You continue to just sit there alone in the field, tears of guilt streaming down your face as the memory of what you did replays repeatedly in your mind and torments you to no end; Flag's smug smile, the looks of those around you, the explosions and screams... The feeling of compete failure and guilt consumes you as you just can't stop saying over and over again,
"It's all my fault... They're all dead... I did it... Not some faker or a uncontrollable nightmare, ME! I killed them all! What have I done!"
Millions of ponies you don't know flash in your mind, looks of pure fear etched on their faces. You cry out in anguish and start slamming your hoof into the ground as it becomes too much. You just want it to end. You just want something to take it all away...
"Someling... help me. I... I just wanted to stop him. But now... oh Luna SOMELING PLEASE JUST HELP ME!"
You visibly start shaking and continue smashing your hoof into the ground as you hear accusing voices in your head,
It's all your fault. You could have stopped him, but now you have his and their blood on your hooves Why didn't you just do everypony a favor back at the Gala and die? None of this would have happened if you did...
You grab your ears, trying to drown out these voices as you scream,
"Shut up! Shut up! Please just shut the buck up! SOMELING MAKE THEM SHUT UP!"
Suddenly you feel a hoof on your shoulder. You look up in surprise to see...
You sit there and cry aloud, even as the TARDIS materializes behind you. The Doctor just opens the door and looks at you sadly.
“Bugze I’m sorry…I’m so sorry” he says to you in genuine sorrow.
“Sorry? You’re SORRY?!” you yell in anger “You’re the one to blame for all of this!”
The Doctor just looks at you with sad eyes and says nothing so you attack him.
“I was happy, I was at peace in Appleloosa! YOU DRAGGED ME OUT! And for what? To be a glorified errand boy?! NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU’D LEFT ME ALONE! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!”
“I’m sorry... I’m so sorry...” The Doctor says to you in genuine sorrow,
*snap*
“Sorry? You’re SORRY?!” you yell in anger as your eyes glow orange, “You’re the one to blame for all of this!”
The Doctor just looks at you with sad eyes and says nothing as you yell,
“I was happy, I was at peace in Appleloosa! YOU DRAGGED ME OUT! And for what? To be a glorified errand boy?! NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU’D LEFT ME ALONE! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!”
As you shout, the Nightmare Cloak explodes from you at five tails. The Doctor looks at you in surprise as...
Upon realizing its the doctor, you let the Nightmare cloak explode from you agaiin, with six tails. your form compleatly blackens with the amount of energy surronding you, and your voice echos with rage. this was all the doctors fault! He woulddent tell you what the messages ment! its because of him that everything has gone to hell and byond! take your anger out on the tardis, launch a Bijudama at it.
use your tails to pin him to a wall the sheer intensity of the engery in the Nightmare Cloak enough to cause him to scream in pain upon contact with it, and scream/roar in his face. killing him would be to easy... no, your going to make him wish youd killed him.
Your Nightmare Tails shoot out and slam/pin the Time Lord against the TARDIS. As the Doctor tries to breath, you hear him say,
"I was... only trying... to help."
You growl before you roar in an enraged Royal Canterlot Voice,
Doctor. Back. The Buck. Off. You wanna know why you end up failing, why people consistently refuse to listen to your advice? YOU DON'T GIVE THEM ENOUGH OF A BUCKING REASON TO TRUST YOU! YOU JUST KEEP TELLING THEM WHAT TO DO WITHOUT GIVING A GOOD ENOUGH REASON FOR THEM TO DO IT! You just expect them to listen because you're the 'Time Lord'. Well guess what, you don't know people, and at the rate you're going, you never will, so try fixing that before you think you can give orders.
"HELP?! HELP! YOU DIDN'T BUCKING TRY TO HELP!"
You tighten your grasp on the Doctor as you continue,
"You wanna know why you end up failing, why people consistently refuse to listen to your advice? IT'S BECAUSE YOU DON'T GIVE THEM ENOUGH OF A BUCKING REASON TO TRUST YOU! YOU JUST KEEP TELLING THEM WHAT TO DO WITHOUT GIVING A GOOD ENOUGH REASON FOR THEM TO DO IT!"
The Doctor struggles as you continue,
"YOU JUST EXPECT THEM TO OBEY CAUSE YOU'RE A TIME LORD? WELL GUESS WHAT, YOU DON'T KNOW PONIES AND AT THE RATE YOU'RE BUCKING GOING, YOU NEVER WILL, SO TRY FIXING THAT BEFORE YOU THINK YOU CAN GIVE YOUR BUCKING ORDERS!!!"
Just as your about to send the Doctor to space (without his TARDIS), he says something that makes you stop dead in your tracks...
The Doctor groans against the pressure of your grip, but manages to reach out to you. "Going to kill again so soon, Bugze?" he asks. Your nightmare cloak suddenly vanishes as you drop to your knees, weeping. The Doctor leans into you and hugs, and you share an emotional moment
"Doc... what do I do?" you finally ask, wiping tears from your eyes.
"That is for you to decide," the Doctor replies. "I can show you this, though." He displays tomorrow's copy of the Manehatten Bugle, the front cover bearing a photo of you disappearing in a cloud of crows, so expertly shot and framed that you know it's been edited. "The Fillydelphia Fracas, they're calling it," he says.
"Going to kill again so soon?"
In shock, your nightmare cloak suddenly vanishes as you drop to your knees, weeping. The Doctor gets up and walks over before he leans into you and hugs.
"Doc... what do I do?" you finally ask, wiping tears from your eyes.
"That is for you to decide," the Doctor replies as he ends the hug. "I can show you this, though."
He hoofs you tomorrow's copy of The Canterlot Chronicle, the front cover bearing a photo of you disappearing in a cloud of crows. It's so expertly shot and framed that you know it had to have been edited.
"The Crimson Holiday Uprising, they're calling it," he says.
Just the name they gave that monstrous attack, your monstrous attack, causes the guilt to come rushing back as you try to regain your composer as you try to read the newspaper without crying...
You read about how Shining Armor has called for a Task force to catch the Offender.
“The terrorist Flag Burner was a murderer yes, but that does not give someone the right to be Judge Jury and Executioner, especially to someone who had already been beaten. From this point forward, The Hooded Offender is wanted for Murder in the First Degree, on top of all his past crimes. Anypony that is associated with The Horde, will be detained.”
-Some declaration by Princess Celestia regarding the incident in Fillydelphia
-Your "brutal execution" of Flag Burner
-Millions (if not billions) in damages to Fillydelphia
-Surprisingly, only confirmed death in attacks are Captain Iron Shield (Flag Burner's body not found...)
