Chapters When Sparks rise from Clashed Swords
There comes a time in everypony's life that they must accept that they cant beat something. Be it death, another pony, or their very nature. They'll try to stand strong but they know they will lose in the end. So they struggle. They fight as hard as they can and rage against the world shouting defiance. They try to stand tall but in the end know that they can do nothing as they watch their world burn metaphorically.
He stood there and was forced to watch as his family was killed. He was held down and forced to watch as his children were burned to death in his own house. He couldn't make a move to help them and could only shout out his anguish. His wife had her throat slit before him and he could only watch as the love of his life had that spark vanish from her eyes. He was broken in spirit, and in body. In the end all he could do was scream his anger and anguish. Its said that his echoes of rage and pain can still be heard in the burnt husk that used to be his house. This was all done by one organization. They were known as the Shadows of Night. They were ruthless toward their enemies as shown by this vulgar display of power to these ponies. He was targeted for taking down a low level member of theirs in a one-on-one duel. They fought for what seemed like hours but was only minutes. In the end the member was defeated but left alive. He went and said he was cheated by that pony. Thus the origination moved against that pony.
At the Shadows of Night's Headquarters
"So now that the reputation of the organization is safe and secure, Does anybody know who that pony even was?" said a figure in the darkness.
"Yes, I know who he is. His name is Silver Flash. He is a swords-pony that was taught by the great master in swords Grey Dawn. Apparently he was found by Grey in the Everfree fighting off Timberwolves with 3 sticks. Of course since he had no training he should have been dead but he was somehow holding his own. He got his cutie mark that day. And after Grey intervened he gave his thanks, and then collapsed." said the figure sipping on some juice.
The leader of their organization sat upon his throne in the back of the room observing and noticing that a few of his officers felt fear of this pony that they were now discussing. To make morale higher he decided to say something to his people. "Now my officers," he began, "there is nothing to fear because he is only one pony. We are many and powerful while he is weak on his own. And to top that, he knows that if he tries to make friends he knows they will die so he shall stay alone. We shall always conquer together, remember this. And as a reminder of how we only take the strong into our group our new initiates Nightshade and Orange Flare will have a fight to the death to show who shall serve us better."
The aforementioned ponies were coming forward and dropped into the small pit in the middle of the room. Nightshade specialized in stealth due to her coat being so dark and her ability to move unnoticed. Orange Flare was a close-combat fighter who specialized in brawling and was used to fighting. Now the crowd began to move around the top of the pit as their battle began. Orange Flare went straight for Nightshade and turned around and kicked back with his hind legs. Nightshade dodged the kicks by a millimeter and jumped over Orange Flare using her wings to gain a little height over the earth pony below her.She then dove down with a hoof out in front to punch which Orange Flare dodged by spinning to his right and threw out a hoof in retaliation and adding to the force from the spin he hit her in the face, dazing her and seeing this, proceeded to hit her all over her body finally ending her life as she cried put in pain from the blows by snapping her neck with one last punch.
He climbed out of the pit with a little help from the others and bowed before the leader. The leader looked at the dead body in the pit first and said, "Give that to Doctor Megase. He might have some use for it. And if not it will give him something to do other than bother us with his blase speeches of medical sorts. Also, let us congratulate Orange Flare for being able to prove his strength. Now we shall anoint you with the mantle of shadows." Out of nowhere a mantle that looked darker then the blackest night descended upon Orange Flares body. Then it began to absorb into him and a dark glint took place in his eye. The leader looked on in satisfaction and said "This means you are now one of us. Go and join your brothers and sisters in arms and have fun and make merry while you can. For you shall have an assignment before the week is over. Now, I hope all of you have a great night." said the leader. He then went down his stairs and walked to his room.
And so the history of his grudge and cause has been told. This is the story of what happens when he tries to survive and goes on to thrive.
At the entrance to Ponyville
He stood upon the hill and looked down upon the quaint town with resignation in his heart. He stepped down the hill and let his mind wander as he remembered his life before the tragedy. He remembered his wife laughing while they ran through the meadow. He remembered his son looking on in confusion as he explained how weather worked in forests where there were no ponies. Silver Flash was still stuck in his mind when a pink blur ran towards him and tried to embrace him. Silver's reflexes kicked in and he ducked as she went over him and he continued on his way until that blur said "Hey mister! Why don't you stop for a second? I have to welcome you to town!" Sliver Flash turned and looked at her with an emotion she could only describe as fear.
