//------------------------------// // Subject 210: Zebra War Part III // Story: Interviews With Equestrians // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// Inside the town hall… One thing I hadn’t considered was just what sort of potential my brother had. I mean, he was a half-unicorn/zebra hybrid--something I knew very little of so I was more than curious. Gah, what I’d give to figure it out myself. But no. Instead, I was chained up here on a balcony which overlooked the rest of the village. It had become a rather rowdy battleground. From what I could tell, the troops from Farasi weren’t actually trying to kill their enemy. I was initially confused by this. Why wouldn’t they put forth their greatest amount of effort? Wouldn’t it be better if they just attacked with all they had? “What is your plan, Flashy? Don’t do anything foolish in a vain attempt to save me or anything. We both know that it’s not the optimal strategy. And Guts would never allow us to hear the end of it if she finds out that’s what you chose to do.” Adjacent to the battlefield... I already made my choice. If Kwaade refused to listen to reason, then there was no other option. My hooves were tied, in a sense. Now wasn’t the time to fall into despair or slow down. So I’d make this an extra special scenario so that she could witness the power of a halfbreed such as myself. Without hesitation, she charged at me. Reckless abandon fueled her rage with no regard for anything or anyone around her. Her teeth had mangled into rows and rows of demonic, serrated edges, and her skin looked as if it had started to peel with another layer underneath entirely. Just what did she do to herself? Was this the extent at which she and her kin were going to die on their bloody hill for an ideal? If that was the case, then I simply had no sympathy to offer them. “...Pathetic thing,” I swore to myself. I took advantage of the skills that I made use of earlier in this battle. I...I could see it. Her movements. They were sloppy and had little effort put into them. All force and no finesse. As soon as she lunged at me, I rolled out of the way and left behind a little surprise. A little explosive potion bottle. BLAM! “YAAGH!” With a forceful roar, the corrupted zebra was flung towards me thanks to the little bomb I left behind. This gave me the opening for which I’d make my next move. I leapt into the air, and tackled her to the dirt. It was a rough struggle between us both as I forced both hooves down upon her chest. “Stop this! Can’t you see what has been ingrained into your mind? You’re a monster! You’re no better than the very things you have tried to fight against!” But my words fell on deaf ears, sadly. Kwaade threw me off of her with enough force to send me into the nearest building! “Agh!” I let out a harsh grumble upon impact, but there was no time to allow that to bog me down. Rage had consumed this zebra, and I wasn’t going to allow her to suffer. I just needed to get the right opening, then I could strike. But how would I accomplish that? She was much faster, and stronger than I was. Yes, I could predict some of her moves, but that didn’t help me land a significant blow. ...Land a significant blow. Of course! This was going to be risky, but for the sake of her sanity as well as my own, it was something that needed to be done. So, against my better nature...I stayed on the ground and refused to stand up. Cowardly lion move, I know. But what I also knew was that all zebras followed a code of honor. “...What are you doing?!” she came to a stop, and snarled, “Get up, and fight!” I continued to lie on the ground. “...No. You are not worth my time,” I spat back at her, “You are a sick, twisted product of an equally twisted regime. The lands of the zebras prioritize freedom over all else and yet you all wish to get rid of it? You shame not only yourself, but our ancestors as well! I refuse to fight you!” The zebra stuttered, and stomped her hoof with a growl that echoed around us both. I could see the rage in her eyes. Kwaade wanted to desperately fight back, but she knew she couldn’t engage an individual that was in a non-combative state. It went against the Zebra’s honor of battle. For a moment, it seemed as if she had actually given up. Until… “No! Screw the code!” the mare screamed, and picked me up to hoist me against the wall she had previously flung me into. Her hoof primed to strike my face. “You are mine! I won’t let you ruin what we have--!” ZAP! “AAAAAUGH!” Her entire body was hit with what looked like an electroshock pulse that fried her from the inside out. After a guttural squeal, she fell to the ground. The zebra’s limbs occasionally twitched which indicated that she was still alive. At the same time, I hit the ground as well, and took a look to my left to find the source of the attack. And to my surprise… “You?! But I thought she was on your side!” One of the hooded zebras had appeared from the bushes. He must have cast a hex upon Kwaade. “She was. Until she broke our code and attempted to fight with an individual that had already surrendered. Such foolishness is not welcome among our ranks.” ...Weird. But that didn’t change the fact that I was still in the presence of an enemy. “I see...even so, that doesn’t mean I’m going to let you--” He raised a hoof to interrupt me. “Save it, child. This battle is already lost for us. Do you want the truth behind our actions or not?” I was still suspicious, and ready to fight back if necessary. Had I actually earned the right to find out the truth? Guess there was only one way to find out. “Fine then. Show me.”