//------------------------------// // Tough love // Story: Dead Birds // by Stray Dog Kane //------------------------------// The snow was flattened under hoof as a dark green pony walked through town. The locals were friendly, willing to accept him with open arms. They smiled at him and he gently nodded to them back, even giving a soft hello to a few of them. Despite this, they did seem on edge. The broken ornaments being cleaned up were a good hint things were bad. The burnt mess that was once a festive tree told him someone had been causing trouble. Something wicked came through here, someone like Gilda “Deal…” spoke a voice from within Package Deal’s mind, giving the pony pause. “Yes?” he replied, none the stranger in a calm voice. Nice as he was though, even he knew how odd it would seem to the a pony talk to himself. “What leaves you to wander here?” it asked. The pony continued his trot looking at the ponies that were still cleaning up. “I will have my vengeance, don’t worry,” Package Deal answered to the creature flying next to him. “I just felt like this town could use my help.” “Our help, Deal?” the leather winged bird creature landed next to him, walking along side. The ponies couldn't see him, only Deal did. It’s feet didn’t even bother the snow it walked upon. “Oh course, Jabberwock,” Deal said to his odd toothed companion. He stopped then, knowing how long this talk would be. Leaving the crowd, and opting to find a nice quiet place of little traffic. “You can see how the ponies are afraid, can’t you?” he said out of any earshot. “And what could be more wicked than your prey?” the Jabberwock said, and sounded a bit upset, but the pony knew why. He knew the oath he made so long ago. “You recall when we met that pony, Lightning Dust, do you not?” Deal replied calmly to the point. “That mare who was plotting to shift the clouds out of schedule?” “I was,” the Jabberwock replied with some humor, rubbing on of it’s whiskers. “You did well, quite well! Her wings frozen in a block of ice, to slowly degrade from frostbite.” “She even dared to excuse her actions, to say she did not deserve what we gave her.” Deal added and knew what was so funny, having a light chuckle as well. “Proving how wrong she was to do as she did,” the Jabberwock finished. The memory was brief, but good. That vile pegasus’ pride seemed to mirror Gilda’s even. Both were creatures that didn’t deserve their wings as far as he cared. “And who is to say, even in a place like Ponyville, that there are none like her here?” Deal asked, knowing what the answer was. The winged, dragon like bird was quiet then, pondering for a moment. “That is...true, but I do detect doubt in you.” While Package Deal felt somewhat unhappy to be called as such, his caring friend put a cold claw on to his back. “Your conviction is solid, I know that,” the Jabberwock spoke and reassured the pony. “We slew several random chickens though,” Deal said sadly, despite the reassuring rub. “I know what you told me, how the griffon was pulling them to her side…” He let out a sad sigh. “But they were also that other pegasus pony’s as well.” “That is why we must be vigilant, stopping the corruptions when it begins,” the Jabberwock explained. “She may still be saved once Gilda is slain...once she understands what can be lost by aiding such filth with any kindness.” “Indeed,” Package Deal agreed completely. “We should work to save her too.” “Perhaps a moment of lax and these other efforts could help you in your thoughts?” the Jabberwock said, and seemed to see through to him, but knew how to help. “Helping a few good ponies by hunting the bad can aid you, help you with your motivations.” With that it faded away as it’s voice drifted. “I will allow you such time.” It suited Deal just as well, he really didn’t like talking to the creature he made that pact with. For a moment, he just wanted to enjoy the pleasant town he was in instead of the constant battle he had to do to keep it safe from that rotted decay he’d come to hate. The bits he had taken from Dust got him some good food he enjoyed, as he thought and agreed to his mindset from then. He still enjoyed the worth of his actions. Evil as it seemed, him and the Jabberwock had the same goal. Their actions kept the ponies safe and happy, harmony itself, and it gave him purpose again with his life. It helped sooth what he had lost from Gilda’s actions. Hearth’s Warming was near, and while things were hectic with the delays, the ponies still wanted to celebrate it on time. He could have wished them well from where he was, even if the Jabberwock didn’t. It still seems so hollow to him now, even mostly from when he once was a busy man with work to do. But now, it just made him sad, perhaps