> Cursed Lightning
>  by rikithemonk
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Death and Taxes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I slowly drifted back into consciousness. My senses began returning as I tried to make sense of my situation. My first thought was about how cold the floor was. It felt like stone. Then I smelled dust, after a minute, my eyes began to work and I saw light. I opened my eyes and focused on what was right in front of me. It was a very close view of a granite floor. I blinked, slowly sat up, and carefully looked around. Nothing was familiar and I found myself in an abandoned throne room.

A scraping caught my attention and I turned to see what had made it. I found myself looking at a bald man of average height. He wore khaki pants and a white shirt. My eyes fell to a leather hunting knife at his waist. He stepped forward and squinted his right eye. He looked around for something to say. The scar across that eye twisted with the movement. He walked back and forth in thought, then squatted down to my eye level and began fidgeting with the hunting knife.

"I guess you're wondering where you are?"

As he spoke my brows raised in surprise. I knew this man from TV. It was the fictional John Locke from the TV show LOST.

"Your John Locke?"

He gave a small smile, "Looks that way, doesn't it." casually holding the blade he gestured around the room with the handle. "All this," he said squinting at me, "Is a holding room." He stood, "For the recently dead."

My eyes widened, "So you're not Locke then."

Another smile. "No."

"If I'm dead, would that make you death?

Locke cocked his head, casually tapping the knife handle on his palm. "Depends on how you look at it."

Locke stood with a puff of effort, "Well, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, but you aren't going to the afterlife. Let's just say that I have other plans for you. I would like to send you to a parallel world. The people there could use a hand." He scratched an itch on his face with the knife. "The natives they're need the help."

There has to be a catch. "Me, running through some strange island, protecting natives from the dharma initiative? No, I think I'll pass."

John smiled and sheathed his knife. "That island was a TV show, but I do get your point. No, Adam, I'm offering you a brand new chance at life someplace much different. What do you say?"

I frowned. "Let me see if I got this. You want to send an average guy to somehow protect people?"

John nodded. "That's about right."

"You realize I'm average right? I'm a regular guy. I have no scientific training, no fighting skills. I couldn't hang a picture without instructions. I don't see how you expect me to be helpful."

Lock Scratched his ear. "I trust you, Adam. You'll figure it out given enough time." He breaks into his devious grin. "So, are you in, or not?"

I sigh, "Live or Die? Where do I sign?"

Locke claps his hands together. "Good, now we're getting somewhere! On to my next question. What powers would you like?"

"What do you mean, What powers would I like?" I ask in surprise.

"It's a simple enough question."

"OK, I want the power of Cthulhu."

"Be serious. The place you're going to is full of myths and monsters. You need an edge! So within reason … what powers would you like to have?"

This surprised me, my brows rose to the occasion. "You mean like D&D, sword in the stone, hobbits sort of thing?"

He simply nods and after some thought, I smiled. Walking up to my savior I whisper in his ear.

He looks at me in surprise, "Why not the red one?"

"I don't like the red one. Red ones a weenie."

"You know he is a villain right?" He says in a deadpan.

A throw my arms out to my sides. "Power is power, it's just a tool. Good or evil is in how you use it"

Locks eyes glint with mischief, a glint I missed. "Are you sure about that? Certain powers aren't inherently evil? "

"Yes. A tool is just a tool."

He shakes his head mumbling, "Hero's." and snaps his fingers "Granted!"

Everything goes black.





<Time: Eight Years Later.>

<Country: The United Tribes>

My hooves plowed through the underbrush. My keen eyes sweeping the ground for rotting logs. My large earth pony frame made getting through these tight confines a simple matter as I tanked my way through the forest. Here I was, hero of Equestria … hunting for mushrooms with my wicker basket. I huffed as I thought about just how unheroic my life had been since I got here.

I arrived over six years ago in a crash of thunder. Dropping from the sky during one of the worst storms in years. My heroically unconscious and waterlogged form was fished out of the mud. I was found by two local sisters and brought to their farm for treatment. I was told much later that I was out cold for seven days, and I remained weak as a kitten two weeks later.

When I woke, I was confronted by two beautiful sisters. Both farm ponies of the Earth variety. I hate to admit it, but it was one shock after another. In those early days, I had to come to terms with my new body and the new culture that I found myself in. I was what they called an earth pony. A large one, with a white coat and a black mane. I often caught the two sisters eyeing me when I wasn't looking.

The culture here was odd as well. It was a matriarchy. It was a rule by women and for women. Men here had almost no say in anything other than household matters. It was a culture shock for me, but I had a good excuse for any odd behavior. I feigned amnesia, which wasn't hard to do, considering I was no farmer and I had no idea about medieval life. When asked about my life or my past, I just kept things vague, or I fell back on the amnesia excuse. It worked surprisingly well.

Time went by and I made a life for myself as the two sisters' live-in maid. I heroically cooked and cleaned, and did laundry. I was defeating dust bunnies and slaying bread crusts that dared appear on their toast. Yeah, this wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be.

After a while, the sisters became more and more interested in me. Casual conversations became suggestive. What little clothing the ponies did wear, became more suggestive, and it wasn't long until they started getting grabby with me. It wasn't too long after that when they cornered me in the barn. Just like in the old farmer's daughters' jokes, I became their stallion.

I smiled as I thought back on those times, and having filled my basket I headed back to the homestead. I hummed a happy tune, trotting forward, my dangerous mushroom prisoners in toe.

As I strode out of the forest, the valley came into view. It was a valley full of meadows and wildflowers and from here I could see our farm. It was a little place, nestled in the valley and isolated from the village. The sisters liked their privacy and felt that the valley was the perfect location. It was close enough to the Earth pony settlement of Brown Briar, without being so close that the other families became a bother.

I smiled as I thought of my little family and headed down into our fields. I passed by both of my wives and made sure to be close enough for a playful swat if they wanted to. My mares were hoovsey and liked grabbing me whenever they could. I always pretended to be offended, but we all knew I loved it. I caught their scent in the air. A mix of sweat and musk. I bit my lower lip as I sauntered by.

"I love the look of a hard-working mare," I said as I swatted them with my tail as I passed. I looked over my shoulder and with a sultry look said, "If only I had some big strong mares to take me under hoof and teach me the ways of the world." I finished with a seductive lick of my teeth and a flick of my tail. I always loved watching their eyes widen as they get that split-second look at my stallion bits. It's comical. Even after eight years, I can still make them stammer like teenagers.

I giggle and head into the home. I'll be honest. When I first arrived, the fact that I was treated like a helpless woman irritated me to no end. My two mares sat me down and treated me like a wild pony. Which they honestly thought I was. Word got out in the nearby settlement that they found a wild boy raised by timberwolves. I didn't know how to use my body and so had to be taught how to eat, how to use the out-house, and how to sit like a stallion. Sitting with my jewels showing wasn't acceptable. Of course, being the mare equivalent of two lone teenage boys, they didn't correct a lot of those bad habits till much later. Letting me sit all exposed and sneaking as many peeks as possible.

I have to say that in time, I got used to it. I began enjoying the game of being the hot tease in the room. It was even more fun to me because as a human man, I could relate to how they felt. Don't forget that living on an isolated farm in medieval times didn't give a pony many options against boredom. As that first year passed, touching, turned to kissing, and kissing turned to groping. Before too long we were wed. Not so long after that our two daughters were born. Silver Holly and Milk Thistle. My daughters and the lights of my new life.

As I stood at our sink priming the water pump, I got knocked over by my two adorable fillies. I endured the giggles and hugs as I got back to my hooves and set them down at the table.

"What did I tell you two about running in the house?"

“Both moms said we could!”

I gave a mock scowl, "And I see two young mares itching for a switching.”

Milk thistles eyes went wide and I pretended not to notice her kick her sister.

"Poppa, I just remembered they said, not to run in the house."

I grinned, "That's right. So what has you running all around here?"

Mom said for me to tell you to have dinner ready early as they're going to be ahead of things today.

I huffed in mock indignation. "You tell your mothers that dinners don't make themselves and it will be ready when it's ready." I huff and turn around stifling a grin. "Now get."

I laughed as the fillies scatter out of the room. It wasn't long after setting the table that my wives walked in and moved to sit down.

I put on my best imperial face, "No dirty mares at the table. Wash up, then you can come back."

Summer Wine looked sheepish and turned to leave. River huffed and gave me a look before heading out. I grinned, grabbing the long kitchen towel and after giving it a tight twirl, I snapped her on their flank. She squeaked in surprise and shot out the door, followed by my mischievous laughter.

Our family gathered and we passed around our meal. River Shine leads the customary prayer to Faust, and dinner began. Dinner was the highlight of the day. A time when the whole family could unwind and bond together. It was something I didn't like at first, but It slowly grew on me.

Summer looked to River, "You went to town this morning, find any interesting news?" This caught our attention. Both the foals and I took an interest in her response. Being away from the town meant that news only reached us once a month.

"Kind of. One thing I heard. We still don't have a calendar system."

Summer Frowned, "It's been 5 years since unification, are you telling me the Tribunal is still arguing about it?"

I sigh, "Seems so. Just because the war is over, doesn't mean the past magically disappears. There is a lot of bad blood between the tribes."

River put down her cider, "And that's the problem. Tribunal's one member of each tribe. Even now, getting them to agree on anything is like pulling teeth." She paused for a drink and wiped her muzzle with the crook of her hoof. "One thing positive I heard was that the new capital will be done in just a few years. They are naming it after the forest it's in. It's going to be the Everwood Castle."

The foals perked up in excitement. "That sounds neat, can we move there? We can even get a chance to meet Princess Platinum or the Two knights," said Peach Tree looking hopeful.

Spring Rains grinned, "I heard the White Knight shines with light and Dark Knight commands the shadows. She makes them eat monsters!"

