//------------------------------// // The Fall of an Assailant // Story: The Ballad of the Used and Broken // by Eclipse //------------------------------// Nopony will ever understand. That thought ran through his mind, again and again, as he took a single step forward and claimed one final life... Hunter awoke once more, a strange red alicorn before him, he rubbed his eyes, but it was all true. He was alive once again. He cursed the red Alicorn for bringing him back to the world that spited him. Everypony he knew would die, and everypony he'd respected would abandon him. But besides hating him for bringing him back to life, he felt a familiar urge, one of vengence and retribution. I'll get Luna for abandonning me the stallion thought to himself, I will make her pay for this treachery. The large alicorn smiled at the stallion, "Your blade thirsts for blood once again, does it not?" the alicorn said to him in a gravely voice much like his own. Hunter looked at him, "Everypony I'd trusted abandoned me and left me to die in a world that despises me. What makes you think I would trust you," Hunter said with spite in his voice The red alicorn laughed, "Because like you, I was betrayed by everyone I trusted. But then again surely you've heard of me no?" The alicorn moved around in an unsteady pattern, as if in a state of dismay. Hunter squinted, "No, and if you've got a point, you better damn well make it right now. Because my blade thirsts for blood, and if you continue to piss me off, it's yours it will taste." he replied increasingly agitated by being revived after knowingly, and willingly killing himself. The red alicorn's eyes widened, "I get to teach you something then? Oh goody, i've been dreadfully out of contact for the past 1376 years, you must excuse my dismay. I have not seen anypony for years. But did you know that the great Princess Celestia is dead?" The red alicorn's eyes pulsated with excitement. Hunter nodded, "Yes, I was her assailant. She'd left me for dead over a thousand years ago, and I returned the favour to the bitch," he replied. "Now unless that was your point, you'd better hurry up before you get a nice snug fitting of my hoof up your ass!" he remarked. The alicorn's eyes lit up, "You singlehoovedly killed the 'great' Celestia! Oh even better! Forgive me, but I am going to need your name. If you just must know, my name is Eclipse. A bringer of madness, but not chaos. No I leave that up to my friend." Eclipse chuckled slightly. Hunter sterned his look, "Why in the hell would I give you my goddamn name? Riddle me that you stupid son of a bitch!" Hunter's remarks got increasingly angered and cruel. As Hunter himself became utterly irate. Eclipse smiled, "To recruit you! I've been looking for a protege, and you haven't heard of me, so that's a good start. We have something to converse about!" he was cut abruptly by an outburst from Hunter. "GET TO THE GODDAMN POINT ALREADY! I'M TIRED OF LISTENING TO YOU BABBLE ON LIKE A DUMBASS!" Hunter's tone was furious, no, completely irate. Hunter's expression was not one of interest, but one of a mix of anger, despair, and desire for his retribution. Eclipse scoffed slightly, "I'm not surprised my sister's would hide my existance. After seeing what she'd do to me, it's no wonder she'd leave everypony out to die." Eclipse finished changing to a more serious tone, now looking straight at Hunter himself. Hunter's expression changed to a puzzled look, "Who exactly are you talking about. If you were a Royal, surely I'd have heard about you!" Hunter didn't believe what Eclipse was saying. He thought Eclipse was just blowing smoke. Eclipse chuckled, "All part of my sisters' little conspiracy. Keep me hidden to, 'avoid panic amonst ponies.'" Eclipse trotted around angrilly now. "They only banished me because I am stronger, they fear me. And Celestia would be rolling in her grave if anypony ever found out. But here we are, talking, both harboring that desire for retribution we've awaited for so long! And no pony can stop us, me and you kid! We'd be unstoppable!" Eclipse moved closer to Hunter. Hunter just glanced at Eclipse, not sure of what he wanted, but one thing was certain, he was strong looking. But Hunter couldn't bear to have himself abondoned again, so he swiftly turned. And backed away from Eclipse slowly Eclipse followed him, "You do want retribution for what your 'leader' has done to you right? Given you a deed, then abandoned you? I won't do the same, me and you could rule Equestria together, you being higher then I of course." Eclipse smiled, "Are you in, or not?" Eclipse finally inquired. Hunter looked reluctantly back and forth. He finally sighed and replied, "Fine, but do the same, I will personnally skin your hide. Comprende?" Hunter said sternly Eclipse smiled, "I've got it, now come. We're going to pay my friend a little visit."