//------------------------------// // Spring Blossom Chapter 2 // Story: Snowfall // by Golden Dragon //------------------------------// Chapter 2 Snowfall tumbled off the tower, his body entangled with Mistress’. The frozen ground rushed up to meet them, the impact sending waves of pain across his body. Numbness spread though his limbs as he lay there, listening to the ragged breathing of the mare. She had survived the fall as well. Not for long, he thought. Darkness was already encroaching on the periphery of his vision. He heard shouting, but could not make out the words. A sense of peace flooded him as consciousness faded. He had saved Dash and killed the garnet mare. It was over. Awareness slowly returned. Was this death? He could neither see nor hear. He was alone with his thoughts. Memories flooded back, slamming into his head with incredible force. Not memories of his time in Ponyville, but memories of before. --- He arrived in Mistress’ encampment like all the others had. Mistress felt that his skills would prove useful and recruited him. He didn’t understand why he was being recruited, or for what for that matter, but the drudgery of daily life had gotten to him lately, and the appearance of this mare was a welcome change of pace. The appearance of Mistress’ encampment was not what he was expecting, although he wasn’t entirely sure what he was expecting. A few dozen ponies populated the courtyard, some dueling with each other, some practicing moving as a unit. “Mistress, it looks as if you are preparing for war.” War was unheard of among ponies. The last time ponies had gone to battle was over a century ago when an overly ambitious gryphon took it upon himself to capture more land for his country. Few ponies knew of the bloody battles that had resulted. He only knew about it from reading a musty old tome owned by his father. Battles fascinated him; the complex strategies involved, how one small change in a plan could turn the tide, it was all so interesting. “Perhaps,” the mare responded. “Although I would prefer a peaceful resolution.” He pressed her for more information but none was forthcoming. Mistress told him to mind his place and do as he was told. It was just like in his book. Leaders did not have to share their reasons with those under them, they just expected obedience, and he understood and accepted that. * * * The colt quickly proved himself to be an accomplished fighter, routinely beating colts stronger than him in the sparring drills. Mistress noticed his prowess and set him up training others. He adapted to his new role and soon had those under him performing better than the others in the encampment not only in one on one combat but in group exercises as well. This further impressed Mistress and she promoted him to captain, one of only three in the encampment. With new responsibilities came new privileges as well. Mistress would finally tell him of her cause. “You have heard of Nightmare Moon, yes?” she asked him. He nodded. “Wasn’t she defeated by the Elements of Harmony?” The mare seemed to weigh her words before responding. “Yes and no. The pony you know as Nightmare Moon was a . . . merging of my Lady and Princess Luna. The Elements merely separated them again. My Lady seeks a new host through which to accomplish her goals.” “Her goals, Mistress?” “I-- She would see Celestia’s kingdom shattered.” The coolness with which the Mistress spoke shocked the captain. A lofty goal indeed. A goal he could get behind, at that. Celestia and those so-called nobles in Canterlot stood on the backs of ponies such as him. They did not lift a hoof to work as far as he knew, while other ponies toiled, harvesting crops, building houses, doing everything that made life in Canterlot the cushy thing that it was. How was that fair? “I’m with you, Mistress. Whatever it takes.” Mistress smiled. “I chose well with you.” * * * “A word with you, captain.” Mistress approached him one day in early winter. She pointed to a young filly, the gardener if he remembered correctly. “I do not yet fully trust that filly. I believe a part of her still resists me. She had to be . . . pushed, to join me here. She is too important to lose, you understand?” He didn’t, not really. She was just a gardener. “What would you have me do, Mistress?” “Take her on your mission tomorrow. Test her loyalty. If she plans something, then string her along. I need her complacent for as long as possible. Pretend to be on her side if you need to.” He saluted. “Yes, Mistress.” * * * As Mistress expected, Spring Blossom did resist. He tried to put a concerned look on his face as they walked back to the encampment, to make it seem as if he were affected by the events of the evening as well. Sure enough, the filly approached him back at the encampment. “I just can’t do it, sir. It’s not who I am. I realize now that Mistress has been manipulating me. Tell Mistress, if you must, but I cannot serve her anymore. I want to leave this place.” Her eyes were puffy and red from crying. She sat there, looking at him, quivering. By Celestia, she was weak, he thought with disgust. “I understand,” he said, hoping he managed to sound sympathetic enough. “I . . . feel the same way. Mistress assured me that there would be nopony else in that house.” It felt strange, speaking ill of the Mistress. It left a bad taste in his mouth. Fresh tears sprung up in the filly’s eyes as her muscles relaxed. “Y-You do? Oh thank Celestia! What . . . what should we do?” He leaned in closer, speaking softly as if he were afraid they would be overheard, even though they were