Brother, Where Art Thou?

CHAPTER 30: BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?

"My big brother, best friends forever. Like two peas in a pod we'd do everything together..."

Vladimir was becoming more used to navigating the twisted, rocky halls of the Darkmines. As he trotted down the winding corridors his head was suffering from a sharp, splitting headache. Continuing on his way the hammering pain throbbed intensely, heating his brow and blurring his vision.

Stumbling forward slightly, he caught himself. Sweat trickled slowly down the sides of his face -- collecting along his cheeks and dripping onto the steel-plated floor. Looking down at the floor the entire world seemed to spin around him.

"It's getting worse..." Vladimir thought aloud to himself.

Inhaling deeply, he rose his head up and drew his wine flask. Raising it to his lips he sipped its cool, sweet liquid. As it slid down his throat the relieving sensation of fresh clarity came to his mind. In time, his vision cleared and the entire world halted its gyrate movement.

Sulking, a heavy weight sat in his stomach. The creature loomed over him invisibly. For all the stallion knew it could be listening to his thoughts, or taunting him behind his back. It was always there. Watching. Only when the wine washed it away was there a brief moment of freedom. Only in that instant was there a time he could think to himself, and scream at it mentally with full frontal contempt.

Cantering onward he hurried through the halls, jumping at one of the creaking hot, steaming pipes lining the walls. His body was light, and trembling.

The worst part was that he wasn't even certain why the paranoia caused him to be so skittish at such small, meaningless things. Since the creature had offered him a chance at redemption the urge to fight back grew.

There was a time to fight the apparition.

But now was not that time. He had a meeting to attend.

Coming to a large set of steel sliding doors he opened them, revealing dozens of Darkminers and Legion officers standing cluttered inside of a large cavern. Like many of the rooms, this too was formed from the dug-out caverns that no longer yielded anything within the mine.

Stepping inside Vladimir stared wide eyed at the high ceiling with green lighting fixtures dangling easily from thin wires.

To the left of the room was a set of rising bleachers, and to the right was an identical set. Each had the seats facing the center of the cave -- where all of the ponies were gathered chatting amongst one another.

Strangely enough, most of the Darkminers stood aside. Keeping only to themselves and standing completely still near the end of the right bleachers. Their glowing green eyes penetrating through the shadows cast off by the rows of seats beside them.

Thatch emerged from the mass of bodies, gently pushing ponies aside as he walked to Vladimir. Smiling, he gave the Legion Emperor a graceful bow.

"Your majesty, I'm glad you could make it."

"Yes... Thank you for receiving me, Captain.” Said Vladimir.

Several other captains noticed Vladimir's presence and came forth swarming around him. Each seemed more ecstatic than the last, bowing to him. Taking him forcely by the leg some even shook his hoof, greeting him bombastically with beaming grins.

The whole ordeal made his crimson fur turn cold. Smiling sheepishly, he nodded to each one as they overcame him with good tidings. A collaboration of voices, chuckles, and greetings rang loudly in his ears sending his head ablaze with sharp pain.

Thatch raised his hoof, wagging it to the many officers that surrounded Vladimir, "Now, now everyone. Can't you see his majesty is a little overwhelmed? Since he's arrived I think we should all prepare for the event, shall we?"

Ventures, with a glass of wine in hoof nodded his pudgy head. "Here, here! Let's start the event!"

His declaration was followed by an uproar of voices cheering. Once more Thatch lifted his hoof into the air. "Alright, calm yourselves! Let's take our seats, chop chop now!"

Lowering his hoof, Thatch turned his head to the Darkminers gathered at the side of the bleacher. Giving them one confirming nod they bowed slightly and skulked off down to the end of the cave -- before vanishing behind a series of large crates gathered at the far end of the room.

Thatch lay a gentle hoof on Vladimir's back, sending a sudden jolt of chilled panic surging through him. Jumping at the gesture Vladimir looked at Thatch and blinked. Motioning his head toward the left bleachers the Legion Captain swooned, "Your majesty, please this way."

Vladimir was silent, feeling the throb of the headache returning to his brow. As Thatch guided him up the first set of seats, he winced at the pain. Stopping in the middle of a row, Vladimir placed a firm hoof to the side of his head.

Thatch lay a hoof on Vladimir's back, "Are you alright, your highness?"

"Yes," Vladimir replied resting his hoof in front of him, "I'll be fine, Captain..."

Giving Vladimir a doubtful gaze, he continued to guide him to his seat, high in the upper rows of the bleachers. Sitting him down at the top chair at the middle section Thatch bowed, "Call my name if you should need me, and let me know if you need something for your head."

Waving a dismissing hoof, Vladimir pulled the flask out of his cape pocket. Watching Thatch step over the low seats, he sipped his wine peering at the multitude of ponies dispersing themselves around, and taking seats of their own. That was all except the Darkminers who had all suddenly vanished from the room.

Letting his muscles relax and the wine undo the pain, Vladimir sighed before the chilling whisper of the creature purred sweetly into his ear.

"I'm excited." It said. "Aren't you?"

"For what?" Vladimir answered, no longer stirred by the creature’s presence.

It hovered next to him like a shadow -- only its eyes were a solid color of glowing white. Smiling, it pointed to the crates the Darkminers had disappeared to.

"About what they're doing, Little Red."

Briefly moving his gaze to the crates, Vladimir placed his eyes back at the center of the room. "I don't care much for it..."

Slinking around to his side it touched his shoulder, and placed its head next to his own. The icy bite of the specter’s being was like a gentle draft -- cold, but not entirely there.

"Not even a little?" It cooed.

Swooning esthetically over the mystery it added, "It could be anything. A new weapon, a demonstration of the miners’ might. Or-"

"Perhaps it's nothing." Vladimir interjected sternly.

Shrugging, the creature added, "Think what you wish, I find it delightfully thrilling."

Taking a quick sip of his wine Vladimir coughed, "What is it you want this time?"

"Tsk, tsk, Little Red. Don't you think I would just like to talk to you, like we did in the good ol' days?"

Vladimir was silent and still. Keeping his eyes focused at the wide space between the two sets of bleachers.

It smirked at him. "Not going to talk, eh?"

"Why haven't you done it yet?" Vladimir asked.

"Done what?" It answered.

"Taken me. Why haven't you done it yet?"

It looked at him, shooting him a rather perplexed look. "Why, I thought it was obvious."

Looking at the creature with a raised eyebrow, Vladimir hung his mouth agape. "I... I don't..."

Retaining its playful smirk it said, "If I were to take you now I would kill you. Remember what happened on the train?"

Moving his face to the ground, Vladimir listened as it continued to speak. "Or have you forgotten that you and I are one in the same? Simply put, I can't have you dead. It's... Not good for business."

"Is that why I was given these chances?" Vladimir remarked.

It nodded. "Indeed. I believe we can collaborate still. Be partners. Be Vladimir, Emperor and God of the Ironhoof Province."

Vladimir muttered under his breath, "And you still think I can change?"

Putting its icy, translucent lips to his ear, it whispered, "We'll see..."

Moving to see the apparition Vladimir found that it had vanished into thin air. Staring down at the polished steel of the flask that levitated close to his chest he gazed into his own reflection. His eyes were tired -- with dark rims blackening the under sections of his eyelids.

A loud, boisterous stallion’s voice called loudly out into the room. Off of the walls, sound of the stallion’s words carried throughout the area. Jumping slightly, Vladimir looked again to the space between the bleachers. Where in the center, alone with a silver microphone in hoof was Thatch.

"Fillies. Miners. Gentlecolts. May I have your attention please."

The room went silent for him.

"It's been a long time since we had a some good news. Since the tragic destruction of Arkcannon, we've had a setback, after setback. That was, until now."

Standing on his hind legs Thatch spun around, pointing to the crates at the far end of the room. "Because now, ponies of the Darkmines, I give you something great. Something more than just victory... I give you, the future of this project, and of our order's rule!"

A loud series of stomping hooves followed, trailed by the faint oos of the spectators. "I give you, proud soldiers and miners of the Ironhoof Province, the Predators!"

Vladimir's eyes went wide as a cold dreadful ache washed over him, sending all of the hairs on his body to stand on edge. Nearly rising from his seat he uttered quickly to himself, "T-They got them working so fast? I thought... H-How did they-"

From out behind the crates came two single-file rows of several Darkminers. Prowling between them was a monstrous cat-like killing machine. Clear tubes ran down its bumpy steel spine, as the armored plates of its shoulders bobbed up and down smoothly baring the crimson star of the Legion. Following closely behind it was its long, whip-like tail with a sharp triple tipped barb swaying at the end.

It flashed the spectators with its polished, razor-sharp teeth as it and the miners came to Thatch. Stopping five feet before him. Thatch smiled widely, nodding at the hulking mechanized beast.

Every member of the audience stomped, and cheered. All, except Vladimir. Who remained quiet, clasping his churning stomach.

"Feared in the Central Province for their defensive nature, and ruthless urge to kill we have finally tamed them." Thatch announced, stepping closely to it.

Sitting its armored haunches on the rocky stone floor it purred as he lay a hoof on its head, stroking it gently. "As you can see, it obeys only the Legion. Those of you who bare our mark will not be harmed. And, do not worry -- neither the slaves, nor the Miners have anything to fear."

"Though," Thatch stated, stepping away from the machine, "it was for the longest time wondered as to what the creatures use to fuel themselves."

Thatch's smile grew, and the very moment it did, the miners -- while staying in perfect lines -- moved to the side giving the beast room. "You see, they feed off of the living blood of their prey."

Shrugging, Thatch added, "Though you may not be convinced."

A wide, malicious smirk formed on Thatch's face. Raising the microphone to his lips he boomed, "Bring forth the prey!"

Behind the crate emerged two Darkminers. Leather harnesses with thick, bulking iron chains were strapped to each one, while they dragged along a mare, concealed by a dark hooded robe. All over her body chains fastened tightly to her neck and legs tugged at her as the miners pulled her to the beast.

Vladimir was in shock. His eyes were wide, and his whole body frozen stiff. Under the masking shadow of the hood a sack was draped over the pony's face. Concealing her frightened expression.

Stopping the slave merely feet away from the predator she struggled against the restraints. Twisting and turning, she battled those holding her until she became tired.

"Watch, as the Predator unleashes its full fury!" Thatch exclaimed, pointing at the slave.

The predator moved like a flowing stream of water. Each movement was light, quick, and silent -- despite its metallic exterior. Growling at the mare, it locked its eyes on her.

Please don't... Vladimir thought.

Lifting the barb at the end of its tail high into the air it whipped it swiftly, blasting a crisp crack! through the entire room.

Vladimir bit his lip forcefully. I can't watch...

Just as Thatch eyed the prey and the Predator, his grin grew. "Kill!"

And just as the barb lunged forth at the mare Vladimir shut his eyes tightly, and turned his head away. The very next thing he heard was a brief moment of complete silence -- followed by the thunderous sound of hooves stomping and applauding at what had just transpired.

In Vladimir's ears the appalling sound of exuberant shouts of joy rang viciously. For the moment the noise seemed to go on, and on into infinity. That was, before Thatch continued to announce the other cruel things the machine could do.

Channeling out the voice of the Legion Captain, Vladimir sat there, the sea of sickening nausea churning ever so relentlessly at the bottom of his stomach.

There was little Vladimir could say after the demonstration was done with. Trotting groggily through the exit the dreadful sounds of the Predator whipping its tail, and killing the mare they had brought forth still haunted him.

