//------------------------------//
// Past Pains 
// Story: League of Bronies 
// by darkironpony 
//------------------------------//

Author's Note: This is my favorite chapter. Hope you enjoy. Edited by Rampage and Snap Art. 

[Rampage's P.O.V. Years ago. PLAY THIS ]

I approached a chocolate brown square building, and opened the door.

I spotted a staircase a few feet away. I silently walked in and towards it. As my front right hoof touched the first step it creaked.

"Subtle, is that you son?" a mare asked curiously.

I didn't answer back. I didn't feel like talking to anyone. Not NOW.

I ran up the stairs hoping to avoid my mother. It worked. Unfortunately when I reached the top of the stairs I bumped into a dark blue earth stallion.

"When did you get here?" He asked, raising a brow.

I bowed my head and mumbled. My father lifted my head against my will. His red mane was very short and messy, and his face a mixture of emotion

"Who did this to you?!" my father asked, shocked.

"No one. I fell," I lied weakly.

"Honey, is Subtle with you?" my mother asked from below.

"He is. Dear, can you run some hot water? And get ready to do some healing spells," he said as he glared at me with his red eyes.

I tried in vain to push past my father. He simply stood and allowed me to exhaust myself .

Afterwards he lightly pushed me back and I headed downstairs to meet my mother.

When I reached the bottom my mother had prepared a bucket of warm water. And her horn was already filled with magical energy.

My mother was an orange unicorn mare. Her yellow eyes radiated comfort. There was only one thing else they could radiate and that was disappointment.

Fearing it was the latter I stared at the ground.

"You know I can't clean you up this way," she said chuckling.

I gulped and closed my eyes as I lifted my head.

"Oh my," my mother murmured in shock.

"I think you missed a spot," my father said jokingly.

Although I couldn't see I'm sure I felt my mother glaring at my father. I felt my mother place the wet rag on my bloody snout. The pain hit me at once.

"Ouch!" I said opening my eyes. I fidgeted.

"Don't struggle," she demanded steely. I sighed and complied. She went on to use some spells to clean up the wound.

"So, what happened?" my mother demanded lightly as she raised my head gently.

"It was the kids at school, mother," I answered sighing, tears in my eyes.

"Breathe," my mother said as I stood there unable to move. My whole body trembled.

"I showed them something cool. I tried to show them I was cool. They laughed and pushed me down. They didn't even look at it!" I yelled angrily.

My father and mother embraced me.

"Its okay. No need to cry," my mother said comfortingly.

"And you could just show us the thing. I'm sure it is very cool," my father added.

When I calmed down they stopped the hug. They both smiled warmly at me.

I showed them my front hooves. "Nothing there. Now watch," I said as I formed a small emerald ball.

My parents smiles faded. My own quickly followed.

"Son, you can't do that anymore," my father demanded coldly.

"But its cool! You said so!" I yelled feeling betrayed.

"Your father is right, dear."

"You too mom?!"

They moved to hug me again. I backed away as they neared me.

"I hate you!," I yelled as I ran upstairs to my room. I went on my bed and buried my face into my pillow. I cried myself to sleep that night.

The next day I awoke to find a few royal guards in my house. I approached them cautiously.

"Uh. Hello?" I asked unsurely

They turned to face me. There were two average looking guards flanking a grey stallion.

The grey stallion inched towards me. "Hello, little one. I am Dense Fence. Who are you?"

"My name is Subtle Rampage," I answered with a gulp.

"Is there anypony else here?"

I nodded. "Yes. My mom and dad should be home now."

The guard's face contorted in anguish. A chilling sensation ran throughout my body.

"What's wrong?" I asked nervously.

"Your parents were attacked by bandits. I'm sorry," he answered frowning.

"No."

"I'm sorry."

"No," I repeated defiantly.

"But its true," he insisted.

"No!" I tried to run past him out the door. When I reached the door I felt my body seized by magic.

