//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: A Raider's Adventure // by Aruzo Night //------------------------------// I woke up in strange land, there was nothing to be seen for miles away but darkness. No sand. No moon. No stars. Nothing. Only a single beam of light shining far above me in the sky was all that illuminated the dark plain where I stood. I could feel a faint breeze running down my mane and coat, shivering with the feeling that I was lost, alone, and hopeless. "Where am I?" I said to myself, looking around for anyone or anything that would hint where I was. "Raider, why?" The voice of a familiar female voice cried. I turned around to look for the source and in the distance I could see another light beaming down on an elderly mare sitting down in front of a stone. "Mother? Mother! Its me, Raider, where are we?" I shouted as I ran to meet up with her, but she didn't look up as if she didn't hear me even though my voice echoed. When I got next to her she didn't bother looking up, I thought she was still upset with me. "Oh Raider, why," Mother kept crying as I stood next to her. I build up the courage to answer her, but still it pain me to say it. "I know Mother. I was foolish. I just-" "My dear son, why." Mother repeated, shedding many tears, but she didn't look up. I kneeled down beside her and spoke in a shaken voice muffled by guilt, feeling tears slip out my eyes. "Mother, please forgive me." I tried to hug her, but to my surprise as I wrapped my arms around they phased through her leaving behind a trail of sandy mist. "What the? Mother?" I looked at her, but she ignored me and only cried. She reached out to touch the stone I had ignored. I examined the stone through watery eyes and discovered something that left me paralyzed in fear. The stone was actually a gravestone that read "R.I.P... Raider." It took me a moment to comprehend that it was my grave. I was in complete denial, I didn’t want to accept what I just read. "It can't be. I'm still here. Mother!" I turned around to face Mother to tell her I was still very much alive, but when I looked back she was gone, "Mother...", I felt something dissolve in my hoof. When I turned to see what it was, the gravestone was gone and a few grains of sand were on my hoof. "What?" I was baffled, but whatever was happening, I didn't have a good feeling about. I looked around for anything or anypony else . "Turn around you’re under arrest!" A thick voice command. "What? Why?" "For housing a criminal. That's why!" I looked behind me and saw the orphanage, Mother was being taken away by two guards, and the rest of the orphans forced out by more guards. The orphans were running away from the scene, not knowing where they were going, or what was going to happen to them, crying out for help. "HEY!! Leave them alone!" I ran towards the orphanage, enrage by the barbaric force of law, only to be stopped cold in my tracks. "What?" I felt myself weighed down by something heavy, but I couldn't see what it was. Something was preventing me from turning my head. I heard a loud crash from the orphanage and saw the guards were tossing everything, clothing, beds, kitchenware, and a mirror that landed in front of me sending sharp fragments flying in my direction. I couldn't rise a hoof or jump back to dodge the pieces of sharp glass, but as I squinted my eyes to flinch in pain I could see the fragmented glass vaporize into sand as they touched my body. By the time I realized it, the orphanage, the guards, and orphans had all vanished, all that remained was the broken mirror. I cautiously struggled to walk over to the mirror, still unsure what was going on or where I was. I could hear heavy chains dragging on the floor, echoing loudly around me. It wasn't until I got close enough to what remained of the shattered mirror that I figured out what was causing the noise. A massive neck brace was cuffed on me. I picked up a shard of mirror and tried to tilt the glass with my mouth, cutting my tongue several times, to see what else was weighing me down. Surprisingly the glass didn't turn into sand which gave me the chance to manipulate it. A body brace, four rusty shackles clamped on each leg, and a massive set of chains dragging behind me. They appeared to extend forever. As I kept examining the cuffs the small piece of glass finally exploded into sand, blinding me. I felt something scurrying through my legs and after clearing the sand out of my eyes I saw sand drifting in all directions forming small piles on the floor and some of them in mid-air defying gravity itself. I