as he could no longer enjoy it ever again. He still had Gilda to thank for it though. These ponies didn’t need to fear the windigos, they needed to fear her. Something much worse in his mind. After his meal, he trotted again, prepared to be vigilant for such evil. As Package Deal walked among the weak herd, doing his best to enjoy what he could never touch, his duty called to him in the form of a down cast foal. The gift the Jabberwock had given him allowed his way to tell what was wrong. The little filly had met that worst kind he knew of. “Is something wrong dear?” Deal said softly to the little one. The child jumped, as she didn’t know he was there. “Who….who are ya?” the foal said with a scared look, backing away from his kind one. It felt bad to see her tremble, innocent as she was. “A friend,” Package Deal replied, but she didn’t seem too convinced. “Ma sister told me not ta talk to stranger and weird ponies that weren’t pink.” Apple Bloom said, ever tensely still. Deal smiled despite this. “Very smart of your big sister,” he agreed as he trotted slowly over. “We all live in an uncertain world, but I couldn't help but see how down you are.” The filly didn’t speak still, looking away even. “Someone bullying you, aren’t they?” She tensed up, but he knew why. “W-wha makes ya say that?” Bloom asked, still looking away. But he knew why again, it was sad to see someone so battered like this in their feelings. So uncertain that Deal pitied her. “Because I know what it’s like,” he said, lowering to his knees. “To have someone ruin your day and suffer no consequences for it. And the hopelessness that comes from it.” Deal then had to note the kid looking a bit lost, so he made it clear. “I don’t like it when people get away with bad things,” he laughed softly. “I think it’s unfair too, just like you.” She seemed to understand that, she even smiled back to him. “So, why ya askin mister?” Apple Bloom asked, not as scared as before. Even at peace to have him to talk to. “Ya don’t look from around here, are ya?” “I’m visiting, child,” Deal answered with a soft smile. “And I figured I’d have a look at this town, maybe help a few ponies while I’m here.” “Ya sure ya can help?” Bloom asked, still a bit nervous on that. “Cus, I’m not sure…” “It just feels bad for me to see someone unpunished,” Package Deal added, and she looked worried again. But he slowly nodded as he spoke. “Don’t worry, they won’t know it was you who told me,” he whispered, trying to reassure the filly. “I promise, it’s going to be fine.” The foal nodded back. “A pair ah fillies named Diamond Tiara an her friend Silver Spoon.” she explained in her own whisper. Deal could see the filly was still nervous on the topic. “You’d think ah time like Hearth’s Warming woud be a good time fer em to be a bit nicer.” she looked down for a bit. “But they ain’t,” Apple Bloom uttered sadly. “Did your sister ever have a word with their parents?” Deal asked, his eyes never wavering. “It don’t change nothing,” Bloom lowered her head as she said that. “I see,” Deal said as he put a hoof to her head softly rubbing her red mane gently. “Why don’t you head home, dear?” The filly rose her head to see his soft eyes. “I’ll have a word with both of them, they won’t hurt you again. I promise you.” “A good word with them,” said Jabberwock, now next to him, but out of the foal’s vision. Deal knew why he was there, the pair of them were going to be busy. The filly seemed relieved though, she nodded and headed home like he asked and he gave a friendly wave as she trotted off. Such a good little girl He thought. It would be nice to meet her sister sometime, but alas I have something to do now. “How would you go about it, Deal?” the Jabberwock asked, putting a scaled talon to it’s owl face. “A nice talk about town, lord,” Package Deal replied with a smile, somewhat happy to have something to do. “They won’t be hard to find if we look. These ponies will know where they are.” They pair really weren't. These bullies were the rich kind, enjoying a nice “before celebration” celebration for themselves. Flaunting what they had over those who did not. The kind Package Deal abides business with once upon a time. Even the locals seemed only able to abide them, if a bit unhappy to be around the pair. He followed them from a distance, and with the power of the Jabberwock he was able to be anywhere he chose to be. If he didn’t want to be seen, he wasn’t. He could be clear as the air if he felt like it. When one of the pair seemed to feel they were being watched, all he had to do was go behind a tree and all that could be found was the wind. It wasn’t hard to find the house of one of the two, and that’s when the first part of his plan came into