Finally, after so much planning and surveying, the day was perfect. Czar was making a public appearance, addressing his illness, and Terra would be distracted, giving time for Broad to slip out unnoticed. He needed to be rid of Epee. If he decided to return to Marvalia, it would cause great distress. He would sneak through Everfree forest, kill the annoying brat, and be able to return undetected, and kill off Czar and Terra. Broad chuckled as he placed his large sword in its sheath on his back. He hopped out of a window in the palace, and snuck out in the dusk.

***

A few more weeks had passed. You and Fluttershy were doing great; you were sure she was just as happy as you were. You, Fluttershy, Pinkie, AJ, everyone was enjoying how simple life was being and having fun hanging out. It hadn't been long before you completely stopped worrying about Broad, Czar, Marvalia and Terra. Life was simply great.

You were walking home from working at the Sugarcube Corner, having the gang with you, minus Fluttershy, who was at the cottage. You all were going to hang out tonight, something that you all hadn't done in a while.

Fluttershy greeted you with an embrace, just like every time you returned from work. Everyone let out a big, "D'aww..." as she hugged you.

"C-c'mon guys, stop..." You said, blushing. Fluttershy was just silent in embarrassment.

Everyone walked inside, and innocent fun ensued. No spin the bottle, no drunken harems, just laughs. Few hours had passed, and everyone agreed on a nighttime stroll through Ponyville. The air had a nice chill to it, and Dash and her weather team had cleared the skies, showing Luna's beautiful starry night.

Just as you stepped outside, your heart stopped. Something was off.

You felt many eyes watching you. Fluttershy looked at you with concern in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" She muttered.

All of a sudden, arrows shot from the trees, nearly turning everyone into Swiss cheese.

You jumped back, dodging the deadly arrows.

"What the hay was that!?" Applejack screamed.

"Oh, would you look at that, you have your friends with you. Ah, so much killing will be going on tonight, it's thrilling," He spoke in a teasing voice.

B-Broad?!

A large, burly man stepped out of the shadows, along with about 5 other people holding bows with a quiver full of arrows on their back.

"W-Who's he!?" Dash shouted.

"Did your friend never tell you anything? I'm Broad. I've come to kill you all.

You outstretched your hands to protect the others. So, are you going to mow us down here?" You question, hoping your voice doesn't warble.

"No, we're too easy to see here. I'll be waiting," He said as he dashed off into the forest.

"Shit!!" You swore. Quickly, the assailants notched their arrows and aimed them at the group.

"You'll have to get through us, first." With that, they shot the arrows at you.

You turned your head, expecting to feel the pain of arrows piercing your body. Yet it never came. You opened your eyes to see a violet barrier of magic covering all of you. You turn to see Twilight, horn glowing with an ethereal light. The arrows were frozen in midair, as if they had stuck in the shield. She let down the barrier, and turned all the arrows around to face the attackers. Their eyes grew wide, knowing what was coming.

In an instant, the arrows launched with incredible speed towards the assailants. You watched as the arrows pierced their bodies, as they screamed in pain. With a thud, they all fell to the ground.

"Are...they dead?" Fluttershy squeaked.

"No, I intentionally missed their vital organs." You looked to see for yourself. Arrows were stuck in their legs and arms, away from anything that might kill them.

"E-Epee, what's going on?!" Dash exclaimed. You didn't answer, you only ran inside. You grabbed your sword and ran back inside.

"What's going on!?" Dash demanded again.

"I don't have time to explain, he'll get away." You said hurriedly.

"We'll catch, just tell us!!"

You sighed. "He's...an old friend. All I can say is that he's dangerous, and I need to talk him out of this.

"And these people?" Twilight gestured to the unconscious bodies laying in the grass. "Who did I just attack?"

"Broad's minions. He's the leader of a rebel group that's trying to kill the king of a neighboring kingdom, Marvalia. And me. Now, please, can we hurry?" You didn't wait for an answer. Even though you didn't want them to follow you, you knew that they'd follow you no matter what you'd say.

You ran after Broad's fleeting image until he stopped. It was in the same place he nearly killed you a month before.

"You brought them? Do you want them to die?" He asked sarcastically.

"Shut up!" You yelled, holding up your sword.

"Ah, feisty yet again. Do you remember yet?"

"Yeah, I remember everything. Czar took you in when your parents died, Broad, he gave you a life! And you just go and throw it away!? That's just plain stupid!!"

"Ah...yes, he took us in for his own needs. He didn't care about us. He just needed an heir because he couldn't knock someone up. You understand?"

"Yeah, it was at first, but you saw how he treated us? He loved us, you dumbass! He still does! And you throw away his trust as if it were trash! And he sits there, putting it in you, and he hates me because you framed me!"

