Sweet Fire suddenly awoke to the loud noise of hoofsteps on stone. Startled, she quickly got up and scrambled behind a bush. Of course her fall was inevitable; She hadn’t gotten nearly enough sleep, and was paying for that. Colors blurred and light shone brighter than it should have, creating a blurry world made up of deformed shapes and confusion... She collapsed into the leaves of the small bush by the road. Her mind seemed to come to no rest, everything turning around and around.
It took her a moment to get herself sorted out. She then rotated towards the memorial so she had a perfect view of where the hoofsteps were coming from. She gasped. She had been right! There really WAS a mad scientist master of mind control down there! Sweet fire stayed hidden and observed, ready to attack whoever came out. The noise of the hoofsteps became louder and echoed out across the yard. This was it, she would finally find Swift!
A whole group of ponies exited the memorial in a line, spreading out amongst the streets. They were probably going home… The question is just: From what? There must have been hundreds of them! She stood her ground and watched carefully for Swift Haven. How should she find him in such a crowd? Then, after the line thinned out and she already began losing her hopes, she noticed something. Was it really? Yes! Walking amongst the crowd was Swift! He was unharmed, even seemed to have gotten a bit more chubby. Oh, she could have screamed in joy, but she had to remain silent and hidden. She would have to approach him when he was alone. She assumed he would go back to his house, or maybe hers. Maybe even a bit of private time… She decided to just fly after him once it was safe.
Then the door opened. The old pony, father Cristalline, watched as the ponies dispersed and headed towards their own residences. So he HAD been the leader! She had known it all along! It had been so obvious! But also very dangerous. How could she have just waltzed into the home of an evil pony… with delicious cookies… but still an evil pony! She could have been put under mind control… maybe she already was? She didn’t feel like being controlled, but then again, you never do. Crystalline entered his house again as most of the ponies were gone. Just a few more, and she could leave. Two particularly talkative earth ponies seemed to have a little, annoying chat. Damn them, get on with your conversation and move!
Finally, the ponies said their farewells. Sweet Fire begged the earth she was lying on that they weren’t the type to say goodbye, then start another new conversation altogether. Luckily, they waved, and were off. She waited for a moment, just to be extra sure, then jumped out of the bush and shouted, “YES! I have got you now!” Much similar to a hurricane, Sweet fire flew over the streets, right into the direction of where Swift Haven had trotted. She flew as fast as her wings would let her, then faster. She zipped down the dark and empty streets and alleys, and eventually caught up with the retreating figure of Swift Haven. “YESSS!”
Swift heard her shout, and turned just in time to be blown away by a high velocity hug. All air rushed out of his lungs from the impact, both rolling down the street and Sweet Fire seeming like she was attempting to keep his breath out with one giant hug. How could a pony have such strength when hugging? Swift was dragged out of his thoughts by a sudden kiss from Sweet Fire.
“Ooooooh I missed you so so so soooooo much!”
“It’s only been a da-”
“I know but I was so worried and I was searching for you and got lost in a maze of the secret agency and the aliens and the secret organization and.. and…”
She instantaneously broke the hug and growled down at Swift, her eyes turning fierce.
”Why were you in that evil pony’s maze and why are you part of a secret organization? Why did you have invitations on your table? TELL ME!”
Oh no… Oh noooo this was bad, she knew? Think fast Swift, you can’t have her finding out.
”TELL ME”
“Oh uh umm… What? Are you sure you didn’t dream the part about the maze? That sounds pretty crazy, and you look pretty tired. The invitations were a party, but Spin Dripper was pretty drunk when she wrote them. I had other ones because she also delivered them in her drunken state. You should have seen her dropping all of her letters by my home and telling me that it ‘doesnn madda becauss the post alzo arrisv heer.’”
He gave his best to mimic the drunk accent of Spin Dripper he had heard so often already and tried to bring out a smile. He felt his attempt failing horribly so he just continued speaking.
“You’re way too tired. Everything is okay, there is no need to worry.”
Sweet Fire, still standing above him, looked very sad and yet relieved. Swift held out his arms and she collapsed into them, crying into his coat. He held her there, and decided to comfort her for a while. What he had to do could wait for when she had fallen back asleep. He was sure she would. She looked so tired… and so beautiful. He would have to think of an excuse for why he would be gone again. Even harder would be convincing her to join him, after he would be accepted into the brotherhood.