Hovering over him like a storm cloud, the awful twisting inside his stomach caused his forelegs to tremble. All around his chest was a hollow, frigidness. Though, as he leaned himself against the side of the rocky cavern wall he took in deep heavy breaths to suppress the feelings.

From out of the room came spilling forth ponies. Darkminer, and Legionnaires chatting gleefully about the stunning display of mechanical might. Thatch bumped through the crowd, navigating his way to the open regions along the side of the river of ponies. Finally breaching the herd of officers he caught his breath.

Just feet away from him was Vladimir, huffing by the doorway. Putting on a proud, boastful smile Thatch cantered up to his master. "Did his majesty enjoy the display?"

Raising his head to Thatch's eyes, Vladimir nodded unsteadily. "Y-yes. I did find it..."

He tried to find the right word to please his Captain. "Enjoyable..."

Taking a step toward him, Thatch cocked his head to one side noticing the shivering and trembling of Vladimir's legs. "Your highness, is everything alright? You look a bit shaken."

"No, Captain." Vladimir reassured him. "I'm all right. I just haven't been feeling well as of late..."

Gazing at Vladimir unsurely, he bowed his head once. "If that's the case, please allow me to find some pony to escort you back to-"

"No." Vladimir retorted. "I... I can do it on my own."

"Are you certain, your majesty?" Thatch asked.

"Yes, I'm certain."

Turning back to the ponies leaving the room, Thatch walked along side the group moving down the hall. When the last of the officers and miners had cleared the area Vladimir recovered himself.

Walking down the hallway he tried to keep his legs in line. Down one of the corridors a sound made his ears flitter, and twitch. At first the sounds were low, inaudible mumbles. Making a left down a hallway that carried the strange noises he followed it -- keeping his ears alert, and erect.

After navigating the twisting halls of the Darkmines the voices grew until he paused at the end of a narrow corridor. Like many of the others that weaved through the rock, and earth; this too was lined with groaning iron pipes hissing away as the pressure inside them let loose.

Shifting his head to one side, Vladimir saw ponies in iron rattling chains being drug off to another hall at the end of the corridor. Darkminers accompanied them, eyeing them closely with oak bludgeons attached to their leather masks. One of the ponies in particular caught Vladimir's eye.

Of all the prisoners they were escorting it was a Freelancer Guardian that intrigued him. He was a stallion, no older than thirty dressed in a roughly patched leather duster, with thick dark-plated armor tucked underneath it. His dull orange mane hung loosely along the sides of his head as his panic-stricken eyes searched frantically around him while he pulled tirelessly at the chains that bound him.

"I'm not supposed to be here!" He cried out. "I was making my rounds! Please, let me go!"

One of the miners smacked him forcefully on the side, sending his hooves staggering along the coarse rocky floor. "I-Is it information you want? I can give some to you! There was these other guardians, a blue one and a white one that went through Silvermane on there way here! Or how about the Coalition? I saw a-"

"Silence!" A Darkminer hissed raising his bludgeon. "Do not speak! Too loud! Or we make you still!"

Flinching at the oppressor's actions the Freelancer shut his mouth. Shuffling with the group of miners and captured slaves they went on their way until all of them were out of sight. Vladimir stood for a moment at the start of the corridor, staring up at the dimly glowing light fixtures strung upon the walls.

Could it be them? Could it be her sons at long last? He thought to himself.

Thinking, Vladimir felt a warmth coarse slowly through him. Perhaps... Those two are the key to my salvation... To rid myself of...

Not thinking another thought, Vladimir smiled. Ever since he had met them did the wonderful, lifting feeling of freedom return to him. While the thought had already occurred the creature had become lazy with its surveillance. Perhaps, just maybe the two brothers held the key to ending his torment.

Night was fast approaching. Split Tooth and Siren could see it in the clouds as the bleeding vibrancy of the colors in the sky started to fade into darkness. Big Lot was held firmly by the edge of the gorge by a slaver, who kept her under control by restraining her in a headlock.

Viciously resisting her captor, Big Lot wiggled and squirmed trying to break free. Most of her body was bare as each part of the Legion attire she once had was now stripped from her.

The Slaver’s horn was aglow with a sickly shade of light green as Big Lot's armor was neatly packed and levitated toward the cart -- where he set it down gently. When the sickly glow of his horn vanished, the slaver grinned at the little filly they had captured.

"Let me go! NOW!" Big Lot demanded, grunting and snarling like a ravenous beast.

The slaver holding her tightened his grip around her little neck as Split Tooth trotted to the two of them. "I can't 'old her for much longer..." The slaver tiredly muttered.

"Don't worry none, mate." Split Tooth said, motioning a hoof to Siren.

Siren was standing by the cart, giggling to herself. "Ya want a collar fer that feisty one?"

"Aye, bring t' smallest one we got." Split Tooth answered, leering at the filly with his bright yellow eyes.

Lowering his head down to her face, Big Lot felt the rancid breath of the slaver brush sourly against the hairs of her nose. "My, my. Ya sure are a healthily one. Ain't ya, pup?

Laying a hoof on her little head, he brushed back the soft silky locks of her mane. "Such fine 'air ya've got..."

Poking her chest lightly, Split Tooth retracted his hoof briskly as she snapped her pearly white teeth at him. Chuckling he bolstered a smile reaching to both ears, "Wot nice teeth, too! Ya gonna' sell for a whole lot down at t' mines missy!"

Encased in the ill-shaded aura of Siren's magical energy a collar, small enough for Big Lot's little neck floated at her side. Taking a place next to Split Tooth she chirped, "'Ere ya go Splitsy! T' smallest one we got."

Smiling crookedly, Split Tooth took the collar. Putting his devilish eyes onto the little one, Big Lot froze when she saw the collar hover closely to his head. Shaking her head vigorously she tried to get free from the slaver's forelegs.

"No! Please not that! Not that!" She protested, before attempting to gnaw on the leather armored leg of the slaver.

"Oh?" Split Tooth scoffed. "Ya know what this 'ere thing is?"

Despite the desperate measures she took to break free she looked up at the collar. Her breathing had become quick, and her heart began to race. "D-Don't you know who I am?" She stuttered.

Cocking her head to one side, Siren scratched her mane. "No? Should we?"

"I-It's I, Big Lot! P-Princess of the northern border!"

Siren and Split Tooth stood silently for a moment, staring down at the little filly before looking to one another. Then bursting out into a loud, spontaneous guffaw the two slavers crackled in unison, "That's rich kid!"

Big Lot's hooves started to tremble as he little heart continued to beat faster, and faster. "It's true! I-It's true..."

Calming himself, Split Tooth remarked, "Roight, kid. An' ah suppose ya gonna' say yer some stallion too? Or that ya got a mencin' stare? An’ ah suppose that fancy armor is yers too? Ah know stolen armor when ah sees it. Ya ain’t no Big Lot, yer jus’ some spunky pup who’s a liar an’ a thief!"

"B-But I am Big Lot!" Big Lot replied sputtering.

"Save it!" Split Tooth exclaimed raising a hoof to smack her.

Big Lot closed her eyes, and flinched. Split Tooth lowered his hoof slowly, giving her a grin that exposed his distorted yellow teeth. "Ya jus' a little brat is what ya are. Nothin' more."

Hovering the collar to her neck, the slaver holding her loosened his grip. When the icy metal of the device touched her it bit at Big Lot's warm skin. And, fastening the collar tightly around her Split Tooth locked it, as a faint ping sounded from it when the lock snapped shut.

Leaning closely toward her ear, Split Tooth whispered to her, "Ya're mine now, missy."

Letting go of her, Split Tooth backed away directing his attention to the slaver that restrained Big Lot. "Go get me t' chain."

Nodding once, the slaver went toward the slave line to retrieve the chain. Big Lot fell onto her haunches, before laying a shaking hoof on the chilled metal of the collar. Whimpering she uttered, "I'm a..."

"Yeah, girly. That ya are." Siren coed poking her shoulder.

The slaver had returned with the iron chain in his mouth, and the loose slack dragging along the ground rattling loudly. Levitating the links of chain held by the slaver Split Tooth attached the chain to a hook located just below Big Lot's jaw. Snapping the heavy iron links to her collar he patted her on the head.

"That's a good little, missy."

"Now," Split Tooth added raising his hoof in the air above his head, "get in line!"

Smacking her squarely on the back, it sent the little filly tumbling forth. Dirt and dust coated her muzzle as the ground made contact with her face. Forcing herself up Siren pushed her forward, causing the filly's hooves to stumble forward.

Big Lot was positioned two ponies behind Adam, who at the time she didn't notice. Something within her died. Usually there was a greater sense of purpose -- a greater meaning to be had in being her. An uplifting sensation of bubbling power, now reduced to nothing but an empty hollowness.

And, looking down at the rocky ground under her hooves the feeling linger heavily at the bottom of her chest.

With Siren at his side Split Tooth strolled on to the head of the group. "Listen you lot! Dark is comin' an' ah want t' find someplace to bunk for t' night. So let's pick up t' pace! Any lollygaggin' an' you'll 'ave 'ell t' pay!"

A sudden jerk of the chain sent the filly staggering. Picking herself up she started to shuffle along with the other slaves, in silence. As her eyes moved up, she noticed a blue buck further up the line. A newfound feeling sparked within her. One that made heat rush into her face, and her body to become saturated with burning hate.

Adam had heard everything that had gone on, and seeing Big Lot nearby made him keep quiet. There was a possibility she didn't recognize him without his duster, or brother. In which case he felt it best to keep his gaze away from her own -- lest he stir her fury.

Picking up a pebble on the ground, she threw it at Adam. The tiny stone flew through the air and landed directly on Adam's back. Feeling the brief sting of the rock strike him, he tried to resist turning his head around.

Big Lot pouted.

Narrowing her eyes at him, she picked up another stone and threw it at him again. This time, the pebble hit him in the back of the head, making Adam stumble over his hooves. Quickly placing a hoof over the stinging region the tiny rock had hit he looked back to see who had thrown it.

Big Lot's eyes met with his, and in her he could see the fury boiling from within. A heated rage charged the air around them. Pointing at him with her little hoof, Big Lot whispered aloud, "I'm going to kill you for what you did."

Adam didn't reply.

Lowering her hoof she smiled devilishly. "You think this collar, or ponies dividing us can stop me? I'll do it. I'll make sure the ground is stained with your-"

A unicorn slaver nearby hit her forcefully in the side with the stalk of his gun, letting a low yelp escape her lips. "Shut it, ya little brat!"

Rubbing the searing pain in her side with one hoof, she continued to glare at Adam from afar. When the moment was right, she would exact her revenge. Out of the entire situation the moment looked bright. The exhilarating energy of control came back as the pain lifted, and the hollowness gradually converted into a warm sense of determination that made her senses feel more keenly honed than before.

The wasteland breeze was becoming colder by the moment. Its temperature sent the hairs on Neo's neck up as he shivered at the nipping wind. Each pony in the group had taken a prone position near the top of a hill, where they intently gazed at an old barn from one hundred feet away.

One of the structure's sides had caved in, giving off the appearance that the grey shingled roof was warped. Much of the red paint encasing the barn had faded over time. The only dull coloring left was dried and chipping from the blackened derelict facade.

On each side of the building was three windows -- all blasted and cracked leaving just the sharp knife-like edges around the corners. A single orange light dimly flickered in one of the window frames. And as the ponies watched from afar Neo's hoof started to fidget.

Wester was next to Neo, with Lucy on his other side. Ally had taken a spot alongside Two Socks, who was smiling widely.

"What do you think it is?" Neo asked Wester, feeling the cold of the ground seep through his cloths.