"He loved you and Terra," He seethed. "He treated you the best...hell, he's practically giving you Marvalia."

"Because he trusted me! I'm sorry, but it's not something I decided! And besides, why are you after the throne anyhow?

Marvalia is in despair, no thanks to you! What are you gonna do with it even if you're plan does work?"

"Czar said himself that I am talented in military strategy. I can conquer the Segavas with ease, given time. Soon, I can work my way east, taking over tribes and countries...I will rival with Equestria!" He exclaimed.

"Jeez, isn't he full of himself," Dash said quietly so he couldn't hear.

"Didn't you listen? He was going to assign you as general! He saw your talents, and was going to let you use those talents! Why use what he praised you for to harm him?"

"Because he never praised me! He praised you!!" he snapped. "If he loved anyone, he loved you and Terra! I was just another catalyst, just another pawn for him to use and abuse!"

"Please, Broad, you have to understand, he loved you! He loves you! I love you! You were like a brother to me! Remember that time in the orphanage? Those guys, they were picking on me. They were beating me up, calling me weak, skinny, and useless. And guess what you did? You stopped them. You came and knocked the shit out of them, and got in their face for messing with me! You protected me! And guess what? I told Czar this. I told him all that had happened. I never, ever, want to see that happen to anyone I care about! I don't want them hurt! I want to protect them just as you protected me!" At this point, you were crying.

"I told him that I wanted to become strong, so I would never be called weak again! That's why he took priority over me. That's why he spent all his time helping me train, helping me become stronger, for you. For Terra, for Czar, for everyone."

"NO! Don't expect me to believe this bullshit! I'm going to kill you, and get rid of all this bullshit! With me ruling Marvalia, there will be none of this bullshit ever again! We will be flawless!!" He raised his sword, signalling that he was ready for a fight.

You hung your head. Tears streaked down your cheeks. "Looks like I couldn't talk you out of this...I'm sorry..." You lifted you blade. If you couldn't talk him out of this, then you had no other choice.

"Fluttershy, Pinkie, get outta here!!" You shouted. You didn't wait for a reply as you charged forward, you sword held low. As you closed in on Broad, you slashed upwards. Broad sidestepped, and brought his large blade down. You dodged, jumping backwards, and lunged forward, stabbing at Broad. He blocked, and kicked you in the chest. You stumbled and fell backwards, landing on your ass. Broad lifted his sword, and slashed downward, the blade hungering to bury itself in your skull.

The blow never came. You opened your eyes to see a violet cloak of magic cover you. A foot away from you was his blade, stopped by the magic.

"Get up!!" Twilight demanded. You rushed to your feet, and stepped back. Twilight willed the shield forward, causing Broad to falter.

He growled, and lashed out. He slashed and cut at Twilight, the blows obstructed by Twilight's aura shields. She unrelentingly blasted Broad with pulses of amethyst shaded magic aura.

Twilight did a backflip, with the aid of her magic, as Broad slashed sideways, allowing you to attack. Broad, surprised, blocked as you cut and sliced.

Clunk! Clunk! Shiny, reflective objects flew at Broad, hitting his head and chest.

"Don't touch my friend, you scoundrel!!" Rarity shouted at Broad, sending more jewels flying. He batted the away with his sword, barely keeping up with her pace. Rarity, her horn shining with magic, lifted a dozen more jewels out of the ground, bombarding him once more.

"Just because I'm a lady doesn't mean I can't kick your ass!" She shouted, shooting more gems. Broad, obviously pissed off, rushed forward, slashing the gems as they flew towards him, causing them to evaporate into dust. Applejack placed a nicely timed kick at Broad's side just as she passed by him, sending him to the dirt.

"Hah, how 'bout them apples!" She yelled. Broad slowly stood, glowering at AJ.

"Uh-oh..."

You distracted Broad by rushing him, slashing and slicing once again. He blocked and ducked, trying to keep with your pace.

Dash swooped in, kicking Broad in the back as she passed, knocking him to the floor. She flew back down hovering just above Broad.

"C'mon, wanna tussle, asshole?" She taunted. Broad slashed at her, barely missing her. She kicked and dodged, toying with Broad. Several kicks later, Broad managed to grab Dash by her ankle. He threw her to the side as if she weighed nothing.

"Hold on, I got ya!" You yelled as you caught Dash. The force almost made you fall back, but you held your ground.

"You okay?" You asked, setting her down.

"Yeah, just a bit shaken up..."

Applejack and Twilight were handling Broad. AJ was punching and kicking Broad whenever he was open, the rest of the time Twilight blasting him with aura pulses or shields.

Broad managed to lay one hit one hit on Applejack, slicing her shoulder. She yelped in pain, grasping the wound.

"Shit," you exclaimed. "Dash, Twilight, go back to Fluttershy's cottage, and take them with you. