Broken Stone’s hoof lingered over the letter, his mind ping ponging between denial and acceptance. Before at long last it settled on simply keeping the letter safe while he dealt with his own, more immediate affairs. Starting with removing the loose board from under the bed and retrieving the ancient books kept within.
Seeing the hardened bark that served as a cover brought a warm comfort to the stallion and he couldn't help but smile despite his situation. Memories of the many lessons he had taken while in the care of his kind grandfather washed over his mind and assuage his worries. Even when the reality of his current predicament reasserted itself he remained more level headed and ready for what he knew was coming.
The stallion stopped himself just as he was about to open the first book, Perfect Tempo’s words returning to his mind.
Page two hundred and seven. Broken Stone thought. I may as well look.
Placing the first of the two volumes aside, he reached into the hole and retreived the second one. In a flick he had arrived at the correct page, and immediately began to read starting from the top.
“This… might work,” Broken Stone muttered.
The page seemed to detail a process whereby somebody could draw out forgiegn impurities like they were minerals from a rock. The metaphor wasn't perfect, but it more or less described the technique, and how it worked within the body. Primarily designed to bring out magical infections, and those diseases not normally found in nature, the skill wasn't very good at dealing with much else.
In this situation though, that didn't matter.
“It isn't even that difficult,” Broken Stone muttered to himself. “I bet if I practiced I could get it down pat by tonight.”
The stallion then began reading, intent on mastering the new skill before he was supposed to meet back up with the others. Time immediately began to speed up, and for the first time in a while, Sunset found herself separate from Broken Stone. It was a strange sensation but one she was growing increasingly used to, to the point that there wasn't much of a disconnect there.
Though separate from Broken Stone, Sunset still felt herself go through the motions of learning the new skill. Her mind made the connections she was only barely aware that she was making, the ability storiing itself in her memory banks. Though interesting, she didn't really assign too much value from learning such an ability in the first place. She wasn't an earth pony after all and wouldn't be able to perform it.
Still, it's an interesting fact if nothing else. Sunset Shimmer mused to herself.
The unicorn continued to observe the stallion as he repeated the same motions over and over. Until several hours had passed, and he found himself able to mimic the actions the book described to a T. A sense of satisfaction coursed through him, capturing Sunset Shimmer’s attention and allowing her mind to slip beneath his own.
He was using his magic again, this time the earth pony was creating a deep crevicace in the ground. At the bottom of which sat his books, the two tomes quickly being swallowed by stone, and then a layer of dirt. With that done, he took a second to place the board back and hammer it into place, making it appear identical to the rest.
“I’ll be back for you, one day. Now then, let's get moving,” Broken Stone whispered to himself.
Stepping outside the small home he glanced up to find that the sky had grown dark and the sun had long since set. His internal clock told him that it was late in the day, and that he would have to move quickly in order to meet Nimble Hooves without making him wait. So he began to move, putting one hoof in front of the other, creeping his way slowly, and carefully through town.
As he slipped down the familiar backways, and empty streets Broken Stone noticed just how quiet it had become. It was like the world had taken a deep breath, and was now waiting for the next big event to occur. He saw few ponies, and even fewer denizens of the small out of the way mining village with most faces belonging to the guards who had occupied the area.
Though tempted to take another look at the apothecary’s home, he avoided that area out of an abundance of caution. Instead he kept on using the narrow paths stomped out by ponies who didn't or couldn't use what few official roads there were. One such trail led him up the mountain and back to the small hidden cave tucked at the back of a frequently overlooked grove.
There he found Nimble Hooves and a dozen other townsfolk all standing around. The second they laid eyes on the earth pony the group relaxed, and released a collective sigh of relief. Nimble Hooves himself then stepped forward, a grim frown plastered on his face.
“It's about time you showed up. We were starting to worry you got caught,” Nimble Hooves exclaimed.
“Those dunder heads refuse to monitor anything that isn't an official road,” Broken Stone retorted. “Now then, is this everyone?”
“Crimson Dawn and Earth Hammer both wanted to join but were brought in for questioning,” Nimble Hooves answered.
“Did they know anything?” Broken Stone inquired.
The other pony shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Like the rest of us,” interrupted Whisper Tail. “Who are getting a might bit annoyed for being left in the dark for so long.”
