I heard hooves hitting the ground, signalling this was the final soldier of the day put his gear up. I waited in the shadows for my chance to get in. He exited the building, I did something I wouldn’t normally do. I hit a pony as the aggressor... anyway, he was out cold and I had at the very most, five minutes before he gets up.
I began to rummage through the supplies and I found a set of armor, a peytral, and crupper, and I began to search for a melee and ranged weapon. While searching I picked up a saddlebag and some stored rations, and as soon as I had gotten that done with, I found an iron sword and a crossbow. I took the sword and sheath and stuck it in my saddlebag so I could work with that later, and I grabbed bolts for my crossbow.
I galloped out, a cloak covering my face, iron armor covering my body and a saddlebag with me. If anypony saw me, they’d think I was a discordant thief... until they check my house. No worries, I have to do this, regardless the cost. I am
not letting Temperance down. I hadn’t gotten but fifteen feet away before I heard the telltale twang of a crossbow and a bolt hitting the dirt near me.
Of all the things that could happen. I double timed my way into the woods, and as if by miracle I had no injuries by the time I had reached the forest.
As the adrenaline left me, I collapsed to the ground, more winded than I had originally thought. I slowly got back up, and began to trot, still panting as if I had just galloped a marathon and it felt like I had just done that.
Adrenaline does marvelous things, no? I now realized the scope of what I was trying to accomplish;I am going in a direction, hoping that I’d reach this army of Discordants and not be killed by them or be killed by the wilderness.
I couldn’t turn back though. By now, they’d be making sure nopony was hurt and checking the hoard. I should get moving, and get as far as possible as they would have a pony on my tail to make sure I didn’t get away. Flamberge is sure to have sent a soldier after me after I made off with weapons, armor
and food, and I don’t want to have to explain my little ghost encounter from a couple days ago.
I heard a few shouts and I swore I heard a wolf barking as I attempted to gallop through the woods. Smells of pine needles, leaves and sap filled my nose as I tried to make my way through. I pushed branches out of my way, manoeuvring my hooves around the shrubberies when the worst possible thing had occurred. I tripped on a root, and it felt like I sprained my ankle. I got up, pain going through my nerves with every second.
I looked to both sides, looking for a place to hide so I could figure out what I did to my ankle, and with my luck there was nothing but bushes. I cursed to myself before forcing myself to gallop over the next hill, even with the massive pain I was enduring, I was able to hobble over it and get away. I silently cheered before I made my way towards a tree. As I trotted over to it, the pain began to get worse. i feared I had broken it, which would lead to me having to come back, get in jail, and fail what I had set out to do.
I held my left fore leg out and examined it closer. Damnit to Tartarus! I had dislocated it and now I will have to... I could snap it back into- No I can’t, I will not harm myself further. I made a short prayer, remembering Amug’s words... but no answer came. I am left without an answer for a while. Alright I have no choice.
Snap!AHG.... Mother...fucker...
Snap!I tried to keep my pain contained, but I couldn’t even curse to myself. The pain was too overwhelming. A yell of pain left my lips as it snapped back into place... the pain was unbearable.
S-sure... I can get better.... I... I don’t think...Darkness overtakes me. My hearing and eventually smell fade as well. I saw an image of Amug. She just stood there. Disbelief. She almost looked like she was... beckoning me to follow? I was unable to move. I looked around, panic overtaking me. I saw Discordants surrounding me. They were dragging me... I lost sight of Amug, she shook her head and trotted away.
My sight comes back to me. I’m in a tent, my leg is in a splint and doesn’t look absolutely fucked. An old looking pony approaches me, a steaming pot of soup in his magical grasp. “You’re awake? Good. Good, I found ya out there, one of those strange clouds was a comin’ and I didn’ wanna leave ya out there ta become one a them” He said, a rather annoying accent filling the tent.
“Wh-Where am I?” I asked, turning my head slightly, looking him in the eye.
“You are in my tent. Ah don’t normally let strangers inta my living quarters, but ah saw you out there and I thought ‘My ain’t he the mos’ unlucky pony in the world’ and I brought you here, fixed ya up, and made you some supper” He levitated a bowl from a nearby table and filled it with the soup.
“That is?”
“Tomato soup with some local herbs, I checked, none o’ them are poisonous” He levitated a spoon into the bowl. “You take care, try to stay off your leg.”
I stifled a chuckle at the thought of him just downing random herbs to see what they did. He kindly helps me up and steps back a bit so I can stretch as best as I could with a bad leg and all. “I’m glad you decided to help, but... I think I should be going”
“Whoah there, don’t move around too much, your leg was pretty bucked up, I found you a few days ago, got the supplies to fix it up yesterday. Why don’tcha rest for ah bit and give it some time to get healed..” He gestured to the bed. “You sleep there. I slept out in tha’ stars for a few nights” He trotted outisde, beckoning me to follow. “I live out here, most of the time ahm just makin’ sure nothin’ gets in mah camp, however ah do spen’ some days chopping trees down for firewood, other days I just admire the bea-” I interupted him
“Look, I know you are doing a nice thing, but I don’t need it” I turn to him. “Private First Class Lightning Runner of Fruithold Markspony Squad nine Regiment four. My squad got hit, I managed to escape, however as you saw I got wounded pretty bad.” I was lucky I remembered my designation. It seemed to fool him as he nodded
“Ah understand ya, but ah can’t let ya go out with how dangerous this area can be, and ah don’ wanna leave ya to fend fer yourself” Of course. I had to get rescued by an overbearing pony. I sighed and put a hoof on his shoulder
“I
have to be back to break the news in a week at most or else I’ll be marked dead. Where are my things” The unicorn sighed and pointed towards my saddlebags, right next to his campfire. I trotted over, making sure to stay off my leg, and hastily put them on. “Thanks. I’ll remember you for what you did.”
“I’ll be seein’ ya around” I began to trot off. I moved considerably slower as I had to move on three legs, but I made do with what I had been dealt. I thought back to that unicorn, the pony I had lied to and just left as soon as I got medical supplies;Maybe its just my judgement getting the better of me, but it feels like I had just stolen medical supplies from him, and didn’t even give him a thanks.
I heard a rustling in the bushes and drew my sword from its sheath and slowly approached the bush. If anypony was there, they’d have come out by now...
what if it’s a... no can’t think... am I even going in the right... goddamnit I don’t even know if I’m heading in the right direction. I took a quick look at the sky to get my bearings, letting my guard down.
Think I’m going in the right direction... forests all around.The rustling continued. I approached it in a fit of stupid bravery. “Whoever you are, come out.”
No answer.
Seems somepony is nervous. “The sword making ya nervous?” I put the sword in its sheath.
“Oh? Disarming yourself for me. Lightning Runner. I am dissapoint” I heard a... familiar voice say.
“Who are you?” I asked, backing up, ready to take the sword out once more.
“You don’t remember me? Hows about I refresh your memory.” A dagger flew out of the bush and embedded itself in my left back leg.
I yelped in pain, struggling to remain upright. “Who...Who are you...” I said, as if I’d get an answer
“Don’t remember?” The pony stepped out. A unicorn stallion. “Does this refresh your memory? ‘No cursing, unless you want your foal to be renamed Bloody Mist.’ If this doesn’t then I truly pity you.” The memory flooded back... the woods...
Amug help me“Why don’t you buck yourself. I-I don’t need...” A hoof was put on my mouth and soon the unicorn pushed me to the ground
“No no. Don’t speak. Let me speak, as I am your guest. I escaped, and you know what I did? You know what. You guess”
I can’t believe it...I pushed his hoof away. “Why don’t you leave me alone!” I shouted and attempted to stand up.
“You really aren’t that bright are you?” The unicorn questioned, chuckling. “Mother doesn’t want you to live. She told me to bring you to her. Whether alive or dead. It won’t matter.”
“J-Just let me go... I don’t care what your mother thinks” I begged, not even noticing the pleading tone in my voice.
“Let you go? Oh no my dear Lightning Runner. Mother doesn’t like it when her Children fail her tasks” His horn lit up, a ball of energy forming at the tip
Fuckfuckfuck. I painfully got up and began to hobble away, further into the woods. “Don’t run. It will make this so much harder” The ball of energy flew towards me and luckily hit the ground beside me, a small crater in its place. It seemed I had escaped long enough to get my sword out, and I did so.
