Blight of The War Horse (Reforged)

Chapters

Chp 2: Awakening rage
Chp 3: Fear of the unknown
Chp 4: Meeting and relations revealed
Chp 5: Moon and sword
Chp 7: Plots and dressing problems
Chp 7.5: Heart to Heart with the inferno
Chp 8: Drowning the sorrows away
Chp 9: Call to action
Chp 11: Beast Vs. Beasts (edited)
Interlude: Feathery friend
Chp 12: Into the Everfree and Ponyville massacre
Chp 13: End of a battle, start of a challenge
Chp 14: Sky Slicer
Chp 15: Pleasant fallout and a cracks at the seams
Chp 16: Crusaders and The Knight- part 1
Chp 17: The Storm and The monster- part 2
Chp 18: Rebirth- part 3
Interlude: Morning routine
Chp 19: Breakdown
Chp 20: Awaiting confessions
Chp 21: Convincing argument
Chp 22: The Insect Goddess
Chp 23: Perfect day- part 1
Chp 24: To the rescue- part 2
Chp 25: Goliath and David- part 3
Chp 26: Sacrifice- part 4
Chp 27: Heart and Shield- part 5
Chp 28: New Perspective
Chp 29: Free
Chp1: Fall of the Storm Breaker
Chp 6: Forceful employment
Chp 10: Lies and an unwelcomed surprise

Chp 2: Awakening rage

…Because there was a single heartbeat in the void.

Initially, a long and repetitive thumping reawakened within her chest, resuming in a painfully slow cadence after what felt like an eternity, the grip of death holding onto the warrior's soul.

But as what felt like years had slipped away, the dormant giant's eyes started to flicker, her slumbering gaze slowly awakening and her heartbeat gradually quickening. All around her was nothingness, a never-ending void of black surrounding her in all directions, with the only thing visible being her own body. The warrior questioned her sudden awareness, with a hint of curiosity dancing in her thoughts. Yet, her still-foggy mind chose not to indulge the notion, a decision the warrior silently welcomed. Whatever the white Unicorn from her previous battle blessed the mare with a sense of calm she hadn't felt in decades, like a washed blanket recently removed from warming over a fire- not that she’d admit it.

Past events mattered little to the warrior as her body rolled into a ball-like shape, her hindlegs folding onto her stomach as her forehooves held them close to her chest.

All the blood, violence, and hate. None of it mattered at the moment.

Even though she hadn’t found herself endlessly drinking and eating in the great halls of Υπέροχο αεροπλάνο, the afterlife her tribe went to in death, she would’ve let out a sigh of comfort if she felt her mouth.

But the warrior would've continued accepting the caring embrace of death if it hadn't been for the sensation of her battered, falling body colliding forcefully with the unforgiving stone ground. At once, light, sound, smell, taste, and touch came crashing down on the warrior as she gasped sharply for her first breath of air in a long time. But the wounds inflicted upon her by the alicorn remained raw and throbbing, unleashing waves of excruciating agony that coursed mercilessly through her every nerve, compelling the mare to unleash a plaintive cry of suffering.

“A-Are you okay?” A strange voice, speaking an equally frantic, queer language, managed to gain the mare’s attention.

With raspy gasps, the warrior slowly rolled onto her side, her chest still throbbing with pain. She lifted her head to identify the source of the voice, but her vision was severely impaired, rendering the world around her as little more than a hazy, dull-colored blur. Through the foggy veil, she could discern the outlines of two figures before her - one small and purple, the other taller and a lighter shade of lavender. But before she could voice her inquiries, the sound of splintering wood reached her ears, drawing attention to what appeared to be an undersized entranceway behind the figures, the remains of a bookshelf scattered on the ground.

“Πώς είμαι πίσω? (How am I back?).” The warrior mumbled with a gravelly voice. Perplexed by the change in environment, and the lack of cold, the warrior's mind swam in dazed confusion until it cast away as a sizable blob walked in and released a mewling roar of fury.

Luckily, the warrior blinked away some of the blurriness crippling her vision, only to gawp dumbfoundingly at the sight of a ridiculous abomination.

Its body resembled that of a mighty lion with a tan, muscular build, a majestic red mane, and huge fangs. However, perched upon the creature’s shoulder blades was a pair of comically small, bat-like wings, seemingly disproportionate to such a massive form. But what caught the warrior mare's attention was the creature's oversized tail, which had the menacing stinger of a scorpion at its tip that dripped with a revolting green venom. Whoever created this poor excuse of a hut-cat should've been ashamed; the yetis that roamed near her old village's borders were more terrifying by far.

Despite her apathy, the two still-blurry figures appeared frightened by the beast, and who was the warrior not to fight something deadly, especially after a nice nap? With a sudden, ferocious lunge, the feline monster, its jaws dripping with trailing slobber, attacked the frightful figures.

The mare, in a desperate attempt, summoned all the strength she could muster and jumped off the ground, quickly intercepting mid-air and tackling the beast across the room with a heavy thud. Amidst the echoes of their landing, she tumbled roughly along the unforgiving floor, the monstrous lion held in her relentless but weak hold. In the middle of their momentary rolling, the beast delivered a vicious blow via its hind paws, crashing into her stomach with bone-shattering force. The warrior's throat choked with a dry gag; with the disorienting impact, her body rocketed away from the wild assailant, colliding with a solid wall with a resounding crack of bone and stone. In spite of a potentially shattered spine, she felt the explosive force behind the creature's sinewy legs set in, and a familiar feeling of euphoria welled up inside the warrior. Her mind buzzed with adrenaline-fueled excitement, a grin creeping across her muzzle.

In a daring display of audacity, she rose from the ground, her muscles coiling like springs of fury as the beats had turned to the figures behind it. With rediscovered energy, she leaped onto the creature's broad back like a parasite, her forelegs tightly locking around its tree trunk-sized throat while it roared in surprise and anger.

Ignoring the searing heat that scorched her chest, she braved the tumultuous ride, tossed about like a ragdoll in the grip of the thrashing creature. Raising her left foreleg, she quickly delivered an elbow strike to the creature's skull, forcing its head to bounce off the floor.

In the warrior's long-destroyed village, all colts and fillies of a certain age were mandated to undergo rigorous training to defend themselves and provide the village with protectors or members for hunting parties- usually the colts. Having been lucky enough to be taught most of her ponies' hunting skills at a younger age by a relative, she was, at best, somewhat competent when it came to slaying animals. And amidst the escalating war between the three races, her lethal abilities had been sharpened to a fine point, honed by the fires of conflict. Comparing the native creatures of her homeland to the feline monster, the mare would have effortlessly taken the latter out if it weren't for the grievous wounds slowing her down.

Alas, her tenacious grip and strikes couldn't endure indefinitely.

In a cunning maneuver that caught the warrior by surprise, the feline monster executed a sudden half-backflip, deliberately hurling itself towards the ground, using the mare as its unwilling cushion. In that dreadful instant, the specter of death loomed over her, threatening to steal away her newfound consciousness once again. Blood erupted from the mare's mouth, expelled with a hollow gasp that hung heavy in the air.

Disoriented and weakened, she failed to register that the beast had rolled off her, now looming overhead, its razor-sharp fangs inching perilously close to her vulnerable neck.

“Oh no, you don’t!” The earlier voice shouted, catching the monster's attention as a ball of lavender magic struck its side, separating the creature from the warrior mare.

Gasping for air, the warrior struggled to steady her breath as her eyes darted frantically, capturing fleeting glimpses of additional lavender balls whirling through the air. Eventually, with immense effort, the mare barely managed to lift her head high enough to see the tail end of the feline monster's retreating form. Bruised and battered, the creature cried out in pain, desperately feeling back through the entrance from which it had emerged. As for her earlier statement: she reluctantly admitted her recklessness. Setting her head back down, the warrior mare seized a few precious moments of respite, savoring the fleeting tranquility.

…Until her brief reprieve was annoyingly halted when a second creature, albeit less menacing than the feline monster, came into view on her left, shattering the fragile silence. His form was clearer than before, having moved closer to her face.

“Hey, are you-?” The small, scaly, purple, and green lizard-like creature began to say, a worried tone complimenting his expression before he looked down. “Nevermind, forget what I asked.” It sheepishly replied upon seeing her wounds. Looking back, presumably at the second figure, the lizard pointed at her chest. “Hey, um, Twi? They’re looking pretty bad over here; do you think we should teleport her to the hospital?” He asked.

Gradually emerging into the edge of the warrior mare's vision, a taller figure materialized, its presence announced by a series of resolute hoof clops. “Sorry, I can’t, Spike.” A mareish voice said. “Not to be rude, but this…pony looks three times the size of Big Mac, and with those horrible injuries, it’d be too risky to teleport from this distance.”

Having finished her sentence, the figure came into full view on the mare’s right side, which only confused the warrior even more.

At first glance, she could be forgiven for mistaking the figure for an ordinary mare, but as her gaze lingered, she began to notice distinct differences. Everything about the new mare was, in a word, diminutive. Her lavender body, in general, appeared to be roughly a quarter the size of the warrior, while her head boasted a more rounded and compact shape. Big, velvet eyes peered out from beneath a short, deep-blue mane with subtle pink highlights, their weakly withheld concern evident. Regardless, as her scanning eyes moved upward, they immediately stopped near the small mare’s forehead, along with any thoughts running in her head.

A short, spiral horn protruded from the miniature mare's forehead, shimmering with a captivating purple glow. In a cloud of smoke, a parchment and a quill appeared wrapped in a lavender aura, held aloft in a levitation spell.

“I’m going to have to write to Celestia about this.” The unicorn said.

In an instant, the warrior was forcefully thrust back into the visceral depths of her ravaged psyche. The moments of fear the warrior and her parents felt as the hail of magic impacted her village, reducing anything they touched to ash, resurfaced. Her parents sacrificed themselves to save her that retched day, throwing her young self over the village’s wall before their pained cries were the only thing left of them. Later in life, after joining the vanguard and attempting to capture a member of the unicorn assault, she found out everything.

It was because some residents of her village didn’t pay for a travel fee the unicorn raiders ran.

They all died because of THEIR greed.

In a fierce surge of unbridled fury, the warrior's right foreleg shot up, viciously snatching the unicorn's throat in a vice-like grip.

The unicorn's eyes bulged in a terrified response. Choked gasps and strangled sounds escaped as she desperately flailed, uselessly smacking the warrior's foreleg with her hooves- the lizard doing the same, but to the warrior's side. All unicorns were self-centered, arrogant, idiots who did nothing but take and destroy. And she took great pleasure in killing any she came across, slowly. As the seconds ticked, fleeting images of that day filled the warrior's reddened vision, intensifying her hold on the enemy's neck.

“Καταράστηκες τον μονόκερο!” She snarled. Blood ran down the warrior's chin, bubbling from the rage consuming her exhausted body. Gritting her teeth, she seethed with an intensity that seemed to ignite the very air around her.

Unfortunately, just as the unicorn's disgusting existence was on the brink of meeting its long-awaited demise, the warrior's grip abruptly released the pest.

A grim stillness settled as the thumping of the warrior's heart slowly led to a dead crawl, and the unicorn collapsed to the ground, coughing and hacking in desperation to regain air. The warrior's good eye, which burnt a metaphorical hole into the enemy's skull, rolled back into darkness for the third time, succumbing once more to the embrace of oblivion.

As the tense air in the secret chamber gradually lessened, Twilight's senses began to emerge from the suffocating fog in her head. Her body trembled, still under the lingering shock of her near-death encounter, each breath escaping in ragged gasps as she fought to regain control. A short minute later, she mustered the strength to push herself up from the floor, her hooves wobbling beneath her weight.

With a sense of urgency and concern etched across his face, Spike, Twilight's loyal assistant and pseudo-brother/son, rounded the large, unconscious pony. "Dear Celestia, you okay, Twilight?!" He asked, eyes scanning over Twilight's body for any signs of further harm.

It had been a week since the defeat of Discord, the irritating embodiment of chaos and disharmony, and the reconstruction of Ponyville, a small countryside town near Canterlot. After entombing the evil god in stone with the elements of harmony, Twilight, and her friends assisted ponies affected by the battle's aftermath- rebuilding damaged property and treating the injured, among other deeds. For the first few days of rebuilding, everything appeared to go smoothly. However, Twilight, helping Applejack relocate and fix her barn after the legs it grew disappeared and sent the several-ton wooden building into a pond, was abruptly interrupted when she received an urgent report from Princess Celestia, her mentor.

Apparently, the chaos magic Discord used left trace amounts in Ponyville that attracted itself toward the everfree forest, causing the already strange environment to become increasingly erratic and a potential danger for the nearby town.

Not one to deny an assignment from the solar princess herself, Twilight strapped on her saddlebags, ready for the upcoming expedition. Sure, the forest is infamous for its unpredictability and dangerous wildlife, but Twilight knew enough not to underestimate it. And accompanied by her faithful companion, Spike, she embarked on the journey with a foolish sense of mellowness.

The starting location of their investigation was the castle ruins, the ancient sight being the reawakening epicenter of the elements. It'd be logical to think chaos magic would naturally seek out any lingering harmony within the elements' altar, considering their power. The recently constructed trail leading to the castle of the two sisters cut most of the distance and time compared to the night Nightmare Moon had returned. Thinking back on that night with fondness and distaste, Twilight was thankful to have her friends by her.

But, going through what happened in the past hour, Twilight's regret of not bringing those friends grew. Midway along the trail, Twilight and Spike were taken by surprise as a trio of Manticores, creatures typically found deep within the wilderness, ambushed them.

Regardless, the last thought going through her mind at the time was their distance from their natural hunting grounds as the beast attempted to devour her.

Forced to leave the trail and run frantically in the forest, It was a miracle Twilight and her assistant managed to lose two of the Manticores during the chase and arrive at the castle. Sadly, the third had followed them into the ruins and throughout the decrepit halls of the palace.

Following the daring chase, the duo haphazardly barricaded themselves into the old royal library, where they accidentally discovered and pulled a fake book, revealing a hidden door disguised as a bookshelf. They emptied the bookshelves of their contents so it was easier to block the library entrance, much to Twilight's tome-loving dismay. Inside- after entering and closing the fake bookcase behind themselves -the hidden chamber took on spartan-like qualities, its bare-bone content: a sizable stone room with a stair-led platform leading to a curved back wall made of more empty bookshelves. The walls were decorated with a few elegant designs and paintings that would make Rarity faint, and the chandelier, once hanging in the center of the ceiling, lay broken on the floor.

But at the core of the hidden room, a large, white crystal made of polished magic hovered near the dust and dirt-covered floor. Laying her eyes on the uncut relic, Twilight's intellectual instincts kicked in despite the Manticore having broken into the library outside and banging on the hidden room's 'door' with vicious hunger. Because inside the magic gem was a massive pony-like figure, at least, their silhouette. Their features were too long to belong to a pony, but the general idea of one was present in the (pony's?) design.

She knew the ruined castle was no stranger to hidden paths and chambers- Canterlot Castle had plenty of them. But what purpose did the crystal serve? And why did it contain a pony? Surely, Celestia or Luna didn't waste resources and pony work to build a purposeless room for a crystal?

Whatever the reason was, the curious unicorn had been too lost in her train of thought to notice her horn spark to life, her Lavender magic flowing to the crystal in a stream. By the time she caught on and cut her magic, it was too late; spiderweb cracks shattered the crystal's side before growing over the remaining surface area. In a spectacular explosion of light and crystal shards, Twilight conjured a barrier around herself and Spike, the former having pressed himself against the 'door' and trying to get her attention directed at the Manticore.

When the blinding rays of ivory white faded, Twilight's barrier fell. Only for eyebrows to raise in shock at what lay before her. Like the creature's silhouette in the late crystal, Twilight's vision was proven correct about its unnaturally lengthy proportions- in fact, everything about it was freakishly big. From the muzzle to the back hooves, the creature's muscular but skinny, almost malnutritious, body looked nearly a foot taller than Celestia, with a cow print fur pattern and a short, ragged mane/tail. The scars plaguing the creature's body tempted Twilight's breakfast to exit through her mouth; blood, dried and fresh, caked its coat, and the fact that oxygen still drew from the creature's lungs with the massive hole in its chest baffled Twilight. She approached the creature cautiously, taking consideration of the increase of Spike's worry as he appeared by her side and the banging from behind.

After the pony had suddenly woken up screaming in agony, Twilight tentatively leaned closer to it, the smell of burnt hair and flesh plaguing her nose.

In the present, Twilight gave the ill-worried drake a reassuring smile as she placed a hoof on his head. "I'm fine, Spike, at least for now." She chuckled bitterly, guilt stabbing her heart at seeing Spike's unconvinced frown. "I'm sorry. I was caught up with…whatever that crystal was, and I put you in danger because of that. I should've helped fend off the Manticore." She apologized, ears splaying down.

"Me, in danger?!" Spike retorted incredulously, "That pony took on a MANTICORE bare-hoofed and almost snapped your neck like dried wheat!" He argued, pointing to the unconscious creature. "You should be worrying about your health!"

Twilight smiled briefly before turning to where the drake pointed, "I appreciate your concern, Spike. And counting the injuries on them," she added Spike's first point, "they probably attacked me as a defense mechanism and didn't mean it. If that's the case, we should still treat them, no matter what they did." She said, using her magic to give Spike her saddlebags. As much as she wanted to get far away from the creature, leaving somepony to bleed out alone would be worse than what it did to her. "Start writing a letter to Celestia to bring a medical team here. I'll use any healing magic I know to treat their wounds." Twilight, forming a concentrated look on her features, Channeled her lavender magic to envelop the major inflictions on the creature's face and chest, receiving a slight grunt from them.

Having a better observation point of the pony-like creature, Twilight noted the massive frame of the non-pony once again. Even to an unathletic pony like her, Twilight knew that muscles like this weren't built from working out or simply doing manual labor; their appearance could fool one into believing they were made from chiseled marble. They were the by-product of careful routine and discipline, akin to a royal guard veteran. Seeing the faint scars hiding under their fur, it was apparent that the creature was some form of fighter or soldier- the unexpected tussle with the wild Manticore adds to the idea.

The most striking thing standing out to the young unicorn was the creature's sky-blue eyes- or eye -that peered into her with a rage Twilight had never experienced before.

It was like the creature would've ripped her small form into ribbons if it wanted- no, if it could.

The thought of being at the receiving end of its fury sent a chill down her spine, her magic wavering reluctantly.

Spike nodded to her request, pulling a parchment and quill as he sat beside her and began writing, "Dear Princess Celestia..."

Warm breath gently entered and exited the warrior mare’s lips as her eyes slowly opened for, from what she remembered, the third time today.

Her brow furrowed in discomfort and confusion, a dull ache in her chest throbbing periodically, the feeling of unusual cloth hugging her body and face, tubes in her nostrils, and pointy things sticking into her forelegs’ flesh.

The warrior went to sit up on whatever soft surface was suspending her above the ground, only to jerk to a stop. Looking at her forehooves, she saw straps of leather and metal buckles bound her sore limbs to a solid, bumpy frame, remaining taut when she pulled. Growling in mute frustration, the warrior let her head fall back onto the soft pads resting on the same comfortable slab she did, deciding the waste of energy wasn’t worth it. Worry started to creep into the warrior mare's heart as she observed the room; nothing about her surroundings wasn’t the least bit familiar.

Walls not constructed of stone or clay-dry straw, a roof with white buzzing lights, an invisible section of wall to her right that showed the night, and a floor devoid of packed dirt or wood.

Was this in Earth Pony territory? Or was she captured by the enemy?

“If it’s the former, I’d gut myself before telling them a thing.” She mentally sneered. What would her fellow soldiers say if they saw her in such a pitiful state? Knowing them, they ride her flank about it for the next month. They’d sing fabricated tales about how a great warrior such as herself was captured by a mere unicorn mare to irritate her. “Damn alicorn, I didn’t know he had a unicorn companion.” But why was she with an oversized lizard?

Nevertheless, identities and enemy relations were far from the problem at the given moment. She lacked her armor or supplies within potentially enemy lands, and the greatsword she held near to her heart was missing and shattered- that last one especially hurt more than any wound. At the current second, the warrior was more useless than a rotting wolf corpse. The best form of action would be to escape at the first sign and gather anything worth keeping, then find the nearest town and track down a messenger. If only these straps weren’t in the way.

Click

Immediately, the warrior mare’s senses went on full alert at the sound of a metallic click, followed by a wooden door opening to her far left.

Walking into the room was a young, white coat-wearing unicorn stallion.

And her world turned red again.

Chp 3: Fear of the unknown

Author's Note

Tw: contains implied themes of non-con and child abuse.

Chp 3: Fear of the unknown

“Well, Mrs, I’m glad you’re finally awake.” The white-robed unicorn said, nervously glancing at the warrior's piercing glare as he approached.

Adjusting a pair of glasses resting on his stubby muzzle, the unicorn looked over a wooden board hanging from her bed's footboard. His fur bore a dark peach color, his clean-cut mane/tail being a light shade of brown, and the picture of a Y-shaped tube linking two metal sticks and a disk adorned his flank. “I suggest reframing from any additional outburst, Ma’am; It took the two princesses to hold you down while we administered the anesthesia.” He added, despite the word not reaching the mare.

Walking toward the left side of the warrior's bed, the unicorn peered up at one of the beeping machines. Lighting his horn, a wooden stick floated onto a board without his attention, scratching something across its surface.

She wanted to, oh so badly, spring up and beat the cowardly bastard to a bloody pulp with every ounce of her might- to see him beg for unwelcomed mercy. But alas, her body succumbed to a new form of exhaustion, likely of the doctor's actions. It wasn’t unlike the sense of drowsiness and far from severe exhaustion. It almost had the same feeling as the crystal. Whatever he had done, it was as if he had extracted every semblance of energy from her being; it was a near-impossible task to remain awake. A pervasive weariness enveloped her, weighing down her limbs like anchors; her eyelids felt heavy as lead, threatening to seal shut, beckoning her into sleep and oblivion.

Luckily, the fight to remain awake became more formidable for the warrior. She had slept long enough and silently thanked the gods she wasn’t slain after her humiliating defeat at the alicorn. On the topic of defeat: the thought of the unicorn mare and lizard came to mind.

How could she have fallen victim to a mere unicorn a dozen times weaker than the alicorn!? At least the unicorns she faced off with were more fun when thrusting their sword at her neck, and they didn’t look so pathetic either.

And that strange dialect the unicorn mare, the lizard, and the robed unicorn spoke contradicted hers: a mush of sounds pouring out of a crushed voice box. Not long ago, the ponies she fought and interacted with spoke words in languages she was forced to study in training; this language sounded like gibberish. Wherever she found herself now isn't near her home settlement. The clothing this one wore, his clean coat, and the absence of hate or stress in his features was entirely different from any creature she was familiar with.

It's as if he knew but a shred of any ongoing war, and the shred, he discarded it in mud.

As much as it confused her, the mare felt a twinge of...something, seeing the unicorn’s almost carefree disposition.

The warrior’s attention was brought back to the real world when the unicorn hummed pleasantly to himself, writing down on the board a second time. “It looks like you’re in stable condition, which is surprising, given the extent of your body. Still, I have to administer a dose of painkiller to prevent any soreness after the surgery.” Pulling something from a pocket on the chest of his robe, the unicorn's magic removed its orange cap to reveal a sharp needle.

Upon seeing the horrendous contraption, the warrior's eyes shot open in fear, her breath rapidly increasing along with the beeping.

She knew exactly what he was…

It was only supposed to be a simple scouting mission, gathering supplies for the village and returning with any useful information- an easy assignment for a young trainee.

The mare remembered Kicking and screaming, her terrified and roughed-up young-mare self wailing in a piercing, desperate tone, echoing through the dense, humid air. She fought with all her strength, attempting to break free from the clutches of two caribou shamans dragging her by her sore forelegs.

As the shamans forcefully ushered her into the dimly lit interior of one of their ancient, mystic huts, the air became heavy with anticipation. The atmosphere within the primitive dwelling was thick with an otherworldly aura, a mix of musty earth and the distinct scent of herbs hanging in the air. The mare's heart pounded in her chest as she was hurled onto a cold, weathered stone block that witnessed countless rituals, its surfaces stained with a reddish, brown hue.

Pinned against the stone by the demented shamans, the mare's vulnerable form was exposed, her cries of anguish and terror piercing through the eerie silence.

Appearing from behind the imposing shamans, a massive, more formidable caribou appeared, his frame exuding authority and power. As he approached, the weight of his very existence was palpable to the young mare, casting an even deeper shadow over her trembling figure. With calculated precision, he began to strip away the youthful warrior's armor and clothing, piece by piece, leaving her shivering, exposed form utterly defenseless to sadistically his grinning compatriates. She tried her hardest to fight back, but they’d always slam her head into her stone bed hard enough to not cause serious injury.

Emerging from within his pouch belt, the imposing figure retrieved a crude needle—a slender instrument the caribou recently invented, filled with a pulsating, neon-green fluid: a mixture made from various plants. The sight sent shivers down her spine, intensifying her cries of desperation.

Sticking the point into her foreleg following multiple failed attempts of escape from her and a knocked-out shaman, the agony from the missed injections barely masked the fiery pain coursing into her when the mixture entered her bloodstream.

Everything onward was a blur; Flashes of excruciating pain, the metallic scent of blood, and the grotesque violations inflicted upon her fragile body by the remorseless shamans merged into a horrifying blur, forever repeating. They wanted to use her, defacing her body for experiments, and strip her of everything that made her both a pony and a mare, all for their sick enjoyment. They stole her from her camp those many moons ago under the veil of night; With each passing day, this went on, the flickering spark of hope for rescue dimmed, replaced by a sured desire for death.

Even when her vanguard comrades arrived and rescued her, the damage inflicted upon her young body and mind left irreversible scars. The caribou's cruelty had reduced her to a hollow husk that day, a mere shadow of her former self that took months to repair.

The scars imprinted on her mind could never be forgotten, but the shamans and their villages were easily erasable.

Fear gripped the warrior with those buried memories resurfacing into the forefront of her mind. Panic came down on her in full force, causing her to fight against the straps holding down each limb. What had they done while she wasn't awake?! The shaman pony's vile intentions loomed, filling her with dread. Trembling, she felt the weight of vulnerability and helplessness starting to strangle her windpipe, each breath heavier than the last.

NO!

She wasn't about to let the shaman pony practice his vile ways, even if she had to rip her limbs off to get away!

Cowardness mustn't be shown!

As the bed she fought against rattled and shook violently under her panic to escape, the shaman’s expression turned to worry and horror. “This isn’t good!” He whispered under his breath. Running to the door, his magic nearly broke the wooden barrier off the hinges opening it, and stuck his head out. “The new patient is getting out of control again; I need assistance!” He shouted before returning.

Not long after the vile shaman yelled out in his strange language, a small army of mares and stallions dressed in light-blue garbs rushed the warrior mare. Now she found herself going against the shaman's companions and the restraints; the mare released an enraged yell mixed with fear, her eyes darting randomly to each pony. The support underneath moaned and strained, clearly unable to support her weight AND thrashing motion. But none of that mattered. These bastards wouldn’t get her again; she would slaughter every disgusting pony in this goddess-forsaken place if she had to!

When one of the nurses, a unicorn, lit her horn, a swift, forceful whip of the warrior's head impacted the nurse’s jaw, dislodging a few bloody teeth as she crumpled to the ground. Before another nurse could react, attempting to restrain her leg, the warrior delivered a jabbing buck to his throat; he soon joined the unicorn nurse on the floor shortly after the fierce - but not killing -attack. But no matter how many pitiful bucks and swings she threw, more and more of the shaman’s underlings continued flooding the room, eventually pinning a tired Warrior and her head to the bed.

Out of frustration and poorly hidden fright, the warrior's knee-shaking roars turned into shrill cries, her throat raw and tears flowing from her good eye. And as the needle jabbed her foreleg, she clenched her eyes, preparing for the inevitable pain.

…

Strangely, there wasn’t a moment in her darkened vision where hellfire ran through her veins.

Even the room around her sounds quieter besides a few murmurs and hoof steps. Reluctantly, the warrior’s eye cracked open slowly, light leaking in from above as she discovered the room nearly devoid of life- including the two knocked-out underlings, sans the unicorn shaman writing on his board. Looking over with bewilderment at the unicorn, the shaman noticed her gaze and sighed.

Shaking his head, he stood up from the ground he sat on. “See, wasn’t that bad, right?” He joked, giving a half-hearted chuckle. “Still, I have to admit I had foal’s more trouble than you, but none knocked out my staff before. Your thrashing opened up the large scar on your chest before you passed out, and I had to quickly put you under so you couldn’t rip out my throat.” He chuckled again, this time more nervously. “Oh, and before I forget, you had a couple of special visitors. Although, they never got the chance to speak with you.”

“Hold your tongue, unicorn scum. You will tell me where I am and what you did!” The warrior ro-

…what?

The shaman, looking offended by the warriors…words, shook off his indignation and replaced it with a pleasant smile. “While I don’t appreciate your harsh language. I see that Princess Celestia’s spell is working! Sorry for not noticing your unusual dialect earlier, by the way.” He said, his words clear as day to the warrior.

Gawking at his enthusiasm, the warrior scowled deeply as she bared her teeth, “What in the hades?!” She shouted in mute panic. How in all the realms did she understand the unicorn’s demeaning language?! “Release me at once, and I’ll make your death painless for tainting my blood with your filthy concoctions and spells.” She snarled.

The unicorn shaman didn’t seem fazed by the warrior’s threat other than a subtle jolt, his forelegs moving up to wipe off a bead of sweat from his head. “I’m afraid I can’t, Princess’s orders.” He replied. “I’m not entirely informed about whom you are, ma’am; her majesty only said to keep you here until you’ve awakened. Seeing as though you are currently speaking with me, I guess I’ll take my leave.” Turning from the warrior, he walked toward the wooden barrier, ignoring the warrior as she pulled against her restraints.

“Yes, bring your leader here so that I may make an example of her!” She demanded on instinct, growling in annoyance as the unicorn left. Silence filled the room, leaving the warrior seething in silence.

Everything about the past several hours made no sense! She knew her body was wasting away in the unforgiving tundra of snow. There was that flash of light from the alicorn. Then she woke up in a different place twice, filled with alien technology and ponies more pitiful than a sick rabbit. Indeed, this was not her home or anyplace remotely like the lands she’s traveled to. The warrior guessed it was her fault for not fully realizing her situation off the bat in the stone room; between her groggy mind and her fight with the cat monster, her rage was the only familiar thing she clung to in her confusion. Why didn’t the lavender unicorn take the chance to kill her, a vanguard member? Why didn’t the shaman and his underlings kill her for fighting back? Why were there earth ponies among the hoard of pegasi and unicorns sent to restrain her?

And more importantly, who is Celestia, and what was a princess? There were chiefs, tribe leaders, and generals that ordered around their ponies, but the warrior never heard of a princess, let alone a Celestia. And this warm, sunny sensation in her body was likely the magic of this ‘princess’ at play.

The thought of her beginning a unicorn, much less performing her craft on the warrior’s sleeping form, sent an unintentional shiver down her spine.

Why would a unicorn leader care if the warrior knew their language; to get a confession, or was it out of twisted enjoyment? Rage boiled in the warrior in her irritating doubt, wanting nothing more than to hit something. One thing was clear: these ponies wouldn’t give her the mercy of a proper death. Maybe they wanted to lead her on, lower her defense into a false sense of security before executing her- unicorns were always sadistic with their prisoners.

Resting her head back on the soft head slabs, the warrior…Storm Breaker held back a whimper of fear as she directed her eyes to the invisible barrier in the wall.

Why did she feel so weak?

There was never a situation or enemy she couldn’t take care of by cutting it down. Now bound and gawked at like some prize dog added to the embarrassment she already felt. These strange ponies held Storm Breaker’s life in their hooves, and with the apparent outbursts, the shaman proclaimed she had, a second death might be in order.

She was nothing more than an idiotic filly in chains.

A soft groan sounded from Storm Breaker as her eyes fluttered open and met the sight of a single-room, straw hut surrounding her, the roof formed from clay withholding the snowstorm raging outside.

Sitting up from her woolen mat stained brown by the dirt ground, her filly-sized hooves rubbed her eyes. In the center of the room was a fireplace, its rock perimeter containing a blazing fire under a black smoking pot suspended by a log-made support that warmed the hut. Stirring a spoon inside the pot was an older earth pony stallion, his coat resembling his daughters but with a blue mane/tail and green eyes. Storm Breaker stood from her mat and approached the older pony, taking a seat next to him with a frown adorning her face.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?” The stallion said with a gruff voice. “You're poor mother's out getting more firewood from the forest. I tried to stop her, but the silly mare worries too much about my leg.” He chuckled with a head shake, gently tapping his brace-covered hind leg

Her dad, Swift Strike, was always the gentle, hard-working type of pony but never afraid to get dirty when necessary. His leg was hurt a couple of moons ago when he slipped and fell down the mountain during a hunting trip; the local healers almost had to cut it off due to frostbite when his hunting party found him. As for Storm Breaker’s mom, she was the opposite of her father. She liked staying home and doing chores like the other mares in the village, but with Swift Strikes' leg, she had to brave the harsh cold to provide food and wood while her husband took up her duties. Their home wasn’t as note-worthy, as there was little to mention besides the fireplace, pot, storage box, and the mats they slept in.

Back with Storm Breaker, her father noticed the gloomy expression plaguing his daughter's face, a sympathetic smile appearing on his muzzle. “You can tell me if something’s wrong, you know?” He said softly, removing the spoon from the pot and resting it on the fireplace edge.

Storm Breaker tentatively glanced at her father before looking down, “I had a bad dream.” She meekly replied, curling up into a ball and resting her chin on her hind legs.

“What was it about?” He asked.

“Well, I dreamt that you and Mama…disappeared forever, and I became a strong soldier like the guards protecting our home. But I was really really really mad all the time. I did bad things to other ponies and disappeared forever when I lost a fight with a winged unicorn, but I woke up and was captured by strange creatures. There were other things, but I don’t want to talk about them.” She summarized, shivering in fear at the things that were clearly not real, but her mind didn’t agree. All the screams of pain and fear of the ponies she hurt echoed in her mind, causing the young filly to release a choked sob.

His smile dropping, Swift Strike wrapped a foreleg around Storm Breaker and drew her into a loving embrace, rocking while gently shushing her. “It’s alright, my darling. Me and your mom are still here with you, so don’t worry.” He cooed to his sobbing filly. He wasn’t as good at comforting, unlike her mother, but Storm Breaker accepted his words all the same.

“I-I don’t want to hurt anypony. I want to stay with you and Mama forever; please don’t disappear!” Storm Breaker pleaded, muffled by her face buried in her father’s chest.

The old stallion patted the crying filly’s head, “I know, and none of that will happen, you hear?” He said.

A few minutes passed for the pair as Swift Striker comforted his fearful filly, but Storm Breaker eventually calmed down enough for her father to finish the meal brewing in the pot. Whipping away the tears, the young filly was offered beef stew in a bowl fashioned from a goat skull, which she eagerly took in her tiny hooves. The aroma from the dish filled her nostrils with a sweet, spicy scent, and using a spoon hoofed over by her father, took a bite, letting all the rich flavors and tangy spices melt on her tongue.

The more she ate, the more her fears washed away as the hours went by, a cute smile forming on her muzzle when she finished her third bowl. After dinner- saving some of the stew for Mother -Swift Strike and Storm Breaker moved to a small shrine resting against the hut wall. Made from an aged oak tree from the forest at the mountain’s base, the shrine was of an earth pony mare dressed in robes praying under an apple tree. The figure depicted the goddess of the harvest: the one who granted the earth ponies their nature-related abilities and controlled the crops’ condition. Putting their hooves together, the Father and Daughter recited a quiet chant they’d spoken of hundreds of times before, praying that the cold would not hinder this year's harvest.

Once they finished their chant, the pair returned to the fireplace and removed the pot from its support, putting it by the hut’s entrance for cleaning after the storm died down. However, the time of peace Storm Breaker had with her father was swept away as, laying down on her mat to take an afternoon nap, her father put a hoof on her shoulder.

“Honey, I need to tell you something,” Her father said, accompanied by a reluctant and concerned look. “You need to hear what I’m about to say.” Nodding her head, Storm Breaker sat up on her mat as her father took a deep breath. “Good girl. Remember what I said about the unicorns, pegasi, and us earth ponies a while back?” He asked.

Storm Breaker nodded with an uncomfortable grimace, “That they’re being mean to each other?”

Her father nodded in turn, “Yes, well, with the way things are going nowadays, there might be a…big fight between all of us, and kind ponies like us, who don’t hate each other, might get hurt.” He explained.

“But why does everypony need to fight!” Storm Breaker exasperated, “Why can’t we all be nice and get along? We did nothing wrong.” She added.

Swift Striker’s voice faltered for a reply to the filly’s question before a small scowl formed, “It’s complicated. The other races don’t like us any more than they do each other, and we’re disliked for our goddess-given magic because they’re jealous they can’t grow crops as we can.” He sneered, his scowl disappearing upon seeing his daughter’s concern.

“Sorry, I’m not mad. I just worry for you.” He smiled sheepishly.

A look of determination crossed the filly’s face, “Y-You don’t have to, Dad, I can handle myself!” She proclaimed, throwing a sloppy punch, “When I grow up, I’ll protect you and Mama from the bad ponies! Some of my friends teach me things they learned for hunting with the other grown-ups; I’ll be super strong!” She huffed, pursing her lips and puffing her cheeks into her version of a war face.

“What did I tell you about hanging around those colts? They are a bad influence.” Swift Striker sighed, disliking the idea of his filly hanging around the no-good brutes. “And a kind filly such as yourself doesn’t need to get involved with violence, you understand?” He questioned, the young filly reluctantly nodding. “What I’m trying to get at, Storm, is that…me and your mother might get caught in this fight and get really hurt. We won’t always be around one way or another, and you need to be prepared if something happens.”

“But-”

Putting a hoof on Storm Breaker’s lips, Swift smiled, “I know it might be scary, but you’re a strong filly. And if something does happen, your grandparents will be there for you.” He reassured.

“I don’t like Grandpa and Grandma’s hut. It always smells like shit.” She huffed.

“Language!” Her father said in a warning tone, his daughter quickly apologizing. “And you don’t like the thought- I get it. Just know this world isn’t all bad; there are ponies like your grandparents that are kind, and you can depend on them. Also, it’s generally a bad idea to bad mouth those closest to you.” He joked. “ Hey, If you want, we can think about moving to a remote spot far away from the village where we all can live safely.”

An avid shake of Storm Breaker’s head blurred the filly displeased visage at the offer, “No! The village is fine! Nopony can’t mess with us if they wanted to!” She said, her eyes spinning dizzily after her head stopped shaking.

Swift Strike laughed at the filly’s expense, ruffling her mane with a hoof, “You have compelling arguments, honey. I can’t disagree” He chuckled. “Alright, it’s time for my little protector to take her nap, come on now.” Pulling a thin blanket at the end of the mat over Storm Breaker as she laid down, the old stallion lightly pecked her forehead. “Sleep well, and may the goddess grant you pleasant dreams.” He whispered.

As the old stallion walked away, Storm Breaker slowly closed her tired eyes and snuggled deeper into the mat with a satisfied hum.

Hopefully, those scary nightmares didn’t return.

The warrior woke up with a start, a sharp gasp escaping her as she shot up in the soft-slab support.

However, her action was stopped as the restrained yanked on her limbs, electing a grunt from the warrior as she fell back down. As the seconds ticked, the warrior’s startled nerves gradually settled with every labored breath, cold sweat covering her aching frame. Her eyes scanned the surrounding area to find her foal hood hut was replaced by the strange room, a disappointed scowl returning. Light from the invisible barrier leaked into her room, with the overhead lights now darkened, revealing white, frosted rectangles. The beeps of the irritating machines hadn't changed. And the absence of the shaman pony quelled some of her panic.

“A…dream?” She mumbled, holding back a gag at the words spoken in her new language. When did she fall asleep?

Nevertheless, dreams of that sort were never present since her village’s destruction, only useless nightmares of past deeds and that day played in her sleeping mind. Maybe she should've been happy or glad to experience something other than nightly torture. But the feeling of longing and confusion masked those positive emotions. With her body overheating, cold sweat coating soaking fur, and unfocused senses after all the sleeping she’d done: the dream was probably caused by the fever currently kicking her flank.

The warrior scoffed at that; even her own body was taunting her in this situation.

Well, if she had the chance to recover somewhat and not constantly sleep, she would do something about it!

Annoyed and bored out of her mind, the warrior did her best to sit up in her patted support, managing to get her upper back against the rear wall; If she couldn’t retreat from the room, she might as well survey the damage.

Awkwardly backing her head and lowering it, the warrior bit down on the bandages covering her chest and began to pull. Strip by strip, the tasteless white cloth flew away from her chest and onto the ground or her lap, slowly uncovering a large scar. Once all the bandages she could rip off were removed, the warrior couldn’t help but wince at a raw patch of flesh where the alicorn’s bolts struck- air hitting the wound made the warrior hiss in discomfort. If this is what several of the magic bolts did to her chest, hopefully, her face wasn’t too damaged, but that was wishful thinking.

The warrior swiftly pulled the white sheet over her scar before sighing. Even if the unicorns holding her captive used their magic, she doubted they’d used any more magic to heal her, or that the wound would mend itself enough for her escape with some energy. No matter how the warrior spun her situation to favor her, there was no sign of avoiding the inevitable meeting with this unicorn princess.

“It’s generally a bad idea to bad mouth those closest to you.”

Hearing the words of her dream father echo in her mind, the warrior growled in exasperation; While his advice didn’t exactly fit her current affair, she cursed the implication.

For once in her life, ever since joining the vanguard, she had to communicate with the enemy and not immediately end their life. What has it been? Ten, maybe twenty, winters when she last talked to a peaceful pegasus or unicorn; she couldn’t remember. Hades, she could barely have a decent conversation with her comrades, let alone another race.

“I can only pray that the goddess gives me luck in this endeavor, and I may make it out alive.” She said just as a familiar click came from the room’s door.

Looking over with a defensive glare, the warrior watched as two gold-plated ponies walked in with spears at the ready. They stopped once they reached the far left corner of the warrior room, eyeing her with suspicious glares- she gladly returned the look. Silence overtook the room, muffled voices arguing from beyond the door briefly before stopping; the sound of clopping hooves approached the open doorway. Entering the room were three ponies, one of which was the lavender unicorn, who flinched when the warrior's glare momentarily landed on her before moving to the extra two.

But as the warrior’s eyes landed on the largest one of the trio, she felt her breath hitching in her throat at their ivory-white features.

Other than her golden accessories and wavy, multi-colored mane/tail, all the courage and hate evaporated from her heart, replaced by a feeling of dread. “It’s nice to meet you; I am Princess Celestia. Welcome to Equestria.” She introduced herself.

She had both wings and a horn.

Chp 4: Meeting and relations revealed

“It’s nice to meet you; I’m Princess Celestia. Welcome to Equestria.”

The words spoken by the tall alicorn were lost on the warrior as she owlishly gawked at her. Unseen waves of mounting pressure slammed into her body at once, the mana produced by the alicorn causing shivers to ravage her body. The moment she stepped into the room, the warrior could tell right away the white alicorn deserved her position as a leader.

Despite the horrid feeling attacking her nerves, the warrior would have thought twice about Celestia being a powerful ruler based on her appearance. Besides the useless gold trinkets covering her chest, hooves, and head, Celestia had a motherly appearance with her soft magenta eyes and straight but relaxed posture. Her voice was as smooth as the calmest of rivers, and not a sign of malice or malicious intent showed on her features. No doubt she heard about what the warrior did to the shaman's underlings, but either they were nothing to Celestia, or she was good at hiding her emotions.

Nonetheless, it could’ve been a facade; she would reveal her intentions with enough resistance. So, choosing to remain quiet, the warrior donned her usual scowl and frown, glaring up at the princess with annoyance as the lavender pony shuffled nervously in place on the alicorn's left.

Seeing no response coming, Celestia’s smile faltered for a moment before she dipped her head in respect, “I do understand if all of this is so sudden for you, brave warrior, “She said, pulling her head back up and motioning a hoof at the surrounding room, “but you can be at ease for now, I’ll answer any questions you may have. There is no reason to be scared.” She reassured.

The warrior resisted the urge to snap at the large alicorn, a grunt of offense escaping her.

The S-word: the one word every vanguard knight knows all too well, and not for the right reasons. Storm Breaker and her comrades were traded from a young age, sometimes since foalhood, to be the best, the peak, of the earth pony race. Countless night’s sleeping in the unforgiving snow, going days without food or drink, trotting the line of death just to get some berries from the beast-infested forest. Some ponies died from the training regiments the elders placed on them, and others were sent home without body parts. Storm Breaker, much like her comrades, was broken down and reforged in the fires of conflict and hard work, becoming the definition of death itself so ponies couldn’t suffer the way she did.

To label a vanguard knight as scared or cowardly without reason was no different than somepony calling your mother a whorse or your dad a bastard. And anypony who dared such a thing never lived long enough to regret it.

However, the warrior cursed her dream dad and his advice; there’d be only more problems if she tried to force her escape or make a scene.

If only these ponies discussed matters the Earth pony way: a cage match.

“Speak, savage. Our sister ordered it.” Scoffed a second voice. Looking over to Celestia’s right, much to her shock, Storm Breaker laid eyes on a second alicorn, claiming to be Celestia’s sister. Shorter and younger in appearance, the second alicorn had a contrasting color scheme than her older sister: a mix of dark blue and black. As if Celestia was the sun herself, this one was the moon, with her starry mane and tail- also -flowing in an unseen wind. Unlike Celestia, she lacked any friendly or outgoing qualities, looking to be ready to strangle the warrior while staring daggers into her.

But before the warrior could retort, Celestia placed a hoof upon the younger alicorn’s shoulder, “Luna, we talked about this, remember?” She said, a disapproving tone matching her expression. “As I said, if you don’t want to be here, you don’t have to.”

“Sister,” Luna snapped back, “We’re not letting you and Twilight Sparkle remain here with a vanguard knight! Because of your student, we know better now that they are far more dangerous than any royal guard. For all you know, they’d sink their teeth into your throat the second the restraints come off.” She sneered, casting a nasty side-eye at the warrior.

Truly, the warrior thought about that idea for a second, but it seemed the alicorns could read minds without magic.

Celestia sighed, “I highly doubt your concern; SHE is not in a state to harm anything or get far doing so. I’m certain you, I, or Twilight here can handle any violence our warrior may cause.” She said, stealing a glance at the flattered unicorn.

“I am not under anypony’s ownership, alicorn!” The warrior barked, grabbing the attention of all three ponies. “Your coward of a student and the annoying alicorn couldn’t bring me down, not even in a hundred winters.” Putting the two up against the male alicorn, the lavender unicorn was a drop in an ocean compared to him, and the younger alicorn was a bit weaker.

Celestia- she was the biggest problem.

Comparing the two alicorns, King Platinum was the same, if not weaker, than Celestia.

The thing about unicorns is that they were a pain to deal with. On top of having a mana pool dependent on how skillful or powerful that unicorn is, they were generally sly bastards who could slither away or cheat their way out of a fight. For a unicorn brave enough to go against a pony like Storm Breaker: it would be a nightmare dealing with their spells, especially if they were the grappling/submission type. Add on the fact an alicorn is said to have ten or more times that power: Celestia would positively decimate her without breaking a sweat considering the condition the warrior was in.

An amused huff came from Celestia, probably knowing the same based on the warrior’s expression, “Well, Dr. Charlie Horse was correct in his assessment of my spell. It would be a pain to converse when we don’t know each other’s languages, no?” She asked.

“I’d rather rip out my tongue than speak in your foul dialect.”

“...I see.” Celestia awkwardly replied before sighing again, “Let’s try to have a civil conversation; there’s no need for insults now.”

The warrior, looking down, choked down a snarky reply and remained quiet for a few seconds, then looked up with a neutral expression. “I know not of why you grant me, a prisoner, the privilege to speak. But taking this opportunity, where am I? Who are you? And explain to me why everything is…strange.” She demanded, feeling sick, having to comply with the enemy's mind games. Not that she admitted it: the alicorn had a point.

With the lavender unicorn, Twilight appeared somewhat excited at the warrior’s questions while Luna narrowed her eyes.

Celestia, once again, smiled kindly at the disgruntled warrior, “Please, know that you are not a prisoner of any sort while you’re here; I can overlook your little incident…for now.” Giggling slightly at the warrior’s shocked and confused expression, she turned to the unicorn, “Twilight, would you mind taking over this part?” She offered.

Enthusiastically nodding, Twilight’s horn glowed its lavender hue as a cloud of smoke appeared, dissipating to reveal a bundle of books and papers. The warrior flinched at the display, but no pony seemed to notice. “Not at all, Princess. Just leave it to me!” With her previous fear gone, the unicorn placed the bundle on the floor. “I took the time to go over all there is to know about the vanguard after Luna and Celestia discovered you were a member. That…was a heated discussion.” She sheepishly said, causing Celestia to nervously look at her vexed sibling, “So I compiled a short and easy-to-understand timeline of events leading to the war of the three races to now.” She smiled.

“Easy to understand? You take me as a fool?” The warrior sneered.

Proceeding a quick shake of the head from the unicorn, she began explaining the several thousand years of events of a nation called Equestria.

Nearing the end of the war between the races, a young pair of Alicorn sisters, Celestia and Luna, who are, in fact, ageless, appeared in several pony settlements and helped unify them with the power of artifacts called the elements of harmony. As a result, technology, society, and peace grew as the centuries passed, with pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies sharing common interests and beliefs. Many terrible ponies that threatened this peace came and went, King Sombra, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, and Tirek, all defeated or sealed away by the sisters.

And, of course, more wars raged across the lands, but never became as bloody as the three race war: the Griffon war, the Zebra Gulf campaign, and the Pony bison war of 560 B.B. In spite of the achievements the sisters have made, defeating dastardly foes and preventing wars, Luna felt jealousy toward her older sister, the ponies they’d ruled over praised Celestia’s sun more than Luna’s moon. Within that jealousy, it festered and bubbled into something awful, a magical being known as Nightmare Moon, a culmination of the young alicorn’s hate and dark magic. It fully possessed Luna one night, and both were ultimately banished by Celestia to the moon for a thousand years following a taxing battle; the price: Celestia lost connection with the elements.

Upon the return of Nightmare Moon, where the demon foalnapped Celestia, intending to make the night everlasting, she was defeated by Twilight and five other mares with the elements of harmony. From then on, the newly formed elements of harmony- dubbed the ‘mane six’ by some ponies -protect Equestria from any evil that may arise or return.

As Twilight began wrapping up the last of her story- something about a chaos god or whatnot being encased in stone for the second time -the warrior all but shut down to the outside world.

There…was no more war?

“...What?” The warrior shuttered, her bravo now reduced to a shivering whimper contained in one word.

How was that possible? She guessed she should’ve been glad it ended, but how did thousands of winters go by in the blink of an eye? Was the warrior resurrected after she died in that battle? No, it had to be something that the male alicorn did; the crystal, the sudden change in environment- it was too obvious to dismiss. No matter how hard the warrior thought, it was all too hard to believe. In what felt like a short rest, multiple generations of ponies passed while she was sleeping.

It had to be a lie, an illusion; none of this was real! They had to be lying!

Twilight’s prideful smile over her well-constructed explanation turned into a concerned frown, seeing the unsettled look on the warrior. “Is everything okay? Was my explanation now thorough enough?” She asked nervously.

She lived and breathed on the very concept of war and grew up alongside it.

Families were made and buried. Friends gained and lost. The warrior laughed, cried, conquered, and bled with her comrades numerous times before, on the battlefield or not.

Every second of the warrior's waking life was dedicated to fighting the evils of the pegasi and unicorns so her fellow earth ponies could sleep soundly at night. The concept of peace was a pipe dream, a foreign thought, never to come to fruition. Yet, being told by a unicorn this peace was achieved and so close to the war’s end by two of the ponies standing before her was, in plain terms, ridiculous. The ponies looked weird, sure. The things around her made no sense, most definitely. The elements of harmony being gems in necklaces represent the aspects of friendship and can nullify evil with a rainbow beam; idiotic, but what wasn’t in this place? The two alicorns can move the SUN and MOON with their magic alone, to hades with it, why not?

But to have the only reason to live stripped away from her, all because of a single fight and waking up in an alien world without her comrades.

It was soul-crushing.

Not during her many battles, not being found by the unicorn, not even the pony shaman, had the warrior felt this sinking feeling of absolute dread in her stomach. She had to be stuck in enemy territory, but earth ponies were helping to hold her down yesterday night. She could escape, but these damned straps wouldn’t come loose.

Her comrades couldn’t be far away to help her out of this place!

“Where are they?” The warrior muttered, her eyes glossy with tears.

“I see,” Celestia spoke up woefully, barely gaining the warrior's attention, “You need time to process this information for a little while.” She said, turning to leave the room, sensing something was wrong. “When you feel comfortable enough, press the red button on your bedside and-”

“NO!” The warrior shouted, startling the three ponies, even the annoyed Luna.

“I…I’m fine.”

(last night)

A few days had passed since Twilight and her assistant stumbled across the strange pony in the castle ruins- and their brief scuffle. And keeping up with Canterlot healthcare standards, a team of pegasi arrived a bit after the letter Spike wrote to Celestia was sent, carrying the injured pony back to the mountain-side city.

Teleporting to Ponyville, Twilight dropped Spike off at Rarity’s, regretting not informing her fashionista friend about her hastiness before running off; instead, she went to the train station and took the earliest ride to Canterlot. Admittedly, the train ride was rather stressful, never seeming to go as fast as the studious unicorn liked it too, but she eventually made it. And upon her arrival, a small band of royal guards greeted her, revealing themselves as a private escort. Rather than arriving at a local hospital in the city, the royal guard escort brought Twilight to Canterlot Castle.

Apparently, none of the regular hospitals were equipped to handle the strange pony’s size; Nevertheless, Twilight was just thankful the strange pony could get help in the castle's infirmary.

“Sister, you can seriously be considering conversing with that…that beast!” Luna shouted, slamming her hoof on a large round table.

Celestia’s brow furrowed at the outburst, “Luna, that is not the proper way of speaking about somepony. We both know of the vanguard's actions thanks to Twilight, but it isn’t a reason to treat them like some wild animal.” The solar monarch argued, using magic to clean the spilled tea and tipped cup on the table.

Twilight wasn’t glad about the unexpected argument the sisters were having as she sat at the table between them.

It started when Celestia approached her about the strange pony when she arrived, saying she needed assistance. Of course, when her teacher needed something, Twilight wasn’t one to think twice about accepting, so she obliged. Arriving at the hospital room and grimacing at the nearly-mummified pony sleeping on a bed, Celestia showed a strange mark on them that- in Twilight’s opinion -was worse than the horrible scars.

A brand.

In the area between the withers and the crest was a patch of old scar tissue forming a shield with a skull centering it. Behind the pony skull were two objects: a flower recorded as extinct and a greatsword, overlapping in the shape of an X.

At first, Twilight thought the brand to be the result of diamond dog slavery; with how malnourished they were, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Those creatures were always kidnapping capable ponies for their gem collecting.

But Celestia nullified her worries, saying no such thing was the case. Although, her expression of acceptance and fret did little to calm the unicorn. Twilight tried asking the solar monarch about the strange pony, but she was reluctant to provide a concrete answer. All Celestia gave was that the pony was far older than she was and that she needed her to look into ‘The Vanguard’, giving the unicorn free reign over the royal library. Not everything within the great halls of literature was placed there by her, and Twilight was the best mare in finding them.

If she wasn’t hooked before, Twilight was practically performing her best impression of Pinkie Pie at the thought of researching the strange pony.

“It’s as Mrs. Sparkle said,” Luna pointed a hoof at the mare in question, “These vanguard knights were sent out specifically to end mass conflicts and assist in wars. By themselves! The records and documents Mrs. Sparkle found Showed they were worse than any Hydra or Ursa Major you can think of, Tia!” She ranted.

Although, it probably wasn’t a good idea.

Because during her research time, the strange pony was in a medically induced coma, Twilight discovered many things about the Earth pony vanguard from the royal library and local libraries.

The vanguard, an old organization formed in the early years of the three-race war, was created as a last defense for the earth ponies after the windigo’s covered the land in ice. While few in number, the knights of the Vanguard were a force to be reckoned with. Their combat efficiency and unnatural physical abilities were unmatched. It said in one battle, a single earth pony among a small battalion of soldiers took out over two hundred pegasi in an attempt to reclaim a fort before dying to their wounds.

Not much is said about the knights’ personal lives or habits; rumors and false tales were Twilight’s only lead. But as short on specifics as Twilight was, a plethora of legends and stories of their actions were easy to find.

While these stories were fantasized in foals books at the local library, it was different in the stories found deep in the back of the royal library.

Twilight couldn’t even finish one without nearly throwing up.

When she was a young filly, her BBBFF and brother, Shining Armor, looked up to these foal stories their parents would tell them before bedtime. He praised them as heroes, ponies who were just and could do no wrong; it was partly why he joined the royal guard in the first place. But reading these old, dusty tomes, Twilight feared the idea of her brother discovering his heroes were no different from brutal, blood-thirsty savages who thrived upon slaughtering others.

But Twilight wasn’t that pony anymore, the one who was quick to judge and shun ponies. Maybe the strange pony wasn’t as terrible as the stories made them seem.

“Uh, excuse me?” Twilight spoke up with a raised hoof, getting the alicorns’ attention. “Maybe she isn’t so bad? Imagine waking up after thousands of years, and your mortal enemies were right there- I’d also be scared.” She said.

Luna, eyes shifting to Celestia and back, shook her head, “It’s not as simple as you think, Mrs. Sparkle. Even nearing the war’s end, the harmony you know today was still building itself with the work Celestia and we put in. That peace was nowhere to be seen before then; prejudice and hatred were as common as breathing air. It took centuries for ponies not to stab each other in the back for the simplest reasons..” Turning back to Celestia, Luna’s momentary calm vanished back into her previous ire as she scowled at her sister, “Now we have one of those ponies who would attack anypony unlike her with every ounce of strength in their body, and is harder to put down than an army of hydras! I will not have something like that endangering you or our subject, Tia.” Finishing her speech, Luna fell back into the chair she sat in.

The private chamber of the solar diarch, which they resided in for the discussion, went silent, the air filled with a thick tension. Neither sister looked the other in the eyes, Celestia having closed hers in thought, Luna diverting her gaze to the table. Twilight switched between the two, hoping internally the recently reunited sisters wouldn’t break out into a large fight. Then nightmare moon might take over. Canterlot would be in shambles! And Celestia would have to banish Luna all over-

“Still, I disagree,” Celestia said, halting Twilight’s inner panic attack. “We won’t have to worry about that.” She added.

Luna narrowed her gaze suspiciously, “Why is that?” She questioned.

“...because I know who Storm Breaker is.”

Twilight and Luna simultaneously raised a brow in confusion, staring at a downcast Celestia like she’d grown three heads. “Um, who is Storm Breaker?” Twilight asked, mirroring Luna’s thoughts.

Celestia's eyes twitched at a far-off memory before she took a deep breath, “They, or rather, she is the pony you brought to my attention, my dear student.” She revealed, causing the former two ponies' eye’s to widen in shock. “It’s a long story, one made before Luna was born. Since I was a filly, and until Luna and I matured, we never left our home; we were sheltered due to the world’s horrors by our mother. Father, however, was consumed by those horrors and acted in the vile ways of time, conquering and pillaging whatever he could. Of course, I never knew of this until his death. But when he was around, he wasn’t too different from a loving husband and father. He’d tell us tales of his ‘adventures’, as our mother dubbed them. There was this one particular story…about how he almost died to an earth pony.”

Chuckling bitterly, Celestia held a hoof over her face. “I still remember his caring embrace, sitting by the warm fire as he told me that story.”

“What does this have to do with father?” Luna said, her tone filled with the sound of old wounds and hurt. It was written on the young alicorn’s face that her father was a sore subject.

“And…who is your father?” Twilight asked.

An air of sad nostalgia washed over Celestia, peering over to a window, her eyes peeking from under her hoof at a bird happily chipping in a nest containing two newly-hatched chicks. “My father’s name and title was King Platinum.” She said, facing away from the avian family, hoof falling to show a look of regret.

“And he was the one who fought and killed Storm Breaker.”

Chp 5: Moon and sword

Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait! :twilightsheepish:

I hope yo enjoy this chapter, and if there is anything wrong with this latest chapter, leave your criticism(s) in a comment.

Chp 5: Moon and sword

A tumbling draft passed the warrior in the humid transitioning fall air, grazing against her sweaty cow-print hide as a milky and sky-blue eye impassively outstared cloudless morning blue skies above. The large scarred mare resisted the urge to sneeze, rays of sunlight piercing her still-adjusting eye.

Nearly most of the bandages formerly encasing her body in its plaster prison were largely removed- her chest and hindlegs remaining covered. Unfortunately, the shamans couldn’t save her eye, leaving a felt cover over the mangled orb. The once bloody and grizzly wounds healed into tender scars, dark gray fleshy patches contrasting the groomed fur circling them. Sure, they still stung while either bathing or simply bumping into something, but it wasn’t anything the warrior worried over.

What she did concern herself with, however, was her overheating body. Her coat’s been grown thickly to protect any callous flesh from the harsh mountain conditions; Being under such intense heat negated her natural defense, causing the warrior to retreat from a caged balcony back into her cell.

Well, it wasn’t a typical cell the warrior expected it to be, especially after what happened. A fuzzy, purple material covered every inch of the floor beneath her hooves, the walls made of white stone and lined with gold trimming. Very few objects littered the room: a wooden support with a soft slab, a desk, and a machine that could produce light by yanking a string- sitting on a small table beside the support. That last one was arguably enjoyable to fiddle with…until its light broke. But no matter how the ponies of this castle saw the warrior’s cell, she considered it league’s above anything she’d seen before. Although, even to a pony like her, she could tell the castle’s workers hastily built the sloppy craftwork support to fit her size, two more minor supports nailed together with planks.

Nevertheless, the warrior huffed, walking over and flopping her still-sore frame onto the creaking support, or ‘bed’ as the worker ponies called it.

It had been two weeks since the warrior met face-to-face with the princess…and a week since the mare found herself trapped in this room. True be told, the warrior preferred her new environment to the last; the constant beeping, annoying shaman ponies and the deflating soft slab grinded at her patience.

However, the anger and annoyance the warrior once felt had remained a mute, bitter hum in her throat, replaced by an empty feeling eating away at her heart.

She didn’t even have the energy to lash out at the shamans when they would poke and prod her with their tests after she moved rooms. Her dream dad contributed to her brief restraint somewhat. But the ‘timeline’ the lavender unicorn made never left her head, like a mocking parasite, leading to the main reason for her imprisonment.

It wasn’t an instantaneous reaction nor a preventable cause; what happened was a slow-burning bomb no amount of comfort could stop it from blowing. Since that meeting, the warrior barely paid attention to anything around her; shamans stealing her blood, a suit-wearing pony wanting to discuss her mental state, the lavender pony, and the princesses. Nothing could snap the festering kettle of emotion out from her trance, a near vegetable in the shaman's eyes, but the warrior was very aware. It was only a matter of time. They’d come for her…she knew it. All Storm Breaker had to do was wait, bide her time, then her comrades would help her escape.

Sadly, it came ahead a number of days ago during a seemingly regular check-up. The shaman unicorn stallion entered the room in his ever-friendly mood, ran his test on her, and wrote on his clipboard. All seemed well besides the warrior’s mumbling; nothing should have gone wrong.

Yet something just snapped.

There wasn’t something the shaman did to the warrior or an outside trigger to it; all the warrior clearly remembered was a blood-curdling shriek escaping her throat as she fought against the restraints.

And as quick as her struggle began, it ended with the already worn restraints snapped.

Any following events never came to light in the warrior’s mind besides in a hazy series of flashes- most of what she knew came from the guards and princesses upon her capture.

They tried to retrain her like when she awakened her third time with their small army of underlings. Unfortunately, like a cornered beast, the warrior’s broken mind held onto nothing, throwing cautious and common sense to the wind as it fought with everything it had. Breaking free from her attackers, some nurses flew back due to a buck provided by the warrior’s freed legs while she dashed toward the transparent barrier. Before anypony could stop her, the warrior leaped forward and broke past the glassy material and into the wild world beyond.

In the ensuing escape, prior to leaping out, one of the warrior’s forelegs was still attached to the bed, causing it to be dragged behind her.

To this day, she could still feel the sensation of her shoulder snapping out of its socket, the bed pinning itself against the inside wall and stopping the warrior’s flight halfway. And yet, she persisted, using her teeth to bite through the worn leather strap and freeing herself, falling an extra story and landing in a grassy patch of land within the castle’s walls.

At this point, the warrior’s memory was the haziest; all she remembered was the rush of adrenaline and the screaming of countless guards and ponies interfering with her deluded warpath of panic. Even with a dislocated foreleg: bones shattered, armor dented, and spears and swords broke- nothing could stop the warrior…like always. The flashes of horrified ponies joined in the ballot of remembrance, and despite her disdain for these ponies, the warrior felt a pang of guilt calling back on their faces.

In her training, keeping her emotions in check was drilled into her studies, whether on the battlefield or otherwise. A single block of a bastion was what a vanguard night was. A cold, unfeeling chunk of hardened stone to kill and protect others. Anger had been the output for her, the sole reason for her notoriety among the vanguard.

Even if most ponies saw her as cold and bloodthirsty because of it, it was nothing more than a familiar tool to be used by the warrior, unlike her usually stoic comrades.

When the warrior came around, she lay amongst piles of ruined food stands and obliterated carts, surrounded by terrified, injured guards and ponies alike. Reopened wounds, blood, and pain littered her body like a disgusting art piece shrouded in the shadow under a store’s awning, barely able to stand. So when the princesses arrived to deal with the warrior, no challenge was met to both ponies as Celestia’s warm magic gently picked her body off the ground and into a large cart provided by accompanied shamans.

The sounds of disdain by the locals the warrior heard upon her exit weren’t unfamiliar to her; the look Celestia gave her as she fell into darkness, though, engrained itself in her mind. It pissed the warrior off and brought shame onto her at once: a look of pity.

In the incident’s fallout, that look remained a constant reminder of how far she had fallen.

It wasn’t even a full day before she antagonized the pathetic ponies, and the price for doing so was brought on her by herself. Not once did the ponies have the chance to do anything to her, yet she caused more self-harm in such little time. Now, any guard or castle worker who visited the warrior donned a look of uneasiness as if she were going to pounce on them.

Was this her life now?

To remain at these ponies’ hooves like some rabid animal, to never taste freedom? Or to be a monster forever locked away, never to see the sun again?

Damn them!

It wasn’t like she wanted to die and come back! Despite the humiliation the male alicorn put her through in her final battle, she accepted defeat and the embrace of death, even if it wasn’t a proper warrior’s end. No amount of anger could push past these wounds. But her life’s purpose was fulfilled, the war was over, and the ponies finally abandoned their thousand winters of hate. She didn’t ask to be reawakened and forced to be around them- it was their foolish princess’s fault for letting her live! They acted like she had done something wrong like her entire existence was unholy in their eyes.

In fact, they were monsters.

They took away her rightful end.

KNOCK KNOCK

The warrior involuntarily flinched at the knocking coming from her cell’s door, bringing her out of her trance, though she didn’t answer. Likely a worker coming to drop off her breakfast. Instead, a familiar presence caught her attention just as the door creaked open, allowing a dark-colored alicorn to enter.

No words left Luna’s mouth, unoiled hinges creaking loudly, preluding to the door softly closing with a click. Muted hooves charted the soft cell ground for a painfully long time, whether due to the warrior’s perception of time or a product of hesitation; either way, they stopped somewhere behind the warrior and at the bed’s edge. The hum of insects filled the void of silence before the bed moaned in strain; the warrior turned her upper half around to face the newcomer princess.

“Have you finally come to your senses to slay me, or have you come to mock me?” The warrior mumbled, her glare clashing with Luna’s unreadable expression.

Luna shook her head, “No, we haven’t.” She said evenly.

The warrior huffed impassively and returned to resting fully on her bed. “Then you will remain a fool.” It was strange, her ease of death. Before, the warrior would kill anypony who’d dare try and bring down one of the mighty vanguard knights, only seeing her life end in battle. She guessed it didn’t matter anymore; it’d already happened.

“We have not come here to witness thy moping or to chastise thou’s latest actions,” The lunar princess said, “We merely wanted to discuss a question we’ve pondered for some time now.” She added.

“Whatever it is, I care not for it.” The warrior blew off.

A miffed sigh escaped Luna at the warrior’s rebellion; the warrior secretly took pride in annoying the alicorn. “Just listen, savage!” She shouted flusteredly, “We are not holding off our rest after night court just to go back and forth! Thou has done enough to anger us, my ponies, the least thou can do is lend an ear.” She spewed, making the warrior grunt. She was very tempted to clock the snobbish princess in the muzzle, but, like she rudely brought up, the warrior had caused enough problems.

With a reluctant groan, the warrior picked herself up into a sitting position and spun around to face Luna, a look of irritation on her features rivaling Luna’s. “As you wish, princess.” She sneered. The warrior hardly knew the title other than its association with a high-ranking position. Although, her mocking tone caused Luna’s eyes to twitch angrily.

Luna scoffed, “It was the day thou escaped the medical ward, and our sister and we caught thee. When our sister attempted to talk thee down, things that struck us came from thy mouth.”

The sound’s of petrified screams and pained cries filled the evening air, the streets of Canterlot’s marketplace in absolute chaos as ponies scrambled away from the cause of the surrounding destruction. Multiple guards created a half-circle in front of a small store- they and a couple of ponies were covered in bruises and cuts as fearful glances stared all in one direction.

For her part, Luna was enraged by what the castle’s guards the savage hurt told her compared to her older sister, the ladder having a controlled panic as opposed to Luna’s steel-melting fury.

The lunar princess was enjoying her usual tea break in preparation for night court before being notified that the savages had broken out of their hospital room, much to her shock. In the ensuing break-out, it had gone on a rampage and hurt multiple guards in an escape, leading their path of destruction into the city beyond the castle's walls. Some guards managed to inflict cuts on the savage but were unsuccessful.

Fortunately, no guards suffered any lasting injuries or death due to the sudden attack, but Luna ignored it in favor of her growing rage.

But Luna would ensure the beast in pony skin would receive something worse than a few cuts for their crimes.

Surprisingly, it was a pain tracking down a several hundred-pound stampeding mad pony, the city was large, and the panic created by their warpath of chaos hadn’t helped either. Still, it was only a matter of time until finding the creature, the elongated pony standing its ground in front of a ruined confectionery store it crashed and climbed out of. The sight of the creature put off even Luna, multiple large shards of flat, see-through spikes jetting from the flesh, mixed with pouring crimson soaking the cobblestone road.

A beast was just a beast, no matter how you looked at it, so Luna pushed past her pity and lit her horn, intended to shoot down and finally end its pitiful existence.

Still, Celestia, resting a hoof on her younger sister's shoulder, gave a stern look that made Luna think otherwise. Closing off her mana flow to her horn, Luna watched as Celestia took a few steps toward the creature, frightening her and the guard’s surrounding them.

Only stopping when it snarled at Celestia, she, a whole foot shorter than the rabid pony, gave a hardened gaze. “What is it that ails you?” She said gently, further bewildering the crowd behind her as she sat down. The beast hadn’t responded, only throwing grunts and snarling roars at Celestia as it slammed its hoof into the ground, cracking the stone. “What is it that ails you,” She repeated, “did you do this out of anger towards us ponies, or was there another reason?”

“SHUT UP!” The beast bellowed, making the crowd scream frightfully, “IT’S ALL YOUR DAMN FAULT! STOP MOCKING ME!!” It added.

“What have I done to upset you?” Celestia softly asked.

Another roar escaped the beast as it pawed at its head with a hoof. With the other one dangling uselessly beside it, it fell to the ground with a solid thud, kicking up dust. It would’ve been a sad display for Luna had it not been for its previous injustices, the creature kicking and pawing like an unruly foal.

“All I ever wanted was to protect my kind, yet, something always has to fuck it up!” It said, tears welling in its eyes, “Even when I finally served my purpose and received my eternal peace, you damn freaks had to rip that away! Then you have the gall to force your shitty words into my throat and look down upon me. I won’t listen to your lies any longer!” Another shrill shriek escaped the beast as its towering form pounced at the sitting princess. Luna and the guards sprang into action, the younger princess lighting her horn as the armored ponies poised their spear for thrusting. “I’LL KILL EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!” It roared.

Thankfully, the panicked support backing up the solar diarch silently sighed in relief when Celestia’s horn sparked to life and halted the creature mere inches away from her in a telekinetic hold. The creature thrashed and attacked at the air, trying desperately to release all its hate onto Celestia, continuing how it wanted to end everypony it saw. With heavy blood loss and no doubt exhaustion, it’d been only a few seconds before it all but gave up, turning into a heaving mess.

Calling over one of the medical carts and a few paramedics she ordered to join to help the injured after the attack, Celestia hoofed the creature off to them to return to the castle.

And as the pegasi lead cart flew into the darkening distance, Luna hadn't missed the look her older sister had. “Sister, I advise sympathizing with the beast to be a terrible decision.” She scoffed, peering at the countless ponies getting their wounds treated. “We cannot let this go, Tia; if incident’s like this keep up, and to this degree, imprisonment, banishment, or simply ridding Equus of another monster will be your only choices.” She said, gazing sternly at Celestia.

“I think none of those will be necessary,” Celestia replied, confusing Luna. “But you are correct. I’ll have to figure out something to fix this without having to deal with corpses in the end.” She said.

The younger princess snorted, “Don’t I have a say in this?” She incredulously asked, “We rule Equestria as one; my opinions and decisions matter as much as yours do.”

Celestia chuckled, “Who said I was leaving you out?”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“From then on, thou were transferred to a better-guarded room until thou recovered and moved into this modified suite.” Luna finished, taking a short break while the stone-still warrior processed her story.

Worry and a hint of embarrassment coiled around her internal organs, squeezing tightly as more memories came rushing back.

The warrior did not recall the brief rant she went on, neither attacking Celestia nor innocent ponies. It only served to up her ever-growing doubt and anger toward her display- and her doubt about her survival. Surely, this called for her head to roll, but for the warrior, it was an impossible task to find any semblance of care beyond natural instinct.

Why were these ponies so pathetic?

Their kindness was akin to that of a foal’s.

The warrior remembered the fate of prisoners taken by the vanguard: bound, beaten, broken, then ‘thrown away’ when they’re not needed anymore. To her, these ponies treated her as a guest instead of a criminal. Nearly, it made the warrior chuckle. Was this whole thing a charade, some form of a jest catered to her specifically? If so, was it dealt with by the enemy or life itself? The warrior couldn’t tell what was real anymore; almost like being trapped in a dream…or eternal hell.

“Is there a point to this story?” The warrior impatiently asked. Either way, there’s no point in pondering the past; the future will decide what comes next. “You babble on like there’s a reason my insane ramblings hold any meaning.”

Luna huffed, “We…or rather thine sister- for whatever reason -desires to help thee cope in this time. Personally, we don’t care about thy place in Equestria society over the care of our ponies, but thyself can sympathize with thee somewhat.” Suddenly, the young alicorn’s demeanor completely changed, taking on a more uncomfortable take as her eyes drifted to the ground. “Thou know what Mrs. Sparkle told thee not long ago, yes? Including thine banishment.” She asked, receiving a shallow nod from the warrior. “Those times were dark for us as well. We fought in wars, saw many friends and foe fall; we also succumbed to anger in one way or another, nightmare moon being the worst of it. We were jealous of thine sister and, because of thine selfishness, turned into a monster. We’ve not fully moved on, and we think Celestia sees thyself past plight within you.” She said.

A sarcastic snort blew out the warrior's muzzle, “You think your foolish sister believes me to be turning into a demon?” She spat jokingly.

“Who says thou already aren’t one?” Luna shot back, veins bulging on her forehead, receiving a glare. “Frankly, that is our problem with thee, savage. Besides hurting thine subjects, thou are also a coward!” She said.

Instantly, the warrior shot up from her bed and overshadowed the smaller alicorn with pin-prick eyes and gritted teeth. “Mind repeating that?” She growled menacingly, getting a subtle jolt from Luna.

However, the lunar princess remained persistent and refused to fall to the warrior's intimidation. “Have thy ears become deaf in thou’s needless bloodshed battles? I said thou are a spineless coward. The stories of thy group of killers and their actual tales pictured a vanguard knight as somepony who doesn’t back down, no matter the cause.” Scanning the warrior with disgust, Luna stared straight into her eyes. “Yet, all we’ve seen from thou is a sniffing foal who whines and throws tantrums, hiding away and moping when the slightest of failure or adversity happens to thee!” She shouted.

“We’ll say it once more. Thou are not a knight. Thou are a-” Before Luna could finish her sentence, the warrior lunged and wrapped her hooves around her neck.

“SHUT YOUR MOUTH!” The warrior roared, tightening the death grip and strangling the alicorn pinned under her weight.

Unfortunately, Luna’s horn lit and used a levitation spell to throw the hulking mare into the opposite wall, a resounding boom shaking the room. The commotion must’ve been loud as three guards broke down the room’s door and rushed in, their distressed protest begging Luna to leave the fight to them. Their word’s never arrived to the warrior, who picked herself off the ground while shaking the daze from her head. The small alicorn was tougher than she gave credit for. Still, the warrior returned her attention to Luna in a low defensive stance, the guards nowhere to be seen, most likely having retreated.

A dark grin crossed Luna’s lips, “What’s wrong, savage? Has the veil of blind anger pulled back to show thy true cowardness?” She taunted.