Wester's metal ears flicked and swirled in the air as he listened carefully. "I'm not sure. I don't hear much."

Neo looked at the barn -- focusing his eyes on the little glowing light in the window. "What is it you do hear, though?"

"Some shuffling, and tapping." Wester answered.

"Do you think they're raiders?" Asked Lucy.

Wester shook his head. "I don't believe it is. Raiders make more noise than this."

"We could always say hello -- that's the proper thing to do anyway." Said Two Socks with beaming smile on his face.

Neo sighed, "Whatever we do I'd like to know soon. The more we wait here the farther Adam is from us."

"Calm yourself, Neo," Wester remarked in soothing tone, "let me listen a little longer. If I don't hear anything within a few min-"

Wester stopped speaking, hearing the sudden click of a gun being loaded from behind him.

Staying where he was, Wester lay motionless. "Curious... I didn't hear you coming..."

Ally turned around slowly to see where the sound had come from, only to find seven Zebras, armed with battle saddles drenched in a deep dark black paint. Around their eyes were blindfolds, torn and frayed along the edges bearing tiny white dots in the places their eyes would naturally be. On each one of their grey metal breastplates was a white jagged claw mark, dragging down across the entire torso region from one side to the next.

"What the!?" She screamed facing the silent hunters.

The other ponies laying beside her turned too, staring up at the barrels of the mysterious ponies before them. Like thin air they had manifested. And like the cool gentle breeze that brushed against their coats they said nothing. Only looking, with the little white dots gazing right at them.

Two Socks gulped throwing his hooves into the air, "Tiger Company!"

The Zebra who stood behind Wester jerked his head to the left before motioning his gun toward them. Letting out a low, stern grunt everyone the Zebras surrounded turned onto their back, and lifted their hooves above their heads.

Lucy gulped, feeling an anxious sweat gently roll down the sides of her face. "These guys ain't messin' around. I heard you guys were quiet, but you've blown my expectations out of the water..."

"Quiet!" One Zebra bellowed lowly.

Briskly slapping a hoof onto her mouth, Lucy nodded quickly. One of the Zebras next to Two Socks strolled over to Wester. Each step was light, and silent. Not even the ground under his hooves shifted. Giving the strange illusion that he was floating just a hair off of the earth.

Stopping right in front of Wester, the Zebra cocked his head to one side. Staring headlong into the Zebra’s dull, lifeless artificial eyes Wester asked, "We don't mean you any trouble."

"We know." The Zebra answered in a firm, whisper-like tone.

"Then what's with all of the guns pointed at us?" Neo asked, eyeing the Zebra attentively.

For a brief moment the Zebra said nothing, just a simple swivel of his ears twisting in the air followed before he answered. "To make sure you do not harm yourselves."

"Harm ourselves?" Neo asked. "How? With what?"

The Zebra pointed his nose to Wester's python revolvers. "Brash thinking."

"What is it you want?" Wester retorted.

"No." The Zebra replied instantly. "What is it you want?"

Neo's mind was racing. All around the situation didn't look well for them in the slightest. But sitting in one spot -- talking about nothing made his hoof jitter and his teeth grit. Turning onto his belly, he gingerly pushed himself up from the ground.

The very action made the Zebras take a cautious step backwards. Though, their faces seemed unaltered -- even while Neo spoke to them. Retaining a calm, controlled expression Neo's heart started to beat faster by the second. "We're looking for somepony."

"Who?" The Zebra before Wester replied.

A lump had managed to find its way into Neo's throat. Taking in a deep, relaxing breath he forced it down. "His name is Adam. I'm Neo, and I've spoke with your leader, Bloodstrider before in Ironhoof City."

The Zebra's mouths dropped slightly, "You are the warrior of the arena? The champion?" Said the Zebra over Wester furtively.

"Yes, that's correct." Neo answered.

The Zebra hovering at the end of Westers legs looked to his comrades. "He is the champion."

A soft murmur fell over the Zebras that surrounded them. To one another they whispered, low unclear things. Neo held firm, trying to lift the nervous weight that sat in his stomach.

Extending one hoof out to Neo the Zebra beckoned him to follow. "Come," he said, "we will bring you to Chief Bloodstrider."

And, letting in a full lung of air in Neo allowed the breathing to quell the anxiety within him. Hopefully he remembers me... Neo thought. Hopefully...

A fire burned low in the middle of the barn. Rocks, small and smooth surrounded the fire pit -- containing the glowing hot embers within. Twirling, the low flames danced with swift, mesmerizing motions as Bloodstrider sat on a woven mat of a fine white cloth. His blindfold looked down at the fire crackling in the still air of the room.

Behind Bloodstrider was the collapsed section of the barn's roof that had all but engulfed the entire back wall. Ten Zebras, content and still, sat around the fire. Little ones, with wide glassy eyes blinked at the mysterious source of warmth that came from the rooms center. As the tender heat irradiated onto Bloodstrider's fur he inhaled deeply through his nose.

A disturbance in the air sent his ears upright and swiveling from side to side. Straightening his posture, Bloodstrider uttered in a deep bellowing voice, "Let them in."

The door at the far end of the barn opened, revealing Neo, Ally, Lucy, Wester, and Two Socks. The rusted iron hinges let out an ear-splitting shriek, causing the ponies in the group to wince at the horrendous noise as it grinded at their eardrums.

Yet the Zebras within seemed unshaken by the sound. None had moved, flinched, or even gave them so much as a twitch. Bloodstrider watched them idly with his beady artificial eyes painted onto his blindfold.

"Come in." Bloodstrider said, beckoning them with a alluring hoof.

Neo took the first step into the barn, curiously scanning the barn's interior. With the other members of his group closely following in-tow he looked up at into the high rafters of the barn. There, gathered around the second floor above them was tens of Zebras, old and young silently gazing down at them in wonder.

A few of the Zebras on the opposing side of Bloodstrider got up, and moved to the old hay-laden alcoves along the barn walls. Leaving a space wide enough for the newcomers to sit around the fire the Zebra chief extend a hoof to the vacant ground before the flames.

Nodding once, Bloodstrider muttered, "Sit, please."

Stopping at the edge of the fire pit, without question each member of the group sat down side by side around the fawning, warm light.

Raising his head slightly, Bloodstrider spoke, "Why are you here?"

Before anyone had a moment to speak the spontaneous scream of the hinges cried out through the barn as two Zebras closed the door. Flinching at the sound, each pony of the group clasped their ears down tightly. That was all, except the Zebras present in the room.

Hearing a distinct ringing in his sore, throbbing ears Neo rubbed them gently. "We're looking for somepony."

"Who would that be, Neo?" Asked Bloodstrider.

With his mouth agape and shaking his head Neo added, "How did you-"

Bloodstrider chuckled in the same low baritone voice, "I never forget a voice."

Neo was silent. His eyes were wide, and his figure reeling back at the quick response.

Collecting himself, Neo sighed staring the chief directly in the face. "It's good to see you again."

Giving him a slight nod of the head, Bloodstrider smiled. "The feeling is mutual, friend."

"So," Bloodstrider started, "where is your brother? I didn't hear him come in."

Neo hung his head low, looking grimly into the flames as his voice was tinged with sadness, "That's just it. He's gone..."

"Gone?" Bloodstrider gaped. "How?"

Neo's eyes narrowed at the orange light that encased his vision. Feeling the same heavy sinking in his stomach slowly plummet farther into his being, he choked, "He was taken. Taken by a slavers called Split Tooth and Siren."

Rubbing the striped fur underneath his chin, Bloodstrider nodded thoughtfully. Not even uttering so much as a word in response.

Two Socks leaned forward from where he sat. His voice too, for the first time, seemed to be teeming with troubled longing. "And they took my partner too. If you've seen him I would very much like to know if he's close."

Again, Bloodstrider did not speak. Rather, he remained seated where he was, rubbing the short bristle-like fur under his chin.

Nodding, the Zebra chief hummed, "Your situation is dire. That much I can see. And from the tone of your words you have suffered much more than his lose since the last time we've met. Is this correct, my friend?"

Neo muttered under his breath, trying to forcefully lift the weight in his stomach, "Yes. That's correct."

Bloodstrider hummed to himself once more, directing his blindfolded eyes to the crackling embers of the fire. "We have seen ponies who might be the ones you seek. Taken by the slavers you know as Split Tooth and Siren."

Lifting his head, Neo leaned forward. "Where? When?"

"More importantly," Lucy commented, "how did you... Well, you know..."

"See them?" Bloodstrider answered.

"Yeah, that..." Lucy chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck.

Giving her a solid nod the Zebra chief remarked, "A valid point."

Moving his face toward the Zebras sitting aloft in on the second floor near the barn's rafters Bloodstrider let out a low grunt. Coming down from the high region above, a Zebra mare came forth climbing down a ladder that was position behind the chief. Taking a place next to Bloodstrider, the mare sat her haunches down on the matt.

Unlike all of the other members of Tiger company, there was but one feature that made her different. She wasn't wearing a blindfold, nor were her eyes cloudy or fogged. Instead, her eyes sported a beautiful shade of light brown as she looked at the ponies that stood before her chief.

Gesturing a hoof toward the mare at his side, Bloodstrider said, "This is one of our Seers. They choose to retain their sight if they are born with it."

"They are our eyes." Bloodstrider continued. "Without them, we could not operate as effectively at long distances."

Resting a hoof easily on the Seer's shoulder, Bloodstrider thanked her. As she had been before, the Seer ascended the ladder back up into the second story of the barn.

"She was the one that spotted those who we believe to be your kin." Bloodstrider said.

"But when? Where? In what direction?" Neo begged his eyes large with troubled worry.

"They were heading east, to the Darkmines earlier today." Bloodstrider answered before sighing. "But we could not free them."

Neo shook his head. "Why not? What stopped you?"

An ample amount of regret lingering in the Chief's words, "They were too close to the Legion outpost nearby. If we killed them, we would have stirred their wrath. And not only would we have been killed, but so to would the kin you search for."

Quickly raising a hoof high into the air, Two Socks exclaimed, "Was there a donkey with him?"

"Yes," Bloodstrider replied, "he was spotted behind the blue pony before they reached the outpost."

Two Socks grinned reeling in his hoof victoriously. "That'da go Bill!"

Bloodstrider smiled at the Trader pony. "I am sure they are holding firm, despite their position. Anypony that can take down Vladimir's manticore can endure any trial."

Perking her ears upward -- Lucy slapped a hoof briskly against the ground.

"Hey!" She announced. "Why don't you guys help us? With all that crazy ninja stuff you do we can get them both out of there easy!"

Wester looked at her, shaking his head. "Lucky, we can't just ask them to-"

"What is it Neo thinks?" Bloodstrider added abruptly.

Blinking at the Zebra, Lucy turned her attention to Neo.

Raising a single eyebrow at him, Lucy asked, "Fine, Neo, what do you think?"

Looking straight at the Zebra chief, Neo roused his confidence by forcefully lifting the weight inside him. "I don't want to make you do something you don't want to do."

Bloodstrider bowed his head, "We're free because of you and your brother. Before you came, we had signed a contract with Vladimir. He went out to hunt the manticore with us, and when we couldn't kill such a magnificent beast, he bonded us to his will by finding someone else to do it."

A small plume of grey smoke had started to rise from the fire's core. Bloodstrider sniffed the smoky air, and lifting his snout to the roof he muttered lowly, "Jib and Jab found us warriors, and thrived off of the beast's victories. Until the beast died, we would never be free of the Legion's grasp. And then two you came to us. Unlike all the others you killed it, and set us free for all of time."

