It was a pleasant day in Canterlot. The warm afternoon sun shown down on the towers of Canterlot castle, reflecting from the well-kept marble walls. Inside the castle, servants rushed through the hallways to keep all the dignitaries in the heavily crowded ballroom at good mood.
Even though the marvelous atmosphere in the grand hall, a particular unicorn stallion was locked up far below in the royal dungeons. On the verge of hopelessness he sat there, thinking to himself.
Two months three weeks and six days, this was the time span Shining Armor already sat in the darkness of a mossy dungeon cell. The old but strong iron bars gave him a good view of the corridor, but with his legs chained by heavy iron and an inhibitor crystal pierced through his horn he could not do anything. As he thought back to the better days, the memory of that one fateful day, the day his torture had begun, again nestled itself in his consciousness.
It was bright and sunny day in canterlot, reflecting it's glory in the smiles of all beings around. Shining Armor however could have received an award for the extent his happiness. Even for him, a private invitation from princess Celestia herself was something special. It was one of the rare occasions where he could talk with her like she was just another pony. As usual they met at princess Celestia's chambers. While enjoying a cup of tea they talked about the happenings in the high society, the plans for the next Grand Galloping Gala and even about the weather. But like every time they mainly talked about his sister and his life with Cadance.
This time however Celestia had to leave him alone for a while. Apparently some Manehattan politicians wanted approval for a very big building project and insisted that princess Celstia herself would be pleased to see this structure. Until Celestia would return Shining Armor took his time to take in the decor of the room. Even though the room looked exactly like it did the last time he visited his amazement never faded. Every single detail seemed perfect. From the soft cushion he sat on to the to the candelabra above, there was nothing that would not please the eye.
When finally the doors opened again Shining's mood darkened immediately, for it was not Celestia who entered, but his former comrade Silverbolt. The grey-coated and silver-maned earth pony stallion was the most corrupt guard Shining Armor knew, and right now he was entering Celestias chambers and closing the distance between him and Shining.
"What are you doing here?" Shining spoke, annoyed by the grin on Silverbolts face.
"Is this the way you greet an old mate, Shiny? After all the time we worked together, I had expected you to be more friendly."
It wasn't only that Shining did not like Silverbolt. It was mainly that obviously fake, slimy grin on Silverbolt's face that made Shining wish he could crush Silverbolt like the cockroach he was.
As his stroll brought him right next to Shining Armor, Silverbolt's grin faded, making place for a friendly, apologizing look.
"What is wrong, Shiny? I am not here to steal your muffins or something like that."
"Stop calling me Shiny!" was the only thing Shining Armor shouted as answer. He knew only to well that he could not trust Silverbolt.
The doors opened again, but as Shining spun his head to see who entered he was only greeted by a sudden darkness surrounding him.
When Shining awoke he already was in the dungeons. Since that day he had not seen anything but his cell. The memory of the grim news he got short after still stung like on the first day. He was accused for murdering the princesses.
His only connections to the outside world were Twilight, Cadance and the newspaper he got every now and then. But the only news he got just made him feel even worse. Apparently every single guard that trusted Shinng had been fired or imprisoned. Only a short time after he got into this mess a new ruling class had formed. Calling themself the "Ascended" they took control of everything. About one month ago, prince Blueblood even lost his social rank as royalty for doubting their decisions. According to Twilight they also began to censor the news.
After all he heard about the Ascended it seemed that they did everything they could to strengthen their power and their wealth, he even considered it a miracle that they let Twilight and Cadence visit him.
Again, the thought of these rats filled Shining's bones with rage. He tried to control his emotions by meditating on the cold, hard floor. If Twilight had a chance of helping him out of this, outbursts would only complicate it.
Suddenly there were hoofbeats echoing through the dungeon and a distant voice could be heard.
"Don't take your time. I still don't know why you do this willingly. This rat doesn't deserve it," said the guard on dungeon duty.
Another voice found it's way to Shining's ears.
"I only do what our laws of pony rights demand me to do. Every prisoner, no matter the crime, has the right to get enough to eat and newspaper on regular basis."
Shining knew this voice; it belonged to Iron Thorn, the guard that brought him his lunch and newspaper ever since he got imprisoned. Thorn also was the only one, aside his family, that was friendly enough to talk with him.
As the hoofsteps grew louder, Shining could make out the silhouette of the pegasus guard. Carrying dishes on one wing and a newspaper under the other, he made his way to the bars of Shining's cell.