-Racketeers and Stained Shields arrested on order of Shining Armor during restoration of Fillydelphia
-Increased crackdown on the Horde
-Horde membership unofficially sharply dropping due to events in Fillydelphia
You stare at the rest of the paper in shock as you read out loud,
"What was supposed to be Hearth's Warming Eve come early turned into an ordeal worse than Nightmare Night as the city of FIllydelphia was rocked by one of the most destructive attacks since Discord's return. It all started at the annual HWE Hoofball game where a mysterious individual named 'Flag Burner' impersonated Equestria's Most Wanted fugitive, The Hooded Offender, and took the stadium hostage before making a threatening speech and publicly executing Fillydelphia Royal Guard Captain Iron Shield (who was though to have died in a carriage accident a few days prior) on alleged accusations of corruption. The real Hooded Offender appeared to do battle with the renegade impostor which escalated into a full-blown riot that caused billions of Bits worth of damages to the city before it finally ended with the Hooded Offender brutally and mercilessly executing Flag Burner before escaping in a whirlwind of crows."
You gulp slightly in guilt as you continue to read outloud
"The terrorist Flag Burner was a murderer yes', Captain Armor announced in a press conference 'but that does not give someone the right to be Judge, Jury, and Executioner, especially to someone who had already been beaten. From this point forward, The Hooded Offender is wanted for Murder, on top of all his past crimes and his bounty has been doubled. Anypony that is associated with 'The Horde', will be detained."
You sigh in guilt knowing this was all your fault as you continue to read out loud
"Due to the extensive damages to Fillydelphia, Princess Celestia has declared the city to be in a State of Emergency and has placed the city under martial law. Ponies are being advised to please evacuate the area and to find shelter with friends and family while reconstruction efforts were underway.
Unto further news, Captain Shining Armor has used his newly granted martial law authority to initiate a large crackdown on the city's racketeers and several Fillydelphian Royal Guard members. Rumors say that many of the Guards are 'stained shields' who were putting more priority on looting and trying to capture the illegal tax-free bounty on the Hooded Offender placed by Flag Burner.
Captain Armor has also placed specific arrest focus on members of the, now dubbed by anonymous sources, 'Crimson Knights', a renegade splinter faction of 'The Horde' that was founded by Flag Burner and is now being classified as a terrorist group. Captain Armor says that the Crimson Knights can be identified by wearing the typical Horde Cloaks, but with the blood-red crimson symbol of an arrow going through the sun both on the hood and tattooed somewhere on the ponies body. If you see any of these ponies please contact a local guard immediately."
You stare at the newspaper in confusion, your grief subdued for now, as you think,
I don't remember seeing that symbol on any of those Fanatics. I guess I was too busy kicking their butts to notice. Wait..what's this?
"By some holiday miracle, the death toll of this devastation was very low. Only two deaths have been confirmed. Royal Guard Captain Iron Shield, who's family have been hit hard by this loss, and the so called 'False Hood' Flag Burner. However, Flag Burner's body was never found, but based on witness statements, it is safe to assume he is dead."
Only two deaths...
You start to shake uncontrollably as you slowly look at the Doctor and ask...
“NO…that’s wrong…it’s mine…I’m a murderer Doc…I killed him…I couldn’t save anyone so I killed him…they’re all dead…because of me.”
“No Bugze…no they’re not.” The Doctor says as he hands you a news paper.
The paper headlines “Chaos in Fillydelphia: The Hooded Offender Strikes Again” The Date on the paper is for Tomorrow, but something confuses you.
The Death Toll is only 2.
Iron Shield and Flag Burner (Who's body was not recovered, but seeing as how you collapsed a building on top of it you can understand why).
You look up to the Doctor.
“How?”
He just looks at you and says, “My gift…my gift for them…Everyone lives…” he then puts his head down in sadness.
You are shocked as you read through the paper more and see that all the buildings were mysteriously evacuated, that all this was caused by a rogue faction of The Horde and how the Hooded Offender brutally dealt with their mysterious leader Flag Burner.
“Th-they didn’t die? Noling else was killed by him? But that means…” you stutter in shock.
“I…I killed him for no reason…I’ve made everything worse”
“The Riots were going to happen, Iron Shield was going to die…but no one else would...Not while I had anything to say about it…” The Doctor then grabs the Paper away from you. “This should have been a story about a crazed stallion who was brought down by the guards, a pony who would’ve stood trial. It would’ve gained national attention. Others would’ve stood up for you, that the actions of Burner were that of a radical…that the Hooded Offender was not a killer…”
He looks at the paper in sadness as you weep a bit more. “It’s why I didn’t want you involved.”
“Why…why couldn’t you just tell me this…why? Please, just for once, answer me…” you plead.
“I wish I could Bugze…I truly do…but I can’t” he looks down, “You will understand why eventually, but until then...”
“Spoilers..." you sigh as he nods.
“I can’t say more…I’m sorry Bugze…truly, from the bottom of my hearts…I am sorry…things are going to get a lot worse for you from here on out.”
"H...How?"
He just looks at you and says,
“My gift... My Hearth's Warming Eve gift for them... Everyone lives...” he then puts his head down in sadness. "At least that's how it was supposed to go..."
“Th-they didn't die? Noling else was killed by him? But that means...” you stutter in shock. "I... I killed him for no reason... I've made everything worse!”
“The stadium would have been captured and Iron Shield was going to die... but his death was a fixed point in time and no one else would have died... Not while I had anything to say about it…” The Doctor then grabs the Paper away from you, “This should have been a story about a crazed stallion who was brought down by the Royal Guard at the stadium, a terrorist who would've stood trial. It would've gained national attention. Others would've stood up for you, that the actions of Burner were that of a crazed radical... that the Hooded Offender was not a killer...”
He looks at the paper in sadness as you weep a bit more.
“That’s why I didn't want you involved.”
“Why... why couldn't you just tell me this... why?! Please, just for once, answer me...” you plead.
“I wish I could Bugze... I truly do... but I can’t” he looks down, “You will understand why eventually, but until then...”
“Spoilers..." you sigh as he nods.
“I can’t say more…I’m sorry Bugze…truly, from the bottom of my hearts…I am sorry…things are going to get a lot worse for you from here on out.”
You just stare off into the distance as tears once again begin to stream from your eyes, but The Doctor holds out his hoof as he gives you a sad smile. You accept his hoof as he helps pull you up. He looks at you for a moment before saying...
Doctor puts up a smile as he says, "Don't worry, a good portion of the population did notice that you, for the most part, were working to defeat the crazed Horde, and the factions of the Horde that are loyal to you will receive a sharp spike in memberships as such. Unfortunately, the ponies in charge can't bring themselves to forgive even good-intentioned murder. Effective immediately, the Hooded Offender is also wanted for first-degree murder. In addition, an all-out colthunt is beginning. There's no place in Equestria the Offender can hide."