“I’ll explain everything in a moment. For now just stand away from that wall,” Broken Stone replied, gesturing to the smooth space where the cave had used to be.
The group split, stepping away from the spot indicated and waiting patiently for Broken Stone to do whatever it was he planned on doing.
Broken Stone answered their unspoken questions by striding forward and using his magic to pull down the conjured stone. There was a small gust of air as oxygen rushed in and the warmer carbon dioxide filled gas was pushed out. At the back, lay a gasping royal guard, whose face was quickly recovering the color it had lost over the last few hours.
“Come on,” Broken Stone bade, striding into the cave.
He didn't look back to see if the others were following him, though he didn't need to as he could hear their hooves. Together they approached the guard, who had finally managed to regain his bearings now that he could breathe easily.
“Tell them what you told me,” Broken Stone barked.
“Do you have any idea how close that was?” retorted the guard, who struggled against his stone bindings. “I nearly asphyxiated back there.”
“Do as I say or next time it won't be close at all,” Broken Stone whispered, leaning in close and growling in the other pony’s face.
“Y-yes of course,” muttered the soldier. “Just don't kill me.”
“Why are you torturing a member of Celestia’s guard?” Whisper Tail demanded.
“Go on, tell ‘em,” Broken Stone encouraged, giving the guard a kick to the side.
“We…” the young stallion gulped. “The plague isn't real. It's magical in nature and the unicorns wearing the bird masks are spreading it on purpose.”
A chorus of shouts immediately went up, with more than a few demands for justice being thrown in for good measure. Broken Stone silenced them all by raising his hoof and gazing out over the assembled posse.
“There's more,” he stated.
“There's more?” Nimble Hooves exclaimed in shock.
“Go on, finish your story,” Broken Stone demanded.
The guard gulped. “They are using the sickness in order to kill those who may disrupt the sale of the land to the equestrian crown and to make way for new colonists.”
“No wonder you wanted everyone you could get on this,” Nimble Hooves muttered. “This is big.”
“Very big,” Broken Stone stated. “I’ve found a way to hopefully cure them but I need to eliminate the soldiers guarding the apothecary’s house.”
“I’m in,” stated a gruff older stallion with grey fur and a black mane.
“I’ve got your back,” Nimble Hooves added.
Nearly everyone else present offered their own words of agreement, all save for Whisper Tail, who seemed reserved. They paced silently, chewing on their lip and gazing down at the captured guard incredulously.
“What say you, Whisper? Are you going to help save the town or not?” Nimble Hooves demanded.
“I just… Don't get it?” Whisper Tail exclaimed. “Why do all this? Go through all that trouble just to get us to leave? Seems like a lot of suffering over nothing.”
Broken Stone chuckled. “It is best not to question evil, but to simply stamp it out and move on. Now then, are you going to help us save our loved ones?”
“Of coruse,” they replied. “Just tell me what needs to be done.”
“They’ll call for backup the second things go sideways, so we need to hit the apothecary’s house immediately,” Broken Stone began, pacing back and forth as he spoke. “Then we gather up all the wagons, and everyone who's capable of being moved or moving on their own. From there we get all the supplies we can grab and make a mad dash for the border.”
“You think the griffons are going to help us?” asked an incredulous miner.
“Stars above, no,” Broken Stone chuckled. “Though they will take every opportunity to stick it to Equestria, and if it means granting us asylum then they will help us.”
“It sure beats dyin,” remarked Nimble Hooves.
“Exactly,” Broke Stone stated. “We are fighting for our lives, the lives of our neighbors and the lives of our loved ones. Any sacrifice is worth it to preserve those people.”
“Hear hear!” shouted a miner.
A cheer went up, and was repeated several times before quickly quieting back down.
“Now I know you are all eager to get revenge, but I suggest you still your heart and set aside your rage. That anger will be needed soon, but in order for this to succeed we will need to be calm, and collected,” Broken Stone warned.
“We’ll head up to the mine and grab a few picks. They sure wont beat swords, but it's better then nothing,” Nimble Hooves offered.
“Remember to move swiftly and silently. The second someone gets detained, this whole thing goes belly up and everyone dies,” Broken Stone warned.
“Got it,” replied the older miner.
“Don't worry. I’ll make sure we get into town all sneaky like,” Nimble Hooves offered.
