All families have their wounds. All friendships have secrets. But not all stories have a happy ending.
All families have their wounds. All friendships have secrets. But not all stories have a happy ending.
Tricky has a secret. Blaze doesn't know, but he will. And he will hate every single particle of Tricky when he finds out. Their newborn friendship will evaporate in the heat of hatred.
But what about Blaze's secret? What's he got to do with Tricky's mad family?
Above the rustling treetops, an endless ocean of stars shimmered. Weak gusts of wind flew through the shady trees. A heavy fog, like blood, came seeping from the depths of the forest.
A shadow lay limp on the forest floor. One could have easily mistaken it for a corpse but the faint pulse of a breathing heart proved otherwise. Dead leaves sailed around the white body, slowly forming her last resting place under the stars.
Suddenly, the shadow groaned, scaring a couple of brave forest animals daunt. It shook its sore head, causing it to gasp in pain. Leaves swirled up into the air, only to be grabbed by the bitter wind and hurled into the depths of the forest. Slowly, her eyesight cleared, and the creature only now took notice of her current whereabouts. The white creature clumsily rose to her hooves, the forest observing her every move with an expressionless attention.
As the battered pony staggered into the fog, detached questions popped up in her throbbing head. But one question definitely described her state of mind best: “What the hell?”
Besides from not knowing what she was doing in a creepy forest in the black of night, she also had troubles remembering her name. She sarcastically wondered if she had had one too many apple ciders but she couldn't remember drinking any. She couldn't even remember what apple cider tasted like, in fact she couldn't remember anything. It was as if she had been born just now, of course that couldn't be the case and the cream colored pony cautiously trotted further into the unending fog.
As she walked she was able to gather her thoughts, but the conclusion she drew from her ignorance made her terrified heart beat so fast she thought it would flee from her chest. To calm herself she sat down by a tree and too a deep breath. Maybe she was just dreaming, maybe she would wake up soon. She tried pinching herself, but it just hurt.
“Ow!!!” she scoffed and then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tree. There were many trees in the forest, but this one was dead, and it had two holes that resembled eyes. At first it creeped the oats out of her, staring into those unseeing eye-holes, but then she got an amazing idea. Well, not amazing, but it could work. She hesitantly walked up to the tree, those eyes were even more frightening up close, and she considered just leaving the tree to its own rotting misery. Instead she expectantly said:
“Well, umm... Hello mister... Eeeh... Tree! My name is... is...” she could feel a word on the tip of her tongue, just out of reach. The creeping fear from before had vanished and made way for a burning irritation.
“Oh this is stupid!” She looked angrily at the tree, then sighed. The mare closed her eyes and concentrated as hard as she could.
“Who goes there?” The pony opened her eyes, completely taken off guard. The voice seemed to have come from inside the tree. Without thinking she answered: “Oh I'm Tricky of course.”
As the words left her mouth she covered it as if she had sworn. Then she burst out laughing.
“Yes, that's it! I'm Tricky! YES!” Tricky jumped up and down, in the excitement she couldn't quite hear what the tree said next:
“It's her, she's here.”
“What?” Tricky looked at the tree, perplexed. Only the depressing silence of the forest answered her. She took a closer look at the tree and leaped back in surprise. It had no eyes, or even holes. The happiness seemed to wash away from her face. Tricky nonchalantly scuffed at the tree. As she walked away she couldn't help but look back at the tree, its snaring branches seemed to reach out after her and unwillingly she quickened her pace.
Some time had passed since she'd left the tree. The forest had long ago drained the happiness out of Tricky and a gnawing hunger had taken its place. Her thoughts frequently wandered back to the talking tree even though she had already convinced herself that the voice had been nothing but her own imagination, playing tricks on her.
But what if...?
She was mad at herself for thinking such things, trees couldn't talk! Still, she couldn't deny that something was odd about this forest. It felt like she had been walking for hours but it wasn't getting any brighter, or even darker for that matter. It was as if time didn't exist in the forest. Her imagination was pretty much running around free in the forest, making her see everything from chanting beavers and a pale faceless pony lurking in the shadows. Even her ears were playing tricks on her. Every now and then she heard a sort of... giggle, chasing her. It felt real, but then again so did the beavers...
The obvious thing to do would of course have been to call out in hopes of somepony answering, but exactly because of that she couldn't bring herself to. Tricky couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched and she dreaded for her assumptions to turn out to be true.
Everywhere she looked a sneaking shadow seemed to follow her. She kept on telling herself it was just her imagination, like the giggles and beavers.
She quickened her pace but didn't start running. If somepony was out there she didn't want to to appear weak. Somewhere behind her the giggle followed.
Speaking of the devil... Tricky couldn't bring herself to suck it up, turn around and face whatever was or wasn't there. So she ignored it, and held her pace even though she wanted to run as fast as she could, screaming on top of her lungs until she had none left.
This place was making her nuts. She had to find a way out but aimlessly walking around wasn't helping. Her legs were aching, her head felt like it was floating somewhere to her right and her heart was once again desperately trying to flee from her chest. The hunger and her need for sleep were not a good combination, add the fear and you got a real Molotov Cocktail.
The harder she tried to to force open her eyelids the heavier they became. She hardly noticed how she stumbled over a tree root. Tricky was sleeping before she hit the ground.
It was still dark when she woke up. She probably would have slept for another hour if it wasn't for the icy wind. As Tricky slowly escaped the claws of a seemingly endless nightmare she glimpsed something moving in the shadows. Her entire body tensed, somewhere she heard a bush move. Then, heavy hoof steps coming straight towards her.
“Hello?” The forest was as quiet as a graveyard.
Then, a horrible hissing voice giggled, it was the most wicked sound she'd ever heard, not that she would remember.
“Hello?” She could hear her voice crack, it was humiliating, but she couldn't care less. A figure moved towards her from the shadows, giggling at her fear. Tricky didn't need convincing, she jolted up and fled for her life. It was real.
Why were they following her? What had she done?
No, I have to keep calm. Keep calm Tricky, keep it together.
A tiny, evil sounding voice in her head whispered, two words, two words that terrified her to death:
What if?
What if...? What if its revenge? What if I killed somepony, and now THEY were after revenge? What if I killed, and it was so traumatizing that I blocked it? Oh stop it this is ridiculous! But... I can't remember anything. What if... What if I killed EVERYPONY? I mean shouldn't creepy woods always be crawling with teens or some crazy ghost hunters? Ghosts... What if she was being chased by ghosts? What if she was cursed? But who would have cursed her? STOP IT, YOU are being absolutely ridiculous, ghosts don't exist!
Tricky could hear the giggles getting closer, they were steadily catching up on her. Adrenaline rushed up to her head, fueling her imagination.
What if this isn't real? What if I'm going to die... what if I already am dead? What if THIS is hell? What if I will have to go on like this for all eternity? What if I'll never get to eat?
As if to mock her, her stomach growled bitterly.
All around her shadows lurked, chased her, laughed at her. Behind her, she heard heavy steps approaching. Sweat dripped down her back, into her eyes, mouth. She could feel her pulse, drumming in her ears, deafening her from the malicious giggles surrounding her. She could feel something grabbing her, trying to draw her back into the shadows. Right then, right there, she knew she was going to die.
At the edge of the small town of Hollow Shades, Blaze was taking a nap. He couldn't care less about about the freezing wind or staring by-passers.
That is until a faint, irritating sound reached his ears. First he mistook it for a mosquito buzzing in his ear, but as it only grew louder he perked up his ears. It wasn't a mosquito, but a voice. Someone was screaming their lungs out, and they were coming straight at him. Blaze sat up, curious.
Then, like out of the blue a cream-colored mare tackled him. For only a moment their eyes met, a frightened pair of icy blue ones locked with his fiery eyes. She tumbled off him and landed about five feet from him. Blaze couldn't hide his surprise:
“Uuuh, lady... what?” he stopped short. Her terrified expression and shortness of breath alarmed him. Her hair was all messed up, she had dark circles under her eyes and Blaze could barely make out the creamy color beneath the dirt. The pegasus looked crazy. As if to prove his thoughts, she grabbed him and shook him so hard he thought his head would roll off his shoulders.
“It's those beavers, they've cursed me!” Blaze just stared at the mare in disbelief.
“The... Beavers?” Her piercing eyes made him uncomfortable. She has gone completely bonkers!
“Yes! The beavers, don't you speak pony?” Blaze was a little offended and muttered: “Of course I speak pony...” He leaned back against the tree trunk, trying to get comfortable. The mare was panicking and as she spoke her voice broke.
“What are you doing??? I barely made it out alive, they are coming! You have to run! Flee!” Blaze sighed and closed his eyes. Whatever this pony's problem was, he wasn't the pony to deal with it. The mare was obviously... well, nuts. It was best to let the professionals deal with her.
“Are you taking a nap? Now?!”
Blaze could practically feel the furious stare she shot at him. He shifted awkwardly, but ignored her question.
“Are you deaf or something? HELLOOOoo?? What the...?” The mare gasped. “Maybe I did die after all? Am I a ghost?”
Her endless rambling was getting on his nerves, especially as it didn't make any sense. He was never going to fall asleep if she stayed.
Suddenly the tree shook as if it had been hit by thunder. Blaze jolted up, startled and frustrated. The cream-colored pegasus had crashed by the tree's roots.
“Are you out of your MIND?!” An all too familiar anger bubbled just under the surface as he spoke. What would one have to do to get a well deserved nap?
The mare grimaced, one of her wings looked like it was having a seizure.
“I...I just wanted to know if I could walk through things.”
Blaze face hoofed.
“Darling, you have some serious issues... What's up with your wing anyway?” The pegasus blinked.
“I have wings?”
Blaze felt his jaw drop to the ground. Jeez, she is completely bonkers! The mare sat down, still dizzy, and studied her wings with genuine surprise. She wasn't faking it, she hadn't known she had wings.
“Umm, okay... What's your name, darling?” his tongue felt like sandpaper. The pegasus rose to her feet and quizzically looked at him. Blaze gave her what must have been the most awkward smile ever, which she didn't return.
“I'm Tricky.”
Blaze tried to use the most gentle voice he could, although he knew he sounded absolutely ridiculous.
“Tricky, my name is Blaze. Now Tricky, I think that you are just a tiny teeny bit parano-ouaaaah!” Tricky had suddenly grabbed him and shoved him into a thorn-bush. The spikes scratched his mane and body, but the mare didn't even seem to notice as she joined him.
“Hey, what the...?” Tricky put a hoof on his mouth to stop him from making any sound. It tasted... mouldy.
“Schh...” She sat down next to him in the bush, fully alert. Blaze pushed away her hoof, she gave him a quick insulting glare before looking out between the branches. He irritably sighed and his gaze unknowingly wandered to her flank. His eyes widened in surprise. There was no cutiemark on her flank.
“Why don't you-...” Tricky had to fight a surge to slap him.
“Schhh!!! Listen.” Blaze listened, but couldn't hear or see anything. For maybe half a minute he let her keep him there. It was crystal clear that she was a few apples short of a busher and he was getting tired of her silly games.
Just as he was going to get up and leave her to craze around by herself Blaze heard something.
Somewhere in the forest a wicked giggling approached the two hiding ponies. The sound made his blood freeze in his veins. Beside him Tricky was shaking uncontrollably. Her fear was infectious. His heart was pounding, his throat was closing up. They were both breathing shallowly, listening, scared like two birds stuck in a cage. Tricky looked sick, the terror in her eyes frightened him to death. Are they after her? Why? What could she have done? Other than annoy someone to madness, which, judging by the giggle, didn't seem all that unlikely.
As they sat there, listening to their pounding hearts, the seconds seemed to stretch out into hours. Blaze's heartbeat was slowly slowing down but deep inside he knew. Something was wrong. Tricky looked at him, seeking for comfort of some kind. He felt just as scared as she looked. A drop of sweat trickled into his eye and he blinked.
They sat there, jumping at every sound they heard. Blaze sighed and let his head rest against his chest. Whatever had been there seemed to be gone now.
"Is it... Gone?" Tricky had covered her ears with her hooves, her eyes were tightly closed, she reminded him more of a foal that an actual mare.
"I think so... Here, let me help you." He wriggled out of the thorny prison and gave Tricky a helping hoof, she didn't notice, she was too scared of whatever was out there to even open her eyes. She felt her way out and only when she was right next to Blaze, hiding behind him, dared to gently open her eyes.
That's when they heard it, the wicked giggle, making fun of their despair. The sound hit Blaze like a wall, a really, really scary wall. Tricky swung around and cried out.
Behind them a tall figure grinned down at the two unfortunate souls, shaking in its shadow. They couldn't even move a muscle. The creature opened its mouth and laughed. It was the most dreadful sound Blaze had ever heard.
“Scream, scream little ones...” the creature hissed. Blaze unwillingly cried out.
“I am the Lunatic, and it is time for you... to die.” At the last two words the creature revealed a set of lethal-looking teeth, dripping with saliva and another all too familiar dark substance. It dove down with a blinding speed, a deep growl echoed through the forest.
Blaze moved without thinking. He pushed the terrified Tricky towards the village lights, she stumbled and he almost had to drag her to the meadow, from where they would have only a couple of hundreds of meters to the safety of the village.
That was still quite a lot of ground to cover and the giggling creature was chasing them, and it was coming fast. It sounded like Tricky was suffocating in her own fear, but she kept going. In fact, she was faster than him. Just a little bit further... The creature was gaining on them, viciously repeating “Scream, scream...”
They were too slow, the creature was getting closer. Blaze could hear its thundering hooves hit the ground, its mocking laugh. Sweat was running down his face like a waterfall, his heart was pounding so hard that it felt like it would break free from his ribcage. I did NOT sign up for this!
He cursed Tricky and her whole existence. All he'd ever wanted to do was take a nap! He had had nothing to do with such troubles for as long as he could remember... Well, almost, but still!
“Time for you to die!” This was it, he was going to die, with a crazy freak pegasus he barely knew and so close to the safety of the village. He closed his eyes, only for a second, and Blaze saw his whole life flash before his eyes. His father, his mother... and Millie. He could see her face, like it was only yesterday... A familiar sting is his heart made him wince. He would die seeing her face, like he should have. This is it... He opened his eyes and braced himself for the worst.
Something was off. The attack never came. He turned around, Tricky wasn't following him anymore. She had stopped at the first house that they had passed and was staring into the darkness. Blaze turned back, he couldn't see anything out there.
“It's gone Blaze... For now.” She swallowed. Suddenly her eyes widened in surprise and he immediately swirled around to see if the creature had snuck up behind him, but the alley was deserted.
“Blaze, you're on fire!” Blaze froze for a tenth of a second. Not now! I can't lose control in middle of town! The flames quickly disappeared, Tricky blinked. “...Or then... not?”
“Come on, darling. No one stays outside after dusk here.” He gestured for her to follow him, waving away what just happened, Tricky trotted up to his side.
“So, Blaze. Where are we going?” She still sounded pretty shaken up.
“We need somewhere to sleep, there should be an inn somewhere...” He looked at her, suspicious. “Hey, why is... that thing... after you, I mean” he took a deep breath. “ you don't seem like a bad pony.” The lies echoed in his head. Tricky didn't meet his eyes.
“Umm... can we just get inside and talk later?” Blaze raised his eyebrows.
“Right, oh this looks promising.” They had stopped outside a little building. A large neon sign flashed above the door: Bates Inn. Blaze pushed open the door for her.
“Ladies first.” he flashed her a smile, she returned it but he could see that her thoughts were somewhere else.
“Thanks, Blaze was it? I think I'll be good from here though...”
"Nonsense! I insist."
I guess one night in a proper bed wouldn't hurt, for once.
He gave her one of his best reassuring smiles. She returned an odd look, but didn't say anything as they both entered.
Tricky sat on the bed, curled up in a ball. Blaze had no idea what to do. No need to say he had never really known much about mares, but he had a nagging feeling that he should say something.
“Well, this is awkward.” Oh my god, I am the biggest idiot ever. Tricky blinked.
“I'm sorry, did you say something?”
“Oh, no... just asking how you're doing?”
“I've been better.” Tricky's eyes were distant, but when he moved he noticed how she twitched and her eyes moved to the door and windows. She calmed down and looked at him. “Blaze, you asked what happened...” She looked down again, took a deep breath and started telling him. “And... I... I don't know.” Blaze gaped.
“What do you mean I don't know?” Tricky gave him another murdering glare.
“I mean I don't know what happened, I woke up in the woods, all alone and I was being chased by that... THING. I can't remember anything before that, nothing, at all!” She looked out of the window. She bit her lip in frustration. “Look, I don't want to go all drama queen on you, so I think I'll just go and finally, finally get some good nights sleep.” She tucked herself in under the blanket, facing him. “I'm sorry, for dragging you into this. And screaming at you... Sorry.” Blaze chuckled.
“Don't worry about it, darling.” He jumped into his own bed, and closed his eyes. Finally, a nap...
Tricky was turning and twisting in her bed. It probably sounded suspicious in the room under, but it didn't wake up Blaze. He was drewling and snoring in the bed next to hers.
In Tricky's dream, she was in a dark room, filled with creatures just like the Lunatic. They turned and twisted their heads to her, some bared their teeth as she passed. Their breaths hit Tricky's nose as a rotten stench of dying flesh. Right in front of her, a unicorn sat in a large satin chair. The dim light shaded his features, his coat glittered like gold in sunlight. He was playing Solitaire. Firmly he snapped the cards around, one by one, he arranged them as he pleased.
“I'm glad you could make it, Tricky.” His voice was sickly-sweet and even though he was whispering she could clearly hear every word he said. “Why don't you come join me?” Tricky walked towards him, past the shadows of those horrible creatures. They hissed and reached after her, corrupted by greed.
“Father sent me. He suspects you no longer have the same goals as we do. There was no need to kill Fancy-Pants and his family, he was no longer a threat to our plans.” The stallion chuckled.
“Tricky, Tricky! Why so serious all the time? You should learn to chill as the young folks say nowadays. Have some fun! And all this talk about Father... ugh! So... faithful to your boring father. Have you already forgotten what he did to you?” The stallion sighed and smacked his tognue.
“It's business you know! It's all business..” he started chuckling at his own words. “It's all about business, dear Tricky. You know uncle Ace will take care of things...” Ace started laughing, the same laugh as in the woods, the same laugh that had chased her, taunted her... Suddenly his eyes looked at her, they were white, with no pupils or irises. He smiled.
“Something wrong?” Suddenly a large set of teeth sprung out of his mouth, dripping with fresh blood. As one, the unleashed shadows grabbed her, holding her against the wall. She couldn't move, or breathe, her heart was pounding, the claws and teeth of the creatures tearing her skin into shreds. Ace approached her, dark flames licking his golden body.
"Never take life too seriously, nopony gets out alive anyways... Well, almost." A joyless, confident grin flashed across his face, before he sunk his teeth into her flank, tearing the flesh with his canine fangs.
Tricky woke up, covered in cold sweat and heart breaking through her ribs. The room was dark and felt unfamiliar, outside the sun was rising. Another normal day in the village of Hollow Shades was beginning.
Tricky lay in her bed, the wet mattress was getting cold, she was practically swimming in her own fear. The walls were dirty, the rays of early morning lit up the small dust particles swirling around in the air. The room was small, asphyxiating, the furniture was crammed together by the window, shedding as much light over the room from the tiny window as possible.
Her hooves shook under her weight as she carefully put them on the rickety floorboards. She tried taking a few deep breaths, but was uncomfortably aware of all the dust she was breathing in. Her breaths became shallow, quicker and more desperate by the minute. The walls were pressing the room together, squeezing out the only air left. Tricky clumsily rose to her feet. She had to get out, right now.
She made her way towards the door, it seemed like it was at least a mile away from her already outstretched hoof. The door slammed open and both Tricky and hinges landed on the kitschy carpet in the hallway. The old receptionist looked up from her work.
"You're supposed to push the door gently sweetie. This isn't griffon-ball you know."
Tricky barely remembered some ball game she'd seen long ago, the players were all huge pegasi or griffins knocking each other over for a tiny ball. Tricky stared up at the receptionist from the dusty floor, but she had disappeared behind the mountains of paperwork overflowing the mahogany desk.
Ten minutes later she was in the outskirts of Hollow Shades, gazing up into the sky, jaw hanging open and eyes wide with astonishment. As it turned out, Hollow Shades lay in the great shadow of Foal Mountain, which despite the name, was humongous. The snow covered mountain tops beamed like huge diamonds in the sunlight, almost blinding her.
The fresh air watered her eyes. A passerby stared at her suspiciously, hesitating whether to ask if she was alright, or leave her alone. She wouldn't have known what to answer anyway, she didn't know how she felt. Just empty. Some time alone was what she needed the most right now.
With a skeptic look on her face, she lifted her wings. Tentatively she flapped them, a startled gasp escaped her mouth. In spite of their small size, the powerful beats had already lifted her high up to the second story windows.
Thank Celestia for muscle memory. She thought. The gleaming peaks caught her eyes, she put her tongue between her teeth and, still shaking, rose over the village and into the clouds.
After 30 minutes of unstable, wobbly "flying", she landed in the snow. As soon as her hooves touched the ground Tricky fell to the ground, she couldn't take it any longer.
She burst out crying. She hated crying, it made her seem weak. Tricky didn't want to be weak. But how could she expect that from herself after what had just happened? After being chased by some sort of lunatic? The word made her sick.
Why?Why would... her uncle have all those creatures? Why were they after her? What did they want? Tricky felt a tear on her cheek. Why? Why?? WHY ME??? The whole valley echoed, she hadn't realized she was screaming. She covered her mouth. Oops... She awkwardly listened to the echoing sound of her own furious voice. Do I really sound like that? Tricky jumped off the cliff and gild down towards Hollow Shades.
It was just like any other day in the village of Hollow Shades.
Blaze was still fast asleep when Tricky returned, snoring and drewling all over the place. Tricky didn't want to wake him but when the door opened with an awkwardly loud creak he grunted in his sleep and blinked the sleep out of his eyes.
“Hey... wait who are you again?” Tricky shot him a glare.