alone. “We escape. It will take some planning, though. We’ll need supplies, and a way out. Mistress keeps the entrance well guarded. In the meantime, I’ll talk to her, get it so that you don’t have to do something like that again. Just stick to your gardening duties for now. We’ll figure something out.” “O-Okay. Just, please hurry. The sooner I get out of here the better.” He wrapped her in one of his wings reassuringly. “I promise.” He smiled. Gaining the filly’s trust had been easy enough. Now he just had to string her along as long as he could. “Thank you,” she whispered as she lay her head on his shoulder, her warm tears dripping into his fur. They sat like that for a time, her quietly crying with relief, him trying to be patient. Eventually she stood up, thanked him again, and left. He couldn’t help but admit to himself that the warmth of her body pressed against his had been pleasant, but he also hated her for her weakness. He would humor her for now, of course, like Mistress ordered. If he got to feel her warmth again for putting up with her crying, well, that was a bonus he would happily take. Shortly afterwards, he reported his findings to Mistress. “Very good, captain. You never cease to surprise me. Develop that relationship further. If she will not trust me then I would have her trust you, heart and soul.” “Mistress, I can only string her along for so long. Sooner or later we’ll have to do something.” “You are correct, and you can rest assured that I have a plan. You just keep her occupied and let me worry about that.” He knew exactly how he would keep the filly hopeful. He would ‘find’ extra supplies that they could use for their escape. He would also ‘discover’ the secret entrance beneath the keep. Few ponies in the encampment even knew about that passage aside from Mistress herself. He had to be careful, though, not to tell the filly too much. Mistress would be very displeased if she actually managed to escape under his watch. * * * They met covertly every day. He always hinted that they were making progress, that they were closer to their grand escape. He comforted her whenever memories of the mission bubbled to the surface, wrapping a wing around her, pressing his body up against hers, whispering assurances that everything would be fine. Spring Blossom worked hard at her duties. In fact, Mistress told him, she was working even harder than before, likely to allay any suspicions. Some nights, when the filly could not bear to be alone, he shared his bed with her. She would sigh contentedly, nuzzling him as she slept. The day he finally told her that he had found a way out was the happiest he had ever seen her. She showered him with kisses, thanking him repeatedly. “We can finally leave this place!” She cheered. Her eyes showed so much hope and relief, it was almost a shame he would have to end it. Likely after whatever Mistress had planned he would no longer be able to share his bed with the filly. Ah well. I can probably get a few more days out of this before I have to tell Mistress. “Soon,” he told her. He sought an excuse. “The weather isn’t good for it right now. It should clear up in a few days. Then we’ll leave.” Her large, watery eyes stared up into his. “You promise?” “I promise.” Spring Blossom seemed to really enjoy those last few days. She spoke to him of starting a new life, just him and her, somewhere far away where Mistress would never find them. They would be safe, happy. She began to pay less attention to her work, opting instead to daydream, to spend time with him. She grew more intimate with him. A pity it had to end. * * * “I’ve done all I can, Mistress. I believe it’s time for your plan.” “You did well, captain.” Mistress nodded slightly in thanks. “I hear she is quite taken with you.” He was shocked. “How--” “Do not think me blind to what happens here, captain.” He ducked his head. “Of course, Mistress.” “Now, meet with your wench tonight. I shall handle the rest.” * * * He spoke with Spring Blossom that night in her room in the tower, promising her that tomorrow would be the day. She was giddy with anticipation at the news. She brushed up against him, her tail tickled his flank. “Shall we celebrate?” This time, however, he pushed her away. He had gotten to accustomed to the feel of her, it wouldn’t do to get attached. “Save it for afterwards. We’ll need all our energy to get out of here.” She looked disappointed, but she nodded. “Okay, it’s--” The filly was interrupted as the door crashed open, two guards standing on the other side. She screamed as they entered the room. The captain stepped to the side to give the guards a clear path to her, yet it was him they moved towards. “What’s the meaning of this?” he shouted at they grabbed him and began hauling him out of the room. “I’m loyal!” He struggled, tried to get away, but it was useless. “That’s not what Mistress said,” one of the guards told him. He managed to shoot a panicked look back at Spring Blossom as she cried out his name before he was dragged through the doorway and out of sight. As he was dragged through the courtyard, other ponies -- ponies that had served under him, looked up to him, and respected him -- shouted curses and insults at him, glared and spat. They dragged him, kicking all the while, to a room on the second floor of the keep, where they tossed him to the floor before leaving the room, slamming the door behind him. He glanced around the room as he stood and saw Mistress watching him. “Oh good, you came.” Mistress said as if he had simply walked into the room. “Mistress, what is this? I’ve served you