//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Twisted lies // Story: The Unforgiven // by Trigger_Finger //------------------------------// “So that’s it huh?” Twilight asked and Applejack nodded. “Yah, ah’d reckon that about covers everything” Applejack told her unicorn friend who sighed depressingly from the information. “So… now that we know Metal Jacket won’t help us and Flim and Flam have our sisters and Spike, what exactly are we supposed to do?” Twilight asked. They all stood there and thought about their options. Rainbow Dash’s wings shot out. “I got it!” she exclaimed and they all looked over to her. “Okay, so we know that Metal Jacket is probably the only one who can rescue our sisters and Spike, so Flim and Flam probably know that too. But what they don’t know is that he hates us, so we just tell a little white lie and say that Metal Jacket is gearing up to get them unless they give us back our sisters… and Spike” Rainbow Dash plotted. The others thought about it then nodded and all rushed off towards where F&F HQ was. “What if they don’t buy it?” Rarity asked and Rainbow Dash chuckled. “They have to buy it. It’s very convincing” Rainbow Dash told her white unicorn friend. They all raced as fast as they could to the fence entrance. Two stallions stood guard while a few other stallions and mares sat in combat vehicles. “Hey! Stop” ordered one of the stallions on guard. Rarity walked up and began to play her feminine charm on the stallion. “I’m sorry about the whole inconvenience but we’re here on official business for Flim and Flam” Rarity told the stallion. “Sorry ma’am, specific orders: No-pony is allowed in without being identified” he said bluntly. Rarity walked up to him and began to seductively whisper to him. “Well… I’m sure a big strong stallion like yourself could… ‘bend’ the rules for little old me” Rarity said very seductively. The stallion gulped and pulled on his coat collar as he blushed. He pointed over to the other stallion and motioned for him to open the gate. The gate opened and the stallion stepped aside to allow them entry. Rarity stopped and looked to one of the vehicles. “Darling, would you be a dear and drive us to the headquarters building. It’s quite a walk” Rarity asked as she fluttered her eyes. The stallion nodded quickly and rushed over to a flatbed truck then motioned for the six mares to hop on. They all embarked the vehicle and the stallion drove them all the way to the front steps of the headquarters building. The group disembarked the vehicle and as they started trotting towards the building Rarity stopped and blew the stallion a kiss. He blushed furiously as his heart began to race. He hadn’t seen an attractive mare in the longest of times. The group stepped up to the front doors where two stallions stood guard. They had watched the group depart the military vehicle so naturally they assumed that the six mares were part of the organization. The stallions allowed the mares to trot past and the mares entered the front lobby. Pinkie was bouncing around erratically behind the others. Applejack and Rarity were playing it casual. Fluttershy was a little sheepish and had to cower close behind Rainbow Dash who was playing it a little too cool. Twilight levitated her sunglasses away from her face to take a better look at the front lobby. “Okay girls just… where’s Pinkie?” Twilight asked and the others looked around to see that Pinkie had simply vanished. Applejack pointed over to tables where condiments sat for the workers. Pinkie was literally sucking up an entire table of food, gaining the attention of several workers. Twilight grabbed her friend in her magical aurora then levitated the pink mare along as they walked further into the building. “Pinkie… play it cool” Twilight whispered to her erratic friend. Pinkie squirmed to break free of the magic spell so she could reach the condiments but Twilight’s spell kept her trapped. Several ponies still paid close attention to the group as they passed by. “Long day in the field” Twilight told one of the stallions as she chuckled uneasily. They finally reached the elevator and the group entered it then keyed for the top floor. Twilight set Pinkie down. “Whew… okay, at least that’s over” Twilight muttered. The elevator ascended until it pinged and reached the top floor. As the elevator’s doors opened Twilight’s face became a dire expression. There was some sort of party or festival going on because tables of food were set up everywhere. “Pinkie I…” Twilight trailed off and sighed as Pinkie simply zipped away in a puff of dust. Applejack rested her hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “We’ll pick her up on the way out. Come on, let’s go get our sisters back… and Spike” Applejack said and chuckled. “If only Spike was a female it would make remembering that part easier” Applejack laughed as they entered the top floor. They all walked very casually and made their way to the executive office, well minus Pinkie Pie who was sucking back food. Twilight shook her head from her friend’s lack of focus. Twilight opened the door to the executive office and they all entered. Flim and Flam spun around and Flim raised an eyebrow. “Girls! So nice of you to join the party” Flam said in a bubbly voice and Applejack closed the door behind her. “Enough a the sweet talkin, we’re here fer our sisters” Applejack ordered but Flim and Flam both laughed from her order. “Well, where’s the deed?” Flim asked and Rarity leaned over the desk with a devious grin. “We don’t need to sell you the deed. Metal Jacket promised to take our sisters back by force if you didn’t give them back immediately” Rarity told them in a sly tone. Both