I smiled, thinking back to when I was that young. My smile fell a bit when I couldn't remember that age. In my 50 years of life, I began to forget my childhood. I looked at my two fillies, sad to break the news. "I'm sorry girls, Moving a farm isn't easy. This Everwood town they are building is going to be mainly Nobles. We don't want to be all alone surrounded by the unicorn. Even if we could move, it would be wiser to wait until there are more Earth Ponies there." I felt a little sad when the girls both slumped. Looking at my wives, I could tell they had the same feelings as I did. They didn't want to move either and felt bad for the foals.

After dinner, everypony helped me gather the dishes and we all got to our after-dinner tasks. I started washing the dishes, after River's customary smack on my flank. The fillies began sweeping the floors and cleaning the tables. Summer and River moved to the fireplace for their evening pipe and the new newspapers. River had brought home three. The general store kindly saves us the last three papers of the month.

Toward evening sounds from outside filtered into our small home. My two mares looked at each other and headed to the window. I snuck over to one as well. While I act the part of the traditional house stallion, I've always treated it as something like a game. I'm still a male at heart and like my mares, my protective instincts never left.

What we saw were six royal guards and an elaborately decorated black coach. As we watched, a thin unicorn mare wearing an expensive-looking banker's suit casually strolled out. I watched as she looked down her nose at our little farm, and her expression changed to annoyed as she looked at our cottage.

"Ah, filthy ... and these are the thieves?" She said looking at the closest guardsmare.

"Yes, your honor, that's what we got out of the general-store owner. This lot has been avoiding taxes for years."

With an, "I see." the noble headed to our door.

"Adam honey, stay in the house while we sort this out." I heard as both wives headed outside.

I quickly turned to the fillies and ordered them up into the loft with my sternest tone and watched as they hurried up the ladder. Now that they were safe, I headed out to back up my mares.

River, our lead mare took charge of the situation and performed a slight bow. "Welcome your honor. What brings you to our little homestead today?"

The unicorn noble pinched a set of eyeglasses onto her nose and glanced at a black ledger. "I'm here," she paused looking around in disgust, "over the matter of three years of unpaid taxes. Surely you expected us at some point."

Summer blanched and River scowled, "We paid our taxes every year we've lived here. We pay in full and on time."

The Tax collector sneered, "Unfortunately for you, that is not what it says right here." She offered the ledger to River, eyes gleaming in malice. I was starting to get a very bad feeling about all this.  I knew full well that no one in our home could read unicorn script. Peasants in the tribes were barely able to find someone to teach their own script and finding someone to teach you a foreign script was impossible. I couldn't read anything either. Because I was a stallion, stallions weren't allowed to read.

River stared at the ledger in worry as Summer moved over to read it as well. Neither could read it.

"This is unicorn script, You know we can't read it!"

The taxmare gave a grin that I did not like. My bad feeling grew. "I hope you weren't expecting the crown to write in the ridiculous language of you mud ponies."

Summer huffed and the nobles expression went cold. "Where is your coin?"

"We don't have any money. Just what I have here in my coin purse. We paid our taxes already." Rain said in desperation.

"Then where is your receipt!"

Rain was looking worried, "It's in the home. I can show you where to find it."

The taxmare sniffed, "Likely story. Country filth are always stealing, hiding things from your betters. Thieving from your princess!"

"It will just take a second." Rain said as she began to trot to our home.

"Hold Her!" Was the command that the Pegasus guard was waiting for. They took to the air and tackled Rain to the dirt. After a quick struggle, she was dragged back in front of the mare.

The Mare stepped forward and grabbed Rains face with magic, dragging the mare forward till their eyes met. "You were not permitted to leave."

Now I was extremely worried and I moved forward into the confrontation. "This is getting out of hand. It's a simple misunderstanding, we can all go into the house and discuss this calmly over some tea." I never saw the hit coming. One moment I was standing next to Rain, trying to calm things down, and the next moment I was on the ground. My muzzle was bleeding and I was dazed. I have been in a fight or two and I was no stranger to getting hit, but nothing like this. I have never been hit that hard in my life. I was picked up by the guard and held to the nobles eye level.

The taxmare looked completely deranged. "Savage mud pony stallion! KNOW YOUR PLACE!"

I saw the hit coming and opened my mouth to scream, "SH-" but all I could do was gag as she hit me full force right in the throat. I lay there twitching on the ground convinced that she shattered my windpipe. I squeezed my throat and tried with everything I had to scream, but the trauma prevented anything more than a garbled wheeze. 

I heard, "Get away from him!" and looked up to see Summer Wine, my wife being stabbed through the barrel by one of the pegasus guards. She had been running toward us. I looked to River Shine and saw a look of horror on her face as she struggled against the two guards holding her.

The tax mare spoke and with a casual flip of her hoof said. "Burn the farm, leave nothing."

I took the deepest breath I could and focused on what I wanted to do. I had to stop them, I had to help. I tried again to make a sound, and could finally feel my throat begin loosening. I lunged forward, only to have the wind knocked out of me for my trouble. 

For me, time seemed to slow down. I watched as three of the pegasus guards torched our home. The roof thatch burning like tinder. I watched as River Shine broke free and bolted straight toward the taxmare. I saw the flash of steel and heard the scream as something drew blood.

The noble screamed. "She cut my face! She cut my face! Kill Her!" then watched helplessly as my River was cut down.

Then I heard it, the screaming. My fillies screaming! They were still in the house! I tried to rise, I tried to scream, but all I could manage was gagging sounds. The guards saw my movement and began kicking me back down. I could hear them laughing.

I was crying like a foal. I asked for this. I so asked for this. This is what happened to his family. I caused this! I caused this by my choice! I killed them! In my stupidity I killed them! Why didn't I think!

The guards held me up and grabbing my mane, they forced me to watch our home burn. I couldn't believe it. We were so happy. I lost everything. Lost everything in a single day.

"Bring … him… here." The maniac purred. She actually purred. The guards dragged me to the mare, still laughing and joking among themselves.

I hated them, I hated them all.

"Oh, he looks upset … tisk, tisk, tisk."

"Any last words before I give you to my mares?"

I glared at her and with blood covering my teeth I scowled. "Jus ... jus one," I slurred out after finally regaining my speech.  I filled my lungs.

"And what would you like to say?"

"SHAZAM!"
> Hanging Tree
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the thunderbolt hit I began to change. I could feel the power of six Egyptian gods flow through me. I watched my wounds heal and my body enlarge. My vision cleared and my thoughts sped up. I watched as the world around me slowed down. 

My head had cleared and I took in my surroundings. The bolt had burned the noble. Her fall seemed to slow as time seemed to dilate. I look behind and watch the guardsmare slowly take to flight. All this to a backdrop of a house bathed in flames. My home had become a funeral pyre for my two children. ‘These bastards killed my children. These bastards killed … MY … FAMILY!’

I was a mix of grief and rage. I grit my teeth and snatch the noble out of free fall, and crushed her in my hooves. I discard her body and turn my attention to the Pegasi. I crouched and fly toward the group of guards. I pivot in rout and buck one into the ground. I feel armor crumple like tin. That guard will never move again.

Stopping in midair I spin into the mare who is almost upon me. She is skillful with her gladius and I am impressed. She is both speed and precision. To me, the world is slow motion. I deflect blow after blow and slash after slash. My hooves are a blur, and I can see the moment she realizes that this is a pointless dance. I watched her face. Now she is all anger and fury. 

I scowl. ‘She has the gall to be furious.’ I grit my teeth. ‘She is mad at me. At Me! AT ME!’ 

I slap the flat of the blade, breaking it with my left hoof, then swing forward and through her head. She is finished. 
I turn to the final two Pegasi who are fleeing to the woods and aim with my hoof. I cast lightning, it flashes out and covers them. To my surprise, it does nothing. They continue flying for the woods. 

“No, you bastards…don't!” 

I quickly raise to my rear legs and clap my front hooves together with all my might. The claps concussive wave tares across the field and rips the Pegasi from the sky. I grab them and drag them to the funeral pyre. 

“Not nice to sneak out of a funeral. I know you're fathers taught you better.”

My brows raise, I spot a coil of rope on one of their saddlebags. 

“Well, that's an idea.” 

My eye is drawn to my left and I have my plan for these two. I drag them both to the foot of the apple tree that stands silent in front of my burning life. 

I calmly speak, “You don't know this, but I had two fillies. Good foals. Best a father could ask for.”

I casually work the rope into two knotted lengths and work them snugly onto a sturdy branch. 

“The young un was quiet. She was a very quiet girl. Loved to sing. She had this quiet little way of singing.”

I step back to look at the ropes. My eyes unfocus. I'm hit by memories of the past. I grit my teeth and clear my head. 

“Beautiful voice. Her name was Silver.” I looked down at my hooves. A rueful smile crosses my face. “Silver Holly. Holly loved this tree.” 

I finish the nooses and move toward the mares, lifting them one at a time. 

“Her mothers always scolded her for climbing. The very next day, you would look, and there she was, back in the branches.” 

I carefully fit the noose around the neck of the mare and looked in those terrified eyes. 

“You,” 

I worked the noose. I worked it casually, like a necktie for a shirt collar. 

“You took her from me. Took both my fillies. Watched you, right there.” 

I pointed. “Putting that torch to my home.”

I let her go and watched as her weight hitched the noose. Her eyes bulged in terror as she tried not to shift. Her pegasi body was just light enough not to strangle her. 

“My foals were in there you know. Of course, you know. You heard them.” I looked her right in the eye. “Heard them and you … smiled.”

I grabbed the second guard and carefully worked the noose into place. I straightened her collar. During the scuffle, it had gotten twisted. 

“Hold still, you got all twisted up…that's better.”

I stepped back to look at this mare. Her eyes bulged as her own weight hitched her noose. I gave her the critical eye that all fussy house stallions are born with.

I step toward her, pulled out a kerchief, and licked a corner. “Sit still, you have dirt on your face.”