faithfully, haven’t I?” Panic began to rise within him. “Indeed you have, and you shall continue to do so.” “I don’t understand. Are you punishing me?” “I cannot punish Spring Blossom, not directly. That runs the risk of leaving her incapable of fulfilling her duties here. So instead, she shall see what happens to the pony she loves as a result of her actions. Do not think of what I am about do to as ‘punishment’. If all goes well, you should still be the same when I am done.” The captain backed away. “No, this isn’t fair.” The mare frowned, a frightening sight. “You forget your place, captain. You are expendable, she is not.” Her horn began to glow and he found himself frozen in place. “My Lady has taught me a new spell. You shall be the next pony I test on.” Panic turned to outright fear. “Mistress, PLEASE--” That was all he could say before the glow intensified and awareness vanished. --- The colt groaned, slowly opening his eyes. He glanced around to find himself laying in an ornate bed set in the corner of a spacious room. Mistress lounged on a pile of pillows on the other side of the room, watching him over the rim of a goblet. Despite his fall off the tower, he felt fine. The mare looked uninjured as well. So she's alive. Good. No, another voiced seemed to say. She should be dead for what she has done. He felt a moment of shock at the thought. I serve Mistress, I would never-- She used me to get to Rainbow Dash! She punished you for nothing! The voice was right, and yet, here we was, alive and well, with Mistress. "Mistress . . .," the word was nearly a whisper. "Welcome back, Ashe." Ashe. Yes, that was his name, wasn't it? "How did--?" "You spoke in your sleep. It was clear from your words that your memory had returned." He shook his head. "I mean, how are we alive? I--" "Very nearly killed me?" Mistress gave a sly smile. "Do not think me so unprepared, Ashe. The flowers I had Spring Blossom growing were not merely decoration. It is a pity I had to use two of the blossoms already." "So why waste a blossom on me? Why not let me die?" "I would hardly consider it a waste. The way I saw it there were two possible outcomes: either you would regain your memories and serve me as captain again, or you would remain as Snowfall and I could give him the punishment he deserves for knocking me off that tower." The voice inside his head wailed. Shut up. Shut up. SHUT UP! The colt didn't notice he had begun talking aloud until he saw Mistress watching him quizzically. "Are you alright?" she asked. "No. Mistress, you used me! I served faithfully, always! Then you used that . . . that compulsion on me." "I do apologize for your loss of memories. Truly I do. I thought I had worked out all the kinks in the spell. You must understand, though, that I needed Spring Blossom cowed, and you were the means to do it. In truth, I worried that you had grown too close to her, that you had begun to sympathize. Using compulsion on you solved both of these problems. Were it not for the memory loss, you would have felt no different. Hardly a punishment, is it?" See, the voice said. She doesn't even trust you! No, it was an accident. She was just being cautious. He pushed the voice down before it could made him say something he would regret. "Your will is your own, now, Ashe. Will you serve me again, or would you take Snowfall's punishment instead?" He nodded. "I'll serve, Mistress." He still believed in her cause, and besides, what choice did he have? Mistress sipped from her goblet. "Good. Your first task will be to speak with Spring Blossom." She's still here? And the others too? He felt a flash of sorrow, quickly suppressed. That voice was beginning to annoy him. Ah, perhaps I shall have a good night, tonight. No doubt Spring Blossom still thought he cared for her. "My, er, Snowfall's rescue attempt was not successful?" "No, they all escaped. You will tell me how they did that, later. Spring Blossom, however, is not entirely out of my grasp. She will meet you at the fountain. Bring her back, if you can. She did good work here, and it would be a pity to lose her. Do not force her, though. I will not have dissidents in my camp." "Mistress, about that . . . I'm sorry." He lowered his head. "Do not concern yourself with the past, Ashe. It cannot be changed, now. Come, join me in drinking this wine so that we may celebrate your return." They drank long into the night. He took big gulps of the sour wine; it seemed to quiet the voice in his head. Mistress only seemed to ever take small sips, content to let him have the bulk of the bottle. "Mistress," he slurred. "He's still in me." The garnet mare raised an eyebrow. "Who?" "Snowfall," he tapped his head. "He talks to me. Tells me I shouldn't trust you." "I see," her voice grew cold, her horn began to glow. "Do you listen to him?" He looked at the mare with blurring vision. How much had he drunk? His addled mind struggled to concentrate. "N-no, Mistress. I try not to, but it's hard." "Good. Keep it that way. Snowfall has caused me enough trouble." * * * The next day found Ashe standing in the familiar clearing, staring up at the vine-choked fountain. Mistress had told him of the pony memorialized by the fountain, once. Although her name had been lost to time, her deeds had not. She had been a powerful unicorn, one who had created a great many wondrous spells. Young unicorns from across Equestria flocked to the school she founded in the hopes that they would be chosen as one of the few apprentices she would accept. What the history books did not mention, however, were her later years. During