"You are lucky today, Shining Armor," spoke Iron Thorn as he carfully placed the dishes in the cell. "The festivities in the ballroom already threw off enough food that was 'not good enough' to feed the entire palace staff. There was even a little portion left I could bring you today."
Shining inspected his plate; it had been a long time since he had seen cake, muffins and professionally-designed sandwiches.
"And of cause the newspaper," said the smiling guard when he put the newspaper next to the dishes.
Grabbing a muffin in his hooves, Shining let his mind wander to the better days before this misery begun. The most prominent question that formed in his mind had no need to be spoken, for he had asked it every time Iron Thorn brought him his meal.
"I'm sorry, but there still isn't any sign that you could be judged as innocent. It only seems to get worse. They...they even talked about bringing back the death penalty."
Taken aback by this Shining Armor felt like his body would turn to ice. His own heartbeat began to ring in his ears. Could they truly consider to reestablish a punishment that was outlawed by Celestia herself nearly a thousand years ago? Less than a year ago he had even seen Celestia shouting at somepony that only mentioned that it could be an adequate punishment. She even used the royal canterlot voice to make her position clear. But now these 'Ascended' ponies-, no these traitors- dared to go against everything he and the guard had represented. His emotions told him that this could only be a nightmare, that this could not be real. But his mind told him otherwise. All the pain he felt in these past months, all the humiliation he read in the newspaper were real. Again Shining felt like all these pains would come back, he could again hear every word of disgust thrown at him, see every face of every guard that hat spat on him and he again he felt every hit he had taken as they tried to make him confess.
When Shining finally started to calm down, Thorn was nowhere to be seen. Trying to control his rapid breathing he continued what could be his last sweet meal. Clinging to the hope that at least the news would give him a speck of light, ge reached for the folded newspaper.
But as soon as he began to read, the fire of wrath was ignited again in his heart.
Silverbolt was promoted to the rank of the high commander, giving him authority over not only the guard, but every single resource of equestria that could potentially be weaponized as well. The reason he got promoted was listed as "his unimaginable courage shown in capturing the murderer of our beloved princesses" according to the article.
This was too much for Shining. He could practically feel the fury fill his veins. All he wanted at this moment was to get to Silverbolt and slowly drain all the life out of the very essence of his bones.
Shining Armor sprang up, ready to blast his entire cell to clump when his body was suddenly filled with agony. The pain increased until he lost track of his senses and again fell to the ground, feeling nothing but unimaginable pain.
Now Shining remembered why the usage of inhibitor crystals was highly illegal under Celestia's reign. Not only had they to be pierced through a unicorn's horn, but in contrast to anti-magic rings, they also were known for turning a unicorn's magic against it's user, making him wish he would die.
Paralysed by pain, all Shining could do was lying on the cold ground below him, hoping that this eternity of pain would end sooner than later.
"Sad! So sad!"
This voice was completely foreign to Shining Armor. Struggling to regain control over his body, Shining opened his eyes. The magical backlash must have hit him harder than he thought, for he could only see a shadowy figure standing in front of his cell. Shining wanted to ask who or what this thing was, but the pain still kept him from forming words.
"Trapped in here for a crime you didn't commit, and soon executed for it. But-"
The thing was suddenly gone! It just disappeared, without a trace!
"I think we both know a better way."
It was right next to him.
Twilight was in distress. For months she had fought for her brother's freedom, but it all seemed to be for nothing. Since the day Celestia and Luna vanished she tried to convince the Ascended that Shining could not have killed the princesses.
All she got to hear was that her brother must have planned this for a long time and that she could not prove otherwise. What could she do? The Ascended had just turned her knowledge of right upside down.
Hoping for a wonder to save her brother she slowly walked down the hallways of canterlot castle. There just had to be a way to save her brother! If only she could...
Her line of thoughts was cut short by the sound of the alarm bells and a troop of guards rushing by.
"What happened?" Twilight asked one of the guards.
"Something happened in the dungeons."
A sudden fear got hold of Twilight. Not bothering for the guards or the security protocol she herself ran towards the dungeons. On her way she passed another group of guards carrying a badly wounded comrade to the medical wing. It only made Twilight's heart race even faster.
At the entrance to the dungeons Twilight was stopped by a guard posted at the, now-missing, door.
"No civilians allowed in there."