I use the damp kerchief to clean her up. I smooth down her mane, as her own father had done, and step back with a sad smile. 

“My other daughter's name is Milk Thistle. They are only about fifteen minutes or so ahead of you. Do me a favor. When you catch up to em, tell em I love em.” 


I step back and wipe away a rogue tear.

I glance at the pyre that was once the center of my life.

I grip both guards by a hind leg.

I say goodby to my daughters.

I pull with all my weight.

I heard a sharp crack.

Then only silence.

Nothing stirs.

They’re dead.


I had no energy left. Everyone was dead. The bad guys were dead. My family was dead, and in a real way, I was dead. I just sat there next to the hanging tree and watched my home burn. I didn't have a single thought. 

I just numbly sat there till dawn. Staring at that fire. 

Daylight came and I saw the rays of the sun streaming through the bough of the forest. The sky was a beautiful mix of crimson and blue. 

The angle of the sun made the white clouds glow almost silver. I loved to watch the sunrise. Not anymore. I glance over to the remains of my home. It's funny to think that the ‘once,’ I had just thought of, was only yesterday. 

I stood and moved slowly over to my wives. I wish I could have said that they looked peaceful. They didn't. I carefully picked them up and, one at a time, I set them in our little wagon by the shed. I straightened what little I could, and cleaned them up one last time. I swept the dirt out of their manes and wiped them down with my kerchief. I cleaned up their faces and looked at them. Even in death, they were beautiful. 

I turned to the homestead. There wasn't much of it left. It was a pile of ash and cinders. I waded into the mess and I dug through the charred wood and thatch. I threw timber out of my way and I dug my hooves into the ash. Then I found them. I cleared away the ash and I looked at them. I broke. I just broke. 

I don't know how long I cried. I just lay there in the ashes of my life until I had no tears left to give. It was the first time I cried in this new world. In a way, my wives would have been proud of me. I had cried like an actual stallion. They had always teased me for being too marely, and I always blamed it on being raised by timberwolves. My ears drooped when I realized. They never knew, I never told them the truth of my origins. It was just another mistake among many. 
Next came the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I buried my family. I picked a quiet spot. It was out in the pastures and upon a hill. We used to come there on quiet Sundays. It was the perfect spot to go as a family to picnic. I went to that hill out in the pasture and laid them all next to one another. I placed my daughters in the middle, My wives beside them. I carved one stone. It was going to be the last thing I would ever make for them so I took my time on it. I looked at the finished stone and carefully carved their epitaph. I won't tell you what it said. 

The thieves I threw in the pig troughs. Pigs are efficient at getting rid of dead animals. They will even eat the bones. In a few days, their wont be enough left to identify. A few days after that, and you would never know they were even there. You might ask why I didn't bury them. My answer is, ‘They didn't deserve it.’ They deserve nothing better than to be boar food. 

I looked through the wreckage of the homestead, but we were farmers living in the middle ages. There wasn't much, to begin with. In the end, the only thing I found was Summer Wines tobacco pipe. That's all I had left of any of them. 

I walked over to the coach. It was a gilded thing, all white with gold trim and bolted on candelabras. On the back of the coach was a steel-banded chest. If I were mortal right now, I would have stood no chance against its lock. Right now, as Black Adam, I casually tear it off. What I see inside doesn't surprise me. If this were a business district, I would see Gold and Platinum. But this is a farming township, so what I see is mostly copper and silver. But even this amount is a fortune to a farmer. 

I stand there looking at the small fortune while the events of the last two days fill my mind. I have nothing left here anymore. I need a purpose. A reason to move forward. I take in the sight and let my mind work. Luckily, I have gods. Seven of them. With the help of the wisdom and knowledge of the god Zehuti, a plan begins to form. I see a small coin purse and test its weight. 

With a smile, I pocket the small pouch and head for the coach doors. I take in the gaudy decorations and shake my head, it's a perfect example of someone who has more money than common sense. I gripped the door and swing it open. The interior was exactly what I expected. All posh elegance, as my eyes sweep the interior, I freeze in surprise. They're in front of me is a pair of pink eyes staring back. 

I took a step back to get a better look at what was sitting in the gloom. It was a colt, A teen, I think. He was chained to a ring in the floor by his throat and hooves. His fur was a tan and his pink mane was short. He looked terrified. 

I moved forward to talk to him and was almost bowled over by the strong smell of urine coming from the coach. I had killed the royal thief yesterday afternoon and had spent most of today closing the book on my former life. The poor colt had spent an entire day chained in that spot. 
Sighing, I reach in and snap the ring. Holding him at strides length, I fly over to our pond and toss him in. 

“You need to wash up, you smell.”

I could have been nicer, but I didn't know why he was chained and I decided to be cautious. I watched as he splashed around to get his hoofing and smiled at the way he was throwing a fit. 

"You, You, You. What kind of a stallion are you! I've never been so marehandled in my life!” 

I sit down at the shore and grin while he drags his wet mane out of his face. “You stunk. You needed a bath.”

“You don't just chuck a stallion into a lake! What do you think I am, laundry?” 

Then I began to feel a little bad as his attitude shifted from pouting to sniffling, and then tears. “I’m soaked. My mane is ruined.”

I sigh. I can't let a grown stallion cry. I'm supposed to be dainty and feminine. I ask myself, what would Gina Carano do?   

“Fine, come here, I'll pull you out. Seriously, come on over. Please don't cry.” Sigh, he is still crying. 

I reach out a hoof and lean out and grab him. Next thing I know I'm being yanked face-first into the pond. I stand up, wipe my mane out of my eyes and spit out water.

“Ok, ok, I guess I deserve that.”

I turn around expecting to see a smug expression and get surprised when he is gone. I fly up several yards and spot him running for all he is worth down the road.

“That fucker!”

I power up my flight magic and flash right in front of him. He slams into me like I'm a brick wall and lands on his rump.

“You can't go already dear, we haven't even had our tea,” I say with my best stallionly smile. I casually grab the chains he is wearing and take him to a spot we can sit. 

“So why are you chained up like a prisoner.” I watch his face as I ask and I'm surprised when he just wilts. He mumbles an answer.

“I didn't hear you, dear.”

“M My family. They um. They gave me as payment."

My eyebrows rose.

He continued. "Payment for taxes. you see, we couldn't pay and they signed me into impressment to the crown until it's paid in full.”

My lips formed a thin line. ‘There will be blood.’ 

"I, i asked what the court would do with me. They, they said the guard. I would help with stallionly things in the enlisted mares barracks. I ask if I was to clean them. They all just laughed." His voice which had been getting smaller and smaller was almost a whisper. “They laughed.” 

I moved forward and hugged him. 

“Well, you're not going there now.” He looked up at me with hope in his eyes and slowly joined me in a timid smile. 

I wiped the tears off his cheek and asked. 

“So, You kind of a unicorn, but I've never seen a unicorn with a curved horn before.” 

I stepped back and looked at him properly in the light. My original impression was wrong. I thought he was an older foal but now can see that he’s a full stallion. The mistake came from how petite and thin-framed he is. His curved horn and almond-shaped eyes gave him an 
exotic look. 

For the first time, he gave me a genuine smile. 

“I'm Nayponese. My family moved from Naypon to Ponyland years ago because of better opportunities. Then after the Windegos, my family moved back to Naypon and I stayed. I moved with my herd during the migration.” He wilted, “Now I’m alone.”

I tilted his chin up. “It's a mares world, us stallions have to stick together. So, what's your name? Mine is Adam.” 

He smiles, “I'm, Hearts, Hearts Obsession.”   

Cool name. I glance at his cutie mark and my eyebrows raise. It was a green outline of a heart behind a green butcher's knife. “Wow, I guess the knife is pointing down because you love to cook?” 

I missed the eye twitch. “Yeah, to cook.” 

We begin walking down the road. “Well, let's burry that chest and then head to the capital.”

"Cool, can I come along? You know, now that you saved me, we can be brothers. I can be your little brother and we can look out for each other.” 

I think that would be perfect. 

My face gains a deadly grin. “Since Platinum wants her coin, I shall give it to her."

As we walked away I never saw the wind gently carry several papers out of that coach.  One in particular, I really wish I had seen.   

WANTED
Hearts Obsession
Escaped Lunatic
Extremely Violent
500 Bits




> Little Match Colt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





We had been walking along the coach road for most of the day in an attempt to get to town before nightfall. Neither of us had been to town before and I wasn't certain that we would make it at this rate. I glanced over to my new companion. He was not a traveler. He constantly stumbled, He was not used to hiking, and he complained about everything. In a way, I felt bad for the kid. His voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"So Adam, I. I saw what happened to your family. When I was chained up. I saw what they," He shivered slightly, "what they did." 

I sighed and closed my eyes. I didn't need reminding. 

"I saw what you did too. They deserved that." He glanced at me, then deflated a bit. Then in almost a whisper. "Family is the most important thing in the world. Having a family, having a special somepony. Having the right people in your life." 

I looked at him. "I guess I'm between families right now." 

I saw him perk up a bit. "You don't have a family. I don't have a family. We could be a family together! You can be my older brother, and I can be your little brother! We can look out for each other. I could protect you from the mares. His voice went strangely flat. "You can't trust mares…" 

I felt bad for the kid, it's hard to be trained as a housecolt, then be tossed out into the cold. No support, no money, and no useful skills. He is probably frightened. I smiled.

"Like I said already, You aren't alone now. I'll look after you for as long as I can."

He glanced at me and cleared his throat. "Can I ask you a question?" 

"Sure."

"That large gold chain link necklace thing. Around your neck. Shouldn't the big lightning bolt be in the center?" He cleared his throat. "It's nice, don't get me wrong, but it looks a little weird, cocked off to the side like that. Kind of twisted." 