“I’m counting on you to get to the apothecary’s house without being seen. Then when I arrive I’ll use my magic to help equal things out,” Broken Stone explained.
“And then we run in and give them a good thrashing,” Whisper Tail declared.
“Exactly,” Broken Stone replied. “So stay low, don't get caught and wait for the signal. If everything goes correctly we’ll be able to get everyone out in no time.”
“Come on, you heard the stallion. Time’s a wastin,” Nimble Hooves declared.
“Right. Let's go show these self righteous buggers who really runs this place!” shouted the older miner, stomping his hoof in emphasis.
Another cheer went up, and soon nearly everyone had departed, all save for Whisper Tail, who lingered near the exit.
“Say, what are you going to do with this one?” they asked.
“Don't worry. I’m just going to lock them back up, with air holes this time. Just gotta ask a few more questions,” Broken Stone answered.
“Alright then. Good luck,” Whisper Tail exclaimed.
Broken Stone nodded and watched the other pony leave. He then waited a good few minutes in silence, merely observing the entrance. Then once satisfied that no one was going to return, he glanced back at the unicorn.
“So, you’re going to let me go, right?” inquired the young guard. “I answered all your questions.”
“Youre also partially responsible for the attempted slaughter of dozens of innocents including children,” Broken Stone retorted. “You’re a monster, and this world has no place for your kind.”
“No, wait please I have a-”
The crunch of Broken Stone’s hooves going through the guard’s skull stopped the other stallion’s pleas dead in their tracks. Blood painted the walls, and bits of bone were stuck to even the ceiling. The unicorn’s body twitched for a few seconds before finally falling still.
“Now then-” Broken Stone began, only to spin back towards the entrance.
Sprinting out of the cave, he looked around to find that he was indeed alone, and that there was noone around. He waited there for several seconds before finally releasing a sigh and wiping his hooves off on the grass. It took a bit of scrubbing and the use of a few large leaves but he soon removed the blood and brains from his fur.
“Let's seal this up,” he muttered to himself.
Broken Stone gathered up the used leaves, and tore up the grass before tossing the entire mess back into the cave. Using his magic, the earth pony created a wall of stone over the entrance to the secret meeting spot. With all evidence of his crimes now safely hidden, the stallion made his way back into town, using the usual level of caution.
It didn't take long before he was into position behind a bush near the side of the apothecary’s house. From there he could see that nearly half the guards in town had gathered in front of the home, and were standing around. Most seemed to actually be intent on watching for intruders while the others chatted idly and used a campfire to warm up some canned food.
Though armored, they were completely unaware, evidently confident that they had control over the area. Only their superior, a more well armed and aware unicorn who towered over his subordinates seemed to care about actually watching the perimeter. The rest ate, talked, and occasionally glanced into the darkness only to swiftly look away a second or two later.
I’ll pull the rug out of everyone around the fire, leaving only four guards left including the big guy. Then I’ll bitz the leader, taking him out of the fight as soon as possible. Broken Stone thought to himself. Let's hope the others can take a handful of guards without my help.
A few minutes passed before Broken Stone noticed that his reinforcements had arrived. Assembling mostly in a nearby alley behind a pile of refuse, the miners gripped pick axes tight in their hooves. A few others spread out around the area while Nimble Hooves crouched low a couple meters to Broken Stone’s right.
A quick nod was exchanged between the two before Broken Stone channelled his magic and pushed it into the ground. Guided by his will, the area immediately around the fire pit collapsed into the ground before immediately filling with dirt. The guard’s sudden cry of alarm and surprise vanished amidst several hundred pounds of earth pouring down around them.
“For our homes!” shouted the old miner.
A cry went up and the other villagers sprinted out from their hiding spots, a motley assortment of weapons raised high. The guard’s reaction was mixed, with two attempting to dig out their comrades while the other pair defended the apothecary’s house. Of that dou only one survived long enough to fire off a spell, his comrade receiving a pick axe through the eye socket.
“Form up, and cast shields!” barked the leader, his horn already glowing brightly.
“Oh no you don't,” Broken Stone muttered to himself.
Channelling magic into his hooves, the earth pony coerced the ground into forming into a spear and shooting up at the unicorn. Who somehow managed to dodge out of the way, as if he could see the future, and moved accordingly to his prediction in the blink of an eye. So fast was the other stallion that Broken Stone was forced to leap to the left as a beam of energy flew where his head had been a second earlier.
