The Fable of Flintlock Spark
Chapter 2
Flashback - Rescue
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Thunder was galloping as fast as he could towards the church along the northern side hoping to find his friend. He burst through the giant double doors with a sense of disappointment and confusion upon his face upon realizing that Flintlock was nowhere in sight. As his breathing recovered the sound of dreadful humming filled his ears, the look of disappointment changing to one of fear. He bolted off to search for the origin of this melody.
Just as he turned the final corner he saw what seemed to be the entire village, paying no mind the the mysterious new addition in a dark brown shroud, he saw Flintlock suspended by dark chains.
Struck with fear but overcome with a violent rage, electricity sparked around him as he stood there but a moment. For in the next there nothing but rubble where his hooves once resided and a trail of blue lightning following his wake. With a loud *CRACK* Thunder flew above the crowd. Though his speed was monumental, it wasn't enough to break the barrier the priest had previously set forth. He collided head on with the magical shield sending waves of electricity across the dome.
Thunder howled in a bellow of pain upon his collision. He rubbed his head with one hoof and after a moment he realized what he had just accomplished. With newfound vigor, a smirk spread across his face and he began his next assault, uncaring for his own well being.
The priest turned his head to catch sight of the disturbance to see a crack forming in the barrier. Staggered by the impossible feats from such a young unicorn the priest was dumbstruck. He stood there, just staring until the situation dawned on him, "GUARDS! STOP HIM!"
Impressed with his new ability yet still enraged by the priests actions he charged at the barrier again and again, increasing in force each time.
"Dammit, why. wont. you. BREAK?!" He said in between each powerful strike.
The guards galloped into action, their attempts were futile. Wave after wave was knocked asunder as Thunders rage and power increased.
The specters were astounded by the sheer speed and power that this young unicorn was able to generate. While all stood in awe, the priest became more and more irritated with every strike.
The priest stood, enraged at the young unicorns disturbance, as his horn glowed an angry green. Disrupting the barrier just enough to Thunder to break through and run directly into the priests net of magic. He lifted the young one high into the air, then swinging him closer. "Look here FOAL, I will not let you disrupt this ceremony. Now,” he cleared his throat, “who are the parents of this colt?!"
Thunder was panting heavily while suspended in the air, there were small amounts of blood around his horn from his strenuous attacks on the force field.
Two ponies, looking just below middle aged walked through the crowd to the front. "T-That would be us, s-sir. W-We apologize for the actions of our foal." Spoke the trembling mother.
"Vail,”said the priest, pausing for just a moment to ease his nerves “keep him under close watch, any more interruptions from him and there will be dire consequences. Understood?"
Vail, still trembling slightly in fear but calmed slightly from the relief of knowing she was in the clear responded "Y-Yes sir. We apologize, i-it won't happen again-”
Just as the sentence was finishing, loud crackling sounds were heard nearby. Inspecting the source of the noise they see thunder was beginning to charge up electricity for another volley of attacks. But with quick reflexes from the High Priest Thunder was slammed to the ground and knocked unconscious. The mother looked away away finding comfort in her husband's embrace. The husband just flinched in response of the young unicorns body hitting the ground, he stared at the almost lifeless body with hate and remorse, mostly towards the colt. Hesitantly, the father lit up his horn and roughly dropped the colt on his back.
The villagers glared at the parents, every now and then, a stray rock found its way towards the small imitation family. Some looked at the parents and young unicorn with scorn. Few showed any care for the matter in front of them while others looked away simply because they didn't waste their time on looking at them. One in front even had the gall the spit at them. On the way to the back of the crowd they were shoved and pushed along the way.
Once they reached the back the husband dropped Thunder on the ground without even looking at him.
“Raze, why are you being so rough?!”
Raze’s calm demeanor disappeared when he heard this question and it brought an angry frown to his face. “Why...WHY?!” he yelled in a slight whispering tone. “This isn’t even our child, we should have never taken him in, HELL, he wasn't even technically born! I don’t know all the details but I know enough to say that this colt is no good! Don’t you see the trouble that he has caused us?!”
“Well, yes but-”
“But nothing.” Raze spat out interrupting his wife, “We’re getting rid of him.”
Not knowing what to say or how to act at her husband’s rage, she sat back on her haunches and looked up at the sky. The sun nearly gone, past the horizon glistened through a single tear on her face.
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The High Priest was just resuming the ritual, priestesses never ending their depressing hymn, as thunder clouds began to roll in. Instantly they believed that it was an early reward for the sacrifice that was about to take place. The crowd cheered for a while before the priest had to calm them down.
The priest walked to the top of the stairs ascending the sacrificial stage. Atop the stage he presented a dagger. Said dagger had black leather wrapped around the handle, the butt adorned with a dragons head and claw, a wing on either side with its tail slithering between. The blade itself was jagged and etched into it was the essence of the black dragons rage.
The Priest spoke aloud, for the time of sacrifice was nearing, “Villagers, the time is upon us once again to offer a single soul to our Lord.” The priest turned around and slowly walked towards Flintlock, who had watched in fear as these events had taken place. “Once every twenty years we must replenish his favor through the blood of a young soul.” The young colt struggled to no avail. Terror gripped him and his heart pounded in his chest. The priest inched ever closer with the knife held in his magic.
Flintlock was scared beyond imagination. But alas, there was nothing he could do. So, with all options exhausted, he hung his head and relaxed his body, preparing for his fate.
‘Don’t give up,’ said a voice. It was calm and soothing yet deep and masculine, a fact which puzzled Flintlock. ‘Fight!’ The colt then realized that it was not his own voice. He looked up and saw a cloaked figure rushing through the crowd, pushing past hordes of angry ponies who seemingly barely took notice of him.
‘Break free!’ Came the voice again. Flintlock, puzzled yet encouraged once more by the strange voice, struggled against the chains. The voices of the chanters wavered slightly as the spell weakened.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Asked the High Priest, ‘We’re just getting started.” As he finished, the sound of glass shattering flooded their surroundings. The old stallion wheeled around to see that the cloaked pony had shattered his shield with a mere punch. Taken aback, the priest stumbled backwards and his eyes widened. Before he could collect himself however, the mystery stallion made his move. He closed the distance between him and the priest in what seemed like an instant. Immediately his hoof was brought down upon the older stallion’s head and he was knocked out cold.