//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: The Harbinger's Return // Story: Bolt of Love // by Silentpegasus //------------------------------// Chapter 14 The Harbinger’s Return Lance woke up in his room with the sun shining on his face. He yawned and looked around to see the interior of the boutique. The stallion got to his hooves and stretched before making his way out of his room and trotted downstairs to see Rarity eating with Sweetie Belle. “Hey Lance.” The white filly said with a smile. “Morning.” He smiled back. “How did things go in Canterlot?” Rarity asked. “Can’t complain.” He said as he scratched his neck. Sweetie looked at the stallion and saw something odd on his neck. It looked like two puncture holes. “Lance! What happened to your neck?” Sweetie asked. “Huh?” Rarity squinted and saw the old scars. “It looks like something stuck you darling.” Lance walked over to a mirror and looked at his neck and saw the two scars. The stallion quickly hid his glowing red cheeks from the two white Unicorns. “Oh..um..just an old fight.” He said as he sat back down. Something in the back of his mind was eating away at the stallion. He couldn’t put his hoof on it but it felt important. “Hey Rarity, what’s today’s date?” The fashionista looked at the calendar that was hanging on the far wall. “Its the thirteenth.” Rarity looked back at the stallion and saw his eyes become cold as ice and sharp as spears. The mare felt a small chill run down her spine. “Is something wrong dear?” “No, nothing.” He said as he got to his hooves. Rarity raised an eyebrow as she looked at the stallion. The group then saw a pink blur fly by the window. “Twitchy twitch!” Pinkie yelled as she came back towards the window. “Pinkie, why in the name of Celestia are you running about like that?” Rarity asked as she looked at her pink friend. “My eyelid is fluttery and you know what that means!” The Unicorns looked at one another and shrugged as Pinkie sighed. “Its somepony’s birthday today!” She said as she pulled out a quill and pad that had been concealed in her mane somehow. “Is it yours?” Pinkie asked as she looked at Rarity. “No, mine is still a few months away along with Sweetie’s.” Pinkie crossed off two names on her pad. “Then the search is on!” Pinkie yelled as she zoomed off. The three Unicorns shrugged and the white mare looked at her sister. “Sweetie, why don’t you go upstairs and get ready?” “Okay!” The filly chimed as she trotted upstairs. “Going somewhere?” Lance asked as he looked at the mare. “Sweetie, her two friend and myself are going gem hunting.” She said as she walked over to the stallion.”But enough about that. I know that something is bothering you.” Lance looked to see that the fashionista’s eyes were like two sapphire colored blades waiting to cut through any defense he might throw up. “So you might as well tell me.” The stallion sighed as the mare put her hoof on his. “I’ll tell you later on.” He sighed. “See ya.” The stallion said as he trotted out of the door. Rarity put a hoof to her chin and thought hard. The white stallion made his way through the small town and let his mind drift off to days gone by. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It had been two weeks since the bat mare arrived in the small country town and it was time for her to ask or drag the white stallion back to the guard. Midnight had given her help with the harvesting and she finally understood how the stallion was in such good shape. Orange bucking was hard work. Midnight walked in to the kitchen to see Corset cleaning up after dinner. “Oh hello Midnight.” She smiled. “Need something?” “Looking for Lance. I gotta take him or drag him back tomorrow.” Corset sighed and nodded. “I understand. He’s probably out in the West field. Past the edge is a large orange tree with rainbow colored oranges. You can’t miss it.” Midnight nodded and galloped out of the home and followed the trails leading to the orchard. The bat mare found a small trail with fresh tracks and followed them. She soon came upon a clearing with a large tree in the middle and saw a white stallion sitting in front of the tree. The stallion’s ear twitched and he turned to see the bat mare. “Hey Midnight.” He said with a sigh. The bat mare walked up next to him and saw another tree sapling starting to sprout behind a grave stone. Rusty Scythe Caring friend Beloved father. Midnight looked to the right and looked at the larger tree with a tomb stone grown into the tree. Citrus Root Taken before her time Beloved friend and Sister. Midnight gulped and sat down next him. “Look Lance, tomorrow-” “I have to go back?” “Yeah.” “No thanks.” The stallion said as he got up. Midnight looked at him in shock. “Lance you have to go