Existential Secrets

by Black Hailstorm

Chapter 9: Karma Always Finds A Way

Everyone-- everypony in the room was waiting for me to say something. But the thing is, I had nothing to say. There was no way I could change topics or laugh it off, not after what I just said when I woke up.

If everything went the same way things had went when Twilight drank that potion to discover what was causing those vines and roots that were invading Equestria, then it’s safe to say that while I was unconscious I must have suddenly started crying, or at the very least it seemed like it.

My face was still in my hooves and I wasn’t going to raise it. Not now, not until I could at least gather my thoughts.

Vaguely I heard voice of Luna say “Perhaps we should give him sometime to relax...he must have just been through something we can’t even understand...yet” she added as if a foreboding that this time there was no escape.

I could hear the clopping of multiple hooves, down the stairs, then out the door of Fluttershy’s cottage before the door creaked closed and with a silent thud, everything went silent again. Yet for some reason I could still feel a presence with me.

Discord.

Feeling an added weight to the bed I shifted a bit to make room, all the while still keeping my face lowered so that it couldn’t be seen clearly. The draconequus didn’t say anything once he was seated on the bed beside me; neither did I.

Finally gathering my thoughts I lifted my face up, wiping whatever tears may have still been sliding down my cheeks before attempting to speak. The draconequus’ tail however stopped me from saying a word as it gently formed a finger on my lips.

“Fluttershy told me about your situation, while you were asleep” the draconequus said.

No surprise there, is what I wanted to say. Instead I remained silent, I’d rather see where he was going with this before I explain in full detail to everyone about my other dreams.

“So what if your cursed?” Discord finally said after a few minutes of silence. “I say why not embrace it? I certainly wouldn’t have got where I am today if I didn’t embrace my wonderful chaotic nature” he replied with a small grin.

I simply rolled my eyes. Embrace it he says, now that’s something Discord would definitely say. “Why exactly should I embrace a curse I only just found out I was given?” I asked.

“The only thing embracing your problem can give you is...closure” I continued realizing what he was trying to get at. Or at least might not be trying to get at. I don’t know, but whatever it is Discord was aiming for he at least got me one thing. “Closure” I repeated the word, as it danced off my lips.

Discord simply watched my expression with mild amusement. Then the others came back in. All of them looking solemn and serious, glancing back at Discord I saw him now giving me the same stern look as them.

Quick to change sides aren’t we? I thought a small smile spreading across my face.

“What’s got you so happy?” Rainbow Dash asked hovering over the others.

“Oh nothing, I just found something amusing is all.” The ponies looked at each other with confusion at my statement but I caught a quick wink from Discord accompanied by a sly grin, though he reverted back to their side as soon as they glanced over at him.

“Beats me?” he shrugged.

“Right..”Celestia said watching her old friend carefully, turning her attention back to me she said, “Luna has informed me that she has been incapable of entering your dreams save for one time, and even then you apparently had no dreams of your own so she had to drag you into her realm. Spike and the others also tell me that you are hiding something you wish to find out on your own first before informing anypony” she paused, thinking about what she would say next.

“However after Twilight sent us a message that they couldn’t wake you up and you seemed to be in some sort of pain Luna and I rushed over. Hailstorm, I don’t know what it is you so obstinately refuse to tell us but we only wish to help” she smiled in that oh-so sweet motherly manner of hers.

“Please, speak to us.”

The room went quiet once Princess Celestia had finished speaking, I could feel the tension rising as they waited for my response, mostly expecting a “no” judging from the way Rainbow Dash’s wings were angled and the incessant glare she was now giving me I knew if I said no she’d definitely tackle me.

Sighing theatrically I said “Alright. I’ll tell you... the truth.” A sigh of relief came from everypony even Discord beamed a smile at me, apparently just as curious as the others to see just what was ailing me and causing this magical disturbance he was sensing.

So I began, explaining for the second time the whole issue about my dreams. This time I included Silver Caliber and Vindictive, the entire time I talked everyone was eerily silent, I couldn’t blame them though. Celestia especially had stopped smiling the moment I mentioned that name, “Silver Caliber”, she automatically gained a look of shock, which receded into casual calmness as she listened to everything I said.

Even the parts relating to her. I excluded the bit about my last dream though, I didn’t think it was necessary to inform them that I had figured out just what exactly had happened to cause the rift for between the two former close friends.

If anyone deserved to know, it would be Celestia and I would tell her personally, when we were alone.

After what felt like an hour of explaining I finally stopped at my last dream in relation to the curse that Vindictive said Iron Clad would study for the next three months, the moment that sentence came out though I felt an increased change of tension in the air, and I knew exactly what they were thinking.

“No” I said firmly before anyone could even make the suggestion.