"For this," Bloodstrider said, "we are indebted to you."

A series of conflicting emotions pervaded Neo's entire being. Pride, as soft and warm as it was in his chest -- came before the dreadful feeling of heavy inadequacy. From within him the two battled against one another making his hooves tremble slightly.

Killing Asmodeus was an accident. A plan gone sour at the last moment, only to wind up accomplishing what he set out to do in the first place. What if they were to die? There were children, and parents in his clan. What would become of them if they were to join his quest just to die later on?

Trying to conceal the shaking of his hoof, Neo placed it behind his head and rubbed his black mane gently. "I don't know, what about your company? These colts and fillies? What about them?"

Bloodstrider stood stiff, answering Neo with a sincere conviction, "If you accept my help, it will be me and three other of my warriors that will join you. The others shall carry on as we have since our separation from the Legion. If I were to die, then Dark Stripe, my brother, will take my place. I trust him, and I know he can lead just as well as I."

Neo was quiet for a moment. Diverting his eyes to the dazzling flames of the fire before him he pondered the situation. He wanted his brother back. He wanted to see Adam smile again, and be safe. But, shutting his eyes tightly the weight within began to expand into a sharp pain.

For above all things -- he wanted to say sorry to Adam.

Ally rested a reassuring hoof on Neo's back, smiling as she comforted him. "I know it's a hard choice. It's a dangerous world out there."

She too looked to the flames. "But if we can't catch up to them, they'll be in the Darkmines, and from what we've heard it'll be like breaking into hell itself."

"She's right, Neo." Two Socks added. "With their light footing, if push comes to shove, we'll need them."

Two Socks shrugged. "All the same, the choice is yours compadre."

The emotions within Neo were overcoming. The sharp, brittle pain of sinking had become so intense, that if his legs were to give out he wouldn't be surprise. Never before had someone so willing wanted to give their life for him or his brother. To just tread headlong into a perilous, uncertain venture would surely not be worth the risk. Yet Bloodstrider stood firm by what he meant, and that alone had to mean he was serious about the situation.

Neo sighed, collecting his thoughts together. And, nodding once to Bloodstrider he said, "I'll accept your help."

Bloodstrider smiled, giving Neo a gracious bow of his head. "Thank you."

Lifting his head, Bloodstrider motioned his hoof to the alcoves along the sides of the walls. "It is growing dark outside, if you should need a safe place to stay than you may do so here."

Once more, Neo nodded to him. "Thank you, chief Bloodstrider."

The serene sound of crickets chirping signaled the coming of dusk. Split Tooth headed the slave line, with his partner Siren tailing closely by his side. The hills cast off an ominous shadow as the encroaching night came. With the growing absence of light came a more numbing wind that bit the skin, and froze the bone.

As a gentle, freezing breeze brushed against Split Tooth's fur a violent shiver quickly jolted down his spine.

"D-Damn." Split Tooth grunted, his teeth chatting.

Rubbing the sides of her forelegs Siren too was shivering. "Oi, Splitsy? Ya reckon we can 'ead back t' that outpost? It's freezin' out 'ere! An' ah bet it's nice an' warm back there too."

Split Tooth shook his head. "Nah, we've come this far already no use turnin' back now..."

Adam was keeping his pace a little faster than usual. Every so often he would look back at Big Lot, who sported a malicious scowl each time he saw her.

Bill saw Adam hover close to his back, even more than before from out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head slightly to the side, Bill whispered, "Adam? Are you alright?"

"Huh?" Adam uttered, perking his ears upward. "It's nothing... At least, I hope it's nothing."

"Does it have something to do with the new one? That filly?" Bill asked.

Adam unsurely glanced to the cart. "Yes."

Briefly directing his gaze to Big Lot farther down the line, Bill saw her sapphire eyes hold an unbroken link with Adam's position. "She doesn't look happy. Granted, her position ain't really the happy-happy sort."

"It's not that she's glaring at me that’s troubling," Adam replied, "it's that I know her, and likewise she knows me."

Bill raised a curious eyebrow. "Ya do?"

Adam gave him a firm nod. "She's Big Lot. The one who controls the northern border for the Legion."

"I heard her claim she was, but how can ya be sure? I heard Big Lot was a guy."

Sighing heavily, Adam looked over his shoulder at the menacing little one a few slaves behind him. "Well, believe what you want -- that's Big Lot. My brother and I were there not too long ago. My only question is, why she's out here?

A slaver mare, gravitating around the right side of the slave line was waving a hoof and shouting, "Boss! I see something!"

Every slave along the line directed their heads toward the slaver. Split Tooth rose a hoof high into the air, halting the movement of the caravan. Siren placed a hoof to the side of her mouth and returned, "Wot is it?!"

"An ol' train station 'er, somethin'!" The slaver called back.

Siren looked to Split Tooth, who held an unwavering stare on the slaver. "Wot ya think, Splitsy? Ya think we could bunker down there fer t' night?"

Like his partner had, Split Tooth too rose a hoof to the side of his jaw. "'Ow far away is it?"

"Jus' over t' hill, boss!" The slaver answered.

Thoughtfully giving her a few nods Split Tooth coughed, "It's as good a place as any, ah suppose."

Siren grinned, lifting her hoof in the air twirling it a gyrate motion. "Comon' you lot! We're bunkin' fer t' night!"

Slavers came to the the side of the slave line, pushing the chained captives to the dark, dusty hills. Adam felt more relieved to finally get out of the cold. His hooves had started to ache, and his body becoming more chilled as time went on.

Trudging up the side of the hill Adam looked back at Big Lot. A unicorn slaver was next to her with a splinter coated bludgeon levitating over her. Snapping and snarling at him Big Lot battled her captor the longer he stood near her. The more she retaliated, the more the heavy weapon seemed closer to beating her against the back.

Coming to the top of the hill, a deep boiling heated fury dwelled within the little filly. Inside her heart Big Lot felt the fiery resistance slowly rise through her throat and out of her mouth into a vile speech.

"Don't you DARE touch me you weak little goon! Or so help me I'll kill you!" She exclaimed viciously snarling at the slaver.

The slaver slammed the wooden bludgeon forcefully onto her back, sounding out a loud thwack the instant it made contact with her. "Shut it ya little shit!"

Dozens of irritating little splinters buried themselves deep within her back as she fell to the ground. It took a moment for the splitting pain of the act to register itself -- though when it did, she screamed a loud, gut-wrenching cry of agony that carried on through the hills.

"Get up!" The slaver barked at her, jabbing at her side with the end of the thrashing bludgeon.

Spreading like stinging fire the burning sensation behind her made muscles the in her legs weak. Trembling, Big Lot placed a weary hoof on her back, feeling a warmth gather along the irritating pieces of wood inside her back.

A strange substance was barely pooling on top of her, and placing the shaking hoof in front of her face she gasped. There, trickling gently down her hoof was her own blood. Still warm -- still fresh.

Her eyes went wide as she stood on her hooves again. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. For once she seemed broken. Completely silent, without a single ounce of resistance left within her. What was once a proud, power hungry ruler was reduced to a hollowed shell of raw uncertainty.

And looking back at her from his own place on the slave line, Adam felt a heavy sinking once more pervaded his stomach. As the dreadful feeling of sadness tinged his very being the more they walked onward -- the more he began to question the very nature of why he cared about her well-being. Perhaps, out of pity?

Why do I feel this way? Adam thought. I haven't felt this way since...

Horrible, aching memories of Bunker 37 came flashing back to him. Images of the dark chamber, and the monster Lu had been unwillingly transformed into.

Adam shook his head to clear his thoughts. Still, the heaviness continued to sink.

Further, and further.

The caravan had taken shelter in an old railway station. Much of the inside was dark, and dusty with a pungent smell of musty corroding metal lingering in the air. Thick dust motes floated in darkness as the last of the day's dying light beamed through the broken, shattered windows.

The station mainly consisted of a long room with row after row of old seats coated in a thin layer of crimson rust. Hundreds of cracked white tiles made up the floor -- where all around papers wrinkled, and smudged by the filth of the elements littered the ground.

Low ceiling lights dangled from the high ceiling as Split Tooth lead all of the slaves through chipped wooden doors of the entrance. Slavers entering the station cautiously holding their rifles aloft -- while those with battle-saddles had the jaw-activated triggers gripped firmly between their teeth.

Spreading themselves out, the slavers searched the building high, and low. Behind the reception desk -- to the large maintenance closets along the back walls of the waiting room.

Sporting a rather confident posture, Split Tooth grinned staring at the wide open room. "This'll do nicely ah think. What do ya think?"

Siren stood by him nudging him in the shoulder. "Noice an' quiet. Ah thinks this 'ere will do fine, Splitsy."

Closing the doors behind him, the two slavers trotted into the center of the room. "Is it clear?" Split Tooth called out to his band.

One slaver father down the room behind the reception desk waved at him. "It's clear!"

"Good." Split Tooth cooed with a growing smile. "Get 'em slaves all nice an' cozy -- an' get some light in 'ere!"

Slavers opened both doors and brought in the cart with them. From out of small boxes within the wagon they removed old dented gas-powered stoves and lanterns. The few slavers who didn't help took positions by the slave line.

Guiding chained ponies to one corner of the empty waiting area one of the unicorn slavers snorted at the slaves, "Ya best get comfy. Ah don't want to see any of ya get up without one of us tellin' ya to get up."

Gruffly chortling, the slaver added grinning, "If any of ya are in a ritzy mood," he pointed to Big Lot, who had found a nice spot near the corner of the wall alone, "ah'll beat ya like that one over there -- or worse, mah boss will 'ave ya shot."

The slaver's grin faded. "Now sit! An' not a peep!"

Spreading themselves out in the small space they had been given, the slaves found a spot of their own and laid down on their stomachs. The sound of hooves clopping against the hard tile floor echoed through the room's steel supported rafters above, as lanterns started to illuminate the area around the cart with a dim yellow light.

Adam had found a place next to Bill, who lay down next to the wall. The chains rattled softly as slaves shifted their positions, and while looking around the room Adam sighed laying by Bill.

"The first night..." Adam whispered.

"The first is always the worst for newbies. They like to pick on them while they're sleeping." Replied Bill.

Directing his gaze to the slavers gathered around the glowing lanterns and stoves Adam listened to the distant, crude banter tossed between their captors. "Do you think they'll mess with me?"

Looking at Big Lot curl up into a ball, with her body pressed up against the walls of the corner Adam added, "Or even Big Lot?"

Bill blinked at Adam cocking his head to the side. "Isn't she like the big tyrant of the north or something? Why are ya worried about a pony like her?"

"W-Well, she is, and I know but..." Adam muttered.

Adam shook his head and folded his hooves resting his head atop of them. "I don't know how to feel about it."

Laying his head on the fractured tile Bill rubbed one of his sore hooves. "Well, I suppose you shouldn't let it get you down. We'll need our strength, both our minds and bodies.”

Bill yawned, "Now, let's get some sleep. We've got a long day tomorrow."

Lowering his heavy eyelids Adam tried to rest. The tile underneath him shifted uncomfortably, pricking at his legs and stomach.

A sudden bellowing howl awoke him -- sending his head rising up and his eyes search the surrounding area frantically.

Like Adam had, the other slaves had roused themselves. Ears perked upwards, and eyes wide with attentive alertness. Strolling along to the slaves was Split Tooth. Next to him hovering closely by his side was a large linen sack bulging at the sides.