was terrified of what was going on and before I knew it I was surround by piles of sand in every direction. All I could hear was my heart beating rapidly from fear. The sand piles began to change color, swirl, and float in place forming small figures. As the sand began to settle I could see that the figures formed bodies of little foals. Some were crying and begging for money, others were covered in blood and bruised. A few laid sick and starving, but most of them laid dead, on the ground motionless. Instead of crying in sorrow, I dropped to the floor with an agonizing pain ripping deep within me, like it was eating my soul, knowing that their suffering, pain, hunger, and death were my fault. I crawled on the floor flinching in pain, until I saw a small set of legs standing in front of me. I looked up and there stood Nibs with watery eyes, cuts and scrapes on his fragile little body, and with a look of disappointment on his face. "Nibs?" I groaned, grabbing my chest as the pain intensified. "You promised me that you'd fix it all." Nibs cried, shedding a single tear. "Nibs... I'm sorry. I'll fix this, I promise." I crossed my heart and reached out to him to complete the promise, but he stepped back in disgust. "You liar! Last time you promised. You never came back! Mother was taken! All my friends died! And Sapphire left us!" He cried, running off into the darkness until he disappeared out of sight. "NIBS!! NIBS!!" I called out in tears, but it was too late he was gone and was never going to return. The figures shattered, just like my heart, back into sand. I laid there on a small mound of sand shedding tears, without letting out a single sigh or sob. I could feel my heart sinking in a dark void of depression, slowly drowning in tears of sorrow and shame. I was being buried with the heavy stones of guilt. I was nothing but a broken husk of a dead colt rotting away in guilt and sorrow whose soul burned to nothing more but a pile of forgotten ashes. I could feel the sand under me whisk away and see that in the distance it was forming another figure. I closed my eyes and hid my face behind the rusty shackles, not wanting see what horror was to form this time. Please let it stop. But the soft sobbing of a mare made me look up, there sat Sapphire under a lit street lamp, shivering in the cold as she covered herself tightly with a red, stained fabric. I stood up and looked closer, the fabric was my shemagh stained repeatedly with blood. I started to walk towards her at a snail’s pace, due to the weight of the chains, but sand below me flew ahead creating another figure. I paused to see what it was and saw the sand form the body of somepony wearing a hood. The sand sculpture came to life and stared at me with a disturbing concentration, I couldn't see any face within the hood's shadow, it gave me a queasy feeling. After a minute of staring he turn his attention to Sapphire, who seemed unaware of his existence, and approached her. "Hey! You better get away from her!" I warned him, but he continued on ignoring me threat. I fought against the weight to reach Sapphire first, but he was already way ahead of me. I could see sand swirl around his hoof and collect together, making the shape of a dagger. "Sapphire! Run!" I shouted as I tried to run towards her as fast as I could. The figure started to walk at a faster pace always staying well ahead of me. It was only when the hooded pony was only feet away from Sapphire, did she looked up towards the hooded demon and began to panic when she saw the dagger. The world slowed down as I saw the hooded pony stab Sapphire, crying for her life, several times without mercy. Once finished he stepped to the side to show me Sapphire's bloody body, holding my shemagh in her hoof as if praying for me to rescue her. A devious smile appeared within the hood taunting me with misery. Reason? Gone. Mercy? What is that. Emotion? Wrath! Solution? Death. Vengeance... You better fucking believe it. Fueled by anger I easily lifted the shackles like if they were nothing but cheap oversized jewelry, galloping at full speed towards the hooded pony, who still wore a smile on his hidden face. Once I reached him I lunged into the air, ready to use the shackles to hammer his skull into oblivion. Only when I was near enough to touch his hood did the chains pull back making me stumble over Sapphire's body, making it dissolve back into sand, and painfully falling to the ground. I quickly recovered and swung again and again at the culprit, almost grazing the tip of his hood every single time. Exhausted, my hoofs