“But Hailstorm” Fluttershy interrupted before I could continue. “What if that curse that Vindictive said he would use somehow got transferred to you?” she said clearly voicing my doubts and everyone else’s thoughts.

“It’s impossible” I declared. “There’s no way it’s possible, I’m human” clearly forgetting my current position.

“Correction” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “You were human, you’re not anymore now” she retorted.

I stayed silent, deep down in my conscience I knew what she was saying is true. My stubbornness said otherwise.

“You know what. I’m going to prove you wrong” I said as I shifted my weight on the bed assuming a more comfortable position on the hay piled bed, I closed my eyes. Sleep would come to me soon enough...but it didn’t. Not this time.

“Is he asleep yet?” I heard Spike whisper, after a few minutes had passed and I remained motionless. My grimace however made him say “Ok then maybe not.”

“OH!” I heard Discord say. “May I make a suggestion” he said with glee. Although hesitant I heard Luna reply “Go ahead.”

“Why not give him a glass of water?” I could practically picture where this was going, and so did everyone else Twilight immediately shouted a hefty “NO!” which only made the ancient dragon mumble grumpily afterwards.

Sitting up on my haunches I turned to the group with a scowl. “Can you please leave so I can get some sleep and prove to you that you are all wrong? I won’t be able to sleep with all of you making this much noise” I stated harshly.

“Oh here let me help you with that” I heard Pinkie say suddenly pulling out a frying pan from her mane.

“Where did you-?”

Clonk!

Everything faded into the black abyss that slowly consumed my vision as I fell forward on to the bed, the last thing I could hear was Pinkie say defensively:

“What!? I was only trying to help!”

“Fifteen years” Silver Caliber whispered the words as he and Celestia trotted down Canterlot Castle’s hall. “It’s been fifteen years...can it really be that peaceful for so long?” he asked himself more than the regal pony beside him. Celestia only smiled.

“I assure you my friend, it’s possible” her incandescent smile illuminating the very hall they trotted down. Silver Caliber soon found himself smiling back at the pony.

“Thank you Celestia” he said still smiling as they made their way out of Canterlot Castle’s gates, nodding towards at the guard ponies around them. “For everything.”

“For what?” she asked innocently with a hint of mischief.

The black alicorn smiled at his friend. “You know what I mean” he said nudging her playfully. “For helping Twinkle, Script and I get so accustomed to this world, after well I brought my own personal troubles here” sorrow edging its way into his voice.

Celestia placed a gentle hoof on his shoulder, her innocent smile now shifting to an expression with empathy. “Trust me when I say I know how you feel, but as long as you have people around you” she said looking down at Canterlot City, “You’ll never truly be alone”

Silver smiled at his wise friends words. The two continued their trot down to Canterlot City, where Script and the others were waiting for them. Apparently they had something important to show him.

“Is he there yet?” Straight Forward asked impatience growing by the second.

“We’ve been here since morning! If this guy knows what he’s doing then tell him to hurry the buck up so he can give Vindictive the potion and we can get out of here!” he shouted slamming a hoof on the table and attracting the unwanted attention of some of the customers.

“Patience my friend” Iron Clad stated as he tapped his hoof on the table trying to restrain the anxiety that was starting to grow.

It had taken him much longer than he thought it would to prepare the necessary ingredients for the spell. First off the spell had ingredients that could only be gathered in a secluded forest near the Griffon Kingdom and water that needed to be gathered near the zebra islands, once gathered and made into a potion it had...requirements.

The first was that it required you to have a high substantial amount of magic to cast it. The second was that it would take away half of your life in trade, something that bothered Iron Clad at first greatly till he learned that his leader was immortal. The third requirement...was unknown, along with four others that had not been mentioned in the book.

All that was known was that the spell would have a special effect on the victim, that and it multiplied your power times three along with your animosity.

“So you’re saying if he drinks the potion it will only take away his immortality? Is that right?” Straight Forward asked with a skeptical brow.

“That is correct” he said taking peeks at the window every now and then. “Why?”

“Why? Cause it’s HOGWASH! That’s why!” he stated keeping his voice less than a shout as best he could. “What kind of spell makes you give up half your life anyway?! We’re just lucky he’s immortal or else there’s no way I’d let you do this” he snorted angrily.

“Don’t be mistaken” the grey unicorn stated his tone growing dark. “My loyalty to our leader is just as strong as yours is. Never forget that.”

Straight Forward’s upset expression faltered before he sighed “Yeah you’re right. Sorry, I just-”

“He’s here!” the bulky unicorn shot up out of his seat and immediately rushed out of the restaurant to go meet the pony that had been standing under a light post with a fedora and suit coat, accompanied by a white striped tie.

Rushing after his friend, not before leaving some money on the table for the water they had ordered the two made their way through the crowd, before they were finally able to get in touch with their contact.