I glanced at the chainlink petrol that forms Black Adams breastplate. I hadn't noticed before, but he was right. The suit was an older design from an era when the lightning bolt came from the shoulder. 

"It does look a little odd. I'd never really thought about it before." I Cock my head and grin. "It's supposed to look like that. Besides, it's more of a gold sash than a regular petrol." 

Heart grins back. "Between that and the gold shoes, you look like an Amazon."

"Sabatons." 

"What?"

"The Shoes, they are called sabatons." 

Heart looks around in thought. "So where are we going now, What's the plan?"

I scratch the back of my neck and watch the passing woodlands for a moment before answering. 

"What they did to us was wrong. Killing my family, stealing from the poor, buying you into servitude. It's wrong and I am going to tell them so."

"But they're dead. I watched you kill them all." 

I smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. 

"I killed the tools, I didn't kill the craftsmare. Now we go to the capitol and cause a change in management." I toss the small coin purse into the air and snatch it with an audible jingle of coins. 

"I made a promise that Princess Platinum would get her taxes, and I intend to hand it to her myself." 

Hearts Obsession staggered back a bit, his hoof to his chest. I looked in surprise before realizing that my expression had gotten rather dark. I think I may have scared him. 

"I'm sorry. I'm just angry."

To my surprise, I was embraced into a tight hug. 

"Don't worry, your little brother will help you pay them all back."

He hummed in thought. "You know, you can't just walk in and kill everyone. You're just a colt. They have mares in arms who have trained all their lives. You wouldn't last long, even with my help."

I grin. You're wrong about that. I could walk in and kill everypony in sight. Heck, I could fly in at mock five and take out all the support pillars in the castle, then watch as all the weight fell on them. No muss, no fuss."

He looked at me like I had lost my mind. "Be serious about this!"

I stifle a grin then continued. "BUT, I'm not going to do that. No, I want to send a message, and to do that takes planning. What we are going to do first, is go to town and get a map, so we can learn where the capital is. Then we hit the capital and scope it out. Keep our ears open and learn what we can. Make a plan based on what we know, and "Poof! Bobs-your-uncle."

Hearts gave me a deadpan look. "Blossoms Edge is my uncle, not Bob."

It's a figure of speech.





Unfortunately, I had misjudged the distance to the town and we did not get there until well after dark. During the entire afternoon, the sky had been overcast and the dark clouds that approached us promised a hard rain. As we finally crossed the town border I could smell the coming rain and the wind suggested a wild storm was coming. 

The night and the clouds made the town pitch black and if it wasn't for my unicorn partner's horn light we would have been in real trouble. We stood in the town square looking around for anyplace we could spend the rest of the night. Since we were both stallions and neither of us could read, none of the signs that we saw was of any help. 

"Hey Adam, isn't that the General Store?" 

I turned to see what Heart was looking at and scowled at the squat wood structure. "Can't read the sign, but I bet that it is." I turned and moved on. "Leave it be. Karma will get her eventually." 

Hearts stared at the building, horn-light shining on the sign. 

"Dry Good's General Store. Hurm." 

I turned in irritation. "Hey, stop grumbling and get up here, I can't see a dam thing without your light." I squinted from the rising winds and tried to make out something useful, anything useful at all. 

A voice made us both turn to see a rectangle of light bobbing its way toward the two of us. 

Then a gruff. "Whose there? Is that you Tree Dancer? I told you if I caught ya wandering around drunk again, I'd …" 

I covered my eyes against the lantern light that was now shining on us. 

"Well, I'll be, Stallions." 

With my eyes adjusted, I could now make out the form of the earth pony talking to me. It was an old mare with a scruffy look and an oil lantern. She removed her cap and scratched her head as she looked us over in confusion. 

"I don't reckon I know you two damsels. Where's your mare? What by dirt, are you wandering around in the dark fur?" 

I spoke first, afraid that Heart might say something dangerous. 

"We lost our mares. We were all walking on the path and heart showed me the most beautiful flower and I just had to stop …"

"Yeah yeah, I get it, ya stopped for a fool reason n got left." She rammed the hat back on her head.

"Well'p, Ya ain't stayin with no mares alone. Ye'll get up ta hankey-pankey knowing mares n this town." 

She scratched her chin in thought. 

"Let's try the old Weaver Widda. He might feel sorry fer ya. Put ya up fer the night?" 

With that, she turned and headed off. By the time we got to a cottage door, it had already started raining. I seriously hoped this widow would let us stay. Knowing this old night guards type, she wouldn't let us stay anywhere else. Except maybe a barn, under careful watch, in case of 'morals.' 

With a slight shift of her lantern, the codger pounded on the door like the owner owed her money. 

"Widda! Widda! It's Hawk Eye! Open the dang door it's rainin!"

The widda, I mean widow carefully peeked through the crack, and recognizing the banger-of-doors, he let us in. 

"Hawk Eye, What are you doing out in the rain?" He said just before getting a look at us. His ears flattened and asked us to sit while he made tea. We politely moved to the table and took our seats. Heart dried us all with a spell as we sat and talked with her. 

Our host was a typical little old stallion. He made us tea and fussed at us about our condition. Heart was far too pale and I was too skinny. I smiled at him. Here I am, with a body like Hercules in horse form, and all he can see is that I'm too skinny. He brought a good-natured smile to my face. The first genuine smile since my family died. 

She turned to me after Hawk Eye politely left and asked, "So deer, what were you all coming to town for?"

"Well Mr. Weaver, The mares were coming for supplies, while I and my little brother here were looking for a map, to help our oldest filly learn about the capital. Being stallions we don't know much ourselves and being almost grown, our eldest will want a good start. We were thinking the capital."

He smiled at us and moved shakily over to a bookshelf by the fireplace. 

"This was my Wicker's. She was always one for reading and maps. It's been years now since anyponys read them." He turned to us and held out the map. "I want your mares to have it." 

I took it with a polite thank you.

Since it was already late when we got to town, Mr. Weaver set us up a nice cozy sleeping area near the fire. Sadly the small cottage and her meager belongings didn't give us the option for two beds so we settled for the one. We got comfortable and watched Weaver head up to his bed in the loft. 

Being a stallion in a herd, I am used to sleeping in the middle of a fur pile, snuggled by family. What I wasn't used to was snuggling with a stranger or another stallion. While multiple stallions are common in large herds, My family was considered tiny in this day and age. So when Hearts Obsession snuggled against me as the little spoon, it took some time to get comfortable. 





Hearts Obsessions eyes snapped open and he quietly took in his situation. 

My ears pivot trying to find signs of movement. My big brother is behind me, snuggling up to me as the big spoon. I lay there feeling his heartbeat against my back. It was calm and rhythmic. I slowly turned around and carefully pull him in close. I can feel his body. I run my hoof across his chest. His muscles are like stone. 

I snuggle my face into his chest and listen to the rhythmic beating of his heart. He is mine. I nuzzle him and breathe in his scent. It's the scent of my brother. The scent of my family. He is mine. My family, and we will be together forever like family should be. Not like the others. Those who let me down. The dirt they called mares. I look up and into his peaceful strong face. So easily hurt. So easily wounded. Especially by mares. Lying mares. Lying vicious mares. My eye twitches. I stroke his sleeping face. So strong, so peaceful. 'Little brother will always protect you.' A promise I will keep.

I look to the loft. The Lovely Weaver was snuggled on his bed. My ears swivel and I listen for the tell-tale sounds of deep sleep. Finding it, I slowly untangle myself from the only family I have and quietly rise to my feet. I look around for anything out of place. Finding nothing I move through the room. I work my way out the door and into the middle of the town square. 

I run my hornlight from roof to roof, reading and dismissing one sign after another. Where is that store? My eyes freeze as I spot the sign. It read, 'Dry Good's General Store.' 

I reached into my long mane, I pull out Jeromy. I look at him and he is beautiful. We have been friends since the day I found him. His long blade glistens in the low light. He smiles at me and I nuzzle him. I look at the front of the store, a wood slat porch leads to saloon-style doors. They are both old and prone to creaking. I must be careful. I cautiously glide across the boards and make it to the entrance. Without a sound, I carefully slip beneath the rickety flaps. I smile. I am in the store. 

I carefully scan the darkened place. Everything is cast in shadow. My hornlight forms a dim red glow. I have always liked red for nightwork. I hear a familiar whisper, Jeromy likes red too. He smiles at me and I smile back. I look around. The lamps of the store are out and the windows are shuttered. I slowly walked the aisles, examining the goods on display. It's a mix of everything. I see books, building supplies, dry goods, fabrics, and animal feed. After walking the store I have my plan. 

I move to the magazine and books, where I begin setting my plan in motion. It's a plan fit for the mare that sent death to my brother's family. It took some time to set up, but all good things take time. 

I build a makeshift bed and place it. It's the first thing anypony will see when coming out of the storeroom. Just beyond the door of that storeroom, is the living space of Dry Goods herself. The owner and destroyer of lives. 

I place flowers in my mane and move the lighting so it highlights the bedding perfectly. Jeromy whispers an idea. It's a good one. I grab some olive oil and use it to strategically draw the eye. I finally arrange myself on the makeshift bed. One thing mares love more than a ready stallion is an exotic ready stallion. IMy eyes fall on a jar of marbles. I smile, how convenient. 





A crash pulls Dry Goods right out of slumber. Her eyes snap open.

I sit bolt upright, my heart racing. Was that a noise? Was it real, or just part of a dream? I sit perfectly still and listen as hard as I can. I strain my ears but I can't hear anything. 

I smile to myself, "Must have been a dream." 

As I lay back down and get comfortable, a clacking sound brings me fully awake. That was not a dream. The rhythmic clack, clack continues. I shakily light the lamp and peer into the gloom. The lamp only seems to make the shadows darker. The clacks are slowly getting closer. A movement from the shadow catches my eye. Something small glints in the lamplight. I hear a rhythmic clack as it slowly bounces down the wooden floor. I lean closer. It's a glass marble. Confused, I watch it as the bouncing slows. It rolls to a stop. I smile in relief. 

