Your lungs burned as you ran. It had been a while since you had exercised, even before you had ended up here. Amber’s hooves on the floor echoes through the dimly-lit tunnel. She probably could have easily outran you, but instead she stayed close behind.
How long is this goddam tunnel!?
It felt like hours since the two of you had fled. Amber, unfortunately, had not been allowed much access to wherever you were, and as such didn’t know the layout very well. So the only choice had been to pick a tunnel blindly.
You had chosen poorly.
The tunnel you found yourself in was…well, shit. Loose stones were everywhere. Only the occasional torch was still burning on the walls, and they were dying to boot. Whatever magic batteries that kept them running for so long was probably wearing out, assuming that was a thing here. This tunnel was probably not used so much, and so had been allowed to rot.
After what felt like an eternity, you finally see an end to the tunnel. It was an old, wooden door that had an old-timey medieval feel. At first, it refused to budge. With a great heave, you manage to force the rusted door with a sickening screech. You hope no one heard that.
You blink against the contrasting light outside.
More running.
Eventually you could run no more, and collapsed. Trying to catch your breath, you sit up and try to get your bearings. You were in a lightly forested area, with a rocky hill behind you. That’s probably where the cult’s hideout was.
Amber trotted up next to you and sat down with a concerned look. Out of habit you began stroking her head, to which she didn’t object. As you managed to calm down and think, you couldn’t help but reflect on what had just happened. Or rather, what you could have done instead.
Should you have stayed, and tried to explain the situation? Just say “Yeah I don’t care what you do to this wacko, just leave me out,” and hope they don’t just blast you do ash? It could have worked. Then again, they seemed more the ‘blast first, blast again, then once more for good measure’ type. If there was a chance to negotiate, you’d probably missed it.
Maybe you could have taken one (if not all) their magic bling? You couldn't use pony magic. You’d tried, a little more than you’d like to admit. But that didn’t seem to be a problem with this. The non-unicorns used them just fine, so maybe you could to? They seemed to believe they had the power to send you home, so if you could figure out how to work them you could do it yourself? Although, without any clue how magic worked, you could easily just break them or yourself. Pawn them off for some cash? Local currency would be nice, and they looked valuable with all the gold and jewels and stuff. But wouldn’t any town or shop that saw you just freak out? Even without the whole ‘demon’ thing, you still looked weird to them.
Could have brought one of the friendlier cultists with you. Some of them were genuinely nice, if a little misguided. Like Anarchy. You didn’t think he deserved to rot in some jail cell somewhere. Although, given how winded you were carrying yourself here, carrying an unconscious horse probably would only slow you down. That and the cult was ultimately loyal to Father, so they’d likely stab you in the back. Maybe literally.
What if you brought one of those ‘Elements’ with you? Try on convince them you’re not a threat? Wimpy or Prissy would’ve been the best choices, they seemed like they wouldn’t put much of a…fight…
Okay, thinking it over, that just seemed creepy.
You let out a sigh, bemoaning your lack of action. You’d panicked, and just wanted to get out. So here you were, in the middle of nowhere, with no clue what to do next or where to go. Moving on was probably for the best, but you were tired. Besides the Elements would probably be out for a while, then they’d be busy with Father for a while, and then they’d have to figure out which way you’d gone. By then you could be miles away. There was time to rest for a moment.
So here you sat with your back to a tree, with your only friend in this world: A scared unicorn that was currently enjoying an ear-scratch induced trance.
Now that you thought about it, could you actually trust her? After all, she was apart of the cult that had forced you here. Granted the relationship was downright horrific to her, but still. A traitor is still a traitor. And this particular traitor had willingly freed a creature she thought to be some terrible being with devastating power. Would she sell you out? Try to get power of her own? Or would she just…leave you all alone in this strange world that had only ever tried to use or destroy you? Which was the worst she could do to you? What was going on behind that admittedly adorable face?
You stop scratching, eliciting a tiny whine of protest.
“Amber, we need to talk.” You state firmly. The mare stares at you, with fear and unease forming behind her gaze.
“W-what is it, Master?” she stammered.
“Why…why did you do that?” you ask, crossing your arms.
Amber didn’t answer immediately, shifting her weight as she found the dirt very interesting.
“…You…You’re the only one who’s every been nice to me in a long time. I…I didn’t want you to g-go away…” she choked, her eyes getting wet, “I know it’s selfish, and I know you probably just want to go back to your home but…” She couldn’t go on as she broke down in ugly sobs.
…Okay, so she probably wasn’t planning to turn against you. Or maybe she was an amazing actress and you were an incredible sucker. Either way, you couldn’t just sit there like a jackass. (Was that a slur here? Question for later.)
Wrapping your arm around her neck, you draw her in for a hug.
“…Thanks.”
Amber looked up at you with a sad smile.
“I had to do something. You’re my Master after all.”
“Quit calling me that. I’m not anyone’s Master.”
She cocked her head.
“’Anyone?’ You mean ‘anypony,’ Master?” she asked.
You wave your hand.
“Whatever, same thing. And quit calling me that.”
Amber giggled.
