Path of Kindness and Blood

Chapter 10

Final Confrontation

Part 6 - Aftermath

The group gathered around the unconscious Fluttershy, their worries about her well-being proven true as she has pushed herself over her limits. One pony however was missing as Applejack lowered herself to her dad, staring at him in expectation.

Hawkeye grit his teeth, trying desperately to massage his head, but failing due to the ropes. He slowly opened his eyes as his vision sharpened. “A-Applejack?” He raised his head upward, now staring into the firm eyes of his daughter. “Ya… you’ve grown up alot since the last time Ah saw ya. How long has it been?” He struggled to stand, but found it impossible. “Why did ya tie me up?”

Applejack felt her heart warming up as her eyes were ready to burst into tears. Not wasting a moment, she grabbed Hawkeye into a tight hug, picking him up as she now stood on her rear hooves.

“Ya’ve grown stronger, Ah see,” Hawkeye said, chuckling as his huge body was lifted off the ground. He looked around in confusion. “Where are we?”

“It’s a long story,” Applejack said before placing her dad on the dusty floor. “But… just to make sure, would ya ever call Granny Smith ‘Lady Orange’ if she lost a bet?”

Hawkeye bursted into laughter. “Call her Lady Orange? Are ya crazy? Ah prefer mah flank not tanned all the way to Tartarus.”

The hug lasted at least half a minute before Applejack freed her father from the ropes and helped him stand.

Hawkeye examined his daughter in confusion, quickly noticing bruises covering her. “Who... hurt ya?” Upon noticing a group of ponies nearby, her stood next to Applejack protectively. “Any of those ponies hurt ya?”

“Nope, ya did,” Applejack said firmly. As much as she didn’t wish to do anything but to celebrate, delaying telling the truth wasn’t in her nature. “Like Ah said, it’s a long story.”

Hawkeye grit his teeth and massaged his forehead upon feeling a headache. A short memory of a fight he had not long ago surfaced. He took a step back and said, “What have Ah done? How could Ah hurt ya?”

“It don’t matter. Ah thought ya’ll were dead, but yer back, and that’s what’s important!” Applejack said, wiping tears from her watering eyes. “Ah’ve missed ya.” She pressed her head against Hawkeye’s chest. “Ah’ve… missed ya…”

Hawkeye nuzzled his daughter, when suddenly a realization struck him. He retreated his head and poked his fangs, his eyes opening widely. In a surge of fear, he pushed Applejack away and walked backward. “Ah’m… a blood sucker, stay away!”

The group looked away from Fluttershy, now staring at the confused stallion. Applejack raised her forehoof and gestured with it. “Pa, calm down. It don’t matter that yer one of them thestrals, Ah don’t care.”

“How can ya say that? Ah’m no longer yer father, but a monster!” He pressed his hooves against the sides of his hurting head, memories of his capture and transformation floated to the surface. “Ah served the one Ah was sent to kill. He turned me against ya and the rest of mah family. Why’s yer blade not in mah chest yet?”

Hawkeye glanced at the bracer on Applejack’s foreleg, who looked at it and next back at him nervously before speaking, “Yer not a monster, and Ah’m not goin’ to kill ya, forget it.”

“Ya became a huntress, following me and yer Ma’s hoofsteps, it’s yer duty to kill me.” Hawkeye stomped, his expression filled with anger. “Do yer job!”

The stallion lowered his head and sighed before galloping at Applejack. His attempt to grab her weapon and use it to end his life failed as his daughter jumped back, swiftly evading his hooves. Before he could try again, he was pushed back by Rarity’s magic.

“Calm down this instant!” Rarity shouted. “How dare you turn on us and on your own daughter after all the effort we put into capturing you and restoring your memories?” She pointed at the unconscious mare. “Fluttershy suffered to reunite you with your daughter, don’t you dare push it away.”