"Due to these events, overall Horde membership will shrink due to many members either leaving due to the increased crackdown or the more radical and violent ones leaving to join the Crimson Knights. However, a good portion of the population did notice that you, for the most part, were working to defeat the crazed Horde, and the factions of the Horde that are loyal to you will be even more so. Unfortunately, the ponies in charge won't tolerated even a well-intentioned murderous vigilante so now they are going to re-double their efforts to capture you. Soon, there will be no place in Equestria the Offender can hide... But maybe Baker Sylvester Tennant still can."
You nod your head in understanding, causing the Doctor to nod his head as well. He then walks over to the TARDIS and says...
He then walks back into the TARDIS.
“I’ll take you wherever you want to go…when you’re ready.”
He then walks back inside leaving you to lament by yourself.
“I’m a Monster” you lament as you look at the blood on your hooves, and remember how you imploded Flag’s head. “He’s dead because of me.”
Selena sounds mournful and even scared as she talks to you.
“Bugze…please. I tried to stop you I did! Please don’t do this! Please!”
“Do what?”
“Kill us…please…I tried…please” she says tearfully.
You remember you pact/threat you made with her…how you made her cry. You hear that fear in her voice right now and it makes you feel even worse. Maybe all you are is a monster.
“I…Look I’m…”
“We can’t die now! We have to protect Nightshade before that maniac’s henchponies get to her. PLEASE!” she pleads.
“Oh Buck!” you reply as you remember.
You go to the Doctor and have him take you to the Train Station.
“I’ll take you wherever you want to go... when you’re ready.”
He then walks back inside leaving you by yourself in the field,
“I’m a Monster” you lament as you look at the figurative blood on your hooves, “He’s dead because of me.”
Bugze... please. I tried to stop you I did! Please don’t do this! Please! Selena yells, sounding mournful and even scared as she talks to you,
Do what?
Kill us... please... I tried... please... she says tearfully.
You remember the pact/threat you made with her... how you made her cry. You hear that fear in her voice right now and it makes you feel even worse. Maybe all you are is a monster...
I... Look I’m...
We can’t die now! We have to protect Nightshade before that maniac’s henchponies get to her. PLEASE! she pleads.
“Oh Buck!” you yell out loud as you remember before immediately rushing into the TARDIS and yelling,
"Doc, we need to get to Ponyville, NOW!!!"
The Doctor chuckles as he starts to fumble at the controls,
"Relax Bugze, we've got all the ti-"
"Relax? RELAX?!!! My daughter is in danger by Flag Burner's leftover nut-" you yell before the Doctor interrupts.
"Nightshade is not in Ponyville. She went with the Elements of Harmony to assist with the Hearth's Warming Eve pageant in Canterlot. They should be returning tomorrow. Even if that wasn't the case, we're in a time machine."
"Oh..." you say in realization.
As the Doctor continues to operate the controls, he slightly laughs as he says,
"You know, you remind me of myself," The Doctor said, facing the console with his back the only thing you see. Confused, you stared at the Timelord for an explanation. "Always changing, wearing different "faces", wether in fear or bitterness, just to hide the truth behind that jolly facade." Finally, he turned to face you. He looked... Old. "Fear and hate made you stronger, it's your superpower, but it doesn't have to make you feel alone for it. When you're already wise, when you're already the strongest you can be, your nightmares becomes a companion for you." He smiled softly. "You're the nightmare who made others unite in friendship to defeat you, who made sure no one was alone, are you not?'
Not really, but you have your own "Nightmare" who keeps you company. Selena...
"You know, you remind me of myself,"
Confused, you stared at the Time lord for an explanation,
"Always changing, wearing different 'faces', whether in fear or bitterness, just to hide the truth behind that jolly facade."
Finally, he turned to face you. He looked... Old.
"Fear and hate made you stronger, it's your superpower, but it doesn't have to make you feel alone for it. When you're already wise, when you're already the strongest you can be, your nightmares becomes a companion for you." He smiled softly. "You're the nightmare who made others unite in friendship to defeat you, who made sure no one was alone, are you not?"
"Not really," you reply solemnly, "But I have my own 'Nightmare' who keeps me company." Selena...
After that thought, you feel the TARDIS land. You take off your awes-no... your Nobody Cloak. As you're about to put it in away, you feel something... wet on your cheek. You put your hoof to it and pull back to see...
Notice that your face is still bleeding where Flag Burner scratched you with that bracelet. The Doctor scans the wound and discovers that you were wounded by Orichalcum, one of the extremely rarest minerals in Equestria, but also one of the strongest. He further explains how items made of Orichalcum never rust, stay sharp for over a hundred years, cut through even dragon scales, and could negate magic. The Doctor then heals your face wound with his Sonic Screwdriver, but warns that the scar will be permanent as he further warns you that Orichalcum cancels out healing factors and thus is one of the few things that can slay alicorns and even you in the fast-healing Nightmare Cloak (Orichalcum injuries can only be healed with outside help).
Blood?
You stare at your hoof in confusion as you say low to yourself,
"That's strange. My healing factor should have kicked in by now. So, why am I still bleeding?"
The Doctor seems to take notice of your state and trots over to you. He takes out his Sonic Screwdriver (even in your predicament, you had to hold back a fancoly squee) and begins to scan your face with it. His eyes widen in wonderment as he says,
"How odd. It appears you got cut by some sort of Orichalcum weapon."
You look at him in confusion as you ask,
"Orichal-what now?"
The Doctor sighs as he says,
"Orichalcum my dear boy. It is an extremely rare mineral in Equestria, but also one of the strongest. You see, items and weapons made from Orichalcum never rust, can stay sharp for centuries, can cut through even dragon scales, and could negate magic. It's amazing that this element still exist's. I could have sworn that the last of it was mined a millennium ago. Tell me Bugze, what caused this wound?"
You try to think hard back to your battle (which you'd rather forget to be honest) for what could have caused your wound. You gasp in surprise as you remember what caused it,
Flag Burners strange bracelet. That must have been it! But where could he have gotten that?
As you were thinking, you don't notice the Doctor stop using his Screwdriver as he says,
"There we go, good as new. Sadly that scar on your eye and face is permanent. Orichalcum is the only known materiel to cancel out healing factors. Weapons made of it could even kill alicorns back in the olden times. You could even be killed when you lose your, um... temper."
You gulp slightly in fear as you ask,
"Can I... can I see the scar?"
The Doctor nods his head as he walks over to a random box in the corner and pics up a hoof mirror. He carries it over to you and shows you your face, and you can't help but whistle as you say,
"Dang."