action. It was time to get his hooves dirty again, just like with his escape. Deal didn’t want to feel ill will to the asylum, but his work was important. More than any of their feelings on the matter. They only coddled, but he intended to save! Dr. Larch would have to just get by with his case of hypothermia. When the pair did leave again, complaining about silly things, all he needed to do now was get inside. The windows were shut, as were the doors, but the sight of a random servant taking out the trash gave hope to and entrance. He shared a good word with the servant and wishing each other a good day as the other pony smiled to know such a friendly face. But when the servant turned his flank, he was gone. A breeze went through the open door, unseen. As he went through the home the other servants and maids complained about that cold draft they felt, but would be unable to know it’s origin. From the rather poor choice of art, he figured this was the Diamond ones house. He let his hooves touch the floor, solid again, as he wandered the upper floors. Finding himself just outside an ornate door, he figured it was to the little brats room. Opening it, he saw a room of fine cloth, expensive books, and crowns of precious metals. It’s contents did not interest him, despite the glitters of rich things. This would be where his first warning to her would start. He summoned a storm in the room. Winds ripped the cloth, while blowing the books and crowns around as they froze. The ice and snow ruined the colors and fine wood furniture. Finally, even he could not contain his rage. Package Deal smashed the frozen items with ferocity and his hooves. This foal didn’t deserve such nice things as far as her would make sure of! The girl’s many things were smashed and broken, and that was just the start of his wrath. Her and her friend had more than a few toys that needed to be taken away. Until they knew better, until they knew what was right. But his actions had gotten some attention though, the fast sound of hooves came from outside. “What is the meaning of this?” yelled a pony in the hall. Deal looked the pony over and knew who he was, as he was in those pictures he’d seen. “You are Diamond’s father?” Package Deal’s voice wasn’t calm then, it was stern. Scolding the failure he saw in front of him. “Who….” Filthy Rich slowly backed away as he spoke, he could see the black eyes staring back at him. “Why are you…Why are you doing this?” He looked chilled in fear, as he should be. “Because you won’t,” Deal said simply and coldly. “You are aware of her misdeeds, and yet do nothing to discipline her.” “How dare you!” Rich shouted back. “Do you realize what you’ve…!” But, Deal had already lost his patience with him. In a rush of cold wind he had the pony in his hooves, with a glare to his eyes that shut the fool pony up. “You enable her!” Deal yelled in anger to the pony. “Shirking your responsibilities!” he coldly uttered in a growling tone. “It is your fault she builds herself this way!” The pony trembled in the air as Deal went on. “And it comes to me to act! With you as just another thing, a toy! That must be taken away!” The poor rich stallion found himself slammed into the floor and walls by a strong storm wind. He screamed and yelped, but found Package Deal had no mercy to give him. Deal lifted the rich pony into the air and froze his body in ice. As he spied a window, a smile crossed his angry face as he tossed the pony out it. Rich’s screams came to many ears as he fell to a crash landing. The servants came by, but backed away as the dark green pony walked past them chillingly. But one spoke up from behind him. “Why?” a butler asked, horrified by what had happened. “I do what should be done,” Package Deal replied simply, not even looking back. “This is what she deserves.” With that he was like wind, leaving a mess in his wake and no one to follow him. The servants panicked as the gail wind blew past them, then shattered another window as Deal left the manor. Outside, ponies were also in a panic as they crowded around the broken child's toy the empowered earth pony had taken. By Filthy’s unconscious look, Taira would not be playing with him soon. “Even you know a child needs strict discipline, take what she does not deserve as you see fit,” said the Jabberwock with a smirk on it’s beak. “It will help break her down, make her more malleable.” “But of course, I am aware,” Deal replied happily. “I do as you had taught me.” He knew well that Lightning Dust’s toy was her wings. Wings she did not deserve with her attitude. As she was left, a frozen and near paralyzed pegasus, she begged for forgiveness. It was just a shame he had none, but now she knows how wrong it was to act the way she