the brothers gulped and looked to each other. Rarity smirked. Then brothers began to laugh hysterically which made the mares all look at each other then back to the two brothers. “That’s priceless… Metal Jacket helping you… he hates you more than… well I think he hates you the most” Flim laughed as he pointed to Rarity. Flam chuckled, “Yes indeed. I do believe the term he used was ‘Stupid prissy conniving cock sucking cunt’… pardon my French” Flam told the girls. Their faces all turned to dire expressions as the brothers seen through their lie. “So Applejack, you’re the honest one. Tell us exactly what Metal Jacket told you. Swear it on your sister’s life” Flam chuckled. Applejack gulped, she was a terrible liar and would never lie on her sister’s life. She let out a sigh of defeat. “He told us to get off his property” she told them honestly as her head dropped in defeat. “Well… isn’t that just too bad” Flim said and clapped his hooves. A big stallion entered the office. “Carnation, if you wouldn’t mind to escort these fine mares off the property… and their pink friend out there” Flam ordered and the stallion nodded. They all began to leave obediently, well except Pinkie who hadn’t noticed. A stallion walked up behind her. “Excuse me ma’am. It’s time for you to go” the stallion ordered but she shook her head. “No…mmpgh… not done…mpghp… eating” Pinkie mumbled through mouthfuls of food. The stallion grabbed her with one hoof and dragged her away from the food table. “NOOOOOOOO!” Pinkie screamed in utter horror as she was dragged away from the food. She put up the most resistance of the entire group, despite her not having anything taken from her by Flim and Flam. Flim chuckled to himself as he watched the group depart. “Daffodil” Flam called out and the big stallion entered the office. “I want you to go have a chat with Mr. Jacket… ask him to join our organization. Oh and make sure he see’s things our way and if he doesn’t… make sure he doesn’t see anything ever again” Flam told the stallion who nodded. * * * Elsewhere at a later time: Metal Jacket rocked in his chair when suddenly his ear flickered. He heard something in the far distance that sounded like… a Jeep. Metal Jacket chuckled, only one pony, or rather one organization, ever came to see him in a Jeep. His old friends Flim and Flam or if not them then some of their associates. Metal Jacket continued to relax until the Jeep pulled up onto his front lawn. Four stallions exited the vehicle then walked up to his porch steps and stopped. “Howdy” Jacket said to the group as he tipped his brown Desperado cow-pony hat. “Mr. Jacket, our bosses require that you come with us” Daffodil ordered the old stallion in a blunt tone. “Nah… I don’t think so. I ain’t got no talents in life no more” Metal Jacket told him. Flim and Flam had asked him to join them before but he had turned down the offer. “Mr. Jacket this is not up for discussion. Come with us now, or else” Daffodil said in a threatening voice. Metal Jacket curled his lips. Never before had one of Flim and Flam’s goons ever threatened him. “Is that a threat boy? You better watch your tone… or else” Metal Jacket told him in a deep tone. The stallions chuckled to themselves. “Listen up you old stallion. We have you outnumbered. So just come with us and don’t do anything stupid” Daffodil chuckled. Metal Jacket snarled as he quickly stood up to his hindlegs and kicked up his SKS up into his forelegs. “I’ll show you stupid just so you have a reference” Metal Jacket snarled as he pointed the rifle at the stallion’s head. The stallions all stepped back cautiously. “Whoa… easy old stallion… did you forget to take your meds today” Daffodil said insultingly. “Yeah… I took all my medications… did you remember to snort all your fucking crack or did you save some for later” Metal Jacket snarled. “Easy… slow the fuck down. You don’t wanna mess with me” Daffodil told him. “Mess with you… I don’t want to mess with you. I want to kill you. I used to stack piles of your kind back in Saddle-Arabia and use your bodies as fucking sandbags” Metal Jacket told him. The stallions all cautiously stepped back then rushed into the Jeep and drove off. They all had weapons but were too scared to draw them on the hardened war veteran. Metal Jacket smiled to himself as the Jeep sped off. He checked his watch. It was getting late and he still had to pick some vegetables and fruits for supper. * * * Hours later, First person perspective of Metal Jacket: I knelt down to some local vegetables and quickly pulled the root out of the ground. It was kind of like a potato but more pointy like a carrot and had a light cherry fade to the peel. I opened my backpack and set it down beside me. I had my old duster coat on to keep me warm tonight. Usually I kept my SKS handy while I went out but I needed the space on my back for my backpack so that I could collect the vegetables and fruits, the latter of which I had already collected. I stood up and stretched, I should probably cut back on some of the dairy I was eating, that would really help out my back. I stretched painfully, boy I wasn’t as sprite as I used to be. I guess when they say ‘Old age will catch up to you’ they weren’t kidding. I mean sure I look like I’m in my late forties but I’m fifty eight years old and feel every year of it. I knelt down to another patch of vegetables and pulled the roots from the ground. Much like a potato, only the root of the plant tasted good while the rest of the plant was actually quite horrid. I checked the backpack to judge how much I had picked. I nodded to myself and figured I had enough to last me at least until tomorrow afternoon. Satisfied with my load