Just (Be)Cause - Chapter 13

14

 

>You stride past the guards, head hold high.

>Well, the peace was easy.

>Just talk to both sides, that’s all.

>Of course, you had no idea how much weight you had.

>The agreement was that; Luna’s splinter faction was to reunite with Celestia’s kingdom, reforming Equestria.

>Well, Luna almost had no arguments for it, lest the both factions die from the cold.

>You trudge along the path, holding the agreement with you.

>The snow has lessened, and you can see grasses poking out here and there.

>Everything is fine, then.

>You can finally lower your shield, and withdraw your hood.

>You can feel the trickle on sunlight in your face.

>Your train stops, and you head out.

>You start with a quiet walk across the Ponyville.

>Then you feel the soft crunch of snow under your boots.

>You then start running for no reason.

>You pass through the pony folk, Twilight’s home, the farm.

>Nothing can stop you.

>You clutch onto the letter, and run.

 

>Through the Everfree, through the frozen trees, you still run.

>You only stop when your body tires, and you glance over the surroundings.

>Life is already returning.

>You are stopped when a whisper passes through your cheek.

>You feel a warm trickle down your cheek.

>Upon checking, you can see it blood.

>You turn to the tree next to you, to see an arrow lodged on it.

>You hear more whispers and you turn towards it.

>You see three arrows coming at you.

>Too slow.

>You easily bat them away with your forearm, and feel for your wrist again.

>You throw a knife to the direction of the arrow, before running to the left.

>You follow curve, missing few more arrows.

>You run towards the direction of your assailants, jumping into a bush.

>You feel something soft, and a grunt, as a pony fall under your weight.

>You run a knife into the stallion’s throat, before shooting up and grabbing an arrow.

>”Nope.” You smile, before running up and grabbing the stallion by its throat.

>He is wearing an equally dark cloak as you, hood drawn up.

>”Who, the hell, are you.” You say, pushing back the hood.

>You are met with green eyes.

>You recoil a bit, you know this pony.

>”I saw you in the train station.” You say, still holding the pony.

>”F-for the true princess.” He mutters.

>”Did Celestia send you to do this?”

>The pony is silent.

>His horn glows.

>You hear a dagger unsheathed, and you turn to see a dagger flying towards you.

>You still have your magic.

>You take out your own knife, and clash with the dagger.

>It flies off.

>As you turn to the guard again, a sharp pain rings through your back.

>You gasp, eyes going wide.

>Your grip weakens.

>The guard smirks, before landing a hoof to your face.

>You fall to the side, paralyzed.

>Goddamn it.

>Another unicorn comes from the bushes, holding a bow with his magic.

>You can see his white snout, and his blue mane-

>Shining.

>”What’s wrong Anon, missed me?” He walks over, before landing a hoof to your face again.

>He snarls at the other guard.

>”Take him away. You know what to do.”

>You try to fight back, but whatever the arrow had, it downed you pretty good.

>Or the fact that an arrow pierced your back would have helped.

>Your vision goes to a blur, before you are out.

 

>When you come to again, you’re tied to a chair, both legs and hand bound.

>Your hands are bound to the two pillars which supported the back of the chair, while your legs were bound to respective legs of the chair.

>You are in a room, badly lit, just a single candle burning in a corner.

>You can move, so that is an improvement.

>You struggle against the binds.

>It feels like cloth, so you’ll get out soon.

>You try to feel for your wrist, but you can tell the mechanism is gone.

>You try to use magic, but you just can’t concentrate.

>Something is preventing you from focusing.

>You then hear random drips of water, behind you.

>Every time you try to focus, the sound breaks it.

>Clever girl.

>You hear clopping over what you presume is the door.

>You shake your head, and that gives you a better vision.

>There are some muffled talks, before you hear a key being unlocked.

>From the light in the hallway, you can make out several ponies.

>”Well, look who we have here.” A stallion, with a rather posh accent comes to your right flank.

>He blocks the light, obscuring any chance to identify the pony.

>”The great Anonymous, the murderer.”

>You process the information, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation to this moment.

>”You must be wondering why we brought you here.”

>”Well, let’s just say you are ‘hampering’ our operations.”

>”What.”