back or you’ll be hunted down and arrested.” The mare said as she chased after him. “My family needs me here.” Midnight jumped in front of him and scowled. “Lance if you don’t come back then I’ll have to drag you back.” “That right?” Midnight saw a few sparks arc across his body. The bat mare gulped but stood her ground. “They aren’t the only ones who need you ya know. The guard needs you, Bronze and Shining need you.” Midnight gathered her strength and looked the stallion in her eyes. “I need you.” Lance looked at her in confusion. Midnight realized what she said and felt her face burn up. “What was that last one?” Lance asked in a worried tone. “Uh...I um.” Midnight felt her mind draw a blank. “Oh buck it.” The mare tackled the stallion and pinned his hooves to the dirt. Before the stallion could react, he felt a pair of soft lips meet his own. His brain was a war zone with hormones and the nights he had sometimes dreamed of this happening. The mare regained control of herself and stood back up with tomato red cheeks. She looked down to see that Lance’s were of the same tint. “Um...that was unexpected.” Lance said with a gulp. Midnight got off him and gulped. “I’m sorry! I just um...” The mare’s jaw was like toffy and couldn’t form words. “I’m sorry, I’ll just-” A swift white hoof wrapped around the back of the mare’s head and pulled her into another deep kiss. Midnight’s face went red and she felt her wings stand on end. Midnight’s eyes rolled back in her head as she poked his tongue with her own forked one. The two broke apart and caught their breaths. “Wow.” The mare said in surprise. “So now what?” He asked as he sat down next to the mare. “Are we like dating?” “I guess so.” Midnight leaned her head against his side and let out a happy sigh. “You know there are rules against fraternization within the ranks.” He said as he felt her webbed wing wrap around his back. “They’re more like suggestions.” She said as she nuzzled him. “Besides we’re in cahoots with a General and a Princess.” She said as she got to her hooves. “We’d better get to bed. I gotta drag you back to Canterlot by noon else they’ll send the hounds.” As she sauntered away Lance couldn’t but help but stare at her flank. Midnight then used her tale to whip the side of her flank. She turned and had a lust filled gaze at the blushing stallion. “You coming or not?” “R-right, sorry.” The stallion said as he went after the mare. Lance looked down the pathway to see it vacant. “Midnight?” He then felt something drop on his back which made him yelp. “Wow that was hilarious!” She chuckled. “Please don’t do that.” Lance then felt the mare wrap her hooves around the stallion’s neck. “What are you doing?” “I’m tired. Carry me.” “No way in-” The mer then lightly smacked his ear. “Why are you so abusive?” “It’s not abuse if you like it.” She said in a soft voice. The mare saw his neck tense and felt a shiver run down his back. “Now mush!” She commanded. Lance sighed and slowly made his way back to his home with the mare resting on his back. The stallion quietly entered the front of his house in an effort to not to waked the other members of the house. The lights suddenly flipped on and the stallion froze. He saw the light blue earth pony mare standing in the doorway with a smug grin on her face. “Well, hello there.” She said in an innocent tone. “H-hey mom.” Lance gulped and Midnight hoped off his back. “Well, I gotta hit the hay.” The stallion then vanished in a flash of light and Midnight was about to fly up the stairs. “Midnight, a word.” The bat mare followed the mother into the living room. The mare sat down in a chair and Midnight sat on the couch. “Midnight, you seem like a sweet, strong and smart mare and I like you. So I will only say this once.” Midnight’s eyes shrank as Corset reached around the chair and pulled out a large axe. “Hurt my son,” She bounced it once in her hoof and glared at the guard. “and I'll make you regret the day you met me. Understand?” Midnight gulped and gave a nod. “Glad we understand each other.” She smiled. Midnight got to her hooves and slowly made her way upstairs to where she was staying. Lance was resting in the bed and was yawning. Midnight walked over and got in bed next to the stallion. Lance stirred as he felt the bat mare. “Hey Nighty.” Lance saw that the bat mare had a stunned look on her face. “What’s with the face?” “Your mom scares me.” “Makes sense. She’s had to deal with plenty of orange thieves so she isn’t afraid to kick some flank.” The bat pony grumbled as she turned over. “Hey I just realized something.” “What?” “A lot of people are going to be upset that we’re seeing each other.” The stallion said. “Yeah well they can go die in a hole.” The mare then stared