My head shoots up as the bizarre scene repeats. I watch as another marble slowly makes its way toward me, clacking with each slow bounce. 

"Glass marble?" 

I grab my machete from under the bed. I grip it with my teeth and move into the storeroom. My hackles are raised. My fight or flight reflex is screaming. This whole thing feels off. I see a dim light coming from the door to the sales floor. I'm now certain that somepony is out there. 

Who would rob me way out here? A highway mare? Bandits? I give the door a firm shove with my hoof. I step carefully onto the sales floor. I'm nervous, leaving teeth marks on the wooden handle. I shift the machete for a better grip. I am sweating. My eyes follow the dim light. My jaw drops, the weapon clatters to the floor. 

Laying seductively in a pile of my best linens is a stallion. The most beautiful stallion I have ever seen. He was a petite little thing. My eyes slid over his lithe body, perfectly sculpted barrel, and firm haunches. I froze as I took in the sight. His tan coat and pink mane glittered in the candlelight and his face had an exotic look to it. I blinked in surprise, then saw his eyes. His dark almond-shaped eyes. 

After a minute of shock, I realized that I was standing like a fool and hadn't said anything.

"I um, Hurm. Young Colt. Look. Here young colt. What are you doing here? In my store?"

The colt looked at me and slid his hooves behind the pillow as he arched his back seductively. His beautiful main glistens in the light. 

"I'm sorry, but I have no place to go. My herd was arrested by the tax mare and I have no place left." 

I realized that he had been giving me a seductive look. Something that hasn't happened in a very long time. My throat is dry and my mare bits were awakening. As I replayed the conversation, what he said finally hit me. 

"Wait, you're the River Shine stallion."

I realize what happened. A devious smile creeps onto my face. The River Shine herd must be gone, the farm is forfeit to taxes, and this stallion, this beautiful, stupid stallion is all alone.

I clear my throat and shift my face into concern. 

"Oh honey, you've lost everything. Lost your mares, lost your farm, and lost your home. I'm so sorry for you."

He is vulnerable and when I'm done, He will never be free again. 

I move in to comfort him and prepare to take advantage. I will make him mine, till I get bored and throw him out. 

I couldn't help a devious grin. 

He looked at me with seductive eyes and shifted his hips suggestively. When he was sure he had my attention, he spread his legs. It was a slow and sensual unveiling of what he had hidden between his thighs. When I finally saw it swing free, it was beautiful. He had oiled it and the skin glistened in the light. 

I stifled my smile. I didn't want to look eager. I knew what this stallion was doing. What he was offering me. Giving his body in marriage for my protection from the world. I had Him right where I wanted him.

His next words caught me, as I glanced up to that seductive little smile. He said.

"Is there anything alone stallion can do to convince you to let me stay?" 

I cup his face in my hooves and look him straight in the eye. 

"I'm going to take you and when I'm done, You're mine now. No pony else's."

I roughly grab his mane with a sadistic grin. 

"You belong to me." 

I push him back and slide on top of him. He is small beneath my large frame. I hear him gag. I grind my body scent into his coat as I lick his neck and face. My head is grabbed and I'm pulled into a deep passionate kiss. He looks at me, seductively biting his lip. I smile. I'm going to make this last.

I see movement from the corner of my eye. Something green coming fast. By the time it registers I'm already hit. Pain explodes at my temple, my vision flickers and blurs. I see green blurs. I bottle? Something hot runs down my face. Stunned and with the world spinning, I try to get my bearings. There is a sudden weight on my chest. I slam into the sales counter. The world spins more. I can feel legs straddling my hips. I shake my head and try to focus. A face fades in and out. It looks demonic. I look up and see a blur swinging a green bottle with all its might. Pain explodes. Everything goes bla-. 

Pain, nausea. My face feels broken. As I regain consciousness, I begin to realize my body feels wrong. My teeth have gaps and my muzzle is broken. My face is a mass of pain. I try to focus on my surroundings, but I can only seem to use one eye. I try to move my hoof to my face, but it doesn't budge. I look and see that it's tied to the counter. I look and find my entire body tied securely to the brass hoof bar of my front counter.

A noise catches my attention and the petite stallion slides to a seat between my legs. His once beautiful face is wrong. Those exotic features are twisted into an expression I can only call deranged. His pupils are tiny pinpricks almost lost in pink irises. The smile is feral, savage, like a predator. His head cocks like he is listening to something and he reaches into his pink mane. He pulls a butcher's knife from somewhere behind him. It's a chef's knife with a cherry wood handle. He leans forward with a shy demeanor and cuddles the blade. 

"Jeromy says you're evil." He moves the blade to his ear and after a pause, he nods. "Jeromy says you sent the taxmare to the homestead. He was watching."

I struggle with my bonds, 'Once I get out, I'll beat this colt so bad, he will wish he died!' 

"Yes, I did. I had to!"

His head tilts to the side, those unblinking eyes disturb me. 

"You had to. Why did you have to hurt my brother?" 

He is playing with the blade now and his expression terrifies me. 

"The Taxmare, I had to give her something! I had to give her someone! She, She comes to town and doesn't leave unless she has something to show for it." 

He goes deathly still and in a dead tone of voice. 

"Jeromy doesn't like you."

Something in that voice. A cold chill. 'Are his eyes getting paler?' 

"If it wasn't you, it could have been anypony!" 

The knife is so close. 

"It was either you or me! I had to!" 

He stares at me for a long time and in all that time he never blinked. He brings the blade up to his ear, listens, and nods. To my surprise, he rises to his hooves and I watch in confusion as he saunters away. Now that I have a minute to gather my wits, I have the chance to take in my surroundings. 

My store is wrecked. Paper and hay are strewn everywhere and the floor and walls are dripping with water. 

"Uh, did you have to destroy my store?!" 

He glances at me and silently continues doing something I cant see.

"Why is everything wet?"

I lean as far as I can and take a deep sniff. 

"Is, Is that lamp oil? Did you break my lamp oil!" 

The colt just glances at me and keeps working. 'Was that A rope?' 

"Do you have any idea how much lamp oil costs!"

He climbs a table and takes down the main chandelier. His back is to me. I cant see what he is doing. He does something with its oil lamps then puts it back on the hook. The lamps are lit. I feel a ray of hope, now things are going my way. The light will bring help. I nervously giggle. 

I watch in confusion as he strings a rope toward me.

"Do you want me to hold that? Is that what you want? Talk to me dammit!"

He just looks at me as he ties the end of the rope to the same brass bar that I'm tied to. I wonder what the rope is for and I trace it back to the other end. It's draped over the ceiling hook and ends at the chandelier. 

"What by Faust are you doing? Playing with rope! You're unhinged!" 

I renew my struggling, but my bindings only seem to get tighter. 

He places a lit candle carefully under the rope and moves toward me with a clear bottle. 

"What now?"

I swear like a sailor as he pours it on me. 

"You crazy slut, that's lamp oil!" 

I'm done with this game and start screaming for help. He kicks me in the marehood and my world is pain. Before I know it, he is prying at my mouth and digging for my tongue. His blade is at my face, it flashes. 





Black Adam lies curled up under the covers. Something tickles his nose.

I twitch my nose as I try returning to sleep, but the tickle persists. I bat it away with my hoof and pull my bodypillow closer. ‘Pillow smells nice, grumble' I try and fail badly at falling back to sleep and sigh in frustration. I slowly open my eyes and stare in confusion at my body pillow. The pillow I'm staring at is a pony. My tired mind sluggishly connects the pony to a name. Heart. The pony is Heart. I'm cuddling Heart, who is currently the little spoon. The memories of yesterday flood back and I quietly get up. 

Looking around I see that our host is in the kitchen and a pleasant scent is filling the small cottage. He smiles.

"Good morning Adam, did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I sure did. Thank you for putting us up for the night." 

Weaver smiled. 

"Don't worry about it. It was the right thing to do. Grab a seat, breakfast is almost ready."

I smiled, I was hungry.

"Would you like a hoof with anything?"

“I've got this. We're having flat cakes and butter.”

I smile wider when I realized he was talking about pancakes. Then my smile faded a bit as I remembered that maple syrup wasn't invented yet. It was still better than plain bread. A nudge breaks me out of my thought and I turn to see Hearts.  It was a friendly nudge as he takes a seat. He looks happy. It makes me smile. Soon the widow joins us and we enjoy a very pleasant breakfast. 





Somewhere a lone candle burns. A smoldering rope weakens and finally burns through. A heavy chandelier falls and the glass lamps shatter. Fire meets liquor and oil. Paper and linens instantly ignite. Eyes watch in terror as the building engulfs in seconds. A mare screams. Temperatures rise. Then flashpoint. 

A deep boom shakes the cottage and we all run out of the cottage to see what's going on. I look around I see that the entire town is in motion. Ponies standing in shock, while others ran toward the raging fire that was once the General Store. I see Hawk Eye passing out buckets and shouting orders to the milling ponies. I'm shocked and just watch in stunned silence as my enemy receives karma. I look to the ground in thought. 'Perhaps there is a Faust out there somewhere." I'm jostled as Hearts hugs me and we both watch the fire as I pull him in close. Heart begins to shake and I gently pat the frightened stallion. For the first time in ages, I can't think of a single thing to say. After some time, my new brother looks up at me and breaks the silence. 

"Addie, I think we should go."

I look at all the chaos and nod.

"I think you're right."




> Ambush Predator
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





It took us two weeks of rain and mud to get to the capital. Unlike superheroes in the comics, real-life can’t be sidestepped. You can’t carry someone for hours in flight without causing bruising, and you can’t carry someone at supersonic speeds without freezing them to death. 

