A Second Too Late

by Thunder Seethe

Forgiveness

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A/N: Just in case you haven't been looking at my blogs, you probably don't know if I'm allowing Dash's return. If you don't want to find out, then avoid the silver/gray text. I am bringing her back, but she won't appear until the next few chapters. Chances of me killing off any more mane 6... no clue. Remember, PM me if you have a suggestion for the story, or tell me what you don't want to happen. It helps, and now on to the story.

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"Tell everypony out there. Tell them I exist. Tell them I'm coming. Tell them I will kill them all, and tell them that I will laugh as I watch my minions tear them limb from limb. Tell them to be ready, because if they aren't, well... it won't be any different. They'll just give me more to enjoy as attempt to fight a losing war. Tell them they don't have long. Tell them, one of the elements... well, I don't want to spoil the fun do I?" He laughed as he slowly backed up and reunited me with Octavia. I couldn't look at her anymore, not after what she's done. I knew the situation at the time, but... there's always a way, there was a way. We just didn't look hard enough. If only I had been stronger, maybe I could have busted down that glass window pane which displayed the scene.

"I-I'm sorry..." I just ignored her, I'm just really sick of this right now, and I need to warn the others. This... monster is a threat to Equestria. I want vengeance.

"Well, it seems like you two will have a lot to catch up on. Ha! I think you two will get along quite well... after all, hasn't Stormy saved you from that psychopath?" he snickered and smirked at us.

I gave him a glare, but he didn't respond with hate. It's what he is looking for. "Look, only my friends get to call me Storm, and only Dashie gets to call me Stormy, with the exception of my friends as well. You... are the furthest thing away from Dash and a friend anypony can have. You won't win. I don't know who will die in the process, but I do know this. I will be the one who gets to sever your neck and end your pitiful life. You took one of the few things that I've never had before away, and you'll pay." Well, I guess I could have said worst. At least I managed to say it in a somewhat baritone calm voice.

"Well, if I am destined to die, I'll be sure to enjoy as much as I can. You'd best do the same. You can't be certain for what I have in store." He smiled and glanced back to the arena.

Whatever it is he's talking about... I'd rather not know.

"Why couldn't you have killed me...?" My gray coat was discolored due to the tears that have been shed during the slaughter.

"Because, I thought that watching two mares who both love you suffer would be more enjoyable. They were both awake before you, and I had explained to them what will happen. I actually thought they would've told you." He was getting ready to laugh hysterically.

I had nothing to say. Was this what Dash was about to tell me? Damn it Dash... why didn't you tell me...?

"Bwahaha! Well I'm sure you've all had a lot tonight. So go home, and don't forget what I've said," He paused while charging up his spell.

"I'm coming." His horn cast a bright aura which surrounded Octavia and I, which a bright flash occurred and we disappeared. We appeared back in Ponyville where most things seemed unchanged. It was night like he said.

"Shayne..." My ear twitched to the sound of my real name, but I didn't respond to her. I just continued looking down expecting something to change.

"I'm really sorry." I didn't respond. I started walking away as tears started to form from my new large eyes.

"I don't expect your forgiveness. I can't even forgive myself. Now that I keep looking back on it, it feels like.... like there was another way. That if we had just..." She started to choke on her own words, trying her best to keep her composure until she finished her sentence.

"If we had just stopped to think.... maybe one of the doors would have... had a way out. They had to get in there somehow right? I'm sorry!" Octavia started to break down again. She was hating herself. The musical mare started to resent herself.

I just want to become invisible, but I know that's impossible. But... if I could... I want to run away from this.

NO! I screamed in my mind. I can't keep running. This, this is a time for vengeance. I will kill him, no. That'll be too easy for him. He tortured them mentally for the one who lives, and physically for the one who dies. That son of a bitch is going to suffer. He will get the justice he deserves, and I will show no fear. No fear... no fear... I kept rehearsing my last phrase in my mind. Each and every time I did so, my determination started to shine brighter.

I feel a bit calmer now. Maybe I should help Octavia...

A part of me; a large part of me, wanted to just leave her. After all, she's the one who killed Rainbow. Then again, whatever was telling me to help her had a more valid reason why I should. Sure she killed Rainbow, but did she really have a choice? If they didn't then more of those beasts would come out, then they'd both be dead and you'd be alone.