Your right eye is now sporting a diagonal line scar that looks something like this. You can't help but think,
I'm gonna need something to cover that up, but for now I've got some unfinished business...
You change back into your Tennant persona and exit the TARDIS.
You thank the Doctor as you put on your Baker-Slyvester-Tennant outfit and you walk out of the TARDIS and onto the Ponyville train station at night. But before you can continue you hear the Doctor call out...
You change back into your Tennant persona and exit the TARDIS.
“Bugze…” the Doctor calls, “please trust me when I say that I will try to keep you safe. “he then looks deeper into your eyes, “all three of you.”
You are shocked that he knows about Selena, but before you can ask anything, he materializes away.
The Doctor then spoke up: "You know, you have grown to my heart, just like our dear Derpy here, so do me a favor: Don't die."
"Bugze. Please trust me when I say that I will try to keep you safe." he then looks deeper into your eyes, “All three of you.”
You are shocked that he knows about Selena, but before you can ask anything he continues,
"You know, Derpy and I have grown quite fond of you, so do me a favor: Don't die."
As the TARDIS begins to disappear, you smirk thankfully as you whisper,
"Thanks Doc."
And with that you run off to find these so-called "Crimson Knights"...
20 MINUTES LATER
You eventually find the Ponyville Horde HQ (the one where only believers of the Offender's cause can see it). When you opened the door you saw Octavia tied up on the ground and surrounded by 3 ponies wearing Horde cloaks, but with the Crimson Knights symbol. You would have wondered how they found this place, *snap* but for you have to save Octavia!
"Don't make us hurt a classy lady like yous miss, just tells us where Nig-"
"PSYCHO CRUSHER!"
You spin forward and slam into the interrogator, sending him flying and smashing into a dining chest.
The Crimson Knight to your left yells in shock
"WHAT THE-" *wham* "FALCON PUNCH!"
You whirl around and slam a flaming hoof into his face, knocking his head into a metal bar, knocking him out.
The last thug stands there shaking in fear as he asks...
You find the stallions in question, they’re clearly wearing their robes.
“How can you be here already?”
“You’re master is dead,” you growl at them with glowing eyes. “I killed him.”
“You lie!”
“Oh really? Then why am I here?”
They don’t have an answer for that.
“If you hurt my daughter I’ll…” you hesitate, “I’ll kill you too.”
“Hurt her? Why would we do that?”
“Huh?” you asked confused.
“We’re here to bring the child into our midst, to become our symbol.”
“Well that’s not gonna happen.”
“H-How can you be here already? Master said he killed you!”
“You’re master is dead,” you growl with glowing eyes as you move towards Octavia. “I- The Offender killed him.”
You hear Octavia gasp in shock, but before you can say anything the terrified henchmen yells,
“You lie!”
“Oh really? Then why am I here?”
The terrified henchman doesn't say anything, so you just continue to glare at him as you reach Octavia before growling,
“If you hurt my daughter I’ll…” you hesitate, “He'll kill you too.”
Another gasp from Octavia,
“Hurt her? Why would we do that?”
“Huh?” you asked confused.
“We’re here to bring the child into our midst, to become our symbol.”
You just finished untying Octavia, but what the stallion says make you say in a calmly angry tone,
“...Well that’s not gonna happen. SHORYUKEN!”
You rush forward and hit him with a rising uppercut that smashes him against the ceiling before he comes crashing down onto a table. You the pick him up and hold him in the air as you say threateningly,
"Now, your gonna take your unconscious friends out of here before-"
*pow pow crack thud*
You look behind you to see that the thug that you knocked into the chest got up, but Octavia knocked him out with a 3-hit Karate combo. You turn back to the thug in your grasp and continue,
"I make you hurt more. Understood?"
The terrified henchmen nods his head in fear as you drop him. He scrambles away from you, grabs his unconscious comrades, and runs for the door. As he runs you roar after him in the Royal Canterlot Voice,
"AND LET YOUR BUDDIES KNOW THAT IF I EVER SEE THEM AROUND HERE AGAIN, I'LL HUNT DOWN AND SLAUGHTER EVERY SINGLE LAST ONE OF THEM!"
The henchmen just screams in terror as he runs out the door. You turn over to Octavia, who says,
"Thank you Mr. Tennant. I thought they were fellow members and they ambushe-"
You stop her with a cold glare as you say,
"Tell the Horde the same thing, and have a meeting be set up soon. Me and the Offender are going to have a little chat with all of you. Now I'm leaving and you're not following."
Mean yes, but if you're going to make your point clear this is the best way. The Horde and Crimson Knights needed to be dealt with soon. And if threats are gonna make it happen, then so be it. With that you teleport away, leaving a confused (and hurt) Octavia behind.
You walk through town as night settles in. The streets are empty, save for the warm glow from all the windows. You trudge on. And on. And on.
It doesn't feel right, this town. It's too peaceful after what you've seen. The news must not have traveled this far yet. All the families huddled together in peace and love will be huddled in fear all too soon. You slump to the ground, leaning against a street sign. Do you even belong here anymore?
You hear something running towards you. Quickly. You look up just in time to see Winona jump into your lap and start licking your face.
"Whoa! Whoa, girl! Okay, okay, you're happy to see me!"
She jumps off of you and bounds back and forth, finally crouching down and wagging her tail.
"You don't understand either, do you? You don't know what I've done."
Her tail stops wagging and she picks up her head, tilting it to the side.
"Although... I've heard animals have some kind of sixth sense. Fluttershy certainly makes it sound like you know more than most ponies think you do."
Winona whines and takes one step forward.
"Do you know what I did, girl? Can you smell the blood on me?" You hold up your hoof. "Do you know what this hoof just did to a stallion you never met before?"
She leans in and sniffs your hoof. Then she gives it a small lick.
"And what does that mean, I wonder? I wish I knew what you were thinking." You lean your head back against the post. "Or maybe that would make me feel worse. It's bad enough knowing what ponies think of me."
Winona wines again and walks behind the post. She comes back around with a pink ball in her mouth. You see For ball related emergencies! written on it before she rolls it over to you. And she crouches down again, wagging her tail.
"...Snrk!"
You can't help yourself. You laugh, even as Winona noses the ball closer to you. You finally pick it up and throw it towards Sweet Apple Acres, standing up and following after the chasing dog.
