Knight's Nightlight VIII

>Night Bound, Gagged, and Strangely OK in Equestria

>Be Rosewood

>Tonight marks your two week anniversary as a prisoner of war in this dreadful castle

>Sure, you are being fed regularly and perhaps the interrogations have become less severe, but that doesn't make being in a dungeon any better!

>You pace about your small space and mull over some ideas

>It is hard to lie to the creature that walks on two legs

>He is like a dragon, you think, but twice as nasty in his infinite cruelness

>If you survive this, you must inform the Queen that you would have no real weapon against the creature

>From the walls, you hear the guards murmur by day of this mythical creature and at night, you feel its wrath first-hoof

>You are not a fighter by any means and you could not possibly hope to take the beast out

>A nervous laugh rises in your gut as you think that not even an entire squadron of actual warriors would take the creature down, especially if it gets into melee warfare

>No, not a fighter by any means, but you are a fine strategist

>The easiest way to subdue a dragon, you think, is to steal her eggs and ransom them

>While the creature known as, "Anonymous" is mighty, he is not without weakness

>The little mare that trots with him is a young foal and you would bet your left wing that she means something to him

>You think of how she watches in her morbid glee as you are abused by Anon and how she grows frustrated when he feeds you

>Contempt overtakes you as you imagine her grinning face

>Nightlight's fangs are so dull and her coat is so dark; she knows nothing of the pain you suffer

>You do not even really hate her so much as you are envious of her addiction free life

>How different your world would be had you not had these cravings for the lifeblood of others

>It is cruel, you ponder, for a spoiled pony like her to live in this palace and to eat fruit without care

>You would have her fangs removed and her eyes plucked from their sockets and leave her to starve in the darkness like so many of your own

>These angry thoughts muddle your blood and you quickly push them aside

>Anonymous always seems to read your anger and you would not show you were thinking destructive thoughts again

>The time wanes on as you spend time thinking to yourself

>A remorseful feeling takes hold and you yearn for the days before the fighting in your den and before the Queen appeared

>Her gifts came so readily when she first appeared, but like so much in your life, they were short lived pleasures

>"Join the fight", you recall her saying, "You will be a hero, you will avenge the death of your brother", she spoke time and again

>Looking at these four walls and the numerous devices that bind you now, you realize you never should have listened

>Was it the hunger that made you agree or the indignation?

>Even now, you think you could give it all up, but fear what selfish repercussions that would have

>How can you just abandon everyp0ny you know?

>Where would you even go and who would dare support your cause when you are alone?

>Your head hurts from all this time alone and you wish you had somep0ny to preoccupy you

>The shifting of stones picks up in your ears and you hurry to your bed

>The sound of heavy steps comes to rest outside your prison and the metal door begins to open

>In the darkness, you see the silhouette of your captor, but you know it is not the usual hour to feed

"What is this now?"

>Without a word, Anonymous enters you cell with a sharp looking bit of metal on his side

>The other is not present tonight and you grow curious

>"You have been most useful to our cause, but, my Princess fears that your relative information is coming to an end."

>You stutter as you try to steel your nerves

"W-what? I have more to share! I know battle formations and s-secret magics and..."

>"Your services have been much appreciate..."

>The creature draws his sword with speed unlike that of any pony and his teeth gleam off the dim light with a faint blue shine

>He draws near to you slowly, deliberately shuffling towards you until your own terrified hooves pin you in a corner

"This is not fair! I don't want to die!"

>The sound of metal scraping on stone echoes sharply in your ears as Anon drags his metallic weapon across the floor

>"I can smell your fear... I revel in that stench..."

>He lets go a terrible laugh that sends fear into your bowels

>"This is a message that every follower of the Thirsting Queen will hear and -I- will personally deliver it again and again!"

>His voice is no longer that of a living being, but of some deity of death and malice as his face falls in front of your own

>Shaking and barely able to breathe, tears stream down your face and you hold your eyes tightly shut

>You are unsure what death feels like, but it cannot be good

>Hot breathe washes down your face for the moment as Anon speaks again

>"Do you have any last words, Rosewood of the Thorn Cult?"

