//-------------------------------------------------------// Recompense -by Undead_Brony- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue RecompenseXXXXX Pancakes. The smell of pancakes and maple syrup flooded my nostrils, making my stomach preform the song of its people. I got out of bed, left my room, and made my way to the bathroom. I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and styled my mane in its customary bed-head look. I looked in the mirror and flashed an award winning grin, and left for the kitchen. I walked in to the wonderful smelling room, and found a plate with three pancakes, maple syrup, and a note next to it. I ignored the note, and dug into the only decent breakfast I had had in a while. I Wolfed it down with a speed that has not been seen in this world. I was hungry. Smacking my chops, I picked up the note. I recognized the writing as my sisters, who had been the one who took care of me ever since our parents had died. Well, She didn't exactly take care of me, just made sure I went to school and didn't get in trouble with the law. Otherwise, I was the one who made the money. She couldn't get a job, mostly because of her looks. I'm not saying anything, but more than once I had had to kick some colts ass for being a bit too friendly with her. Just because she was, as one of my friends had put it 'hot with a capital everything', ponies assumed that she was dumb, which was not the case. She was smart as all hell. Back to the note, it read 'Hey, I hope you liked the pancakes I made. I have to leave to go to some assembly in the town hall that was called by Celestia's personal guards, something about taking care of the economy problem here. From what I heard, they are going to be giving out checks to low income families, that means us!  I should be back in time to help you with your tie, so please don't play with the matches while i'm gone.''Love, your big sis' I shook my head. 'Giving out checks to low income families'. I won't say that we're not in need of money, but that doesn't mean I like it when we need money from others. I also didn't like the fact she brought up matches. It ain't my fault that burning things is fun! I set the note down and walked back up into my room to get my tie. I had school off today, thanks to some hooligan who had spray painted "DOWN WITH CELESTIA!" on the gymnasium wall and in the cafeteria. In my room, a can of red spray paint and a lock pick kit was laying on my nightstand. I picked it up and placed it underneath my mattress. I then opened my nightstand and pulled out three tie's. The first was red&black checkered, the second was deep blue, and the third was purple&green plaid. The first went with my mane, but the second went really well with my eyes, and the third just looked good on anyone. I really needed to make a good impression on the employer at the Rainbow Factory. I needed a better job than cashier at a local coffe shop. They had great wages, free health benefits that covered me and my sis, and was a good place for a strong pegasus such as myself to work. I picked out The blue tie, mostly because my sis had left it tied, all I needed to do was tighten it, and because she had heard from gossip at school that more than a few mares thought that blue was my color. I slipped it over my head, and walked to the front door. I grabbed the house keychain and slipped it over my neck and positioned it so that my tie hid it, and walked outside. It was warm and sunny out, and the sun felt good on my wings, which I had unfurled, the ash coloring of my feathers and coat making me look totally badass. I heard some whispers and giggles off to my left, and when I looked, I caught sight of a couple pegasus mares that were blushing and looking at me. I briefly recognized them, their names being Cloudchaser and Flitter. I flashed them my best grin and winked. They squealed and sped off to another group of mares that were on the other side of the street. They said something and pointed to me, which prompted them to squeal and look at me dreamily. Chuckling, I lifted off the ground with a few powerful strokes in the direction of the Rainbow Factory. It felt good to strecth my wings, and I started pumping them faster and faster, making me a charcoal colored blur in the sky. After a few minutes, I reached the front entrance, and was about to walk in, when I heard a boom and felt a shaking. I looked back at the town, to see a plume of smoke. Before I knew it, I was speeding alongside a few pegasi that had emerged from the Factory towards the explosion. I was leading the pack, but then a rainbow colored blur shot past me, leaving me struggling in the remaining wind stream from said blur. I picked up my pace, fearing the worst for my only living relative. Upon reaching the site of the explosion, I was greeted by the sight of a battalion of royal guards, attacking defenseless ponies. One guard in particular, was standing on an overturned cart, barking orders at the few guards not fighting. "You two! Head towards the left side of the town, and kill any survivors! You, Same thing, just right side! Go" The guards he was addressing replied "Yes Sir!" and rushed off in the specified directions. I took to the air, flying towards my apartment, hoping that my sis had made it back and was okay. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the sight of a kicked down door, and the sound of a mare screaming "No Please! No no no! Not this way!" The voice belonged to my sister. In a rage, I shot into the house, and followed the sounds of her screams to the kitchen. Suddenly, She screamed " NO PLEASE! DON'T! I WANT TO LI-" and then she was silenced. I smashed through the locked door of the kitchen and saw a truly horrific sight. A royal guard was putting his armor on with a satisfied smile on his face. to his left, layed the body of my sis, blood pooled around the back of her legs and around her throat, a bloody knife stuck in the cutting board on th counter. I roared a gutteral roar, and tackled the guard. I yanked his helmet off and started hitting him. Over and over,  the tremors of impact shook my arm, as his face was made into a bloody mess of bone and meat. I grabbed the knife out of the cutting board and started stabbing him in the gut. I lost count of how many times the knife was plunged into his gut, and lost count of the minutes. Suddenly, I was thrown off his lifeless corpse by another guard. I was restrained by two more. The one who had thrown me inspected his fallen comrade, and turned back to me with a look of pure horror. "You sick fuck." I immediately shook the guards off of me and went for the earth pony. He was caught off guard, and it cost him. I threw him into the the refrigerator, reducing the door to crumpled metal. The guard was unconcious, and never felt the knife slide through his jugular. I turned to the other guards, and started moving towards them, knife in hoof. Unfortunately, one of them, a unicorn, fired a spell at me, knocking me back. I was restrained with cuffs this time, and was dragged through the door, all the while crying for my sister. I was dragged through the town towards the square where I had landed. Then, The guards were thrown off of me by a rainbow blur, and the cuffs broken. I looked into the face of a pegasus mare with a rainbow mane and tail, and blue coat. "Don't worry kid, I got yo-" The shaft of a spear was thrust through her sternum, and she died immediately. I broke the spear tip off and threw it straight at the mares attacker, just to avenge her. I was hit in the back of the head hard. I hit the ground, and the last face in my vision was the guard that had been giving orders. XXXXX I awoke shortly after, and heard a rough voice say "Captain, he's waking up." I wasin cuffs again, and had two guards with spears at my side. A third pony entered my view. "Well well, looks like this raping murderer is up." His suboordinates laughed. "You killed three of my guards, and raped your own sister? You disgust me." "You lying sack of shit! It was your guard that raped her! I admit to killing them, but I would kill myself before hurting her!" I screamed. He grinned. "Yeah well tell that to Celestia when you're brought to her for murder, rape, and incest." I gave him the death stare. "I will bring down everything you stand for. Your family, will die. Your fellow guardsmen, will be slaughtered. Celestia, brought down here with the rest of us. You, will be strangled with your own mane. This, I promise." He looked at me with pure malice. "We'll see, punk." He hit me in the gut, and I spit in his face. He fell back, and the guards moved to help him. I waited for their attention to turn back to me, a plan forming in my head. The guard that spoke when I woke up turned, and tried to spear me. I turned just in time for him to miss, but break the cuffs. I shot off into the sky, and headed towards the Everfree Forest, with Canterlot in my sights. I thought I was home free, when I was hit with a spell. I went headlong into the forest and was knocked out. XXXXX I stumbled through the forest a few hours later, trying to make my way to Ponyville, which had a train that went directly to Canterlot. I don't know how long I walked, but I know I was close to death. The fall had broken my left wing, and severely sprained the other. Finally, I came into view of the town, and collapsed from exhaustion. The last thing I heard was a soft spoken voice say "Oh! My!" //-------------------------------------------------------// Found //-------------------------------------------------------// Found RecompenseXXXXX Pain. That was the first feeling my body registered. Pain all along my back and my wings. I was laying on my stomach, and was surprisingly warm for being on the forest floor. But then I opened my eyes and realized I wasn't on the forest floor! I was on a bed! Had guards found me and taken me to the hospital, only to be executed? Then, I heard it. A beautiful, melodic voice, wafting through the air. I got out of the bed and onto my hooves and walked