Chapters It was such a long time ago that I barely remember it. In fact, it was so long ago, and so horrible to my mind, that I can’t even remember my real name. I’m the Un-named warrior... I was twelve when it all started. That’s as far as my memory reaches, yet I still remember everything as if I had lived it yesterday.
That day was exactly the same as any other. You’ve probably heard that line so many times before, but that’s how it was.
My mother; Cocoa Rose, ran her own store, selling flowers and hot drinks, while my father; Iron Ingot, was a royal guard for the princesses. Both were unicorns, except my father’s side sported a strange effect on their horns. No matter what colour they were, their horns faded to black at the tip. Of course, I inherited this.
We were quite wealthy but we didn’t boast. My family treated others as equals; it was how they wanted themselves to be treated. In the evening, my parents and I relaxed in the garden, it was a sort-of tradition that we kept up, except that night, as soon as Luna’s moon had risen, my whole life was destroyed. I saw every single gory detail.
Flowers perfumed the air in the garden, even after the moon started its rise. I lay on the soft grass in my mother’s garden, looking up at the stars, the shades that the sky wore and the birds flying to roost.
Nearby, my parents leant against a tree together. It was a tranquil moment. I closed my eyes and let the breeze roll over me. My parents did the same.
Opening my eyes, I noticed the quietness and my eyes were drawn to the small Cliffside, where the old mines were boarded up, long empty of any resources. Yet as I watched, I felt something watching me back. It was unnerving.
My father was next to sense something was wrong, his ears pricked up and he too looked at the mines. A low snarl echoed from the depths.
Suddenly something black shot through the wooden planks that boarded up the entrance, it went straight for the tree. Iron jumped up, lifting up Cocoa with him and jumping to the side just as the creature tore straight through the thick trunk.
Leaping out of the way and watching from a distance I saw the tree topple over, splinters flying out. The ground shook as it landed.
Cocoa screamed and I turned my attention to her, wishing I hadn’t. Her entire side had been ripped open and she had collapsed to her side barely breathing. She didn’t even look as her husband brought up a magical shield, summoning his sword and tackling the creature.
I saw only a small part of the monster but that was all it took to embed it in my mind. A huge black tentacle, its underside covered in razor-sharp, blood covered, and mismatched spikes. It threw itself at the shield, writhing around it to reach my father but he drew his sword around and pushed it back again, leaving cuts on the top of it.
Still, Cocoa continued to stare at me, she used the last of her strength for one final message; “Run for us and take your chance to save others from the demons”
No other statement was needed; the life faded from my mother’s eyes. My twelve year old mind couldn’t handle any more torture, and my legs spoke for me. I ran.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I wasn’t sure how long I ran. It was probably hours ago that I heard my father’s screams behind me, but I kept going. I somehow knew that the demon would come for me, that’s what it was, a demon fit for Tartarus and nowhere else.
Coming across the unfinished tunnel through the mountain, soon to be full of train tracks, I became wary. The darkness engulfed me; I couldn’t see anything except the moonlight at the end. I was sure there was debris in here that needed clearing but so far I had been lucky.
Luna’s moon was inviting me back out into the cool night air. So close now I became foolish, focusing only on reaching the end. My hoof hit it first; I flew for a moment then landed face first, skidding on my left side to a halt, my hoof just touching the light.
I froze in terror and turned my head slowly to the sound of unearthly growling. Silhouetted behind me were more tentacles and I realised what I had tripped over. It rose up beside me, blood glistening on the spikes... the blood of my parents.
My hooves scraped across the ground as I struggled to stand as fast as fast as I could, I leant over to the side quickly in an attempt to dodge as in the corner of my eye I saw it come towards me.
...
I couldn’t see it anymore. One side of my vision was black, the adrenaline in my veins preventing me feeling the damage that had been caused to my face. I felt the blood though, it poured down in torrents onto my hoof. It spurred me on though.
Running was my mother’s final wish, so I did as she asked and ran. Out into the night where I could run freely to my destination. I realised as I heard a pained snarl behind me that I had run through the night already, the sun was rising.
Directions weren’t needed, the town was ahead. The sanctuary that was Fillydelphia. Joy thrilled through me.
Entering the town, a few early bird ponies eyes me warily and worriedly as I raced between, weaving between two carts, my one yellow eye leading the way to the doors.
Finally, there it was. The hospital by the town hall.
Fatigue was taking its toll, pain was taking over my mind, I was lucky again however.
I gave up just as the doors opened, again I fell but this time, my whole world went black with unconsciousness.