Please be honest in your opinion because I know i need to improve. This is my second story. Please be brutally honest or lie to me if you want. Thanks for reading this.
When Sparks rise from Clashed Swords
Silver flash looked back at her while he ran from her and all he saw was a look of confusion plastered on her face. He turned down the nearest alley and kept going through them till he eneded up in the middle of a maze for the town.
He heard the pony cry out "Why are you running from me? What did I do?" as he continued his pace through the disorienting structures. He was just about to sit down on his plot when, finally, Silver saw a street being used by other ponies.
He walked out of the alley with his cloak now tight around him so as to not be recognized by the pony that flew over him. He continued walking around knowing he was being followed by the orginization and made sure to not talk to anypony.
Silver Flash had just gotten over his encounter with the pink pony trying hug him to find he was being assualted by a pony with a glowing white coat and 3 diamonds as a cutie mark.
"How can you be wearing that dreadful thing, especially when its in this bad of shape?" as she yanked the cloak off of him and held it up to further inspect. Silver noticed the cloak was wrapped in a light blue aura letting him know she was a unicorn.
Silver saw the looks of shock and disgust when they saw he had swords. There was even one of confusion when the person saw he had three of them. He continued walking quickly behind the white pony not looking above the ground as to be called a pervert. They had finally made it to the shop when she whipped around and saw him looking towards the ground.
"Well aren't you the perfect gentlepony. Thank you for repsecting my privacy. Now lets go inside shall we darling? Also, I can't beleive i forgot to mention this but my name is Rarity". He walked inside in fornt of her and she finally noticed his cutie mark and the three swords he was carrying.
She recoiled slightly and asked "However did you get that cutie mark?" She asked while working on the cloak. Silver just stood there and sighed from frustation. "Why does everyone alsways ask me that. They just look at my cutie mark or my swords and brand me a violent pony. It just doesnt seem fair. But since you asked, I was out in the Everfree Forest looking for my dog. I was walking and shouting out his name. So while im doing this i didnt even notice the group of timberwolves behind me until i heard the growling. When i turned aroind and saw them i suddenly thought of how to defend myself. So i looked on the ground and got three sturdy sticks. One each forr my hooves and one for my mouth. For some reason that felt right to me and i kept fighting them off. I was nearly dead from exhaustion and thats when he came."
"Who came darling" Rarity asked? "The man who saved my life in one swing of his sword. His name was Grey Dawn. He saved me that day. I didnt know it until later though that i thanked him and collapsed. I gained my cutie mark that day" said Silver Flash with a faraway gaze. He then remembered why he was trying to get away from this place as quickly as possible. He grabbed his cloak, threw a few bits on the counter and ran away with a quick thanks. Rarity looked upon his exit with a look of befuddlement.
Silver put his cloak back and proceeded to slowly look around and see if there was anyone from the Orginization who saw that. He saw none and so went on his way. He had only meant to stay here a night nad have no trouble. At least in canterlot he wasnt really noticed by the nobles. To them he was just a speck of dirnt on the ground, beneath their notice or not even worth their time.
He had just walked away when he heard a small cry for help from the center of town. He rushed off past everyone while they looked on in awe of his speed. He had made it just seconds after the scream was heard and so saw what the problem was. She had spilled red paint on herself and looked as if covered in blood. She couldnt see due to the paint in her eyes and so cried out.
He calmed down and approached her saying " Calm down miss, all thats wrong is just some spilled paint. Here let me help you wash it out." He walked towards her house and turned on the spigot outside using his mouth. He then filled the bucket next to it and used it to rinse off the unicorn that had spilled the paint on herself.
As Silver was doing this she said "Thank you whoever you are. Im Twilight Sparkle, the librarian of this town. So, whats your name?" She just finished getting the paint off and away from her eyes and looked at Silver with an expectant look.
He softly said "My name is Silver". He looked around and saw a pony with a newspaper sitting down on a bench. he froze and studied the outline of the pony and relaxed when he realized that it was just a regular mint green pony with a silver mane. He said quickly towards Twilight though "I need to be going hope you have a nice day". He then shuffled off quickly towards the Everfree once again.
