left." She rammed the hat back on her head.

"Well'p, Ya ain't stayin with no mares alone. Ye'll get up ta hankey-pankey knowing mares n this town."

She scratched her chin in thought.

"Let's try the old Weaver Widda. He might feel sorry fer ya. Put ya up fer the night?"

With that, she turned and headed off. By the time we got to a cottage door, it had already started raining. I seriously hoped this widow would let us stay. Knowing this old night guards type, she wouldn't let us stay anywhere else. Except maybe a barn, under careful watch, in case of 'morals.'

With a slight shift of her lantern, the codger pounded on the door like the owner owed her money.

"Widda! Widda! It's Hawk Eye! Open the dang door it's rainin!"

The widda, I mean widow carefully peeked through the crack, and recognizing the banger-of-doors, he let us in.

"Hawk Eye, What are you doing out in the rain?" He said just before getting a look at us. His ears flattened and asked us to sit while he made tea. We politely moved to the table and took our seats. Heart dried us all with a spell as we sat and talked with her.

Our host was a typical little old stallion. He made us tea and fussed at us about our condition. Heart was far too pale and I was too skinny. I smiled at him. Here I am, with a body like Hercules in horse form, and all he can see is that I'm too skinny. He brought a good-natured smile to my face. The first genuine smile since my family died.

She turned to me after Hawk Eye politely left and asked, "So deer, what were you all coming to town for?"

"Well Mr. Weaver, The mares were coming for supplies, while I and my little brother here were looking for a map, to help our oldest filly learn about the capital. Being stallions we don't know much ourselves and being almost grown, our eldest will want a good start. We were thinking the capital."

He smiled at us and moved shakily over to a bookshelf by the fireplace.

"This was my Wicker's. She was always one for reading and maps. It's been years now since anyponys read them." He turned to us and held out the map. "I want your mares to have it."

I took it with a polite thank you.

Since it was already late when we got to town, Mr. Weaver set us up a nice cozy sleeping area near the fire. Sadly the small cottage and her meager belongings didn't give us the option for two beds so we settled for the one. We got comfortable and watched Weaver head up to his bed in the loft.

Being a stallion in a herd, I am used to sleeping in the middle of a fur pile, snuggled by family. What I wasn't used to was snuggling with a stranger or another stallion. While multiple stallions are common in large herds, My family was considered tiny in this day and age. So when Hearts Obsession snuggled against me as the little spoon, it took some time to get comfortable.

Hearts Obsessions eyes snapped open and he quietly took in his situation.

My ears pivot trying to find signs of movement. My big brother is behind me, snuggling up to me as the big spoon. I lay there feeling his heartbeat against my back. It was calm and rhythmic. I slowly turned around and carefully pull him in close. I can feel his body. I run my hoof across his chest. His muscles are like stone.

I snuggle my face into his chest and listen to the rhythmic beating of his heart. He is mine. I nuzzle him and breathe in his scent. It's the scent of my brother. The scent of my family. He is mine. My family, and we will be together forever like family should be. Not like the others. Those who let me down. The dirt they called mares. I look up and into his peaceful strong face. So easily hurt. So easily wounded. Especially by mares. Lying mares. Lying vicious mares. My eye twitches. I stroke his sleeping face. So strong, so peaceful. 'Little brother will always protect you.' A promise I will keep.

I look to the loft. The Lovely Weaver was snuggled on his bed. My ears swivel and I listen for the tell-tale sounds of deep sleep. Finding it, I slowly untangle myself from the only family I have and quietly rise to my feet. I look around for anything out of place. Finding nothing I move through the room. I work my way out the door and into the middle of the town square.

I run my hornlight from roof to roof, reading and dismissing one sign after another. Where is that store? My eyes freeze as I spot the sign. It read, 'Dry Good's General Store.'

