Recompense

RecompenseXXXXXThe Hunter

I sat at her grave for a few hours more, simply enjoying being close to her last resting place. It was a small comfort, one that I would most decidedly not get a chance to enjoy again. I had to keep my promise to the Captain. I got up from the ground, and walked to a nearby flower bed that had somehow managed to survive. I picked out Eva's favorite, a purple carnation. I set it on her grave, and took to the sky, my sights on the Ponyville train station.

I arrived at the edge of Ponyville about half an hour later, and found that there were royal guards everywhere. Some were interrogating ponies on the street, and others were on top of buildings watching the streets. I had taken my mask off when I landed, which was a good thing. Nothing stands out like a pegasus with a face mask.

I walked through the town on my way to the train station, keeping my head down around any guards. Unfortunately, I would have to walk by the library to get there, and The majority of the guards would be there, looking for evidence. I kept as far away from it as I could, but fortunately, I caught a snippet of a conversation from a couple of guards.

"Hey d'you here about Steel Runner?"

"Yeah, he's been stealing weapons from the armory and selling them to civvies."

"I'm thinkin about goin to him and buyin a better weapon. We may be 'Royal Guards', but we get shit for weapons."

"Where does he sell them from, I need a new dagger. Got broke in that attack on that one town."

"Just follow me when we get back. He likes to do it outside of the gates of the castle."

"Sweet."

I smiled to myself. A guard selling weapons to random ponies on the street? I could use some of my newfound wealth to get better armaments. I kept moving towards the train station, then I heard a scream from the direction of the train station.

"OUT OF MY WAY!!!!"

I stepped to the side of the street in time to see the Captain and a few of his lackeys tear down it. I smirked and walked back towards the library to listen to him wail. A crowd had gathered, including Fluttershy and some three other ponies who were consoling Fluttershy and each other. One was marshmallow white with a purple mane, another was pink. just completely pink. The last was orange with a blonde mane and a brown stetson. Then I heard it.

"TWILY!!!!! NO!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

I smiled at his pain. Know he knows what its like. I laughed and started walking down the street, but I heard a voice, one that normally sounded soft spoken, yell my name. I turned at the call, and saw Fluttershy staring at me, along with her friends. I flashed them a smirk, and put my mask on. She started running towards me, and I took off into the sky. Then I heard a few voices behind me yell "Stop! You are under arrest under the suspicion of murder!"

I turned and saw three pegasi guards following me, so I picked up my speed. I pumped my wings harder and harder, going faster than I ever had, and suddenly, a cone started forming around me. I didn't let it deter me, and I kept pumping. Then, *BOOM*!!! I was thrown forward by a sudden burst of speed. I turned my head and saw a circular formation of grey color, and three guards falling to the ground. Smiling, I continued to Canterlot, deciding I wouldn't take my chances with the train. No doubt they'd have security.

XXXXXShining Armour

I blew out of the train faster than I had ever run before, and my lieutenants had trouble keeping up with me. "OUT OF MY WAY!!!!" I yelled to those in my way. They all parted, and I noticed one pony smirk, but I had more important matters to attend to. I rushed to Twilights library, and bucked in the door. I saw her body on the floor, blood spilled from her neck.

"TWILY!!!!! NO!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

I rushed to her side, and cradled her body in my arms, crying. I saw a note and picked it up. You started this. I am only glad to end it, which I will.' was written. It couldn't be! I hit him with that spell and he went headlong into the Everfree! He had to be dead! Then I heard A mare scream a name, and then I heard some of my guards take off into the air. I'd let them deal with it.

A minute later, I heard a loud boom, and went outside to see what it was. I walked out, leaving my sister's body to the medical examiners. Once outside, I saw everyponies heads turned towards The castle, and when I looked, I saw a circle of grey. A sonic boom, preformed by a grey pegasus! It had to be him, no way was this a coincidence! I screamed in rage. He would pay for this.

I fealt a hoof tap my shoulder. I turned and saw Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity standing there. They all had tears in their eyes. I expected Rarity or Applejack to say something, but Fluttershy was the one to start talking. "I think I k-know who k-killed Twilight."

"I already know him. I don't know his name though."

"I do."

I looked at her in suprise. "How do you know it?"

"W-well, I was walking along the Evrefree looking for animals who might need help, and I found him on the ground. He had a broken and sprained wing, and I brought him back to my house to help him. I didn't know who he was... I saw him take off a minute ago, and he had a mask on."

She started tearing up, and then broke out into a soft bawl. I ground my teeth together. "Whats his name?"