did. Just a vile creature that should be stomped out with no mercy. To do otherwise is foolish, as he knew they would never know any better. It was that certainly made him happy. Package Deal trotted away from the scene as more ponies came to it, walking by without notice as he did his best not to smile. He still was not finished with the pair yet, but now it was a matter of finding a trail. Still, he decided to sit in a park and plan his next move. As he sat there, watching the little foals play happily in the snow, he felt that heartache again. “How do you ponder, Deal?” asked the Jabberwock, now sitting next to him on the bench. “The path that brought us here, my friend.” Deal answered, still watching the foals. “We did come for Gilda, and now a pair of disobedient children.” He paused. “It makes me...sad to her memory.” “Silver Bell lives on with you, in your crusade.” the Jabberwock reassured the pony, it’s claw on his shoulder. “If that one griffons pettiness would kill, would you not honor her by stopping another from the same?” Deal looked to his ally with a tear. “We must prevent this…you know that.” “Yes...” Deal replied seriously. “I ate her flesh and it fuels me. Just like you told me to do.” “And it does fuel you,” the Jabberwock replied with a nod. “It was a needed act, to prove your devotion and how far you would go to avenge what has gone wrong with this world for us.” “I know,” Deal said softly, looking back down. “She will rest at peace as we seek the guilty, one vile weed at a time.” “I’m glad we had this talk,” the Jabberwock said with a kind smile. “Seek them, and let ponykind know that what you to them, you do for love.” Deal’s moment of lax was of some refreshment it seemed. It was good to know Bell’s memory would go on with his actions, and in time he would inflict worse on to Gilda for causing the mare's death. While Gilda was but a unpleasant visitor in his life, these foals were unpleasant to their neighbors on such a regular basis. He was going to hurt them for what they were. He trotted about town, chatting with the simple ponies. Few had such time to chat now, and others would speak of hopes the holidays would be on time still. So many things were going wrong now for them. Still the foals he was hunting took priority. When he did ask about where Diamond and Silver could be found, even calming the panic one pony who had heard news about Filthy Rich being in the hospital had begun to spread. He found they were at the Silver ones home and there they hoped would be safe from some mad pony that had appeared in to quiet town. They were not safe, not if he had anything he could do about it. Some guard ponies seemed to be on alert there. They were watching for intruders like the loyal dogs of corrupt masters, Deal felt sad that such ponies would be so foolish. But still, the Jabberwocks gift to him was more than enough to get in. As a pony opened the front door, he rushed past with a rush of cold wind. No pony knew what had gone by as his wind-like form drifted as cold air in the ornate corridors. As his new form drifted around the home, he heard the servants complain of the foals constant demands as they played in the lounge. Now, all that he needed to do was find a means to remove them from this place. Then he could give them a lesson on what was funny. Package Deal drifted to a closet door, and after his hooves hit the floor, opened it. Within, he found a good sack that would fit the both of the foals. It was now a simple matter of getting the two in it. But as he trotted out, bag in hoof, he found someone was there. “Sir?” a maid asked, trotting up with a concerned look. “What is your business here?” “To remove naughty children.” Deal said simply and coldly. The maid looked confused for a moment, but then had a look of horror. “Hel…!” and ice covered her muzzle before she got much further. Her hooves groped at the shell, trying to get it off. “Go, run!” the angry Deal shouted to her. “I have no business with you!” She did, running with a muffled scream. Deal then turned his head to his destination to see the two naughty fouls looking out towards him, not yet knowing what the commotion was. He could have smiled, but he didn’t. He hoisted his bag and ran to them. “Yikes!” shouted the Diamond one and they both ducked back into the lounge, slamming the door shut. Deal simply broke through it like gale force. With the door splintered, and both foals knocked to the floor by the force. They could barely react as he lifted them up. “Lemme go!” Diamond Tiara shouted. “Lemme go you big...” her comment did not interest him, and into the bag she went. Silver Spoon just whimpered as she went in too. With the bag tied closed, all he needed to do was