NEAR SWEET APPLE ACRES
You walk through town as the stars twinkle above. The streets are empty, save for the warm glow from all the windows. You trudge on. And on. And on. It doesn't feel right, this town. It's too peaceful after what you've seen. The news must not have traveled this far yet. All the families huddled together in peace and love will be huddled in fear all too soon. You slump to the ground, leaning against a street sign. Do you even belong here anymore? As you sadly walk towards your shed, you can't help but think,
I came here in a hurry for no reason. Sure, I saved Octavia, but Nightshade left with the Deadly Five and Fluttershy to Canterlot after I left and they should be here tomorrow. Which is fine, I can't wait to see my-
Your thoughts are interrupted when you hear something running towards you. You look up just in time to see Winona jump into you and start licking your face.
"Whoa! Whoa, girl! Okay, okay, you're happy to see me!"
She jumps off of you and bounds back and forth, finally crouching down and wagging her tail.
"You don't understand either, do you? You don't know what I've done..."
Her tail stops wagging and she picks up her head, tilting it to the side.
"Although... I've heard animals have some kind of sixth sense. Fluttershy certainly makes it sound like you know more than most ponies think you do."
Winona whines and takes one step forward.
"Do you know what I did, girl? Can you smell the blood on me?" You hold up your hoof. "Do you know what this hoof just did to a stallion you never met before?"
She leans in and sniffs your hoof before she gives it a small lick.
"I what that means... I wish I knew what you were thinking." You lean your head back against the post. "Or maybe that would make me feel worse. It's bad enough knowing what ponies think of me..."
Winona wines again and walks behind the post and comes back around with a pink ball in her mouth. You see a tag with "In case of ball emergencies!" written on it before she rolls it over to you and crouches down again, wagging her tail.
"...Snrk!"
You can't help yourself as you laugh, even as Winona noses the ball closer to you. You finally pick it up and throw it towards Sweet Apple Acres, standing up and following after the chasing dog.
As you finally reach your shack (and after multiple games of fetch on the way here) you bid the dog farewell as you enter the shack. You sigh sadly, as you plop down onto the cot and begin to think in despair...
BrownDog77 comment
I killed someone... Even if he did deserve it, I didn't have to. He was beaten, but I let my anger control me. It's time for the Hooded Offender to go away, for the Horde to go away so that noling else will do what has happened this night. Fluttershy, Cadance... I hope they'll understand.
Before long, you fade off to sleep and encounter Selena within the dreamscape
“Please Bugze... Please... I’m sorry...” Selena says in sadness.
“No, I’m sorry Selena.” you tell her.
“What?” she asks clearly taken aback.
“It wasn't you that did this... it was me... all me... I’m sorry.”
“I... I don’t...” she sputters.
“You tried to stop me, you looked out for me... and I didn't listen... I’m not going to punish you for my mistakes. I’m sorry I made you promise that in the first place.”
“I... thank you,” she says sounding relieved.
“I don’t think I’ll ever kill again...” You tell her.
“C-can you not take comfort that only the murderer died?” she asks.
“I’m trying... I mean, yeah he deserved it, but...” you put your head down. "Listen, I’m sorry I threatened you before. I’m sorry about our pact... can we start over?”
“How?”
“Can you just promise me, just a plain old promise that we’ll never do this again... please.”
“...I promise you my friend, I will not kill, and I will do my best to ensure that you never take another life.” She says before she does something you don’t expect, “Cross my heart, and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
“Did you just Pinkie Promise?” you ask in disbelief as you tilt your head in confusion.
“That mare’s wrath scares me, so you know I’m completely serious” she smiles at you.
“Thank you,” you smile back.
“We will get through this Bugze... we have to. We still have this ‘Nightmare Comes’ situation to contend with.”
A realization hits you like a slingshot Falcon Punch to the face causing you to yell,
“Oh... Buck! I knew I forgot to tell the Doctor something!”
Your eye twitches in annoyance as you yell,
"BUCK YOU LADY LUCK!!!"
THE NEXT MORNING, THE TRAIN STATION
You walk back and forth nervously as you wait for the train Nightshade is supposed to be on to arrived. You were so nervous that yo forgot to eat breakfast! Just as you think it's gonna be late, you see the train come into the station. You smile in happiness as the doors open to revel Nightshade with the Deadly Five and Fluttershy behind her. Nightshade gives you a bright grin as she yells,
"DADDY!"
Before tackle-hugging you, and you can't help but chuckle at this even as you do your mental best to hold back tears, you don't want Nightshade to see you crying now. But your happy moment is ruined when Nightshade asks,
"Uh... Daddy? What happened to your eye?"
You also hear multiple gasp come from behind Nightshade. You sigh in sadness as you think,
Really should have gotten something to cover my scar before coming here...
What do you do?
well that was depressing.... BEST CHAPTER EVER
In the movie 'Lord of the Rings' when Frodo plain-out believed like every word Gollum said. That caused him to leave his friend and get nearly eaten by a spider.
-----
You tell them the truth... partially.
Tell them, how Fillydelphia was attacked by terrorists and Hearts Warming Eve was ruined.
Tell them, how you got the scar by collision-damage.
Tell them, how you watched 2 people who looked like the Hooded Offender fight eachother, and 1 killed the other.
Tell them, how you brought that video-game for Nightshade with you.
Every protagonist's mistake in most movies/show/games I've seen: The hero just HAD to get the girl.
"Uh... Daddy? What happened to your eye?" Ask Nightshade worried
You begin to think, as you see the look of the other mares, they suspect something but they don't seem to want to say it.
"I... Uhhh... I did it with a branch of a tree when I was walking and thinking without looking around" Say as a excuse
Nightshade and the others seem to believe it at all except Applejack that look to you one second like if she want to say something but instead she let it go and all of you leave without talking about.
"So... How was Canterlot?" Say Bugzee as he try to change the topic
You have luck, and they begin to talk about it and forget about your scar. As the others go each one to their houses, you follow the way to Sweet Apple Acres with Nightshade and Applejack when notice that somepony seems to be following you.
"Maybe some fanatic from before want revenge" Say Selena
"I now remember that I forgot to buy something, I'm back in five minutes, Applejack could you look Nightshade until I'm back? Thanks" Say Bugzee leaving before Applejack could answer
After that, it's not hard to discover who is following, a couple of ponies that have a cape with the symbol of the Crimson Guard, you look at them but they seems to not be aware of you, it seems they are following somepony else, and it's then that you go to them.
"Can I know why are you following that farmer?" Ask Bugzee
One of them answer
"Did you forget the plan already? We are going to take that filly... There is a rumor that she is the daughter of the Hooded Offender, if we have her she could become a great symbol and Flag Burner will give us a great reward" Say one of them
"Ehhm... I remember that but it was not me..." Say the other pony
"What? Then who asked...?" Ask the first pony as they look to the back to see you taking the Power Glove
"WOULD YOU KINDLY CHILL OUT!!" Say Bugzee as the ice close around the ponies making them unable to move and then you knock them out with a no-shadow kick and leave to the farm.