"Sorry, but you're coming with us. We can't leave a defenseless colt alone at home. Don't worry you're going to be fine, kid. Just fine," he explained wearing a smile.

[Later.]

He lied. I wasn't fine.

I was placed in an orphanage far away from my home. And I was told my parents were as good as dead anyway. How could I be?

I'm sure they'll find me. I know they're fine. They have to be. I thought as I lay in my bed. I whimpered slightly.

"Be quiet," my roommate said.

There were about twenty rooms in the orphanage. Each room had four single uncomfortable beds. Each one was pushed up against the corners to ensure the most space available to walk. It wasn't much space.

I entered the place after two were adopted from the same room. So they placed me there.

My roommate was called Night Light. He was several years older than me. He was also much larger than me. His mane was a pale yellow color. His eyes matched his mane, and his coat was a dark blue. He hated to hear me cry. Not because he felt bad for me, but because he just hated the noise.

He'd always complain about it.

I tried my best to not whimper. But I couldn't help it.

"Alright that's it!" Night Light said frustrated as he leapt out of his bed.

He approached me slowly. "I said be quiet!"

I just stared dumbly at him. Before I could react he started pounding on my face with his front hooves.

I don't remember how long he went. All I remember is the number of punches. One hundred and thirty-two.

Needless to say, I didn't whimper or cry for the rest of the night.

The next day no one seemed to notice the bruises on me.

The ponies working at the orphanage ignored me except to feed me. The rest of the orphans acted like I didn't exist too.

Whenever I'd approach them, they'd avoid me. I only made one friend in all my time there.

One day a new colt came to the orphanage. He was around the same age as me. His coat was a forest green and his mane was a fiery red. He wore glasses.

I had decided to ignore him. I had always tried to make fun with the new orphans. They always ended with Night Light interrupting me to say how much of a loser I was. And how much popular they could be if they avoided me. Whenever I'd try and defend myself Night Light would bully me. One time he made me eat a june bug he had squashed.

He was always near. Except for this time. This could be my only change to make a friend. I can't let it pass me by!

As I began to trot near the new pony I felt somepony grab my head.

"Where do you think you're going, roomy?" he said smugly.

"Nowhere," I lied nervously.

"Really? Because it looks like to me you were going to meet the new pony. But that can't be it because we both know what would happen if you were gonna do that."

"What?" I asked playing dumb.

"This!" he said as he pushed me down. He laughed as I fell.

"Why?" I mumbled.

"Huh."

"Why do you do this to me?!" I asked through tears.

"Because it’s fun, of course!" he said laughing harder. I laid there in utter shock.

After he was done he tried to move closer to me. But he couldn't.

[PLAY THIS]

As he laughed a larger figure came up behind him. The figure had placed a hoof on Night's head akin to how he had done to me.

The figure was an earth stallion. His eyes were grey like his mane. His mane was messy. His flank had an odd circle. Later he told me it was called a cog.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Night asked turning towards the figure angrily.

"Introducing myself. Hi I'm-"

"I don't care!" Night said throwing a punch at the new stallion's chin.

He effortlessly avoided the blow. He gave Night an icy stare.

"That wasn't very nice."

"Tough-"

The stallion hit Night before he could continue. He landed hard on his flank.

The new pony then turned towards me. My blood ran cold. I instinctively closed my eyes.

"Need help?"

I opened my eyes. He had put out his right hoof.

I nodded and took his hoof. He helped me up.

"So. What's your name?" he said smiling.

"Uh. I'm Subtle Rampage. But you can call me Rampage," I blurted out suddenly.

He chuckled. "Hi, I'm Clockwork. Do you mind if I call you Rage for short?"

I shook my head. “Why Rage?”

He smiled. “Because Rage is shorter. And Rampage and Rage aren't that different so it fits.”

“Okay.”

Clockwork and I were inseparable after that day. Which may be because he got the same room as me and Night. From then on it was Night whimpering trying to get to sleep.

Night no longer fought with me. I now refused to make friends with the other orphans.