“The crazy pony that ran out of the woods?”
“Oh you... Well, good morning to you too darling.” Tricky rolled her eyes. “You don't have any food do you?”
“No, I don't.” She paused, giving him a worried look. “Blaze, what is that?” Blaze stared at her.
“What?”
“That!”
“What that???” Tricky looked at him in disbelief.
“That scar you idiot! On your flank.” Blaze unwillingly put his tail on his scarred flank.
“It's nothing, really. Just an old scar.”
“That is not an old scar. That is a dedecus, it's a mark of humiliation and shame. It's used...” Tricky fell silent, the words failed her. She didn't know what it was used for, but she had a feeling it wasn't anything good. She grabbed Blaze.“Blaze, I need you to tell me who it was.” Blaze looked at her, his face was void of emotion. His eyes were not the same fiery ones she'd admired when she came out of the forest. They were pale, well paleish...
“Blaze. Tell me, who did this. Was it like... aah... a stallion, with goldish coat? Called... uuuhh... Ace, maybe?” Blaze looked up at her, his eyes suddenly burning with an anger that Tricky had never seen before. It scared her, almost more than the Lunatic had. She backed off, her primal instincts kicked in. Blaze rose from the bed.
“How did you know? I thought you said you couldn't remember anything.” It was Blaze's turn to give her a glare. Tricky backed into a corner of the room, her heart was beating faster by the second.
“I remembered, Blaze... Umm... I'll take that as a yes to the question but uuh... never mind. It wasn't important or anything.”
It was like having a staring competition, except that the other competitor had laser-like eyes that pretty much tore your soul apart.
“Blaze! What's wrong?” Blaze was still coming at her, Tricky didn't have a choice. She lifted from the corner and charged. The hit was powerful enough to knock him over, she had the advantage now. Blaze was on the floor, gasping for air. Tricky put a hoof on his throat and a knee in his stomach, immobilizing him.
“Blaze, calm down.” He simply scuffed.
“Get off me, Tricky.” The way he said her name was insulting, but she ignored it.
“Well, sorry to have to tell you this Blaze but you have some serious anger management issues.” Blaze let his head fall to the floor in defeat.
“Okay, fine! Yes I know Ace...”
“Know?” Tricky shot him another one of her glares. Blaze rolled his eyes.
“I have met him. More or less...” An expression passed over him face, it was fear. “Ughh... He... I mean...” Tricky cocked an eyebrow. “He kidnapped my family... and a special friend.” Blaze blinked, his eyes were turning moist. Is he... crying? Tricky took away her hoof from his throat.
“He tortured us for days, weeks, I think it was because of my father. He must've upset him somehow... He was a powerful man in Canterlot.” Blaze swallowed, he wouldn't meet Tricky's eyes.
“They murdered all of them, right in front of me. Even Millie... She hadn't done anything, it was just chance that she was with me when they took me, but they killed her anyway. And they laughed, it was like a sick game for them. They... they just hit her again and again and I-...” Tears of anger and sorrow were flowing down his cheeks, the fire in his eyes was out, he had lost all hope. He was heartbroken.
“They made me watch, and then... They just let me go. Threw me out on the street, along with their bodies.” Blaze looked straight into her eyes. “I didn't move from their sides for days, not until he came again. He only said one thing. One single thing. It's all about business. Nothing else. It was just a game, lives didn't matter to him. Killing Millie didn't matter to him, she was just collateral damage. My fiancée, was just collateral damage. It has been three years, but I will never, ever forget or forgive... Never.” his voice trailed off, the tears had dried in the corners of his eyes.
Tricky couldn't move, her stomach clenching in disgust. She was related to this monster? She couldn't even fathom how somepony could do such a thing. But she couldn't lie to herself, she knew. Ace was a cold blooded son of a horse, and that horse was her grandma. That would be one interesting family reunion...
“Look, Blaze... I'm sorry.” She looked away in shame.cShould I tell him? No! He would hate me, throw me out of the window, not that I would blame him. Being a monsters nephew doesn't make me innocent...
“What for?” Blaze's voice was worried, she had to think fast, to tell or not to tell? She took a deep breath and opened her mouth. But she closed it again, she couldn't do it.
“Umm, just that you had to go through that... It must have been horrible.” She could hear how unconvincing she sounded and tried to hide it by giving him an awkward smile. Blaze looked at her with an expressionless face.
“Tricky...” Oh no... How could he know? “... You're sitting on me, darling.” It took a second for the words to sink in. She couldn't help showing a little relief. Then the awkward situation sank in.
“Oh, right... Sorry.” She stepped off him and the awkward silence that stretched out between them seemed to go on for hours. She looked at him while he just stood there looking down on his hooves, he looked at her when she was looking up into the ceiling.
“Sooo...”
“Food?” Tricky smiled, Blaze chuckled.
“Yeah, food sounds awesome right now.”
As they walked through Hollow Shades the town started waking up, a few ponies walked past them in the streets and one or two even greeted them. Hollow Shades was a typical village, with white picket fences that resembled an old mare's teeth. To Blaze's surprise Tricky was actually quite social, they talked the whole way to the restaurant and it already felt like they had know each other for a long time. Tricky was sweet, in her own, crazy way. It made him feel somewhat sad about the decisions he'd taken in his life, seeing this mare, seemingly oblivious to all evil in the world.
They found a shabby bar with dry sandwiches and the worst apple cider ever, but at least the bartender was friendly and gave them free apples to take with them.
“I've got enough.” he said. “Take as many as you want to.” They walked away, weighed down by crammed bags of delicious apples of all colors. Before they even reached the hotel both of their stomachs felt like they were making somersaults, and that was not a pleasant feeling.
“I ate too many apples...” Blaze burped, Tricky was walking with one hoof on her belly, her expression was one of uttermost pain.
“Don't forget the pie. The delicious pie...” For a moment she remembered the sweetness of that crispy crust and the creamy vanilla cream that it had been soaked in. Then, her stomach made a worrying sound, she grimaced apologetically. Never again.
“Was that me or you?”
Blaze gave her an awkward smile after the question, Tricky returned it tenfold.
“Honestly, I don't want to know. Let's just get back to the hotel... Right now I just want to curl up into a ball and whimper in agony.” Blaze scuffed and they trotted further through the town, laughing and all thoughts of the Lunatic were suppressed into a dark corner of their minds.
Sweet summer plains, fresh afternoon gusts of wind in his hair, the echoing laugh of his loved one. The world around him faded in and out, the images constantly changed in his head. Millie's giggles rang in his dreams, her laugh made his heart ache like before. She was so vivid, real... He could almost touch her again, but every time he tried she vanished only to appear further away from him. When he chased her she ran away from him laughing.
Blaze called after her, his words stopped in his throat. He wanted desperately to feel her touch again, look into her calm eyes and know she'd never leave him again. Up ahead Millie was waiting for him, her back towards him. He was going as fast as he could, his legs were like spaghetti. She was calling out for him, her voice thin and scared, he had to get to her. He was only a couple meters away when she turned around, he could see her eyes... His heart skipped a beat.
It wasn't Millie that stood before him, her eyes were just... wrong. They were dark blue instead of green and terrifyingly familiar. He unwillingly crashed into Millie, she was cold as stone. It felt like running into a wall.
“Well, well...” the sickly-sweet voice mocked. “Look at what the cat dragged in.” Blaze tried breathing, but his lungs were paralyzed by fear.
“What do you want Scar Ace?” he whispered. Millie giggled, Blaze thought his heart would stop.
“Guess again!” Millie, or whatever it was threw its head up into the air and laughed. Blaze could feel the icy claws of terror rip through him, he closed his eyes and...
“WAKE UP!” Blaze jolted up, Tricky was slapping him over and over again. Between the slaps he could see tears running down her face. He raised his own hooves in protection.
“Okay, okay please stop that!”
Tricky looked at him, then she hit him once again.
“HEY, stop that! Seriously, what's wrong with you?” As soon as he said it, he knew he shouldn't have. Tricky was murdering him with a glare so powerful he immediately sank down to his knees.
“Oh, what's wrong with me???” Her voice could have made the bravest stallion flee in fear. “What's wrong with YOU??? I'm not the one who suddenly starts shooting fireballs out of nothing!” Blaze looked at her, dumbfounded.
“Fireballs?”
“Yeah, fireballs. And not the cool ones.” Blaze looked at their room, or what was left of it. Tricky's bed had been scorched, there were burn marks all over the walls and what was left of Tricky's tail was smoking.
I did this? Blaze rose to his feet, unable to take his eyes off the destruction. Tricky stepped out of his way, she was furious but at the same time worried. Blaze clearly had some unresolved issues. She could feel tears running down her face, but didn't wipe them away. There would only be more as the pain was only getting worse by the second. She looked down at her wing, the sight made her sick. She quickly looked away, she couldn't look at it any longer without throwing up first.
Blaze was standing in the middle of the room looking at the chaos he'd caused. Tricky felt bad for him, he was a nice guy but completely out of control. Blaze turned around and looked straight into her eyes.
Tricky was resting her throbbing head against the cool concrete wall of the hospital. It truly was a miserable place, the emergency room was full of exhausted, sweating ponies, waiting for their turn while an extremely old nurse made her way through the crammed rows of seats. The hospital wasn't much bigger than the inn Tricky and Blaze were staying in. Normally it wouldn't be filled with so many ponies but apparently a merciless epidemic of Potomac Fever was spreading through the neighborhood.
Tricky closed her eyes and tried not to breathe in the stench that hung in the air like rainclouds. Next to her a skyblue unicorn was throwing up into a rusty bucket, another nurse was consoling him and handed him a few pills which he happily swallowed. It was hard not to think of her own searing pain, or the horrible sounds of the puke hitting the bottom of the bucket right next to her.
Blaze wasn't there, he'd gone out for a walk right after having dropped her off by the hospital. The whole way he had been apologizing over and over again, but she had been trying not to cry out in agony for every step she took so she hadn't answered him. She hoped he didn't think she hated him. Blaze was the only friend she had, and she wouldn't want to lose him. He was the only pony she had right now.
The image of her uncle laughing flashed before her eyes, so life-like she opened her eyes just to make sure he wasn't actually standing right in front of her.
Her eyesight blurred, her eyelids became heavy. She didn't have any force left to keep them open so she just let them close, leaving her in her own chaotic world. Her head was spinning, all her thoughts mixed together, her brain felt like dough being baked inside her skull. It was not a nice feeling. Tricky's head tipped to the side, unconscious. Nopony in the room noticed anything.
The old nurse was wobbling through the empty emergency room, it was her last shift and she couldn't wait until she finally got to rest her aching hips. Suddenly she noticed a pegasus lying on the floor. She was pale and a bandage was carelessly bound around her back. The nurse sighed and called out to the new intern to come to her. The stressed mare came rushing to her help and together they hauled the pegasus to a bed standing nearby. The intern started peeling away the layers of dirty cloth, but by every layer her expression changed from tired to confused to disgusted. The older mare peered at the growing stain of foul-smelling liquid mixed with blood. The younger nurse looked at the old mare, searching for any signs of confirmation. The old mare stared back at her.
“Go on then! We haven't got all day.” The intern looked down, ripped away the last piece of cloth and gasped in disgust. The older nurse grimaced, even with all her experience, this was new. And revolting.
This is going to be a long night, she bitterly thought to herself before she covered her nuzzle with a shaking hoof.
The regular beeping of the machines cut through the silence of the empty hospital. Tricky was sleeping in a shabby bed with green covers, her ribcage rose shakingly by every breath she took. Under her closed eyelids her eyes were restlessly moving. She was dreaming.
In her dream, she was younger, just a filly. Beside her, her father was standing over the limp body of a unicorn mare, her beautiful long mane flowed over her dead body. Tricky stared into the unseeing eyes of her beloved mother, not understanding what was happening. The rain was pouring down on the duo, a pair of aristocratic unicorns walked past them, not even looking down at them.
The dream changed, she was standing in front of a wooden door on a dirty impasse, her father was pounding on the door in desperation. The door opened slightly, inside a big, buffy earthpony blocked the way inside.
“Who goes there?” Tricky's father hesitated for a second, looking back at Tricky. In his eyes she could see a sorrow that made her heart shatter. He turned around and said to the guard:
“We are here to see Scar Ace. Tell him... Tell him Ace of Clovers is here. Tell him, that I accept his offer.”
The dream changed again, she was in the same room as in her first dream, except that the paint was peeling off the walls. Scar Ace was waiting for them by the same table that she'd seen him sitting by before.
“Welcome, brother. I have so many plans to discuss.” The guard from the door scooped up Tricky and carried her out of the room. She screamed after her dad, but he didn't do anything. He just sat there with Scar Ace, a look of defeat upon his face. The door slammed shut and Tricky was carried into a small room with a tiny window facing the ocean. The guard threw her inside and locked the door behind him, leaving her alone in the dark and empty room. No matter how hard she screamed nopony came to her solace. She was trapped in her own nightmares, endlessly drumming on the door, screaming for her mother and father.
Blaze was not a favorite among the nurses. Three days of impatiently ramping around the hospital, arguing with the doctors, trying to find a cure to Tricky's sudden coma might have had something to do with it, but he didn't care. Which upset the nurses even more. Apparently his friend, Tricky, had accidentally fallen into a bonfire and gotten major burns to her wings. Everyone had their own versions of what happened, but nopony believed the explanation Blaze kept on repeating. The injuries were a revolting sight and no one at the hospital dared to hope for miracles. Nurse Redheart had been unsuccessful in trying to break the news gently to Blaze, who only wanted to hear one thing: that Tricky was going to be alright.
They were the main subjects of scandalous gossip in Foal Mountain Hospital, Nurse Tenderheart and Redheart swore by their medical degrees that they had seen an upset Tricky flying over the nearby mountains but many doubted the credibility of their story.
Nurse Coldheart was the oldest nurse in Foal Mountain Hospital, and she took pride in being so. She despised gossip, but the infamous Blaze-Tricky affair did spark a foreign curiosity in her. She often walked past a frustrated looking Blaze, faithfully sitting by his friends bed whilst cursing his newfound situation. Nurse Coldheart was not a romantic, but the scene was touching, if you liked that sort of nonsense.
The afternoon was as chaotic as ever, but Nurse Coldheart, out of her own gnawing curiotity, took the time to wobble over to Tricky's room.
When she opened the door a gust of stuffy air slammed into her face. Inside, the pale shadow of Tricky lay in the exact same place as before. In the darkest corner of the room Blaze sat, drowning in his own misery. As she pushed the door ajar he rose to his feet, a miserably weak hope spreading over his features. Nurse Coldheart immediately regretted her decision, she wobbled over to the bed and pretended to check the heart rate monitors and other machines with complicated names she couldn't remember.
In the last years Nurse Coldheart's mind was still a steel trap, only one that had been left out too long and had started rusting shut. Blaze fell back into his chair and gave out a disappointed sigh. She glanced at him, he looked like a young colt who had just been denied christmas.
She wasn't paying attention to what she was doing and suddenly one of her hooves was tangled up with a wire, as she tried to step away she fell to the floor, dragging down the monitors and machines with her. She grabbed the curtains for support but the metal bar gave in and they all tumbled down on Nurse Coldheart and the bed Tricky was resting in. The bed tipped, and Tricky disappeared together with Nurse Coldheart under the mess of broken machines and curtains. Blaze cried out in surprise and Nurse Coldheart could hear hurrying steps entering the room. She could feel how her face turned red, never had this happened before. The bed glowed in a bright red glow as Blaze helped the other nurses and doctors clean up the mess.
Nurse Coldheart was immediately tended to, but she waved away all the worried questions and helping hooves. Blaze had hurried over to Tricky as soon as the bed was in its original place. Nurses Tenderheart and Redheart both stopped what they were doing to stare at him as he threw curtains and machines aside, uncovering the cream-colored pegasus. The whole room froze, some glanced at each other, wondering what they should do. An awkward silence stretched out as Blaze gently lifted up Tricky and laid her onto the bed. Nurse Tenderheart let out an upset sob, Nurse Coldheart stared.
That was when Tricky finally opened her eyes. Blaze jumped back in surprise, Nurse Redheart gasped and the doctors exchanged confused looks. Tricky opened her mouth, first she didn't utter a sound but then:
“I would do anything right now for an apple pie...” Blaze burst out laughing, Tricky smiled weakly. The doctors hurried over, pushing Blaze to the side. Nurse Coldheart saw a sudden look of confusion and fear flash across Tricky's face.
Nurse Coldheart took the chance to drag Blaze aside. She left the room, Blaze followed her, giving Tricky a reassuring smile. He then turned to face the exhausted elder mare.
“Walk with me.” She was extremely slow, but Blaze kept her pace.
“I guess I owe you one, Nurse.” Blaze gave her a genuine smile, she continued as if she hadn't heard him.
“Well, I must say that was quite a miracle back there, but it doesn't change that there is still many unanswered questions that need to be answered.” She gave him a stern look. “For example, her injuries are far too serious to have been caused by a simple bonfire accident. And, the most troubling mystery, she doesn't have a cutiemark.” She whispered the last words, glancing at the nearest by passers, wondering if they could hear her. Blaze also glanced to their sides as he replied:
“I have noticed, but honestly, I have no idea, and neither does she.” Nurse Coldheart gave him a confused look.
“How could she not? I thought I was the one with ...uuh, what was it called again...” She grubbled for herself a couple of seconds before continuing. “Well that certainly is curious... I guess it wasn't a complete mistake that she was put in the foals division after all.” And with that she trotted away, humming a familiar tune on her way, leaving Blaze dumb-founded in the corridor.
The hospital was keeping Tricky overnight for observation, the doctors were baffled by her sudden recovery. Blaze joked about miracles and he had a constant smile upon his face. Tricky was still weak, and she wouldn't eat anything, Blaze had brought her an apple pie from the town's bakery, but after the first bite her face turned green and threw up before Blaze's feet.
Nurse Coldheart and Blaze stayed glued to her side the whole time, discussing the problematics of the absence of her cutie mark whenever she was asleep. Other than that, the day was going smoothly. The hospital was releasing the cured Potomac Fever patients, and even the sun decided to show itself.
Tricky was resting against the pillows that Nurse Coldheart had gotten her. A thin ray of afternoon sunshine made its way through the dirty window, illuminating the room. She stared blankly out over the mountains, the times passed by without her noticing. Blaze suddenly walked into the room, followed by Nurse Coldheart. The elder nurse looked just as stern as always, but the serious look on Blaze's face was what alarmed her. She tried sitting up, but the pain made her vision blur.
“Hi... What's wrong?” her voice was weak, Blaze noticed how pale she had become, even if she was white there was an undeniable vulnerability about her. Her eyes that once had been piercing now stared coldly at them, her smile, once as sharp as het wits now looked forced. The sight was melancholy, to say the least.
“Oh, nothing serious, darling. Nurse Coldheart-...I mean we...” Nurse Coldheart had given him a glare worthy of Tricky and Blaze could feel a blush spread across his face. “We just have something to ask you.”
“If this is about the vegetable soup i said I was sorry, like a thousand times already.” Blaze grimaced at the memory, he would never be able to look at vegetable soup the same way ever again.
“No, it's not the vegetable soup, it's about your cutiemark.” An awkward silence stretched out after Blaze's words.
“My what?” Blaze and Nurse Coldheart stared at her, taken off guard by her ignorance. Tricky watched them expectantly, waiting for an answer. Blaze opened his mouth but nothing came out. Nurse Coldheart quickly responded:
“On well a cutiemark is something that everypony gets, it's a mark of one's destiny, what makes a pony different from all the others. It reflects each pony's personality and talents. See, mine is this white cross, symbolizing my talents for helping ponies and the little hearts in each corner is for how much I care for the well-being of those I love.” She pointed to her flank, Tricky stared at it, a look of doubt on her thin face. Blaze shot an awkward look towards Nurse Coldheart's flank and continued:
“And you can see mine-...”
“Oh my, what is that scar?” Blaze ignored Nurse Coldheart's question, but he shifted uncomfortably when she stared expectantly at him, clearly waiting for him to answer.
“...a flame, symbolizing everlasting hope and passion, aswell as-...”
“Destruction?” Tricky cocked an eyebrow, an amused look upon her face but the silence that followed was an uncomfortable one.
“...Yes I guess i could mean that aswell.” Blaze's voice trembled slightly as he said this. Nurse Coldheart came to his rescue:
“Now, now, we were just going to ask you if you had an idea why you don't have one.”
“Am I supposed to?”
“Well...”
“Usually we get them when we are younger but... I guess it is possible that you just have not found your destiny yet.”
The two smiled inaptly at her, Tricky turned away from them, she didn't want to talk to them. Once again she was an outsider, she wanted so badly to belong somewhere, to be part of something important. She didn't want to be chased by lunatics and accidents wherever she went, neither did she want to be tied to her crazy, evil family.
I just want to be free.
Blaze and Coldheart stood sheepishly in the doorway, waiting for any reaction. Tricky felt an irritation rising in her, couldn't they see she wanted to be alone? For the first time, she wanted Blaze to leave aswell. He was normal, how could he understand? Nurse Coldheart wobbled over to her bed. Tricky refused to look at her.
“Do you know anything, sweetie? It would really help us.” Nurse Coldheart spoke in a gentle voice, which was abnormal. Tricky couldn't help giving her a quick look. Her lips pouted slightly. Then she mumbled:
“No... Why don't I have one?” She finally looked at Blaze, her eyes expressing a deep sorrow. Blaze could feel how his own heart ached for her. She didn't deserve any of this. Neither Blaze nor Nurse Coldheart knew what to say. Tricky bit her lip, but not a single tear fell from her watery eyes. Her eyes burned with an anger, shining brighter than snow in the in sunlight, and sorrow, pulling her down into a tenebrous abyss of pain and confusion.
Tricky turned to her side, her back towards the two others and looked out of the small window. It was already dark outside, the lonely moon shimmered in the night sky, not even a single star was keeping it company. Tricky's eyes once again became empty and expressionless, the tears dried away as Nurse Coldheart left the two alone in the room. Blaze's heart ached, the simple fact that Tricky wasn't crying made his throat clench. The innocent pegasus from the woods was evaporating before his eyes only to be replaced by a cold, tough fighter who long ago had forgotten all the things in life worth living for.