to the door. I reached out to open it, but Somepony beat me to it. It opened, revealing a dazzling mare. She had one visible teal eye, as her other was covered by her long flowing pink mane. Her coat was butter yellow, and she was... Beautiful. I tried opening my mouth to say something but nothing came out. "Oh! You shouldn't be up out of the bed! You were really hurt!" I nodded and went back to the bed. I didn't lay down, but rather sat there and just looked at her. She seemed a bit uncomfortable with my staring eyes. "Ummm... What's your name?" I managed to answer her with a little effort. "Oh, that's nice name!" I smiled, addmittedly, with a bit of a blush on my cheeks. I mustered up enough courage to ask her name. "So uhh, W-what's your name?" "I'm Fluttershy, It's nice to meet you." She held out her hoof and I bumped it. She smiled, and I swear, that smile itself could almost make me forget about what had happened. Almost. My face must have scowled, because Fluttershy asked "Oh i-is something w-wrong?" "No. Nothing you need to worry yourself about." She smiled and nodded. "Are you hungry? I have some soup going in the kitchen, If you want any." "That sounds lovely Fluttershy." She got up and walked out the door of the room, but when I made to follow her, she turned and said, "Now, you wait here, and i'll bring you a bowl. Don't want you to over work yourself." I really didn't want to be treated like I couldn't take care of myself, but there was something in her tone that made me nod in agreement. She smiled and left the room, leaving me to my thoughts. I looked around the room, nothing really catching my interest. Then I noticed the dresser and the closet, realizing, that this must've been her room! This would not stand! I would not make her sleep on the couch while I take her bed, even if I am injured! I got up and made for the door. I opened it which led down some stairs, and into a main room. I saw what looked like the front door, so I turned the other way. I ended up in the kitchen. Fluttershy was standing in front of a small stove humming contentedly to herself. "Fluttershy?" She turned and gasped. "What are you doing up? You need you rest!" "I know that, but I will not take your room. I'll sleep on the couch." "No, I couldn't let you! It would be uncaring of me to let you sleep on the couch!" I looked at her with my best serious face and said "I will sleep on the couch, end of discussion." She looked a bit upset at being told what to do by her guest, but she nodded and said "If thats what you really want..." "It is." She nodded and said "well since your down here, sit at the table and i'll give you your soup. If thats okay with you..." I smiled and nodded. I moved to the table and sat down in one of the chairs, just in time to see Fluttershy set a bowl of delicious smelling soup in front of me. I used a spoon to get the liquid to my mouth. I blew on it to cool it down, and then I took a bite. The delicious taste of sour cream and potatoes hit my taste buds in an explosion. Best soup ever! I quickly brought another spoonful to my mouth, not caring that it scorched the roof of my mouth. It only took me a minute or so to finish off the concoction, and my hunger was sated. I looked at Fluttershy, whose face was a mix of shock and respect. "I-i've never seen anypony who could eat more than Applejack! Impressive!" I smiled, and asked "Hey, do you know any strong unicorns who could heal my wings? I have something I need to do." Thoughts of revenge and burying my sister in my mind. "Yes, there's Twilight in town, the personal student of Celestia." I looked at her with shock. Personal student!? Score! I'd get her to heal me, then I'd be back on my hooves in no time, ready to kill. I smiled. "Do you think we could go there now? It's real important that I do this." She smiled "Of course! just let me get my saddle bag and we'll go." I nodded and waited for her to get her things from her room. It only took her a few seconds to get her things from her room, and then we left for this 'Twilight'. She'll see the twilight of Celestia's reign, thats for sure. We walked along a path towards the town, seeing ponies who eyed me, and my bandaged wings. It didn't fail, a few mares blushed when they saw me, and I caught a few following Fluttershy and I. Soon, we found ourselves outside of a tree with a door on it. A plaque next to the door read 'Ponyville Library'. I entered the door, but Fluttershy said something about picking up mail from the post office, and left me to meet with Twilight. I found her inside, sitting at a desk reading some tome or book. I coughed to get her attention and she turned in response. She saw me, smiled, and walked over to me. "Hi! My name is Twilight Sparkle, Is there something I can help you with?" "Yeah, I heard you were a pretty strong unicorn, and I wondered if you could heal up my wings. Got some stuff to do." She smiled sheepishly and replied "I could probably fix up your wings, but they'll hurt for awhile." "I'll deal with it. So, ya