I flung the pack onto my back and made to head back to my cabin when suddenly an ear piercing scream echoed in the forest. I looked to where the scream had come from and figured it was at least one hundred or so meters into the forest. A scream echoed out again. I let out a disgruntled sigh, at least it didn’t sound like those stupid mares, and if it was them well… I’d just leave them to their fate. I quickly rushed deeper into the forest. My hooves thrashed along through the undergrowth of the forest, my heart started to slowly pump faster. If I hadn’t kept myself in shape all these years then I’d probably be gassed by now. I stopped and listened. I could hear my heart beating in my ear and it was somewhat distracting. I slowed my heart rate through steady breathing and the beating off my heart faded from my ears. Another scream echoed out but now I could hear hoof steps. I quickly raced towards the origin of the hoof steps but then they stopped. I cursed myself and I could hear a faint crying. I stalked along very quietly, the moon had risen and somewhat illuminated the dark forest. I chose my steps very carefully and barely made a sound. All my stealth training from the military came back to me as I stalked along. I entered a very small clearing were a dark blue unicorn lay crying to herself. Well at least it wasn’t one of those stupid mares. I rushed over to her side and she screamed in absolute terror, one of her wings hit me… wait a minute. “Princess Luna?” I gasped in utter shock. Tears were flowing from her eyes as I stepped back. She looked up to me with fearful eyes. “You’re… not one of them… are you?” she asked and I raised an eyebrow. “One of who?” I asked curiously and she leaned forwards to take a better look at me. She let out a relived sigh. “Uhm… is something wrong?” I asked and she sat down, breathing heavily. “Yes… my sister asked of me to inspect Flim and Flam’s headquarters during the night but I was attacked by some of… The Bloody Hooves” she informed me then showed me her injured wing. It didn’t look too bad but it was probably too painful for her to fly. “Well can’t you just teleport yourself out of here?” I asked and she shook her head. “No… unfortunately I am unfamiliar with that spell. Do you know the spell?” she asked and I chuckled as I rubbed the area where a horn would be if I was a unicorn. “Sorry. I’m all earth pony” I said proudly. She let out a depressed sigh. “What’s the big deal. So you got attacked, we’ll just leave the forest” I told her but she shook her head. “No… I have escaped them thus far but they will be back… and I fear that I may not be able to escape a second time” she said in complete distraught. I shrugged, “So why not just leave now?” I asked and she looked up to me as she wiped a tear from her face. “It is not that simple. Once the forest has you at night… it may keep you trapped with The Bloody Hooves” she said fearfully. I rolled my eyes, not this old dragon tale. No-pony who enters the Everfree at night ever returns Ooooooh. “Yeah I have a feeling that’s just an old dragon tale” I chuckled but it didn’t change her mind about the whole subject. I sighed and knelt down beside her. “Listen if it’ll make you feel better I’ll get you outta here. Beside I have this” I said as I reached to grab my SKS. It was a natural reaction but I frowned as I remembered that I had left my rifle at home. She looked up to me and buried her face into my chest, her tears soaking my white t-shirt. “Please… will you stay by my side… I do not wish to die alone” she sobbed. I chuckled to myself. I guess even the almighty princess of the night could break down in fear when faced with the… “BLOODY HOOVES!” Luna screamed. I looked down to her. “Hey you read my mind” I chuckled but she quickly backpedalled fearfully. I turned around to see a deformed black pony staggering towards me like a zombie. “Jesus FUCK!” I yelled as I lept back from the sudden scar it gave me. Talk about a screamer. “One of us…” it whispered in a creepy tone. “Yeah-yeah fuck off yah bozo” I told him but he lunged at my throat, his razor sharp teeth gleamed in the moon’s light. I brought my foreleg up to block his leap and he sank his teeth into my forearm. I yelled out in pain and quickly swung my foreleg into a tree, crushing its head against the tree. It released its bite from my arm as it died and I staggered back but tripped over Luna who was huddling on the ground in fear. “This is the end… oh goddess why did it have to end like this” Luna whimpered. I staggered to my hooves and looked around. Bloody Hooves came out of the forest from all directions and completely surrounded us. Luna stood up as well, whimpering to herself as The Bloody Hooves came ever closer. “Okay… Luna blast them” I said but she was too fear ridden to focus enough and use her magic. “Okay… plan B” I muttered. The Bloody Hooves were now only a few feet away from us, we both lept to our hindlegs and used each other for support. Though the princesses were generally larger than most ponies, I stood only three inches shorter than her, and that was due to her horn. “What’s plan B?” Luna asked. I gulped, “Well uhm… I was hoping that you had an idea” I told her. The Bloody Hooves drew ever closer, now less than five feet away. “Did you really think you could escape us… you cannot escape your fate… you are one of us” whispered all The Bloody Hooves in perfect unison. Bloody Hooves approached from all angles. I felt Luna heart beating extremely fast, her sobs of fear were almost enough to drown out the dark sadistic whispers of The Bloody Hooves. Their dark sadistic whispers soon flooded into my ears and I wiped some sweat from my forehead…