Ignoring the guard Twilight just teleported past him. Hearing them shout at her to stop she ran down the hallway. Fearing for her brothers safety she ran. No matter what penalty she could get for interrupting the guards, she just had to know.
Her heart nearly stopped when she was in eyeshot with her brother's cell. This could not be true. It just could not. Where her brother should be there wasn't even a cell. All that was left was a crater in walls and ground.
Suddenly Twilight felt another's magic grip her body.
Author's Note
This first chapter still is a mess. Someday I'll rewrite it. At least I have improved since I've written this.
Twilight sat at her writing desk in the Ponyville library. One week had passed by since her brother vanished from the royal dungeons in Canterlot and out of the fangs of death. Twilight was relieved, yet at the same time a dark cloud of anxiety hovered above her, casting its shadow on her mind. On one hoof, Shining Armor could not be executed for murder while he was nowhere to be found. On the other hoof, whatever made him disappear could also have brought him a fate worse than death. What if he shared the princesses’ fate? What if he had been kidnapped? What if he got kidnapped to share the princesses’ fate? What if...
Twilight shook her head with all the force she could muster. She had to keep her mind clear if she wanted to find her brother and the princesses.
Coming back to reality, she finished writing her newest friendship report. A sigh escaped her lips as she had to put it with the others in a little chest. Even though Celestia and Luna had been missing for months, Twilight had never stopped writing her reports. A yearning expression on her face, she set her gaze upon the skies behind her window. If the princesses really were dead, why would the cycle of day and night still go on?
“Twilight?”
Twilight spun around to find Iron Thorn standing in the door. Since Twilight broke through the guard post at the dungeon entrance one week ago, Iron Thorn was ordered to follow her every step and report back to his commanding officer. Twilight still did not know if this was a precautionary measure, or if it was a penalty placed on Thorn for defending Twilight when the guards arrested her.
It still amazed Twilight to what extent the enchanted armor of the guard could change the appearance of a pony. Before her stood not the white pegasus-guard that had saved her a week ago, but the dark-grey-coated, copper-maned and slightly worried-looking pegasus that was the, now unarmored royal guard Iron Thorn.
“Do you know where I left my armor? Silverbolt is going to kill me if I don't wear it at the meeting,” spoke the stallion while he scanned Twilight's spotless room.
“Last time I saw it, you put it into the box in the basement, with the rest of your stuff.” Twilight had to smile when the look of realization plastered itself on Thorn's face. Iron Thorn was a good pony and loyal to himself and the old guard's code. Since the princesses vanished, these perks became rare, far too rare for Twilight’s taste. With her whole heart Twilight missed the time when the guards kept the old code at heart, the time when life was full of happiness in all of Equestria, the time before the princesses and her brother Shining vanished. As her mind drifted back to the time she had spend with her brother and the time she had spend with the princesses, again her mood began to sink into darkness. Eyes cast to the ground, a sigh escaped her lips. When she closed her eyes, she could at least still feel the warmth she always felt around them, the warmth she felt around her family.
A new sensation pulled her out of her memories and as she opened her eyes again, she saw Spike hugging her leg. “I know how you feel, Twilight, I miss them too,” spoke the little dragon, his eyes glassy from held-back tears, “but you've to be strong today!”
Bending down, Twilight returned the hug. She herself felt like crying, but Spike was right. This day she would have a meeting with high-commander Silverbolt. It could be her only chance to clear her brother's name, her only chance to bring things back to normal, her only chance to search for her brother without fear of losing him again.
Slowly the hug broke and Spike reluctantly let go of Twilight's leg. Determination in her steps, Twilight made her way down the stairs and out into the late afternoon sun. Thorn was already waiting outside, again wearing his enchanted armor. The sky-carriage that would bring them to Canterlot had already landed. Standing there in all of it’s glory, the sky-carriage’s golden sides rested only a few feet away from the library entrance. It’s perfectly polished sides reflecting Twilight’s image as if she was looking in a mirror.
Only a few minutes after they took off, Twilight let her gaze wander about the sight of Ponyville behind her. Despite all that happened in the past months, the village of Ponyville still was the same little town it had always been. All that happened since Celestia and Luna vanished, two months and five weeks ago, had brought drastic changes all over Equestria.