>”Of course you didn’t know. Why do you think Equestria stood for thousands of years? Celestia’s eternal wisdom? Don’t even, Human.”

>”We, the shrewd politicians, run what happens in reality. We are the only thing that’s keeping Equestria from going into chaos.”

>”What does this have to do with me ending the war?”

>”My good boy, who do you think occupied Celestia’s better moral judgment over the years? Luna was always there to discuss with her sister, and uncover our ulterior motives.”

>”Some might have gotten through, but with Luna around, most of our plans have been compromised.”

>”What about the time Luna was banished?” You ask.

>”It was convenient, and we could have or not played a part in the rise of the Nightmare Moon. But due to my ancestors’ shortsighted plan, most of us had to be extra careful not to provoke the increased awareness of Celestia.”

>”The bottom line is, Luna gets in our way. It is better if she dies. The war can end both ways, but our choice is more… preferable. Not to mention Celestia’s mental state which will allow us more room.”

>”Why are you telling me all of this?”

>”Oh my boy, what makes you think you’ll be leaving this room?” He motions in another pony.

>This one is almost as big as you, a giant among normal ponies.

>”Make his death… slow.” The stallion orders, before leaving the room.

>The hulking pony looks at you, before drawing a dagger.

>”Oh, I will enjoy this.” He whispers.

>Shit.

 

>With his unicorn magic, he lifts the dagger, and softly run it through your neck.

>You can feel your skin opening at the cut, and blood dripping from it.

>Looks like you finally found your other self.

>”Let’s start with your finger, human.” He grins, before ushering the dagger behind your back.

>You sweat and turn around, trying to see the dagger.

>You feel a heavy punch on your cheeks.

>”Look at me, human.”

>You shake your head, and try to check for the knife again.

>You feel another bat to your head, which you ignore.

>You can almost taste the blood running from your nose.

>You look up to the pony and grin.

>”You’re going to regret that.”

>”Keep talking, Human.”

>His horn glows, and you hear a whisper.

>It is soon followed by a sharp pain ringing through your palm, and you scream in pain.

>The pony laughs at you, before ordering you to shut up.

>Then he hits you.

>You bite down the pain.

>The pony pulls the dagger out, which led to more screams from you.

>He landed two more hits on your face.

>”Let’s do that again, human.”

>You bite your lip, but you smile.

>The pony grins at you too.

>”I like your enthusiasm, Human.”

>As you hear the whisper again, you jump.

>You also pull your over turned palm forward.

>With the elevation, the knife misses, and lands on the support of the chair.

>You scream again.

>The pony laughs at you.

>”I thought humans were supposed to be tough!”

>This idiot.

>You quickly grab the knife, and silently pull it out.

>You still give him a pained expression, and more screams.

>He keeps slapping you to shut up.

>Between his laughs and his orders, you free the knife.

>Flipping it over, you cut the bindings.

>Finally you stop.

>His horn glows again.

>Celestia, you humans are loud.

>You look at him, and shout again.

>More of a mocking shout, and this sets him on his edge.

>As his hoof comes to you face, you quickly stab it with your free hand.

>He tries to pull away, and you do the same.

>From its position, the knife rips outward, cutting a chasm right through the hoof.

>He recoils and screams.

>You take the chance to land the knife on the other support of the chair, cutting through.

>More importantly, your hands are free.

>As the pony regains his composure, you have your left leg free.

>With no time to waste, you lunge forward, aiming for the head.

>He pulls back a little, and you missed his cranium.

>”Nice try, human.”

>He rears up and lands both back hooves to your stomach, knocking you to the ground.

>Your lungs empty and you fall over to the other end of the room, knocking down the pot that held the water.

>”Now. Let’s go back to fun.”

>The pony smiles, but nothing happens.

>His grin dissipated, before he feels a trickle of his own blood down his head.

>You weren’t going for the head.

>The horn.

>”Buck it, I can still take you.”

>He charges.

>You wait and-

>Kick your right leg, which had the chair tied to it.

>The chair breaks, and also sends the pony on the floor.

>With your magic back and your body free, you walk over the shaking pony with a knife.

>”Let me tell you another thing for humans.”

>You eye the knife curiously.