She told me his name, and it didn't strike me as the type of name a murderer would have. I sighed. I better bring her back to Canterlot with me. He might come back for her.

"Well your going to have to come back to Canterlot with me to be put in protective custody. If he comes for you, we'll stop him."

She smiled, and was about to say something, when Applejack cut her off. "Now hold on there partner, Iffin Flutters is goin' then we're all goin."

I gave her a glare. "No you aren't. Nobody can know where she is, or who she is in Canterlot. Your welcome to stay in the city, but Fluttershy is going to be staying at the castle."

They begrudgingly nodded in agreement. I told them to go wait for me at the train station, So I could see my sister. But I was interrupted by Zecora. I was already mad, but she pushed it.

"What!?" I snapped.

"Watch you tone with me, Or you'll see how vicious I could be."

"*sigh* What do you need?"

"I was coming to get a book, tell me what is with your look?"

Tears were running down my face. "Twilight was killed by a pony in a mask."

Zecora's face blanched. "A mask I sold to a pony of grey, tell me, was she killed today?"

"Yes."

Zecora started to cry, and then ran away to her hut. I sighed. Its going to be a long while before I get any sleep...

XXXXXThe Hunter

I landed in Canterlot about an hour later. I was sweating like a pig, and decided I needed to clean up. I looked around the area I landed in. It was a train station, but the train was gone, and there was nopony around. I walked to the bathroom that was near the ticket booth. I opened the door, and I was surprised. I assumed it would smell like a garbage can, but it actually smelled quite nice inside. Huh.

I walked to a sink and got some soap from a dispenser. I turned the faucet on and warm water came out. I put my hoof underneath the stream. I then wiped the soap on my body and lathered up. Time to wash.

About two minutes later I was done. I had found some red saddle bags with a black skull design on each flap. It looked pretty cool, so I took them. Inside was a journal with some rambling nonsense about a book in ponyville, so I took the book and threw it in a toilet. There was also bag with some bits, a water bottle, and the best prize of all. A large bowie knife.

It had a red handle, and a gleaming silver blade. It was sharp. Really sharp. I damn near cut myself when I was rooting around in the bag. On the blade, written in fine cursive, was 'Cutter'. Nice blade. I waved it around a bit, then did some stabbing, cutting, and slashing movements. It was well balanced in my hoof, and cut through the air like it was... Air. I'd need something better to test it on. Thankfuly, I got a chance.

"Hey! Don't move! drop the knife!"

I turned and saw a royal guard with a spear in his magical grip. I smirked behind my mask, and advanced on him. he backed up alittle bit, but then remembered that he was a guard. He thrust the spear with complete innaccuracy, and I easily dogded to the side. I lunged at him with Cutter, and slashed the side of his face. He  stumbled back with a pained grunt,  and I bucked him in the side. He hit the wall, and slid to the floor. I walked over to his groaning body, and took his head in my hooves. I snapped his neck, and he ceased to breathe. I held no remorse for what I did, and didn't feel any for those who blindly follow orders like lemmings.

I started using his body as a practice dummy, slicing and slashing and stabbing. I found that I wouldn't need to see the guard selling weapons. This would be my weapon. Cutter.

XXXXX

I walked around Canterlot, My mask in my bag, along with Cutter, and everything previously in the bag, minus a book. I was looking for a place to sleep for the duration of my stay. I walked along the streets of Canterlot searching for an apartment, and I soon found one.

It wasn't exactly great, but It would do. I walked in to the main entrance, and saw a receptionist table with a unicorn mare behind it. I walked up to her and introduced myself.

"It's nice to meet you! My name is Quill! It seems we have a room open on the second floor. It has a bed and couch, a stove, and a shower and toilet. How long will you be staying?"

"I'm not sure."

"Well, It will be ten bits a week, any longer or shorter, and we can work that out."

"That sounds good to me, can I have the key?"

"Here you go, enjoy your stay!"

I thanked her and walked up the stairs to my room, 206. I unlocked the door, and walked in. I found the bed, threw my stuff, on a chair on the other side of the room, layed on the bed, and went to sleep.

XXXXX

I woke up an hour later to the sound of a door being kicked in. Then a mare screaming. I got up, got Cutter from my bag, and ran out of my room. There were ponies out in the hallway looking at the room across from mine, but none of them were doing anything. The door was laying on the floor, and the screams were eminating from said room. I rushed in, and saw a stallion holding a mare by her hair.

The stallion was an earth pony. He had a white coat, a grey mane, and his cutie mark was two crossed knives. The mare had an electric blue mane with a lighter blue shade making zig-zgas through it. She had an eggshall colored coat and was a unicorn. I rushed in and tackled the stallion. He dropped the mare who got up and ran to the other side of the room and sat cowering.