The day it all began Twilight got a letter, telling her she and the other bearer of the elements had to attend to an emergency meeting in Canterlot. When the reason for this meeting had been brought to her she could not believe it. She still could not, but on the day her world fell apart it felt even worse. Her brother was accused of murdering the princesses! To believe that this could be true was beyond Twilight’s mental capabilities. It was far to absurd to be true, her brother Shining Armor, captain of the royal guard and one half of the element of love sat in the dungeon for having murdered princess Luna and princess Celestia.
The meeting itself had one priority: Establishing a new government to keep Equestria from falling apart. The gathering of respected ponies and dignitaries came to the conclusion that the responsibility could not lay in the hooves of any normal pony, but that it was also not possible to hold the land together without a ruler.
After endless hours of arguing the first Ascended were chosen. To lend the common pony a hoof and lead them through the dark; that was the task given to them. Soon others followed and so new ponies became Ascended, day by day.
But with responsibility also comes power, and with power comes responsibility, something only few ponies can handle.
Since then most of the Ascended had already given up their tasks. Only caring for themselves, they began to use their power to extract everything and everypony that was 'not worthy'. The common pony, those the Ascended had sworn to guide became not more than slaves to many of them. They were ordered to work, but left with nothing; this was something Twilight had to learn the hard way.
Twilight had left early in the morning. This day would be a good one, she could feel it. Twilight was enthusiastic, filled to the brink with glee. Today she would go to Canterlot and free her brother! There was no way she could fail, the evidences she had collected over the past one and a half months proved that Shining had a airtight alibi. Slowly the sun crept over the horizon, bathing the land in it's rays. Shielding her eyes, Twilight turned her head towards the blinding sun.
“Don't worry, I'll find you,” She silently said to herself and the sun, hoping that Celestia would also hear it, wherever the Princess was. Continuing her way to the Ponyville train-station, Twilight’s thoughts, again, wandered to her plan for the day bringing a smile onher face. Yes, she was certain that today nothing could go wrong.
Soon Twilight sat in the train to Canterlot. The train felt strangely empty. Not only were her friends not with her, but every time Twilight rode with the train, she noticed that, since the princesses vanishedless ponies traveled by train. Twilight had only done what needed to be done. The thought that she had spent the past one and a half months focused on proving Shining's innocence felt strange. She had done nothing but travel straight to Canterlot Castle, collecting everything that could help, and then go straight back to Ponyville.
Maybe it was time for her to do something for herself. She could eat some doughnuts at Doughnut Joe's doughnut shop, she could also visit the Canterlot library, or she could just visit her parents. How long it had been since she had seen her parents, she could not remember. As the train began toslow down, her decision was made. The train came to a stop and Twilight stepped out onto the platform. As usual in the past weeks the train-station was guarded. It was beyond Twilight's understanding why the Canterlot train-station and the main street were guarded like the palace itself, it just seemed unnatural that the Canterlot Ascended would be so cautious.
“Nice to see you again, Miss Sparkle,”said a guard as Twilight approached the street.
“As usual, straight to the castle?” asked another guard.
Twilight was still unaccustomed to being asked where she was going;on every trip through Canterlot, she felt like a criminal that had to be watched. Once she had asked one of the guards why they kept questioning her. Apparently it became a duty for them to ask every Ascended and every pony of importance for their destination.
“Not today. I am going to visit my parents.”Twilight stated.
“In that case, we will escort you.” The guard's face was a perfect picture of seriousness, serious enough to make Twilight not ask any further.
Now followed by a pair of guards, Twilight made her way to her parents’ flat. It felt wrong to be escorted, she wasn't princess Celestia or any pony deserving of an escort. She was uncomfortable with the situation, why did they need to follow her?
“Excuse me, misters, but why did you insist on escorting me? It is not like I would get lost or anything.”
“Every Ascended that travels outside of upper Canterlot or the main street has to be escorted by at least two guards!” The same uncomfortableseriousness as at the train-station covered his voice. Somehow it gave Twilight the chills, as thoughsomething really bad was about to happen.
Trying to distract herself fromany more dark thoughts, Twilight let her gaze wander toher surroundings; Canterlot was one of the most beautiful cities in all of Equestria after all, but it could not stop this feeling.As her eyes wandered the streets Twilight spotted many houses and shops that were roughly nailed shut with boards, she spotted broken windows and damaged facades. Here and there garbage was scattered on the ground, but the one thing she could not see were other ponies wandering around. It was as if somepony had rebuilt the lower parts of Canterlot from Twilight’s imagination of a city after years of war. The whole atmosphere radiating sadness and hopelessness. Twilight began to hasten her step , the sooner she could get this sensation of herself the better.
