//------------------------------//
// Chapter 11 
// Story: After Discord 
// by Faindragon 
//------------------------------//

But a friend that has betrayed you once.
Is that a friend to trust?
Or will they betray you again?
When you need them the most.


*^*


I stared at Lightheart in disbelief.
“You want me to go to the gallows? I thought you said you would help me escape.” I said as I tested to sheathe and unsheathe the blades. They still worked as a charm, no sound came from neither the sheathing nor unsheathing. 

Lightheart smiled at me and nodded. 
“That is correct. You see, if I only let you go now, you just ‘disappear’ into the shadows, then people will question me. They will understand that I helped you to escape. BUT if you escape on the way to the gallows, in a place where everypony can see you knock me down... then they will not ask themselves what I had to do with it.” he said with a sigh. “If this was only about me then I would not care, but I have to think about my family. I have to think about my wife, about my son. I can not put them in danger just like that.”

I understood him. I would never do anything to put Honey in harms way.
“You already have.” 

That voice, here? But it was just my imagination when I was in the cell! When I was in that dark place!
“Was I? Or was you?”

Lightheart looked at me.
“Are you okay? You do not seem very well. We will only have on chance at this.”

I forced the voice out of my mind as I looked at Lightheart.
“I’m fine.”

But where would I find Honey when all this was over? Was she even alive? Did she want to see me again?

“Just a slight headache, that is all.” I took a step forward and winced when the pain from all my bruises and wounds went straight into my body. “And small pain from the wounds Corelight gave me during my time here.” 

“Corelight?” Lightheart looked suprised. “What have he done? And why?”

“He gave me a beating every time he came with food. I do not blame him, not after what I had done.”

“What did you do to him, my friend? Corelight never hurt anypony without a reason.”

I looked back at the events around my arrest. Why had he not used force against me there? I had been the most wanted criminal back then, he would easily had gotten away with shooting me in the head, killing me at place. 

So why had he not? I had killed his father! I sighed.

“I killed his father. The night I arrived for my last meditation had I only just returned from killing one of all corrupted leaders in this city.”

Lightheart looked at me.
“Corelight... did this to you?” he said with a puzzled frown. “But that can not be correct. When you had been slamming your hooves against the wall and tore open wounds, was he here and begged me on his knees that I would allow him to heal them.”

I looked at Lightheart. Had Corelight done that? Corelight, who’s father I had killed, had begged to heal my wounds? Why?
“A friend might be found anywhere.” the voice inside me said. “But is it a pony to trust?”

I pushed the voice away.
“Are we talking about the same Corelight?”

Lightheart looked away.
“I can not say for sure. And it does not change anything. We have to start to move, you are supposed to hang dead from the gallows before sunset.” he said, smiling weakly at me. “We must make sure that you won’t be late for your own show must we not?”

I smiled at him.
“I guess not. So, where am I to be hanged? How many steps will I have on me to find freedom?”

“You are to be hanged in newly built gallows outside the castle. You will be under heavy guard by four of the strongest earth ponies we have on the way. Both to prevent you from running and to prevent the crowd to get to you.” He stopped to take a breath. “At the gallows will they stay behind and I will walk with you myself up to the gallows where the headmaster himself is to put the noose around your neck. Its during those ten steps that you will have to make your escape. How you do is up to you, but I recommend that you take the time to strike me down as you run for it, if not for me so for my family.” He looked at me, his eyes nearly enough begging me.

“I will make sure to strike you down Lightheart. I have to make sure that you do not get to harm for helping me.”

“Its settled then, are you ready my friend? We will only get one chance.” 

“Is it to much to ask for a last prayer?”

“Go ahead.”


*^*


“Celestia and Luna, help me during today’s trials.
Protect me from those who wish me harm.
Protect me from betrayal.
Protect my filly.
Protect Honey until I can return to her side.
And if nothing else helps.
So guide my blades to my enemy’s throat.
Guide their pure soul’s out of their bodies.
And into the after life.

Protect me as I clean this city from corruption.”

“They can not hear you, you know that right?”
“Leave me alone.”
“Why would I leave myself alone? Whats the fun in that?”
“You are not me! You are... I do not know what you are but you are not me!”
“I’m as big of a part inside of you as the veins that guide your blood through your body. I’m as big of a part inside of you as your heart that pumps the blood around.”
“Who are you?”
“Have I not answered that already?”
“I... am you.”


*^*


I felt how new energy rushed trough my veins.
I felt rage build up, waiting for the correct moment to fall down and take control.
But for now could I contain it.

The harmony inside my body shattered.
The balance was removed.
To be replaced anew, replaced with new harmony and balance.

I felt every wound on my body close.
I felt my broken rib mend.
What is happening to me?


*^*


“I am ready Lightheart.” I said, my voice caring the confident I felt in my entire being. “Let us do this, let us see if I will live to se the sun rise tomorrow.” I smiled at him.

“How is it to pray? You always seems to get new energy from it, and your wounds are gone as well. What is happening to you when you pray?” he asked as he walked towards me. 

He started to check so that the chains was on their right place as I answered him.
“To pray.... How to best describe it? To pray is to let the goddesses know how you feel. To pray is to let the goddesses know that you need their help. Sometimes they answer.” I looked at my body, every wound was gone. “And sometimes they answer in ways we do not think possible. For me is it to get relief from my pain, relief from the duty I can not escape. I know that the goddesses will help me in the way they can. They know that the prayers I pray come straight from my heart.”

Lightheart chuckled. 
“I guess I will have to try that sometimes. Well, we can not wait here anymore, its time for us to walk towards the gallows.” he said, walking towards the door. “Remember not to speak to me on the outside, do not let them get any hint about this.”

He opened the door and stepped outside.

An unicorn in a light colour tackled Lightheart as soon as he stepped outside, making the surprised general to fall over.

“RUN!” Corelight scream to me.