“You got the stuff?” the grey unicorn asked.

“Yeah I do” the earth pony replied. “You got the money?”

At this point Straight Forward rolled his eyes, tapping his hoof impatiently till they were done with their small play-date.

“Yeah I do, lemme take a look at the merchandise before I give you the money” Iron Clad demanded.

“No let me take a look at the money before I give you the merchandise” the pony said tipping his hat up, giving a clear view of his pearly white eyes.

“That was not what your client and I agreed to we-”

“CAN WE PLEASE GET THIS OVER WITH, I WANT TO MEET UP WITH THE OTHERS SOMETIME TODAY!” the violet earth pony yelled disrupting the rest of the residents that were going about their own business and drawing in unwanted attention. Again.

“R-right” Iron Clad said apologetically glancing over at his friend before magically lifting a bag full of golden coins out of his saddlebag.

A quick exchange was made between the two before the three individuals awkwardly nodded at each other and went about their own ways.

“This better be worth the two year wait” the green maned earth pony growled as he trotted after his friend. “Disturbing my honeymoon with my wife” he mumbled. “Better be worth it for the earful I’ll receive afterwards.”

Revenge.

For awhile now I’ve started to think it’s a dish best served cold. But just how far are you willing to hold a grudge against someone? “I suppose I’ll find out as soon as SF and I.C. get back” the goldish-brown alicorn thought.

Ember was sitting with Poison Dart who was working on chemical scale’s and their levels, it was something he had to grade for his students that were going into medical careers. “How’s school working out for you sport?” Vindictive asked his son.

“Fine” the golden coated blue haired unicorn stated. “Nothing I can’t handle of course” he said flashing a wise grin at his father. “It’s only been a year, since I became a teacher at Celestia’s school for gifted students” he said lifting up in his blue magic his diagrams, stowing away in his bag.

“A lot more work than I thought it’d be but it’s worth it to see the kids smile” he said cheerfully.

Vindictive smiled back at his kid. Five years had passed, since his last meeting and he hadn’t been getting any new updates on matters of the spell till last week. It irked him but he wasn’t going to complain since Iron Clad had put so much effort into this research, and judging by the clopping of those hooves that must be them right now.

The cottage door swung open with a thud and the two ponies trotted inside one carrying the briefcase in his magic, another looking frankly annoyed.

“Glad you made yourselves at home” Ember said sounding annoyed.

“Thanks we’re glad to be home” Straight Forward replied sarcastically.

“We’ve brought the potion my liege” the grey unicorn said hovering it towards the goldish brown alicorn.

“Thank you” he responded getting up and trotting away from his original seating position, taking it up in his own red magic he made his way past the two ponies, Poison Dart and his mother following right behind him.

“Where do you think you two are going?” he asked not turning to look behind him, but knowing well enough that they planned on following him.

“We want to be there so nothing bad happens” Ember said.

“Out of the question.”

“But” she started only to be cut off by a firm stomp of the alicorn’s hoof and a growl.

“No means no” he said strongly lifting a hoof to take another step forward he stopped, pausing like something may have dawned on him. “Iron Clad.”

“Yes my liege?” the unicorn asked looking at his superior with the utmost reverie.

“Take the briefcase and, inform the others I will be there shortly. We will head to Canterlot once I arrive, understood?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Nodding the unicorn took the briefcase in his own magic and trotted outside, followed by the belligerent violet earth pony who only seemed to be growing more upset the more he had to wait. “See you there” he said impatiently before they disappeared in teleportation magic.

Once the two had left Vindictive turned to face his family. The worry filled looks they gave him made him want to stay with them a bit longer. But he couldn’t, not after he’d been waiting fifteen years for this moment.

Wrapping his wife in his magic he pulled her towards him with a swift yet gentle tug he wrapped his wings around her. “I love you. You’ve been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Both of you” he stated wrapping his son in magic and making room for him as well so he could embrace him with his other wing.

“When I came to this world the only thing I harbored was hate. Pure hatred for what happened to me, but when I met you fifteen years ago” he said turning his head and staring at Ember with her eyes sparkling as he spoke. “I never felt more love in any world or dream than when I met you, Ember” nuzzling her cheek affectionately, he sighed with a breath of relief.

“You’ve been the only pony aside from hatred and friends that have kept me sane for all these years. I can’t tell you how much you mean to me. I promise when this is over. After I’ve taken my revenge. I’ll drop all of this, so we can spend more time together” he said raising his head up and looking at his son.

“As a family. As for you Poison Dart. I’m proud to call you my son, you’ve done so much medical research ever since you started attending school in Canterlot. I know it may have been hard for you... leading this double life I’ve forced on you two, practically tearing you away from the rest of the world but” his ears drooped now.