Reaching the building her parents lived in, the feeling began to ease, making room for anticipation. It had been too long since Twilight visited her parents, but she still had the key they had given her. Leaving the guards at the door, Twilight entered the flat. Making her way through the rooms, she noticed that there was less furniture than the last time she visited her parents. “Mom, Dad, are you home?”
Not long after Twilight spotted her parents’manes over the backrest of the couch, in the living room. A little smile on her face, Twilight began walking towards them.“Didn’t you hear me come in? Normally you are hugging me to death before I can even shut the door.”
When no response came concern started to fill her. ”Mom, Dad? Are you alright?”
As Twilight rounded the couch all the blood left her face. Her parents were mere bones and skin, every single rib identifiable under their fur. Eyes wide and filled with panic, Twilight rushed to them.
“MOM! DAD! SPEAKTO ME!” Twilight tried to wake them up, but to no use. Tears filled her eyes, there had to be something she could do, anything to save them.
Her sight blurred by tears, her hooves shaking, and her mind too distracted by panic, only one thing struck her that she could do:
” HEEEEEEEEELLLLP!”
All Twilight could remember after after her call of distress was that the two guards had rushed in to aid her. Everything that happened afterwards was no more than a blur of emotions in Twilight’s memory. She only knew one thing for sure: had the two guards not escorted her, her parents would already be dead.
Ponyville had not changed much. Filthy Rich, the mayor and herself were the only Ascended of Ponyville. Even though Filthy Rich enjoyed the attention he suddenly got, not much was different; Twilight never noticed how drastic the changes in Canterlot had been. Apparently practically every hospital and medical station in lower Canterlot had been closed and those in upper Canterlot refused to take patients from lower Cantelot. Twilight’s parents were in the Ponyville hospital, still stationed in the intensive care, slowly recovering.
By now the sun started to descend on the horizon and the chariot flew over the outskirts of Canterlot. Looking down on the city, Twilight could feel it again, the omnipresent sorrow that took hold of the lower half of Canterlot. This short time ago she herself had been too blind, too focused on saving her brother, to notice what had happened all around her.
While her mind wandered through the sadness that filled the air, Twilight spotted something. It looked like a pony, standing on a rooftop and... looking at her.
“What are you looking at?” Twilight spun around, a bit startled, to look directly into the face of Iron Thorn.
“Oh, I just....” said Twilight, again setting her gaze on the city, “thought I saw...” but the pony was gone. “Nah, must have been my imagination.”
A chuckle escaped Thorn's throat. ”You are kind of easy to distract,” he said jokingly. Twilight again felt uncomfortable, this was not like her at all, but Thorn didn't seem to notice. He gave her a little nudge. ”Just keep your focus when we meet high-commander Silverbolt.”
Slowly the carriage began to descend to the landing platform at the high-commander's office, near Canterlot Castle.
The thought that this could be her only chance to convince the high-commander of Shining's innocence scared Twilight, but it also filled her to the brink with determination. There was no way she would leave in failure.
“No!” The word left the the gray stallion's throat with a distinctive growing annoyance.
For the past hours Twilight had tried to reason with Silverbolt, but he only repeated his answer over and over again.
Twilight certainly was not happy with the outcome of the appointment and anger began to creep into her voice. “Do you at least care to explain why?” she shouted.
“Watch your tone!” Silverbolt snapped at her. He began to pace through his office, eyes closed in thought. “There is a simple reason why I can’t simply forgive him.” His pace brought him to the room's window, where he sat his gaze on the night sky. “He could not have escaped by himself.” Silverbolt spun around, his face now wearing an unnatural grimace of a grin.
The sight sent shivers down Twilight's spine, she began to panic, but the three guards in the room, as well as Iron Thorn seemed to not even notice it. Twilight could not believe this, this happiness of Silverbolt seemed too unfitting for the situation.
“He must have been freed by rebels,” spoke the stallion, a sick grin plastered upon his face. “which still is jailbreak.” He took a step towards Twilight, filling her with unease. “No matter if he joined them, or if he told them something, because of torture.” The last word melted on his tongue, like he loved the taste of it. “Both would be counted as treason.”
