Brothers In Blood II

CHAPTER III: FAMILIAR FACES

     The moon was now drifting to the west, an indication that the sun will soon rise. Clayton glanced up at the dark sky now turning into a hue or orange and red. He could see the edge of the forest as the sky was becoming more visible. He sighed to himself, placing his helmet back on his head. It’s been a long night; avoiding Timberwolves, meeting the griffins, almost being attacked by a Manticore. It really was an eventful night.

     He looked at his bandaged cuts, now starting to heal back up. What he didn’t see was the cloaked figure watching him in the bushes. The figure soon produced a piece of hollowed out bamboo and shot a dart at Clayton’s exposed neck. Clayton winced, slapping a hand on his neck. He pulled out the dart, just to groan in anger. His eyesight started to become fuzzy, causing him to lean against a tree. Everything was becoming dark. The world was spinning around him. Clayton fell to his knees, trying not to faint. He looked up just to see the cloaked figure emerge from the brush. Before he could say anything, everything went dark.

     Clayton got up to his feet. A dark void surrounded him, having no end. He went to take out his pistol, only to find the holster empty. A loud scream made him spin around, only to back up in horror. All of Ponyville was on fire, ponies and fillies screaming in horror. Sugarcube Corner was completely ablaze, the sound of little kids screaming for help. Clayton started to rush over to the building, just for it to explode into flames, the screams dying down.

“Pound Cake! Pumpkin Cake!” Mrs. Cake screamed in horror. Clayton gritted his teeth as he saw the heart broken Mrs. Cake crying on Mr. Cakes shoulder. “You monster! You killed them you horrible monster!” Clayton tried to say something but nothing came out.

In the distance, Spike and Rainbow were trying to put out the blazing fire on the Library, the sounds of fillies screaming causing Clayton to try and help. But he couldn’t help, he could only watch. The screams of three fillies started to die down as the whole treehouse erupted into flames, causing everyone to watch in horror.

Ponies started helping each other out of homes, some of them crying at the fact that their home is gone. Applejack was galloping as fast as she could to Sweet Apple Acres, the whole barn completely in flames. She froze in place as the whole barn collapsed charred wood and splinters flying in different directions. A red bow fell infront of the saddened mare, causing her to burst into tears. There was nothing they could do, everything was gone.

“You,” Clayton spun around to see Rainbow in rage, tears falling down her cyan cheeks. “Do you feel better, now that you destroyed this whole town?”

“…Yes.” Clayton gasped at what he said. He tried to say it wasn’t him but the damage was done. Rainbow backed up, her eyes furrowed.

“You’re… You’re a monster Clayton. A bringer of only violence and pain!” She turned around and started walking away. She paused, not even glancing at Clayton. “And I can’t believe I called you my friend.” Clayton wanted to say something, but only choked on his words. It didn’t become easier when his arm reached into his holster, grabbing the Boltok what wasn’t there before. His arm slowly pointed the pistol at Rainbow Dash, his hand starting to shake.

“Goodbye Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow paused. The gun fired, the loud shot canceling out the sound of burning corpses and houses.

     Clayton sprung up from his sleep, his head hitting the low ceiling. He groaned in pain, rubbing the bruise on his forehead. He paused as he felt the new bandages that were placed over his cut on his forehead. He looked at his forearms to see new white bandages covering his wounds, the smell of aloe and herbs filling his nose. His chest was bare, revealing the multiple scars he got during the Locust war. He started to scan his surroundings, looking for any indication of where he is.

     The walls were short, having multiple weird looking masks hanging on nails. Herbs and potions were placed neatly on shelves. His chest plate was leaning on the makeshift bed he was leaning on. He tried getting to his feet, only for his head to knock against the ceiling again. A large caldron was placed in the middle of the room, an eerie green liquid bubbling under the heat of the fire under it. His stomach growled at the sight of the green goo; he hasn’t eaten in a while now that he thinks about it.

     “It would be unwise to drink my brew.” A deep voice spoke from the doorway. “as it might turn you into a horse shoe.”

     “Whoa friendly, I don’t want no trouble.” Clayton sat upright on the bed and raised his hands, causing the voice to chuckle.

     “I know you’re friendly, Clayton Carmine.” the voice chuckled.. “Especially since your weapons are mine.”

     “Who are you?” Clayton asked. “Better yet, where am I?” the cloaked figure entered the small room, causing Clayton to almost attack. He paused ar the mare pulled off her hood, revealing her identity.

     “I am Zecora, and this is my hut.” Zecora smiled. “And you welcome, since I saved your butt.”

     “This isn’t my first rodeo in pony land Zecora.” Clayton smiled. “But thanks for the assist. But how do you know my name?” Zecora scoffed. She placed some herbs in the caldron and began to mix.  She walked over to a shelf and took a bowl, walking back to the caldron and scooping up some liquid.

     “Drink this, it will heal wounds.” Zecora walked over to Clayton and held the bowl out in front of him. He looked at the green liquid and back to Zecora.

     “You said it would turn me into a horse shoe…” he held the warm liquid in his hands, ignoring the heat. Zecora just chuckled, walking back outside.

     “The curious fillies are coming back, stay inside and be quiet.” Zecora smiled and walked outside. This left Clayton and the mysterious liquid. He dipped a finger in it to make sure it’s not acid. He closed his eyes and chugged it all down, the burn setting in.

     “Well that wasn’t so- ACK!” Clayton fell to the floor, choking. His whole body felt like it was being separated, piece by piece. His head felt like it was going to explode at any minute. He tried not to scream, but couldn’t hold it. He roared in pain, almost sounding like a wild animal. Zecora rushed back into the hut, worry painted on her face. Three small fillies were standing behind her, watching Clayton scream in pain. Before Clayton could ask what he drank, everything went black. Again.

The sound of screaming made Clayton get up to his feet, everything feeling like he just got disintegrated. He looked around for the noise. The roars of pain started to become louder in the dark abyss. Clayton looked around to see the Treehouse standing in the middle of the dark abyss, the screams sounding louder as he approached.

“That bitch! What did she do!” the voice roared. Clayton opened the treehouse door, only to gasp in horror. The man in the trench coat was holding his head in pain, trashing about in the library. He gripped the side of his face, pulling on it like he wanted to rip his face off. “EVERYTHING HURTS!”

“Good!” Clayton roared. The man couldn’t respond quick enough as Clayton pinned him against the wall, breaking through a bookshelf. “Because I’m going to make you feel a world of hurt! NOW GET OUT OF MY HEAD!” the man kicked Clayton off, his boot ripping open to reveal a green lizard leg, its claws long and sharp.

Clayton slid backwards, slamming against a library wall. He looked at the man, ignoring his screams of pain. His trench coat was worn and torn, looking like its being slowly destroyed. His right leg was a dark green, the green scales reflecting in the light. his left arm was torn at the shoulder, revealing a long eagle like arm, the talons on his fingers as sharp as blades. The man roared in pain, shattering all the windows and blowing out the lights.

Clayton watched as the man bent over, his back ripping out two long wings that stretched out to each end of the library. A long, dragon like tail ripped out the back of his pant, dragging against the floor. Two horns ripped out the top of his head, revealing the man’s identity.

“Discord…” Clayton gasped in horror. Except Discord was different. His coat was all a darker colour, the claws on his lion paw and eagle claws longer. His fur was messed up, like he hasn’t slept in days. His grew back his other fang, making him look sabre-toothed. His bat wing was torn as certain parts, while his Pegasus wing was gray instead of blue. A large scar was under the black eye patch on his right eye.  He roared in anger, blasting Clayton through the window and out of the library.

“Well, there goes that secret,” Discord chuckled from inside. “But don't worry, this wont stop me from getting you Clayton.” the roof of the treehouse erupted as Discord flew upwards, disappearing into the abyss.

     Clayton sprang upwards, knocking his head against the ceiling. He was drenched in sweat, looking like he just was in a pool. He rubbed his head, growling in pain. Then he paused, remembering the dream.

     “Discord’s after me huh?” he smiled to himself. “Bring it on freak show.” He flinched as three fillies stood infront oh him, their eyes curiously watching his every move. E moved his arm up, watching the fillies watch him move.

    “Uhm… May I help you?”

     “Ohmigosh are you the alien mah sister talked about!?” the yellow one jumped, her red bow bouncing around. Clayton watched the bow move, shaking his head slightly.

     “Let me guess, your Applejack’s little sister huh?” the little filly nodded quickly, causing Clayton to chuckle. “In that case, your name must have something to do with apples?”

     “Names Apple Bloom mister!” Applebloom exclaimed, a contagious smile on her face. “And this here’s Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo!” she pointed at the two fillies behind her. One was orange with a purple mane that resembled a chickens head. The other was as white as snow with a hue of rose and pink in her mane and tail.

     “You really were screaming a lot mister.” Sweetie bell mumbled. “We thought you were an animal Zecora caught but then you just went silent. When you didn’t move for three days, we thought you were dead!” Clayton laid a hand on her head, causing her to go rigid. He ruffled her mane, causing Scootaloo to chuckle.

     “I’ve been through a lot kiddo, no terrible soup’s gonna kill me.” He glanced up at Zecora standing at the door. “Nothing’s gonna kill me.”

    “Princess Twilight’s gonna freak once she learns you’re back!” Scootaloo smiled.

     “Princess who now?”

     “Guards! Please someone help!” the castle of Gryphonia sprang to life as a lone griffin knocked on the castle gates. His clothing was ripped and torn, cuts and bruises adorning his entire body. Behind him were two other griffins, one in old armor while the other in an onyx color. Citizens of the castle crowded around the three, some wincing at the two dead bodies behind the crying griffin. Guards pushed their ways passed the crowd as the King glanced at the wounded.

     “Who did this?” he snarled. “Who, with any certainty would kill my elite!” the wounded griffin fell to his knees, holding onto the king’s feet. The guards were about to kick the peasant off when the King held a claw in the air.

     “My-My son!” the king gasped. “Who attacked you?” the prince swallowed hard, tears running down his face. He had one eye patch covering his eye, his only blue eye now red in tears.

     “The hero in Equestria… He has returned!” the prince cried. “He attacked me and your guards in cold blood!” the guards helped the crying griffin to his feet, their faces hard as stone. The King looked down in anger.

     “We had a truce, me and that witch! And she dare sent her secret weapon to attack my son!” he walked back to his castle, guards trailing behind. “Messenger, call a council meeting immediately! I want to address this matter with the other races.”