“I-...I” he choked a bit as he struggled to get the words he thought he would never say again. “You all mean so mu-” a hoof tapped his muzzle silencing him.

Poison Dart’s eyes were full of emotion, practically on the brink of tearing up. “It’s okay dad. You don’t have to say anymore” he said smiling.

Vindictive smiled at his son. “Thanks kid” he said giving his son a tight squeeze before letting go of the two he turned around and began trotting outside, but was stopped by a familiar tug on the tail.

“Alright what do you want to say this ti-” interrupted for probably the second time in his life by the soft lips of his wife Vindictive took in what he considered may be the last few moments he ever had with Ember again.

When the crystal blue mare finally broke the kiss she was staring morosely at the ground.

“Are you sure there’s nothing I can say to stop you from going?” the mare asked her red eyes glistening as the light hit her pink mane.

“Sorry, Ember, but this is something I have to do. I’ll be back later tonight” he said biting back the fear he actually felt. “See you tonight honey, and don’t forget I love you both” with those words delivered a red tipped feather fell to the ground in front of mother and son as they watched the alicorn ascend and fly off towards Canterlot, and away from them.

Thwump!

The sound came as Vindictive landed in a less busy part of Canterlot. Looking around he saw Straight Forward signal him from behind an older looking building. Trotting over there as quietly and calm as he could the alicorn was soon in contact with his friends.

Right before him was Seller Fly, Iron Clad, Straight Forward and the two others that had appeared for their reconciling those five years ago, Vindictive nodded at them which they returned with a respectful bow.

“Where is it?” he asked the grey unicorn before him. “Over there my liege” he said lifting a hoof at the briefcase where it had been placed in the center of the empty backyard.

“Will there be any witnesses?” he asked as he unlocked the case with magic stepping forward.

“I’ve had my people make sure that there will be no such thing, we’ve made it seem like this building is going under reconstruction so everypony in this proximity will not be stepping a foot here, Celestia herself gave us the okay to go ahead with our work for the day” she flashed a sly smile at the grey unicorn who merely sneered.

“Good work Fly” Vindictive said as he lifted the white potion before him, swirling the contents in its flask.

“Now stand back” his voice commanded. “I will need to prepare in case anything happens.”

Heeding her leader’s words the red unicorn took a step back as did the others. Once they were far enough the alicorn nodded at them then turned his attention to the liquid in front of him.

“This is for you” a small smirk placed itself on his face as he popped the cork out of the flask.

“Silver Caliber.”

Tilting it forward into his mouth the alicorn winced as the liquid sent a burning sensation down his gullet, starting to sweat as the liquid went down his throat and into his body. When he finished swallowing every drop he threw the flask to the side with his magic, a shattering sound occurring once it had made contact with the ground.

“How do you feel?” Straight Forward asked.

For a moment he didn’t say anything he just waited to see what would happen, after about five minutes of waiting he felt no change.

“Nothing” he said both disappointed and angry. “Iron Clad what is the meaning of this-” he paused because they suddenly heard something.

“What’s that?” one of the stallions asked grabbing everyone’s attention.

A rumbling sound could be heard every few seconds once everyone had quieted down. Vindictive looked around, his ears twitching till he realized. It was his stomach. A confused expression filled everyone’s faces as they waited to see what would happen.

“Wait!” the alicorn exclaimed feeling excited, his wings propping up in the process, “I feel something! I feel-”

BUUUUUURP!

“...Gasy?” the violet earth pony said even more confused than before.

Iron Clad was probably the most confused out of the group. “W-what in the world?” the unicorn asked in both exasperation and anger. “I was tricked by that fool?!” he stomped his hoof in disbelief.

“Of all the-”

“Wait!” Seller Fly pushed the large unicorn’s head away. “Something’s happening!”

She was right. Vindictive’s coat had started glowing a bright golden color, a look of discomfort and excitement was mixed on his face, until the light pulsed.

“URGH!” he screeched falling to the ground feeling a sudden jolt of pain course through his luminescent body. Upon his fall the others were about to rush to his aid till he barely managed to shout a stop.

“I can feel it” he said still on the ground his body pulsating. “The power...I can feel it.”

The others backed down, but not without a great form of discomfort as they watched their leader contort with pain, as his body pulsed the golden light flickered repeatedly. Each time the alicorn’s illuminated coat pulsed it sent a jolt of mind numbing pain through him, going through his legs, body, head, organs and for a second...his hair, yet at the same time I-- no, he felt refreshed. His anger, his rage was returning. He felt...

Alive.

The light grew brighter and brighter till it was impossible to stare at him directly.

“Vinny! My Liege!” the group of ponies called their leader in unison averting their gaze so not to be blinded.

“Are you alright sir?!” one of the stallions called into the light his eyes firmly shut.