A life for a life.

"Look Octavia... it isn't your fault-"

"It is! You know it's true, you know there was another way!" A puddle of tears stained the dirt road in the middle of the empty Ponyville.

"No there wasn't. They set those things in the cages prior to the incident. Even if there was a way out from the cages, it was probably locked! I know that whoever is controlling Nightwalker is smarter than that, he wouldn't do something so stupid to threaten his pleasure!"

"It's just... I can't get the picture of her face out of my mind."

"..." I couldn't respond to that, and I'm sure that nobody could respond to that.

"She... was smiling."

My eyes abruptly shot wide, and I just stood there. I couldn't move. Octavia got up and started walking toward the Everfree. My knees buckled, and I just laid there until slumber took hold of me.

Then there was this dream.

It was at the... place I was at. I still don't know where it is, but I see Nightwalker, a few shadow things, and Rainbow. What...
She was placed on a bed, and she seemed to be cleaned up. From the distance I was looking at them, I couldn't tell if she was sleeping or dead. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and assumed that she was sleeping. The room was rather small, no larger than Twilight's library. The walls were blue- everything's blue. The flooring was slightly whitened, and her bed was large. On a near corner, I could see a Cello and violin... with my name on it.

So I'm in Dash's house? This doesn't make sense...

Then the dream ended.

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I awoke on a hardwood floor next to a bunch of books, and tucked in with a blanket. I'm in Twilight's house. A couple of paces away lay Twilight who fell asleep reading a book, and she looked... pretty messed up to say the least. Her mane was crazy, and her eyes drooped, even in her sleep. She was still in her dress from the Gala, and Spike was in his little bed sucking his thumb and slowly rolling in the bright blue fabric.

I slowly got up trying to be as silent as possible, but failed because... I have hooves. You could probably hear the clopping from miles away. So, without even thinking... or noticing, I said, "Shit." under my breath.

Twilight slowly twisted and turned in her book bed, and her eyes fluttered as she awoke. "Hmm? Oh good. You're awake. I found you on the road, so I decided to take you in. Hope you had a good enough sleep as I did." She tried to put on a smile, but well... you could tell it was forced.

"Yea..." She should know. "do you know..."

"About the Gala being completely ruined by the Alicorn? Yeah. I do." I wish this was easier.

"Well, that and there's this huge thing." I could feel the tears coming on, and I knew that it would just start streaming like a river right before I got to it.

"Go on..." Twilight said with anticipation of knowing something new.

"You know... Rain...bow. Dash?" I was sniffing so much and losing all control of myself. I started falling back down, and leaning against the book shelves.

"Well, yeah? She's kinda been my friend since I first moved here! She's kinda well... on the rough side, but she's the most loyal friend in all of Equestria! So... tell me, what's wrong with her? Did she break up with you?"

"No... but Octavia, Dash and I were kidnapped by that Alicorn. He forced Dash and Tavi to fight to the death. If they didn't, he'd send out those shadow things to try and devour both of them. Dash was being loyal as usual, and refused to fight her friend. She accepted her death." By now, I probably formed a small puddle around me. I could feel my gray coat being stained with tears. My coat around my stomach should be blackened from the tears.

"What?! Oh no NONONOnoNOnoNOnoNOnoNOnoNOno!" Her eyes filled with rage, well... I guess a more useful term would be hell. Her eyes had fire in them literally. Her mane stuck up, and her tail flared as well.

"Calm down!"

"HOW CAN I CALM DOWN! MY FRIEND HAS BEEN MURDERED BY A MUSICIAN, AND I HAVE TO CALM DOWN!?"

"Yes. Look, it isn't murder. Its survival. Look at it this way; if they were to stick together and try to fight off all of the shadow creatures, chances are they'd both be dead. Its nopony's fault Twilight. If anything, it's the Alicorn's fault."

"I..." She started crying.

"Look. I think I will leave you alone. I'm sorry I had to break the news to you like this, but I feel like I need to tell the others."

"No... I'll do it."

"You sure? You don't look so... dandy right now."

"Just... let me."

"Ok, if it makes you feel better then I'll let you go."

"Thanks."

Before I left her, I gave her a small peck on the cheek to let her know that I care. "If you need anything, just ask."