at the white Unicorn. “And if you even so much as look at another mare you’ll regret it.” “I can’t help it if other mares find me attractive.” He chuckled. “What mares?” “Oh bite me.” “Okay!” “Wait what?” Midnight put her hoof on his mouth and bit down on the stallion’s neck. Lance squealed in pain as he felt the mare’s teeth wiggling in his neck. He then felt the mare’s forked tongue make long strokes against his fur and he heard slurping sounds coming from the mare. The stallion then heard a soft moan come from the mare’s mouth as her tongue continued to lick up any blood that remained. The bat mare unlatched herself from her colt friend’s neck and smiled. “What the hell?” He said as he rubbed his neck. “You asked and now I’ve claimed you.” “Claimed me?” Lance said. “Yup, bat ponies mark their mates by biting them.” Lance gulped. “Whoa missy, we just started dating. Why are you talking about marriage?” The mare chuckled. “I can’t believe you actually bought that!” The mare laughed. “So then why did you bite me? My neck is killing me.” “Oh quit whining. Besides I bet you liked it.” “I’m not gonna turn into a bat stallion am I?” “Yeah, the transformation is very painful.” She said in a sarcastic tone. “Now shut up and got to sleep.” The mare said as she nuzzled his chest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Come along girls.” Rarity said in a sweet tone as the orange filly pulled the other two in a small by her scooter. Applebloom and Scootaloo had a few small shovels and Sweetie had a few bags with her. They had arrived in the outskirts of Ponyville where Rarity had encountered the Diamond Dogs a few months prior. “You really think we’ll get our treasure hunting cutie marks?” Scootaloo asked. “Ah don’t know but it’s worth a shot.” The farmer said with a smile. “Don’t worry girls. No pony is better at finding gems than Rarity.” Rarity smiled at her sister’s compliment. “Lets get digging!” Applebloom said as she pulled out a shovel. Rarity ignited her horn and felt the gems pulsing in the ground. Rarity suddenly lifted her head up and looked back towards the bushes. She couldn’t be sure but she felt as though she was being watched. The mare pushed the thoughts out of her head and started to mark the different areas of dirt where the most gems were. Rarity helped the girls excavate several pounds of gems and put them into bags. The three fillies quickly checked their flanks, but found no mark. “Darn it. A h thought that we’d get it for sure this time.” “Oh don’t worry dears I’m sure you’ll get them even-” Everything went white and Rarity only saw a flash and a loud bang. As her vision came to her she saw three shades come from the bushes. One of them cornered the young Unicorn and another was coming after her. Rarity’s horn glowed and levitated a few rocks and slammed them into the shade coming after her. She levitated one of the bags filled with gems and launched it at the shade that had the farmer and flyer trapped. The bag slammed into the pony and knocked him off his hooves. “Girls run!” She yelled as a stallion came up and slammed his hoof in her face. “B-but Rarity-” “I said run.” She said as she levitated a few gems and hurtled them towards the stallions. A firm hoof then slammed into her face and her vision blacked out. The two fillies saw one of the shades grab the seamstress and her sister. Another was galloping towards the two fillies. Applebloom and Scootaloo hoped onto the scooter with a small cart attached to it. The filly flared her wings and the two zoomed away. Applebloom started throwing the gems they had collected at the shade. She managed to land a few shots and the pony stumbled. His face hit the dirt and he felt his nose break. The two fillies sped away as fast as the filly’s wings could carry her and her friend. Lance was making his way on the outskirts of town deep in thought when he heard a zooming noise and felt something hard collide with his body. He fell over on his side and shook his head. Lance turned over to see the two fillies and a crashed scooter. “Scootaloo? Applebloom?” He said as he got up. “Lance...we...have...a...major...problem.” The orange filly asked as she panted. “Scootaloo, deep breaths. Then tell me what’s wrong.” The filly took in several deep breaths and calmed her heart that was beating a million miles a minute. “So what’s wrong?” “Okay we were helping Rarity gather gems on in the gem fields outside of Ponyville.” “Then some ponies came out of nowhere and attacked us.” The farmer said in a worried tone. The stallion’s eyes widened at the words. “Rarity told us to run, but she and Sweetie Belle got captured by those guys.” The stallion bit his lip at the words. “You gotta help us!” “I intend too.” He said as