>You squeak out what you can

"Please, don't do this... I beg you..."

>"Those are the word's of a coward! You have become one with the cult and you should -die- with honour!"

>You cry harder as the intensity of the monster's voice pins you

>This never had to happen, you plead in your head, you just wanted to make the world a better place to live in

>A thought crosses your fear-addled mind as the twisted visage of your executioner smiles down upon you

>Your voice is barely a whisper as you implore the monster to spare you

"I-I'll do anything... T-tell you e-everything... P-P-please?"

>Cold metal presses dangerously close to your throat as Anon begins

>"Why should I trust a traitor? Why should my blood be used one more night to allow a -coward- to live?"

>You wish you could answer these questions, but there is not a single reason to try

"I'll s-serve you..."

>"You do not deserve such glory..."

"Pl-please... I d-don't worship the Red Q-Queen..."

>"Lies! You are marked by her!"

>The blade moves up and presses a little harder into your neck

>You find it hard to swallow as you try to speak

"... Just end me. I do not even c-care about this l-life anymore..."

>You sulk and relax your body as best you can

>Hopefully, he will be merciful and quick

>"I will travel to Agratti and burn your towers and raze your land and slaughter every last stallion, mare, and foal before I rip the heart from your -precious- Queen with my own two hands!"

>He roars in your face and you nearly scream in fright

>Images of your home burning besiege your mind and the fear of death finally subsides as the fear of loss grows greater

"But, the Queen resides at the top of the thorny spire in Aksundi! You don't even have to go to Agratti!"

>A vicious smile parts the darkened face and you feel the blade suddenly move away from you

>Your heart beats in your ears as you breathe harder and confusion takes hold of you

>"Ah, I see... Thank you for explaining that. My maps were sorely incorrect, but I am glad we had this conversation."

"W-what just happened?"

>"I was thinking that the you are enjoying the rack too much lately and I would hate to be considered a bore."

"T-This was all a game to you?"

>"Torture is never a game. No, rather, I enjoy the chase. Oh, we are also freeing you today. I am just waiting for the proper accommodations to be arranged."

>You sit in the corner with tears on your cheeks and bewilderment in your head

"I... I don't understand."

>"We are setting you free, letting you go, sending you off, shipping you out... Do you need more or will that do?"

"No, why are you freeing me?!"

>"Because we do not need anything else from you."

"What if I come back? What if I try to attack the castle again?"

>Anonymous simply laughs as he begins to walk away

>"I had killed you once already, perhaps you will put up a better fight next time?"

"So... So, what am I to do?"

>"I have no clue, actually. The Princess says to allow you to leave. I told her you would surely run home and cry to your Queen and all that, but she said it was only fair. Princess Celestia is exceptionally fair."

"You aren't going to kill me when I walk outside, are you?"

>"Not unless you want me to for some strange reason. Honestly, I have never seen somep0ny so concerned with death. You should probably have that looked at."

>You cannot believe that even being set free was infuriating with this creature

"All that you said about Agratti, you didn't mean it either?"

>"Of course I meant it, however, unless the Princess would have me deliver such genocide, I would not act upon such an idea."

>You quiver as you think about what horror this indifferent monster could unleash and how coldly he speaks of killing innocents

"You are a sick, depraved thing."

>"Not at all... I am a loyal servant. I fulfill my duty and I suspect it is time to go."

>Everything in you tells you not to trust Anonymous, but there is little option

>Without another word, you follow cautiously before he forces you to walk in front

>The guards look at you as you pass and you get the feeling they are almost sorry for you

>Anonymous makes some sound with his throat and everyp0ny in the room takes on a rigid posture

>He is fear made flesh, you think

>How could anyp0ny keep such a beast without an incredibly short leash?