finally gave out and dropped to the floor with a thud, sending sand into the air. "WHY DID YOU KILL HER!!" I shouted still very much enraged. The pony leveled his head with mine and spoke in a distorted voice , "You." "What?" I murmured, he stepped back, placed a hoof on his hood, and relieved his identity. The hood fell to the floor along with my sanity, there in front of me stood... ME! A replica of me, but he was no longer pony but demon. His eyes were gone, his chest had an open wound going across it, and a dark repulsive ooze constantly bled out of it. I could feel chains pulling me up as he (or I?) got closer to me. He reached out and grabbed me by the neck brace, as the chains started to lift me, he shouted, "YOU KILLED THEM!!!" Causing the whole world to shake with the power of his voice. His eyes and wound gushed blood, and images of dead orphans appeared, reaching out to grab me. The chains suddenly jerked up, sending me flying straight up towards the light up in the dark sky. I screamed in terror as I passed orphan ghosts reaching out to grab me, crying for help. I could see the chains disappear as the light grew brighter and brighter until it blinded me, I closed my eyes praying that whatever was to come let it not be death or least not as horrifying as what I just experienced. "Hey! Get up!" The guard's command was followed with a strike to the wound on the side of my head. I woke up in searing pain holding my head between my hoofs, as the guard hid behind a cover. I didn't know whether to hate him or thank him for waking me up from such a brutal nightmare. I struggled to get to my legs and saw that I was in a cage covered by an old dust tarp, and I could hear a loud mutter from behind the cover. "Where am I?" I asked myself. The sound of trumpets filled the air as they announced the arrival of a royal, "Royalty? What's going on?" I continue to ask myself. I heard somepony clear his throat and began to speak out, as if addressing a crowd, "Mares and gentlecolts! For a long time now we have been suffering in the hoofs of a thief stealing our hard earn money, raiding our ancient's sanctuaries, and may have courted with our innocent daughters." What! I’ve never slept with anypony! Sheesh, I haven't even gotten my first kiss. I thought as I felt for my duster or gauntlet. "And now with the help of the brave archaeologist, Daring Do, this criminal scum will be brought to justice!" I could hear a crowd clap and cheer, "now now, settle down. It brings me great joy to show you the low-life scum that’s been evading the law for so long!" I heard trumpets blow and the tarp flew off the cage letting the sunlight in. I blinked, even in the morning the sun was still very bright. After letting my eyes adjust to the light, I stood in shock to see that I was being presented in the main plaza of the city, where everypony usually passed through. Thankfully, It was still rather early, for only few ponies and shopkeepers were in the plaza. I sighed in relief as I didn't see anypony that I knew and yet at the same time I yearned for them, to see if they were well. I looked to the side and saw Daring Do wearing my duster, with a guard holding a saddlebag containing my gauntlet and shemagh. "Hey You! That's my duster, give it here!" I don’t know why I thought that was a good idea. The guard struck me with the blunt end of his spear causing me to fall over. Another decided to take a shot and knocked the air out of me, but the general stopped them before they got out of control. "That's enough! Take him to jail. We'll prosecute him later," the general said. "Wait." Daring commanded as she walked closer, "don't take him just yet I've got a few question for him before you send him to the big house." Daring and the general left together chatting, while I was stuck in the plaza with two abusive guards. Not fifteen minutes passed before both of the guards left. They didn't say anything they just left, maybe for lunch. Time passed, I laid on the floor with ponies every randomly walking up to me to take a look, to see if they knew me. The little brats that passed by threw stones at me before they’d run off, they're lucky I'm chained down or I would've chased them down. The sun rose just a bit over the horizon and I still didn’t see any sign of the guards nor Daring Do. I could hear my stomach growl loudly, since I hadn't eaten since yesterday afternoon, this isn't anything new to me, even in the past I had to starve myself so the orphans had something to eat. But I was weak and I need the food to regain the strength I lost last night in