The sound of conflict and struggle were soon ignored as the leader of the guards and Broken Stone prepared to clash with one another. The earth pony gathered more power while the unicorn spread his hooves wide, and began casting another spell. Broken Stone attempted to disrupt this by conjuring a pillar of stone to rise up from under the other male and punch him in the gut.
Again the royal guard managed to avoid the attack, and worse still for the villagers, the captain was able to cast his spell. Which took the form of a thick golden shield that surrounded him from all sides. Now safe behind his barrier, he used a beam of energy to sever the head of a miner who strayed too close.
The sight enraged Broken Stone and he reared back before stomping his hooves into the ground once more. This time his forelimbs sunk deep into the rocky earth, the earth pony immoblizing himself in the process. A second later, two enormous arms emerged from the ground beneath the captain’s hooves.
The appendages reached out and attempted to grab the wily unicorn but he swiftly avoided the attack. Broken Stone swiped again and again using his conjured limbs, each strike hitting nothing but air. Now growing frustrated, Broken Stone only became angrier when a beam of white hot mana was fired his way.
Though blocked by a swiftly conjured wall of dirt and stone, the energy very nearly burrowed straight through the barrier. Which was discarded a second later, allowing Broken Stone to find out that one of his stone arms had been destroyed. Vaprozed by a blast of concentrated fire, the unicorn was readying another spell, one which Broken Stone noticed was aimed at Nimble Hooves.
Who was busy in a desperate melee with a guard, a small dagger flashing brilliantly between clumsy swings from the soldier. Seeing this, Broken Stone desperately commanded his one remaining limb to punch the captain in the side. Though he missed, it was enough to send the spell wide, where it flew off into the woods somewhere, avoiding its target by a good few feet.
Broken Stone’s strike carried so much force that the fist slammed into the inside of the barrier and break apart upon impact. Causing an idea to spark within the earth pony’s mind, one which he enjoyed the thought of immensely. To do what he planned though, he needed to sink his hooves even deeper into the earth, opening himself up to a flurry of magical arrows.
Most of which were blocked by a sphere of rock which formed up around him, though a few got through. These stinging bolts sapped his strength and singed his flesh, but did not stop Broken Stone from completing his attack. With his barrier falling away, Broken Stone watched as the entire ground beneath the captain began to glow.
The unicorn stood perfectly still, a confused expression crossing his face a second before he was crushed against the inside of his own shield. Caught between a rising surge of stone and his own impenetrable barrier, the pony’s body stood no chance. One second he was a powerful captain of Celestia’s guard, the next he was a red and gold smear without any recognizible features.
The shield fell a second later, and the sole living guard swiftly gave up, throwing his weapon into the air.
“Mercy, please!” he shouted.
Broken Stone spun towards him. “Mercy like the kind you intended on giving those children?”
“Wha-”
The soldier’s response was cut off when his body was filled with stone spikes and lifted into the air. All he could do was gurgle a few times before falling still, his body dropping to the ground the second the rock holding him up, crumbled away. Without any other enemy in sight, Broken Stone quickly surveyed his surroundings and counted up his remaining allies.
Thankfully the only death had been the one aged miner cut down by the guard captain. The rest sported a few nicks and bruises, but were otherwise fine, unlike the trained soldiers that had just been killed.
“Secure the area as well as their equipment, hide the bodies, and be prepared to assault any guards who wander in,” Broken Stone commanded. “This won't be the last of them.”
“You heard the stallion, hop to it! We ain't out of the woods yet!” Nimbe Hooves added.
“Thanks. Do you think you can handle things out here while I try and cure everyone?” Broken Stone asked.
Nimble Hooves snorted in affirmation. “You got it, just don't leave me hanging for long. These ponies are tough, but they ain't real fighters.”
“They will be once today is over,” Broken Stone replied.
“Lets hope it's not needed, now go,” Nimble Hooves retorted.
Broken Stone nodded grimly and ran into the apothecary’s house, magic coursing through his body. His wariness turned out to be unneeded, as there was only a single guard inside, one that was seemingly unaware of what had just happened outside. In a flash, Broken Stone had charged up to him, and punched the wooden bowl he had been holding in his hoof.