>For the first time in weeks, you find yourself outside in the cool, night air

>The moon looks beautiful as it hangs in the heavens and the clouds swirl lazily as they cling to the sky

>A sense of minor peace washes over you as you continue on

>The tour of the castle grounds ends quickly as you find yourself standing at the front gate

>It is taller than you remember and guards seem to line this area now

>No doubt, they turned out for your dismissal

>You see the wretched Nightlight standing at her post with her ill-fitted armor on and a small lance on her wing

>She looks straight ahead with a very royal way about her

>It is odd seeing her actually performing her duties and not just being a puppet to Anonymous

>Anonymous is the first to break the silence

>"Sentry Nightlight, the key."

>She happily approaches and passes Anonymous some kind of ring that looks not unlike the one on your horn

>A quick tap breaks the enchantment and you feel the ring slide off you

>Your magic surges again and you feel whole for the first time in a long while

>"Raise the gate!"

>On command, the others turn a wooden wheel and you watch the massive frame lift up

>Anonymous looks to you quickly and nods

>"You are hereby released from royal custody and shall be branded a traitor in the eye's of the nation. Further attempts on the castle or her occupants shall be punished to the highest extent of the law."

"I know..."

>You look out of the gate for the moment and think hard about what freedom brings

>There are many paths you can choose, but which is the right path now?

>All eyes are upon you as you stand in the gateway

>"You are slowing down progress, Rosewood."

>Anon looks at you sharply

>You hate him for all that he has done to you and you wish him pain and suffering

>Yet, you find it hard to leave now as you think about the blood you have been guzzling

"I... I do not want to leave. There is nothing outside of my prison door to return to anymore."

>"What of your comrades in Agratti?"

"You know full-well that they are suffering."

>"A coward who will not even share in the pain of her own. It amazes me that you would have come this far at all."

>Anonymous makes a gesture with his hands and Nightlight comes to his side

>The two push you along until the three of you are out of the gate

>You look at the floor as Anon speaks to you

>"I do not know how to pity somep0ny like you. It is not of my nature to be concerned with the weak."

>Nightlight looks at him with a bit of empathy shared for his side and your own

>"Rosewood, the Princess wants you to be free again and that's what we're tying to do here. You can go home and see your family and maybe clear your head a little."

"What home can I call my own when I have sold out my Queen and doomed my fellow ponies?"

>Nightlight cringes at your dark outlook before Anon steps in

>"I am sure that time will heal most of these issues. After the Red Queen has been slain, the Princess of the Moon will more than likely take an interest in your kind."

>For the first time you can recall, Anonymous said something positive to you

"I do not believe you."

>"And I care not for what you believe. I am correct in my knowledge, traitorous whelp."

>You look out into the distance and spy where the Everfree Forest begins

>It is about a day or so travel on hoof from here

>Before you can speak, you hear the high pitched call of somep0ny

>Listening into the dark, you hear wing beats and discover three figures on the horizon approaching on swift wings

>The mare beside Anon suddenly calls to his attention

>"Anon, we have three approaching from the south!"

>Anonymous simply smiles with this turn of events

>"It is as if they knew we would be here..."

>He smiles wider to you in his strange and devilish way until his skin looks tight enough to snap

>You know a fight is coming and you intend to stop your fellow ponies before they are hurt

>Racing off, you hope to meet them further away so that you would have time to explain the situation

>It is of no use as you hear a screech from Nightlight threaten the space

"You foal! Why would you claim this area?!"

>"In the name of the Princess, we will defend these lands from your blood-sucking treachery!"