Siren, as usual, came around his flank levitating by her a titling stack of small steel bowls, and a large tin gallon jug of water sloshing around more loudly the closer they came.

"Vittles!" Split Tooth chimed.

"Rioght! Come an' get it ya maggots!" Siren added, chuckling.

By each slave Siren roughly slammed a bowl on the ground, which soon after came a stream of water lazily being poured inside. Afterwards, Split Tooth would toss a single half of a loaf of bread at them. When the slaver, with his sack in-tow, came grinning to Adam he gently lay a piece of the food by him.

"Ya bettah eat, pup." Split Tooth snickered. "T' last thing ah want is yeah face t' get all thin an' bony."

Staring up at his captor with his emerald green eyes Adam said nothing.

Moving along, Split Tooth visited the other slaves -- handing out their portion of the meal. Siren eventually pulled up to Adam crashing a single bowl before him and pouring water into it. Droplets of the cool liquid went flying about in all directions as she chuckled watching him get splashed.

Siren batted her eyes at him, simpering, "Wot's da mattah? Afraid of gettin' a little wet, pup?"

Trailing behind her companion Siren moved on to the other slaves. Mocking them all the same.

"Ya take the insults with a grain of salt." Bill said dipping the bread into the water. "Though, come to think of it this bread would do well with a bit of the stuff."

Carefully taking the bread in hoof, Adam inspected the provision given to him. Sticking out his tongue Adam licked the bread. Its surface was coarse, and jagged -- like the ponies surface of dried sandpaper. Taking a bite Adam quickly removed the bread from his mouth the instant his teeth came down.

An aching soreness painfully poked his jaw, as he rubbed the side of his face. The bread, he had found, was harder than the very ground he lay on.

"This is supposed to be eatable?" Adam groaned.

"I think edible would be a more fitting word." Bill commented, dipping the bread in the water bowl. "Try putting it in the water. Sure it's soggy, but it doesn't destroy your teeth quite so easily."

Lightly dipping the corner of the bread into the water Adam bit down on the bread. Like Bill had mentioned, the bread was indeed softer. It absorbed the water like a dried sponge, and while it was soggy the food could be consumed more safely.

Big Lot wasn't hungry. Nor was she thirsty. From her little corner she glazed over the backs of two ponies in front of her at Adam. This was his and Covert's fault. If it were not for him escaping she wouldn't of had to go looking for him. If Covert hadn't snapped, she would be relaxing on the soft cushion strapped onto his back.

A simmering heat rushed throughout her body. She could feel the moment of reckoning arrive. The moment when she would end one of her two problems. Though, the instant she was done ridding the world of Adam -- the slaver that beat her was next on the list of ponies that needed to die.

All she had to do was wait until Adam, and most of the slavers, had fallen asleep. Then, and only then, could she exact her revenge.

Under the quiet, still darkness Big Lot lay. From her tiny corner she peered with narrowed eyes at Adam from afar. Much of the lantern's illumination had fade as many the slavers retired for the night. Nestled contently by the last glowing light the sound of the slavers soft snoring on thin wool mats filled the building.

What little of the light reached Big Lot glistened in her eyes like a spark shimmering in a pool of reflective water. She retained an unwavering gaze on Adam, who along side with Bill in their own congested section of the waiting area.

Her little heart started to beat at a greater pace. The moment was coming to strike. Glancing briefly at the three guarding slavers gathered around the last glowing lantern, she listened to them chuckled and mutter to one another.

The empty water bowl she had been give lay next to her left hoof. Staring into the dull steel her reflection was distorted, and warped.

Carefully taking the bowl between her hooves the little filly turned the dish onto its side until the rim touched the tile. Finding one of the more larger gaps in the white tiles below her she dug the edge of the bowl into the gaps. Using it as a lever she pried up pieces of the floor. Every time she would pry another piece from the ground it would break, or shatter, causing her to search again for other cracks of a significant size.

Along the tiles placed against the wall, she found a large crack in the tile -- no more than an inch in diameter. Lodging the rim into the crack she pushed down on the opposing end of the bowl, propping up the jagged tile piece.

Unlike the others before, this piece was more firm, and solid. Bolstering an arrow shape with rough barb-like edges. She inspected the sharp point at the tip of the piece. It was lighter than some of the other fragments, as well as more dagger-like in appearance. It was no knife, nor was it anything close to a reliable weapon, but it would have to do.

A smile stretched across her face, reaching to nearly both of her ears. And, with a slowly turn of her head she cast her large, narrowed eyes onto Adam. With her makeshift dagger in-hoof she picked herself up, and onto her hooves.

She hissed as the splinters in her back cried out in burning agony. Wincing at each searing prick in her back she took a loose end of her chain in her mouth, and discreetly stepped over the ponies in front of her.

The iron of the chains tasted salty, and vile. Like the heavily saturated brine of the sea. Sporting a rather stiff figure, she hobbled around on one hoof painfully suffering from the tiny wooden needles embedded into her back.

Stepping over each slave between her and Adam she bit down on the cold chain links.

Reaching her hoof over the last slave there, only four feet from where she stood was Adam. No longer did anything else stand in her way, the path was open, and the prize within reach.

Dropping the chain from her mouth she quickly spit out the bitter taste of old metal from her mouth. Adam had his back facing her, with Bill laying just on the other side of him. Faster, and faster her little heart beat as the moment of satisfying revenge approached.

Placing the bottom end of the tile-dagger in her mouth she took small, light steps as she honed in on her target. Then, only a few feet from Adam she stumbled forward. Tripping, Big Lot dropped the dagger before briskly catching herself with her hooves. Flying through the air the dagger landed a few inches from her mouth.

"What the heck!?" She grunted under her breath, desperately searching around to see what had tripped her.

Standing up again, she stepped forward, only to find that the chain tugged on her neck. Looking down at the sturdy iron restraint she took one of the links in her mouth, and pulled on it.

The chain pulled tightly back -- and returning to her sleeping prey only feet from her she gritted her teeth. Grinding the molars in her jaw, Big Lot pulled again at the chain hoping to gain some slack.

Again, and again she pulled. Yielding no positive results.

A burning fury boiled insider her chest, sending fuming heat flooding into her face. Her cheeks and brow turned crimson with hate as little veins along the sides of her head bulged. Swiftly looking to the dagger, she took it in her mouth.

Grunting, snorting, and furiously pulling on the chain she tried to reach Adam. Each tug seemed to accelerated the anger's effects on her judgement. Her entire body was consumed with tempered rage ready to burst from her mouth.

"WHY WON'T YOU DIE?!" She hissed forcefully trying to break free from the chain locked onto her collar.

Adam's ears twitched at the sound of the distressed movements of the filly. And raising his head slowly from the ground Adam groggily blinked, scanning the area for the frantic combination of rattling chains, and furious grunts.

When his eyes saw Big Lot -- Adam raised an eyebrow at her. "What are you doing?"

"Shut up, you!" Big Lot bellowed, pulling at her chains desperately.

Rubbing his eyes Adam added, "Really, what are you doing?"

"That's none of your business!" She retorted.

Adam turned his head to the slavers, who had their heads looking in their general direction, eyebrows raised and ears facing them. "You need to settle down, Big Lot. If you don't calm down they'll hear."

"No!" She snapped. "You and your friends murdered my uncle! You ruined me!"

Adam reeled himself back slightly at the harsh remarks. "I did what?"

"You and that Mr. Cuddlepants murdered him! You! You'll pay! I swear it!"

The slavers, with their hazy eyes, glared at the two slaves.

"Hey!" One of the slavers shouted, rising. "You two!"

Prowling over to the two ponies Adam turned to Big Lot. Urgency charged his words as he gestured her to leave with his hoof. "Big Lot, go back to your spot! I don't want them to hurt-"

Big Lot's eyes went wide, as her entire body became deathly still. Trailing behind the first slaver that had spotted them was the unicorn stallion that had beat her before.

"It's him..." She whimpered.

Adam looked over his shoulder at the two slavers who stumbled around stepping over slaves. "You need to go back, now!"

Big Lot took the little tile dagger in her mouth and shook her head crouching low to the ground. "No! He dies! Tonight!" She mumbled with the dagger between her teeth.

The first slaver came to Adam, cheeks red and eyes aglow with maddening rage. "You!" He exclaimed seizing Adam by the mane. "What's going on here?"

The second slave drew his splintering bludgeon from a loop on his leather barding. Towering over Big Lot the unicorn slaver snickered, "You again? Didn't ya learn the first time, missy?"

The skin of Adam's scalp painfully stung as the slaver pulled on him. Biting down on his lower lip, Adam grunted, "Leave her alone! She didn't do anything!"

The slaver yanked Adam's mane. "Shut it!"

Big Lot held her stance as the slaver waved his thrashing tool like a pendulum in the air. On the slaver's face a \ grin grew as he cooed sweetly to her, "Little one, do ya need another lesson now? Hmm? Do ya?"

She backed up, holding the dagger up at him. Raising his hoof, the slaver swiftly smacked her across the cheek causing her to fall onto her side, sending the tiny weapon crashing into the ground.

A simmering stinging encased her cheek. Trembling vigorously, Big Lot tried to stand.

"Now..." The slaver scoffed raising the bludgeon high above her head. "This time ah'll beat ya until ya can't see straight no more!"

The searing pain of his scalp made a small collective of tears pool in the corners of Adam's eyes. Staring at the slaver rise his weapon made something snap within him. A voice, soft but drained of spirit tenderly spoke to him.

Never again Adam. Don't let it happen to her too...

A flash cast itself before his eyes. The scene of Breeze Heart and him in the quaint little wine store in Arkcannon. Cyrus was above her, a knife ready to dig into her chest as he laughed thunderously. The heat of the fire was still great -- even the dark eerie shadows cast off of the broken windows were just as vivid as they once were.

But the urge to lock up, to sit idly by as someone was being harmed right before him didn't pervade his emotions. Rather, the urge to act -- to lunge forth and help her sparked deep within. Jerking his hind legs out at the slaver grabbing his mane, Adam bucked his oppressor right in the chest.

Knocking the air out of him, the slaver clasped his torso collapsing to the ground wheezing hoarsely. Gritting his teeth together and glaring at the second slaver -- Adam crouched himself low to the ground, before he leapt at the slaver ready to callously beat the little filly.

Making contact with the slaver's side, both he and Adam fell to the ground as the bludgeon too came tumbling down with them.

Stepping over the unicorn slaver Adam looked deeply into the slaver's eyes, pressing his muzzle against the slaver's cheek. The slaver could feel the heat of Adam's face irradiate onto his fur as the angry buck snorted in his face.

"I said: leave her alone!" Adam barked, making the unicorn slaver close his eyes, and shield his head with his forelegs.

A clamorous uproar came from the other slavers, as they stomped their way over to the now awakened slaves. Heading the group was Split Tooth -- with puffed cheeks and narrowed eyes he pounded the ground the most furiously.

"Wot happened 'ere?!" Split Tooth exclaimed stepping up to the scene.

Adam took a few steps back from the slaver he had attacked, saying nothing.

"Well?" Split Tooth demanded in gruff growl.

Both of the slavers Adam had engaged rose to their hooves. The one he had bucked in the chest rubbed his sore, throbbing breast.

"This one here..." The slaver groaned motioning his head to Adam. "He did this..."

Glaring at Adam, Split Tooth snarled, "An' why did ya do this t' mah boys now, pup? Answer me!"

Adam lowered his head, gazing at the floor. "It was my fault. I started talking to this filly here, when she got angry at something I said, when your men cam I tried to tell them to leave her alone."

"An' wot then?" Split Tooth replied.