The only response he received was cold cackling. “Oh I’m better than alright” the now gold and brown striped alicorn stated as the light faded, his eyes glowing a sickly green.

“I feel alive.”

The group watched their superior’s now accentuated coat brighten as a few rays of light hit it, he looked like a newer version of himself. Seller Fly especially who had no attraction to her superior before suddenly felt her cheeks feeling quite warm all of a sudden.

“See something you like?” Vindictive asked flashing her a sly smile, which she only returned with a surprisingly flushed face. “Oh? I didn’t think I would notice you blush when you have a red coat, looks like I was wrong” he replied turning his back to the group and walking around as if to get a feel of how he felt now.

“H-how does it feel my liege?” the unicorn asked in engrossed enamor.

“Wonderful. Thank you Iron Clad” he said smiling kindly as he trotted over to the infatuated stallion.

“I-I-It was nothing my liege, anything to please you” he bowed. The alicorn lifted his head up with a hoof, which only made the grey unicorn slightly feel a little flustered.

“One more thing Iron Clad” the gold, brown striped alicorn said as the rays of light brightened his appearance.

“Y-Yes? M-M-My liege?” the unicorn asked flustered.

“Don’t ever get me something that makes me feel so much pain again” he said with a sweet smile still on his face but the venom clear as day in his words.

“O-Of course my liege” the unicorn stated completely ignoring the warning he’d just been given. “A-Anything to please you.”

Nodding the alicorn spread his now red and gold wings. “Flee Track” he stated.

One of the pegasus stallions was too busy admiring the way the light reflected off his leaders coat to even noticed he’d been called. A second more stern calling dragged him out of his admiration though.

“Y-Yes my highness!” the pegasus stumbled forward falling on his face. “You know the way to Silver Caliber’s place do you not?” Vindictive asked his shadow casting itself over the orange colored pegasus.

“O-Of course I do I-”

“Then lead the way” he ordered interrupting the pegasus’s reply. “Now.”

Nodding dumbly the pegasus spread his wings fluttered himself up to his hooves before heading in the direction of Silver Caliber’s home. As they made their way through the streets of Canterlot, Vindictive could feel a burning sensation through his entire body as they reached his target.

“It’s true what they say. Revenge is a dish best served cold” he grinned, as the other members of his brigade, spread out across Canterlot began falling in line behind them.

“I’m coming for you Silver Caliber” he stated as the sun slowly made it’s way down the horizon.

“Celestia tell us what you’re hiding” Discord stated as he remained suspended in the air.

“What do you mean?” the alicorn asked tilting her head in fake confusion.

The draconequus scowled at her. “You know what I mean!” he snapped.

“The magic I felt a thousand years ago I can feel it coming from him!” he said pointing his claw at my unconscious body as it lay twitching every now and then.

Celestia remained silent, her innocence disappearing with the silence that accompanied it. This only dragged a groan of pure frustration from Discord.

“Wait a second” Twilight stated. “What do you mean magic you felt a thousand years ago? I thought Princess Celestia and Luna imprisoned you in stone way before then” she stated.

“Oh they did” he said casually. “But just because I’m in stone doesn’t mean I can’t hear or still sense whenever there’s a magical disturbance around” he reprimanded the purple alicorn with a tap on her nose.

“Ribbit,” A frog croaked as it lay on the young alicorn’s head. Twilight gave a unamused expression before levitating the frog on the ground as it hopped away.

“Sister what does he mean?” Luna asked.

Celestia did not reply her face now looking pained on the realization that she’d kept something from her younger sibling for so long. The thought of telling her something like this had slipped her mind eons ago, yet the name Silver Caliber was one she would never forget, even if the rest of the world did.

“Princess?” Twilight said with pleading eyes, “Is there something you’re not telling us?” the six mares and Spike along with Princess Luna all gave Celestia questioning looks, Discord shooting her a harsh one.

Reluctantly the princess answered. “I believe Silver Caliber... may just be the ancestor of Hailstorm here. He became a friend of mine shortly after your exile” she said looking sadly at Luna.

“And he was also an alicorn.” Everyone gasped at this, everyone except Discord who muttered, “Saw that coming a mile away.”

Rarity shot him a look, “But Princess if this Silver Caliber fellow was also an alicorn where is he?”
she asked turning her attention to the princess.

“Well... he wasn’t the only one. You see there was another alicorn with him. He called himself Vindictive, apparently the two had a history and although Caliber didn’t go into full detail with what happened to them they were quite close.” she glanced between her sister and Discord both who averted their gaze, painfully as she looked at them.

“...I don’t know what happened to him or Vindictive during the battle, though” she answered.

“What?!” Rainbow Dash said surprised. “How?!!”