I can’t die... whoever this ‘Mother’ is will be getting her judgement when I find her. THe stallion approached me, dagger in hand. “You really thought me, a unicorn, wouldn’t be able to find you.” A knife embedded itself in my other back leg, I managed to stay up, however I wasn’t sure how long I would be able to.“You will become like me, and you will enjoy the blood of your enemies”
“F-F-Fuck...” I began before shutting myself up
“I’m sorry my door doesn’t swing that way. Also, if you ever get out, remember to bring proper protection. Helmets are an important part of your armor, and it seems you have body and flank armor, but no helmet.” He put a hoof on my head. “Shame I have to teach a
military pony proper armor use” The unicorn said
“J-Just kill me...” I saw the hopelessness in this situation. I wouldn’t get out. I’m dead. I... this was a journey I shouldn’t have gone on.
“Don’t feel that bad. I say you put up a nice fig-” I pushed him down and grabbed my sword in my mouth.
“Why don’t you just leave. I-I’ll leave from here if you leave” I held my sword to his throat, the unicorn just smiled
His horn began to glow and I saw two knives float out of a bush. “I suggest you put down that sword or you get two knives down your eye sockets”
It became a stalemate. I stood there, sword in my mouth, he lay there, knives in his magic.
“Submit to him. At least then you’ll be alive” Said a voice from behind me
I am not going to submit! He might just kill me!“Who said you would?”
Shut up.“Did I make Little Lightning mad? Oh poor baby.” The voice materialized infront of me.. as me... Mindfuckery aside, I began my plan.
I made it look like I was about to thrust my sword into the ground, and as soon as he dropped his magic field, I thrust it into his lower torso. “Gah! You-” He coughed out blood. ”little bugger!”
“Hehe...” Adrenaline filled my veins.
Time to dance motherfucker I pulled my sword out and stabbed him once more. The unicorn’s horn lit up.
Getting your damn knives? Why don’t we take care of that I slammed my only unstabbed leg’s hoof to his horn, a sickening crunch echoed through the area as the unicorn screamed in pain. “Now who’s the one in control of the others life?”
“M-Mother... I-Is... That you...” The unicorn began to crawl away.
“Oh? You want to live? Oh Boohoo. Your life is in my hooves now, and I say you will pay the price for your sins.” I brought my sword down to his torso once more. I brought it up. I brought it down. I didn’t stop until I was sure he was dead.
Take that you motherfucker. Sad. I would’ve enjoyed the entertainment. Looks like the next Discordant I kill will have to las- What am I thinking!... I’m not like this!Realization over what I had just done to this pony... tortured him... I didn’t make it quick... I prolonged his death. I-I’m just like them... I put my hoof to his eyes and shut them. I knew this wouldn’t make me feel better... but I did it anyway. I began to pull the sword out... but just looking at was making me sick. I dropped it next to him.
It wasn’t until now I remembered I had knives in my back legs. The pain returned and it felt like I was being sta-sta-... hurt by knives repeatedly. I lay down and moved one of my back legs to me. They weren’t bleeding as much as I thought...
Though removing it might cause more...but I am in pain. I must do this. No I can’t or I’ll cause more bleeding and possibly black out again... without that kind old pony to wander upon my dying corpse.“You seem like you actually want to have this be painless. Why don’t you take what you gave that poor Unicorn over there.”
Shut up! I... I need to concentrateHe sat down infront of me, tisking. “You should have just stayed home. You might die out here. No one will know. Your corpse will be eaten up by the forest bef-”
I put my mouth on the hilt for the dagger, biting down to ease any pain, and pulled.
GAH...FUCK“Pain. Pain is such, an odd concept with you. One moment you’re in total fucking pain, and the next you are fine.” It taunted
Oh? Pray tell how much you know about me... I bit down on the hilt of the current dagger before tossing it over, preparing to get the other
“You seem to be overprotective of your wife. Your child isn’t allowed within ten feet of the walls. I can go on for days”
I’m a bad father. I can fix that, now please shut up so I can work“Yes the all powerful Medical Doctor who blacks out due to performing a bone relocation on yourself”
I put my mouth on the other knife, bit down on the hilt, and pulled. Pain began once more and the only thing keeping me from screaming was me biting down on the dagger’s hilt.
I just need... To check his bags... I despised the idea of ‘looting’ his corpse for medical supplies... but he’s dead... he doesn’t need it.
“Thieving like usual. What would his family think if they saw you. What would your friends think?”