"They didn't leave her alone." Adam murmured.

Trotting up to his face, Split Tooth slammed his hoof atop Adam's cranium. Lowered the buck's head the Split Tooth placed his lips at Adam's ears. "Now listen 'ere, pup. Ah run a tight business, an' all of ya are my property until iz sells ya. An' ah can't 'ave slaves bickerin' an' t' like."

Turning to the slaver with the bludgeon, Split Tooth barked, "An' ya should know bettah! This 'ere filly is one of my more valuable piece of merch', an' 'ere ya are gonna’ beatin' her like a rag doll! Wot sap is gonna' by a slave with a dozen bruises on her back, an' a broken leg?!"

Flattening his ears the slaver lowered his gaze. "Well... I..."

"There ain't nothin' t' say! Ya dumb fuck!" Split Tooth growled.

Facing the slaves, and his men, Split Tooth boomed, "Listen up! Tomorrow we get t' the Darkmines, an' ah don't want some groggy half-drained runts stumblin' 'bout!"

Pointing to Adam, Split Tooth said, "Take this one 'ere an' link him with that other pup."

"Boss? Link them? Where?" The slaver asked, still massaging his chest.

Split Tooth rolled his eyes. "Anywhere! A broom closet, an' office somewhere! Get creative! Jus' so long as them two ponies are linked away from t' others for t' night."

Big Lot reeled back, as a slaver went to the cart. "They're going to do what to us?!"

Adam raised his head, and sighed. "I'm not sure," he muttered under his breath, "I'm not sure..."

From out of the cart the slaver took a small length of chain in his mouth. Adam could feel his heart beat at an increasingly growing pace. While the road ahead seemed uncertain, a bubbling in his stomach made a warmth wash over him -- covering his body in a blanket of positive energy.

Linked, or not, or whatever it may be was irrelevant. He was going to get out, one way or another.

Yet, the uncertainty of it all persisted. Deep within him -- making his heart beat faster, and faster.

In the gentle stillness of the night Neo twisted and turned in his sleep. Around him moldy dirt laden hay covered the ground as his friends lay beside him contently resting in a alcove along the barn's wall. On their sides they slept, seemingly undisturbed by the constant winding of Neo's body.

What little of the blue glowing light from the moon above the clouds seeped down to the world, beaming into the barn through a series of cracks in the ceiling. All around the central space of the building the tiny lavishly illuminated pillars calmly graced the area, catching the smoke drifting up into the air from the dying embers of the smoldering fire.

Wester was the only one not present in the alcove. He stood next the barn doors -- peering out through a crack of a single opened held slightly ajar by his hoof. The tender light of the moon glistened against his visor as he held his head aloft, staring at the broken cloud layer above.

Neo opened his eyes, staring at the creaking wooden floor above where the Zebras of Tiger company rested. Not in the slightest did he feel tired, nor did his eyes feel the least bit heavy, or his body weak.

He sighed heavily, letting the cool air fill his lungs before sitting up slowly. Snorting, Neo rubbed the back of his neck looking down at the soft hay coating the floor underneath him.

Briefly scanning the area around him, Neo stood up on all fours and stepped lightly to Wester. Wester's armored ears flicked in the air as Neo drew near.

"Not sleeping well?" He whispered, his visor fixated on the sky above.

"Yeah," Neo replied, "I don't feel tired at all, to be truthful."

Neo sat his haunches down, and looked at his armored friend with a raised eyebrow. "Why are you up still? I mean, I know you don't sleep much, but you've got to sleep sometime."

Wester took in a deep breath. "I was tired tonight."

"Then why don't you sleep?" Asked Neo.

"Your safety comes first over my needs. And I don't trust Tiger company." Wester replied.

Neo gazed at the dim light slicing through the crack in the opened door. "Do you mind if I step outside for a moment? Maybe the fresh air will clear up my head."

Breaking his visor away from the sky Wester looked at Neo. "I'm not sure."

Neo smiled at him. "I'll stand by the doors, and I promise I won't be long."

Wester stood silent for a moment, contemplating Neo's request. With one hoof Wester pushed the door next to him slightly, opening it for him. Giving Wester a stern nod, Neo walked through the door and out into the night.

Crickets softly chirped in the hills around the barn. For once the air was unstirred by a breeze or draft. It was still -- almost deathly so. White eerie, bleeding veins of penetrating moonlight fractured the grey clouds overhead like the moon itself was forcing its way through them.

Standing a few feet away from the door Wester stood post at, Neo found a place to sit. Like his friend, he too turned his eyes to the sky. Never was the moon or sun visible. Only the light the other gave falling through the minor gaps in the cloud's dense mass.

Every ounce of Neo's body was teeming with jittering life. His hoof was trembling, and his heart was beating at an alarming rate as a hollowed weight plunked heavily at the bottom of his stomach.

The light glistened in his eyes as the thoughts of his brother poked his mind.

Adam... His mind thought. I failed to protect you...

Suddenly, Neo felt a unnatural warmth move toward his side. Quickly turning to its source Bloodstrider had appear next to him from out of nowhere.

Jumping slightly, Neo reeled back.

"Wha-?!" Neo gasped.

Staring at Neo with his blindfolded eyes, Bloodstrider cocked his head to one side. "Did I frighten you?"

Neo felt his heart race even greater than it had before -- and placing a hoof over it he scoffed as the terror subsided, "A little. You know, that's kinda' creepy."

"What?" Bloodstrider asked. "Me being here?"

Neo shook his head. "N-No, I didn't mean that -- I meant... Well, the whole..."

"Ah." The Zebra chief replied with a nod. "I'll make it a note to not do that in the future quite so often."

Raising an eyebrow Neo said, "Why are you here? How did you get past Wester?"

"There is a back entrance, and as for my reasons I am, the same as you, out here to clear my mind." Bloodstrider answered.

"Of what?" Neo added.

"Tomorrow I leave my kin behind. It is like saying farewell to everything. When I depart, I reflect on my current stance in time, it eases my mind."

"You don't have to come with us." Neo replied. "You can stay with them. Here. Or, wherever you travel."

With a quick shake of his head, Bloodstrider sighed, "I'm afraid I cannot. I, and all of my people, are indebted to you two. I must aid you in your quest to find your brother. Then, and only then, can I return to my family."

Blinking at the myst-like light stirring in the clouds Neo nodded as the weight persisted to sink in his stomach. "Are you going to ask why I'm out here?"

"You have your own reasons. That is, unless you wish to share."

"Well," Neo mumbled rubbing the back of his head, "It's my brother. I'm worried about him, and sleeping doesn't get me closer to rescuing him."

"Hmm," Bloodstrider hummed, "and how was it you lost him?"

Neo remained silent for a moment. The weight within him had began to ache as the memory of the argument the two of them had flashed before him. "We were trapped by a bunch of Hellhounds in a building. We were all tired. Upset. On the brink of snapping wildly at one another. But it was my brother and I that seemed to have the most tension between us. And, I said somethings I shouldn't of... Things I regret..."

A certain amount of reassurance resonated in the Chief's words as he spoke to him. "Regret can be a painful thing. Especially when it is still fresh. Much like a wound -- it burns, and stings the mind. But until you realize the pain is not there, and the wound is healed will it no longer hurt."

Neo's eyes scanned the sky before he shook his head. "I don't understand... Do you mean I have to let it go? To forget about him?"

"Not at all, my friend." The Zebra chuckled. "Rather, move on from what was in the past. Your mind would have you believe that the wound is still being made right as we speak, when in reality it is not. That is the cruel effect of lingering in the past."

"So I need to move on from the argument?"

Bloodstrider nodded once giving him a tender smile. "Yes."

"But if I look to the future... What if I fail him again? What if I-"

The Zebra rested a hoof atop of Neo's head. "Why think: No I can't. When you should believe: Yes I can. This is the first step to fully acknowledging the wound is healed. To ignore what might be, and focus on what should be."

Blinking at the hoof that lay peacefully on top his mane, Neo pulled back. "How do you know it works?"

The Zebra pointed to the blindfold. "I cannot see what is ahead, nor what is was once in the past. I only hear what is now, and feel what is now."

Placing a hoof onto his shoulder Neo diverted his eyes from Bloodstrider. "C-Can I try?"

The Zebra nodded briefly. "Of course. Start, by closing your eyes."

As instructed Neo held his head high before shutting his eyes tightly.

The entire world was dark, and void. It was not an unfamiliar sight in the slightest. Yet, with Bloodstrider beside him the hairs along the nape of his neck stood on-end.

"Vacate what emotion you have currently dwelling inside you, and breath -- slow and deep." Bloodstrider whispered.

Slowly Neo inhaled the air, filling his lungs to their full capacity before exhaling.

"Every Zebra in our clan is not born blind. We choose to be so. But only after we have seen ourselves first. Those that choose to see take up the gift of sight. It is a gift easily squandered."

Bloodstrider lay a gentle hoof on Neo's back. "To give your gift means to see the world anew. The world, it's troubles, the anger, the regret, all gone."

"Now, what is it you feel now?" Bloodstrider asked.

The sinking inside his stomach melted away, fabricating itself into a soft warmth deep within. "Warm... Sort of..."

"If I move, where am going to be?" Bloodstrider requested. "Tell me."

Neo heard his voice speak next to him. "You're going to move closer to me, right?"

"Why should it matter?" He added. "Where was I before? Where am I now?"

"I don't know where you were, but you're to my left right now." Neo remarked.

"Indeed. Now, what do you feel?"

The softness lifted itself out of his body, clinging to his breath it completely left his being altogether. "I feel... Content... If not a little concerned still."

"It is good to be concerned about the now. The now is what is important. If you are concerned about what was, then you lose sight of what will be. And what will be, Neo?" Bloodstrider queried.

Extending his chest out, Neo held a firm posture. "I'll find Adam," Neo stated, "and then together we'll find our mother."

"Then that is what shall be, but only if you move on from what was. With the wound gone, and healed you can hold a new conviction within you. Grow stronger, and worry less about the unknown." Bloodstrider said.

Neo opened his eyes, and looked to the Chief smiling. "Thank you again, Chief Bloodstrider."

And when his eyes saw the plot of land his friend had once been in Neo blinked. Rubbing both eyes, he frantically searched around the area. The Zebra that had sat beside him was gone. Like a gentle breeze in the night he was there, only to fade away just as easily as he had came.

Wester poked his head outside of the crack in the door. Searching around his ears shifted and moved rapidly in all directions.

Placing his visor on Neo, Wester stepped outside the door. “Neo, I heard talking, who was out here?”

Neo stood still, staring at Wester. “It was Bloodstrider.”

Scanning the area around them once more Wester shook his head. “I don’t see him, and I didn’t hear him move. Do you know where he went? How did he get out here?”

Smiling at Wester, Neo closed his eyes holding his nose high in the the air. He inhaled the still night air deeply, “I don’t think it matters too much, my friend. Where he was, or is. I don’t think it matters...”

Shaking his head three times, Wester turned back to the opened barn door. “As long as you’re okay. If you need me, I’ll be here.”

Neo didn’t reply. Holding his head pointing toward the night sky, and his eyes shut tightly, he took a breath of the air, feeling the tender warmth pervade the rest of his heart.

Adam and Big Lot sat at opposite sides of a small square office. The desk, cabinets, and terminals were all moved to the walls leaving a wide empty gap between the two ponies.

The beige wallpaper upon the walls were dirty and worn -- with each torn end curling up the farther the paper went up along the wall. Dust motes lazily floated in the air, hovering just above the fractured white tile floor.