The tall white alicorn stared at the ground her voice giving way to signs of emotion yet her face still stoic “Because, the battle never took place here, and I never found out what happened as a result. I did however witness something that changed his life completely.” she said dourly.

Celestia stood on the roof of Silver Caliber’s home lowering the sun slowly. With her was Silver Caliber, Script, Twinkle, Slingshot and a few other stallions and colts who had decided to watch their princess lower the sun and raise the moon.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Starswirl asked the princess as the last rays of sun slowly began falling behind the hill.

“I’m fine, Starswirl” the alicorn smiled her pink mane waving in the breeze.

“Are you sure?” Script asked worried, though the alicorn seemed to have no problem at all as the sun slowly disappeared behind the horizon, the moon however proved more difficult as she was not its master.

Finally lifting the moon up with a bit more effort than she thought was necessary Celestia exhaled. “There, see?” she said slightly tired. “Nothing to it.”

“I agree” a voice said from below.

“You truly are the strongest alicorn in the world Celestia, the strongest at least till now” said the voice belonging to the sickly green eyes and shining blue irises of the alicorn that stood in the dark. Directly behind him were about twelve other ponies.

“It’s been awhile my friend!” the alicorn said addressing the shocked expression that came over Silver Caliber as he trotted over to the edge of his home.

“Come with me why don’t you? It’s been awhile since we’ve had a talk” he said friendly.

Silver Caliber felt perspiration slide down his neck. Sweet flapjacks tell me this is a dream was all he could think.

“You’re not dreaming!” the voice of Straight Forward replied as if reading his thoughts.

The black alicorn sneered. “Damn” Spreading his wings Silver Caliber descended in front of his former ally. “Have you not given up your path of vengeance?” the alicorn asked gravely.

“NO!” Vindictive snarled, taking notice of Twinkle and a stallion appearing to be around the same age as his own son. A smirk played across his lips.

“I see you however have been living just fine all this time, didn’t even bother to check up on your old friend now did you?”

“You attacked us!” Script yelled from the roof. “What sane being would look for the person who attacked them?”

“What sane being would walk up to an entire army of people dedicated to ripping him to pieces?” the gold and brown striped alicorn asked Script his eyes glued on Silver Caliber.

“ENOUGH!” Celestia responded landing next to Silver Caliber her height making the ponies behind the gold alicorn shrink in slight fear while Straight Forward, Iron Clad, Seller Fly and the two other stallions stood their ground behind their leader.

“Vindictive” the regal alicorn turned her attention to the golden alicorn in front of her. “Leave this place, I will overlook your actions if you leave and never return. But if you do not” her horn became caked in a goldish yellow glow.

“I will protect my kingdom and my friends” her chest rising with confidence.

Vindictive remained silent for a few minutes before speaking. “Fine.”

“Yeah fine- wait what?!” Straight Forward replied, confounded.

“We’re leaving” he said much to the surprise of Celestia whose magic had immediately dissipated at the announcement.

“M-My Liege?!” the grey unicorn stood in place his eyes fixed on his superior in pure shock and amazement.

“We came all this way just for you to tell us we’re leaving?!?!” the violet pony yelled after the golden alicorn who stopped only a few feet behind him.

“Of course.” Vindictive responded. “You didn’t think I’d come here and fight the very Princess of Equestria herself did you?”

The entire group’s mouth dropped. Silver Caliber, his family and everyone on the roof all had agape jaws in utter bemusement.

“Not without a plan of course” his horn glowed red, and in a blink they were gone. Silver Caliber and his family minus Script had vanished along with Vindictive and his own group. Celestia stood there in utter shock as the wind blew her flowing mane in the air.

“No” she whispered in shock as her eyes widened with realization.

She’d been tricked.

Somewhere in the Everfree forest a large burst of magic cascaded the area as it dispersed and disappeared into the air bringing along with it a large group of ponies only two of which were standing.

Vindictive and Silver Caliber stood watching each other face to face.

“So you’ve made your decision?” Silver Caliber asked quietly, fighting the conflicted feelings he had now.

“I made my decision a long time ago” Vindictive assured.

“Caliber!” Twinkle shouted as she slowly rose herself onto all four hooves.

The black alicorn glanced over at his wife from the corner of his green eyes.

“Buck him where it counts” she said with conformation.

Nodding the alicorn turned his attention back to the gold alicorn before him.

“Shall we begin” Vindictive stated his wings spread much like the hostile phoenix on his flank. It was not a question.

“Let’s” tossing his head back his horn glowed an emerald green enveloping it before he shot out a blast of magical energy. Vindictive’s eye’s flashed a sickly green before he too shot out his magic, the two collided creating an extreme burst of air that forced the surrounding group back and away from their allies.