his horn flared and his armor appeared on his body. “Which one of you is faster?” “I-I am.” Scootaloo said as she stood her scooter up. “You go back to town as fast as you can and get Twilight or one of the others and lead them back to where Rarity and Sweetie were taken.” “What about you?” “Applebloom and I will start investigating and we’ll meet up with you then.” The stallion said as h levitated Applebloom onto his back. “Now hurry!” Scootaloo nodded and zoomed back down the road towards the town. “Applebloom, where is this gem field?” “Down that way!” The filly pointed with her hoof. “Hang on.” The filly secured her grip around the stallion’s neck and felt his muscles tense. Like a tightly pulled arrow being released, the two took off at blinding speed down the road. Everything was a blur for the filly and was hanging on with all her strength and the wind was whipping at her face. She felt herself slowing down and found herself back at the scene of the crime. The filly got off the stallion’s back and felt nauseous. Applebloom threw up and she felt dizzy. “Sorry about that.” The stallion said as he inspected the scene. Rarity’s saddle bags were tossed aside along with several other small sacks filled with gems. The stallion saw several different tracks; three belonging to the fillies’, one to Rarity and three unknowns. He examined the ground closely and saw they led off further into the fields. “Applebloom, stay here and wait for the others. I’m going on ahead.” “Got it.” She said with a salute. The stallion then zoomed off towards the far end of the fields and came across several holes. He squinted and saw the tracks leading into different holes that were already filled up. The stallion’s eyes scanned the area and looked for a way inside. The stallion froze as he felt something echo in his mind and he vanished in a flash of light. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rarity groaned in pain as her sight returned. Her deep blue eyes shrank as she saw the underground caves that looked similar to the ones she saw when she had encountered the diamond dogs. She tried to move but felt her hooves bound to the rock. She tried to ignite her horn but felt a magic suppressant ring around the horn. She looked around to see a cage and her sister across from her. The mare heard a door open and saw the three ponies that had attacked her and the girls. One was a gray Pegasus stallion with a yellow mane. The other two were Unicorns; One was a swamp green and his mane was a dark chestnut color, the other one was a dark orange color with a red mane. They each had bruises on them from the rocks Rarity had shot at them earlier. “Who are you? What do you want?” She yelled at the stallions. “Shut it wench.” The Pegasus barked. Rarity could tell by the other stallions’ looks that he was the ringleader of their group. “You banged up my boys and myself pretty good.” He said as he cracked his jaw. The three then started to approach the trapped mare. “Well, what do you-” A gray hoof then silenced the mare. “I said shut up.” The mare looked at him with daggers in her eyes. The stallion chuckled at the mare and put his hoof under her chin. “Still the way I see it you owe us for the pain you’ve caused.” “Like I would do anything you would say.” She said in a spite filled tone. “Fine. I’m not going to force myself on a mare a second time.” He said in a flat tone.He then looked towards the opposite cage. “Perhaps the younger Unicorn there will be more willing. Rarity’s eyes shrank at the words. “Besides, Sharp shooter here prefers them young anyway.” The green stallion smirked and walked over to the cage holding the filly. Rarity’s mind was racing as the stallion got closer to the filly. “No stop!” She yelled. “I’ll do whatever you want just don’t hurt her!” The gray stallion whistled and the Unicorn backed off. “See. Now was that so hard?” He said in a mocking tone. The mare saw the green stallion’s horn glow and the rock around her hooves crumbled away. The other Unicorn zapped her with a spell and Rarity felt her body go limp. One of the stallions grabbed her tail and started to drag her. The mare looked at the cage and felt tears in her eyes as she saw her sister stirring. Sweetie, take care of yourself. The Unicorn filly could just make out the shape of the mare vanishing into the tunnel. The filly scrambled to her hooves as she saw the figures vanish and a large rock suddenly appeared at the far edge. Sweetie looked around the area and saw nothing but the rock walls lit by torch. “R-rarity? Wh-Where are you?” She asked with tears in her eyes. “The pony is gone.” A gruff voice said from the other cell. The filly turned her attention to the adjacent cell and saw three massive, badly beaten dogs wearing vests. She had heard of her big sister’s encounter with the diamond dogs but have never actually seen them. “Wh-who are you?” The three stepped into the light and sweetie saw that there were three of the dogs. One was small, only a foot taller than her and was wearing a gray vest that clashed with his light brown fur. Another was the complete opposite, he was a light shade of blue and looked very strong. The final one was slim, with a red vest, but did have a lean wall of muscle under his gray fur. “It matters not.” The slim one said. “We’re all gonna rot down here.” The filly sniffled and curled up in a ball. She wanted to help her sister but she didn’t know how. Rarity....Lance....anypony. Please help me. The area was then flooded with red light and the filly felt a blast of magic erupt from nowhere that sent her sliding back. The filly uncovered her eyes to see the whit guard standing in front of her wearing his armor. “You rang?” He said as he panted. “Lance!” The filly yelled as she hugged the stallion. Lance wrapped a hoof around the filly as she cried. “Th-there are these guys and they took Rarity!” She sniffled. “Where?” “Down there, but the way is blocked.” Lance saw the large rock in the path’s way. The stallion walked up to the cell and Sweetie saw the stallion’s hoof wrapped in electric sparks. With a swift punch, the lock crumbled like a dried out cookie. He pushed the gate open and walked past to the dogs’ cage. “Hey, pony. Let us out.” The small one said. “Why should I? You’d just get in my way.” “We know the way.” The bigger dog said. “We know where they took the whiney pony.” “You do?” Sweetie asked. “Well, no, but we can track them.” The small one said as he pointed to his nose. Lance had known a few diamond dogs that had helped him track down several fugitives and they all possessed a sense of smell that was far above his own. There must be hundreds of tracks through the network of tunnels and it would take him hours, possibly days to find the mare. “Fine.” The stallion busted the door down and looked at the three. “Here’s the deal.” He pointed to the large and small dogs. “You two will take the filly to the surface. There you’ll probably meet up with a few other mares. Tell them I sent you and they shouldn’t attack you.” The two nodded. Lance then turned towards the leader of the dogs. “You will track the other ponies with me.” “And what if I say no?” The dog barked. The stallion then trotted over to the large boulder blocking their path. The stallion’s right hoof was wrapped in magical sparks that burned brighter than any star. Lance slammed his hoof into the rock and the group saw large cracks forming on the boulder. The rock crumbled to mounds of rubble and the group gulped. Sweetie was looking at the stallion in awe. “It would not pose wise for your health.” He said in a flat tone. “Now get sniffing.” The dog complied not wanting to invoke the wrath of the guard. The stallion then turned back to the large dog that had Sweetie on his back. “Oh and I find out that there is a hair out of place on her head, then I’ll use you three for rugs in the barracks.” The dogs gulped and felt their tails go between their legs. “Lance. Please save my sister.” Sweetie sniffled. “I promise. Now go.” The two dogs ran down one of the tunnels and vanished from sight. Lance sniffed the air and grinned. “There’s a storm coming.” He said as he and the other dog charged down the tunnel. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Twilight was studying in her library with a new book about Starswirl the Bearded in hoof. Her eyes danced across the pages and the information flowed into her head like a river. The door suddenly burst open with a high pitched groan sound. The lavender mare looked to see the pink party pony with a notepad in hoof and a confused look on her face. “Pinkie! I’m trying to study.” The mare said in an annoyed tone. “Sorry Twilight. I just don’t get it.” She said with a sigh. “I’ve talked to everypony in Ponyville and I still can’t figure out who’s birthday it is today.” She sighed as she laid on the couch. Twilight rolled her eyes and saw her mirror blinking. The mare trotted over to the mirror and tapped it twice with her horn. The image of her older brother then filled the shiny surface. “Hey sis. Am I calling at a bad time?” “Not at all Shining. What’s up?” “Have you seen Lance today?” “No, haven’t seen him all day. Why?” “Well, it’s his birthday today so I got him-” The stallion then saw a pink blur zoom up next to the librarian with a shocked look on her face. “It’s Lance’s birthday today?” Pinkie yelled in shock. “Um, yeah. I take it he didn’t tell you?” The mare shook her head. “Figured. Not his favorite day of the year that’s for sure.” “Why?” Shining bit his lip at the question. “Let’s just say he lost something important to him last year. I can’t really talk about it.” He sighed. Pinkie walked away and looked out the window as she started brain storming ideas. “This about his wife?” Twilight said in a hushed tone. Shining’s eyes shrank at the words. “How did-” “Lance only told me that-” “Hey Twilight you gotta check this out!” The pink mare yelled. “It’s super duper cool.” “Pinkie! I’m in the middle of the conversation.” “Well, how often do you get to see red lightning?” The lavender mare face hoofed. “For the last time Pinkie. It’s impossible for-” “Did she just say red lightning?” Shining asked as he felt his heart race. Pinkie grabbed the mirror and placed it in front of the window so the stallion could see. The stallion felt his throat dry and his blood turn cold as he saw red flashes of lightning coming from the sky. “Twilight you need to-” He was cut off as a cyan Pegasus mare burst through the door with a worried look on her face. “There you two are!” Dash yelled as she flew up to them. “Guys, I just saw Scootaloo and she told me that Rarity and Sweetie Belle have been kidnapped!” The group gasped at the words. “She said she ran into Lance and he was gonna check it out with Applebloom. We gotta hurry!” “Hang on a second.” Shining said as he grabbed a quill and wrote a quick note. The piece of paper vanished in a flash of light and the stallion’s horn flared a second time. The shiny surface of the mirror then started to ripple like somepony had thrown a pebble in a lake. The white stallion surfaced out of the mirror in full armor and cracked his neck. “Okay, AJ and Shy are waiting just outside.” The group followed the Pegasus to the other mares and they charged out to the fields. The guard captain prayed to Celestia that they would make it in time, or he might lose his friend for good. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Deep in the cave, the three stallions came to an abandoned room at the farthest point in the tunnel. Rarity’s body was still numb and her mind was filled with the awful things the stallions were planning to do to her. The group came to a stone door and walked inside. The green stallion felt a shiver run down his spine and spun around. “You okay Sharp?” The Pegasus asked. “Just wanna check on something. Don’t start the fun without me.” He said in a wicked tone. “Don’t hold your breath. I haven’t been laid in months.” The Pegasus said in a mocking tone. The Unicorn trotted out of the room and looked around the area. Nothing. Something still felt wrong, very wrong. A chill went down the stallion’s spine. He peered out into the darkness and saw a small light shining. The stallion raised an eyebrow at the object. The spark then vanished and he felt an incredible pain before blacking out. “Where is that idiot?” The other Unicorn said in annoyance. The three heard a crashing noise and saw the door being broken down and an object crashing through the rock. The two stallions rushed over and saw the green stallion with a massive burn mark on his chest. “Well, isn’t this a nice little reunion.” The two stallions froze on the spot and looked back to see the bright green eyes of death. Rarity’s heart soared as she saw the stallion. Her eyes were then filled with confusion as she saw a grin that she thought the devil would have. “Happy birthday to me.” “Oh Luna, not you.” The Unicorn said in a fear filled tone. “Been a while hasn’t it Flame Spitter.” He said as his green eyes locked onto the stallion. He then focused on the Pegasus and his eyes immediately hardened. “Last but not least, Thunder Wind.” The Pegasus was physically shaking in fear of the stallion. Lance powered his horn and was about to go in for the kill but he noticed the white mound of fur in the corner. “Tell you what, I’m in a good mood right now so why don’t you all just surrender now and I’ll spare your miserable lives?” “I’ll take that offer.” The Unicorn said as he laid flat on his stomach. “Coward!” “Hey this is life or death. I chose life!” “Smart guy.” He said as he walked back over to Rarity. He touched his horn to hers and the mare felt her motor controls return to her. “Are you all right Rarity? Did they hurt you?” He asked as he helped her to his hooves. “N-no, I’m okay.” She said with a sniffle. “Good.” He then turned towards the stallions. The green one had gotten up and was now panting. The other stallion’s horn glowed and the entire area was filled with blinding red light. The stallion heard the sound of scrambling hooves against rock. When the light faded the stallion saw that the three criminals had escaped. “Lance, who were those three?” “Three thorns in my