“It will all seem better in the morning, darling.” He remembered how his mother had told him this when he was young. It had also been her last words. Blaze left Tricky to herself, for the first time in days he returned to the inn, weighed down by worry and doubt.
Tricky saw Blaze leaving from her window. It was a miserable sight, him slowly walking down towards the village, alone. Even from afar she could make out the scar on his flank, cutting his cutiemark in three. Two words swam up in Tricky's empty head:
Humiliation,
Shame.
Something clicked in her mind. Something in her lifeless eyes abruptly changed. A new sort of anger, burning through reason, changing her into another pony, a monster even, lit up in her eyes. They emitted a furious glow through the dark, Tricky could feel how her heart cracked like stone. A new empowering feeling gushed through her veins, giving her her first purpose of life.
REVENGE
Tricky woke up, not feeling the least bit rested. The birds were cheerfully chirping outside, ignorant of her wretched tourment. The window was open, letting the cool morning air unhindered flow into the room. She just lay in her bed, trying to gather the strenght to rise and face the day. The room was cold, and the thin blanket didn't protect her from the gushes of cool morning wind that occasionally made their way through the window.
Finally, Tricky threw away the blanket and on shaky hooves made her way to the window. The hospital was situated high up on the slopes on Foal Mountain, a thin layer of snow covered the ground all year. Tricky stood in the window, looking out over the valley. It was still dark, and Hollow Shades shone like a lantern amidst the dense forest. Another freezing gust of wind crashed into Tricky, she shivered but welcomed the fresh feeling of reality. Life is unfair, and coldhearted. You never get what you wish for.
Unless you make it happen.
Unless you make it fair.
Unless, you become the
change you wish to see in
the world.
Tricky felt a burning faith light up in her heart, guiding her forward on the dark path that she'd decided to choose. The one she so badly wanted to believe was her destiny. She closed the window, shutting out the birdsong, the refreshing air trying to clear her mind, the rough beauty of the real world.
I have work to do.
Down in the lobby, Nurse Coldheart was having her morning break just as the door opened. Two royal guards marched in, Nurse Coldheart's jaw dropped, her false teeth fell out of her mouth and splashed into her cup of coffee. Nurse Redheart rushed forward and greeted the guards.
“We have come to collect the criminal mastermind, pegasus Tricky, accused for accessory to First Degree Murder, treason and plotting against the Kingdom of Equestria and the Royal Pony Sisters.” Nurse Coldheart choked on her surprise, picked up her teeth and waddled over to the dramatic duo. They showed her a photo of the pegasus, in the photo she was barely visible, racing past the camera in a dark suit, but on her flank a symbol was barely visible.
“Oh my, how curious... Curious indeed...”
“Follow me please...” Nurse Redheart looked at Coldheart, she looked as worried and confused as she was. Nurse Coldheart watched them leave, anxious.
Then she wobbled after them, as fast as she could on her sore hips. The guards said nothing to the nurses, they marched after Nurse Redheart to the second floor. Nurse Coldheart unsuccessfully tried to figure out a way to warn Tricky, it must be some sort of mistake, Tricky was special.
She sighed at the lies she was telling herself, Tricky was more than special, most wouldn't understand her at all. A grown pony without a cutie mark was upsetting, scary even. She couldn't even imagine how it was possible not to have one.
They had reached Tricky's door, Nurse Coldheart could hear her beating heart pumping faster and faster. Tricky had no idea what was happening, or even why, she would be thrown into a dungeon. Or banished from Equestria, or banished and thrown in a dungeon in the place she was banished to.
The guards nodded, and opened the door. Nurse Coldheart peeked in, she couldn't see much of the room and one of the royal guards blocked her view.
“Stay back, ladies.” The royal guards entered, neither of the curious mares could see what was happening inside. Nurse Coldheart closed her eyes, a feeling of hopelessness spread through her chest. Then:
“What is the meaning of this? Is this some sort of joke?” She opened her eyes.
The two guards burst out of the room, a stern look upon their faces.
“Where is she?” Nurse Redheart gasped, the room was empty, Nurse Coldheart rushed inside. The bed was still warm, the blankets thrown to the side as if Tricky had just risen and vanished into thin air. The window was open, just like Nurse Coldheart and Blaze had left it the night before, a cool gust of wind flowed in, chilling her to the bone.
In the distance, a faint shadow whirled around in the air, like a snowflake on the first day of winter.
Tricky relished the liberating feeling of air flowing through her feathers, the moist softness of the clouds that she flew through. Tricky loved flying. She closed her eyes for a second and let herself fall. The tingling feeling in her stomach washed away all her worries with the wind.
As she opened her eyes, Hollow Shades was the size of her hoof, quilcky growing as she approached the ground. She couldn't help but smile, and dove down towards the town.
Unicorns were truly amazing healers, before she'd gotten to the hospital, half of her right wing had been burned off. The bone under was visible and the stench of burning flesh was repugnant, to say the least. Now, it looked better than normal.
The ground was thundering towards her, she stretched out her wings and landed gracefully on the street outside of the inn with a confident smirk on her face.
Two royal guards were marching through the street, she politely greeted them before stepping in through the door. The old receptionist was snoring on the counter, Tricky trotted past her and reached their door.
“Blaze, I'm here! I was wondering if we should go back and thank Nurse Coldheart. She was so kind to us.” Tricky stopped short in the doorway.
The room was empty, one of the beds looked like it had been slept in, but that could have been from before the accident. The walls still bore burnmarks, and her bed still lay scorched in a corner of the abandoned room.
At first glance nothing seemed to be wrong in the room, maybe Blaze had just left for breakfast. Still, something struck her as odd. Even if she had only known Blaze for about a week, there was one thing that he always did.
He always made his bed. The bed in the room wasn't. Even though every sense she had told her otherwise, she cautiously entered the room.
“Blaze?” No answer. She took another step, further away from the safety of the hallway.
This is straight out of Texas Chainsaw Massacre...
The thought popped into her head, but she didn't really know what she was thinking about. She took another step, and another, and another...
She had reached the other side of the room. Still on edge she listened for any sounds, but the only noise she could hear was her own rushed breathing.
She sighed, and let her head drop forward. Then, somwhere befind her, a floorboard creaked. Tricky spun around, heart pounding in her chest.
Behind her the door was calmly closing, probably a draft from the main entrance. Or so she told herself.
From the corner of her eye, Tricky suddenly glimpsed something on the wall to her left. Slowly, she turned, terrified of what she was about to see.
Scratches adorned the wall, forming five words.
You can't run from us
Tricky felt her heart gradually slow down, paralyzed with fear. She couldn't look away, however hard she tried to, the words kept staring back at her. Tricky closed her eyes.
This isn't happening, this isn't happening... I'm just dreaming. I will wake up, in my bed and Blaze will be here, snoring. This isn't real... It can't be...
The door flung open. Tricky jerked around and screamed on top of her lungs. A dark shadow stood in the doorway, and he shrieked along with her. Blaze and Tricky just stood there, both paralyzed by fear, screaming at eachother.
Gradually, their screams turned into laugh, but their happiness was shortlived. As soon as Blaze saw the text on the wall his laugh died and made way for fear. He walked over to the wall and let his hoof slide over the words, wondering:
“Who do you think it could be?” Tricky swallowed as she walked over to his side.
“There is only one pony I know with claws...” They looked at eachother.
“The Lunatic.”
“Wait for me Blaze... hey hold on! Uughh... Shouldn't we eat something soon? We have been walking for ages!!!” Blaze ignored her, maybe he was just too concentrated on reading the map that he was levitating before him, but she didn't really think that was the case. Tricky was still convinced he was holding it upside-down, but as the one with amnesia her opinion was apparently untrustworthy and improbable.
She threw her head back and let out a growl. Blaze just continued on walking.
“Oh come on Blaze! Why the hay are we going to Filly Delphia anyway? Heeellloooo?? Oh great you're ignoring me. Why are you ignoring me? It's not like it's my fault that a crazy nutjob is chasing me, and now you as well. I can't help it!” Tricky thought she saw a murderous glare flash back at her.
“Can't you at least say something? I didn't choose this!” No answer.
“Blaze, I'm sorry i dragged you into this... I really am.” Still nothing. Not even another darling, which she normally just found a little weird. But right now, nothing would have made her happier than just that one familiar word.
For a moment a childish motivation took over. Tricky stopped dead on the forest path, Blaze wandered onward, oblivious to her absence. She watched him disappear into the thick forest.
A hollow regret welled up in her heart. The only one she had trusted was leaving.
Or am I leaving him?
She didn't know what to do, she was more lost than ever.
In her head, Ace's laugh echoed. Her regret changed into anger.
You won't get away, you son of a horse. I will find you, and when I do you'll be wishing you died as a foal. It's going to be biblical.
It's best for everypony. Best for Blaze, best for her... This was the only good this she could do. He can never know who I really am. It's better he remembers me like I was before, not like the mad serial-killer's nephew. She remembered those word's he'd said in the inn when he had told her about what had happened.
Never forgive...
All that she'd ever caused him was trouble and mischief. He could go to Filly Delphia, leave her, and live a normal life. He would forget about her. She would become that crazy mare he once met.
Without her, he could be happy. Like he'd been with Millie.
He deserves better, she bitterly thought and turned around. Behind her the path was dark and the vegetation dense. She stared into the forest, confidence and hope quickly faded away. Without hesitation, she put one hoof in front of the other, one step at a time. At every step her heart cracked a little more.
Blaze reappeared behind her, his cocking eyebrow almost slipped off his face.
“You coming?” Tricky looked back at him. A guilt was stamped across her features.
“No.” Blaze's jaw dropped, his face suddenly ashen.
“Wha-...Why?” Tricky bit her lip, eyes avoiding his wondering looks.
“Because you have the chance to be happy.” Blaze sighed, he sounded almost relieved. Tricky furrowed her eyebrows, a slight scowl spreading from ear to ear.
“What's that even supposed to mean Tricky?” An ice cold determination echoed in her voice when she answered:
“You are free. That's what I mean.” Blaze's face was like a question mark. “You don't understand how lucky you are, do you?”
She couldn't help snapping at him, the unfairness of this obscure new world fueling her hopelessness.
“You can go off, and do whatever you want. You can live a normal happy life, like ponies are supposed to. I can't. I have flee for the rest of my life from this Lunatic. I have to go find Ace. I have to figure out who the hay I am!” Her breathing came in ragged gasps. Blaze approached her, a smirk appeared on his face.
“Is that so, darling?” His newfound confidence intimidated Tricky. Her heart felt like a deflating balloon, but she held her head high, meeting his sneer.
“Yes, it is.”
“Well, guess what Tricky, you don't. But, what puzzles me the most, is your sudden interest in Ace. Why do you want to see him anyway? Hm?” Blaze's muzzle was only a few centimeters from Tricky's. Her legs started shaking, her terrified heart was beating so hard that even Blaze could hear it.
“I-...I remembered him the other day? You were there, it was pretty much the first thing that I could recall from before I lost my memory.”
“Really? And even after everything I told you about him you still have this need to go say hello?”
Tricky blinked. Shit.
Blaze moved forward, she closed her eyes, expecting a slap, but instead he gently whispered in her ear:
“You have a tell, Tricky. I know that you are lying.” The balloon in Tricky's chest exploded. He stepped away, Tricky felt herself collapse to the ground, unable to look into Blaze's fiery eyes.
No tears, just bitter regret. Blaze's hoof appeared under her chin, lifting her head up towards him. It would have been easier to gaze into the sun.
In her eyes Blaze could see how she was fighting tears. His expression softened, feeling sorry for her.
Tricky stared at the hoof that he offered her, not sure wether to take it or not, but in the end she placed her hoof in his. He flashed her a reassuring smile, and hugged her.
Tricky was so surprised that she froze in his arms. What is he doing? Unsure what to do she just stood there motionless, waiting for him to back off. When he finally did Tricky was staring at him, looking so confused that he started laughing.
“What, you've never been hugged before?”
“I don't know, really... Why aren't you mad?” Blaze smiled at her.
“How could I really? I was a little pissed before, I'll admit it, but you didn't ask for this. I'll help you in any way I can, because...” he stared into her eyes. “You're my friend, Tricky. Nothing will ever change that.” Tricky looked at him in disbelief, he sighed and sat down next to her.
“Life is too short to be scared. Nopony ever gets exactly what they expected. There aren't really any happy endings, we can't live forever. But...” She was hanging onto every word he said, desperately trying to understand. “... the goal of life isn't to live forever. It's to create something that will.” Blaze smiled, encouraging her. “Everything happens for a reason, maybe you forgot your past so that you could create a new one.”
“I know that everything has a reason, I just wish I knew what that reason really was...” Tricky sighed, crestfallen and hopeless. Blaze chuckled.
“Come on now, you're making me sentimental darling.” He stood up and smiled at her. She returned his smile, unsure what he actually meant.
The rest of the day they talked about Filly Delphia and all the other big cities in Equestria, Tricky had forgotten all about them. Blaze talked about Canterlot the most, the fantastic view and the morning sun, rising in the faraway horizon. He told her how he'd once visited Canterlot Castle and he could describe every corner of it in detail.
Encouraged by Tricky's interest he mauled on, oblivious to the thinning forest, only when Tricky interrupted him with a sudden Wow... he acknowledged his surroundings.
Far away in the distance, a great mountain rose over the rolling green plains, a huge shadow against the setting sun. In the distance, Canterlot glimmered like a star in the dark sky.
The moon was already high up in the sky before they had erected a camp, the evening air chilling them to the bone. Blaze constantly complained about it, but Tricky had grown used to it out in the woods. She actually enjoyed lying in the sleeping bag Blaze had gotten her, watching the moon through the tree branches, breathing in the fresh air.
Blaze sat by the campfire which he was fueling with his unicorn magic. Waves of warmth flowed over Tricky, making her sleepy. Out of the corner of her closing eye, she saw Blaze standing up. His footsteps came closer and soon she hear him whispering:
“I'm going to go look for something to eat ok? I will be back soon darling.”
“Oki doki...” she murmured and drifted off into the welcoming enbrace of sleep.
That was, without any doubt the most bizarre way to wake up, ever, Tricky thought as she was dragging a sniveling Blaze through the meadow towards the distant lights of what she guessed was Ponyville. Her thoughts wandered back to the camp, just before she had woken up.
Blaze was staggering towards the camp, his face twisted in a look of turmoil and confusion. He could just make out the silhouette of a sleeping mare against the dancing light of the bonfire. Tricky.
As he hurried forward the mare shifted in her sleep, her face unmistakeable in the soft glow of the fire. Blaze involuntarily let out a cry of surprise and anguish. He rushed forward, mind racing and heart beating faster and faster, urging him forward.
As Blaze stopped by the mare's side so did his heart. Gasping for air he fell down to his knees, clammed up with all his emotions boiling over in his chest.
“No...No, it can't be.” His eyes filled up with tears, there was no use trying to stop them. He broke down next to the mare, sobbing uncontrollably.
“...Y-You...” The soft, curly mane was unmistakeable. He couldn't stop himself from admiring her calm features, only for a second, before leaning in and longingly kissing her full on the lips.
Tricky's eyes burst open, expression one of extreme confusion and embarrassement. A hoof suddenly smacked into Blazes side, trying to push him away, but Blaze was too powerfull. She twisted her head away, one all too familiar thought passing through her mind:
What the hay?
Blaze looked at her, foggy eyes filling with tears. His voice broke as he spoke.
“But... Why are you acting like this? Aren't you happy to see me? I-... I've missed you so much, I thought you were gone.” Tricky couldn't meet his eyes, the awkward situation made her sink further into her sleepingbag.
“Blaze what are you doing?” Blaze sobbed, his miserable eyes searching for any comfort in Tricky's.
“I-...I thought you'd be happy to see me... Why are you acting this way... I thought you loved me.”
“Blaze, look you're cool and all but this is a little bit...” Her voice died away when Blaze let out a cry. Tricky closed her eyes and lifted the sleepingbag up, trying to shut out Blaze's sudden madness. “Blaze have you been drinking?”
“How can you say that? I would never drink, you know that! You know me, you know how much I care for you. No, I love you.” Tricky lowered the sleepingbag so that she could glance at him, only to see his staring eyes fixing her's. She couldn't look away, he looked so miserable that even now she wanted to comfort him, if he stopped harassing her that was.
She heaved herself out of the sleeping bag, but kept her distance. Blaze approached her, eyes burning with tears and confusion. Tricky noticed something flickering by Blaze's flank.
No, Blaze's flank was flickering.
Blaze was on fire, her eyes didn't lie, even though the last time she'd seen those flames they had disappeared as soon as they had appeared. They were there, shining with the same warmth and power as the bonfire.
Tricky backed up, her back hit a nearby tree, and Blaze was coming up to her. Oh hay no. He seemed to be struggling with himself, stuttering and blinking repeatedly.
“Is there somepony else? Just tell me, please...” He was now pinning Tricky against the tree, she couldn't even swallow. “Tell me please... I need to know... Tell me!” The flames were engulfing him, their heat stinging her skin. She screamed, wailed in agony but Blaze immobilized her towards the tree.
“TELL ME!” His eyes were pale, filled with tears and anger.
“BLAZE! Stop it you're hurting me-aaaiiiiie!!!” Tricky's breaths came in ragged gasps, a whiteness began spreading in her eyesight. All her thoughts vanished as the pain reached her brain. This is it...
A feeling of weightlessness.
A bright light at the end of a cold tunnel.
A searing pain running trough her body.
Peace, spread through her hooves, it was such an surprising feeling, so freeing. It was better than flying.
Combined with the pain... There truely are no words.
The surface of reality trembled.
Peace was gone, as was the light and freedom. Everything around her thickened, a shiver shook her soul. Wherever she was now, something was wrong.
Around her, ticking hands of clocks crawled by like insects, a golden light flickered above her. A rumbling voice roared around her, weakening her very being with its mere force.
Never take life seriously... No one gets out alive anyways... Even in death.
Something grabbed her. She swirled around, a white fog spread around her, disintegrating into the darkness.
Around her, dark creatures roamed, their black smoke shutting out the light and hope she'd felt before. Anger gushed up, sorrow, grudge, greed and fear, all cooking up at once in the presence of those beasts. They hissed at her, shadows circling her like wolves.
Tricky hissed back, trying to keep them at a distance. Their shadows circled her faster and faster, confusing and ridiculing her. The hissings turned into words.
Mine...
Mine...
Take her...
Give it to me...
Let us live...
We want it...
Take her...
Take it from her...
Mine...
Mine...
Like one, they rose up high over what was left of Tricky. United, they became the creature in the forest.
The one called ... The Lunatic.
No eyes. No ears. Only jaws. It hovered over Tricky, a mere insect compared to the devils before her. Déja vu...
Tricky hissed at it, the little light still surrounding her weakened. She looked down, darkness spread like poison over her hooves.
Mine...
Mine...
Take her...
They pulled her towards them, claws like the fiercest griffons. Her light weakened, the corruption spreading over her heart. A pain, more intense and petrifying than fire shot through her very being. She curled up into a ball, body twitching and shaking in god knows what feeling.
Her light vanished. Eyes darkened. Slowly, the light was sucked out of her core, hovering in the air between the shadows and the empty soul.
The surface trembled. The beasts roared in anger.
Not yet... Tricky. Bring her to me.
A light in Tricky's eyes lit up. A ragged gasp shook her ribcage. The small ball of light was sucked back in, the Lunatic hissed and dove down towards its prey. The voice roared in anger, telling it to stop. But it was already too late.
A warm numbness flowed over her. In front of her, Blaze's face swam in and out of view. The world around her was strangely dull.
I think I just died...
The warmth faded and strengthened, making her acknowledge the fire burning engulfing both of them. Blaze stood before her, still staring, heartache flowing out through his eyes. Like nothing had happened.
Still when he spoke his voice was calmer than before, but his shivering lip cut off his voice a couple of times as he whispered:
“I can't hurt you... You're in my blood.” Tricky couldn't help cocking an eyebrow at this weird remark. “Even if you don't love me... I will never stop loving you. I love you Millie.”
Tricky blinked. All thoughts and wonders of death now washed away with the truth of the real world. As Blaze let go of her he fell down, sobs desperately shaking him. The fire vanished with all the hope he had left.
“Hold on... What did you just say?” To her surprise Blaze chuckled.
“You always did have a hearing problem... I love you Millie. Look i even got you these flowers...” He showed her a couple of tattered blue flowers. Tricky recognized them at once and jumped away from them. Blaze started sobbing again, hurt by her reaction. Tricky sighed and face-hoofed.
“Those are Poison Jokes, Blaze!” Reluctantly she grabbed his by his tail and started dragging him towards Ponyville.
There she was now, with the sobbing Blaze on nighttime streets and cursing those damned blue flowers.
The early morning streets of Ponyville buzzed with life, multicolored ponies trotted around from stall to stall in the packed market-place, going on with their everyday life. The sky was filled with menacing clouds, a heavy downpour was scheduled for the afternoon.
Blaze sat in an ancient armchair, gazing out at the busy bees hurrying their way through the crowds, eager to get home before the first raindrops.
The window was hammering against its frame. The wind grew more fierce by the minute and a hat swirled up into the air, its owner chased after it whilst desperately holding on to a dozen of shopping bags.
Blaze's jaw was clenched, he didn't notice. Not that he would care.
"Poison Joke!", Blaze angrily thought to himself. "The only plant I recognize, and still I went and picked the damn thing up. Everything is ruined. He hindered a surge to turn a nearby standing end table into ash. Why did he always buck things up? His family, his life, Millie... And now Tricky as well.
Her appearance had been the most bizarre strike of luck he'd ever had. Before, he'd even been thinking about quitting. But then suddenly, there she was. His last chance.
He shook his head. That luck was gone now anyway. He had already made a bet with himself that she wasn't coming back. About two hours after he'd regained his senses, she'd gone out to retrieve their camp gear. No sight of her since.