“Vindictive, my liege! Let us help you in the defeat of our foe!” the grey unicorn stated trying his best not to be pushed back by the sheer force of magic that cascaded off each other as the two alicorns pushed each other back.

A deep feral snarl that shouldn’t have been possible, came from Vindictive's throat making the bulky unicorn’s blood run cold. And I was sure maybe even my own.

As if the offer to aid had empowered him Vindictive’s magic force increased, easily blasting through Silver Caliber’s magic and sending him hurtling back towards a tree he went right through.

Distracted by the sudden increase that his superior had gained the unicorn did not notice Vindictive come up to him.

“M-My liege you’ve done it you’ve-” he was cut off by a force that wrapped itself around his neck.

“Gah!” he screeched clutching at his throat with his hooves effortlessly. “M-y l-ege!” he exclaimed as tears began to form from the lack of air.

“I refuse” he said bringing the unicorn closer to him as he glowered down at him.

“Understood scum?” he accented with a tighten.

“Y-Yes” the unicorn blinked the tears that were blinding him away. “P-Please have mercy” he implored.

Dropping the heavy unicorn to the ground with a thud the alicorn turned around to face the silver sword crossed cutie mark bearing alicorn before him.

With a gasp, Iron Clad gratefully sucked in the welcomed air into his lungs, then exhaled a steady breath after a few seconds placing a hoof on his throat, he watched as Vindictive continue to approach Silver Caliber.

Straight Forward rushed to his shocked friend’s side. “You alright? What happened back there?!” he asked shaking the unicorn.

Iron Clad didn’t reply but simply continued to watch his leader continue his long-awaited battle.

“...What...have I done?”

Silver Caliber stood on his hooves shaking splinters out of his hair and dusting himself off with a hoof. Twinkle and Slingshot were beside the black alicorn in seconds.

“Dad you alright?” Slingshot asked with worry.

“Get out of here!” he demanded, upon noticing them merely inches behind him.

“We came to see if you were alright” Twinkle said pouting.

“Woman I just got thrown into a tree like a rag doll of course I’m not alright!” he scolded. “Luckily Equines have such durable bodies or else this would’ve been game over.”

“Watch out!” Slingshot quickly pulled his father and mother down just in time to dodge a shot of red magic that flew at them.

Silver Caliber couldn’t help but smirk. “I am so glad I named you Slingshot.”

“Same here” his wife confessed. “We can talk about this later alright!” she said noticing the smirk only widening at the comment.

“Sure sure just let me-” he felt a tug on his tail. “Horseradish” he cursed.

Vindictive flung Silver Caliber into the air and was about to shoot him down till he saw the alicorn spread his wings and come hurtling down at fast levels.

Firing shots of red magic from all angles missing his target as he maneuvered gracefully past every blast. Spreading his wings just in time the black alicorn pulled up shooting Vindictive with a blast of energy (which he barely managed to dodge) before going in a circle and coming back down for another air assault.

This time the gold alicorn was prepared.

Focusing his attention on where Silver Caliber would be he shot the exact spot surprising the alicorn as it made contact and nicking his wing, spiraling out of control the alicorn came to hit the ground hard with a crash.

“Ohhh” he groaned as his body was filled with a surge of pain. He became distracted by the shadow of Vindictive cast over him. Turning on his belly, Silver Caliber slowly rose but fell back down, his wing hurt to much to move as it lay limp on his side.

“Stop!” Twinkle rushed over blocking the golden alicorn from moving any further. “Please take me! Just leave him alone he’s suffered enough with the regret he’s had ever since the incident.”

“Excuses, excuses” the alicorn moved the purple unicorn aside. “I’ve no time for excuses” he said his magic color changing from red to black.

“You remember that old saying we came up with before we made the break out attempt right Silver?” he asked the alicorn whose ears had wilted.

“How those who do bad will reap what they sow? Well it’s time for you to cash in your winnings” he said with a nasty smirk.

“NO!” Slingshot yelled jumping out and focusing his magic on the alicorn, he lifted him up and tossed him back a couple of feet much to Vindictive’s surprise and anger.

Rising from the ground he came to look at the beaten up alicorn as his wife and son threw their bodies over him to protect him from any harm. He stood before them, watching their trembling bodies cover the one they were willing to sacrifice their lives for. And for a second, he felt like he couldn’t go through with it.

But that changed as a force reminded him of what had happened to him back at that horrible rat’s nest.

Coldly Vindictive stared as Twinkle knelt before him begging, “Please Vinny, we- we know what happened back there was wrong but it wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t what you think, it was an accident!”

“I know” he said.

“What?” the mare asked choking on her own tears in clear surprise, no one in Vindictive’s group looked that surprised though.

“Of course I knew” he said sadly still looking coldly at Silver Caliber who showed neither fear nor bravado just acceptance.