Sorry about the lateness of this chapter, I had really bad writers block.
Anyway; Enjoy!
I awoke from my unconscious state to be met by a blinding light. I closed my eye until it adjusted. I’d always wondered why hospitals did that... Wait... eye? Hospital?
My mind finally registered where I was and what had happened. The memories returned in a flash. My eye opened and I lifted a hoof to the left side of my face. I noticed I was on a drip as I weakly moved.
I felt the weight of bandages over my face but I couldn’t feel my injured eye. I lowered my hoof. There was just... Nothing. No pain, no movement, no sight.
Sighing I leant back and tried not to think about it, anything for that matter to do with last night, I failed miserably. A single tear fell onto my pillow.
After a minute a unicorn entered. He had yellow fur with a brown mane. He wore glasses, a stethoscope and a white coat. He didn’t speak until he was beside my bed.
“You gave us quite a scare earlier, we almost lost you from blood loss, but after a few transfusions we pulled you back. Unfortunately we couldn’t save your eye. We can’t take off the bandages yet, and you’ll have to stay here for further treatment anyway.”
He paused to check the machines; he pondered over my heart monitor but didn’t see anything to cause him worry. He turned to face me again but I spoke first;
“M-my parents?” My voice was weaker than I thought. He removed his glasses and my breath caught. I already knew what he was going to say, I had known all along, but I needed to know, maybe, just maybe, one of my parents had made it...
“I’m sorry, I really am, but when the police arrived, it was too late. And since you are underage, we can’t allow their wishes to be given yet. I’m afraid you will be sent to an orphanage.”
Clenching my jaw, I tried not to cry properly, my ears flattened out and my one working eye squeezed shut as the doctor continued.
“The police are making an inquiry into their deaths. I suppose you know the rest.”
“They wouldn’t believe me. It doesn’t matter who you are; if you try and tell the Royal Guard that there is a demon on the loose they’ll just laugh or mention the entire old load about Cerberus and what not. A demon killed my parents... That’s all there is to it.”
“A demon? But that’s impossible! Nothing had been recorded and the royal guards could find no trace of one. Maybe we missed something in your treatment that made you think that but no, a demon did not kill your parents.”
The Doctor gave me a strange look; I knew he didn’t believe, nopony would for that matter. But if that’s what they wanted to think, so be it. I stayed silent and allowed him to continue, not really listening until the end of the rant.
“A social worker will visit tomorrow morning to take you to the orphanage. We will give you some painkillers and some antibiotics to make sure infection doesn’t set in. Just a hint from me though,” He stopped halfway through exiting the doorway, “Don’t mention the demon, ponies will take that news a lot worse than me.”
Staring at the door long after the doctor left, I began thinking. I would take his advice for now, I would go to the orphanage, but I wouldn’t stay. Nopony else may agree with my choices after I leave but I will still go after the demon. Who knows, I might just earn my cutie-mark.
Sighing, I rested my head against the pillow, pushing the light out of my eye and listening. As I did I noticed how one of my ears felt different, it was lighter and it was on the same side as my useless eye. I groaned and stopped concentrating on the sounds, instead allowing my thoughts to flow.
Why did the demon kill my parents, did it have a motive? Why did it even attempt to go after me when it could have gotten another pony? Was there something else controlling it and why couldn’t it appear in the sunlight? Why now?
I groaned and peered through the corner of my eye out the window, seeing the park I used to visit. Yet the world was intent on torturing me, I could see families down there, happy and naive.
There was only one thing left that I could do; sleep.
Like sleeping would work... I couldn’t escape anything. The demon ruled my nightmares, it threw everything at me. All my fears, all my worries, at least it helped prepare me for what I knew was coming.
When the morning came at last I didn’t wait for the doctors or nurses to help. I ripped out the drip and stood up for the first time in two days. I wobbled on my hooves a bit then went over to a bag that was left for me. It contained some of my recovered items; they had taken them from my room, as I looked through it the nurse finally entered.
“Oh, you’re awake.” She eyed my scars warily then went into a draw to get some materials. “I need to put a bandage over your eye; it will help keep it clean on the way.”
Not feeling up to fighting the nurse I let her put the bandage on, scold me for removing my drip and lead me out to the social worker who gave me a similar first look.
"W-well, lets go." He didn't even mention my name, typical.
If this was the adult’s reaction, I could imagine the other kids. It was going to be good, I could tell.