>The coddled filly smirks to you as if she is pleased with her work

>Her weapon lowers into place and she stares at you with some sort of righteous anger

>You do not want to fight, you just want to get away from everything

>The sound of wings slicing through the air blows your mane back as they soar past you for the oppressive mare

>With an ease and fluidity you know all too well, Nightlight brings her spear around her side and brings it down upon the first flyer

>He screams in pain as he spins to the earth and you cringe at the sound his body makes as he bounces like a stone on water

>You peak up and see Nightlight already back in position, smirking at her achievement all the while

>The two who did not dive for the green-mane mare make the unfortunate mistake to attack the beast

>One winged heroine lunges with a crude spear and misses Anonymous' head by mere inches

>The mistake costs her a wing as Anon expertly hacks into her flesh with his sword

>Red spurts into the air and washes the beast in speckles of warm vitae

>The flying fighter falls from the sky onto her legs and rolls a short distance

>Her screams fill the night sky as her destroyed wing tightens to her side

>She is down and, hopefully, stays out now

>Anon raises his polished blade and it shines against the moonlight with the sorrow he sows as he turns to find the other assailant

>You want to do something, attack somep0ny and save your brethren the pain, but you watch helplessly at this massacre

>The last bat has a bow and quiver filled with arrows and takes his aerial agility to his advantage

>He pulls a bolt and looses it into the creature

>It sticks to Anonymous' chest with a wet thud and another follows in short succession

>Two arrows stand like flagpoles from the frame of Anon, but he remains strangely pleased with the whole situation

>The fluttering aggressor looks a bit surprised, as anyp0ny would at this point, and he prepares a third shot

>Anonymous speaks in some bloodstained voice as he looks to the sky

>"You are not even trying!"

>Anon spins his body around quickly before letting his sword sail horizontally through the sky

>The surprised archer barely escapes the strange attack and pulls back on his bow string

>A third arrow sinks into Anon's shoulder and you see blood begin to run from the holes in his frame

>Nightlight calls to Anon as she approaches him on fleet hooves

>"Are you alright?!"

>You see a little smirk play across the face of the beast as his fingers curl into pounding fists

>"Never better, my dear. Do watch the filth on the ground."

>The young guard turns about to see the mare with the torn wing standing up and scowling

>She charges at her and you make a terrible decision

>With a blink of magic, you appear halfway between both combatants and push all your might into the earth beneath your hooves

>Walls of soil and sod blast through the ground around you and block the two from engaging

>Your chest burns as your breathing is strained from so much effort, but you don't hear the sound of weapons clashing

>With a simple gesture, you dismiss the walls and stare to Nightlight and the injured mare

"This is a losing battle. We do not have the force to stop -it-."

>The injured mare looks up to you with dismay

>"Stop what?"

>You point your head to Anonymous as he allows a fourth bolt to buy itself into his body

>He laughs now and his body twists under the moonlight in surreal ways

>"Death to the enemy!"

>The three of you stand in awe as the beast charged toward the archer with a mad look on his face

>Nightlight seems to be confused as well as she mumbles

>"What does he think he can do right now?"

>As if trying to prove what kind of monster he is, Anon leaps from the ground and jumps high enough to grab the frightened pony's back leg

>They plummet to the ground with Anon on top and the sound of the landing makes the three of you twitch

>The royal guard simply nods her head

>"I didn't know he could jump that high..."

>You turn back to the injured mare and plead with her

"This was a mistake, I am being let go! We need to get you all to safety before that creature loses control."

>The bleeding mare looks at you with fatigue and shock

>"W-what... w-what is that?"

"They call him... 'Anonymous'."

>You watch the silhouette of the beast as he tears an arrow from his own body and stabs it back into the archer

>Another wail of pain grips the sky and shakes your very being as Anon stands to his two legs

>He slowly approaches you and you back up a little as the injure mare does the same

>"And here I was attempting to make peace... You are all such weak creatures."

>You look into the creature's eyes to find them bestial and primitive

>They are small, unfocused orbs that could not possibly see reason if it was spat at him

>"Sentry, kill them all."

>You panic a bit, but Nightlight doesn't move

>Instead, her face is just as scared as your own

>"Sir, we won. They are permanently crippled. They will never fight again, surely, we don't..."

>"That is an order, Sentry..."

>"I... I don't understand why?"