"Crap... It was not enough that they follow the offender, I need to be sure that Nightshade is okay" Say Bugee
You can only think to Selena:
Bugze: I guess I have to say something, huh?
Selena: Better say something quick.
Bugze: I guess I tell them the truth.
Selena: WHAT!?
Fortunately, that exchange happened in a span of about a second. So you can say:
Bugze: Well you know how I had to go to Fillydelphia for a little bit?
Nightshade: Uh-huh. Did you have fun?
The others nod, looking a bit uneasy. I guess they heard what happened and have not told Nightshade.
Bugze: No I did not. Even though it seemed fun at first, something horrible happened. I very bad pony decided to terrorize the city and caused a mass riot throughout the city. A lot of ponies were hurt, myself included. I saw a Doctor and he said that the scar will never go away.
You look down still upset, not willing to say anything else and the mane 6 behind Nightshade look at you in sympathy Fluttershy silently crying into Twilight's shoulder.
Nightshade: So did the bad pony get stopped.
Bugze: *Sniff* Yes, he was
Nightshade: So did you kick his bucking flank to the moon and back?
You stare wide-eyed at her language before you remember she does not have a filter.
Bugze:" No. I tried to help stop ponies from hurting others, but he was the one who gave me the scar. I heard that the Hooded Offender stopped him but i don't know the details."
Nightshade rushes in to hug you and you look at the others and mouth: "Not a word." They nod, each looking sad over that truth you revealed.
Bugze: Why don't you run along and I will see you when I get home. I need to talk to the girls about some things.
Nightshade: OK Daddy. Have fun. I love you.
She jumps into another hug. and you whisper "I love you too." She then starts galloping off saying something about Cutie Mark Crusading or something.
You look to the others and say: "I know what happened and I really do not want to talk about it. I know what they say about what the Offender did, but if he had not I'd be among the list of the dead right now. So I ask you to either not say anything or at least keep it away from Nightshade and myself. Fluttershy, can I talk to you for a minuet in private? I feel like you are the only pony I
can talk to about this.
Fluttershy: Um...ok
You and Fluttershy walk off towards her cottage. Before you say anything, Yes I did do it. I killed Flag Burner in a fit of rage. There is nothing I can do to change it now even if I wish I could. I will live with this guilt for the rest of my life. What's more is that Flag Burner had a group called the Crimson Knights who I caught a few holding Octavia down trying to get to Nightshade. I told her to start getting a meeting ready for us to talk about it. We need to get those truths out to the Horde and I do not want any more death because of me.
Fluttershy: O..OK I can arrange that. Are you sure you're alright?
Bugze: No I am not. All I want is to take Nightshade back to the shack and hold her and bawl my eyes out, but I can not do that until I can be sure that she is safe.
Fluttershy: You really do love her with all your heart don't you?
Bugze: Yes. Both her mother and I do with our all hearts. It was Flag Burner saying that he sent some ponies to get her that made me snap and end him. Although I heard that his body was never found, and that means that he could still be alive. I really don't know if I should hope that he is dead or alive at this point.
Fluttershy: wait, you said that her mother and you BOTH love her. I thought she was, um, dead You always said that she lived on in your mind.
Bugze: I did say that. I never said she was dead. In fact you and Cadence have met her before...At the Gala. (Fluttershy goes wide-eyed realizing what you ment.)
Fluttersy: So she was the one who...
Bugze: Yep...Although she has calmed down a lot since then and has been trying to help me contain my rage and keep me from doing things I will regret, like she tried to do with Flag Burner. She really is nice once you get to know her.
Selena: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING YOU IDIOT?! WHY DID YOU TELL HER ABOUT ME?
Bugze winces from the yelling and says: I'm trying to tell another pony the truth and hope for the best.
Bugze: Fluttershy, I realize that this is a big secret to dump on you but can I ask you to keep this as well as my true self?
Fluttershy: Um, Sure I can. I would like to meet her though if that is possible. And You have not even told me her name.
Bugze: Her name is Selena.
Probably the biggest mistake would be rash decisions, they usually come back to bite them later.
I'd say the best way to explain the scar would be to say that he got it during the chaos of the riot.
I wonder what fluttershy is thinking right now
Biggest mistake? Jack Reacher putting a dent in his metal table in his private office by slamming the head of a superior officer into it (Jack Reacher novel series). He got demoted for it.
5517309
I forgot to put this in the authors notes, but you my girl guess how the entire chapter was going to go! I already set the chapter in to be edited around the time you mad your comment, and image my surprise that you type my whole plan, well not whole but most of it. Are you psychic or something? Or am I that predictable now?
...
Please be psychic
Uh, worst mistake made? Only one I can think of is the Chief and Cortana letting the Didact out of his cage in Halo 4.
Anyway...
Shining (and the newspaper) were much too hard on Bugze. It's true he lost control, but, in all honesty, the bug guy was innocent of everything other than that, and FB did kill someone. And they are still biased against him. It's bull, nothing else but. He gets no credit for ending the riot, nor do they note that he held back from killing anyone other than FB despite being attacked. Of course, the guilt he feels (some of it, anyway) was deserved, but...
As for what to do next; tell the truth, that you got in a fight and got cut, and it's here to stay. Just make sure no one finds out the REAL reason for your cut (except the most loyal members of the Horde).
5521923 It's predictable when the story could be literally found in the comments. Except the ideas that are from you.
Claim you got the injury from "Black Weekend" shopping in Fillydelphia and give Nightshade her present. She's overjoyed at her first video game... until she remembers she doesn't have a console ("D'oh!"). When it's brought up that the video game you got her was banned by Celestia, Twilight tries to take it away, but Nightshade says "Look, a distraction!" and bolts off with the game causing you to comment "That's my girl..."
Fortunately, she decides she can play on Button Mash's console. Reluctantly go to his house (Nightshade used "Puppy Eyes". It's super effective!) with her... and both Button's mother and you become horrified at how mindlessly violent and brutal the game is and how bad the controls are respectively (there's a REASON Celestia banned it)...
5528660
You come in the room and Button Mash's mother chides you for allowing such a young filly to play such violent games, you reply,
-You: "Oh come one, I've played plenty of violent video games at her age and I turned out alri- SPIDER!!! Would you kindly BUR-"
-Nightshade: "Daddy! Don't hurt the cute widdle spider!"
Deciding to see what the fuss is about, you patch Button's video game and start playing Hatred yourself. It starts with a large unicorn with a wild long barbarian mane and a trenchcoat giving a gritty speech on how he hates everypony as he loads a repeating crossbow and stocks up on weapons.