think you could get to it? I really need to go." She nodded and walked over to me placing her horn on my left wing, sending a pulse through it. She repeated the process on my right wing, and then she took off the bandages for me. I unfurled them, and they sholt a jolt of pain through me. It was bearable, but it was going to suck to fly back home. "Oh wait!" I looked at Twilight. "I just remembered, you could go talk to Zecora! She's a zebra that lives in the Everfree, and she probabbly has something to dull the pain!" I nodded and thanked her for her help. As I started to walk out the door, I heard her call out a warning to me. "Be careful, Some changelings wiped out a town on the other side of the Everfree, and might be hiding there!" I whipped around to face her my eyes cold and hard. "Changelings? Is that what your 'Celestia' told you?!" I used a lot of contempt in my voice when I said Celestia. Twilight looked surprised at my outburst, her mouth hanging open. "What's that supposed to mean?" I snarled at her. "It means that Celestia, and everything she tells you is a lie! It wasn't changelings that attacked that town, It was her royal guards! I saw them do it! They murdered everypony they found! One of them raped my sister, then murdered her! Then to top it off, their captain tried to pin it on me!" I stalked towards her. She had been backing up, but when I mentioned the captain, she stopped. "Captain? Now I know you're lying! My brother would never do something like that, and he'd never allow something like that!" I stopped, and threw her a surprised smile. "'Brother'? This gets better and better. You should probably know, I made him a promise. I told him I would kill everything he loved for the destruction. I would bring down Celestia. Seeing as you're his sister, I'm assuming he loves you, very much so. I guess he'll learn what losing a sister is like, now..." I rushed her, and put my hoof into her mouth, keeping her from screaming. I dragged her into the kitchen area, and grabbed a knife from a cutting block. It was long and slender, perfect for cutting. I put it to her throat adn whispered in her ear "Don't think for a second I enjoy this. In fact, I despise it. I only do this to show your brother that I meant what I said. It will be over quickly, I promise." With that, I slit her throat deeply. I felt her tears run down my arm, along with a tremendous amount of blood. She stopped breathing, and I let her slide to the floor. If you asked me, 'What was it like to take the life of that mare, simply because of her blood relation?' I would respond with 'Keeping a promise.'. I wrote on a peice of paper 'You started this. I am only glad to end it, which I will.', and left it on the mares lifeless corpse. I walked out of her library, after checking her room for bits, which she had plenty of. Apparently being the student of Celestia gave you some perks. I had nearly five thousand bits in my possesion now, bits that would go to good use. XXXXX I walked through the forest, in search of this 'Zecora', so I could get something for my pain. Eventually, I found her hut, and knocked on the door. A few seconds later, A zebra opened the door, and said "And who might you be, one looking for me?" "Ryhmes, really?" "Yes." I sighed and asked to come in. She obliged and I found myself facing a boiling cauldron, and a few shelves loaded with potions and other things of that nature. She asked "What can I do for you, oh stallion with eyes of blue?" "I need something for wing pain." She nodded and looked for it on the shelves. I couldn't help but notice that she had many masks lining the wall closest to me. She had a wide assortment of them, ranging from amazingly intracate, to fairly simple, and it was a simple one that caught my eye. It, unlike the rest of the masks, was made of metal, and had three colors. Red, white, and black, and it looked like it was meant to be fit to a pony's face. The top half of it was red, with a white line beginning at the bottom, and making a cresendo to the nostril holes. The lower half was black. "I see you are admiring the mask of The Hunter." I looked at her, and asked "What, no rhyming?" "It gets tiring even to me after a time." "I nodded and continued "Yes, It's a really cool mask. Who was The Hunter?" She got the look of recolection on her face, and said "The Hunter was said to be a zebra unparalleled in fighting prowess. One day, his family was killed, and he hunted down those responsible and all of their descendants. I found that mask in a burned down village some years ago, and thought it wrong to leave there, so I brought it with me." My eyebrows lifted in amazement of the likeness of mine and The Hunters tale. "How much would you you be willing to part with it for?" Her eyes widened in surprise. "What would you want with it?" I shrugged. "Not sure but I have the urge to buy it from you." She rubbed her chin with her hoof and said "two hundred and five bits. The five is for the potion." I nodded and pulled out the specified amount, gave it to her, and took the potion and mask. I took the potion, which was rather bitter, and put the mask on. My wings already fealt better, and I pumped them a few times to test them. No pain! Impressive. XXXXX I flew to the decaying ruins of my home, and picked a shovel out of a burned down store. I dug a grave in the middle of a the park that my sister loved, and made a coffin out of the finest wood I could find. Afte placing her corpse in it, I lowered her in to the ground. I then made a gravestone, and on it, chiseled out her obituary. 