my failed escape. *Sigh* I tried not to think of food, but I was trapped in the plaza where most food stands were set up and when jerks hear you’re hungry they only taunt you with food. I covered my face in my hoof so I wouldn’t see any food, but still the aroma found its way through. *Growl* I whimpered as I clenched my stomach in pain. "Psst! Here." I looked up and saw a piece of bread in front of me, but I was more happy to see the mare that gave it to me. "Sapphire?" I said in disbelief. The mare turned to the sound of her name and gasped to see me in the cage. "Raider!? Wh-" I didn't even let her finish as I scampered over to the edge of the cage and hugged her through the bars, crying to see that she was still alive and safe. She blushed and hugged me back, surprised for never had she seen me cry. "Raider, what happened?" I looked at her and had to admit the obvious and swallow my pride, "Sapphire... I failed. I failed you, Mother, Nibs, and everyone at the orphanage." "That's not true, there’s still hope, I can probably free you... Just give me a sec." She said trying to pick the cage's lock, but I reached and grabbed her hoof to stop her. "Sapphire, don't." "Don't?! Raider?" She said still picking the lock. "Please listen," I said, turning her face towards me, "Sapphire, I failed and you can’t risk it. You’re in charge of seeing that the orphanage isn't taken away from us, don't let our hard work be for nothing." I could see her eyes watering, for she knew where I was going with this. "Now listen, I want you to go the orphanage and sell everything that's in my room. All my maps. My bed. Everything, even the window if you have too." "What if Mother asks questions?" "Just tell her that I won't be coming home." Sapphire was going to dash back home, but I reached out for her before she left, "Sapphire, please don't tell Mother you saw me here." Sapphire didn't reply and just left towards the orphanage. Only after Sapphire left did the guards finally return, with a full bellies. I quickly ate the piece of bread before the guards could take it away. Time passed slowly and morning was barely turning into early afternoon, and still Daring hasn't returned. I thought that she saw no use for me and left without bothering to ask me her questions. "When is the general coming back? I'm bored here. Why can't we just throw his ass in jail and get this over with." He said, nudging my shoulder with his spear, waking me from my nap. "I know. I would have already sentence him to death. You know, why bother." Just hearing that brought me down knowing that right now I could be at home with Mother, eating breakfast and doing chores. I placed my head on the shackle to rest my head, but something caught my attention. I saw two little hooves holding on the edge of the cage and the small grunts of a foal could be heard. "Raider?". Nibs?! I crawled to the edge, not wanting the guards to notice me, I peered to the side and saw Nibs dangling from the cage. I grabbed him and held him in place so he could reach. "Nibs, what are you doing here?" I whispered. "We came to see you," he responded. "We?" he nodded and pointed west where a large group of children were following Sapphire and Mother, with my mix of emotions, I accidentally dropped Nibs to the floor. When they came closer I could see the children with shocked faces, surprised to see me behind bars. As for Mother she approached the cage with a blank expression on her face, I couldn't tell if she was mad for ignoring her plea or glad to see that I was still alive. "Mother, I-" Mother put her hoof on my mouth to shush me, I could feel my ears drop down in shame. "I know. Sapphire told me everything. And no I'm not upset, I know you only did it for good reasons," she said looking at the children. One of the foals walked up to Mother and asked her why was I chained, but before Mother could answer the guard interrupted her. "Because he's a thief. That’s why, kid. So you’d better not steal." Mother simply agreed with him, pretending to not know me. The children gasped in horror knowing that their beloved brother and caretaker was a good-for-nothing thief, but one didn't agree. "No, he's not! He’s a hero!" Nibs shouted in my defense, Sapphire quickly grabbed him before he could say another word, but the guard simply laughed at Nibs’ comment. "Kid, the day this thief becomes a hero that'll be the day I lose my job." he rebutted. "In that case you're fired," we turned around to see the general walking with Daring Do, who had a stained bandage on her broken wing, "Or not quite. You see, we’re