//------------------------------// // Chapter 35: Sinners // Story: One Shot, One Chance // by SpeederClaw //------------------------------// Nighttime accelerated Blitz’s pains as the absence of warmth aided in his suffering. He sat in his crude bed with thoughts banging against the skull. Darkness filed in around him, he kept one hoof pressed against his stomach. It was all he could do to prevent himself from shaking erratically. Darting his eyes, he spotted his snow globe glittering beautifully next to his bed and reached for it. However, he stopped half-way and pulled back. “My past. My past is over,” Blitz said distantly. “It’s all over, nothing’s left. All I have now is-to fix what’s wrong. I have a few more things left to do now. That’s all I have left. Just a few more things to take care of.” Rubbing his head and eyes, he laid himself back into the comforting, pillowy mound of fluff. With his expression gloomy and mindset dull, the pony could do nothing but have his thoughts jeer at one another. ‘I can’t just do nothing. I can’t. But what Clyde said, about suicide.’ Blitz failed to find a suitable position to feel satisfied in his bed. He tossed and fumbled, making much noise echo within the tree house. Suddenly, he stopped and remembered what Gray Shark had said. His face bitterly lit up. ‘If you really care, follow what you believed is right.’ “Follow what I believe is right,” Blitz said to himself hopefully. He stared at his snow globe and proceeded to shake the object lightly. Sprinkles of white glitter showered the interior or the sphere. “What I believe is right-” “G’night, Blitz,” Twilight Sparkle said standing inches away from the slumped over stallion. “Oh, yeah. Good night, Twilight.” “Are you sure you’re okay? Honestly, are you really okay?” Twilight said cautiously. “When you told me you didn’t want to talk about it-” “I’m okay, Twilight. I just need time alone, that’s all. Time alone.” Twilight’s face darkened with the darkness around her. “Okay. I see. Well, if you ever need anypony to talk to just come to me. I can be an excellent therapist given the circumstances.” “Yeah, I will. Thank you.” Twilight smiled and unwillingly left Blitz’s presence. The pony still felt tension burning within his heart. The internal and external opposites clashed at racing speeds. Still trying to keep still, Blitz tried digging himself deep within the woven haven of purple cloth. The artificial snow ceased its descent and Blitz quit his conflict. He slowly arched his body up and tilted his head in confidence. Stepping out quietly and sliding his way to the door, he strode ahead with a new assurance. ‘No more games. No more hiding and no more being babied. Those days are over. It’s time I take care of things myself.’ Blitz creaked open the wooden door and closed it with a light tap. ‘Time I put others before myself.’ He walked down the moonlit path in a full sprint. The wind rushed past the speeding pony, clops echoed into the fresh night. “Fuzzy Fry, here I come.” ~~~~~~~~~~ The sounds of crickets and rustling branches did all they could to halt Blitz’s progress, but the determined stallion did not falter. With endless energy and furious intent, the pony shot through the forest with intense speeds. The sounds that buzzed in his ears turned into twisted voices of dread. Multiple echoes toiled with Blitz’s mind as he rushed ahead to his destination. “There’s that broken tree…and there’s the black powder from the explosion. I must be close.” Blitz examined a partly singed tree with blown off debris scattering the ground. “Bingo.” He breathed softly shuffling straight past the tree. His eyes lit up as he came upon bullet holes painting the ground. “This isn’t my best plan, but I am not going to let that crazy doctor do anything else to my friend. I won’t.” Blitz’s clear navigation started to break up as he lost his sense of landmarks. His run slowed to a slither. “…” The unicorn’s eyes started to water. “No, not now.” A single tear fell, but he brushed it away wildly. “I can’t cry again. I have to stay strong. I’m better than that!” He stopped and wiped away his face, burning his cheeks with anger. “No! I’m not crying! I’m grown up, grownups don’t cry!” “Sure they do, slick.” Blitz jolted himself forward and sprawled in the direction