When Sparks rise from Clashed Swords
When the Tables have Turned
He walked quickly towards the forest, but stopped when he heard the sound of music and singing. Silver turned all around trying to locate where the heavenly voice and musical harmony was coming from. He spun to the left and realized the that the angelic music was coming from that direction. He hurried off towards it, and coming to a slow stop, saw a cottage with many animals outside crowding all around a single pony. He was about to run the pony's rescue but saw that instead of trying to eat the pony, all the animals were being fed by it. He then crept slowly as to not disturb them to get a better look at the pony. When Silver was close enough, he couldn't believe his eyes. The pony was gorgeous with a sunny yellow coat and delicate light pink mane. She, as could now tell, was showing no fear at all and was singing with the birds to create that otherworldly song.
In is state of rapture he mistakenly stepped on a twig causing her to stop her song and Silver, to hurriedly, get out of the line of sight. He, however, didn't know that going up the tree was the worst move. The birds there all were startled by his sudden appearance among their domain. The birds all called out and took flight from the tree making the pegasus startled as well. He could tell there was fear in those windows to the soul. Not being one to make others frightened of him before they met, Silver proceeded to come down out of the tree and walk towards her with his cloak over him.
As he approached she hid behind the cottage to barely peak around the corner and heard her ask with fear in her voice “W-Who a-are y-yo-you”?
As soon as she was finished he couldn't stop himself from throwing back his hood and saying “Please don't be scared of me. My name is Silver, Silver Flash. I... I was just so amazed at your singing and harmony with the birds, I wasn't able to stop myself from coming over here. I'm sorry if I startled you with my presence. I just don't like meeting other ponies much. Whats your name so I don't have to awkwardly keep saying things like hey you or ma'am” Silver said quickly.
“My name is Fluttershy” She stated quietly.
“I'm sorry I couldn't quite catch that” Silver said apologetically.
“My name is Fluttershy”
“Fluffershy” Silver asked questioningly?
“My name is Fluttershy” Fluttershy finally said at normal volume.
“That is a very nice name. So, if you don't mind me asking, why is a pegasus on the ground” Silver inquired?
“Oh well that's because I love animals and if I wasn't here then who would take care of the animals. They might starve or get hurt or become sick. Oh my goodness I hope none of them are” She rambled on with Silver listening intently.
He had realized that she had stopped talking after awhile and apologized profusely.
Fluttershy was flabbergasted and pieced together a response “Um... Alright. But why do you need me to-
Silver interjected “Inside now PLEASE”!!!!
To which Fluttershy ran with a “EEP” and scooped up Angel and locked the door. Silver was looking at the pony with pure contempt. He thought to himself I'm tired of this. I'm tired of having to watch people I just talk to get killed. THIS ENDS NOW!! They will come after me and I will make sure of it. He started to walk towards the pony who was slowly backing away with each step Silver came closer with. Silver waved him closer and, in the other pony's arrogance, they stepped forward to the challenge.
The pony yelled out “I am Hotshot. You don't know me but soon you will fear me!”
Silver looked at him and laughed. He just started to bust a gut and didn't stop until Hotshot said “Hey, why are you laughing at me. Am going to KILL you for laughing at ME!” Silver stopped and looked up at him. “Oh I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at how scared I've been. I stopped all communication with everyone else because I was afraid of what you would do to them. I didn't think until now that as long as I was alone, I could fight the Organization without any repercussion but my own.
Hotshot replied snarkly “Oh but you do have repercussions that aren't yours. Like that little yellow Pegasus. Once I get back to my squad, I'll tell them all about her and her animals. By the time we get done here all that will be standing is a stake with her burned at it.” Hotshot then laughed at his own twisted version of how it would play out.
Silver looked at Hotshot and asked a simple question. “Who said you were going to make it back to your squad?” With that he pulled out his three swords and stood up and took his stance. Hotshot responded to him drawing by getting out his cross bows and firing off a bolt. Silver merely flicked the sword in his mouth and deflected it to the left.
Hotshot then began to run and reload as Silver ran behind waiting for him to trip up. Hotshot ran forward and jumped over a log and did a180* turn and fired off both bolts at Silver. He stopped one by turning his left sword in a circle but the other got through and cut his side. He didn't even feel it as he continued in his pursuit of Hotshot. Hotshot finally slipped up by trying to go up a hill but slid on a patch of moss. He fell and came face to face with Silver. He tried to fire his cross bows but he had forgot to reload while he celebrated hitting Silver with one.
Silver looked at him said calmly “I wish I didn't have to kill you. See, I don't like killing ponies. But since you have such a “fun” idea of what to do if I let you go, I'm gonna have a “fun” time killing you.”
Hotshot started to hyperventilate. He then pulled out a hidden cross bow from his hooves and fired. Silver reacted quickly while saying “Blessing of the Moon”. He then turned each of the swords in his hooves in a halve circle and blocked the bolt. He was now mad at both himself for not noticing the cross bow earlier and at Hotshot for trying to pull a dirty trick like that.
Silver then went straight at Hotshot in a whirlwind of blades. When he finished he said “Wrath of the Sun”. He didn't look back as he heard blood leaking from Hotshot everywhere.
“Now, so you know, none of your wounds are fatal. They will just make it hurt to move. Also, if you scream loud enough, your friends may be able to save you before night falls. Good luck” Silver said calmly.
Hotshot spoke with pain etched in his voice “I need to know. How are you this good? The report said you were only a little skilled, and that you cheated to beat the last Organization member you came up against!”
“You mean Daikoju? He lost that day because of his arrogance. I never cheat” Silver replied “Oh. Thank you for reminding me. I need to know where he is. So does the little birdie feel like talking” Silver asked with blood lust in his eyes.
In response to this Hotshot spit at Silver. Silver just looked at him and then walked away all while Hotshot began to shout for help. Silver had just come out of the woods and saw Fluttershy come out of her cottage and run towards the sounds he had come from.
“Wowowowo. Slow down. That's the guy who was going to kill you” Silver said in an explanatory.
Fluttershy looked at Silver and replied harshly “I DON'T CARE!. You hurt that pony. You left him to die. You should feel ashamed of your self”. With that she took off on her wings and raced to help Hotshot, while Silver stood there with a slack-jawed look and a whirling brain.
When Sparks rise from Clashed Swords
After about 5 minutes Silver was able to get his brain working enough to go after Fluttershy and try to protect her. He ran as fast as he could breathing heavily as the fight had taken its toll. He was coming upon the clearing and rushed through to get to her aide and saw an image that stayed with him to this day. She was bandaging Hotshot even as he threatened her life and nodded when she thought it appropriate trying to make him seem scary. They both looked at Silver and Hotshot took in a huge breath of air from fear and began to bleed once more from re-opened wounds on his chest.
Fluttershy looks over to him and Stares saying “Leave. Your scaring him” and quickly goes back to trying to stop the bleeding from Hotshot's chest as Silver turns around and hightails it out of there from the terror of the Stare. He has reached the cottage and stays there knowing that he will be berated if he goes back. He waits there and as night falls she is carrying Hotshot over her back and looks at Silver and huffs at him and goes into her cottage as Hotshot moans from the pain.
Silver just sits there thinking what any other person in his position would think “Why did she help him. He was going to kill her... He's in there now!” Starts to panic as he imagines what could be happening but a memory cuts through it like an ax through wood. He had hit him in spots that made him near paralyzed from pain. He calms down as he realizes this and sits there once again. Silver knows he can't go in there because Fluttershy will kick him out again and has a thought that stops him cold. Hotshot had friends in the area... He gets up hoping he can find them before they start to search for their missing friend and hurting anyone in their way. As Silver runs down the path back to town back in the cottage Hotshot has fallen asleep.
Fluttershy looks at Hotshot and sees not a killer but an injured pony in need and Silver as a monster who hurt him. But she also knows that he did it to protect her. She is conflicted as to what she should do but forgets it as Hotshot moans in pain and asks for some water. Fluttershy goes to get him some as Angel decides to hop into the room and looks at Hotshot. After a few seconds of looking at Hotshot he glares over at Fluttershy as if to say “Why did you let this guy in the cottage”? He goes and puts on a small army-like helmet and grabs a carrot and stands watch at the foot of Hotshot's cot. As he does this Fluttershy starts to truly realize what she has brought into her abode but regrets nothing as he needs her help. In a mere moment of thought she wonders what Silver is doing.