“You think I’d claim this guy was my best friend and have prejudice that he left me in the worst place in the world intentionally?” he asked in slightly in a mocking tone.

“I don’t understand” Silver Caliber said, his expression not changing. “If you know then why?”

“Because you never tried to come back” he intoned.

“I waited nearly two months in that prison those couple of weeks waiting for you to come back...but you never did. Why should I trust someone who never even bothered to help me at the very end? When I needed it most? ”

The words hit Silver Caliber like a brick. He was right. He never really did try to go back and save, Vindictive, because he was scared. Not just because of what may have happened to them, but what would happen to the people he’d take with him if they ended up captured. He couldn’t subjugate them to the horrible life they had all been through. So instead he stayed silent, let that feeling eat up at him till this very moment. And for the first time these past 5 years, he felt a tear trail down his cheek.

“Pity isn’t it?” Vindictive said. “Trust only goes both ways” he stated shoving Twinkle aside. “Too bad I put my trust in the wrong person” he said his horn glowing darkly.

“Maybe this will teach you how you should treat your real friends, instead of thinking about yourself” he finished taking a couple feet back, turning around he faced Caliber his horn glowing darkly.

“I hope you like this” Vindictive smirked his eyes glowing that sickly green again. “I made it especially for you. Slingshot” then he fired.

The black alicorn’s eyes widened in horror as he watched his son get enveloped in the dark magic that he’d thought all along would be meant for him, with a thud he watched his son’s body fall to the ground twitching from the aftershock.

Silver Caliber stared at his son’s body in horror, his wife automatically crawling over in a ghastly howl clutching her son close to her. Slowly the black alicorn crawled over to him and checked his pulse.

He...was still alive.

The alicorn sighed a breath of relief, his wife clutching her son as he reassured her that everything was alright, slowly the alicorn turned to look at the gold brown striped alicorn as the sick green disappeared from his eyes and he came to his senses.

There was some remorse in the next words that came.

“My revenge is complete, I’m sorry Slingshot that you had to suffer a punishment meant for your father” he said from afar, Twinkle only gave him an evil eye.

Ignoring it, the pony turned to look at Silver Caliber. “Silver...this is the last time we’ll ever meet I hope. You’ll come to see just what happens when you think about yourself and yourself alone. This is your punishment for being so insensitive, those many years ago” with those words the alicorn turned around, beckoning to everyone around him he used what little magic he could muster and teleported away.

The next few days were normal, nothing strange had happened to Slingshot, he didn’t feel ill or anything no sickness at all. Back in Canterlot attending to his duties as an aspiring admiral guard. Yet recently he started to notice his memories were becoming hazy. Sometimes he’d immediately forget what he was going to do after deciding he’d do it and he couldn’t explain why.

At one point he’d even forgotten where he lived. It’d been only a couple days since he was hit with that curse, but he thought this was normal since he hadn’t been getting much sleep lately.

“I suppose it’ll wear off in no time” he reassured himself.

Then a month later he collapsed in the line of duty.

“Slingshot! Slingshot wake up!” Caliber exclaimed worried sick, his son slowly opening his eyes.

“Oh thank goodness you’re alright I was so-”

“Excuse me?” the silver pony said shyly.

“Yes son?”

“Where am I?” he asked rubbing his head. “I can’t remember what happened I was walking here with my father then” he paused. “Dad?” he asked recognizing the alicorn before him.

“W-What happened? I don’t remember anything from after I got off work are we heading home or something?”

Caliber felt fear leap into him. He gulped.

“Son you’re at the hospital. Don’t you remember passing out or feeling tired or anything?” he asked desperately.

“No...wait...where are we again?” he asked fear creeping into his own voice.

It can’t be. It was the...

“The curse...” Slingshot whispered. “It’s doing this to me isn’t it?” he started to shake. “I’m losing my memories aren’t I?” he asked desperately. “Get me out of here!” he exclaimed trying to get up. A nurse rushed in along with three other doctors.

“Sir you need to leave the area we’ll take care of him” one of the doctor’s goaded.

As he was being pushed out of the room Silver Caliber heard his son shout from behind.

“I heard him say it before he left! The End of Times! It’s Till the End of TIME?!” he screeched hitting a doctor in the face with a hoof before anesthetics were injected into his body.

“I-It’s...all...just...a night...mare”

Watching his son fade into unconscious ripped a hole in Silver Caliber’s heart. That hole triggered something in him. Something he’d done his entire life to keep under control.

Anger.

Turning around and walking past his wife and Script who were waiting they immediately asked “How’s he doing?”

“He’s cursed” he responded flatly much to their surprise.

“W-What? Wait what are you gonna do about it?” Script asked.

The alicorn stopped at the exit of the hospital. Glancing over his shoulder eyes lidded, he said “What goes around...comes around.”