of the voice. “Ahh! Show yourself you sick doctor! I ain’t finished with you, I’m not! Give me back my friend!” Without a response, Blitz came upon a faint light shining in between two towering oaks and a thick bush. “Damn, here I come you bastard!” Blitz crashed through the green fuzz and made contact with another pony. When he brought himself back together, he found himself staring straight into the eyes of his former captor, Trixie. “Agh, you? No, stay away from me!” Blitz said jumping off the downed mare. “Get off me you-wait, that voice…ah! Get away from me!” Trixie said getting to her feet. Blitz backed away with suppressed fear and anger. “Why are you here?” he asked the similarly angered mare. “No, why are you here!” “Wha-I-oh-you-” Blitz surveyed the room he was now in and felt his mind melt. A wooden table and chairs were centered in the middle with a lit candle. Realizing he was encased in an overgrowth of vines, Blitz started to panic at his new locale. The only opening was by the bushes. “Ey! What are you doing to my lovely lady, ah?” A green stallion appeared behind Blitz. The unicorn almost fell flat on his face. “You’re lady?” he said with a sick shudder. “Oi! I’m gonna-oh, it’s you?” “Who are-Bloom?” Blitz said finally recognizing the distinguished red mane and black suit. “Yes, yes. Itsa me!” Bloom said raising his hooves excitedly. Blitz paused momentarily and let the last few sentences soak in. “Wait, your lady…is Trixie?” “And she’s fine as hell. Lovable eyes, beautiful mouth, stylish hair…cute tush.” Trixie blushed and coyly kicked at the ground. “Thanks.” Blitz slowly felt his insides combust and retract into small particles of pain. His face twisted in disgust and he tried desperately not to throw up. He put a hoof to his head in despair and did not stop twitching in agony until Bloom gave him a look. “You alright there?” “Did I bump my head or something?” Blitz said still aghast at what he heard. “Nah, slick, I saw you high-tailing it like a little girl! Makes sense to me aha!” “Wha-it’s that voice again!” Blitz said remembering he was still in danger. “Oh c’mon, Greed. Stop messing with the kid,” Bloom called out. “Never deny a man what he wants.” The voice taunted Blitz from behind and he whirled around to find a very suave smiling stallion staring at him. His emerald green eyes writhed with amusement as he tilted his white fedora in a welcoming manner. “So, slick, howya doin’?” The light, pale blue stallion’s bared teeth matched the sparkling whiteness of his flowing overcoat. He was leaning on a silver gold cane and his horn withheld a small, lapis glow. “Greed?” Blitz said out of reaction. “That’s mah name, chief,” Greed said twirling his cane. His dark, thick purple mane swayed gently. Its fang-like appearance sent unease down Blitz’s spine, two thick pieces jutted out evenly across Greed’s head. “Wait a mo, am I interrupting something Sloth? I’ll just use this as profited blackmail for later…” “First off, its Tony Bloom you sleezy bastard,” Bloom said stroking his mane. “Second, how is this blackmail? I am courting the most lovely girl in this land and that’s blackmail? Boo, boo I say to you!” “Hey, ya big nance, I need something outta this. It’s getting real boring around here; no excitement,” Greed said still grinning madly. “Hey I found my own excitement right here,” Bloom said winking at Trixie. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you.” “That’s cuz I ain’t into horses, boy,” Greed said with distaste. Blitz edged his way closer and closer to the nearby bush he entered from as the two ponies went at it. Feeling the prickles on his hind legs, he turned around swiftly to escape. However, as he did so, a purple blade slid itself across Blitz’s neck and the unicorn felt a thin layer of blood sprout. Blitz peered up and spotted an orange stallion eying him murderously with royal purple eyes. “Sloth, who is this,” the pony said holding up Blitz’s life. “Goddammit, Pride! It’s Tony Bloom, Tony Bloom. Get it right!” Bloom said waving his arms furiously. “Answer me,” the pony called Pride said. “Hey, don’t chop his face off, please? His name’s Blitz. He’s a good friend,” Bloom said cautiously. Blitz felt the blade disappear and he could breathe once more; his heart started pumping again. “That’s