willing to work out a deal." The general walked up to the cage door and unlocked it, commanding the guards to hold the chains as I walked out. I couldn't help but question him, "what do you mean?" "Miss Daring is in search of your master, Ahuizotl, and if you’re willing to help her find him we 'might' set you free." "Might?" "Yes. It all depends on her judgement. If she is not pleased with your aid, we lock you up. But, if she see that you're willing to cooperate, we’ll set you free. Simple as that." "How can I know that you’re not lying to me." "I'm a general, I'm a stallion of my word." Strangely enough I did believe him. "What about her," I pointed at Daring, "How can I trust that she won't judge me unfairly." "Don't worry. I'll judge fairly. I'll just keep 'this' as a side note." She gestured to her broken wing. I looked at the general, "What are my other options?". "Be stuck in jail for the rest of your miserable life or... Nope that's it. Those are your options." "I got a fairer chance fighting a Scorpio." "That can be arranged." He replied. I should have chosen my words a little more carefully, I thought. This your last and only chance for freedom. Don't do it for yourself... Do it for them. You can still fix all of this, I thought to myself. I looked over to Mother and the orphans to help me make my decision. "Well. What's it going to be." *Sigh* “Deal. But under two conditions." "What are they?" The general asked, Daring didn't seem happy to hear him say that. "One, I need some medical aid for my head wound. If not, it could get infected and I'll probably die before I can help her." I demanded. "Deal. What else." "And two, I want my equipment back. My shemagh, coat, and gauntlet." "Gauntlet? You won't need that." "Then it seem that you don't need my help." "Ha! You are no position to make such threats. We can easily replace you." He scolded. "And may I ask with who." "That's none of your concern." I knew that he was bluffing. There was no replacement, I was there only lead. "Come on, general. Both you and I know that there is no other pony," I could see the general starting to get nervous, a sign that I was playing my cards right, "And plus by the time you find another pony it'll be to late." "Fine," Yes, it worked, "But you can only use the gauntlet when Daring spots any signs of danger. You are no use to us dead." I paused to think, coming up with a plan already, "Fair enough.", I answered. "Very well. Take him to a doctor to clean his wound and prepare them a cart." The general commanded, as they dragged me to a doctor. After receiving the medical aid I demand, and so desperately needed, the general hoofed me my coat and shemagh, but gave Daring the gauntlet. I was released from my chains only to be strapped down again, this time to a cart with some supplies, and was forced to be the cart puller under Daring’s command. I waited patiently for Daring, as she and the general discussed what to do if she found Ahuizotl's camp. When all the supplies were loaded the guards returned to their posts leaving me behind to wait for Daring. "Raider." Sapphire called as she sneaked beside the cart. "What are you doing?" I whispered. "Raider, I don't think you should go." She suggested. "Sapphire, trust me. Don't worry, I'll be fine." "I do trust you, but I don't trust her that's all." "Neither do I, but I promise I can still fix this." I crossed my heart. "It’s just that..." She mumbled. "It’s just... What?" "Raider, I almost lost you once. I don't want to lose you again." She said. "... I?" "I meant 'we'. My bad," she replied with a bright blush on her cheeks. I ignored the awkward answer and continued the conversation, "Look, all I have to do is help her find this Ahuizotl fella and I'm free. Easy," I explained. "But you don't know who or where this 'Ahuizotl' is," she remarked. I was going to explain her my plan, but I could see that Daring was closing in. "You’d better go." I told Sapphire. "Okay... Good luck, Raider." Before I could reply I felt Sapphire kiss me on the side of my cheek right under my ear, and left running, leaving me confused. What... was that? Before I could think more on Sapphire's behavior I felt the cart shift as Daring climbed onto it. "Come on. Lets go. The Doc wanted me back by morning," she commanded. I decided not to argue since I was still pretty puzzled about Sapphire and it was still too early to deploy my escape plan. I slowly began to pull the heavy cart towards the gates to enter the desert to make our journey to the Doc's campsite, not knowing what the hell I had gotten myself into.