>Anon's face takes on a somber expression

>"Sentry, I am above your rank. There is no need to understand nor think, just act."

>A sound of hooves charging catches your attention as you see the very first attacker run headlong into Anonymous

>His crude spear enters Anon's back and exits the front in one motion

>Out of breath, the stallion smirks at the damage he has inflicted, but you can see the look on Anon's face from where you stand

>The beast's hands snap the spear in half, leaving a sizable chunk still embedded in his body and he turns slowly

>"This is very disappointing. You have come so far, Sentry."

>Nightlight gasps as she looks upon the wounds

>"By Celestia, Anon, you're bleeding everywhere!"

>"And you stand idly by allowing this to continue..."

>Anon spins about so quickly that you hardly have time to warn the stallion behind him

>With instinctual malice, Anonymous lands a horrid blow to the unaware archer

>The stallion screams and falls back on his rump with a piece of broken wood lodged in his eye socket

>As the dust settles, you assess the damage of a mere three minutes

>It is unbelievable, you think, that three fine fighters would be rendered to nothing in moments

>Never have you seen such precise amounts of devastation and you gain a new fear of the word, "War"

"This isn't what I was promised..."

>Anon looks to you with vast indifference

>"You are still free to leave..."

"No, you moronic beast! You don't even care for life! This is -not- what I was promised! I was told that this fight would see us to safety! That we would be fed and life would return to normal!"

>You cannot stand for another moment of pain and you finally cry

>How egotistical you are for crying in front of these wounded soldiers, you consider

"It is all a lie! There is no going back! This -is- life now!"

>You sweep your hoof past the injured, the pained, and the dying until you can no longer balance yourself

"Why are we doing this?"

>"We fight because it is... Our duty?"

>Nightlight seems to be asking Anonymous as she speaks, but he does not respond

>You look to the wounded ponies strewn about the ground and then you look to Anonymous

"Save them..."

>"How?"

"Bring them to the castle!"

>"Helping traitors? I would rather be cleaved in two before such actions."

"If you don't, I'll... I'll kill you myself and proclaim myself the new Destroyer of Canterlot!"

>For the moment, Anonymous just looks at you and you stare back as intensely as you can

>His hand crawls up to his head and he tilts back with a mighty laugh

>"You are serious?! By the light of the moon, I have heard it all!"

>He is about to say something when you take action

>You channel your energy into the ground and quickly pull him into the soil

>To his name, he struggles hard and you cannot manage to pull his body below his waist

>When you finally exhaust all your energy, Anon is stuck partway in the ground and rather displeased

"I will bury you alive in a coffin of dirt! I will suffocate you in the very ground you walk upon! I will..."

>A hoof rests easily on your shoulder and you stop

>Nightlight stands before you with her hoof raised up and you believe she is about to stomp your face in

>You are suddenly pulled into her and she embraces you tightly

>"OK, it's over, you won..."

>Why is she touching you like this?

>Why is she not hurting you?

"G-get off... I'll d-destroy you..."

>"Shh, shh... It is over. We need to get your friends to the Medicae Bay quickly, so keep your strength up."

>Your magic fades and the resentful earth releases the creature from your grasp

>"I did not know you could do that... It will not happen again."

>Nightlight looks to Anonymous with wide eyes as she hugs you

>"Sir, we need to save these ponies."

>"No, we need to..."

>"It is was Celestia would want!"

>A strange look crosses Anonymous' face as Nightlight yells at him and you try to stop sobbing so loudly

>"You ponies and your damned harmony..."

>The mare with the injured wing walks carefully to one side as Anon retrieves the unconscious archer and lancer

>As he lifts them, blood gushes from the shifting wounds around the arrow shafts

>Nightlight slips from you almost as quickly as she set upon you and trots at Anon's side

>"Come on, Rosewood, we'll clean up those scrapes on you too."

>Anon sighs slightly and moans to his apprentice

>"You deliberately disobeyed my orders and now we are saving those who would oppose us. You have made me soft..."