“You’re a strange one, Master. Even for a demon.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m not a demon and Father’s dumb ass.” You groan.
Silence filled the area. You found yourself studying Amber. In your time here you hadn’t much else to do but study these ponies, yet there were still things that couldn’t quite figure out. While you had barely made it this far without passing out, Amber wasn’t even winded. This was still the same mare that looked like she was on death’s door less than a month ago, and she was still out pacing you. Must be a horse thing. Or you were just out of shape. Maybe both.
The strangest thing, however, was on her back legs. There was a picture of a stylized eye with an orange rock for a pupil. It was on each of her sides. You’d seen it before, but now was the first time you really thought about it. Amber didn’t strike you as a tattoo kind of girl. Maybe it was a cult thing? Maybe all the cultists had the same one? A show of loyalty or something? No harm in asking, right?
“Didn’t take you for the ‘tramp-stamp’ type.”
“What?” she replied, her cocking to the side in confusion.
“That picture on your leg. Was it a cult entry tattoo kinda thing?” you say as your point to her leg.
“You mean my cutie mark? Everypony has one, but each one is different. You probably didn’t notice the others before because none of them took of their robes around you. I guess demons don’t get marks, right?” she explained.
“I’m not-“you sigh. Not worth the effort. “No, these are kind of a new thing for me. Do they do anything?”
“It appears when a foal discovers their special talent. Mostly it happens just before puberty.”
“Huh. So, what’s yours?”
“Wuh..?” she blinked.
“Y’know, your ‘special talent.’ What’s yours?” you asked, giving her a playful nudge on her shoulder.
Amber didn’t’ reply as the ground became fascinating to her again.
“Um, Amber, if it’s something really personal for you ponies, you don’t have to-“ you start.
“No, no! It’s just…” she started, but trailed off. She pawed in dirt, deep in thought. Taking a deep breath, she started again.
“I found my talent rather late. I was beginning to think I’d never find out what is was. But then, during a visit to a rock farm, I found it.”
You sat in silence, deciding now wasn’t the time to ask what the hell a ‘rock farm’ was for.
“I found a piece of amber. You know, fossilized tree sap? This one wasn’t all that special, it didn’t have a bug or a leaf in it but…Something happened.” She stopped her voice catching in her throat.
“…And…?” you gently prompted.
“…I had a vision. I saw an explosion of color, like a prismatic fire spreading across the sky. When I told Father about it, he didn’t believe me. Not at first, at least. Not until it happened, just like I saw it. Clairvoyance. That’s what my cutie mark is for. Father couldn’t have been happier. Until…” Amber looked away, but you could see the tears beginning to form.
“What happened? Seeing the future like that is something he’d want on his side.”
“…Because I don’t see the future. Not exactly. My visions aren’t all that…precise.” She whispered.
“So…what you see doesn’t necessarily always happen?”
Amber shook her head.
“No. I see what might happen, but that’s not what will happen. When he found out Father was…” a hoof drifted to her scarred back. “…displeased…”
“Oh…” It was a stupid thing to say, but it was all you could think of. You reminded her of all the terrible things Father did to her even when she was a filly…Wait…
“Father was around even when you were a filly? How’d that work?”
Her copper eyes met yours.
“Well, he did raise me.”
“Oh, okay then WAITWHAT!?” you shout. “He’s like, your actual father!?”
Amber flinched.
“Yes, he actually started calling himself that after I accidentally said it in front of a few members. It was after he found out my talent wasn’t as useful as he thought it would. He didn’t want to acknowledge we were related.”
You had no words. You felt numb. The one thing you could feel was hate. No, that wasn’t strong enough. Fury. Still not exact, but it was better. Your relationship with your own father wasn’t exactly stellar, but this was on a different level entirely.
“That bastard! What kind of father- I can’t- He doesn’t have the right to call himself that!” you managed to sputter out through your unbridled rage.
“W-well I des-“
“NO! Don’t you even go there!” you cut her off, and swept her up in a hug. You were pretty sure you heard her spine pop a few times, but you didn’t care. She needed a hug, and much more. There wasn’t a doubt left in your mind, you were going to protect this precious child. “You didn’t deserve that, any of it! And if you keep thinking you do, I will stop scratching your ears I swear to GOD!”
Ambers looked like a frightened rabbit in your arms, with her ears flattened on her head and her eye little more than a pinprick. Her light blue face suddenly turned very red with a blush.
“O-okay, Master…” she squeaked.
The two of you stared for an awkward moment. You were still pissed, but after your outburst you’d lost a lot of steam.
“W-we should keep moving…” you finally say.
“Y-yes, Master. Um, could you please…?” she trailed off, glancing from you to the ground.
“Oh, right, sorry…” you realize, and set her gently on the ground.
You decide not to go on at a full sprint, but still with some semblance of speed. Distance and speed were important, but exhausting yourself wasn’t going to help much. As the two of you continued through the trees, you noticed Amber was staying a bit further away than before with a far-off expression. Great, you fucked up. Again. You felt pressing the matter wouldn’t help, so you continued forward.
As you went on your way at a jog, you had your own thoughts.
Specifically, what was the most satisfying way to get revenge on a horse?