The partial sphere extended and stretched, wrapping itself around the eye holes in the guard’s mask. Now confused and panicked, the guard tried to pull the mask from his head, but was immediately bucked off his hooves. Sent flying, he crashed into a bookshelf and tumbled to the ground. Broken Stone didn't give his foe a chance to get up and stomped their forelegs to bits before doing the same to the other pony’s skull.
Broken Stone then immediately spun around and looked about the room, ready for another attack. When none came, he ignored the minor panic his sudden entrance had caused and ran over to two familiar shapes.
“Broken, you came,” whispered the weak voice of the earth pony’s wife.
“I did. Just hold on, I know how to heal you,” Broken Stone replied.
“Do her first,” urged the mare.
Broken Stone smiled, as his wife awkwardly raised their daughter into the air and into Broken Stone’s hooves. The child remained still, but alive, its chest rising and falling as it twitched in pain. The sight was an agonizing one, and Broken Stone quickly recalled the practice he had done not long ago.
With only a few seconds of preparation, he gathered his strength and pulled forth the corruption sapping his child’s health. The effect was immediate, as a thin golden mist bellowed forth from the young pony’s mouth before dissipating rapidly. Now without the spell attacking her body, the filly laid still, a calm, almost serene expression crossing her face.
“You did it,” wheezed the mare.
“Relax, you’re next and then everyone else,” Broken Stone urged.
His wife smiled faintly and laid back down, holding their child tight against her chest.
Bringing forth his magic once more, Broken Stone removed the sickness attacking his beloved. The ensuing cloud of gold again dispersed in an instant, leaving behind a weak, but now healthy pony. Though Broken Stone wanted to stay, and assure his partner that they were safe now, he swiftly moved on.
Ignoring the confused calls from the others afflicted, Broken Stone moved to the closest bed. In it lay an elderly unicorn stallion with a shattered stump for a horn. He was only barely conscious, his eyes rolling aimlessly around in his skull.
He too was cured, and again another puff of gold smoke emerged from his mouth, only to vanish. As Broken Stone continued on, he noticed the apothecary standing nearby, their mask hanging around their neck. They were watching as Broken Stone worked and made no effort to stop the earth pony from his self appointed task.
Which allowed the stallion to move swiftly through the ranks of the afflicted and even gain the other pony’s help. Aided by the apothecary’s presence and calming bedside manner, Broken Stone was able to cure everyone in under two hours. During that time he heard several short bouts of fighting, though no guards ever rushed into the house, so he assumed it had gone well.
Either way by the time he was done the sun was beginning to rise in the east, bathing the battlefield in an eerie glow. Dead guards and villagers littered the street, and a dozen more armed ponies had joined Nimble Hoove’s volunteers. Broken Stone sought out Whisper Tail but couldn't find them, though he didn't have time to look over all the dead before he was interrupted.
“Did you do it?” Nimble Hooves asked, hobbling up to the other stallion.
“Your leg, it's broken,” Stone remarked.
“It's nothing. Now, did you do it?” Nimble Hooves demanded.
“I did,” Broken Stone stated.
“Good,” Nimble Hooves replied. “We’ve gathered a small force, and dealt with the rest of the guards, but they’ll be getting reinforcements really soon.”
“Assemble the afflicted and get everyone who can walk out into the street,” Broken Stone ordered. “Those who can't will have to wait for the carts.”
“Which are already on the way,” Nimble Hooves offered.
“As much as it pains me to say this, but I have to stay out here,” Broken Stone exclaimed.
“Don't worry, my friend. I’ll get your family in order. You just make sure no more of those golden dick heads sneak up on us,” Nimble Hooves stated.
Broken Stone chuckled. “Thank you. Truly.”
“Think nothing of it. I’m just doing all this so you give me more of your share,” Nimble Hooves replied, flashing the other stallion a wink.
“I won't forget this,” Broken Stone declared.
“Good. Because I hate to be the one to remind others of a debt,” Nimble Hooves retorted.
The pony then hobbled into the apothecary’s home, leaving Broken Stone standing amidst the blood slick streets. Seeing that the gathered villagers were all looking at him expectantly, Broken Stone straightened his back and stood a little taller.
“Your friends and family have been cured!” he shouted. “And soon we shall leave this place!”