A lantern set next to the office doorway sent a flickering yellow glow flooding into the room. All around the doorframe's rims the golden rays poured in, giving whatever stood in its path a great dark shadow.

A shorter chain connected to Big Lot's collar ran up the wall, and over the ceiling back down to the opposing wall where it was linked to Adam's. A few sturdy iron stakes were punched in through the feeble walls, holding the restraint firmly to the building.

Split Tooth stood in the center of the office, his massive shadow from the light beaming in through the doorway was casted against the wall. Smiling, he nodded at the series of iron pin-stakes he had placed to hold the two slaves. "Good, that should hold ya."

Facing Big Lot, Split Tooth grinned. "This 'ere is wot ah call linkin'. Neither of ya can move without t' other yankin' on yer necks. All ya can do is sit still, or lay down. T' more ya bicker, t' more miserable it gets."

Both Big Lot and Adam remained quiet as the Slaver went on wagging one of his lanky hooves in the air. "So no more fightin'. If ah even 'ear so much as a scuffle ah'll beat t' livin' life outta ya both."

Siren came trotting to Split Tooth's side bringing with her two bowls and a pitcher of water. Resting the tiny steel dishes in the center of the room she carelessly poured water into them, crackling, "An' as a means of gettin' over ya feelins' 'ere's some water! Don't tell me ‘ow ya are gonna get it! Figure it out!"

Laying a hoof upon Siren's shoulder Split Tooth spat. "Siren, let's leave 'em be! We gots a long walk tomorrow. T' last thing they need is us botherin' em any longer..."

"Whatever ya say, Splitsy. Ah was jus' havin' a little fun is all." She laughed making her way to the office door with the pitcher levitating close to her shoulder.

Big Lot rose her head, watching the two slavers vacate the room. Taking the knob of the door Split Tooth snickered, "Good night, mah young pups." Before briskly slamming the door causing the walls to shake and shudder.

Big Lot jumped at the violent action, letting out a faint yeep as the two were left alone. The entire area was pitch dark. Nothing could be seen. Not the motes, nor the furniture -- not even the steel water bowls in the center of the room.

Sitting in her little confined space, Big Lot search through the darkness hoping to see something. Curling up into a ball the little filly whimpered, "It's so dark..."

Adam looked down at his Pipbuck, and switched the device's lamp on. Instantly the room became filled with orange light. No longer did the space feel small, or constricting.

"Better?" Adam asked with a smile.

Big Lot nodded diverting her eyes from his.

Laying down on his stomach, Adam inspected his surroundings. Big Lot, however, had other intentions. "W-Why did you fight them? Why didn't you let them beat me?"

Facing the little one, Adam raised an eyebrow at her. "Excuse me?"

Locking her eyes onto Adam, she frowned. "I tried to kill you. And if it weren't for that stupid chain I would have done it too."

Adam was silent as she continued. "And you knew what I was doing. You knew I was going to kill you. So, why did you help me?"

Shaking his head Adam said, "I know what it's like to be scared. And I don't think any pony, not even you, should be subjected to something like this."

Her frown faded, replacing itself with a perplexing look of confusion. "So that's why you saved me?"

"Well, that and something else..." Adam added in a hollowed tone. "I made a promise to a friend of mine awhile ago. I promised her I would never let harm come to anyone. The last time I watched my friend get hurt I was too scared to act... But this time, I told myself I wouldn't make the same mistake twice."

Big Lot turned her gaze to the chain holding the two of them. Placing her hoof on the cold iron links she growled, "You know, I could take this chain and put my full weight on it. It'd probably choke you, or break your neck. Then I'd be rid of you."

Adam kept a firm concentrated look. "Why do you want to kill me so bad?"

Her eyes narrowed, and her cheeks became flushed with a hot red heat. "Because you killed my uncle! And you ruined everything! You and those other stupid ponies!"

Adam glanced at the floor's tiles reflect the light coming from his Pipbuck. Closing his eyes, Adam sighed, "I won't lie to you, I shot your uncle. Though I'm not even sure if he's dead."

"Well," Big Lot flashed her teeth at him, growling, "he's dead... No thanks to you!"

Hanging his head low, Adam muttered, "I'm sorry."

Forcing herself up, Big Lot's legs unsteadily wobbled. Just as she rose her head up a searing pain burned up and down her back. Hissing she fell down onto her haunches, whimpering at the constant sting of the splinters.

Adam rose himself, extending a hoof out to her. "Are you okay?"

Waving a hoof at him she bit down on her lip, drawing a tiny drop of blood. "I-I'm fine..."

From his spot across the room, Adam remarked, "It doesn't look that way. The splinters that slaver put in you need to be treated."

"I said I'm fine!" She exclaimed, returning to the splinters, spouting low vulgar murmurs to herself in an attempt to relieve the stress of the injuries.

Adam shook his head. "No, you're not. Listen, I can get them out. I have this short range levitation ability in my Pipbuck. If you'll let me, I can clean and treat them."

She looked to him silently as the horrid pain of the tiny pieces of wood bit at her flesh. Both of them stared into the other's eyes before Big Lot slumped onto her side, facing her back to Adam.

"Please hurry..." She mewled softly.

Focusing on the large wooden pieces in her back Adam went straight to work. Each piece, big or small came out slowly as he tried as he could to remove them in the least painful manner possible. Still, she flinched and winced at every movement Adam made to dispose of the splinters.

Shutting her eyes tightly Big Lot held her hooves tightly to her chest. "So, what was it you were doing near my border anyway? When Scooter found you." She grunted gruffly.

"My brother and I were looking for our mother." Adam said keeping an unwavering stare at her back.

Big Lot, outside of the pain, felt a frigid emptiness fill her. "I never knew my mother..."

Adam hadn't heard her low comments. "We were right on her trail before you picked us up. Right after we got out we kicked right back to where we left off. That was until all this happened."

Pulling out one of the largest, most jagged of pieces from her back Adam asked, "Was Cyrus your only family?"

"The only one I ever knew." Replied Big Lot.

A sharp prick stung her back. "Ow! Careful!"

Adam reeled back his head. "Sorry! Sorry! It won't happen again!"

There was a pause between the two ponies for a moment -- until Big Lot broke the silence. Her voice was tinged with sadness brought on by years of longing. "H-How was she, your mother? You know, as a parent?"

Adam gave her a warm smile. "I grew up in a stable, along side my brother. My father left my mother when I was born, only to end up vanishing. Some say he died in an accident but nobody really knows. So that just left my brother, and my mom to fend for ourselves."

Letting loose a heavy sigh Adam continued, "But she was the nicest pony you'd ever met. She had the most tender eyes, and softest voice. Even after Neo started living on his own she never stopped loving us. We were a family, who stood beside one another."

The painful removal of the splintered wood from her back made Big Lot's voice stutter. "W-Why did she leave?"

Adam shrugged. "I don't know. I was hoping to ask when we found her. Looks like I won't get to for awhile now."

Sheepishly twiddling her hooves Big Lot said, "A-And why are you helping me now? What have I done to deserve this affection?"

"Like I said, no one should have to endure this sort of pain." Adam answered.

Pulling out the last of the splinters from her back, Adam shifted his head to the right keenly inspecting the work he had done. "I think I got all of them."

Big Lot blinked, placing a hoof on her back. Despite the minor stings of the vacant wounds left by the splinters -- no longer was there a searing bite that gnawed at her flesh.

"But we're not done yet." Adam added hovering one of the bowls of water to her back. "I need to rinse off the wounds. At the very least that'll help them from getting infected."

Gently tilting the bowl the cool, soothing water trickled down her back. A newfound feeling blossomed inside of her. It began in her chest as a warm fluttering, and not soon after spreading throughout her entire being. The uplifting sensation made her smile.

"There," Adam declared resting the empty steel bowl back in the center of the room, "all better now."

Big Lot rolled over, and sat up slowly. The feeling was even greater sitting up. Not a single burn nor prick ached the skin of her back.

Trying to find the will to thank him, she kept her eyes low shyly rubbing her foreleg with one hoof. "Uh... T-Thank you... For helping me."

Adam chuckled, "It was nothing."

The little filly's mind was racing with conflicted emotion. The hate which had once burned so intensely insider her had vanished. Now, this odd feeling of affectionate warmth replaced it. How? Why? What had he done? More importantly, what was this emotion?

Feeling her head throb with a dull soreness, she laid herself down on the tiles, turning her injured back again to Adam. "I think I'm going to sleep... I feel... tired..."

"That sounds like a good idea." Adam responded with a firm nod. "Tonight's been long, and some rest might do us well."

Laying himself down on the chilling cracked tiles, he yawned, "Good night."

Facing the old peeling wallpaper of the office's walls Big Lot hastily added, "Wait."

Adam rose his head, and looked at her. "What is it?"

She was quiet for a moment. Gulping, she whispered quickly, "What's your name?"

Adam smiled. "It's Adam."

Shaking her head, she tightened up the curl of the little ball she put herself in. Keeping absolutely silent. Adam too was quiet resting his head on his folded legs.

Big Lot remain in her warm little spot in the room, staring at the wall. No pony, stallion, mare, nor filly had acted the way he had to her. Not even her uncle spared her a gesture that could come close to that sort of affection. It was jarring. And all she could do was sit there -- debating with herself about what had just transpired. Deep, into the long hours of the night.

Vladimir was frantically pacing himself in his room. "Where is she! I said five minutes, and it’s been ten!" He mumbled, biting his hoof.

A sudden series of knocks came from the door, causing the ends of his ears to stand on end. Briskly spinning in the direction of the door Vladimir rushed to answer it.

"Coming!" He exclaimed before pressing the button along the doorframe to open it.

The heavy metal doors parted sounding off a faint whoosh as they did. In the doorway stood a grey mare, blinking at Vladimir. Inspecting her briefly, Vladimir's eyes scanned her up and down.

Stepping to the side he gestured a hoof for her to come inside. "Please," he said, "come in, and do hurry along now."

She gave him a silent nod before trotting into the small cavernous room. As she came in Vladimir noticed the horrible features of her scrawny legs. Lash marks, still fresh and clear, glazed the areas around her hooves. Like all of the slaves that lived in the mines she had a slave collar tightly fastened around her neck.

What hair was left of her orange mane was tied up in a small matted bun behind her head -- held together by one dull copper pin. Sticking his head outside the doorway for a moment Vladimir searched the hallway outside. Then, stepping back into the room he shut the door, and turned to the mare.

"I'm glad you could make it." Vladimir said, making his way to nightstand by the cot.

She bowed her head to him. "I'm happy to assist you, m'lord."

Vladimir rose a hoof to her interjecting sternly. "Please, don't call me that. Call me Vlad, or Vladimir."

Again, she bowed. "As you wish, m'lord."

Vladimir shook his head. "Do you know what it is I need from you?" He asked, resting a hoof on the nightstand.

She shook her head diverting her eyes away from him. "No, m'lord."

"Please," Vladimir insisted, "call me anything but that."

Vladimir sighed, and opened the only drawer of the nightstand. From it he removed a small rectangular piece of dark iron, along with a red keycard. Hovering inches from his side he queried, "Do you know what these are?"

She shook her head.

Raising the piece of metal he added, "This is an official Legion seal. As long as you hold it no harm will come to you. More specifically, it is bares my seal as well, deeming whatever it is you are sent to do an order directly from me."

Moving his eyes to the keycard he continued, "And this here is my keycard. I have access to nearly every section of this place."

"What will you have me do?" The slave asked.