Hawkeye frowned, pointing at Rarity accusingly. “Don’t ya lecture me! Yer a husk and yer words are just as empty.” He looked at Applejack and asked, “Why would ya side with these monsters? Ah already dirtied our family’s good name by working for them, but Ah was forced. How can ya do it on yer own free will? Unless…”

“Ah’m not brainwashed if that’s what ya think,” Applejack said, glaring at her father with disapproval. “Ah hated thestrals for takin’ ya and Ma away, thinkin’ they killed ya both. Ah tried to avenge ya, Ah tried to kill Fluttershy, but she was holdin’ back.”

Applejack's ears drooped as she lowered her head. “Ah unleashed all of mah hate and frustration on her, and she suffered protectin’ our family. She sacrificed so much, even sidin’ with me while facin’ some powerful assassin.” She facehooved. “Ah was so stupid, so stubborn… tryin’ to refuse what’s in front of mah eyes, but over time we became great friends.” She pointed at Hawkeye and shouted, “She didn’t kill ya, she restored yer memories. Don’t let yer hatred blind ya and ruin everythin’.”

Little Seed hesitantly approached. “I know how you must feel. After we learned Fluttershy is a different species, and after you captured us, we were scared and confused. You can’t trust your judgment when you’re affected by something that strange.”

“What do ya know? Ah’m a member of the monster hunters, an organization that fights beasts and thestrals, protecting ponies like ya from them. Ya can’t understand how Ah feel, bein’ asked to turn on mah duty and beliefs.” Hawkeye looked away from Little Seed, now staring at Fluttershy. “Purebloods are our biggest enemies, a daughter of mine can’t be friends with one.”

Pinkie nodded. “Exactly! Telling your daughter that she can’t make friends is just mean. Even more mean than trying to hurt her while being brainwashed.”

Hawkeye bent his legs, preparing to gallop while examining his surroundings. “If ya were a proud huntress, Applejack, you’d use this opportunity. Ya would help me kill the pureblood when she’s weak and her follower,” he said, pointing at Rarity. “Ah don’t know if they offered to help ya free me for yer loyalty, but if ya let them deceive ya with their lies, it’ll rest upon me to save our good name.” He galloped.

Rarity’s levitation field surrounded Hawkeye, but it only managed to slow him down, while Sunflower looked between Hawkeye and the fashionista in panic. Part of her wanted to protect Fluttershy, but her fear overpowered this desire, making her step to the side. Little Seed followed her example.

Pinkie Pie started biting her hooves nervously before deciding to grab her unconscious friend and run away while Rarity stood in a fighting stance, ready to kick Hawkeye’s muzzle once again. However, before Hawkeye managed to get closer, Applejack’s hind legs sent him flying to the side, rolling on the floor.

“That’s for leavin’ us alone for all these years!” Applejack shouted before running towards Hawkeye, her forehoof striking his muzzle before he could stand. “That’s for tryin’ to hurt us!” Another strike followed as Hawkeye’s muzzle started bleeding. “That’s for hurtin’ Apple Bloom!” Applejack’s rear hoof struck his foreleg. “That’s for all the trials ya put Fluttershy through!” A final kick landed, sending him crashing into a pillar as he bounced onto the ground, leaving multiple cracks on the stone. “And that’s for bein’ far more stubborn than a mule, tryin’ to hurt mah friend who did all she could to save ya!”

She lowered herself to Hawkeye and asked, her voice suddenly gentle, “Please, Pa, don’t make me fight ya. Ah know that purebloods are dangerous. Ah witnessed Fluttershy’s power many times, especially when Ah trained her, and she’s as innocent as a flower and not even a hundred years old.” She helped Hawkeye stand, who massaged his aching foreleg and muzzle, wiping the blood away as his wound healed surprisingly fast.

“But even if dangerous, they're still ponies. There’re good and bad, and can’t be judged as a whole. Fluttershy wished fer nothin’ but peace and friendship, and it’s enough for me to fight by her side.” She embraced Hawkeye. “Ah ask ya, will ya forget what ya learned from the other hunters and give her a chance? Yer mah father, even if ya need to drink blood. Will ya do this for me? Please?”