The Princess’s mask of cockiness momentarily faded into panic as the warrior readied herself to charge. Expecting another desperate lunge, Luna prepared to use another levitation spell to subdue the warrior, becoming stunned when the warrior bit the leg closest leg of a desk sitting in the room’s corner by a window.

With a light grunt and a flick of her thick neck, the warrior chucked the desk toward the princess. On instinct, a bolt of offensive magic shot from Luna’s horn, causing an explosion of splitters to spread across the room. She was confused by the random action shortly before her eyes widened to see the warrior much closer to her, looking at the lunar princess in familiar rage. Barely able to react, Luna narrowly backed away, the warrior sharply turning to her left and delivering a side buck, where the warrior's chipped and hardened hoof grazed dark-blue fur. It wasn’t long until the warrior regained her balance, immediately moving in to deliver an uppercut with her head. Instead, a blast of magic struck her chest, not as strong as the male alicorns, but enough to make the warrior stumble back with an irritated grunt.

Luna, heavily breathing, most of her energy sapped by the sudden fight she found herself in, masked her tiredness behind a smirk. “In thine younger years, we have commanded the ponies of the Equestrian army for centuries when at war. We’ve seen legends rise and fall. Victories and losses. Thou are nothing like the ponies who deserved their greatness!” She roared, her smirk turning into a snarl.

No response came from the warrior as she continued to stare hot daggers into Luna. But before their scuffle could increase in intensity, a second familiar presence entered the room: none other than Celestia herself, who looked observantly at the scene in front of her.

“I see your little chat has taken a turn?” She jokingly said, looking over at Luna. “However, I do like every room in my palace… intact, if you two don’t mind.” She added, switching between the two ponies.

“SHE STARTED IT!” The warrior and princess blurted out simultaneously.

A small sigh came from the older princess, shaking her head in exasperation. “I swear,” She mumbled, “Why don’t we all go our separate ways for now- I’m sure we’re equally tired from recent events. I’ll have a butler retrieve you a new desk, Storm Breaker. And Luna, let’s go for a walk, shall we?” She concluded, waiting expectantly before both ponies grumbled reluctantly.

A short while later, the door closing softly, the warrior returned to her isolation without the princesses, sans a desk. Standing center of what little resided in her cell, anger still cooling down, the warrior gazed silently at her near barren surroundings. “Yet, all we've seen from thou is a sniffing foal who whines and throws tantrums, hiding away and moping when the slightest of failure or adversity happens to them!” The disembodied voice of Luna repeated. Her teeth clenched tightly, a low rumble vibrating and tightening the warrior’s throat.

Bowing her head in bitter shame, Storm Breaker slowly shuffled to her bed and flopped her rump onto the mattress, where the modded support shattered in half with a crashing noise.

Was what Luna said true? Is THIS how far she had fallen?

Sitting in a V-shaped depression, she held her throbbing head in her hooves. “Μητέρα, Πατέρας.” She said quietly, holding back a choked sob.

What in Hades was happening?

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Sister, we had the situation under control!” Luna fussed, keeping up with Celestia’s descent deeper through the castle’s walls.

Holding a straight expression, Celestia stole a peak toward her flanking vexed kin and back as they rounded a corner. “Oh really, Luna? So…the loud crashing and shouting I heard downstairs during a meeting with contractors seeking payment to repair Storm Breaker’s damages was ‘under control?’” She said, an eyebrow raised.

It had been two long troublesome weeks for Celestia, princess of the sun, battling against shifty news reporters and scientists who desired even half of a second with Storm Breaker. Admittedly, she found humor in the curious ponies, like a mod of Twilights.

However, the unearth mare’s antics all but changed that crowd, now being consistent spit-lobbying rants and rage-fuel tirades flung at her by the lower class and wealthy ponies in Canterlot. Some audiences wanted Storm Breaker to pay for her crimes, others wanted compensation, and less informed folk yeared to sue her for everything she had despite not owning a thing. The only reason Celestia wasn’t forced to apply extreme punishment onto Storm Breaker was that no ponies were killed in the warrior mare’s rampage, receiving only scratches at least and fractured bones at worst.

Meeting upon meeting drained Celestia of precious energy, leaving a frazzled and tired look ingrained into her features and mane like moss on a brick wall.

Luna flinched at the extent of her and Storm Breaker’s short scuffle but recovered her scowl, “None of this would have occurred if you listened to me!” She shouted, stopping mid-step and stomping a hoof into the floor. “Come to your senses. There is no success in taming a wild creature from the Everfree, let alone a monster like…her!” Pointing a hoof in the direction of the warrior mare’s room, she watched as Celestia stopped a bit away and faced her.

“It WOULD have worked if you’d listen.” Celestia scolded, “I sent you to talk down Storm Breaker while I was at a meeting to form a bridge of trust so she could feel more comfortable here. Instead, you resort to brawling like a drunkard because you can’t contain your disdain.” She said.

“It is because she is a bea-”

“THAT IS ENOUGH!” Celestia ordered loudly, making her sister recoil.

Seeing her sister cower before she caused Celestia to wince, “I-I’m so sorry, Luna. I shouldn’t have yelled at you.” She apologized, turning her back to the standing Luna. The stress of this recent disaster is catching up with her.

Yet, when she thought about fleeing, Celestia felt a hoof rest on her shoulder. Following the limb to its owner, Luna held regret in her eyes and frowned. “No, it’s alright, sister. It’s just…why are you choosing to side with a pony like her, whose carrier is nothing but the slaughter of lives? The stories of her group, the confrontation with the manticore Mrs. Twilight told us after bringing her here, and last week. Wouldn’t it be easier to give into the noble's demand for punishment?” The lunar princess questioned.

Silence gripped the throat of Celestia, who thought about the question for a moment before answering. “Would it be easy? Yes. But would it be right? Most definitely not.” She replied, gaining a confused look from Luna.

“What do you mean?”

Noticing the pair had somehow found their way into the hall of murals, Celestia took the chance to lock on to one specific glass panel. It was of her younger sister, or her former identity: nightmare moon, surrounded by a purple sphere leading to the current representatives of the elements below.

“Honest, loyalty, kindness, generosity, laughter, and magic. You and I spent centuries creating the foundation upon which our mother started- the elements and their concept. With our help, Mother created the elements of harmony as a symbol of unity and left us to complete its purpose before passing away due to her illness. Thanks to our hard work, we now live in a peaceful land unshaken by anything thrown at it, a land of opportunity, friendship, and second chances.” She monologues.

“Even if it’s the case, we believe other motives are at play, sister.” Luna interjected, Celestia turning to her with solemnness.

Looking down, Celestia withheld a glint of guilt in her eyes. “...I see you in her, Luna.” She admitted, “No doubt you’ve already figured it out, but the look of anger in that mare’s eye brings me back to that night, the same one where I lost you.”

“Storm Breaker, however, belonged in an era where hate was normal- so there’s no wonder she’s the way she is. And I don’t want her or others to feel those things anymore; I thought maybe you two could get along in spite of your feelings if you’d talked peacefully, seeing as you were more of the warrior type than I was. Looks like I was wrong.” She chuckled bitterly.

Luna walked around and stopped ahead of Celestia, “We apologize again. But you can’t think of this as some sort of friendship problem or see her as a regular pony. She’s more out of touch than us, and only a few days ago did the bea- mare figure out the shower knobs without assistance.” Celestia, surprised by Luna’s change in tone, could only nod in agreement. “Whichever way you look at it, a brute trapped in a cage can only cause more problems. As much as we… dislike her and the idea of such a pony roaming freely, we can’t find the will to go against you in these times, Tia’, especially when you look like this.” She smiled kindly with a playful giggle.

While it had been clear as a cloudless day- Luna still resenting her plan -Celestia returned with a smile of her own. She was happy to see her young sister finally agreeing to the idea of rehabilitating Storm Breaker, no matter how distasteful she saw it.

And not that she’d admit it to the lunar sibling, Celestia felt some responsibility for the warrior mare and her wellbeing. It was her father who slain Storm Breaker after all and sadistically trapped her barely alive corpse in a recovery crystal: a spell trapping a broken object or injured pony inside for recovery/encapsulation by siphoning the surrounding mana in the air. Twilight’s magic, which the crystal stole, only broke it because it had more mana than it could contain due to the time it was unattended, also undoing most of Storm Breaker’s recovery.

Nevertheless, Celestia will do anything to correct her bastard father’s sin and see to it that Storm Breaker can live peacefully. Through the seemingly infinite layers of vitriol and ire, Celestia could see Storm Breaker as nothing more than a troubled filly who’s scared and confused- a dangerous filly, but a filly nonetheless.

Equestria formed upon friendship, and she wasn’t about to let fear and hate threaten it another time, be it Storm Breaker or her subjects.

“I couldn’t agree more.” She chuckled, “Why don’t you return to your chambers, and I’ll get ready for-”

Before Celestia could finish her sentence, Luna put a hoof over her lips to stop the solar princess from talking, a look of disapprovement on her face. “Oh no, Tia’, you are not attending court today!” She decreed, removing her hoof, “In the condition you’re in, I doubt you’ll last another five minutes among the squabbling money sack out there. You will accompany me to my chamber, and we will sleep for today- after I cancel the upcoming sessions.” She added.

A drop of nervous sweat rolled down Celestia’s temple as she sighed, “Well, there aren’t any important appointments today, and I need a few minutes of rest. I can’t go against such a tempting offer.” She said.

Spinning around, Luna held up a triumphant hoof forward, “Hazza! Our modern social lessons have borne fruit with thine masterful negotiation tactics!” Proclaimed the lunar princess half-jokingly before she started to walk off. “Make hast, sister. Mine bed awaits!”

Stifling a laugh, Celestia rolled her tired eyes in amusement as she tailed Luna. “Oh, and Luna?” She said, “I’ve come up with a plan that could recover Storm Breaker from this mess.”

“Oh?” Luna hummed curiously.

Smiling mischievously while overtaking Luna on their walk, Celestia didn’t bother facing her, “As you know, retired soldiers and guards rarely find solace in their leave of service. And her resume and experience, along with her body, will make her an excellent addition to the night guard you plan on creating, if you so choose. She would most certainly deter any unwanted guest, no?” She said, her smile growing, noticing her sister not following her anymore.

“WHAT?!?”

Chp 7: Plots and dressing problems

Author's Note

Sorry if this Chapter seemed shorter or more quickly paced then the others! Writers block is attacking again and its hard to think of stuff for a genre (Slice of Life) I haven't written before. However, I plan on doing a short chapter that acts as a part two to this one so that the next full-length chapter has more room for additional ideas.

Hope you enjoy!

Chp 7: Plots and dressing problems

A muzzle-wrinkling stench mix of cigar smoke and an obnoxious amount of cologne plagued the air, gray clouds swimming and twisting freely in the open as coughing erupted from an old unicorn stallion’s mouth. Sitting behind a sizable dark-oak desk, the stallion knocked burning ashes off his cigar into a marble ashtray, nearly spilling its overbearing content of cool ash and spent paper buds. Ticking from a wall clock accompanied a stillness that choked every ounce of liveliness out of the neatly decorated office-like space, each minute sound causing the old stallion to wince in annoyance.

Across from the desk, resting politely on the couch and two chairs surrounding a table- leaving the couch an unobstructed view of the desk ahead of it -were additional ponies, all dressed in fancy uniforms.

Two were mares; one pegasus looked middle-aged with an aqua-blue coat, pink hair, silver eyes, and a two-piece suit; the other, a young earth pony, sported an amber fur color, green hair, pink eyes, and a rose-colored dress made of glittery material. On the couch between the seated mares, a younger, sly-smiling pegasus stallion waited patiently with crossed legs, a dark-red mane and tail groomed to a mirror finish, a baby-blue coat lacking noticeable imperfections covered by a black suit, and a pair of rounded glasses protected a pair of brown orbs.

All looked toward the intense old stallion, waiting in bated breath to hear what the senior pony had to say. With next to no light bathing the office from the curtain-covered windows behind the three most distant ponies, an air of uneasiness loomed over them like a thundercloud ready to go off at any second.

“You know why you’re all here?” The old stallion questioned, his voice holding a scratchy southern tang, abused by the untold years of smoking.

The amber mare scoffed, setting down a half-empty eight-ball glass filled with similarly colored liquid, swatting at the repulsive smoke. “I take it is because of last week, right, Iron Hoof?” She said.

“I do hope that isn’t the case,” Sighed the younger stallion, “Being surrounded by my dear friends for a quaint get-together would be a better experience!” He suggested. “With all this head aching pish-posh floating about, I could really go for a trip to Hawniegh; just thinking about the stunning ocean view fills me with ease.”

An impassive snort came from the second, older mare, “Please, you’d only go there to knock up every mare your filthy eyes can spot. And like I’d officially associate myself with any of you, let alone a mareanizer such as yourself, Sir. Trotselot.” She scowled, facing away from the younger stallion's unwavering, alluring expression aimed at her. “I’m only here to answer Iron Hoof’s request for this meeting, nothing more.”

“Oh, you hurt me so, Silver Lace, deeply.” Trotselot fained sadness, switching to giggling as Silver Lace rolled her eyes.

“Good.”

“Celestia, save us all.” Mumbled the amber mare, reaching out and retrieving her drink, knocking back her head to let the alcohol burn at her throat.

After a solid yet soft thud of Iron Hoof’s cigar bud slamming onto the desk, the three ponies’ antics swiftly stopped as the old stallion gridded the cigars' remains into the varnished oak. “I don’t have the time or patience to tolerate your banter. Our businesses were targeted last week by some vagrant mare our fair rulers keep hidden away in the castle. Revenue’s dropped due to the time and bits required to repair everything, and as nobles, the rightful and true rulers of Equestria, this cannot stand.” He recited, tossing the smashed bud into the ashtray.

Trotselot rested a cheek on his hoof, using the other to support his elbow, putting on a pouty expression, “Bummer, a shame I can’t fully sympathize with you; all my boutique shops center in the higher districts of Canterlot. Although, a few minor stores I invested in for passive income got caught in the destruction.” He moped.

“Another word from you, and this glass goes so far up your fuck hole your bladder will be able to slam back Yeager bombs.” The amber mare growled, tightening her grip on her drink, “It’s bad enough most of my bar’s wagon shipments got smashed- I don’t need to listen to your pathetic whining.” She said.

Opening a drawer to his left, Iron Hoof pulled a wooden cigar box from its interior and quickly pulled another out before returning it to the drawer. “Calm yourself, Brandy.” He ordered sternly, the matured mare scoffing in response. His horn glowing a soft yellow, a spark struck his new cigar, setting its tip aflame, “There is a fellow unicorn I know who works inside the castle. Rumors are floating around saying there’s going to be a new guard unit made by Luna and that the freakish pony who destroyed the marketplace is joining.” He explained, ignoring his ‘friends’ shocked looks to suck the non-burning end of his cigar, exhaling a fresh smoke cloud a second later.

Silver lace, her shock transforming into outrage, slammed a hoof into the table with a snarl. “Outrageous! That monstrosity should’ve been rotting away in the dungeons by now. I didn’t have every one of my news outlets cover this story for it to be as useful as soggy toilet paper!” She roared.

A giggle came from Trotselot at the young mare’s expense, earning himself a smoldering death glare. “Always so negative~. Look on the bright side, Silver; this is the best news your company’s gotten ever since it started.” He remarks. “Besides, nopony reads the newspaper anymore, in all honesty- radio is all the rage, so get with the times, darling.”

Seeing as though one of his ‘friends’ was about to strangle another, Iron Hoof shook his head with a sigh. “Everypony,” He said in a raised voice, “For once, put aside your hate. The reason this needs our full attention is plain as day: that mare is a danger to our lively-hoods. Who’s to say she won’t cause additional havoc another day? How many of our businesses will get destroyed? For the sake of our reputations of being nobles, this mare's very existence is a threat!” He said.

“You make them sound like the second coming of discord.” Scoffed the amber mare, “It’d be foals-play to frame her for some terrible crime and call it a day. You know full well that mare doesn’t have the best reputation.” She said, swirling her glass in one hoof.

Iron Hoof turned to the amber mare, “Caramel Swirl, you have the idea, but none of the execution. Planning to frame somepony takes time and information, which we have plenty of. Knowing more about her will be useful in providing the most pain- emotionally and physically - before we grant her death.” Turning to Trotselot, who was trying to flirt with Silver Lance, Iron Hoof pointed to the sly stallion. “And you, pretty colt, are the perfect stallion for the job.” He said.

The sly stallion took notice of his sudden insertion into the conversation and directed his attention from Silver Lace. “And why’s that, my good sir?” He asked.

“Because you have your ways with any mare. It doesn’t matter if they’re as unruly as a hydra or as soft as a newborn rabbit: you’d find some way into their pants and lives like the snake you are.” The old stallion grimaced with disgust, glancing away as Trotselot fixed his bowtie to puff smoke.

“You want me to use my classic charm to begin her downfall, correct?” He snorted, “Consider it done!”

Not long after, following an hour or two of planning, the ponies- sans Iron Hoof -left the darkened office, leaving the old stallion alone. Out of the four nobles, Iron Hoof’s fate after the attack was the worst, in his opinion. Being in a profitable area like the market district of Canterlot, you needed to put the money you received after a long day’s work somewhere safe. Unfortunately, the banks that kept that money suffered major damages- lamp posts busting the windows, runaway wagons creating unwanted holes in the walls, and miscreants abusing the chaos to rob those banks.

Most of those banks also happened to be owned by Iron Hoof, one of the top five wealthiest ponies in Canterlot, being third under the princesses themselves. Since then, the cost to repair damages and the loss of revenue struck his bit reserves hard, leaving the old stallion with half of the bits he usually owned.

Other than money, anything going against or harming the true rulers of high society in any way was considered by most a crime of the highest degree, as if one were to attack the false rulers, Celestia and Luna, themselves.

No matter what, if hundreds of ponies needed to be sacrificed, or the whole city to burn, Iron Hoof’s vengeance would be fulfilled by any means necessary.

If the princesses wouldn’t put down the rabid dog, he’ll have to do it himself.

“Γαμώτο!” Angrily shouted the warrior mare, throwing a large piece of armor across her cell.

The lightweight chest armor, colored a metallic purple with gold trimming and leather straps, soared through the air like a disabled pigeon performing a backflip, eventually slamming into the opposite wall with a loud crash. Hours went by, and not one of the stupid straps would stay in place, that’s if the warrior could reach around her body to do so in the first place. Whoever made the warrior current wears certainly eyeballed the proportions. At least her old armor tried to minimize the number of straps with inner loops and hooks- straps, and buckles required a partner.

Snorting, the warrior mare bitterly bit her tongue, “Piece of junk.” She thought, following up by approaching the thrown armor and tossing it onto the bed upon returning, sitting beside it a second later.

Not long ago, in the early morning, a band of golden armored guards arrived at the warrior's cells to drop off a crate. Her only instruction given to her by the shifty-eyed, scowling guards was to put on the armor inside the large container before they left; she was sure one of them was the guard who brought her into the dining hall yesterday.

Nevertheless, while the armor seemed too fancy-looking for her taste, the warrior couldn’t deny the craftsmanship and time dedicated to the protective garments. Light as ten daggers but strong enough to withstand harsh movement and most sharp instruments, the purple armor was acceptable in her eyes. Although, despite having the waist, foreleg, and neck armor equipped- all of which were surprisingly flexible -the only problem was the chest piece.

Running a hoof down from her forehead to her muzzle tip, the warrior chuckled lightly at remembering the first time she had to wear the bulky and heavy iron armor all vanguard knights wore.

It took nearly a week just to walk more than ten hooves and not fall over.

However, the mere thought of her time in the vanguard instantly soured the warrior's mood more than it already had. She knew all this was some terrible dream or the work of a vile unicorn taking pleasure in her humiliation; either way, the world around her couldn’t be real. Other than the ponies look’s and how they acted, the sheer amount of…friendliness was sickening to be around constantly.

Of course, no pony showed her such kindness as of late, but glimpses of the streets below from her cell’s window, two completely different races just begging together like it was nothing, was the most whiplashing experience since her reawakening. Unicorns and earth ponies sharing a meal, a pegasus and a unicorn having an idle chat- such things were beyond the warrior's understanding. She looked unicorns and pegasi in the eyes as they lay bleeding with her sword plunged deep into their hearts. And now those same vial creatures claiming to be fellow ponies walked around without an ounce of care with one another, with her own race included, nonetheless!

The warrior wished for her comrades to return, but in the depth of her heart, she knew they’d never come back.

“If that is the case, where do I go from here?” She asked herself. It’d been the first time she’s entertained the thought, but it was because the warrior found herself at a dead end. Sure, this ‘totally-not-slavery’ gig was temporary to her understanding, but what would happen if she did go free? “Starting a farm wouldn’t be too bad? Grandpa always was stubborn in teaching me how to tend to his peaches.” She muttered.

“Hahaha, do all earth ponies squabble over farming?” An elderly voice suddenly said.

Caught off guard by the unexpected presence, the warrior mare instinctively bent her neck to her side to retrieve her greatsword, becoming temporarily stunned when her teeth clamped onto thin air. With a subtle red blush, as she heard the voice cackling at her slip-up, she whipped her head back and shot out of bed, ready to…take out an old stallion?

Standing before her, not even reaching the base of her chest, was an old stallion unicorn with an olive-green coat and a brown mane/tail. Covering the stallion's wrinkly body was only a golden chest plate and a helmet, the ladder shielding an equally saggy face with dull purple eyes and an open, howling maw with next to no teeth. In his magic was a three X labeled keg of unknown origin, a clear, bluish liquid spilling out as he continued laughing. The old stallion hacked and coughed, putting a hoof to his chest, cementing the end of his laughter by throwing his head back and chugging the keg.

Parting the keg from his dried lips, the stallion lowered his head and looked toward the warrior, “Pardon me, these lungs don’t work as well as they used to, I’m afraid.” He chuckled. “The names Olive Branch, and I’m your foal sitter until you part ways with the guard.” The newly named Olive Branch added bluntly.

“They sent a walking corpse to do a soldier's job?” The warrior thought out loud.

Instead of getting offended, Olive Branch chuckled again, “Hell, lady, I ain’t that old yet! Besides, compared to a beauty like you, my sixty-year flank isn’t guard material anymore. Other than my magic.” He said, the first half being in a joking tone.

Taken aback by the comment on her appearance- also not having a full grasp of the concept of jokes -her embarrassed blush turned a subtle shade bright, the warrior facing away with a huff. “H-Hold your tongue, coward! I’m only fifty-eight and still beat your pathetic comrades without a problem; it's not my fault your inferior unicorn genes can’t compare to an earth ponies!” She rambled on.

“Sure, Sure, hun.” Olive Branch nodded, his dismissive tone holding a hint of mischievousness. Looking over to the bed, the old stallion took note of the chest armor sinking into the soft sheets. “Thought you’d have your armor on already. What gives?” He asked.

The warrior flinched at the question before using her left hoof to scratch at her eye patch, “Damn thing wouldn’t go on.” She mumbled.

‘What’s that? These ears of mine can’t hear too well.” Olive Branch said, exaggeratingly leaning forward with a hoof held up to his ear.

“It wouldn’t go on!” She growled.

“What~?”

“I COULDN’T GET IT ON!” The warrior finally roared, causing the old stallion to fall onto his flank. “Why in Hades do you even care, old fool! It isn’t your problem, so get out of my sight!”

With a hearty laugh, the old stallion shocked the warrior by casually standing up and sipping briefly from his keg- somehow having not spilled it. “Wow! Some lungs you’ve got!” He said without a shred of fear. “Hell, it seems like you need this more than I do if this is how you react to a simple question.” Quipped the old coot as he held out the keg to the warrior.

How could this bag of bones be immune to her presence? The warrior had never met one pony who wasn’t secretly- or outrightly -afraid of her or loathe her very existence, more so for these newer ponies. But here she was, standing in front of a unicorn nearing the last years of his life not showing any fear or rejection toward her. Even going as far as to offer her alcohol, something the warrior viewed as valuable in her time. Was the alcohol poisoned? No, that was a stupid question. So why was he being so kind?

“Just assist me.” She reluctantly said.

Olive Branch rolled his eyes in amusement, setting the keg down, to which his magic switched from it to the armor on the bed and lifted it into the air. The chest armor floated and twirled in the air with an uncanny sense of smoothness unseen in an elderly unicorn as it found its way onto and around the warrior’s chest.

After a few clicks and snug pulls of the straps, the magic surrounding the chest armor faded and returned to the keg, leaving the warrior to test the fitting. Surprisingly, it fit like a glove, with no areas feeling too loose or tight, and all the buckles didn’t dig into her skin.

The designer's life would be spared…this time.

“Hey, where’s your helmet?” Olive Branch said, walking over and peering into the box the warrior kept beside her bed, only to see nothing. “Those idiots didn’t lose it, did they?” He questioned, turning back to the warrior.

She simply pointed to her covered left eye with a deadpan expression; her eyesight was terrible as it was already.

“Oh,” The old stallion replied, planting his hooves back on the floor. “No matter, you don’t need a helmet for our little tour.” He said before heading to the door, the keg perched perfectly onto his back.

The warrior faltered momentarily but caught up to the old stallion as he used his magic to open the door. “Tour?” She echoed. Instead of responding, however, Olive Branch walked away, causing the warrior to growl in annoyance as she followed along. She didn’t know why the unicorn could evade her full ire; maybe she wasn’t feeling up to smack-talking today, or he was using a spell to trick her into becoming less hostile. It was like the aged wine of an elder, and his carefree attitude reflected her hostility.

Either way, he was her caretaker- for whatever reason -now, and she could only trail behind him for the time being as this ‘tour’ commenced.

At least the scared faces of the castle workers were fun to look at.

Chp 7.5: Heart to Heart with the inferno

Passing the many identical halls of Canterlot Castle, the duo, Storm Breaker and Olive Branch, made their way down the sparse corridor, passing multiple guards along the way.

“For all that talk about your earth pony genes, you’re looking to be pretty tired from a simple stroll.” Olive Branch joked as the slumped-shouldered warrior followed close behind. Her only response to the old stallion was an annoyed grunt, eyeing the windows to her left as a distraction.

Luckily, the one place that struck interest in the warrior's cold heart wasn’t far away: the canteen. Apparently, this canteen was more compact and spartan in appearance, contrasting the royal dining hall the warrior was roughly dragged to by the guard the day prior.

However, these insignificant details of looks or special features held no significance to the warrior, unlike the simple fact that all types of food, from meat to fresh plants, were served in a line. For free! Being hoofed fresh and hot meals without the need to prep ingredients beforehand felt like the first good thing that happened in the past two weeks. The meals served during her stay in the hospital room and transferring to her cells consisted of plain oats and a glass of water, maybe even a carrot, if the cooks were generous.

Healthy, but a meal only swine would enjoy on a daily basis.

Nonetheless, the warrior was dead-set on getting something warm and hearty in her stomach after the constant talk of places she half-listened, provided by Olive Branch. And luckily, she didn’t need to wait long as Olive Branch voiced their arrival.

“Here we are. Make sure not to get too friendly with the others.” He said in a sarcastic tone.

“Shut up.” The warrior grumbled.

Parting the double doors, the split second of room-filling chatter once present completely faded into silence, every pair of eyes, from the cleaners to the servers, locking onto the duo with varying degrees of edginess. The loitering guards, lacking their usual golden garments, looked ready to pounce on the warrior mare at any moment, the food line going still, and the ponies sitting at long metal tables halting mid-bite of their meal.

“What are the lot of you looking at, huh? Mind your damn business!” The elder stallion next to her shouted, taking another swing out of his seemingly endless keg.

Not a single sound escaped as the duo fully entered, the warrior viewing the guards’ caution and shock as trivial while Olive Branch smiled idiotically. Slowly but surely, the guards returned to their earlier activity, the room’s chatter lower in volume than a second ago.

Ignoring the prying occupants and their glances, the duo pulled up to the relatively short line between an L-shaped metal fence and glass-covered stands. In the stands, its glass covering edged by steam, a variety of new and old foods to the warrior sat under a warm light, their scents carried by the visible wisps of heated moisture rising off them. It didn’t take long for the hungry mare and her senior overseer to begin collecting foodstuffs, the former eagerly snatching anything eye-catching like it was her final day on Equus.

Eventually, both concluded their hunt; Olive Branch paid with strange, small golden disks, and the warrior held two trays on her back covered by four chicken breasts, two fruit bowls, fried hay(?), and a tall bottle of water. The looks of disgust and horror weren’t lost on the warrior, seeing something they’d considered a regular pony daring to get anywhere near the meat, let alone entertain the idea of feasting on it.

Luckily, the cooks had always provided meat before the warrior's arrival, Olive Branch saying something about foreign griffon diplomats and their escorts needing treatment as well, or whatever.

Just having the thought of the fierce warriors of Φαράγγι Γκίζαρντς she highly respected now as mushy and spineless as these ponies sent a shiver down her spine.

Nevertheless, the time for inner moping and pony-hating could wait; her stomach was calling, and she wasn’t one to deny it. Following Olive Branch to a lone table in the canteen’s bottom right corner- not too far from the entrance -both sat on opposite sides and set down their trays.

“That’s an impressive appetite you got there, missy!” Olive Branch said, his horn glowing and levitating two buns withholding fried hay closer to his muzzle. “But I must admit: I’ve never seen a pony choose to eat meat before in my life. And now that I look closer, your teeth are sharper compared to, say, mine.” He examined, tilting his head at an angle to see the warrior's semi-sharp-toothed maw open, her hooves grasping a chicken breast.

Like a starving beast, a low grunt escaped the warrior, turning muffled at her teeth sunk into the white avian flesh.

And in an instant, juices exploded and coated the mare's mouth and taste buds, overloading them with the tang of spices and a plethora of unknown, delectable ingredients, making the warrior hold back an embarrassing moan of pleasure. One bite turned into two, and two turned into four; each bite the mare took increased the urge to gorge on her meal. While the chicken she feasted upon wasn’t like the rabbits and winter birds she’d roast above a fire, the now-debunked belief that meat would never be in her reach without causing the ponies to piss and moan about it made the taste all the more divine. It didn’t matter if the wet tearing sounds disturbed others around her- to hell with them.

And when the warrior's poultry-induced ravaging concluded, all four chicken breasts were gone, not a single stain or crumb left behind. Belching boorishly, she raised the gauntlet covering her left foreleg to her lips and whipped off any remaining mess, setting the grease-stained metal-covered limb down afterward.

“Well, damn.” Olive Branch simply said, holding the last bit of hay burger in his magic, “If it weren’t for the fact you’re a pony, I’d reckon you’d be some sort of pony-eating monster.” He huffed, finishing his last bite.

A sudden dark grin grew on the warrior's face, “I don’t know, maybe I am a pony-eating monster?” She said, ensuring her teeth showed in her grin, “I find the flesh of unicorns too tender- makes my jaw sore, and pegasi barely have any to speak of. But I’m not picky.” She chuckled. She had seen the old stallion's reaction after her half-improved show of hunger; to see a look of terror on him would turn this shitty day around. But it didn’t- he made it a bit worse.

The grinning bastard only had a look of surprise before his shit-eating grin returned, like he hadn’t seen a pony devour meat, something the warrior knew now as taboo like the shaman’s helpers explained after she requested meat during her stay at the hospital. Meat is the most vital part of any warrior's diet, and these ponies act as if they were the plague.

Maybe they were trying to weaken her, make the warrior easier to capture should she try to run.

Those bastards.

Nevertheless, Olive Branch posed as a saint at some points, even when something was wrong. Earlier, passing by an area labeled by Olive as a ‘spa’, one of the workers slipped while holding a bucket of dirty water after having cleaned it, getting it all over the old stallion. Instead of lashing out and yelling at the mare as she expected, the warrior was stunned when Olive helped the worker gather her supplies before letting her take his clothes for washing.

Even when disrespected, ‘threatened’ by the warrior, or stripped of his clothes, Olive Branch always had that damnable smirk plastered on his muzzle. The warrior wondered how a fellow warrior, despite being a unicorn, could put up with… everything.

He was like a local sage the warrior knew in her home village, minus the alcohol addiction.

“Sad to say, you ain’t going to find much on me, missy.” He chuckled.

“Missy?!” The flabbergasted warrior whisper-shouted. Where did this fossilized prick get off on calling somepony like her missy? “I’ll rip out your fucking throat if you call me that EVER again; I don’t care what your comrades do to me then.” She growled, forgetting her trick to frighten the old stallion failed.

Finishing the last of his hay fries off his tray, Olive Branch used a folded piece of paper to clean his hooves and mouth. “Y’know, I can tell you have a lot of issues. It isn’t my place to ask questions, but it wouldn’t hurt to talk with me. Maybe even become friends- I know the princesses would love that!” He said.

The warrior raised an eyebrow, “‘Friend?’” She echoed in a confused and offended tone. “Your jest isn’t funny, unicorn. An alliance between us will never happen because of one of the many simple facts: a horrendous spike forever rests on your forehead. And if I DID have issues, I’d rather kill a hundred elder dragons before talking with you, unicorn scum!” She spat, leaning across the table and poking Olive Branch in the chest, making him jolt back involuntarily in his chair.

Silence claimed the old stallion, a solemn expression crossing his wrinkled features in a sign of deep thought, abandoning the fuming warrior across from him to wallow in quiet anger.

Eventually, a sigh escaped him as he put his forehooves together, “A friend isn’t the cause of some alliance, Storm Breaker.” He said, sounding surprisingly firm compared to a few moments ago. “They’re like…comrades, as you say. But friends are more personal, ponies you can trust anything with, no matter what. And right now, you need all the friends you can get. It’s alright that you don’t want to talk, but I need your cooperation so I can help you get out of this mess.” Now reaching across the table, his brow furrowed, a hoof sitting on the table just before the warrior. “Let me be your friend.” He said.

Shockingly enough, when Olive Branch looked up to gauge the warrior's reaction, he could barely hold back a look of shock at what he saw.

“Oh, I already know what a friend is, unicorn.” She said in an even tone, “The last friend I ever had, he was captured by a band of unicorn thieves, savage ones like you prissy horn-heads claim us earth ponies to be. Do you want to know what they did to him, hm?” In the most dead-eyed, soulless, empty expression he’d ever seen, the mare said: “By the time my comrades tracked him down, all that was left was his strung-up skin and broken bones with scraps of flesh still warm and clinging on.” She whispered.

The warrior leaned forward, inching closer until her muzzle was next to Olive Branch’s ear. “So when you talk about being my friend, just know I took great pleasure In slowly exacting the same pain those unicorns brought on to my friend. I. Don’t. Need. Your. Help.” She said, moving away from the old stallion as she picked up a fruit bowl and began eating.

In the countless years Olive Branch had served in the royal guard, anger was no stranger to him. From bitter loss, righteous fury, and unbridled rage; to acidic defeat and beyond, the old stallions experienced every flavor of anger under Celestia’s glorious sun.

Like a recipe for an egg, anger, as a concept, can be twisted and morphed into many different types that can fit in any situation, no matter how harmless or damaging it might be. It is something no other emotion can hope to replicate. Anger could fuel a pony to take on armies, slay any beast, and plunder entire nations if they so choose. But as it can make a mere pony do terrible things, it can also result in the opposite, bringing peace to many where destruction may happen. Olive Branch had seen dear friends he considered family fall into death’s grips, but their deaths helped keep Equestria and its peace intact.

Storm Breaker, however, could no doubt be labeled as the poster foal for the word- nay, the concept of anger.

Of course, the mighty vanguard warrior’s temper was as famous as her recent escapades. But Olive Branch, Storm Breaker having been by his side all day, chalked up her rumored resentment to be nothing more than the equivalent of a teenager complaining.

However, those eyes, moments ago, utterly destroyed that notion, despite one of them covered by cloth.

Those eyes couldn’t even be described by conventional words.

Those eyes didn’t belong to a pony.

Like the sharpest of razors and the dullest of rocks. Like the hottest of stars and coldest of glaciers. Olive Branch felt as if those orbs in the mare’s skull withheld the power to burn this world asunder if released, then trap the fading embers under a sheet of solid ice so that no hope of escape from her wrath was left.

It shook the elder to his core, something so close to a pony and far from BEING a pony.

Unfortunately, to any other pony saying he was insane, that was the very reason he’d applied to be Storm Breaker’s caretaker.

He’d been there when the princess recaptured the warrior mare after her escape, helping ponies recover from injuries and shock. Combining what Storm Breaker said and her past, Olive Branch would be lying if he said he didn’t feel some kind of connection. He was a stallion of numerous experiences, and anger turning into peace was one of them; soldiers of today had the pleasure of returning home with their limbs intact, free of the suffering of their predecessors. But he was from a different time where none of that was guaranteed, something he was sure was common place for Storm Breaker in her time.

The old, foolish, and downright idiotic stallion wondered if the enraged monster before him could also find that peace. To turn those ever-bloodthirsty orbs' rage into something soft and wonderful.

Maybe soon, or likely later, that will come. But right now…

“It’s starting to get late.” Olive Branch sighed, missing the half-stunned, half-victorious look Storm Breaker had. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep your words in mind when we share a nice conversation over a drink.” He chuckled, donning his carefree attitude as he guzzled from his magically refilling keg, gifted to him by Celestia as a Hearts Warming gift.

A huff came from Storm Breaker, “Whatever,” She replied, standing up from the table and examining the now near-empty canteen, “All I care about is getting this damn sentence over with.”

“Well, you’re in luck.” Olive said, copying the warrior mare’s action, “Your first assignment is tomorrow, in fact.” Chuckling at her bewilderment, the old stallion shuffled past the mare toward the canteen’s entrance. “Princess Luna is planning on visiting Twilight Sparkle in a town not far from here, Ponyville, to enjoy their Nightmare Night celebration. Don’t ask me why. And without Luna by her side, Celestia is going to need the extra protection for tomorrow night’s Nightmare Night Ball, which she included you in.” He explained.

Following behind him, Storm Breaker grunted in confusion, “I thought she was all-powerful since she is an alicorn. I highly doubt any race can stand up against her unless she’s a coward-”

“Hold your tongue when speaking about her majesty like that!” Olive scolded, making Storm Breaker jolt in surprise. “It’s unbecoming of a lady such as yourself.” He slyly added, internally chuckling at her unsuccessful attempts to hide a faint blush.

“It’s not because ponies might be after her. You’d be surprised how many nobles will take advantage of things like this to tear each other down, like a pack of Timberwolves. Be it poison or speeches, grown or young, nobles are the predators of Canterlot and are best looked after at all times during something like this.” He said.

Storm Breaker scoffed as they reached the double doors, the old stallion using his magic to open them. “So much for fancy outward appearances.” She exasperated, letting Olive Branch leave first before trailing him.

Laughing loudly, Olive Branch raised his keg in the air. “Cheers to that!” He joked.

As the duo went on their way to finish the tour and rounded a corner, a shadowy figure caught their rear ends in time to see them disappear. Sadly, they were unable to confront the duo due to personal matters keeping them busy, but the shadow’s brown eyes turned into upside-down crescents in delight.

Tomorrow night, his friend's plan would begin.

Chp 8: Drowning the sorrows away

A choir of noise left no room for a reprieve for anypony to think, the many voices of party guests going about their Nightmare Night celebration filling the ballroom to its brim. Soft, haunting-esque music played by a small group of sharply-dressed ponies- some posing as fictional creatures of the night -flowed through the sea of the pompous aristocracy. Tables sprinkled neatly around the ballroom held numerous treats, and nobles spun and galloped in varying degrees of experienced dancing between them.

At one of these many tables, a small horde of finely dressed mares encompassed the mostly empty seating area in a fit of giggles and praise- some covering their mouths.

In the epicenter of flattery was the renowned and highest-grossing fashion designer of the modern age- unrivaled in his talent for making the most stunning outfits in Equestria, Trotselot. The sharply dressed stallion, sporting a dazzling two-piece suit and a red and orange striped tie comfortably hugging his neck, sipped away at his almost dried glass of wine.

Waiting until the surrounding mares' giggles died out, he adjusted his golden-rimmed glasses.

“The best part was when he came in to receive his commission, everypony saw the frilly dress he wanted because he forgot the pick-up time was around rush-hour!” He loudly said, making the mares laugh harder. Finishing his story, he looked down at his glass, then pointed it at a mare next to a tall bottle with a friendly smile. “Darling, be a good girl and give me a refill~.” He commanded.

About an hour or more passed since the celebration started, and he’d been here about thirty minutes waiting for any sign of the savage mare turned guard. He knew well of the old colt’s plan: find her, use his inescapable charm, maybe have some fun, and finish by getting everything private out of her. Of course, the final goal would likely be a long process of fake emotion and acting for such an ordeal, but it wasn’t impossible. And like a siren at sea, and what he mentioned during the meeting, nopony had ever escaped the clutches of his lovely wit, no matter how unruly they may be.

Unfortunately, no sign of the supposedly large mare was in sight despite Trotselot’s time sitting around. No patrolling the crowd or standing in a specific spot, Trotselot began feeling a bit impatient with his lack of results- the celebration would end soon, so he needed to hurry.

It was of no matter as these gullible wenches started to bore him.

After the mare he ordered around had poured his glass, Trotselot stood up from his seat, swatting the wrinkles from his clothing. “I deeply apologize, ladies, but important has come up, and I must see to it.” He fained guilt, putting a wing over his chest.

“Are we not important too?” The ordered mare whined, making him internally grimace in disgust.

Putting on a fake smile, Trotselot removed the wing from his chest and smoothly replaced its tip under the mare’s chin, gently forcing her to look into his crimson eyes. “Of course you all are, and especially you, darling.” He softly replied before moving his muzzle closer to her left ear, “You have such a lovely voice; I can’t wait to make it sing all night long~.” He whispered in a sultry voice, his wing feeling the shiver of excitement running up the mare's decently sculpted figure. “Room 209 in four hours. Don’t be late.” She had a terrible social personality but was alright in the looks department.

Trotselot moved away from the now heavily blushing mare, leaving the table behind to venture into rough waves of dancing nobles. Weaving and twisting past the dancing bodies, the seductive stallion navigated the dance floor like a snake in tall grass, eyes scanning for the savage mare.

Luckily, he didn’t have to wait long as the sound of uncouth chanting and shouting over by the collection of bar stands caught the stallion's attention.

Swimming through the crowd some more, Trotselot arrived at the dancing’s border, lacking any imperfections in his appearance or spilling his wine, only to be stunned into silence at what he saw with a look of bewilderment.

Indeed he finally located the elusive savage mare he’d wasted half an hour of his life looking for. But instead of standing to attention, surveying the ponies, making sure nothing terrible happens, sticking to Celestia’s side like a parasite- or anything a guard was supposed to do -she was doing the exact opposite. Much like his position earlier, the titanic, armored mare sat at the bar with a glass mug in her hoof, the beautiful mares replaced with disgusting bat-like pony guards and an old stallion, and visibly drunk off her flank. She was also apparently telling a story by the look of it if the rowdy laughter from the others was anything to go by.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling it through his nostrils, Trotselot checked the straightness of his suit's lapels prior to approaching the savage mare.

As he closed the relatively short distance, he could start to make out what she was saying. “-So after the slippery bastard kept running away, I got a clean cut on his cheek- small, but it drew blood. He fell to the ground and started getting teary-eyed with me, but I swung my sword at him and stopped halfway, and the coward ran away crying for his mother!” She barked in laughter, along with her company.

Trotselot’s muzzle recoiled for a split second in confusion and aversion; how can somepony go around saying such things? Either the bat-like ponies and old stallion were really intoxicated, or they were all as beastly as the savage mare.

Nevertheless, Trotselot had a job in the name of ‘noble pride’ to accomplish, and damn to Celestia if he wasn’t going to put everything into his act.

“Good evening, gentlecolts and mares.” He greeted politely, catching the attention of several bat ponies- including the savage mare. “I couldn’t help but be allured by the joyous noise of your conversation and thought I’d asked to join in.” He said.

“Who’s this fruitcake?” One of the male bat ponies slurred to the old stallion, bobbing his head in Trotselot’s direction.

Although annoyed by the rude name calling, Trotselot kept his friendly visage as the old stallion checked him out with an unfocused gaze. “W-Which one you talking about- I’m seeing triple over here!” The old coot hollered with a cackle. “But going by your voice, I’m assuming you’re that upstart clothes maker all the magazines talk about.” He said.

The savage mare let out an un-mare-like snort, “Clothes maker? Are you thinkin' of getting a chemise? it’d match since you’re so faint-hearted- can’t even drink as half much as I can!” She joked, speech almost unintelligible.

“Shut up! Drinking that much: I’d need to book a funeral service for my imploded liver.” The old stallion drunkenly retorted, much to the former mare’s teasing.

Irritatingly, feeling left out of the conversation he had started, Trotselot exhaled deeply before quickly downing every drop of his wine, using his wing to hold the glass once he finished. “Sorry to interrupt; about my earlier statement, I’m simply curious, what story a fair maiden like you was telling to these fine gentlecolts.” As he spoke the start of his alluring hymn, Trotselot’s polished hoof raised to the savage mare’s free, rough hoof. “What I heard upon approaching, matched with your beauty, only attracted me to your valiant and strong aura like a moth to a flame.” Ignoring the obvious flustered confusion written on her face, he successfully cupped his hoof under hers and pulled it in for a peck.

Suddenly, and also thankfully, the unwashed and dirty hoof of the savage mare escaped his grasp and wrapped around his barrel. Unable to react, Trotselot let out a yelp as he was pulled into a side hug, leaving no room for air to enter his lungs.

As if the minor whiplash wasn’t enough, the fancy stallion experienced a mocked tea cup ride when the savage mare spun around on the surprisingly strong bar stool.

“Ah ha! I’d never imagine a puny pegasus admitting their inferiority in my presence! This special event calls for a celebration!” She shouted, raising her mug to an irritated pegasus bartender. “Hey, coward, get everypony here another round, got that?!” She shouted.

Hiding his indefinite fearfulness of the savage mare behind a look of annoyance and an eye roll, the bartender made hast and went to work refilling the many mugs of the bat pony guards. All said and done, roaring cheers and bantering among the bat-ponies encapsulated this small section of the world, leaving the three ponies to their whims as Trotselot’s hooves barely held onto the massive mug filled with repulsive piss-colored liquid topped with white foam.

However, and more importantly, this operation took a hard left onto the most difficult path he could have taken. Usually, the mares who were the tipsiest were the easiest to convince if you use the right words. It’s akin to building a bridge of understanding with a child by using their idiotic understanding of the world against them.

And in this unforeseen event, the rageful and psychotic nature of this mare weeks prior vanished, replaced by a drunken fool spewing tales of gore and brutal victory- the story she told before he came was something related to a duel.

Every chance Trotselot took to speak with the savage mare, she’d instantly shut it down by literally and figuratively overshadowing his presence with hers. She even had the audacity to make him, the most influential figure in the fashion industry, the butt of her crude jokes! As the night rolled on, he drank more and more of the bitter, watered-down flavored alcohol the commoners referred to as ‘salted apple cider.’ The energy given off by the savage mare brought memories back to the fancy stallion of his time in private school, where he'd been outcast and shunned by his peers-

“Come on!” The savage mare, who Trotselot came to know as Storm Breaker, said, snapping him out of his thoughts. “Alll thiss fine zzrink isn’t gonna consume itself few keep ssarin' adit liyke a ded rat.” She snickered.

Sighing in exhaustion, the fancy stallion forced himself to face the mare to his left, head starting to feel lighter than usual.

“While I do fancy myself a drink sometimes, the only reason I’m here is for you, m’lady.” He droned, “I came out here to see you, and I feel ashamed we haven’t even found something you and I can talk over. A maiden and guard like you shouldn’t be here among the riff-raff in contrast to letting yourself known to the world.” He said, pulling a card from his jacket, “here is an invitation of sorts- to my boutique. I’d love to make you some garments to fit your looks.”

Storm Breaker looked down at him analytically, a judgmental look in her eye, scanning him and the card before slamming her mug onto the bartop loudly. “Alright, whad in hades is yer game, pegasus?” The mare roared drunkenly, shocking Trotselot.

“W-What?”

“Yoo hearnned me. Why arr yoo actin’ sooo buddy-buddy t' me, huh?” She repeated, leaning closer to the fancy stallion.

The smell of apples and salt filled Trotselot’s nostrils immediately, forcing him to choke back a gag in the face of a possible hospital trip via angry mare. “I-I heard you the first time, bit- m’lady. But I don’t get your question, especially the topic.” Had this mare not ever had a friendly conversation in her life?!

Lazily conjured anger left the mare’s scowling face into more of a mute annoyance, “Yoo thad ssupid orr something? none uhf yoo pathetic ponies havve cum t' me fer somethin' azz lighthearded azza shat. Yoo pizz yer pranns wenn yoo actively annoy me, thenn ackt shocked 'bout it, orr yoo alll esspeckt somethin' uhf me- i didn’t eeven wann thiss job!” She banged a hoof against her midnight-colored armor, “ Evry pony in thiss accursed place views me azz summ animal t'be tamed; i c'n see it in therre eyes” Sniffling, tears started to form in the corner of Storm Breaker’s exposed eye.

Starting to feel an intense feeling of awkwardness, partly due to not knowing how to care for a mare besides his bedside services, he opted to put a hoof on her left thigh. “Um, maybe… you’re thinking about this wrongly?” He said in a drawn-out tone.

“How? I’m seen azza minnlezz beazz t' yoo alll.” She sniffled, whipping her eye with a foreleg.

Shit, he just dug himself a hole he couldn’t get out of. How was he supposed to convince a savage they weren’t a savage while somewhat drunk? Trotselot never worried about such things in his career- the mares he slept around with usually were the ones leaving him or the other way around, never to stick around to build meaningful connections! Luckily, he had one last card up his leave for situations close to this nature, a get me out of jail free card, if you will.

Moving his hoof away, Trotselot grabbed the card off the bartop and held it in front of Storm Breaker, “Well, I dare attempt to lie and say I know how you feel. But you look like you need somepony to talk to. So when you have time, visit me, and I’ll talk with you.” He said.

“I…” The savage mare stumbled over her words, staying silent for a few moments before grabbing the card with her teeth- after a few failed tries.

Trotselot gave Storm Breaker a weirdly warm-feeling smile before he hopped off the bar stool, patting as many wrinkles out of his suit as he could, having been ruined by the mare when she hugged him earlier. “Now, time to make my exit. You can do whatever you wish with that card, but keep my offer in mind, au revoir.” Running a wing over his hair, the fancy stallion vanished into the crowd, which devolved into mini conversation instead of dancing.

It was a risky move. The savage mare would most likely reject the offer and throw the card away tomorrow when her thoughts were clearer- but Trotselot was cautiously hopeful.

The outcome was in the hooves of fate.

As the drunken Storm Breaker watched the blurry pegasus blob leave through her warping vision, her mind lagged for a moment until she looked back down at the card. Had he been serious about wanting to talk? Probably not; pity was more like it. However, even while intoxicated, Storm Breaker felt a sense of longing and warmth in her chest at the thought of that smiling pegasus. Not in a romantic way, like she rediscovered something that’d been lost so long ago.

Her thoughts on the matter were interrupted by the sound of a body hitting the floor. Looking to where it came from, she saw her caretaker face-first on the ground, snoring as he slept with a mug in his hoof.

Snorting at the unconscious unicorn’s expense, Storm Breaker looked around the ballroom with a furrowed brow.

She’d met the thestrals ponies long before the pathetically scary celebration had started as she and the lot of them were given instructions of their duties tonight by Luna herself. The ‘how’ aspect of her current bout was thanks to Olive Branch, who thought having a ‘couple’ drink between her and the thestrals would strengthen their bond. Rather uncaring of his idea’s purpose and more about the drink…this whole night happened as a result.

“Heyyyy, lads!” She shouted while raising her mug, getting the thestrals attention.

While Storm Breaker believed the bat-like ponies to be similar to the stories of her village, she was pleasantly surprised by them being the exact opposite. Sure, some of them discussed that their lifestyles weren’t too different from the ‘modern ponies,’ she was pleasantly surprised about their liking to more ‘brutal’ concepts such as fighting and hunting.

“Thiss place is starnnn t' pud my fat rump t' sleep!”

The laughs she shared and the trading of glory tales with the thestrals reminded the drunken warrior mare of pleasant times with her comrades. Drinks flying about in celebration from a hard day’s work, the crackling of a blazing fire, songs of old and adventure, and the basic feeling of being surrounded by those you know and care about. They weren’t the same, but the thestrals were the closest thing she had to comrades.

They knew of struggle from their years of oppression by the ponies after Luna’s demon took her over, and they knew of honor and pride as warriors like her.

And that simple fact made her feel right at home for this single moment.

“Sooo let’s liven thiss place upp!”

She enjoyed joining in on their cheers.

“-and then he said we were his favorite princess!” Luna gleefully said, squealing happily like a young mare as she walked by Celestia down a long corridor flanked by guards.

Celestia continued smiling proudly at her younger sister’s tale of her first nightmare night and all that it held. It was a massive relief in the great scheme of things; the holiday centered around the banishing of her sister had done the opposite of what should’ve happened. The solar princess had been worried when Luna told her of the night’s beginning, how everypony was scared of her- partly due to the element of laughter -and how no pony would see her as anything more than Nightmare Moon.

Luckily, it all came ahead thanks to her student, who planned Luna to imitate her long-dead ponysona of Nightmare Moon and scare the children. Ultimately, after showing Luna wasn’t as bad as they thought, her little ponies quickly warmed up to the lunar princess, especially a little colt wishing for her presence for any future Nightmare Nights.

The thought could make Celestia giggle, Twilight creating such risky plans as her mentor in her earlier years.

She can formulate tactics with more holes than a fishing net and somehow come out on top, but she nearly destroys the whole town with a love spell and a doll to meet a silly deadline that didn’t exist.

“It sounds like you’ve had a splendid night, Luna.” Celestia said.

“We did, si-”

“‘I,’ Luna, remember the lesson's I’ve been giving you?” She interrupted, raising an eyebrow and cheeky smirk as Luna rolled her eyes.

In turn, the lunar princess groaned, “Yes, I do. As a matter of fact, I was working on my speech as my night went on. It’s not my fault that wild mare and her little run through Canterlot marketplace distracted me from those lesions.” She said, leaning a bit toward Celestia with a half-baked look of ire. “If she wasn’t such a hoof full, I’d be a master at your present day lingo.” She added.

Celestia giggled into her hoof, confusing her younger sister, “My apologies, but you might be in for a surprise.” She cryptically replied.

“What do you mean?”

Before Luna’s question could settle in the air, a pair of night guards approached the small group of ponies and saluted in unison, showing more respect in their gaze for Luna than the alicorn next to her. “Your Majesty, we came as quickly as possible when we heard of your return!” One said with a hint of slurred speech, his body waving side to side slightly.

Luna examined the two guards, “Why is that?” She asked hesitantly. “And where is Storm Breaker? I told her and you both to see me on my return, yet I’m not somehow surprised by the lack of one of you.”

“W-Well, your Highness,” The second one nervously stuttered, sounding and looking more tipsy than his partner. “That’s the problem.” He said

Trying to hold back her laughter, Celestia watched on at the pin-drop moment as the exact point where the guard's words reached Luna’s ears, her eyes dilated to a dangerous degree. “How many are dead?” She asked in a deep, quaky, and strained voice. From the looks of it, the chances of both guards having their eardrums working in the morning were slim by the way Luna stared murder into their eyes.

Fearful of the lunar princess’s wrath, the second guard stuttered heavily, random noises coming from his frantic and terrified mouth. Celestia alleviated the situation by letting a few snickers come through and holding up a hoof, silencing the guard.

“It’s best that you see for yourself, sister.” She giggled.

Luna turned to her older sister, “What-?”

“-HAPPENED HERE?!?” She roared.

Moving away from the corridor from the chariot landing pad to the ballroom's splitting staircase, thanks to Celestia’s magic, the scene below the two sisters was…many things. Akin to the aftermath of a fierce battle, multiple bodies lay across the dirtied floor- stained with the fallen drinks and food of tipped-over tables. Noble and guard alike, no pony among the still bodies moved a single inch. However, instead of the stench of blood filling the air, alcohol was the ballroom’s current scent.

Accentuating the lack of death, some ponies remained upright for a bit, falling over in a fit of tired giggles and mumbling with faces redder than tomatoes. Heck, even a few pegasi were hanging from the chandelier! The guards who were either sober enough to perform their duties or others who just arrived helped the passed-out ponies from the ballroom.

Yet, in the center of the dance floor, drunkenly swaying herself in a poor attempt to dance, was Storm Breaker herself loudly reciting the words of an unknown song in her language.

“~The ale wooud flow, the music played~!”

“~Wee dance ann sang, ower fears allayed~!”

“~Wiss comrades sstroo, side by side~!”

“~Wee reveled inna warrior’s pride~!”

“~Oh, wee'll raise ower cups, high in sheer~!”

“~Wiss songs uhf glory, loud ann clear~!”

“~Frum baddlefields t' the tavern's door, wee'll revel ann sin' f'revermore~!”

Watching on, The slack-jawed Luna stared in horror and shock at the scene while her sister sighed, shaking her head. “From what I was told, Storm Breakers caretaker orchestrated a small get-together that simply…got out of control.” Celestia said, putting it lightly. “It even spread to the nobles themselves; nearly all of our reserves of wine and cider are gone, and I’m sure there will be a ton of complaints in the morning.”

It was a shame Luna wasn’t around; and that she had to leave as soon as things were getting good to see her sister return.

“W-Why didn’t anypony try to stop her?!” Luna shouted, hooves tightly gripping the marble railing.

Celestia huffed, “For one, I doubt anypony other than us can handle Storm Breaker, let alone drunk. And two, you know how I am with these boring celebrations; oh, this reminds me of my student’s first galloping gala.” She said, thinking back to the night so chaotic discord would be jealous.

“Wait, you let this happen!” Pointing a hoof aggressively at Celestia, Luna’s brow and mouth both furrowed.

Letting out a loud groan, Luna ran up to the railing and jumped off, using her wings to glide down toward the dance floor. Landing, the lunar princess stomped directly to Storm Breaker, who slipped over a smeared cake and fell to the ground with a thud. Luna was uncaring for the groans coming out of the warrior mare as she closed the distance, using her armor to lift the heavy mare halfway up and close to her face.

“Speakth for thyself, ingrate!” Luna roared.

Instead of responding, the warrior mare’s head fell back limply, tongue sticking out of her mouth. “Ocean Splitter, δεν θέλω να κάνω την εκπαίδευσή σου! Τα μπροστινά μου πόδια εξακολουθούν να πονάνε! (Ocean Splitter, I don't want to do your training! My forelegs still hurt!).” She moaned.

Just before Luna’s palpable rage released itself onto the drunken Storm Breaker, Celestia’s magic wrapped around her, canceling it with a spell as she flew to meet here. And as the solar princess and warrior met the ground, the former rested a wing on her sister's back. “I think you and I had enough of one eventful night. Why don’t you relax for now and get some sleep; I’ll return her to her room-” She looked down at Storm Breaker,”-since Olive Branch lost to her.” The idea of somepony like Olive Branch getting out drunk was unimaginable until now.

The look on Luna’s face said she was departing whether or not to go against her sister’s word or not- but fortunately, Luna sighed and turned away from Storm Breaker. “Do as you wish, sister. We- I mean, I want to get some shut-eye before dealing with that mare’s consequences.” She said, unfurling her wings and taking off.

With a sigh, Celestia stole one last longing glance at Storm Breaker as her horn took on a bright, golden radiance. She surrounded the large mare in the same glow and, in a flash of light, traveled through the realm in between until both reappeared in Storm Breaker’s modified room.

A choking sound soon reached the solar princess, filling her with dread as she turned to a green-faced Storm Breaker, her cheeks bulging and her eye dilated.

In one swift motion, Celestia magically carried the warrior mare into the side-room bathroom and lifted the toilet seat before planting her sister’s sickened guardsmare in front of it. The following sounds of vomiting and belching churned Celestia’s magic as Storm Breaker desperately gripped the toilet sides for dear life. Once the plaguing smell of bile and rejected, rotten apples filled the sterilized bathroom air, Storm Breaker shakingly pushed herself away from the toilet, landing her back on the wall between the tub and vomit-filled toilet.

“Y-Y-You!” The warrior spat weakly, her eye finally landing on the alicorn standing over her.

Looking at the pitiful sight, Celestia dipped her head and sighed, “I… see you’re doing better.” She half joked, getting a bitter chuckle from the warrior as she raised her head.

“...Yeah,” The warrior mumbled, looking around her surroundings, “Where…a-am I?” She asked.

Reigniting her horn, Celestia levitated the warrior off the floor to move her just above the tub, making sure not to injure her when the warrior’s limp body sat inside the undersized tub. “Your room; Are you able to bathe yourself?” She said as her magic unbuckled the stained armor off the warrior.

The warrior, in turn, scoffed in offense, “Not… my mother. Can… bathe.” she replied. To try and back up her claim, the warrior groaned and grunted in strain, lifting her upper body toward the tub’s shower head nobs- one of the guards must have (reluctantly) taught her.

Of course, it failed, and the warrior fell back.

“Yourself?” Celestia finished, choosing to hold back a humored huff as The warrior glared at her, “Don’t worry, I had to take care of Twilight at some point early in her life. I know how to clean somepony.” She said, gripping the soap bottles in her magic.

In little time, the stench of the bathroom fell prey to the vicious clutches of lavender-scented soap, steam fogging the mirror as hot war rained down on the warrior form. As she said, Celestia found it hard not to reminisce of the times Night Light and Twilight Velvet would hoof over their daughter to her when they were busy- either for personal reasons or not. Shining Armor was still in the academy for guard training, and Luna hadn’t been around. So in times like these, Celestia lived up to her motherly prestige.

And like a young pony, Twilight hated the idea of bathing when she didn’t want to. Although, it wasn’t much of a challenge getting her to do so, if you had unrivaled magic and physical strength- her heart went out to all parents at those moments. Storm Breaker wasn’t too dissimilar, without the fighting and screaming of a foal and more glaring, judgmental gazes.

But as she continued to assist in cleaning the warrior’s physical appearance, she couldn’t avoid seeing them.

Scars.

Unlike the fresher and mending marks on her face and chest, the warrior’s frame decorated itself with ugly scars from multiple types of injuries. Some were minor cuts, while others showed to be the cause of spears, swords, arrows, and other weapons lost to the solar monarch. A few looked fatal; over the back and gut, these scars were as long as her lower foreleg and wide as her hoof- no regular pony could survive something like that. Not even she suffered such injuries in her many centuries of ruling Equestria.

The warrior… didn’t give a second glance at Celestia when she caught her, only giving an eye roll as a response. It was as if these scars were a part of her, in a metaphorical sense, like these grueling smears of healed flesh hid any possible conditions underneath. Did it hurt to move? Were any of her organs in constant pain?

“Maybe I should send a doctor to check on her later.” Celestia thought as her magic turned off the shower.

After a long process of pulling out and drying off the several thousand-pound mound of limp pony, Celestia helped the warrior back to her bed and placed her onto the mattress with a loud creak. The solar princess then pulled the covers over the warrior, who showed some kind of appreciation with a nod. But as Celestia started to retreat to the room’s door to attend to matters in the ballroom, she was stopped by Storm Breaker speaking.

“This…was your plan.” She said, catching Celestia off guard.

“Plan?” She echoed.

“You know… what I mean.”

Celestia turned back, looking at the bedridden warrior in silence for a second until she nodded. “Yes, you are correct, Storm Breaker. How did you know?” She said.

The warrior returned a low chuckle, “Your student is too chicken-shit to involve her precious leaders with somepony as scary as me, and your annoying sister and I aren’t on good terms enough for her to be willing to let me have this possession. So you or whatever little ankle biter you control came up with it. I just guessed from there.” She explained.

While the name-calling and rude tone were unneeded, Celestia nodded, “You guessed correctly. So, is there anything wrong with the decision I made?”

“Yeah… putting it lightly.” The warrior shrugged, “...why, though?” She added.

“Elaborate.” Celestia politely ordered.

The warrior scowled at the solar princess, then switched her eye to the bed covers. “Every one of your pathetic ponies and your sister would agree with me when I say I shouldn’t be here. It would be much easier to… banish me or end my life. But you didn’t. And I want to know why you keep me around… when I can easily escape if you gave me a reason to.”

“Then why don’t you escape?” Celestia retorted.

“To what?” The warrior said in a heavier tone, “I have nothing to my name now. This job isn’t mine, my caretaker, this room, the armor, none of it belongs to me. My comrades are nowhere to be found; even my title holds no merit here. I feel like I’m swimming in a river of needles every waking moment in a place I don’t want to belong.” She said.

With a frustrated snort, Celestia softly stomped a hoof into the carpeted floor. “This isn’t your time anymore; there isn’t a need to think of us as enemies!”

“Then why do you and other ponies look at me like I’m something to be disposed of?”

“Because they don’t understand!” Celestia said, voice raising in volume.

A chuckle escaped the warrior's throat as she shifted under the covers, “But you and your sister know. In spite of that, you foolishly keep me around; it’d be better to leave me to the wolves- at least, I’d fit right in.” She joked. “That’s what I don’t get about you ponies either. Your kindness is too much for somepony like me.”

Silence took hold of the room’s tension, magical candle flames flickering and letting the dark shadows of the room dance as Celestia digested the warrior's words.

She did agree that her ponies sometimes showed too much kindness, like Fluttershy. Her own goodwill did reach out to the warrior and her plight, but Celestia knew of her gruesome deeds; that is where her sympathy ended. The things she did were no doubt unimaginably evil and unforgivable.

Still…

“My father was a terrible stallion,” Celestia started, confusing the warrior, “he died around the time you did and the end of the war. When he was gone, and Luna and I began our journey to unify Equestria, I saw so many terrible things, all dealt with by his hoof. He commanded his armies with fear, killed ponies he deemed inferior, and hid it all from his family.” A grimace formed on her features, “I made it my life’s mission to repair everything he broke, and after centuries, I did. However, when I saw you that day, I could tell you were broken.”

Celestia walked closer to the warrior, watching her stunned face as she stood over her. “Truthfully, all I see when I look at you is a filly affected by my bastard father’s influence, turned into a monster by the rage and revenge he unintentionally planted.” Extending a wing, Celestia embraced the warrior in a hug. “No matter what it takes, you will see and live the peace my ponies experience. I will fix you.” She whispered into her ear.

The quiet duo remained in that position for the longest time, taking in each other's body heat. The backing up following what seemed like five minutes, Celestia tucked in her wing and backed up, examining the warrior’s unreadable, tired expression.

“Good luck with that.” The warrior mumbled, turning away from Celestia and pulling the covers over her.

Sighing in exhaustion, Celestia cast a final look of pity at the warrior before resuming her exit, soon closing the door behind her as she left.

Unbeknownst to the solar princess, the warrior’s body shudders violently as choked sobs and whimpers of confusion and pain barely escape her, tears soaking the pillowcases. Gripping the bed covers tightly and pulling them close to her mangled chest, the warrior’s conflicted mind wallowed in the memories and thoughts of near-endless gore, tragedy, loss, and bloodshed, all caused by her.

She spilled enemy blood. She was a proud monster. She was doing everything for a cause.

None of it was because of some random pony she hadn’t met! She wanted to eradicate the unicorns and pegasi like the beast they were of her own volition. They didn’t deserve to live after everything they did to her.

So why in Hades was she crying?!

…

Does a monster like her deserve peace?

Chp 9: Call to action

In the frigid air of the mountain-side city, Canterlot, snow gently descended from the barely-parted gray clouds above, blanketing the buildings and street’s below in a thick layer of fluffy white snow. Its citizens walked these streets in their ever-present casualness, wearing thick coats and warm accessories to protect themselves during winter’s takeover. With the holidays in a few weeks, spirits were high amongst the upper classed ponies, with even some of the more stingy nobles showing a more generous and outgoing nature.

Everything appeared swell for everpony in Canterlot.

“Ah! Thief. He stole my purse!”

Unfortunately, nothing ever went as smoothly as one would like.

Running from the elderly pegasus with her small, pink hoof bag dangling from his mouth by its strap, the young unicorn stallion dressed in ragged clothes ran expeditiously through the crowded streets.

“Get bent!” He taunted, voice muffled. Turning sharply at a corner, the thief spotted a trio of royal guards quickly approaching from behind out from the corner of his eye.

But having lived on the streets for a long time, the stallion confidently smirked as he dipped into a seemingly random alley, running up to a stacked pile of crates and climbing them. With a grunt, the thief jumped over a fence dividing the dirty pathway, landing on the other side, successfully creating a way to circle around the trio of guards and escape without being noticed. The thief waited by the entrance for the clanking armor to fade before dashing into a new street, cackling about his victory.

Following a few fair minutes of walking, the stallion found a good spot in a busy park to inspect his reward. Sitting behind a bush near an occupied foal’s play area, the thief plopped the bag onto the ground, pulled back its flap, and began digging. Sadly, there hadn’t been much to write home about in terms of value- the only things of note were a few lost bits and a broken watch.

“Eh, I could fix the watch and sell it off.” The thief shrugged.

Suddenly, just as he finished putting everything back in the purse, a cluster of terrified screams rang out near the play area. Not being a total asshole, the thief worried something must have happened and raised his head to turn around and check-

“Don’t move.”

As soon as those two words left their mark in the air, it felt like it’d dropped into sub-zero temperatures once they registered in the thief’s mind. The thief looked past the bag between his hind legs to see the distinct outline of a hulking figure towering over him now that he wasn’t distracted. And when he thought about it, some screams belonged to adults sitting on the benches nearby.

Swallowing a hoofball-sized lump in his throat, the thief's trembling body slowly, shakingly, looked up to meet the pony he and everypony in Canterlot knew by now.

Glaring down at him with her singular eye that burned with the heat of a thousand suns and a deep scowl was- what locals dubbed her as -the demon of Canterlot. Her purple, golden-trimmed armor glistened with the minimal light pouring down from the sky, her hoof resting on a large sheathed sword attached to her left flank. Usually, tales of her ‘service’ centered around her nightly stalking of the streets for no-gooders like him; seeing the demon in the light no less than an inch away from him was almost too terrible to be true.

Lost in thought, a snort from the demon caused the thief to let out a yelp and back away with the purse close to his chest.

“I don’t have the time nor patience to deal with a pathetic unicorn rat like you. Hoof over the bag, and I’ll let you go without too many broken bones.” She said, adding a sadistic grin at the end.

Whether it was a byproduct of shock and terror or plain stupidity, the thief cupped a hoof around the snow next to him and chucked a decent portion straight at the demon’s face. Once his improvised projectile landed, earning a startled grunt from her, the thief nearly tripped over himself, leaping over the bush he hid behind as he made a mad dash out of the park. His lungs worked overtime to supply his exhausted body with enough energy to run away, pushing over objects and innocent ponies to block the unseen pursuer’s path.

He heard of the stories from his mates in the homeless shelter, how ponies daring enough to brave the night ended up in the hospital after attempting to rob or assault somepony. To say he was afraid would be an understatement; the mere thought of what would happen if he were caught drove him to weave in and out of random allies faster.

One of his mates, Ice Climber, fell victim to the demon and ended up with a nasty concussion when he stabbed a shopkeeper locking his store for the night.

“Dammit! What’d I do to deserve this?!” The thief mentally wailed as he turned what felt like the thousandth corner during his escape. Abruptly, as the thief looked back to check for any sign of his pursuer, his body slammed hard against a solid surface, crying out in pain as a metallic ringing sound reverberated.

The now-prone thief groaned in discomfort, simultaneously rubbing the growing bump on his forehead as he sat up to see what-

THWACK!

Letting the knocked-out unicorn’s body collapse on the snowy ground, the warrior scoffed. She craned her neck down after lowering the hoof she used on the thief and bit the bag’s strap, picking it off the ground and allowing it to dangle off the handle of her ‘sword.’

Hearing a familiar panting sound from behind, the warrior looked back to see Olive Branch closing in on her, sweat falling down his face. Once he caught up, the old stallion heaved and coughed with his head lowered while a deadpanned warrior mare looked on. “Only you… can make an old stallion sweat… during the winter.” He panted. Olive Branch soon lifted his head, only to go wide-eyed at the unconscious thief.

“Storm! I told you to start holding back! Look at sap; you could’ve killed him.” He scolded, pointing to the slight stain of crimson in the snow under the thief’s head.

The warrior rolled her eye, “I did, old coot. He’s just weak.” She argued, repeating what she did with the purse and flinging the thief’s body onto her back. But she did have to admit: he was a slippery bastard- if she hadn’t taken the time to study Canterlot’s layout, he might’ve gotten away.

“‘Old coot,’ huh? You’re acting like I’m some senile grandpa.” Olive Branch said.

A laugh came from the warrior, “Yeah, and I won’t stop saying it until you stop comparing myself to your scrawny flank just because we're almost the same age.” She shot back, adjusting the thief on her back with a sharp nudge.

“Yet, if it weren’t for my teleportation moving you around and mental-link spell letting you tell me where to put you, your fat rump would pass out if you ran around this city trying to cut him off.” Olive Branch chuckled.

Walking away from the scene of the thief’s takedown with the old stallion following beside her, the warrior looked at him, donning a smug smirk on her muzzle. “No pony appreciates a hypocrite, sack of rotting bones.” She said in a joking manner, “You looked like you were on death’s door by the time you caught up because of the amount of magic you used on me. You forget I lived in the mountains; a place like this doesn’t compare.”

A hearty laugh escaped Olive Branch, “Don’t underestimate me, darling. You’d be surprised what these rotting bones can do!” He said, giving a playful shake of his shoulders.

It had been nearly a month since the Nightmare Night ball and the warrior’s conversation with Celestia, the recent snowfall being the cause of winter beginning to take hold of the weather, not that the thick-coated mare minded. And for the most part, she had taken her role as an unpaid guardsmare as well as anypony in her position could. The provided luxuries of free meals from the canteen plus her cell eased the pain of her situation slightly. The only thing that had improved over the month was the ponies around her, taking more of a reluctant acceptance to her presence than their previous outright fear, especially when she took dayshifts.

Oh, that was also another thing that changed, her dayshifts.

Despite being part of Luna’s night guard, the warrior was gifted the chance by her to take up the dayshift for patrols on weekends if things weren’t too busy. She, mostly Celestia, thought getting out during the day with the ponies walking around would make them more comfortable around the warrior. It worked somewhat, not that the warrior cared. The reputation due to her work during the night also proved to deter crime in the daylight… for the most part.

Any slimy wretch trying to start something swiftly stopped if she were nearby, and crime has apparently gone down in the areas she patrolled in if the newspapers she occasionally read spoke true.

Plus, it stopped Olive Branch’s complaining about not getting any sleep at night.

Of course, not everything started as smooth sailing when the warrior began her duties of ‘helping’ to protect the city. In the old stallion’s opinion, she’d been too brutal in apprehending criminals, almost killing a few on occasion because she didn’t hold back.

She already thought death for low-life scum was a reasonable punishment, not just because the majority were pegasi and unicorns.

The old stallion quickly beat that way of thinking out of her with his lessons. But in addition to her newly discovered restraint, Olive Branch made special care to ensure the warrior learned everything there was to know about being a guard: laws, regulations, possible scenarios, language, and all the like. That last one didn’t come with the Celestia translation spell, sadly. Although, she was quick to learn because of the modern language’s similarities to her tongue’s speech.

He even gifted her with a realistic-looking wooden sword to increase her already high intimidation factor, not that she really needed it. Even though her hoof did enough talking, it was nice to have a sword by her side once again- no matter if it was fake.

For the most part, life mostly remained dull for the warrior in her day-to-day life, excluding, strangely enough, her time with Olive Branch. That damn unicorn wasn't as irritating as any other.

Speaking of: the previously mentioned unicorn elder and his warrior companion dropped off the thief at a guard station, then left to go about their routine. Like most days, nothing besides the thief occurred along the duo's trail; only minor disagreements and general problems bothered them. Come the afternoon, the warrior and Olive Branch’s break time, thankfully, allowed the two to relax their sore hooves, to which they sat in front of a cafe.

Olive Branch ordered a black coffee for himself and, for the warrior, a latte with creamer. “Didn’t know somepony like you had a sweet tooth.” The old stallion commented; the server quickly placed the warrior's drink down and ran off.

“A castle wor- maid,” She corrected herself, having learned the palace staff titles by now, “brought me some one day when I asked for whatever. It’s not bad, in all honesty.” She said, taking a sip. “I can’t see how you can drink that shit,” her hoof pointed to his cup of coffee, “it’s so bitter and tasteless I’m surprised your unicorn body doesn’t wretch it up; my body can’t handle the awfulness.”

“That’s the point- it gets your blood pumping.” Olive Branch replied.

The warrior rolled her eyes while placing down her drink and turning to look to the streets. “The only way one can really get their blood fired up is the heat of the battle! The taste of blood and leather of your weapon, the feeling of weightlessness as you strike down your enemies, it’s a million times better than…that.” She exclaimed. However, as Olive Branch laughed, a shallow frown sank the warrior’s lips as she stared at the ground.

From collecting bodies and spilling enemy blood to sipping fancy beverages with her enemies.

How pathetic.

No- shaking her head, the warrior growled lowly in irritation at her intrusive thoughts. Unfortunately, Olive Branch noticed, stopping his laugh.

“Is something wrong?” He asked, concerned.

Downing the remaining latte after throwing her head back, the warrior glanced at the old stallion and back with a deepening frown. “No, I’m fine. A… fly was about to get into my eye.” She lied. Well, there goes her almost decent mood- she guessed that’s what she gets for trying to enjoy herself.

Olive Branch obviously didn’t buy her bluff but chose not to push it, “If you say so?” He said, drinking his coffee.

Now that awkward silence expanded between the two ponies shortly after their conversation- Storm Breaker stared blankly at the crowded street. It wasn’t lost to the warrior mare when her behavior started to change, slowly but surely, and her increasing tolerance for the vexatious ponies around her. She acted as if the answer wasn’t there, but she knew. This place was making her soft and weak. The warrior cried more in the past month and a half than she ever had in thirty winters, leaving her emotionally drained constantly. She guessed the lack of her distraction of everyday fighting made way for bottled-up emotions to take hold.