Lowering the two items Vladimir spoke in a strong tone, "There was a stallion -- a freelancer guardian from Cool Blue's tower. He was recently captured and locked away. I want you to get his armor, and take him with you here."

The slave stood still for a moment, taking in the orders given to her. "And what after?"

"If you do these this for me, I'll grant both you, and the Guardian your freedom. All I ask is you do this, no questions asked."

"And," Vladimir stated, "remember, if you get any questions or remarks about what you're doing show them the seal. It'll grant you protection directly from me."

Vladimir took a single step toward her. "Can you do this?"

The slave bowed her head, and replied, "I can."

Vladimir went back to the door, pressing the button to open it. "Please, make haste. The sooner you do this for me the sooner we can all be free." He said, seeing the mare walk through the door and out into the hallway.

Several doors down across the hallway a Darkminer, standing idly behind the door frame poked his large glowing eyes over the edge. His gaze had been set on Vladimir's chambers -- and with his more attuned sense of hearing the conversation was more than clear to him. The only thing left for him to do was report his findings to the Warden.

The night had been long, and the sleep restless in the small office of the train station. Big Lot had been silent from the moment their conversation ended to the current moment. Adam, on the other hand, twisted around in his sleep. Shifting from position to position several places along his sides felt pressured. Like some aching, overbearing weight was indenting itself on him.

The clamorous shake, and boom of the office door swinging open rattle the floor the two ponies slept on. Adam rose his head quickly, turning his eyes directly to the entrance. His heart beat briskly, as he panted heavily catching his breath.

Big Lot got up slowly, blinking her weary eyes at the door. "What happened?"

Light poured into the room, while a dark figure stood in the middle of the doorway. The pony's lanky frame cast a large shadow along the back wall of the office. His big yellow eyes stared down at the two ponies, as he gave them a sour grin.

"Wakey! Wakey! Eggs n' Bacy, mah pups! Time t' get up!" The dark pony boomed.

Adam squinted his eyes, before raising his hoof over his brow to dim the blinding light flooding in. "It's time, already?"

Taking a few steps forth the shadowy curtain that blanketed the pony's features faded. Split Tooth, with all of his distorted yellowed teeth exposed in a crooked smile came into view.

Lowing his head down to Adam he puckered his lower lip, beating his eyelids at the buck. "Oh, ah'm sorry. Did ah wake ya? Should I go?"

Raising himself up he lifted his hoof and smacked Adam behind the head. "Too bad! We're movin' out!"

Siren stepped in the room, along with two unicorn slavers. She was smiling at Big Lot chortling to herself, "Wakey! Wakey! Sleepy Cakey! Time t' rise an' enjoy t' day!"

The slavers that had followed her in started to unlatch the pins from the walls and ceiling as Split Tooth watched. "Today's t' big day, mah pups. T' day ah'm finally rid of you lot."

Big Lot stood up -- rubbing her eyes. "What?! No you can't!"

Moving to the little filly he stood over her, smiling. "Oh, ah thinks ah can, mah little pup!"

Big Lot stepped back, shaking her head. "What! Y-You can't do this to me!"

Her pupils went wide as Big Lot’s ears flattened against her head. "I-I don't want to! You can't make me!"

Narrowing his eyes at her Split Tooth scowled, "Wot? Ya want t' go home? See ya mum?"

The filly was silent. Her little body was shaking as the slaver slowly moved his face closer to her. "Ah bet ya do. But it ain't gonna' work that way. Your mine, an' soon, you'll be their's. There's nothin' ya can do 'bout it neither."

Siren slapped her hoof on the ground forcefully bursting out into a loud uncontrollable guffaw, "Splitsy, do ya see t' look on 'er face? Bwuahahahaha!"

Taking his dusty green hoof Split Tooth rested it along Big Lot's cheek. Moving her trembling little head he inspected her facial features, nodding and purring to himself. "An' might ah say, yer a nice specimen. So don't worry none, you'll sell nicely. So much as ya behave. Heehee..."

The slavers working on the chain that linked the two slaves together stepped back. "Move outta' t' way! The chain's comin' down!"

Split Tooth and Siren moved from the center of the room, as the one of the slavers pulled the last pin in the ceiling. Once removed, the chain came clattering down to the broken tile on the floor. Rattling thunderously throughout the room the iron links shattered even more of the tiles into fine sharp pieces.

Adam stood up, feeling the heavy chain pull at his collar. Pushing him along, Split Tooth smacked him squarely on the back. "Now get movin', t' both of ya! Ah want t' get there nice an' early!"

Out the office door the two slaves went, guided by Siren. Big Lot was shaking violently as she tailed Adam from close behind. Split Tooth eyed them keenly -- Adam saw out of the corner of his eye the threatening stare of the slaver, and with his firm gaze fixated onto them little could be done to help them escape.

But, Big Lot was shivering vigorously, looking down at the cold ground soluemly. Never had he seen someone quite as mighty as her act in such a manner. Adam smiled looking over his shoulder at her. "Listen, Big Lot."

She looked up at him with shimmering eyes. "What?" The filly murmured.

"We'll be okay. You'll be okay. I promise." Said Adam.

"Hey!" Split Tooth barked charging next to Adam. "Shut it, ya little git!"

Reeling back Adam put his eyes forward again, as the they moved to the rest of the slaves in the central room of the train station's main lobby. Linking the two ponies to the main chain line -- two slavers hooked themselves up to the cart.

Pacing himself quickly up and down the slave line Split Tooth peered at every slave as each one stood behind the next stiffly. Trotting back up to the front of the group, Split Tooth bellowed, "Let's get movin' you lot! Now!"

Trudging onward, the slaves went with slavers hovering along the sides of the line. Like before, Bill was placed in front of Adam.

Poking his nose over his shoulder Bill whispered, "Hey, Adam?"

Adam blinked at Bill. "What?"

"Are you okay? What happened to you last night?"

As the slaves went out through the double doors of the train station, the cool brisk air blew gently across their coats. Adam shivered, feeling the cold blow right through him. "Nothing, really. In the end I turned up okay, right?"

Bill sighed, "I'm glad for that, but today's the day, Adam."

Peaking further over his shoulder Bill looked at Big Lot, who shuffled groggily behind Adam. "Do you think they're coming for us? Will she be okay? Is she okay?"

"Don't worry about her," Adam replied shaking his head, "I'll watch her. If anything happens I'll be sure to be there for her."

The sky was blanketed with a bleak grayness, covered in white beaming cracks of light from the sun above the clouds.

Trying to break through the dense layer, the light never seemed to puncture the thick cloud cover. And with no sun, already the cold world would just become colder, and colder on their way to the Darkmines.

The morning was so very bleak. A cold wind blew low along the rocky earth as the sky overhead seemed to be tinged with a darker shade of gray than usual. Bloodstrider was at the end of the group with his three other companions. From the moment they had left Tiger Company's barn the Zebras had remained completely silent.

Neo trotted up at the head of the group leading them in the direction of the Darkmines. Occasionally he would peek over his shoulder at Bloodstrider, who simply kept behind them at a steady pace.

Placing his eyes forward, Neo shook his head. Since the conversation he had had with the Zebra Chief the night before there was not a single feeling of dread sinking within him -- nor was there any inclinations to worry about what might be. Just the task before him was clear:

To reach the Darkmines, and save the ones they lost.

Ally came trotting next to Neo, looking at him. "Neo? Are you okay?"

Neo blinked, and turned his eyes to her. "What? Oh, well I'm fine I suppose. Great, actually. Why do you ask?"

"It's just that you keep looking back at the Tiger Company warriors. Did something happen last night?" She asked.

A brief moment of silence pervaded between the two of them for a moment. Neo sighed looked back over his shoulder to Bloodstrider. "We had a talk... Since then, I've been feeling... Content -- confident even."

Ally smiled at him. "Then there shouldn't be anything to worry about. With him at our side we'll find your brother. It can't be that hard, can it?"

Neo nodded taking in a deep breath. "You're right. I don't think it'll be quite that hard. We did escape the border, didn't we?"

Nudging Neo in the shoulder Ally laughed, "That's the spirit!"

Before the group lay a large hill. To the left of them, out some dozen or so miles in a massive flat clearing where the hills seemed to vanish -- they could see the tiny black tracks of the Legion railway mark the the horizon.

Two Socks pointed to them, bounding giddily, "The tracks! The tracks! We're getting close!"

Neo's heart began to beat at a great speed. His breath became light as a tingling lofty energy spread itself throughout his legs. Trotting faster, and faster Neo smiled as they climbed the hill before them.

Trudging up its steep, rocky slope a new scent carried on the chilling breeze. The heavy, bitter smell of burning coal fill his nose. Furrowing his brow, Neo grimaced at the horrid odor.

Placing the his hoof over his muzzle, and burying his face into his sleeve Neo coughed, "What is that smell?"

"The Darkmines..." Wester uttered.

Tears started to pool in the corners of Lucy's eyes as she let out three hacking coughs. "Damn, it smells like Ironhoof..."

Approaching the top Neo dropped his hoof to the ground, digging his hooves into the jagged ground. "We're almost there!" He called to the others.

And, at the top of the hill he froze. Neo's watering eyes went wide as his mouth hung open. In moments the others joined him at the top of the hill, stopping next to him and gazing headlong at the scene before them.

When the entire group gathered at the top -- all were silent.

Mountains, dark and bare of vegetation stretched as far as the eye could see both left, and right. The clouds overhead were charged with a deep, somber black. The bright, twisting cracks of white sunlight faded into darkness. The sun's efforts to burst through the layer had completely disappeared.

In the distance deserted skyscrapers towered high into the sky. Like a dense forest the steel, concrete, and brick each were tightly huddled around the other near the base of the mountain. In the absence of proper care, many of the tops of the structures had fallen off into the condensed streets below.

Within the smaller, more abundant derelict buildings of the city were tiny glimmering green lights dimly flickering below. Imbedded into the mountain's side where tall iron smokestacks with plumes of rising ashen smoke spewed into the clouds above.

Bloodstrider walked by Neo, sniffing the air. Letting out a quiet sneeze he said, "It's a dark place."

Ally gulped nodding her head. "They're in there?"

"Indeed," Bloodstrider answered calmly, "we must summon all of our courage to brave that place and live."

Looking to Neo Bloodstrider cocked his head to the side. "Are you ready to brave the task at hoof?"

Closing his eyes, Neo gulped. Breathing in the thick, putrid polluted air he nodded. This was the task at hand. What might happen mattered not. For as long as he was determined Neo could find his brother.

Opening his eyes, Neo held a firm posture keeping his back straight and his shoulders relaxed. "I'm ready."

Lucy came to Neo resting a hoof on his shoulder. Giving him a playful smirk she added, "We're all ready."

Foot Note: Level Up!

New Perk: You Trapped the Unicorn!: When interacting with Unicorns you gain a +5 in charisma.

Foot Note: Level Up!

Would you like to Level Up Adam as well?

Yes-

No

New Perk: THE MONKEY: You gain a +2 in Bartering per level gained. Additionally, when speaking to wandering traders you unlock some unique dialogue options.

Proofread By:

Noakwolf

Thefullmetalbrony

Dannykat

LyonAzakura

(AN: I have to say, each new chapter I write I feel like the characters are growing. It's an interesting feeling, and hopefully you too have felt the same way as the story has been progressing onward. In general, I thoroughly enjoyed writing this chapter. It was a little heartfelt, and a little mysterious. Overall, I hope you enjoyed reading the chapter. Sorry for the delay, trips and life. That sort of stuff happens. Anyway, stay tuned for the next chapter! - Noakwolf)