The moonlight just pierced through the thick clouds above the almost empty street. Only two ponies were lying there, comforting each other. The rows of dark houses seemed to stare silently upon the night’s scene. The sun already started to rise, but the shadows still lingered behind every corner. This was his place, in the deep shadows. The shadows were a place to hide, a place of comfort, much better than the open streets. There were two things he couldn’t bare. For one, ponies cuddling on the cold, hard ground. He hated seeing what he had not been able to accomplish for himself. The other thing he simply couldn’t stand was betrayal. Usually he wouldn’t have bothered with the whole situation, but keeping everything secret was by far too important to ignore. This threat had to be dealt with. Two ponies were to not develop a relationship that stands above acquaintances unless they were both a part of the organization. Even then, it had to be approved of by Crystalline, our supreme leader.
It wouldn’t take long for Brother Crystalline to arrive. It had all been told, every detail has been passed on. Now it was Crystalline’s choice to do whatever he would.
“Greetings Bonefire, its nice to see you again. I have been informed that there is an important situation to attend. What might this all be about?”
“Father Crystalline, it has come to my attention that there is a traitor amongst us.”
“Is that true? Bonefire, for your sake, you better have good evidence for such a suspicious claim.”
“Sir, I have seen Swift Haven, our newest official member, with somepony who he showed hidden affection towards. They were in each other’s hooves on the road. Such an uncomfortable resting place suggests that there is a strong relationship between them. You know Forgath’s rules better than anypony else and you know that it is forbidden to praise anything above him. I feel like he praises his marefriend above our whole pact. Who knows what else he has ‘forgotten to mention’?”
“You make a good point. We will have to take steps to prevent anymore oversights such as this. For now, I have no choice but to take this mysterious mare into custody until her fate has been decided. What did this mare look like?”
“I couldn’t see her very well due to the shadows and Swift Haven, but I saw a yellow coat with red and orange hair.”
I couldn’t see her very well due to the shadows… However, I could make out some crucial details. Her hair was seemed like a glow in the dark. A dangerous glowing, if you ask me. Red and yellow, those were the most predominant colors, like a dangerous flame.
“Oh my… I have recently met with a rather curious mare named Sweet Fire who happens to match your description quite well. If she happens to be the pony you speak of, I have reason to believe Swift Haven has been supplying information about our meetings. I cannot judge why, but if Swift Haven is a traitor, may Forgot have mercy on his soul.”
“The scoundrel, he’s just no good scum!”
“Don’t assume what we don’t know. At the time we should only assume that Sweet Fire has a more curious personality than others. There is no need to jump to conclusions, Bonefire.”
“I… I guess you’re right as always Father.”
“Yes. We had probably head back and gather a small team. It would be unwise to apprehend the couple with only us two.”
“Yes father.”
Swift Haven placed the exhausted, sleeping Sweet Fire onto his bed and gave her a small kiss. ‘This all must be so stressful for her.’ Swift thought to himself. ‘I hope that Crystalline will be reasonable about the situation. I don’t want her to get hurt because of me.
Swift Haven slowly trotted towards the small chair in the corner of the room, dropping his heavy body upon the warm fabric. For now, he would just watch his love in her slumber, making sure everything was okay.
The loud sound of hooves upon old stairs brought him out of his thoughts. These sounds promised nothing good. For just a moment, everything was quiet. Almost like the silence before the storm.
The door shuddered and cracked. Somepony was trying to get in. A second strike against the wood resounded through the house, sending small cracks across the surface. Sweet Fire suddenly sat bolt upright as the third strike nearly sent the door flying off it’s hinges. She screamed and Swift jumped up to get into the doorway. Everything went too fast for him to properly react. Sweet Fire screamed as the door finally gave in into the pressure. Small pieces of wood were flying through the room along with dust. His whole body was tense and yet it seemed impossible to move. One particularly big piece actually glanced across his flank. The pain almost acted like a reminder for him to move. With two quick steps he stood in front of Sweet Fire.
Swift was standing in a defensive stance in the door frame as the dust settled. Then, he cringed at the sudden voice.
Swift Haven you have been placed under suspicion of treachery. Do not resist or you will be imprisoned or expelled.
Expelled? This one word seemed to lash out at him. It curled around in his mind, not letting him think of anything else. The whole scene seemed nothing like reality anymore. Everything was flying by like a movie. Crystalline promptly pushed him aside, sending him flying onto the now cold floor. He only watched as they charged towards his bed and bound the now thrashing Sweet Fire. Swift felt his eyes well up as he watched the scene unfold. His heart was torn apart. On one hoof, that was his Sweet Fire, the love of his life. On the other hoof, this was the wellbeing of his soul for all eternity...
He decided that it was probably for the best.