And as she mentioned that particular night, the thought of escaping passed the warrior numerous times. Sadly, every attempt ended in her chickening out or the night portals sometimes forcing her to stay up far later than she liked to.

But at this point, the warrior only doubled down on her decision reducing any potential incidents to a minimum. What choice did she have?

The more she kept quiet, the faster this shitty job would end.

It was no surprise to anypony that uneasiness gripped poor Twilight Sparkle's heart in an unforgiving vice grip once she'd been called to Canterlot Castle by Celestia herself. In a letter sent by the solar princess hours earlier, the main subject for her visit centered on Storm Breaker. The reason why this meeting took place was well known to Twilight, seeing as she was the one who requested one.

On her way to Canterlot, Twilight constantly stressed the possibilities of what might've happened in the month's worth of silence.

The princesses and royal guard could've suffered injuries if the warrior fought back- but she knew both Alicorn sisters were more powerful physically and magically than the already freakishly vigorous warrior. Plus, they didn’t have any injuries. Still, she could've fought back and was now locked in the dungeons, disappointing Celestia and ruining her mental well-being!

It couldn't be the case- either of them.

Twilight was in the throne room, sitting next to the two sisters- specifically Celestia -as they sat upon their golden seats, wearing serious looks compared to Twilight's visible anxiousness. Sure, they weren't looking ready to go to a party or anything, their hushed talking wasn't doing Twilight's nerves any favors, but at least they were safe. And walking through the palace to get to the throne room, the exact number of guards stayed the same, considering the different ponies making their rounds. Twilight clung to wishful thinking, hoping Celestia’s plan of rehabilitating the warrior mare hadn’t failed.

However, it’d been some time since Twilight’s arrival, and there were no signs of the warrior appearing anytime soon. So, making sure not to get caught, the studious unicorn twisted and angled her ears over to the sisters to listen in on their conversation.

“Sister, I don’t agree with this.” Luna hissed.

“There’s no reason to doubt, Luna. Her recent behavior has improved with Olive Branch around.” Celestia replied.

Luna huffed through her nostrils, rolling her eyes, “Yes, that’s because we’ve confined her to Canterlot. Imagine if it was some act, and she escaped as soon as she touched Ponyville soil.” The lunar princess argued.

A sigh passed Celestia’s lips, “We’re sending our most trained and skilled guards with her, and the elements of harmony will be there as well. If anything were to happen, they could handle it.” At the thought of her and her friends having to fight off the warrior, chills swam down Twilight’s spine. Vanguard knights took on entire armies- what chance did six mares who barely learned what their elements do have?! It didn’t matter if there were five highly trained guards.

Fortunately, Luna seemed to agree, “Still, I’m hesitant. Should we go with her?” She pleaded.

“We sent guards to ponyville to deal with this problem, and it only got worse because those… things took them out without a problem- now they wait around for more, like some sick game.” Celestia spat, voice laced heavily with venom. “If we went out there, it’d be a waste of time. Their numbers are near limitless, and we have a kingdom to run. Storm Breaker is our only option.” She added.

BANG! BANG!

Flinching from the sudden echoing knocks on the throne room’s doors, Twilight quickly recovered her poster before either princess noticed as the giant slabs of wood ahead of her creaked inwardly. Walking in, surrounded by five burly, hard-eyed guards, was Storm Breaker in an unseen suit of armor to Twilight and an old stallion. The latter must be the Olive Branch pony Celestia told her about.

“Now you stand before her majesty and will only be permitted to speak when spoken to!” One of the burly unicorn guards said, his voice loud and commanding, “Any action taken against our princess will result in immediate imprisonment and-”

“I KNOW THAT, SO SHUT UP YOU DAMN HORN-HEAD!” The warrior roared, annoyance clear in her tone.

In contrast to the guard's jolt in anticipation, the old stallion chuckled at the display. “Darling, it’s their job to resight the royal meeting code for ponies like you- ‘prisoners.’” He said, using air quotes on the final word with a hoof. “No matter how long it is.”

The warrior switched her sight to Olive Branch, “Stop calling me darling!” She shouted but in a more flustered and lowered tone.

Twilight was worried about the warrior’s already terrible mood getting out of control if anypony were to provoke her further, but also confused at her interaction with the old stallion. Do they have a thing going on? Wait. Why did she care about the warrior’s social life? There was a national crisis raging near her town, and she was worried about a murder’s conversation! Steeling herself, Twilight sat quietly and followed the band of guards and warrior mare approaching the throne with her gaze.

Once the distance was closed, the guards and Olive Branch kneeled, the warrior remaining standing until the old stallion whispered something that made her follow suit. “You may all rise.” Celestia softly commanded a second later.

“What is it this time?” The warrior rudely blurted out, causing a different guard to slam the flat end of his spear into her ribs, forcing the titanic mare to crouch in pain.

“Quiet, freak!” He shouted angrily.

The warrior’s gaze instantly snapped to the guard, a scowl adorning her features, “Try it again and pray that I don’t rip your limbs off and shove that spear up your-”

Flicking her glowing horn, Celestia’s magic surrounded the doubled-over warrior and lifted her to her full height. “Enough, both of you!” She said, her horn’s glow and the magic around the warrior fading. “My sister and I did not request an audience to witness some barbaric brawl; we have more important things to discuss.” A hoof pointed toward Twilight, “My student here wishes our help in a matter most dire, one that could destroy all of Ponyville.” Seeing Storm Breaker raise her hoof, Celestia nodded. “Yes?”

“What’s Ponyville, and why should we care?” She asked, earning an offended glare from Twilight that went ignored, nudging her head to Olive Branch drink out of a keg he’d held onto since coming in.

Twilight checked out of the debrief at this point- she knew what was happening. For the past several weeks, wildlife from the Everfree forest had started getting more aggressive toward the ponies of Ponyville. Attacks were popping up everywhere, during the day and night, and nopony could stop them without suffering casualties and possible death. As to why this was happening, the magic Discord used still found its way into the cursed forest and grew, evading the likes of Twilight Sparkle, who thought it’d all disappeared. Now the chaos magic affected animals like timberwolves and manticores, making them attack the town that rests well beyond their usual stomping grounds, just like the day she found the warrior mare.

Per Celestia's words moments ago, guards were sent to deal with the issue, but the corrupted animals ambushed them along the tree line. This plan and all other schemes miserably failed.

Fluttershy narrowly escaped the jaws of a manticore when she tried using her talent. Applejack’s apple orchard suffered damage by Timberwolves after she offered her family’s zap apple jam to calm them. And Rainbow Dash spent three days encased in stone trying to run off a cockatrice pack, one of them having looked her in the eyes.

If this string of failures kept up, and the increasing aggression of the Everfree forest’s beasts, Twilight feared the outcome for Ponyville and its residents- including her friends.

As much as Twilight hated this plan…

“We need your services to guarantee no ponies are further hurt as we try to resolve this issue.” Celestia concluded Twilight’s inner thoughts, along with the explanation of her student’s trouble.

…

The warrior looked at Celestia with a quizzical expression, “What services do you need?” She asked skeptically.

Celestia stole a drawn-out inhale of breath to calm herself, exhaling gently a second later. “As you may know by now, our subjects tend to isolate themselves from unsavory concepts; slavery, murder, kidnapping, and topics such as those. The royal and night guard, of course, aren’t turned away by things of that nature, but it isn’t enough to make a difference.” Grimacing. Celestia held her front hooves together, “We need you to…kill any creatures attacking Ponyville.”

“Are you serious?” The warrior asked in disbelief, shocking Twilight and the princesses slightly, “This isn’t a cruel jest?”

“No”

A faint twitch pulled at the corners of the warrior's mouth, “You’re allowing me to slaughter dangerous monsters without complaining in spite of your hatred of my methods. And as long as I do it for your pathetic subjects, it doesn’t matter what tactics I use?” She said.

Luna nodded, “Provided you stay with the five guards escorting you and your caretaker at all times, yes.” She answered.

To Twilight, Celestia hadn’t been wrong in explaining her pony’s dislike of all things gruesome and bloody, herself included. It broke the studious unicorn’s heart remembering Fluttershy’s reaction to the news of her plan; the frantic pleading and tears etched themselves into Twilight's brain. Despite almost dying to them, the element of kindness still sought goodness in the Everfree creatures, hoping for another way to save them.

However, what disturbed her more was the large, gleeful smile on the warrior’s face.

Chp 11: Beast Vs. Beasts (edited)

Author's Note

Changed the sequence between the guards and Storm Breaker near the end for added story thread.

Chp 11: Beast Vs. Beasts (edited)

Lurking within the dim luminescence of an expansive ballroom, its enclosure of marble walls and column segments bathed in cold afternoon light from the wall-sized windows was a single pony and his cello. Above him, depictions of several painted historical figures, their anatomy forever frozen in poses of joy and sorrow littering the upward surface. As the stallion sat in the middle of the empty ballroom in an oak chair, his wing stroking the bow gently over the cello’s catgut strings, his lonely symphony bounced off the room’s walls.

Bitter confusion and sympathy flowed from the stallion’s heart, through his wing, and out the notes he played, the mare he’d met not but a month ago plaguing his mind still. It was in his nature to abide by the rule of leisure- to not care for anything other than himself. That had been the way of a pony like himself and, arguably, every noble in Canterlot.

However, despite her active drunkenness at the time, he couldn’t stop his aching heart from thinking about the freed sorrow she poured out that fateful night.

The rumors, the incident, none of those things reflected what she really was. To the stallion, mares were open books to read- it's how he worked his seductive ways -and the savage mare was no exception. And to him, no monster or big bad pony was sitting less than two feet from him, only a broken soul who knew no rest. Pain practically rode the alcohol-soaked breath of her words, and the stallion couldn’t help but relate. Many restless nights under Luna’s pale moon, his stomach caved in by hunger, and countless days trying to get by flowed through his mind.

Through luck and skill, he established his notoriety with his fashion. Yet it felt so empty, the lying, cheating, and adultery overshadowing what was once a passion, now a cover for his drug-like addictions.

“I wonder if she feels something similar.” He whispered, continuing his mellow tune.

Iron Hoof’s plan was of no concern to him, the reason for his participation coming from a lack of excitement in his life. What did it hurt to help a friend and score another mare? Well, it’d be soon before the savage mare visited him- the stallion was sure of it. But was he able to face her with this newfound sense of care?

The stallion sighed, looking at the detailed tilted floor, “It’d be best to get it over quickly. The plan and that brute.” He said.

Knock Knock!

Halting the harmonious humming of his cello and placing it on the stand next to him, the stallion stood up and faced the door leading to a hallway, resting the bow on the chair. “You may enter!” He said, adjusting his suit’s collar. Creaking open inwardly, the pearly white door gave way to a mare dressed in a maid's outfit poking her head into the room.

“Master Trotselot, I apologize for interrupting your practice, but your speech for the Cloverhoof Foal’s Hospital charity event is due a six.” She apologized, opening the door fully, “Do you wish for me to ready a chariot in the meantime?”

Trotselot nodded, “That would be good.” He replied. Upon the maid returning the gesture, the stallion’s pleasant smile dropped as he turned to the windows, gazing at the clouds beyond the transparent barriers. To Tartarus with these sentiments. It was probably the weather making him feel this way…right?

Even the thundering clouds rumbled in uncertainty.

The warrior released an earth-shaking roar of pain masked by anger, the rotting corpse of a rocky lizard clamping its jaws onto her foreleg.

She gritted her teeth, tensing the muscles in her injured leg and raising the limb- causing the monster’s body to swing forward -and brought it down on its stomach. This action had the fortunate effect of forcing the rocky lizard to release the warrior’s leg, to which she punted it straight into the wall of a random building.

Panting heavily, the exhausted warrior took a moment to catch her fleeting breath before continuing her charge.

Around her, the royal guards stationed in Ponyville fought off the invading Everfree creatures to little effect, neither gaining the upper hoof on the other. It didn’t matter; she needed to worry about getting to the town hall. But the cuts and bites she suffered- including the most recent - from her charge made it hard for the gigantic mare to move without spikes of pain shooting throughout her body.

A growl from behind alerted the warrior, spinning around while retrieving an abandoned, bloody spear resting in the snow nearby and chucking it at a large wooden dog.

Unfortunately, the spear did little to hurt the oversized, rotting mutt as it snarled fiercely. The warrior recovered from her shock as it started to rush toward her- their drooling maw opened wide in mindless hunger -digging her hooves into the ground and bracing herself.

And like a boulder twice her size and barreling down a steep hill, the warrior had enough time to prevent her neck from shattering by tilting it to the right, allowing the beast to tackle her head-on. She groaned and grunted from the strain of the wooden mutt pushing her several feet, barely able to hold on. Despite its attempts to trample the oversized pony, the beast let out a pained whimper due to the warrior- practically -stabbing her hooves into its sides.

In a split second, its world was turned upside down as its pony-like opponent picked it up with tremendous effort and shoulder-threw it onto the earth behind herself.

The warrior wasted no time and began bashing against the wooden mutt’s skull repeatedly, punch after punch until there was little ‘face’ left. A burning flame scorched the inside of her flesh, and every muscle screamed out for a lick of rest, but the warrior ignored the pain to pick up her dropped sword behind the wooden mutt’s corpse.

“Damn, these things!” She groaned, “There’s more annoying than the ponies, and that’s saying something.” Spinning around, the warrior took off once more. “It shouldn’t be too far- just a little more!” She shouted over the carnage.

Luckily, her hopeful words proved truthful as town hall slowly grew with every approaching hoof step in its direction.

At its doors and around the entrance, a mix of townsfolk and the royal guards sent to escort the warrior clashed with more rotting creatures- many of their numbers had some form of injury on them. Included in the ongoing stand-off was Applejack, who- along with a large, red earth stallion -held the doors open to let ponies into the town hall; the pink annoyance and lush unicorn doing their best to aid in the fight.

Apparently, they, too, noticed the warrior as Applejack waved to her with obscured shouting, the pink one copying her apple-farming friend while shooting off a blue cannon filled with tiny strips of colorful paper.

But as the warrior grew closer and closer to safety, the wall of creatures also increased in density, hiding the snow they trampled on. The warrior tightened her bite on the sword’s handle with a wicked grin forming across her muzzle, reeling her head back as some creatures realized her presence. Unfortunately, their decaying minds were too slow to process a wide swing of the warrior’s sword, resulting in several rotting body parts flying in all directions. A manic laugh bursted out of the excited warrior’s mouth, the rush of adrenaline kicking in as the number of bodies piled up alongside her wounds from their bites and scratches. By the end of her spree, the warrior’s cow print coat turned a mixture of green, gold, and crimson with bits of stone and twigs stuck in matted places.

Applejack watched from afar in horror and relief at the warrior’s arrival just as the latter chucked the upper half of a manticore dangerously close to her right, smashing in support holding up the awning above her. “Come on!” She yelled, motioning to the pony-flooded entrance with a hoof. The warrior didn’t respond but made a B-line straight to the town hall nonetheless.

Another searing pain shot through the warriors unexpectedly, but going by the sensation of teeth placement: it was another wooden mutt.

Metaphorically biting the leather strap, she pushed past the pain and anything blocking her path, trampling the shorter creatures under her hooves. The warrior dodged, ducked, swung, and kicked as much as her body would allow her to do. With the entrance less than a few feet away, she leaped off the ground, landing haphazardly on the foyer and crash-landing inside- rolling across the floor.

Witnessing the sudden scene of gore, the injured ponies receiving aid and seeking shelter inside the town hall all screamed in terror. The combination of smeared blood types from the warrior’s body creating a trail, the aforementioned blood-covered warrior, and a rotting wooden mutt wasn’t a welcoming sight for the shaken townsfolk. Luckily, before the wooden mutt could cause any harm, the warrior recovered quickly and stabbed its bark hide through the chest, causing it to squirm and whimper until it fell limp.

That didn’t stop the now scrambling ponies from showing their terror as they backed away from her as the warrior dropped to her knees. Blood- her blood -dripped from her wounds and nostrils, and the warrior’s body was nearing to give out.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!” She bellowed, sick of the shrieking stabbing her aching head. Clearly, the task her slavers gave her didn’t amount to her usual activities.

At the sound of the warrior’s command, everypony instantly fell silent out of fear of the blood-cover pony's following action if they were to anger her. The door behind her stole the attention away from her, Applejack and the big stallion retreating inside along with the remaining survivors as the former barricaded the entrance with long wooden boards and nails.

Whipping the sweat off her forehead, Applejack chuckled impassively, “Talk about a close one.” She muttered, turning to the kneeling warrior, “Woo-wee! That was some mighty fine work ya did, if a bit…messy.” She awkwardly praised. The apple farmer was about to walk over to the warrior’s side to check on her before one of the royal guards came up and roughly snatched the mighty mare’s armor by the collar with his wings.

Pulling her up to face him directly, the guard had a deep scowl adorning his features, “You damn freak! You were supposed to stick with the element of honesty and your handler; where did you go?!” He shouted angrily.

“Not my fault you idiots stayed behind to safeguard this place like cowards while I did your jobs.” She taunted, a jolt of pain causing her to wince.

Growling, the guard reeled back a hoof to strike the warrior, but he’d been beaten to the punch as she swiftly pulled back her head and slammed it in the middle of his muzzle. Blood spewed from the guard's nostrils, crying out in pain as he hit the floor, accompanied by a round of shocked gasps. Rising onto her hooves weakly, the pitifulness of her current state was all but drowned out by the almost sadistic grin that grew on her muzzle, a heavy sense of dread filling the guard’s body.

“Do your job right this time,” She spat, “I dare you~.” The warrior glared.

Halting any chance of a brawl breaking out, the additional guards ready to join, Olive Branch appeared, using his magic to hold down the guard while pointing a hoof at the warrior. “Alright, that’s enough!” He stated.

A look of surprise appeared on the guard and the warrior, “M-Mr. Branch/Old coot?” They said.

“Yeah, it’s me!” He exasperated, turning to the guard, “And as long as I’m here, nopony is doing anything to anypony until this shit-show’s been dealt with. Now get your flank off the floor like you’re about to service somepony and act like a proper member of the royal guard!” He scolded. The guard flinched at his raised voice, standing up and at attention in a flash, the warrior chuckling at the guard's expense. “What in all of Equestria are you laughing about?!” Olive Branch turned his sights on the warrior.

In turn, the warrior gave an equally displeasing look to match the old stallion's foul mood, “Huh? You got something to say?” She sarcastically asked with a raised brow.

Olive Branch huffed, “As a matter of fact: yes, I do.” He pointed a hoof to the pegasus guard, “He had a point; where did your happy ass run off to?”

“Losing your memory already, huh?” The warrior said with snide confusion, “You were there with me and the farmer.” She added.

“WELL, APPARENTLY NOT!” The old stallion shouted, making her ears fold against her head, “When we got attacked, I was getting chased by a pack of timberwolves before I could even call out your name, and you forgot about me!” He raised his forelegs in ire, “I’ve run around this town for the past thirty minutes trying not to become puppy chow.”

The warrior reeled back from the reveal, a faint pang of guilt stabbing her heart, “Y-You should’ve come to me for help, idiot!” She retorted weakly.

“Really? The way you’re acting this afternoon, I thought you’d do worse to me than the wolves!” He said, his words seemingly echoing through the still air. Immediately, a look of regret crossed his face as a hint of hurt crossed the warrior’s eye. Olive Branch took a deep breath, diverting his gaze, “Storm Breaker, I…”

Everypony watching in the background waited with baited breath at the silence generated between the two, waiting to see what would happen next. Breaking that silence after what felt like hours, the warrior scoffed, sheathed her sword, and turned away from Olive Branch, stepping towards the door of the town hall-turned-hospital, confusing and scaring everypony. And as she inched closer, her hoof reached under her armor shortly before returning with a small bag and a box of matches. But as she was about to come face-to-face with the double doors, the five escorting guards blocked her path- including the pegasus guard -and their spears aimed at her chest.

“Halt!” The frontmost guard, a grizzled unicorn, said, “You’ve already escaped our sight once before. We won’t make the same mistake! Turn back, and the punishment for your misdeeds won’t be as harsh.” He demanded.

Olive Branch, caught off guard by the sudden intrusion of the guards, turned to them, "What do you think you're doing?! Stand down." He shouted, weakly stomping a hoof. "There about over a hundred ravenous undead animals outside just waiting to tear everypony in here to ribbons and you're doing this now?" He questioned incredulously.

The frontmost unicorn guard looked to the elder pony with scorn, "You're the one that needs to stand down, sir." He spat, pulling back his spear to rest it's blunt end on the ground. "For all we know, the creature's you refer to weren't the only ones hurting ponies outside. You said it yourself; you were ran off and were unable to watch her- how can you say nopony was hurt by her, hm?" He asked in a righteous tone, smirking when Olive Branch faltered.

However, Applejack stepped up next to the old stallion, "Hold on for ah sec! I was just a head of her the whole time and she didn't hurt a soul- quite the opposite, in fact." She retorted.

With a scoff, the unicorn guard returned his spear to point at the warrior, "Is that so? how...do I know if you looked back?" He said with false confidence, only to be met with a deadpan from the element of honesty and Olive Branch. The guard rolled his eyes, "Eh, screw it! I didn't gather my most trusted allies and throw myself into this shit hole town to play back and forth with a senile old stallion and a hick." He focused back on the warrior, "Those bits will be mine when I'm done; all I have to do it rough you up a little! It will be far easier than finding an excuse to hurt you." He said, grinning menacingly at her, the apple farmer and Olive Branch confused at his words.

Due to her eerie silence, the surrounding guards smirked at thinking they’d scared the warrior, being the best of the royal guard- the unicorn even having been nominated for the next captain. But their bravo was instantly smoldered when the warrior’s hoof shot forward, gripping the unicorn's face tightly and lifting him in the air in a muffled yelp, dropping his spear. Without thinking, in panic, the guards rushed to save their leader by thrusting their spears.

Every pony watching- namely Olive Branch and Applejack -looked on in horror for the warrior and guards as the latter pierced the mare’s protection.

Luckily, or unfortunately, the warrior was visibly unaffected, her armor taking most of the piercing damage from fully stabbing her flesh. The unicorn in her hoof thrashed around in her grip while smacking her foreleg, his screams muffled. In one motion, the warrior raised the unicorn guard higher before throwing her head-holding hoof to the floor as the spears got dislodged, a loud crash resonating in the high-ceiling room as the unicorn’s head sank below the broken floorboards.

The guards looked on in despair at the unmoving unicorn, fearing the worst. “What in hades are you bitching about? Like you could ever hurt me in the first place.” She said, “And don’t worry, his stupid helmet protected him… sadly.” She added, the last part with a whisper.

“S-Storm Breaker, what are you doing?!” Olive Branch said, quickly rushing to the unconscious unicorn's side. “Look, I’m sorry I said that. It came out in the moment! I was worried about you after what I told you on the train- scared your anger would get you killed.” Olive Branch’s face became strained and pale, but a weak smile grazed his lips, “Let’s just sit down and rest. It’ll be a while, but reinforcements will be here soon.” He suggested.

Looking down near his midsection at something that caught her eye: a crimson stain soaked the bandages wrapped around him, the smell of rotted copper reaching her nose. Did he truly care for her that much? It was almost comical how stupid it sounded. Even almost doing something she knew she would regret after the purple unicorn’s departure, her threats to the alicorns, and her general attitude, he still showed some kindness. What drove him to fret over somepony like her? Stupidity or something more? She just attacked his comrades, and he’s bleeding heavily. Nothing this stallion did made sense to her, and his never-ending outgoingness toward her was an anomaly she could never wrap her head around.

“I forgot about him due to my anger, abandoned him, and he still thought of my safety.” The warrior thought with an inward chuckle.

Wordlessly, the warrior used her now-freed hoof to unravel the string holding the small bag closed, revealing the contents to be a bundle of various dried herbs and medicinal plants. Olive Branch looked confused at the herbal object, but the warrior opened the matchbox and lit one of the red-tipped sticks. Thank the goddess Olive Branch taught her how to use them while teaching her how to make a fire without sticks.

“Wait!” Olive Branch said but doubled over in pain, clutching his bandaged wound. Using his magic earlier must’ve drained a lot of his energy.

Taking a few more steps closer to the blocked doors being mercilessly bashed upon by the outside dangers, the warrior rested a hoof against the wooden board. “Hey, old coot,” She called out, Olive Branch’s head raising to meet the back of hers. “If you don’t believe me to be the monster I am, I won’t lie; prepare to stop me in about an hour. Your pitiful reinforcements won’t be here in time, and these ponies won’t last a minute if this holds up.” Turning her head to where her exposed eye met Olive Branch’s gaze, she bit down on the match she pulled out and threw it at the old stallion.

The old stallion followed as the match fell to the floor but returned with a confused look. “I…don’t understand.” He replied.

“Don’t get me wrong. I still hate every pathetic excuse of a mule here, and those damn alicorns will have a few choice words from me.” The warrior turned away, “I’m only doing this for…you...and for the ponies I still need to prove myself to. So, if you trust me, use that match on this-” She motioned to the bundle of herbs, “-and I’ll buy some time.”

Throughout my life, I did countless things that would make any of these ponies weep at the mere mention of them. When it comes to monsters, I am not an exception, without a doubt. But I’m not afraid of it, for I have embraced the visage of an unfeeling beast all my life on the battlefield, or I have become simply numb to it. Storm Breaker: a dead mare walking with a kill count in the hundreds of thousands, whose entire existence was paved, sculpted in blood and bone.

That is who I am.

But, recently, I felt that cover crack and slip like a melting glacier in the scolding heat. Call it weakness or a change of heart, I could give two shits…no, in truth, it's agonizing to feel this way.

These damned ponies treated me like trash, and those alicorns are nothing but snakes, apart from the old coot. He’s the only exception to this hell of a paradise I find myself trapped in, a light created by one of my lifelong enemies' race. At this point, I find it hard to go against him due to the sheer hospitality he’s shown me. I know not all ponies are terrible, but those were few and far between, and these newer ponies are far too disconnected from what I have known for me to like. It just so happens he was one of them, and I was stuck with it. Funny, huh? I’ve grown so pathetic that the smallest amount of kindness fucks with my head; has it been that long since I’ve seen my comrades or any pony I call a friend?

No matter, with my inner thoughts running rampant, the old coot reluctantly took the match in his magic and- although weakly -ran the red tip over the floorboards. With a tiny orange flame atop, the lit match levitated over until it was above the bundle of herbs I bought from the marketplace earlier today before leaving Canterlot.

…What?

I paid with the useless gold coins Luna rewards me with, alright? I’m not some petty thief! It was a pain in the flank trying to buy the supplies from the cowardly vendors as it was.

Anyway, the lit match set the bundle of herbs in my hoof ablaze, the heat not bothering me that much- the pain would come very soon. In a single motion, I opened my mouth wide as I threw the burning herbs between my agape jaws. Good thing the old coot and worthless guards were the only ones shocked- my position blocking everything from the ponies behind me -I couldn't have another round of eye-rolling gasps. The effect was immediate- the flames quickly scalding my mouth’s roof with its unbearable heat. And as much as I wanted to spit it out and quell the pain making my eye water, I held it in while I breathed the smoke into my lungs.

Either this would kill me with how much time I went without using it, or the coot and alicorn’s lackeys would end me before it could.

Whichever outcome, it’d be like killing two birds with one stone- I make it up to Olive Branch, do something good for once in this life, and I can finally see my comrades.

Then…everything went black.

Olive Branch watched in terror at the sight before him, weak and barely able to keep himself upright- the doctors who finished patching ponies up coming over to help him freeze up. Sure, it was shocking to see Storm Breaker throw a wad of burning foliage into her mouth, but this was a whole different…thing.

It started with her eye rolling back into her skull while painful moans escaped her trembling lips, veins snaking across her strained barrel as if seeking release. Olive Branch became tempted to stand and rush to the agonizing mare's aid despite his own pain but stopped when her muscles inflated to grotesque proportions as if ready to break out from under her skin. Blood burst forth from her nostrils, painting her snarling muzzle in a macabre display of flowing crimson. Then, a thunderous roar erupted from her throat, shaking the very foundation of the town hall and temporarily deafening all within its walls.

Spinning in place, Storm Breaker pulled her hindlegs in and bucked at the front entrance.

In an explosion of wooden shrapnel and animalistic cries of surprise and pain, the entrance and its frame were reduced to almost nothing in the face of her attack.

Because of this, the rotting creatures of the Everfree, once banging on the door, flew back from the sudden force, some of the smaller ones receiving injuries. The outside beast recovered from their daze, only stopping when they felt an unusual presence step out from the ruined entryway.

“Vanguard…mystic…art…” Growled Storm Breaker, stepping over a pile of broken boards and into the now-cleared foyer. Pulling out her sword, she slowly stomped down the stairs, foam frothing in the corners of her mouth as the unusual energy reached the Olive Branch.

The warrior mare concluded her trek near the foot of the short stairs, raising her head high with the sword held tightly between her teeth. In the passing seconds of silence and the icy wind’s howling around the beast-trapped warrior, a surge of strange energy exploded outward in all directions, striking Olive Branch and recovering ponies like a wave of pure heat that seemed to warp the air around the warrior. Even the beasts looked aware of this, their snarling intensifying as they backed away.

In all the years of Olive Branche's service, he’d fought countless foes in the name of the crown, ranging from common thrives to the vilest villains. Due to this, there wasn’t much left to surprise the old stallion, earning his reputation of a laid-back pony who drinks a bit. But…this. The natural magic emanating from the warrior wasn’t even anything he recognized, at least, common earth pony magic. No, this is more ancient than that.

Only three ponies Olive Branch knew had a similar magical aura: Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Magic held exclusively to ponies of olden times.

Magic…that was in its most untamed form.

“MOUNTAIN MARE!!!”

There wasn’t a street ahead after that.

Interlude: Feathery friend

“Gooooood morning, Equestria! It’s your host: Loudmouth, coming to you live this beautiful morning in the equally stunning city of Canterlot to bring you today's latest gossip and headliners!”

As the voice blared out of the radio resting on the nightstand, Storm Breaker groaned internally at her tedious task of polishing her armor. “Starting with today’s casual tidbits. Following public feedback, the City Council unveils exciting plans to renovate the Royal Gardens, adding more picnic spots, walking trails, and enchanting water features in the coming week. The royal palace looks more and more like a hotel than a place of royalty, If you ask me, but who am I to judge?” Great…more ponies. And as the announcer kept blabbering on, the warrior moved on to clean her foreleg guards.

Eventually, the voice moved on from the useless city updates with a corny blowing wind effect, “Rolling on over to the weather- if you look outside of your nearest window, if you can, snowfall has increased by another inch in the past hours, causing several cart-related accidents. The higher-ups in Cloudsdale advise ponies to stay safe during these chilling times.

“Overwise, expect a high of twenty-eight degrees and a low of ten degrees with clouds and a small chance of mostly sunny skies.”

The warrior peered to her cell’s window with a ghost of a smile as snow gently floated down, piling heavily on the gaps between the bars of her balcony. Hopefully, the old coot relaid an assignment for today from Luna; there wasn’t much freedom to just get up and leave to enjoy the snow.

But as the warrior paused on applying polishing wax on her grimy armor with a rag, a movement behind the balcony door-frame caught her eye. Using a wing to crawl out of cover, accompanied by a weak gurgling croak, was a decently-sized bird, its back legs and left wings visibly broken. The all-black color of the avian's feathers and beak made it look like the poor thing was dipped in a vat of tar, as the only color besides its void pigmentation was the blood dripping from several wounds.

If she had to guess:

1: It was a common raven

2: Something or somepony- most likely a predator, like a cat -attacked it, and it so happened to land at her cell’s metaphorical doorstep.

The warrior became tempted to ignore the injured animal and continue with her task. She had been overly busy since the Nightmare Night ball two weeks ago, and due to her talk with Celestia, she wasn’t exactly in a good head space to take care of something so delicate. It’d be best to let nature take its course; she wasn’t even sure the guards would let her keep it around.

However, try as she might, her gaze always returned to the pitiful raven at her balcony door every time she tried continuing her polishing.

Hades, the thing was pressed against the window, trying to soak up any heat!

…

Fuck it.

Groaning in exasperation, the warrior moved the foreleg guards across the bed she sat on and stood up, walking over to the balcony door and opening it. Immediately, the raven’s eyes seemed to widen and shine with hope as it hurriedly crawled inside. Truly, the warrior felt some pity for it- she wouldn’t have let it in if she hadn’t. But was she confident in her ability to care for the thing?

“Oh, good morning!” The hovering pegasus stationed outside her cell waved.

“Άντε γαμήσου!”

Abandoning the startled pegasus by slamming the doors, the warrior turned back to check on the raven, only for her heart to melt. Why was she sad about it rubbing its bleeding self on her carpet?!

She quickly ran over and scooped it into her hooves; of course, it thrashed in her grip wildly while squawking loudly. Luckily, the warrior made her way to her cell’s bathroom before anypony outside could hear and locked the door, finally releasing the avian onto the tiled floor. It attempted to fly away to find an escape but ended up letting out a pained shrill call, limping away from the towering figure that had kidnapped it. Sighing, the warrior let the raven back off until it hit the back wall, confusing it as she kneeled down.

The warrior had never taken care of an animal in her life aside from helping her village farmer's livestock from time to time. Her family wasn’t well-off enough to afford a hunting dog due to the taxes forced upon them by the unicorns threatening her town.

The thought of those unicorns almost made her growl in anger, but she kept it in.

So, when it came to mending an animal's injuries, she was practically clueless like a newborn foal. She had taken care of her comrade’s cuts and broken bones in the past, but the avian was a cracked teacup compared to her burly brothers and sisters-in-arms. It wasn’t as simple as using a thread and needle, and the thing was too frightening for any medical application. Well, she could at least try and remedy that second problem.

Softening her posture and features, the warrior took a quick deep breath. “Um, hey, little guy.” She awkwardly said in a quiet tone. “You aren’t doing well and might be starving from the cold, ain’tcha?”

The Raven looked on in confusion and caution as the warrior pulled back her eye cover and pulled out a small bag. Surprise almost crossed the creature’s expression as she opened it and pulled out pale disks covered in transparent crystals that filled its senses with a sweetening aroma it knew from the occasional festival happening in its hunting ground.

“I swiped these from the canteen whenever I could to hold me over. Don’t know what they are, but it tastes good.” She said, reaching out a hoof holding the sugary disk.

Lunging forward with ravenous hunger, the raven clamped its beak on the disk and pulled away, dirtying the floor with crumbs while rapidly chewing. And as she set the second and final one on the floor, she briefly raised and turned to the mirror cabinet over the sink to her left. Pulling back the mirrored door, she grabbed the small medical kit and closed it, sitting back down as the bird finished its treat. It seemed to trust her more than before but still held a sense of weariness; The warrior opened the med kit- ignoring all the crap she didn’t know about -and retrieved a roll of bandages and flat, wooden sticks.

A shallow grin grew on the warrior's face, “Done being a coward?” She asked, the now-full bird responding with a tentative step forward.

For the next hour, the warrior spent her time tending to the raven's wounds. She broke the wooden sticks and used them and the bandages to create splints for its legs and wings, wrapping its cuts with additional bandages.

During that time, The warrior grew an attachment to the avian, and vice versa, the bird sometimes nestling into her warm coat as she cleaned off the frozen and dried blood. She didn’t know why that was the case; it wasn’t as if she was a pet pony in the first place. It was a waste of resources and time to take care of something other than another pony. But the growing smile on her muzzle betrayed the warrior's common display of resentment and bitterness, replaced by a genuine look of happiness. By the time lunch had rolled around, the warrior completely neglected her armor polishing; instead, she watched over the raven, both having moved to her bed where it sat in a bundle of towels.

For what it was worth, the warrior enjoyed the newfound company she’d helped- it does get lonely sometimes when the old coot isn’t around.

“Hey,” She said to the bird, getting its attention, “When you get better, it’d be best for you to leave. I’m sure as hades that I can’t take care of you, let alone myself. So, whatever birdy family or nest you have, it’d be better than this.” She motioned to the cell around her, putting down one of the history books the old coot gave her as a part of her lessons.

Funny, she was more of a caged bird than the actual bird.

Surprisingly enough, the raven jumped out of its towel bed and shuffled to the sitting warrior, nuzzling her left hoof with its beak and giving a caw.

Staring at the bird in surprise, the warrior huffed. “What am I saying? Winter’s just begun, and it’d be a good couple of moons before it ever flew again- he’ll grow attached. Besides that, I think the damn thing’s addicted to those deserts I gave him.” The warrior thought with a chuckle. “And something so cute doesn’t deserve to be thrown out after it’s better.” She cooed, petting the raven's head with a forehoof. The raven released another caw of affection. “Y’know, if you plan on staying with me, you need a name.” Moving her hoof to her chin, the warrior contemplated her choice of name for her raven. Shortly after, the perfect answer came to mind, “Sky Slicer, that’s your name now.” She said to the return of another caw.

“Um, darling, what are you doing?”

Eyes widening in fright, the warrior whipped around to the sound of Olive Branche's voice to find the old coot standing in her open doorway with an amused smile. “You’ve acquired a new pal.” He chuckled, entering her cell and closing the door. The warrior tried to get words out but was lodged in her throat as he walked over. “Where’d you find it?”

“I…uh…” She stuttered, her face reddening.

Olive Branch reached a hoof toward the newly named Sky Slicer, causing the avian to retract. “Aw~, don’t be scared, little guy. I-” Before the old stallion could think about approaching the bird any further, the warrior’s hoof tightly snatched his aged limb and pulled it close, making him release a startled cry as his face was mere inches away from the warrior’s scowling visage.

“Touch Sky Slicer, and I’ll shove this-" She shook the foreleg,"-so far up your ass you’ll be digging shit out of your colon for the next week.” She threatened, venom dripping from every word.

With an uncomfortable chuckle, the old stallion sheepishly drew back his hoof and placed it on the floor. “Ah, I also see you two have a connection.” He nervously said. Somehow, the two ponies found themselves delving into the past hour and a half of the warrior’s day, explaining how she met the injured raven and how she took care of it. All the while, Sky Slicer returned to his improvised nest, taking a nap as the old stallion finished listening to the warrior’s tale. “Wait, wait, wait, let me get this straight. You fed a bird sugar cookies?”

So that’s what they’re called, “Yeah?” She replied.

Olive Branch shook his head, “Don’t you know sugar is bad for a birds diet?” He asked, his answer coming in the form of a shocked, almost terrified expression from the warrior. “I’ll take that as a no.” Turning back to the door, Olive Branch looked over his shoulder, “I’ll get you some books about birds from the library. Also, before I forget, head down to the docking area and help the boys move a shipment of supplies around three.” He said before leaving.

Now alone, the warrior switched back to the sleeping Sky Slicer, sighing. Taking care of the little guy was going to be a pain, wasn’t it?

…Whatever, he was cute.

Chp 12: Into the Everfree and Ponyville massacre

Author's Note

IMPORTANT NEWS!

I'VE ADDED SOME DIALOGUE NEAR THE END OF CHAPTER 11 BETWEEN STORM BREAKER AND THE ESCORT GUARDS TO ADD A STORY LEAD; READ TO AVOID FUTURE CONFUSION IF YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY UP TO THIS POINT! (and thank you if you are :) ! )
I'm feeling a bit burnt-out with writing as of late, so sorry if chapters won't come out as frequently and this one isn't as good as the ones before it.
it's my first time writing Zecora dialogue, so expect it not to be too good.

Chp 12: Into the Everfree and Ponyville massacre

Passing over the sea of greenery and death, feeling the rotten, frigid air flowing through her mane and fur, Twilight was justifiably terrified.

No, not because of the emanate dangers below, but of the obvious boiling kettle of rage she left back in Ponyville, known as Storm Breaker. It’d been clear something was wrong, and she had a clue as to why. The moment a worried Olive Branch came over before discussing the plan to talk about Celestia’s father was a red flag the size of Griffonstone from the start. How did she know in the first place?! Now that she knew the truth, what would Ponyville’s condition be? Would her friends be able to explain things until she got back? Would there be a rampage instead? How many could survive? WOULD THE PRINCESS BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING?!?

No, everything will be fine; she just needed to recite the breathing techniques Fluttershy taught her- In and out, in and out.

Nothing bad will-

“Hey, Twi.”

“AAAHHHHH!” Twilight shrieked, the protective barrier around her and the small envoy she formed faltering for a split second. “Rainbow Dash, what the hay?! You almost gave me a heart attack!” She shouted at the multi-hued pegasus flying next to the chariot Twilight was pulled along in by two pegasi.

Recoiling from her tone, Rainbow Dash huffed, “Geez, edgy much?” She joked, flipping over so her belly pointed to the sky, “I wanted to ask you what the plan was again.” She said.

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief and purged the embarrassed blush from her face, “Sorry, Dash. I-” Then a look of perplexion crossed her features. “Wait, what do you mean by that? You were there for the debrief with everypony involved, and you didn’t hear a thing?” She questioned.

“Fell asleep.” Rainbow Dash answered. “All that training for the Wonderbolts during the past few weeks tired me out.”

Twilight deadpanned, “Of course.”

So, for the next few minutes, Twilight had to run over the plan for what felt like the thousandth time- not including the sleepless nights trying to make it before hoof.

There would be two different team types in this operation.

One would be the town team: they would prioritize the safety of Ponyville and try to minimize any death or injury that may occur in the likely chance of an attack. Sentry guards are placed around the border on the watch for any invading animals, only relaying the order to prepare when the situation arises. The inner guards, which Storm Breaker was a part of, were the second line of defense if the sentries were to fail. They would lead everypony to safeguards scattered across town, the city hall being one of them. If it weren’t for Storm Breaker’s temperament, Twilight would’ve gladly accepted somepony with her experience to be on her team.

Speaking of Twilight’s team: the search team. Despite Rainbow Dash’s confusion about Twilight’s being the only one, several search teams were scouring the Everfree, having left a while ago to get a head start. After the month’s worth of time sending out waves of magic via a detection spell from outside the forest, the studious unicorn concluded there were multiple ‘hotspots,’ as she called them, causing the corruption.

While smaller groups of guards accompanied by one experienced mage from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns split off to find minor hotspots, Twilight’s group prioritized the main hotspot- where it was, exactly, she wasn’t sure. The magic in the Everfree interfered with magic more than it usually did, rendering it nearly useless beyond mid-level techniques, which meant no long-distance teleporting.

Once all was said and done in this operation of Twilights, external crystal flares- as opposed to magic ones -would signal the eradication of a hotspot when shot into the sky. And, as theorized by Twilight, if the main hotspot were to be destroyed, it would weaken any minor hotspot’s nearby leeching off its energy, making the process easier. Sure, it wasn’t the most sound of plans with more holes in it than a fishing net for things to go wrong, but it was the best she could do under the increasing pressure and attacks.

But, hey, it was smooth sailing so far. What could-

“Mrs. Sparkle. We're having trouble keeping the chariot afloat,” One of the pegasi pulling the chariot said, following a violent, weightless shake of the chariot. “I advise we find a clear space to land and travel by hoof; I’d be earlier than you’ve instructed, but it would be safer.” He added.

She just had to say it.

“Um, no, it should be fine, sir,” She replied nervously, pointing a hoof to the barrier around her group, “The spell I put up before leaving Ponyville should protect us from most of the corruption and anti-magic properties of the forest. And as long as we don’t go into the forest itself, we should be fine.” She explained, the guard's face still uncertain.

Rainbow Dash flew up to him, “Plus, we have this to get us out if we do.” She said, pulling out a long, blue crystal encased in a metal handle from under her wing. The device she held was something Twilight built from an old tome about the inventions of Equestria’s Renaissance. It was stated in said tome to be a substitute for a unicorn’s teleportation spell for non-unicorns- although the device’s design was never brought to life due to the limited technology at the time. But with some crunch time, extra cups of coffee, and additional sleepless nights, Twilight built something similar to what the inventor originally envisioned.

The metal tube holding the crystal stored the magic for a teleportation spell. If taken out, the crystal would get infused with magic. And, when broken, it would activate the teleportation spell, sending who or whatever was in the five-meter radius back to where an identical crystal was: Ponyville. That was the Tl; DR of how it worked, at least, and every team had one for emergencies or if their job was finished.

Putting the device away, Rainbow Dash rested her hooves behind her head. “It doesn’t matter, anyway. I’ll kick the flank of anything that dares to mess with the future Wonderbolt member and her friend.” She proclaimed, winking at Twilight.

“I appreciate your…confidence.” Twilight thanked, “So there isn’t anything to-” she quickly looked left and right,”-worry…about.” She slowly said hesitantly. She shouldn’t worry too much; her friends back at Ponyville would be strong even without Storm Breaker- she shouldn’t completely distrust their capabilities.

“TWELVE O’ CLOCK, STALLION’S!” One of the further guards shouted, causing Twilight and Rainbow Dash to shoot their gazes dead ahead, only for the former’s face to drop in dread. Less than a few meters away, the relatively clean gray winter clouds were now sickly purple and black puffs of…corruption that had no observable end, purple bolts of searing hot lighting striking the forest below with shaking booms. Even Discord’s leftover magic affected the water cycle?!

Just then, before Twilight could say anything, one of the purple lighting bolts struck the barrier surface- and like wet tissue paper to a striking sledgehammer, the barrier instantly shattered like glass.

With their protection gone and the corruption-filled sky now passing overhead, everypony’s magic- from the guards to Twilight’s - was all but completely cut off, leaving the small group to plummet toward the forest. Rainbow Dash tried to flap her wings in the ensuing chaos but only achieved a useless flutter of her limp appendages. It had been less than an hour since she left the safety of Ponyville, and Twilight was already about to die if she didn’t come up with something!

And as she and the rest of the group inched closer to the ground below, the studious unicorn cursed her bad luck with all her heart.

Why couldn’t she keep her mouth closed?

An undisclosed amount of time later, a start and sharp gasp of air awoke the previously unconscious Twilight to the sounds of battle and thunder, closely followed by pain. Looking down at her back left leg, where it came from, she was disgusted and horrified to see a dark purple coloration decorate a severely swollen ankle. Twilight forced her stomach contents down as she ripped herself away from the sight, shifting to the environment around her to see the guards fighting off corrupted Timberwolves.

Suddenly, her upper half was lifted off the ground by Rainbow Dash, who wore a look of relief mixed with panic. “Twilight! Thank Celestia, you’re alright!” She said, her smile falling to a wince. “And in a better shape than me- my wings are busted.” She giggled half-heartedly.

“R-Rainbow, what happened?” The studious unicorn asked groggily.

Backing away from the worried pegasus, Twilight assessed her group’s current condition. Aside from their decent job of pushing the rotting canines away, the guards’ armor was heavily dented and scratched, with bloody cuts and scrapes covering their exposed limbs. They fought with every ounce of their fleeing strength, sweat pouring down their faces in spite of the cold weather. Some poor golden-cladded stallions looked pale, ready to knock on death's door any moment- one already lay motionless on the snowy forest floor.

How did things get this bad?

“Well, after we got struck by that lighting, we fell. Luckily the trees broke our fall’s mostly, but those guys are on their last legs, and we are next to useless.” Rainbow Dash quickly summarized, quickly ducking below a pouncing Timberwolf, who was promptly stabbed in the head by a guard.

With a strained grunt, Twilight rolled onto her stomach, attempting to stand by pushing her front hooves into the ground. “We…need to teleport back to Ponyville. It’s too…dangerous out here!” Sadly, her hooves fell from under her, causing the unicorn to fall chin-first into the ground. Holding back a cry of pain, she tried again, succeeding in moving to a sitting position. “Use the device I gave you.” She huffed tiredly.

A sheepish smile crossed Rainbow's muzzle, her hoof rubbing the back of her messy-maned head, “Heh, it’s funny you say that, Twi.” She chuckled nervously.

“...Rainbow.” Twilight said in a warning tone.

“I…sorta lost it.” She slowly said, making Twilight’s eyes widen in disbelief. Luckily, she stopped an incoming rant fueled by anger and panic by holding her hooves up, “Look, when you and I were falling, the chariot tipped over, and you were falling pretty fast. Since none of the other pegasi could fly properly and I was the closest to you, I…essentially grabbed you and became a landing pad.” Twilight gasped, putting a hoof to her mouth, “I didn’t know that the device fell off me when my wings were getting beat the tar out of them by ten different branches.” Emphasizing her point, the prismatic pegasus lifted a sprained wing.

A stunned Twilight removed the hoof from her muzzle, “Rainbow…I-”

“MRS. SPARKLE!” A voice shouted. Unfortunately, the unseen guard's words were useless in the oncoming threat as Twilight and Rainbow Dash only had time to see another Timberwolf lunge at them.

Reacting too late, Rainbow went to push Twilight out of the way but was too slow in her save as the wooden canine and injured unicorn slammed into one another, rolling backward across the snow. Once stopped, the wolf now triumphantly stood over his victim, a feral gaze of hunger in its rotted violet orbs that peered down at a trembling Twilight as its maw unhinged with a sickening snap. None of the guards weren’t able to help due to their own battles, and an already exhausted Rainbow Dash was too far away as the Timberwolf’s sharpened fangs grazed her neck's fur.

Twilight whimpered quietly and clenched her eyes tightly, hoping her inevitable end wasn’t too painful.

And just as she felt the first centimeter of wood pierce her neck, it suddenly stopped. At the sensation of nothing, she opened her eyes, surprised to see the Timberwolf, mere seconds away from ending her life, completely ignoring her, looking off in another direction with its head raised. The studious unicorn, puzzled by the sight, also noticed the other Timberwolves doing the same despite her awkward angle.

Following their gazes, Twilight was additionally shocked to see a figure draped in a brown, drab cloak.

The cloaked figure, standing atop an upward-angled mound of rock, their clothing flapped in the icy air as a familiar-looking black stripped limb peaked out, holding a staff topped off with a green powdered-filled sack. “Leave these souls alone, or you will bemoan!” They shouted in a threatening tone.

Swinging their foreleg, the staff in their grasp followed, releasing the powder as a faint cloud over the immediate area. As the green cloud settled closer to the ground, the smell of burnt wheat and spoiled milk assaulted Twilight’s muzzle- she ignored her position under the wolf to plug her nostrils with her hooves. It didn’t do the awfulness of the scent any justice, but Twilight’s description of the eye-watering mist was close enough. It also seemed the Timberwolves aligned their opinions’ to hers, as multiple whimpers of disgust rang out as the rotted wolf pack ran off into the forest’s dark brush.

“Yo, Twilight, you good?” Rainbow Dash’s voice said unexpectedly, Twilight flinching as she turned to see the pegasus at her side.

She nodded, “Y-Yeah,” Twilight replied, looking back to the cloaked figure, “but what is she doing here?” Repeating her earlier process of sitting up, Twilight’s settled panic nearly resurfaced as the remaining guards faced the cloaked figure, their spears aimed at them. “Wait, don’t attack her- she’s a friend!” She shouted with an extended foreleg, confusing the guards while- with the help of Rainbow Dash -standing on her hooves, favoring her injured one.

“Twilight, my friend, it’s good to see you again.” The figure greeted as they pulled back the cloak’s hood.

The visage underneath the cloak’s veil wasn’t of a pony but of a zebra, much to the guards’ bewilderment. Her fur was a cool gray with black stripes, wistful and baggy teal eyes, scuffed gold neck/earrings, and a slightly unkempt mohawk. “You are not in the best of well-being, I see,” She jumped off the rock, startling the guards when landing, pulling a vial of red liquid from inside her cloak as she walked by them, closer to Twilight. “For the energy that’s fleeing. To put one at ease.” She finished, tossing the vial to her.

Catching it in her weakened magical grasp, Twilight pulled the cork out of the vial, put it to her lips, and tilted her head back. With the red liquid flowing down her throat, the studious unicorn felt most of the pain in her injured ankle fade into a dull throb.

“Thanks, Zecora. We would all be goners if you hadn’t shown up.” She said.

“Speaking of,” Rainbow Dash interrupted, “what are you doing out here- how did you find us?” She asked.

Zecora frowned. “Guarding this sick land has not been a breeze; days pass without ease.” she started, planting her staff into the snow, “For fortnights I roam, coating my home. The protective mix I’ve produced shows use, repelling those who fall to the ill magic’s abuse.” She pointed to the sack on her staff, “Chance and fate were at play, and I crossed you, who went astray.”

Rainbow Dash tilted her head in confusion, “So you just happened to find us. And this green stuff scares off Timberwolves?” She simplified, receiving a nod. “With a smell like that, I don’t blame them.” The pegasus added in a mutter, swatting the air before her head.

“Still, I’m thankful for your help.” Twilight said, stepping closer and putting a hoof on Zecora’s shoulder. “Oh, and on another note, you don’t- by any chance -know where a clump of chaos magic is?” She said, lowering her hoof.

Zecora raised a brow, “Why?” She simply said.

Twilight sighed, “Because they might be the corruption’s cause; we were on our way to destroy one before…this happened.” She motioned her away from the zebra’s shoulder to the scene around them.

For a moment, the zebra shaman remained silent in the face of Twilight’s question. Putting a hoof to her chin, she hummed in thought and concentration, her eyes closed. Zecora was another of Twilight’s friends she’s made since coming to Ponyville. While not as close as Rainbow Dash or the other elements, per se, she and the zebra had a couple of interactions. Unlike anypony in Ponyville, even ponies like Fluttershy, the Zebra’s choice of residence was in the heart of the Everfree.

Unfortunately, this earned her a bad reputation among the townsfolk well before Twilight arrived, which became resolved over a year ago. Now, whenever situations involving strange magic or the Everfree occurred, Zecora was the first individual anypony went to. And when the corruption attacks began, Twilight and her friends did just that.

However, arriving at her hut, the zebra shaman was nowhere to be found. They tried many times on separate days, but she would never show. It had only been now that Twilight saw Zecora in over a month in better shape than she was in the past thirty minutes.

“Ah! You seek the source, but...the journey may be coarse.” Zecora finally answered, her face giving off uncertainty.

Rainbow Dash returned by putting her hoof against her chest, “Do you know who you're talking to?" She said with a smirk, "Just because we were having a bit of trouble before doesn’t mean one measly walk will hurt us- Well, maybe for Twilight.” She diverted away from the studious mare’s glare. “We’ve been through worse, like Discord! Besides, that magic powder of yours kept away the Timberwolves. What is there to worry about?” She said confidently.

The zebra shaman considered the pegasus’s words momentarily, then sighed. “I encountered such evil one day upon my walk- the result of my find gave me a shock. Beyond moss and stone, hidden behind a decaying throne, lies the sickness’s backbone laid bare and alone. I dare not to loom again, for it would be my bane.” Looking away, the zebra pulled back her cloak further.

Clinging to her side was a growth not too dissimilar to the ones infecting the Everfree wildlife, veins of black and purple branching out from a cluster of violet sacks of an unknown substance.

Upon seeing the inside of the zebra’s cloak, both mares gasped in shock- some of the guards that had circled back around to behind Twilight turned a shade greener. “Zecora! A-Are you going to be okay?” Twilight worriedly asked, the zebra chuckling in turn as she let the cloak fall.

“I’m fine for the most part; I will not fall apart.” She joked. Looking over Twilight’s shoulder, her expression turned to a grimace. “But release your woes, or fall prey to our foes.” She said, causing the ponies to all turn around. It certainly did help quell the zebra's ominous rhymes as countless glowing eyes growled at them from the darkened trees surrounding them. “Let us make haste so they won’t get a taste. A guide I shall be, but don’t be so carefree.”

Returning to the zebra, Twilight sighed heavily, “I guess we have no other options.” She said.

But as the group began to pick themselves up and move on, they were suddenly aware of a subtle shaking under their hooves. And before anypony could question it, the rumbling turned into a full-blown tremor, nearly throwing the group off balance as they cried out in surprise.

Only when Twilight’s head locked onto the direction of a far-off booming sound did she see a hint as to the shaking’s source.

The giant pillar of snow and dirt that fell as quickly as it had formed.

With a muffled roar, the warrior strained every muscle fiber within her neck as the delirious mare sank the sword's blade into the earth in one motion. Akin to a red-hot knife cutting a block of butter, no resistance stopped the dull blade from splitting the ground before the horde of corrupted animals crowding the town hall’s entrance.

Instead of nothing happening that somepony outside her perspective would expect, there was a small rumble, then a noticeable shake.

Until it devolved into a full-blown quake that nopony could properly stand against, throwing some off balance. Due to this, the energy and magic given by the warrior through her weapon embedded deep into the ground, pulling, pushing, and tearing like molten lava. And just like a volcano, creatures numbering in the dozens flew through the air or were buried under piles of dirt and snow as it all went sky bound as a gigantic column of Equus. Screams, animalistic and pony-like, rang out but were ignored as the warrior remained stock still.

Infusing magic into anything, be it an object or the ground itself, was an easy task any measly twig of a creature could do.

However, infusing magic could prove fatal if outputted in amounts higher than the user's body could handle, leading to magic overload. In Vanguard training, it was no wonder the best of the best required new members to go through hellish training to accomplish such an ability’s peak without dying.

But for the warrior, all the pain and hardship she went through learning it more than paid off with her secret herbal concoction.

Because, in the wake of her attack, it was as if the goddess of the harvest herself came down from the heavens, stabbing the earth with her dagger and leaving a sudo-ravine in its stead.

And once everything settled, the elements falling and rumbling, quietness flooded every crevice of the air as the warrior’s eye peered up. She felt every agonizing movement of her inflamed body, every shift under strained skin, and every rapid beat of her racing heart. Pain in its purest form, all blocked out by the flora mixture’s effects, leaving more of a mute persistence in her mind’s background. Nothing but a profound sense of euphoria and freedom remained. The heat of battle had found her once again, and she couldn’t be happier.

The light shining from cracks in the clouds bounced off her unflinching, exposed eye, giving it a light-blue glowing effect with a lowly growl emitted from the large mare's throat. She would re-establish her namesake and make these ponies know of the title given to her by her enemies. The demon of the snowy valley will be-!

Then something strange happened; they…ran, the previously malicious creatures trying to tear ponies apart, whimpering and crying.

Huh? Why were they running? Isn’t this what all predators wanted: A fight with their prey?

…

Oh, she knew why they ran away. They were bored of them; they saw her and the weaklings behind her as nothing more than simple playthings to keep them entertained! Those weren’t cries of fear as they fled…

…They were laughs of mockery.

“GET BACK HERE!!!”

Kicking off the ground with a bolt of thunder striking in the distance, the warrior gave chase to the fleeing, cocky animals with her sword drawn back. It took little time for her to span the distance; the first group of creatures looked back, terror in their previously lifeless gazes before darkness consumed their minds- the warrior’s almost unseeable swings parting heads from shoulders. No one was safe from her rampage, blood, and gore flying this and that way as the warrior hacked and slashed, mighty beasts such as manticores fell like chomp trees, and even the environment got caught in the crossfire.

Holding her momentum, the warrior intended to turn a corner to continue her pursuit but was too early, charging directly toward a collection of houses. But the warrior wasn’t the least bit moved by the blunder and decided to put more power into her sprint. Following a single crash of brick and wood, that was one of many destroyed houses due to the warrior bashing through their interiors like they weren’t there.

After breaking the seventh house, the warrior finally broke through the obstacle of homes and out the other side, cutting off a fleeing hoard and catching them off guard.

“WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING?!?” She yelled savagely, grinning in a sadistic manner at looks of dread as the terrified hoard tried to turn back.

It was useless; the warrior immediately jumped into the fray, starting by using the butt of her sword to stab the top of a wooden mutt’s head, following up by kicking it. It didn’t matter if her skin was quite literally ripping under her merciless assault with every slash and chop, nor did any concern cross her mind that her bones felt as though they were nearly about to snap. She cared more about mending her hurt pride than herself, nothing more in the face of these cowards while she ran her sword through five different creatures.

The Vanguard was a proud organization- her pride as a member was nothing to laugh at!

These useless ponies did enough of that, she knew!

They lied if they denied such a claim! Celestia, her lap dog, and even Olive Branch. AND SHE WASN’T ABOUT TO LET A BUNCH OF DIRTY VERMIN DO THE SAME!

THEY WILL ALL PA-

Suddenly, the warrior's massacre was interrupted by a loud boom, not of thunder, but of a large creature approaching her. Unfortunately, before she could regain her already lost bearings to find the origin, the silhouette of a massive head was all she saw as it slammed into her with a crushing force.

Hit square in the side by the unknown creature, she felt herself sailing through the air, then a painful experience of damaged flesh impacting plaster and brick as she crashed directly into more buildings. When it finally stopped, the warrior’s temporary black-out faded away to reality as she scanned her surroundings, finding nothing of use before lifting her battered body to its hooves. She wobbled and climbed over the trail of rubble while exiting the destroyed home, using the edge of her self-made entrance to maintain stability. In the warrior’s blood-stained vision, the closing-in steps of her assailant proved to emphasize its sheer size as the three-headed lizard locked on to its potential meal.

Like other corrupted creatures the warrior faced, its body was also in a state of decay- one of its heads lacked half of any skin or muscle -and the monster's mighty frame showed from under torn flesh. Teeth sharper than any blade, bloody and scratched, dripped with saliva, and the monster’s triple growl shook her very skeleton.

“STORM BREAKER!” A voice rang out. Glancing in its direction, the warrior spotted a gaggle of guards- a noticeable lack of her escorts -and Olive Branch, accompanied by the apple farmer and two other brightly colored mares. “Get out of there; that’s a hydra- you’ll get killed!” He shouted.

The warrior barred her clenched teeth, “Killed, huh?” She mumbled, voice scratchy and rough. “YOU CALLING ME WEAK?!” She roared angrily, making the large group stop.

A look of surprise crossed the apple farmer's face, “What? No! We’re tellin’ ya you’re in no shape to take on something like a Hydra! You’re already in bad shape; there’s no hope of you winning this one!” She retorted.

“SHUT UP!” The warrior snapped, turning back to the hydra with a grin, pupil shrinking to a pinprick. “Weak? I’ll show you weak once I’ve skinned this bastard alive!” She seethed, blood bubbling in her mouth’s corners. Before anypony could stop the mad-mare, she went into a full sprint toward the Hydra, in turn, getting met with a roar as it also charged her. She knew it! Those fucking cretins thought of her as feeble!

Even as the short distance between her and the three-headed lizard closed, she wanted nothing other than to turn right, directly toward the arrived group, and show them how weak she was.

But that had to wait as she struck heads with a Hydra.

Chp 13: End of a battle, start of a challenge

Barely managing to tilt herself to the side, the warrior narrowly evaded the crushing jaws of the Hydra's middle maw, following up by charging forward, her sword poised to pierce clean through the beast’s rotting gut. However, her path became blocked as the left head of the Hydra coiled under the middle one's neck, attempting the same attack. Forced to react swiftly, she ducked to avoid the deadly snap, the head passing over.

Due to her momentary disadvantage, the center head circled underneath. It bit down on the warrior, uncannily twisting and raising its neck, hoisting her high into the sky to swallow her.

In the grip of the Hydra's merciless jaws, the warrior's body contorted with pain, her likely fractured legs held together by the tightness of her strained legs pushing against the mouth’s roof. The stench of death and sulfur assaulted her overworked airway, her blood’s coppery scent soaking the fur around her mouth as she gasped sharply upon a sudden pain.

One of the sharpened teeth speared her side, inadvertently striking a vital organ that caused her to release a torrent of oral crimson. Despite the searing pain breaking the herbal mix’s wall of numbness, the warrior’s fury only grew along with the grip on her sword. Pulling her head back, the warrior swung at the tooth with all her strength, but, at her angled, her sword only cracked the surface. Nevertheless, it gave the desired effect, the hydra roaring in pain as its jaws opened, releasing the warrior.

Now freefalling and leaving a trail of blood, the warrior choked back her pain and twisted to her right, letting off a muffled shriek as her sword planted firmly in the middle head’s neck.

Having no way to stop their opponent, the left and right heads were forced to watch on as the neck of their middle brethren was cut in half lengthwise, starting from the center to their shared collarbone.

As for the warrior, her body crashed against the snowy ground like a sack of potatoes, blood staining the surrounding snow.

Pain, in its most basic form, was the signals sent throughout the nervous system to alert the body of any problems or damages. For any creature, this is the sole reason survival was invented, to preserve life by avoiding that pain, no matter how severe. A stab from a blade, or a paper cut, nopony voluntarily wants to introduce agony in their day-to-day lives, even somepony like Storm Breaker. Sadly, the vanguard cared little for such trivial things; they’re warriors, it makes sense.

But that wasn’t really pain- it was the fear of it. To run away…like a coward.

It's what these ‘modern’ ponies became accustomed to. They never truly knew what it was like to experience pain and not cower away, pushing past it to reach a goal. To get run through by a spear and kill the one using it. To get burned by a unicorn’s spells and cave in their face. Licking your wounds when the day is over and being ready for more the next, all because it’s become a part of your life.

Admittedly, to an experienced warrior like Storm Breaker, she felt the same way most of her life after joining, always dreading the moment she’d not see tomorrow's sunrise. But one does not simply give into pain and fear when in the vanguard- quite the opposite.

THEY EMBRACE IT!

Smashing her front hooves into the ground, a grinning warrior pushed herself off the ground and onto her hooves. All the while, the right head of the Hydra brutally ripped off the now limp middle portation, leaving a torn stump of a neck as its remains flopped uselessly against the ground. Both fighters, animalistic in their own rights, locked gazes for the longest time. In actuality, It only lasted a solitary moment before they charged again; this time, the warrior was ready and chose to run around for what seemed to be a flanking advantage. With the beast tracking her movement, the warrior leaped past the beast, crashing through the window of a house behind the Hydra.

Roaring, the confused scaly monster thrashed its remaining heads, reducing the standing structure to rubble in its path. However, it spotted the warrior running away from the home's opposite side and repeating her previous jumps.

Now the chase was on. Echoing another roar, the Hydra stampeded after the fleeing warrior, destroying any houses as the large mare mixed things up, now rushing in and out of alleys.

She will end this quickly, but the constant faltering and stumbling made it difficult for the warrior’s swimming, rage-fueled mind to do so. Crashing into objects- crates, wagons, signs, etc. -she dodged death’s scythe and the Hydra's attacks more than once with every mistake. Inviting herself into another home, a group of huddled survivors screamed as the hulking mare broke down their wall and the giant reptilian’s foot caved in their roof.

Nonetheless, her plan was working; the unmistakable sign of weakness was looming over the beast’s underside, and it would be only a few more homes until-

“Hey, big and ugly!” The farmer's voice shouted from somewhere behind the warrior, followed by the sound of magic striking flesh.

Stopping her run by digging her hooves into the snow and turning around, the warrior’s jaw dropped in disbelief. Swarming the Hydra like a bunch of flies eating garbage, slinging spells and spears, the guards were attacking in full force, the farmer distracting it with insults. The Hydra shrieked, trying to defend itself by bashing its heads at the smaller ponies, but missed as they used their miniature frames to dodge easily.

Suddenly, a subtle weight pulled her right foreleg, and looking down with a dilated eye, Olive Branch was the culprit. “Storm breaker, we need to run away, now!” He whispered, glancing at the fight and back.

What?

“I-I’m not trying to say you’re weak, but you’ll die if this keeps up! We have to get back to the town hall and patch you up. I don’t know where in Equestria your escorts ran off to at a time like this, but these boys here and the elements are doing their best.” He said, the pink pony shooting a spray of shredded, colorful paper in the Hydra’s face out of a blue cannon.

Embracing pain is a pillar of being a vanguard knight, along with sound of body, endurance of the mind, and awareness of your surroundings. All these culminate into a singular being capable of achieving great feats, like taking on armies alone and barely stopping. No pony can possibly achieve this in full, not even an alicorn. It was a slight exaggeration made by ponies not related to the vanguard out of fear and foolish respect for them. But the thing was, that was the beauty of pony ingenuity and desire of everlasting advancement, to break the limits of nature and life itself.

Goddess Locks was its name, the bundle of herbs she took. A little 100-year-old family recipe from a ‘friend’ in the Vanguard three thousand ago that went a long way. A bit of something to keep yourself going for that tiny bit longer on the battlefield.

Who needs junk like a sound body and mental endurance when a few mushrooms and leaves completely negate that and all pain receptors in your brain?!

Pulling her foreleg back out of the old stallion’s grip, he had a moment's time to back away as the warrior’s hoof came at his face. Luckily, he involuntarily staggered back, landing his rump in the snow as her hoof, inches away from his privates, landed. Looking up, he didn’t try to hide the fear on his face, the warrior’s visage blasting the full force of her rage towards him. “S-S-Storm Breaker?” He whimpered as her sword unceremoniously dropped.

“U-Unicorn~~.” She snarled, her eye rolling back into her skull.

The old stallion pushed himself away, “Hey D-Darling, let’s not do anything we might regret.” He said.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was blindingly clear to Olive Branch that Storm Breaker wasn’t all there; her eye- or lack thereof -spoke volumes. Whatever was within that stuff Storm Breaker ate messed with the mare’s head in a nasty way- it looked more like a clump of grass than anything, so what happened? Well, one thing was for certain, he definitely ticked her off.

At first, he believed her deteriorating mental state was related to stress brought forth by the last month and a half, plus their current predicament. However, due to her bold nature, she didn’t look like a pony to crumble this badly under mere stress.

A few times as a full-time royal guard in his younger years, he’d seen the common pony submit to the worst things imaginable and leave a shell of their former self; Torture, murder, cannibalism, and more brought on by griffon savages. But, depending on the type of pony or creature, there is that period where a reaction to a scaring event occurs, either to yourself or others. Kick and scream in defiance. Thrash around in terror. Or give up. In memories too horrible to revisit, Olive Branch was no different from the others he found himself stuck within those awful times.

Now: he saw something similar in Storm Breaker. It was neither fear nor an act of defiance in the face of death; it was more of an explosion of pent-up hate and anger. No, it wasn’t that either, something he’d seen once.

It…was worse than he could ever hope to imagine- a state of mind he never thought a pony could achieve, at least, a pony of this era of peace.

At this point, he didn’t know who the beast was, the Hydra or her.

That’s when a gut-wrenching noise snapped him out of his thoughts, the sight of Storm Breaker’s broken body snapping and twitching in a jittery pattern. Incoherent mutters spewed from her lips, blood pouring from her wounds, and foam building out of her maw. The old stallion looked on as she switched from him to the Hydra; then, out of nowhere, she seemingly disappeared in a flash as she went headlong toward the beast.

Snapping off his shock, Olive Branch scrambled to his hooves, “W-Wait, you forgot your sword!” He shouted.

His out-of-place concerns went ignored as the warrior bolted forth with a snarl, smacking and bucking any guards unaware of blocking her path. Applejack almost suffered the same fate if it weren’t for the fact she turned away to distance herself from the Hydra, her tail clipped by the warrior’s bloody hide. In a resounding impact, the warrior-turned-living rocket struck the beast's stomach with her right shoulder with enough force to knock it off balance.

That’s when the old stallion’s attention was caught by a sound akin to snapping ropes- he spotted exposed muscle near the Hydra's knees tearing apart.

Bits of glass and brick embedded themselves into the rotting flesh, falling out as the beast’s sturdy joints bent to the side in an unnatural direction. He, the guards, and Applejack observed in astonishment as the several hundred-pound Hydra fell, its knee joints popping out of their sockets. The ground underneath them shook tremendously once it landed, kicking up piles of snow, the warrior stumbling back with a snarling grunt.

“Dear Celestia.” He muttered. Whether she did plan it or not, the houses she ran through- and the Hydra destroyed -damaged the latter’s legs due to its height. Her plan made the knees weaker and easier to damage.

Now, she had the advantage.

Like a wild lion, the warrior was back up and lunged at the Hydra, landing on its bruised stomach. The left head went to eat the warrior but met a powerful buck that sent it snapping back like a whip, purple blood flying from its mouth. Becoming her newest target, it had no chance of returning an attack as she latched onto its neck at the skull’s base, squeezing it tightly and locking her legs together. Olive Branch pitied the beast as the warrior withheld precious oxygen from entering its airway; the head turned sideways, grinding her into the ground as it tried to retaliate.

Its feeble attempts were useless in the face of the warrior’s wrath as the head was nearing its end, letting out a gargled whine. Luckily, the left head was seemingly saved by the right, who regained consciousness and rushed at the warrior with its mouth open.

What wasn’t lucky, however, was that she saw the attack coming, letting go of the left’s neck at the last moment and making the right chomp it by accident.

Immediately, the right released its bite on the left’s neck, only for a gush of violet and hot breath to burst from several holes as the left weakly whimpered. But the time for grieving and watching the second of its head’s fall wasn’t open as the right was slammed against the ground by the warrior using the same tackle move.

Before it could register where she was, two hooves tightly gripped its upper jaw, accompanied by a pulling force. Over with Olive Branch and company, his look of fear and pity changed to an expression of sheer bewilderment at the warrior standing before the last Hydra head, facing away with her front hooves gripping the gums between its teeth. Her already bloated muscles grew as she dragged herself forward, her forelegs flesh tearing like paper.

Shockingly enough to the old stallion and others in attendance, the Hydra's body shifted in tandem with hers, then the right’s neck began to rise.

AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHH!!!

The warrior released her bone-shaking roar while the Hydra cried out in agony, the corners of its mouth beginning to rip. In the blink of an eye, in that one split second of stillness, the warrior slammed a hind leg down while throwing her upper body ahead. Olive Branch gasped as the colossal body of the Hydra was flung overhead of the warrior, casting a large shadow as it passed, causing her footing to vanish, getting lifted into the air. And once the body hit Equus a second time, it sent a shock wave across the street and all of Ponyville; the surrounding homes instantly lost their windows, and the ponies- including Olive Branch -fell over.

A groan of pain crawled out of his throat as Olive Branch pushed himself off the ground. Thankfully, the element of generosity- also known as Rarity -came over and assisted him; all the while, the veil of kicked-up winter frost settled. Standing atop the Hydra’s unmoving corpse, Olive Branch was struck by a sense of dread when his eyes met Storm Breaker staring down the small crowd less than a few meters away.

“U-Unicorn~~.” The warrior repeated, looking at Olive Branch and Rarity, “Pe-gasis~~!” She added, picking out the pegasi guards behind them, gritting her teeth.

Now the old stallion knew what emotion he thought about earlier.

Unbridled vengeance

“Our destination is not far, but they are on par!” Zecora shouted, using her staff to smack a timberwolf away as she and Twilight’s group ran through the everfree and away from the advancing beasts. “Keep your eyes ahead and mind where you tread.” Jumping over a purple vein-like root, Zecora saw the surrounding vegetation starting to show infection. The group had been running for a few minutes now, and true to the zebra’s word, a break in the treeline slowly grew as they approached.

A flying Rainbow Dash flung a timberwolf into the face of a Manticore, causing it to trip and fall, bringing two more Timberwolves along in its downfall. “Geeze, what’s with all this funky gunk?” She groaned, avoiding hanging vines and low-hanging branches.

Bolts of lavender flew under the prismatic pegasus, striking the hoard, “It’s worse than I thought; The corruption is growing more potent. Zecora, how far is the hotspot?”

Answering Twilight’s inquiry, the break in the treeline was quickly passed by the group, leaving them temporarily blind before their eyes adjusted. What lay ahead nearly dropped the jaws of everypony- except Zecora -as the center point for the hotspot turned out to be a familiar place. “The castle of the two sisters?!” Twilight said. But instead of the usually broken architecture and moss-cover stone, the entire structure was almost buried under gigantic lumps of corruption to make up for the lost spires and castle towers. Even the bridge was constructed of the same disgusting material, which the group quickly and reluctantly ran across as the hoard continued to chase them.

“Mrs. Sparkle, they’re gaining- AH!” One of the guards began to say until a Timberwolf bit their leg, dragging them behind, leaving the sounds of pain.

Gritting her teeth at the loss of a second guard, Twilight kept her eyes forward as her horn illuminated a bright lavender. “Everypony, jump when you get close to the end!” She shouted.

As the hoard slowly gained distance toward their prey, every pony jumped a few meters across the remaining bridge length- while Rainbow Dash flew. Once the studious unicorn landed with the rest, she swiftly turned around and shot a bolt at the bridge, causing a bright light to envelope a portion of the corrupted support. Luckily, the spell worked, disintegrating the infection and ridding the hoard of their ground, letting the beast fall into the dark cavern below.

And as the echoing of flesh, rock, and wood reverberated off the cavern walls, the group collapsed in fits of exhausted coughing and sweat. “What…the hay was…that?” Rainbow huffed tiredly. Twilight turned to her friend.

“A simple dispel spell…used for warding off foreign magic.” She responded, “But I barely have enough mana left after that.” The effects of the forest were greater than she expected- it’d be a hot minute until she was ready for another. Good thing she had two unicorn guards come along. Rising to her hooves, wincing at her bad hoof as the drug Zecora gave her had worn off, Twilight faced the castle. “We can’t sit around any longer, unfortunately. There have been enough delays today.”

Zecora raised and nodded, “I agree; time to free the Everfree.” She said.

With a discomforting air swallowing the group’s nerves, they steeled their resolves and followed as the zebra shaman entered a large hole in the castle wall before them.

It was time to end this nightmare.

Chp 14: Sky Slicer

What was she doing again?

The warrior stood motionless, trying not to sway- to show weakness.

Pain, where did this come from?

Oh, right, she was fighting; of course, she was- what else would she be doing, sleeping?

Anger, why was she so angry?

Looking down, she spotted the dead scaly monster under her, then went back to staring at the nervous-looking crowd. Monster, yeah, that’s right, monsters were attacking her, or was it the other way? But what were unicorns and pegasi doing here; there’s even some of her kind too.