side that I intend to remove post haste.” He walked towards the exit of the room and looked out into the darkness. “Hey Fido.” He yelled to the diamond dog that was hiding in the far corner. “Take Rarity out to the surface.” “Why should-” The stallion’s horn flared and levitated several rocks and compressed them into several spears laced with lightning. “Okay fine!” He yelled. “Come along pony.” Rarity stuck her tongue out at the dog before looking back at the stallion. “Darling, are you sure you’ll be okay?” “Oh trust me Rarity,” The stallion;s eyes had a certain menacing glint to them. “I’ll be just fine. Now get out of here.” The mare nodded and followed the dog. The stallion waited until they were out of sight and he ignited his horn. “The storm has come.” He chuckled. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Twilight and the group had found Applebloom in the field and she told them where Lance had gone. The weather had taken a turn for the worst and it started pouring with the red lightning arcing in the skies above. The group charged down the path with the Captain in the lead. The group soon found themselves before a large cave cut into the side of a mountain. Shining put his ear to the ground and heard something coming. The stallion pulled his blade out and waited. “Something wrong?” Twilight asked. The other ponies then heard the sounds getting louder. The five mares then saw the familiar shapes of the diamond dogs and got in a defensive stance. “What are you two doing here?” Twilight asked with her horn glowing. “We no here to fight.” The bigger one said. “Twilight?” A familiar squeaky voice said. The group then saw a familiar white filly slide off the dog’s back and run towards them. “Heaven’s to betsy, we been worried sick about you kiddo.” The farmer said with a sigh. “Mean white pony told us to bring her here.” The smaller dog said. “Where’s Rarity?” Dash asked as she got in the big dog’s face. “The other pony went in after the whiney one.” He said as he pointed back to the dark cave. “The we’d better get in and-” The group then heard another noise coming from the tunnel. The ponies got ready for whatever the noise might be. The group saw the outline of another diamond dog and the white Unicorn mare. “Rarity!” Sweetie yelled as she ran forward and hugged her sister. “Oh thank Celestia you’re all right Sweetie.” The mare returned the hug. “Yup, thanks to Lance I am.” “Speaking of which, where is he?” Shining asked as the group walked out of the cave. The three diamond dogs left the group of ponies and ventured off to Celestia knows where. “He chased after the three ruffians that abducted Sweetie and I.” “What did they look like?” Rarity gave the captain a brief description of the stallions and whatever color that was in the stallion’s face fled. “Captain? Are you all right?” “This is not good.” He gulped. “To think those three would end up here.” “Who are these guys?” Dash asked. “They’re criminals that escaped from Canterlot Maximum security prison two months ago.” The stallion sighed. “I was hoping to keep Lance from knowing due to his history with the three.” “History?” Twilight asked. “It did sound like he knew them.” Rarity said in a puzzled tone. “Yeah, they went through basic with Lance and I. Up until they got tried and arrested.” “What did they do?” Applejack asked. “Attempted rape and murder of a superior officer of the royal guard.” The group gasped. “The victim was a close friend of mine and Lance’s. They each got thirty years to life.” “And why didn’t you want him to find these guys?” Dash asked. “Because then there’d be nothing left of them.” “Good. The sons-of-” “Ahem!” Rarity said as she motioned to the fillies. Rainbow rolled her eyes at the words and sighed. “Those jerks deserve it.” “That may be, but there is still the law to follow and as royal guards we-” The captain was cut off as they heard a blood curdling scream come from within the cave. The ponies all gulped at the cry and felt chills run down their spines. Twilight looked at her older brother and saw his teeth chattering. The ponies saw a bright red object rocketing towards them. The group ducked and heard a loud crash from behind them. The group gasped when they saw a green Unicorn stallion impaled on a red spear made of pure lightning. The stallion was stabbed through the shoulder and was coughing up blood. The girls covered the fillies’ eyes. Another scream was heard from inside the cave. The group saw another Unicorn stallion running towards them. He looked scared out of his mind and was covered in wounds. “Halt. Royal guard!” Shining yelled. “Oh thank Celestia! I surrender!” He yelled as he laid flat on his stomach. “Take me back I beg you!” He yelled as he looked