So in the end we settled on a mix of flying and hiking. At first, I was worried that getting resupplied would be a problem, but with bandit bands all over the coach roads, supplies were plentiful. You would think that with two terrifying knights of immense power, the crown could control the bandits a bit better. 

I looked over at Hearts and watched his face as what I had been telling him, sank in. 

"So, you're dead."

"Yes, But don't let that worry you, I got better."

"So you're, not dead, now."

"Nope."

"And you ate a whole pantheon of gods…"

"Yes, yes I did." 

"And that's how you can fly…"

"Exactly!" I said, with a smile.

"Horse apples."

I looked at him, “Language young Stallion!"

"I'm sorry, but that's just a load of horse apples!"

"Well, I'm sorry! It's not like I died of old age, then a fictional character from a novel about a mysterious island gave me powers so I could protect the world. Then, when I got here I liked knitting and baking more, so I became a house stallion instead." 

I looked at him and he deflated a bit.

"No, I guess not. That would be silly." He glanced up, "So how did you eat the gods?"

"I turned them into candy and sprinkled them on cookies." 

I couldn't hold in the laugh, because his face was priceless.

"No, I'm joking. I guess you can say, I represent the gods here on this world and In return, they grant me their abilities.” 

"The God Shu grants me stamina.” 

“Horus grants his speed.”

“Amon's, strength is legendary.” 

“Zehuti rules over knowledge, learning, and trades.” 

“Aten's mastery is raw power itself.”

“Mehen rules courage and the power of will." 

I grinned at him.

"Together they grant me the ability to be married to multiple mares without losing my mind or running away."

Hearts can't help but giggle. I watch as he looks down into the valley below us. 

“But seriously, I'm basically a god here. I can't be hurt, I can't be stopped and I can't get tired. As long as I'm here, I'll make sure you're safe."

I follow his gaze.  Below us at the base of the foothills lies a military fort, and beside it, is a sprawling port town nestled right up against the sea. It's a big ocean and the water is more black than the greenish-blue I remembered from my past life. I look to my travel partner and nudge him.

"Shall we go?" 

As we approached the city gates I could see the gate guards taking an unusual amount of interest in us. I don't know why I didn't realize what kind of a reception we were about to receive, but in hindsight, I really should have expected it. When we finally reached the gates, a guard called out.

"You. Yes, you! What are you two airheads doing outside the walls? Where in Faust are your Mares?"

Heart glanced at me and whispered,   

"Were supposed to be escorted by at least one family member when outside the towns."

I stepped forward and assumed a meek attitude. 

“I'm sorry, I'm the miller's widow and this is my colt, Heart. We've moved here to try our luck as seamstresses."

The guards-mares looked at each other in surprise before leering at us and letting us pass. 

"Welcome to Blackwater Wharfton colts. And what you're looking for is down 3rd street on your right. The bawdy house is a blue building with a tile roof. It's run by the local Gent. Just ask for Polished Rod."

I thanked him and as we moved on our way, I couldn't help but notice Hearts was hiding his face and groaning. 

"You ok, hearts?"

"Why, oh why, did you tell them we were harlots?" 

"What do you mean?"

"They sent us to the Bawdy House! The guard thinks we're harlots!" 

I was confused and my blank face showed it.

"They think we're hookers! Stallions of loose morals! What were you thinking?!"

Irritated I asked, "How the hell did I give them that idea?"

"You told them we were applying to the seamstresses! What do you think they were going to think?"

I sigh, "And seamstress means harlot."

"They are the only stallions allowed to go from place to place unescorted." Hearts hissed.

I ran my hoof through my mane in irritation. 

"Fine!, Fine!, First we find a room, then we hit the tavern and dig for local info." 

The wharf town was larger than I expected. It was a walled town, mostly rectangular and surrounded by a log wall. The wall was around twenty feet high. I could see a walkway around the top for the city watch. It led to the far end where it seamlessly met up with the fort. The fort itself was a large one, built of logs in the style of the American west. As we walked the streets, we could see that the town was built of wood and thatch. Some of the military buildings were stone, but even those were mostly wood. 

We eventually came across the tavern and I walked in. I headed toward the bar and was stopped by the bartender. 

"Hi, cutie, looking for one of your mares?" 

I smiled, 

"I'm not here for anypony." 

I turned to point at Hearts only to find him missing. Glancing around, I found him timidly standing in the street. 

“Me and my Colt are looking for drinks and maybe some food."

"No stallions allowed in taverns, you know that."

I was kind of shocked, but I hid it well. 

"We need a room for the week and a place to get meals. If we can’t come here, Do you know a place we can go?"

"Oh, you can come here, just not the bar. We have a few rooms free. Just remember the only entrance for stallions is around back." 

She grabbed a ledger and a quill, then asked. 

"So it's you, your colt, and how many mares?"

I was starting to get a bad feeling. 

"Just me and my colt. I'm a widow." 

She dropped the quill with a sigh and just gave me a look. 

"Just you and the colt…" She leaned forward and peered at Hearts.

“You and, the colt… What is he, nineteen, twenty?" She sighed and ran her hoof over her face. 

"Look, we don't want your kind here in the tavern. You have a whole district to work. An entire street all to yourselves." 

She sighed and closed the ledger with a snap. 

"You can rent a room in any of the by-the-hour places, or you can hit the bawdy house like every other working stallion.”

I scowled. 

"Can you point me to a library then?"

She smiled for the first time since I entered. 

"Out the door, take a right. The library is the stone building two blocks down. The red light district, where you work, is three streets further. Bakery on the corner. That's where your kind hangs out. Take a right, bawdy house is at the dead end."

I shook my head and left.

Once outside I was accosted by Hearts, who looked upset.

"What were you thinking? You just wandered into that tavern, like you owned the place? Your lucky she didn't call the guard. You're a stallion, you're supposed to know better! We're only allowed into places with a mare. Or if we are going in, to pick up our mare!" 

"Fine," I grumbled. "Let's go and hit the library." 

Hearts eye twitched as I passed him. "Library… and do what?"

I looked at him in confusion.

He stomped his hoof in exasperation. 

"Can you read?"

I stopped dead, my eyes grew wide. My teeth ground together as my irritation peaked. 

"GOD DAMMIT!!" 

Hearts stomped his hoof in annoyance and flipping his mane out of his eyes, asked, 

“Now what?"

"How can I make a plan without information! I need information! Dammit, dammit, dammit." 

Hearts pursed his lips in thought. 

"Why go to the tavern or the library? What were you trying to find out?" 

I stopped pacing and sighed. 

"I needed current events. The tavern is where guards and the navy come to chat and relax. Bartenders hear everything. Libraries are the same, but for business owners and the educated." 

My friend gave me a nervous grin. 

"So we need a place where everyone goes. Where the sailors and guard relax and talk."

I nodded. His grin grew wider. 

"Where there are plenty of ears to hear everything that's going on. Is that about right?" 

Hearts Obsession asked as he nuzzled my face.

"Where the guards go to get so relaxed that they just get talkative…." He asked with a playfully childish voice.’ 

He had my interest piqued and I watched him shyly playing with his mane. It made me smile.

I spoke, "I'm guessing you have an idea?”

With a nod, he pointed over my shoulder. I turned and came face to face with a large glowing sign. 'Harlots, open all hours.' The O was flickering. 

I stared blankly at it for a long time, before the penny dropped. 

"You, you, you sexy stallion you. You are a genius!" 

Laughing, I pulled him close and kissed the top of his head. I tussled his mane and headed gleefully down the road. 

As we began walking a blue blur barreled through us, sending Hearts and I staggering. I looked and saw a blue foal booking it down the street. A split second later, two pegasus guards flew past. 

A stuttering sniffling pulled my attention back to Hearts, who was sniffling and shaking. Being thrown off his feet had rattled him. 

"Hey Hearts, you Ok?" I asked while helping him back to his hooves. 

"Yeah, thanks." was his only reply as he dusted himself off, then began fussing with my marred coat. His fussing stopped suddenly and I saw the surprised expression on his face. 

He pointed, "Adam, your purse!"

I looked and saw that my best coin purse was gone, cut cleanly away from the strap, so fast, I never felt it. 

“That little shit.”

I glanced at Hearts and grinned. 

"Stay here, I'll be back in a few."

Hearts just timidly nodded, checking his own purse for missing items. 





I watched Black Adam fly off to look for the kid or those guards and sighed. For all of his good qualities, Adam could be slow. If I hadn't pointed it out, he wouldn't have noticed the purse was missing until he needed bits. 

I thought over the time we've been together. When I first met him, I figured that Adam was just a Marely stallion. Probably from being brought up on a farm. Thanks to Jeromy I was able to watch the massacre at his farm. He had me out of the chains in no time and I saw everything through the coach window. 

Adam surprised me. He wasn't like most stallions who would have been on the ground in tears, begging for his life. No, he was like me. He was strong, and by the expression on his face, I could see his hatred for mares. He was beautiful as he fought. He was raw power given form. Then he flew. I couldn't believe it. An earth pony, without any wings at all, flew. It was then that I knew he was special. That he had to be protected. To me, Adam was a jewel, thrown among pigs. 

I shook myself out of my thoughts and walked to the red light district. Once there I headed in the direction of the Bawdy House. The red light district was just one street. A street that stretched several blocks. As I walked I saw a mix of food vendors and taverns. I passed bathhouses and liquor stores, and a street full of drunken mares. I looked at the mares. Mostly sailors with a few guardsmare and general laborers mixed in. I pushed my way through the crowd, but my small size was against me. I was slowly being pushed from the middle to the edge as I closed in on my goal. 

Jeromy shouted a warning, but it was too late, I was being herded. By the time I realized it, I was already being kicked hard. I landed badly, very badly. The kick had thrown me into an alley. I was disoriented. My head hit the cobblestones hard and I was having trouble with everything. Where was I, what was going on? The world spun. I was on my back. Hooves grabbed me and I was violently dragged deeper into the alley. I was weightless, then pain as I was slammed into what could only be bricks. I was still lost and trying to figure out what was happening. Fear, I was afraid. I was crying. My face, wet. Did something lick my face? Something was between my legs. a lot of movement between my legs. A voice? Voices?