Wait, aside from her not-so-clear vision: the warrior could make out the faces of the pegasi and unicorns, who moved closer to her than the earth ponies and were indeed nervous- scared, even.

Oh, she knew why they were frightened, the same reason any pony not of the earth pony race was when in her presence, especially with her fellow kin in attendance. They foalnapped them! Yes, that’s the only reasonable conclusion. She must’ve black-out to her rage in a fight again and just woke up in their…weirdly large town-like base. Why was her memory so fuzzy, though? Never mind, The monsters were likely protection- who knows what messed-up mind spell the horn-heads had? Too bad, these fuckers messed with the wrong pony, taking her kind, and were going to pay!

Gritting her teeth, the warrior jumped off the Hydra onto the surface below. Unfortunately, her landing failed, as her fractured limbs gave out and caused her to fall flat, making her snarling grunts turn to whines of pain. How did cowardly horseflies and hornheads hurt her this bad?! It felt like an elder dragon ate her body and threw her up.

No matter; she was in worse messes than this!

With another grunt, the warrior attempted to push herself up, but a jolt of fiery-hot pain sent her back to the snow. “Storm Breaker!” An annoying, shrill voice called out, followed by approaching hoofsteps.

Shit! A unicorn was closing in on her.

Looking frantically around for anything to use, she found a golden spear- likely once belonging to a hornhead or pegasi -resting next to her, a bit of monster flesh stuck on its tip. Quickly biting the long shaft, the injured warrior threw it at the old, foolish unicorn. Crap, she only managed to graze his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. Actually, how did that unicorn know her name- she felt the answer on the tail end of her tongue. Drawing blanks, the warrior resorted to showing her teeth and growling, hopefully, to scare him off. Worse yet, she felt BAD when seeing his hurt expression.

Trying again, the warrior was more or less successful in standing this time at the cost of nearly unimaginable pain wrecking her insides. “D-Don’t you FUCKING dare!” She roared, “Give me my kin back, and your d-death’s wi-will-” She couldn’t finish her sentence as a torrent of blood exploded from her mouth as she hacked and wheezed.

Ignoring what had happened, the warrior stepped forward, startling the armored pegasi and unicorns into blocking the orange and pink earth ponies from view. At this, her bloody eye widened in momentary fear, then narrowed.

No, she couldn’t let it happen again like last time! She’d lost a friend due to her recklessness once before.

Suddenly, the horn of the elder unicorn glowed softly as a grimace crossed his face. Prepared for an attack, the warrior ready herself to dodge or tough it through the pain; instead, a light sensation filled her mind. It was foreign and familiar, something she might have felt in the past, but her disorganized mind was too heated and groggy to make sense of anything else than the current fight. However, a mysterious presence filled every thought, the warrior pawing at her head weakly with a hoof.

“It’s okay now, darling.” The voice of the elder unicorn echoed in her mind, “You can rest easy now; there ain’t no more reasons to fight- let yourself fall, just this once.” It said.

How dare it say that!! Who was he to tell her, a great warrior, to lay down and die?!

Shockingly enough to the enraged warrior, the echoing words bouncing off the walls of her skull had a strangely soothing effect, one that the warrior fought against. But no matter how fierce, her feeble swipes at thin air proved worthless as darkness began to surround her vision. It was the spell! The warrior needs to damage that prick's stubby horn to break it. Taking additional steps closer to the steadfast unicorn with a hoof stretched out, she inched ever so near to ending his life, but so was the darkness in its mission to take hold of her consciousness.

In the end, the warrior’s hoof stopped less than a few centimeters from his muzzle as the foreign sensation and grip on reality slipped away. And as she took her final fall, the image of a saddened unicorn was left as she entered the realm of dreams. The last thought going through her mind?

His name was Olive Branch, right?

“Hey, uh, Storm Breaker, was it?”

Murmuring a usual insult and swatting the voice's owner, a young stallion, away, the warrior flipped over in her bear hide sleeping bag. Sleep wouldn’t return to the poor, exhausted mare as a newly introduced sensation irritated her nerves. A hoof was poking her bandaged back, which took damage from the bear hide’s original owner a few days ago. After a couple more seconds of poking, the warrior bit back the urge to clock whoever woke her up in the face and sat up, opening her eyes.

“I swear you damn brat. It’s a surprise I haven’t kicked your flank already.” She grumbled, pushing the messy mane out of her face and turning to the pony beside her.

The young earth pony stallion tapped his hooves tips together and looked down, “S-Sorry, ma’am, but I need your help.” He said anxiously. He looked no older than twenty with a foal-like complexion, his light-brown fur not sporting a single blemish, and his dark-brown mane/tail somewhat brushed.

If she remembered correctly, the little squirt's name was Sky Slicer, the name given to him by the group's leader for his quickness that could rival a pegasus. Although the swift fucker can eliminate an entire battalion of unicorn guards with a single rusted knife, his timid green eyes, and antsy demeanor contrasted with the grim environment the vanguard group set. The young stallion joined a hoof-full of moons ago and was reliable when he wasn’t pissing himself in fear before every fight. Besides that, the warrior was fond of him, being one of the more well-rounded, enjoyable ponies to be around.

Raising an eyebrow, the warrior threw the top half of her sleeping bag away. “Me being of help? Is there something you’re too afraid to kill?” She asked in an incredulous, joking tone, shocking the young stallion.

“W-What? No! Well, sorta, I guess.” He verbally fumbled. “The others had me go out to get food from the forest- even though I said I didn’t want to -and I got two boars a bit ago.” He explained, a subtle look of disgust and guilt crossing his features. The short stack of a stallion’s courage to kill things was as small as he was- Sky Slicer always preferred recon and scouting, using violence as a last resort, a true pacifist among killers.

“Shocker.” Storm Breaker replied in a flat, sarcastic tone.

Sky Slicer groaned softly, “Ugh, look, this is the first time I’ve hunted something, and I don’t know how to…skin it.” He revealed as his mood dampened. “My… parents used to do both.” Oh, so that’s why he woke her up. The only reason he joined the Vanguard- at least what he told the group -is because his folks died from some disease.

He came across one of the group members on one of their contracts and just…tagged along- only recently becoming a knight after proving himself in a nasty fight, saving the warrior and her comrades.

A small mischievous grin grew onto her muzzle, proceeding an unreadable expression, and the towering mare stood over the small stallion, her head almost touching the roof of her tent. “Is that so? Fine, you’re already stealing me from my sleep. Just make it quick.” She said, receiving a bright, thankful smile in return.

Following a rushing Sky Slicer out of the tent into the temporary camp her group set up, the warrior glanced at others mulling about.

Sitting near the roaring campfire was a pair of twins, a mare, and a stallion, the former throwing twigs and dried plants into the flames. They shared a coat of snow white with an unusual coloration of blue ending on their hooves, the stallion having a wild mane/tail of black while his sister’s kempt style sported a light pink. They were coined as the snowfall twins. The brother was known as Roaring Blizzard for his erratic nature compared to his sister’s, Flowing Flurry’s, grace, both pale white siblings dangerous during a battle in their own right.

Sitting in front of a tent larger than the warriors near the fire was another pair of ponies- unrelated -partaking in a casual conversation. Dressed in armor too big for her was an old mare far more aged than the thirty-year-old Storm Breaker- opposite of the elder was a large stallion the same age as the warrior.

For starters, the gray-spotted, black elder mare with white hair was called Gran by the group and was the ‘commanding officer,’ sort to speak. She handled client contracts and gave everypony orders on what to do for a contract to go smoothly. What she lacked in the physical department, Gran made up for in intelligence, being a retired war chief for a lord long ago.

There was no situation she couldn’t get everypony out of, and Storm Breaker refused to think about the stuff she deals with in fear of her brain exploding.

Sitting next to Gran, sipping from a water bag, was the tallest stallion she’d ever met. His coat was a brownish red, and his mane/tail a dirty tan. Valley Carver was BIG; even though Storm Breaker stood taller than average for most ponies, he stood close to a full head over the hulking warrior. But due to his high metabolism, his scrawny but muscular, hard-earned frame was like a twig at first glance, proving a good surprise to the enemy when he came barreling through. Unlike Gran’s warm personality, Valley Carver was, ironically enough, in Storm Breaker’s eyes, a stick up the ass.

Unfortunately, the stern bastard was the group's agreed-upon leader, always giving out orders from Gran when the group went on a joint contract. She’d been on the receiving end of his long-winded lectures when she got too carried away at battle more times than she’d like to admit.

It wasn’t much, but it was the closest thing to a family she had after…

“Hey, ma’am, are you okay?” Sky Slicer said, thankfully, snapping the warrior back to reality.

Shaking her head free of the depressing thoughts, the warrior huffed, “Yeah, whatever, let’s just get this shit over with.” She spat harshly, leaving the small stallion to flinch and begin walking to where she presumed his kills were.

Following a minute of treading past trees, the duo found themselves at the nearby frozen lake. Immediately, the warrior took notice of the two unmoving boars strung up on a single tree’s branch closest to the icy body of water, trickles of crimson staining the snow under them. Sky Slicer took a seat on a fallen log by the boar’s, watching patiently as the warrior walked over and sat on the snow across from him as he equipped his dagger.

“A-Aren’t you going to sit on something?” He asked, concerned, blushing as he motioned to her rump.

Reaching over and taking the short blade in her teeth, Storm Breaker chuckled, “Nah, it becomes natural the more you have to sit outside.” She replied, muffled slightly. “Nevermind that, kid, it’s time for lesson one on dressing food. And before we start, what is the first thing we prepare for before skinning?” She questioned.

The young stallion squirmed in place, “Um, we…build up a pile of snow?” He said.

“Right, I see Carver’s taught you something between beating you hard in training, at least.” The warrior used a hind leg to push snow into a small mound next to her, “We have it on hoof so the mess made by the process gets covered up in case we have ponies chasing our flanks. Fewer clues to use against us. The rest: we’ll break a hole in the ice and throw it into the lake.”

Shifting closer to the closet boar, the warrior put the dagger up to its back left leg, just above the hooves. After a bit of fiddling, a green-faced Sky Slicer watched the warrior begin the first cuts, where she sliced around the ankles on both legs, then made a vertical line down the animal's inner thighs. Continuing her near-surgical operation, the warrior joined the two cuts at the crotch and started another incision down its stomach, pulling back its skin as she went along. Then she copied what she did to the back legs to the front and, in one fell swoop, chopped the boar’s head off, letting it hit the ground with a thud.

“How did I get roped into this?” The young stallion whimpered.

The warrior snorted in amusement, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” She said.

Just as he was about to question her, the warrior drew back her head and brought the blade down the middle of the boar’s naked corpse. At the sight of greenish, steaming innards spilling out and landing on the severed head shortly after, Sky Slicer quickly turned and emptied his stomach’s contents, much to the amusement of the warrior.

He whipped back around at the sound of her laughter, scowling, “What the hay?!” He shouted. “You could’ve at least warned me, ma’am!”

“Oh, shut up,” She waved a hoof, “Saw an opportunity and couldn’t hold back- I’m just messing with you.” With a flick of her neck, the warrior tossed the now-bloody dagger to the young stallion, which he caught by its handle. “Look on the bright side: your cowardly flank knows how to skin a boar!” She said.

“I’m not a coward.” He mumbled before reluctantly closing in on the second wild hog.

As opposed to the warrior’s attempt, his time to shine was slow and arduous, constantly interrupted by his gagging and whiny complaints. By the time he finished, the already low sun had disappeared into the horizon, and the duo now resided in moonlit darkness and carved the meat into manageable-sized slabs. They stayed silent for the longest time, mostly because Sky Slicer was mad at his peer and gave her the silent treatment, which she ignored for the most part. Even so, he couldn’t pass off the smile on the warrior’s face.

“What’s so funny?” He asked in a curious tone, placing the dagger on his pile of meat.

The warrior turned to him and grabbed the dagger, “Oh, nothing, just that look on your face.” She said, making her first cut into the boar’s flesh. “You look like you wanted to ask something- your eyes always dart around and back when you do.”

His eyes widened a bit, “Y-You can see that?”

“Eeyup.”

Looking down nervously, failing in not doing so to prove the warrior wrong, Sky Slicer didn’t speak for a good few seconds before he switched back to her.

“Um, what was life like when you first joined the Vanguard?” He asked, the warrior's expression becoming that of surprise. “Uh, I-I didn’t mean to offend you in any way, ma’am. It’s just a stupid question to pass the time! You don’t have to-”

Sky Slicer’s apology was interrupted by the warrior’s hearty laugh, lasting a moment before dying out. “You’re a riot kid. That’s why I somewhat enjoy your presence. It’s not a surprise the scouter likes gathering intel instead of throwing things to the wall until it works out.” She said, making him blush in embarrassment. “It’s alright, though. I don’t mind you asking me those sorts of things. To tell you the truth, nothing special. I did enough jobs here and there until it became natural, that’s all. Funny, huh; Not what you were expecting?” Her eyes lowered along with her smile.

“I-... you don’t need to talk if it’s a sore subject, ma’am.” The young stallion worriedly said, noticing her expression.

The warrior’s dark visage disappeared with a scoff. “Christ, you worry too much, kid!” She said, “Learn to take life by the balls and make it do what you want, not run around like a chicken without its head when something bad happens. You’re a knight, for goddess sake!” Finishing up another chunk of pork, the warrior hesitated, then gazed at the lake silently. Taking a deep breath, she blew the hot air out of her mouth and lowered her head. “Y’know, kid, you remind me of myself when I was younger.” She said, shocking him.

“Ma’am?” Sky Slicer leaned to the side to better look at the warrior.

The warrior refocused her sight on the young stallion with a soft smile. “I never told anypony about this, but I’ll make an exception.” She said.

Confusion riddled the poor colt’s features, “About what?” He asked.

“I was a slave once; my bastard of a grandpa sold me off to pay a debt.” She said with a subtle tinge of venom in her tone, causing Sky Slicer to gasp. “I don’t like talking about him. But Gran was the one who bought me- the kind soul she is, saw a filly in need and came in to bring me back to a safe place. Unfortunately, her misguided kindness allowed a fucked-up filly to join a mercenary guild. The years of countless killings sure made me worse, huh? I used to be scared of everything- now everything is scared of me.“ Her longing suddenly transformed into bitterness. “As much as I respect and thank Gran for freeing me, her gesture put me into another, slightly less, hell. I don’t regret all the things I’ve done; our enemies deserve it, it’s no lie, but I had so many opportunities to leave this group, to live a better life, and I didn’t, even if none of this was what I wanted.”

The young stallion leaned back into his upright sitting position, “Then…why did you stay?” He said.

“When you ask me that, you forget I had nothing then. No parent’s, no loving companion, or even a proper home. I slept in my grandpa's run-down tool shack and ate rats between the rare meals he gave me.” She retorted, cutting the meat a second time. “At my lowest point, the vanguard gave me clothes, food, safety, and ponies I could trust- the last one took some time to come to terms with.” She chuckled, “This killing lifestyle was an ugly bonus to take revenge on my enemies. At least I wasn’t sold to a slaver.” Sky Slicer stood up, the warrior following with her eyes as he approached the lake’s edge.

“Is it possible…I can be a proper knight?” He asked, “I know I’m not as brave as you or Carver or as confident as Blizzard. But I want to make something of myself! Look at you, everything was pitted against you, and still, you’ve become something I can only dream of becoming! That’s it, then! I won’t be the scaredy-cat Sky Slicer any longer. My dream is to be just like- OW!” He cried out, rubbing the back of his head. Turning around and looking at the ground, he saw a small stone.

Finally cutting all the meat, the warrior furrowed her brow, “Don’t you dare finish that sentence!’ She shouted, startling the young stallion as she covered the boars’ blood under the pile of snow. “My hate for those horn-headed vermin and their rat-winged counterparts is the main reason out of many I stick around- you mistake that hatred for some inspirational bravery. Don’t try to follow in my bloodstained hoofsteps just because I spilled my guts out to you, kid. Form your own path as a Vanguard Kight!” She said.

Rising from the snow, the warrior used a bag Sky Slicer had stored under the log before their skinning play date to store her portion of cut meat. “Y-Yes, Ma’-”

“And only call me Storm Breaker, or Storm, enough of this stupid Ma’am crap.” She cut off the young stallion.

A meek Sky Slicer simply nodded before returning and bagging his meat portion. He was too foolish, naive, and as sure as Hades Bright-eyed to be in the same job position as Storm Breaker. However, the warrior could deny that, if this was the future of the Earth pony race, she wouldn’t mind dying, knowing there was nothing to worry about. For all his puny flaws, Sky Slicer was a kind and daring soul, always ready to step up to the occasion when need be. And as highly as she saw the death of non-earth ponies, she secretly wished for him to stay far away from stuff like that- either for his safety or that she was greedy.

Nevertheless, the two soon arrived back at the camp, only to become stunned, seeing the rest of the group gleefully and hungrily huddled around the fire. Sky Slicer was visibly uncomfortable with the loud noise of their conversations but calmed when the warrior laid a foreleg on his shoulder, shooting him a smirk as they walked closer to the group.

She was glad to have him around.

Although she can’t worry about keeping an eye on him forever, it was annoying when Gran and Carver did that when she was young. Sentiments weren’t her strong suit anyway. He was going to grow someday, for better or worse. Whichever, she’d be there every step of the way.

Hades, is this what having an ankle biter feel’s like?

… it's not too bad.

The only thing she could see…was a bloody and torn boar skin dagger sheath laid among the discarded pile of chard bones and half-eaten flesh. Not even the hoof of the mighty Vally Carver could shake away the darkness eating away at her vision’s corners, focusing on the torn item. Standing around them: the smoldering ruins of the unicorn savage's camp, filling the sunny sky with smoke.

“He was a brave stallion, Storm Breaker.” He said, voice solemn and heavy.

Her lips quivered, breathing on the verge of sucking every bit of air from her rapidly pumping lungs. “S-S-S-”

“SKY!!!” The warrior loudly cried out the young stallion’s name, shooting up instantly, regretting her action as agonizing pain burned her body.

It didn’t amount to anything, however, as she felt hooves trying to push her down, but in the heat of her panic, the pain was masked by adrenaline as she swatted them away and stood up, backing away into a defensive stance. Nearing a hyperventilating state, her rapid breathing and pounding heartbeat fueled her fear as she noticed her other eye was covered, leaving her in darkness. She couldn’t think straight, everything was dark and swimming, she wasn’t breathing, loud noises all around, trapping her!

What in Hades was happening?!?

“Darling!” A familiar voice shouted to her left, smashing her panic like a stone hitting glass. “Calm yourself! Your wounds will open up if you keep moving like that; it’s alright now!” He begged.

Upon hearing the voice, Storm Breaker’s breathing slowed as she faced his direction. “O-Olive…Branch?” She hesitantly asked in an uncharacteristically weak tone. Suddenly, a hoof touched her left foreleg, but her fear vanished when she heard him whispering reassuring words. Collapsing to the ground to her pain, she held back a grunt while donning her mask of sternness. “Where *huff* am I?” She questioned.

Olive Branch snaked under her limb and helped her up, “Town Hall. It’s been an hour since you…killed the Hydra; I’m surprised you woke up so fast.” He chuckled, walking a short distance before stopping.

“I hear a lot of guards walking around.” She said, pointing out the sound of clanking armor.

Olive Branch sighed in exhaustion, “Reinforcement came earlier and cleaned up the rest of the beasts, I don’t know how Twilight’s doing, but her other teams returned not long ago too. It should mean her plan is working.” He explained as he slowly set the warrior onto a soft surface. “I’m just glad we got you patched up. Whatever that stuff you ate was, it kept you alive long enough for the doctors to help you.”

A groan escaped the warrior’s throat, “It’s called Goddess Locks.” She replied, using a hoof to remove whatever was covering her good eye, to no success. “Dammit! Can you get this thing off?!” She said.

“Can’t,” He simply replied, “Your eye was flooded with blood, and the spell the docs used to fix it required no sunlight to prevent further damage to the sensitive pupil as it heals.” He said, a shiver running down the warrior's spine at the mention of unicorn magic. “On another matter, what was that back there- before you blacked out? You certainly weren’t the Storm Breaker I’ve known. And, who is Sky?” Hearing that last question, she flinched.

“...It was nopony.”

“Huh?”

The warrior grunted, “Just…let me rest right now. My body is whiney, and my brain is screaming.” She said.

A chuckle came from the old stallion’s direction, “I’d imagine. The docs said you had a cart-load of broken bones and torn muscles- said it was a miracle you were still alive.” There was a pause. “You’re right, though; interrogation time can come later. Although, if you don’t mind, there is somepony who’d like a quick word with you.” He said.

She raised an eyebrow, “Who?”

“Me.” Another voice said, accompanied by hoofsteps that stopped a bit away.

Celestia had arrived.

Chp 15: Pleasant fallout and a cracks at the seams

Author's Note

Description

To the surprise of the recovering townsfolk of Ponyville and Storm Breaker alike, our fierce ancient warrior is unexpectedly thrust into a tense- yet brief -meeting with the solar princess, daughter of the alicorn who killed her those many thousands of winters ago. Meanwhile, Trotselot, one of the four dastardly nobles intertwined with the warrior's downfall, discusses a concerning matter with Brandy, revealing shocking revelations. Situations conclude and started, past wounds mended, and new adventures await in the warrior's modern-day blight!

An: (If there are any mistakes or parts of the chapter I should change, please leave a comment. I've been feeling burned out on writing, and it's almost ten in the evening :p. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy it!)

Chp 15: Pleasant fallout and a cracks at the seams

For the longest time, Princess Celestia and the blindfolded warrior spoke no words to each other, only the tense quietness and faint murmurs of patients filling the air.

It was a horrific sight for Celestia, seeing the warrior mare’s body; bloody bandages, splints, and, previously, an I.V. The cord once connected to her dangled motionlessly, dripping clear liquid from the bag above on a metal rack. She had heard the heroic exploits of Storm Breaker from the same letter Olive Branch sent asking for reinforcements. To say she was shocked by her battle with a Hydra- if just transitioning into adulthood, indicated by the lack of a fourth head, would be an understatement.

Still, to do such a thing, all while injured.

Celestia took a deep breath, releasing it through her lips to calm her nerves. “First off, I’d congratulate you on your success in your mission, Storm Breaker. If you were not here, I dread what would’ve happened.” She said, breaking the thick layer of ice that was the mood.

“...Yeah.” The warrior responded in a flat tone.

Strange, this wasn’t the usual tone the warrior used with her; Celestia reckoned there’d be snippiness and a condescending undertone she always spoke with. Well, she just woke up and isn’t in the best shape. The solar princess couldn’t blame Storm Breaker for the ‘under-the-weather’ attitude. “Yes, I thank you dearly for saving my little ponies lives. And secondly, if you wish, I’ll spare some of my magic to speed your recovery up.” She offered, giving a warm smile.

Instead of responding, Celestia and Olive Branch alike panicked as the warrior began to stand on shaky, weak legs.

“Darling, didn’t you hear me a second ago? I-” Olive Branch was cut off by the stomping of hooves from his hulking friend, stepping closer to Celestia until their chests were barely an inch apart.

Celestia would be lying if she said she didn’t feel at least a bit of distress rise within her as the taller mare glared the alicorn down despite her covered eyes.

“Spare your magic?” The warrior echoed in a dark, whispered tone. “Y’know, the last alicorn to do that so happened to do worse to me than those beasts I bet you walked amongst to get here. Somepony, I think you know just as well as I do.” Blinking owlishly, the solar diarch took a minute to process what she heard; when she did, her expression dropped. No…this couldn’t be happening- this wasn’t what she thought it was, right?

At Celestia’s eyes widening, the warrior huffed. “Just as I thought. Since that night a month ago, after the ball, my suspicions of you since we first met were stronger than ever. Olive Branch helped me confirm them.” She said.

Looking bewildered and horrified by the revelation, Celestia quickly shot the sheepish old stallion a hurtful look before returning to the warrior. “Storm Breaker…I-” She stammered. Celestia stared in silence; the alicorn shouldn't be too surprised. For a mare known to keep herself in check, she did a horrible job hiding the truth when pouring her heart out that night.

However, the warrior’s face began to pale, sweat drenching her face. “Save it for when I’m not in the middle…of…dying. This…doesn’t concern…them.” She forced out, looking to the side at the gawking crowd in a strained voice before falling limp to the ground.

The solar princess immediately took a few steps back as the medical ponies rushed to the warrior’s aid, who luckily watched the brief interaction.

As they laid her massive form flat to check for injuries caused by the fall, Celestia’s mind raced at a million miles a second. Everything was too much at the moment; to think the warrior untangled the truth she hid so quickly. Not to say she was slow or incompetent, quite the opposite. Her slip-up hinted at her connection to King Platinum, and the warrior just put the pieces together- to think it had gone unnoticed for an entire month! Emotions got the better of her that night, and Celestia’s retained feelings about the warrior spilled out. But seeing how the drunken, pitiful Storm Breaker was, it was hard not to.

What was truly bizarre was how the warrior didn’t give the expected reaction Celestia prepared for if she found out.

Knowing her, the warrior might’ve made a big scene over it, throwing accusations and insults to prove a point or simply vent her rage. In lieu, it was all hushed talking, and what she said about ‘them’ not having concerns- directed at the ponies around them -Celestia was confused. She never showed a semblance of concern for her or Luna, even less for their titles of Princesses and their subjects.

So why was Storm Breaker covering for her?

“Your Highness?” Olive Branch said, shaking the alicorn from her thoughts. “You okay? I didn’t hear much toward the end; did she say something to upset you?” He asked, face riddled with concern as he glanced to and back at the fallen Storm Breaker.

Releasing a hollow chuckle, Celestia shook her head. “Other than the fact she knows of my father and I’s kinship, no.” She said, spinning around and walking away. “Come, let’s walk.”

With the old stallion trailing closely behind, Celestia weaved in and out between several lines of injured ponies, smiling and waving whenever she could to raise their spirits. Eventually, they broke past the town hall doors and into the snowy outdoors to see the remains of a hard-fought battle. And as Storm Breaker said, corpses of branches, rocks, and flesh belonging to the Everfree creatures laid about in a macabre spectacle of multi-colored blood types staining the once pure white snow. Even from the sky where Celestia and her royal guard descended upon her arrival, the count was mind-boggling- their numbers did seem unending.

Steeping down the stairs, Celestia continued moving through the post-bloodshed, seeing the mix of guards and locals cleaning rubble. “About earlier, Princess, I apologize for not keeping my mouth shut. I only made things harder for you.” Olive Branch said.

“It’s…not your fault, Sir Branch.” Celestia sighed, “It would’ve been sooner or later that she found out, no matter how hard I’d try.” Looking out from her eyes corner, she suppressed a grimace at a small field of covered royal guard bodies- the ones who Storm Breaker fought alongside. They were brave young stallions and mares, taken too early from this world.

“Still…agh, this day’s been nothing but a shit show.” Olive Branch huffed, kicking a lump of snow.

Tearing her gaze away, Celestia wiped the image of a hoof sticking out from under a white sheet. “I must agree and disagree. For all it was worth, damages and lost lives were kept at a minimum for an ambush of this size.” Besides the former, considering what he wrote about Storm Breaker in the letter. Speaking of which, “In your letter, you mentioned Storm Breaker took some form of herbal drug; am I correct?” She asked.

Olive Branch nodded, “Yeah, lit on fire and ate it like it was nothing.” He added.

“Remind me, did she give you a name for this drug?”

“Goddess Locks, your majesty.”

Celestia barely held back a gasp hearing the name, the drug’s name striking a sore memory. “Sir Branch, back then, do you still remember in the field medical kit a certain bottle of painkillers?”

“You talking about Aceon?” Olive Branch answered, “Yeah, it was standard issued for all kinds of pain caused by field injuries, even giving ponies a boost in physical ability at the cost of severe exhaustion. But it was replaced by more harmless stuff after it had been discovered Aceon ruined kidney cells.” He explained, giving her a confused look. “What’s this have to do with Goddess Locks?” Her features hardened at the question, Celestia remembering the effect of the ancient herbal mix on soldiers in her youth- not too dissimilar to what happened with Storm Breaker.

“Because Aceon was based on Goddess Locks.” She said, stunning the old stallion.

Stopping dead in his tracks, Celestia halted a bit ahead at turn back to face Olive Branch. “Say what now?! How is that possible?” He frantically said, “Aceon was just some above-average painkiller pills you took from a bottle; what Storm Breaker took…it changed her. How does something that can allow a pony to kill a Hydra bare-hoofed become Aceon?”

Celestia looked down in indignity, “Goddess Locks is a drug made from different herbs and hallucinogenic mushrooms that gives the user tremendous strength by blocking out the nerves connected to the part of their brain that processes pain.”

“However, extended use or overtaking the set amount damages the brain and leads to mania and loss of all cognitive function, rendering that pony nothing more than a wild animal out for blood. I’ve seen it used before when first setting out to unify Equestria and banned it when I rose to power in hopes nopony could find it. But when the griffon wars started, I was desperate to supply my losing soldiers and turned to Goddess Lock. I hoofed over the recipe notes I secured in my attempts to erase its existence and gave them to the best scientists and doctors to see if they could make a safer version- the result: Aceon.”

As the solar princess took a deep breath, she noticed where she was and moved her focus to a long row of destroyed houses- a dead Hydra lay motionless in the distance. “This is why I made Goddess Lock, and by extension, Aceon, a banned substance. Storm Breakers usage can’t go overlooked.” She said.

Olive Branch flinched at her unreadable tone, “Wait, but didn’t she save the town? I know this Locks stuff is illegal, but it helped kill a Hydra that could’ve hurt dozens!” The old stallion argued, wearing a look of distress. “And with my mental-link spell, I talked her down. Her already poor condition made it easier.” He grimaced.

While it was true what he said, the circumstances forced the warrior to use such a disgusting substance; sadly, Celestia couldn’t let it slide, not this time. “I’m truly sorry, but with multiple incidents of near murder during her starting run as a night guard, Storm Breaker’s reputation only fuels the hate of Canterlot residents who disagree with her freedom. They remain to cite her as a monster.” She regretfully explained. The solar princess swept those moments under the rug, and she couldn’t keep doing it for much longer without backlash.

“Then…uh…lighten her sentence!” Olive Branch suggested, “It was the heat of the moment that led to her using Goddess Locks, so the punishment shouldn’t be too bad, right?” He nervously grinned.

A light smile crossed Celestia’s lips, followed by a small giggle. “I’m glad to see your relationship with Storm Breaker’s grown enough to entertain the idea of manipulating the system to give her some reprieve. Unfortunately, I can’t do that.” She said, making his grin drop. “However, you make a point.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” Celestia nodded, “You are correct in assuming her usage was circumstantial, but it’s a crime nonetheless. Since she is already serving her time for ruining the market space, it’ll only add to her already existing punishment.” She said.

A sense of relief seemed to wash over Olive Branch as he sighed happily, slumping his shoulders. “That’s good,” He chuckled, “what’d you have in mind?”

However, before she could give the details of Storm Breaker’s fate, Celestia was interrupted by an approaching guard, face as stoic and straight. “Your Highness, I have urgent news that needs your attention!” He saluted in royal guard fashion. “A group of stragglers was spotted leaving Ponyville borders who match the description of five high-ranking guard ponies. We’ve sent out a retrieval party to apprehend them for desertion, how should we proceed?” He said.

Shocked by the sudden development, internally, Celestia became infuriated that any guard would cower away in times like these when they were most needed. The fact they were high-ranked gave away who they might’ve been. “By any chance, was there a large, gruff unicorn stallion among them?”

The guard nodded, “Yes, your highness.” He said.

“Then have them captured and brought back to Canterlot.” She ordered, hiding her angered face by turning away. “I’ll personally question them, that is all.” With a second salute, the guard took off, leaving Celestia to fume as Olive Branch approached her. “I can’t believe it. I entrusted them with Storm Breaker because of their loyalty and strength.” She muttered, a hint of hurt in her tone.

Glancing back where the guard left, Olive Branch’s brows furrowed, “High-ranking and large unicorn? Besides me, minus the size aspect and haggardness, only one other unicorn I know has a rank almost similar to mine.” He said, returning to Celestia.

“Commander Thunder Charge, up and coming Captain of the Royal Guard and head of Storm Breakers escort team.”

Else were, in the pearly white city of Canterlot, amidst the hustle and bustle of the well-off, mountain-side city, the renowned fashionista, Trotselot, entered a low-class bar. Upon setting hoof inside, the pungent stench of hard liquor and masculine musk entered his muzzle, forcing the high-class pegasus to suppress a gag, pushing past the many tables and booths. Compared to the interior filled with rugged ponies and brutish decor, the out-of-place prissy noble ignored the disgusted glares and murmured insults as he approached the bar across from the frontmost wall.

Sitting on a metal stool topped off by a leather seat, he found the deflated cushion more welcoming than his environment but settled in as a smoking earth pony stallion behind the oak bar closed in on him.

“Huh, don’t get too many of your kind around here.” The smoking stallion hummed, blowing smoke, “What it’d be, money bags?”

Trotselot smiled kindly to the grumpy-looking earth pony, “I’ll take a mojito with extra lime, my friend.” He requested, earning an affirmative grunt as the smoking stallion disappeared behind a door beside the display rack of varying drinks behind the counter. As he waited patiently, a mare sat beside Trotselot; although not one of his playmates, she was a familiar pony. Both rough and soft in her complexion and personality.

Brandy, known otherwise as Caramel Swirl, scowled at the seductive stallion, “Alright, fruit cake, what do you want?” She spat.

A chuckle escaped Trotselot, “Dear, moody, aren’t we? However, color me surprised; you showed up!” He said in a joyful tone, making the drunkard groan slightly.

“You’re lucky, freak.” Brandy said, “No matter how much I despise your very existence, I can’t say no to a good drink, especially within one of my bars- interesting pick of location, by the way.” She added sarcastically, smirking. “Other than that, I had nothing better to do. So hurry up, or I’ll make up a reason to get far away from you.” She said.

Sighing, Trotselot watched as the door behind the bar opened to reveal the smoking stallion holding a wide glass filled with a greenish beverage, a pair of lime slices wedged on its lip. Setting down the glass, the snuffer looked over and instantly recognized Brandy, standing straight up and rubbing their front hooves together with a closed-eyed smile. “O-Oh, your Caramel Swirl, I didn’t expect you to be here, Mrs. Can I-” Their bipolar character and greeting ceased at a growl emanating from the amber mare.

“Brandy, you idiot, it's Brandy!” She rudely interrupted, dropping the earth pony’s smile and his cigarette onto the bar top. “I ain’t in the candy-making business anymore. Just give me a glass and a bottle of rum.” She ordered.

The earth pony quickly nodded in panic, “Y-You’re the boss!” He groveled, swiftly flipping around and grabbing Brandy’s requested items in record time, setting them before the young mare. “Is there anything else I can get?” the earth pony laughed restlessly. Not giving a retort, a sharp glance provided by the drunkard mare was enough of an answer, which they promptly left through the door a second time.

Brandy rolled her eyes, scoffing while pulling the cork from the bottle’s neck. “Kiss-ass, why do I run into the most annoying ponies in Equestria?” She groaned under her breath.

As for Trotselot, he let out an amused giggle at the mare's expense, “Well, to answer your earlier question, before we were so rudely interrupted, I was thinking over my involvement in Iron Hoof’s plan. And, to be rather blunt here, I humored the thought of leaving this operation of his.” He said, getting a mildly surprised look from Brandy as she filled her glass.

“Is that so?” She hummed in reply, taking a quick sip of rum, then setting the glass down, “Why the change in pace? That monster mare destroyed the shops you invested in, right?” The amber mare poked.

He sighed, “Don’t act so surprised,” Trotselot jokingly said, “Since day one, I’ve never felt entirely…obligated to involve myself. Sure, I made the excuse of ‘it was all for the fun of it,’ but in reality, I owned Iron Hoof a…favor.” Noticing the sudden grim tone of the usually obnoxious stallion, Brandy halted another sip. “It only worsened the night I first faced Storm Breaker, and it's like a spell’s got cast on me; I could never get rid of her visage.”

“Did she have a retractable horn or something?” Brandy snickered.

Unexpectedly, Trotselot lightly slammed his hoof onto the bar top, just loud enough to startle Brandy without gaining others’ attention. “You don’t get it! I foolishly entangled myself with Iron Hoof since the day he loaned me bits to start my industry.” He exasperated.

Brandy settled down after the shock wore off- this time, taking a long swig of her drink. “So? You’re rich. You should be loaded with tons of bits by now- a simple loan couldn’t be that much.” She said.

“That’s the problem; I was young and despairing due to my first couple of clotheslines not going well. I took more and more from him, throwing away entire waste fields of ruined material just to get things right.” He argued, face falling into despair. “You don’t know how much I owe to him- and Iron Hoof isn’t a pony you want to cross, Brandy. This deal of his is one of many I’ve done- I just don’t want to admit how royally screwed my life’s become. I had it up to here with his villainy!” Trotselot, hanging his head, began bouncing his left hind leg shakily.

With her grumpy attitude and hate for the stallion all but replaced by underlying fear, Brandy gulped quietly, “What are you getting at? I know the old ogre of a stallion can get grumpy, but you make it sound like Iron Hoof is some cartoony mob boss.” She tried to reason with the solemn pegasus.

A small chuckle came from Trotselot, “You’re not too far off. He may seem like an everyday banker, but he didn’t get his spot in the top five richest ponies in Canterlot for nothing. He is a parasite.” He snarled, clenching his hoof.

The tantalizing stallion still remembers that fateful day he met Iron Hoof. Down on his luck and fresh out of the high school he worked his soul to get into, Trotselot was a hop and skip away from being the next drifter sleeping on the park’s benches. Every investor turned down his masterpieces, and the bits were running low. So, when one of his few friends mentioned a stallion named Iron Hoof that gave out ‘special’ loans, he didn’t think twice. After that, and subsequent boot-lickings to acquire more bits to speed things along, the start of Trotselot’s fame made him a well-known figure.

However, Brandy's description of Iron Hoof was almost right. But he was more ruthless than a tropey striped-suit-wearing mobster, the stallion’s meticulous and malicious in his punishments when buyers don’t pay him back on time, akin to a slaver. Trotselot wouldn’t dare think of what would happen if he went against him.

Because, like most ponies he used to know, he would ‘disappear’ just like them.

Drinking down what little remained of rum in her glass, Brandy sighed and placed a hoof on Trotselots shoulder. “I think I know what you mean. And, look, we don’t see eye-to-eye often, but from what I’m hearing, you might want to turn on him.” She said, “If so, I don’t care; he’s done nothing for me besides visiting my bars. I only agreed to his plan for the chance of a reward to replace my lost liquor. I won’t rat on you.”

Trotselot raised his head to stare at Brandy with disbelief- the usually standoffish amber mare now showing a semblance of concern for him. “Really? You mean it?” He said, a smile returning to his muzzle, “I’m dead or dreaming; Brandy actually agreeing about little ‘ol me.”

“Don’t let it go to your head!” Brandy replied, softly pushing Trotselot’s shoulder as the faintest hints of redness left her face. “Call it honor among nobles or whatever, but being honest, I hate Iron Hoof more than I do you. He’s why I don’t have my candy shops anymore- took them away when I couldn’t pay to keep the lights on.” She said, pouring herself more rum.

“We can at least toast to that.” Trotselot giggled, raising his mojito, “Truce?” He inquired cheekily.

Brandy looked to consider the stallion’s pledge temporarily until she rolled her eyes. “You idiot.” She scoffed, raising and tapping her glass against Trotselot’s. “You don’t want to be in this deal anymore; what do you plan on doing? As long as it doesn’t involve me.” She asked.

Taking a long taste of his drink from a solid purple straw, he nodded, “Yes. In fact, my natural charm shall come in handy. No Brandy required!” He proudly stated, humming pleasantly at the taste of his beverage. In spite of this establishment’s exterior, they knew how to make a decent drink. “Say, do you remember how they imprisoned Al Capony?”

Maybe the future was looking bright.

In a shocking turn of events for the warrior, she didn’t wake up drenched in sweat and shaking following a harrowing nightmare, more of a light sense of confusion in the wake of nothingness.

The surrounding room around her was a nostalgic sight: a hospital room.

It is similar to the one she woke up on her first day in Equestria. Sans the tiled floor, now wooden, and the window to her replaced by a solid wall. Ugh, she was getting sentimental over a place she despised. This room was the embodiment of weakness, where shattered and worthless ponies not worth their two shekels in anything go to rot. But her body and mind were too weak to brood over her pride right now, the clock on the wall saying it was still nighttime, giving the warrior more motivation to return to sleep.

Yet, sleep would not resurge, the warrior mulling over the dream she had an unknown amount of time ago. Like the one involving her father, the warrior speculated that these flashes of memories were likely taunts from the universe or something else entirely. She hadn’t thought back to Sky Slicer in years, trying to block out one of many hurtful points in her long life.

Remembering correctly, it was a warmer day than most, and the warrior and her group were out on a joint contract by a wealthy pony to take care of a rabid unicorn convoy stealing supplies.

Of course, they took it, and there was little trouble finding the unicorns, given that the contractor provided a rough estimate of where their camp was- plus, the horn-heads weren’t exactly quiet. And with any job, the warrior and her comrades cleaned out a good portion, starting off smoothly…until it went downhill. In a dreadful twist of fate, the number of unicorns increased in minutes due to an equally large gathering of them returning from a thieving spree, and the vanguard group was quickly overrun.

The warrior fought fiercely, successfully getting everypony away from the encampment, but it was temporary, the unicorn’s thirst for blood and revenge running high.

Luckily, Sky Slicer, ever the master of escape plans, said to split up and regroup at the vantage point they used to spy on the unicorn camp after losing their pursuers. Complying with his plan, the warrior took off and, about an hour later, killed off the portion of the chasing unicorns that broke off to kill her.

That was the last time she ever saw the young stallion.

Regrouping where he said to meet up, it was apparent something had happened when the warrior pointed out a missing Sky Slicer. She and the other’s interrogated each other if they saw him, but it was no good.

Only when they went ahead and stormed the camp again to take advantage of the unicorn's lost numbers did the fate of their missing member was revealed.

…They…ate him.

Even thinking back on the sight of his remains sickened the warrior. All that remained was broken bones, discarded flesh, and his fucking hung skin- the once timid, kind stallion reduced to an afternoon meal! To say the warrior was beyond enraged would be a massive understatement. The raw and unchained rage she felt and enacted on the unicorns rivaled that of her Goddess Lock trip earlier that day. Sadly, once the smoke cleared and silence filled the camp she destroyed, only sadness and regret remained as she cried over Sky Slicer’s grave the next day.

The contract reward felt hollow, and the gap in her heart was equally so. She knew he wasn’t good for large-scale fights, yet she let her emotions and adrenaline go along with his plan without a second thought. Endless nights spent thinking of what would’ve happened if she trailed him stole her rest, how he could’ve still lived if not for her stupidity.

He…was like the son she never had. The warrior had lost more than the unicorns could ever hope to obtain in their lives in a single day.

Snapping the warrior out of her dreary recollecting, the handle of her room’s door moved down as it opened, introducing the one alicorn she wanted to meet. Stepping in, Celestia thanked an unseen nurse as the door closed behind her, approaching a chair left of the warrior’s bed- a regular bed with a hoof-stool situated at the end to uphold her back hooves- and sitting down.

“I’m…glad to see you doing better, especially your sight.” Celestia started off, referring to the noticeable lack of bandages blocking the warrior's vision.

Putting a hoof to her cloth-covered eye, the warrior ignored the tubes poked into her foreleg and huffed. “If only I could fully see again,” Noticing the solar princess wince subtly, the warrior let her hoof fall and sighed. “You got something to say, or did you come here to pity me?” She said.

Celestia’s regretful expression brought some joy to the warrior, but she set it aside as the alicorn began to speak. “Storm breaker, all I want to say is sorry. I only wanted to hide the truth from you because I wanted to see you move on from the past- foolishly believing my father's connection to me held no more importance. I was wrong.” She said. “You can hate me all you want, but I-”

“Cut the crap, alicorn!”

“H-Huh?” A shocked Celestia said.

Sitting further up in her bed, the warrior narrowed her eye at the startled alicorn princess, “Whatever pathetic notion you have of me in your head, forget it! I couldn’t give two shits about your father.” She snarled, pain peeking through the painkillers in her veins.

Celestia’s brow furrowed, “W-What? Why not?”

It’s always the same yak shit. What, why, how; the collection of words showing up more frequently in the warrior’s new life. “He pitied me in my final, glorious moments by giving his magic, yes. For a warrior like me, it’s worse than death itself. But it doesn’t change the fact I lost; I went up against an opponent much stronger than me, got a couple of hits in, and paid the price with my life. I was relieved not to have died once I woke up, but I was somewhat content with it before.” The warrior moved her gaze away and down to the bed sheets. “What I hate more is that you tried to sweep it under the rug, then act like a saint when it was your blood who did this to me.”

Celestia tried to retort. “Storm Breaker, that wasn't my-”

“I know,” The warrior cut off, “...you, this country, and the ponies living in it, I despise it all. You, in particular, always walked around like you were better than me, no different than the cowards working under you. Now, I see a fool who put her heart where it didn’t belong.” She pulled back the sheets, revealing her chest scar. “These, and the memories that created them, don’t go away with kindness.”

The warrior guessed she appreciated the thought Celestia had if Olive Branch spoke true about her. But the warrior didn’t suffer many losses and kinds of pain to end up getting coddled because of them; it was the way of her and other Knight’s lives. To ignore the fact she DIED to her father, chalking it up to something to forget about and move on from like a common annoyance: it’s what nagged her the wrong way.

Despite that, In the end, it won’t matter.

Time will take its course, the warrior and her rage will soon wither away to age, and Storm Breaker will remain to see it through.

“All I can do is live with the outcome, and grow from it.”

“I see,” Celestia hummed as the warrior replaced the sheet over her chest. “I have done you wrong and disregarded your personal feelings. My mistake; Luna was more in-depth with the warrior code than me.” She chuckled lightly.

Laying back down, the warrior snorted impassively, “Nah, it ain’t about codes. We knights have pride and hate it when people look down on us or don’t acknowledge our strength- none of us were going around in gleaming armor and protecting lords. I just don’t like it when you treat me like a sensitive foal. Leave that crap for your soldiers.” She grinned.

The alicorn should give some with Vally Carver. He’s always straightforward and noble, like a fireside tale of a knight that saves a fair maiden from a tower-guarding dragon.

“If that’s the case, I’m glad we understand each other now.” Celestia said, standing up, “Although it makes my verdict of your crimes today seem cruel.” She sheepishly added. Upon hearing this, the warrior shot up in her bead and turned to the alicorn, wide-eyed.

“What?!” She shouted.

Flinching at the volume, Celestia held a hoof up, “Before you go off, you need to understand that the drug you took, Goddess Locks, has become highly illegal in the modern age. It is another fault of mine: not informing you of this, but I was shocked when I discovered your knowledge of it.” She explained, allowing the warrior to calm down before continuing. “Thankfully, I will not completely count your use as a crime due to circumstance; however, your freedom of roaming the castle will be limited to a few hours, and daily searches of your room will be necessary.”

A gloomy huff escaped the warrior, “Great, is that all?”

Celestia shook her head, “No, I also have something else in mind you will hate.” She said with a mischievous grin. Dreading what would come, the warrior watched as Celestia’s horn glowed warmly prior to a flash of golden light.

Instantly, the warrior saw the changes around. For one, the light rectangles in the ceiling illuminated the room, showering every corner with a pale, white hue. More notable, however, was the addition of five new, recognizable ponies and a table packing several, colorful food and drink items the warrior had never seen before. Above it, a banner read ‘THANKS FOR HELPING PONYVILLE!!!’ in bold letters.

“SURPRISE!” They all shouted.

Stunned and highly confused, the warrior shuttered and pointed a hoof at the five new mares known as the elements of harmony. “I- uh- wha-?” She said. Weird, wasn’t there supposed to be six of them, or did Olive Branch’s counting suck?

Appearing by her side without making a sound, the overly fluffy pink mare smiled widely at the warrior. “Here, take this!” She loudly said, sticking something sweet and soft in her mouth and running out of the room.

Chewing the small piece of sweetness, the warrior was pleasantly surprised by the taste of apples and other fruits coating her mouth. “What in Hades is all this?” She spoke with her mouth full, then swallowed. One moment, she and Celestia were having a serious conversation, and now the warrior’s senses were overwhelmed by the change in tone. Walking closer to the foot of her bed, the apple farmer tipped her hat.

“What does it look like? It’s ah party, partner!” She happily said. “Ya gave me an’ your friend quite the shock; Ah’m glad you’re awake and sane enough to see one of Pinkie Pie's parties.” She laughed.

“A party? I don’t need a party. I did what I was told to by your rulers, nothing more!” She argued.

The annoying rainbow-maned pegasus hovered overhead, a grin plaster on her face, “It’s no use fighting it, pal. Once Pinkie gets rolling, nothing will stop her until the guest of honor is satisfied. The other royal guards that fought have their own parties, so it's best to let this happen.”

The warrior’s hardened expression wavered, a sense of confusion consuming her. “You damn ponies, none of this makes sense.” She mumbled.

A chorus of friendly laughs rang out as the five mares basked in the joyful environment they created, and at the warrior confusion, even Celestia joined in. Still, what was the point of this? The vanguard and her comrades never had these ‘parties’ before- it was a waste of hard-earned valuables and food, and there was no reason to celebrate a day's work. However, in her confusion, she couldn’t express herself in front of the pony’s before her. It was best to take the pegasus’s advice.

And so, as the night crawled on, the warrior did her best to relish in the small gathering, tasting the assortment of treats and beverages and small-talking with the elements. Alien as everything else in this world, the warrior strangely began to warm up to the party. A shame Olive Branch wasn’t around; she wondered where he went, probably resting like her.

No matter, Storm Breaker saved a slice of ‘cake,’ as Twilight called it, for him later.

It was a fickle thing, feeling happy around non-earth ponies still living in her presence. The warrior guessed that between tiredness and the dream of Sky Slicer, including other things, in some way, she changed- rage wasn’t as prevalent as much in the past month. Sky Slicer, her father, and Olive Branch were her anchors in keeping her bloodlust and anger in check. Their pure hearts were too good for the warrior, but she had a tough time avoiding them and finding it harder to let them go.

However, she practically spat on their teaching, throwing them to the wind when she confronted a thing she didn’t like or understand.

But that was then- this is now; Enough with the wallowing and self-pity, to Hades with creating more problems for herself.

The time to carry on her comrade's legacy was now. She would never fully adapt to Equestrian life, her pride refused her to become mussy and soft like these ponies, but it couldn’t be too bad to try, right?

Ugh! If only the old coot were here to sort out these annoying feelings.

Chp 16: Crusaders and The Knight- part 1

Author's Note

Description

Following the Everfree attack on Ponyville, the countryside town is once again healing from another chaotic event. Unfortunately, Our primeval mare finds it hard to rest and lick her wounds after such a daunting battle, and its included rush, actively going against everypony to find some semblance of entertainment, to no avail. Fortunately, three troublesome fillies come along to unknowingly alleviate her troubles- too bad she's never heard 'be careful what you wish for' before.

Chp 16: Crusaders and The Knight- part 1

“Storm Breaker, for the last time, you shouldn’t be doing this!” A vexed Twilight said, “You’re still recovering.”

To be frank, Twilight Sparkle was not having a peaceful time since the end of the Everfree conflict two and a half weeks ago.

A crouched, bandaged Storm Breaker, bearing the weight of a house face framework constructed of 6x6 lumber on her back, stifled a strained grunt. “Shut up, unicorn! I’m…fine.” She panted, pushing herself up. “Go back *huff* to whatever mushy friendship shit *huff* you have, and leave the- agh! -real work for the-.”

Suddenly, the warrior mare’s legs collapsed under her, causing her to yelp in pain.

It hadn’t been three days following the harrowing battle, and Storm Breaker has tried and escaped her hospital lodging during morning hours, stating, ‘It’s just as boring as the last time.’. Since Celestia entrusted Twilight and her friends to oversee the rowdy mare’s recovery, the real challenge was keeping a constant eye on and scolding a pony who didn’t want to sit down to rest and saw most of them as lesser than dirt. Even Olive Branch had a tough time extinguishing her restlessness once his injured side healed.

Worst yet, Storm Breaker’s newfound injuries would perpetually open up when she ventured into Ponyville. Her refusal of every form of medical magic made the healing process much harder for the stubborn knight, usually resulting in a bystander reporting her bleeding-out, unconscious body, then right back to her room.

Horn glowing, the frame piece gently levitated upward in Twilight’s magic, allowing the concerned and off-put construction ponies observing Storm Breaker’s antics to tentatively move on to repairs as they drove nails into its wooden surface.

“I don’t get you.” She sighed.

“You don’t need to.” Storm Breaker groaned, sweat dotting the recently melted snow-covered ground. “I had enough of the beeping machines and laying around! And crap like that stupid ‘winter wrap-up’ song wasn’t getting things done, so I helped out of boredom. You should be thanking m-” A short coughing fit, a small amount of blood, and a second of silence later, she silently stood up.

The studious unicorn could get behind why somepony would hate the town-wide musical number- she felt the same way at first. But holiday tradition in Ponyville is heavily acted upon due to Earth Pony roots, which helped get the warrior mare to rest for at least one day. Twilight may have underestimated how much she cared for ancient Earth pony culture practices- which reminds her; she should ask Storm Breaker about that subject.

Imagine all the knowledge ponies lost during the dark era of Equestria!

No, the time for informative interrogation comes second; Twilight needed to get her back to the hospital.

With a bit of luck and a whole cart-load of fighting, Twilight managed to secure a pouty Storm Breaker in her levitation spell, moving onto the path to the hospital. As she trudged through the mending roads of destroyed streets, the studious unicorn couldn’t help but think back on those two and a half weeks, especially her expedition prior to the conflict's end.

Due to the destroyed bridge linking the forest and the castle’s entrance, and her team's new means of entry, Twilight’s group was mainly undisturbed in their search for the hot spot. Speaking of which, the source of the corruption and its image still lingers within her mind, the pulsating mass of magic radiating with overwhelming power, like a giant, veiny purple tumor given form and alicorn magic. It took considerable effort and mana to destroy the hot spot upon dispelling it; the sight was akin to paper burning above a roaring flame as it disintegrated into nothing, along with a shriek of pain. Nonetheless, something didn’t sit right with Twilight- a lurching feeling in her stomach festered even when Rainbow Dash carried the group over the ravine one at a time with the remaining pegasus guards.

But arriving back to a mangled Ponyville, she solved her internal memory when observing the aftermath of a fight between Storm Breaker and a Hydra.

The feeling she had, the magic she felt back in the ruins where the hotspot rested, retained trace amounts of almost similar magic that were the same as the area around the Hydra’s corpse.

Magic, like all matter, can never be destroyed. It’s made, used, thrown out, recycled, and the process starts again- it lingers in the air and ground surrounding every living creature. Being a unicorn, feeling similar magic coming from the warrior mare linking back to the hotspot couldn’t be easily excused, especially when the location of the hotspot was where Twilight first found Storm Breaker in her crystal.

Her theory is that the crystal must’ve soaked up some lost chaos magic as it did with hers, only it didn’t stop after being shattered. Bits of magic crystal might have culminated, building up more and more chaotic magic from the forest that they merged into a singular mass, infecting everything else from there. All the magic trapped previously in the crystal she destroyed acted as a beacon and attracted Discord's magic.

It would explain the near-identical magic patterns, but it didn’t make any difference in Twilight's guilt.

She inadvertently cost the lives of many because of a simple mistake.

“Come on, Twilight, none of it was your fault. How were you supposed to know the crystal attracted magic after its destruction?” The studious unicorn chastised herself mentally, “Everything is fine. Ponyville is rebuilding -- again. Nopony died in the attack. Storm Breaker helped in the end defending. Even Fluttershy’s left the apple family’s barn and back into her cottage. Thank Celestia, her animal friends hid there during the whole mess. Although, the clean-up wasn’t too fun.” She chuckled weakly.

“Hey, Alicorn pe- Sparkle.” Storm Breaker corrected herself, snapping Twilight back to reality. “Have you seen the old coot around? He and I were going to visit some crummy place called Sugarcube Corner to celebrate our victory, but he never showed himself.” She said, twisting around in Twilight's magic hold to face her, one eyebrow raised.

Twilight hummed in thought, then shook her head. “Sorry, I haven’t. Last time I heard, he went back to Canterlot temporarily for business; and something about checking in on…a bird, I think?” She replied confusingly.

To the studious unicorn’s surprise, a small smile adorned the commonly scowling visage of Storm Breaker, followed closely by a chuckle. “Silly fool, Sky Slicer’s doing fine, and I left him enough feed before I left.” She muttered. “Besides, those idiotic guards in the palace pray to their god that they did a good job watching over him.” She added with a hint of scorn.

“Sky Slicer?” Twilight echoed inquisitively.

Sadly, her attempts to strike a friendly conversation fell flat as Storm Breaker’s smile disappeared into a frown. “Nopony.” She growled, facing away from her.

Sighing, Twilight noticed how close they were to the hospital, quickly arriving at its front doors, where she dropped off the warrior mare. And while the nurses escorted the ancient pony away, the studious unicorn charged her horn, performing a teleportation spell that relocated her into an unsightly, messy Golden Oaks library, its books scattered across the floor. Spike had stayed with Fluttershy during the battle, being one of a few ponies able to consistently talk with the upset pegasus post isolation, leaving about the same time. She gave enough time for him to clean the mess created by the battle’s chaos, so where was he?

“Spike!” She shouted, “Where are you? You didn’t hurt yourself cleaning, did you?” Twilight worriedly asked.

After a short series of bangs and crashes, the baby dragon in question resurfaced from the basement’s depths, leaning tiredly against the door frame. “H-Hey, Twilight, how’s it going?” He said cooly, using a claw to wipe a smug of grease off his cheek.

Twilight’s face scrunched in confusion, “What…were you doing in the basement?” She inquired.

The small drake chuckled, “Oh, you know, working up from the bottom in cleaning, thought it’d be a good time to clear out the basement.” He pointed a talon behind him, “You have A LOT of junk down there.”

“That junk is my research equipment.” Twilight retorted, “And I think you need to relax for a good minute.” She said, stealing a long look at her messy home. Spike shrugged in agreement, shuffling his way over to the kitchen as Twilight activated her horn again. Flicking her head to the side, multiple books left the floor and shot towards their designated spot in the bookshelves, leaving the hardwood floor cleaner with each sharp swipe. In no time at all, besides the dust and minor scuffs, the library looked significantly unsullied than a moment ago, a prideful grin planting itself on Twilight’s muzzle.

“Actually, Twilight, I got something to tell you.” Dropping her grin, she spun around to see Spike exiting the kitchen, ice cream tub, and spoon in claw.

“What is it?” The studious unicorn said.

Moving past her and to the couch, Spike jumped and sat on the comfy cushions, “The Cutie Mark Crusaders came by a little bit ago; they asked to see Storm Breaker since you are watching over her.” Spike ended his explanation by pulling the tub’s lid off, eyeing it hungrily as he drove the spoon into its contents.

Her hoof came to her chin, Twilight moving her gaze from Spike to the opposite wall. “What would those three want with her?” She asked nopony in particular.

Spike eagerly devoured a sizable chunk of ice cream in a single bite, “What’d you think? It was something about cutie marks. I didn’t hear all of it, though; I was in the basement when they charged in.” He said, mouth still full.

Oh no

It was going to be one of those days, wasn’t it?

Ah ha, Victory is achieved by the mighty Storm Breaker once again!

Yet, crawling out of a cramped second-story window wasn’t very warrior-like, it wasn’t like she had many options relating to hospital escapes. Nevertheless, these witless doctors naively believed the warrior was out for the count because her back almost blew out by mere wood. How idiotic of an idea.

“Only two things in this world can stop my desire for action: death and my bird!” The warrior mentally cackled, landing in the bushes outside of her room.

Luckily, her earlier attempts of escape carried themselves out in the early morning or dead of night and out the front door- usually the former- nothing exciting happens when ponies are about to get up. She was just lucky the doctor's advice of not moving out of bed due to her 'injured' back wasn't reinforced by security outside her room. Anyway, on this particular day, without the old coot’s promise of a victory meal happening any time soon, the warrior’s irritating discontentment multiplied to unbearable degrees. Her brutal fight with the Hydra left her starved for excitement, and this was the last straw. So, taking the ‘stealthy’ route was her only option besides stampeding her way out the front.

Making sure nopony was walking by, the warrior checked the area before leaping out from the bushes, now officially outside the hospital’s rear. If her avian friend and whatever brown-nosed pony officials were distracting the old coot for who knows how long: she’ll need to distract herself with a different activity, and obviously, something like construction brought too much attention – and pain.

The warrior grumbled, “That begs the question: what now?” Tapping her temple with a hoof, she sighed. It’ll have to wait ‘till later. Right now, she needed to hide out somewhere temporarily to think and not have some random pony coming along and-

“Hey, are you that scary monster lady?” A high-pitched voice asked innocently.

Eye widening, the warrior twisted to her right with blinding speed, prepared to- unintentionally -knock some poor bystander out cold. Instead, her eye lowered to a trio of young fillies at her hooves, barely tall enough to reach her knees. Other than the earth pony, there was a stubby-horned unicorn and small-winged pegasus, a sight that took her back a bit.

The warrior wrangled in her lost senses after the pegasus gasped, “It is true! You do wear an eye patch. Are you a pirate? Can I see under it?” She questioned, stars in her eyes.

“What? N-No, you can’t! And I’m not some rat-bearded scavenger, either!” The warrior snapped offendedly. What part of her looked like a pirate?! “I am a proud warrior of the Vanguard Knights, brat!” Smacking a hoof to her chest, the warrior regretted it as a sharp pain forced her to the grassy floor, hacking, and wheezing.

Stupid broken ribs!

“Don’t look like one to meh. Aah reckon pipsqueak isn’t gonna be too happy.” The earth pony said skeptically, leaning her muzzle close to the unicorn despite her failed attempt to whisper.

“I…can hear you!” The warrior groaned painfully, “I’d like to see you try fighting a Hydra bare-hoofed and walking away without a few shattered bones!" She moaned, hardly able to stand without her legs quaking violently. "Γλυκιά Θεά, αυτό πονάει!”

Suddenly, the pegasus’s already gleeful expression magnified tenfold, her hooves holding the cheeks of her smiling face. “I know, right?! It looked super hard but so freaking cool!” She squealed, earning a quizzical look from the warrior. “The Hydra was all stomping around and going ‘RAWR!!!’ scaring everypony. But you two duked it out like it was straight out of a power ponies comic-” She threw her front hooves at an unseen enemy, making impact sounds, “-and it didn’t know what was goin’ on! Then there was the end, after you led it through those houses and beat it, you were all ‘ARGH!!!” Stealing a shared look between each other, the other two fillies and warrior watched as the pegasus imitated a sloppy shoulder throw and fell on her back. “That’s not mentioning the stuff you did before hoof: It was as cool as Rainbow Dash's stunts!” She giggled.

…The warrior stared blankly, trying to figure out what that was all about. What were fillies watching nowadays for what she did to be considered…cool?

“Don’t worry about Scoot’s. She’s bin' lak this since she snuck out of the town hall.” The earth filly said. “Bin' fan-fillyin' ovah ya, tellin' meh, sweetie belle, 'n everypony at school about what she saw. I’m Applebloom, by the way- nice to meet ya.”

“ηλίθιος,” the warrior mumbled under her breath, staring sternly at the pegasus. “You could’ve gotten hurt. What do you think your parents would feel if you did, or worse.” She darkly said.

Strangely enough, an equally gloomy air suddenly replaced ‘Scoot’s’ joy. “That’ll be the day.” She whispered, unknowing of the warrior's ears hearing it. Lifting her head, Scoot’s regained her smile again, “It’s nothing to worry about; I made sure to hide extra well. But I was hoping you could help us get our cutie marks.” She said.

“Cutie Mark's?” The warrior repeated, “What’s that?”

Apparently, she shouldn’t have said anything, the fillies all obtaining a look of disbelief and shock directed at her. “What do you mean? Everypony has a cutie mark on their flank! They appear when a pony finds their destiny.” The unicorn exclaimed, angling her blank side at the warrior.

Now that she thought about it, the pictures on these modern ponies' flanks were unknown to her; the warrior believed them to be a tribal marking or something of the sort. Olive Branch had the image of a, well, Olive Branch. She never brought the topic into a conversation, seeing them as unworthy of attention. Now, she wasn’t so sure her evaluation was correct, going by these fillies' reactions, and was somewhat intrigued.

Sadly, restraining a grunt, the warrior shook her head. “Sorry, kids, I can’t help you if I don’t know what a ‘cutie mark’ is.” She said, taking a glance at her blank flank.

“Awww, come on, it’ll be fun!” Scoot’s reassured, “Sure, we three haven’t had the best of luck finding ours, but it couldn’t hurt learning from you. Please, You look like you know a lot of things!” She said, giving the warrior wide, innocent eyes. Crusaders, hm? That takes her back; the warrior had trouble imagining these children raiding land for an imaginary god and their gospel.

Even so, an image on a ponies ass dictates what you do for the rest of your life? This place is as stupid as she reckoned. The warrior groaned internally, ready to reject the pegasus’s useless puppy-dog eyes and invitation to do a flank mark search, regardless of her flattery…until she gave food for thought. There weren’t a good deal of things to do, and she was currently talking to three filles behind a building in the dark shade, so for the sake of her boredom and public image, it was probably best to follow them on whatever adventure they planned.

Teaching, she hadn’t done that since Sky Slicer first joined; he was a Vanguard Knight, and her lessons weren’t for unsullied children.

…

Eh, to Hades, what’s the worst that could happen?

Sighing, the warrior shallowly shrugs, “Whatever, kid, I’m game.” She answered, the small pegasus pumping her hoof while jumping in excitement. “IF you listen to me and follow my every instruction, you got that?” Nodding enthusiastically, the pegasus flipped back and started to walk off.

And as the warrior trailed close behind, the remaining two fillies shared a glance. “Aah bet ten bits this goes pear-shaped in an hour.” Applebloom said.

“Your majesties, I have an urgent report that requires your attention.” A frantic guard pony started, holding a salute. Sitting within Celestia’s private chambers and opposite sides of the large table, both celestial sisters stared at the guard, Celestia reflecting surprise while a drowsy Luna deadpanned.

For Luna, the past few weeks absolutely wrecked any beauty sleep she could’ve had, leaving her mane and fur messy and un-princess-like. The attack on Ponyville left more than a couple of ponies tossing and turning in their sleep, requiring her expertise in dispelling their nightmares. Gladly, the countryside town's situation hasn’t visibly affected Celestia’s, surprising, considering the ludicrous mounds of paperwork her older sister slaved away at.

The solar princess reeled in her outward stupor and set down a small cup of tea on a saucer, “You may speak.” She said, folding one hoof over another.

“The five stallion squad sent with ex-commander Olive Branch and private Storm Breaker was successfully captured.” The guard started with a grimace. “After a brief confrontation with the retrieval unit sent to apprehend them, resulting in minor injury, the offenders were charged with attempted murder, desertion, resisting arrest, and assaulting royal guards, among additional charges, and placed into holding. Provided the celestial council, court system, and eye-witness testimonies given by Ponyville residents and sir Olive Branch himself, it’s safe to say the upcoming trial will go smoothly.” There was a hesitant pause in his voice.

It made sense: the guard's disposition relating to fellow stallions-in-arms. She knew it better than anypony: to have the ponies you’ve called friends destroy any respect by doing deplorable actions. There was plenty of that during her time as Nightmare Moon.

Furthermore, something caught the lunar mare’s attention.

“Thank you for telling us. That said, I’ve read a portion of the testimonies Olive Branch has written today, and one about Thunder Charge’s statement regarding an unknown reward irks me. My sister would never put a bounty on Storm Breaker’s head without cause.” She said.

Celestia nodded in agreement, “I wonder about it as well.”

The guard returned the gesture, clearing his throat, “Yes, we are still trying to form a lead on it. Unfortunately, one doesn’t become next in line for captain without nerves of steel, and as like-minded as his stallions are, he refuses to spill any information.” He answered.

Celestia turned to her younger sister, nodding, “Luna, this is more of your territory. I’ve dealt first hoof with rowdy and uncouth guards before but never to this magnitude.” She paused, taking a deep breath, “As much as I hate to use such extreme measures on my little ponies, no matter how terrible, this incident is most likely a byproduct of assassination and corruption. Who knows how many are like them among my ranks as a whole.”

“How do you figure?” Luna asked.

“Well, I certainly didn’t offer a large sum of bits for Storm Breaker’s head, and to have another four ponies go along with the plan and not speak a single word or an outside factor discovering it further incriminates the guards I highly respect. But I can’t point hooves, even if some may be an accomplice to Thunder Charge and, by extension, his contractor.” Celestia said with a pained expression, furrowing her brow.

Seeing that tension was running high in the room, Luna sighed, “You may go, sir.” She ordered the guard, who swiftly left the sisters to their own devices. “So, you want me to perform a more intimate interrogation? To find out who his contractor is and if anypony else is in a similar vein, I presume?” Her older sister nodded, “I could do that-” Luna grinned, “-If you allow Storm Breaker to join as well.” She snickered.

Taken aback by her sister's request, Celestia shook her head, “No, I can’t allow that for the sake of her recovery and health.” She opposed.

Giggling, Luna sipped from the coffee mug held in her magic before leaning back in her seat, “I jest, sister. But It’s funny you mention that. My little knight seems woefully starved of action if Olive Branch’s claims of her activities are true. On the upside, she could prove to be a great intimidation piece.” She jokingly added. It wasn’t uncommon for Storm Breakers type to act similarly, battle-starved- at least, the more gung-ho recruits compared to more hardened veterans.

Lowering her head, Celestia huffed sharply, “In Thunder Charge’s case, having the one pony who planted your head in the ground in the same room would be off-putting.” She chuckled. “But putting aside this distressing string of events, I’m glad Storm Breaker’s made progress in her integration of Equestria.” A small smile formed on Celestia’s muzzle.

The lunar princess nodded in agreement, remembering the night her sister returned bearing a tale of their interaction.

By how Celestia described the warrior mare, taking into consideration of her knowledge of King Platinum, her control over her temper is leagues better compared to the first days of her reawakening. Still, the wayward knight retained her brash and rebellious nature: yet, in hindsight, recruiting Olive Branch to be her caretaker was wise. Crime rates in the muckier parts of Canterlot dropped noticeably, and the remaining thestral guards Luna secured would only further her work-related accomplishments.

Even so, over this short period, Luna couldn’t help but notice the publics' increasing aggression toward Storm Breaker, their complaints increasing with every night and day court. It became apparent why when she caught a glimpse of a newspaper a guard read this morning, only to become shocked by what she saw in bold lettering.

“Savage earth pony night guard rampages through Ponyville during Everfree attack!”

Looking closer into the matter, Luna discovered several articles posted by, once-believed, trustworthy Canterlot Times over the past few weeks. Slandering the ancient warrior, they used aftermath images of the Hydra battle and the wrecked houses out-of-context to support their fabrication. Even ‘eye witnesses’ gave claims contradicting ones from the actual interviewed Ponyville residents; Now it made sense why so many ponies were wary of her recently. Things weren’t any better, seeing as the papers also included Storm Breaker’s…less than careful first shifts on the job and quotes from the ‘victims’ as they made them out to be.

While other, smaller, newspaper companies spoke the truth and got ignored, the most popular was practically screaming fallacies.

“As it stands, sister, Storm Breaker will have to return to Canterlot soon. No matter how things might be with the public.” Celestia said, remembering what Luna told her about the newspaper, “In the meantime, try your best to extract any information from Thunder Charge. I’ll meet with Olive Branch to arrange the de-occupation of her and my guard – once he’s finished writing reports and tending to Storm Breakers bird.”

Luna cocked an eyebrow, “Bird?” She repeated.

Standing out of her seat, Celestia rested a hoof on the table, “Olive Branch wasn’t the only friend Storm Breaker made.” She answered cryptically, taking her leave in the direction of her bedroom’s door, “I do hope you find success in your interrogation.” Using her magic, the solar princess disappeared in a flash of light.

Now in solitary, Luna sighed heavily and charged her horn as well- right before taking a last big gulp of her coffee -then also disappearing.

She was going to need it.

Chp 17: The Storm and The monster- part 2

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chp 18: Rebirth- part 3

Heh…

Hehehehehehehe.

“HaHaHaHa!” Storm Breaker cackled loudly, startling the far-off cutie mark crusaders as she tried not to double over.

What was she talking about? This mutt challenging her was nowhere near close to comparable with herself; its unsure glances and twitchy paws were a sure sign. She knew there were worse things than it- manticores, the rock lizards, Hydras -that she wouldn’t break a sweat tearing its wooden hide apart. The alpha may have hunted ponies before, but she wasn’t one of the weaker versions, and it saw that. It was confused and on edge, far from the attitude of a proper warrior when faced with an unknown creature. And now its pack was watching: pride is on the line.

Right now, the titanic mare felt an all too familiar sense of excitement flowing through her veins, a toothy grin growing on her muzzle. “What are you waiting for? Getting cold paws?” She growled at her cocksure opponent.

The alpha responded to her taunt by roaring furiously and pouncing at Storm Breaker, reeling back a paw readied to tear her to ribbons. Unfortunately for the wild beast, this wasn’t like the scarred pony’s fight with the manticore, Storm Breaker tilting to the side slightly and wrapping her forelegs over its left shoulder and under its right upper leg as its limb slashed thin air. In one swift motion, she let her entire weight fall into the lake and crush the alpha underneath, eliciting a pained yelp as she rolled off and got to her hooves. But as it attempted the same, the alpha was knocked down again by a pair of back hooves crashing into its face, breaking chips of wood off its snout.

However, the alpha recovered and tried to rush her again by zig-zagging toward the hulking pony that backed away, Storm Breaker watching while it closed in. Once the alpha stopped its pattern about two pony lengths away, she covered the distance between them in a single bound, catching the wooden canine off guard.

Unfortunately, it went low, letting the bottom of its chin touch the water before shooting up and ramming into Storm Breaker's chest. But then the feeling of teeth biting the back of its neck was the only warning for the alpha when it was lifted into the air, Storm Breaker throwing her head skyward. Grunting in pain, she sent her head down sharply, slamming the alpha’s surprisingly light body down at her hooves.

While the alpha weakly pushed itself up, Storm Breaker forced herself to step a couple paces away while holding a hoof to her ribs, the alpha finally standing, shaking its head.

She’d been in a considerably better condition than her first day in Equestria, but Storm Breaker still needed rest after fighting a small feral army and a Hydra. Despite her earth pony body’s relatively quick healing, bones don’t fully apply. And putting her already fragile ribs between intense weight and a hard place, scolding-hot pain didn’t describe her chest’s agony.

Suddenly, a snarl snapped Storm Breaker out of her pain-induced trace, but she was too late to react as the alpha successfully jumped onto her back. She let out a muffled scream through her teeth, feeling its claws and maw rapidly tear into her back, blood dripping into the lake.

“You little bastard!” She spat, trying to shake off the wooden mutt.

When it didn’t work, Storm Breaker gritted her teeth and braced for impact as she reared onto her hind legs and let herself fall back. Upon the impact creating a huge splash, Storm Breaker choked a shriek at the ensuing pain, internally relieved at the lack of a foreign pest attached to her back. If the armor and sword Luna gifted her hadn’t gotten ruined, the vermin’s corpse would resolve Applebloom and Sweetie Belle’s punishment.

Yet, as Storm Breaker tried to stand, darkness surrounded her vision like an incoming storm, a sense of mute drowsiness latching onto her mind. Eye widening in panic, a burst of adrenaline helped the warrior mare quickly shoot out of the water, desperately gasping for air.

Shit, she was beginning to pass out!

“There’s no need to worry, dear.” Mrs. Gran sweetly reassured with a smile, “You worked hard for this; you’ll do great!” In spite of the old mare’s soothing words, Flash Freeze nervously glanced upward at the foreboding structure before her, almost terrified.

Compared to the massive crowd of earth mares and stallions, young and old, taking up a fifth of an acre’s worth of space, the building was at least six and stood taller than the tallest trees her old mountain-side village used to neighbor. A staircase leading to its pillar-flanked entrance, every cobblestone wall, pony-sized window, gargoyle, and other bits and bobs of detail lining the building surface showed extreme craftsmanship. It nearly sent Flash Freeze’s bumpkin mind into a spiral at how somepony had the time or the resources to make something so elegant.

Mister Carver and Mrs. Gran called it the Hall of Γλύπτης της γης, named after the demi-god of the earth, one of the four servants under the goddess. Flash Freeze didn’t know what the scary building was for, but Gran said it was for an important event she’d attend to be a knight, and she trusted the old mare.

The pre-teen filly suddenly flinched as a hoof touched her shoulder but relaxed when it led back to Gran. “Something is bothering you,” She frowned, “you haven’t been with us for long, but I can tell worries are eating away at your courage.”

Trying to refute her claim with a shake of her head, Flash Freeze remained silent until Gran’s stern expression drew a sigh out of the young mare. “I…miss my parents.” Flash whispered, holding back tears. The memories of her village’s destruction were four years fresh in her mind, her grandpa’s mistreatment following grandma's death even so.

Gran's frown deepened, a look of sympathy and hidden anger held in her wise eyes. “I know,” She muttered. The young mare had unintentionally told her what happened to her village during a not-so-pleasant breakdown shortly after being bought off; Gran became the only pony Flash could trust with her past. Seeing the anger in her eyes, Flash somewhat understood the old mare’s feelings, but having a stranger care for you like a birth parent is strange. “But this, right here-” Gran pointed to the building, “-is a way you can take back the life they stole from you.” She said, confusing Flash Freeze. “I and many others joined because of the scum that wronged us; we earth ponies are tired of living in fear. A part of me regrets telling you those stories of us knights, but if your feelings about going down this path rest in stone, I won’t stop you- none of us will.”