-If I had a bit for every gritty speech I've seen in an action flick or video game I would never have to worry about feeding Nightshade again...
When you make the unicorn exit the house you ask,
-You: "What's my goal again?"
-Nightshade: "Weren't you listening to that speech? You have to kill everypony in sight."
-You: "So it's basically just free-roam mode in any Grand Theft Carriage game? Why would that be so-"
You're cut off when the unicorn grabs the nearest mare by the head and throws her to the ground before snapping her neck. This causes a flashback to Fillydelphia which triggers a smashing, yelling, frenzy in you at the game before you're snapped out of it and you reply...
"Sorry... Just brought back some really bad memories..."
5520015
REMEMBER: All dialogue HAS to be like this format for more fluid editing,
When you and Nightshade go back home to the shack, you ask her what she did while you were gone. Among the highlights
-Made the Cake twins her new minions against Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon
-Pinkie was annoying a Donkey who moved to Ponyville
-Went to Canterlot with the Mane 6 where she stayed around Fluttershy most of the time (although Applejack and Rainbow Dash did argue, but when Nightshade (copying a line she heard) said "JUST KISS ALREADY!", the fillyfoolers started blushing while Rarity and Pinkie started laughing)
-While in Canterlot after the play, she, Twilight, Pinkie, and Spike got to be ninjas/Snakes and break into the library where Twilight time traveled.
==================
Worst mistake a protagonist ever made? That stupid stupid STUPID "Villain orders hero to drop his weapon AND THE HERO COMPLIES!!!"
I HATE that cliche! Dropping your weapon just allows the villain to d whatever he wants but if you still have yours you have a chance!!!
The biggest mistake I'd say is actually... Bugze killing Flag Burner. I mean honestly, I can't think of a single action that screwed anybody over more than this event. According to the Doctor (semi-reliable source), not getting involved would have saved everybody's life except for that corrupted Guard Captain, and made Bugze a popular figure, turning his whole career around... Much worse than any other mistake I can think of.
You let them know the truth, partially, make sure Nightshade doesn’t know the truth.
“I was attacked during the Fillydelphia riot. A radical Horde member cut my eye, but…”
“Wait now, hold on, Fillydelphia had a riot?” Twilight asks surprised.
“Ya, last night most of the city was broken, here see” you hold up today’s paper everyone gasps at that, “how do you not know this?”
“We just got on the train this morning, we hadn’t heard” Twilight proclaims, she then looks at the paper and gasps, “The Offender was involved, I should have known!”
She begins to read more while the others fuss over you, in particular, Rainbow Dash, AJ, and Fluttershy.
“Oh my goodness are you OK?”
“Who’s the varmit that cut you?”
“Yeah, we’ll beat him into next week!”
“I’m OK, I’m OK,” you reassure them, pushing each off of you, “The Hooded Offender saved me.”
Fluttershy looks at you in knowing, while the rest feel conflicted, until Twilight says aloud.
“Oh No…”
“What, what is it Twi?” asks Applejack.
“Th-the Offender…he killed somepony.”
“WHAT!” the rest cry outloud.
She begins to read the article outloud, and the others get more shocked as she reads. Fluttershy gives you a horrified look.
“B-but he’s a hero…” Spike says to himself.
“I-is this true?” Fluttershy asks you shakily
“Y-yeah, it’s true” you admit, “I was there.”
They all start looking at each other nervously.
“I can’t believe this, he was always a pain in the neck, but now he’s a killer to boot?” Twilight says.
“The Varmit really bucked up this time” AJ says.
“I-I didn’t really think he was that big of a meanie…” Pinkie adds.
“How horrifying,” Rarity swoons.
“That’s bucked up” Rainbow says.
“H-how could y…he do this?” Fluttershy asks you directly.
You look down in shame.
“I don’t know” you say.
The others look solemn as well until someone breaks the silence.
“Well then again, he only did kill that Flag dude, and it sounds like he deserved it,” Rainbow says aloud, causing everyone, including yourself to look at her in shock.
“Rainbow!” Twilight chides.
“Oh Come on! This Flag guy broadcasts himself across the city, executes the freaking guard captain live, and blew up a bunch of buildings, he had it coming” she defends.
“That’s not the point!” Twilight argues “It says here, in my own brother’s words, that the Offender brutally executed him, after he was beaten and captured!”
“OK, ya that’s messed up, but still…” she says.
“Why are you defending that varmit?” asks AJ.
“Well…he did save Tennant right?” Rainbow speculates.
They all turn to you and you nod. “Yeah, he did…still, even I don’t like what he did…I got out of there as soon as I could” you admit.
Rainbow looks at you and the rest but then shrugs.
Any other talk is interrupted as Spike burps up a letter. Twilight reads it then says aloud “Girls, come with me right now, we have to put some new contingency plans in place…his threat level is even higher now.”
She rushes off with Spike, who still looks very conflicted.
You look down in shame.
“There there pardner,” AJ puts a hoof on your shoulder “It’s gonna be alright…how’s your family?”
You look at her and say.
“They’re good…safe for the moment.”
“That’s good…listen, take as much time as you need, I’ll see you back at the farm” She hugs you then runs off.
“Hey look on the bright side, your scar looks pretty awesome,” Rainbow says as she tries to cheer you up. She hugs you to then flies off.
Pinkie Pie crushes you in a big hug and whispers
“Someone you know made a Pinkie Promise, I can sense it…Tell them to Never Break it, or else!”
Selena gulps within your head.
As the rest run off, you are left with Fluttershy who looks at you with tears in your eyes.
“W-why Bugze? Why?”
You talk with her, explaining just a bit. You tell her that Octavia has set up a meeting and to talk to her. The Offender is going away, the Horde is going away. It’s for the best.
She nods in sadness as she walks away.
As you head back to the Farm, you have a few more thoughts.
1. Who was the “He” that Flag Burner was talking about before you killed him? The one who wants your power.
2. Who were those Changelings? The female one knew who you were, your old drone number anyway…who was she? They’d obviously been following you, so now you have to be on the lookout for her. They wanted me to stop Flag, and she said she’d meet you when it was safe.
3. What in the Buck does “The Nightmare Comes” Mean?!
4. You should really write a letter to Cadance, Immediately. She’s only hearing Shining’s side of things, you have to let her know in your own words
With that in mind, you decide that you’ll take the rest as it comes. You head to the Post Office to write a letter to Cadance.
Meanwhile, while Nightshade is at Button’s house playing Hatred, even she feels put off by it.
“This is horrible, why am I just going around killing innocent ponies?” she asks.
“I don’t know!” Button wails in sorrow, “Let’s just stop playing…”
“Please, this is scary!” Sweetie yells as she and the rest of the crusaders cover their eyes.