A dull cheer rose, the injured ponies offering a weak roar of approval.
“Steel your hearts, my friends, for the worse has yet to come. The guard will return, and we must repulse them but fear not, for I am with you,” Broken Steel continued, trotting back and forth along the line. “And I swear to you that I will do everything in my power to serve as your bulwark against the attacks of our foes.”
A sudden whistling noise made the earth pony pause in confusion and glance to the source of the sound. Giving him exactly two seconds to gaze upon the fiery reddish gold orb that flew directly over his head. The sphere easily passed through the second story of the apothecary’s home and detonated a moment later.
In an instant the entire house was consumed in a massive conflageration, with flames erupting from every window in the home. Debris exploded outwards, and the blast wave knocked Broken Stone clear off his hooves. So confused, and surprised was the earth pony that he didn't even have a chance to bring up a shield in his defence.
One moment he was simply standing there, and the next he was soaring through the air, tumbling head over heels. His ensuing meeting with the ground wasn't much better, as he crashed into it with enough force to rattle his skull. His senses blurred together, and his thoughts fled, the pony’s entire body shaken so badly that he didn't know which way was up.
Then one by one his senses returned, until he realized that he was laying on his back and looking at the sky. His fur was scorched, his eyes stung, but the actual damage was minimal at best. His own well being was only an afterthought however, as he immediately leapt to his hooves and spun around.
Only to find that there was nothing left of the house save for a scattering of burnt timber and a few shards of glass. Not a single trace of the home’s inhabitants were left, with a large crater serving as both their grave and tombstone.
“How disappointing,” exclaimed a voice.
Broken Stone turned his gaze skyward, and watched as the unmistakable form of Celestia appeared in view. Girded for battle, but wielding no obvious weapons, the alicorn looked the picture of calm.
“It seems as though the anarchsitic elements will not be so easily removed and that a plan b shall be required,” Celestia continued. “Namely telling everyone that a psychotic earth pony with a power they should not have went on a killing spree.”
“But how-” Broken Stone’s question died the moment he saw Whisper Tail flying to Celestia’s right.
“Sorry boss. But what you did was worse than anything the guard carried out. We need law and order out here, not vigilante justice,” Whisper Tail stated.
“Speaking of which. You stand accused of theft as well as aiding and abbetting a terrorist,” Celestia exclaimed, turning to the pegasus.
“What, but I helped you?” Whisper Tail exclaimed.
“Which is why I am not sentencing you to a lifetime of servitude but rather granting you a swift death,” Celestia declared.
Before the pegasus had a chance to react, their body was incinerated by a blast of white hot energy.
“Now then, with all that out of the way. Do you have any last words before this land is civilized and its people incorporated into the greater Equestrian nation?” Celestia asked.
Broken Stone was far past the point of elegant thought however, as his mind was consumed by rage. His hope had ignited and turned to tinder for his anger which in turn fueled the magic he now felt surging through his entire body.
“I’ll kill you!” he screamed.
“You will try,” Celestia replied.
Sunset Shimmer gasped, her hands clasping wildly for support and grabbing onto Twilight almost immediately. Her head pounded, and the voices of the others in the room with her didn't make any sense at all. As the seconds ticked by, and her heart rate slowly returned to normal, the girl looked up at Twilight's terrified face.
“Are you okay? Speak to me Sunset!” shouted the straight A student.
“I’m fine,” Sunset replied after a short pause. “That last one was just… intense.”
“Are you sure you don't need any assistance? A doctor perhaps?” Perfect Tempor offered.
“No… it's okay,” Sunset answered.
“That is a relief,” Perfect Tempo exclaimed.
“You are not fine,” Twilight Sparkle stated. “You’re still shaking.”
“It will go away in a moment,” Sunset assured her friend.
“I regret pushing you so quickly, but I must know. What happened in there?” Perfect Tempo inquired.
“A lot,” Sunset replied, shaking her head. “I think this is a story I’ll need to tell over a drink, or at least a very hearty snack.”
“Of course, anything you want is yours,” Perfect Tempo offered, extending a hand towards the exit. “I had the chefs on stand by, and my personal bartender is waiting in the lounge.
“Maybe a drink isn't the best idea right now,” Twilight offered.
“Its needed,” Sunset assured the girl, who turned back to Perfect Tempo. “And thanks.”