Atop the building's leading staircase and looking down on the crowd, a robed figure slowly emerged from the large double door’s darkness and stopped at the top step’s edge. As they introduced themselves and began a long-winded speech she tuned out of, Flash nervously turned her gaze to the snowy ground.

Releasing a sharp gasp, Storm Breaker narrowly evaded the alpha’s claw aimed at her face by leaning back. When it stumbled forward, she head-butted its snout, causing additional cracks as it barked in pain. Storm Breaker didn’t give the wooden beast a second to breathe, thanks to her unexpected fight-or-flight response driving her body to unleash a flurry of blows upon the alpha.

One-legged bucks, head swings, stomping, tackling, every blow struck her enemy with blinding speed, sending the timberwolf flying away and hitting the far edge of the lake ahead of Storm Breaker.

“What in hades?” She muttered in frustration after a second of silence, more annoyed by her mind's dangerous interruption.

Why was she reminiscing about that? The vanguard introduction ceremony happened so long ago that it became nothing more than a faint afterthought to her- these sudden resurfacing memories were getting tiresome.

But the time for mulling ended as the alpha regained its footing and let out an echoing howl, two timberwolves leaping from the crowd and running to Storm Breaker, fangs bared. Snorting, she ducked under one of the wolves leaping at her, letting it fly over and punching the second in the teeth. Unlike their sturdy alpha, her hoof caused the smaller timberwolf’s head to shatter upon contact, its body dropping like a sack of bricks as the first came back, only to receive a buck that ended in a similar vein.

Stomping a front paw to gain, the alpha returned to battle by running at Storm Breaker again, “C’mon, give me a real fight!” She angrily shouted. This scuffle was taking too long, and she was beginning to fade again! Cupping her hoof under the lake's surface, Storm Breaker threw her limb at the alpha, sending a watery arc at her wooden opponent.

The giant timberwolf recoiled at the distractions touch, stumbling backward, which gave Storm Breaker enough time to unhinge her maw and bolt straight at its throat.

Releasing a shaky breath, the now lone Flash Freeze stood awkwardly amongst a cramped, tall hall filled with potential Vanguard Knights, many of whom glared at one another with arrogance. Gran had to leave her behind not long ago, and being the, to her knowledge, smallest one of the bunch didn’t help Flash’s nerves, even when the distraction of more robed figures appeared on a balcony above. However, excited cheers erupted at their presence, only dying down after a few seconds.

“Greetings, fellow children of the earth.” The frontmost figure in a red robe welcomed, flanked by two blue-robed ponies on each side. “Today, you will be tested by us, The Vanguard council, and her holiness to see if you’re worthy of bearing the Earth pony race upon your shoulders!” They added.

Flash had to fold her ears down to avoid going deaf at another round of cheers, the red-robed pony’s raised hoof quickly silencing them.

From what she heard, Gran and Valley Carver knew little of the council like any pony outside or a part of the vanguard. Their existence and identity are known by few, their faces fewer, and they make themselves known only on special occasions or in times of need, if what Gran said spoke true. Personally, Flash cared little about them beyond their ability to grant a pony the title of a knight; her future depended on it. Even though they oppose her worries, Flash couldn’t risk burdening her newly found group if she failed- another mouth to feed out of pity.

“The trials ahead will be gruesome, even fatal to some who cannot bear its toll,” The red-robed pony said, “To prove yourselves, all must live and survive like our ancestors, who braved the wild and its tests to bring us a better future the unicorn and pegasi pests deny us.“ The crowd agreed with angered shouts, “You will live like they did, gain their wisdom over the next three moons in the wilderness with nothing but your will and bodies.” They explained.

It was all Flash needed to know; the rest explained itself.

Return to your most barbaric instincts and survive until you are good enough to bring a better future for earth ponies. Images of the past passed like wisps of smoke in her head: the unicorns raining fire onto her village, her parents throwing her over the wall, and her desperate pleas drowned by the screams of her ponies. She was too weak to do anything then.

She hated this place, but she already failed those closest to her.

Never. Again.

The alpha howled in shock as Storm Breaker’s jaws clamped firmly to its throat, dragging its lumbering frame down with a hard yank.

Due to this, the chuck of shredded bark that was a throat separated from the alpha's body, only to be unceremoniously spat into the water when Storm Breaker wrapped her forelegs around its amber sap-leaking neck. Too bad these things don’t die from ordinary means.

“Look away!” She yelled, not bothering to check if the Crusaders followed her command as she began to arch her spine back.

The alpha clawed at her forelegs, creating new bloody cuts that barely affected the warrior mare, the sound of snapping emanating from underneath her sitting on the timberwolf's lower back. She shrieked in fiery determination, pouring every ounce of strength into her whaling upper body, hoping her mind held out a bit longer. Unfortunately, a second of relief in her hold was enough for the alpha to break free of the injured Storm Breaker, using its head to strike her chin and knocking the large mare on her flank before turning around. A swift pounce and hastened attempt at guarding later, the alpha stood over Storm Breaker with its jaws clamped to her guarding foreleg and tossing it side to side.

Snikt!

Forcing down the repulsive feeling of bile in her throat, the sense of desperate joy and hunger suppressed Flashes disgust at the unmoving rabbit under her, its open jugular staining the snow crimson.

It’d last two fortnights before starvation forced the young mare’s hoof to find other food sources. The nearby lake provided clean enough water, and the few berries she managed to forge lasted until now, but it wasn’t enough for a growing filly. Flash had tried her hoof in hunting the occasional deer or boar roaming the forest with what she learned from her village's hunting parties, but watching and doing were two different things entirely. She would be lucky if her poorly crafted traps snatched a tuft of fur, and preparing a bow was a pipe dream with her undeveloped muscles.

Nevertheless, when venturing away from the hollowed tree trunk she called home, Flash Freeze stumbled across a rabbit lying in a small clearing. She felt sorry for the creature as it cried and squealed in pain, the lack of movement in its bleeding hind legs being the cause. The thought of leaving it crossed her mind, but that wasn’t an option in this case.

Her ancestors didn’t survive by crying over injured prey.

They took advantage.

But despite the ordeal lasting a few seconds, it felt like an eternity for Flash, holding a sharp rock she found nearby over its throat while it stared into her eyes. Yet, it was over, and she could finally have something resembling a meal.

“Agh!” She cried, the sudden feeling of a hoof striking her side, sending her sprawling across the ground.

As she tried to stand, the same hoof pinned her down, “Sorry, brat, but that was my kill.” A voice said.

Looking up, an equally thin pony stood over her with a stone blade held in between his crazed smile. She tried to voice a plea, but her weakened body lacked any energy to fight back as the stallion stepped off and walked back toward the dead rabbit.

No.

She didn’t come all this way for somepony to steal her salvation. Weren't earth ponies supposed to stick together? She killed it, anyway! The countless nights shivering under leaves, barely escaping predators, and going days without eating to ration her findings. This was the first good thing that had happened in days, and now it was being ripped away right before her eyes. He was no different than her grandpa, who found her when the news of her village’s destruction reached his and ended up enslaving her when the bits ran dry, stealing her life, just like the unicorns.

They were greedy, selfish monsters that stole everything from those in need, acting no different than her race's enemies.

Traitors!

Making sure to rise to her shaky hooves without making too much noise, she bit down and held the sharp rock she managed to keep hidden with her teeth. The stallion bent down to collect Flash’s reward, and the scowling young mare waited until she was less than a foot behind him.

The council never said anything about killing turncoats.

With a twist of her waist, Storm Breaker’s agony forced out a scream as she ripped the foreleg out of the alpha’s teeth, losing ribbons of flesh as her opposite landed a punch against its lower jaw.

“FUCK!” She spat, quickly throwing her lower half around and ensnaring the alpha’s waist in her hind legs. Before it could fight back, she continued her grapple by biting its face, pulling it by the head into a brutal hug that slowly crushed its chest. She needed to end this quickly, her blood loss worsening with every passing moment, and the threat of the alpha lackeys attacking the fillies becoming more prominent as some antsy onlookers snapped and drooled hungrily at the Crusaders.

She did it.

It was finally over.

“We congratulate those who ascended,” The red-robed pony said, them and a hoof-full of ponies- including Flash -standing in front of Γλύπτης της γης Hall’s leading staircase. In contrast to prior months, the number of ponies dwindled from the hundreds to a measly dozen, either succumbing to the wild or their fellow earth pony’s desperate greed. “And we pray for those who fell, no matter the reason.”

Fortunately, killing other contenders wasn't banned as to test the ‘earth pony bond,’ as the red-robed pony said. She guessed the few ponies who helped her were examples, the few who cared for others and not for their self-interest.

Lifting a hoof to the heavens, a blue-robed pony walked over and placed a rusted sword in the red-robed pony’s hoof before retreating. “Alas, the time for grief has passed, replaced by this joyous day.” They proudly shouted, “Come forth and claim your rebirth!”

This time, the alpha’s inner hope of escape rapidly faded to panic once it felt no sign of faltering in Storm Breaker's grip. Again, the mighty mare arched her back to finish what she started, shards and splinters shooting off the alpha's body.

Throughout her life, Storm Breaker enacted countless things that would make anypony weep at the mere mention of them. When it comes to monsters, she was not an exception, without a doubt. But she used to not care about embracing the visage of an unfeeling beast, having ignored her inner turmoil by masking it in rage and blind anger directed at the unicorns and pegasi.

Storm Breaker: a dead mare walking with a kill count in the hundreds of thousands, whose entire existence is defined by her crimes.

But, recently, she delved deeper into a newer outlook on her second chance at life.

She had caused the ponies’ fear because of her confusion of the world. The alicorn sisters granted mercy despite having no reason to, even if their intentions weren’t fully agreeable. And…the old coot, Olive Branch. He was her first true friend in this sickly sweet hell, an enemy contradicting her understanding of unicorns from the start. Yeah, those chicken-shit guards, Luna (at first), and many of Canterlots nobility pissed her off to no end, to name a few, but she saw not every one of these modern ponies deserved her scorn.

Another rebirth was due.

And no mutt was going to take that away from her!

Ascending the steps and kneeling at the red-robed pony's hooves, they hovered the rusted sword over each shoulder. “For the goddess and her rightful children, you’ve vowed to protect our race until the end.” Looking up with her dulled eyes, Flash could make out a smile in the darkness of their hood. “I hereby declare you-”

All it took was one herculean burst of fleeting strength and a pained roar that shook the sky from its opponent for the alpha to meet its end. With one last cry, its midsection tore like ripping paper, its parted mid-section bursting with sap as its pony adversary released it, leaving its body nearly split in half. Last glimmers of light fleeting from its closing orbs, its divided body sank below the aqua surface.

Rolling over, the warrior stared dully at the dark orange sky, each breath labored, the frantic cries of the Crusaders slightly muffled in her ears.

“Twilight’s going to bitch about this.” Storm Breaker mentally groaned.

“Storm Breaker.”

“Storm Breaker!”

Disregarding the mixed tears of dread and happiness coating her cheeks, Scootaloo watched Storm Breaker stand out of the water for what felt like the hundredth time this evening. Craning her neck to the big timberwolf’s sinking body, which the filly cringed at, she dove her head under and bit its neck a third time, tossing its upper defiled corpse at the smaller timberwolves. The hoard, thankfully too shocked to care about Scootallo and her friends, stepped back as Storm Breaker placed a hoof over her chest akin to when she first met the Crusaders.

“FIGHT AND DIE, OR RUN!” Storm Breaker shouted defiantly, her words distorted and gurgled by the blood pouring out her mouth. Silence hung in the air, tension thicker than ice and just as cold.

In the end, however, none of the Timberwolves met Storm Breaker’s invitation to a slaughter as they quickly ran back behind the protection of the Everfree’s vegetation. Within a matter of seconds, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Storm Breaker were the only remaining creatures in the clearing. Sadly, their relief abruptly ended when the titanic mare’s legs gave out, and she fell to her knees.

“Ma’am!” Scootaloo cried, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle accompanying her as she rushed and swam toward Storm Breaker’s side. “Oh, crud, I’m so sorry; this is all my fault!” She whimpered.

If she hadn’t pestered her…

“Horseapples, what are we gonna do?!” Applebloom panicked.

Sweetie Belle nervously glanced behind herself, “Are we sure they left?” She asked.

The trio of fillies yelped in surprise as Storm Breaker coughed crimson into the lake, “Shut up! That mutt already gave me a good beat to the head- your blabbering doesn’t need to contribute to my headache.” She groaned, standing up. Scootaloo retreated slightly, frowning deeply as Storm Breaker looked down on her. “Let's just get out of here before Twilight and her feel-good pals burn down the forest looking for us.”

Without a word, Scootaloo nodded, the warrior mare letting the pegasi filly and her friends ride on her back as they transitioned from the lake to the path leading to Ponyville, now having removed themselves off her back.

And along the dimly-lit, damp forest trail, strangely quieter than usual, Scootaloo failed to resist glancing at Storm Breaker. If only she hadn’t said anything, she would’ve been fine. The Crusaders and herself had done some stupid things to achieve their cutie marks in the past, but a pony got seriously hurt this time because of it! Oh, what would Rainbow Dash think of her, the element of Loyalty, her idol!? Forget ever getting a cutie mark; becoming a great flier like her would never happen in a million years if she stopped being her coach! And what if somepony like Celestia found out? Wasn’t Storm Breaker part of her sister’s guard, and harming one of them is a super-duper crime worthy of jail? She wasn’t a criminal!

While all these racing thoughts tore through her youthful mind, the filly pegasus flinched unexpectedly when a gigantic hoof pulled her in. Looking up, Storm Breaker was there, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom walking in front. “Don’t worry about them, they’re too busy arguing about ‘comic books’ again.” She huffed.

“Wha-?” Scootaloo said, tilting her head.

Storm Breaker, in turn, huffed, “Look, kid, you’ve been staring at me for thirty minutes straight, and your face says your heart’s about to explode or you need to take a dump.” She explained, making an embarrassed blush appear on Scootaloo’s muzzle.

After a second to let her redness fade, the pegasus filly’s face fell to the ground, “It’s nothing, ma’am.” It was barely a whisper, but a tone of regret weighed heavily on her voice.

“I ain’t one for mussy heart-felt crap, but take it from me when I say bottling grievances isn’t a healthy lifestyle.” Storm Breaker wistfully warned, returning her gaze ahead. “We’re about thirty meters from where we entered this goddess-awful place, and I think we both can hear the shrill cries of that Rarity pony ahead calling for her sister. Go ahead. You don’t have to make it an entire biography.” She said.

Scootaloo hesitated for a silent moment, not sure how to articulate her woe. Nevertheless, Storm Breaker was correct: the faint sound of Canterlot-esque complaining combined with a hint of Ponyville’s country drawl wasn’t too far, and the night had just begun.

“I just…feel bad for dragging you here. I thought you could teach us something cool and get our cutie marks, but we…I only ended up making things worse.” She sniffled, whipping away a tear.

Something so childish deserved to be laughed at for being such a pathetic excuse- no better than saying one didn’t know any better. But Scootaloo did. Countless times before, told by others or Rainbow Dash and her friends to be careful and not cause trouble when Crusading. She never listened. The poor Pegasi almost got somepony…killed tonight, and all she had as an excuse was her ignorance.

“I’m sor-”

“That’s it? Kid, don’t worry, I don't hate you.” Storm Breaker Interrupted, not bothering to examine the dumbfoundedness carved into Scootaloo's face. “Look, I’ve taken on a billion worse things than a Timberwolf in my lifetime, and just because it was bigger than normal doesn’t mean squat.” She said, smirking.

It took a minute for the young pegasi to find her voice, “Huh? B-But…aren’t you mad…you got worse because of me!” She shouted quietly, not wanting her friends to interject.

Storm Breaker chuckled lightly, “I broke my stitches pushing up a home face this morning. Last week, I shattered my foreleg cast because I was running to deliver supplies. And so on. This isn’t the first time I did something stupid- I should’ve just taken you three and ran.” A downcast expression crossed her features, a sigh escaping parted lips. “But, I didn’t, and you wouldn’t understand because those eyes are sacred grounds; things like violence and war have no right etching themselves in them. I was wrong to do those things in front of you fillies. So, chalk it up to me…burying the hatch on old wounds.” A raised hoof stopped Scootaloo before her mouth went into overdrive. “Also, to tell you the truth, I had no idea what I wanted to teach you- fishing was a last-second straw pick. There was no point coming out here at the end of the day. So, in a way, I’m the sod in this situation.”

“And I’m done…tired of all this muck I birth to because of blind ignorance.”

Fire felt warmest when surrounded by family, more so on happy occasions. The sensation of embracing heat-grazing fur like sun-kissing rays intensified with love by those who give it, and the crackling embers smelt nice.

Flash Freeze, or Storm Breaker now, felt a smile she hadn’t donned in what felt like centuries, full of joy, her Vanguard peers loudly cheering in celebration. When Mrs. Gran and the rest heard of Storm’s integration into the Vanguard order, Blizzard proposed a plan to host their own feast that’d last three days and nights. Of course, none objected- not even the usually uptight Flury spoke up in protest. So, raiding a unicorn convoy for their supplies, the bomb-loving stallion’s wish bloomed, and Storm couldn’t have been happier.

Tasting meat and fresh fruits after so long felt like a goddess-send.

“How’s food?” Valley Carver asked, approaching from behind, his deep voice shaking her core as he sat beside her, a mug of mead in hoof.

Chewing and swallowing a bite of turkey leg, she hummed in satisfaction, “It’s good…Sir.” She happily said, barely above a whisper.

Chuckling, the overwhelmingly towering stallion’s plate-sized hoof gently landed on Storm’s uncut, rat nest mane and mangled it further, earning a whine in return. “Glad to hear it, Storm Breaker. Soon enough, you’ll be as strong as me!” He boasted, grinning in encouragement but frowning once the young mare did.

Storm Breaker clutched the turkey leg in her hoof tighter, “Did I make the right choice?” She asked.

Still, lingering doubts remained in the back of her mind. What if she wasn’t strong enough to pull her weight? Did she have what it took to kill? There was no possible outcome of her ever defeating a unicorn and pegasi- she barely had an ounce of muscle on herself. It wasn’t like she had striking attributes beforehoof. She only joined the Vanguard introduction ceremony to make Gran proud and to enact revenge on the bastards who ruined her life. However, upcoming Vanguard training would eat her alive before she set hoof onto a battlefield. Maybe the nagging, taunting voice in her skull spoke truths or lied; it was hard for her to tell anymore. She wasn’t cut out for it, right?

A weak filly like her didn’t deserve to leave slavery’s cold grip- she’d be better off working in some field, freezing to death. At least there, she would know her place as dirt, void of delusions of power and vengeance.

The fire felt colder now.

Suddenly, the downcast filly unexpectedly received a tight embrace courtesy of Carver, her body refusing to resist in contrast to her yelp. “That’s for you to decide, not me.” He said, hardening his voice in a caring manner. “All you can do now is look forward and choose who you desire to be in life, unbound by outside influence, to make your path as a knight.” Another chuckle reached Storm’s ears, “My Grandpa used to tell me when I was lost: “Take life by the balls and make it do what you want; don’t run around like a chicken without its head when something bad happens.”” He said, imitating an elder’s scolding tone.

In spite of the hot tears soaking her cheeks and Carver's stomach fur, a laugh bursted from Storm Breaker, who tightly hugged him in silent thanks.

The warmness was becoming overwhelming, but she didn’t mind a bit.

Stepping out of the Everfree’s treeline, the three fillies and a heavily bleeding Storm Breaker were short of a meter before a sight caught their attention.

“THERE YA ARE!”

The young fillies recoiled from the distant, enraged country voice, especially Applebloom, as the figures of five mares quickly approached the group.

Yep, she wasn’t the only one getting an earful tonight. Scoffing, Storm Breaker stood in front of the fillies, waiting abroad as the elements of harmony grounded to a halt before her, visages ranging from ire to fear- except for a bouncing Pinkie's neutral smile. The warrior mare never truly figured out whether the bubblegum mare was a demon or some creature hades-bent on getting others to like her.

Not saying a word, she let the raving comments flow over her.

“Oh, dear Celestia, Sweetie, your coat is absolutely ruined!”

“Where in the hay did guys go?! I flew all over Ponyville to find you!”

“Storm Breaker, I swear on Granny Smith's life, if you two did anything stupid…”

“Man, I’m hungry. Good thing I brought snacks!”

Over and over, each emotion-filled inquiry slammed into the Storm Breakers’s ravaged body like falling chunks of hail during a terrible blizzard, all the while showing no sign of her inner feelings. Thinking back on the flashes of memory she had tonight as the cold air wafted past, the twinkling stars above, Storm Breaker never had many situations where she needed to explain herself. She was unprepared, in simple terms. The middle-aged, battle-hardened mare grew out of her tentativeness and into what she was before waking in Equestria, developing a sense of apathy in her feelings toward wrongdoing.

Nothing could stand up to her; why should she bow down and show weakness? Her job was to defend ponies, not to grovel at other ponies' hooves and beg for redemption.

In training she received from the council after her introduction, discipline was heavily enforced, and she knew just the right amount to get out of most trouble with her comrades. She had occasional disagreements with Carver or any other squad member, and plenty of strangers nearly died when a simple argument turned bloody because she was too prideful to say sorry.

Never had she openly admitted to being in the wrong.

But that was the warrior.

“Blame me, Celestia guard dogs,” She spat, quickly flinching at her involuntary response and coughing into a hoof, “No, ‘Elements of Harmony,’ I...caused you all...panic. I’m sorry... for making you all worry.” Storm Breaker said awkwardly, instantly silencing the ranting mares into a stupor.

The first to break their shock was Twilight, understandably, who- somewhat -relaxed her furrowed brow and took a step forward, peering up at Storm Breaker.

“What happened?” She asked.

Storm Breaker, switching to the fillies huddled underneath, Scootaloo's pleading eyes sparked amusement in her heart before she returned to Twilight’s gaze, taking a deep breath. “I escaped that insufferable hospital and happened to stumble onto these three by chance. They wanted some idiotic thing called a cutie mark, but I turned them down. But after the ankle biters begged me, I decided a foal’s game would soothe their energy, playing hide and seek in the forest nearby. Sadly, I failed to realize its dangers and fell down a hill.” She explained.

Crouching to the fillies’ level, she rested a hoof around Scootaloo's shoulders. “In the end, it was these three that helped this fool. Take up your bitching with me.” She said sternly.

She didn’t care if the four mares behind Twilight gawked in aberrant shock at her defense nor of the Crusaders ‘Oh’ing’ at her use of vulgar language. Really, she meant it. Right now nothing existed but Twilight and her locked in an invisible battle to see who would falter first, show signs of giving. To say she hated Twilight and her friends, or Ponyville in General, wouldn’t be a far-off statement.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t hate she felt…it was fear.

Vanguard Knights are, or were, ponies unfeeling and cruel in their profession for the sake of Earth Ponies and their future, and they would gladly die for it in a heartbeat, herself included. Broken down and built back up to survive and adapt to any situation, there was no need to form bonds past comrades and allies; things like love and friendship had no use on a war-torn plain. She had thoughts and feelings for colts in her younger years, but it never stuck, or the receiving end of her love died in a unicorn or pegasi raid. She formed friendships with enemy races supposedly neutral to the war, but it ended when their intentions of being a spy met the end of her blade.

Things like love and friendship brought only pain and problems- she knew that since day one.

Then she woke up in Equestria. Now she’s one bad day from breaking down…

…And she was scared.

Olive Branch: her first friend. Sky Slicer, the bird: her first loving connection not involving benefits or use. Celestia, Luna, and even Twilight: Ponies who foolishly yet kindly took a monster under their wings. And she could never understand it. Places of Ponyville terrified her deep down, like having a fear of the dark and imagining what could be resigned within regardless if there was or wasn't. It was new to her; she wanted no part of it, but she also didn't shy away.

Storm Breaker missed being Flash Freeze some days, and others, the warrior mask she secured so long with hate. Neither of which she could go back to. This new world did not need a warrior: that fact was ever so clear, as was painful; such a peaceful land shouldn’t know the horrors she experienced. Flash Freeze…she died three thousand and forty-odd years ago.

This new, inexperienced mare, thrust into an environment she knew not of, was a middle ground and a foundation to resculpt a bloody legacy.

She was Storm Breaker, a rebirth.

Releasing the titanic mare from her self-induced trance, sighing in exasperation, Twilight shook her head, “It’s…been a long day, Storm Breaker. Me and the girl’s been running around all day, and we’re tired. Let’s talk it out in the morning, okay?” She requested a hint of desperation in her bloodshot eyes.

Yeah, she likes the sound of that.

And so, she promptly passed out face-first into the dirt.

Interlude: Morning routine

Did I wash the dishes with Sparkle last night?

That was the first thought entering Storm Breaker’s groggy mind, fluttering sluggishly into the waking world, a soft groan escaping her. One eye blinked; the other stayed shut. Where is she again? A soft bed and impossibly warm sheets beckoned her to resume slumber, and the smell of varnished oak, everything lacked the sterile sting that the hospital funnily stabbed her sinuses with—no hoof steps, no chattering, no annoying nurses coming to bring their breakfast slop.

Then she opened her eye.

Oh, that’s right, she moved out of the hospital a month ago. How could she forget?

Upon waking in the hospital following her venture into the Everfree, the doctors were surprised to discover the magic-hating mare requested specialized unicorn healing. It’s funny: maybe they thought she hit her head as well. Yet, the ordeal soon after felt vile, like toxic sludge flowing through her veins in a flow of relaxation and comfort Storm Breaker had to endure for her health. Some would question her reasoning; she never wanted to interact with magic in any form before. In truth, she didn’t care anymore. And going to the bathroom with those wounds would’ve been a nightmare.

Due to her size, magic cast on her by mages or practitioners of magical arts varied from pony to pony, requiring a larger output to even affect her. Think of filling a mug with a teacup's worth of liquid and expecting to be refreshed when drinking it. Example: the element of generosity wouldn’t be able to lift her hoof even if she poured every ounce of magic into the action, but Celestia, who has a greater mana output, would throw the muscle-bound mare like a rag doll in her sleep.

So a dozen and one doctor wore themselves to the bone, but she thanked them nonetheless for the help despite the bad taste it left on her tongue.

She tried to ignore the taste around Sparkle.

Sighing, Storm Breaker rubbed her eyes as she swung her lower half over the bed, blankly staring at the near-empty guest room she had slept in for a month before standing.

The tired mare bit down and retrieved her eye patch from a nightstand by her bed, quickly leaving the room and yawning quietly as she shut the entryway. Walking along the raised walkway of the main space, Storm Breaker passed by two other rooms: another guest room and Sparkle’s. Narration of a power ponies comic provided by an enthusiastic Spike rang in the room neighboring hers, and the third room was dead silent. Neverminding both, with her sights settled on a door at the end of the walkway, she closed in and entered what awaited on the other side: a bathroom, locking the entrance behind herself. Compared to the one in Canterlot, Sparkle’s area of relief and cleanliness seemed cramped for somepony like Storm Breaker at first, but she adapted; tis’ the way of a Knight…or whatever.

Drawing back the shower curtains, Storm Breaker turned the knob for the cold water and let the frigid substance wash over her scraggly form as her forelegs supported her leaning body against the fronting wall. Lavender, coconut, vanilla, Fiji, obsidian, and a decent array of scented soaps sat expectantly in a rack hanging from the shower head, none of which she bothered to acknowledge. An old mares tale: washing your mane too much caused it to fall out.

So, it was okay to soak her mane for today. Right?

This morning was one of the few where she hadn’t awoken drenched in cold sweat.

Ten minutes in the shower, on the dot, starting at the mane, then rubbing a soft sponge soaked in sea-scented body wash to clean her scar-riddled body. Stepping out, it took roughly fifteen minutes to dry herself by sitting on her flanks and lightly scrubbing her drenched fur with a green towel, repeating the earlier process. Don’t use the brush on your mane and tail; don’t care if the mane brush Rarity gave you to ‘purge’ the unkempt style you liked sat on the counter. Use the right hoof to pat down the mane until acceptable. Use the left to straighten your coat with the brush. Finish off by wrapping the patch around your blinded eye and push the strands of mane over to hide any straps.

The idea for Storm Breaker to temporarily live with Sparkle came from the bookworm mare herself.

Walking was still a slight challenge, having laid in bed for two weeks straight following her Everfree encounter for the spells to take effect, and the doctors still advised her to refrain from physically demanding tasks to ensure their treatment worked. But the doctors discharged her regardless- more ponies needed care, and she could do basic actions. So, being technically homeless and unable to return to service, she accepted Sparkle's offer, seeing no other option.

It was a nice gesture.

Sadly, Twilight was barely around, distracted by helping rebuild Ponyville.

A dead-eyed stranger stared back at her in the hanging mirror above the counter’s sink, a thin frown adorning their muzzle, a droopy eye staring daggers into Storm Breaker’s head. It disappeared rather quickly. Opening the mirrored door, she pulled out a small jar, took a small white tablet, and swiftly ate it, a taste of mint coating her tongue. Chew three times on each side, ignore the agony of healing chipped teeth, rub the leftovers against the roof of your mouth, and then swallow. Replace, close, and step away.

As quickly as she arrived, Storm Breaker left the bathroom refreshed and cleaner, passing the unchanged state of the other rooms and down the stairs to ground level. Every step felt like lead. Or was it her heart? No.

Everything about her body felt heavier; hopefully, sickness hadn’t found her again.

Disregard the living room, enter the kitchen, and stop before the fridge. Leaning down, Storm Breaker cracked open the wondrous cooling box’s door, scanning several food items. There was leftover takeout, a half-eaten hay burger, a half-full gem bowl, fruits, coffee creamer, and a six-pack of hard apple cider she bought yesterday. She took a bottle of cider. Storm Breaker never liked drinking a lot, in all honesty. The titanic mare popped the bottle's lid off using a flick of her hoof, throwing her head back soon after with the bottle’s lip firmly pressed against hers, letting the salty-sweet flavor of apples burn her parched throat.

No, she didn’t like it.

Parting ways with her drink, she longingly gazed at the cider for a second before setting it on a counter to the stove’s right. That’s when something caught her eye: a coffee maker. Yeah, it sounded better than morning alcohol. And gathering the supplies took two minutes, figuring out the machine took five, and starting it took one. Place two filters upfront in the compartment closest to you, coffee grounds centering them, and fill the rear tank with water.

Closing the lid, Storm Breaker wordlessly observed after she flipped the coffee maker on switch, the sounds of roaring brew failing to get a reaction.

Drip. Drip. Drip. it went, each droplet of the caffeinated beverage making her ears flick.

Olive Branch returned from business in Canterlot to check on her and Ponyville weeks ago; he sometimes visits to chat and catch up or sends gifts of baked goods or cards. It was a nice gesture. Sadly, he couldn’t stay around. Maintaining and overseeing the additional recovering soldiers sucked any chance of her spending time with the old coot for longer than a few minutes.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Was she what ponies called depressed? It was a silly thought. Not in the slightest, she believed. The night of the Nightmare Night Ball, what happened when Celestia left, was more akin to what Storm Breaker knew about depression from the books she read in her spare time. She had lots of it, not depression or crying. Then why was this feeling of emptiness in her chest, and why wasn’t she more concerned? Is it also a condition? Had a demon stole a part of her in her sleep and took it back to Hades? It felt like something was missing.

A sensation of anger would be her usual reaction to this situation, calling it nonsense and burying herself in work or any other available distractions to keep busy.

No, that was the warrior. She wasn’t like that anymore.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Hoof tapping against the floor, Storm Breaker returned lost attention back to the machine half filled with dark-brown coffee, biting her lower lip. Eyes switched to whatever was close by. A calendar untouched since winter time. The trash can needs to be changed. Those salt and pepper shakers were in the wrong order, as well as the sugar cube and flour jars.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Spike, the unusually observant infant dragon he was, noticed when Storm Breaker’s ‘erratic’ and brash nature dulled in the waning days of her stay in the Golden Oak’s Library. It’s not like she tried hiding it. He was the only one who stayed in the Library for most of the day, and he spent it trying to enact ‘friendly’ conversation with her over any topic, even if she barely responded beyond grunts and mumbled replies.

It was a nice gesture. Sadly, Storm Breaker didn’t feel like talking then and now.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Grounding her teeth and tightening her jaw, Storm Breaker’s breath barely kept its composure as she dug her tapping hoof into the hardwood floor.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Idiot didn’t describe how brain-dead she was. Her stupid heart didn’t work like it was supposed to when her comrades did nice things. Her stupid brain never stood still, nagging and clawing the inside of her skull with equally dense thoughts and worries nopony cared about. Her stupid stomach tightened when she felt unwarranted fear. Her stupid legs always felt weaker since fully recovering. Her stupid eyes couldn’t stop fogging up!

Drip. Drip. Drip.

COULDN’T THING FUCKING HUNK OF SHIT WORK ANY FASTER?!?!

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Caught off guard and flinching in surprise, the startled Storm Breaker unknowingly released a withheld, quaking breath and returned her sights to the coffee maker. Coffee wasn’t a terrible drink- it helps make a pony's morning easier.

Grabbing a mug out of the top cabinet above the coffee maker with a trembling hoof, filling it, and leaving the kitchen took about five minutes, abandoning the remaining brew behind while she moved to the living room, blinking hot wetness from her eye. Sitting on the couch, Storm Breaker set the steaming mug on a table beside her, steadying her breathing, failing, and deciding to seize a book about the history of cooking equipment and techniques resting on a larger table ahead of her.

Her bookmark saved the portion about the early years of the toaster: a marvelous invention for sliced bread, cooking it on both sides to perfection.

Storm Breaker sank into the couch and rested the open tome in her lap, taking the mug's handle in her hoof and lifting it to her muzzle.

This emptiness wasn’t because of a stupid condition. Storm Breaker wasn’t stupid, but this persistent feeling of forgetting something important was. That’s what she told herself…weakly. Nevertheless, it had to go away at some point; maybe it was homesickness, and she was missing Canterlot's more familiar environment. Yeah, it was fine. She was fine. Everything was fine. This second life of hers had boundless positives she never had before. There was nothing to get angry or sad over, and it would be better if she ignored her dormant anger like many things she couldn’t recall. Don’t be stupid and make those ponies whine over you; you never had a reason to cry- a Knight doesn’t show weakness in the face of enemies and allies. Today was like any other, peaceful and perfect, so she needed to reign in her pathetic sniffling, tight-lipped muzzle, and tight chest before Sparkle wo-

The coffee tasted bitter.

She had forgotten her sugar and cream.

Remaining stone-faced, she put down her mug and looked to the upper floor toward Spike and Sparkle’s rooms. Sparkle wasn’t awake; she slept an hour later on weekends like this one. Storm Breaker woke up overly early, and the miniature drake was always there to greet his boss first prior to her. The titanic mare stayed quiet to avoid alerting either of her morning presence. They wouldn’t leave their rooms for another two hours.

So Storm Breaker curled into a ball and silently wept.

Chp 19: Breakdown

“Darling.”

“Darling!”

Olive Branch’s minor ire simmered to an ember once the titanic mare beside him jolted sharply, her previously unfocused eye widening and peering down at him with an unreadable expression. “Geez, ya silly mare, I said your name about six times now!” He said, grinning.

Storm Breaker broke her prolonged one-sided staring contest, letting her half-lidded orb fall to the ground outside Golden Oaks Library, where both stood.

“...Sorry.” She mumbled.

Flashing a quick frown, he diverted all attention to the library door swinging inward, where Twilight and her assistant emerged. “Now that we triple-checked everything is in order, I think it’s time!” The bookworm mare excitedly announced, a hint of sadness lining her tone. “I know we didn’t start on the…best of terms, but it was nice to have you around. It’s a shame you have to leave now- you do have responsibilities in Canterlot, after all -and I hope you feel one hundred percent! Oh, and thanks for helping to save Ponyville, Storm Breaker.” Ending her parting words by smiling up at Storm Breaker, Twilight’s cheerful expression somewhat faltered once the looming mare’s face stayed motionless.

“...No problem, too bad none of the pansy guards could keep up with me when they attacked…” She ‘joked,’ attempting to chuckle while smirking weakly, only to sound like a half-hearted snort.

Coming back to the recently rebuilt countryside town of Ponyville for a final time after finishing the last of his paperwork in Canterlot two days ago, Olive Branch was concerned.

Not about Ponyville itself. Moreover, Storm Breaker. He could’ve chalked it up to a simple case of boredom or some sort of cabin fever on a town-wide scale; however, they exclusively applied to the first two weeks of the titanic mare’s discharge from the hospital the few times he saw her. Afterward, the loudmouth, temperamental, and lively mare he knew unexplainably transformed into a quiet, detached shell, hardly aware of anything and having tendencies to get lost in the clouds.

Had something terrible occurred while in his absence? Of course, Twilight told him about her accident in the Everfree with three fillies in a letter, but a rough tumble hardly warranted such a drastic shift in somepony like her.

Even though he didn’t see the full extent of her damages, Storm Breaker must’ve suffered worse, as much as he hated to ponder such a thing.

Keeping these thoughts locked away behind his collected grin, he coughed into his hoof, “Heh, heh, ain’t that…true.” He awkwardly replied, breaking the equally sour air cast over their heads. “And Mrs. Sparkle, we were just doing our duties as guards- there’s no need to thank us. Now, if you’ll excuse us, my partner and I gotta get goin’- justice waits for nopony!” He joked humbly.

While he hated breaking off a potential conversation, Olive Branch cared more about Storm Breaker's unusual attitude and quietness; waiting until he was alone with her would provide a perfect chance for questioning.

Also, he had been waiting thirty minutes outside the library for thirty minutes waiting for them.

“Um, okay, I understand.”

And so, waving goodbye to the unicorn and dragon duo, the two guard ponies walked casually side-by-side through the relatively busy- but not crowded -streets of Ponyville. All the while, Olive Branch discreetly examined Storm Breaker, gauging her reactions to several happenings along their trail—ponies waving to each other, crates dropped from wagons, idle conversations, and the like.

Nothing.

Not a flick of the ear, shifting of the eye, or twitch of the face, everything appearing to have frozen in a state of unfocused, indifferent ice. When his friend’s stubborn tantrums unfairly warranted Olive Branch with foalish silence, there’d always been some sign she was listening to him or the surroundings while on patrol. However, this time, it felt like dragging around a moving statue. Did she know if Olive Branch was there, even when he occasionally yanked her aside to prevent a two or more pony collision? She scared him, honestly, more than her anger.

Could it be she was mad? The countless mares he knew and had relationships with in his youthful years gave him the silent treatment if he upset them- and maybe a slap for good measure.

But the warrior mare wasn’t the quiet, non-vocal type when it came down to expressing her grievances, and nothing hinted at any sign of aggression. “So, darling, how’s Ponyville treated you?” He asked. There was no point in pondering a question with an obvious answer, but anything to break the silence.

Turning a corner, Olive Branch close by, Storm Breaker hardly looked at him, “Fine…I guess. Everypony here’s pleasant and nice.” She replied absentmindedly, side-stepping a distracted couple close to hitting her.

That’s not what he expected.

Storm Breaker didn’t outrightly hate Ponyville but never fully tolerated it to an extent; Olive Branch knew this, making it all the stranger hearing her compliment the countryside town without so much as a sarcastic tone. And her voice…“That’s good to hear. Sorry I couldn’t follow through with our promise to get a ‘victory feast’ like you wanted, but when we get back to Canterlot, I’ll talk with Celestia about it. How’s that sound? All the chicken and mead you want.” He smiled kindly, nodding his head to a passing pony.

“It’s fine, I’m not hungry.” She muttered.

“Oh, already ate?”

“...No.”

It sounded so empty.

Dropping his smile, Olive Branch intended to push his disguised interrogation further, only to stop verbally and physically when a small pegasus skidded to a stop before them, panting heavily. “*Huff* Hey…there. *Huff* I *Huff* almost missed *Huff* you!” She puffed, kneeling over in exhaustion.

“Wow there, kiddo! Take a second to breathe and try not to pass out.” Olive Branch chuckled, waiting for the purple and orange filly to rest.

Taking a minute to catch her breath, the filly’s sweat-covered features shot up to meet Storm Breakers with a mix of determination and fading panic, the warrior mare portraying a sense of shock. “Sorry for being late- my friends told me you were leaving soon while Mrs.Cheerlie was teaching. I couldn’t sit back and not say bye and thanks before you left!” If his memory wasn’t failing him- he prayed to Celestia it wasn’t -Olive Branch noticed her fitting the description of one of three fillies in the letter Twilight sent him on the chariot ride to Ponyville: Scootaloo.

“There’s no need, kid.” Storm Breaker said, her voice raising slightly in volume for the first time since this morning.

“Huh?” Scootaloo tilted her head in confusion.

An uncomfortable gaze appeared in Storm Breaker’s shifting eye as it tore itself away from the filly, “I- you…Everything I did doesn’t deserve praise.” The mighty warrior mare, fumbling her words, almost looked to cower under the filly’s gaze, but Olive Branch guessed she wasn’t used to being complimented. “I still have more than enough…debts to pay off.” She grimly added, Olive Branch frowning internally.

“Aw,” The small pegasus whined, humming to herself until she perked up. “Well, will it be okay if you hang out with me and my friend some more, ma’am?” She asked innocently.

Rather than join in on Olive’s surprised laugh, Storm Breaker flinched, a brow raised. “W-Why?” She muttered.

Scootaloo didn’t hesitate to answer, “Because you’re cool!”

Did Olive Branch mistake the rolling wind for somepony gasping?

“Sure, what went down in the forest was scary, mostly when the big Ti…uh-” Scootaloo flinched suddenly, nervously glancing to Olive and back as her drawn-out sentence slowly resumed, “-...T’u’mble- yeah, big tumble -messed you up. I thought nopony would come to help if you hadn’t forced yourself to escort us out. Otherwise, I think that night was the best I had in a while because of you.” The filly’s body rushed forward and collided with Storm Breaker's left foreleg in a tight embrace. “So, please come back soon.” She begged, squeezing her eyes shut.

Olive Branch, meanwhile, stayed glued to his partner’s expression. Bewilderment’s a new one the old stallion saw her wear, but there’d been a trace of sadness and…guilt.

“Y-Yeah got ya’.” Storm Breaker replied, patting Scootaloo with her free hoof stiffly.

Soon, the short reunion between the two had to break, with Olive Branch waving the filly goodbye as she did the same, walking further until they entered the marketplace. Teeming in swarms of busy-body and easygoing shoppers, passing by the massive hoard proved unexpectedly easy for the duo guards. As they walked, more and more royal guards dressed in bandages and donned repaired armor marched, throngs of ponies waving and thanking those who protected them- including Storm Breaker. Olive Branch began to theorize that whatever happened to his partner, maybe it involved her soul and Fluttershy’s getting swapped with how jumpy Storm Breaker appeared, even if she tried to hide it.

Her problem was stage fright? No, not likely. Vanguard knights weren’t very social from what history books entailed, but Storm Breaker was more reserved and stoic at times rather than shy; More accurately, if his compliments upon their first meeting meant anything, defensive. Although, he couldn’t blame her. Ponies were running away at the sight of her only a month or two ago, and now overwhelming shouts of praise must’ve felt like drowning.

Walking the rest of the Market's distance to the town’s border where the train station resided, the colorful locomotive pulled in with a shrill whistle, hot steam bellowing onto the platform.

“All aboard!” The conductor shouted, peeking out of his cabin.

One by one, the guards loaded themselves on board, the small army of gold-plated armor shrinking in size and stuffing the first three cars by the time Olive and Storm were left alone. “Heh, lucky us, we got the last for ourselves!” Olive exclaimed, a flash of his horn producing a blinding light that faded to reveal his trusty keg.

Nothing in response.

The caboose ached in uncomfortable silence as the train slowly increased in speed, Storm Breaker looking out at the passing scenery from the window she sat by, Olive next to her.

No words exchanged, no looks given, only the sound of his occasional guzzling and her overly-controlled breaths- it might as well have been empty. How should he approach this, he thought. There was no backing down now; he’d blown off Celestia’s student, the only element of harmony available to see them off, to get to this point. Why was he so hesitant, then? He again looked to Storm Breaker, but her features were facing away from his view, and he returned his eyes downward. Nevertheless, he could see it. Her hoof pawed at the faux leather seats, ears occasionally flicking, a heavy spike in her breathing chest.

Guard, royal advisor, and captain, none of these career masks he donned at one point or another would help Storm Breaker; this wasn’t an interrogation.

She needed a friend.

“Darling,” He hesitated, her ears swiveling in his direction, betraying the mare’s eerie stillness, “Is something the matter?”

Sagging of the shoulders, a dipping of the head, and a sigh- Storm Breaker didn’t turn, but she spoke.

“...I’m fine.”

Swallowing the lump forming in his throat, Olive Branch licked his dry lips and scanned her from the corner of his vision. “You sure? Because, where I’m standing, I’d thought somepony stacked a ton of bricks on your shoulders by how you’ve carried yourself recently.” Silence, “Tell me, as your friend, if something is wrong, Storm.” He said.

“I don’t…have friends. You’re my supervisor, and I’m Celestia and Luna’s guard dog.” She spat weakly, but her tone wavered apprehensively.

“If this is about your ‘Vanguard pride,’ there’s no shame in telling me how you feel.” Olive Branch shot back firmly, not in a harsh manner.

Good, her head raised a little, and Olive Branch steeled himself for what she would say.

“Olive Branch…” Unfortunately, he couldn’t completely hide his shock upon hearing his name spoken by Storm Breaker. “Do you think I…could change? Be a normal pony?” She questioned in a reserved voice. Still stupefied, the old stallion hesitated to answer her until he shook his head to quell his shock.

She only called him a coot, “Ah, so you did know my name, good.” He playfully chuckled, regretting his attempt to lighten the air when she flinched, “Sorry. Darling, what do you mean?” He added.

Storm Breaker didn’t say anything for the longest time, and Olive didn’t oppose, letting her breathing slow down before she sighed. “I’m tired. All I wanted before joining the guard was to forget everything terrible and find some semblance of peace.” A shutter escaped her, “Awaken and sleep next to somepony I love, eat and drink with friends, and not have to worry about ponies stabbing me in the back. Then, go to bed knowing that, come morning, the next day will be just as good as the last.” Storm Breaker shook her head, “But, no, I can never. And those dreams burned asunder. This world is terrible everywhere I look: this anger guides my heart and blinds my gaze. When you see an earth pony and unicorn having a simple chat, I see it as a violation of nature. I was reborn and bred to hate my enemies; peace and tranquility were never on my mind until I came here. And I hate these feelings, this pain, because of it.”

Her hoof rose slowly, hovering over her chest, “I lost everything that defined me the second I awoke. This world’s meant for Equestrian ponies. I’m nothing more than a terrible relic, a monster fooling itself into believing it deserves something when it couldn’t retain anything in the first place.” She said quietly, dropping her limb.

Rising his own, Olive Branch’s hoof brushed her shoulder, a shudder causing her fur to stand. “That ain't true, darling! You’re no monster. And those dreams aren’t dead; Equestria is the perfect place to realize them. You’ve made decent progress; you just had trouble adjusting initially.” He said, shaking her shoulder lightly.

“Yakshit, I don’t know what I’m doing!” She hissed meekly.

“And that’s okay!” He instantly retorted, raising his voice faintly on accident.

“I won’t try to guess what has gotten you shook- still, I’ve got a good idea. And I’ll tell you again that I and everypony else- Twilight, Celestia, Luna -want to help you improve. And, Tarturaus, there’s no such thing as ‘normal’ ponies, darling-” He chuckled, “-nothing about Equestria is normal.” Leaning his side against Storm Breaker, his hoof slithered from one shoulder to the opposite shoulder blade, “Nopony is perfect, darling. Those ‘terrible things’ you mentioned will haunt you till the day you die.” A melancholy smile crossed Olive Branch, “The only thing I can say is: all you can do is move on, to let go of that heavy burden and vileness so you can grow and live. Trust me, I know it hurts, but time heals all wounds,”

He dropped his keg gently to the rocking ground, twisting his waist to hug his partner, “Especially with your friends by your side every step of the way.” He spoke softly.

Now getting a better look at his distressed partner, Olive Branch’s sympathetic smile sank.

A torrent of wetness streamed down her cheeks, her scarred mouth pursed tightly as she sniffled, a violent tremor running throughout her body. “... I trust you, but things the warrior in me wants to do to for saying that makes me ill.” She whimpered. Then, the thought-to-be-believed mountain of a pony crumbled under the weight of her own woe, prisoned sobs banging forcibly against her locked lips as she doubled over in her seat, cries muffled, her hoof-covered head pressing against the back of the upfront seating.

“Oh…I’ll call you in sick then, darling.”

Closing his eyes, all Olive Branch could do was rub her back in comfort.

Sneaking through the door belonging to one of the most powerful ponies in Canterlot wasn’t on Trotselot’s list today- his bucket list, specifically.

Incidentally, it also led straight into the same pony’s office atop his bank, like prying open the cover to a heated wood stove, the stench of staining cigar smoke flooding the posh stallion’s muzzle. “My word…!” He gagged, swatting a hoof in the air. Stashing the key he swiped from the receptionist in his breast pocket, Trotselot entered and shut the self-locking wooden barrier, resisting the urge to cough and alert anypony nearby of his espionage.

“Now, if I were important, highly illegal, documents Iron Hoof wouldn’t want anypony to see: where will I hide?” He asked nopony in particular.

Most would’ve started at the large, flaunting desk imported from Griffonstone, but the posh stallion knew Iron Hoof wasn’t naive- most crime lords weren’t. And since the floor was made of carpet, there was no point in pulling back any loose floorboards, leaving his search to begin by knocking lightly on the walls.

Trotselt remembered when he first met the withered sack of decaying flesh and bones: the day he got kicked out of Van Horn University for not-so-pleasant reasons. Back then, emotional, angry, down on his luck, and recently stripped of his source of materials and homing, let’s just say he got a bit desperate. His mother and father disowned him, having traditional, outdated views on what a stallion should be, spitting on his desire to create clothing instead of taking on more ‘masculine’ and noble-like paths. So no family insurance. Any friends he had couldn’t be trusted, if he could even call those stuck-up asses friends. In addition, slowly falling to the break of stress chipped his natural charm to fiddle with foolish bit-loaded tramps looking for attention.

The school’s scholarship was his only consistent source of income, and it was all but ripped away.

Looking to the past, Trotselot would prefer jumping off Canterlot Castle’s highest peak than ever speak with Iron Hoof. A vicious cockroach he was, a paranoid, psychotic pony bent on holding anything to his family’s name and wealth at any cost, even if it meant defying everything a pony was. It’s either a case of disposophobia or a pony stuck in the past.

Knock! Knock!

Nope, not a single false panel or hollow point in the walls or behind paintings. “...Maybe.” Looking up, Trotselot saw a small vent over where the desk’s leather foreleg chair sat. Rounding the desk and positioning the luxury seat, he devoured the great pleasure of creasing the expensive material with his unwashed hooves as he stretched upward. Using his wings would cause too much noise.

Unhooking a latch securing the vent cover, the sheet metal face fell, and a gush of warm air impacted the posh stallion.

Did he regret his life choices? Not really. Maybe? Trotselot knew he had an idiot streak, and tricking more innocent, kind lovers for whatever task he needed to complete stung his heart, but it’s dog-eat-dog in Canterlot’s noble void. Learning his silver tongue from his whorish mother’s tricks she used on her secret ‘Stallion friends’ helped as well. Commoners hated performing menial jobs to pay the bills, and Trotselot hated his lifestyle to keep afloat. Major celebrities and artists today can’t have holidays or sick days- the smallest amount of falter in an ever-growing field of relevance would eat a pony alive.

If he kept staying with Iron Hoof? Well. Keeping the lights on and bits flowing would be the least of his problems if the pruny bastard got bored of him.

“Ah ha!” Trotselot cried, only to slap a hoof against his mouth and go rigid.

…Good, nopony heard him.

Feeling something brush the tip of his hoof, he doubled his efforts and quickly dragged the item, a cylinder-shaped box, out of hiding and stepped down. “Let’s see what ol’ Hoof keeps from me.” He snickered, twisting the cap off using his wing and shaking rolled parchment onto the tidy desk and away from the overflowing ashtray.

First meeting Silver Lace and Brandy in-pony during their first meeting was rather interesting.

Going off his immediate observation, Silver Lace put on a front of seriousness and professionalism that the dumbest hillbilly bumpkin could tell was fake by how she looked at Iron Hoof. She was madly, hopelessly, in love. Unless the master of seduction and desire lost his touch, Trotselot would have to ignore her rump shifting every time he spoke or a subtle lip-bite when he’d look in her direction. Other than her filly-like affections for the vile demon, Silver Lace was every bit as cruel as Iron if past rumors of her company's poor business and work practices were true; no wonder he bothered to have her around.

Brandy, however, is a long-time friend of his. Broken ponies usually tended to drown their sorrows with whatever bits they managed to find, and he so happened to wander inside her bar.

She had charm.

Trotselot’s eyes, his hooves unfurling the scrolls under his gaze, widened in shock as they scanned over drawings and cursive lettering. They dated back decades, but each of the ten sheets was a catalog of clients who loaned under-the-table funds from him, everyone having the amount, date of withdrawal, and…order of execution. There was a column for payment dates- mostly empty, but he couldn’t say the same for executions.

Then, nearing the latest dates, Trotselot’s eyes stop alongside his breathing, feeling a lump form in his throat upon seeing his name on the list.

Client name:
Sway De Trotselot

Date of withdrawal funds/amount:
-10/12/978, 12:56 pm ($4,000)
-1/22/979, 11:00 am ($5,000)
-1/31/979, 3:00 am ($300)
…
…
…
-5/2/1001, 6:39 pm ($500,000)

Date of payments:
(N/a)

Order of execution: …

Trotselot breathed a massive sigh of relief at seeing the last box lacking even a dot of ink, his legs turning to jelly. “Thank Celestia.” He sighed. It looked like Iron Hoof saw something worth keeping, considering Trotselot spent most of his time plotting against him in secret rather than spying on the savage mare.

“Huh? Fine Point, you idiotic mare! I told you to keep my office unlocked when I arrived.”

Shit.

Hearing the enraged, ragged voice of Iron Hoof behind the rattling handle of his office door, Trotselot swiftly rolled the catalogs into his dress coat, replacing their container in the vent, and made it toward the windows the desk faced before the clicking of a lock reached him. “Who’s in there?!” Iron roared, the posh stallion practically smashing the windows off its hinges as he pushed it open and flew off just as the door slammed open. Not looking back once, Trotselot rocketed down the street, narrowly avoiding ponies as he escaped.

At least his cutie mark was related to being a spy.

Chp 20: Awaiting confessions

BANG!

Celestia, quickly reacting to the violent closing of a heavily reinforced door, carefully levitated the small battalion of stained, dry coffee cups and a field of scattered papers off the not-so-secured table quaking in front of the two-way mirror.

Sadly, she couldn’t say the same for the two guards sitting nearby at the table in their chairs, toppling back and accompanied by harsh armor clashing against the cold concrete floor. As the perpetrator of this violent rumble, Luna, fumed and huffed in temporary silence, Celestia helped the shaken guards to their hooves and returned each floating accessory to their rightful spots. Unfortunately, her efforts to keep a tidy observation room were in vain, as one destructive blast of dark-purple magic struck the wall on its originator’s right- away from everypony present, shaking the room again and tarnishing Celestia’s work.

“Curse that infernal wretch!” Luna bellowed angrily, circling in place, her bloodshot, pin-prick eyes broadened in rage; all the while, the guards chose the logical approach of fleeing. “Never in my life would somepony this- this…infuriating cause me such ire!”

Sighing internally, Celestia placed a tender hoof on Luna’s shoulder and stopped the frazzled alicorn of the night. “So I take it you got nothing?” She rhetorically asked.

Luna huffed, “I implore you to ponder such a fruitless inquiry.”

Managing to temper her white-hot anger, Luna guided her older sister until the two alicorns peered through the two-way mirror. On the other side, reclined in his chair with both hooves bound by cuffs attached to a table, Thunder Charge whistled alone in the spartan interrogation room. His eyes alone nearly elected a round of enraged profanity from Luna when shifting to look in her estimated direction.

During the month following the Everfree’s invasion of Ponyville and Thunder Charge’s squad capture, the royal guard prodigy’s interrogation on who offered the reward for Storm Breaker’s head had yet to show results. Not that Luna didn’t try. In addition to keeping the masses quiet and helping Luna investigate the slandering newspaper articles, Celestia hadn’t felt this exhausted since her first bloody bout with Discord. It’d been simple to silence the dishonest journalism, but doing so would be seen as corrupt and unlawful, even if she wasn’t whole-heartedly opposed to such slimy tactics. That’s beside the point; none of her or Luna’s interrogation tactics forced a pep from Thunder Charge, and Celestia was close to reflecting her sister's current feelings.

Resorting to more…barbaric means would’ve disgusted her then, but options waned day after day of repeated failure.

“Sister, time runs thin. If we don’t get a confession, who knows what under-hoof ploys his lawyers would pull.” Luna grimaced. Back then, the accused’s trial would’ve taken no longer than a few days; now, from what Luna learned, ‘court hearings’ could take months- even years -to end, if that. What’d become of offenders defending their freedom instead of paying a silver-tongue groveler and standing witness to a gaggle of random ponies?

Snapping out of her trance, Celestia nodded in agreement. “Yes, so it seems.” She sighed, absentmindedly nudging a broken mug under the table. “Then we must hasten our efforts in the only way I know how.” A tiny voice objected to her reckless idea.

“Oh? Do tell me.” Luna requested.

“Remember the day of Thunder Charge’s squad arrest, the comment you made about intimate interrogation, no?” Celestia said, a confused expression appearing on her sister’s face.

Then, it struck the nightly alicorn like a sack of stones, “Huh?! I thought you were against my proposition, ‘Tia!” Luna cried in disbelief, taking a step back. “You said Storm Breaker needed time to recover.” She added, pointing an accusing hoof.

Celestia, much to her sister’s perplexion, giggled lightly, “Correct, I remember well what I said then. However, knowing the mare, she’s recovered quickly and, most definitely, caused a stir in Ponyville out of sheer boredom- starved of action, as you had phrased it.” Celestia’s eyes narrowed at Thunder Charge, causing her to drop her subtle grin as he rested his head on the table. “Although I hate to resort to this, I won’t dance around the issue any longer. As long as you permit, Luna, I’ll allow you and Storm Breaker free reign to get what we need. While I believe he will serve a sentence regardless of its length, bribery and desertion among my guard is something I cannot tolerate.” She stated firmly.

A chill of fear shook Luna, seeing the deep glare looming where Celestia’s once warm eyes belonged, replaced by unfeeling ice. “Then I’ll agree.” Her older sister’s request seemed more like a command, but she brushed the feeling away. “Luckily, I've sent an escort to notify me of her and Sir Branch’s return.”

Discord, Sombra, Tierek, Chrysalis, it didn’t matter if it happened in or out of Equestrian borders. Each dastardly fiend caused her homeland and its neighbors harm because of her unwillingness to act.

Even her father…but there’d been nothing she could do then, unlike now.

Too many times had ponies lost their lives to others falling into the darkness; too many times she failed to stop them in time, and too many times she bore the weight of unpaid sins and grief. Now, it was occurring within her most trusted circles. And she still felt like an inexperienced fool. Questions of doubt and anger flowed through her head like unruly ocean waves. Why had Thunder Charge done this? Was it worth the trouble for an extra sum to take another life? What caused such a promising young stallion to fall this far from grace? She loved everypony in Equestria like her child despite any crimes they committed, with an exception or two- like murder. Because, at the end of it all, everypony had an ounce of good in them if one were to look deep.

Storm Breaker, in her eyes, was an Equestrian for all intents and purposes, a pony still in need of guidance and homely embrace to eradicate a cloud of darkness raining above her.

And some of her ‘children’ had tried to kill their fellow pony-in-arms over a promise of riches, not showing a grain of remorse or regret.

As far as Celestia was concerned, a thousand years in the sun’s core would’ve been a mercy for Thunder Charge had she taken the matter in her hooves if not for her practiced emotional control. She knew no ruler should feel this—unfeeling toward a subject, yet no warmth birthed by pity or sympathy lit her heart the longer she stared at Thunder Charge.

Celestia nodded, never taking her frigid gaze off him.

“Good.”

Stirring awake from his deep slumber, ruffling his feathers, Sky Slicer’s drossy avian mind returned to the waking realm to the sound of uneven sobs.

Sure, he’d heard the occasion wailing, unruly child or broken-hearted pony in his past territory, but it wasn’t the source of the raven’s confusion. It sounded familiar, the voice. Parting closed beady eyes, looking past the large cage the old pony got for him, and focusing on the bed, Sky Slicer immediately found the source. Upon the bed, his savior and the aforementioned elder equine lay in each other’s embrace, the former’s head buried in the old pony’s helmetless head and scraggly brown mane as she sadly sang.

Worry washed over the uneasy bird; his savior is in trouble! Crying meant something terrible, right? Dropping off a stick perch secured to the cage’s side, Sky Slicer hopped hurriedly across the black plastic plain of scattered straw and stuffed toys, arriving at the metal bar door. Luckily, the old pony forgot to lock his domain’s entrance, allowing the avian’s beak to push it open, followed by a flapping of wings.

Sky Slicer soon took to the sky, his wings having healed by now, gliding toward his sorrowful savior and landing on her bed’s headrest. He cawed to announce his presence, but neither acknowledged him.

“Sh, It’s going to be alright.” The old pony whispered, attempting to soothe Sky Slicer’s savior, saying sweet nothings.

Cocking left and right, Sky Slicer’s bobbing head examined the pair. They- or were -hurt, new scars decorating their bodies. The old pony’s stomach displayed a light, jagged line no longer than Sky’s frontmost feather, blending into his coat alongside minor scrapes and cuts. Sadly for the avian, he noted whatever occurred largely affected his savior’s massive figure, new vicious strokes of light and dark gray flesh, a small bandage or two adorning her flank, and what looked like bite marks lining the underside horizontally. Blips of memory flashed, the numerous times starving cats came close to eating their next meal, sending a shiver through his obsidian-colored body. A caw of sympathy escaped. He’d never been a bruiser kind of bird, but Sky Slicer wordlessly vowed to peak whatever hurt his savior to death!

“I-I can’t face anypony like t-this!” She sputtered, grounding the distracted avian. “Even y-you. Nothing b-but an embarrassment!”

The old pony shook his head the best it could while lying down. “You’re not an embarrassment, darling!” His voice oozed sweetness, patting her withers as Sky’s savior squeezed him a fraction tighter. “And don’t worry, nopony will. Since I teleported us here, not one soul will bother you.” A tired chuckle left his lips, exhaustion evident in his complexion.

Minutes trudged past of silence broken periodically by his savior’s whimpers, and Sky Slicer had moved from the improvised perch to a clearing in the pillows the pony’s heads hadn’t covered. The old pony flashed him a mixed look, nothing else. Otherwise, whether she knew or not, Sky Slicer cooed quietly and pressed himself closer to his savior’s head. If not for her crying, the moment between the three would’ve been welcoming. Oh, how he desperately wished to talk to her, but she wasn’t like the kind pegasus mare who lived in the cottage.

“O-Olive..?” Looking down following thirty minutes of somberness, his savior’s tear-stained face grimaced heavily, “Tell me the truth, why do you…” The words died in her throat momentarily, the old pony showing curiosity. “I-...is there something wrong with you?” She finally said, shocking the pony in her grasp.

“Huh?” He retorted dumbfoundedly, eyes widening.

She grunted, “I’ve seen and heard how royal guards feel about me.” Removing her forelegs, the mare’s giant frame rolled, leaving her to gaze at the bare ceiling. “In some aspects, if anypony else had taken your place, there’d be shit pinned on me to get punished eventually- especially what happened in the marketplace. Nopony’s suspicion would rise. You’d be an idiot not taking a shot at ‘doing the right thing.’” A chuckle, then a head turn to look at the old pony. “But you didn’t, even when you had the chance.”

Ridiculous! Since his stay in the giant white building, Sky Slicer’s never seen a scrap of hate in the shiny banana ponies' faces. They were always generous to homeless street creatures, giving food and leftover treats that bread-throwing old ponies in the park never gave.

“Why?” She repeated.

Yet, he couldn’t deny his savior's word. Some shiny banana ponies held a foul air around themselves wherever his savior was in the same room. Were they responsible for her condition? No, he added thoughtfully. Sky never saw one of them with jaws big enough to cause his savior’s stomach wound nor the other miniature bite marks. Besides, the old pony used to wear a shiny banana guard’s hard peel shell, including the top and middle, and he didn’t seem bad in Sky’s eyes in spite of his rot-colored fur.

Meeting her glazed eye, the elder stallion smiled softly and reached for her left cheek, cupping it in his hoof. “Because I like ya~.”

Wha-?

“Because I like ya~.”

Storm Breaker’s previously nonstop, emotional train-wreck of a mind came to a screeching and utter halt, then crashed, exploded, and burned in front of the wall labeled ‘deep end’ it tried to stop from ramming into. Why in all cruel pits of hades had Olive said that?! Like…her? Obviously, the delusional coot’s withering brain somehow concluded it was sane and healthy to form a friendship with a crazed, bloodthirsty soldier.

But…

WHY DID HE SAY IT LIKE THAT?!

“T-The Hades you sayin’?” She whispered.

Olive chuckled, “You heard me, darling.” He said.

Don’t worry: she knew what reached the disbelieving, swiveling ears mounted atop her skull very clearly. The meaning of those words was another story. Low, teasing, and suggestive, one of the three stayed true to Olive’s bantering personality, not so much for the rest, with a half-lidded smirking expression he displayed. They’re friends, allies, comrades even, a truth she couldn’t ignore anymore. However, a rising warmth appeared, ravaging her chest like a roaring flame to wood, rivaling the hottest infernos and blazes anypony could create. ‘Like you’ as a friend? She could see that. ‘Like you’ was different.

‘Like’ meant various things, most being a total loss on the ancient mare until her studies into modern culture and social norms shed light on a specific subject.

Romance.

A hazy thought, no better than one of morning breakfast or an afternoon activity one thinks back on: she remembered seeing it lay there among the pile of guides and informational texts during her studies. ‘Willow’s peak.’ it shouted in bold, elegant lettering, the image of two ponies beneath moments away from locking lips. Nearly throwing the book aside, Storm Breaker’s curiosity got the best of her after forcing her eyes in its direction several times, parting its hardcover face.

She hated it. Greatly so.

In contrast to her lack of advanced reading comprehension and skills, even the brutish warrior mare believed the two-inch-thick erotic love tome in her hooves was the worst form of torture she endured.

It had Cheesy, over-the-top characters, a lackluster ‘peasant-meet’s-royalty’ plot, generic elements and themes, an overabundance of weirdly super-detailed sex scenes, and the works. The fact trash so bland and revolting managed to attract a modicum of attention both amazed and baffled her- and they paid for it!

Yet, she never threw, destroyed, or rid herself of the offending book. And, just maybe, found some en-

NO!

Ugh, there she went, overthinking crap again, letting her thoughts run rampant! It’s plain as a scolding hot branding iron searing her flesh that Olive’s messing around again. A joke, that’s all. He’s trying to make her feel better; there’s nothing else to it! There’s no reason to think back on a shitty romance novel, much less imply a correlation to this situation. To think somepony would see her more than anything past a mere friendly face was laughable at the least- a fantasy. Crummy emotions were doing this to her, and she’s escalating a minor exclamation of friendship to an omission of love; it’s the only reasonable explanation. Right, who would care about a monster?

Was she in her bed with him? Yes. Did they hug each other for a long time? Embarrassingly, yes. So, does any of it mean he loved her? NO!

Then…why did the thought of such hurt so bad?

“Darling?” Flinching, feeling Olive’s touch shift upon her face’s scarred flesh, she saw the old stallion staring worriedly at her.

“You’ve been spacing out for a full two minutes. Is there a problem?” He asked.

“N-No,” She rushed to reply, “W-What do you mean?” Pursing her lips into a faint frown, Olive hummed thoughtfully.

He closed his eyes, then opened them, looking left and right until eventually settling back on Storm Breaker’s face, smiling. “I don’t know how else to put it: you did nothing but sit there silent for two whole minutes?.” He shrugged, mashing the sheets closer to his pillow in doing so. Suddenly, the elder stallion glided back sharply due to a frantic Storm Breaker shooting up, looking flustered. “W-Wow, settle down, dear!”

Holding back a frustrated groan, she closed her eye tightly and grounded her teeth, “Idiot! That’s not what I meant!” She cried, but tears had dried up, heat rising in her face. A stark look of shock crossed Olive’s face, his mouth forming an ‘O’ shape.

“Oh, I see,” He said, sitting up as well, “Well, for a while now, I’ve been harboring a fair bit of feelings for you. Of course, it didn’t start that way; you were just one of the ‘weirder’ moments of my long career. Eventually, they became a wild deal that spun out of control. I always prided myself on reading a pony’s character,” Reaching out, a hoof settled on her left knee, “And the moment we met, I knew you weren’t all bad and tough like everypony else said; everything that’d occurred afterward proved my belief. Sure, you’re a pain in the flank sometimes, but you’re also far from unpleasant to me. Because, seeing the real Storm Breaker behind raging brimstone, I saw a kind, prideful pony too afraid to show her emotions in favor of using strength to protect others- who could go overboard sometimes -and didn’t know what to do in an unfamiliar place. Among other things in you that I could relate to. Me? I’m an old, lonely stallion in need of somepony in my life who isn’t constantly giving me salutes or commands. You, however, have outgrown yourself as a friend, and I can’t help but love it. A welcomed wrench in this rusted machine I call life.” He joked, chuckling.

A shaky smile spread across her quivering lips, “H-Hey, this is a good joke and all, but you’re really dragging this out.” She said nervously, ignorant of a visible blush on her face. Why did she pull back from his hoof?!

Olive’s smile dropped somewhat, “I’m not joking, darling. Sorry if this is sudden; I’m not too good at this ‘confessing love’ stuff either. Perhaps I’ve finally gone senile, doing this? But, after today, I couldn’t hold back when seeing you suffer anymore, and I want to help you with whatever years I have left by your side.” An amused huff escaped Olive, “It’s alright if you don’t desire this…but-”

“-Can this foolish old coot have the pleasure of bringing Storm Breaker on a date this week?”

Date, huh? Yeah, she knew its meaning.

Clenching her forehooves and chuckling, Storm Breaker’s shaky grin shrunk to a soft smile as she hung her head. “Jackass. At a time like this?” She laughed lightly. “I…don’t know, Olive. Maybe? I need time to…think.” She added.

So, the old coot secretly had a crush, she thought. While she didn’t support the ability to discern what raging emotions swam wildly in her sore, tired body that fueled her decision, Storm Breaker focused on the stallion before her. Olive wasn’t a terrible stallion in looks and personality upon closer inspection. Lacking his duo armor pieces and looking beyond refreshed after the attack, the old stallion’s frame looked younger and fit despite the new set of false teeth between his jaws and silver strands of hair, not that they were a problem. She’s just lucky her mother’s side of the family is naturally youthful in their older years- hypocrite arrow half-dodged! And, personality-wise, she didn’t mind.

Although, should she reject his offer? Canterlot’s jaded royal population wasn’t fond of Storm Breaker thus far despite her duty as a guard. Would Olive be safe associating himself with her further and risk having glares directed at him? He was loyal to a fault, but his same affliction of protecting and helping ponies may do more harm than good to himself because of a desire Storm Breaker herself wasn’t too sure about fully meeting. It’s been a long time since anything like this happened.

She prayed to the Goddess she didn’t make this mistake again, for his sake.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Instantly shooting their unexpected gazes in the sound’s direction, the door to Storm Breaker’s room cracked ajar before slowly swinging inward with the assistance of a dark blue hoof belonging to a lunar guard. Poking his head in, the thestral stallion found Storm Breaker and Olive, raising a brow.

“Um, Sir. Branch, is this a bad time?” He awkwardly questioned. Luckily, before a highly red-faced Storm Breaker unleashed her embarrassed fury, Olive Branch spoke while pressing a hoof to her chest.

“Uh, no, at ease, soldier.” He commanded, the midnight-hued guard standing straight under the door’s frame and saluting. “Mind telling me why you’re here?” He said.

The lunar guard dropped his formal stance, “Orders given to me by Her Majesty, Princess Luna, stated I was to escort Private Storm Breaker and Sir. Branch to the Canterlot Castle’s underground interrogation quarters. But, upon seeing your absence on the arriving train, I returned here in hopes of catching you two if anything had caused a delay in your return.” He stated unwavering; however, a slight crease appeared on his brow. “That’s the moment leading to here, sir.” He added.

Olive Branch’s muzzle wrinkled in a faint grimace, “Is that so? Tell me, what is the reason for our presence?” He asked incredulously, confusing Storm Breaker with the undertone of dreadful hesitation.

“I’m not able to say, sir,” The guard answered, “Her orders gave no additional information.”

The elder stallion sighed, running a hoof down tired eye-bags, lime-light surrounding his horn as the golden helmet and chest piece rose from the floor and over Olive’s body. “Alright, son, wait outside and stand by until we’re ready.” Cracking his usual smile, Olive and Storm Breaker watched the leaving guard salute and disappear, the sound of rubbing armor stopping shorting after. “What’re they thinking?” He muttered.

“Hey, mind telling me what that was?” Storm Breaker said, rubbing any tear-streak remnants off her face as he hopped off her bed.

“It’s Thunder Charge.”

Halting her effort to throw away the sheets covering her, Storm Breaker's hoof clenched tightly with the soft fabric straining in her grip. “Who?” The dubious word felt colder than ice, and a sickly familiar, gross heat threatened to build. Even though her furrowed brow caused her exposed eye to close halfway, her pupil shrunk to dangerous degrees.

His answer tentatively awaited release from his throat, a lump he quickly swallowed blocking it. “Loud, bouldering, nearly had his stallion run you through in Ponyville’s town hall, remember?” He listed.

In and out. In and out. In and out. In and out. Do it slowly. In and out. In and out.

Storm Breaker’s nostrils exhaled slowly, accompanied by a curt nod.

“We…well, Luna and Celestia, have conducted several interrogations of him and his squad before the upcoming trial sends them behind bars. His goons have confirmed the existence of the bounty for your life but didn’t say who the pony issuing it was. Apparently, Thunder’s the only one of the five who saw their face during face-to-face conversations, but judging her highness and her sister’s declining morale, it’s like talking to a brick wall.” Olive retold, helping Sky Slicer back into his cage and refilling his feed bowl.

“Figures…”

Olive Branch turned to Storm Breaker, “You say something?” He inquired.

Resuming and finishing her previous action, a snort of exasperation escaped her as Storm Breaker stood to her full height. “I’m sure you know; even they couldn’t get their own subject to talk.” She said, rounding the bed and stopping before Olive. “He’s got somepony backing him. I’ve seen it before.”

“Really? How’d you figure?” Olive requested.

She didn’t reply, growing a frown. During the war, information would prove more valuable than any outpost, army, or weapon a pony could throw at each other. Where do you get information? Books might’ve been a good pick, only if most ponies not of royalty or riches back then could read. No, all valuable information came out of ponies themselves, enemy ponies. Targets of importance and value couldn’t be hurt- yet. And that also meant prisoners. So, capturing P.O.W’s, as the term goes, wasn’t uncommon to Storm Breaker, who personally interrogated a few in her line of Vanguard service. Following grueling hours of ‘convincing,’ prisoners would be handled accordingly, deciding whether to let them live or die.

The most annoying type of P.O.W.? A cockly yellow belly that couldn’t be touched in fear of the offender suffering the consequences of whatever connection protected them. To have two alicorns as his interrogators- his leaders, nonetheless -and still hold steady in defiance presented two explanations.

One: his head still needed recovery. Two: the pony causing his silence is powerful enough to render any jail time or punishment given by the soft-hearted princesses null- or it could be fear keeping him from speaking. Still, while the second explanation presented a new batch of questions, Storm Breaker knew he wouldn’t talk if the princesses couldn’t even do it. “We’ll see.” Storm Breaker sighed, switching to the door.

“Let’s get this over with, I’m tired.”

“I hear you.” Olive Branch chuckled. “Say, after this, we could rest and read together if you want?” He offered.

Allowing the elder stallion to walk ahead, she flashed him a smile as the guard outside readied himself. “Sure, but maybe I’ll have to do all the reading since you look like death itself.” She jested, getting a small laugh from her partner.

“Are you prepared?”

Knocking Storm Breaker from her tuned-out state, the titanic mare realized the marble walls and carpeted floor had shifted into cold, mute-colored brick and concrete devoid of life. Facing down at the smaller alicorn who voiced herself, she watched a flash of apprehension cross Luna’s features. Another quick examination of the area revealed it to be the fabled interrogation quarters the lunar guard, who she recognized as a thestral from the nightmare night ball, informed her and Olive about. Luna stood next to her, Olive leaned against the wall furthest from a large window-like surface across from him, and Celestia stood in front of the rectangle cutout guarded by a wooden table.

Storm breaker nodded, quelling Luna’s concerns slightly. She probably zoned out during the walk, a heavy pressure pressing down on her head. “Yeah, no sweat.” She said flatly, locking her gaze on Thunder Charge. Molten hate festered in her heart, and she used whatever control she had to bite her inner cheek.

“Good, don’t hold back. If this doesn’t work, we’re out of luck.” Luna said venomously.

The way the Lunar and Solar diarch acted, the latter glaring at the smug unicorn behind the window, Storm Breaker fully knew what raged behind their blazing eyes, wordlessly sympathizing. Generally, one could see Thunder Charge wasn’t charming in the slightest, but it ran deeper than a simple dislike for somepony’s foul personality. The alicorns had a nation to watch over, and a high-ranked pony willing to ruin it or add to the filth guards like herself fight every day would piss anypony in their horseshoes off too.