"Girls, lookie what we got here." 

Another voice, "Aint he a beaut. Like those colts from those old knee-pon calenders."

Another, "Hey, check it out. It ain't big, but it's a pretty one."

Another, "Dam, that's like a mue-zee-um piece." 

laughing…

Another, "I want first." 

....
'A voice…'

'Jeromy?' 

'A sharp pain.'

'Focus Dammit!' 

'Dammit, move!'

'Move!'

'My head cleared in a snap. 'Jeromy's doing…?'

'I was mounted, I was mounted. A mare had mounted me!'
....

"Nooo!"

My scream shocked the mare holding me, just enough to break free. 

I sat bolt upright and my hoof shot forward with all my might. There was a scream. 

I slammed Jeromy, handle deep. Hitting her right between the eyes.

I kicked her twitching body off of me and tried to stand up. 

Dizzy, still dizzy. 

"Yard Arm, Faust, Yard Arm!"

Another voice, "You Bucking slut!"

....
'Terror!'

'I'm in trouble! I'm in real trouble!' 

'Panic!'

'Mares are stronger!' 

'I'm small. I'm small!' 

'Why did I have to be so small!'

'Shaking, adrenaline.'

'Can't win straight-on.' 

'Too strong, Too weak!'

'Surrounded by lions.'

'Have smarts, Yes.'

'Cunning! Speed!'

'I'm a predator, have been.'

'Ambush predator.'

'facing lions…' 

'I had to move! I had to move!'

'I have to run!'
....

I was shaking. Before I could even stagger to my feet they were on me. 

There was nothing I could do, the beating came from every direction. 

I heard a noise and lashed out. 

"My leg! My bucking leg! I'll rip off your …Urk-gurgle."

....
'I won't just lay here!'

'Cunning, I'm cunning, Think!'

'Think!'

'Sound!'

'Yes!' 

'I moved.' 
....
....
'Listen, direction, strike.'

'Listen, direction, strike.'

'Listen, direction, strike.'

'My hoof, Pain!' 

'They broke my hoof!' 

'Jeromy, I lost Jeromy!'

'Louder noises, a scuffle. More voices.' 
....

"There's a stallion!"

"Is he one of ours?" 

'Bouncers, Get the bouncers!"

"Get 'em! get the bastards!"

"The Gents coming."

"Thank god you're here!"

A gruff voice, "Sir, looks like six Janes. Three dead, one wounded… and the sex worker. Colt might be dead."

A second gruff voice, "Wrong, feel the heart. Won't make it though. Want I should finish it? N' he'll go quick.

A commanding voice, "Kill the Janes and dump the bodies in the old well."

....
'Crying, I hear crying…'

'Darker, feeling numb…'
....

"Oh, by Faust. Is he one of us? Can you make out who he is?"

"Oh my Faust! No, I, I can't."

“The blood, so much blood.”

"Is he even still alive."

"Hope not. Less competition."

"Tongue Twirler, that's horrid!"

"Hey, It's a dangerous trade. He knew that before he started selling himself."

The Gent, "ENOUGH! 

"Pounder, Breaker, escort the colts back to the Xanadu." 

"Rough Call and Rabbit Punch, we're taking him in through the back." 

"Skillful, I want you to run and get Doc Joy. Tell her it's bad, real bad. And I want her here fast!" 

....
'Feel, not right…'

'Jeromy, wheres Jeromy?'

'everything's getting dar…'
....



> Artful Dodger
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




My name is Robin and as I carefully made my way through the alley, I made sure to stick to the shadows. My small size and the narrow alleys of Wharfton made blending into the darkness easy for me. I knew Wharfton like the back of my hoof. I knew the alleys, I knew the guard patrols, and I knew the hidden places nopony really looked at. I'm a cutpurse, a good one. 

I have an advantage over the average thieves here. I am young, small, nimble, and fast. I'm the fastest filly on land. But being good only matters if you're fed, and I was hungry. New ponies were scarce and pickings were getting hard to find. So here I am, creeping through the shadows. 

I crept to the corner and carefully watched the crowd as they walked by. I was looking for easy marks. Ponies who weren't keeping an eye on their valuables. Ponies who weren't looking out for fillies like me. Then I saw them. Two colts, and there wasn't a mare in sight. I couldn't believe it. Maybe my luck had changed. 

As they left their alley, I prowled after them. Looked like a Stallion and his colt. They were oblivious to their surroundings and seemed to be playing around with each other as they walked. The colt had something that gleamed in his mane. It could have been a hair comb, but it had gotten covered and I couldn't get a good look at it. He had no purse or jewelry, so I looked the Stallion over. He was big for a stallion. His body language and the happy way he was looking around told me volumes. The two were new here. They had never seen a large township like this one, and he had no idea how to carry his purse in a real city. He had all the looks of a big dumb country colt. 

I smiled and pulled out my razor. A razor is the signature tool of my trade. A cutpurse without a straight razor is like a sailor without a ship. I smiled as my razor gleamed in the sun, then frowned as it reflected movement behind me. 

I kneeled to brush off my hoof and took a careful glance behind me. Dam, It was the city guard. Two of them, and they were very casually walking up to me. 

They moved in the casual way of all guards everywhere. The way that says, 'Don't mind us, we're not interested in you at all. we are completely harmless and aren't about to tackle you to the ground at all. I grit my teeth, It was now or never. 

"Showtime!"

I focused on the only two things in the world that mattered. The hair comb and the purse. I exploded from my crouching position and ran. My hooves were a blur as I jumped, twirling in the air as I passed between the two colts. My blade flashed and I had the purse. I kicked out the stallion's leg to end my spin and snatched whatever was in the colt's mane. 

"FUUUCK!"

Dammit, I didn't know what that hair comb was made out of, but what I did know was that it was sharp. It cut me almost to the bone. Dammit, I did not need this right now. I bolted into high gear and shot forward toward the dockyard. I knew the docks and if I could reach it, I could lose the guard, injured or not. 

I glanced over my shoulder as I took a corner. The guards were not only after me, they were closer than I expected. I parkoured, from a garbage can to a window, to the fence, and to the rooftop. I barely lost any speed at all. I smiled. This is what I lived for. A crash made me look. I was horrified to see that the guard had simply plowed through the fence and were still on my heels. I jumped from rooftop to rooftop and parkoured off a flagpole to the other side of the street. Still, on the roofs I jumped an alleyway, only to be hit hard mid-jump. Missing the jump, I slammed into the opposite wall and crumpled to the ground. I heard the guard clopping to a stop behind me. One of the guards was stooping down to retrieve her helmet from the ground. She looked it over and wiped away some dirt before putting it back on. 

Soon after that, the other guard arrived.

"Dam Hawk, that was one Tartarus of a shot. Knocked her right out of the air! And with a helmet too."

"Little bastard was fast, I had to do something." I heard the guard moving toward me and tried to stand. I fell, she got me good. I was done. 

"Come on mare, we got you fair and square. You ain't going anywhere and you know it."

I waved the guardsmare off as I tried to clear my head and at least sit up.

"Yeah, yeah, you got me. You got me." 

I shook my head. 

"Faust, did you have to hit me that hard? I'm still seeing stars"

The shorter guard said. "Don't run so fast next time and we won't." 

She was smiling. I watched as she scooped up the pouch and began patting me down. 

She rifled through my pack and pulled out the few pieces I was able to get today, and my sandwich.

"Is this all? Come on, where is the rest of it, We've been watching you at it all day."

I shook my head. It's been slow, That's all I could grab. 

She shook her head. 

"This isn't even going to be enough for more than a few beers. Well, you know the rules, We catch you, it's ours." 

I watched the guards split my hard day's work between them as they walked away, and I got pissed.

"Hey, What about my sandwich?!" 

"It looks good, thanks!"

I grit my teeth in frustration, "Dammit, I worked all day for that!"

I watched as the taller guard stopped. She fished around in the purse and after looking at what she pulled out, she tossed me one coin. 

Waving behind her as she walked off, I heard her say, "Don't say we didn't share!" 

I closed my eyes and sighed. No dinner tonight. 

My head snapped up to the sound of a loud clatter. I wasn't sure what I saw, but it looked like swinging hooves disappearing upward. I looked to the guards, but I could only spot one in the alley. It was the short guard, and she was looking up at the rooftops frantically. shifting franticly and pointing a crossbow at the roofs. A bag of some sort fell from the sky and landed on her. Whatever it was, it freaked her the hell out and she bolted my way, kicking the thing at me in her haste. Confused, I looked down as it bumped my leg and I went pale. No bag had eyes, and the dead eyes of the other mare were staring at nothing. I kicked the head away and scrambled back till I hit the wall. 

"What the fuck!" 

My eyes shot to the rooftops and I frantically looked for anything that could kill me. Seeing nothing, I looked to the surviving guard. I watched as she fired the crossbow at something I couldn't see. She screamed as something tackled her from the rooftop. No…It wasn't an attacker, it was the body of the dead guard. It had been thrown on her. Then I saw him. It was the stallion from the street. The stallion I stole from. He was flying. Hovering in midair and slowly dropping down into the alley. I watched the guard fire again and to my horror, the arrow shattered. The stallion calmly cantered toward the lone guard and didn't break stride as she shot him again at point-blank range. The arrows just shattered. They shattered. 

I knew about the guard and their weapons. I had stolen several of them over the years and I knew what they could do and how much they were worth. That stallion that was calmly cantering in front of me was shrugging off crossbow bolts while wearing no armor at all. Crossbows rated at an eight hundred pound draw, Three times the power of a civilian model. 