>"Since when do you kill weaklings?"

>A smirk crosses the guard's face as she steps in time with Anon

>"You are far too confident for your own sake, Night, but..."

>"... But, that's why you love me."

>A snort and what would appear to be a smile appears from the creature and you worry for the moment

>"Not while on duty, Night."

>"Yes, Sir."

>It does not take long to reach the gates and Anonymous' sway over the guards allows you entrance without effort

>For somep0ny who was happy to be free, you find yourself in the stony, cold castle walls once more

>You are lead to a wing of the castle you had not previous seen and you take it all in

>The other mare hobbles along in pain and you admire her strength

"Forgive me, I did not get your name."

>The hurt mare looks at you once before resuming her pained plodding

>"My name's Dusk Dancer... Ponies just call me, 'Dee Dee' for short."

"How is your wing?"

>"Not so good... I am starting to get tired from all this blood loss."

>You grimace at the smell of the blood in the air

>Something about another vampire's blood is disgusting and you have always related it to some inherent defense against consuming each other

>It has not always stopped starving ponies in the past, but it is definitely a deterrent

>You are lead into the castle now and find the interior to be bright and surprising comforting

>The first pony to see you gasps and rushes to your group

>"What happened? Were you attacked by the Cultists?"

>Your face stretches in perplexity for the moment and you realize that this pony has no idea who or what the Cultist of the Thorn is

>Anon steps in front of your lot and speaks briskly

>"There was an attack, it was dealt with and now we need medical attention..."

>The nurse looks to Anonymous with a hard scowl

>"Do you... You realize... There's three arrows sticking out of your body and what looks like half a spear."

>"I do... Please, attend to these first."

>Anonymous presents the two under his arm and then gestures to Dee Dee

>You almost don't believe your ears, but the nurse quickly calls a squadron of workers to assist you

>It seems strange as you are not recognized by anyp0ny as something to be feared or abhorred

>The two unconscious ponies are laid in beds and you see a mixture of magical curatives, salves, and bandages being used to restore them

>Dee Dee and yourself are taken to another room where you are greeted by a doctor

>"My, my, that wing is torn up."

>The silent mare unfolds her bloodied wing and grimaces at the pain

>The doctor rolls some type of black film around the wing gently before telling you to turn you head

>"Now, you may feel a bit of pressure, but I assure you that this procedure is harmless."

>A flash lights up the room and the black film shines with a white image inside

>The doctor unrolls is slowly and looks over the picture with a stern expression

>Dee Dee looks on and asks in an exasperated way

>"Can you fix it or not?"

>The doctor smirks charmingly and calmly states that he can

>"It will be a few night's stay though and I can't say it won't be a painful process."

>"Fine."

"Thank you, doctor."

>"Don't thank me yet..."

>The sharp pony quickly heads over to a cold storage locker and produces a bag of chilled, red liquid

>At once, Dee Dee and yourself smell the fine nectar and she looks at you cautiously

>"Please, wait here while I get some equipment."

>He exits the room and your new friend snaps her head toward you while staring in her transfixed manner at the blood

>"Is... That..."

"Qa+... Yeah, smells like it."

>Dusk Dancer looks at you with purely stunned features

>"They just... Just keep it lying around?"

"I had no idea..."

>She quickly paces to the bag and looks at it suspiciously

>"Maybe, this is a trap?"

"I doubt it..."

>That is all you need to say for Dee Dee to grab the bag and sink her teeth into the thin membrane

>Her eyes roll as she drinks in the cool fluid with a lewd slurping sound

>In seconds, the bag is nothing but a flat piece of skin

>"Oh... Oh, I can't believe it... I've never had something so pure."

>She pants roughly as she tries to catch her breath and her eyes roll in their sockets

>"I'm sorry, what's your name, anyways?"

"Rosewood..."

>"-You- are Rosewood?"

"Yes, why? Is something wrong?"

>"You bet your tail it is! We were scouting for the last three days in search of you. We were told that you had been sent to find food in the Everfree Forest and never returned."