Horn sparking to life, Princess Luna’s magic encased a thick metal door situated next to the window and, with a sharp click, opened it.

“Hooves on the table and head held up, prisoner.” Celestia resided, her command practiced to a faultless degree. Thunder Charge rolled his eyes, following Celestia’s instructions, but raised his muzzle higher than necessary while smirking, visibly irritating Luna.

Instead of falling prey to his taunts, Celestia nodded to Luna.

“This, again~?” Thunder whined sarcastically, a narcissistic tone lining his words, “Celestia, I’m telling you to give up and run home. I don’t know of any ‘bounty reward’ you keep accusing me of taking. Now, we’re all friends here, so why not be a good, righteous mare and send me back to my cell, OK? It’s freezing here- you don’t want one of your subjects to develop pneumonia, would you? And so close to my trail~.” He continued taunting. However, when no response or alicorn came, he raised a confused brow. “Oh, what’s the hold-up? Usually, you or your tailcoat-riding sister come raging in, demanding answers to a non-existent problem. Got cold hooves?” He guffawed.

Silence.

A nervous droplet of sweat rolled down his temple despite the room's chilly temperature, “Hello? Did you leave and forget to lock the door?” He spat in annoyance.

Silence.

“Heh, here I thought those two couldn’t get any more stup-”

Storm Breakers echoing hoofsteps rebounded off the solid walls as she entered, the door closing behind and sealing both ponies inside with a click. The looming pony that was his new questioner peered down at him, devoid of emotion, a phantom ache strangling his neck and skull. In between her teeth: a standard issue royal guard side-blade glistening under the fluorescent light above.

For the first time in a month, the bound and defenseless Thunder Charge’s confident smirk dropped completely.

Chp 21: Convincing argument

Tired didn’t begin describing how every little facet of Storm Breaker's existence felt, staring unblinkingly into the yellow-coated, purple-haired guard under her darkened gaze and armed jaws.

Sleep felt like taunting light shrinking in an ever-growing tunnel, so close yet so far among the distant horizon. Maybe it’d felt good to see Charge’s pants-shitting expression; sadly, not even a spark of pleasure made itself known. How could she react differently? Storm Breaker had painted a pathetic portrait of herself, spanning a town and a last-minute teleport into Canterlot, nearly blackout from a skull-splitting headache caused by severe crying, and her partner had confessed his love not thirty minutes ago. Now able to confront her attempted murder with free reign to enact revenge? Storm Breaker couldn’t muster a caring mood.

On the other hoof, Olive ran down a TL;DR during their short-lived trek. Several tidbits of information provided by Charge’s pals came to mind- Storm Breaker silently scoffing, thinking how pathetic acting like some rat hiding in dark allies to exchange information must’ve looked. However, despite receiving evidence and freedom, she hesitated upon her undecided approach, strained teeth sinking unfazed into the leather-wrapped handle’s firm material.

“Hm, it seems like rumors are true: the savage can barely speak.” Thunder Charge spat tersely, table-shackled hooves twiddling idly.

Regaining his previous outward smugness, Storm Breaker could see newfound nervousness lurking behind Charge’s piercing amber eyes. “It’s sad that royalty sends their rabid dog to do their dirty work. How does it feel, having your mindless plot held on a short leash, mutt? Hm?” He hummed innocently, a sneer betraying his feigned inner contempt.

A loud clash of metal-on-metal broke the lingering haunting silence, its snapping echo causing Charge to inadvertently flinch, the sword’s rattling gradually dying an inch out of his reach on the table.

“Meanwhile, you’re stuck in a cage.” Storm Breaker rebounded coldly, sitting opposite of Charge, an irritated flicker affecting his left eye.

“Ironic, no?” He sarcastically retorted.

Sighing heavily and gliding a hoof through a ghostly field of unkempt mane, a mutual shrug left Storm Breaker. “Not really, the difference being I’m free to leave mine while you’ll rot in yours.” Putting a dash of venom into her voice, it paid off well, another sweat droplet rolling down Charge’s bandaged head. “Now, let’s be civil-” he scoffed, “-and get this over with.”

Unfortunately, her generous diplomatic offer fell flat, a haughty bark exploding from the crass stallion. “I don’t think so. You may be a mindless muscle brute, but I’m your superior, regardless of chains, in every aspect your non-existent brain can think of.” Storm Breaker bit her tongue, nearly mentioning their ‘fight’ a month ago. “The princesses lack the guts to enact what everypony knows is right- ridding our fair lives of you, criminal. They’re spineless to bloodshed, and I performed my duty. Possession of highly illegal drugs, assaulting your superior, breaking down the town hall doors and leaving innocents defenseless? That’s not counting your numerous charges of property damage. While I tried arresting a blindingly clear ruffian, I received this treatment, and you suffered but a light slap on the fetlock in comparison, am I right?” He ranted, slowly inching upward, leaning closer and closer until he couldn’t, a foot and a half gap separating his and Storm Breaker’s muzzles.

“Yeah, I remember,” Storm confirmed stoically, nodding. “Trust me, I don’t get it either; I only did what I thought was right.” And could’ve done it better, she bitterly added. “But that’s irrelevant, Sir. Charge.” Glancing over, she grabbed an open folder from her table end’s corner: A collection of detailed transcripts and notes of past conversations, many of which Olive retold. “A little bird of mine said your friends say you often visited different locations during the night and midday patrols- all residing in the financial district.” The titanic mare recited.

Another scoff blew hot air into her muzzle, Thunder Charge’s brow folding hatefully, “I’ve served my country for a decade, climbing the ranks to get to where I am, only to have it stolen by a monstrous relic who should’ve stayed dead!” He roared angrily.

He went ignored, “Knowing royal guards well enough by now, night patrols are more of a lunar guard activity, but it’s not an exclusive shift. Not the latter half I’m worried about, by the way.” Another paper taken from the folders back and brought afront. “Hm, multiple eyewitnesses saw you roaming the financial district at times past your mid-day shift’s schedule, which violates protocol since the financial district route doesn’t include you.” In addition, the locations some saw Charge visit were usually allies or secluded areas with little activity.

“You know who my father is, mongrel?! Our family was one of few that founded this city, and I won’t be accused of any falsehoods because of those idiotic alicorns’ misguided attachment to a stray animal!” He continued.

“I don’t care.” Storm Breaker said in the process of picking a new sheet.

Thunder Charge didn’t like her response, judging by a red tint turning his face fur orange. “You’ve ruined my life enough, and my family will suffer too without my involvement!” Freezing in place, Storm Breaker missed Charge's subtle smirk as he egged on. “You can’t imagine what it’d be like to agonize over what might occur.” Charge returned to sitting, adopting a solemn frown and forcing crocodile tears to fall.

In the false guard's mind, he chuckled in victory, seeing the ‘savage’ mare dip her head and masking whatever reaction she obtained- likely guilt, he imagined. Who thought somepony so vile had a soft heart- a weak heart? He left his whore ‘wife’ and that waste of nobility blood she called his son years ago in a dusty backwater town Shining Armor stationed him to occupy. Nopony knew, of course. The version of his story, the abroad family, was his favorite- they’re currently visiting Prance without their poor, hardworking father. Truly sad, he snickered in thought. It’s not like any self-respecting pony, Canterlotian or not, would listen to some lowly bumpkin colt-toy claiming a noble’s mistress title!

All that’s necessary is to whine and moan about how much his life sucked, cry a little, and beg for forgiveness. Then, the pitiably empathic princesses would rethink his unjust sentence; the savage mare wouldn’t be a bother.

If not, his friend would help.

However, caught off guard, Charge’s plan crumbled to dust under Storm Breaker’s rising, unflinching face glaring back.

“What a shame. Now, Answer. My. Question.” She harshly commanded, her eyes boaring into his.

A snort, “No surprise there. A soulless beast like you wouldn’t dare concern yourself with such things.” Thunder Charge thought aloud, snapping. “What’s the look for? I thought you beasts loved the suffering of innocent ponies.” He added.

From the princesses and Olive standing behind the one-way mirror to the bound Thunder Charge, everything preceding the false guard's scornful jab became a blur. Shooting out and rounding her chair, Storm Breaker hooked a hoof under its backrest, not sparing a glance while orbiting the table, a loud series of cracks tailing behind. Since four skinny bolts secured both chairs, good enough to keep the lightweight seating in place, it took little effort for somepony like her to rip the metal seat off the cold, hard concrete ground. Leaving behind gaping floor holes- the loose bolts tapping the floor -and sitting beside Charge’s, the royally frightened stallion barely had time to react as Storm Breaker’s foreleg wrapped around his shoulders.

Her tree-trunk-like limb dwarfed the rather muscular unicorn’s, dragging him into an uncomfortably tight sideways embrace. Yet it wasn’t an observation on his mind while the titanic mare’s shadow-soaked visage loomed above, her singular eye pupil shrunk.

“Let me rephrase myself, friend,” She said in a low, controlled tone, “Tell me the name of whatever bastard or bitch wanted me dead, and I won’t have to correct the mistake I made on you.” A quick squeeze and a needle of pain bolted through Charge’s neck, “I got over what you did then. But sadly, I’m not feeling so inclined to forgive today.” She snarled.

Vain attempts to control his shaking breaths happened, but Charge decided to drop it in favor of smirking. “I don’t believe you know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I’m sure.” Storm Breaker examined every facial twitch in the stallion's face, trying to decide whether to show anger, fear, or apprehension.

Strangely enough, no familiar heat roared inside her smooth, rhythmic heartbeats in spite of everything the cornered rat known as Thunder Charge insulted her with. No, it still WAS anger, maybe even annoyance, but it’s much colder and unfeeling this time. The idea of slowly hurting the bastard felt better than unleashing her bundle of anger at once, which both scared and excited the titanic mare. It’d be easy to let go and get what she wanted in two slashes of a sword.

But, speaking from experience, choosing the ‘easy’ path hadn’t done Storm Breaker many favors as of late.

A forced huff blew into her chest fluff, the false guard refusing to make eye contact. “And as if those mares called royalty would let you lay a hoof on me. Have you forgotten about your probation? Because even somepony as I, who could care less, knows this is a violation.” He said.

Not uttering a single sound, Storm Breaker's second foreleg stretched across the interrogation table’s lengthy surface, swiftly finding its mark: the shortsword. After a sharp twist and snap, the buttoned strap securing the metal blade unraveled, allowing her hoof to grip its handle and unsheath the pristine weapon. “Wanna bet?” She whispered, retracting her foreleg without waiting for an answer, letting a hint of a smirk show. She heard his breath quickening, the blade hanging vertically, a razor-sharp tip hovering dangerously close to his hoof above the ankle.

“You want to see ‘savage?’ Clans from my time used their enemy's hollowed hooves as drinking cups. And my parched self thinks yours look Mighty. Deep.” She half-lied.

Elk’s and their dead kin, you can take it from there.

Cold, unflinching irises met panicked ones in a standstill that could’ve lasted until every last star exploded, leaving nothing other than the warrior mare and false guard in solitary, floating through vast nothingness. He gulped, and she snorted lightly. The eager gold blade twirled in anticipation, millimeters close to spilling a droplet of Charge’s wretched blue blood.

No harm would come to him, Storm Breaker reassured; either for herself or somepony else, she didn’t know.

“Y-You…can’t!” He breathlessly said.

Swifter than an arrow with the force of a battle-axe, the blade tip ascended away from Charger’s hoof. Sadly, his quelled fear flared anew, Storm Breaker’s liberated weapon falling like a guillotine delivering its final curtain call. Even from here, she heard the frantic beating on the room’s metal door, but Storm Breaker brushed it off. The false guard tried desperately to flee but was denied by his retrained hooves, forcing him to clench his eyes and bear for what was to come.

Next thing anypony knew, the distinct sound of hissing metal cut the air, impacting the table, ear-piercing anypony nearby and making Thunder visibly jump, yelping.

Then, silence.

He waited an eternity for a fiery agony that never arrived, lasting but a second or two, a feeling of steel writhing between parted flesh and rubbing bone, the warming flow of crimson. Yet, bleak moments stacked, not a single spike of pain or scream.

Confused, Thunder Charge tentatively parted his tightly clenched eyes, only to widen them once more, seeing the sword embedded between the table's parted face next to his hoof. Worst yet, the table’s hardened one-inch thick surface showed no sign of resisting, as if the steel furniture was cardboard. Shaking limbs and unsteady breathing, he went to peer back at his stoic interrogator and stopped, an unexpected jolt keeping his gaze still. Screams of the damned was all he could describe it. Words all but abandoned his astonished state; it began not but a nick, then a cut, and eventually devolved into a large, trailing gash brought about by the mare cutting the table. Less than a hair’s length away, each parted square inch of metal nearly kissing his foreleg’s exposed, bare flesh wailed in agony, jagged lines forming a wiry valley.

Finally, its torture came to an abrupt, unsound end, with the sword reaching its trail’s end, the considerably thicker part of the table edge meeting a similar fate.

“Again.” Storm Breaker snarled, louder this time, raising the blade to eye level, “Wanna bet?” She repeated, showing her weapon's previously flawless body, reduced to a jagged, chipped corpse. “Give me a name.” She said.

“I DON’T KNOW!” Thunder Charge squealed, doing his utmost to lean away. “THEY NEVER GAVE ME A NA-HAHAHA-ME!” Fear crossed his clenched-jaw expression, Storm Breaker deadpanning in response. That’s all it took to crack a supposed runner-up for guard captain? “I’ll tell you everything- just get away, please!”

Releasing a breath, Storm Breaker obliged and returned her chair, sitting down opposite the terrified Thunder Charge. “Good! Now we’re getting somewhere.” She said, mocking a pleased tone, dropping the mangled sword, “So, getting back on the trail, is it true: the locations of your ‘meeting?’” She asked.

“Yes.”

“And you said they gave no name. Is there anything they told you to call them by; what about their face?”

Tempering his fear with a few deep breaths, Charge nodded. “They, or she, never gave me a name but responded to ‘Porter.’ And for a pegasus, anypony would be forgiven if they mistook her for a unicorn by how the darkness of an ally seemed to wrap around her face.” He said, bowing his head, chuckling. “All I know is that she talks like us nobles and wears fancy garbs- I’ve seen the tail ends every time she runs off. But it doesn’t matter.” He muttered at the end.

“Quit babbling,” Storm Breaker groaned, rubbing her beating temple, “There had to be something to give away this mystery mare’s existence. There’s no point holding back; you’re already on the one-way ride to the dungeons.”

“...Her cutie mark.” Muttered Thunder Charge, defeated, elevating his head to meet her quizzical look. “I saw it once following a meeting. She wore a more…revealing outfit, exposing her backside.” He said, disgust lining each word. “Remembering correctly, it was a newspaper with an overlaying magnifying glass.” He said.

A grunt of affirmation shook Storm Breaker’s chest as she rounded every loose paper back to their manila cage. “Interesting,” She flatly said. “Anything else to add before the alicorns take care of you?”

Thunder shook his head.

“Good, I got tired of seeing your face.”

Turning, the titanic mare walked toward the reinforced door, shoulders sagged, eyes heavy, and stiff joints sluggish. After today, a nice, hot bath and uninterrupted nap seemed like a good send-off to this shitty afternoon. Yet, Storm Breaker’s rhythmic hoofsteps abruptly fell silent halfway, glancing over her shoulder to see Thunder slumped and dull, unchanged. “Hey,” It’s a mystery why she spoke, but Charge’s ears flicked at her voice. “Thanks for reminding me how terrible I was.” She said, leaving before he could say anything, Luna’s magic opening and closing the door.

Having no hesitation, Olive Branch rushed to her side, his concerned questions lost on Storm Breaker.

There’d been glimmers dancing within those cocksure eyes of his, Thunder Charge- a sick reflection of herself months prior to an extent. Raving, arrogant, so full of himself, she couldn’t help but grimace at the idea, no matter how dissimilar they were. Brooding over past crap like it’d change anything always annoyed Storm Breaker, no change there, while guilt and embarrassment sang differently, jeering bloody sagas hammering her thoughtful brain.

One side consoled her, saying they’re old news, something to learn from and grow out of. And another wanted to punch anything remotely in striking distance. Storm Breaker would gladly accept the Goddess herself descending upon her and dishing out the most severe concussion to her skull- It would save the trouble of migraine-inducing thoughts.

Damn, turning a new leaf is a pain in the flank!

“Good job, Storm Breaker,” Celestia commended, giving a soft smile. “We heard and wrote down your conversation. I’ll have it passed to the detectives for analysis. You’re hereby excused.” She said, Luna nodding in agreement.

There could’ve been hesitation or uncertainty hidden within Celesta’s words; however, Storm Breaker refused to engage in a game of body reading. Maybe the solar diarch didn’t expect a blood-free, (mostly) clean interrogation- neither did she. It was hard getting mad like before, feeling numb and beaten, more so than the convict ex-guard.

Storm Breaker hummed affirmatively, nodding in return, tailed by Olive as she left, the darkness of the stairwell consuming both ponies, their hoofsteps fading.

“That went well.” A pleasantly surprised Luna said.

Brandy wasn’t a mare for surprises unless they contained bits, booze, or sex. Preferably, all three, if given a choice.

The yearly birthday provided by long-time bar mates was fine, even a Hearth's-Warming gift. Ponies trod carefully around anything else. Unless a pony’s playing a long-distance prank or a letter that’s probably ninety-nine percent a scam, then it’s expected whoever dared to surprise Caramel “Brandy” Swirl would gain a new black eye.

However…

“Brandy, calm yourself, and let me explain!”

“FUCK OFF!!!”

Trotselot, bandages hugging both wings and head, winced at the drunken mare’s roar of fury stabbing at his eardrums. A flying empty bottle of scotch nearly erected a fresh bump if he didn’t tilt his head sideways, the hardened glass shattering against the wall behind him, leaving a shallow dent.

Smoke practically bellowed out of Brandy’s flared nostrils, her face and muzzle reddened from rage and an interrupted session of binge drinking. “I’ll calm down when I sew your sorry arse to your other spewing shite-hole, you braindead twat!” She screamed drunkenly, preparing to throw another bottle. “Think you can bomb my bar with your ugly mug and get away scot-free?!”

Smash cried the second projectile, mimicking its fallen brethren.

An ache ran through Trotselot, his wing tips grazing the table he sat upon.

In short, after escaping Iron Hoof’s office, reports of a flying green torpedo would appear in tomorrow’s newspaper, no doubt. He flew like no pegasus had flown before, barreling down packed Canterlot streets in a desperate effort to distance himself and his boss's gaze, minding the documents he stole. No place was safe now if he suspected Trotselot of any wrongdoing. Hopefully, it wasn’t so. Going to Brandy’s bar felt like a good choice, but one made during unbridled panic tempered by adrenaline, leading to him accidentally trashing her establishment and breaking his wings.

A dozen or so tables and chairs, shattered to bits, were strewn all over the floor; bottles spilled and broken; a fancy painting got stabbed by a mounted manticore stinger, akin to a crude mask.

She was nice enough thirty minutes ago to mend his broken bones- albeit awkwardly, having drank water to sober herself enough to apply first-aid. Why would any pony drink three large bottles of hard liquor alone? Nevertheless, she got re-drunk, Trotselot having been busy fixing her patchwork job to notice before all Tartarus broke loose.

The result?

“I’LL MOUNT YOUR HEAD TO MY WALL!”

Luckily, no amount of rage and shouting would help to prevent the inevitable all drunkards fear.

Suddenly, a greenish hue appeared on Brandy’s face, her vitriol dying in her puffed, tight-lipped mouth as she rushed and bent over the serving counter and ‘released the beast’ trapped within her stomach. Loudly, Trotselot reluctantly added, grimacing. Once her wet wretches turned to dry gags, Brandy threw herself off, slumping against the counter and dropping, making contact with the floor. Her labored chest rose and fell deeply, her bourbon, stomach acid mixed breath strong enough for Trotselot to smell from across the room.

Cautiously, the injured pegasus left his table, stepping closer to Brandy, “Ready to return to the civilized world?” He joked, getting a glare as thanks.

“I was ready to cave in your skull, but I’m outta steam.” She slurred, spitting a green-brown glob of mucus and stomach acid. “Now, mind telling me what’s going on?” Helping Brandy to her hooves, Trotselot led her to a barstool nearby to sit on.

“Greatly. I’ve wanted to for thirty minutes.” He chuckled, taking a seat beside her.

And so, it took him about ten minutes to explain everything leading up until then- his break-in, theft, and escape. Honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that Brandy’s bar closed on weekends, the angered patrons would likely kill him before his near-heart attack did. Still, Trotselot couldn’t shake his paranoia of being watched, occasionally looking out windows at passing ponies. By the time he concluded his tale, Brandy’s worn-out appearance turned to disbelieving shock- Trotselot set his prize in front of her, her eyes consuming each word.

Leaning away, the decently sobered Brandy ran a shaking hoof through her frazzled mane, then looked to Trotselot, eyes widened and wild. “Trotselot, the fuck did you do?” She said in hushed words, as if somepony was listening in.

“I…got a weapon,” He slowly began, sticking his gaze to the counter, “I’ll hoof it to the princesses, tell them everything I know, and see to it that bastard rots.” He spat.

It sounded more foolish than he initially believed.

Brandy snorted, “Yeah, good luck. I was thinking more of hidden cameras and tailer’s- but you beat me to it. Now, we’ll be lucky if we get to set one hoof on Castle ground before Iron finds and kills us.” She said.

“I’ve been cowering under his shadow for too long. You as well. We, you and I, are pure-bred nobles who’ve been slaves to weakness and debt. Our hard work, our passion, was stolen from us. No longer will that wilting wind-bag Iron order us around; we are better and, therefore, are entitled to do as we see fit. Damn those who try to stop us!” Trotselot, enveloped in an air of deficiency, stood atop the counter with a hoof, another on the stool, not bothering to turn around. “His life will crumble before our eyes, and personally, I’ll enjoy every second I see of Iron’s face as he’s dragged to the dungeons, kicking and screaming.” He smiled sadistically.

“Yeah…nice speech, pal.” Said a new voice.

Whipping around instantly, startled, Trotselot’s eyes laid on a four-pony group of stoic stallions dressed in white and black suits, sunglasses covering their eyes. Beside him, Brandy gave a mixed look saying: ‘You’re an idiot’ and ‘I’m screwed.’. “You and your merry band are?” He said, putting as much bravo into his voice as possible.

The frontmost grunted, removing his sunglasses to reveal a glare. “Stay quiet, and you might live long enough to find out.” He replied, beginning to approach steadily, the others following.

Swiftly, Brandy leaped off her seat, rolled over the counter, and landed behind with a solid thud. Trotselot, in his panic, landed less than gracefully after tipping his stool but quickly regained his footing, slowly backing away as a black-suited stallion broke off and inched closer to him. With an injured wing, flying away would be useless, and fighting would put his major weaknesses on full display. Knowing his available distance between himself and a table, Trotselot quickly ran, and before the black-suited stallion could give chase, he took a chair and threw it in his direction. Sadly, it missed, and now two full stallions were running around a table like a pair of rowdy foals. Left and right, they ran, neither gaining ground until a second stallion appeared, jumping over the table and tackling Trotselot to the floor.

Over by Brandy, she resurfaced from behind the counter, now holding an old book bag with a victorious grin. “Drop the bag!” The glasses-less stallion orders, stopping in his tracks and adopting a cautious look. Whether a bomb or sack of magic weapons, Trotselot prayed for help as he fought off the two stallions punching down on him.

Teeth showing in her grin, the drunkard mare reached a hoof into her bag, making the second half of the black-suited stallion retract.

“Ah-ha! SATCHEL SAND! GO!” She screamed, her hidden hoof shooting forward.

Suddenly, a hail of browns, grays, and beige struck the glasses-less stallion in his exposed face; in the next second, her attack sent him to the floor screaming, clutching his eyes. “Agh!” He cried, Brandy grabbing bottles of liquor as weapons. Sadly, her second phase was interrupted by the glasses-less stallion’s pegasus companion, who dashed forward at high speeds, roughly slamming her against the various bottle-lined shelves.

Glass and liquid spilled everywhere, and Brandy’s body fell limp, but her chest still drew breath. Similarly, blood caking his face, the world left Trotselot’s eyes with a final punch sent straight into his muzzle.

Slowly fading to darkness, Trotselot groaned internally, seeing the pegasus stallion liberate the stolen papers.

“Maybe being the alicorns’ hoof-licker isn’t so bad~.” Storm Breaker sighed, laughing lightly at her joke. If the afterlife for modern ponies was this good, Storm Breaker didn’t mind if she somehow died and ended up here: the royal spa.

Olive Branch left a while ago, returning to his room for the night and leaving her with much-needed alone time. Greater than a training courtyard, the royal spa housed six large pools, the one she sat in being the biggest, and had a highly decorative ceiling matching the floors and walls. Steam filled the air, the moonlight bouncing off from the wall-sized window behind her as Storm Breaker let the soapy hot water penetrate her thick fur. Even the spa ponies let her light a candle! Cinnamon scented. All in all, Storm Breaker threw worry to the wind and sacrificed herself to Luna’s realm, eye closing shut.

A pleasurable moan threatened to escape, but Storm Breaker smiled instead. “I love modern machines.” She mumbled.

Oh, Olive did say he would have a special assignment for her soon given by the princesses. She wondered what it would be. Compared to other ponies, getting back to work kicked her sense back into high gear, something to distract her from the recent chaos.

Maybe she’ll get to punch something.

Chp 22: The Insect Goddess

“A wedding, huh?” Storm Breaker, voice muffled by a chunk of roasted chicken, spoke, head supported on her hoof, elbow pressed against the mess-hall table. “Sounds-” She swallowed, “-boring. Why would the alicorns need me for something so mundane?”

Sipping his keg, Olive Branch pushed his empty food tray away. “It isn’t just an ordinary wedding, darling. Celestia’s niece is getting married- and to the guard captain, no less!” He remarked with amusement, shaking his helmetless head, “I’ve been doing more than paperwork the past month; helping with preparations proved just as tiring. Even then, making a long story short, this ordeal’s been brewing for a while, and the attack on Ponyville didn’t delay it.” He explained.

Indifferently scoffing, the warrior mare finished her fifth chicken breast and directed her gaze to an almost empty mess hall, a guard or two lingering.

“Didn’t know she had a niece. Or, was it–who is she again?” She said.

Olive nodded, “Yes, she does. Her niece, Princess Cadance, is the youngest alicorn to date who recently came of age, gaining an equal standing with Celestia and her sister. She’s naturally born- a result of an alicorn’s ancient one-night stand loss to time that somehow managed to survive. Strong genes, I guess.” He shrugged.

She remembered reading about Cadance in a book about Equestrian history in its later chapters a while ago. Raised by a unicorn and earth pony farmer couple in Mexicolt, her existence came to light after reports of a winged unicorn flooded local guard stations. The couple found Cadance one night at their doorstep, wrapped in a plastic crate lined with ragged blankets, a note saying to take care of her tapped to its outside. Her mother, a skilled mage, concealed her horn to keep the town’s ponies ignorant and avoid trouble for years. Kind-hearted and unable to have their own foals, they took the abandoned alicorn foal and raised her, hiding her true nature to maintain a peaceful life.

Sadly, the mother’s magic failed one day while ill, and Cadance, enjoying a festival with friends, was exposed when her horn appeared for all to see.

From there, it wasn’t long before Celestia discovered and eventually visited Cadance, who tried fleeing due to a mix of fear at the discovery of her true nature and hatred for her adoptive parent’s lies. Luckily, Celestia managed to resolve the situation, taking Cadance back to Canterlot for study- soon discovering a blood relation -and donating a large sum of bits to the parent’s farming business.

How much of it rang true or existed because of propaganda to pretty Celestia’s image, Storm Breaker didn’t care. Knowing an alicorn’s unexpected, humble background felt nice, a respectful pony who experienced a hard day’s work under the sun.

Nopony living on a farm sleeps under the roof without doing their share of work.

Still, how did a farm mare turn into a princess practically overnight? Her rise to power ranged less than three decades. The alicorn siblings ruled over the unguided ‘pre-unity’ ponies, taking multiple lifetimes to establish today’s societies, but Cadance wasn’t them. Did she rule another kingdom or country? If so, where? Neither sister nor Olive ever informed Storm Breaker about Cadance’s existence until now, so she couldn’t be too important.

And Shining Armor, captain of the guard, her husband-to-be? Upon further thinking, the ‘princess of love’ title naturally suited a power-hungry succubus, but Storm held her metaphorical tongue.

Not everypony, including alicorns, are enemies. She reminded herself, yawning. Last night’s bath left a lasting impression she never wanted to forget.

Nevertheless, there was still a lingering thought ripe for the picking.

“You’ve yet to tell me my role.” She snorted, glancing at Olive leaving the table. “I’m not exactly the type to celebrate…” Her voice drifted in search of the correct words.

“Unless alcohol and hooch are involved?” The old stallion finished, cackling, holding the keg in his magic, “And no, you’ll be among the guards watching over the service, making sure nopony gets rowdy.” He said. “The wedding’s taking place this coming weekend- two days away. We must make ourselves presentable!” Olive added.

Copying her comrade’s earlier motion, Storm Breaker glanced around as she and the old coot left the mess hall. Walking through the halls, she scanned the walls and ponies passing by, noticing the newfound decorations and extreme cleanness. Servants and maid scurried like roaches, bouncing this and that way, rags and feather dusters in hoof, sweeping away the tiniest grains of dust. All this for a wedding? Marriages in Storm Breaker’s time were more akin to promises than anything.

No rings. No Flowers. No grand hall. No fancy cakes and treats. Those belonged to bit-blessed folk.

The duo rounded a corner, Storm Breaker raising a confused eyebrow. “Wait, what about the investigation? Shouldn’t we focus on that?” She asked.

“Like I said, nothing’s stopping this wedding.”

She groaned internally, disappointed she wouldn’t be able to catch her would-be killer’s contractor. However, Catching a petty criminal couldn’t be challenging, especially for the Alicorn siblings; It’d be best for her to follow their command and leave it to them. “Yeah, I heard. But why are you taking me to the royal seamstress?” She said, taking note of their path’s direction.

Instead of straightforwardly answering her, Olive Branch shot Storm a sly grin, chuckling.

“It’s a surprise, darling.” He replied cryptically, facing away.

Arriving and sauntering down these halls became a weekly occurrence for Storm Breaker, visiting the seamstress to repair a strap or buffing out a scratch on her armor. She recalled every time a timid yelp or tremor would arise in the small unicorn stallion who worked on her uniform, caused by her impatience and annoyance. Getting used to those straps and buckles was a newer feat before departing for Ponyville, now a sensation she sorely missed. Cold, hard metal touching her flesh, the scent of oils and added weight comforted Storm Breaker like no blanket could.

I hurt a lot of ponies. Storm Breaker despondently thought, rounding another corner. These ponies, the lot of them, could be jackasses and uptight snobs, but some fell victim to her anger and didn’t deserve it. The elements of harmony, Luna, Olive, and Celestia to an extent. It wasn’t fair for them, only wanting to help Storm Breaker adjust to modern times.

It means I have much to make up for.

Finding an ember of determination within her, Storm Breaker’s brow, previously furrowed in concentration, softened as she saw Olive’s destination. “Ladies first~.”He said cheekily, holding the tailor’s door open with a sly grin.

Storm Breaker nodded, approaching and ducking under the smaller pony-sized door to walk through. The seamstress stood front and center, a bit-sized, plump unicorn with small coal-colored eyes, thick-rimmed glasses, and a simple red suit. He reminded Storm of a grape based on his dark purple coat and roundish stature, nervous sweat deflating his usually curly cream mane. If he were to shrink any further under her gaze, she feared the poor stallion would eat himself outside in.

“H-Hell-o, M-M-Ma’am!” He greeted tentatively, rubbing his front hooves together.

“Hi.” She nodded.

Shutting the door, Olive Branch wholeheartedly patted the nervous seamstress on the withers, his smile seeming to quell the small stallion’s fear. “Satin Stitch, how does it go, friend?” He asked, receiving a curt nod from Satin. “Say, remember that order I made a month ago? Did you finish it?”

Satin Stitch breathed a ‘yes’ while sighing, letting his shoulders sag, “It was a challenging and unforgiving job, Sir Branch, but I h-hope you enjoy it.” He said robotically.

“Oh, it isn’t for her highness.” Olive huffed, nudging his head toward Storm Breaker.

Seeing Satin’s reaction, you could’ve sworn that somepony kicked his dog and destroyed his house by how every muscle on his face portrayed dread and horror. “WHAT?!” Satin shrieked, jumping back a good foot, “You said it was for Luna!” He added. Turning to Storm Breaker, the frantic seamstress fell to his flanks and began to bow, throwing his forelegs up and down. “Please forgive me! I didn’t know! Her nightly majesty would cherish the design Olive presented me, so I didn’t think anything about it! He’s an imp- a trickster!” Pointing a hoof at Olive, a sigh came from Storm, silencing Satin.

Looking at the old coot inquisitively, Olive Branch tentatively laughed, “Sorry y’all, I knew you two didn’t exactly see eye to eye. And Satin here is a very talented fellow. So I took the pleasure of getting your measurements and saying Luna requested my gift so he could make it in time.” He explained. “I’ll buy you a drink later as an apology, Satin.”

“You’re terrible.” Storm Breaker said, shaking her head.

Wait, how did he get her measurements?

“Spare this foolish pony!” Satin begged, teary-eyed, clinging to her foreleg.

Resisting the urge to tell off the crying stallion as she’d usually do, Storm Breaker rolled her eyes and gently pushed him off. “Geez, I’m not going to hurt you. Just show me what the old coot got me, and stop rolling on the ground.” She said, bending her neck and picking him up by his suit’s collar.

An uncertain, confused look lasted on Satin’s features before he fixed his glasses. “Ah, yes, a-as you wish. Follow me.” He quickly said, running off to the dressing room.

Doing what the seamstress told her to do, Storm Breaker’s surroundings switched from a luxurious clothing shop more eye-catching than Rarity’s to a short, ordinary hallway with lime-green walls. Satin led Storm to a lone door at the hall’s end, his ‘workshop.’ However, emerging into the messy craft space with tables lining three walls and littered material, her eye focused on a single structure in the middle, standing proudly atop a pedestal.

There was no ponnequin her size, but she could instantly tell the armor in front of her was meant for nopony else, held upright by a support made of metal poles. Faint traces of Luna’s armor, its color and patterns, remained on the new design, appearing simpler and less pronounced. Surprisingly, traits of Vanguard armor caught Storm’s sight, looking sturdier with all but two lone straps for flank armor attachment, the rest being desirable hooks and loops. Aside from that, everything about the armor looked brand new, especially the velvet silk, ankle-length skirt hiding a dagger belt, and similarly colored high collar. It covered more than the last two uniforms, the addition of a pleather undersuit providing extra protection.

In conclusion, Storm Breaker didn’t register Olive and Satin’s existence until the former nudged her, snapping the titanic mare out of her gawking. “I had a balance of ‘fancy’ and ‘warrior’ in mind- it took a week of research to get the Vanguard elements just right. I’m not much of a fashionista, so you can say it’s ba-”

Olive was interrupted by Storm Breaker bringing him into a bear hug, nearly crushing him, a huge grin plastered to her muzzle. “You silly bastard! I would make a blood oath to you if I could!” She said.

“Uh, thanks?” He rasped breathlessly, “Can I breathe, please?”

She let him go, “I could go without the frilly silk and pouches, but it looks magnificent. A suit fit for battle!” Storm Breaker laughed, circling her clothing like a starving predator. You could tell it was specially made to taste scattered blood and take wounds, her eager reflection staring back.

A blush hue tinted the seamstress’s face, redirecting his gaze.

“Uh, w-well, the blacksmiths did most of the work. Me, not so much. I-I only stitched t-the silk and created the design…ma’am. But I-I’m glad y-you enjoy it.” He said.

“Goddess…I was blind!” Shocked, Satin shot up, Storm Breaker groaning with embarrassment. “Not even the greatest weavers of my time created something this elegant. And I treated its creator like a waste.” She said, stopping behind the armor to peek at Satin, “I have to thank and apologize.” She said.

Stunned into silence, Satin Stitch smiled, “N-No problem.” He muttered.

Fitting, adjusting, and donning Storm Breaker's newly acquired garments took relatively tedious work to make every piece fit. Luckily, in the end, the scar-covered mare’s appearance reflected a warrior goddess, fierce and fair. Yet, clumsy since wearing fancy silks under cumbersome armor requires a certain grace to maintain composure- a trait Storm sorely lacked. She and Olive thanked the seamstress, considerably happier than before, leaving for the throne room to receive their orders. Eyes tracked her, curious and bewildered, staff and guests assaulting Storm Breaker with unseen waves of anxiety. She hadn’t worn any armor, much less a dress, cursed to gain such attention.

Their stares weren’t entirely hateful, but that was her concern- a sight undeserving of her ilk.

Yet, Storm Breaker secretly reveled in bliss, grinning outwardly, the leather and hardened steel giving a sense of invincibility, embracing her body as a lover would. Familiarity pushed back her anxiety; any enemy could appear and fall seconds later under her might, looking glorious all the while! All she required was her sword.

It’s strange…experiencing genuine joy. An equivalent to a pocket of pure weightlessness replaced Storm’s organs and drowned out the bad memories and pain.

Simply, Storm Breaker was happy.

“Ugh.” Princess Cadance moaned softly, stirring awake to pitch darkness. “W-Where…am I?” She tried uttering, a dry, fuzzy sensation holding her tongue and words hostage. Not a single limb obeyed the dazed command to move; her head swam heavily, and a soaked, musty smell nearly caused her to gag.

When had Princess Cadance fallen asleep?

She last remembered sleeping in her stagecoach among a large royal caravan Aunty Celestia provided her with. Goodness, how sad it’d been to leave her parents in Mexicolt a second time.

Years spent learning her role as the alicorn of love, and not one sent letter informing her mother and father about her wellbeing. Princess Cadance, however, redeemed herself, seeing them again upon getting the chance a year prior to meeting Shining Armor. Oh, how old they were, reminding Cadance of countless moments unlived together!

Nevertheless, she and her now-elderly folk didn’t waste another second catching up. Alicorns and immortality go hoof and hoof, including their curses, a concept Cadance took years to come to terms with- every second was more precious than the last. Deciding to marry Shining Armor is when Cadance left a second time, this time with a lighter heart, as Camino de Tierra, her father, and Sendero Místico, her mother, enthusiastically endorsed her relationship. Waving her parents off was the last time Cadance saw them before awakening–wherever she found herself.

“H-Hello?” She called out, cringing at the sensation of rusty iron scraping her ankles.

Suddenly, a sinister chuckle echoed from every direction, making it hard for the love alicorn to pinpoint its originator.

“Rise and shine, princess,” A mareish drawl, going by the inequine tone, said, spitting the last word coated in vitriol and sarcastic sweetness. “I do hope the poor pony slept well?” She hummed.

Cadance grunted, pulling her unseen restraints. “Who’s there? Where am I?” She questioned, choking back a coarse cough.

Another dry chuckle, “I suggest you remain quiet, less you fancy not having a jugular.” A feral snarl sent a shiver down Cadance’s spine. “You are where I want you to be; who I am is something a filthy pony doesn’t deserve to know! What harsh truth this pony will learn: you’re now my prisoner, a toy for me to use until It’s broken.” Horrifyingly, she felt the speaker's breath graze her barrel's fur, a mix of acid and rotting stench accompanied by a low rumble.

“Let me go!” Cadance demanded, attempting to activate her horn. Alas, but a flicker appeared, impacting the ground uselessly and dying. Trying her wing, they refused to move, bound to her back via rope.

“No.”

A scream nearly bursted out her mouth, but Cadance's breath lurched in her throat first, catching two cat-like eyes staring her down amongst the inky abyss ahead. White-hot hatred, sadistic joy, and a pinch of disgust filled those uncanny teal irises- too small for a pony and too big for a griffon chick. Even from her position, the hidden creature’s unfeeling maw looked unnaturally gapping for a pony, its grin showing two rows of jagged, blood-stained fangs. Finally, strings of what Cadance could only guess was hair stuck to the creature’s face like scraps of torn, oil-drenched, blue silk. Despite not seeing its- her -complete form, every survival instinct harboring inside Cadance’s equine mind blared, and she must’ve sensed her intense fear, a third sickly cackle bouncing in the love alicorn's pinned ears.

“How long I’ve yearned for this day to arrive~!” The creature practically moaned, giggling, “I shall have my revenge, see her livelihood crumble, and I’ll finally be able to feed my unfortunate children with my love! All because their all-seeing eyes failed you, princess.” She taunted.

Long, thundering hoof steps approached, a sickly green glow surrounding a crooked horn illuminating the darkness, giving Cadance a better look at her captor.

All she could do was scream.

Then…nothing.

A viscous, tacky goo sealed Cadance’s dried lips, pulsating a soft green light. “Don’t be like that. Your inner self revolts me just as much.” She giggled, the love alicorn tracking the creature's head weaving, side to side, grinning widely. “After all, it’s your kind who did this to me and my precious children.” The creature’s grin dropped, a hateful snarl blowing hot breath into Cadance’s face. A jolt, then a violent tug, and she abruptly discovered the floor, an uneven, somewhat blackish resin material, backed away.

Still confined in her rusted shackles, the creature’s sickly magic carried the full-grown alicorn like a sack of potatoes, effortlessly trudging the pitch-black hall with little trouble. A few meters turned into a mile, and a mile grew on and on, the constant rubbing of her restraints neverending with every step.

‘Am I in Tartarus? Is she its warden?” Cadance, edging toward a panic attack, thought dreadfully.

Throughout her unwanted journey, Cadance overheard humming noises in different directions, some frantic, others low and docile.

“Can I ask you a question?” The creature hummed. “What do ponies desire most? Friendship, obviously.” She scoffed, “All I want is an alternative: love! I see it in your eyes–you think of me as a monster, a beast, a wicked, vile, wrecked creature Faust shuns from her holy light! Yet, I can’t decide if it’s a cruel jest or an act of revenge for our existence, but we changelings feast upon love, nothing else. A resource your kind keeps within your death grip. We starve but can’t die. We suffer and yearn for a world I cannot obtain…as long as ponies exist .”

They began to ascend, a faint light appearing above.

“My power rivaled all, but you grew jealous! My beauty, my birthright honor, and my once grateful land, everything your envy couldn’t stand was cast away, and you daRE TO CLAIM US THE MONSTERS!?!”

She roared, thrashing Cadnace into a side wall, causing her head to bleed.

‘I need to escape! She’s insane!’ Cadance mentally cried, weakly fighting her captor.

Erasing the distance between herself and the light, the creature’s flared rage tempered, changing to cold cruelty with a single, slobbery smirk. “I will burn everything you’ve built to the ground, watch everything you love die, and erect a proper empire where I rule over all!” She shouted, additional humming increasing in speed.

Reaching the summit and receiving a blinding flash of green light, Cadance’s eyes adjusted to her surroundings, only to make her regret that decision.

A vast cavern adorned with countless tunnel openings gave way to a colony of similarly styled monsters clinging to the onyx-colored walls, the afternoon sun beating down from a gigantic crack overhead. They resemble spindly insects, exoskeletons indiscernible from the walls, hundreds of pupil-less eyes stabbing straight through her with almost lustful hunger- a few licking their lips using serpent-like tongues. Each pair of transparent wings buzzed excitedly, hissing calls loudly cheered as the creature carrying Cadance dropped her, walking closer. The creature, spreading her wings, standing impossibly tall, presenting her ugly visage for all in attendance to see.

“Hear me now! With this sacrifice, and your contributions, no longer will the pony scum keep us in the shadows!” A second round of cheers, “I am beautiful! I am strong! We changelings are superior over any insignificant, warm-blooded mammal!”

“I am your rightful GOD!”

“I. AM. QUEEN. CHRYSALIS!!!”

Chp 23: Perfect day- part 1

Author's Note

Hello! Before you read the latest Chapter of Blight of The War Horse, I'd like to say a few things.

I apologize for not uploading recently. Between a family member going to the hospital, going on winter break, and getting some downtime, I'd let myself procrastinate again :p. On another note, I sincerely thank all who took time out of their lives to read my- admittedly -flawed story. But I plan on trying to improve on future projects. Your support for this series helped me through doubt and prevented my writing career from taking a nose dive. I finally found something I love doing thanks to you guys and gals. :pinkiesmile:

So, if you're sticking around, I hope you enjoy part one of the finale.

Chp 23: Perfect day- part 1

Two grueling days came and went, and ponies’ excitement for the momentous day grew alongside the waning hours.

Canterlot streets were littered end-to-end with decorations and food stalls, noble and commoner alike banding together on this joyous occasion, surrounded by a festival rivaling any preluding it. Even royal guards on duty couldn’t resist indulging themselves.

Nonetheless, no other place was more alight than Canterlot Castle, the wedding’s location, staff ponies checking every speck of detail. Storm Breaker found it hard NOT to ignore them, the sounds of frantic shuffling hooves and barking orders distracting her while she polished Olive’s gifted armor. Sky Slicer perched upon his savior's withers, resting his head on her Vanguard emblem seared upon aged flesh. And while a radio blasts today's current news and latest music, nothing could hinder the warrior mare’s cloth gliding across spotless midnight-colored metal. Screw the wedding and whoever judged her potential lateness, Storm Breaker rarely cared about her looks outside of battle scars.

Celestia and her younger sister were in high spirits as well. The general air around them maintained a lighter air than the aftermath of day/night court, not that anypony can tell through their ever-present masks of calmness. Some ponies say a prince called ‘Blue Blood’ displayed similar changes; however, Storm Breaker didn’t bother herself to remember anypony significant with that name.

Still, a stirring within her stomach nagged her following Candence’s arrival a day prior.

At least her worries were confirmed, in a way: Cadance is a total bitch.

Since the love Alicorn's advent appearance, she’s acted cold and cruel to all castle servants. She constantly berated them for minor mistakes and treated everypony like bugs underneath her horseshoe when nopony else was watching- hiding malice behind poor sincerity. Maybe Celestia’s image was her goal, down to her get-up, a cheap imitation with a superiority complex and slimy attitude.

Although disappointing, It is not shocking a country bumpkin would turn rotten after achieving an ounce of power.

The warrior mare knew the feeling all too well.

Apart from her entrance, Celestia and Luna were blessed by a resemblance of politeness from Cadenza if around, her attitude taking a sharp one-eighty. Everypony else on their own be damned. Strangely, Storm Breaker noticed Cadenza’s unwillingness to face the warrior mare, always seeking an excuse to leave the same room or change her path. It’s almost like the love alicorn’s fearful of her, but Storm knew that wasn't the case. Her eyes held something much crueler.

She wanted to ignore her gut instinct’s warning, but Storm Breaker felt like a predator was sizing her up, judging how to handle an unknown creature bigger than itself.

“Having fun?” Olive Branch, entering Storm’s room, said, shutting the door. “You should stop now- your ankle won’t take kindly to arthritis.” He joked, flexing his left fore-ankle with audible popping of bones. “Otherwise, it’s looking sharp.”

Storm Breaker huffed in amusement. “Came here to check on me?” She asked, setting the polished chest plate on the bed.

“You could say that,” He nodded, leaning against the door, “Celestia needs you in the throne room. The elements are about to show, and she wants you to join the welcoming committee.” While she couldn’t complain, Storm Breaker resisted eye-rolling at the mention of Sparkle and her friendly gaggle of lunatics. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, though, darling. Sadly, weddings are social events, and you need more socializing experience instead of hiding away.” He chuckled.

Reluctantly leaving her bed, Sky Slicer hopping off, Storm Breaker swiftly attached her chest plate, uniting it with her already equipped outfit. “Not like I have a choice.” She muttered unenthusiastically, Olive turning to leave. Then, a memory resurfaced, causing Storm to sigh.

“...Actually, wait.”

At her request, the old coot halted, returning his attention.“Yeah?” He said.

Shifting on her hooves, she rushed to her nightstand, throwing the top drawer open and retrieving an item from its depths.

Olive Branch watched in startled bewilderment as the massive pony moved like a floating feather dancing on the wind, grabbing his hoof and holding it out as she gave him the item. Peering down, Olive’s face reflected profound surprise, seeing a silver flask resting comfortably in the frog of his hoof, begging to hold his precious moonshine.

“Darling. Storm. I, uh, why do you have this? ‘Didn’t know you drank.” He stuttered.

“I…It’s not mine!” She sheepishly spat, her fake annoyance faltering. “I thought your ridiculous keg was weighing you down, so I got that as a Hearth's Warming gift.” She pointed to the flask.

He blinked twice, “Well, I’ll be damned! You didn’t have to, darling.” Olive thanked.

“No, I did.” Storm retorted, diverting her eye, “I wanted to say thanks, for sticking by me all this time. I couldn’t gather the courage back then to give it.” She apologized.

Before she could speak any further, Olive closed the distance between them and hugged her, making the titanic mare jolt. “Well, now you did. Thanks, darling.” He said, smiling warmly. “I’ll make sure it sees as much action as you have. For now, let’s head out before Luna chews you out.” He snickered, backing away. At this, Storm Breaker showed a tiny smile.

“I implore you to try, old coot.”

Glancing out her room’s window, she made out the distant pillar of smoke carried along by a colorful locomotive approaching the city.

Yet, as the old guard and warrior mare left, both missed a band of pegasi guards flying toward the train station. Upon closer inspection, their flawless white coats were disheveled and stained by blotches of gray dust. Armor was dented- mainly near the back of their helmets. A dark greenish hue surrounded the edges of each pair of dull, lifeless eyes, the four guards resembling dolls more than living ponies. No resident of Canterlot, due to their distractive festivity, noticed the unnerving guards, letting them easily trail the chariot unbothered.

In a nearby ally, the ends of broken, white hooves poked out of a dumpster, with enough blood covering the ground for four stallions.

‘You learn something new every day!’ as the modern saying goes.

Twilight and Shining armor were related, Storm Breaker pondered, the head of the royal guard and Celestia’s student sharing blood. Their family had to have connections to royalty or were as lucky as anypony could be. Did this mean every member of the Sparkle family is considered nobility? It matters not, anywho- Shining’s marrying Cadance, which would make their family nobility either way.

Storm Breaker quietly groaned, maintaining a straight poster as she trailed behind a fuming Twilight and her brother. Goddess, that’s still weird to say. The purple unicorn and her posse arrived minutes ago and- not surprisingly -already started a commotion, Sparkle herself, to be specific.

Sword at her hip, the warrior mare watched as the irritated mare complained about not being notified earlier of the wedding, Shining trying to defuse the situation while giving orders. The blue sky, blocked out by a shimmering pink dome of protective magic produced by Shining armor, still shined on the encased mountain-side city. As impressive as his magical prowess was, Storm hated the stenchful magic in the air: the smell of soiled earth and ozone. Strong magic always gave off a faint scent, a trait she sorely regretted learning during Vanguard training.

Nevertheless, Olive said it’s in case anything happened during the wedding, for what, she didn’t know. Storm theorized its purpose was to keep creatures of evil like Discord from interrupting the wedding and causing harm. How an oversized ball of magic is supposed to protect everypony from a beast like Discord, she didn’t know, but it wasn’t her exact field of expertise. Otherwise, the only plausible dangers would be drunkards or two mares catfighting over the bouquet.

“Yeah, there’s a big wedding coming up. Maybe you heard about it?!” Twilight snides angrily, brushing past a troubled-looking Shining armor and stopping just before the guard-infested stairs leading to the castle’s main hall.

Captain Shining Armor frowned, moving to his sibling’s side. “It has nothing to do with the wedding.” He said.

Well, now, this is interesting. Storm thought, raising a suspicious brow.

“A threat’s been made against Canterlot.”

Huh? She didn't remember anypony saying anything about a threat; things like that should be easy to remember. She didn’t think Olive lied. Captain Shining Armor reported directly to the princesses, same with the old coot- did the princess not tell her the truth on purpose? The warrior mare wouldn’t put it past Celestia specifically, but it made sense. Who would cause panic on a wedding day, especially when it’s your niece’s? Keep as little ponies informed as possible. Plus, ponies of her rank had no reason to receive orders or messages like Olive or Shining. Yet, who made this threat? A terrorist? Whatever idiotic creature idealized such a plan would surely fail, considering this event’s likely the most secure place in Equestria, given the number of guards.

Twilight lowered her head, dropping her look of ire. “We don’t know who’s responsible for it, but Princess Celestia asked that I help provide additional protection.” The guard captain added, his hoof raising Twilight’s chin.

“This you need to see.” Shining’s expression hardened, backing away slightly.

Storm Breaker and Twilight's eyes fixed with anticipation as Shining's features contorted, his sharpened horn humming and gaining a pinkish aura surrounding it. She’d witnessed unicorns in action many times before, on the battlefield and not, mostly enemies, but the air vibrated oddly so. Neither mare had a chance to think as a powerful pink beam shot forth from his horn, aimed straight at the dome above. It struck the dome viciously, a thunderous boom reverberating throughout Canterlot’s entirety, ripples descending its surface before fading away. When all was said and done, a disoriented Shining Armor dimmed his horn, causing sparks and him momentarily swaying before regaining balance.

Moving from the courtyard and ascending the stairs, Storm Breaker trails the sparkle siblings, reflecting on the older brother's recent display. Admittedly, Shining showed remarkable magic abilities nearly rivaling a trained, pre-unity unicorn soldier. Keyword: nearly. If somepony were to attack, he and other soldiers might do a decent job defending Canterlot, but it still unnerved how surprisingly weak modern unicorns became.

Well, not weak, per se. Sparkle and her brother were plenty powerful. However, there’s a problem with that. The sparkle siblings were RENOWNED for their magic, as in, they were supposedly first-class mages in regular unicorns’ eyes. To Strom Breaker, their magical abilities were above average at best.

Excluding Celestia and Luna as alicorns, was this the pinnacle of modern pony magic?

No, of course not; she’s being cynical again. Strong as her? Highly debatable. But weak? No. Not that Storm would admit, even with the threat of unending torture, Sparkle might defeat her in a one-on-one battle if she gave it her all. Then again, it’s highly debatable. Besides, the chances of Canterlot getting attacked were slim to none. Storm felt sure the guards could protect ponies.

Then again, you would have to be either stupid or over-confident to threaten-

“What in Hades!?!” Storm Breaker mentally shouted, each muscle tensing tightly; she and the sparkle sibling halting on an overlooking archway. Knocked back into reality by a vile sensation of tainted mana, Storm Breaker quickly found its source approaching the trio: the pony Sparkle happily sang praises about during Storm’s thinking, jumping in circles. Incidentally, Sparkle noticed as well, coming to an abrupt stop.

“I hope I’m not interrupting something important.” Cadance said, glancing down at Sparkle and switching to Shining, raising a brow.

Sparkle gasped excitedly, “Cadance!”

Running up, Storm Breaker had the great displeasure of watching a…peculiar dance. Is she trying to seduce the bride, she thought, perplexed. It didn’t help that the singing lavender unicorn, without a shred of decency, shook her bare rump at Cadance on full display, smiling like a witless child. Including the discourteous love alicorn, Storm Breaker failed to resist a bewildered scowl.

“What are you doing?” Cadance questioned. Second, Storm commented silently.

Hurt flashed across her face, but Sparkle stood up to face Cadance, smiling. “Cadance, it’s me, Twilight!” She said.

Cadance blinked once, “ Uh huh?” She half muttered.

Even Storm Breaker shared Sparkle's pain as Cadance casually brushed off the now-frowning lavender unicorn, walking over and hugging Shining. “I got to get back to my station,” The guard captain exclaimed, “But, Cadance, I’d like you to meet one of the new night guard’s first’s member’s: Storm Breaker, since you’ve been busy in Mexicolt.” He grinned. Cadance subtly flinched, eyeing the titanic mare wearily as Storm watched her flatly.

In spite of her detestment toward her, Storm Breaker bowed before the love alicorn, then stuck out her hoof.

“It’s a…pleasure to meet you, Princess.” She forced herself to say, “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m sure you know my unique circumstance. I’ve learned that it’s polite to shake hooves in today’s age as a sign of peace.” She lied numbly.

Unsurprisingly, Cadance grinned smugly, taking Storm’s hoof. “Aunty Celestia informed me of your existence while I was abroad. It’s nice to see Aunty Luna roping in like-minded ponies into her pet project.” She said, the sweet, condescending tone daring Storm to punch the princess’s pretty mug. What did surprise her was Cadance’s unnatural grip, outperforming her intentional vice-like hold.

It took everything she could muster to keep it from breaking!

Letting go, Storm Breaker backed up until she stood by Sparkle's side, Shining’s smile unchanged. “Now that introductions are out of the way, I wanted to tell you Cadance will check in with all of you to see how things are going. I think I speak for both of us when I say we couldn’t be more excited to have you here.” Shining turned to his soon-to-be wife.

“Absolutely.” She replied, her sinister smile making the fur on Storm’s neck stand up.

Who was she?

Well, being bound and gagged while sitting center-stage inside a dark, damp basement isn’t Trotselot’s exact idea of a fun night, but it could’ve gotten worse. Wait, yeah, it did.

Feeling as though his bloody, chipped hooves were engulfed by hellfire, the fancy stallion whimpered quietly as snot, mucus, and vomit caked his blindfolded face. The chains binding every limb against the moist concrete floor rubbed them raw, blood-born rust threatening to infect open wounds. Screaming and crying for rescue became fruitless when his torturer nearly caved in his windpipe with a metal bat, plus the disconnection from the outside world.

Celestia knows how long Trotselot suffered since his and Brandy's quaint get-together was interrupted by Iron's grunts. Hours? Days? Each unrelenting assault smitten his woeful self like an unrelenting typhoon without end, whips, knives, pliers, and hammers chiseling his crumbling marble pillar of flesh. Pain swirled around inside Trotselot's thought cage, clouding every other thought with searing-hot pain and wordless pleas of mercy. He wasn't a fighter, nor the stallion his father dreamed him of becoming. Trotselot's life would end here, amongst the rotting moss and roaches, screaming for death's sweet embrace. What of Brandy? Had that monster dealt with her? He should've never spoken to him and followed his parents' wishes- nothing was worth this!

Countless mistakes left unchanged, endless relationships abandoned behind bed sheets and cigarette smoke, bridges long since burnt, Trotselot wasn't as picturesque as ponies made him out to be, far from it.

His parents disliked him, and vice versa, but they didn't hate each other; there were chances to patch things over. His idea's folder for new clothing designs was begging for his attention and craft. And it wouldn’t have been so bad to reconnect with old college friends, right? Yet, whatever spirit responsible for Trotselot's current predicament seemed delightful, seeing his life constantly roll downhill.

No, he only had himself to blame, nopony else. After all, hubris is the bane of all prideful fools.

"Rise and shine, fruitcake," A voice beyond the basement's thick wooden door announced gruffly, "Boss's here." He added.

Eyes shooting open behind the dirty rag blindfold, Trotselot let out a sharp gasp and scampered away until hitting the back wall, minding his broken wings and- recently -fractured left hind leg. The door's unoiled hinges squealed loudly, making Trotselot's ears press flat against his skull, quickly followed by heavy hoof steps. A thundering click of a lock marked his true loneliness.

Wretchful cigar smoke flew into his muzzle, "So, my useless mutt finally grew a backbone, and this is what he uses it for?" Iron Hoof said incredulously, almost mocking. "I'd say I was sad once I heard the news. However, that implies I ever gave a shit about you to begin with, Trot. Not that any of this surprises me, mind you."

Trotselot sneered, "Go to Tartarus, you foul ghoul!" He wheezed pitifully, shooting a glob of blood-soaked spit in Iron Hoof's general direction, only to receive a solid kick to the jaw.

“You like flapping that tongue of yours, son. It would be a crying shame if it was ripped out, inch by inch, until I reached the back of your shit-filled throat.” Iron sneered, Trotselot coughing roughly. “I do all of us a favor then.” There was an uncaring tug and jolt forward as a hoof snatched Trotselot’s blindfold off, revealing the tyrant stallion looming over him. “It’s a blessing or a curse that you made it this far. But all things, good or bad, must end eventually.” He said.

Labored breath crawled out of Trot’s mouth, his dual black eyes scowling at Iron, “H-How…did y-you kn-know?” He questioned.

Iron Hoof snorted, digging out something from his inner breast pocket. “For such a pretty colt, you sure left a mess.” His retrieved item raised to meet Trot’s gaze, forcing a shocked sputter, a lone feather matching the fancy stallion’s. “Aren’t your uptight bunch supposedly well-groomed like show dogs? This is why pegasi make bad hit-stallions.” He chuckled.

Ragged, uneven breaths escaped Trotselot, scowling deeply, “You accursed beast! What was the point- of any of this?! You’ve wasted your time, and for what? Even that savage mare is smarter than you.” He roared, pulling pitifully at his bindings.

“I agree, I was careless.” Iron replied without hesitation, tossing the feather. “Anger blinded me, leaving me to fret over lost bread crumbs when she went psycho. However, I see this as an…opportunity for growth.”

Slowly, the aged stallion began to undo the remaining buttons of his jacket, eventually letting it join the loose feather’s position. Trotselot’s breathing hitched, seeing him crack his hooves. “See, snakes outgrow their dead, decaying skin, purging impurities. My time on this planet is also decaying, Trot, and I must outgrow and remove impurities so my empire lives on. You, Brandy, and Silver are all in my way- but a simple obstacle I’m willing to bloody my hooves with.”

Stepping closer toward Trotselot, the fancy stallion’s cries increased in volume with every clopbouncing off the basement walls. But, before he could react, Iron’s left hook connected with his jaw, sending Trotselot crumbling. However, there’s little time for preparation as the tyrant’s assault rained, battering and breaking Trot’s body like a sledgehammer striking railroad spikes. How an old stallion like Iron could hit this hard were lost thoughts, Trotselot curling into a protective ball, covered in fresh tears and purple bruises.

A minute later, Iron Hoof rose, panting while checking his gruesome progress. Tears poured out Trotselot’s swollen eyes, clouding whatever he barely saw moments prior, his attacker chuckling again, grinning.

“I forgot. Don’t worry about dying too soon, son.” He said, wiping sweat from his forehead. Bending over, he roughly yanked Trot’s mane, electing a louder yelp, and pulled him up, meeting at eye level. “Doc says stress increases my terrible blood pressure.” Despite being near-blind, he dreadfully observed Iron removing his half-burned cigar–and pointing directly at his right eye.

“And I haven’t had time to relax yet.” Iron chuckled gleefully.

Trotselot released a barely audible snivel of protest.

Nearly going against her kind’s nature for a moment, she came close to dropping her disguise and bursted out laughing, Twilight’s friends, Shining, and the celestial demons abandoning the wedding hall.

Judging their looks of anger and distant muffled cries, she’d done what most Changing would’ve considered impossible. Break the elemental weapons bond! At first, she desperately desired a challenge, each of Twilight’s friends seeming more gullible than her magic-leashed Shining. When she disposed of the apple mare’s repulsive treats, she conveniently wasn’t looking. Her venomous disgust went unnoticed by the clothesmith, too enamored and distracted by perfecting Cadance’s dull dress. The hyperactive dolt wasn’t worth mentioning. Tartarus, by then, she didn’t bother seeking out the egotistical dove or cowardly flying rat.

No, the fun came from knowing Twilight’s awareness, suffering alone, surrounded by her friends and family’s ignorance.

When the lavender blunder appeared inside Shining’s residence, Cadance couldn’t help herself, secretly involving Twilight in the following argument over that stupid crest Shining wished to bear.

For all things revolting and distasteful about ponies, she saw why the real Cadance wanted an attractive specimen like Shining despite his sickening, preachy standings on justice. So, repairing her decorative piece’s mind-veil spell and ridding him of that trash, she’d been granted the pleasure of enjoying Twilight's fleeing figure. No doubt she headed straight for her friend to warn them, but it didn’t work out, did it? Even the sun demon or her Tartarus spawn sister were woefully unconvinced.

The ‘kicker’ arrived minutes ago when Twilight proudly crashed her bridal walk practice, looking full of herself. Drinking her shocked expression following her proclamation of ‘she’s evil’ like a grub and Shining shielding Cadance, the false bride metaphorically sat back and watched everybody present mumble. Even after she shed tears and fled because of Twilight’s cruel words, Anger and hurtful scents almost produce a shutter in delight.

Hiding and slipping past the leaving party of miffed ponies was a breeze, teleporting back into the wedding hall. There, lying across her red carpet, weeping and sniffling pathetically, Twilight tearfully sang how AWFUL she’d been to her brother, a song Cadance disregarded.

She brushed a tender hoof across Twilight’s head, letting the doe-eyed unicorn stare lock gazes with her, smiling. “I’m sorry!” Twilight cried.

Chrysalis’s eyes flashed briefly.

“You wouldn’t.” The bug queen spat, frowning.

Reacting faster than the surprised Twilight, Chrysalis’s disguised horn produced green flames, which shot the lavender unicorn. Sadly, a still-living Twilight sailed through the open air, landing unceremoniously on the red carpet’s middle point, nasty scorch marks adorning her smoking chest fur. “None of you were then.” She said scornfully, her horn glowing again.

Chrysalis watched the unicorn's disbelief, writhing in agony. “W-What…?!” She pushed out. A ring of emerald flames surrounded Twilight, instantly forming a dome that sank her into the ground.

Once alone, her spell leaving no trace behind, Cadence monetarily sighed a pleased respire. Finished dealing with one nuisance, the faux princess’s mind switched to the other: The ancient one. Months earlier, when Princess Cadance announced her plan of marrying Shining Armor in advance, Chrysalis sent her drones out to study the Canterlot guard population while finalizing her separate wedding plans. Unfortunately, Learning about an ancient foe’s member in Celestia’s possession became a problem, putting it lightly. It seemed a peaceful death for the Vanguard following the sun demon’s ascension wasn’t suitable. Did Faust resurrect it so Chrysalis would suffer and fail her plan, making it the sun demon's lap pet to rub salt in the wound?

Other changeling hives were destroyed by the vicious pony breed, their specialty over camouflage crowning Chrysalis’s hive as the sole survivors. Her silly children warned her, begging her to delay the play until a viable solution for this unexpected error showed. No matter, come the right time, nothing on this planet would rival her. An oversized donkey wielding a kitchen knife will be but a minute annoyance.

As ‘Cadance’ began nearing the grand hall doors to leave, a towering pony shadow swiftly disappeared around the corner.

This day’s going to be perfect.

Chp 24: To the rescue- part 2

Damnit! Storm Breaker mentally spat, thundering hooves rushing down lengthy halls. Idiotic, brainless, and moronic didn’t even begin describing the titanic mare, muttering frantic curses under her breath. Cadance acting like a bitch: Strom already knew.

But, shockingly, the ‘alicorn of love’ is a bitch and an imposter! Pony's eyes don’t switch color and pattern.

And what did she do? Sneak around, concealed by shadows, without ONCE raising a hoof or her blade against this sickly impersonator like a coward! Dear Goddess, her sense had dulled. Nevertheless, Storm Breaker ignored startled guests and castle staff as she raced by, laser-focused on a single destination: The royal gardens. Celestia abandoned the wedding hall minutes prior, and preparations for outside concessions still required preparation. Surely, Celestia would be there.

However, shall the solar diarch believe her? Twilight failed to reveal fake Cadance’s ploy to anypony, Celestia included. They possessed a several-year-long relationship; who’d believe somepony like her?

Hades, It’s better than sitting on her hooves!

Suddenly, frantically rounding a corner, a guest room door exploded open, multiple white hooves catching Storm Breaker off guard and pulling her inside. The door instantly slammed shut as she rolled across the carpeted floor.

Impacting a bed, Storm Breaker, dazed, tried standing until unrestrained bucks and punches forced her down, continuing their unrelenting assault. Storm Breaker, enduring her assailant's strikes, swept a foreleg outward, hitting at least one body, accompanied by a feral screech. Still, those impacts left their marks, blood trickling down her left nostril. Finally rising, Storm Breaker wiped her muzzle, rolling her aching shoulder. Huh, Thunder Charge’s pals came to play, she sarcastically thought, neck angled toward her hip-bound blade.

Five royal guards, golden-dressed stallions and mares, poised to strike if their low stances implied anything. No weapons? She guessed they’d felt cocky today. Yet, something persisted in bugging Storm, scanning them closely. Since the windowless room’s light wasn’t on, she vaguely realized the guard’s uncanny features- mainly their slightly glowing eyes. A sharp hiss drew Storm Breaker’s attention, allowing the warrior mare time to barely dodge a skinny, lunging unicorn guard, whose face got politely introduced to her hoof. Afterward, the guard collapsed hard and became engulfed by neon-green flame, similar to fake Cadance’s magic. The stallion guard, or it, groaned, retreating from Storm’s bewildered gaze and crawling back into its partners’ company, regaining its fake outward appearance. “What are these beasts?” She thought.

Taking advantage, one disguised guard- a pegasus mare -gained airborne advantage while the other, an average Unicorn sentry, went low, stabbing his horn at Storm Breaker's heart. The warrior mare was too slow, a thundering, hot pain electing a sharp hiss from Storm, recoiling away and removing the offending prick. Luckily, their blood-covered horn was too short, causing little cause for concern, but it hurt nonetheless.

BANG! BANG!

Fiery green volleys grazed Storm Breaker’s head, ducking downward and biting her sword’s leather grip, the skinny unicorn taking a reckless charge in her direction. Her sword swiftly exited its sheath, cutting the air and the second unicorn guard’s mid-section, almost splitting it halfway. Like then, green flames unmasked a bug-like monster with hollowed- hole-filled -hooves, black chitin, and sea-green eyes. Insect ponies who could transform? It wasn’t any beast or animal Storm Breaker knew before.

Seeing their lifeless comrade fall, the remaining four beasts roared furiously, rushing Storm Breaker simultaneously.

The first strike, provided by the airborne pegasus guard, forcefully impacted her jaw, but Storm Breaker parried a second round, her sword’s broad side knocking her away. Next, three ‘guards’- two earth ponies and the second unicorn -unleashed bites, bucks, and punches wildly, all narrowly missing their target, dancing around the guest room. Holes lined the walls, shattered furniture laid asunder, and tattered cloth soon layered the sudo-battlefield, both sides receiving varying amounts of cuts and bruises. Storm Breaker swung her weapon, clipping the unicorn’s cheek, then blocking the pegasus’s downward kick, punishing the hovering pretender by thrusting her sword into the right wing. The pegasus mare shrieked, dropping and cradling her pierced feathers in agony.

Holding back a cry of pain herself, feeling a leg bone crack under a burly earth pony guard’s headbutt, Storm Breaker switched her priorities and picked up a disembodied bed frame leg, and THWACK smashed it to splitters over the guard’s head. His body fell limp. Distracted due to her injured leg, a more spindly earth pony guard disappeared into her left side, unhinging his jaw, and successfully latched onto her barrel. Releasing a startled whine and dropping her blade, Storm hastily tossed herself left and right, the creature’s dagger fangs further tearing the wound open.

Having somewhat recovered from the pain, the pegasus tackled the mighty warrior mare’s legs, knocking her to the ground. Retaining itself by the room’s singular exit, the second unicorn prepared his horn.

Heat built inside Storm Chest, an enraged battle cry bellowing from her throat.

Moments later, the room's hole-filled interior faces gained a sizable addition when the parasite guard, crushed by her stampeding shoulder, came off, breathing ragged breaths with his back firmly pressed into a decently sized depression. Unfinished, Storm Breaker temporarily withdrew to the pegasus. However, there was nothing this impersonator guard could do. Reeling her hoof back, snarling, determination-filled shrieks escaped her until Storm Breaker performed a back-hoof, drawing unnatural emerald blood, letting the faux guard crumble. The warrior didn’t waste a second, her teeth tightly clamped onto its leg.

The spindly guard’s quaking legs desperately lifted him, only to give once Storm returned, his ally pathetically dangling in her possession. His eyes widened; the titan pony lifted his limp friend and repeatedly brought them together. Over and over, greenish liquid pooled and littered the immediate area’s walls, hard chitin colliding and crumbling together as the warrior vented, her hate and frustrated yells masking wet impacts.

Sometime later, the ‘handle’ of her makeshift mace’s leg suddenly lost its heft, and Storm Breaker unceremoniously dropped the lone limb, heavily panting and staring at her grizzly work.

“Dammit.” She gruffly mumbled, spitting crimson, unbeknownst to quiet steps departing behind her. “There’s more- I’m sure of it! Something to do with this crummy wedding, no doubt. What’re they, though? Ugh, that doesn’t matter!” Cutting off her out-loud thinking, Storm exhaled. Point taken: Terrorists weren’t completely harmless. It’s time for a new plan. “I need-…to s-stop…th-the…wed…ing.”

Storm Breaker’s voice faded, leaving her mouth agape and strangely dry. The longer her gaze lingered on the two bug creatures’ remains, the harder breathing became. She felt a soothing, cruel frost bake her skin, two unicorns dressed in crude tribal armor laying before her, dead. A scent of metal filled her muzzle, the viscous texture of foreign ichor coating her hoof and face, and nostalgic stinging fire poking her wounds. Her heart increased in tempo, a piercing ring plugging her hearing, her eye trying vainly to look elsewhere. There’s more of these things, right? So arrogant, daring to believe they had a hope of killing her?! Commanding cries filled her flicking ears. Storm subconsciously gritted her teeth, tightly sealing her eye shut.

They wouldn’t live long enough to try!

Creek.

CRASH!

Then, she blinked.

“Huh?” Uninterrupted by her distractive mind, Storm Breaker stared blankly, confused.

When had she moved in front of the doorway? And, speaking of which, said door seemed absent, her outstretched, clenched foreleg facing an empty frame supporting wood chunks dangling off its bent hinges. “I…Uh?” Retracting her limb, she retrieved her weapon and fully entered the hall in a hurried blur, wincing at a sudden headache. Weird, across the hall’s width, a pony-sized hole appeared on a window, droplets of green tainting the broken stained glass. Weren’t there five insect monsters?

“Wait!” Snapping to her left, Storm Breaker resisted attacking when a frightened maid approached. “I heard a commotion! Is everything alright?” She questioned, stopping a few paces away.

“...Yeah.” Storm Breaker shrugged.

The maid looked at her funny but grimaced upon seeing the destroyed guest room. “This’s bad! Princess Cadenza’s wedding just started- we don’t need a mess right now!” She panicked. “Out of the guard's troublemakers, why you?!”

In the great words of a farm pony she deeply respected:

“Ah, horse apples.”

An infectious round of stunned gasps overflows the wedding hall packed with noble ponies staring wide-eyed at its entrance. Furrowing her brow and glaring, the rugged, unkempt Cadance eyed her befuddled counterpart.

“What?!” The malicious masquerader shouted. “But how did you escape my bridesmaids?” She questioned.

Before her and Twilight’s escape, Cadance awoke underneath Canterlot’s abandoned crystal mines, trapped in an isolated cavern. Days must’ve passed, ponies wistfully unaware of her capture. But thanks to her alicorn physiology, starvation would never have let this moment arrive, dooming Canterlot and Equestria. Aside from that and Twilight nearly blowing her head off, the two escaped through an opening in the cave’s ceiling, guarded by three entranced mares. A tossed bouquet and arduous flight later, she’d been lucky enough to stop her imposter from stealing her- hypnotized -Shining in time.

“Funny,” Fake Cadance sneered, snorting. “Sadly, you’re still too late.” She smirked.

A well-dressed Applejack, accompanied by the other similarly-dressed elements of harmony, tilted her head sideways in confusion. “Wait, I don’t understand. How could there be two of them?” She said.

Stepping ahead a few paces, Cadance scanned the crowd, pointing to fake Cadance, “She’s a Changeling! She takes the form of somepony you love and feeds off your love for them!” The crowd looked mortified by her explanation while her faker scowled deeply, eyes glowing green. You learn a thing or two when your foalnapper is a raving maniac.

Suddenly, a green pillar of fire erupted from the ground, encircling fake Cadance. Every onlooking pony watched in disgust and terror as faux skin and feathers melted off black, armor-like flesh, growing three-jointed legs snapping, twisting; lengthy, gorgeous locks shed, replaced by oily blue hair. Blunt pony teeth shrank and broke, forming razor-sharp fangs. And ‘Cadance’s’ violet orbs shrank until two cat-like eyes remained, withholding a sense of malevolent glee, seeing the terrified crowd. Once the burning spire died, a horrid noir demon taller than Celestia stood above all in attendance, smiling cruelly and licking her teeth with a slivery, green tongue.

“I applaud your excellent deduction skills, my doltish princess.” Queen Chrysalis cackled, resting a hoof over her broad chest.

“And as queen, finding food so my children can eat is my bestowed right!” Stepping away from Shining, the insectoid monarch slowly approached the glaring Cadance. “You glorified cattle selfishly hoard it all, sadly. No matter, my dear kin will feast for untold winters once I’ve harvested every last drop from your pathetic bodies. I will gain more power than ever before and make you kneel in my divine presence.” She ranted, stopping herself and leaning closer to her face.

Cadance scoffed, “They’ll never get the chance! Shining’s spell will keep them from reaching us!” She retorted, much to Chrysalis’s sinister chuckle.

“Oh, I relish in your foalish hopefulness. Nevertheless, this castle will become Celestia’s tomb.” Chrysalis’s jagged horn went ablaze as she looked over her shoulder, hungrily eyeing Shining armor. “Do you agree, dear?” Emerald-glowing eyes pulsating, the entranced stallion mindlessly nodded.

“Uh-Hm.” He droned.

A brief flash of distraught flashed across Cadance’s dust-covered features, quickly replaced by determined fury. However, upon taking a forward charge, Chrysalis, using her sickly magic, tripped the love alicorn and clicked her tongue. “I wasn’t done gloating yet, pony.” The bug tyrant spat, walking away as Twilight aided her old foal sitter. “Despite the short time frame, Shining’s adoration for you has proven immensely useful these past few days. Moreover, for every moment, he grows weaker, alongside his pathetic spell.” Queen Chrysalis reappeared closely by Shining, stroking his cheek teasingly, making Cadance angrily growl. “Even as we speak, my children grind your defense away.”