"Th-Thanks." She blushed a lot. Her entire face turned red, but not the Devilish red. More like a light pink.

I walked out the door, and now I have to decide what I should do.

Princess Celestia? Luna?

...

...

...

No respons-

Hello? This is Luna.

Good... I have some really bad news.

What might that be?

Well... Dash is dead. I could hear something drop... a controller? Maybe.

What? Did I hear you correctly...? Rainbow. Dash. Is. Dead?

Yes... sorry that you had to hear that.

I'll get back to you tomorrow. I have to inform my sister, and she'll know how to deal with this. Her voice was slightly rougher than usual, so she must be losing it as well.

Yesterday... Rainbow died, many innocent ponies and guards died... Octavia hates herself... I almost hate myself... Twilight probably hates Octavia... Soon enough Fluttershy will be full of hatred, and then Rarity, then Pinkie, then Applejack.

I hope Twilight doesn't make them hate Octavia... I hope I got the message through that it wasn't her fault. Maybe, I should talk to Octavia... start from scratch. If I know anything, she'll be at the Local Inn.

I took off into flight, partially because I had no idea where it was, and it's always a bit faster and less tiring than running. Soon enough, I found myself at the front of the structure which had a sign displaying, "Town's Inn". I walked inside, but immediately bumped into somepony, we had the same response.

"Ouch!" We said simultaneously.

I looked up to find a gray coated mare sitting while rubbing her head. Of course, it was Octavia.

"Wow, I didn't think it would be this easy to find you. Anyways, we need to talk."

"Oh... well, okay."

I walked her to the small meadow where I found Sean, or rather where Sean found me. There really isn't much disturbance in Ponyville, except for the guards. They were posted on every corner of Ponyville, except for the meadow.

When we finally got there, I sat, then motioned her to sit next to me.

We sat there staring at the scenery with some amount of silence until I broke it.

"Look, I know you really hate yourself right now. Well, I'm actually assuming that. So talk to me, please."

"I... I wouldn't say hate. I just don't know why I did it."

"Well, there's always a reason for it. When you look back at it, it seems like there really was a way to... to make things right. But when it actually happens, right then and there... there is no solution other than what you've done first."

"I... I guess so. I just really didn't know I had it in me to kill somepony."

"Well, remember that incident at your house? I didn't have any idea that I had it in me to kill as well. So, I think we can relate to this."

"I guess you're right... but don't you always see that face... the face right before you killed them?"

"Yes... I dream about it on some days, and every time I close my eyes... I could still hear his sceaming."

"Now that I think of it, we can't exactly relate to this can we? I mean... you killed somepony trying to kill me. He was bad, and we didn't know him except for the fact that he was a crazy guy. I killed... a friend. Who did nothing."

"The point is, we both killed somepony. What Dash did was a sacrifice for you to live. Life for a life."

"..."

"What the Alicorn told us; Nightwalker, did you tell anypony?"

"No."

"Good. I feel like we shouldn't tell the ponies that can't do much about it. I think we should inform Luna and Celestia first. I'll get to it later."

"I think I should go... you probably hate my guts since I killed your mare friend."

"No. I don't hate you, but I guess I can't stop you from leaving. Just know that I forgive you, and you're welcome to stop by and say hello to me. If you need anything, just say so."

She gave me a quick nod and smile, then she turned to leave.

As long as she knows that I forgive her, I can forgive myself. I just wish things were different. How can I stop him? I don't have any experience with that sword I found... do I really have to start training? Shit. Well, if it means saving my only friends, then I will do my best. If it means I have to die for them, then I'll live by these words to comfort me. I will kill him, and by that, become a killer. For my friends.

Life is empty. It's vacant. When I take a life, I take nothing of value. I am a killer. I am the avenger, I am the protector, I am the relentless. I am hell. Killing is my creed, it is my just, it is my life. I live to kill, as they live to die. I am immortal, I am the soulless. They are the weak, they are the brave. Nothing changes the fact that I am the killer, and they are the victim. I am the will of their sorrow.

I recite those words in my head for the next few minutes until I decide to follow through on them.

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Sorry for the late chapter, went to a band concert. Hope you liked it, and hopefully your grudge on me is soothed.