I looked around the alley. This, this is bad. I slowly got to my hooves and began backing away as quietly as I could. As I slowly backed my way out, I watched the stallion crush the crossbow to splinters. I watched him block sword swings with his bare front leg, and I watched as he shattered it after it failed to even cut him. 

I looked over my shoulder and saw that I was still nowhere near the mouth of the alley. I looked back to the fight, only to find the stallion tossing two separate halves of the mare to the ground. Then he looked at me.

The fury in his eyes was all I needed to see. I exploded in the opposite direction as if evil itself was after me. The world seemed to slow down as I put absolutely everything I had into moving. Fear sparked adrenaline, and I felt my special talent kick in as an extra burst of speed.

The world slowed down even more. My muscles burned like fire and I didn't care. I ran faster than I ever have. my hooves hardly hitting the ground. I flew out of that alley and took a hard left, steel horseshoes sending lines of sparks as I slid in a drift around the corner. In two heartbeats I was three blocks away. In five heartbeats I was halfway through the city wharves and weaving between the crates. I just had to keep up the speed long enough to hit the forest edge.

Luck was not on my side. My eyes widened as a hoof shot out from between the crates, snatching me into the air.

"You and I, my little friend, are going to…talk."





Black Adam looked the filly over and shook his head.

All I could see was a scared street kid. This was no crooked cop or corrupt noble. This was some foal stealing for food. Steeling to survive. I sighed in resignation. 'Could anything be easy for me? Anything at all?' 

Having made up my mind I shot upward, climbing until the city looked like a toy. I flipped the kid around to face me and pointed a hoof at Wharfton. 

"They look like little ants from up here don't they?"

The kid shook herself out of her daze. 

"W what?" 

"The ponies. Look like ants don't they?"

I flip the kid upside down for a better view. She screamed. 

"ANTS! Ants, yes they do! You're right, you're absolutely right!" 

I smiled, I knew I was going to go to hell for this, but I thought the scared straight program might work on this kid. 

"So, would you like to give me back those things you stole from me? If you do, I'll let you go." 

Then the kid surprised me. 

"No, no need to let me go. I'll do anything you say if you Don't let me go. Don't let go. I'll give you anything."

I wasn't planning the old, 'Agree to let then go then drop them, skit.' I honestly didn't think of it, but I would keep it in mind for next time. 

"Smart filly. You'll have a long and successful life. Now give me my things." I said while slowly dropping altitude. 

The kid gulped, "I, I don't have them. The guard took them from me when I got cornered. They're in that alley." 

I nodded and dropped at elevator speeds back down to ground level then walked us back to the alleyway. 

As we walked I watched the filly glancing at my back. 

"Is there something the matter?"

She flinched, "N no…yes, kind of. How can you fly with no wings? You're not a pegasus, so how?"

I give her a serious expression. "I eat a lot of beans." 

"What? But that just gives you gas."

"A lot of beans." 

The kid stops. 

"it doesn't work that way!"

Smart kid. I stifle a smile. 

"Look Kid, anypony can fly. You just have to know the secret, that's all."

I can see the gears turning in the troublemaker's head. 

"So what's the secret?" She asks. 

I stop and glance at her. 

I stoop down and hoof up some dirt, then let it sift out of my grip as I talk. 

"The secret is in the ground. It was always in the ground this whole time. Nopony ever noticed." 

I watch as the kid closely examines the dirt.

"But how?"

"Flight is simple. It's all about the ground. You avoid it."

I Deadpan.

"You fling yourself at the ground as hard as you can … then miss." I stifle a grin as the kid gives me a look.

She hoofs the bridge of her muzzle. 

"Your so full of manure your eyes are brown," she says with a huff crossing her arms.

"Ok, I'll prove it." 

I walk over to a crate and step up onto it. 

"Watch closely. The trick is, to miss. You have to miss."

The filly gives me a deadpan look. 

"I …miss…I have to miss…the ground, seriously?"

So I prove it. I fling myself dramatically toward the ground and swoop up into a hover. The fillies mouth drops open.

"Now you try it." 

I watch as the kid heads toward the crate looking very confused. I stop her.

"No, not that one, it's too short, that's for advanced flyers. Try that one, it's much taller." I say, pointing a hoof at a pyramid of crates nearby. 

"Isn't taller more dangerous?" she asks.

Smart kid, I'm starting to like her. 

"Nope, it's easier. More time to fall so it's easier to miss." 

I watch as the kid crawls to the top and looks over at the ground with a dubious expression.

She looks at me like this is the dumbest thing she's done. I smile and nod encouragingly at her. 

She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, leans forward, and face plants into the ground. 

She's smart…But not too smart.

I grin, 'That's what you get for stealing from me." 

We get to the alleyway and trot inside. As my eyes adjust to the gloom I suddenly stop. The kid, who is on my back with a sprained foreleg stops swearing and looks around. Her ears fold back as she takes in the scene. 

I walk forward, my eye twitching. The kid slides off my back and limps forward to inspect things herself. She turns to say something but stops, having noticed my violently twitching eye.

The guards are naked. There is no armor. There are no helmets, there are no weapons. There are no coin purses. The bodies were stripped bare. 

I hear a voice, and my attention snaps to the kid. 

Her ears slowly flatten as she sees my face. Her sentence running out of steam.

"They even stole the, san,dwi,ch .. urm. heh, oh." As she slowly went silent.

I close my eyes and count to five. 

"Where?" 

"Um where?"

"Yes, where. Where are they?"

The kid is backing up at this point.

She looks around, "They?" 

"Foals your age don't work alone. You are part of a crew or a family. Most likely other foals like you working together. Protection in numbers, led by an older kid or an adult." 

I look at her.

"So where are they?"

She looks confused. 

"How do you know that?"

"I've read 'Enders Shadow', and 'Oliver Twist' I know how this works."

"Wait, what?"

I clear my throat, "Never mind, that." I stalk toward her. "You and I are going for a visit."

"But, what about your son?" She says in desperation.

"Who?"

"The other colt you were with." 

I smile, "He'll be fine." 

"He is just a colt, shouldn't be alone." She tried, Smile wilting. 

"Hearts can take care of himself."





'WAKE UP!' 

'WAKE UP!'

'Hearts, you need to wake UP!'

I stirred, 'The voice? My foal? No. Maybe? Whaz, where am I?' 

Then as the world slowly came into focus, and I seriously wish that it hadn't. My body was a mass of pain. I tried turning my head and the movement caught my breath. I felt bones shift in my ribs. I tried to say something, but as my tongue moved to form the letters, I felt spaces. My eyes widened. I had spaces where my teeth should be. 

I felt fear. I'm hurt bad. I'm hurt really bad and I'm in trouble. I started to sniffle. I hated being helpless. I was shaking and I was starting to panic. The fear and helplessness washed over me and I lost it for a while. I'm not sure if I lost consciousness, or if I blanked out but after what could have been days, I woke up again. 

When consciousness came back I felt a little better. The pain was less now, and I could move a bit more easily. I took stock of my body. My ribs were sore but healing, and my teeth seemed to be slowly growing back. It seemed like somepony had taken me to a barber or a surgeon. I tried to sit up but failed as the pain hit. I was bedbound. As I cursed my luck a sound caught my attention. 

I saw a young colt who had been sitting by my bed. He put down his knitting and began to leave the room. In a panic, I called out.

"H, hey. Don't go!"

He stopped and gave me a pitying look. 

"Where am I? Wha, What happened?" 

I slowly tried to clear my head. 

"I, I can't remember."

He oddly pursed his lips, then spoke.

"You were attacked hon. The Sur took you into our brothel. We've been patching you up."

My head was killing me but I had to speak.

"I had friends. Adam. He, he is an older stallion." 

I was dizzy now.

"He, he is my brother. I, I need him."

I shook my head.  “And Jeromy.  I need Jeromy.”

The colt just smiled sadly at me. 

"Lady Fleur wants to speak to you." 

He said as he walked out.

I took in my surroundings. It was a small room and strangely barren. There were no dressers or wardrobes. The bedroom only contained a bed, a washstand, a wastebasket, and a side table with a lamp. The lamp's light was red, painting the room in an odd hue. I was not in a livable bedroom, but then, where was I?

After a few minutes, a set of hoofbeats could be heard coming in my direction. Then after a pause, the door opened and a tall white unicorn strode in. She was a handsome mare. Well built with a golden mane and a haughty air about her. As I looked her over, I could see that she wore real jewels. 

I realized that I had been looking her over and tried to hide my blush. I could tell by her predatory smile that she had caught me looking. She circled the bed and looked me over. There was something in her expression that was giving me chills. The more I looked at this mare, the more uneasy I began to feel.  I needed Jeromy.  

Then she spoke.

"Hearts Obsession." 

She ran her hoof along the bedding.

"Took an axe." 

She smiled at me.

"Isn't that how the rhyme goes? The new one that all the colts are using with their jump ropes?"

She yanked the sheets off me and started looking me over. My teeth grit and my eyes squeezed shut.

"How does it go again? Oh, come on now, I'm sure you know it."

Her hoof slid along my side.

"Ah yes. I remember now."

"Hearts Ob-ses-sion took an axe!"

"Gave his mo-ther four-ty whacks!"

" And when he saw what-he-had-done!"

" He gave his si-re forty one!" 

She ran a kerchief under her nose like she found a bad smell. 

'Personally, I think it's dreadful. Far too dark for a colts rhyme. Luckily I can bring an end to such a tasteless little poem."   

Her grin turned feral, displaying her fangs.

"Don't you agree, my little, golden, goose?"
> I apologize.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please bear with me while I redo where I went with this story.  I just couldn't stand the direction this story went.  

Be warned, however, the chapter I'm working on will be very dark and will be a flashback and origin story of Hearts Obsession and King Jeromy The Wicked.  (His knife).  

I apologize for both the delay and the inconvenience.