Glancing out a nearby window, Twilight gasped, “Dear Celestia…!”

High above the panicking Equestrian metropolis, hundreds- no, thousands of Changelings savagely beat themselves against Shining Armor’s once impenetrable barrier, creating devastating cracks. And below, chaotic cries rang out, citizens in uproar and panic, running to and fro like confused ants under a magnifying glass.

“My little message caused you so much panic it blinded your search for the enemy within.” Chrysalis laughed maniacally. “Sorry to say, but I hereby terminate poor Shining Armor from his role as Captain of the royal guard!”

“Not my Shining armor!” Cadance cried.

Spreading both paper-thin wings, the insectoid monarch hovered high, smiling widely. “My forces shall exterminate all you ponies hold dear! Fields will burn, heads will roll, villages will crumble, and no creature could ever hope to face my unstoppable might! Today is when equine scum finally receives judgment for their sins! For thousands of winters, I’ve awaited this singular instant- seeing your face’s filled with terror almost masked this enteral starvation you’ve cursed upon my ilk!” She madly ranted, her eyes growing wilder with every word.

“No, I won’t allow it!”

Arching a brow, Chrysalis turns to see a scowling Celestia approaching. “You may have made it impossible for Shining Armor to perform his spell. But now that you’ve so foolishly revealed yourself, I can protect my subjects from you!” The solar diarch boldly proclaimed as Chrysalis landed.

A quick chuckle, “Apologies, I almost forgot you, Celestia.” She said, coating the sun alicorn’s name in potent venom and vitriol. “After all, you are the sole reason for my grand arrival today!” Chrysalis sneered.

“Whatever grievance you have against my ponies may be,” Suddenly, Celestia rushed toward the changeling queen. Accepting her challenge, Chrysalis did the same, meeting the sun alicorn halfway and locking horns together. Although, the horn clash was short-lived. Celestia retreated and flew up, her horn glowing a blindingly bright golden hue. “You will not see your wickedness prevail!” She shouted, smiting a pillar of blinding magic upon Chrysalis. Hastily producing her own beam, the queen of the changelings' power impacted Celestia’s, creating minor shockwaves and staggering everypony. Both rulers struggled over dominance, signs of strain visible on the former's face, while Celestia kept a stoic sternness. All the while, Cadance watched suspensefully, wordlessly wishing victory for her aunt. Chrysalis’s legs began to buckle, sweat trickling down her face. Just a little more! The love alicorn mentally cried, a hopeful smile adorning her muzzle- pity, this mighty Changeling warlord wasn’t as powerful as she boasted.

Sadly, just as she finished her arrogant thought, Cadance's smile dropped like drowning lead, noticing Celestia’s magic beginning to recede, pushed back by Chrysalis. The love alicorn’s warning never left her mouth as the dominating changeling magic contacted Celestia’s horn tip, shock adorning Equestria’s leading princess.

BOOM!

Time appeared to crawl agonizingly slow; Cadance followed her aunt’s detached crown soar through the air, crashing beside Celestia’s unmoving body, her lengthy horn chard black and smoking, faint burns scaring her upper face.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight called out, immediately rushing to aid her teacher, followed by her friend’s. The surrounding gaggle of nobles gasped and murmured.

For Cadance, witnessing the one pony she thought invincible in such a state left her frozen. How could this have happened? The solar diarch still breathed, but just barely. Flashes of tender moments between her and Celestia flashed through her mind, summoning hot tears as she feared the worst was on the horizon. “Shining Armor’s love for you is stronger than I thought!” She heard Chrysalis say. There’s no conceivable way she managed such a daunting feat, leeching off her soon-to-be husband’s love! There’s nothing she can do. Cadance isn’t strong, not like Celestia. And Luna, having mysteriously disappeared, hadn’t shown face.

“Consuming it has made me more powerful than Celestia!” Chrysalis victoriously bellowed.

No, this wasn’t a choice of can’t and won’t; it would go against everything Celestia taught Cadance! As her niece and an alicorn, Cadance maintained a duty to lead and protect ponies, even when faced with insurmountable odds. Steeling her nerves, the love alicorn prepared her horn, aiming at the distracted Chrysalis. If she died, that’s it.

Her husband and Equestria were in danger, and sitting idly by wasn’t helping anypony.

BAM!

So, the fun already started without her?

Storm Breaker's perpetually furrowed brow spied the insect queen ahead, who eyed her with bewilderment, mirroring the expressions of numerous standerby’s. "I take it you're the queen maggot?" she asked, her hoof lowering after forcefully swinging open the double-door entrance. Going off the grim atmosphere and pants-pissing ponies somehow having not fled by now, She’d arrived too late.

“I’d hoped the increasing empty voids within my hivemind might’ve been flukes,” the oversized hornet snorted, “You’re as fearsome as every Vanguard knight I’ve slain before, not that my praise will do you good.” She added.

She ignored the queen bee, her lone, narrowed eye widening slightly, spotting an injured Celestia encircled by Twilight and her friends. What a lousy guard she was- If only those straggling imps hadn’t slowed her down. And, seeing their disguised forms under sunlight made Storm wonder how anypony hadn’t mentioned a concerning amount of sickly-looking guards. Still, she defeated Celestia. Considering her last hostile encounter involving an alicorn, goddess be damned if she lived through this without teasing death once or twice.

Bleeding from multiple fresh cuts and feeling slightly light-headed, Storm Breaker would do what all Vanguard Knights do: make the most out of nothing.

Lifting and directing her blade at the bug queen, the warrior mare’s gaze hardened, “I am Storm Breaker, a knight of the mighty Vanguard and soldier of Princess Luna’s royal night guard vowed to protect and serve.” She spoke through a handle-filled maw.

Without warning, the elements of harmony- plus a yellow and pink pegasus she’d never seen before -unexpectedly began running toward Storm Breaker, catching the bug queen’s attention. Alighting her horn, the propelled volley of fiery magic aimed directly at the fleeing group. Storm Breaker acted immediately, blocking the line of fire and swinging her blade at Chrysalis's magic, deflecting it into the western wall, frightful guests screaming as dust and falling rubble subsided.

The elements stopped and looked back as the warrior mare winced, teeth and jaws aching. That single attack felt like she pushed back an entire rampaging Ursa Major. “Are you alright?!” She heard Twilight call out.

“Worry about yourself, Sparkle. And get out of my way next time!” She replied, somewhat harshly due to her pain-wracked nerves.

“Sorry.”

Snorting, Storm Breaker refocused on Chrysalis, “Whatever, just let me deal with the overcompensating worm.”

“Okay, hold her off while we get the elements!” Was what Storm heard vanishing into distant halls beyond the closing doors. If those mares needed the fancy power necklaces to perform their ultimate, beat-evil-shit-up rainbow beam, why were they stored in Canterlot, Storm Breaker pondered.

Nevertheless, the insectoid monarch released an echoing chortle, grinning broadly. “So, Equestria’s finest champions throw their ancient guard dog into the wolf’s den as a distraction?” Chrysalis taunted, “And here I thought your kind couldn’t get any crueler.” She said. “However, I’m feeling merciful right now. Kindly surrender and prevent me from wasting time and energy killing you, or I’ll disembowel every worthless, dressed-up donkey here.”

Strom Breaker started having a bad case of deja vu right about now. “Keep talking; you’re practically a spitting image of somepony I wanted to reconnect with three thousand years ago.” She snarled.

Away from Chrysalis’s and Storm Breaker’s back-and-forth session, Cadance began helping ponies escape the wedding hall and away from the distracted warlord. Pegasi fled through windows, unicorns teleported, and earth ponies borrowed the path the elements of harmony took. Throughout her rescue attempts, Cadance studied Storm Breaker, unbeknownst to her, keeping her mental observation quiet. Once everypony escaped, Cadance’s magic coated her horn.

“Hey!”

Reacting slowly to Cadance’s voice, Storm Breaker caught glimpses of pinkish clouds of mana soaking into her damaged skin, healing the more minute and recent wounds. “P-Protect…auntie!” She requested before succumbing to exhaustion and passing out. It was a miracle somepony so worn-looking managed this long. Yet, Storm Breaker internally sighed, thankful the real Cadance didn’t act like her counterfeit.

Chrysalis, however, wasn’t feeling so likewise, “Damn horse,” She spat, “Guess your only mercy disappeared, knight.”

“Like I needed it.” Storm replied, taking a defensive stance. “I’ve always wanted to kill something as powerful as Captain Sunshine. Sadly, I’ll have to settle for second best.” She said, empathizing her last two words, smirking.

The combination of rage, disgust, disdain, and outright fury that appeared on Chrysalis’s face was palpable, getting compared to Celestia as her lesser. “Oh, I’m going to enjoy killing you, slowly.” She seethed, her magic-coated horn contaminating the air with a vile static. Was it smart to anger a creature capable of beating Celestia? No. Did it feel good? Hades yes. “Feel honored, mongrel, because you’ll join Celestia and her loved ones soon when I nail your corpses to this castle's walls!” She roared.

“Save me your tantrum! The only thing I’ll feel when you draw your last breath is boredom!” Tensing her muscles, Storm Breaker shot off, pulling her sword back.

The end was nigh.

Chp 25: Goliath and David- part 3

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Chp 26: Sacrifice- part 4

Author's Note

Hey, sorry for the long wait! :twilightblush:

Truth be told, I've been getting burnt out on writing and reading as a whole, and, with my ADHD, writing these chapters and checking for errors are becoming harder and harder with each post. This doesn't mean I hate writing or will stop doing it, I still do. Nevertheless, if this and any future chapters have mistakes or errors that need correcting, please don't hesitate to tell me. I hope you enjoy this and have a good day!

Chp 26: Sacrifice- part 4

Radiating a rare warmth not felt by many living among the mountain valley village’s residence, a sole filly, caked in grime and thinner than a skeleton, watched the sun intently. Cool, crunchy snow lulled her into half-awareness, the rustling of her grandfather’s peach tree leaves singing the filly a soothing lullaby. The beating scars her two-faced relative gave her young body mattered little, nor his distant, enraged calls for her presence beyond the peach field.

Because sitting on her left and right, the filly could almost believe her mother and father were there. Smiling softly, her eyes closed, imagining the delicate touch of her mother’s hoof wiping her flowing tears away and her father's calming advice calming her nerves.

“Where…am I?”

‘~Hello again, my endless friend! Your encompassing darkness, I descend! All within the never-ending void of my mind!~’ A part of Storm Breaker’s swimming, broken thought dumpster sang, their hollow, withering voice packaging each forced syllable alongside a dry cackle. Quite pitiful, she might add.

In reality, she wasn’t, in fact, stuck inside a mind-conjured temporal expanse of nothingness but propped against a marble wall, its silk-smooth surface cooling the red-hot cuts and gashes decorating her sweat-drenched flesh. Opening the lead-heavy flap of skin called her eyelid, it shut immediately, dried blood flakes free-falling, pain stinging her orb. Well, one thing was clear: everything hurt. Gone is the adrenaline pumping through her system like a rushing, polluted river during her and Chrysalis’s fight, replaced by agonizing fires and aches, torching every muscle possible.

Storm Breaker weakly clenched her teeth. Curse that bug bitch to Hades! Again, flashes of King Platinum completely ravaged her thoughts, frustrated tears blurring Storm’s already wavering, obscured vision. Not again! Why her of all sorry bastards?! Taking Chrysalis on alone was stupid- King Platinum’s power is a joke compared to hers. Celestia couldn’t do shit, practically thrown aside as if she were an unimportant ragdoll!

This disgrace shouldn’t be ignored, but what can Storm Breaker do? Flail uselessly and spit snide remarks? Powerlessness is a degrading feeling, something she sought prevention from, less past events repeat themselves.

Yet, sitting in a pool of her blood, Storm Breaker’s trembling hooves didn’t budge.

So tired…

Snapping the beaten warrior mare out of her thoughts, slowly prying her eyelid apart this time, towering doors split, and Sparkle and her gang entered. However, four changelings flanked them, and the elements were strikingly absent from their necks. Using her rediscovered sight, Storm Breaker judged how bad things looked.

Answer: absolutely horrendous.

Twilight’s dropped head left its defeated downward tilt, joining Storm’s sight-seeing directed toward Cadence and her brother posted atop the altar, the former’s hooves bound by hardened green sap. Captain Shining, still dull-looking as before. Her friends stood nearby, and Chrysalis’s freakish off-springs razor-sharp glances reflected pride and accomplishment. Probably antsy about licking Ma’s hooves for approval, capturing her enemies. Noticing an audible gasp from Sparkle, Storm trailed her upward-facing gaze. Above, Celestia resided within a cocoon suspended horn-point-down upon the ceiling- focused solely on Sparkle.

“Back so soon?” Chrysalis hummed, tilting her head mockingly, “I appreciate you all coming back- Celestia and her sister's lap dog were starting to bore me.” She added.

Flicking her jagged horn, Storm, encased in emerald-green magic, was violently flung forward, her mangled body impacting the ground, producing a heavy thud and groan. Her laboring stare met Twilight’s horrified face, the round sky-blue island stranded within a sea of dark red. The studious unicorn looked desperate for a reply but fell short.

Storm Breaker mentally ordered her to run. “Please…stop this!” Twilight begged quietly, the screams outside deafening her folded ears.

Chrysalis giggled gleefully, “Sorry to disappoint. I’ve dreamed of this glorious, perfect day since I was small! The stallions, mares, and foal are mine to control- to feed off of. And your precious princess won’t live long to stop my conquest.” She boasted, “Which reminds me…” The changeling queen’s voice lowered, glancing at a window on her left.

“GO! FEED MY CHILDREN!” Storm Breaker growled quietly at Chrysalis, the present changelings grinning hungrily as they hastily flew away. “Oh, and save some AFTER we fully take Canterlot.” She added.

“Why you-!” Rainbow Dash began to charge, shouting, only stopping when discovering a stern-looking Applejack touched her shoulder, shaking her head. Storm Breaker bitterly agreed with a faint glance. Flurries of emotions ranging from anger to anxiousness wash over Rainbow Dash, who stole one look at Storm Breaker, finally going silent.

Applejack switched to Twilight, her guilt infecting every square inch of her face. “Ah’m sorry, Twi. We should’ve listened to ya!” She apologized.

“It’s not your fault. She tricked us all.” Twilight said, shooting a white-hot glare toward Chrysalis.

“That I did!” Chrysalis interrupted, standing before her. “Twilight here saw the truth, and you all were none the wiser.” She scoffed, lifting Twilight’s chin, to which the lavender unicorn slapped the offending hoof.

Alright, I’m sick and tired of her babbling. Storm Breaker concluded.

She was tired of pitying herself, making a sorry fucking sob of herself. The Vanguard, Storm’s comrades, and Olive reminded her time and time again that giving up wasn’t an option. Enough of these sad circus and pity parties! Storm Breaker at least shared one aspect of her old warrior ways: her petty resolve knew no bounds. “I’m slaughtering that damnable insect, even if I die for a third time!” She mentally proclaimed.

Utilizing no minute amount of willpower and whatever energy had lasted, The battered warrior mare dragged her gory self along the filthy ground, her sights narrowed on a single object: her sword. Like Hades she’s lying there and waiting until death arrives! Storm Breaker had come too far, made too many connections with this cutesy, dumb world named Equestria, and formed a genuine relationship. Fuck Chrysalis. She’d rather get mauled by wolves than be bested by an oversized grasshopper! Remembering the fleeing past sensation of her blade piercing Platinum’s pristine hide a millennium ago, Storm’s resolve increased, a sadistic grin splitting her lips. Even supposing gods can bleed.

Luckily, Sparkle spotted and deduced the warrior mare’s unspoken plan; all the while, Chrysalis continued gloating. “I’m saying this once, Chrysalis: give up!” She warned half-confidently, the colossal bug mare lifting an amused brow. “We’ll stop you, no matter how.” Storm Breaker was halfway there.

“Oh? Elaborate.” Chrysalis hummed. “No major spoilers- I wish to bask in hilarity once your fruitless plan utterly fails.”

There!

Straining her shaking limb, Storm Breaker’s hoof finally contacted the sword handle, dragging it closer to her widened jaws. The injured mare resisted grunting as she picked herself up, circling in place until facing Chrysalis’s behind, taking the first careful step.

“Trust me, Chrysalis, the power of friendship will overcome your tyranny! No amount of fear or bloodshed will prevent your defeat, and my friends and I’ll make sure of it.” She declared, her friends collectively voicing their agreement. “You’ve terrorized Equestria long enough.” Chrysalis sounded ready to burst from laughter, and Twilight’s speech was about to run dry.

Chrysalis managed to control herself, grinning widely. “Is that the best you came up with? Is this a joke?”

“N-No, but your situational awareness is!” Storm Breaker interjected.

An agonizing hollow reverberated off the wedding hall's vast walls as Chrysalis recoiled in pain, throwing Storm Breaker off her back. An obsidian blade jetted outward like a morbid flag poll, lodged between the wither and bottom barrel plates; the changeling queen’s thrashing caused the emerald flow seeping out the wound to worsen. All Tartarus broke loose soon after, Twilight and her friends scattering about, set on separate tasks. And her loud, painful cry must’ve attracted close-by changelings as droves stampeded down the hall beyond the dual doors.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash swiftly slammed them shut, pressing themselves against the gigantic barriers before numerous hooves eventually fought back.

“While I must thank you, dear, for saving us, I insist you stay out of this!” Rarity firmly said, accompanied by the warrior mare and the pink/yellow pegasus.

Retreating to cover, Storm vaulted over and landed behind a flipped bench, breathing heavily as the pegasus mumbled worriedly behind her, checking her wounds. “Tough luck, pretty. I doubt Beetle Brain over there’s too keen on letting me go with a slap and scolding. Plus, I have a duty to uphold- if not Chrysalis, Luna will kill me if her sister dies.” She shrugged casually. Peeking above the bench, Twilight engaged Chrysalis, firing magic bolts and teleporting around the insectoid monarch, enraging her. “Go help your friends with the door- try making a permanent blockade. I’ll assist Twilight.”

Much to Rarity and the pegasus's exchange looks of weariness, they nodded, running off in AppleJack and Rainbow Dash’s direction. “Ζωή στο θάνατο, θάνατος στη ζωή. (Life in death, death in life.)” The mantra slipped Storm’s native tongue on instinct, releasing a deep exhale.

Serving the Vanguard means submitting yourself to a life paved by death, and your service ends all the same.

But on the battlefield, the words of equines have no home.

Only actions.

“Live long, Olive.” Storm muttered before leaping over the bench.

“Fucking…Celestia’s tits on a stick.” Brandy groaned, the sickly, purple welt plastered above her left eye pulsating with dull pain. “Bastards didn’t even leave a proper drink.” She added, spitting blood.

Except for the occasional far-off shriek and her empty room’s single light flickering, Brandy considered this a slightly disconcerting situation. At least she remained in one piece. Dear Celestia. That beating she took must’ve made yak shit out of her brain. Oh, yeah. A couple of Iron’s stallions wanted Trotselot first, who stole his papers in the first place- whether or not they knew Brandy was his accomplice beforehoof lost its relevance after the first batch of pot-shots. Still, Brandy suffered worse from shrimp-dicked drunkards denied of her nightly services behind her bar’s dumpster.

Nevertheless, Brandy wasn’t ignorant that everything fell silent minutes prior, broken between periodic rounds of bone-chilling shrieks. Whatever, she thought uncaringly, stubbornly fighting the ropes binding her hooves behind the chair’s back. “Lucky me,” Brandy sarcastically cheered, “looks like old Iron’s got Colt scouts on his bankroll.” She quipped, her trapped appendages not moving an inch.

CLICK!

Snapping her head forward, the door leading into the hallway swung inward, groaning quietly. Stifling a shocked gasp, Brandy watched a deathly-looking Trotselot crawl toward her, creating bloody tracks behind himself. “Well, I’ll be…” Was all Brandy replied with.

How could anypony move while cosplaying a manticore’s chew toy?! Brandy felt sick, his peeking wing bones shifting painfully. “B-Bran…” Trotselot croaked out, passing the open door. His voice- hoarse and weak -shook Brandy out of her shock, replacing it with weighing pity and panic.

“What in the nine hells are you doing here?!” She lowly shouted, leaning ahead. “How’d you escape?”

A single feather rose within his shaking wing’s grip.

“Clever.” Brandy scoffed, unsettled by his rugged appearance.

At a snail's pace, Trotselot trudged to Brandy’s rear, breathing ragged and sickly breaths. The alcoholic mare twisted her neck either way, doing her best to eye the half-dead stallion, her hooves’ binds shifting and gradually loosening. Eventually, the frayed rope collapsed, and Brandy immediately tended to her sore ankles, gently rubbing them. “Thanks.” She grunted. Leaving her seat and snapping to Trotselot’s side, Brandy’s hooves could wait as she- snaking her forelegs under his -dragged him toward the door’s exit.

“N-No!” Trotselot weakly cried, stopping Brandy, “Not…s-safe.” He added.

Brandy huffed, “The fuck you on about? I ain’t sitting here with my hooves up my ass when you need a hospital, you idiot!” She scolded. However, before resuming her journey, Trotselot’s feeble grip pulled her back.

“I-In…vasion.” He forced out. “Monsters…k-killing ponies!”

“Have you gone daft?!” She scoffed. “Screw that!”

Stubbornly ignoring Trot’s near-inaudible pleas, Brandy kicked the door open, walking out only to be met by a grizzly sight. Despite what most believed, Brandy wasn’t a hardened monster or unfeeling beast, alcohol replacing her blood and all that crap. After switching to the drink, she withheld certain mareish (or equine-like) qualities. One is queasiness to blood- to a degree. Yet, observing multiple mutilated hunks of lifeless pony bodies littering the hall and painting the off-white walls red, she felt her stomach churn. Even a stone-cold royal guard would faint. The air reeked of death, like sulfur placed above a fire, entwined with rotten copper and piss.

Brandy had an important job: keeping Trot alive. Why she cared about this sleazebag's life remained a mystery, but the striking scene before Brandy cemented her attention and fear. Brushing off her primal fear and shaking legs, the drunkard mare marched on, stepping across splayed and broken limbs and making sure Trot didn’t fall.

“Approaching!” A sudden, gruff voice alarmed, startling Brandy.

Stampeding down the hall, a changeling band stopped, their heads on swivels as they scanned their light handiwork. “Nothing. Useless!” A different changeling roared, smacking their comrade’s head. “All dead, checked every room. No pony left.” They added, stomping. Soon, the gaggle of insects ran off, their thundering hooves slowly disappearing until silence filled the void.

After waiting a second or two, the well-oiled hinges belonging to a guest room door inched ajar, and Brandy’s head poked through.

“Princess, all mighty!” She whispered, stunned. “Guess you weren’t yanking my chain.” Brandy peered to her left, Trotselot lying amongst the suited ponies' unmoving forms. “Alright, let’s get out of here.”

Leaving whatever shit-hole Iron threw them into wouldn’t be too challenging. No guards met easy passage- other than the bug ponies running amuck. From what Brandy knew and saw, Trotselot wasn’t lying, and Canterlot indeed had new, unfriendly visitors. Shape-shifting bugs, she mentally laughed; now she’d seen it all! And whatever the pink mist they siphoned out of ponies seemed like their objective, placing frightened ponies into translucent green cocoons and offing anypony who’d fight back. Luckily, Brandy wasn’t a fighter. Unluckily, Brandy wasn’t a fighter AND was carrying a battered stallion everywhere. Trying to Escape Canterlot, much less this building, now instantly disappeared from her mind, and bunkering inside the feeble excuse for a doctor’s office is where Brandy found herself and Trotselot now.

Wrapping bandages around Trotselot’s sloppily stitched wounds, Brandy sighed deeply, leaning backward in a chair she stationed beside the bed Trotselot laid across. Fatigued plagued her shot nerves, her hooves twitching. “We’re fucked, aren’t we?” She bitterly chuckled, throwing a foreleg over her eyes. “Iron’s Celestia-knows-where, Canterlot’s got a bug infestation, and you can barely move!” She listed, her wry smile dropping. “Worst of all, I haven’t gotten a drink for the last few hours.”

Trotselot weakly responded by scoffing, “Never lose your charm, Brandy, dear.” He said lowly, his voice nearly a whisper but stronger due to the short rest he received. “Thinking of drinking, even WHEN threatened with death!” He added.

“Ya blame me?” Trot shook his head.

Leaving her chair, Brandy’s spine loudly popped as she stretched. “Unless solar tits and her less-than-impressive dark clone can fix this soon, we’re sitting ducks. Still, like I mentioned, Iron’s missing.” Brandy said. “You don’t happen to know a way to summon every half-bit piece of taint you’ve slept with in Canterlot to save us, do you?” She hummed playfully.

Trotselot smirked, “You assume I remember their faces.” He snickered.

However, much to Canterlot's famed incubus, an inspirational bulb went off inside Brandy’s mind, making her conjure a devious grin. Maybe everything wasn’t so grim. None of Iron’s goons would care about them leaving when an insect’s trying desperately to rip their throats out, and Brandy isn’t some tourist visiting Canterlot for the first time. There are routes guards rarely look into, giving easy access for anypony wanting to remain unseen. Back alleys, bone-dry canals, and defunct sewer lines litter the mountain-side city’s underground.

Turning to her silver-tongued associate, Brandy motioned to the medical office’s door. “Look alive, pretty colt: we are going sewer swimming!”

“Faster, Luna, faster!” Olive shouted, the chilling mountain air flowing through his disheveled mane, Changeling and pony blood staining his coat. Tightly clung to Luna’s back, her mighty wings rocking him, the aged guard’s eyes were glued ahead, directly onto Canterlot Castle.

“Sir, I’m not certain, but I believe the enemy’s leader captured Private Storm Breaker.” The voice of a younger royal guard hesitantly reported, having seen Olive’s panic explode.

An hour had swiftly vanished since helping Luna escape, and both ponies worked themselves rugged, assisting Equestria’s fighting stallions and mares against the changeling menace. His bones ached, hooves burning, but Olive didn’t care, and neither did Luna- as far as he could tell. He treated wounds while she fought. Olive held back a changeling or two as the nightly ruler dug guards out from under a collapsed house. And, by now, chances of victory were even for Canterlot’s finest.

Nevertheless, Olive’s temperamental partner’s safety stuck firmly into his mind’s forefront- it’d earned him a cut or two for his carelessness. From what he’d learned from a junior guard he saved, something called Chrysalis head started this invasion and was stalking the wedding hall, where he left Storm Breaker. However, having saved the squadron of guards, the same junior guard looked confused when he first approached and asked, “Hey, sir, where’s your partner?” And Olive casually answered: ‘The castle.’ “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I saw Private Storm Breaker in the marketplace a block away when my squad and I were retreating. Took a terrible beating.” He solemnly retorted. That’s when his stomach began dropping further and further the more the guard said.

Storm Breaker had taken on the changeling leader and lost, a sentence he subconsciously refused to believe. A more immature side of Olive wanted to blame everypony for his mistake, but his guilt ultimately won out, putting the blame solely on him. He should’ve seen this coming- Chrysalis practically gave a warning before striking -and he ignored it.

Enough, he mentally chastised himself. He made a mistake; there’s nothing he could do now to change that besides fixing it.

Excluding the Princesses, Storm Breaker was the toughest pony he knew. Of course, nopony’s perfect. But still. Olive shook his head vigorously, riding his mind off negative thoughts. Like Tartarus Storm would lie down and accept defeat- she’s alright, he reassured. Her tenacity was boundless.

It’s one of the countless reasons she captured his heart.

“We’re close, Sir Olive!” Luna yelled, grounding Olive’s resolve as they rapidly approached a shattered window leading into the wedding hall.

Displaying pin-point precision, Olive pushed his body closer to Luna’s while the midnight mare tucked her wings, roughly throwing her right side down. Without cutting themselves too badly, the two pony torpedo unceremoniously entered the wedding hall, Olive latching off and Luna continuing to fly high.

The elderly guard tumbled across the littered floor briefly before rediscovering his footing, planting each hoof down until he stopped. Sadly, time didn’t give Olive a moment of reprieve, an emerald-green bolt grazing his left ear, forcing him low and rolling behind a half-wrecked bench. Taking several seconds to breathe, he cautiously peeked over the bench, a hulking form promptly crashing against the opposite wall and recovering quickly.

Akin to the finale heralding a great action stage play’s ending, Olive Branch observed his partner and three Elements of Harmony pressing- who he determined to be -the towering Changeling Queen, Chrysalis. Generosity and Kindness, protected by a stone pillar, worryingly peered near a trapped Cadance, the element of Loyalty motionlessly splayed out mere paces away, a scorch mark painting her weak chest. Located in the wedding hall’s centering heart, Honesty, Laughter, Twilight Sparkle, and Storm Breaker fiercely assaulted Chrysalis; the ex-knight, bloody and bruised, swung her blade wildly, chipping Chrysalis's hardened shell while Honesty kicked the Changeling's unattended flank. Safely outside danger’s immediate range, Twilight provided suppressing fire, showering Chrysalis with explosive magic volleys, setting her off kilter. Laughter…simply sprung about, firing a light-blue cannon loaded with colorful confetti, giggling, much to her insectoid adversary’s ever-growing ire, green magic harmlessly missing their erratic, bouncy target.

“Lookie here~. Celestia’s second-rate copy arrives!” Chrysalis sneered, watching Luna flying above, oblivious to Olive’s hidden presence. “Come to bask in the defeat of your sister or rage that I stole your rightful victory from your brooding self?” She said. Directing her malicious magical hail storm at Luna, the night-time alicorn expertly dodged and evaded the Changeling Monarch’s attacks, even returning a shot or two. “I commend you lot on your foolish bravery, but Shining’s love has granted me powers far greater than your pathetic sun god! Faced before your combined charge, I’ll end it with misery- and grant slow, painful deaths befitting your crimes that’d befallen me, filth!” She raved madly.

“Don’t you ever shut up?!” Storm Breaker snarled, her voice full and gargled. To Olive's horror, his temperamental partner’s right side fully facing him, a ghastly chunk was absent from her mouth, exposing red-soaked teeth and profusely bleeding torn muscle. Luckily, it didn’t seem to hinder her too badly. However, each sharp turn and light step made Storm fumble, her face pale and sickly.

Olive dove down, “Stubborn one, she is. But blood loss will get to her eventually.” He grimly thought.

A pained cry shook Olive, who looked in time to spot an unconscious Element of Honest rocket above, landing left of the elderly guard. “Ah’m…a-alright!” She groaned, clutching her ribs, “G-Give me…five minutes!” The apple farmer said, then promptly passed out.

“Cease your abhorrent goals, Chrysalis!” Luna commanded, teleporting behind the megalomaniac.

Her horn fired directly into Chrysalis’s face, knocking her off-balance and letting Luna leap back as Storm Breaker’s sword and Twilight’s magic struck Chrysalis from inverse directions. “Or feel my wrath!” Grunting strenuously, pure blackness erupted from her horn, malformed equine figures riding the pitch-dark beam that hit Chrysalis, clawing and grappling like mad beasts, forming a dome around her.

Sadly, this proved ineffective. Following a green flash, the creatures’ umbra frames dissipated like ashes held with a powerful air current, leaving a triumphant Chrysalis. “Spare me the bravo, Nightmare Moon. Or is it Luna? Honestly, your brutish spittling makes it hard to tell the difference.” She taunted, angering Luna further. “What hope do you have to defeat me?! I’ll dominate you, ponies. You’ll be the shunned and enslaved, not us!” She roared.

During the chaos, Olive Branch quietly rounded the battlefield perimeter, crawling between cover as Generosity and Kindness were closer than before. Thank Celestia, somepony had the right idea to blockade the doors, lodging loose boards inside the handles. The last thing he needed was another hoof-to-hoof talk, a shimmering, sweaty layer coating his exhausted visage.

Releasing an unrestrained battlecry, Chrysalis, temporarily distracted by Luna, caught Storm Breaker barreling at her, sword poised forward, failing to react quickly. The insectoid monarch produced a hissing grunt, Storm’s steel driving deeper into her shoulder as the mighty warrior mare tried ramming onward. Yet, Chrysalis's razor-sharp fangs clamped onto Storm’s withers and, barely showing effort, turned and hurled her again, unsheathing the sword piercing her shoulder plate gaps. Losing her sword halfway through her flight, Storm hit the wall, breaking Olive’s path to the two huddled elements. Unyielding in her vexation, Chrysalis’s horn glowed brightly, her glare burning holes in a swimming Storm Breaker.

For Olive, time slowed to a sluggish drag, his eyes widening. Storm Breaker’s going to die, his thoughts loudly screamed. He couldn’t feasibly tackle her massive frame onto the floor or produce a powerful enough shield to entirely negate Chrysalis’s overwhelming magic. Honesty and Loyalty were out, Laughter's too far away; Generosity and Kindness, trapped within the blast zone, were frightened stiff, affecting their reaction time; And Luna and Twilight looked about drained of magic for a teleportation spell.

The elderly guard, spiting his shaking legs, narrowed his eyes, tempered by a determined resolve. Storm Breaker needed him- one last time.

Deeply inhaling, Olive stood and jumped out of cover.

Shit, Storm thought painfully, her back screaming bloody murder. The pain was indescribable.

Without Goddess locks or something similar, the hoarded agony and suffering she’d gathered became too much for her to ignore. Every shifting, splintered bone, boiling-hot cut, and stinging wound muddle her senses- resulting in her missing cheek. Chrysalis attempted to blind her permanently, but Storm tilted her head, preventing total blindness in exchange for flesh. Who needs a cheek, anyway? Nevertheless, the oncoming darkness began circling her vision, but Storm Breaker shook her head.

Looking up, she spotted the overshadowing Chrysalis, grinning smugly. “This’s it, huh?” She told herself, her singular eye closing. “Dammit! I can’t go out now. Not while she still draws air! I can’t move an inch- my legs and head feel like solid iron.” Suddenly, her shocked, groggy mind slowly processed a familiar face appearing in her line of sight.

Chrysalis’s attack fired, the changeling queen surprised by Olive’s unexpected arrival, and Storm put two and two together, her eye’s pupil shrinking to a pin-prick.

“Run, Run, Flash! Don’t look back, you know the way to your Grandfather’s village! GO!” Her disembodied father’s voice frantically ordered, accompanied by her mother’s frightful wail. Stricken with unrivaled fear, a grim and blood-covered Flash Freeze did her best to ignore it all, pressing her ears against her skull to little effect. The pillars of ash and smoke, the crackling of hell flames, and distant screams- both innocent and bloodthirsty. Even after the endless frost and snow extinguished the ravaging flames the following morning inside the quiet village’s charred walls, she still experienced last night's horrors, sobbing and shivering alone.

Hours later, the hollow filly, heavy-hearted and silent like her home, stood and wandered off.

Bending his knees, Olive launched off the ground, holding his hooves out as the blast grew closer.

“I-I’ve caused untold pain against you, GrandDaughter. Please, forgive me.” A newly titled Storm Breaker flatly gazes upon her bed-ridden Grandfather, his aged form sagging and bone-thin.

Her hoof resting on top of her sword's pommel twitched impatiently. Strangely, the selfish bastard's words and regretful expression seemed genuine, and Storm couldn’t bring herself to lose another family member, especially by her own doing. Tears fogging his eyes, Storm Breaker pressed a gentle, tender hoof on his chest, which he weakly grasped as his once scathing orbs shut for a final time.

Desperately, the heavily injured warrior begged, pleading with her body to move and stop that idiotic stallion! Regardless, it refused, her teeth gritting as panic overtook her thumping heart.

“Deary, please, come out.” Gran’s voice, remorseful and weighted, said. Storm reluctantly ignored her second mother, the oncoming regret adding to the mountain’s worth she felt as Storm hugged herself tighter. “It’s not your fault!” It was, Storm wordlessly retorted, her puffy eyes leaking tears once more. She still recalled the scent of Sky Slicer's discarded, cooked flesh, and the sight of his flayed pelt reminded her of their successful hunts. The warmth of those memories turned empty and painful days prior, causing Storm to recoil. Weeks following Sky Slicer’s passing, she remained inconsolable.

The young colt was almost young enough to be her child, and those fucking horn-heads ate him! Mentally uttering the word ‘child’, an absentminded hoof snaked downward, stopping and hovering above the fur-concealed scar tissue of her lower stomach. First, the caribou, then the unicorns; they both stole what would’ve made her a mare and mother.

Thinking of such things only made her quiet sobbing louder.

No. No. No. No! No! No! NO! NO! This couldn’t be happening again- it can’t! Storm Breaker, bordering on hysterical, flung her upper half forward, catching her fall using her forelegs as supports. She couldn’t suffer like this again! “STOP!!” She continued shouting, carelessly flinging blood.

However, her cries were worthless. Olive’s body blocked her view of Chrysalis’s blast, masking the sight and sound of breaking metal and sending his body into Storm’s. The impact’s force shoved her, a grunt escaping the injured warrior mare as her forelegs instinctively caught Olive’s body. Moments later, silence filled the room, nopony uttering a word as Storm Breaker’s eye slowly parted open. A cough hurled globs of blood onto her face, Olive’s lower lip painted red, and his gleaming chest armor dull and dented. Stealing a shallow breath, his gaze met a distraught and horrified Storm Breaker, a smile brightening his muzzle.

“I-I’m sorry…darling.” He whispered, “I…di-didn’t wanna see you…hurt, forgive…m-me. I-I blame…only my-myself. Please, n-never lose…that burning…flame…I…love…” Each word faded further than the last, his eyes disappearing as his head fell limp.

Storm’s hooves trembled violently, her lasting lower lip quivering. “Ah-agh-” She muttered, unable to form words.

Finally, her grief completely enraptured her mind.

All the mighty Storm Breaker could do was scream.

Chp 27: Heart and Shield- part 5

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Chp 28: New Perspective

“Back, I see?” Softly chuckled an elderly voice, “If you stayed out any longer, I’d believe the bears snagged you!” He said, laughing.

Presenting a warm smile, Flash Freeze lightly shook her head while setting fish-stuffed sacks beside the inactive clay kiln. "Save me the concern, Father. If ever the unlikely occurrence I'd cross paths with a grizzly, pray for the latter." She playfully retorted. Departing from the kiln's flank, Flash Freeze quickly reached and posed opposite the aged patriarch, divided between a varnished, oaken plateau, its brilliant sheen dancing brightly beneath light rays streaming through the hut's sole, stick-frame window.

Another voice sighed, exasperated. “Dear Goddess, you’re silly!” A mareish voice groaned worryingly. “I should’ve never let those colts infect your fragile mind.” She mumbled.

Flash Freeze shrugged, staying silent in favor of examining her afternoon meal: Μπάλα κοτόπουλου, three spherical stuff pastries containing shredded meats, vegetables, and several spices. Steam gently rolled off their golden-brown hides, wafting directly into Flash Frezze's muzzle, sharp traces of honey, chicken, and cinnamon causing her mouth to water. Highlighting her enticing main course, It required everything she held not to instantly guzzle down the mug of mead a hair's width outside her left hoof's reach. "Bah! Fragile," Swift Strike scoffed, "Never in my life had anypony tumble down a cliff and survived with just scratches- our little filly's built sturdier than a royal palace!" He stated proudly. Yet, his sentiment wasn't mutual, as Flash Freeze's culinary fantasies abruptly halted as she mentally cringed.

“Well, she wouldn’t have fallen if she’d looked where her hooves were, running alongside that abhorred mountainside.” She shivered. “I’ve had my fair share of death-taunting moments when you broke your leg, mister. I don’t care if my sweet foal was born from the Goddess’s bones- she still gets hurt, regardless. How’s she going to hitch a nice, respectable stallion and live a proper mare’s life if she gets crippled- or worse?”

“Mother, that happened winters ago.” Flash Freeze interjected, rolling her eyes. “Unlike before, I’m not ignorant enough to unknowingly rush onward. I’ve matured!” She protested, desperately trying to end this conversation before her freshly baked meal turned cold.

The now visibly miffed white-haired, amber-coated mare on her right redirected her semi-glaring, sky-blue eyes at Flash, frowning.

“Sometimes I wonder, seeing as you didn’t take the safe path to the river.” She deadpanned, seeing multiple scratches where branches grazed Flash’s body.

“...”

“...Can we eat now?” Swift Strike asked tiredly.

“...Yes.” Flash’s mother replied evenly.

All three earth ponies fell pleasantly silent, connecting their hooves and reciting a brief prayer before picking apart their identical dishes. Flash's mother devoured hers slowly but efficiently, finishing one hoof-sized pastry in three to four miniature bites, creating no mess. In contrast, Swift Strike expressed reckless abandonment, tearing into his food like a rabid wolf and its prey and noisily chugging his mead- which always stopped, thanks to her mother's critical stare. Flaring Dawn, Flash's Mother, embodied what defined a matriarch, including an- overbearing -flaw or two, but meant well. Cook, clean, teach, and nurture, there wasn't anything she couldn't do. Long ago, when Flash first met and befriended some local hooligans to join their adventures, her mother worried from Hades and back, especially if she returned home presenting a new scrap or cut. Even after their village's shekel-hungry unicorn gang became too much and they successfully escaped, Flaring Dawn's efforts increased tenfold. Living amongst uncharted mountains proved stressful, and nopony other than her understood that fully. While Flash Freeze occasionally finds Flaring Dawn's strict and overly cautious nature bothersome, she does her best to satisfy her mother’s wishes. The towering mare could handle herself if need be, but fighting wasn’t as important as gathering food or firewood. Swift Strike and Flaring Dawn were getting old, leaving Flash the majority brunt of labor, not that she complained…often.

“Moving on. Flash, have you repaired the wagon and tended to the livestock?” Her Mother asked, cleaning her lips with a cloth. “And keep your elbows off the table; sit up!” She hastily added.

Flash nodded, “Yes, ma’am, getting to the nearest village shouldn’t be challenging. And our critters are looking as healthy as ever.” She reported, straightening her arching spine. The closest- and only spice-rich -village was ten leagues north, taking forty minutes to travel briskly on a clear day. Also, besides Flash partaking in odd jobs to gather extra shekel’s, Swift Strike works as their local butcher.

The working stallion chuckled, “Good job, kid, ‘proud of you.” He said.

Despite her Father's kindly praise, Flash Freeze's smile dropped.

It felt like she had forgotten something important, a distant, foggy memory that crushed her tightening chest and scolded her wet eyes. Peering through her right side, the withered Goddess stood motionless, cracks adorning its base. To Flash Freeze's left, the hut's standalone window. Why did everything outside resemble a wet oil painting? Surely, luscious trees and dew-covered grass didn't spontaneously smudge, forming incoherent blobs, right? Swallowing a restrictive lump forming inside her throat, Flash opened her strangely dry mouth.

“Hey, um, Mother. Father? Do you see what’s happening out-?” Turning back to her parents, the massive mare’s voice disappeared, shock decorating her features.

“A shame,” Swift Strike voiced, noticeably more downtrodden than seconds prior, frowning sadly. “I’d hope you wouldn’t awaken this early. How the years fly by.” He sighed, his head dipping. Similarly solemn but not meeting her daughter's gaze, a teary-eyed Flaring Dawn weakly suppressed a sob, covering her mouth.

“Oh, dear…” She repeatedly muttered, shaking.

“Mother! Uh, Dad, what are-!” Flash Freeze’s right hoof shot up and placed her white-hot upper left foreleg inside a death grip, suppressing an agonizing shriek as the feeling of warm liquid drenched her coat and hoof. “Agh! What’s going on?!” She grunted through gritted teeth, the hut’s smooth walls cracking and crumbling around her. “Ah, it hurts!”

Swift Strike, remaining unspoken, stole a momentary look at his collapsing home, then back to Flash. “I’d wish nothing more than to comfort you, dear. But, it’s time to wake up.” He chuckled bitterly.

Forgetting her suffering limb and rotting surroundings, Flash Freeze shot her father a bizarre look. “Speak plain, Father! Agh! W-We need to leave.” She panicked.

Sadly, trying to stand resulted in Flash barely moving an inch. Confused, she looked down-

-and screamed.

Clawing, tearing her thighs apart like starving beasts, chipped, decaying hooves tore at her legs, serrated blades ripping off bleeding chunks and strips not dissimilar to tree bark. Their owners appeared straight from Hades itself, rotting carcasses producing loud, bloody, and guttural moans, their layered whispering too fast and loud for Flash to discern. Oh, Goddess, nothing could hopefully reach the level of unimaginable torment she felt, the torture of a hundred red-glowing branding irons tirelessly stabbing her exposed muscle. “H-Help!” Flash cried, borderline hyperventilating.

“I can’t.” Swift Strike firmly said, baffling his daughter. “This isn’t real, Flash. You need to calm down.”

“P-Please!” She repeated.

“Calm down.” Flaring Dawn interjected, her voice just above a frail whisper.

Flash Freeze wasn’t listening, the ringing becoming overwhelming the more she thrashed and bashed against her attackers’ hooves, receiving little change. Flash Freeze was going to die! Why were they sitting there?! Pain, pain, pain! She begged anypony to end her misery- to put an end to this nightmare! “Mother! Father! I beg of you, please stop this!” Full-on bawling by this point, Flash Freeze didn’t care about the tears blinding her vision, her attackers’ appendages crawling up her trembling frame.

Then, a tender hoof touched her shoulder.

Holding off her thrashing, Flash saw Swift Strike’s forced but reassuring smile push through the teary veil.

“Breathe.” He said.

“Da-D-!” She tried saying again but was interrupted.

“Breathe. It’ll be alright. Trust yourself as you’ve trusted us, my little warrior.”

Hesitantly, Flash Freeze closed her muzzle and eyes, and everything outside her eyelids soon became silent. In and out. The towering mare's chest raised and lowered, redoing the same relaxing motions until her shaky breaths flattened out. In and out. Cool, tumbling currents washed over her, a nostalgic, comforting sensation finding its way into her chest once more. In and out. Her Father's words echoed inside her head; it isn't real; calm down. In and out. The Vanguard didn't teach her to yield before panic. In and out. Opening her eyes after what seemed an eternity, she gasped quietly at the cliff-side view ahead, the air smelling of pine sap and firewood as Celestia's sun dipped below the mountain-littered, twilight horizon. "W-Wait? Who's Celest-"

"Aw, you already started?" Whined a disturbingly familiar voice. Hearing it, She absentmindedly dropped a skinned white rabbit and crimson-coated blade.

Materializing on her right, a notably older and faintly disappointed Sky Slicer stole the log seat's vacant spot on her right, carrying a hoof-crafted knife and second, limp, rabbit. "I know you're eager, Storm, but at least wait until I grab my trusty dagger!" He laughed lightly, much to her confusion and disbelief.

"...S-Sky?" Storm Breaker sputtered owlishly.

The matured stallion’s smile partially sank, quirking a troubled eyebrow in suspicion. "Yes? That's me. Are you feeling alright? It looks like you've seen a phantom." He joked, sheepishly laughing. Sky Slicer's older appearance, voice, and eyes, disregarding her outward bewilderment, stunned Storm Breaker, who violently flinched hearing her comrade's question. “Woah!” He shouted, leaning back.

Storm Breaker, realizing her blunder, regained her composure and nodded, “Yes, Sky, I’m fine. I was just lost- thinking.” She sloppily lied, unwilling to entertain the nightmarish memories that’d occurred moments ago.

Sky Slicer scowled softly, obviously not buying her act.

“I-It was about my parents.” She begrudgingly included, diverting her awkward gaze toward the snow underneath her heavy hind hooves. Their aged, sunken face sent shivers up her back, remembering their solenm looks. It couldn’t have been a mere stray thought- she still felt those savage hooves scraping her burning legs raw. Luckily, the stubborn stallion snorted passively, satisfied with her answer.

“So, have any more stories you have before I joined the Vanguard?” He politely asked.

Taking his dagger, Storm Breaker watched as he perfectly skinned the plump, snow-white rabbit from neck to tail, not a hint of disgust infecting his content expression. “It’s been a while since you’ve told me one after Gran’s funeral. Maybe a tale containing her likeness? No, that’s too soon. Sorry, Storm.” He apologized. What was he talking abo-.

Oh! Stupid Storm Breaker, wrapped up within her thought that somepony like Sky Slicer unnerved her. Shameful, really. Gran's declining health is why her comrades went their respective ways, indirectly including the end of the three tribal feud and Windego's reign. That's who Celestia is, an alicorn of myth who mysteriously appeared one day and united unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies alike- everypony knew that by now. And there hadn't been a word from the Vanguard past their assistance of Gran's send-off, her corpse's ashes scattered across the ever-constant drafts by now. In numerous ways, the melting frost, creeping green, and frequenting chirps were worth suffering for so that every earth pony could experience what she only dreamed of. Swift Strike recounted the same tired fables of green grounds, breathing trees, and exotic creatures prancing beneath the flame-hot sun. Last fortnight, Storm Breaker discovered a curious thing sluggishly trudging alongside the riverbank- a pint-sized, armored dragon. Although the armor mostly covered its back. The warrior mare initially thought the strange creature to be hurt, but getting closer had frightened the knee-high beast, equally shocking Storm when its legs and head retreated inward.

Ah, look at her rambling again. The point is that a lot has changed; she could hardly keep track. Fillies and colts today using the improper ‘I’ instead of ‘Thou’ these days- how time flies by. It reminded the warrior mare of her younger years.

“It’s alright, kid. No harm. Gram wouldn’t want us fussing about her anyway.” She giggled.

Sky Slicer chuckled, “Here’s to hoping her ghost doesn’t come back to haunt us.” He said, presenting a freshly skewered rabbit. “Imagine hearing one of her lectures come midnight.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” She replied, “Say, your undressing skills have improved.”

Huh, when did Sky build a fire pit? Nevertheless, the matured stallion placed his skewered rabbit atop crackling flames, hoisted by two cross-shaped supports. “Thanks. I’ve learned it from the best.” He said, giving a knowing grin before reclaiming his spot. “That reminds me, I wanted to say something to you.” Sky Slicer perked, beaming. Turning his upper body, he gave Storm a good view into his eyes.

"You've done many things for me and everypony you've saved. I know you don't like praise, but you're more than a loud, battle-hungry soldier out for blood. My life until meeting you guys was as good as any earth ponies during those dark years, and I didn't want to waste away, to go outside under constant fear of death. Your group gave me an opportunity! But you. I was comfortable being around you, the mirrored version I'd never hoped to achieve." A grimace inexplicably crossed Sky, sighing. "This isn't much coming out of me, considering I'm not the real Sky Slicer. But, as your memories of him, it isn't your fault."

"Huh?" Storm Breaker sounded.

Without warning, the matured stallion fell forward, wrapping his forelegs around Storm's torso and squeezing firmly. "You always said plans never go as expected. There wasn't a thing you could've done. You’ve shown me the true bravery and courage of a warrior, and I used what I learned to save you guys." He softly said.

Feeling her trembling lower lip, a numb Storm scoffed. "Don't say that! There had to be a way. I…could’ve saved you." She feebly argued.

"Nevertheless, it's true." Sky retorted instantly, "That doesn’t mean you're any worse for living afterward- you, and everypony else, cared and kept fighting. I won’t hate you for it. And, for what it is worth, I'm sorry. Never had I intended to cause you such grief." He said. Parting his embrace, Sky Slicer turned upward, following an onyx-colored, golden helmet-wearing raven descending on them. The elegant bird flawlessly perched atop Sky's outstretched foreleg, cawing loudly.

"Dreams sure are weird, huh?" He asked, laughing.

Storm’s lead-heavy forelegs bent inward, stopping at her chest level. “I-I…don’t want this to be a dream!” She begged foalishly, seeing her hooves absent of moisture or melted snow as her parents’ elderly faces smiled within her memory. It didn’t even fell cold.

Sadly, the matured stallion frowned, “Me too. Dreams are magnificent, temporary escapes, Storm.” Lowering his foreleg, Sky Slicer threw the helmet-wearing raven caw perch skyward, the majestic avian flapping its expansive wings. “Yet, there are those waiting for you to wake up. I won’t lie and say things to make you think whatever comes next will be easy or pleasant, but all I ask is that you try. Live the life we all strive to live. Be your best self.” He smiled, facing the shrinking raven silhouette in the distance. “You were always short-sighted, though, focused on the now rather than later. So let me say one final thing.”

Caught off guard, Storm Breaker watched Sky Slicer’s memory stand, his look inviting her to join. “Kid…” She muttered, rising.

“If you ever find the real Sky Slicer, give me- him one of your uncle’s peaches. You can’t forget the looks he gave you every time you brought them up.” He said.

…The weeping Storm Breaker hugged Sky’s memory, her legs ready to buckle.

Regardless of the approaching uneasiness and painful dread plaguing her brief, sweet dreams, the warrior mare strongly resisted abandoning Sky Slicer, no matter what form he took, her culminated memories of him or not. Nonetheless, she reluctantly let go, discovering the matured stallion nowhere in sight, a moaning, blood-soaked mass of darkness growing in her vision’s far corner. Facing away, Storm Breaker took a deep, easy breath as the picturesque horizon darkened, stars decorating the night sky. The earth below her hooves shifted, one pounding, the rest tensing.

In and out.

It hadn’t taken the warrior mare three bounds to cross the open space, leap above the roaring fire, and straight off the cliffside.

In and out.

The unruly, untamable winds pushed Storm’s body faster and faster downward, the warrior’s eyes closing and letting gravity do its magic. She hoped to the Goddess this truly was all a dream.

In and out.

Then, the world went blank.

In and…

Where am I?

Clenching my sore jaws, chipped teeth alight with fiery pain, I resist groaning. Goddess, I hurt- worse than that damn three-headed snake.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Oh, you’ve got to be joking.

Yep, cheap bed sheets rubbing against my bandaged-covered body like sandpaper, revolting disinfectant scents souring my already dilapidated lungs, obnoxiously loud contraptions blaring beside my ringing, muffled ears? Fuck me, I hate hospitals. It also didn’t help that my stomach’s performing backflips- hopefully I had lost my second eye, so I won’t experience whatever tortuous vertigo awaited me.

“You’re finally awake!” Agh! You noisy, insensitive prick! “Ah, my apologies, ma’am! You surprised me.” If my good eye wasn’t covered I’d glare. Whatever, he was making excuses because I practically buried myself into this crappy bed from shock. Hearing the likely white coat-wearing doctor’s clops closed-in, I forced myself to relax, even when his hooves ripped off the bed sheet. Feeling the fridged, metal disk glide across my chest, he hummed happily. “This might come too late, but refrain from sudden movement, Ms. Storm. Your week-old injuries haven’t fully healed, and your unique physiology is delaying our available unicorns’ recovery spells.” He idly said, removing his metal disk seconds later, finishing his brief examination.

I flinched subtly, “A-A…week?” I tried saying, producing frail, dry words. A full week! How many bad habits do I have?!

The Doctor hummed affirmatively, “Correct. It’s a miracle you're awake right now- we expected, at most, two weeks.” He happily announced. “I must admit, every academic and physician aware of your existence has a right to be star-struck. A pony able to passively counteract outside mana input. It’s unheard of outside non-magically dependent, ancient ponies such as yourself. No offense.” Awkwardly laughing, I practically felt his recoiling expression.

“None taken,” I replied, softening my tone for comfort, “Just tell me what I missed.”

“Very well.”

For the duration of an hour, the unseen doctor recounted the aforementioned few days Storm Breaker missed. Shortly after Captain Shining Armor and his newlywed wife sent Queen Ego Trip and her boot-licking off-spring to high-Υπέροχο αεροπλάνο, Canterlot started licking its wounds. Everypony scrapped changeling guts off walls, unclogged rubble-blocked streets, and administered first aid for injured civilians, leaving Canterlot primarily clean once the aftermath's third day broke dawn. And, somehow, ponies still attended the Love Alicorn's wedding beforehoof, neverminding how appalling the battle left the Castle's royal gardens- including an afterparty, song number and everything. The Elements of Harmony themselves were safely secured, and Celestia gave Twilight's gang full, 24/7 ownership to avoid future incidents. Canterlot's all but rebuilt, the nobles are happy, yada yada, and life is now hunky dory again. I stopped listening halfway through, trapped in the middle of fatigue, a skull-splitting headache, and the doctor's droning, overly professional voice.

Suddenly, the doctor gasped, “One more thing, ma’am. Princess Luna requested me to pass on a message once you’ve awakened.” He said, regaining my interest. “As the master of dreams, Her Majesty attempted numerous times to elevate your minor anoxic coma via the dreamscape. Safe to say it worked. During this time, she observed your dreams, which she explicitly withheld for personal wellbeing.”

I snorted. I’ve heard about Luna’s ability here and there, some guards telling each other their personal encounters on break. How long had I been asleep? My parents. Sky Slicer. Maybe my other comrades? How often did I reenact fictional scenes with them, unaware of the physical world? I didn’t see Luna- is there a reason for that? Whatever the case may be, I nodded again, pressing a hoof against my temple.

“Is that so? What’d she find?” I replied flatly.

“Due to your overabundance of concern regarding a particular stallion, I’m happy to inform you that Ex-Senior Advisor and guard captain Olive Branch is alive and healthy.

Finishing off his latest coughing fit, Olive Branch pounded his armorless, bandaged chest, regretting it instantly afterward. “Ah! Damnit!” He whisper-shouted, not wanting to disturb other patients mulling about Canterlot General’s open courtyard.

Too bad, sleeping on the grass wasn’t an option unless he felt like climbing into his newfound wheelchair- bad back and all. Brand-spankin’ new, he might add; strap a rocket behind it, and its stainless-steel wheels would haul his happy ass to Dodge Junction and back without an oil change or tune-up! “Dear Celestia, being old sucks.” He moped, frowning. Don’t drink! It’s bad for your recovery! The doctors constantly complained. “Wadda they know about liquor? Lightweights, a young buck like myself can handle a small sip.” He chuckled. Without his partner, liquor was about the next best thing to keep him young and level-headed. Searching for somepony or a doctor- and finding nopony -watching him, the elderly stallion mischievously chuckled, reaching his wheelchair’s blanket-concealed underside.

Reamurging, Olive held Storm Breaker’s gift triumphantly, the flask like a golden bar in his hoof.

“Getting you past security better be worth what’s inside, little guy.” He grinned. Brandishing a ghastly dent on one side, Olive Branch’s victorious grin shifted into a mirthful smile, giving the flask a shallow swirl. Chrysalis’s blast did a nasty number on his chest, Olive admitted. However, if not for Storm’s Flask and a rushed shield he conjured above his chest, a giant, purple bruise and fractured spine would’ve been the least problematic- and fatal -outcome. “Cheers! To healing magic and my lovely friend.” He toasted openly.

“Please, somepony, stop that mad-mare!”

“My leg!”

“Halt!”

“Mrs, you’re in no condition to move!”

Ah, earlier than he expected. Like a converging tornado, several panicked cries intermingled with loud crashing, muffled behind the courtyard's rear glass walls, alerted the nearby ex-guard. Olive Branch smiled, daintily sipping his flask before, BANG, both doors connecting the hospital's cafeteria and courtyard exploded outward.

“WHERE HIS HE?!” A familiar voice demanded.

Turning his wheelchair on grass was challenging, dirt and mud caking its wheels, but Olive managed alone- provided his, frankly, overworked nurse stood nearby, conversing with her co-workers. Poor thing’s eye bags were larger than her eyes; flipping him around wasn’t worth her time. What he didn’t manage, though, was a several-hundred-pound mare half-tackling, half-hugging him onto the ground, trapping his neck in a bear hug. Luckily, their short-lived crash ended without Olive’s chest completely caving, Storm Breaker’s incoherent blessings and apologies filling his ears as medical staff and guards came toward him. “And the Colts say I lost my charm.” He joked, patting his partner’s back. “I’m glad to see you, darling, but please get off me. This old timer’s had enough rough-n’-tumbling for a while.”

Storm Breaker nodded, letting go reluctantly and moving back, providing a prone Olive Branch a decent view. However, Olive overstated her physical appearance as ‘decent,’ a dark grimace overtaking his expression. “Storm…your leg.” He said in a low tone. Once where a mighty, tree-thick limb stood, a bloody-bandaged stump remained, sporting one of many dangling I.V tubes sprinkled across Storm’s similarly battered, stitched, freshly scarred, and mummified figure.

“I…that doesn’t matter,” She instantly replied, clearing her loosely-covered right eye of tears, her facial wrappings looping her head, obscuring her right cheek and scalp. “You’re here. I couldn’t be happier.” She smiled brightly.

Just as Storm began slumping over, exhausted and weak, her royal guard pursuers caught her, gently laying out the massive mare while doctors brought out the stretcher. One particular doctor stood out: Storm’s first day, modern-Equestrian contact, and his alcohol-hating dictator. “Dr. Sawbones. My partner giving you trouble again?” Olive laughed, the breathless physician panting heavily, kneeling over.

“Who…knew a- *wheeze* -three-legged…pony,” Dr. Sawbones raised a silencing hoof, “could run…so fast?” He finished. Olive chuckled again; yep, it sounded part of the course for Storm.

Waiting for Sawbones to regain his breathing, Olive offered his flask, “Need this?” He asked.

Raising an exasperated brow, Dr. Sawbones roughly snatched Olive’s gift, pocketing it within his pearly-white coat. “No, I’m still on duty, sir. And that’ll be confiscated until your release.” He scolded, receiving a deflated look. “Otherwise, Luna will be raising her moon soon. I suggest you rest well. Good day.” Before Olive could protest, the physician ran off, following the unconscious Storm Breaker inside.

His tired nurse departing from her co-worker’s conversations, Olive sighed.

“I hate hospitals.” He grumbled.

Chp 29: Free

Celestia unleashed a drawn-out sigh, slacking her rigid shoulders as her golden magic expertly removed each gleaming garment, positioning them onto a nearby ponyiequin. "You'll have to excuse my appearance," She apologized, sitting before a mirror-topped dresser, brushing her disheveled mane. "Nopony told me of your sudden audience." Seeing as she teleported into her bed chambers once day-court ended, the solar diarch couldn't blame anypony for her impatience.

"You're good; with this busted leg of mine, or lack thereof, I decided to come early." Storm Breaker huffed from behind, sitting at a small table. "Can't ignore an audience with an alicorn, can I?" She sarcastically said.

In response, Celestia chuckled softly, now brushing her disheveled mane. Celestia desperately needed some quiet time between helping restoration efforts for Canterlot, dealing with civil unrest, and her ponies’ growing fear of surviving changelings. What better way to spend it than with a friend over tea? Luna’s night court started hours ago, and most solar guards have likely turned in for tonight. Shining Armor and her niece departed Canterlot shortly after their wedding ended, returning to Mexicolt for their honeymoon. And Twilight also left yesterday, alongside her friends. So, that meant Storm Breaker was last.

Not that the solar diarch felt discouraged about meeting the ex- knight's acquaintance, but the rowdy warrior mare apparently despised rest and leisure. Despite missing a limb, Celestia chuckled inward, remembering moments when doctors caught Storm Breaker on one of her unsupervised walks and chased her through the crowded halls. Simply put, Storm Breaker certainly hadn’t lost her wild side.

Luckily, said ‘wild side’ appeared absent tonight, ghosts of dim bags underneath her exposed eye, idly detailing the table’s surface. Strange, Celestia thought to herself. Weeks back, the most pleasant gesture Storm Breaker would’ve shown was an ice-cold glare. She huffed.

“Hm?” Storm Breaker called, redirecting her sights onto Celestia's back.

Smiling, Celestia returned her brush to its rightful place among an assortment of beauty supplies, spinning around. “Nothing. Just a silly thought.” She replied, getting up and joining the bandaged mare. “You didn’t have to come, Storm- I said at your earliest convenience. You’re still healing, after all, and I’d imagine Doctor Sawbones wasn’t so keen on my proposal.” She giggled politely.

Storm Breaker rolled her single optic. “Screw’ em. It’s been…What? Two weeks? My flank’s sore thinking about that crummy bed, and who better to give me an excuse to skip boring things like recovery than the princess herself?” She grinned mischievously.

Shaking her head, the solar diarchy magic navigated the delicate endeavor of delivering tea to two identical tea cups, the steaming liquid having partially cooled.

Levitating her ivory-white, gold-trimmed vessel to her lips and absorbing its sage taste, she nodded. “Yes, indeed. Anywho, I hope you know why I’ve requested your audience, Storm.” When she received a slow head shake, Celestia’s smile grew, a rolled parchment snaking out from the table’s underbelly. “If that is the case, surely you remember the sentence I and Luna put upon you?” At her reminder, Storm’s eye bulges in surprise.

“I…uh…” Refusing to meet Celestia’s eyes, she uncharacteristically- and awkwardly -raises her tea cup and steals a comical, drawn-out sip.

“Calm yourself, Storm,” Celestia said amusingly, stifling a humored laugh. “Your forgetfulness during these hectic times is something I share.”

Storm Breaker lowered her beverage, “So…I’m not going to be thrown into the dungeons?” She quizzically questions, getting a nod. “Hm, lucky me. I’d thought you’d get on my case over that supply cart I crashed into the other day. Or when I caused that full-casted pegasus to burn rubber out the hospital's entryway. Or the day I accidentally threw up on your cake when I ran and hid from the nurses in the kitchen. Or-” Storm Breaker’s mindless listing wistfully fell silent, dutifully executed when she noticed Celestia's irate glare. “Ya, I…think you got the idea.” She mumbled. “...sorry.”

Sighing, and taking a calming sip, Celestia sat straighter. “Other than your recent…misadventures, you’re not in trouble, Storm.” Unfurling the parchment, the solar diarch’s tired eyes scanned the scroll before reversing it, facing Storm Breaker. “Otherwise, I humbly declare one Mrs Storm Breaker free of her charges and lifted of her punishment.” She said, warmly watching Storm’s bewilderment turn into disbelieving shock. Getting the counsel and her sister to sign such a royal relief form took more effort than Celestia cared to admit; while Luna required less convincing, the counsel never agreed to one thing prior. Half still expressed resentment of the warrior mare’s past actions, a small portion proposed half-and-half solutions which changed little regarding Storm’s sentence, and the rest were neutral. Needless to say, Celestia ham-fisted her blatantly biased vote, the final decision narrowly falling in favor of Storm Breaker's freedom. “From here on out, consider yourself a welcomed Equestrian citizen, free to make her own decisions. Go wherever you wish, do whatever you want. You’re a free mare now.”

Stunned, Storm Breaker's deafening silence was broken by the crinkling of parchment as the overwhelmed brought her release document closer as if expecting the formatted lettering and signatures to vanish. After wordlessly mouthing a sentence or two, Storm Breaker’s eye tore away, narrowing at Celestia.

“Why?” She breathlessly asked.

“Because you deserve it.” Celestia bluntly replied, noticing the confused mare faintly flinch. “You helped retake Canterlot and stopped Chrysalis’s invasion, surely that shows your worthiness at a new beginning?”

A sad smile grazed Storm Breaker’s lips. “Don’t be cruel, Celestia. Somepony like me don’t deserve this kindness. I did what I was told, nothing more.” She said, gently massaging the parchment’s smooth surface. “Your punishment, thinking back, was the least I deserved.” Almost inaudible, Storm chuckled bitterly. “The things I did…the ponies I hurt…nothing I’ll do could repay the debts and lives I abandoned three thousand years ago.”

Pondering her self-targeted criticism, Celestia finished her tea and shook her head. “Forgive me if I come off as rude, but don’t you think it's time to move on?” She said. Not giving a visibly offended Storm Breaker a moment to speak, she continued. “Speaking from experience, troubling yourself over matters long since passed isn’t a wise choice. After banishing my little sister, I spent countless nights awake, peering toward the twinkling cosmos above, praying Luna’s forceful departure was a terrible nightmare. Alas…I stayed trapped within the same nightmare for a thousand years, alone. During that, foolish decisions nearly cost my nation's safety, took griffon lives partaking in meaningless war, and made life miserable for my little ponies. I excused those horrible actions, wallowing in the bitterness and hollowness, degrading myself instead of learning to better my act and lead Equestria proper.”

“Then, one special day, I met an introverted, bright, and eager eight-year-old unicorn filly.” Celestia sighed, looking out a nearby window. “I tutored dozens of proteges beforehoof. Some succeed more than others. However, Twilight was different. Seeing her adorable face glow brighter than my sun when she succeeded in an assignment…made me feel happy. For once, I could forget the self-loathing and guilt and simply share Twilight's happiness, to see through my faults.” Tears glossed Celestia's smiling, distant eyes. “Ten years isn’t significant to somepony who’s lived that and a thousandfold. Yet, the day I sent her off to Ponyville, every single second of that decade replayed endlessly, worsening the further the chariot flew.” Wiping her wet eyes, Celestia gave a shaky laugh. “I don’t think I’ve cried any harder in my life than on that day. The joy, sorrow, and lingering hollowness obscured my thoughts, so I remembered how proud I felt of her.” Celestia paused, breathing deeply while Storm patiently sat by, wearing an unreadable expression. “You can’t imagine how I’d felt once Luna, or Nightmare Moon, returned and trapped me within my own celestial body. Seeing my sister, no older than the day we last fought, crushed my soul. Especially the way she cowered when I approached. Nevertheless, happiness overtook my turmoil, and the weight of a thousand, lone years left their perch upon my shoulders. The rest is history.” She finished, her throat thoroughly parched.

Storm Breaker frowned, Celestia poured herself another cup of tea, “At least you were able to find closure.” She muttered, “I get what you’re saying, Celestia. But I can’t, like, summon the ponies I killed and say ‘sorry for being a Φαύλος.’ I’m not a filthy μαύρος μάγος.” She huffed.

“You’re wrong, Storm.” Celestia retorted, “I’m not asking you of such. All I’m expecting of you is to look past things haunting your soul.”

“Like you and your father?”

The question came out of left field, leaving Celestia dumbfounded and mentally fumbled as Storm’s apprehensive glare turned damp. “S-Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” She quickly apologized, tightening her grip on her cold tea.

“...No, you are correct,” Celestia said, regaining her composure after a minute of quiet. “Similar to Nightmare Moon, monsters like King Platinum don’t deserve a second of remembrance, despite how many times my mind brings me back to him. To burden oneself with regret is no different from chopping off your limbs- Oh, please excuse my wording.”

The warrior mare shrugged, “We’re even.”

Celestia cracked a weary smile. “My point is: we’re better than our former lives. For both our outward appearances and experiences, the unwavering truth is that you and I are ponies. We may never totally forget the sins we’ve committed, but it’s the least we can do to grow as ponies. Navigating life and dealing with our problems alone isn’t in our nature. Everypony deserves a chance at happiness- and the ponies they acquire help along the way. Twilight proved that, and I think you have somepony strikingly alike in that regard.” Flashing Storm Breaker a knowing smile, Celestia watched the realization cross the mare’s features.

“Olive Branch?” Storm exhaled, sagging her shoulders. “I don-.”

“Yes, you do.” Celestia immediately interrupted, “Olive Branch helped me immensely during his roles as guard captain and advisor. Nearly as wise as Star Swirl, not including the drinking, of course. You are worthy of happiness, Storm Breaker, Olive Branch agrees. It’s partially why he’s taken a keen interest in you.”

A startled jolt rocks Storm’s body, a reddish hue infecting her muzzle. “How’d you know?” She said.

“You think Olive Branch sits around all day, doing nothing when he isn’t with you?” She teasingly suggested, the meek mare grimacing. “It doesn’t hurt talking to an old friend from time to time.” She added.

Following their brief bout of banter, Celestia and Storm Breaker switch to more mundane topics, letting the hours bleed until midnight arrived. Both exchanged personal tales, jokes, and idle chatter of daily life. Storm Breaker recounted the ponies that formed her group and what they were like, and Celestia told stories of Canterlot’s earlier years and the prank wars she’d wage with Luna. Needless to say, the ruler and knight enjoyed each other’s company late into the early morning, the former taking note of a wall clock reading three-forty-two. Unleashing an unmarelike yawn, Celestia deserted the table and empty tea set, stretching her joints accompanied by audible pops.

“As much as I enjoyed our conversations, Storm Breaker, time and rest stops for nopony.” Celestia said with a flat smile, internally groaning at the prospect of day court in her sleep-deprived condition. “Due to your newfound freedom, you’re no longer required to stay on castle grounds if you so choose. The same goes for your employment- unless you wish to continue your service after your injuries heal.”

Storm nodded, releasing a yawn that sounded like a mix of a strangled bear and a g5 hurricane.

Seeing the colossal ex-knight rise from her seated position, Celestia faced away, locking onto her comfy bed. An hour or four couldn’t hurt, right? However, expecting an already-absent Storm Breaker and moving toward her cloud-like mattress, a muffled cough stopped the solar diarch halfway. Turning back to Storm once again, she saw apprehension and hesitation restrain the bandage mare’s sluggish movements and downcasted head, her eye finding the carpeted floor highly interesting. “Hey, can I ask you something?” She said.

Celestia quirked an eyebrow, “Of course,” She simply answered, “What’s on your mind?”

It was clear as day that Storm Breaker was having trouble with her request- biting her lip, narrowing her eye, and mumbling. Likely a favor or appeal of assistance, Celestia reasoned. “If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. I’ll do my best to support you.” She suddenly said.

Good, it seemed that her encouraging words put a stop to Storm’s reclusive worrying, the mare lifting her head. “You…said I was a free mare now, right?” Celestia nodded, “Then, you wouldn’t mind if I asked you for a favor.”

Celestia smiled, “If it’s within my power to do so, I shall listen.”

“Welcome back!” Entering my room, I’m mirthfully greeted by Olive Branch, who’s splayed out across the bed, armorless. “I’d thought you’d never return.” He added.

I chuckled lightly as I approached my occupied resting place while the old coot shifted over onto the left side, making enough space so I could collapse with a deflating sigh. Goddess above, has Celestia ever thought about getting regular chairs instead of using those crummy cushions? “My back’s killing me! Please, put me out of my misery!” I groaned lowly. Luckily, having only three aching legs gave me less to complain about- one positive of becoming an amputee.

Feeling pleasant warmth enrapture my upper body beneath inch-thick bed covers, Olive’s amused chortles lulled me onto my side, directly facing the grinning stallion. “Come now. If I off’d ya, who’d cause ponies chaos every time I go out on shift to keep it interesting.” He smiled coyly. Gently wrapping my foreleg around his waist, I cruelly punished this selfish fool by pressing his face against the bandage-free fluff plugging my chest. Ever since reuniting, I’ve noticed myself smiling more often whenever Olive was around, an addictive heat squeezing my lungs and heart. Tonight was the first night I had invited him inside my room under somewhat intimate circumstances, remembering the day he revealed his fondness for me. Holding him this close, feeling an alien, rhythmic heartbeat against my own, I never felt at peace.

Looking down, Olive’s upward shifting didn’t go unnoticed.

I should get my fur trim, but later. I’m having too much fun watching my prisoner worm his way to freedom, eventually greeted with a smirking, half-buried visage. “Okay, I apologize.” Olive playfully surrendered, feigning defeat. “So, how did your talk with Celestia go?” He asked.

“Well enough, I’m a free mare now.” I replied, earning a surprised reaction.

“That’s wonderful! You wonder what you’ll do now?” Olive said.

I idly trace circles along Olive’s lower back, “Kind of. I still wish to work as a guard- no surprise there.” Olive snorted in agreement. “I don’t think I can choose anything else. Otherwise, there isn’t a whole lot I know to enjoy my freedom. Past days usually consisted of hunting, walking, or fending off bandits, and being confined within a castle for months on end doesn’t give me many options for exploring.” I listed.

“There’s a farmers market happening in Ponyville next week,” Olive suggested, shrugging.

Upon hearing the countryside town's name, I perked up. “Oh, speaking of which, I plan on moving to Ponyville.” I said, earning a confused look.

“Why there?”

Canterlots noisy, cramped, annoying to navigate, the ponies make themselves REALLY punchable at times, there’s barely any room to breathe, walking on cobblestone roads and tiled floors for hours on end makes my hooves cramp, and every other gripe I have living amongst the mountain nobility I don’t feel like mentally listing out. The single redeeming factor I see is the consistently chilled climate. “It…reminded me of my fillyhood village. Minus the craziness and snow.” I simply answered. “And before you say anything, I don’t mind if you tagged along.”

“Considering my back’s nearly broken and you're not on Celly’s naughty list anymore, there’s no point in me staying here.” Olive said, chuckling longingly. Reminded of his injured mid-section, I automatically eased my one-hoof grip holding his back and frowned. Silence permeated between us instantly; Olive perceived my uneasiness instantly, regarding my downcast expression using his own.

“Olive. I…I-I’m sorry.” I meekly apologized, absentmindedly intending on flipping around if not for his blocking hoof holding my upper foreleg still.

His concerned eyes met mine, “What for?” He said.

Failing to respond immediately, I awkwardly diverted my gaze before releasing a hesitant sigh. “Everything…I guess. When I first heard about Chrysalis’s threat to Canterlot, I thought nothing of it. Unfortunately, it didn’t mean that these pointless worries kept bugging- how things could go pear-shaped if the threat turned out true. But after Canterlot was invaded, and you suddenly showed up and took Chrysalis’s attack for me…I th-thought you…died, and that I was lying to myself to avoid the fact that I’d failed you.” Doing my best to resist the forming lump restricting my throat, I inhaled shakily. “That…I’d failed again. Because every time I allow myself to love somepony, they always get hurt in the end. I-I couldn’t handle t-that again.” Damnit, why can’t I stop talking?! I’ll just ruin things before they even happen!

Much to my best attempts of salvaging whatever joy I hadn’t successfullydestroyed by being an emotional whiner, an olive-green hoof raised and…poked my muzzle’s tip, causing me to flinch. At least he got a good laugh. “At some point, darling, it’s important to know every little problem doesn’t involve you.” He said, smirking.