Silverbolt took another step towards Twilight, making her flinch. Silverbolt's grin grew even wider and he directly took another step. “Or do you have any objections?”
Twilight's mind was clouded with fear, her eyes were like pinpricks. She just wanted to bolt out of the room, be as far away as possible from this maniac. Every fiber of her body urged to run, but her mind told her to stay, to stay as long as needed to save her brother.
“B...But what about the murder case?”
“What about it?”
“Th...There was never any evidence.”Twilight struggled to keep her voice normal. ”I...It was never proven that he murdered the princesses.”
Suddenly Silverbolt roared in laughter. “Did you not listen?” Still chuckling he began to circle around Twilight. Like a bloodthirsty hyena he orbited her, eyeing her every movement. “Even if he was innocent, it would not matter by now. Any kind of treason will soon be punished by death!”
Silverbolt's laughter rang like thunder in Twilight's ears. Could there really be no way for her to save her brother? No way to make things like they were before the princesses vanished? How could she ever explain this to Cadance?
The whole situation seemed to loom over her, like a damocles sword hanging above her head, only waiting for Silverbolt to cut the string.
Twilight was in despair. What should she do? Where should she go? She could not just return to Ponyville, could she? What would her friends think?
As Silverbolt’s words slowly sunk in Twilight felt them drain out all hope, until not even the slightest shimmer was seen in the darkness of her despair. Twight could not tell how long she sat there. If it was only for seconds, or for hours was beyond her. The only things her mind still allowed her to notice, were Silverbolt's laughter and the tears steaming down her face.
Slowly Twilight rose. Head held low, she made her way to the door. Twilight was just raising her hoof to open the door, when she heard rapid hoofbeats from outside.
“Who are you?” asked a voice outside the room.
Twilight's body screamed in pain, as she suddenly felt herself sent flying through the room. All air was forced from her lungs when she hit the ground. The world was spinning around her.
Despite her pain, Twilight managed to roll over and take a look. Again Twilight's mind began to fill with fear and disbelieve. The door and part of the wall were missing, their remains scattered through the room.
Where the door should be, surrounded by unconscious guards, stood somepony. His whole body was covered by black cloth; a pair of wings, made of metal, were visible on his side. From his head reached a horn, but what filled Twilight with fear, was the mask the stallion was wearing. It resembled a pony's skull, lenses for the eyes and the jaw held together by wires. From horn to chin the metallic skull was split, reavealing red silk underneath, but for Twilight it could as well have been skin-less flesh. The plain sight sent shivers down Twilight's spine. Whatever this stallion wanted, it sure wasn't something pleasant.
Out of sheer instinct Twilight fought to get on her hooves. A new wave of pain enveloped her body, as her legs again had to support her weight.
“S..Stay away! I warn you!”Twilight heard the now fear-filled voice of Silverbolt. Panic written on his face, the silver-maned stallion backed away from the now approaching masked one.
One part of Twilight's mind told her that no matter what this stallion wanted to do, Silverbolt would deserve it, but all that she had learned said that nopony deserves any harm. Despite her mental struggle, Twilight found herself blocking the masked stallion's way; even though she had nothing but hate left for Silverbolt, she would not let this stranger do anything to him.
A strong telekinetic push shoved her to the side. With determination Twilight got back up and again blocked the stallion's way. Readying her magic to fight, Twilight took combat stance. She flinched, as one of the stallion's metal wings extended. Doubts churned in Twilight’s mind when she saw the razor sharp steel-feathers of the masked stallion’s wings.
There was still time to retreat, still time to leave Silverbolt to his fate. Twilight considered fleeing, but told herself that this would make her no better than a murderer. No! She would not let this stallion through!
Charging her horn, Twilight got ready to strike when... the stallion was gone.
A loud screech made Twilight spin around, only to be paralyzed by shock. In front of the window, the masked stallion was towering over the twitching body of Silberbolt, blood flowing from Silverbolt’s throat.
Shock faded to anger and Twilight charged towards the stallion. Again he suddenly vanished, leaving Twilight to try and stop before she would fall over Silverbolt's body. Outside the window Twilight spotted the masked stallion on a rooftop, throwing a last glance in the high-commander's office, before he took flight with his metal wings and disappeared behind another building.
A warm feeling around her hoof drew Twilight's attention. On the ground before her lay the body of Silverbolt. His forehead was impaled by some sort of crystal and the blood coming from an ugly gash on his neck had formed a puddle on the ground. Silverbolt's body had stopped moving, his face frozen in panic and fear.