No use in hope either. His life was useless. Blaze's eyesight flashed red, the end table instantly turned into a pile of ash.
"Oh, which way is it again?" Tricky frowned and turned the map again. What way is north? She peered through the opaque wall of rain that surrounded her. She was standing under a large tree in middle of Ponyville, unable to find the hotel where she had deposited Blaze.
The heavy gear on her back was absorbing the water, thus growing in weight and size. If she didn't find the hotel soon she would probably be crushed by the tents and sleeping bags.
She let out a quick sigh, then, with all her strength, picked up herself from the ground and walked into the rain. She couldn't go on like this for long, flying was not an option, neither was running, the bags were just too heavy. In the distance she saw two white stallions in armor taking cover under a building made out of... Is that gingerbread?
It was, Tricky hurried towards it. She was eager to see for herself what this curious building was, but foremost she had to ask somepony where she could find the hotel.
As she approached one of the stallions turned towards her. She gave him an awkward smile.
"Excuse me, you wouldn't happen to know where I could find The White Horse Hotel?" The guard didn't smile back at her, but answered in a cold, monotone voice.
"It's just around the corner miss, just make a right and you're there."
"Thank you!" Tricky smiled at both of them, their sulky faces were almost painful to watch. The one who hadn't spoken turned his head towards her.
"Say, you do look familiar..." He gave his companion a nudge. "Haven't we seen her somewhere before?" Tricky just stood there, drops of water running down her face and a look of sudden interest and confusion taped across her features.
"You know... now that you say it... Yeah, isn't that the imaginary mare you hooked up with yesterday?" he snickered at his friend who immediately turned red and murmured something under his breath. Tricky awkwardly thanked for their help and trotted back into the rain.
Behind her the guards were now arguing loudly.
"Stop playing around, I'm being serious!"
"Yeah right, where did you meet her again? Oh right, in your dreams!" The guard started laughing hysterically at his own joke, the other guard grabbed his friend and shook him.
"That's enough, Wind Shield!" He glanced at the disappearing mare, and then, his jaw dropped. "Wind, isn't that the mare?" Wind Shield looked at him, eyelids half closed and a look of complete indifference stared back at him. Then his eyes widened.
"Oh. My. Gosh! It's the infamous crazy mafia boss, walking around in Ponyville like any normal citizen. Woooooowww!" He waved his hooves in the air and spoke in a voice soaked in irony. "Please, Hunter, if you're going to make stupid accusations at least try to knock me down with a feather. Pffffft!" His mocking angered the guard named Hunter so much that he seized his buddy's head and turned it towards a poster glued to the side of the house.
Wanted alive by order of the Princesses
Pegasus Mare, known as Tricky
Extremely Dangerous, Do Not Approach
Under the text there was a blurred photo of a white mare in a suit. Wind Shield's eyes widened, in genuine surprise this time.
"Oh horsefeathers!" Hunter gave him his best I told you so glare, and without waiting for his friend to follow, he sprinted after Tricky.
Tricky was now dragging the bags behind her instead. A growing pile of mud was forming in front of the bags, slowing her down even more. She dropped down in the mud and took a deep breath. She had to cough up some water that she'd inhaled. Her eyes watered as her coughing increased.
In the distance a white figure approached her quickly. She tried to control her coughs, but they came back stronger and more painful than before. The figure walked up to her, she recognized the same guard from before.
"Sorry, I'm just fine..." Tricky managed to say between the coughs. The guard stared down on her with eyes of steel. She had another fit and had to look down on the mud as her body shook.
Hunter took the chance to light up his horn and produce heavy chains out of thin air.
"Tricky, you are under the arrest for suspicion of accessory to First Degree Murder, treason and plotting against the Kingdom of Equestria and the Royal Pony Sisters..." Tricky's face dug into the mud as Hunter pressed her down on the ground.
"Hey?! What are you doing?" Hunter started tying the chains around her hooves.
"Everything you say will be used against you, if you choose not to co-operate your situation will only deteriorate." he looked down on the back of her head. "We have got you now, freak." Behind him Wind Shield approached whilst breathing heavily.
"Hunter... Not... So... Fast... Phew... You know... I have... Asthma..." he took a deep breath and calmed down. Then he noticed Hunter and Tricky, both covered in mud from head to hoof.
"Uuuh, Hunter you might want to let her breathe? It does say alive on the poster." Hunter looked down. Tricky's muzzle was drowned in mud, a blue tint had begun spreading over her face. Wind Shield pushed Hunter away and lifted her off the ground. She spat out a mouthful of mud and took a first desperate breath in what felt like hours.
"We're not supposed to murder suspects, you know that." Hunter held his head high and sneered at Wind Shield.
"She's already as good as dead, might as well die in the dirt where she belongs."
"What?!" Tricky stared at the two guards, eyes wide with fear. Wind Shield tried to stop Hunter, but it was like screaming into the wind. Hunter made a muzzle mask appear and so Tricky was tied up in the mud, unable to move or even squeak. Hunter and Wind Shield began arguing again.
It was clear that Hunter was not a normal guard, he was behaving disrespectfully even though he was clearly of lower rank than Wind Shield. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes turned to what felt like hours as the two ranted on. Tricky started to shift awkwardly in the chains.
Hunter and Wind Shield didn't notice.
"If only you weren't such a joke of a guard, we would actually get somewhere!" Hunter roared at Wind Shield.
"Mind your manners, it doesn't matter who it is that we catch, but we do not, I repeat, do not treat them like scum! We are royal guards for a reason, try to get that into your thick skull, deputy Hunter! Now, let's get over with this dreadful business so that I can fire you!" Hunter angrily turned towards Tricky, only to stumble upon the abandoned chains in which Tricky just seconds ago had been trapped.
Wind Shield stared into the distance, a disbelief and heart-fallen expression stamped on his face.
"I told you!" Hunter's muffled voice snapped at him from the mud.
The rain drummed down on the streets, in the distance a forceful thunder echoed through the Galloping Gorge, empowering the boom tenfold. A poster waved in the cold wind, the ink had faded away in some places, leaving large smudges after it like shadows. A picture on it portrayed a white mare, running for her life past the camera. Drops of water flowed down the image, like tears race down your cheeks.
A powerful gust of cold air ripped the poster off the pole to which it had been taped. It whirled in the air like falling autumn leaves, until the rain brought it down into the mud. A small puddle had begun forming over it, just as a white hoof splashed into it, splattering away the water.
Tricky's ragged breaths cut through the air like a burglar alarm. The mere sound of her hooves on the ground and her breaths seemed to expose her to whoever was after her.
She wouldn't be able to return to the hotel, let alone warn Blaze about what was happening. She had to get away, and fast.
Every now and then, she could hear other hoofsteps chasing her. She never knew who it was, never dared to turn around and see for herself so she just kept on running.
Out of the blue, railroad tracks appeared before her. For the first time since she'd freed herself from the chains, she stopped to take a few breaths.
Vapour formed around her sweating body, creating a flowing mist around her. She let her head fall down, all she could hear was her own deafening breathing and the rain crashing down on the ground.
She lifted her head up, just to make sure no one was watching her. The only building nearby was the railway station, she had to be on the other side of Ponyville, as far away from the hotel as she could possible get.
Just as well, the royal guards knew where she was staying, the first thing they would to was go to the hotel. They were going to find Blaze, soon this place would be crowded with bounty hunters.
Tricky looked down on the dirt and mud, her hooves were covered in goo, she couldn't even see the creamy white color underneath. Her exhalation turned into smoke as soon as it left her mouth. The cold air bit into her fur, forcing her mind into sharp concentration.
She stood there, staring down at her hooves for a second, then, a taunted cry escaped from her throat. Her racking sobs were lost in the raging wind that tore at her hair and fur, a single drop of grief welled out of her eye. Just like that, a dam broke. Warm torrents of grief coursed down her cheeks, blending in with the rain.
She felt her grip slipping, it was the end of her endurance. All the control she'd had was already gone. All that was left was the hollow feeling, helplessness.
Her ribcage shook with each desperate breath, a long desponded wail slipped out. In a moment of complete loss of control, her hoof hit the ground, splashing water up into her eyes, mane and mouth. Over and over again Tricky plunged her hooves into the mud, with each blow her anger boiled over. She rose to her hind legs, and gave the mud one last powerful blow. A deep growl broke out of her mouth, she turned around on the spot, a pure moment of hatred, fear and rage muddled all rational thought.
What in Equestria had she done? Treason? Murder? Was that who she was? A murderer?
Just like Ace.
A tremble shook her body. She took a few short breaths, a weird feeling seemed to be building up in her back, a provoking desire for vengeance.
Ace.
The life that she had had, and the little of what was left of the one she had now, everything was being destroyed by Ace.
Another tremble made her muscles tighten in agony. The rain continued to fall around her. Tears mixed with water. Out of the blue, she lifted her own hoof, and slapped herself. The blow was far more powerful than what she had expected, Tricky staggered as she tried to regain her balance, but it had achieved the effect she needed. Her mind cleared up and a little of the control she'd possessed before returned.
She turned her head up to the sky, the small gentle raindrops raced down from the clouds. Like falling stars. Tricky closed her eyes and let the storm calm her raging mind. All the noises around her disappeared.
Take a deep breath. You can do this. Do the one right thing.
Tricky opened her eyes. The rain was still falling around her, puddles had formed around her hooves. She lifted them and watched as the water flowed into her hoof prints.
So pointless.
She stared down at the railroad tracks. Lightning flashed across the sky, a few seconds later, thunder struck.
The sound made Tricky flinch, the raging skies hovered over her, thunder roared over and over again. Or was it something else?
Tricky turned her head to her left and unknowingly took a few steps forward, her feet trod over the rails. The sound approached from afar, a rhythmical rattling creeped up together with the sound.
A weak light blinked through the wall of rain, Tricky squinted her eyes. Another step forward, she was now standing in the middle of the railroad tracks, soaked in rain and tears of anger, eyes filled with curiosity.
The light suddenly died out. Tricky blinked, a lock of her wet hair fell down into her eyes.
A scream cut through the night, the lone pegasus almost jumped out of her skin. She jerked around, bracing herself for whatever might have caused some one to scream in such agony, but the street was deserted.
Tricky's heart skipped a beat, there it was again. The scream was strangely monotone, piercing through the rain like a kitchen knife. All of a sudden the light appeared before her, blinding her eyesight.
A train was racing towards her like a pack of rhinos, the brakes screeched and sparks flew around the wheels. The cars bumped into each other as the train slowed down.
Tricky stood rooted in place, watching the train thunder towards her, unable to move her hooves. Her eyes widened in fear as the giant beast of steel wailed again.
No no no no no...
Tricky's scream blended in with the screeching of the wheels and the horn. She closed her eyes, waiting for the hit.
Oh, how pathetic!
The brake's screeching became deafening, the light shone straight through her eyelids. Tricky clenched her teeth.
I don't want to die!
“Hey, you there!” The worried voice of a stallion echoed through the platform. He stared down at the mare, who for whatever reason, was lying on the rails, only a few decimeters away from being crushed by 120 tons of raw steel. The mare was shaking, and between her shaking teeth she kept on repeating something.
"Hey? Miss, get away from there!" Tricky opened her terrified eyes. Before her hooves stood the smoking Ponyville Express. Tricky stared up at the immense mass of solid steel towering high over her head. It let out another deafening roar, Tricky's heart suddenly jumped back to life in her chest.
The stationmaster looked down on her, behind him the passengers were quickly moving along, eager to get inside their warm, welcoming homes. Tricky opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She looked down and hurried away from the tracks, ignoring the stallion's worried questions.
A pillar of smoke rose up into the sky. The train puffed and hissed whilst the raindrops evaporated as they touched the scorching metal, creating a never ending sizzling sound. The stationmaster stared after Tricky as she disappeared into the smoke pouring out onto the platform, never had he seen anypony behaving so curiously in his whole career. He scuffed and turned around to help one of the elder passengers with her luggage.
At the other side of the platform, Tricky hesitantly stared at the train, her panic-stricken heart pounding in her chest.
It is now or never.
She looked around, the stationmaster was talking to a group of ponies on the other side of the platform. Tricky turned her head back to the train and got on. The car was empty, and Tricky sat down on one soft benches that continued throughout the train. She lifted a tired hoof to the window and cleared some of the moisture that had formed on the glass.
Outside the rain continued to fall, small patches of frost appeared in the corners. Tricky started tapping her hooves, why was it taking so long? She never took her eyes off the platform, afraid that suddenly the royal guards would appear. It didn't matter that she wasn't the same pony anymore, she was a murderer, and that would never change for them.
She felt her heart desperately beating faster and faster. Why wasn't the train moving? Outside, the stationmaster appeared with a big umbrella over his head. He walked right past the train and started talking to a mare standing in the rain.
Oh come on!
Lightning roared across the sky, the lights in the car flickered. For only a second Tricky turned her head away from the window. As she turned back, she saw two white silhouettes approaching the train. Her heart flew up into her throat, she gasped for air and jumped to her shaking hooves.
Nowhere to run.
“She couldn't have gone that far...” Wind Shield contemplated to himself. Hunter silently marched beside him, horn lit up in a strong gloomy glow. Before him weakly glowing hoof steps shone up. There was a reason he was called Hunter. Nopony in the whole Royal Guard who could track suspects as well as him.
Sadly, they were moving slowly in the rain, the tracks that had been left behind were growing more and more difficult to detect.
“Move your flank, Hunter. Our armors will rust at this pace.”
“Oh shut it, Wind... Man, I hate rain.” He stopped in the middle of the road and squinted down at the ground. “Oh no, where did she go now?” The tracks were muddled together in a mess, he was unable to make out even one single direction in which she could have gone.
Wind Shield stayed behind Hunter, in the distance he could catch a glimpse of the town's train station. A train was waiting on the platform, smoking like his old man's pipe.
He took a few steps forward, eyes fixed on the train.
“Oh shucks, I got nothing.” Hunter angrily slammed his hoof into the mud. He looked up, only to see Wind Shield trotting towards the station.
“Hey, where are you going?” Hunter rushed after Wind Shield, irritation boiling in his ears. His friend didn't answer, but continued forward. “Hey, wait up!”
Wind Shield slowed down just enough to let Hunter catch up to him. He pointed towards the train. Hunter let out a small "Ooh..." and together they marched to the platform.
The rain crashed down on the wood, Hunter felt how water gently sipped under him armor, drenching his coat. He looked at the smoking train, inspecting every window for a familiar white silhouette. Wind Shield walked up to his side.
"We should split up and search the train." Hunter nodded. Wind Shield's hunches were rather famous, and he had never been proved wrong 'till this day. Wind Shield walked to the nearest door, in the doorway he turned around.
"Try to catch her alive, we don't want another scandal. Your little blunder in Van Hoover was quite enough." Hunter grimaced, repressed memories flowed up from the deep. He snorted at Wind Shield and shoved the images far deep down into the abyss where they hopefully would stay.
He trotted to the other side of the train, lightning lit up the platform giving it a gloomy aspect. On the platform a pony waited, observing Hunter from the shadows. Hunter caught a glimpse of the observer, he turned his head to the spot where the pony had been only to see an old abandoned cape fluttering in the wind.
Hunter's heartbeat pounded on his eardrums, shutting out all other noise. His eyes raced over the platform, searching for whomever had been there mere seconds ago.
Thunder struck, the sound awakened Hunter from his terrified trance. He blinked and hastily stepped into the car, all thoughts focused on finding the mare.
The air under the bench was filled with dust, Tricky's throat was tickling like crazy, but she suppressed every cough in fear of revealing her hiding-place. Her wings shifted awkwardly against the wooden seats, breathing was growing more and more challenging. The sound of her heartbeat filled her ears, adrenaline pumped through her veins like poison, her instincts were screaming at her to run, to fight, to hide.
Never before had she felt so mortal, vulnerable. The more animalistic instincts were like a second heartbeat pulsing in her chest, muddling all etiquette and rational thought. She couldn't fight them, and it was too late to run from them now. A desperate hope filled her heart with false promises of luck and the sweet possibility of her escape.
Heavy hoofsteps approached her from the back of the train, Tricky froze where she lay, not even daring to breathe. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw two pairs of hooves cautiously walking through the rows of benches. Tricky cast a tempted look at one of the open windows on the other side of the car. Maybe she could just dash out of it, leaving her pursuers behind. Beads of cold sweat ran down her cheeks.
Was it worth a try? Should she just stay calmly where she was?
The steps approached her like the the hands on a clock, the seconds stretched out into eternity. The hooves stopped right in front of her muzzle, Tricky stopped breathing. She heard how the stallion took a deep breath, he seemed to be listening for any other sounds than his own breathing. Tricky's lungs burned for air, her head was pounding against her skull.
The hooves moved away, but Tricky didn't dare to take another breath just yet. Spots appeared before her eyes, blinding her eyesight. The hooves were still too near, Tricky felt how her heart raced in her chest. She blinked, trying to stay conscious for as long as possible. It was impossible, she couldn't do it anymore, she had to have air.
Her lungs expanded and a long gasp escaped her lips. The hoofsteps halted and turned around at the sound. Something in Tricky clicked.
The stallion bent down to check under the bench. He was tackled by a white blur that shot out from under the bench like a rocket. Hunter was thrown to the ground, gasping for air he caught glimpse of a set of glacial, fearsome eyes glaring at him in an almost phsychotic stare. It awakened a sensation of familiarity in him, and he knew exactly who she reminded him of.
That dirty scumbag Ace has descendants?
Tricky dashed towards the end of the train, the rainy fresh air from outside seeped into the cars, the cold bit into her coat, but it was all better than the dusty suffocating space under the bench.
Hunter rose to his hooves, behind him he heard Wind Shield frantically shouting after him as he bolted after her. A sweet dose of adrenaline rushed into his system. The hunt had begun.
Before him his prey stumbled and a wicked smile spread across his face. So soon? Tricky turned just in time to see Hunter leap into the air, horn glowing and an arrogant sneer taped across his features. Tricky acted out of instinct. Her hooves rose into the air where they dove into Hunter's stomach, using his leap forward she pushed him over her head and he crashed into the benches behind her. The impact made the whole train tremble, Tricky turned over to her stomach. Only Hunter's flank was visible from the mess of splinters and cushions.
Wind Shield sprinted to his friends side, Tricky darted away like a fox in the night, Wind Shield indecisively stared after the fleeing murderer and then back at Hunter. He bit into Hunter's tail, after a few yanks Hunter's head appeared. His face was twisted in a glare of pure hate.
"Get away from me!" he barked and dashed after Tricky, leaving Wind Shield in the dust. He had no other choice but to follow the raging Hunter in his hunt for Tricky.
On both sides of the three ponies the doors started slamming shut, the hoot of a whistle echoed on the platform outside. Wind Shield anxiously chased after the other two, struggling to keep up. If they didn't catch Tricky before the train left, they'd be stuck there for Celestia knows how long with a brutal murderer, thirsting for pony-blood. They'd have to contain her until the train reached its next stop, who knew what that crook would do to get free?
Hunter was seeing red, the thrill of the hunt was pumping through his veins together with the adrenaline. Tricky glanced back at him, a sneer spread across the criminal's face. He hissed at her, slurring unintelligible words that spewed into space like a volcano releasing its pent up emotions into the darkness.
A gentle mechanical murmur sounded throughout the cars as the train started moving. Tricky let out a little scream as the cars started moving, knocking them all over. The lights flickered, Hunter glanced out of the windows, outside the train station was slowly rolling away. Tricky looked back at the two stallions chasing her, the one called Hunter's face was twisted in a wicked grimace, eyes burning like the fires of Tartarus.
The hatred in his eyes struck fear into her very being. This was the hunt, she was the prey, the very price for his wickedness. Hunter leapt to his hooves in one swift move. Tricky's heart skipped a beat and hastily she stumbled up and continued racing through the train. Tricky didn't know for how long she could continue, she could sense them behind her, rapidly catching up to her.
Her sides were burning, heart was hammering against her ribcage like a trapped bird. Behind her she heard the heavy breaths of the guards, the metallic clinking of their armors and the thundering of their hoofsteps. The train rolled forward, gaining speed with every second.
Before her, Tricky saw a closed door in the end of the car. Trapped. Well, maybe not, Tricky smiled and pushed forward. Hunter rushed after her, behind them Wind Shield was breathing heavily, asthma kicking in. Tricky almost crashed into the door, she frantically fiddled with the door handle. Behind her, Hunter growled like a dog. Tricky glanced back, the guard thundered towards her, face contorted in pure madness. His nostrils flared, eyes flashed and Tricky could have sworn that they closed into slits.
Give it to us
It's mine
Take her...
Let us live...
Tricky blinked. Her sweaty hooves couldn't grasp the doorhandle, Hunter approached her with a hungry look on his face, Tricky's heart stopped. The handle finally gave in, she didn't waste a second and fled outside.
She crashed into a metallic railing, just before her feet the rails rushed past at a blinding speed, the train was rapidly leaving Ponyville in its shadow.
Blaze...
A hair-rising growl snapped Tricky out of her thoughts, just in time to see both guards leaping into the air, and a sling of drool flying out of Hunter's mouth. Tricky couldn't do anything but duck. She heard a nasty cracking sound against metal, a cry and then a heavy thud. She rose to her hooves, Hunter and Wind Shield disappeared behind the train, both covered in mud and disappointment. She couldn't help but laugh.
She'd escaped.
Hunter's eyesight gradually cleared of stars. His neck felt broken, Wind Shield's weight was suffocating him. The rain mixed with the sweat and mud in their coats. Around them wast plains stretched out, there was no buildings anywhere near to be seen. Night was falling, the skies lit up with every strike of lightning and the rain drowned everything and everypony on the ground.
Wind Shield spit out a mouthful of mud, the white color of their coats wasn't visible under the thick layer of dirt. He stood up so that Hunter could rise up, but he was too focused on cursing under his breath to notice the helping hoof he offered. Wind Shield sighed, their armors weighed them down like concrete in water, he magically removed his burden. He let out a sigh, he watched as the last cars of the train disappeared into the darkness. They had failed, this was only the second sighting of the infamous mastermind, and now they'd gone and screwed up their chance to get the criminal. It would be nearly impossible for the Royal Guard to catch her now that she knew they were getting closer.
A prepared criminal is the worst criminal, he thought to himself. In a desperate try to lighten Hunter's and his own mood he stated:
"Well that could have gone better." Hunter let out a furious scream, Wind Shield flinched at the sound. Hunter often got a little too excited after chasing criminals, but now he seemed to be in a worse mood than ever.
"I will not sleep until I get to you, I'm going to hunt you down like a griffon! There will be no place where you can hide from me, and when I get you, I'll make sure you regret your pathetic little life. I'LL MAKE YOU WISH YOU DIED IN YOUR MOTHER!"
"Whooow there, calm down buddy..."
"I'm dead serious, I hope she sleeps well tonight, because I'm gonna haunt the oats outta her flank, I'm gonna haunt her all the way to the end of the world. No one, not one single pony will stand in my way of getting her head on a stake."
A metallic lamp swayed from side to side, the light blinked.
Eyes. Desperate green eyes.
Her hooves bashing, again and again, smashing into a face.
"P-please..."
Red. Red everywhere.
"Please... One last time. Just let me-"
A loud crack echoed through the room.
The body went limp under her.
Heavy, quickening breaths made the room blur.
Her own bloody hooves, right there in front of her.
Everything trembled.
A door opened, a golden unicorn stepped in. A pair of icy blue eyes mirrored in her own.
"Well, that wasn't so hard now... was it?"
Ace's face swam in and out of focus. The sneer burned into the back of her eyes.
The same snicker sounded in her head, pounding against her skull, filling her mind with wickedness.
I killed somepony...
I'm guilty.
In Ace's eyes she could see her own reflection. She could see the devilish smile on her bloody face.
The soft rocking of the train had long ago ensnared Tricky into its dark embrace. Streaks of sunlight danced over her cheeks, not one fluffy cloud could be seen in the clear sky. Fresh air swirled into the deserted car, filling it with a crisp scent of autumn.
Under the puffy benches the wheels thundered forward like a raging pack of buffalos on the prairies, a light fog sneared around the train but it was not enough to bury the warm colors of the fallen leaves. Red stained the forests through which the train dashed, golden leaves swirled after the train like birds. The sun scorched hilltops rolled past the windows, unseen by the snoring pegasus.
A sudden hoot broke her slumber, Tricky shuddred where she lay, the remnants of her dream still clinging on. The sound of the lumbering freight cars filled her ears and the daylight stung in her tired eyes. She sat up straight, sunlight still blinding her, and yawned.
That's when her stomach rumbled, the outstretched sound echoed against the walls. Tricky laughed, embarrased, she checked that she was alone in her car. Her stomach bitterly muttered, resulting a hoof pressed harly into her stomach, trying to hush the rumble.
Tricky rose to her hooves, surely there had to be something to eat in the train. The rocking cars swayed her balance, the train was heading up a slope. Tricky glanced out of a window. A valley stretched out before her, the sight knocked the air out of her lungs.
Limitless plains of dying grass stretched out, soft green waves rolled over the oceans of fiery forest. The trees of the Everfree forest were like splashes of paint on a dark canvas, the mountain-tops surrounding Ponyville were covered in a thin layer of snow, glistening like diamonds in sunlight. A river crawled through the countryside, the water gleamed. Faraway cities were scattered throughout the land, but the closest one, was Ponyville. The small houses looked like gingerbread houses from where Tricky was standing, small strands of smoke rose from the chimneys. Even from up there she could see the town hall, the clock tower and a farm she'd passed on her way back to the campsite.
Tricky's good mood faded slightly. Her thoughts wandered back to Blaze, in the hotel room, all by himself. Her first friend, abandoned to the mercy of the royal guards.
Tricky walked up to the open window and leaned out, her hooves dangled in rhythm with the trains movements. The scent of the fallen foliage filled her nostrils. She sighed and let her head rest on the window frame, gaze locked on Ponyville. Her heart felt like leap in her chest, oh how she missed him.
As the train thundered towards its destination, Ponyville slowly disappeared behind the mountains. The train traveled through the avenues of dying trees, the air outside became colder. Tricky gazed up, not even the sky was visible through the thick layer of branches and dying leaves. She trembled where she stood. The gloom of the forest brought her back to the Everfree forest, that first night she'd spent aimlessly wandering through the woods, chased by the monsters. The laugh echoed in her head, Tricky shrugged off her fear. She was far away from that forest now.
Not far enough.
The train made a sharp turn, and the forest opened up to a stunning landscape. Tricky instantly forgot all about the forest and Lunatics. Her breath got stuck in her throat, amazed, she stared at the endless beauty in front of her.
In the distance, great lakes reflected the warmth of the sun, their rippled surface shone in endless colors of blue. Tongues of land reached out into the lake, the tree's sunny colors mirrored in the sky blue waters. Then, out of the tranquil mirror rose monstrous limestone peaks. Trees crawled up it's steep sides, the peaks were bare but snow shone in the daylight like fallen stars. Beyond the mountains, a vast glacier lurked, waiting for winter's arrival.
Tricky leaned out of the window, her hindlegs barely stayed inside. The beauty of the world outside had erased all thoughts of revenge, Blaze and sadness. She could feel her heart cracking, but with appreciation and happiness. A wild sensation of freedom flew through her, an sudden urge was born in her. Her wings rose from her sides, ready for flight.
The sound of brakes roared inside the train, the cars crashed into each other and Tricky was thrown back onto the benches, her moment of freedom broke like a biscuit in milk. Her head hit the wall, stars danced before her eyes. From the front of the train the conductor was shouting:
"Canterlot! We have arrived to Canterlot. Next station stop, Van Hoover!" Tricky massaged her throbbing head.
Canterlot?
Spotless white buildings lined the streets, ivory towers with golden spires shone in the sunlight like newborn phoenixes. Crawling rivers and waterfalls streamed through the streets, ending in waterfalls crashing on rocks like the heartbeat of the world. Sophisticated looking ponies trotted through the streets, muzzles pointed upwards, as if something quite improper was going on down on the ground.
Tricky walked, head held low, maybe in hopes of not being noticed by the high-society unicorns. She stayed in the shadows and ran whenever a guard appeared. What was she going to do? Go back to Ponyville? No, the guards would be expecting that. But what other options did she have? She had just walked straight into the guard's beehive. She should just get out as soon as possible and never come back.
The streets got darker and darker, the buildings closed in on her and obscure shop-owners stared after her as she passed. For the first time she dared to raise her head. No guards, no judging high society ponies. Nopony roamed these murky backstreets.
The roofs cast long shadows over the dirty alleys, the shops were replaced by trash bins and dark alleys winding like a spiderweb between the houses. The little sky that was visible from between the houses had turned into a lifeless grey mass of storm clouds invading the peaceful afternoon sunlight. A few lonely raindrops crashed to the ground, shattering like glass on the ground. The gutters were flooding with water mixed with dirt, Tricky's mane fell over her eyes, water dripping from the tips. She aimlessly trotted forward, bitterness pushing away the nagging hunger.
The street twisted and Tricky now found herself at a crossroad. To her left, Canterlot castle loomed in the distance, the warm shimmer of gas lamps lit up the broadening alleys. To her right, the streets ended abruptly at a cliff. A lone statue stood in the rain, guarding the sleeping valley. The street in front of her kept winding forward, continuing into the darkness.
Tricky's shoulders fell, a long sigh escaped her lips. Crossroads of her life.
Right, freedom. She could fly away, live in exile, maybe find Blaze.
Left, the guards. She could give herself in. The look on that guard's face... he would be so full of himself. She was a murderer. He was a hero.
In front of her, procrastination. Delay of the inevitable.
...
...
...
Right it is.
Her hooves thumped against the cobblestones, the sound calmed her nerves even though a riotous part of her still longed to the left. The street opened up to a broad balcony, the statue of the unicorn cast a long shadow over the pegasus. Water flowed down the sides of the marble unicorn, its stone face was forever etched in a look of courteousness. A name plaque under the statue read:
Here lies blood, and let it lie
Speechless still, and never cry.
-In loving memory of Fancy Pants
An image flashed before her eyes, the dimly lit room, Ace sitting at the end of the table playing solitaire.
"... No need to kill Fancy Pants..." She snapped back into reality.
The drizzle fogged around her, the setting made her heart heavy with sadness. Another victim. The statue's eyes were looking down on her, a look of acceptance and interest shining through the stone. Tricky was mesmerized by the statue, it reminded her of someone... Who?
A sob broke her chain of thought. Behind the statue a figure sat under a willow tree, every sob made his body shake in despair. Tricky cautiously approached the sobbing stallion, curiosity taking over her better judgement. She crept forward, trying to pass unnoticed, but as soon as she got close the stallion lifted his head to the newcomer.
Tricky stopped dead where she stood. The two ponies stared at each other for a few seconds.
"You."
"What are you doing here?"
Blaze stood up from the bench, eyes swollen from all the crying. Tricky stared at him, confusion and doubt corrupting her heart. Blaze approached her, a hoof stretched out, but she backed away.
"What are you doing here, Blaze?" Blaze took a deep breath, his eyes twitched from side to side.
"Umm, well you see... Huh, that's actually kind of a funny story..." he smiled awkwardly at her.
"HOW... are you here Blaze? How could you have gotten here before me? Why are you here?" Tricky backed further away from him, Blaze opened and closed his mouth over and over again, the words failed him.
"Oh... you know, teleportation." Blaze swallowed. He nonchalantly leaned on the statue's pedestral. "I'm just visiting..." he nodded towards the statue and took a deep breath. His eyes twitched to a place somewhere behind Tricky.
"... Visiting who?" She looked up at the statue. "Oh, was he...?" Blaze nodded, eyes watering. Tricky looked up at the statue again.
"Oh I'm sorry Blaze I just..." She furrowed her eyebrows, Blaze was biting his lips, a single tear flowed down his cheek. "Blaze?" Blaze's face twisted into a grimace, he shook his head and his shoulders trembled in sobs. An uneasy feeling washed over Tricky, something was not quite right.
"I-I... I'm soo s-sorry... I... I just wanted to see her again."
"See who Blaze?"
"... I'm sorry, he-he said he'd kill her."
"Who said? Blaze what's going on?" Tricky grabbed his shoulders, seeking eye contact but Blaze pulled away.
"I'm so sorry Tricky... P-please forgive me darling?" A tickling feeling ran across her spine, Tricky stepped away from Blaze.
"Blaze... What did you do?" Blaze looked at her, tears flowing freely down his cheeks. His eyes moved to something behind her, a look of fear and remorse stamped cross his face.
Tricky turned around, just in time to see the large piece of wood smashing into her face. The blow sent her flying down into the mud, stars swam in and out of her eyesight. Somewhere near her Blaze screamed in protest, Tricky tried to focus, but every time she blinked everything around her darkened. Desperately she held on to consciousness. Voices echoed in her ears.
Mine...
Mine...
Take her...
Let us live...
We want it...
Take her...
Take it from her...
Mine...
Tricky's body went limp, a long shadow walked up to her.
"Take them away." A heartbroken scream echoed, Blaze unavailingly fought his captors as he wept. He watched as his friend was heedlessly shoved into a bag. Together, the curious group disappeared into the sinister alleys of Canterlot.
Tricky hadn't known you could feel like a gingerbread pony. Still, that was exactly what she felt like now. A stiff, broken piece of old gingerbread. With a fever. How fitting that she found herself in a burning hot, dimly lit room, with only one small opening in the ceiling.
She suspected it was a manhole cover, she could occasionally hear hooves and carriages passing overhead. Optimistically, she had tried rising to her hooves every time they approached, screaming her lungs out for help, but nopony would respond.. Maybe they just couldn't hear her, maybe they didn't care. Maybe, they were scared.
Her bloodshot eyes stared up at the small streak of light that lit up her prison, a single drop of sweat rolled down her face. How many days had passed? Three? She couldn't be sure, who knew how long she'd been out cold. Her breathing was light, her ribs ached whenever she moved, but she doubted they were broken.
The chains around her hooves rattled. She bitterly looked down on them. Why they had chained her up in a cell was a mystery, she wasn't going anywhere, obviously.
Not that she would have anywhere to go.
Tricky bitterly scoffed. Isn't this irony at its best?
She was exactly where she wanted to be, where she needed to be. She was, finally, home. With her family. What a wonderful occasion, shouldn't she celebrate?
Her gaze fell to the metal door that stood a few meters or so in front of her. Stupid door.
During her time in the room she'd decided that she hated that door. Why? She didn't really know. It just seemed like a suspicious door, a really, suspicious door. There's no trusting that door. Maybe it would open inwards first, but then suddenly, it might decide that it will open outwards. Mean door. Maybe it won't open at all. She had never seen it open. It was just, forever closed.
A lifeless giggle echoed through the small room. Tricky didn't know where it was coming from, until she noticed her own shortage of breath. As soon as she understood she was the one laughing, she stopped.
Ahm feeling sooo weirrrd.
She raised her hoof to her face, and gently moved it closer and closer, so than her eyes crossed. She giggled. Maybe ahm going crazzzy?, she thought, smiling to herself. At least she would be occupied with something in this hellhole. Her hoof dropped to the ground, the chains rattled monotonically. The feverish feeling made the tip of her hooves numb. Or maybe it was the heat.
A lone rational thought rose in her mind. Maybe... I'mmt mad? Maybe, I'm beein' drugg'd. She scoffed. That was probably it, she, an innocent little pony being held against her will in a prison like some criminal mastermind, chained to the wall.
Her heart dropped. A murdererrrr 'nd a liar? ...Sounds 'bout arrright. The voice inside her head sounded drunk. Is it even possible to narrate your own thoughts like a drunkard? She pondered on that thought for a second before collapsing from thinking too hard.
Waves of guilt seeped into her gut, everything from the murders to the lies. She even felt guilty for trusting Blaze.
Blaze.
Stupid stupid stupid Blaze.
Traitor.
That's right, the drunk voice slurred. He's arrreal son of a hose... Horrrse. He probabably knew who you werr befrr you did. How's that frr lying, eh?
Tricky stared at the stone wall a few centimeters from her head. Then, she banged her forehead against it as hard as she could.
A quick, but mortifying pain flashed through her head. Tricky could feel a scream leave her throat, her eyes pressed shut. As quick as it had come, the pain left her panting on the floor like she'd just risen from the dead. Tricky opened her eyes, everything swam in and out, the small light faded and returned. She laid there, panting, wondering what had made her do that.
As she tried to sit up in a straight position again, her head cleaved into two.
"AH.... FUUUUUUuudge." Stars swam in her eyes, she had to blink numerous times before the manhole returned into her eyesight. "What the fudge." She whispered under her breath.
The sudden sound of more rattling chains, not her own, made her head twist to the vile door. Creaking, the door opened wide (inwards she noted to herself), revealing an unknown stallion with a ridiculous moustache. And Blaze.
Tricky burst into laughter. Her body shook, even a few tears of happiness escaped her eyes. The stallions looked at each other, confidence silently inflating. She took the chance to shakingly rise to her battered hooves, doing her best not to wobble, all whilst laughing menacingly at them.
"Well well well... Look at what the cat dragged in." She hissed in an animalistic voice. Her head was spinning, but she didn't let her steps betray her balance. This was not the time to play lady in distress. This was the time to get even.
Blaze stared at his friend, guilt hidden behind his stone faced expression. He didn't even know if he was allowed to call her that anymore. Truthfully, he never had been. It had been a farce since the beginning. But it had been real for him, in a twisted sort of way, but still.
He really did have some serious problems when it came to treating mares right.
Tricky didn't look well. Her forehead was bleeding, her mane now dirtied, fell down over her ice cold and mad-looking eyes. She smiled viciously at him, and he didn't doubt for a second that she would even hesitate before killing him on the spot.
And he was right, Tricky launched herself forward, teeth grit in a furious growl and bloodshot eyes fixed on his throat.
What she would have done if she'd reached him, he didn't even dare to imagine, but the hefty chains around her hooves pulled her back. Tricky fell to the ground, only a meter from her prey.
Snarling, she rose again, Blaze stared at the thick chains holding her back, suddenly grateful for whoever put them there.
"Oh, the coward won't see me without chains and a babysitter? Pathetic." She spat the last word into his face, Blaze felt the sticky liquid flow down his temple. He calmly wiped her spit of his face, careful not to let a single expression show.
"Hi Tricky. Nice to see you too."
His stone-cold monotone voice took her off guard, she'd wished that he'd come to apologize, beg for forgiveness, just so that she could rub his treachery in his sorry little face. Instead, a seemingly uninterested crook stood before her, listening to the frivolous hatred of his victim.
Tricky scuffed at him at turned her back to the visitors. As nonchalantly she could, she returned to her dark corner, making sure to hide her expression in the shadows.
"I should've known."
"You couldn't have, we made sure of that-..."
"- You were like a gift from heaven, a savior. So goddamn cliché, of course it wasn't real!"
Tricky's face appeared in a small streak of daylight, outlining her wretched expression of anger. He could see a single tear glinting on her cheek before the heat of the cell took it hungrily. Blaze sighed, and turned to his mute companion.
"Leave us for a minute, will ya'?"
The guard hesitated, but backed out of the cell. Blaze stared at Tricky, now creeping towards him like a cat in the night. Her eyes glowed in the dark, ripping through his soul like dragon's teeth. He could feel his heart being wrung out of his chest, the sight of his friend hating him so purely...
It seemed like a century ago when he'd met the innocent mare at the edge of the forest, a true miracle. A prayer come true. His voice shook as he began explaining.
"Look... It was no accident that we met, in fact, I had been sent out to search for you-"
"How did you find me?" Tricky rudely interrupted, she was now lurking in another corner of the room, surgically observing every move he made.
"That's not important," Blaze spoke into the shadows. "the thing is-"
"Of course it's important. I need to learn how to differentiate from scum like you from normal ponyfolk.” Tricky appeared in another streak of light, a forced smile taped across her features.
"I was just sent out to find you, gain your trust,-"
"Mission accomplished."
"-and get you back. They didn't tell me any of the details." he spat out the words in her direction, the cool facade he’d held up when entering the room was slowly melting away in the heat. She snorted, and started pacing back and forth in the confined space.
"Who are They anyway?" Tricky asked him as she turned around in the dark.
"Why all the questions?" Blaze responded, irritation filling his voice.
"Well that's the thing with amnesia, you don’t remember anything." Tricky’s smile had grown so disturbingly large that it seemed to stretch out her face.
If looks could kill...
"Look, darling-"
"DON'T call me that." her voice shook. If it was anger or sorrow, Blaze couldn't tell.
"... As soon as I met you I started regretting the whole thing. But I couldn't call it off either. You know, I almost wished you'd died there in the hospital. It would've been better than awaits you here."
"Wow, thank you for that. If it’s consolation to you, I almost did. More than once!"
Her shriek echoed off the walls, the taunted voice of his friend screamed furiously at Blaze over and over again.
"I HAD No choice... Please try to understand. Once I got to know you... It was the hardest decision I have even had to make." Blaze pleaded with his former friend.
"Oh right, because you are just the innocent puppet forced against your will?" she replied condescendingly.
"YES!" Blaze screamed. Tricky paused to stare at him, heart-broken and a look of utter disbelief in her eyes.
“How, would you, YOU FILTHY BASTARD, BE AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER?”
Blaze looked down. Tricky’s head was on fire, she was so tired. Tired of running, lying, tired of taking his shit.
“YOU were the ONLY friend I had… Doesn’t that count as something?”
Blaze bit his lip.
“I WORRIED ABOUT YOU! I FELT HORRIBLE FOR LEAVING YOU BEHIND IN PONYVILLE, YET HERE YOU ARE, PLOTTING MY KIDNAPPING AT THE SAME FUCKING TIME!” Tricky’s furious voice echoed in her prison, the words empowered the feeling of helplessness and injustice that was boiling over in her head.
“D-... Do you remember when we were out in those woods? I was ready to leave, but you, OOOH, THE KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR, were there. You comforted me, told me it was all going to be okay… You even hugged me-...” Her voice trailed off into a tiny whisper, the tears burned in her eyes. Desperately she searched for any sign of confirmation in Blaze’s expression, but his frozen expression told her nothing.
“Huh… I guess that was all a bunch of shit then.”
His betrayal stung like a bee in her heart, all this time, she’d been holding on to a false hope. She could feel her face turning into a wretched grimace. Blaze’s head hang low, every word she spoke cut through him, but he remained silent, scared of what he might say.
“LOOK AT ME YOU BASTARD!”
Blaze shut his eyes tight, as if trying to shut out her voice, but the endless echo in her prison haunted him.
“OH NOW YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY??? NO MEANINGLESS WORDS OF CONSOLATION?”
Silence.
“Well then… You know I’d love to stay and chat… No, actually, I fucking hate you.” Tricky bit her lips in irritation. She wanted him to suffer like she was suffering, she wanted to make him feel the anger that burned in her. “Just… Just buck you.”
Blaze finally looked up, but Tricky had her back turned towards him. He couldn’t make out her expression, but her sobs echoed together with her dying screams. Tentatively, he took a step forward, his heart wanted so badly for her to be happy… But instead, she turned around, fury burning through her eyes, a psychotic grimace of hatred etched into her face.
“PISS OFF THEN ALREADY!!! WHY DON’T YOU GO LOOK FOR YOUR PARENTS, HUH?”
Blaze’s heart crashed to the ground. That was one step too far. One. Too. Far.
“WHY DON’T YOU SHOW THEM WHAT A HEARTLESS DICKHEAD THEY GAVE THE WORLD??? WHAT THE HELL COULD BE HARDER THAN CHOOSING TO SAVE YOUR ONLY FRIEND’S LIFE?”
“I NEVER WANTED TO BE YOUR FRIEND IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HAD MY OWN PROBLEMS TO FIX. I NEVER WANTED TO DEAL WITH A FREAK LIKE YOU.”
The two stared at each other, listening to the echoes of their displaced voices shouting back at them from the walls. Blaze bit his lip, he felt his eyebrows soften. The silence of the room stretched out, darkened, the air itself seemed to hold it’s breath.
In the dim light, he could see Tricky’s eyes. He could see as the life died away, the last thing holding her together had finally been ripped away. A panic took an excruciating grip around his heart.
“I-I didn’t mean to… I-... I’m sorry darli-”
Tricky fell to the ground. Her head bumped against the stone floor, a river of sadness soundlessly poured out on the floor. Blaze watched in horror as she curled into a ball, her soulless eyes stared straight forward, the tears gleamed in the small streaks of sun that warmed her face.
Blaze rushed forward, but as soon as he’d lifted his first hoof from the ground, Tricky raised her’s.
“Don’t.”
“Ih- I’m so sorry, I just-... they…” Blaze gasped for air, he felt tears welling up in his eyes. She was lying there, by his feet, and still it felt like she was worlds away. “Just let me help you up darling…”
“DON’T!” her head jerked up from the ground, her eyes fixated on his, but she didn’t glare. Her eyes were just… empty. A sigh shook her ribcage. “I can do it myself.” she muttered.
Whilst at all cost avoiding eye contact, she rose to her hooves. Blaze gawked in the doorway, panic-stricken and helpless.
“Please understand… they hold my life in their hooves. They have my fiancée locked up somewhere, all alone. I haven’t even been allowed to see her for years… I-I just wanted to get her back.”
Tricky stood motionless under a single streak of light, she spiritlessly stared at him whilst he poured out his heart in front of her.
“That was the deal… I give them the girl, and they wipe away the debt. I-I’ll see Millie again.” A weak smile flashed across his face, momentarily showing a glint of pure happiness and hope. Millie… It was all going to be over.
Tricky continued staring emptily at him. Eager for her to understand the position he found himself in, he pushed forward.
“Do you know what it’s like? Missing somepony like that? Do you know what it’s like to love someone, so passionately, that you’d sell your soul to the devil for them?”
Tricky’s gaze crashed to the ground. She could practically see the cannon-ball sized hole in his chest, still bleeding. How could she care?
"Your fiancée?"
Blaze remained silent, waiting for her to continue. After a few awkward seconds, she looked into his eyes.
“Millie… Was it?” Her voice was more high-pitched than usual, a warning undertone of sarcasm clinged as she spoke.”The one and only you wish to spend the rest of your life with, your soulmate. The one you traded my life for.”
Blaze furrowed his eyebrows. His basic instincts were losing their minds, the strange voice she spoke with, the way she stared at him…
“You know, it’d be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic!... Oh, I’ll laugh anyway!” Tricky’s body shook in a empty, sadistic laughter. Her wide open eyes expressed no kind of happiness whatsoever, a single tear trickled down her pale cheek. Blaze, now fearing for her sanity, backed away.
“Tricky-...”
“SHUT YOUR MOUTH!” her barbarous sneer vanished and her face contorted into a mask of pure anger. “... Or the next thing coming out of it will be your teeth.”
Blaze’s jaw fell to the floor, completely speechless, he watched in terror as Tricky silently crept closer and closer to him, the streaks of light occasionally lighting up her face. Blaze stood his ground, unwilling to move back and give her the satisfaction of scaring him.
“Tricky…?” His voice shook slightly, she approached him like a predator at the sight of prey.
Move Blaze, get away from her! His mind screamed. He knew she was going to attack him, but his legs wouldn't’ respond. As if they wanted to hear what she had to say.
Tricky straightened herself from the ground. He let her study him, not that he could have stopped her anyway.
Her bloodshot eyes seemed to stay just a moment too long on his throat, but she blinked and looked up from under her eyebrows. A murderous glare glinted rapidly in her eyes. Oh Celestia… The warm gusts of her breath dried the tears on his face as he closed his eyes for a second and took a deep shaky breath.
"You're a fool."
Blaze felt her warm breath vanish from his face, making way for the suddenly cold compact air.
"Wha… What do you mean?" His tongue felt like sandpaper, a wild panic sprung life into his heart, which had started beating harder and faster than ever before, as if it wanted to make the best of the little time it had left.
Tricky laughed sadistically. The sound echoed off the walls, attacking Blaze from every direction, making him shrink to the floor in a terror he was trying to ignore.
"They didn't tell you, didn’t they. About Mille?." She looked back at him, pouting in feign innocence..
"T...tell me what?" He could feel his insides melting. Didn’t tell me what? What was happening, what happened to Millie?
She turned back towards him, and with every word she stepped closer to his shaking body.
"That she’s dead..." She let out a self-contented sigh. "I know that for a fact. Since. I. killed. her. Darling."
At that moment Blaze felt his legs go numb, the world around him seemed to stop to silently observe his shock. All the oxygen in the room had vanished, or he’d forgotten how to breath. All he could see was the smile on Tricky’s face widen in sadistic ecstasy.
"I beat her. I beat her until she was pleading for her life. I beat her, as she begged to see you for one, last, time." Her voice became thin and high like a foal's whilst she approached him. He couldn't take his eyes off her pouting lips, he stood there, frozen in place as she continued her tale of horror:
"... And then, I snapped her neck, like a stick. I looked into those pretty green eyes as she died..." She ended the phrase with a sneer, as if proud of her barbaristic actions. Blaze could feel his heart shatter like glass inside him. The small pieces dove into his insides, making them burn like hell.
No... No... No no no...
Tricky stretched out her head so that her muzzle was only centimeters from his.
"And guess what?" She whispered to his horrified eyes. "I. loved. it." Tricky snarled those last words at him, the mad eyes and gritted teeth reappeared. The psychotic mare threw herself forward with the help of her wings, fury burning inside her. Her small sharp teeth sank into his ear, Blaze fell forward with a scream as the chains jerked Tricky back to the floor. She landed on her back and was immediately back up on her hooves, diving down on her prey.
Her back legs, hooves and teeth sank deep into Blaze's body, the madness of the moment deafened her to his screams.
YOU TRAITOR, I TRUSTED YOU, YOU FUCKING LIAR I’LL RIP YOUR TONGUE OUT WITH A PLASTIC FORK!!! HOW DARE YOU?!?!?! YOU BLOODY DICKHEAD, I’LL MAKE YOU WISH YOU DIED IN YOUR MOTHER!!! WHY DON’T YOU GO JOIN YOUR FUCKING ASS FAMILY IN THE GODDAMN GRAVE?!?!?!?!
“GET YOUR HOOVES OFF ME!!! HE DESERVES TO MEET HIS PRECIOUS GIRLFRIEND.” Tricky shrieked in blind rage as the guard ripped her off the barely breathing Blaze. She twisted and turned in his grip, but he quickly spun and bucked her into the wall. If she had been in full strength, she might have been able to dodge it, but the long days and lack of food had destroyed her. The guard carried on his assault while she could see, out of the corner of her eye, Blaze lying on the floor.
As silent as she was.
For the next couple of minutes all that could be heard was the sound of the guards hooves stamping onto Tricky.
Tricky desperately gasped for air, her broken lungs burned by the mere effort. Everything around her swam in and out of her eyes. She could feel the tears flowing down her cheeks, the bitterness that seeped out of her heart like blood, the fury and sorrow exploding like atomic bombs in her head.
The guard left her lying in her own pool of blood on the floor. Between her swollen eyes, she saw Blaze’s battered figure bending down over her. Another pitiful whimper escaped her broken body, pleading for help.
The image of a dark room with a swinging lamp flashed through her head.
The shape that was Blaze lifted a hoof from the ground, and poked at her. She wanted to scream in agony, but instead a mouthful of blood was puked up. Blaze turned around on the spot and walked out of the room. Without another word, the door slammed shut.
Tricky lay still, the blood drying into small spikes on her coat.
Murderer
Killer.
She could feel the empty hole in her chest wither away, until there was nothing inside her at all. Just a shell without a soul. There had never been a pearl in that shell to start with. Her numb soul was worthless.
A small streak of light warmed her face, she moved her eyes to the manhole cover. Through the small holes she saw the happy sun shining like any other day.
Tricky stared at it, the warmth kindly healing her wounds, oblivious to the horror she was capable of. Unconditional love, she thought as sobs shook her battered body.
Scar Ace happily munched on the broccoli, eyes occasionally darting between the two ponies awkwardly sitting side by side. The polished mahogany table was chock-full with silver plates and exotic dishes, lined up in a neat row. Tricky glared at her uncle over a plate filled with alien flowers; Her face twisted in an almost comical grimace. Blaze, on the other hand, merely stared down on his untouched plate.
The broccoli cracked between his lips, Ace sighed contently with such extravaganza that Tricky had to roll her eyes. He snickered and dramatically let the last bit of the vegetable fall to the floor. Like a real business-colt, he rested his hooves against each other and moved to the border of his armchair, an amused look stretching over his face.
"Would you like some more Cheshire Cheese, Blaze?" Ace cracked a flashy smile at Blaze, who abruptly woke up from his melancholic trance. He cast a scared look at the grinning unicorn, then at the flying plate of cheese that had been stuck under his nose.
"Um, no thank you. I'm fine..." he swallowed.
"Please, I insist," Ace watched as Blaze nervously cut a small piece of the cheese and put it down next to his daisies. He looked down on it, his glassy eyes frozen on the plate. Ace expectantly raised his eyebrows at the stallion, but as he understood that he was too absorbed with the empty plate, his eyes flashed red in irritation.
The cheese plate cracked into a hundred pieces as he broke the levitation spell. Bits of china and cheese scattered all across the table, Tricky flinched and Blaze jumped in his chair, shaking like a leaf in a thunderstorm. His terrified heart stopped at the sight of Ace laser-eyeing him, a spark kindling at the tip of his horn. Ace let his stare stay on the poor stallion just a little too long, before taking a deep calming breath. He flashed another, more forced smile at Blaze and said,
"Didn't your mother teach you any manners? Come on now, I'm sure it'll put a smile upon that grim face of yours."
Blaze seemed to fade away under the devilish tone Ace used. The comment about his mother had the expected effect. Ace’s grin burned with a self-contentment that Tricky desperately wanted to erase from his face, even if she'd have to do it with a plastic fork.
Blaze sank down in his chair, but not before he'd grabbed a hoof-full of the cheese and stuffed it all in his mouth at once. Ace sighed, satisfied, and now turned towards Tricky.
"I must say, I'm surprised. Because of you, being here and all..." he vaguely motioned to all of her, whilst taking a sip of wine. Tricky watched him as he swallowed. Her ice cold eyes indignantly fixed on the small pulse in his neck.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Ace choked on his drink. Tricky cocked an eyebrow when he started shaking in giggles.
"Oh, right I forgot... Eeehh, phew," he wiped away a fake tear of happiness from the corner of his eye, and let out an amused sigh. "You forgot all about everything… Ironic really, if you want my opinion. It adds just the right amount of cheesiness to this little tale of woe.”
Ace smacked his lips and smirked at Tricky. She restrained herself from throwing her plate at him, but before she got the chance to even consider it, Ace continued.
“Or maybe it’s just your face.”
Tricky flew out of her chair, Blaze let out a small welp, spitting out bits of partially digested cheese over the table. Ace didn't even flinch as the furious mare skid through plates of salad and hay. With her nose pressed against his, Tricky hissed like a snake.
“How about you just SPILL your beans: WHAT do you want from me?”
“To be perfectly honest, you're the one who spilled the beans. And,” he turned away from Tricky to take another sip of wine, “ as for why you're here, it's simple really, but then again, so are you...”
More satisfied than ever in the murderous glare that Tricky pierced him with, Ace reached for the broccoli-plate, which luckily hadn't been run over the edge of the table by the rabid mare.
“I don't know how you make ponies hate you so much, but it is really working,” Tricky spit out between gritted teeth as Ace bit into the crunchy vegetable.
“Let them hate, as long as they fear,” Ace said to the broccoli. Tricky straightened up where she stood on the table.
“You know, I’d love to be able to see things from your point of view, but I don’t think I’d be able to put my head that far up your arse.”
Ace frowned.
“Now that would be rather uncomfortable.”
Tricky's laughter echoed through the dining room. The cold sound made Blaze sink a little further down in his chair, even Ace felt goose-bumps forming along his back. Her wretched features were eerily outlined in the golden light of the chandelier, but even though the poignant laugh shook her body, there was something so... wrong about her. The psychotic look in her eyes, the frantic behaviour...
Never had Blaze seen something as disturbing. But then again, it didn’t surprise him anymore.
Murderer.
Tricky’s fit went on forever. After a while, Ace even gave Blaze a suspicious look, as if to make sure that this wasn’t normal behaviour. Tricky gasped for air, eyes tearing, and a grin etched into her face. Blaze stared at her. After swallowing the last bits of cheese, he tentatively rose from his chair.
“Tricky…”
“GET AWAY FROM ME, TRAITOR!” The sudden snarl severed her laughing fit. Instead of the glazed look, her eyes were now burning with the purest hate. “You-... I-if I want to hear shit from you, I’ll just squeeze your head.”
Tricky staggered on the table, eyes darting between the two. Blaze indignantly waved a hoof, as if to say “suit yourself” and sat back down. Ace, on the other hand, curiously watched as Tricky backed into a plate of freshly prepared potatoes.
“Why don’t you sit down, dearest?” Ace’s own soft voice surprised him. Blaze scoffed.
Tricky stared at him, unwilling to submit to a simple request. Instead she started pacing over the spoiled meal and cracked china.
“Tell me what you know and I might.”
Ace smashed his hoof into the table, a sudden dark aura around his eyes thundered at the obstinate mare ruining his subtle, but charming, dinner party.
“Must you always make things so much more complicated,” he snarled at her. “Can’t you ever just quietly thank me for what I do for you? NO, the weak constantly rebel to their feeding hoof,” he composed himself and brushed away a misplaced lock of hair. “After all, your ignorance is killing you, and I just happen to be the only one with the cure!” he almost sang out the last word, clearly content with his masterplan.
“Who’s saying I even want the cure?” her snide remark instantaneously caught Ace’s attention.
“Of course you want it, why else would you be here?”
“YOU KIDNAPPED ME, REMEMBER?”
Ace took a moment to think. His eyes wandered off to the other side of the room, before he let out a distracted sigh.
“Oh, right… Well there’s nothing to be done about that now, Might as well join the herd, Tricky. And no need to shout, spare an old stallion’s hearing, will yo-..”
“I CAN SHOUT AS MUCH AS I WANT!” Tricky defiantly yelled into his face, her eyes shooting arrows of hatred.
“Please, do not resist me. I’m only here to get you off the wrong path-”
“WHICH YOU PUT ME ON IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!”
“I said, DO NOT resist me. It was bad enough the last time, and now that we finally have that cleared up, we can start again!”
“Start again?!” Tricky snarled. “There is nothing but death for me here, nothing but death and sin!” she stopped pacing and turned around, glaring offensively at Ace. “What was so bad the first time anyway?”
“Oh, your damned father mostly, but that’s settled now.”
“Wh-What do you mean settled? Where is he?”
“Oh he’s in his room,” an evil glint flashed in Ace’s eyes as he took another sip of wine. “Although, his head might be someplace else.”
Blaze didn’t notice the look on Tricky’s face as he was only half-focused on the quarreling family. His thoughts wandered back and forth between his fight with Tricky in her cell and the conversation he’d had with Ace right after.
“She’s delusional, my dear fellow, nothing to pay too much attention to.”
“I want to see her, please let me see Millie.”
“Don’t overstep your bounds, servant. You will only get paid for your profitable actions, not your pleas and whining!... I promise you, you’ll see her tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? What’s tomorrow?”
“Oh keep quiet! You’re giving me a headache with all your oblivious inquiries. I’m beginning fear that you must think of me as some lying crook! How doltish of you! I’m a stallion of high standards. I always keep my word…”
Blaze was snapped back to reality by the commotion in the room. Tricky was currently kicking the plates off the table, whilst Ace yelled at her.
“HOW DARE YOU? YOU UNTHANKFUL GREY PAUPER! ONE COULD BELIEVE YOU WERE RAISED BY GRIFFONS!”
“I WASN’T RAISED AT ALL, THANKS TO A CERTAIN FEATHERBRAIN!!!”
“OH, DON’T BE SO FOALISH! I GAVE YOU A HOME, A PLACE TO SLEEP!”
“YOU KILLED MY FATHER! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?!”
“WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? STAB THE POTATOES?!”
“SOCIOPATH!!”
“LUNATIC!”
“TOFF!”
“DONKEY!”
“CHICKEN!”
“BIMBO!
“DEMON!”
“OH BUCK EIGHT GENERATIONS OF YOUR MISERABLE ANCESTORS!!!”
Silence fell over the room. Tricky and Ace simultaneously turned to Blaze. His chest shook in anger, but as the two family members glared at him, imagening the most painful ways for him to die, he shrank back to his normal deflated position in his chair.
“You know, I do agree.” Ace unexpectedly declared. He sighed at Blaze and Tricky. “I must apologize for my brute behavior. I have even failed to welcome our guest of honor!”
He glared at Tricky, before standing up, gently brushing spills of food off his golden coat and walking over to a large wooden cupboard. Blaze furrowed his eyebrows, surely he couldn’t be talking about-
Ace turned around, a big glass jar in his grip. He nonchalantly threw it at Blaze who caught it out of mere reflex. However, as soon as he saw what it was, he shoved it away, a heartbroken wail echoed from his quivering lips.
Tricky looked at the jar, now rolling across the table. She squinted her eyes to observe the sickly green liquid that swished about inside it. It started rolling back towards Ace when a pale shape suddenly appeared inside the jar. Tricky stretched out a hoof to hinder it from falling to the floor. The ominous shape turned, and, suddenly, two big eyes stared back at Tricky. She felt the contents of her stomach rising up her throat. She gagged as the rotting face of Millie stared blankly back up at her.
Blaze let out another sob and curled up in his chair. He couldn’t take his eyes of the severed head that stared out into space. Ace quietly sat back down.
“Who’s the monster now?” his quiet remark buried itself deep inside Tricky, she desperately blinked at the jar, unable to believe what she was seeing.
“I-I… You…” she took a deep shaking breath, eyes filled with a mix of hatred and uncontrollable fear. Ace quietly listened to her stammering, peering over his glass of wine.
“Now, will you, PLEASE, sit down?”
Tricky’s lips quivered. Her knees gave out under her and she sat down where she had been standing, knocking away his plate of broccoli. Ace’s eyes twitched. He watched the pieces of broccoli roll on the floor. A furious grimace spread over his face. Tricky blankly stared at Millie, eyes tearing, her throat closing up. The first tear fell from her cheek, beat, abandoned and all alone. Ace put his head in his hooves and sighed. What a disaster. He opened his eyes to the weeping Tricky. Her usually cold and beautiful features were wretched in the grimace of sorrow. Her body shook with every sob. But she made no sound. A sudden surge of guilt washed over Ace. This was not a familiar feeling, and, to be perfectly honest with himself, he had to admit that it scared him a little.
“Would you like some cheese with that whine?” he blurted out.
Tricky didn’t even look at him. She just shook her head and stared at her victim, tears still flowing from her eyes. Ace sighed, irritation mixing with his guilt.
“There there,” he whispered to her whilst covering the jar with a handkerchief he magically produced. He’d lost his cool. This awful mess was entirely a consequence of his short temper. He patted his niece’s shoulder in a, what he believed, reassuring way.
“It’s all behind us now, my dearest. Let the past lie dead where it’s buried,” he gently stroke away her tears. Tricky stopped breathing the moment he touched her, but couldn’t gather herself enough to do anything about it. Ace seemed to relax. He repeatedly dried her tears and whispered over and over again, “What have they done to you? Oh, what have they done to you, dearest?”
They sat like that for ages: Ace reassuring his favorite niece who had finally returned to him, Tricky, frozen in shock and confusion, and Blaze, who lied deflated in his chair with a quickly emptying wine bottle in his hoof.
Tricky blinked at the covered jar; her dead heart fluttered. Gently, she turned to look at Ace, her red doe-eyes still watering with sorrow.
“Tell me,” she whispered. “Tell me the truth.”
Ace looked into her tearing eyes and sighed deeply. A small wrinkle appeared on his forehead. Would she be able to take it?
“I guess… I owe you that much,” Ace sat back down. With a swift movement of his horn, the table was cleared of pottery shards and food. He produced a deck of cards and slowly, whilst laying them out one by one, began his tale.
“It all started rather early, before you were born, of course. My brother and I were quite close once upon a time, you know. You probably don’t remember the fights… But that doesn’t matter for now. Later. Later…”
Ace slipped off his trail, he gazed expressionlessly at the jar on the table. Tricky stared flatly at him, tears streaming out of her frozen eyes. Blaze sat still in his chair, slowly blinking at the others whilst reaching for another bottle of wine. Ace shook off his memories and sighed.
“Now, as I said, we were close before, but then we met a mare.” Something changed in his eyes, Tricky could see the small light of a recollection. Somehow, she envied him.
“Queer thing, but oh, she was a marvelous specimen, truly stunning. Both in wits and looks. I was instantaneously bewitched by this… This goddess. She was everything one could ever ask for. She was blunt in a way, but I always found it quite charming. Maxie, that was her name. Poor poor Maxie… She died you see. Of what they never really found out. I’d put my money on a broken heart and disappointment.”
He drained his glass of whisky in one single sip. He sniffed at the empty glass and then threw it across the room in a fit of anger. Neither Tricky nor Blaze flinched at this. Ace grunted and bit his lips in murderous frustration.
“Sadly, I wasn’t the only one to cherish miss Maxie. My older brother always had a knack for stealing my belongings.”
“Belongings?” Tricky echoed.
“He had no right! The bastard!” Ace slammed his hoof into the armrest of his chair. A lock of hair dangled before his eyes, swinging in rhythm with his heaving chest. Blaze stared at him, his anger rising together with the alcohol. Ace blinked, a sole bead of sweat gleamed in the dim light on his brow.