what you think,” Trixie said. “Very well.” Pride raised his purple sword and pressed his hoof against the hilt. Within milliseconds, the blade retracted into the shining handle. He placed the harmless hilt on his belt and walked slowly into the group on his two hind legs. A flowing, golden-trimmed black cape draped behind the pony’s back. “I suppose we can tolerate one more acquaintance although I’d prefer it would just be us.” A black hat with a purple feather lay perfectly on Pride’s head as he turned abruptly away from Blitz. From behind, the unicorn spotted a small, cut ponytail colored with a gleaming purple hue. Behind the astute character came another pony hobbling quietly into the confrontation. He drew his fire red eyes upon Blitz before looking back down at the ground and moving closer to Pride. “Good, great. Glad you all decided to come in here invitingly,” Bloom said with the phoniest smile. “Geez, Bloom, you sound as if you two were going to go at it in the forest…alone…and secluded; all that space to yourselves,” Greed said. Both Bloom and Trixie invoked blushes. “That’s pretty low class. At least steal a bed or something-” “Listen, Greed, I don’t need your opinion or for you to be here,” Bloom said trying to recuperate. “All of us are accounted for, Sloth, so-” “Holy hell in a hand basket-it’s Tony Bloom!” “-we can make our way into the town. I’m positive Gray Shark will be disguised-” “Nope, saw him in full outfit,” Bloom said to Pride’s irritation. “In the forest, mind you.” “Gra-” Blitz cupped his mouth and thanked his Goddess that nobody heard him. ‘What do these guys want with Gray Shark?’ “Listen, let’s just go tomorrow or something, see? Lemme relax a bit, see,” Greed said leaning comfortably against the green wall. “I’m the one who should be relaxing; y’all get outta here!” “Sorry, Bloom, but it’s gone,” Trixie said. Blitz could feel his stomach and brain imploding again. “FML,” Bloom said shaking his head. “Your life? Please, try mine,” Greed said with a chuckle. “Always want what I can’t have.” “We shall leave tomorrow. Now then, what of you?” Pride said making eye contact with Blitz again. Certain coldness drifted inside the purple iris. “I-uh, don’t want any trouble-don’t want any trouble! I’ll just leave-” “Unfortunately, I cannot let you do that,” Pride said softly. Blitz’s body stiffened and all his sense of confidence was long gone by this point. “Meh, just keep him under watch or something. If he tries anything funny, have Wrath pound his face in.” Blitz steered his attention onto the black stallion to his immediate left. The same fire red eyes kept a clear watch on Blitz. His ruffled, dreary blood red mane sagged poorly across his head. He frowned before showing off his two bleak blue gauntlets. Skulls were printed on the bottom of each and the pony unleashed his fury onto the ground. With a small explosion, Blitz fell back and had dirt splatter his body. The four stallions all stared suspiciously at Blitz; the unicorn could slowly feel his mind drifting away into the darkness. Bloom sighed and trotted up to the fearful pony with anticipation. “So, mi amigo, why did you come here? Why did ya have to cock block me.” “Acutally, I think I’m comfortable being the one who cock blocked you. Just sayin’,” Greed said. “I can’t believe you’re with her,” Blitz managed to say. “Why? Is something wrong with the pretty lady? She’s got such-” “Please, don’t. It’s a long story. Let’s just say she’s abusive,” Blitz said still with difficulty. “Well I’ve always liked an assertive girl, but I’m certainly not into bondage if that’s what you’re implying,” Bloom said. “What-bondage? What is that?” Bloom and Greed exchanged unsure glances. “Eh, you don’t wanna know,” Greed answered. “Yeah, uh, maybe when you’re older,” Bloom added. “Alright.” Blitz shifted into the background while the four stallions and Trixie conversed. ‘Why are they treating me so nicely? I should be a dead pony by now.’ Blitz dared not to speak out against his captors. Silence ensured that Blitz remained safe. Pride’s purple eyes twitched and he straightened his body with agility. He reached for his hilt and flicked it deftly, causing the purple blade to extend itself out. “Well, isn’t this troublesome.” “We know you’re in there!” a voice shouted from outside the vine house. “Hooves up and walk out slowly!” “Don’t try anything funny!” another voice called. “About twelve armed guards have just arrived from one of Celestia’s highest ranks. We do not mess around!” “Very troublesome,” Pride said. He adjusted his black hat and faced the bush entrance. “Sir Clyde told us what your gang has been up to. Come out nicely and nopony has to get hurt. That is an order from the royal guards!” “Boy, Pride, you’re itchin’ to slice ‘em up,” Greed said raising his cane. “Only if they continue to pester us,” Pride said. Bloom grumbled and angrily stamped his foot. “Can’t even get peace after being interrupted once!” He reached for his two hanging swords and drew them with symmetry. “Always gotta deal with the aftermath-actually, Pride, since you’re so eager why don’t you take care of them.” He slowly put back his swords. “Why don’t you all go outside so me and my lady friend-” “Aw shut ya mouth and stop being such a…Sloth,” Greed said with a smirk. “We will not ask again. Come out quietly with hooves up. Now or we will use force!” “Seems there’s no other option then.” Pride stepped through the bush and faced several armed guards with spears pointed. “Looks like I’ll have to personally end this.” “Please do,” Bloom called from inside the vine house. “Alright now-hey! Put your weapon on the ground and back away from it!” A guard said swinging his spear with authority. “Are you all willing to take on the best swordsman?” Pride said waving his purple rapier gently. “What?” one of the guards said coming forward. “I’m giving you all the chance to back down. Should you reject that opportunity, I have no other option but to end your lives.” Pride raised his sword and put one hoof behind his back. “What will it be?” “This guy is nuts,” a guard said comically. “Listen, we’re specially trained to handle any Equestrian scum out there.” “Then you’re all sorely mistaken with me.” “Okay, boys. Get ready! We got a cocky one on our hooves,” the head guard said. Blitz, Bloom and Greed all watched through a severed part in the vines. “Welp, they’re boned,” Bloom said. “Seriously,” Greed replied. “Why? It’s twelve on one! You aren’t even going to help him-” Blitz paused and reflected on what he had just said. ‘Am I supporting the bad guys?’ “Not I, said the incredibly handsome…horse,” Bloom said. “Yeah, you better just sit back and watch. Actually, you might wanna look away to be honest. Kids these days see too many violent things,” Greed said. “Form up! We’re going to do our usual-” the head guard screamed and fell to the ground. Pride had zoomed by with a clean slash. The two guards beside him also fell in short screams of death. Pride was now behind the fallen guards, sword coated in blood. “Oh Celestia, he just dashed-” another guard was silenced as he found himself impaled in the head. Pride turned and cut down another guard while quickly decapitating a second in short bursts of speed. The remaining guards scrambled in fear as Pride jumped from one to the next. Blitz watched each one fall one by one, stab by slash by slice. “He really is the best,” Greed said. Pride rushed up head first and started stabbing a guard repeatedly in the chest. Not stopping, the guard was beyond dead, yet Pride still kept jabbing ferociously at the still standing corpse. A guard crept behind the aggressors, but Pride already sense his presence and curved his sword upwards and around to finish off the last guard behind him. “That’s why he’s called Pride.” “And that’s why we don’t mess with him. I ain’t getting my sexy little ass torn up by him-no way,” Bloom said. Blitz saw the green grass turned red by all the blood spilt by Pride. The fencer whipped his sword to remove the blood and retracted it with precision. He walked back towards the group and did not say a word. Blitz just kept staring at all the lifeless bodies and dead expressions. He crawled back into the vine household and curled up against the corner. Regardless of the stares and laughs, he looked straight at the ground. Death loomed about and Blitz felt his stomach churning. The stench of the deceased hallucinated around the now shaking pony. ‘Who are these monsters?’ He looked up. “Who are you?” “We are the sins,” Pride said without looking at the helpless stallion.