Jumping into a taxi carriage I began plotting immediately. Within the five minutes it took to arrive I had planned everything out. Faces peered down at me from the windows of the building then disappeared when I glared at them. The social worker opened the door with a bronze key and I followed him in. I was ready.
Sorry about any lateness to the chapters, I am still in my final year and as such do not have much time to work on this. I still have to start another story based on a picture I drew (someone mentioned about turning it into a fanfiction when I had time) so, here’s hoping this chapter is good and that you like it.)
Upon entering the run down orphanage I looked around. Some of the paint was peeling and there were few decorations anywhere, toys littered the hall carpet and upon the bare stairs sat at least ten or twelve fillies and colts. All of their eyes were fixed upon me, a few staring warily at the bandages.
I peeked back to the social worker who had turned to lock the door, the key was a rounded square with a blue rubber cover, and I would remember that for later.
Before he finished I turned around and lifted the bandages, the reaction was immediate.
Screaming, some of the fillies galloped back upstairs, some of the colts looked green while others seemed impressed, the others just looked plain terrified. My introduction was done.
Despite what I expected, the stallion ignored the screaming; he merely turned away and entered another room without a backward glance. This was going to be easier than I thought.
Heading up the stairs, ponies moving out of my way, I checked out the place. Shabby, mouldy... One of those cheap, low-quality centres; where they just threw the kids in and hoped for the best, mostly mass producing thieves and bullies.
I may have been in a rich family before, but I knew what the world was like behind closed doors. Equestria had the royal guard for a reason, and I had followed my father in that line.
That was why I had to escape, as soon as possible. I would stay until night; make myself less recognisable, escape with some food, then head to the police station and retrieve my father’s sword and some money. There were many reasons, many flaws... But it was the best I had and at least I had trained.
I found what seemed to be my room; it was the last on the left, empty except for a bed and drawer. It was cold too, nopony seemed to have entered in a long time. That suited me.
Placing my bags on the dusty bed I went over to the cracked window, I lifted it up with my magic; it was stiff but made no noise. Looking out there was a shed right below, I didn’t know if it would hold my weight. It was touch and go for now. The sun was setting however, my plan had to go into motion.
Left alone for the rest of the evening, I was able to complete tasks easily and quickly. Listening to the noises from the other rooms I cantered into the grubby bathroom. There was a razor blade in the sink, pulling it apart I levitated a single metal piece away, it shimmered in the dull light.
I raised it and began to slicing roughly through my mane and tail, they became shorter quickly, black strands falling to the tiles. Once my mane was wrecked and fully showing my wrecked eye I moved to my hooves. The dull red fur covered it completely but with a quick slash, grey bone showed.
As I worked through each hoof, I was aware of loud noise outside. Fighting most likely, the tougher ponies ruled here, they were the ones who had stared or barely flinched at my eye. They were going to be trouble.
Finishing my ears pricked up. There seemed to be a gang up rather than a fair fight, I didn’t really want to attract trouble or waste precious escaping time, but I couldn’t ignore the crying. My father would have been ashamed if I had ignored.
Narrowing my eye I burst through the bathroom door, into view of the bullies. They glared up from the crying filly they were beating up, her nose broken and faced bruised.
“What-re you looking at freak? Mind your own business!”
The clear leader, a buffed brown colt with a dark green mane and tail spoke out. He had a southern accent, his eyes cold and dark as he spoke. They went wide suddenly.
I didn’t let my confusion show, out of the corner of my eye the blade floated; I was the pony with the weapon here. It was menacing with my red magic holding it above me.
The two other colts had the same expression but with a sudden eye from their leader began to advance upon me, ignoring the whimpers of the filly as they stepped upon her. I was angered, ignoring their fear I swung the blade around, almost cutting one of their noses, to protect the filly I levitated them up and threw them down the hall away from her. The leader took one more stamp upon the bloodied filly and galloped after the others.
Dropping the weapon I held out a hoof to the filly, shaking she took it and stood up; she was tougher than I thought it seemed, she appeared to have survived multiple attacks. With a closer look I noticed her eyes, they were golden-yellow, and one was looking the other way from me as if not under control. Her coat was grey, her mane a shade of light blonde through the dirt. She smiled bubbly. She had not been present when I had arrived.
“Thank you Mister, I haven’t seen you before, my name is Derpy hooves!”
I grinned back, I liked her. She was brave, oblivious to the pain that had been inflicted; she seemed to see behind the looks of others, like my mother. Despite wanting to go on alone I couldn’t leave her here. There was one thing to say in reply. I gestured for her to follow.
“Come with me if you want to live.”