'Here lies Eva, a beautiful mare whose life was taken in her prime, and in a most violent manner, by those meant to protect''May Faust watch over her' //-------------------------------------------------------// It Begins //-------------------------------------------------------// It Begins 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. //-------------------------------------------------------// Close Quarters //-------------------------------------------------------// Close Quarters RecompenseXXXXXThe Hunter I woke up to the sound of a gasp. I sat up, ready to deal with whatever was going on. My eyes saw the mare, Vinyl, holding some papers in her magical grip. My mask and Cutter were on the table. I coughed, and she gasped, moving away from me. "Who are you? Whats with those drawings? Why do you have a mask?" "I told you who I am, Im going to use those drawings, and I have the mask to hide my face." She looked a bit confused at how calmly I answered those, and to the outside observer, I probably seemed calm. But inside, I was a boiling volcano. I felt the rage just waiting for a chance to be released. I surpressed those feeling for later. "I don't appreciate the fact that you went through my things, but I can let it slide if you never speak of these again. Agreed?" She nodded, got up, and walked out the door. Only to be forced back in by the same stallion and what I assumed to be some of his cronies. I just sat there, cool as a cucumber. Vinyl was thrown across the room, and landed on a small end table, knocking her out. I sat there and gave the stallion an uninterested look. "Well, looks like that whore will stay with anyone." I raised an eyebrow. "You beat me when I was drunk, lets see how well you fare when i'm sober!" He rushed at me, and I just sat there. He got close, and threw a punch. That ended up breaking his hoof as I met his punch with my own. I was on my hooves, now, and I was giving him the death stare. I threw another punch with my other hoof that sent him to the floor. His friends looked on in disbelief. I smirked. They rushed. I head butted the first to me, who was thankfully not a unicorn. He stumbled back into a wall, and the second punk got an uppercut that sent him sprawling. I looked on in disgust at the trash who thought that they'd be able to fight me and win. Pathetic. I grabbed Cutter from the table and walked over to the leader, who was cradling his hoof. I kicked him in the side, snd he huffed in pain. I put my muzzle in his face. "If I ever see you picking on a mare, or anypony for that matter, I will kill you. Now, have something to remember me by." I took his uninjured hoof in my grip, and sliced up it for about nine inches and an inch deep, give or take. He cried out in pain, and I threw him out of my room. I did the same with his punk friends, who had watched me cut him with facination. They willingly left, but before hand, they drew something on the wall next to my door. I was about to beat thier asses, but one said "If you ever need help, we got your back. You ain't alone out here, and somepony will always be watching out for you, but I don't think you'll need it." With that, they both left, dragging away the crying stallion. I walked out and looked at the mark, which was drawn in ink. It was a circle with a checkmark in it. I shrugged and walked back into the room to deal with the unconcious Vinyl. XXXXXApplejack I walked away from Shining Armour and Fluttershy, who were walking in the opposite direction to the castle, with Rarity and Pinkie. I sighed. How could anypony hurt Twilight? How could anypony kill her? And Shining Armour knew more than he let on, thats for sure. I walked with my friends in tow, and we found the hotel. Two stallions were dragging another out of the building, and he was bleeding from a deep cut and crying. I was... Shocked to say the least. City life must be crazy. Makes me glad I live out in the country. We all just watched the two drag the wounded stallion down the street and around a corner. "Ah wonder what that was about." "Thats the local street gang in Canterlot. They hate Celestia, and they are everywhere. If they put some thought into it, they could form a small army." Announced Rarity. I looked at her in disbelief. A small army? Thats a lot of street trash. "Oooh! Maybe if I throw them a party they'll be nicer!" I turned. "Pinkie! Our best friend was just murdered yesterday, and you want to throw a party!? What is wrong with you girl?!" She started to cry, and her hair deflated. she walked off without another word, tears in her eyes.  