Sitting down, Twilight tried to comprehend what just happened; When she was about to lose hope and her will to live, some strange masked stallion that used magic Twilight had never heard of, stormed in and attacked the high-commander.
Somehow, to think about it made Twilight laugh. She did not know why, but she laughed, like all of this would just be a big disturbing joke. She could also not tell if the tears she felt on her cheeks were from pain, or from relief. Only one thing was certain for Twilight at this moment.
Silverbolt was dead.
– – –
In the silence of night, a masked stallion glided through the sky. Landing on a rooftop in lower Canterlot, he folded his mechanical wings, and sat down to rest. His fore-hooves rose to his mask, to reveal the face of Shining Armor.
His face wore a sour expression, as he remembered the last hour. He had not wanted for his sister to see what he did, but at that point he had had no choice. Had he chosen to retreat he might not get another chance.
Slowly he unfolded his right wing; it still felt strange to have these wings. Bringing the bloodstained feathers forth so he could examine them, he fell into thought. He had finally taken revenge on Silverbolt, but it had not given him the joy and relief he had hoped for. Unsure of what to do, he turned around and laid his eyes on the sight of Canterlot Castle in the distance.
All the good memories he had collected at this place made him feel the warmth of the happier times. His gaze softened and he thought, that maybe it was time to find Cadance and return to a happy and normal life, far away from Canterlot and the Ascended.
A sound from down on the streets took Shining's attention. As his eyes wandered the city below, his gaze again became as hard as stone. The poverty and sorrow he saw there and that he had seen over the past week, were more present than he could have imagined.
Right below him, he saw a group of colts and fillies fight over a rotten apple. The sight alone was enough to make his stomach turn by anger. No! As long as there were still the Ascended, his mission would not end.
Again he put on his mask, covering the last specks of his identity and took flight on his bladed wings.
A little colt was painfully thrown out of a struggle about an old piece of bread. As he got up he felt even weaker than before. The grumbling of his stomach alone was a pain for him. For more than a month he had not had a proper meal. He searched in the garbage and everywhere he could reach, but it was never enough to stop the hunger.
Hopelessly he dragged his pained body down the street. Rounding a corner, his ears were filled with laughter and happy voices, but who it could be was a mystery for the colt. In hope that they would have something to eat, the little colt followed the voices.
Soon enough his questioning mind got answers as he came upon a group of guards. They were happily chatting and eating fresh apples. The sight of these apples made the colt's mouth start to water. It had been too long since the last time he had been able to eat a delicious fresh apple.
Cautiously the colt made his way to sneak for himself an apple from the basket they were in. The guards were too involved in their chatting to notice him. Slowly he neared the basket; he was almost within distance to reach for an apple. Only a few more inches and he would be able to taste them.
His stomach again started to grumble. The sound filled him with fear; had the guards heard it? His question was answered when he felt the crushing force of a guard’s leg hurling him away from the basked.
“And stay there!” one of the guards shouted.
Even if he wanted, pain and hunger kept the colt from moving. Closing his eyes, the colt just wanted to sleep.
The sound of hoofsteps found it's way to the colt's ear, stopping right next to him. Opening his eyes a strange sight was presented to him. Right next to him stood a masked stallion, looking down on him. The colt felt that he should fear him, but he did not care, not anymore. As the stallion moved past the colt again closed his eyes, letting the peace of a night's rest envelope him.
Panic-filled screams and the sound of battle filled his body with adrenalin. Ignoring the pain he jumped up, but the sounds were gone as fast as they came. Examining his surroundings the colt noticed that the guards were gone. The only thing left of them was a basket filled with blood-red apples.
The colt took a step towards the basket, then another. When nothing moved he rushed towards the basked and dug his teeth in one of the apples. Whatever happened had given him a basket full of apples. For the first time for long, the colt could truly still his hunger.
In the darkness of a nearby alleyway, a shadowy figure silently chuckled to himself.
Author's Note
Finally, the second chapter is finished, took long enough, but, I now have a prereader.
You may have noticed the link at the end. I will in some cases place links to music that fits the chapter. These links will only be found at the chapters end.
For this chapter I choose "Kaltes Herz" from "Subway to Sally".
I hope that you can enjoy this song as much as I can and I hope that I can create the next chapter faster than this one.