“Yeah, sorry guys I…”
“You’re in my way sir!” one of the mares on the screen says in a familiar voice.
“Wait a second…” Nightshade says.
“Get out of the way!” another mare shouts in the same voice.
“I know that voice…I know it” Nightshade says.
“Move along” says another character.
“Luna Damnit, I know it…something about it just pisses me off!” she growls
A few more mares continue to have the same voice.
“Who is it?” Button asks
“I don’t know, but I never forget an @$$hole, hang on.” She flips the box over and reads through the voice actors.
“Let’s see, Stallions 1-10: Northern Nolan, Mares 1-5: Felicia Daily, I don’t know them,” she reads off, “Mares 6-20 The Great and Powerful Tri….what the buck?”
“You’re in my way sir!” Trixie’s haughty voice now recognized comes through to her.
“WHAT THE BUCK!” she says in anger as she remembers Trixie’s betrayal.
“Get out of the way!” Trixie’s voice says from the screen.
“GGGGRRRRAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!”Nightshade’s eyes glow white as she shouts, “SCREW THE INNOCENTS! KILL THIS MOTHERBUCKER AND EAT HER HEART OUT AS YOU WATCH THE WORLD BURN!!!”
She then picks up the controller and begins killing every mare with Trixie’s voice, laughing manically. Button’s mother comes up and is extremely shocked.
“What is going on here?!”
“Nightshade’s gone loco!” yells Scootaloo.
“YOU LEFT US TO DIE YOU B#$%^! CHOKE ON MY VENGEANCE!” the character stabs the Trixie voiced mare in the face, “HOW DOES IT TASTE?! HA HA HAHAHAHA!!!
Applebloom does the only thing she can think of and smashes the TV, which snaps Nightshade out of it.
“My TV!” Button whines.
“Sorry Button, I had to do something…” Applebloom apologizes.
Nightshade looks at them sheepily as she realizes she went a little nuts.
“Heh heh…sorry?” she says as she looks at Button’s mom.
“…I think I’m going to have a little talk with your father” she says sternly.
“Buck…” Nightshade whimpers.
While at Button's house, the colt's mother brings down an old video game machine for you two to play.
Perhaps you should mate with this one.
Excuse me?!
Think about it. If the two of you share relations, it would make her colt consider the same act with our daughter... how the devil do you say it? "Make it weird?"
The mare is rather pretty. And she has an original machine of Pong. How many more times will you find that combination?
"So... Pong, huh? Where did you get this anyway?"
"It's Button's father's, actually. We would play all the time when we were younger."
"His father?"
"Oh, yes. He's on a business trip this week."
Well, so much for that idea. She finishes getting the machine ready and smiles at you.
"Loser tells the foals it's time to turn their game off!"
---
There is still the matter of the Horde fanatics...
There's also no way of knowing just how many ponies Flag Burner shared your two names with. After leaving Button's house, you stop at a hardware store. To keep Nightshade away from the power tools, you leave her outside with some food and a dare that she can't resist eating it while you shop. If she wins, she gets to pick to movies you watch tonight.
You walk up to the stallion behind the counter. "Do you know how to build a carbonite chamber?"
He blinks and shakes his head.
"Okay, how about a mechanism that will launch a volley of arrows at any unsuspecting fool that steps on a pressure switch? Can you help me build that?"
Again, he shakes his head.
"Really? Well how about shovels? Do you have any shovels?"
"I'm almost afraid to ask, but why do you want shovels?"
"So I can dig a pit, put sharp spikes at the bottom, then cover the top with a net of leaves so nopony knows it's a pit. Obviously."
"And can you tell me why I shouldn't run screaming to the nearest guard station right now?"
"Oh! Uh... I'm a gardner?"
"I don't believe you."
"No no no, really! I'm just... trying to plant trees! Yes. Trees. With carbonite. And arrows."
"Yeah, the guard station is sounding like a very good idea to me right now. What kind of trees are you-"
Nightshade walks in. "Daddy, you win. I got bored. Can we go home now?"
You point to her. "Dumb-ass trees."
The stallion smiles and nods. "Home defense. You could have just said so. I've got something that could help."
He goes to the back and returns, giving you a catalogue.
"All you need is in there. Land mines, razor wire, Keep-Out signs with self-destruct proximity triggers, everything. Go wild. Just forget that you got that from me."
You smirk. "Got what from you?"
Nightshade tilts her head. "That catalogue of lethal weapons that can in no possible way be legal. What else would he be talking about?"
---
I'm going to go outside the box and bring up something from pro wrestling. There was one time when Hulk Hogan was the world champion, and Roddy Piper challenged him to a match. The storyline was that Piper had complete control over the contract of the match. If he wanted to fight Hogan in a cage, Hogan would have to do it. If he wanted a partner to fight Hogan 2 on 1, Hogan would have to do it. You get the idea.
Piper defeated Hogan in a normal match, and Hogan stayed the champion of the world.
Roddy Piper, who could have put any kind of stipulation on his match that he wanted, did not give himself a chance to win the world championship.
I find that the biggest mistake for the main character in any media is Not taking revenge at the last minute because someone told them not to. They go through all the trouble of getting to the source of all their problems, but then someone wags their finger at them and says don't, and they listen. If they do take it, then everything is bad. I hate how overused this trope is. Yeah I know that people don't want others taking revenge, but for once I want to see the main character kill the SOB that deserves it and not have any repercussions and everything turns out awesome, just for the sake of breaking the cliche. Like Inigo Montoya or Arnie from Commando, they lived happily ever after after taking their vengeance.
I think Dipper from Gravity Falls said it best.
"Revenge is really underrated, that felt awesome."
5530581 That (seems) to make sense in video gaming. In Fable 2, I'm sure all too many people were unpleasantly surprised when Reaver shoots Lucien (this happens if you let Lucien ramble on too long; shoot him quickly if you want to have the credit of killing him) after you pursued the goal of killing him throughout the entire game. In real life though, that's not on. I agree that FB deserved it, and that killing him removed a major threat to Equestria, but justice cannot be allowed to run around with a sword blindfolded.
5530723 Well ya, and I agree, but sometimes I want a little variety, just to shake things up a bit in a story. Where killing the guy that killed your father is good and nothing bad happens, rather you get to become a kick ass pirate with a Giant Professional wrestler and you live happily ever after
Please try to include this quote from russell peters in one of the next chapters-
"Somebody gonna get a-hurt real bad!"
Say you fell down some stairs. You really don't want to think about killing Flag Burner again so soon. If all else fails, distract Nightshade with her new game.
You opened the case of the most violent video game ever, only to find that the CD is missing! Bucking theives... How did they get through the plastic wrap?!