They didn't want to be my friends anyway. They just wanted to be friends with Clockwork.

One day after breakfast Clockwork wanted to talk to me privately. So we went to our room. 

Night avoided the room whenever Clockwork wanted it.

"What is it Clockwork?"

"This place. I don't want to be here anymore. I never did!" he said angrily.

I cringed at his voice.

"I'm sorry," he said noticing. "I was forced to come here."

"How?"

"My parents left me one day and never returned. Guards showed up and said that I'd be fine. That was four months ago! And I'm still here and not fine!"

I felt a sharp pain hit my stomach.

"We're leaving tonight."

"WE?"

He smiled " Of course. How could I leave my brother behind?!" My eyes grew moist.

"What if they bring us back?" I asked fearful.

"Then they will be wasting their time. We'll just leave again and again if we have to!" he said, his eyes burning with determination.

"Well, when you put it that way-"

"Great! Now here's my plan," he said grinning mischievously. "We just walk away."

"That's IT?"

"Yes. Awesome right?" he asked proudly.

I didn't want to argue. And I didn't have an idea to escape. So I nodded.

That's exactly what we did. I think a few other orphans and the ponies that worked there saw us.

They probably wanted to celebrate seeing me leave.

Clockwork and I moved from town to town. We were constantly stealing and moving. 

Clockwork would use materials that we stole to build miscellaneous items, which I learned is where he got his cutie mark from. Eventually I stole something Clockwork told me not to. That was the day I met Master Art.

[Later. PLAY THIS ]

The day it happened still haunts me. The day Clockwork was killed.

It was raining. Master had left to get groceries. For some reason he always got more when it was raining. Never understood that. Still don't.

Anyway Clockwork and I were left at the dojo. I stood facing him.

"Well come on, put up your hooves," he said, entering a fighting pose.

"No."

He rose a brow. "You scared?"

"What? No. It's just stupid," I said crossing my front legs.

"How so?" he asked surprised.

"What's the point of it all?!"

"Of sparring?"

"No. Of fighting. It’s just so stupid!" I yelled frustrated.

Clockwork laughed. "No it isn't. It is one of the best ways of communication ever."

I rose a skeptical brow.

"Let me explain. Remember that colt who used to bully you, what was his name.... Lamp Shade?"

"Night Light actually."

"Whatever. The point is he fought you because he knew he'd beat you. That proved he was too much of a coward who could never win a real fight," he went on.

"What about you? You use tools to help you fight"

"What about me?"

"You were much bigger than him."

"And?"

"So you must have known you'd beat him!" I accused angrily.

"No. I stepped in to help a defenseless somepony. Somepony that didn't deserve to be bullied. I fought fighting back with fighting."

"But doesn't that just create more fighting?"


"Depends actually. You see when I hit Night Light with my first blow it was light. The weakest punch I ever threw. He was so stunned by the blow he backed away. He showed his true colors. That of a coward. Fighting someone reveals the truth of someone. I think you know this," he said his eyes hitting mine.


I shook my head. "You're crazy."


"You're just afraid to know who you really are," he said suddenly throwing a punch.

I dodged it just in time. Instinctively I punched back hitting him on his snout.


He fell down stunned. Then he laughed.


"Great shot! I knew you had it in you!"


I went towards the door.


"Hey, where are you going?!"


I exited the dojo without another word. I ran. I had no idea where I was running to. All I knew then was I was running away.


Away from my parents. Away from the orphanage. And away from the little family I had in Clockwork and Master.


I don't remember how long I ran. But I remember feeling like my body was a bloated cloud.


I ended up on the edge of the Everfree forest. At the time I hadn't heard of how dangerous it was. Probably if I had...no, I won't play the "WHAT IF" game.


I stood there at the edge of the deep dark forest. I ducked under a house near the forest.


I stood there crying. I just fought. I hated to fight.


Every fight I was in  or heard of caused only pain. My parents being attacked by bandits. My constant bullying. Even Clockwork saving me hurt someone. A bully but still.