>”We also like to have fun.”

 

>You walk over.

>You will never enjoy killing someone this good.

>As he tries to run, you stab the lower spine.

>It’s easy, considering all that lessons on pony physiology from Twilight.

>The pony’s leg quivers, before falling on the ground.

>He can’t control his legs now.

>He squirms, trying to get away.

>You walk over and step on the destroyed hoof of the pony.

>He cries out in pain.

 

>Outside, the two guards are shaking.

>”The torturer must be having fun again.”

>”Yep.”

 

>You land the knife on the other forehoof of the pony, and you slowly twisted the knife.

>You can hear joints popping and ligaments breaking.

>The screams are annoying.

>You let go, leaving the hoof mangled.

>It flop to the ground.

>He is now crying, shaking in fear.

>”Shhh now, no tears. There’s only dreams.” You whisper, as you run your knife through his stomach.

>You forcibly tear the skin off, exposing the innards.

>He look at them in shock, as you laugh.

>”Hey, looks like you got some guts!”

>You cackle.

 

>The guards are shaking now.

>”What the fuck is he doing?”

>”I don’t want to know.”

>”and what’s this smell?”

>A knock is heard.

>”Guys, I’m done.”

>The guards shrug and open the door.

>They see the dead, mutilated pony in the center of the room.

>They scream.

>As they do so, you jab the skull of the one in the left, while you shoot a spike to the head of the other.

>Both fall fairly quickly.

>You walk through the hallway, noticing many doors.

>You slit another guard’s throat, before you reach the lever that controlled the doors.

>Many creatures are looking at you, cheering wildly.

>You bow, and you pull the lever.

 

>That day, in Tartarus, a prison break occurred in wing B.

>Twenty guards were dead before the alarm went off, and forty more after the wide spread prison break.

>Dragons were brought in to handle the problem, but they could only do so little.

>After all, they had the most dangerous criminals in the world.

>Griffons included.

>And once the reinforcements arrived, they only saw one name scratched all over the walls.

 

>Anonymous.

 

>Shining and his guardsmen stand outside of the portal.

>Just you try, Anonymous.

>Few idiots came out, only to be shot down by the troops’ bolts.

>Shining sent out a group inside, about half of the force, and they were quickly ambushed and killed in the prison.

>After their blood-curling screams, one single figure came up to the portal.

>Not through, just right before it.

>It was the human.

>He grins.

>With his blood-covered figure, he looks madder as ever.

>He lifts a dying guard up, and slowly runs the blade through the pony’s throat.

>The guard writhes in pain, and gurgles on his own blood.

>This goes on for a while, before the pony goes limp.

>Anonymous shot you a look before throwing the body out.

>No guardsmen wanted to go inside after that.

>With morale low, Shining had little choice.

>Hold out and wait till they starve.

>But this could last for months.

>With the cold, Shining had little choice.

>But he held the line.

 

>Eventually, Shining’s forces were out on supplies.

>Shining sent out five guardsmen over to fetch more supplies.

>Frankly he wanted to send more.

>But he was afraid he might be over-run.

>Soon, Shining grew desperate.

>He sent more men to bring supplies.

>They were very eager.

>And with that, Anonymous called forth all of the prisoners.

>Minotaurs, griffons, a dragon, and a human.

>The most dangerous living creatures came up to gate.

 

>Shining kept up his shield up as long as he could.

>From within, his men picked off the prisoners.

>Some ran away as soon as they could, but most were in a rage-fuelled goal.

>The death of their warden.

>The guards managed to take out almost half of the forces.

>Shining’s shield cracked.

>And then, Anonymous came.

>He had his own magic, which glowed in a sickly green hue.

>Changeling magic.

>He smiled to you, before ordering his men away.

>They nodded to him, and went their own paths.

>It was now ten guards against one.

>No, Shining had his own score to settle.

>Shining lowered his shield, and ordered his men to pursue the escaped convicts.

>One idiot tried to attack Anonymous, and was butchered.

>”So, Shining Armor. What a great representation of your state.” You waggle your finger about.

>You also take in a deep breath.

>The air of freedom.

>”Better than the smell of bad prison food.”

>You feel for your palm.