He’s dead he doesn’t need it anymore“Always rationalizing. First it was because your family needed money. Now it’s because he’s dead. When will you stop”
I crawled over to his bag and luckily found a bottle of alcohol and gauze.
"You gonna drink yourself to death? It'd be a great end to your legacy"
I've. Quit."THen why were you out drinking with Wood Chip and Prodd Hmm?"
“Leave me alone... I’m sorry...” I said to myself before getting the initiative to begin fixing myself up.
The alcohol stung like the disinfectant Case Study had used when he was in by the injuries that dis- Unicorn and his friends had given him. I beared the pain and I began to wrap the gauze around one of my legs, saving some for my other leg.
I quickly applied the alcohol and the gauze and found that I had some alcohol left over...
No I won’t... I’ve stopped, and I won’t go back to doing it again. I shakily got up and put the remaining medical supplies in my saddlebags.
I saw a light. I limped towards it and I saw a clearing. Tents... fire... Ponies. I... I reached this place. I collapsed to the ground, not caring how hurt I was, and not caring how much pain I was in. I’ve... left Amug... Left my home... left my
Family... I’m a failure. Why did I even listen to Temperance
“So... you’ve come,” a female voice called from behind Lightning Runner, rich and flowing with regality.
Lightning kept his eyes to the ground, looking as if he’s ignoring the voice. “And for what?”
“Have you no faith, little one?” she continued. A tall, dark and
beautiful unicorn mare stepped around into his vision.
He looks up. “Faith? You never helped me. I found better help in a
hermit’s tent than I found in you.” He said bluntly.
Amug’s eyes widened briefly and a tiny grin edged onto her face. “Perhaps I was right all along,” she said. She pointed a hoof at him. “You see now.
Amug can’t help you. She can’t help anypony.” Her voice began to turn gravelly as she spoke.
Lightning looks this pony in the eye. “Then who are you? I-I’ve already been hurt enough...” He said, the last part significantly quieter
“Yes, you’ve been hurt enough already,” the pony said remorsefully. The flesh on her face and legs began to rot and putrefy. “Like so many others, life has been cruel and unfair to you.” She took a step closer to him.
He is mildly shocked by Amug’s change in appearance, but decides to keep his shock to himself. “Yes... it has... but... how do you think you’ll be able to fix it?”
She cocked her head as if pondering the statement. The grin returned, then the skin on her cheek peeled away. “Very straightforward. I believe now I chose better than I expected.” She stepped up to Lightning, then knelt in front of him. She stretched out a forehoof, which inexplicably became a skeletal hand the size of his face. “I can offer you so much more than Amug, Nirmek or any of your other gods. Because
I am
real.”
Lightning gained realization of what was in front of him. Not Amug... but some thing. He slowly brought himself up off the ground so he could get a better look at it. The beast was obviously female, but... her appearance unsettled him. Hooves like a pony, but claws...hands like a griffon, parts of her skin... rotting as if she was dead and just got up and starting moving. It had wings that were just bone. No skin. No feathers. He felt like he was about to vomit, but his nausea just got worse the longer he looked. “I-I...” He gulped. “I... What do you have...” He asked, unsure of what this being even was.
“What do I have?” she mimicked. She reached out and cupped his chin in her hand. “Little Lightning Runner, I have
everything to offer you. A sense of place and purpose. Safety and security. Family.” She grinned again, baring ragged and sharp teeth. “
Love. You will never need to feel betrayed or alone again.”
“I already have family. Sure they weren’t the best, but I have family.” He took that one detail out of all the others. “And... I have safety... and security... I protect the ones I love. I feel a sense of purpose...” He slowly got quieter, until he eventually just stopped speaking altogether.
Entropy frowned. “There is no need to fear me. It’s alright,” she said as a red haze began to form around her hand. Lightning felt his unease melt away slowly. “You understand more than you realize. You want to protect your family. You want them to be safe and feel no pain. You want them to accept you and love you.” She glowered. “But they don’t. None of them do, nor have they ever. They will all leave you and stab you in the back when tried. Even your wife and child.”