“Why, excuse me, I seem to have gotten a little excited…”
“I’m not entirely sure I understand, your older brother, isn’t that…?” Tricky puckered her eyebrows, eyes and nuzzle still shining red from crying.
“Ace of Clovers. So very sanctimonious, that one. Always ready to butter up whomever came in his way. They all drowned in his false vows of happiness and riches.” Ace sighed.
“Anyway. Eventually, even Maxie fell under his spell. She said that he was harmless. I wasn’t, but that’s for later...Then, overnight she left everyone she had held dear behind. Even me. Together, she and my brother ran off into the sunset, blinded by "love". Left everything behind, even all their money! Thought they could live off their affection for each other, I suppose. You know-” Ace shifted in his chair so that he faced Tricky and Blaze. “I could have kept her safe, and contented! Whatever made her fall in love with that fool is a mystery to me. If it even was love. My brother wasn’t the caring type.”
Tricky started breathing heavily. She almost thought she knew where Ace was going. Blaze though, now oozing with drunkenness, slurred out the first words since he’d seen the jar.
“Neither ahrre youu, Ace.”
“To you, it’s Scar Ace. I will not be hearing more from you anymore, slave.”
Blaze stumbled back into his chair.
“Well, ya’ know, Scar Ace,” Blaze articulated the title in a mocking superior voice. “YOU ahre ze one who murdered mah amily… Family. So, ah can’t blame ehrr for fleeing fhrrromm youh!” Blaze stared at Ace, as if he’d won some fierce argument.
“Oh shush! That was entirely your father’s fault.”
Blaze’s expression turned murderous in a second, but Ace ignored him and turned back to Tricky.
“As I was saying... A few years later, who shows up on my doorstep, but Clovers?! But…” Ace leaned forward in his chair and observed Tricky up close. “Maxie was nowhere to be seen. She’d died on some side street, Clovers told me about it. Heartbreaking.” Scar Ace drained a second glass of whisky. “Still, he wasn’t alone.”
Tricky unwillingly quickened her breath.
“You were with him. A tiny little thing, huge eyes though. Clovers may have been blind, but I saw it at once. Hah! If only he’d known.”
Tricky’s breath now came in ragged gasps.
“What are you talking about? You saw what?”
“Why you, of course! Don’t you see?” Ace stared expectantly at her. Tricky’s face however, was adorned by a completely clueless expression. Ace sighed, and continued. ”Tell me, what color was your father?”
“What color?”
“Yes, his coat, mane, eyes… What color were they?” Ace impatiently tapped his hooves on the table.
“Um… dark green coat… and mane… I don’t know about the eyes-”
“Brown. They were brown.” Ace nodded at Tricky. “So, now do you see?”
Tricky felt the tears rising in her eyes.
“Wha-What?” her voice became pitched, Ace chuckled.
“Let me give you a hint, dear. Maxie’s coat was creamy-white, mane the most dazzling color of acajou, her eyes… Her eyes were like jewels, or stars in the night! Such radiant blue eyes, I have only seen one other mare with eyes like her’s.”
Tricky started shaking in her chair. Cold sweat ran from her front.
“Maxie was your mother, Tricky.”
“I already knew that! I remember the day it happened, I remember the day she died.” Tricky’s shallow voice echoed in the room, the grimm recollection of this day made a tear fall.
“Yes, but think of Clovers, his colors!”
“GREEN, green! He was green!” Tricky spoke in a panic-stricken shriek.
“But you aren’t. Your coat and eyes, they are from your mother, but your mane… It’s red like the devil!” Ace sneered at her, as if he’d uncovered some old secret from it’s grave.
“What’s your point?”
“You’re not your father’s daughter, Tricky!”
“You’re not making any sense!” she was starting to weep, her face contorted in a grimace of sadness and her voice turned into a small whimper. “You’re mad!”
“That is what all those unwilling to see say, Tricky! Come on, don’t be a fool!” Ace rose out of his chair to hover over Tricky like a stormcloud.
“No, no, no, NO! It can’t be…”
“Say it, Tricky. Say it!” Ace’s sadistic smile hovered over the weeping mare like a stormcloud.
“It’s not true!”
“Oh don’t be foolish, you know it is. Just say it, I want to hear it.”
“NO!” Tricky’s despairing wail echoed in the room. Ace’s mad expression stretched from ear to ear, a flash of anger made his mind foggy.
“ACCEPT THE TRUTH, FOR WITHOUT IT WE ARE MERE BRUTES! MONSTERS!”
Tricky stammered something unhearable, Ace furiously panted where he stood, casting a long shadow over the weeping mare.
“ACCEPT THE TRUTH, TRICKY!!!”
“I AM NOT YOur daughter…” Tricky’s voice died out as her fuddled mind grasped what she was saying. Ace’s furious grimace changed into a smile of triumph. Tricky, defeated, let her gaze drop to the floor. A single tear fell into her lap and was followed by a flood of others. Scar Ace straightened himself, the mad glint in his eyes wasn’t gone yet, no! Infact it absorbed everything around it, rendering Ace even more terrifying than ever.
“Don’t you see?” he asked his sobbing daughter. “Don’t you see how wonderful that is? My daughter! My sole descendant. My daughter…”
Apparently oblivious to the resentful glares that were piercing him, Ace smiled wickedly.
“We must celebrate! I believe I have some old wine stocked up here somewhere, let’s see… Ah, here!” Ace bent down to retrieve the bottle, but suddenly a silver plate smashed into the cabinet, barely missing his head. He swirled around, the anger shooting out of his eyes like fireworks. He looked at Blaze who had staggered up from his chair. He was holding another plate in his magical grip.
“Murderer.” Blaze spoke the words in such clarity one could have thought he was infact sober. The plate swished through the air with a blinding speed. Ace only had time to throw himself to the side before it buried itself deep in the wood of the cabinet.
“HOW DARE YOU?!” Scar Ace roared, but as another bowl came hurling through the air, he dove under the table for cover. Blaze laughed deliriously as he bent down, plenty of plates ready for attack, to look under the table. He was met by a beam of magic. It hit him right in the chest, the force threw him backwards and he flew into the wall behind him. His vision blurred, he gasped for breath but his head spun like a carousel.
“You’re lucky I still need you.” Ace’s fuzzy shadow hissed. He turned back to the table, anger boiling in his ears and eyes flashing red. There was a twitch round the corners of his mouth as if merely keeping that smile taped on his face was causing him a great lot of pain. The pupils in his eyes were constricted and almost looked griffon-like. His hair was coming out of the sleek coiffure, he looked as if he’d been hit by lighting.
His normally hard-hearted demeanor had changed into a downright diabolical craze. Slurred words came spewing out into space like a volcano releasing all its pent up emotions into darkness. He shook his head back and forth, muscles tight like stone.
There was no controlling his fury, his disturbed behavior stirred all the basic instincts in Tricky.
It was like flipping a light switch, hit the wrong button and suddenly you had loads of unwanted electricity roasting your spine.
Blaze cautiously observed Ace, the alcohol planted new ingenious ideas into his head, the next even more ridiculous than the first. Hesitantly, he rose to his hooves. Tricky cast him a quick look, but as Ace started growling like a dog she ignored her drunk friend.
Blaze snook up to the table behind Ace’s back. Ace kept on repeating the same words over and over again, Tricky feared her own sanity by just listening to him. A small voice in her head screamed at her, desperately trying to get her to run, fly, just get away. Fearfully she rambled out a question that had been on her mind throughout the whole dinner, maybe in a try to buy some time.
“But what about the shadows?”
Ace swirled around, drool spewing from his mouth.
“WHAT SHADOWS?!” Tricky stood up from her chair to avoid the saliva.
“The ones in my dreams, the one’s that chased me in the forest?” Ace seemed to think for a moment, but soon a light of recollection lit up his face.
“Oh the Lunatics?” His voice had changed back into it’s normal sickly sweet hiss.
“Um, yeah sure, the Lunatics.” Tricky’s eyebrows shot up towards her temples, only for one to fall back down. Ace waved away the name in disgust.
“Horrible creatures. But rather useful for… getting rid of ponies.”
“That’s what you did with me, right?” Tricky’s eyes shot at the door behind Ace and upwards, to the glass dome that cast a golden light over the room. Just over it, she saw herds of Royal Guards swarming like insects. We must be close to the castle… Can’t get out from there.
“Well if only you hadn’t been so damn upset over your father’s demise that you threatened this whole organisation, I wouldn’t have had to kill you. But,” he declared in a heighty voice, “examples must be made.”
“But what about all the rest? Was that you as well?” she asked, eyes fixed on the glass dome.
“Dear, you’ll have to be more specific. I do lots of horrible things every day.” Ace said proudly, not noticing Tricky’s excitement.
“Umm, well there’s the talking tree… And the dedecus? That awful scar on Bla-”
“Oh the scar?” Ace chuckled at this. “It’s just a little reminder that that rat is after all, my slave.” Tricky heard Blaze grunt behind her.
“A-and the tree? That wasn’t just my imagination?” her voice cracked at the last word, even in her current situation she felt a wave of shame wash over her.
Ace didn’t seem to notice, or care. He simply pointed to his horn. “I’m a unicorn Tricky. I have lots of useful assets all over Equestria.”
Tricky’s heart fell at his words. All over Equestria? No place to hide from him…
“Well that’s convenient, can find anypony… Anywhere?”
At this Ace turned to her with a suspicious look on his face. “Dear is there something you want to know?”
Tricky was thinking quickly, her heart beat faster and faster in her ribcage. Think think think! I’ve got to get out of here. NOW!
“Well, I don’t really understand… the Lunatics. WHAT are they, exactly?”
“Foals mostly.”
Tricky blinked at his words.
“Foals?”
“Yes, ponies that died without a cutiemark. That means foals. Horrifying, but incredibly useful.” Ace turned to his baffled daughter. “If one offers them another pony’s destiny, they will gladly obey you. When they are done, they are born again as ponies. Happy to go on living normal lives with their stolen destinies.”
Tricky considered this for a while.
“But what about the ponies they steal from? What happens to them?”
“Oh they die.” he turned to her. “You didn’t though. Bizarre, but advantageous. They did take your destiny though.”
Tricky glanced at her bare flank, a sting of sorrow ripped through her heart. Ace watched her nonchalantly.
“Just as well… I was tired at constantly losing to you in poker.”
She glared at him, eyes tearing. “How can you say that?!” her voice broke again, but humiliation was nothing in the shadow of her growing anger.
“I’m a sore loser, I’ll admit as much.”
“Oh you-HMPF”
“Please articulate, dear it’s so annoying. It’s very important to your image. No one will take you seriously if you mumble… Tricky?” Ace turned around to face Tricky, a hint of concern in his voice. But instead of facing a furious daughter, he was met by two pairs of hateful eyes.
Blaze, having crept up behind Tricky, was holding a tight grip around her throat. A look of helpless anger appeared in Ace’s eyes. Tricky’s eyes were darting between the two stallions. Blaze’s breath smelled of alcohol, but he didn’t seem to that drunk. He held her tightly around her broken and battered ribs, making her silently scream in agony. She couldn’t move, but she had to admit that she was impressed of how swiftly Blaze had managed to gain the upper hoof, especially if he was drunk out of his wits… Unless…
“You’re not really drunk are you?” she spit out between bared teeth.
“No darling. Now calm down so that I won’t have to hurt you.” Blaze whispered to her whilst grinning at the helpless Ace.
“You planned this, didn’t you?” Tricky hissed. Blaze loosened his grip a bit.
“Of course, Ace and I hold a grudge. Couldn’t let a fair mare get in between could I?” he chuckled. “Well, truth to be told…”
“Bastard! I’ll always cherish the original misconception I had about you.”
Blaze sighed. “Why, that was just uncalled for darling.” He tightened the grip again, Tricky had to rise to the tips of her hooves not to choke.
“Ace!” Blaze’s voice echoed in the room, Aces lip quivered in anger. He was once again sinking into a pit of utter madness.
“YOU!” he yelled. “YOU UNTHANKFUL DONKEY! Ugh! ! What is it with you ponies? I give them everything you want, and yet you hate my guts!”
“You killed my family, ruined my life and her’s,” he motioned to Tricky, who was turning bluer by the second. “you cursed me with a power I never had a chance to control!”
“It was a PRICELESS gift! You’ll be more powerful than the toughest royal guards when you learn to control it.”
“I burned down a whole house,” Blaze hissed back at Ace. A brief memory of flames shot through Tricky’s oxygene-deprived mind. Flames licking Blaze’s body in the village and in the forest.
“What?” Tricky whimpered.
“Argh, you fool!” Ace shrieked at Blaze, all whilst looking helplessly at Tricky.
“Help? Anyone?” Tricky hissed with her last breath. One of her hooves tapped frantically at Blaze’s shoulder.
“Blaze! Calm yourself! We-we can still sort this out… Blaze PLEASE? You’re killing her!”
Blaze looked down on Tricky, she stared back at him with what she hoped was a brave look. Her ragged gasps betrayed her fearlessness of death. Blaze loosened his grip slightly.
“Oops, sorry!” His expression changed to a focused glare. “Now, Ace… I have some requests.”
“Anything!” Both Tricky and Ace shrieked.
“First, I want a safe route out of here…”
Ace glared at him, horn slowly lighting up.
“Ah AH!” Blaze said as he once again took a tighter grip around Tricky. “Wouldn’t want any… Accidents.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Ace hissed like a snake at Blaze.
“Are you ready to take the chance?” Blaze raised an eyebrow at him, clearly entertained by his advantage. Ace’s eyes darted between his daughter and her captor, hesitant.
“FINE, just let her go!”
“All in due time,” Blaze smiled. “secondly, I want bits.”
“Done.”
“Lots of bits. Now!”
Ace pierced him in a murderous glare, but after a few seconds of Tricky’s desperate gasps of breath he gave in. A large bag appeared by Blaze’s hooves.
“Good… I’d say we’re making progress, Acy, huh?”
Ace growled in fury.
“Hold your horses. Thirdly, I’ll take this gal with me until I’m in a safe place-”
“WHAT?” Tricky and Ace glanced at each other, startled by their simultaneous responses.
“-and until you’ve given your word not to chase me, I won’t let her go.”
Ace fell silent. Blaze impatiently glared at him, occasionally looking at the door.
“Time’s running out Ace.” Blaze said and took a little tighter grip around Tricky’s throat. She desperately tried to kick herself free, flapping her wings and legs in every direction but to no avail.
“Ace?” Blaze asked. “I think she wants to breathe.”
Ace let out a growl, mad with anger and helplessness. “FINE. FINE!!! WHY DON’T YOU JUST ASK FOR AN AUTOGRAPH FROM THE PRINCESSES WHILE YOU’RE AT IT?”
“That you come in handy… Yeah sure I’ll take that as well.”
Ace’s jaw fell to the floor.
“Now, chop chop Acy, don’t want to be late, do we?”
Ace’s face slowly contorted into a look of all-consuming madness. Mumbling unhearable insults he turned around and trotted to the door. He opened it and roared instructions to the poor guards. Ace turned around and slammed the door so hard that it actually fell off it’s hinges.
“What are you doing?” Tricky whispered, furious, but intrigued, even though she’d hate to admit it.
“Leave this to the grown-ups, darling.” Tricky sighed at the word. It was really getting on her nerves. If it was in a good or bad way she hadn’t decided yet.
Ace marched back to them, a furious look of sadistic hatred plastered on his features. Blaze backed away from him. “Keep it back Acy.” Tricky could feel something warm lick her back, she glanced back at Blaze. Small flames tickled their bodies. Tricky stared at them, mesmerized.
Ace stopped where he stood, anger spewing from his eyes. He looked at the fire, and a sudden, frightening look of comprehension flashed through his anger. His chest started shaking, Blaze and Tricky stared at him, Tricky felt a small kindle of fear light up in her. Ace’s chest shook in laughter, the wicked sound escaped his rib cage and threw itself out into the air, where it echoed eerily through the room.
“Are you being serious?” Ace asked Blaze. “Out of all mares… HER?” he started laughing again. “That’s just perfect! You went on and fell in love with the one and only mare you knew you shouldn’t? You fell in love with my daughter?!” Tricky’s eyebrows shot up. What?
“That’s why the fire can’t hurt her?” Ace clapped his hooves. “Bravo, brother. That is just magnificent. Magnificent failure.”
Blaze bit his lip. Shit.
“Take this sad bastard out of my sight!” Ace roared to the room. Tricky lifted her gaze to the high walls. The shadows grew darker and more threatening around them. Ace’s sadistic grin spread from ear to ear, he eyed Blaze who nervously trampled on the spot.
“I’ll do it!” Blaze shrieked to the shadows. “I SWEAR I’ll do it!”
Ace chuckled at his servant. The shadows came lingering down from the walls, menacingly dancing around Blaze’s feet. Tricky let out a small shriek of panic and pressed herself closer to Blaze.
Ace laughed at the two. “Giver her to me Blaze.”
“NEVER!”
“Come on, I know you won’t hurt her. You can’t even if you tried to.”
Tricky felt all the air rush out of Blaze. The shadows came closer and closer every second. Tricky could hear them whispering eagerly.
Ace watched the two struggle. Amusing, that’s what it was. Amusing. Blaze’s helplessness. Tricky’s tries to save herself. Amusing.
“Blaze… There’s no point. She killed your fiancée, whatever her name was. Doesn’t that make you angry? Come on now, hand her over.”
Blaze shot a glare at him, but the words sank deep into his heart. He glanced down on the mare in his arms.
“... NEVER!”
Ace blinked. “What?”
“NEVER! I’LL NEVER LET HER GO.”
Tricky weakly flopped her wings in his tight grip. Whether it was in agreement or in a try to come free he couldn’t tell. But Blaze knew. Never would he let her down again. Sure, Millie was gone. But she’d already been gone for a long time. Ace’s face twitched in anger. He looked at the shadow that hovered over the two ponies, hesitating. Then, in a calm and sickly twisted voice he whispered:
“Fine.” He nodded slightly at the shadow. “Don’t hurt the mare.”
The whispers from the shadow grew stronger around Tricky, it almost sounded as if they were arguing.
Mine...
Mine…
No!
Take her...
Give it to me...
Let us live...
We want it...
Take her…
The other one...
Take it from her…
Take it from HIM!
Take HER!
She’s ours...
Mine…
Mine...
“What?” Ace asked the shadow. “No, I said don’t take the mare. Take the stallion!” The shadows circled faster and faster around them, Ace backed away from their menacing voices. “NO! The STALLION. OBEY, YOU-”
The whispers grew louder and louder, Tricky couldn’t hear Ace’s angry voice anymore. Beside her, Blaze was panting heavily. “Darling? I think-” As he spoke, the shadows hissed as one and dove down on the two. Blaze never got to finish his sentence, instead his lungs filled with a scream of agony.
Tricky could feel it too. The shadows ripping them apart one by one until there was nothing left but empty bones. “NOOOOO!!” Ace’s angry voice echoed through the wall of shadows, but nothing happened.
Tricky felt the weightlessness spreading from her hooves. It was just so easy, just letting it all happen. No problems ever again, no pain nor happiness. Just freedom. Just sweet nothing. And unbearable, endless pain.
She closed her eyes, beside her she felt Blaze fall to the ground.
Don’t leave me!
Tricky let her body go limp and fell back together with her friend. A small weight was lifted off her heart.
Who would have thought death was so… peaceful?
The golden dome over her swam out of view, only the darkness remained. Tricky felt how her ribcage moved on its own, taking one last breath…
“NO!” Ace’s furious face appeared in the dark.
No, no, Tricky thought. Not now! Let me go! I don’t want to stay, just let me die right here, right now!
Hooves nudged her aching body, unwilling to wake up, she just ignored them.
“...Icky? T...Cky?” A voice echoed in her head, unable to understand it, she played dead.
Everything was quiet for a moment, Tricky could feel her body relaxing, but suddenly a wretched scream cut through the peaceful silence.
“ACE YOU FOOL!”
Tricky jolted into a sitting position, the scream had broken every hope of regaining that peace. Ace stood by the table, bent over it in frustration. He once again spewed unhearable words into the air, Tricky watched him in fear as he mumbled. He was so caught up in his madness he hadn’t noticed her waking up.
Slowly, she turned around to Blaze, a small kindle of hope telling her that maybe, just maybe he was okay. It was far worse than that.
Beside her, Blaze was shaking, tears streaming unhindered from his eyes and every breath seemed to hurt more than the last. With a shaking hoof he clutched his chest. Only fragments of words escaped his bleeding lips.
Tricky felt the world slowly shatter around her. Everything was drained of color, the only sound she could hear was Blaze’s short pained breaths. Her skin suddenly felt cold and numb, the darkness around her confusing and dangerous. Her own breathing grew quicker, her heart seemed to have stopped. She didn’t feel alive. Maybe she wasn’t?
Her jaw shook, trying to make words but her brain wasn’t co-operating. Her mind was frozen in fear and confusion. Blaze twisted on the ground, his blood-shot eyes found Tricky’s. A flash of recognition lit up his agonized face.
“D-d-da…” he could barely stand the pain talking caused him, Tricky fell down on her knees before him. “D-dar-darling…” Tricky let out a gasp of sadness, but she was smiling. Blaze swallowed his own blood, the iron taste made him wince, but he continued best he could.
“Darling… My heart- ARGH!” Blaze voice was cut off by his own gasp of pain, his whole body shook trying to keep on living. A tear fell from Tricky’s eyes onto his cheek. “My heart… It BURNS-AARGH!!!”
Tricky turned to Ace, fury burning stronger than fire in her heart.
“WHAT DID YOU DO?!” she saw Ace slightly shrink under her anger, but she was far from done with him. “HOW could you? He did everything you asked him! He only wanted to safely get away from us! US?!”
She lifted her wings and rose in the air so that she could stare bitterly down at the cockroach in her shadow. “Can’t you see what this has come to? It wasn’t like this in the beginning! WHY did you have to go murder all those ponies?! They were innocent, they didn’t even threaten us in any way!”
Ace stared up at his daughter, defiant. He didn’t have to listen to her ramblings! Daughters were to listen to parents and obey. Not rebel. She had to be reminded of her place.