"That is odd; the Red Queen specifically sent me to infiltrate this castle..."

>"That doesn't make any sense... You are not in the resistance, are you?"

"I joined two days before coming here."

>You brush your mane aside to show your own mark to her and she frowns

>"Two days before attacking the very fortress of the false Princess?"

"Yes, does that sound odd? I thought we were at war here?"

>"We are... Sort of... There is only a hundred of us right now. They should not have even discussed a siege with anyp0ny yet."

"I don't understand, I was told..."

>A voice suddenly picks up and you see the doctor reenter the room with a few devices you are unsure of

>"Alright, let's get you in bed so I can start this operation. Now, where did that bag go?"

>The full mare beside you hides the empty bag behind her back and cautiously inches away

>"I could have sworn I had one here... Oh, well, excuse me again, ladies."

>He leaves and Dee Dee turns to you

>"Do they know what we do?"

"Only Anonymous knows... It would be best to hide it from the others."

>"That thing; what is he?"

"Some kind of daemon from the pits of Tartarus, no doubt. Nothing in all of equinity could be so ruthless and horrifying."

>"It moved so quickly and fought without fear of dying. I saw the spear impale him and he hardly flinched."

>You shake your head and realize how impossible he was

>His cold demeanor and rugged form makes you think of the peaks of the winter mountains

>They are uninviting, deadly, and too complex to travel safely

>Anonymous had freely given you his blood, nearly removed your head and the head's of several others, and is now allowing you all medical attention

>Truly, he is a complicated beast who enjoys the suffering he brings

"Nightlight, the little pony that fought beside him, she is something to him."

>"A pony can stay near -that-?"

"From what I gather, she trains under him as an apprentice."

>"By the Queen, that's insanity! What kind of life would something like that lead?"

"Whatever it is, it must be cruel and unusual. I am sure that her life is nothing short of being bound and tortured."

 

>In a secluded room with a bleeding human

>Be Nightlight the Hungry

>You sit beside Anonymous as he lays on his side with multiple sharp things jutting from his body like some morbid game of Pin-the-Tail-On-the-Pony

"How are you feeling?"

>"Aching... sore hands... headache... a little hungry. Not unlike my first day of basics."

>You laugh, not so much out of spite, but because this is always his answer

"Well, I suppose this means we will have a few more nights together. I'll get to be your caretaker again."

>You grin your toothy grin at the implications

>"Yes, it is strange how we end up like this."

"What did you do before I got here?"

>"I stayed in this room for a few days until the orderlies could no longer control me and then I would leave."

"Gosh, imagine -you- giving somep0ny trouble. Hardly believe such a thing."

>He smiles to you as a little more blood leaks from his form

"One question, if I could? Why weren't you wearing your full armor?"

>"I had meant to, but I remembered that the prisoner was to be released today and thought not even to bring my spear."

"You throw a sword really well though! I didn't know you could do that."

>"I will teach you a great many things, dear Nightlight."

>You lock eyes with Anon's lying form and stride closer

"I should be more worried about these wounds, but I know you now."

>"Just you being here makes the pain manageable."

>He smiles slyly before turning to his back and resting flatly

>You see more of his blood gush up as he twists about and his shirt is absolutely ruined at this point

>The smell of blood makes your nose sick as you draw nearer to Anon

"I am going to get a bite to eat. Do you want me to bring you some food?"

>"Yes, that would be lovely. Two packets, if you would."

"Oh my, you're starving tonight?"

>"Very much so..."

>Your face hangs just above his and you feel his shallow breathing rising up to your nose

"I'll be back soon. Don't go too far without me."

>You lean in and wrap your mouth around his in a warm, loving kiss

>Even battered, he is still a beautiful thing to behold

>The kiss ends and you find yourself strangely turned-on at the prospect of tending to Anon again

>You think of all the fun you can have while bathing him again

"OK, I need to go for real this time!"