escape to do his work. The rush of hooves told Deal the guards were coming. Simple guards, whom did not understand what was needed to be done. He did not wish to fight them, for they were merely ignorant. Instead, a broken window would be his exit and a sleet of snow to cover his tracks. The locals looked too frightened to react as pony with a bag now ran through the streets. Lucky, none sought to stop him with amount the snow that was blowing past as he galloped by. Most ponies ducked from the storms fury rather than confront the determined pony that fled past them. With his escape finished, all that was left for Deal to do was to find a place out of the way to begin his punishments. A windmill in the outskirts looked promising, and finding it uninhabited, he dropped the bag on the floor inside and left again. He needed a few things first. Package Deal went back to town to find a general store. Things had calmed down by then, but now ponies scared. They had none to fear from him, they should know that. Meanwhile, his saddle bag of items Lightning’s remaining bits had bought was much more valuable than the pony ever was. The mare would have only sided with these trouble makes, allied with them. The tools would assist assist in fixing them. The pair would not grow up to be so rotten if he could help it. When he returned, the bag on the floor did not writhe as much as it did when he first dropped it. The fillies knew it was hopeless now. Package Deal let Diamond out first and tied her down. She squirmed as much as she could, shouting angrily at him, but he paid it no mind. Next Silver, she didn’t fight back a much as the foal was simply terrified. Each had their hooves tied together like little pigs and forced to face each other with that look of doom. It did not please him, but perhaps if they shared their punishment they might learn faster. “W-what the heck is this?” Diamond demanded with what defiant anger she had. “Why’d you drag us out here? Do you realize who I am?” “You perverse existence is a problem,” Deal said simply as he pulled another item from his saddle bag, a whip. “And I intend to correct it, with a great love.” “What?!” Diamond shouted, her eyes wide when she saw the whip. “Are you nuts?! You just kidnapped us you freak!” “Yeah, let us go!” said the Silver Spoon, no longer whimpering and just as angry. Even taking the same tone as Diamond did. “You…” her tone left when she saw Deal’s rage filled gaze. Unflinching, and quite driven. “Silence!” he roared back at them. “You are here for your refusal to be good! You wouldn't be like the better ponies are and must suffer the consequences!” Diamond Tiara only huffed in defiance, she was going to make herself hard to break. But Silver Spoon wasn’t looking as sturdy, she had returned to her cowering. “And I won’t tolerate a bully anymore more than a murderer,” Package Deal concluded. “You should be taught a proper lesson,” he said as he started cracking the whip. “You should be grateful, for I came here before you could cause much more harm to others. Perhaps, when you learn from this…” He readied the whip. “...you will know better.” He began whipping their flanks not caring when he would stop. The silver pony cried out immediately, but the diamond pony bit into her lip. She did not even let out a whimper. Strike after strike came, until even Tiara teared up in silence. As he whipped, Deal grew more angry with each lash. He had to pause for a moment, trying to get a hold on it, and even then they defied him. “You’re going to pay for this you jerk!” Diamond Tiara said with a trembling voice. “When they get you…” she trailed off, taking a few breaths. “Y-yeah, you won’t g-get away...with…” Silver Spoon tried to agree, but found it hard to speak. She was more content to sob in pain. “J-just s-stop.” “This is your own fault,” Package Deal said stoically, gritting his teeth. “You only cause troubles, and expect others to help you when it becomes too hard for you slothful hooves.” He gave an extra whack to Diamond as she said that. “No one should care about you!” Another round of whippings followed and his rage only boiled further as he struck them. Tiara was shuddering now, even before the blows, and Spoon was now crying in pain constantly. He didn’t care, he wasn’t going too. It was their fault he was doing this to them. “All you can do it hurt ponies, IT’S ALL YOU'RE EVER GOOD FOR!” he yelled as he delivered another nasty whack to Diamond. “You little monsters, you misbegotten creatures.” his voice cracked more and more. “Another freakish sub creature that should have known better, and now it’s too late!” Even Diamond began to crack at last from the assault. Her yelps came to no effect to Deal, he long ago stopped