“Please, don’t make me tie ya up for yer own good. Ah’ll do it, ya know,” Applejack added.

Hawkeye chuckled, ignoring the pain in his muzzle. “I’m sure ya would.” He looked her daughter in the eyes. “Mah memories are a mess. Ah remember mah life before being turned, and Ah have some memories of what Ah did as a thestral. Ah can’t make promises. Ah’ll try lookin’ away from what Ah was taught about thestrals, but just for ya, Ah’ll give yer friends a chance.”

Pinkie, already having Fluttershy on her back, smiled at the heart-warming scene. “That’s so sweet. It totally calls for a party!” Upon noticing that she accidentally sent Fluttershy flying, she caught her before she hit the ground and carefully placed her on her back while receiving a disapproving glare from Rarity.

“I believe it is too early to celebrate,” Rarity pointed out. “We need to escort Mistress Fluttershy to her cottage and help her recover.”

The group nodded in agreement as they left the coldness of the abandoned castle.

“Is it me, or do thestrals really like ruins like these?” Rarity asked as she took one quick glance at the old castle before approaching the ravine. After a quick examination of the bridge, she noticed a hastily done attempt to fix it, most likely by Fancy Pants followers as they reinforced the ropes and replaced most of the planks. A nearby tree stump indicated it was used as material to repair the bridge. “First Lord Fancy Pants invited us here for a meeting, and next it became a battleground at least twice.”

Hawkeye slowed down, massaging his forehead. “Ah remember…” With the group’s attention on him, he said, “Besides those ruins bein’ a great hidin’ spot, the pureblood that caught me…he cares about these ruins a great deal. This was the place of Nightmare Moon’s banishment, and a prophecy says it’ll be the place of her return.”

“Prophecy? Nightmare what?” Applejack asked in confusion. “Is that why Fluttershy and all them purebloods were tested, and why Fluttershy’s parents were killed?”

“Her parents were killed?” Sunflower asked as a chill went through her bones.

“They were,” Rarity answered, her expression sorrowful. “Rainbow Dash’s family took her in, but after clans started fighting for territory, she sought refuge in Ponyville. The poor dear had much to endure.”

Little Seed interrupted, “So Fluttershy’s parents were killed and then a clan war started...” She took a quick breath, continuing in a tired tone, “Is this connected?”

Rarity nodded. “Without her parents to maintain peace in Cloudsdale, young purebloods started fighting to take the territory for themselves, at least this is what she told me. Though they did stop their fights temporarily when Princess Celestia brought Cloudsdale near Canterlot.”

Hawkeye lowered his head. He always believed that the hunters were standing between the monsters and the innocent, but what he just learned planted a seed of doubt in his mind.

Rarity stomped. “I have heard about this mysterious pureblood over and over, how he defeated the hunters that tried to kill him, how he was testing and preparing purebloods for return of the princess that will change the world, but not a single time has his name been mentioned.” She approached Hawkeye and looked him in the eyes, her fangs clearly visible on her angered face. “Please tell me you remember his name!”

Hawkeye took a deep breath and said, “His name is… Lord Moon Shadow. He took this name after seein’ the banishment of the princess, swearing to prepare for her return. At least that’s what Ah heard in mah mind.”

Applejack took a step back. “Ah hope he isn't goin’ to try and take ya back. Even a bit of his blood let ya kick our flanks with ease.”

Hawkeye shook his head. “He tried to make me his proud assassin, but he only cares for purebloods. Since Ah fulfilled mah task, Ah doubt he’ll bother.” He frowned. “He still has mah wife under his control.”

Rarity looked back to Fluttershy. “In any case, we should help our mistress as fast as possible.” She glanced at Hawkeye. “If it may convince you to abandon your former beliefs and desire to kill Fluttershy or yourself, we will explain what has happened in the past few years.”