I reached into my long mane, I pull out Jeromy. I look at him and he is beautiful. We have been friends since the day I found him. His long blade glistens in the low light. He smiles at me and I nuzzle him. I look at the front of the store, a wood slat porch leads to saloon-style doors. They are both old and prone to creaking. I must be careful. I cautiously glide across the boards and make it to the entrance. Without a sound, I carefully slip beneath the rickety flaps. I smile. I am in the store.

I carefully scan the darkened place. Everything is cast in shadow. My hornlight forms a dim red glow. I have always liked red for nightwork. I hear a familiar whisper, Jeromy likes red too. He smiles at me and I smile back. I look around. The lamps of the store are out and the windows are shuttered. I slowly walked the aisles, examining the goods on display. It's a mix of everything. I see books, building supplies, dry goods, fabrics, and animal feed. After walking the store I have my plan.

I move to the magazine and books, where I begin setting my plan in motion. It's a plan fit for the mare that sent death to my brother's family. It took some time to set up, but all good things take time.

I build a makeshift bed and place it. It's the first thing anypony will see when coming out of the storeroom. Just beyond the door of that storeroom, is the living space of Dry Goods herself. The owner and destroyer of lives.

I place flowers in my mane and move the lighting so it highlights the bedding perfectly. Jeromy whispers an idea. It's a good one. I grab some olive oil and use it to strategically draw the eye. I finally arrange myself on the makeshift bed. One thing mares love more than a ready stallion is an exotic ready stallion. IMy eyes fall on a jar of marbles. I smile, how convenient.

A crash pulls Dry Goods right out of slumber. Her eyes snap open.

I sit bolt upright, my heart racing. Was that a noise? Was it real, or just part of a dream? I sit perfectly still and listen as hard as I can. I strain my ears but I can't hear anything.

I smile to myself, "Must have been a dream."

As I lay back down and get comfortable, a clacking sound brings me fully awake. That was not a dream. The rhythmic clack, clack continues. I shakily light the lamp and peer into the gloom. The lamp only seems to make the shadows darker. The clacks are slowly getting closer. A movement from the shadow catches my eye. Something small glints in the lamplight. I hear a rhythmic clack as it slowly bounces down the wooden floor. I lean closer. It's a glass marble. Confused, I watch it as the bouncing slows. It rolls to a stop. I smile in relief.

My head shoots up as the bizarre scene repeats. I watch as another marble slowly makes its way toward me, clacking with each slow bounce.

"Glass marble?"

I grab my machete from under the bed. I grip it with my teeth and move into the storeroom. My hackles are raised. My fight or flight reflex is screaming. This whole thing feels off. I see a dim light coming from the door to the sales floor. I'm now certain that somepony is out there.

Who would rob me way out here? A highway mare? Bandits? I give the door a firm shove with my hoof. I step carefully onto the sales floor. I'm nervous, leaving teeth marks on the wooden handle. I shift the machete for a better grip. I am sweating. My eyes follow the dim light. My jaw drops, the weapon clatters to the floor.

Laying seductively in a pile of my best linens is a stallion. The most beautiful stallion I have ever seen. He was a petite little thing. My eyes slid over his lithe body, perfectly sculpted barrel, and firm haunches. I froze as I took in the sight. His tan coat and pink mane glittered in the candlelight and his face had an exotic look to it. I blinked in surprise, then saw his eyes. His dark almond-shaped eyes.

After a minute of shock, I realized that I was standing like a fool and hadn't said anything.

"I um, Hurm. Young Colt. Look. Here young colt. What are you doing here? In my store?"

The colt looked at me and slid his hooves behind the pillow as he arched his back seductively. His beautiful main glistens in the light.

"I'm sorry, but I have no place to go. My herd was arrested by the tax mare and I have no place left."

I realized that he had been giving me a seductive look. Something that hasn't happened in a very long time. My throat is dry and my mare bits were awakening. As I replayed the conversation, what he said finally hit me.

"Wait, you're the River Shine stallion."