>Even with the magic kicking in, it still left a scar.

>”So, what are you going to do now, human?” He asks, spitting out each word.

>Emphasis on human.

>”I’m going to end this war, Shining, and then, I might go get your friends.”

>”Oh, and releasing criminals all over the land will do it FAR better.”

>You turn from him.

>”I don’t have time for this. I have to go.”

>A bolt of lightning narrowly misses your head.

>”No. It ends here, human.”

>”I have a name you know.”

>Shining shoots a bolt at you.

>You bounce it off with your magic.

>He shoots again.

>You bat it away.

>”My name is Anonymous.”

>You grab the scared guard on by his throat, and hoist him up.

>You lean in.

>”And I once made a promise to a dear friend’s lover.”

>You drop the stallion.

>”I do not break promises.”

>”I’ll always have your back, Shiny.”

>You smile, backing away.

>”Why, Anonymous, why?”

>He gets back to his feet.

>Hooves, whatever.

>”Why? Why, just because.”

>You shrug, before reaching onto orders by the table.

>Fancy pants, huh?

>You’ll need to visit.

>”Were you following an order, Shining?” You say, pocketing the letter.

>Luckily for you, you found all of your belongings back in the prison.

>Before he can respond you go on.

>”Of course you were. Now, why would a pony give orders to stop the peace, hm?”

>You crouch down to his level.

>He is taken by this, thinking.

>”He said, you defected.”

>You raise a brow.

>”Just taking orders, good man, good man.”

>”Now,” You get up. “I need to visit some friends.”

>You turn and walk away.

>”Be a dear and don’t tell anyone?”

>You continue to walk, whistling.

>You then teleport yourself.

 

>Once back in Canterlot, you assume your pony disguise.

>Looks like the security tightened up after your last visit.

>It is starting to rain.

>You draw your hood again, and walk through the streets.

>There are no ponies to be seen.

>Looks like there is a curfew.

>You evade most of the guards by turning yourself invisible.

>If not, you silently remove them.

>Fancy pants’ is apparently having a party tonight.

>Probably a celebration to his friends.

>Good, remove all of the weed at once.

>Once near, you assume your human form.

>Then you start climbing.

>His house had a large glass dome, which allowed the guests to enjoy the night’s sky.

>You look down, seeing a small banquet of rich ponies.

>You check your wrists and your back.

>All set.

>You open the window, and jump in.

>Right on the head of some smartass stallion.

>Perfect.

>At your landing, you can hear screams.

>You pull out your two daggers.

>And just swipe.

>No remorse, these are the absolute worst.

>Going through your flurry of killings, soon you find yourself going through all of the guests.

>Except one.

>”I must thank the host for the excellent party tonight.”

>You grin and walk over to the scared unicorn.

>He shoots a weak blast, barely hurting your hand.

>You walk closer.

>He manages to knock the daggers off your hands.

>Fine.

>You forcibly grab his horn, and yank it off.

>He screams and squeals.

>How annoying.

>You grab his horn.

>You then stab his neck with it, silencing him forever.

>You then go about his studies, to find the letter for Luna.

>Once you found it, you quickly teleport yourself away.

>Why haven’t you done that earlier?

>Would have made everything easier.

 

>You arrive to the burning castle, no sign of life.

>The tower is set ablaze, and dead ponies are laid about.

>You can hear cheers over the valley.

>You climb the walls, hoping to catch the sight.

>There is a large encampment and-

>There was Luna.

>She was bleeding, as you could tell, and she was in a cage.

>They dragged her off, singing songs of victory.

>Oh come on. You just got here.

>You run out of the destroyed gates, and head towards the cage.

>No, you had to end this.

>But no one you know will die today.

>You push through the guards, running towards Luna.

>You had to save her.

>It was your fault she was in there in the first place.

>You feel an arrow hit your arm, but you fight off the poison.

>You wordlessly run, before more arrows strike you.

>The poison finally begins to work, and you fall to the ground.

>No, not her.

>She didn’t know.

>You try to rise again, but the paralysis is already kicking in.

>You can only manage a crawl, and finally raise a hand to the princess, who sadly stares back at your with tears.

>You collapse, and darkness claims your mind.