>"Nightlight..."

>You stop at the threshold of the door

"Yes?"

>"I love you... Stay safe."

>A pleasant chill runs up your spine and straight to your brain

>This is the loveliest of loves, you think as you trot off merrily

 

>Be Anonymous the Broken... Again

>Tonight was not your finest night for battle as you assess the damage done to you

>It is not actually painful, but very incontinent as you body becomes sluggish

>You review what went wrong and where you could improve for a similar conflict

>It pains you in your heart to know that Nightlight did not heed your orders in such a tense situation

>You are going to have to carefully train her to follow any instruction and you hope that seeing you so hurt makes her realize her mistakes

>Despite your mild annoyance, the warm kiss on you lips tingles in her absence

>A thought crosses your mind that you are glad to have been standing in front of her

>Had that spear pierced here...

>The strangest sense of fear takes hold of you as you push the though from your head

>Hoof beats begin to reverberate towards your location and you smile

>You turn your head to see the figure of Princess Celestia and you sober up as quickly as you please

"Good evening, Princess."

>"Just look at you, Anonymous... By the sun, what happened?"

>"Routine attack by the cultists, Princess."

>Celestia moves to one side of your bed and rest herself

>She wears a worried look, but you know better than to ask the Princess of her concerns

>"Anon, how are you feeling?"

"Well enough, Princess."

>"I need to ask you a question, Anonymous..."

>You duck your head as your princess speaks to you

>"... When I use my magic to help you heal, do you feel anything?"

"In the moment the healing begins, I do. It feels as if it was a warm blanket being wrapped about my body."

>"What happens as the spell ends?"

>You try not to look at her while speaking

"The spell exits my body..."

>You feel a hoof rest against your head as Celestia leans over you

>"Why do you allow yourself to be hurt like this? It pains me to see you injured so often."

"I was... Performing my duty, Princess."

>"I know, my little one, I know. Doctor Hinez will be in shortly to help remove those arrows before I use my magic."

"We don't have to wait, Princess. I know you are very busy."

>With that, you wrap your hand around the arrow in your shoulder and give it a solid tug

>The arrow tips made by the cultists proves their lack of resource and the smooth point slides out without much resistance

>A little blood flows freely from the wound as you rest the arrow to one side of your bed

>Celestia looks on with morbid curiosity as you continue to rend the next two arrows from your torso

>"Is it strength or something else that allows you to be like this?"

"I am sorry, Princess, but I do not understand the question."

>The final piece is a little more difficult to reach as you feel around for the roughest edge in your gut

>A spear of this shoddy craftsmanship would make you laugh, if laughing did not cause blood to gush from you right now

>Fatigue begins to set in as you work the wooden pole from your abdomen

>This actually hurts quite a bit, but you know all pain is temporary

>You stop as the pole is halfway out and breathe deeply

>Sweat beads on your face and your hands feel a little numb

"P-Princess... If I may be... s-so bold to ask..."

>You look at the stick running through you and you gesture lightly

>"Hold my hoof..."

>The Princess' beautiful hoof extends towards you and you look over her fine, white coat

>In all the time you have known her, you cannot think of a time when her radiant coat had ever so much as a blemish

>Your hand finally takes her hoof and you hold her tightly

>A magical glow encircles the stick and you feel the pressure as it is pulled free

>You squeeze the Princess' hoof without thinking you may hurt her and pant roughly

>"There we are, little Anonymous. Rest now, your duty is complete for another night."

>With the burden of your Princess lifted, you feel at one with the peacefulness of the beautiful mare

>A red handprint sticks to Celestia's hoof as she relaxes your hand and you feel her magic pull at the energy of the world

>The familiar glow surrounds you, crawls into every hole on your maltreated body, and fills your head with lovely thoughts of sleep

"Thank you, my Princess. Forgive me for... Dirtying your... hoof..."

>The last thing you see before your eyes close is your beloved Princess smiling down upon you

>How do you repay a goddess?