I realize what happened. A devious smile creeps onto my face. The River Shine herd must be gone, the farm is forfeit to taxes, and this stallion, this beautiful, stupid stallion is all alone.

I clear my throat and shift my face into concern.

"Oh honey, you've lost everything. Lost your mares, lost your farm, and lost your home. I'm so sorry for you."

He is vulnerable and when I'm done, He will never be free again.

I move in to comfort him and prepare to take advantage. I will make him mine, till I get bored and throw him out.

I couldn't help a devious grin.

He looked at me with seductive eyes and shifted his hips suggestively. When he was sure he had my attention, he spread his legs. It was a slow and sensual unveiling of what he had hidden between his thighs. When I finally saw it swing free, it was beautiful. He had oiled it and the skin glistened in the light.

I stifled my smile. I didn't want to look eager. I knew what this stallion was doing. What he was offering me. Giving his body in marriage for my protection from the world. I had Him right where I wanted him.

His next words caught me, as I glanced up to that seductive little smile. He said.

"Is there anything alone stallion can do to convince you to let me stay?"

I cup his face in my hooves and look him straight in the eye.

"I'm going to take you and when I'm done, You're mine now. No pony else's."

I roughly grab his mane with a sadistic grin.

"You belong to me."

I push him back and slide on top of him. He is small beneath my large frame. I hear him gag. I grind my body scent into his coat as I lick his neck and face. My head is grabbed and I'm pulled into a deep passionate kiss. He looks at me, seductively biting his lip. I smile. I'm going to make this last.

I see movement from the corner of my eye. Something green coming fast. By the time it registers I'm already hit. Pain explodes at my temple, my vision flickers and blurs. I see green blurs. I bottle? Something hot runs down my face. Stunned and with the world spinning, I try to get my bearings. There is a sudden weight on my chest. I slam into the sales counter. The world spins more. I can feel legs straddling my hips. I shake my head and try to focus. A face fades in and out. It looks demonic. I look up and see a blur swinging a green bottle with all its might. Pain explodes. Everything goes bla-.

Pain, nausea. My face feels broken. As I regain consciousness, I begin to realize my body feels wrong. My teeth have gaps and my muzzle is broken. My face is a mass of pain. I try to focus on my surroundings, but I can only seem to use one eye. I try to move my hoof to my face, but it doesn't budge. I look and see that it's tied to the counter. I look and find my entire body tied securely to the brass hoof bar of my front counter.

A noise catches my attention and the petite stallion slides to a seat between my legs. His once beautiful face is wrong. Those exotic features are twisted into an expression I can only call deranged. His pupils are tiny pinpricks almost lost in pink irises. The smile is feral, savage, like a predator. His head cocks like he is listening to something and he reaches into his pink mane. He pulls a butcher's knife from somewhere behind him. It's a chef's knife with a cherry wood handle. He leans forward with a shy demeanor and cuddles the blade.

"Jeromy says you're evil." He moves the blade to his ear and after a pause, he nods. "Jeromy says you sent the taxmare to the homestead. He was watching."

I struggle with my bonds, 'Once I get out, I'll beat this colt so bad, he will wish he died!'

"Yes, I did. I had to!"

His head tilts to the side, those unblinking eyes disturb me.

"You had to. Why did you have to hurt my brother?"

He is playing with the blade now and his expression terrifies me.

"The Taxmare, I had to give her something! I had to give her someone! She, She comes to town and doesn't leave unless she has something to show for it."

He goes deathly still and in a dead tone of voice.

"Jeromy doesn't like you."

Something in that voice. A cold chill. 'Are his eyes getting paler?'

"If it wasn't you, it could have been anypony!"

The knife is so close.

"It was either you or me! I had to!"

He stares at me for a long time and in all that time he never blinked. He brings the blade up to his ear, listens, and nods. To my surprise, he rises to his hooves and I watch in confusion as he saunters away. Now that I have a minute to gather my wits, I have the chance to take in my surroundings.