The stallion had the smell of alcohol on him, and it waas even stronger in his breath. I punched him in the back of the head once, to sedate him. He thrashed and threw me off. I guess booze does make you stronger. I got back up with the blade in my hoof. He got up and faced.

"This aint none o' yer busness, get out 'fore ya get hurt!"

"I think you better leave. This mare obviously wants nothing to do with you."

He growled and tried to bum rush me, but I dodged to the side and punched him right in the jaw. He fell to the floor, and I kicked him out the door and into the hallway. He landed with a thud and a groan. I walked out and put my muzzle in his face.

"Leave. Before I gut you."

I stabbed the knife next to his head, and he couldn't run fast enough. I pulled th knife out of the floor and walked back into my room, closing the door behind me. I put Cutter back in the bag, and got back into the bed again. Only to be disturbed by a knock at the door.

Sighing, I got back up and walked to the door. Upon opening it, I saw the same mare I had saved a minute ago.

"Uh... umm... Hi." she seemed a bit shy.

"Hello."

"I, uhh, i'm Vinyl Scratch."

I told her my name.

"Can I sleep here with you? My coltfri- EX-coltfriend might come back, and He also broke my mattress."

"Sure. You can take the bed. If he comes back, i'll set him straight."

She smiled, and I ushered her in. She walked in and I showed her to the bed, and told her where the bathroom was. She thanked me, and got into the bed. I walked out after grabbing Cutter, sat on the couch and waited for the stallion to come back. Secretly, I was hoping he'd come back. He didn't.

I put Cutter on the table, grabbed some paper and a pencil out of the bag, and started drawing. I drew Celestia, with the word 'tyrant' under her. I drew a question mark with a shadow, and the name of my town under it. I drew alot of these, at least fifty, and put them back in my bags.

I knew that To bring Celestia down, I would have to make the ponies think. Make them question their leadership. Make them want change. Celestia has blinded them with all the talk of 'Love', and 'Friendship'. All lies. Where was the love and friendship when they attacked my town and murdered all of my friends, classmates, and most importantly, my sister?

I snorted in contempt, layed on the couch, and went to sleep.

XXXXXShining Armour

I led Fluttershy and her friends to the train station. They was still cying a bit, but had themselves under control. We walked right onto the train, and when the conducter asked for tickets I told him we were heading to Canterlot for a murder investigation.

"What!? Who was killed?!"

"My sister, Twilight Sparkle."

"Oh Celestia. I hope you catch the scumbag who did it."

"Me too."

He walked away, letting us ride for free. About Five minutes later, I asked Fluttershy to draw the mask and his face.

"W-why?"

"I'm going to make wanted posters. I'll have guards put them all over Canterlot and Ponyville."

She nodded and I pulled out a pencil and paper. She slowly drew, the mask. It had a white line begging at the bottom, but made a crescendo at the nostril. The eyes looked malicious. She finished the mask, and was about to draw the face, when Applejack exclaimed "Hey! I heard about that mask b'fore! Granny read me a story 'bout some zebra called 'The Hunter' whose fam'ly was killed and he hunted down the ponies responsible! I bet you That he knows about it to!"

I frowned in suprise. The Hunters story and His story were eerily similar, and he probably even took the nick name. I nodded in response and told Fluttershy To continue drawing his face. She made the basic shape of a ponies head, but she struggled with his face.

"I-I can't remember his face. I'm not sure why, but I just can't remember it."

Something about her tone made me question that, but why would she lie? I nodded. "Don't worry about it. This'll be plenty."

I took the drawings and Put them in my saddle bag. Her drawing took up more time than anticipated, and soon, we arrived at the train station. Where Guards had blocked off the station platform. I walked to a liuetenant I recognized, but whose name I couldn't remember.

"What happened here?"

He turned and said "Ah Captain. A guard was making his rounds when he went into this restroom, presumably to relieve himself, when he was viciously stabbed to death. He had multiple lacerations and stab wounds, along with a broken neck."

I immediatley knew who it was. Him. Nopony else would have the audacity to attack a guard like this. I growled and walked off with Fluttershy and her friends toward the castle. We walked for ten minutes, and when we were in sight of the castle, I turned to them.

"All right, i'm taking Fluttershy into the castle now, You three are going to have to find a hotel. There's one not far from here and has relatively good service. I'll come and check up on you every day or so. Goodbye."

I turned and motioned for Fluttershy to follow me, not giving them a chance to respond. They grumbled, and I heard their hoove walk off in the instructed direction. No sleep for a while.