”SWIFT HELP ME!”
It is for the betterment of himself, and the rest of the members.
”SWIFT!”
Besides, she wouldn’t want for him to be eternally punished, right?
”HELP ME SWIFT PLEASE DON’T LET THEM TAKE ME, PLEASE HELP!!
Swift Haven only stood, and followed Sweet Fire, Crystalline, Bonefire, and the others out the door.
”WHY WONT YOU HELP? DON’T YOU SEE WHAT THEY’RE DOING TO ME?!
He followed the group along the road back to the memorial. Sweet Fire’s pleading had finally died down to whimpering.
“Swifty… I… Why?”
He had stupidly hidden Sweet Fire from Crystalline. He wasn’t fully devoted to Forgot, which made him in all sense, unworthy.
“Why are you letting them take me?” Her speech was quivering and wrought with sobs.
He shouldn’t allow a mere emotion to confuse his mind to a point at which he goes against Forgot’s wishes. He should embrace Forgot, with all his soul, not allowing material things to bind him.
“Wh… Where are we going S- Swift? Ar- Are they going to... to hurt me? Are y… you going to let them hu… urt me?”
But that was the thing, Sweet Fire was much more than just material, more than the mere emotion she evoked within him. She was his very world before he joined Crystalline…
“I.. Swift.. The…” She could barely speak as she shuddered, tears mixing with her fur as the ponies stubbornly carried her on.
‘Now I’m questioning my allegiance... I had better go clear my head within the halls of insight.’ Swift Haven thought to himself. “I’m going for a walk, Crystalline. I’ll be sure to attend the meeting when its held. Good day.”
Clear Sight, a guardian of Forgot who was loyal to Crystalline and their spiritual journey, tried to stop Swift, but the supreme leader himself held him back. Crystalline knew Swift would attend the meeting, traitor or not.
Swift Haven turned around, taking one last look at the broken mare being carried away. As he walked away from her, she renewed her efforts in pleading, bribing, offering obscene amounts of money that she didn't have to the other ponies. Swift Haven ignored her cries, and walked on. There was silence for a moment, then she said one last word, the heartbreak eminent in her tone.
“Swifty…”
Sweet Fire lay on the cold stone, wordlessly staring out of her cell at the opposite wall. The left side of her face had been soaked for hours. She just lay there on her side, wounded, yet unbleeding. She didn’t care anymore. Swift had abandoned her, and there was just no reason to continue. No more time to spend with the stallion she had known. Swift Haven had disappeared…
Family? No, relatives were nothing but a few friends you were forced to tolerate until death, so why should she stand for their ignorance anymore? Family is a group of ponies who vaguely look and act like you, nothing more. There is no special ‘family bonding’ more than any normal bonding with friends! And even then, friends are better because you CARE for them and they CARE for you! They know that they can lose you if they act bad, and you know the same! Do you have that with family? NO! If you have an abusive big brother who does nothing but torture you with endless mind games and hitting you when you got them wrong, you’re forced to DEAL WITH IT! Psychological experiments are a horrible thing! Your mom notices your rising in creativity and timidness, then attributes it to how much you ‘play with your older brother’, then praises him while you sit idly by knowing that if you ever tell her the truth, she won’t believe you. She won’t believe you, no, because you’re always dreaming up ‘crazy little scenarios’! And your father stands there, looking at you out of his eyes in which the sorrow of worlds is to be seen. And he doesn’t make a move. He sees your pain and he hears your screams, he knows your secrets, and yet he doesn’t do anything. He does NOTHING. He leaves you ALONE like all the stallions before him, leaving you in that pit which is bottomless and you feel yourself falling and there is no pony to pick you up. He had picked her up…Swift had shown her another world. A world of love, comfort and trust - It was all an ACT. EXACTLY like everypony else!
She had fallen for it. Now she knew that Nopony cares, EVER.
Sometimes the world seems like such a vast, empty place without somepony to care about you...
Deep down, Sweet Fire knew one thing for sure... This time, she wasn’t overreacting. This time it was all true! SWIFT HAVEN HATED HER, HER PARENTS DIDN’T GIVE A BUCK, AND NEITHER DID HER SO CALLED FRIENDS! Swift wasn’t the only pony she knew was coming from that STUPID MEMORIAL! Swift Haven wasn’t the only pony who had LIED to her about… EVERYTHING!
Her heart felt so cold. She had expected pain or sorrow or grief. And yet she was cold and empty. She didn't care anymore... What did it matter? Did anything matter? … No. Just … Nothing mattered anymore. It was all over...