Now I hurt Clockwork. And I enjoyed it. The rush of power it gave me. I was just like my bullies. That's why I ran.


"Hello."


I raised my head. My blood ran cold.


In front of me was a brown coated pegasus. His mane was short and black. He wore a watch on one of his front legs, he had glasses on as well. Yet his most distinguishing feature was his eyes, which burned with malicious intent.


I just sat there unable to move. He touched his watch. There was a blinding flash.

When my eyes adjusted I saw the pegasus with a crazed smile. He held a double edged sword.


Before I could even yell he attacked me with his weapon. Steel met wood.


"What do you think you're doing buddy?" Clockwork said, holding the staff that saved my life.


"Clockwork. But how?"


"I followed you of course," he said nonchalantly.


I mentally facehoofed. Of course he followed me.


We need help! I looked frantically around. There was hardly anypony that lived on the edge of the Everfree Forest.


As I looked I felt continually drawn to the fight between the stranger and Clockwork.

I don't remember the entire fight. I only recall the last exchange of blows.


Clockwork was being pushed back by the stranger. He was evading Clockwork’s blows as easily as Clockwork had evaded Night Light. He forced Clockwork to stumble backward onto the ground.


The stranger was posed to plunge his sword into Clockwork. Thinking fast, I formed a little emerald ball and threw it at the stranger.


The stranger's sword swiped through my ball. He never turned around. I heard him scoff as he stabbed my brother.


Clockwork's eyes met mine. They asked me why. Why did I have to run? Why hadn't I run to get help? Why did I fail him as a brother?


PLAY THIS ]


The stranger looked at me. His eyes were stained with Clockwork's blood. He grinned at me as he slowly approached.


"Jerk!" I yelled running at him wildly. He pushed me down with a single shove. I laid there, scared for my life.


He raised his blade. I'm sorry Clockwork. I tried. A sickening sound erupted.


"Get away from him you bastard!" Master yelled as he dive kicked the murderer.


"M-master?!"


"I heard the fighting," he said steely.


The stranger lunged at Master only for him to easily avoid him. And return with a blow to his head.


The pegasus went through several trees into the forest. I had hoped he'd died.


"We must get him to a hospital now," he said grabbing Clockwork.


"Yeah," I said chancing a glance at the forest. I saw another blinding light.


"RAMPAGE NOW!" he commanded angrily. I chased after Master.


We arrived at the hospital. They put him on life support. The doctor told Master and I that it only delayed the inevitable.


In a week we pulled the plug. That day when we exited the hospital we were both changed.


"He's still alive."


"No, Rampage he isn't. Once you accept that the sooner you can move on."


"I meant the murderer," I answered with contempt.


"And?"


"What do you mean ‘and’?! That murderer should pay for what he did!" I yelled appalled.


"What do you propose? Turning him into the royal guard? We had a chance of saving Clockwork. Between a choice to save or take a life which would you choose, hm?" he asked coldly.


"He deserves to die for attacking us at all! We're gonna make sure he pays!"


"We?" he asked skeptically.


"Yes, we're gonna track him down and kill him for what he's done. It is what Clockwork deserves!"


"There is no ‘we’ Rampage."


"What?"


"I refuse to take a life needlessly."


"But he took one! Shouldn't he pay for it?!"


"He should. But not with his life."


I clenched my front hooves. "If you don't have the spine to do it, just teach me the moves and I'll do it!"


"No."


"Fine!  I don't need you anyway! I'll track the stranger and kill him myself!" I screamed storming off.


"Rampage!"


I continued trotting.


"Rampage!!!"


I began galloping.


"RAMPAGE!!!!!"


I threw an emerald ball at him and continued running.


That was the last day I was with Master. From then on I went throughout the world learning from different masters. As I did I searched for any clues for the pony's whereabouts. Nothing came up.

Until I heard of last years Iron Hoof competition. I knew he'd want to show again. So I entered hoping to finally avenge my brother's death. That is why I must not win. But DESTROY ADVEN!