“So, let me get this straight,” Fancy Pants said as he sat comfortably inside of his chariot, pulled by two disguised pegasus thestrals and at least four guards armed with spears. He looked to the side at Vinyl Scratch while passing above the Everfree Forest, doing his best to avoid attention from Ponyville’s populace. “Miss Fluttershy faced almost all of Moon Shadow’s trials and defeated his assassin in a duel, but after refusing to let the assassin go, he drank the blood given by his master?”

“That’s what I’ve heard,” Vinyl responded. “She looked pretty bad if you ask me. She drank blood from the stallion and now she’s sick. I was thinking, I dunno, that you can drink that blood from her or something.”

Fancy Pants closed his eyes, now thinking in silence. He smiled and asked, “What about her clan. Is her servant Applejack really as loyal as you speak of?”

“She is. To be fair, I think Flutters is getting far better than you are at spreading peace between thestrals and ponies, kind of makes me wonder if I should put some more effort in serving her.” Vinyl chuckled and shrugged. “If only she was older and stronger, maybe she could succeed where you failed, boss.”

Fancy Pants raised his eyebrow. “You know; the amount of disrespect you have shown me thus far would have gotten you killed a hundred times over, should you serve another master.” He grinned. “Though I can’t deny that you were very amusing to have around and my son really likes you.”

“Your son’s cool, a bit naive and innocent, but cool. Maybe if White Path and Fluttershy get experience after a century or two, they can bring peace between all races.” She sighed. “But it’s too late. Even if you win against Moon Shadow and unite all purebloods under a banner of peace, I’m not sure you can bring a true peace alongside the princess. No offense.”

“None taken,” Fancy Pants said with a shake of his hoof. “I say… I know I am not perfect and even cruel sometime, but I do what needs to be done to keep Moon Shadow from uniting purebloods against the Sun Princess. In the end, it will be up to the young to bring peace, all I can do is to keep the war at bay.” He sighed. “Pity that my top assassin had gone rogue and died. I was really hoping to utilize his talents against Moon Shadow by summoning his enemies to gain advantage.”

Vinyl chuckled. “And ya think it would work? He is the oldest and most powerful pureblood, even the princess failed to find and kill him. I mean, she probably suspects you and Fleur of being purebloods and keeps an eye on you, but your opposition’s serious business.”

“I know,” Fancy Pants said, looking back at Canterlot in a distance. “I know the odds of it working were slim, but if Sharp Eye’s skills could increase my chances of winning, even by a little, it would have been worth the past two centuries of teaching him.”

“Sometimes you treat your subordinates as means to an end, not as friends. I think you could learn a thing or two from Fluttershy,” Vinyl pointed out before noticing Fluttershy’s cottage in the horizon.

“Too late for this old pureblood to learn compassion I fear,” Fancy said in a saddened tone. “I hoped to help Fluttershy when her parents… died… and I ended up refusing to give any support for protecting a huntress.”

“Well, you can make it up to her now by helping her. As for the lack of compassion, come on dude, you can be a big softie if you just try. Relax and let it lead you.”

The guards frowned again, barely resisting the desire to silence Vinyl the Undying with their own hooves.

Once the chariot landed, both passengers stepped onto the grass and walked towards the cottage, accompanying guards escorting them from both sides.

As they approached, Rainbow Dash landed and took a fighting stance, bandages wrapped around her belly. “Stop right there, who are you?”

Before the guards could react, Vinyl approached and said, “Chill out. It’s my former boss, Fancy Pants. I brought him to help.”

Rainbow Dash looked at the tall stallion, his monocle, uniform and bowtie being representation of his high status. “So, you're that big guy who refused to help Flutters because she befriended a huntress?”

“Perfect,” Dash said before flying towards Fancy Pants, grabbing him by his sides and pulling him inside the cottage. Despite his size, she pulled him in before the guards could stop her, Vinyl’s magic slowing down their pursuit.