I tried calling her name, but she just galloped off, bawling. I growled at my own stupidity, and walked into the building. "Darling, Shouldn't we go find the poor dear?" "No, she'll come back after shes had a good cry. C'mon." Rarity looked unsure, but followed me in. We walked into the building and up to the main desk. We exchanged pleasantries with the mare, whose name was Quill, and we got a room on the second floor. Room 207. XXXXXThe Hunter I picked her up, and set her on the couch. Vinyl had a small cut on her forehead, so I got a washcloth and wiped the blood from it. I looked at her. She was cute, not Fluttershy, but she was cute. I sighed, and walked to the small refrigerator, and got a bottle of beer that must've been left over from the past occupant. I opened it and took a sip, but it tasted like it had gone bad, so I poured the rest of it out in the sink. I kept the bottle though. Sometimes, the oddest of things come in handy. I heard a small groan escape Vinyls mouth, and I turned to her. She was holding her head in her hoof, and grimacing. "You won't have to worry about him, I gave him something to let him know what'll happen if he keeps up his abusive tendencies." She looked at me with a wierd look. Then, she got up, walked over to me, and gave me a hug. I was suprised, not expecting a hug, but I regained my composure quickly, and hugged her back. She tightened her grip and I tightened mine. then I felt the tears. Fuck. "Hey, there's no need for that. He's gone now, shhh. Shhh..." We continued on like that for a few minutes, her holding me and crying, me cooing into her ear, trying to get her to calm down. Eventually she did, and I asked her if she was hungry. "Yeah, I am. I never really got too much to eat when I was with Coal Heart." "All right, well lets go. I think there's a cafe near hear." She smiled and I led her out of the door. And Then I spotted two of the mares who were with Fluttershy. I quickly grabbed Vinyl and forced her up against the wall, and kissed her passionately, letting my black mane hang over my face. She was suprised at first, but quickly fell into rhythm. I heard the mares walk by, giggling a bit at our show, but then I heard the door to their room close. The room right next to mine. I disengaged Vinyl, much to her dismay. "Why'd ya stop?" I looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "I wasn't kissing you to kiss you, it was to hide my face from those two mares." She raised an eyebrow. "Bad history?" "Uhh... Yeah, lets go with that. Weren't we going to get somehing to eat?" She nodded and led the way. I followed her out after casting a glance at the door next to mine. This'll be interesting. XXXXXShining Armour I led Fluttershy into the castle. When I was told about my sister, I had guards placed all over the castle. Now, they were staring at Fluttershy. I gave them a glare, and they looked away. Fluttersh was, as her name implied, shy, and under the harsh stare of my guards, she probably would have started crying or some variation of that. We walked through the castle to the throne room, where I would bring Fluttershy to Celestia so she could be questioned. Soon we were in thee throne room where Celestia was being entertained by some... Stallions from a nearby brothel. Celestia regularly enjoyed this passtime, typically choosing one or two to share her bed. "Your Majesty." Her eyes left the exotic dancers and met mine. She lost her smile, and it was replaced by a frown. She waved her hoof to dismiss the dancers, which they did. "Was the rumor true? Has your sister been slain?" I nodded, tears threatening to breach my eyes. Celestia growled, and turned her attention to Fluttershy. "My loyal subject, do you know what happened to the pegasus Rainbow Dash? I am told she was a friend of yours." "Oh yes! Rainbow got a job at the rainbow factory! She hasn't sent a letter back, but she must've got the job." Celestia nodded her head. "She was murdered by the very stallion that killed my student, Twilight." Fluttershy's face made an 'O' of hurt suprise, and she ran from the throne room crying. I looked at Celestia in an exasperated fashion, and ran after Fluttersy to make sure she didn't try to leave the castle. Shooting Celestia one last glance, I saw that she had waved the dancers back in. I shook my head and continued for Fluttershy. I ran out the doors of the throne room to see Princess Luna holding Fluttershy to comfort her. I stopped out of respect to the Princess. Fluttershy had a good five minute cry, with Luna holding her. After Fluttershy calmed down, Luna told me that she woould allow Fluttershy to share her chamber. I nodded, and walked towards the guard barracks. Upon arrival, all the off duty guards stood at attention and saluted me. "Officer on deck!" Shouted one of my lieutenants. "At ease. I have come to you today with something of the utmost importance. Yesterday, my sister, was murdered by a