Over his head Tricky continued listing every single disgusting detail she could find about him.
“You DISGUST me, you don’t even kill because it’s necessary, you just kill to see the despair in your victim’s eyes! Who, WHO does that? I hope that you watched your mother die or something, because there is no way you went cuckoo just because of a mare.” Tricky could feel the rage building up in her spine, all ready to strike down on the pityful little fucking bastard and barbecue him on the spot. Every single reasonable thought just vanished from her body, she was more than ready to just dive down and bit that fucker’s face off.
She wanted nothing more than destroy him and make him feel. Feel absolutely everything she’d felt. Feel her disgust when she saw him. Feel all the nauseating feelings of love, friendship just so that she could crash it all. Just so that he’d know what he’d done.
In her fit of madness, she realized how easy it would be to unleash her rage if she was a unicorn. Just one beam of rage, and Ace would only be a pile of ash at her hooves.
“You…” Tricky felt laughter rising in her throat. “YOU, YOU FUCKING IMPERIOUS TWAT! YOU’RE A VILE WASTE OF SEED, YOU DINGUS!!!”
Ace’s expression changed from surprise to disgust and then to boiling rage. Tricky just continued shrieking everything that came to her.
“YOU’RE NOTHING BUT A HARE-MINDED PIECE OF FECES!!! YOU SIMPLY CAN’T ALLOW ANYONE JUST A LITTLE, A LITTLE ITSY-BITSY BIT OF HAPPINESS, CAN YOU? GRUMPY OLD DONKEY, I HOPE YOU DIE ALONE AND IN THE GUTTER! I wouldn’t wish that on anyone normally, BUT YOU, YOU DESERVE IT!!!”
“Stop with these silly insults infant! What’s happened to my little foal? You used to be so much fun!” Ace smiled at her, so full of himself Tricky could see the shit spewing out of his ears.
“Fun? FUN? FUN YOU SAY? LIKE YOU? YOU THINK IT’S FUN TO MURDER PONIES AND TORTURE THEIR FAMILY INTO MADNESS???”
“Calm yourself, I remember quite clearly that that was your favorite hobby.”
“I think I might actually enjoy murdering your friends, if you had any!”
Ace shook his head in disappointment.
“What in the name of Celestia has changed? Ah, don’t tell me… Was it that bastard I sent after you? Did he make you go all mushy inside?” Ace made a cry-foal face at her.
“STOP IT!” her voice cracked, a drop of humiliation managed to tear into her rage-roasted heart. Ace’s grin didn’t make it any better. He smiled at her in the most annoying understanding way, as if he thought he even had a chance…
“Tricky Tricky, he’s just a pawn on our big board of chess! More fish in the sea, dear.” he trotted over to where Blaze lay writhing in pain. “Do you really think he is worthy of a royal like you? He can’t even defend himself.” Ace lifted one of him hooves, Blaze helplessly watched as it came stomping down his battered face.
“NO!!!”
Tricky’s scream bounced from the walls together with the sound of cracking bones. Blaze’s wail of terror and agony replayed over and over again inside her head.
Ace lifted his hoof from the bloody mess that had been Blaze’s skull. He looked down on it, disgusted by the small pieces of bloody brain and tried drying it off on Blaze’s coat.
Tricky’s mind was unnervingly clear, but her body didn’t respond. Her wings flopped like paper plates in a hurricane. She crashed into the wall, the pain did nothing to wake her body. The ringing in her ears was accompanied by Blaze’s screams, it felt like someone had super-glued earphones to her head and was replaying that one sound over and over and over again. Her vision started blurring at the edges too, she couldn’t see Ace bending over her, whispering something. All she could see was Blaze’s bloody face and brain matter spreading out on the floor.
An image flashed through her mind.
A dark room. Millie’s limp body stretched out over the floor like a rug.
It’s happening all over again.
Tricky couldn’t breathe. Every time she tried her guilt and misery strangled her a little more. Maybe she would die too, from shock?
Ace’s hoof appeared under her chin. She refused to look at him, her glazed eyes were fixed on the dead body. An angry voice echoed faintly in her empty head. Ace’s probably.
She felt her lips moving, but couldn’t tell if she actually said anything. Blaze’s eyes stared up at her from the floor, she could see a tear glimmering on his cheek.
“Why did you do that?” the voice that came from her mouth was that of a stranger. “I-I don’t understand, he was just… Wha-?” Tricky suddenly felt her stomach wriggle like a worm, a powerful wave of nausea made her bend over. A transparent liquid gushed from her mouth like an upside down geyser.
Every convulsion made her throat burn, her tears blinded her, her hooves shook, it felt like someone was spinning her head around and around until it was going to snap off.
Ace distanced himself from her. A pearl white handkerchief appeared before his nose as he looked down on the ruined carpet. He really loved that carpet. Stolen from a traveler from Saddle-Arabia, it was worth more than a little house.
“Why?” a tiny voice snapped him out of his thoughts, back to the dead stallion in his dining room and the nauseating sight of his daughter, kneeling over the traitor, covered in her own puke. Ace sighed and scratched his horn. I really need to learn how to control my… Impulses, he thought.
Coolly, he answered, “Just because.” With that he turned away and marched to the table. Realizing how foalish he sounded, he added, “He was really annoying.”
Tricky puckered up her eyebrows. “What?” her voice rose into a panicking pitch as she spoke. Her heartbeat peaked, everything in her brain froze instantaneously. “I-wha? Th-there was the fire and then he just…” as Tricky kept on rambling Ace rolled his eyes. Things had suddenly got too complicated for his taste. The mare continued, her scared eyes jumped between Ace and the body.
“But you- that wasn’t his fault… And then yo-you told them, those monsters… And he-he’s not moving… Oh my Celestia, he’s not moving, is he dead? Tell me he’s not dead, he can’t be. H-he said… he told me… Wake him up, please?” Tricky grabbed Ace’s leg, who let out a small disgusted grunt. “Please, just… Could you just nudge him? Tell him he can’t be dead, so he has to wake up. Tell him I’m scared, will you do that? Please?”
Ace stared down at his daughter, shocked. This time’s she’s really gone bonkers, he thought. This wasn’t good at all, his agenda would be thrown off by a week if she didn’t get herself together before tea.
Down on the ground things weren’t looking too good though. Tricky had crept over to Blaze, a hopeful smile twitching in the corners of her mouth.
“Blaze!” she threw herself to the ground beside him.
Ace sighed and facehoofed, but Tricky didn’t seem to notice.
“Blaze! You scared me, please don’t do that again. I thought you’d left me, but I know. I know you’d never do that.”
Ace stared down at her, almost horrified. Goodness gracious!
“Look Blaze, I know we had a falling out earlier, but I’m really sorry. I promise you I’ll never do that again, ok? Please don’t be mad at me. I can’t stand it.”
Ace turned around, a feeling of confusion and horror grabbing him. She’s really over the brink this time… He looked around, trying to figure out a way out of the mess. Then, his eyes fell on a cheese knife that had fallen from the table. Slowly he picked it up.
Well, honestly, it would probably be the most merciful way out, said a little voice in his head.
No! replied another. We still have time, if we just leave her be for a while, she’ll be just fine! She’s used to us doing these sorts of things. Remember the time we burned up her doll? She actually improved after that!
The first voice answered venomously, Don’t you remember what happened when we took her father, Darius? That was quite glorious failure on your part.
Shut up Finch! the first voice shrieked. Besides, we’re missing the point here. This is all the fault of that fickle featherbrain Pierre.
Moi? a heavily accented voice asked. W’ateverrr did I do now?
It’s alway the prench, Finch laughed, Darius chuckled in agreement.
Ah, vraiment? You ahre encore mad about zat time I took cahre of zat little brat Fancy Pants? It was unbearrable! Ze way he looked down on us!
The two others remained silent. Pierre carried on, Ah! I zee ‘ow it iz. You do not appreciate my opinions anymohre, eh? Oh you americans, you nauseate me! Oh, quels bâtards!
British, Pierre, I’m not one of those narcissistic brutes! Darius sighed.
Oh, that was just uncalled for, Finch argued. Do you speak Germane, Darius?
No, and you know I don’t. If you’re going to say that ridiculous-
No? Well you’re welcome! Finch laughed wickedly, Darius just sighed.
Ace listened to the two voices arguing back and forth, Pierre eventually retired back to his part of the brain, mumbling something about “Zpoiled brocoli”.
He sighed, trying to banish them back to the depths of his mind, but the fight was growing fiercer and bloodier by the second.
Finch! How dare you call me a snob? I am by no means a snob, just because I’m refined doesn’t mean-
Oh, Darius, you’re just too much of a wimp to admit being wrong. The mare has to go, and she has to go now. As in like, right now right now.
Broccoli!
Darius sighed, clearly annoyed by the other’s foalish demeanor. NOT now, Bane. Let the stallions talk this through.
She RUINED the broccoli! the voice named Bane growled.
Not this again, Bane! Finch facehoofed. It was bad enough the last time you came out, aren’t you supposed to be taking like a vacation or something?
Holiday, Finch, it’s called a holiday.
Whatever, wi-
BROCCOLI!
Bane!
Shut your trap!
Ace shook his head, trying to shake out the voices. He really couldn't stand them anymore, all their ridiculous quarrels made his head ache.
What should he do? He couldn’t really kill Tricky, could he? He’d been looking for her for a month, just to throw all that time away would be irritating, to say the least.
See, Finch? Ace here is the only one with a little sense between his ears!
You seem to have forgotten why we’re here, Darius. We’re here because he’s weak, he needs us to tell him what to do.
“Oh shut up!” Ace spoke out loud. He could feel the voices frowning down at him.
Ace! even Darius was disappointed. We’re here to help you. You’re wrong you see. We’re right.
You unfaithful little prick! Here you are, lecturing them about being thankful when you’re the worst of them all!
You‘re a disgrace to the noble name of this family!
“Get out, get out… Get out! Leave me be I tell you!” Ace held his head tightly, the migraine growing worse and worse.
A small whimpering sound made the voices fall silent. Ace jerked around, cheese knife in his hoof and a slightly mental expression on his face. Tricky had burst into tears over the dead fellow’s body, Ace couldn’t remember his name anymore. Something to do with “F” he thought.
Tricky slowly rose up. She was sobbing, but the pain had already subdued under her growing feeling of rage.
“They didn’t even take his cutie mark.” she whispered. Ace cleared his throat.
“What did you say, dear?”
Tricky closed her eyes, everything inside her burned. Not necessarily in rage, a reasonable amount of it was sadness, desperation, confusion… But rage was what burned the strongest.
Rage was weird. It burns like love, destroys equally. It ends the same way, really. Either in fulfillment or a feeling of hollowness and waste.
So maybe she did it out of love. Not for Ace, but for Blaze.
She hit Ace as hard as she could. Right in the soft spot. Ace doubled over, he winced in pain. The sound made her smile. God it feels good!
Ace looked up at her under his frown.
“You should have killed me when you had the chance,” Tricky hissed, looking at the knife by his side. Ace scoffed.
“That wouldn’t have served my greater agenda,” he stood up, raising himself high over Tricky. “However now…” he continued with an evil grin. Tricky glanced back at Blaze, the rage fired up again.
“You villanous folly-fallen footlicker!” she shrieked. Ace actually laughed at this.
“Creativity, Tricky. I like it! I could use something like that…” he scratched his chin, already planning their next heist. He could see the headlines before him, but Tricky’s outburst cut off his chain of thought.
“You’re garbage that kills for nothing! And now you want MY help with something? You back-stabbing, dirt-brained, inbred, two-faced, filthy, sack of refuse!”
“You do realize you just insulted yourself?” his eyebrows shot upwards. “You’re probably the most inbred of us all, apparently you have either two uncles or two fathers…”
“You’re not my father, you’re just sick and lonely!”
Ace just rolled his eyes.
She wasn’t this dense before was she? Finch wondered.
Tricky felt the anger burn, the power gushed through her veins. All the anger, the excess power… she had to get it out. On anyone, anything…
“You’re a freak.” she said with so much hate and venom she could muster, all whilst giving him the glare of her life. Ace just chuckled.
“I’m no freak. I’m just ahead of the curve, darling.”
Tricky’s heart stopped.
“What did you say?”
“You heard me, darling.” he smiled at her, reaching after the cheese knife. Tricky’s eyes stared at him, disbelief and confusion dancing inside her.
“You don’t have the right!!!” she growled as she threw herself at him. “YOU MONSTER! Ahead of the curve? REALLY?”
The punch was too sluggish, she felt it as soon as she’d launched it. Ace ducked it easily. Before Tricky had the time to turn around, Ace had bucked her right between the wings. The kick expelled all the air in her punctured lungs. She fell to the ground. Behind her Ace was just getting pumped up. He jumped from leg to leg, adrenaline gushing through his veins.
“Phew, I do miss a good fight!” he walked up to Tricky where she lay panting. He carefully stepped on one of her wings. Tricky jerked up, only hurting herself worse. She refused to make a sound. Ace chuckled.
“You’re too proud, and too confident.” he whispered into her ear. Tricky just bit her lip in frustration. Ace stepped off her wing. Tricky flexed it, making sure nothing was broken. She rose to her hooves, glaring at Ace over her shoulder.
“That’s thick, coming from you!” she took one step forward with every word. At the last one she threw herself onto Ace’s back, pulling his hair with her teeth. Ace unwillingly shrieked. He shook his head and bucked as violently as he could. Tricky flew off his back and hung from Ace’s bangs. Their eyes met, Ace’s bulged with rage. Tricky stared back at him defiantly.
Ace’s horn lit up, and suddenly Tricky was flying through the room. The second hit made her eyesight go blurry. She coughed up a mouthful of blood on the carpet. She shook her head. On the other side of the room Ace cursed.
“You fight like a cow.” he spat out. He walked over to her, anger spewing out of his eyes. Tricky took shallow gasps, she stared up at Ace.
Come on now, chap! Do it! Kill her! the urging voices of Finch and Darius echoed in his head, egging him forward.
Ace grunted, and took a fast grip around Tricky’s throat. He took the cheese knife and pressed it under her chin.
“You know, I’ve never used a knife before.” he said, watching his own, cold, reflection in the steel. She gazed up towards the sky, gasping for breath. Ace continued. “ A shame actually, because I’m already having fun.” Tricky blinked, she couldn’t make out his words.
“J-just kill me already.”
“Tricky, Tricky…” Ace sighed and removed his hoof. “I take no pleasure in taking life from somepony who doesn’t care about it. I believe,” he said whilst rising to his hooves. “we should take another dance.”
With this he punched Tricky in the face. She moaned, warm blood gushing from her muzzle.
“Come on, darling! Get up from there already!”
Tricky glared at him under her blood stained mane. She pushed herself off the ground, but Ace slammed a hoof into her jaw. The horrible sound of teeth shattering echoed through her head. She landed into a fallen chair.
“You’re no fun! You used to put up quite a fight... I miss that Tricky.” Ace put his hoof under her bruised chin, lifting her head so their eyes met.
“Ugh… Go to hell.” She spat out another mouthful of blood, making sure it landed on Ace’s golden fur.
Ace chortled. “Not so creative anymore, are we?” he pushed her head out of his sight. She fell to the floor like a limp piece of meat. Her head was still spinning like a broken carousel. Anger boiled inside her, all because of her own helplessness and inexperience.
Suddenly she caught a glimpse of something by the wall. Ace had left the knife on the floor. She glanced at Ace, now making his way to the other side of the room.
Desperate as she was, she crawled over to the knife, hoping Ace wasn’t going to turn around and see her. She grabbed the knife just in time, as she turned to face the room Ace was strolling back.
“Giving up already?” he bent down over her battered face, voice seeping in sickly sweet confidence.
“We’ll see…” she whispered, looking deep into his left eye, before planting the knife into his right one. Ace shrieked like a little filly and jerked away from her. Tricky felt her rage purr like a cat. She rose to her hooves, hovering over the bent-over Ace. With a swift slash she’d cut his left foreleg, Ace glared up at her, cursing between his clenched teeth.
“Bitch.”
Now it was Tricky’s turn to chuckle.
“That’s not very creative, Ace.” With that she bucked him as hard as she could in the gut. Ace skid backwards, fury spewing from his eyes.
“It is on, darling.”
A silver plate came soaring through the air. She didn’t have enough time to duck. She felt it cut into her flank. Another plate hit the wall behind her. Tricky looked at Ace, he was once again smiling wickedly, an army of plates lining up from the cupboard. The stink of sweat itched her nose, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Ace. They were having some sort of sick staring contest. She was just waiting for him to take the first step. Ace stood before her, as full of himself as always, surrounded by plates ready to cut her in half. Suddenly the knife didn’t offer as much protection as she’d wished for.
She glanced to the table, if she could only get to it before Ace unleashed his little silver army…
The silence stretched out, Tricky felt a drop of sweat dribble into her eye. She blinked.
That’s when Ace unleashed hell. One after one, the plates dove into the wall. Tricky threw herself behind the chair. One of the plates cut off a piece of her tail. Ace’s laugh echoed through the room.
“A little hide and seek, eh, Tricky? I really do hope you have some better trick up your sleeve. Things aren’t really looking too bright for you.”
Tricky heard another plate digging into the chair. She had to get to the table, from there to the door or the glass dome… It was just the in-between that was the hard part.
She dared to glance over the top of the chair. Ace was running out of plates. Most of them were buried in the wall behind her. This was her chance. Without wasting another second behind the chair she sprinted off towards the table. She heard plates flying through the air. Just as she skid behind the table a plate scratched her hoof. The pain didn’t really register at first, but as soon as she put weight on it, stars blinded her eyesight.
“Fuck!” she looked down on it. the wound was so deep she could see her own bone. The sight made her sick, a cascade of puke spewed out.
Ace heard the sounds of liquid-on-expensive-carpet, and he was almost pleased he’d actually hit his prey. If it hadn’t been for the carpet. He approached the flipped over table, but one of his own silver plates flew back at him. It was off by at least a meter. He watched it fall to the ground, and to his satisfaction, he saw blood dripping from it.
She’s weak, the voices said. Take her!
I still think it’s a horrible idea- said the voice of Darius from some deep corner of his mind, but it was muffled by the shouts and commands by the others.
Take her!
She’s ours,
Kill ‘er already!
Take back what belongs to us!
Mine!
Mine!
Tricky knew she wouldn’t be able to walk anymore, not without spending a week in a hospital at least. And that was only if she ever got out of here alive. She felt the sunlight warm her sweaty body. The dome over her head shone in a golden color, similar to that of Ace’s coat, but colder. If she could fly through it… Well, that’d only be possible if Ace didn’t have any plates left…
Too many “if” s for her taste, but it was the only way out. She had to fly. It was that simple.
“Tricky, Tricky… Come on out and plaaay!”
She took one glimpse over the table. Ace saw her at once, he took a risk and threw his two remaining death-plates at the lock of red hair he’d glimpsed. One of them went straight through the table.
Silence filled the room. For a short moment he thought he’d hit his target. Finch and Bane were cheering somewhere in the back of his head.
But then a white blur of red mane and white feathers flew up from behind the table. Ace growled in anger, he watched in slow-motion how Tricky shot upwards. He launched himself forward like a rabid dog, a sling of spit flying out of his mouth as he buried his teeth into the moving mass of red and white.
“Aiiee!!!” the roots of her hair were being ripped out of her skull. It felt worse than the silver plates. Ace chuckled cruelly, without letting go of her mane. Tricky spun around in the air, tears flowing. Everything around her flew past in a blur, her mane painfully pulled up her eyelids. She looked up at the dome. With a scream of agony she pulled up, heading for the light. Ace muttered a snide remark, but as he saw the approaching glass he screamed.
Both he and Tricky banged straight through the glass and into the cool evening air. The splitters cut into their flesh and a trail of blood followed them. The two whimpered in pain as they spiraled up and up and up, high over the clouds. Ace let out an unwilling wail as he saw the ground fall away.
“Puth. Mii. DFWN!”
“Let me go! Asshole!”
Ace made an indignant sound. His horn lit up. Tricky watched in fear as the tip began to shine brighter and brighter.
“NO!”
Tricky felt how a beam of enraged magic singed her feathers. Another beam cut off her fringe, Ace was shooting wherever his horn pointed, panicking. The hairs on her head were being ripped out, one by one, and the pain had grown unbearable. Tricky screamed as hard as she could. Probably everyone in Canterlot heard her.
Ace was breathing faster than normal, his pulse sky-rocketed as Canterlot disappeared. The voices in his head has suddenly fallen silent, everything in his brain was empty. But some part of him was going completely hysterical. His pupils dilated and he clung on harder than he ever had to his daughter.
“LEMME GO!!!” she shrieked.
She pulled her wings close to her, for a moment they hung still in the air. Then they started falling. Ace went berserk. He grabbed one of her wings and clutched it tight, ruffling the feathers in every direction. He started shrieking like a filly, for the first time, he actually feared for his life.
Fear spread through Tricky like a virus does. Her mind went on overload and she cursed herself for everything. For Blaze, for Ace, for being an idiot, for ever walking out of that forest alive. Franticly she flapped her wings, but as Ace was tightly embracing one of them. All she could do was watch the ground thundering towards them.
“FLY! FLY, YOU CHICKEN!!! FLY!!!” Ace wailed in her ear, his voice broke several times, just like Tricky’s did when she was nervous.
“I CAN’T! YOU HAVE TO LET GO!!!”
“LET GO?!?!”
The ground was approaching faster and faster, Ace thought his heart would stop before he’d hit the ground.
Then, an idea came to him. He grabbed Tricky’s waist and somehow pulled himself over her, so that he sort of sat on her back.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING? LET ME GO!!!”
“Only one of us has to die, Tricky.” he said, the sickly sweet voice back to it’s normal crawling sound. “And you have to honor of being my pincushion.”
“YOUR WHAT???” furious, she grabbed Ace’s head and tried pushing him back under. In turn, Ace grabbed her other wing and they spun and spun and spun around in the air. Every second they fought the ground approached. Tricky saw the roofs and spires, the busy streets filled with frightened ponies, before they hit the ground.