Silver ,as his twisted version of luck would have it, was trying to follow the two running away from him but the cut in his side was finally starting to get the better of him. He was slowing down as the two jeered at him. He was about to collapse when he thought of what they might do to this peaceful town if they got away. With that simple vision he put on a burst of speed that would make Rainbow Dash proud and caught up jumping and hitting them both in their ribs trying to make it harder for them to run. They both take the hit hard and slow down and come to a stop angry at what they think is a wuss who can't fight. One turns to the other and gets a nod saying through body language “You can have this one”
The colt who got the nod of approval steps forward as if to challenge him and merely asks “Are you stupid or something? I mean you can't win this fight. Even If I go down like a boss” snorting at the thought” my partner will just finish you like a fly to a newspaper.”
Silver smiles as he hears the brash talk of youth and replies with a calm anger “So this is the best they sent? I have been afraid of you people for so long and this team is the one the send after me? I have no words to describe the anger I feel from knowing you people were the ones who killed my friends”.
Silver simply pulls out one sword looking at the dark blue coated colt and says simply “This is all I will need”.
The colt laughs as he pulls two daggers and runs at Silver thinking this is an easy win but stops as he realizes Silver is gone from in front of him.
From behind him he hears Silver say “Guidance of the Wind” as he hears a chink of the sword being sheathed and feels an indescribable pain from his chest and drops his daggers clutching himself trying to stop the pain, not able to speak.
Silver walks closer to the mare hidden by the darkness of her coat and says to her “So are you wise enough to leave and never return”?
The mare chuckles as she looks at him and his cut bleeding once more and purrs in assured tone “I am wise enough to see a person weakened and know to hit hard.”
As Silver is just finding out her meaning she strikes. Using her hooves she hits him in the side with the cut opening it further and then spins, almost pirouetting it seems, and whips her other hoof to the opposite side breaking some ribs as Silver stumbles from the sudden onslaught. She continues to pummel cackling like a witch as her eyes are alight with glee. Silver ins kneeling on the ground trying to withstand the blows and finally lashes out with his hoof getting a lucky shot in as she back ups getting hit in the same spot.
She watches him warily thinking he is like a cornered animal with the pain and confusion he is going through. Silver finally gets up and lets the pain ride free but concentrates and pulls 2 swords out as she gets into a lithe-looking stance and waves him over taunting him. Trying to make him angry and have him slip up. However the pain has the opposite effect, making him think clearer and smarter. He looks at her with nary a shred of mercy in his eyes and simply walks towards her with his hooves at his side holding his swords down.
She stays where she is wondering what he can do with his swords at his side and as he gets into range throws a punch heading for his face. Silver dodges to the left and swings both sword low while quietly saying in a voice soaked with pain “Felling of the tree” and walks on past her as she falls to the ground crying out in pain as both of her legs have severed tendons. He walks back to her and wipes his swords clean of blood on her cloak and says “ If I ever see either of you again. I will not hold back next time. Now leave this town. With that he walks away making it to Fluttershy's cottage before he collapses from pain and blood loss.
Author's Note
Hope you all enjoy this chapter. Thanks for reading
When Sparks rise from Clashed Swords
As she heard the WHUMP of sound behind her she continued to check on hotshot, simply believing that Silver had walked in and feel to the ground in exhaustion. She continued to tend to his wounds and once she was sure he was going to be fine she turned back, about to give a scathing talking too before seeing the blood beginning to pool around Silver's unconscious form.
She quickly rushed over saying in a worried tone "Oh no no no. What did you do? Who did this to you?" She continued to try and ask questions, knowing she wouldn't get the answers from his body but continuing to try anyway. She picked him up as best she could and carried him over to her couch before rushing over to the supplies and grabbing some salve and bandages to apply to his wounds. She did the best she could and fussed over every nick, cut and wound on his body.
Fluttershy worked for a few minutes seeing his wounds were deep but there were no true puncture wounds to cause internal bleeding. So she simply sighed and looked him over once more before going back to Hotshot and making sure he was resting well. In her head she began to think of what might of happened, coming up with ridiculous scenarios each with more flair and drama than the last. In the end though her worry and exhaustion caught up with her. She went to the door locking it before heading up to her own bed, having faith that both of the ponies downstairs would be able to pull through no matter the injuries.