"Chill out, guys, Dashie’s a bit hot-headed, but she’s not a threat.” The escort looked at her, still tensed. “Besides, if Fancy wanted to, he could kill everypony inside in less than a minute.”

The group nodded and relaxed before taking four sentry positions around the cottage, making sure no outside threat was heading towards it.

Fancy Pants examined the unconscious pureblood, using his senses to analyze her heart rate, blood flow and breathing. During his examination, he found that Fluttershy’s temperature was surprisingly low.

As the group watched him with hopeful stares, Rarity took a step forward and said, “We tried to use a mixture Zecora prepared, the one that could wake up Fluttershy with its scent, but even after half an hour, she is still asleep. We do not know what to do.”

Fancy Pants gave Applejack a suspicious stare. “In her state, her blood control over you should’ve weakened. I say… your care for her is sincere.”

The farm mare bit her lip. “Ah… Ah…” She sighed. “Fine, she freed me from her control once we arrived at the cottage, not long before Sharp Eye attacked. If ya want to punish me, go ahead.” She held her forehooves together, her stare pleading. “But please, spare mah family and the others in this room.”

Hawkeye, who this whole time sat in the corner of the room, stood up and raised his forehoof, his mouth opened as he wanted to protest, but stopped himself upon hearing a chuckle.

“I figured out she would free you, but do not fret, I won’t seek retribution for her doing so.”

Applejack tilted her head to the side. “If ya knew and forgave her, why did she had to suffer fer protectin’ mah family? What’s the point?”

Fancy Pants sighed and looked to the side. “Most of my… subordinates… weren’t as forgiving. I may be a powerful lord, but I need to maintain a reputation.”

“Is reputation worth the sufferin’ ya put Fluttershy through?” Applejack asked while shooting a challenging glare.

“My my, you really do care,” Fancy Pants said before rubbing the top of Applejack’s head, forcing a blush on her cheeks. “No wonder Moon Shadow has chosen her as an emissary of peace.”

“Ya know him?!” Hawkeye shouted before Applejack could say a word. Everypony looked at him.

Fancy Pants raised an eyebrow. “Oh my, isn’t that one of his assassins… I see.” He turned back to Applejack and added, “Let’s just say we are on opposite sides. I try to convince clans to seek peace with other ponies, while he leads them to war. Without my reputation, my followers would have joined him instead. I apologize.”

Rainbow Dash poked him and asked, “Your rival used Hawkeye to tell us that his servants were putting all the purebloods in Equestria through trials, even on himself. Were you a target as well?”

Fancy Pants nodded. “Indeed.” He pressed forehoof against his chest. “Let’s just say that my son was caught and held hostage. The trial didn’t last long, though.”

“While I am not a fan of violence, I cannot say the same about my wife,” Fancy Pants said before chucking. “Let’s just say that she… how would common ponies say it… scored ten kills that one night, all thestrals and members of Moon Shadow’s clan.”

Rarity massaged the back of her neck nervously, making a mental note to never anger Fleur de Lis for her own good. “That is very interesting and all, but what about Fluttershy? Can you heal her?”

Fancy Pants looked between Rarity and her mistress before saying, “Please, gather all of Fluttershy’s clan members. Only then I will give you the answer.”

Fancy Pants frowned before poking the pegasus, unintentionally pushing her across the room as she ended up slamming into the wall. “While I admire your loyalty, you should work on your patience. I don’t wish to repeat myself.”

Applejack and Hawkeye’s eyes opened widely, shocked at the sight of such strength, while Rarity helped the pegasus stand.

Light from many candles filled the secret soundproof room made for Fluttershy as a group of ponies gathered in it. Fancy Pants examining each thestral carefully.

In front of him was Rarity, Fluttershy’s clan member and the only pony she turned thus far, and Applejack, the befriended huntress. On her left sat Ditzy’s family, a group of goodwilled thestrals who helped Fluttershy in her time of need. On the right were a few survivors Ditzy’s mother gathered from Cloudsdale, a task Bright Eyes was given by Fluttershy.