My store is wrecked. Paper and hay are strewn everywhere and the floor and walls are dripping with water.

"Uh, did you have to destroy my store?!"

He glances at me and silently continues doing something I cant see.

"Why is everything wet?"

I lean as far as I can and take a deep sniff.

"Is, Is that lamp oil? Did you break my lamp oil!"

The colt just glances at me and keeps working. 'Was that A rope?'

"Do you have any idea how much lamp oil costs!"

He climbs a table and takes down the main chandelier. His back is to me. I cant see what he is doing. He does something with its oil lamps then puts it back on the hook. The lamps are lit. I feel a ray of hope, now things are going my way. The light will bring help. I nervously giggle.

I watch in confusion as he strings a rope toward me.

"Do you want me to hold that? Is that what you want? Talk to me dammit!"

He just looks at me as he ties the end of the rope to the same brass bar that I'm tied to. I wonder what the rope is for and I trace it back to the other end. It's draped over the ceiling hook and ends at the chandelier.

"What by Faust are you doing? Playing with rope! You're unhinged!"

I renew my struggling, but my bindings only seem to get tighter.

He places a lit candle carefully under the rope and moves toward me with a clear bottle.

"What now?"

I swear like a sailor as he pours it on me.

"You crazy slut, that's lamp oil!"

I'm done with this game and start screaming for help. He kicks me in the marehood and my world is pain. Before I know it, he is prying at my mouth and digging for my tongue. His blade is at my face, it flashes.

Black Adam lies curled up under the covers. Something tickles his nose.

I twitch my nose as I try returning to sleep, but the tickle persists. I bat it away with my hoof and pull my bodypillow closer. ‘Pillow smells nice, grumble' I try and fail badly at falling back to sleep and sigh in frustration. I slowly open my eyes and stare in confusion at my body pillow. The pillow I'm staring at is a pony. My tired mind sluggishly connects the pony to a name. Heart. The pony is Heart. I'm cuddling Heart, who is currently the little spoon. The memories of yesterday flood back and I quietly get up.

Looking around I see that our host is in the kitchen and a pleasant scent is filling the small cottage. He smiles.

"Good morning Adam, did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I sure did. Thank you for putting us up for the night."

Weaver smiled.

"Don't worry about it. It was the right thing to do. Grab a seat, breakfast is almost ready."

I smiled, I was hungry.

"Would you like a hoof with anything?"

“I've got this. We're having flat cakes and butter.”

I smile wider when I realized he was talking about pancakes. Then my smile faded a bit as I remembered that maple syrup wasn't invented yet. It was still better than plain bread. A nudge breaks me out of my thought and I turn to see Hearts. It was a friendly nudge as he takes a seat. He looks happy. It makes me smile. Soon the widow joins us and we enjoy a very pleasant breakfast.

Somewhere a lone candle burns. A smoldering rope weakens and finally burns through. A heavy chandelier falls and the glass lamps shatter. Fire meets liquor and oil. Paper and linens instantly ignite. Eyes watch in terror as the building engulfs in seconds. A mare screams. Temperatures rise. Then flashpoint.

A deep boom shakes the cottage and we all run out of the cottage to see what's going on. I look around I see that the entire town is in motion. Ponies standing in shock, while others ran toward the raging fire that was once the General Store. I see Hawk Eye passing out buckets and shouting orders to the milling ponies. I'm shocked and just watch in stunned silence as my enemy receives karma. I look to the ground in thought. 'Perhaps there is a Faust out there somewhere." I'm jostled as Hearts hugs me and we both watch the fire as I pull him in close. Heart begins to shake and I gently pat the frightened stallion. For the first time in ages, I can't think of a single thing to say. After some time, my new brother looks up at me and breaks the silence.

"Addie, I think we should go."

I look at all the chaos and nod.

"I think you're right."