She slept for a few precious hours, getting some well deserved rest before the sound of her rooster woke her... and her patients as it so happened that both began groaning from the sudden wake-up call. She flew downstairs quickly going over to Hotshot first and making sure that his injuries were going to be alright. She nodded after a minute or two, knowing she would need to change his bandages again before looking over to Silver and noticing that his bandages were soaked through but he still was trying his best to move.
Fluttershy rushed him and pinned him to the couch saying with a hushed tone" No don't move or you will reopen the wounds.. Stay still or I will make you." She warns before giving him a quick stare to try and show him the punishment for not listening. It had an Immediate effect as he stopped struggling and laid still on the couch, feeling fairly bad as he noticed he had gotten a good bit of blood onto it. He sighed not saying a word as she grabbed new bandages and some more salve, getting to work on replacing the old ones and getting the job done at a rapid and yet efficient pace.
She then looked up at him and asked in a somewhat bold tone which he hadn't heard much of "How did you get these wounds? You didn't get them from Hotshot over there and I don't think a normal animal in the forest could have done this to you. So start talking Mister." She then sat down looking him dead in the eye as she waited for him to tell her.
He looked right back into her eyes, slightly raising his left eyebrow before noticing she wouldn't take no for an answer. So he gave her a quick rundown of what had happened. "I got these from the other ponies Hotshot there was traveling with." Hearing this she gave a slight gasp, worried he might of done something terrible. He then took a breath and continued "And in case you are wondering.... No I didn't kill them. I simply made sure they knew that even injured I could take them on in a fight and win... And leave a few scars in case they tried again. Anyway they won't bother me again but others might and so to that effect.... How long will it take me to heal from these injuries?" He asked trying to sound as nice as he could while making sure to still meet her eyes.
Fluttershy gave him a once over, remembering the wounds and then saying with no room for argument in her tone "As long as you don't move like you where before it should only take a few days.... and that does mean you are not going to leave before then right?" She raised her own eyebrow this time and her tone getting even more serious as she reached the end of her query.
Silver no longer could meet her eyes as her question echoed in his mind. He thought of the options that he could take and although some sounded better than others he simply said with anguish in his tone at keeping her in danger from his presence "Alright I will stay here... But once I am healed I am gonna go and pay some people around here a visit. I simply ask that if someone wants to know if I was here deny it and do no let them know. I need to make sure that you are safe." He smiled a little bit as he noticed her worry melt a little from his acceptance of staying.
She got up and then went over to Hotshot saying in a light tone "Now make sure that you get healed as well. I don't want you to be hurt either and if Silver tries to simply call and I'll make sure to stop him." She looked down at him and he nodded slowly, not wanting to tangle with somepony who could make the pony who inflicted pain such as this scared enough to run away. Hotshot then moved a little, getting more comfortable before calling out to Silver and asking in a curious tone of voice "So Silver... Why didn't you kill me back there? I mean I'm sure that you had the chance.... probably more than one if you wanted to end me...So why not?"
Silver closed his eyes thinking back to the clearing and then the thoughts running through his mind before saying "Simple... Fluttershy didn't want you dead... And no matter how much I hate the organization you work for I won't kill unless I will be killed in return." He finished and then tried to focus his thoughts on other matters, such as dulling the pain in his body while Fluttershy gave him a questioning look from his statement and then simply shrugged it off for now.
Meanwhile In an Undisclosed Location
The Head simply sat in the throne of the room looking with disdain upon the return of the failed members. He shook his head before giving the signal for them to be killed. The order was swiftly carried out before he looked upon the members in the room and said in a slow and almost melodic tone "I wish for this pony to be found, and I wish for him to be dead... Now who can actually carry out this mission instead of blustering about the ease and ending up as the two we have here..." He let his sentence trail off as no members stepped forward, though one would soon.
In the Royal chambers
Celestia smiled a bit saying in return with hope in her voice "I'm not quite sure what we will do sister... But I do know that even if we do not step in there will be others who will rise to the challenge... But we may need to give them something as assistance or they may not make it all that much further
Author's Note
Long wait and not really well deserved. Hate if you wish but I put this out in one night flying by the seat of my ass for it