caring to listen to her voice. “And I’m just going to keep doing thing until you get it through you miserable skull what you should have known to do in the first place!” he continued to yell. “I’M SORRY, ALRIGHT?!” Diamond Tiara finally cried out. Package Deal stopped his attacks for a moment. “Just, please stop it, please...” the badly wiped foal continued to sob. “Please...” Silver Spoon added with a trembling tone. “...stop.” “Why?” Deal said without any pity. “How can I know you will learn anything? That you’ll know better?” He glared at them despite the tears in their eyes. “You will just insist on your refusal, I know you will.” No sadism was in that voice, only cold certainty. “No, you won’t change. Not until I know you will.” They wouldn't repent, the wrath filled pony knew that. They were like lepers in a community of health. A diseased part to be cut away and forgotten. They couldn't prove themselves otherwise to him. Deal knew that, he always knew that with the Jabberwock. He was about to whip again, but Deal saw little point now. The pair of foals had looks of terror and despair of him. Something else had to give, and as he looked between to two he found it. He could tell something from the pleadful look in the silver pony’ eyes as she looked to Diamond, and he had his answer. “So, she just another toy then?” Deal’s voice had the two jump to attention. “Another thing you will go play with, and ignore what you cause? Just like your father was.” “W-wha...w-what do you...?” Diamond’s voice trembled as she seems to only now know that fact. No one told her it seemed, or perhaps she never listened. “What do you mean?!” “I’ve taken him away already,” Deal explained calmly to the horrified foal. “A failure to do a father's duty, he now pays for your insolence...and perhaps with this next loss, you will know how to do right by others.” He trotted over to the silver foal, who trembled more with each step. The other pink pony only began to beg more and more, but he did not care for it. He had not intention to listen to her, he wasn’t here to barter. He struck the Silver’s head with his hoof, and again and again, and again. Diamond’s voice was all but unheard as he continued to break her favorite toy. In time, Silver Spoon didn’t even flinch with the next blow. He did not intend to kill her, her death would do little more anyway. But her broken, unconscious body would do wonders. When he turned back to the other child, her eyes filled with tears. “This is your own fault, you caused these things to happen to you!” Deal’s voice biting and guttural. “Your pissant trouble making has a price and you shall have nothing if I can help it!” he coldly growled to her face. “No cost to high for the real monsters to pay.” He cared little for the tears or trembling of one such as this pony. She could continue to remain in this windmill until she starved, but the sounds outside told him company was coming. Soon he was like wind again, going to the rafters. From there to the window, he looked from the cold air, seeing the rescue of such unworthy ponies. As he drifted amid the winds outside, he could hear the calm of the Jabberwock’s voice. It’s leather wings beating softly near. “You have done well!” he congratulated him. “You know what it means to be a good pony!” “I know,” Deal replied with pride, his body still like fog. At a safe distance, he let himself land upon the snow and let his solid hooves to the ground again. “She is broken and has no choices left. She will do good as we make her.” “And if she turns her grief into anger?” the Jabberwock asked curiously, but happily. “Then we shall beat her worse,” Package Deal answered with the same joy. “It is mad certainty, just as you said.” “Then were are in agreement,” the Jabberwock said as his beak smiled happily. “That is good.” It then was back to the task at hand. “And our fugitive Gilda?” “She will be ours,” Deal added and nodded with respect. “As we agreed. But, now...” Despite this pause, the Jabberwock seemed more delighted. “This town must be saved, these ponies must be educated. Perhaps we can save both?” “Yes…” the Jabberwock smiled back. “This town of ponies need to know what is at stake for them, and I can help. As I always have.” “Of course!” Package Deal answered back. “Remember, Deal,” the Jabberwock said, now deathly serious. “When we have her, and him, his black heart is mine.” Deal nodded respectfully. “After that, the bird creatures body is your to act upon. Flesh, bone, and eyes.” They trotted away calmly from the scene of the windmill. With two naughty fillies sorted, he thoughts went back to what he could take from Gilda. More importantly, how to drag the black heart of “The Snark” from her rancid body.