survivor of the town we attacked. He also has murdered several guards in his quest for revenge." One of the privates spoke up. "The one whose sister was raped? I thought you shot him down into the Everfree." Several heads nodded in agreement. "I also thought that. Unfortunately, he made it to the outskirts of Ponyville where he was healed by a resident. He then made his way to my sisters house, and cut her throat. He left a note on her body that said he'd be more than glad to finish what we started. Unfortunately for him, he is public enemy number one now, and we're going after him." I slapped the picture of his mask that Fluttershy had drawn next to the door and walked out. The rustle of armor and spears being readied hit my ears. Music. XXXXXThe Hunter Vinyl and I made our way to the nearest cafe, which was some what decent. We took a seat outside, along with a few other couples of ponies. A waiter came and took our order, with me ordering a rose petal salad. Vinyl, however, suprised me with her order. 2 tomato, lettuce, and spinach sandwiches, a large order of hay fries, and 2 chocolate shakes. Dear lord. Our order came a few minutes later, and everypony in sight simply stared in amazement as Vinyl wolfed down her food. In a matter of one minute, she managed to eat everything, save for half of a shake. I looked at her and asked "Where did you put all that?" She blushed and said "I practice. I'm not exactly proud of it." "I can imagine." She smiled, and I finished my salad. The waiter returned to take our money, and she stared at all the empty plates in front of Vinyl. We payed, thanked her for the food, and left. We were heading back to the hotel, when I saw a pink pony with a pink mane that hung limply over her face, save for one eye. I turned to Vinyl. "I have something to take care of. I'll be back to the room later." My voice was hard. Vinyl lookd at me, gulped, nodded, and started walking back. I continued to the pink pony, who had walked down an alley. Checking to make sure that nopony was looking, I pulled my mask and Cutter out of my saddle bags. The mask went on, and the knife went in my hoof. I turned down the alley and saw... nothing? I looked around for her, my blade at the ready. Then I felt a blow to the back of my head. I was thrown into the wall and dazed. I turned and saw the pony, who now had a large cleaver in her hoof. I shook my head and stood back up. I will not be bested by a mare! "You killed Twilight. I'm going to kill you now." She lunged and I rolled to the side. She swung the blade, almost decapitating me, but thankfully I dogded in time. Only to catch a long diagonal cut across my mask. I growled and rushed, ready to disembowl this mare. She side stepped, but I anticipated this move. I rolled in the same direction she did, and the knife was plunged into her kidney. She hissed in pain, but kicked me away. I rolled with the kick and came up on my back hooves. She threw the blade, but I caught it and threw it back. Catching he right between the eyes. She stumbled back, and hit the ground with a dull thud. I got out of my stance and walked to her corpse. I used my knife to open her stomach, and pulled her bowels out. What I did... I held no remorse. I took out a paper from my bag and wrote in the mares blood 'Why can't Celestia stop me? I geuss the goddess is too busy to stop her subjects from killing each other...' I took off my mask and placed it in the bag, along with my knife. I wiped as much blood from my coat as I could. It wasn't really noticable unless you were looking for it thankfully. I stole back to my room to take a shower. //-------------------------------------------------------// Update //-------------------------------------------------------// Update This'll be on hiatus for a while. I got so much stuff to do, I barely have time to work on this. I'll try to get back to it as soon as possible. Sorry guys. --Undead_Brony //-------------------------------------------------------// Truly, I Am. //-------------------------------------------------------// Truly, I Am. RecompenseUndead_Brony Hello there. I must say, when I began this story, I was psyched. I was just estatic at the idea of toppling a government. Killing the ponies slowly and painfully just had me giddy. But then... I'm not sure. I don't know what happened, but this story lost all it's excitement. Therefore, I must declare this... Cancelled. Please forgive me for getting your hopes up, and smashing them to pieces with a nuke such as this. I really am sorry. Please accept these Dead Baby Jokes. Q: what is small, blue, and thrashes about on the ground? A: A baby in a plastic bag Q: what is pale white, yellow, and found at the bottom of a pool? A: a baby with slashed floaties Q: what is red, yellow, and floats in a pool? A: a slashed baby with floaties Q: what has four legs and one arm? A: a doberman in a nursery Q:what is red and spins in a circle at 50mph? A:a baby in a blender Throw your hate in the comment section, please, it will be read sooner or later.