Fluttershy’s reputation from sparing a huntress surely made such task difficult as only three pegasus thestrals were present.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie sat near him, both eagerly awaiting answer while struggling to maintain their patience.

Octavia arrived the last, escorting Fluttershy’s old friends towards the group while occasionally shooting her roommate a disapproving stare. They sat between Rarity and Applejack.

In the corner of the room lay Vinyl Scratch in a relaxed state, forelegs supporting the back of her head.

Bright Eyes spoke up, “Those are all the members of Fluttershy’s clan, plus those I managed to recruit from Cloudsdale, Lord Fancy Pants.” She bowed respectfully.

“Good. Let’s get to the point then, shall we?” Fancy said firmly. “Your mistress is not dead, nor she is in any danger,” every thestral smiled, “however, I cannot tell when she will wake up.”

“Lord Fancy Pants, please, would you be so kind and explain what do you mean by that?” Rarity asked, sitting as she held her forelegs in a pleading gesture.

“Of course.” He cleared his throat. “You most likely learned from your mistress that every hundred years, a pureblood enters a one year long dream. It is how our bodies adapt to our growing power and allow our minds to recover from all the stress and grief we go through.” He rubbed his chin. “Think of it as a rebirth, similar to what phoenixes go through. It helps us heal our minds and accept the deaths of those we outlive. You could say it is a defensive mechanism that help us endure outliving those around us.”

“Each sleep allows us to become stronger and gives us access to more difficult spells and skills. However, there are exceptions when a pureblood fall asleep before that time.”

“Miss...tress Fluttershy had not informed me of this,” Rarity spoke, lowering her head shamefully, “I apologize for my lack of knowledge.”

“It is alright,” Fancy Pants said with a warm smile. “I will try to be brief with my explanation. The situations for when a pureblood enters a long slumber too early is either when their power grow too much for their bodies to handle, caused by harsh and long training, drinking blood from magically strong ponies, or by making contact with a powerful artifact. The other situation is if a pureblood go through overwhelming amount of mental trauma and physical pain, forcing their minds to shut down.”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack rubbed the floor as a sad smile graced their faces. Dash being the first to speak, “I’m afraid that poor Flutters experienced a lot of that.” She took a deep breath. “She’s endured a lot of sad things in only a few years, was forced to make many difficult choices, and even drank the blood of Moon Shadow from Hawkeye’s body.”

Fancy Pants nodded. “Usually, such slumber lasts only a year, but if it happens before a hundred years pass from their birth or last slumber, the time of their awakening is unpredictable.”

“I see…” Rarity murmured before raising her head. “It may be difficult, but since Fluttershy succeed in passing all her trials, Hawkeye no longer being a factor, I am sure we will manage without her leadership. The poor dear deserves a long peaceful rest after all she did.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Bright Eyes added as followers she gathered nodded, none daring to say a word in the presence of a powerful lord.

Pinkie was about to grab Fancy Pants in a firm hug, but Rainbow Dash intercepted. After a moment to calm down, the party mare asked, “Since Fluttershy is alive and we all have our almost happy ending, shouldn’t we celebrate with a party!?”

Fancy Pants shook his head. “I fear what we need to do is to organize a fake funeral to explain your mistress’s disappearance, not a party. I can aid you with illusions and protection, however the rest lies in your hooves.”

Sunflower frowned and stomped. “A fake funeral… again? Is this really necessary?”

Little Seed calmed her down with a hoof on her shoulder. “Put yourself in their position.” He took a quick breath. “It’s either this, or saying that she is in a coma, and I doubt she can keep her secret if doctors and nurses will keep an eye on her for years.”

“No animal-loving pony would leave her animals for years to take a vacation. Ponies would get suspicious and question it. Besides,” he took a quick breather and whispered, “if somepony wished to hurt her, logically… he would strike a pony in a coma rather than a corpse.”

Path of Kindness and Blood

by CommanderX5

Final Confrontation - Aftermath