“Maybe... you are right... I
don’t need them.” His original thoughts of disgust and unease turned into thoughts of appreciativeness and ease. “I should’ve have noticed it earlier. My ‘happiness’ kept me from noticing. I... I can’t believe I thought they actually cared”
“That’s right. Nopony has ever cared about you, but I do. I want to end all of your suffering and worry, so you can finally be at peace. With me... with us, you’ll always be loved. You’ll never be alone again.” As she spoke, two earth ponies stepped out of the shadows next to her and nuzzled her legs affectionately.
Lightning smiled. “Thank you. I... I appreciate your gift to me. I won’t make you regret your decision of letting me into your family... I’m sorry for hurting Brother... I don’t know what came over me. I..I hope I can make it up to you”
“It’s alright, son,” she replied, stroking his mane. “Daggerfall made a necessary sacrifice, and will never be forgotten.” She extended her hand over his back. In a moment all of Lightning’s body is engulfed in a pale golden glow, and he feels his wounds, pains and aches vanish. “Come with me,” she instructed, standing.
The two other ponies smiled. “Yes, come, we will show you your new family.”
Lightning Runner smiled once more. “I would love to see my new family. Should we get going?”
Entropy beckoned him to follow, and the four make their way deep into the camp. Hundreds, perhaps a thousand discordant ponies are busying themselves with any of a dozen tasks.
Lightning felt odd... as if he was supposed to be doing something here. He doesn’t think to question it at the time.
They all smile broadly as Entropy passes by, greeting her and Lightning warmly. A foal trotted out of a tent and up to her. “Mom! Did he join us? Is he going to help?”
Entropy mirrored her smile and nodded. “Yes, sweet child. Meet him yourself.”
The foal skipped over to Lightning. “Welcome, brother! My name is Lilac, who are you?”
He kneeled down. “Hello sister. My name is Lightning Runner.”
Entropy stroked Lilac’s mane and urged her to return home. “There will be time for more introductions later. Run and return to your siblings.” She beckoned Lightning on once more, and they pass what appears to be a covered body with ponies standing around in mourning. “All of the ponies you see here are your brothers and sisters, and no matter what happens we will love you unquestioningly. But there is a special task I have for you, little one.”
“Anything for you Mother.” He said.
“I want you to return to Duskfields. I believe perhaps the most decisive moment in our history will play out there soon. An army from the ponies, and perhaps the griffons too, will be marching there. They hope to destroy us. To kill you and all of your brothers and sisters.” She paused. “And me.
“I want you to return there and do whatever you can to make sure that Duskfields itself will be unable to resist us when we move on it. We will not be destroyed. They and all who oppose us will join us.”
She stopped and faced Lightning. “Some may die, but know that it is for the good of all one day. With your help, fewer will have to give their lives. Do you understand?”
“I understand fully. One question though. Shall I re-enter into society or shall I assume a new identity?”
Entropy studied him for a moment. “Return as a new pony. Though they may not trust you as much, having no history with them may make things simpler all the same. Many of my children take new names when they join me. Do you have one in mind?”
Lightning thought for a moment. “I remember hearing of a plant named ‘Quarrel’ I think that would be a name I could use. Is there any further information I need?”
“Then Quarrel you shall be,” she said. Her smile darkens slightly. “I have little other guidance to offer you. Do what you can to hamper their strength and cohesion however you can. Frighten them, sow doubt. Whatever you can.” She rested a hand on his withers. “But if you ever find yourself in a situation that you don’t know what to do, remember that I am watching you always.”
“I will do what I can.” He said confidently. “I thank you for your worries, but I can handle myself. I know how these ponies act.”
“I know you do. That is one reason I chose you,” she said, smiling again. “Now, you are free to stay as long as you wish to meet your family, or you may return to start your task.”
Quarrel exchanged goodbyes with his mother before heading to the place that was the mess hall type area. After a quick meal, he began to pick up his things.
Quarrel asked around for a bit, got to know his new family. He found out that the path they use to Duskfields can get him there in a day or two, and he gladly accepted the offer to be shown and with those words, he began his journey back to Duskfields.
[Two days pass.]
Just as the his brothers told him, he reached Duskfields in a decent amount of time. Of course he couldn’t just walk in the gates late at night, so he and his brothers set up a small camp just over one of Duskfields’ hills. Tomorrow will be the first day of his task an he knew just the pony to start talking with.
Those ‘Me talking to me’ scenes is to show the innate magic of the area getting to his mind. Just incase it wasn’t obvious