“H-Huh? But I-”

Cutting me off again, Olive rested a hoof under my still-bandaged right cheek, another involuntary flinch; like Hades did I want him seeing my mangled mouth, soaked cotton gauze and copper coating my mouth's inner walls and ceiling. “Lo~oking back, Twilight or I c-could’ve teleported you out of the way. I did what I did because I PANICKED! Nothing. To. It.” Olive groaned lazily, “Stupid me; I’m sorry I made you worry, Darling. But everything’s fine now!” He stated sloppily.

No, something isn’t right.

Was…was he not feeling well? D-Did he need a doctor again? I was sure he looked fine- no trembling, paling, or cold sweat! Well, h-he does feel warmer than usual. Shit. Wh- What am I supposed to do?

Then, a stray thought crossed my rattled, tangled thoughts. Peek over Olive’s prone form, I spotted an orange bottle on his side’s nightstand. Oh, right, that annoying doctor gave him pain pills for his chest and back, and they also made him tired- how did I forget, we received the same thing simultaneously. Although, I never took the doctor's warning about drowsiness. While I typically get somewhat drowsy, I guess it had greater effects on smaller ponies. Nonetheless, taking a second- and hasty -examination of Olive, his medication must’ve kicked in just now. Droopy eyes, slurred speech, and sluggish movement. Okay, correction, everything’s fine now. Olive’s just sleepy. Yeah. There’s nothing to worry about anymore.

Can’t I stop thinking stupid thoughts?

“I-I LOVE you,” Olive suddenly blurted, startling me, “Y-You’re a good mare, y’know?! That's why…I’ll NEVER let you go!” He playfully cackled, pressing himself against me tighter than earlier. “Let’s st-stop twiddlin’ our h-hooves, and sleep.” His muffled voice commanded.

…Okay, I couldn’t help but giggle, damn anypony who saw me. Silly bastard, you tell me that almost every day- it’s not what I’m scared about. I…I’ll tell him tomorrow. Right now, I’m exhausted.

Stifling my giggling, I hesitate momentarily before planting a light kiss on his exposed horn, feeling his dampened snoring ruffle my chest muscles.

“Sleep well, you adorable dork.”

Then, closing my eye, everything dissolved into blissful nothingness.

THE END...?

Chp1: Fall of the Storm Breaker

Lightning erupted across the darkened sky in a brilliant flash, Washing the snowy battleground in temporary blinding light. The moon, high in the midnight starry sky, cast a soft glow upon a violent massacre.

Mighty roars of soldiers rang through the air, multiple ponies both winged and not rushing forth at each other from two directions. Explosions caused by the last of the soaring cannon balls shook the earth in fiery explosions, scattering massive chunks of dirt across the war-torn landscape. Countless lifeless bodies lay about the tainted, crimson-colored snow, bathing it in red as the cold stole the remaining life of any injured soldier.

Despite the grim scene, and under the moon's light, a massive figure reared up, wielding a chipped and semi-dull greatsword between its teeth. In a single motion, it brought the weapon crashing down upon a smaller blade, creating a resounding clash of steel. And like a hot knife through butter, the almost toy-like sword broke instantly, leaving its owners, a pegasus wearing tribal armor, left and right sides parting ways lengthwise. Blood had exploded from the now-dead savage when the sword passed his abdomen, coating the towering figure in the crimson substance.

Leaving the end of its blade stabbed into the ground, their hardened eyes closed with a sigh escaping the figure's throat.

Less than two decades ago, the three tribes of Equestria crossed paths with one another in their own ways, which marked the beginning of Pony-kind's most important chapter in history. It started as simple trading matters, exchanging exotic goods for another, among other items such as food, clothing, and valuables. Settlements were established, relations were brewing, and the first record instance of harmony began.

Among the three tribes, unicorns stood apart from the other two races, particularly noted with unmatched intelligence and ability to withhold and manipulate mana.

They were first documented by the figure's tribe when a band of unicorns stumbled upon one of their races' villages. In contrast to their thirst for knowledge, most unicorns preferred staying in the luscious grass plains or crowded forests. The unicorns have also cultivated a reputation for embodying peace and tranquility. But, their demeanor to outsiders occasionally appeared snobbish.

The pegasi, known for their flight skills, have many unique advantages among the three races. While considered physically weaker in comparison, the pegasi's speed, when trained, could prove invaluable in various practical endeavors such as hunting or scavenging.

In addition, pegasi could force clouds to their bidding, producing snow, rain, and thunder at a single touch, giving them booming crop yields for trading with the help of the earth ponies. Their domain, located high in the atmosphere, stayed away from the ground's reach, leaving some to see them as arrogant or lazy.

Earth ponies held a practical combination of monstrous strength and unwavering stamina, making them perfectly viable for dangerous tasks and threatening beasts. Whether laboring tirelessly in fields or slaying wild beasts, the hardworking and proud race encapsulated a life of labor and battle. However, their tenacious existence cursed them with the annoyance of the unicorns, who viewed their way of life with disgust. Similarly, pegasi, with their "civilized" outlook on life, found the earth ponies' act of tenacity a product of savagery. Despite these prejudices, earth ponies thrive amidst rugged environments such as mountains, finding peace and harmony in their challenging surroundings.

However, everything truly came apart when the Wendigos arrived.

Before then, at the time, the three races started forming large plots of land coined as ‘countries’ for each of themselves, expansive land bordered by imaginary lines spanning entire fields, rivers, and rock.

Like the old earth pony saying goes: when the desire for ownership over something grand comes along, greed and destruction follow suit.

Fights broke out over these borders on a massive scale, usually leaving greenery fields and grazing plains soaked in the blood of ponies following its silent, hollow aftermath. Settlements were burned to ash, innocents slaughtered by the dozen, livestock raided in spite, and territories laid to ruin in conquest. Tensions grew high with the races’ leader’s demands for territory and wealth, and discrimination and prejudice spread like an infectious disease, leaving a path of guilty and innocent corpses.

It all went amassed when the Windigos, ancient creatures told in legend, descended from the heavens.

Covering everything living and dead in thick blankets of ice and snow with their terrible power. It killed populations of animals, ruined entire crop fields, and nopony was able to prevent it or cared to in their vengeful rage, blaming each other as the cause of the catastrophe. The accompanying hunger and food shortages only added to the fire of hate every race felt toward each other, especially for earth ponies and their nature-related magic that allowed a few crops to survive in the unforgiving frost.

As for the figure, a middle-aged earth pony mare -her life has known nothing except this hellish cold and endless war since birth. The atrocities committed by her tribe's enemies, the unicorn and pegasi, will forever remain a black spot in their history. They took away her village in the mountains, her friends, and her home; nothing was spared the agonizing fate of death that day except a hoof-full of survivors, including her. But, unlike other colts and fillies her age, who were affected by the attack, there was always that primal urge in the mare, clawing and fighting its way to the surface.

The urge to end one’s life in the most painful way possible.

Unbridled rage.

By looking at the battle-hardened mare's massive body, it was clear as a sunny spring day that she trained relentlessly for this single purpose- her muscles looking like they were almost ready to burst out from under the cow print fur. And covering the mare's muscular frame is a worn, battered suit of iron armor covering the chest, head, and flank, with as many scars plaguing the surface as the flesh underneath.

And as the figure plucked the sword's tip from the blood-soaked ground, moonlight shined off the blade, showing its bloody yet polished surface.

The mare spun around, hearing a battlecry and wing flaps from behind. Her sword followed as it swiftly beheaded a pegasus bolting straight for her. Stepping to the side, she let the corpse crash in the dirt, kicking up a cloud of white. Getting bored of defending the backline from flanking pegasi, she glanced at where the heart of the battle was, smiling madly as she landed on the ocean of brutality near the entrance of a stone fortress.

She grunted, hoisting the cumbersome great sword onto her shoulder, then bolted toward the main attraction of violence as her iron gauntlet-covered hooves thundered across the snow-covered ground. It wasn’t long before she arrived, only being delayed by a few pegasi along the way, a gleeful, gravelly crackle coming from her as she leaped away from the bloody trail of delays and into the massive crowd. Additional screams soon joined the flood of noise as the mare hacked and slashed at the enemy, stabbing, cutting, and mercilessly slaughtering them until their numbers started dwindling.

Unknown to the earth ponies, however, an injured pegasus managed to escape the raging war zone, flying up to a watch tower behind the wall. Once inside the tower's hut, the young pegasus pulled back a wooden lever, causing the gates to slowly open inwardly with a loud, ear-piercing screech, allowing the pegasi's comrades to retreat into the castle.

When a good portion of the pegasi field was behind the fort's wall, the injured pegasus was about to pull the lever again to block the earth ponies from following before an arrow pierced the young soldier in his left eye, killing him.

As the main doors remained open, even after completely pulling back, the Pegasi army noticed their lost escape, and along with it, their organization in panicked realization. The Earth pony army, outnumbering the enemy by the dozens, gladly forced their way into the fort's grounds, following the panicked pegasi army momentarily before giving the inner walls a fresh coat of crimson.

Disinterested in the racket surrounding her as she indifferently entered, the imposing mare scanned the area and landed on an intricate, spiral staircase towering scornfully in the center of the castle's expansive entrance chamber.

If the leader of the small army of cloud-kickers were anywhere in the fort, it'd be away from the fight, just as cowards do. With a huff, the warrior mare charged forth at the stairs. Anypony daring to impede the mare's haste was met with a swing of her sword or ruthlesslycrushed beneath her hooves. And arriving and climbing the staircase, the warrior, a quarter of the way up, was suddenly confronted by a trio of pegasi. Two hovered in the air close to the railing, spears in hoof, while the third firmly stayed on the steps as he glared and pointed his saber.

Unfortunately for them, the large earth pony, biting down on her sword's handle, cared little for the false show of bravo and chucked the weapon like a throwing knife.

Stunned by the display, the frontmost pegasi was taken aback by the outlandish maneuver aimed at him. His instinctual reaction to avoid death kicked in and caused him to stumble backward, losing his footing entirely as the sword pierced through the stone steps between his legs, causing them to shake violently. Unable to react from his position and stunned by the fall, the rising soldier fell prey to the warrior mare's vicious attack.

The warrior, spinning 180 degrees, delivered a devastating buck to the pegasi soldier's delicate face, causing a sickening sound of breaking bones and bleak darkness soon after.

Angered by the demise of their comrade, the remaining pair of pegasi blitzed through the air in a fury. With a sharp turn of their wings, the duo poised their sharpened spears at the mares, intended to pierce her neck.

Their attempt was unsuccessful, sadly, as the hulking mare slithered her body between their deadly weapons with split-second precision when they came close.

But as the warrior evaded the pegasi's spears, she failed to overstep the lifeless body at her hooves, his skull now one with the stone steps. In that moment of distraction, her footing faltered, making her lose her balance and slip forward on the narrow stairs, back turned away. Utilizing the warrior's falter, the pegasi returned, and their spears plunged deep into her backside's flesh with a sickening thud. Despite the intense cold flame consuming every nerve in her back, the mare let out a subtle hiss of anguish, feeling no vital organs were hit. She looked back, catching the proud Pegasi soldiers grinning naively at their imaginary victory.

Their smug expressions ignited a fresh surge of anger within her; with a fierce gaze and a trembling body, she began standing up.

As the two pegasi finally caught sight of the mare's still-breathing body rising, their grins slowly faded into expressions of fear and horror. A low growl rumbled deep within the mare's throat, her eyes boring holes into her enemies. She then released a yell of anger, rearing onto her hind legs, towering over the startled soldiers. They both let startled yelps escape them at the scene, stumbling back, caught off guard by the warrior's lack of visible pain.

The spears they once held remained firmly lodged in the taut flesh of the mare's backside.Τολμάς να χαμογελάς μπροστά στο θάνατό σου?! (You dare grin in the face of death?!)” The warrior roared, smashing her front hooves down and turning around just as the soldier’s stood up.

Without hesitation, the mare swiftly craned her neck and retrieved her sword from the stone stairs. With a single forceful thrust, the great sword ran through the first soldier's chest armor, exiting through his back. Wide-eyed and gasping for air, the pegasus choked on his own blood, his dying body lifted and hoisted over the stairs' right side railing. Left as the sole survivor, the pegasus mare trembled, raising her hooves in a desperate gesture of surrender.

“Λυπηθείτε με, σας ικετεύω! (Have pity on me, I beg you!).” She said, those being her final words preluding to the great sword running through her neck.

Expressing her disappointment with an audible snort, the mare turned away from the gruesome scene she had created. Without casting a second glance at the bloodied aftermath, she swiftly resumed her ascent up the stairs, all while she reached behind and removed the spears lodged in her back.

A month prior, the Pegasi had launched a successful assault on an outpost, seizing control of a fort that the earth ponies constructed for storing supplies and sheltering soldiers. Despite numerous attempts by the earth ponies to reclaim their fort, each attempt failed, with escalating casualties each attempt. The castle's well-crafted defenses turned the stone structure into an impenetrable, cannon-flanked castle, granting the Pegasi an advantage. The mare, able to freely slaughter the pegasi today, owed it to a simple understanding ingrained in her tribe's way of life: The understanding that resources could not last forever; this led to a gradual decline in the numbers of the overconfident pegasi due to starvation or simply fleeing the fort, leaving weak and vulnerable.

Whatever the circumstances were, the warrior was uncaring for them, continuing climbing the stairs until arriving at a broad, well-lit hallway at the top. Entering the hall, the mare's hoofsteps bounced off the wall's polished stone surfaces', contrasting the eerie silence gripping the air. Going by the lack of guards roaming the area, lit torches being the only thing besides the mare present, they most likely went downstairs to fight. Or they might've been the pegasi she killed.

Anywho, there was a singular destination the mare needed to reach in the fortress- or a single PONY she needed to find. Judging by the large doors the warrior eventually stumbled across, doors that led into the throne room, the Pegasi's leader resided there. She never knew why a fortress needed a throne, just a waste of material if anypony asked her. The warrior, closing in on the double doors, took a deep breath in anticipation.

Biting the bullet with the pain in her backside and hind legs, she spun around and reenacted the same buck she used on the earlier guard. There was a resounding crash and splintering of oak, the metal, busted lock where she struck soaring into the room.

Shockingly, the near hunk of damaged metal stopped mid-flight, a warm, white aura surrounding and holding it aloof. Ahead of the Warrior, on a golden throne, a strange pegasus stallion with a long, sharpened horn sat with an unamused glare directed at the titanic mare. His coat was like the first snowfall of winter, his silver mane forever gently flowing in an unseen breeze, and eyes of sapphire daggers. His mere presence seemed to outshine the moonlight pouring in from the wall-sized windows to the left.

“Ποιος τολμά να με απειλήσει? (Who dares to threaten me?)” He said, his eyes burning with annoyance as the lock, inches from his face, dropped to the ground before the elegant horned pegasus.

What was this...thing? A horned pegasus; or a winged unicorn? The mare was puzzled before shaking her head; this wasn't the time to play the guessing game. Scowling, the warrior shifted into an offensive stance, pointing her sword's dulled point at the horned pegasus. "Δεν έχω καμία πρόθεση να απονείμω τον τίτλο μου, αηδιαστικό παράσιτο! (I've no intention of bestowing my title, you disgusting vermin!)." She spat, letting out a battle cry before charging at the strange pony.

However, without a second to act, a bolt of searing white magic struck her chest, hurling her back into the hallway, where she slammed into the wall with a sickening thud.

The warrior's heart stopped for the tiniest second, starting again once she regained her bearings. Falling to her knees, she felt something rising in her throat, and with a harsh cough, blood flew from her maw and onto the ground, leaving a metallic taste on her tongue. Seeing double and hearing a piercing ring, the warrior stood on several wobbling legs, using the cracked wall behind her as support.

The strange pony left the throne, giving his long wings a vigorous flap to jump off dramatically, landing with no noise as his horn glowed brightly. "Εσείς τα βρώμικα πόνι της λάσπης δεν αποφασίζετε πότε θα τελειώσει η ζωή των ανωτέρων σας. (You dirty mud ponies don't decide when your superiors' lives end.)." Casting a second bolt, the projectile narrowly missed the warrior, who ducked forward onto the floor in time, the wall behind her taking the blow. "Έχω ήδη μειώσει τη δουλειά μου με τα δοξασμένα περιστέρια. Δεν χρειάζομαι κάποιον κατώτερο για να μου αντιταχθεί. (I have already lowered myself into working with the glorified doves. I don't need another inferior to oppose me.)." He continued, firing bolt after bolt at the warrior.

As for the latter, she avoided the third but was struck in the chest by the additional bolts. With the following non-stop assault of magic, the hall shook violently, causing rubble and rock to fall on her body and creating a thick cloud of dust around her.

Ultimately, the strange pony stopped not far from the warrior, stopping his attack and surveying the scene with indifference and fading annoyance. He waited patiently for any sign of life: a rock shifting, a pained moan, maybe, a plea for mercy? But with the veil of dust blocking any sign of the warrior's corpse, the pony scoffed while narrowing his eyes.

Lacking any of the outcomes he hoped for, he began to turn away, dismissing the mare as dead.

That was until the crushed rocks over her supposed corpse began to shift and stir.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the mare started to rise.

Hearing the noise from behind, the strange pony whipped around in shock, eyes widened in disbelief. Yet, before he could question anything, the now chipped greatsword shot from the dust at unbelievable speeds at his head. Quickly reacting to the bolting weapon, the strange pony narrowly deflected it with a conjured lance, knocking the blade into a somersault, with the greatsword landing with a resounding thud close to the windows.

Emerging from the swirling dust, the mare's visage deformed into a triumphant yet crazed grin, followed by her body coming into full view- the sight of which made the strange pony’s stomach drop in disgust.

In the very spot where his magic struck, the mare’s once-protective armor melted away under the magic’s scorching heat, leaving a raw region of flesh covering her chest, seared with patches of charred skin covering its exposed surface. The strange unicorn could swear the warrior ribs and organs peaked from behind the blistering flesh, although the warrior mare’s menacing growl stole his complete attention.

“Αυτό πόνεσε, μπάσταρδε με τα καρφιά! (That hurt, you spike-head bastard!)” The mare casually taunted, blood flowing from her lips, as she kicked off the ground, baring her angered grin.

Reacting to the sudden pounce, the strange pony composed himself and lit his longhorn, bracing himself as the warrior inched closer. When the warrior's extended forelegs were about to touch his immaculate coat, a clear, white magic shield blocked her path to the enemy.

The warrior growled in pain as her hooves bounced off the surface, feeling as though hot coals singed her frogs as she landed. Touching down on the ground, another volley of magic bolts flew at her like a hail storm. Using her agility, the warrior sloppily weaved and dodged, receiving only a few burns as the projectiles whizzed past. She knew full well this attack wasn’t intended on directly offing her, only to tire and make her an easy kill; with the fumes she was running on due to blood loss, it was working.

So, slamming her hooves down, the mare threw herself to the side, escaping the rain of deadly magic before running toward her sword.

With a last-ditch burst of strength, the mare leaped off the ground and soared through the air before heavily crashing down a dozen feet away. Luckily, the warrior twisted her aching body to swiftly roll onto her belly, digging her hooves into the ground to halt her momentum. Despite the pain coursing through her being, she targeted the great sword that lay within reach.

However, the mare’s triumph was abruptly shattered as a bolt of magic struck the left side of her face, blinding the eye and disorienting her. She screamed out in agony, clutching her face with her hooves as she rolled in place, hoofsteps of the strange pony approaching from behind. Unaware of the imminent danger lurking in the newfound blind spot, the mare failed to perceive a sword wrought from the unicorn's magic materializing before them.

With a swift and devastating strike, the magical weapon pierced the base of her neck.

The mare's desperate attempt to remove the weapon was met with three more swords impaling her back and stomach, sinking deep into her flesh.

An arrogant laugh came from the unicorn, visibly exhausted from his magic use. “Παραδέχομαι ότι είσαι τρομερός αντίπαλος για ένα γήινο πόνυ. Αλλά η προσπάθειά σου ξεπεράστηκε από τη στιγμή που επέλεξες να με πολεμήσεις, λασπόαιμα. (I admit you're a formidable opponent for an earth pony. But your effort was useless the moment you chose to fight me, mud blood.)” The unicorn taunted, creating another light sword that floated centimeters away from the base of the mare’s skull. "Κάποια τελευταία κουβέντα? (Any final words?)." He asked.

In an unanticipated show of defiance, the wounded warrior flipped around and lunged at the strange pony, the sword piercing the side of her neck, a hair's length from her carotid artery.

The strange unicorn was too late to do anything as the warrior wrapped her forelegs around his midsection before rearing onto her forelegs. With a roar from the warrior, she twisted to the side and fell back, causing an echoing thud to ring out as the strange pony's body slammed into the stone floor. She kept up her assault and grip on the enemy, using her hind hooves to push themselves across the floor and closer to the windows.

Grabbing the sword with her teeth along the way, the mare, and strange pony crash through the window after the former jumped. Overpassing a court within the castle’s walls where the bloodshed had moved on to, barely anypony noticed the two figures soaring overhead.

As the icy wind flowed through his mane, the strange pony grunted in frustration, winding up his hindlegs; A single kick of his legs later, the abnormal pegasi effortlessly pushed the warrior off, unfurling his wings to slow his fall gradually.

After a brief freefall and crashing into the snow, the motionless warrior lay face first in the freezing snow with a dull look in her eye, blood soaking the immediate area around her. Everything pounded with muted discomfort, her nervous system likely damaged from the collective wound over the years and the current situation; now, half of her world was pitch black, all in a single fight. True to the strange pony's words, the moment she saw him, there was no doubt defeat would be the outcome of this battle.

In addition, she knew now what he was; the intense magic and wings, plus a horn, were a dead giveaway. Even her anti-magic armor held no ground against him.

Like the windigos, their race was told in fantasies, but their tales were meant to inspire peace and harmony in the three races. But the foolish ponies praising their false gospel never learned or lived long enough to see if they were right. This race being the alicorns. They were said to have unrivaled magic and physical strengths; the warrior now knew it wasn't a lie or a tall tale. But along with their monstrous strength, they were beloved to practically radiate peace. Even in her twilight years, she fell prey to the alicorn myth: a singular being who represented all three tribes that could bring everypony together in peace.

But seeing one in Pony... only reinforced there was no good in this retched world.

Ahead of the dying warrior, the snow crunched under the weight of the alicorn as he softly landed, bringing in his wings. "Εσείς, κυρία μου, ξεπεράσατε τις προσδοκίες μου με την επίδειξη γενναιότητάς σας - ακόμη και αν αυτή προέρχεται από ανοησία. Το να πας εναντίον μου είναι προνόμιο, Βασιλιά Πλατίνα. Ως ανταμοιβή, θα δεχτώ το όνομά σας και θα σας δώσω λίγη από τη μαγεία μου, έτσι ώστε να πεθάνετε με θάνατο πολεμιστή. (You, my lady, have exceeded my expectations with your display of bravery - even if it comes from foolishness. Going against me, King Platinum, is a privilege. In return, I will accept your name and give you some of my magic so that you die a warrior's death.)." The alicorn monologued, ending with his horn glowing brightly.

At the mention of the vile creatures 'gift', the warrior's eye shrunk to pinpricks. Dying a warrior's death was of no concern for the warrior- but to be pitied and given a crutch, like giving an injured rabbit a spear to kill the wolf hunting it.

Unfortunately, there was little the warrior could do to prevent the alicorn's magic in her state as she hopelessly tried to roll out of the way. And when a beam of pure white burst from the alicorn's horn, it hit the warrior's forehead, forcing a refreshing feeling throughout her battered body. In spite of the pleasureful sensation, the warrior released a cry of anguish and shame, using her newfound strength to claw at her head, anything to stop the embarrassment from ruing things further.

Once the light died out, one could hear a pin drop on a pile of feathers with how quiet the surrounding area was. The alicorn watched on in anticipation as the warrior, unknowingly standing, remained still and staring to the heavens above with tears running down her cheeks.

As blood dripped from every wound on her body, the mare looked away from the sky to the earth below, a dumbfounded expression etched onto her features. “Λοιπόν, περιμένω, φοράδα. (Well, I wait, mare.).” The alicorn impatiently complained. “Είσαι ο πρώτος που με έφτασε σε δύναμη. Περιμένω μια αξιοπρεπή μάχη. (You are the first to match me in strength. I expect a decent fight.).”

And like that, in a single instance, the warrior's pupils practically disappeared in the back of her skull as a roar of Equus-shaking fury erupted from her throat. Bulging veins bursting on her forehead, the warrior picked up the sword at her hooves and ran at the alicorn at full tilt. She jumped into the air, pulling her neck back while practically crushing the sword’s handle in her teeth, bringing it down on her enemy. The clash of steel and mana reverberated as the mare's great sword struck the alicorn’s summoned lance, creating a shockwave that blew back the immediate snow.

“Είμαι ο Storm Breaker, μέλος της πανίσχυρης εμπροσθοφυλακής που ορκίστηκε να σκοτώσει τους εχθρούς των πόνι μου. (I am Storm Breaker, a member of the mighty vanguard vowed to slay the enemies of my ponies.).” The warrior, called Storm Breaker, shouted. “Και ορκίζομαι να στερεώσω το άθλιο δέρμα σου στον τοίχο της καλύβας μου. (And I vow to fasten your wretched hide to the wall of my hut!).”She seethed

The alicorn grunted under the strain, the warrior's attack making his knees nearly buckle. Twisting his neck, he directed the sword and warrior to the left into a stumble as he spun his lance around on his shoulder until the blade pointed down. As the warrior was close to the ground, he pointed the magical weapon to her neck and thrust its butt end with his right hoof,

It made no sense to the alicorn. He was no pathetic foal who couldn’t control his magic flow; there shouldn’t have been this much energy left in the warrior. For Faust’s sake, there was only enough magic to help her stand, let alone lunge at him! And that strike, it would’ve done more than tire his knees if he hadn’t blocked. Did the warrior have some hidden ability? Or was she using a hex to provide herself with more energy? But her kind strongly hates magic. So…was this sudden burst of strength given off adrenaline and pure emotion alone?!

No matter the reason, The warrior surprisingly evaded the attack by forcibly twisting her neck at an awkward angle, causing an audible cracking sound and their weapons to clash. As their blades collided, a shower of quick sparks erupted, illuminating the space around them as the warrior fell to the ground. The alicorn went in for a second thrust, but the warrior rolled out of the way, missing getting impaled by a hair’s length. Recovering from her fall, the warrior gave another roar before charging the alicorn, swinging her blade randomly in a blind rage, the alicorn receiving a few cuts from her unpredictability.

The fierce duel continued, with the alicorn starting to lag, increasingly falling back at every strike from the warrior. Even with every ounce of strength and mana flowing through his body, the warrior’s attacks were wild and unpredictable, requiring more effort to avoid gain addition cuts. And with panic settling within the alicorn, he attempted to leap away into the air and gain the advantage; to Tartarus whoever said it was dishonorable, there was no pride in killing a rabid dog.

Regrettably, the alicorn’s brash decision entombed his mistake; a single wing flap was all he could do, flying a few feet into the air before the warrior followed behind.

Opening her blood-filled maw, the warrior bit down one of the alicorn’s hind legs, sinking jagged teeth from years of meat consumption into his flesh. He let out a growl of pain as his horn began to light up again, but it was swiftly stopped by the warrior pulled back and threw their neck toward the ground, throwing his body slamming into the snow-covered ground. The alicorn hacked and coughed, the wind knocked out of him and started to push himself up until the warrior fell onto him. With a foreleg elbow digging into his chest, agonizing pain shot into his body, originating in his shoulder due to the longsword having nested itself just at the end of his collarbone.

The alicorn tightly closed his eye, teeth clenched and bared in preparation for his final moments, to feel the sensation of cold steel piercing his heart. And as seconds passed, seeming to melt into hours, the confused alicorn mustered the courage to crack open his eyes- followed by a mixed expression of shock and relief.

Above him, the warrior heaved and huffed heavily, cold sweat dripping from her mangled frame mingling with the blood flowing from her wounds. Using the hoof-guard of their sword, her eyes held an ember of rage directed at the alicorn, but the shaking he felt from the sword in his shoulder, was the only remaining thing left for the warrior. Curiosity overcame the alicorn’s fear as he tentatively extended a hoof, reaching out to touch the warrior's flesh.

It was cold to the touch.

“Ζωή στο θάνατο, θάνατος στη ζωή. (Life in death, death in life.).” The warrior whispered incoherently.

With a dismissive snort, the unicorn disregarded the warrior's words. Channeling his ivory magic, he constructed a protective bubble around his left hoof, fortifying it with a shimmering coating. In a single punch, the alicorn’s covered hoof struck the blade’s side, which effortlessly shattered the magic-absorbing metal weapon. As the metal shards scattered across the ground, the warrior tumbled in following, soaking the snow with more of her blood as the alicorn stood over her body.

Everything in that small instance felt…warm, despite the bone-shaking cold around her. Flashes of her life, good and bad, passed before her very eyes, bringing a tear to her still-functioning orb that peered up at her triumphant enemy. Even his cocky grin couldn’t bring on a spark of hate, let alone the magic she pitifully used. Her comrades, friends, family…what would they say if they saw her like this?

With encompassing darkness eating away at the edge of her half-vision, the alicorn laughed in victory, echoing his win over the still air, a sinister grin plastered to his muzzle. “Ούτε ένα πόνυ δεν μου έχει δώσει ποτέ τέτοια πρόκληση, σε επαινώ, ανόητε πολεμιστή. Νομίζω ότι θα κρατήσω το πτώμα σου για τρόπαιο. (Not a single pony has ever given me such a challenge, I commend you, foolish warrior. I think I'll keep your corpse as a trophy.).” He mused before the consciousness of the mare slipped away into darkness.

As her grip on reality weakened, only a soft hum filled her ears as she finally faded.

Or so she thought…

Chp 6: Forceful employment

Descending from the afternoon sky like a falling star, a pegasus-lead chariot made of gold slowly fell until its wheels contacted the pavement ground of one of the castle’s many courtyards. Twilight Sparkle and her assistant, Spike, hopped out of their gleaming transportation, giving their thanks to the leading pegasi.

Multiple other guards, dressed like the pegasi, stood at attention, holding a hoof above their brows in salute and a spear at their sides.

More importantly, however, coming in and passing under an arched gateway flanked by white walls overgrown with flora on top surrounding the courtyard, Luna smiled warmly as Celestia’s student and her assistant approached. “Mrs. Sparkle! Sir Spike! Our dear companions, it’s felt like many winter’s since we last spoke; how is Ponyville treating thee?” She asked, meeting halfway and becoming slightly concerned at seeing Twilight’s sheepish visage.

In the brief time Luna had returned to the waking work of Equestria from her neigh-internal slumber on the moon, Luna felt Twilight to be the closest thing she had to a friend. If she had to stretch her circle of friendship, Spike might also have fit in, but he and the rest of her subjects never had an absence of stress or hidden fear around her.

Not Twilight.

Despite meeting a hoof-full of occasions, she never once shrunk away or ran off once Luna wasn’t looking. While she thought the poor unicorn deserved some reprieve from her ‘friendship reports,’ Luna never felt all too lonely around her.

“W-Well, it’s been…something.” She cryptically replied, chuckling nervously, “Not that it is t-terrible or anything! Ponyville’s been great to me so far.”

“Wonderful!” Luna exclaimed, “We haven’t been able to get out as much lately, not with…certain issues going amuck. Thou must tell us how the dennisons of thy fair village are doing.”

Twilight opened her mouth to answer the lunar princess’s question, but remained silent for the longest time, the words lodging themselves in her throat. Before Luna could ask what was wrong, Spike beat both to the punch. “Basically, Twilight went coo-coo a couple of days ago-” Spike made a circling motion with a talon next to his right temple, “-because she hadn’t written a letter for Princess Celestia and hypnotized most of the town to REALLY like this old smarty-pants doll she had to create a friendship problem she could solve and write about. And as usual, Ponyville suffered some damage, and Celestia visited in the nick of time to fix Twilight’s spell.” Spike casually explained, pointing to a bewildered Twilight all the while. “It turned out alright for the most part!”

“SPIKE!” Twilight shrieked, an embarrassed blush turning her face red as a tomato.

Spike jumped a few centimeters off the ground at the sound, holding his claws up in submission, “What? It wasn’t like you would’ve told her anyway without worrying about it for hours. And Celestia might’ve already told her about it anyway!” He reasoned.

“I somewhat remember Tia mentioning something about a magic doll yesterday over dinner.” Luna added.

A lavender hue surrounded the drake’s body and pulled him closer to a fuming Twilight, who moved her muzzle closer to the drake’s head, “Yeah, I know that! But there’s no reason to announce it to everypony here!” She harshly whispered, pointing a hoof to a guard non-discreetly leaning closer to hear their conversation.

Only when pointed out did he move back, looking in another direction while whistling innocently.

Admittedly, Luna gave a small chuckle at Twilight’s expense; nevertheless, the lunar princess needed to step in before the small drake passed out from a several-hour-long lecture. “That is certainly interesting, Sir Spike.” She said, thankfully stopping the start of Twilight’s angered speech mid-breath. “Why don’t thee discuss additional adventures over some tea?”

Spike flashed Luna a thankful look, flinching and sheepishly grinning when he turned back to see Twilight giving him the stink-eye.

Having spent most of yesterday afternoon withholding Celestia’s court day sessions, Luna felt more rejuvenated than ever prior to the whole Storm Breaker fiasco. Also, having utilized her dreamscape magic to bless her older sister with sweet dreams, Celestia looked a hundred times better, appearance-wise. Unfortunately, both sisters’ ways beckon them to return to duty, Celestia needing to sign significant trade forms and Luna needing to attend night court. In time, the latest report of their sudo-prisoner’s activity remained docile with little movement outside of shifting under the sheets of her repaired bed- which broke shortly after Luna’s ‘talk’ with her.

Twilight, informed by Luna through a letter, gladly accepted to attend a meeting with the lunar princess, unaware of what Luna had in store. However, Luna’s plan would come to play much later as the trio walked along the centerline walls and polished tiles of Canterlot Caslte’s hallways.

Passing the many servants and maids, it wasn’t long before they arrived at the royal dining hall- closing a giant pair of carved wooden doors behind them upon entering.

Sporting a lengthy oak table covered in many colored clothes, two chairs on each end, and a few additional seats sprinkled on one side, Luna took her spot while Twilight and Spike choose theirs close to Luna. The afternoon sun bounced beautifully off the walls and floor, washing the dining hall in subtle shades of red blues and yellows by the stained glass windows, the large chandelier adding extra warmth from above.

Emerging from the hallway leading to the kitchen, a pony dressed in fancy black and white clothes danced across the ground, flashily carrying a silver platter holding a steaming tea set without spilling a drop.

Setting the platter down, they left as quickly as they came, leaving the trio alone as Luna began to serve herself. “So, now we are in the privacy and comfort of solitude: let thy worries out, Mrs. Sparkle.” She said, using her magic to pour tea into a small cup. “We have been busy since yesterday, and it’ll be refreshing to have a quaint conversation with thou.” She smiled.

Like opening the gates of a dam, a torrent of words explode outward of Twilight’s mouth like a hail of arrows. Hours must’ve gone by until the end of Twilight’s recollections, the sun close to sinking below the darkening horizon to give way to Luna’s night. From tales about her friends to strange events, Twilight’s time in Ponyville was short but not empty; A no-good griffon, an arrogant unicorn magician, breezies, Winter Wrap-up, a Bison-pony conflict in Appaloosa, and much more.

Luna was captivated by Twilight and her friends’ lives in Ponyville, seeing as their experiences seemed significantly more enthralling than her duty as a princess.

Then the lunar princess, deep in thought, focused on the silly idea of her being a part of that life. Of course, it’d never happen. In today’s world, her responsibilities as a princess are far more predominant as they were lenient compared to the birth years of Equestria’s upbringing.

Memories of conquest and adventure of younger days came to Luna, visions of victory and glory when mighty monsters and foes alike fell to her iron-clad hooves. Back then, it wouldn’t be a strange occurrence or horrific sight to spot ponies killing things- mostly wildlife for resources or beasts trying to kill them. Modern ponies lived such laid-back lives, most not knowing the hardships and pain their ancestors went through to give such a luxury away without compensation.

How can ponies feel like their lives are perfect? Don’t they think something is wrong, even the tiniest bit? They do, most likely, and they chose to ignore it.

Then, that leaves the question: where did Luna belong?

She had status, notoriety, wealth, power, anything a normal pony could ever dream of, maybe even kill for just to get a taste. Yet, ever since returning, everywhere the Lunar princess looked, it was all just the backs of ponies facing her without a sparing glance.

They feared her, and she knew it. An outcast in a familiar yet foreign world. And no matter what, Luna couldn’t bring herself to mention her troubles to her older sister. Call it pride or whatever; Luna didn’t want Celestia worrying any more than she did already. Loneliness, nonetheless, is a powerful enemy no mere individual can overcome by ignoring it, especially if its victim buries her loneliness under her duties as a governing figure.

“Um, Princess Luna?” Snapping out of her deep thoughts, Luna’s refocused eyes laid on a concerned Twilight, “Is everything okay? You’ve been staring at the table for a while now.” She said.

Taking a calming sip of her warm tea, Luna sighed, “Y-Yes, Mrs. Sparkle, I was merely lost in thought, and I apologize.” These thoughts had no right ruining the moment, anyhow.

Twilight gave a relieved smile, “That’s good. Anyway, was there something you needed to discuss with me?” She asked, sipping her own beverage she, probably, prepared during Luna’s inner thinking. Spike chose to snack on the sugar cubes in a small ceramic bowl beside the teapot.

“Yes, thou are correct,” Luna nodded, “And as we loved hearing about your adventures in Ponyville, we must…how do we put it? Well, putting it simply, we need a third- or fourth -opinion.” She awkwardly said, gaining a confused look from Twilight and Spike.

“What do you mean?” Spike asked, mouth stuffed with sugar cubes, spraying tiny white crystals onto the tablecloth as he spoke.

Luna hesitated, peering down at her almost empty teacup, “About the bea- ack, mare!” She caught herself, “Our sister and we have been discussing what to do with the mare thee and her call Storm Breaker. Our options, as of now, are more limited than before; after she wrecked a fair bit of the Canterlot market area, the public demanded punishment for her crime. Celestia wishes to keep her in the castle until everything dies down while she educates her. And my feelings of locking the brute away still haven’t completely changed. However, Celestia opted for a risky road for us to venture down; the masterful tactician she is, even we can tell she is as hesitant about it as we are.”

“I take it isn’t as simple as throwing a party and everypony hugging it out?” Spike sarcastically suggested.

Shaking her head, Luna lit her horn briefly before it died out. Twilight and Spike perked up at the sound of struggle beyond the giant dining hall doors a minute later, accompanied by the rubbing of chains and shifting armor. Before they had the chance to investigate, Luna held up a hoof to stop them as the door slowly creaked inwardly.

“PULL AGAIN, AND YOUR FILTHY BLOOD WILL STAIN THESE WALLS, PEGASUS!” A familiar ruff voice roared angrily.

Both Twilight and Spike’s jaws dropped in a mix of fear and astonishment, disbelieving the sight before them. Forelegs trapped in chains long enough to walk in, the warrior inched away and pulled back against the pegasi guard leading her by an extra connecting chain. The sheer height of the mare was enough to visibly put off the unicorn and her dragon companion, having only seen her lying down or crouched. Adding the scars covering her muscular frame- and her established short fuse -it was to believe her threats to be more than just that- a threat.

Thankfully, the young, shaken guard quickly closed the distance to the table, leaving the warrior there before she could do good on her threat, and ran away. A tense silence hung in the air as the warrior glanced at the extravagant dining hall until settling on the ponies and drake, eyeing them with a narrow gaze.

Luna lit her horn again, grabbing a chair in her magical grip from Twilight’s side, levitating it, and then placing it opposite the studious mare. Taking the hint and the expecting look Luna gave her, the warrior silently walked over and took her seat, the wooden support staring under her weight.

“Mrs. Sparkle, Sir Spike, we’d like thee to meet the newest member of our night guard!”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frankly, the warrior became numb to most things at this point, including surprises. The effects of her and Luna’s meeting shed light on the warrior’s predicament, leaving a bitter sense of acceptance in her heart, among other things.

In spite of that, surprisingly, the warrior couldn’t help but widen her eyes at the word ‘guard’ the second it left the young alicorn’s mouth.

In light of everything as of late, the familiar word instantly stuck with her, like mentioning a trip to a park with a dog around. Guard meant meaning. Guard meant purpose. A guard was the closest thing to a knight in Storm Breaker’s mind, so starved of action that sleepless nights became common. Unfortunately, the word came from an- what she knew to be- enemy, and moreover, claiming the warrior to be under her order.

How dare some meek alicorn claim ownership over her as if the warrior’s worth amounted to some object! What right did she have to do something like that?! At no point did this night guard thing ever reach her, nor did her unexplained involvement with it.

Even if this was her punishment, the fact this damnable alicorn practically said she placed her in slavery was aggravating to the highest degree.

“You did what?!” Shouted the lavender unicorn, Twilight, who the warrior was surprised to see and inwardly agreed with.

Going by her and the overgrown lizard’s reactions, the warrior would say they were in a similar boat as she was. “Please, calm yourselves!” Luna said, an exasperated expression adorning her. Eventually, the unicorn reluctantly quieted down and sat back down in the chair she stood up from out of shock. “We know it's sudden, but Celestia and we have agreed to let Storm Breaker here to become a member of the new night guard we’re forming.” She explained, motioning a hoof to the titanic mare.

The warrior stared down the young alicorn, the latter looking unfazed by her, “And what makes you think I’d work alongside a bunch of pathetic unicorns and pegasi? Even the earth ponies here are weaker than me, and I’ve seen far stronger foals of my race.” She questioned.

Either put off by the idea of foals being stronger than a royal guard or simply her tone of voice, the unicorn and drake became visibly uncomfortable while Luna remained calm.

Taking the final drink of her tea, Luna placed the teacup on the silver platter, pushing it away prior to putting her front hooves together. “I know of your undesirable hate for our ponies, and the guard we have reinstated isn’t formed of pegasi, earth ponies, and unicorns.” Facing Twilight, Luna had a knowing smile grow on her muzzle. “Mrs. Sparkle, do care to inform dear Storm Breaker about the ‘lost race’ called thestrals, will you not?” She said.

Again, as if a roaring inferno suddenly sparked to life, Twilight’s previous demeanor was consumed by those flames as she smiled excitedly. “On it!” She said, making the warrior's eye roll, “Thestrals are an ancient subspecies, or another variant, of ponies dating far back before the unification of the three races. We don’t know why they have bat-like features, but records and accounts from thestral tribes say a bat goddess granted them a form resembling hers in order to fully embrace the night. After the unification and Princess Celestia and Luna’s rise to power, they were discovered and eventually integrated into Equestrian society by Luna taking in thestrals soldiers.” She expounded in- confusingly -one, drawn-out breath.

By the explanation’s end, the warrior became bewildered at what she heard. In her village, rumors of bat-like pony monsters roaming the outside mountainside were passed around often by the local village youth. Of course, the warrior believed these to be nothing more than fake spiels other fillies and colts told for a quick scare.

Unlike the previous explanation, it would take more than word of mouth to convince these creatures existed. “Yes, and once Nightmare Moon took over, the night guard was all but destroyed. Some chose to stick with me even in my demonic form, few fought against me, and most fled the wrath of the royal guard as they were all hunted down due to fear of association with me.” She said, making Twilight’s joyful mood disappear entirely.

“Thankfully, I’ve made contact with the thestrals once more a while back, and a good number agreed to join us and our newly developed night guard very soon.” The lunar princess added.

In truth, the warrior secretly wondered about these ‘thestrals’ the alicorn spoke of. Neither beast nor pony, she was intentionally conflicted; keep suspicions high or let the sensation of curiosity get the better of her. If these creatures turned out to be a reality, the warrior hoped tales of their nature, sucking blood, eating pony flesh, and the like, weren’t true.

However, a battle with flesh-eating bat ponies would make for a glorious tale- better to keep it in mind.

Nevertheless, the warrior’s priority wasn’t tall tales as much as her surprise enslavement. “I grow tired of your hoof twiddling and tricks, alicorn! More so, your idiotic decision. Either end my life or bring down any punishment you can give!” She complained, forcibly sending her hoof on the table’s edge, shaking it and the items on top.

“This is your punishment, you brute!” Luna said in a scolding tone, stunning the warrior, “Firstly: your enrollment in my guard is the only way to obtain your freedom- and trust me, I don’t expect loyalty from you.”

“Working as a guard dog is considered punishment nowadays? You’re joking?” The warrior said.

A cheeky smirk adorned the alicorn’s muzzle, “No, and also, no. Considering the other forms of punishment the public demands, we’ve taken the liberty of coming up with a suitable way for you to learn your lesson. As the charge for vandalism and destruction of property are rather lenient in Canterlot, the amount of destruction thou caused should lend thou a couple of winters in prison. However, thy service under us without pay and constant supervision by at least one capable guard will prove sufficient to fit thy crime.” Upon finishing her plot, the annoyed warrior could clearly see the alicorn taking enjoyment out of her frustration.

The warrior had never worked under one specific pony before- typical of a vanguard knight.

Instead of doing dirty work for an oily, fat barrel ruler, vanguard knights were akin to a mercenary group with honor more than anything.

Anypony claiming to be the leader or commander of the vanguard exaggerated their claim; as a threat, show-boding exclamation to drive away invading armies, it didn’t matter so long as the vanguard knights received their payment. Kill the employer's enemies and get compensated with tradable valuables and resources; The safety of the Earth pony race was more important than their expenses. Due to this lifestyle, Knights generally lived off the land, taking on requests from the wealthy by chance, or were tracked down by messengers, the latter being for more notable ponies.

The closest thing to a ruler or commander the vanguard had were small groups led by older knight’s to achieve greater rewards- the way Storm Breaker followed her carrier. All her training and experience involving the vanguard came from her band of fellow misfits, which she is deeply thankful for.

Maybe working for somepony wouldn’t be so- NO! What was she thinking?! The warrior worked for no pony like some dog! But it is so agonizing being trapped within these white walls. Other than the constant prying eyes and no compensation, it might be similar to her old ways of work, right?

…

Oh, who was she kidding? Storm Breaker downgraded from a glorious knight to a glorified foal-watcher for these ponies, and something in her told the warrior to worry about it. Nothing had changed; like Hades, there was any freedom after this.

“And I take it you or your conniving sister leave me no choice?” The warrior grimaced.

“Nope.” Luna retorted simply, “Otherwise, I’d gladly toss you into a dungeon and throw away the key.” She said.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the overshadowing doors of the dining hall closed for a third time, Luna, having ordered guards to escort Storm Breaker back to her room, Stepped away from the table. “It might be good to say this meeting is over, but still, we haven’t gotten thy opinion on the matter, Mrs. Sparkle.” She said.

Like almost every pony in Ponyville, Twilight, and her fellow townsfolk were first to hear the news from Canterlot, considering their distance from the mountain-side city.

Naturally, the studious mare nearly had a panic attack; a dangerous pony suddenly got up and escaped the hospital to destroy the marketplace in a rampage! Although nopony reportedly suffered any serious injuries, Twilight still worried about Celestia and her sister. Thankfully, Spike talked her down, but the stress didn’t help with her friendship studies, resulting in…yesterday.

Besides that, this simple request held more importance than it appeared to. Regardless of the fact Storm Breaker was dangerous, Twilight couldn’t go with the raging torrent of waves that was the Canterlot public and have her locked up. She imagined spending thousands of years- basically -dead inside a magic crystal was more than enough time to pay for her misdeeds. But if Luna and Celestia’s plan were to fail: Storm Breaker harming ponies in an escape attempt or retaliation, it’d blow the flames of outrage higher and higher.

It all came down to a simple question: imprisonment or supervision?

On the pro side of option one: it’d be only a few years behind bars before she’s allowed to go free, and the public would be satisfied by then. Cons: Storm Breaker wasn’t mentally well as she was; isolation would only worsen her, and Twilight knew how petty Canterlot’s nobles could be to try and extend her sentence because of some unknown law established hundreds of years ago that she broke.

On the other hoof: More protection added to the night guard would mean less crime under the moon’s watch, and Storm Breaker wouldn’t be one hundred percent free or locked up with other guards around keeping an eye on her. Although, remembering that mare’s body made the likelihood of a regular guard stopping her a half-baked dream at best. Twilight believed Ponyville’s neighborhood farm stallion, Big Mac, would struggle going against her.

Each way the studious mare molded every possible scenario in her brain, the cons and pros would barely balance out one another.

There was no way everypony could come out on top; nobles would probably pay off shady guard’s ponies to keep Storm Breaker locked up longer than necessary or get her in trouble, and Storm Breaker’s temper might cause problems in the night guard!

“Twilight!” Spike’s voice suddenly said, startling Twilight, “You’re doing your zoning out thing again.” He pointed out.

Looking from Spike back to Luna, Twilight took a deep breath. “I-I don’t know, Princess.” She admitted, ears pressing against her head, “No matter how hard I try, it doesn’t seem like any plan can turn out right. And I thought you hated her; why the unexpected change in heart?” She said.

“Mrs. Sparkle,” Luna began, “Don’t confuse the thorned vine for the olive branch. Our feelings have not changed to suit the brute’s needs; we simply wish to support our sister in helping to reform the dastardly mare.” Softening her features, Luna faced toward the ceiling above. “All I will say, though, is that I somewhat feel for her plight as a mare of action, even if it doesn’t show.” She said, confusing Twilight and her assistant before returning her attention to the duo.

Seconds felt like hours to Twilight as her mind raced for a response and, hopefully, an answer to Luna’s question. Obviously, the lunar princess wasn’t truthful to Twilight; about what exactly? She didn’t know. All Twilight Sparkle, a student of the diarch of the sun, the element of friendship, and hard-bound friend knew: this answer would change everything.

“Princess Luna, I think Princess Celestia’s plan would be the best.” She said.

Not out of loyalty to Celestia or hate for Storm Breaker nor to spite Luna’s feelings; her answer came out completely random.

Chp 10: Lies and an unwelcomed surprise

Lightning flashed, illuminating the darkened landscape, while thunder boomed, shaking the train’s carriages as it roared through the countryside, its metal wheels grinding against the frosted tracks.

“So, I can see you’re in a good mood.” Olive Branch chuckled.

The train he and the warrior found themselves on slowly closed in on the small town in the distance populated by thatch-roof houses. Next to him and staring out the snow-covered window like a foal on their birthday, the warrior watched Ponyville like a hawk with a rare, if not bloodthirsty, grin. It pleased the old stallion, seeing Storm Breaker enjoy herself, even if it was about killing things. Now if only the train car had heating, he’d be enjoying himself as well- the puffy coat he put on didn’t help at all.

Rumbling of thunder vibrated the train car around them again, bolts of blighting lightning striking in the distance. The untamed weather of the Everfree Forest seemed to extend its influence, impacting the townsfolk as well. The air grew heavy with the scent of impending rain, its presence intensifying with each passing mile.

Olive Branch hoped this would be over before a single drop fell from the sky; ice is not an old pony’s friend.

“How can I not?” The warrior said, “I finally get to have a taste of my old life, something familiar in this world.” Olive Branch couldn’t imagine the feeling she had going through her veins as she pumped her foreleg. “Especially with this.” Reaching down, the warrior returned quickly with a brand new sword held comfortably in her jaws.

Unlikely her previous wooden sword used for intimidation purposes, the nearly six-foot-long hunk of finely crafted steel was the real deal.

The new sword's sheath was made of a velvety-red dyed wood, its ends capping off with formed brass plates held in place by small rivets. Its brass-colored hoof guard was blocky in design, sporting an upward curve that ended in a point in the middle of the blade’s flatter end. Three gems sat within the guard's inner net pattern; one big red jewel with two smaller green stones flanking it. Finally, brown leather wrapped tightly around the handle, ending in a butt cap shaped like an upside-down crescent moon.

It had been an offering from Luna just before they departed, the only side effect being the no-so-friendly guards accompanying them became more off-Standish. Olive Branch could understand their worry and no doubt the warrior could do significant damage with a wooden sword. But a carved piece of wood isn’t getting rid of pony-eating monsters.

“You remind me of my younger self. So antsy to jump straight into the fire and beat the ever-loving crap out of the embers.” He reminisced, sipping from his keg.

The warrior snorted in amusement, “You? Like me? When will you stop trying to find comparisons?” She said, leaning her sword against the window. “I can’t see you- an old unicorn -going out and spilling blood for your country. You’re too-.”

“Handsome?” Olive Branch joked.

“Lazy!” She finished.

Immediately, halting the raising of his keg for a drink, Olive Branch shot up in his seat and looked at the warrior in vexed bewilderment. “What?! How can I be lazy? Sure, I drink a lot, and I ain’t as spry compared to my younger years, but it doesn’t mean I’m lazy!” Frantically argued the old stallion.

Rolling her eye, the warrior laid back, “Sure~. Those naps you like to have every chance you get on break really make me think overwise.” She teased sarcastically, smirking at his expense. “Hades, if it weren’t for the fact I somewhat enjoy your company, I would’ve run off a thousand times over.” She said.

“I-” Olive Branch began to yell before his voice suddenly died out. “You…enjoy my company? That’s the first genuinely nice thing you’ve said to me- and no less to a unicorn.” He realized.

“Write it down. It’d last longer.” She huffed.

In the train car’s roof, shiny speakers attached to rusty mounts screeched to life with a scratchy humming sound, startling the warrior. “Alrighty, passengers! We are approaching the next stop of Ponyville shortly. Due to oncoming weather, all trains from here on out will not be active until Cloudsdale weather company fixes this issue. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you have a swell day!” The announcer said, sounding too joyful about the ongoing threat of a winter disaster, followed by a click.

“I swear I’ll find your coward ass, mysterious voice!” The warrior grumbled.

Olive Branch exasperatedly groaned as he threw his head back against the seat. “Well, ain’t that just great?” He huffed, roughly slamming the keg into the seat space next to him. If the trains weren’t going to run any time soon, reinforcements would take ages to get here if things went sideways, and the storm ahead would block aerial support.

This whole day was reeking of an ambush; it stabbed at Olive Branch’s more tactical side of the brain, remembering his day’s dealing with griffon raiders. Something wasn’t right- that much was obvious.

“Hey, coot,” The warrior said, Olive Branch turning to look at the curious-looking mare, “When you say I remind you of yourself, what do you mean by that, really? I’m positive you know a lot about who I am and what I did, but with you: I’m clueless.” She said.

“Oh? The big tough knight is interested in an insignificant unicorn’s story?” Olive Branch said in fake surprise, the corners of his mouth moving up.

Seeing the flustered blush on her face made his grin widen, “S-Shut up! It’s… for intel purposes.” She stuttered.

“Right.” Taking a final sip from his keg, Olive Branch whipped his mouth and sighed, “Since we don’t have much time right now, I’ll give you the basic run down. In short, I started my early years as a run-of-the-mill guard fresh out of the academy, with ten bits in my hoof, stars in my eyes, and a head full of dreams. I did my service here and there, stopping vermin from causing trouble; and the sort. I worked up the ladder until I became the captain of the royal guard and Celestia's close friend.”

A look of surprise came to the warrior's face, “Wait, you were close friends with the older alicorn?” She asked in disbelief.

Olive Branch nodded, “I was a glorified personal servant. But I didn’t mind. We talked about endless topics between our downtimes until I retired, and that shining armor kid replaced me.” While he had a good head on his shoulders and was next to none in leadership skills, that cadence harlot distracted the young stallion from his duties too often. “Fortunately, now I work as her full-time assistant in the guard division, sending reports of anything relating to said guards. It’d been only recently that I was assigned to watch over you.”

The old stallion still missed those days of being the guard captain. Where he was seen as some old geezer who barely did a thing besides drinking by most ponies nowadays, he was a well-respected stallion in his prime. Now the only thing he gets from his peers is unwanted pity; acting like a breeze will turn him to dust.

The only pony apart from the royal sister who treated him differently was Storm Breaker. Sure, her comments and jokes weren’t respectful, but it was a welcomed change in pace for him- he could return the snide jokes in turn, anyway. Don’t throw stones at glass houses and all.

“If that’s the case…then do you know who the alicorns’ father is? Since you were so close to her.” The warrior asked hesitantly.

Raising an Eyebrow, Olive Branch looked down in thought, running a hoof through his mane, “Tartarus, darling, you’re making me go way back. I’m uncertain if I ever heard her say it more than once.” He mumbled, rubbing his chin with the same hoof. “Why’d you want to know anyways?” He asked, not diverting his gaze.

There was a pregnant pause before she answered. “At the cafe this morning, I told you how Celestia thinks her father…’ influenced me.’” She scoffed slightly, receiving a nod, “The thing is, I don’t know what triviality she speaks of, and I never met this supposedly well-known tyrant. The thought’s looped in my head for a while now; it’s getting irritating. Is it possible…her father was a unicorn or pegasus?” unreadable strain lined her questioning tone suddenly, and Olive Branch looked up at her with concern…only for his blood to freeze.

Swallowing a lump, he slowly shook his head, “F-From what I know, alicorns can only be born if at least one of the parents is an alicorn.” He said, barely holding in his stuttering. “There hasn’t been any reports throughout history of an alicorn being born without an alicorn parent.” Unfortunately, he could withhold an involuntary flinch as a heavy hoof rested on his shoulder.

The warrior's eerily calm face stayed the same, “Just a hunch; is her father, by any chance, an alicorn as well?” She said in an equally unsettling tone.

Olive Branch did his best to shrug, “From my m-memory, probably.” He whispered.

However, betraying the still calmness occupying the lower half of her face, the bulging veins around her shrunk pupil, and wide, bloodshot eye twitched with scarcely hidden anger. “Does the name King Platinum sound familiar to you?”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Sweet Celestia!” Cried a shivering posh voice, “I don’t know why I’d agree to this; it feels like my tail is going to freeze off.” She whined, her pearly white body shivering beneath a comically thick winter jacket and scarf. Her purple mane- sans her tail -was tucked in, her horn barely sticking out, and she had a covered cutie mark of three gems. Walking up next to her, Twilight rested a hoof on her shoulder as a field of lavender produced by the studious unicorn’s horn surrounded the wrapped-up mare.

The freezing temperatures outside the field became negated, bringing warmth to the posh mare, “Rarity, it will be a few seconds before they come, I promise.” She said with a reassuring smile.

Rarity scoffed, “You’ve been saying that for the past two hours, darling. If it weren’t for Pinkie and her welcome surprise for that brute I ran into the day I went to Canterlot, my orders could’ve been complete now.” Sweating bullets- Rarity grimaced under her now overly warm clothing.

“‘Brute?’ Who do you mean?” Twilight asked.

Suddenly feeling a strange presence nearby, both mares were too late to ready themselves as, following a series of approaching bounces, an all-pink earth pony mare with a three-balloon cutie mark grappled them into a tight hug. “She’s talking about Stormy, silly!” She snorted and giggled, her winter get-up consisting of a beanie, muffles, and a scarf. “Although, you shouldn’t say meanie things like that.” She scolded, her smile remaining.

Twilight’s eyes widened slightly, “Wait. You met Storm Breaker?”

Rolling her eyes, Rarity sighed exasperatedly, “Unfortunately, yes. It’s…a long story,” Rarity said, “But she’s as bad as you told us, Twilight.” She said.

The studious unicorn was about to push the subject further before a gust of chilly air passed over the outside field surrounding the three ponies. “Don’t sweat it, Rare’s. If she even thinks about doing anything to you guys, I’ll sock her so much she’d cry for her momma!” A punkish voice confidently proclaimed, smacking her front hooves together.

The voice belonged to a pegasus with a coat of cyan and a mane/tail colored like a rainbow, her cutie mark that of a thundering cloud.

“Now, hold yourself, Rainbow Dash,” Another voice outside the field said to the rainbow-maned pegasus. “Ah know full well who this pony is, thanks to Twi, but that doesn’t mean we need to judge her.” Turning to Twilight, a southern earth mare with an orange coat, blonde mane/tail, emerald eyes, and an apple cutie mark smirk. “It’s bin' a month since ya said she started livin' with the princess, right?” She asked.

Twilight nodded, “Yes, and I’m hoping she made progress.” Looking away from the train station before her and her friends, Twilight longingly gazed at the town behind her, “Then Fluttershy won’t be so frightened of meeting her.”

After Twilight brought up the plan to eradicate the infecting chaos magic while protecting Ponyville, Fluttershy locked herself away in Applejack's barn. Since her hut was closest to the Everfree, all of her critter friends were moved by her friends to the Apple family’s estate until it was safe. She and her friends tried everything, but the timid pegasus wouldn’t speak without sobbing at the mere mention of Twilight machination.

Twilight knew the animals of the Everfree were under the control of the chaos magic against their will, and so too did Fluttershy.

Sadly, there is no way to save the creatures besides breaking the magic binding them; enough ponies got hurt because of her tardiness.

Snapping Twilight out of her depressing thoughts, Pinkie Pie giggled again, “There’s nothing to worry about! I’ve got something juicy in the works that’ll turn her frown upside down.” She said, tucking in a vanilla folder in her bushy mane. Pinkie Pie always saw the best in any situation, no matter how dire- but this time was different.

Depending on how this day ended, there’d be more bodies than snow littering the ground.

In the distance and slowly closing in, the hissing of steam of pistons and howling of a brass whistle signaled the arrival of the several-ton locomotive pulled by four burly stallions. Everypony present, including the bystanders going about their days, stopped all conversation and looked to a train either in anticipation or curiosity. And with a sharp bang and the violent opening of a candy-themed carriage door, five guards poured out with spears in their hooves and stern expressions.

Twilight watched in anxious suspense as a familiar, towering silhouette stomped out and into the harsh cold without as much as a single flinch.

As she suspected and feared, the warrior mare’s stern expression somehow seemed more intense than the guards surrounding her as she scanned the immediate area with a snide scoff. From behind the large mare, an old stallion appeared to sliver past the warrior blocking the carriage's entrance, a look of uneasiness adorning his aged features.

Suddenly, breaking the tense silence, a loud ensemble of instruments blurted out in the air, its origins coming from a wagon-like device on top of the platform entrance’s stairs that caused the warrior to jolt visibly. Its owner, Pinkie Pie, appeared behind the warrior, startling her further as the party pony began dancing.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome~.”

“A fine welcome to you~.”

“Welcome, welcome, welcome~.”

“I say how do you do~?”

“Welcome, welcome, welcome~.”

“I say hip, hip hurray~.”

“Welcome, welcome, welcome~.”

“To Ponyville today~.”

Ending in a knee slide after having seemingly teleported around the titanic mare’s body, the machine behind her blew an assault of confetti at the warrior, smacking uselessly against her as cake mix followed- blowing out the sides. Unfortunately, due to the cold, the cake batter instantly froze upon leaving the machine's warm interior, crashing and breaking the train platform's wooden floor boards as solid blocks of uncooked pastry.

“Aw, I knew I should’ve put antifreeze into the mix.” Pinkie pouted.

Dead silence was the only thing that followed, the warrior standing over the kneeling Pinkie looking more confused than angry. Shaking her head, the warrior simply ignored the party pony and started walking toward the additional mares, the group of guards surrounding her and the old stallion following behind.

One of the guards, a pegasus, broke from the group and ran up to Twilight, “Mrs. Sparkle, do you wish for us to escort her to the town hall as requested?” He asked.

“That would be nice of you, sir. And, please, just Twilight is fine.” She politely answered, receiving a nod from the stallion before he merged back with his fellow guards. However, as they started to pass the studious unicorn, Twilight held a hoof out, “Wait!” She said, halting the group as she looked at the warrior gazing back at her. “Um, if you want, a quick tour of Ponyville would be good for getting a lay of the land.” She timidly suggested, trying to break the ice.

“Don’t waste my time, Alicorn’s pet.” The warrior spat, facing away from Twilight afterward.

Following the brief interaction, the group’s outlines slowly faded into the distance as Twilight’s friends surrounded her, all with varying degrees of anger or disappointment. “Hey, what’s the big idea?!” Rainbow angrily shouted, “We should follow her and give her a piece of our minds for saying something like that!” She said.

Twilight sighed, “No, Rainbow, it’s fine. Maybe…she woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?” She sheepishly grinned.

“Well, for our sake 'n Ponyville’s safety, let’s hope that’s the case. We don’t need our last hope gettin' defensive on us.” Applejack grimly replied, fixing the stetson resting on her head.

As the apple mare went ahead and followed the direction of the long-gone group and the other elements reluctantly trailed behind- Pinkie happily bouncing along, her device dragging by a rope -none could overhear the numerous howls and roars coming from the Everfree over the raging storm’s wind.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That two-timing bitch! Absolute snake!

Wallowing in the depths of her burning hatred, the warrior sat in the corner of a large, open room of Ponyville Mayor’s office as a conversation took place, one which she barely paid attention to.

It was impossible to do since her theory about Celestia’s father got confirmed by Olive Branch. The warrior suspected Platinum and Celestia to have some sort of connection, considering- including Luna -they were the only alicorns she’s met. Also, Alicorns were thought by many to be natural-born leaders. They never said if they were kind rulers. Celestia and her father’s magic was similar; the way they'd carried themselves, and even down to the annoying high and mighty attitude.

Everything was right there, in front of the warrior’s muzzle, practically pissing in her eyes, and she still didn’t connect the dots! How much of what Celestia said was a lie this whole time?! This crap about wanting to fix her father’s mistakes and make this dump of a kingdom a better place for all races.

She bet Celestia told everypony that story to win over their affection because she believed herself to be righteous. The warrior was nothing more than a slave to the daughter of the pony who killed her. The hypocrisy was disgusting. And how many other ponies knew of the truth? That Twilight mare certainly, the ankle bitter she is.

Did…Olive Branch know too?

“...Squad of…Everfree…search…dispel…chaos magic..”

As the far-off plan went on without input from the warrior mare, she was snapped from her thoughts, ironically, by the one pony she dreaded to see: Olive Branch.

Sitting alongside her right side and putting his keg next to him, the old stallion gave a shaky breath, not looking at the warrior. “Look, Storm Breaker, I know You’re angry right now.” He said in a low, soft tone. Her immediate reply was an angry snort. “Please, don’t hold it against her majesty; she only wanted to protect you.”

“As things are going, she’s the one who’s going to need protecting.” The warrior lowly growled.

“Look, I talked with Twilight, and Celestia only told her and Luna about the truth- I only got the basic rundown of what happened to you a few minutes ago.” Olive Branch interjected quickly at the warrior’s threat, “But you don’t see me wanting to hurt the princess even though I wasn’t informed. You need to calm down so we can talk this out.” He said.

The warrior looked down at Olive Branch from the corner of her eye, “It’s not the point.” She replied. “She’s using me like some slave she tricked into believing her lies so her pathetic subjects’ problems get put onto me. If she was so concerned about my feelings, she should’ve told me in the first place.”

In truth, she didn’t care that Celestia’s father technically killed her and preserved her barely alive corpse in a crystal- she lost a fight, no matter how humiliating it was. It was the victor's choice on what to do with her. What she did have a problem with were the lies. This kingdom exists because the bitch took advantage of her father’s failing successes and had the gall to act like a noble savior when her kin caused the problem in the first place!

Her race had been persecuted for thousands of winters by the unicorns and pegasi. Always waking up every day wondering if they’d make it ‘til nightfall or wind up in a ditch because they somewhat bothered a unicorn.

Then comes along a pair of savior alicorns to unite the three races, including the warriors, during their lowest, most vulnerable point in life. Once everypony became entangled in their lies, it so happens the ‘saviors’ built a kingdom to rule over where everypony they saved loved each other and them under their watchful eyes- all without telling them that the one who created their misery also birthed their saviors.

Celestia didn’t see her as a pony in need. She only saw the warrior as a spot in history she forgot to brainwash into loving her.

“I get that, and I’m sure her heart was in the right place,” Olive Branch continued, “That doesn’t mean it was totally right- I agree. But all you need to do is trust me, Storm Breaker.” Before the warrior could react, the old stallion took one of her hooves into his own, staring at her with a pleading look. “We haven’t been with each other for long, but I’ve greatly enjoyed the time we had together. I don’t want you ruining that and your progress because of this. We can solve this issue with our words, not with our hooves.”

The warrior was uncertain in her reply, torn between hating and wanting to forgive the old stallion beside her.

He was actively supporting that lying sack of yak shit and her lies, but he didn’t know the truth until now, like her. The old stallion graveled at Celestia’s hooves, trying to prevent her rightful flank-kicking, but the look in his eyes struck something unfamiliar in the mare’s heart- like an ache.

Unfortunately, as she opened her mouth to reply, the lying alicorn’s pet approached the pair.

“Hey, you two,” She awkwardly greeted, “I’m about to depart for the Everfree with Rainbow and the guards- not the ones that came with you, Storm Breaker -so you guys need to come along to see us off.” She said.

“Piss off.” The warrior said, making Twilight twitch in shock.

Olive Branch dared to give the miffed warrior an unimpressed look, “Simmer down, darling. We need to be there to make sure their departure goes smoothly. So at least hold your anger in until they’re gone.” He whispered sternly to the warrior mare. Peering at the studious unicorn with her scowl, the warrior snorted as she pushed herself onto her hooves, Olive Branch following suit.

Passing the many winding halls and staircases in Twilight's stead, the duo eventually found their way to and outside the city hall’s main doors, all while Strom Breaker staired dagger into the back of Twilight’s skull. Upon leaving the warmth of the city hall and briefly traveling the streets, a crowd of cheering ponies of all shapes and sizes gathered around an open area containing a golden chariot, a small platoon of royal guards, and the rainbow-maned nuisance. The last one noticed the warriors arrive, to which she scowled. Traversing the steps and easily parting the crowd- some of which acted off- stand-offish to the warrior -the duo and Twilight arrived at the chariot.

Twilight turned to the duo, “Well, this is where we part ways. Remember, if there is an attack on Ponyville, try to subdue the animal(s) if you can.” She said, looking at the warrior, “If you can’t…do what you can to protect this town.”

With a polite nod and a smile, the studious unicorn went off to the chariot. Soon, the squad Twilight formed took to the skies toward the ominous forest, leaving the crowd to cheer in their wake.

As the silhouettes disappeared within the foggy, stormy veil of mist, the warrior never diverted her hardened gaze, even as the earth pony wearing the strange hat from earlier prodded her foreleg. “Howdy there! You’re that ancient mare I’ve been hearing about.” She greeted, receiving a shallow nod, “Then, I’m sorry we got off the wrong hoof; my name’s Applejack.” Holding a hoof out for a hoofshake, she waited patiently for the warrior to return the gesture.

Sadly, Applejack’s hoof went abandoned as the warrior changed her gaze to her, “Are you a comrade of the alicorn’s pet?” She said.

“...Yes, and I would greatly appreciate it if you didn’t call my friend that,” Applejack replied, offense coating her tone and furrowed expression. Clearly Twilight’s comrades were as mentally diluted as her.

The warrior scoffed at the farm mare, facing away to walk back to the town hall, “Then you and I have no reason to establish one another. I respect you as the hard-working earth pony I heard about- like all earth ponies should be. But as long as you affiliate yourself with the wenches lap dog and her elemental soldiers, you’re nothing more than an enemy in my eyes.” She said, stomping past Applejack.

Bewildered by the warrior’s discourteous statement, Applejack whipped around with an angered look, “Now hold it right there; What is your problem?!” She said, making the warrior stop mid-step, “Me and my friends did nothing to you- why are you acting like we kicked your dog?” She questioned.

“I was blinded before…by my own sorrow,” The warrior started, lowering her head to the ground, “I thought everything changed before my very eyes, that the world I once knew was gone forever in what seemed like the blink of an eye. How wrong I was.” A shuddering breath shook the warrior's chest, turning Applejack's anger into worry, “Nothing has changed. This world still harbors evil and filth. The cracks of Canterlot- I’ve seen the ill squabble those ponies indulge themselves in -nothing but lies and greed. And your fucking lying princesses are no better!” She shouted at the end, stomping her hoof.

Sheepishly darting her eyes left and right, the crowd of confused and scared ponies having surrounded them, Applejack held up her hoof, “Simmer down, partner. Why…don’t we talk about this?” She said.

However, Applejack’s panic started to kick in when the warrior’s neck reached around and bit the handle of the sword attached to her waist, “No, I’m over with the talking.” Her muffled words growled as the glint of steel glared in the light as the warrior pulled it out halfway. “All you damn ponies do is talk. Now, I’m going to do what I should’ve-”

AAAAHHHHH!!!

Suddenly, a scream echoing throughout the misty, cold air rang out for all to hear, causing the warrior to stop and her ears to swivel around to find where the sound came from. It wasn’t necessary, however, at the end of the road where the scream came from, an ominous feeling flowed along the street like a river of despair amidst the dead silence.

Akin to opening the floodgates of a dam, the pounding of feet against snow was the only warning everypony got before a hoard of creatures rounded the corner, accompanied by a torrent of terrified and pain-filled screams.

“What is tarnation?!” Applejack cried, lowering into a defensive stance.

Immediately, ponies ran toward the warrior and apple farmer's direction, fleeing the tidal wave of death, some not so lucky, their bodies quickly being devoured after tripping or simply caught off guard. The creature’s themselves held striking differences; wooden dogs, the ‘manticores’, chicken/lizard hybrids, sizable lizards with sharp fangs and stone skin, and many more. But what they did have in common was their rotting, decaying appearance, with what little flesh clinging to their bones sporting pulsating blobs of purple gunk.

The warrior didn’t have time to ponder the ravenous monsters, as some- three wooden mutts -noticed her and went in for the kill.

Fully unsheathing her blade, the warrior wasted not a second, waiting for the perfect time for the creatures to enter her field of attack. With a muffled roar and a mighty swing of the newfound blade, the wooden mutts had no chance to dodge in time as the blade sliced clean through two of the three wooden dogs, the third one suffering a large gash on its chest, falling to the snowy ground.

Before the third could rise, the warrior’s hoof fell as quickly as it had raised over the creature’s skull, crushing the canine’s head in an explosion of amber sap and twigs.

Looking over to where the apple farmer was, she saw Applejack struggling against the chicken lizards and a rock lizard. Using her hind legs to no effect, they either bounced off the rocky lizard's tough exterior, or the chicken lizard swiftly evaded her strikes. The punishment for her sloppiness came ahead, the rocky lizard taking advantage of the apple farmer after she slipped following another failed buck by clamping its jaws onto her shoulders. A cry of pain escaped Applejack, the now injured mare trying desperately to remove herself from the rocky creature’s jaws.

The warrior knew she could just leave the mare to die and act like it was an accident. What did she care if the farmer, who affiliated herself with the alicorn’s pet, died- not like she was her problem. However, due to her decades of service to the vanguard, the need to protect her fellow earth ponies automatically kicked in, causing the warrior to rush to Applejack’s aid without notice.

“Horseapples!” The farmer groaned, letting out another shriek of agony at the rocky lizard's teeth tearing her back’s flesh. And just as she saw her life flash before her eyes, the shadow of the hulking warrior covered the apple farmer, her sword grazing her stetson overhead as it pierced the assaulting rock creature's skull.

A shaky sigh of relief crawled from Applejack's lips, and the rocky lizard’s limp body collapsed to the ground. “Only once.” She heard, looking up to see the warrior glaring down at her.

Nodding in understanding and wincing as sharp pain attacked her backside, Applejack returned to her previous bucking, now more away than before. This time, her back hooves connected with the flocking chicken lizards, their frail bodies instantly grumbling apart, the warrior picking off any remaining ones. The earth pony pair made quick work with creatures, but they couldn’t stay in their own world as the screaming residents of Ponyville brought them back down.

“We need to get to the town hall!” Applejack shouted over the noise, pointing to the direction of the building, “The mayor instructed us to barricade ourselves in there in case of an attack, and not a lot of ponies are going to make it if we keep standing around, so come on!” She shouted before taking off.

Why in Hades should she care? The warrior stood still in her spot as the apple farmer disappeared in the chaos of fighting ponies and creatures. It would be so easy just to turn back and abandon these worthless ponies. So why-

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The goddess gifted us natural strength so we could protect the weak, no matter who they were.

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Thee, who bestowed the moniker of Storm Breaker, rise and accept this brand as if it were your destiny. Thou shall take on the burdens of the Earth pony race and protect those who need protection.

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Grunting in pain at the sharp jab poking her mind, the warrior narrowly dodged the claws of a manticore as it lunged at her. The manticore turned to retry its attack but instead was met with the sensation of sharpened metal cutting its face down the middle, spraying blood and brain matter onto the warrior's chest. Collapsing to and staging the snow crimson, the manticore's twitching corpse lay motionless as the warrior held a hoof to her temple.

What was that- those voices? The first…was her father, and the second was vaguely familiar to her.

More importantly, why did they come to her now?

Just like at the hospital during her first few days in Equestria, the warrior’s memories came back to taunt her and prey on the warrior’s buried sentiments. And no matter how hard she wanted to ignore them, the will to turn tail and run only shed more light onto her cowardice. She took up the mantle of the warrior to serve her race in any dire situation, and her younger self even helped a pegasus or unicorn from time to time because of her father's teaching of kindness.

She had failed to meet both.

Turning back on these ponies- especially the earth ponies -now would further ruin her reputation as a proud vanguard knight.

Gritting her teeth, the warrior breathed heavily for a moment until her head shot up and looked forward. Her teeth tightened around the sword handle, and snow blew up from the ground as the warrior- no, as Storm Breaker kicked off the ground and into a full sprint. As she dashed through the streets, her sword swung this and that way, striking any offending monsters attacking the Ponyville residence she could reach.

Until now, she hadn’t stayed true to her title as a true warrior. The closest thing to being a warrior she has done was the tasks given to her by the lying princess's sister.

Storm Breaker planned on changing that.