Chronicles of a Canterlot Guard

Chronicles of a Canterlot Guard

By Liquid Rainbows

Chapter Three

Winter was galloping down the main hallway. The ponies he passed were simply enjoying the party, oblivious to the situation that Winter was facing. What did Midnight do? Winter wasn't entirely sure if Midnight was homicidal or not, and didn't know what he was going to find in those bushes.

Some ponies turned and watched Winter curiously as he burst out the entrance way and ran off to the right. Winter didn't heed their gaze, but was determined to find out what was going on. There was confliction in the pegasus stallions mind. Part of him wanted to uphold his duty as a guard, while another part wanted to agree with Midnight's actions, no matter how horrible they might be.

Finally, Winter slowed to a trot as he reached the side of the palace. It was dark in the shadows, but lightening bugs and the stars above illuminated the quiet night air. Winter wasn't sure if Midnight was following him, nor did it matter at that moment. He would deal with Midnight later.

Winter began searching the bushes until he reached a bush near a medium sized apple tree. He stopped in his tracks as his ears picked up a faint sound. Was it...breathing? The breaths were short. More like panting. Winter moved slowly behind the bush, and found her laying there.

A cyan colored pegasus mare with a rainbow colored mane was lying there, tied with ropes, her mouth taped shut, covered in sweat and...other fluids. Winter reeled back, stunned. This mare was one of the elements! He didn't recall her name, but he recognized her. Winter was shocked and horrified at what Midnight had done, at how he had violated her, but somewhere, deep inside the dark corners of his mind, he found it funny. Some sick, twisted part of his brain believed that Midnight was in the right. I mean, he wasn't killing them, was he? He wasn't even physically hurting them that much. All Midnight was doing was enjoying his last night in this world.

Winter lowered his head and started shivering, despite the warmth in the air. His whole body was shuddering, his mind a war zone of different emotions. I just need to take out my sword, free the poor mare, and tell the other guards what's going on. Or...maybe I shouldn't...maybe I should leave her here and just walk away.

"Well, Winter," A venomous voice chimed in, breaking Winter's thoughts, "You wanted me to show you what I was doing. She was what I was "doing" not to long ago." Winter continued to stare at the exhausted, abused mare laying before him. Something about the redness in her cheeks, that glazed look in her eyes, made Winter excited. He was shaking now, the rational part of his brain urging him to take out his sword and kill Midnight like the dog he was. Something snapped in Winter's mind.

A sound escaped from Winter's lips, growing louder. He started laughing, louder and louder, hysterically. Midnight smiled, knowing that he had won the battle in Winter's mind. He owned him now. Winter kept his gazed locked on Rainbow Dash's limp form, until finally he spoke.

"Well, Midnight," He began with a wolfish grin, "Who's next?" Winter turned to look at Midnight, his eyes wild. Midnight chuckled.

"I was thinking we could get the country mare, Applejack, next. She's strong, but she can't stop the two of us together." Winter giggled gleefully at the implications of Midnight's words. Midnight beckoned for Winter to follow, and the two began making their way to the gardens at the back of the palace. The moon was getting higher in the sky, and the stars glowed brighter then ever. The sky itself was a dark, purplish blue, radiating the essence of night upon Equestria.

Ponies glanced at the two as they passed, but this time, they seemed like two, unsuspecting guards going for a stroll. The garden out back was enormous, with many paths leading in different directions. Following the main path, the two of them reached the entrance to the hedge maze.

"She's in here, I know it." Midnight said, observing the butterflies who floated aimlessly around the mazes entrance.

"How do you know?" Winter questioned.

"While you were busy trying to find my little surprise in the bushes, I asked some of the party goers. They all said that she went inside the maze and hasn't come out." Winter grinned. A challenge is always fun. Midnight led the way as the two began trotting through the large maze.

The minutes passed slowly and silently as the two listened out for noise. The walls of the maze were high, bathing the paths in shadow, but the bright sky was still visible, the many stars providing sufficient illumination. The two made many turns, hit multiple dead ends, and scouted for a long time until they finally heard the trotting of hooves other then their own.

Following the sound, the two skulked through the darkness as quietly as they could. Taking a right turn, the two faced down a long stretch of path, and the strong, sturdy form of Applejack could be seen walking. Applejack was humming a tune to herself happily as she slowly cantered down the path. Midnight whispered instructions to Winter, and the two trotted quickly after her.

"Fine night for a stroll, isn't it?" Midnight called confidently as they approached. Applejack stopped in her tracks and turned.

"Oh, hello there Midnight. Y'all startled me!" Applejack exclaimed as Winter nonchalantly passed by her and turned to face her flank. Applejack looked a little worried.

"Er, who's yer friend here?" She asked, turning to face Winter.

"Oh, my name is Sergeant Winter, ma'am. Pleased to meet you." Winter explained, extending a hoof. Applejack nervously shook his hoof. While that was happening, Midnight ran and jumped onto her back, slamming her body into the dust.

"What in the hell do yew think yer doing!" Applejack yelled in surprise, "Get yer damn hooves off me!" Winter, meanwhile, had a look of deep concern on his face as he watched Applejack squirm. While Midnight struggled to keep Applejack pinned, Winter was feeling a crisis of faith. I can't do this, can I? What kind of sick, degenerate pony would force someone like this against their will?

"Winter!" Midnight barked with effort, "Help me keep her pinned!" Winter leaned down pushed Applejack's upper half down with his fore-hooves. He looked into her eyes as she struggled under Midnight's weight.

"Dammit." She muttered under her breath before looking up at Winter. "Why are yew doin' this?" Winter felt like he had been stabbed in the heart. He began shaking. I won't stand for this! Winter rose to his legs and scowled at Midnight.

"Winter!" Midnight yelled, "What the hell are you doing?" Applejack suddenly bucked upwards, kicking Midnight square in the chest. Midnight was thrown backwards, sputtering in pain. Applejack's eyes were wild, and she frantically moved her gaze between Winter and Midnight.

"Now y'all better back off! Ah'm warnin' yew!" Winter, without thinking, took a step forward. Applejack immediately spun around and bucked him in the face. Two teeth went flying from his mouth, and he landed on his back, unconscious and bleeding. Applejack turned to face a recovering Midnight.

"Yew crazy bastard!" She yelled in rage. "What did yew do with Pinkie after I saw 'er with yew? Ah swear, if yew touched one hair on 'er head!" Midnight started laughing maniacally. Applejack glared at him in confusion and anger.

"Oh, silly Applejack." He grinned, "I did a lot more then just touching!" Applejack screamed and leaped at him. Unfortunately, Midnight had been anticipated this. Midnight quickly unsheathed his sword and side stepped. Applejack couldn't stop herself in midair, and the blade sliced down her right side. Applejack quivered in pain and shock for a moment, before slipping into unconsciousness. The blade hadn't cut too deep, and she wasn't bleeding bad enough for her life to be threatened.

"It's a shame," Midnight thought aloud, "that I won't get to play with you, now." Midnight, the sword still clenched in his teeth, walked over to the sleeping form of Winter.

"I will not kill the innocent," Midnight said between his teeth, raising the blade, "but I have no problem killing traitors." Midnight plunged the sword deep into Winter's chest and let go of the handle, allowing it to remain propped inside of him. Winter stopped breathing, and stopped moving entirely. Midnight regained his composure and began retracing his steps out of the maze.

This was an unexpected turn of events, he thought to himself, but I'm not done just yet!...