those years few ponies knew what she was doing. She became reclusive, closing her school and sending away all but her most trusted students. Most ponies figured that she had simply grown weary in her old age, that she couldn't keep up with the demands of running a school and just wanted some peace and quiet. In reality, she had become curious about the pony mind, at how magic could affect it. Such an avenue of study was dangerous, forbidden since even before Nightmare Moon had possessed Luna. Her experiments at been subtle at first, slight manipulations of a pony's thoughts and emotions, just a gentle shove to try to get things to go her way. As she grew more skilled, she could change the emotional mindset of a pony completely. She was able to instill fear, pleasure, melancholy, whatever she wished, at a whim. This, in time, led to her most dreadful creation: compulsion. The few students she had kept grew ambitious. They turned against her, using her own spell on her before she could use it on them. Shortly thereafter, all of them, teacher and pupils, vanished. How Mistress could know any of this Ashe could not begin to fathom. He had long since given up trying to understand that mare. "Snowfall?" Lost in thought, he had not heard the filly approach. He turned around to see Spring Blossom. She had arrived, just like Mistress said she would. Looking at her, she seemed weary. Dark circles lay under eyes that showed a growing hope as the filly watched him. He shook his head at the filly. No, although Snowfall remained within him, he was not that colt any more. He was himself again. The filly seemed to think for a moment before speaking hesitantly. "A-Ashe?" Before he had finished nodding she was upon him, giving him a fierce hug. Her hot tears stained the fur on his chest. "I thought I'd lost you," she cried. "Twilight told me you were dead. Oh, she'll be so glad to see you're well." "I can't go back to Ponyville, Spring." Surprisingly, Snowfall's voice echoed his own. I'm a killer. I don't belong there. She stepped away from him. "What? Why?" "I serve Mistress." The smile left Spring Blossom's face. "She lives, too?" "Yes, all thanks to you." Why must you tell her that? Snowfall sounded angry in his head. Just leave her be, please! No. The filly collapsed on the ground with a wail. "No, Ashe. Please. Say it isn't so!" "It's true. The Dragon's Flame saved our lives. Why do you think she had you grow them?" "She . . . she said she wanted to study them." Spring Blossom seemed to be grasping for any excuse she could find to deny the truth. "Mistress already knows all about them. You weren't the first to grow them for her, and you won't be the last." Spring Blossom moved on to a different avenue of thought. "But Ashe, why are you serving her? You wanted to be free of her as much as I did. We were going to escape together, remember? You -- er, Snowfall -- tried to kill her! I-I thought you loved me." Please don't say it. “I was just following orders. Mistress wanted you complacent and a relationship with you seemed to be the easiest way to do it.” The filly seemed to wilt even further, but then her face took on a determined cast as she stood up. "I won't accept that. It was real. You couldn't have faked that." Ashe remained silent. Had it been real? He was unsure, himself, now. "Ashe, why are you here? To torment me?" "Shouldn't you be asking why you are here?" The filly blinked. Her eyes widened as the question churned in her head. Had the thought really not crossed her mind? He continued, "Mistress wants you back. She--" "I won't," she shook her head. "I can't." Ashe suspected she would say as much. Spring Blossom's only happy times at the encampment were those she spent with him, planning their escape. Truth be told, he enjoyed those times too. Being a captain under Mistress was stressful. Around Spring Blossom he could relax. Selfish as it was, he wanted her to come back as much as Mistress did. "Hear me out, first. Mistress is grateful for the work you did growing the Dragon's Flame. She would like you to continue to grow them for her. That is all you would have to do, nothing more. No fighting, no missions, just tending a garden. You would be treated well. What more can you ask for?" "Ponyville's my home now. I can garden there, with my new friends." "Have you told them what you did? That you killed two foals?" That struck a chord. Fresh tears welled up in her eyes as her face twisted in anguish. "No, of course not! That . . . it wasn't me. Mistress -- she was in my head." "She merely gave you a push in the direction she wanted you to go. You took the steps yourself." It pained him to say that to her, but if it would help convince her to return then he would say it. It was only partially true. Mistress' pushes could be quite strong. "That's not who I am . . .," she mumbled weakly. "Would they forgive you?" "What?" "Your friends. Would they forgive you if they knew?" He remembered the look on Twilight's face when he killed the guard. He didn't think she would forgive him for that. Stop this, Snowfall shouted in his head. He felt an overwhelming urge to hug Spring Blossom, to apologize for the things he had said, to follow her back to Ponyville. He pushed it down violently. No, I don't belong there. Spring Blossom stared at the ground, her mouth moving wordlessly. Ashe stood there a moment allowing her a chance to think. She gave a start when he finally broke the silence. "Hard times are coming, Spring, for those who don't serve Mistress. You will be safer with her." He paused a moment before adding, "With me."