up at Shining. “So long as it keeps him away from me than send me where ever you want.” “Keep who away from you?” AJ asked. “That would be me.” A familiar voice said in the darkness. The group of ponies saw a pair of bright green eyes in the darkness of the cave and the rest of his body came into view. His white coat had several blotches of blood on it and he had a dark look on his face. The ponies also saw red electricity arcing all over his body. A gray blur then passed over them and rocketed into the sky. “You’ll never take me alive!” The stallion yelled. “Wasn’t planning on it.” Lance said as he walked out into the storm. His eyes scanned the sky and he found the Pegasus. Lance’s horn glowed a deep red color and the ponies felt a magic pouring out of his body. The stallion raised a hoof and locked into the Pegasus. He waved his hoof down and the ponies saw a massive bolt of lightning strike the Pegasus. The criminal started to fall towards the ground. Lance charged forward at blinding speed. He got right underneath the falling stallion and was preparing to let loose a barrage of lightning laced punches. As he got into proximity a blast of energy pushed the stallion out of the way and a large pillow made of magic caught the Pegasus. Lance got to his hooves and glared at Shining. “Attacking a superior officer is against the law.” “Except when the CO is off his rocker.” Shining said in a flat tone. The guard captain snarled at the Pegasus who was grunting in pain. “I know how you feel Lance, but this isn’t the answer.” “He’s already broken out of prison once. Whose to say that he won’t do it again?” “It was a fluke and it won’t happen again.” Shining stated. “Oh trust me I’ll make sure it won’t.” The stallion’s body started to leak out electricity. “Lance don’t do this.” “Don’t try to stop me.” He said in a rough tone. Lance vanished the reappeared behind Shining next to the Pegasus with a raised, magic charged hoof. “You owe me!” The stallion paused and looked at the stallion. “I’m calling in the favor, or have you forgotten what-” “I haven’t forgotten.” Lance lowered his hoof and sighed. “Fine, he lives.” The stallion said as he walked past the stallion. Shining let out a sigh of relief and looked at the Pegasus who was slowly sitting upright. “Still weak. No wonder you let your wife die.” The red manes stallion froze on the spot and Shining gulped. Lance slowly turned his head and looked back at the Pegasus. His eyes were like two green daggers; focused, cold and murderous. “Lance don’t-” As the words left the captain’s lips the stallion vanished from sight. The two heard what sounded like circuits crackling and spun around. The Pegasus’s eyes shrank as he saw the white stallion holding what looked like a ball of lightning in his right hoof and coming straight for him. There was no time to dodge and the criminal saw his life flash before his eyes. As the lightning covered hoof was an inch away from the Pegasus’s head, the white stallion felt something hard collide with his right cheek and send him flying into a nearby tree. “Looks like I got here just in time.” A gruff voice said. Shining sighed as he saw a jet black Unicorn stallion with a yellow mane. “Thank you for coming General.” He said as he slapped a pair of cuffs on the Pegasus. “Anytime Armor and how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Bronze.” The dark stallion complained. “What are you doing here?” The two Unicorns turned their heads towards the white stallion and saw him clutching the right side of his face. “To prevent you from doing something stupid.” Bronze said in a flat tone. “Even after everything he’s done, you’re still protecting him?” Lance gave a chuckle. “I guess blood really is thicker than wine.” “No, I severed all ties with him after he was convicted.” The dark stallion said in a flat tone. Lance then saw the group of ponies running up to them. Lance grunted and started to walk towards the town. “You’ve been in the dark too long Lance. Time to step back into the light.” The white stallion stopped and turned back to face the group. “One year ago today, the most important thing in the world was taken from me.” He said in a flat tone. “But at the same time I gained something.” Lance the removed something from the right side of his face and removed his hoof. The mares gasped when they saw that a spliced blue eye had replaced his electric green iris they had come to know. “I can now see perfectly in the dark.” The stallion then threw something at Shining and he caught in his hoof. Shining sighed and looked down at the green contact lens that his friend once wore. As he walked away Shining hoped that his friend had not gotten lost in the darkness that he claimed to see through.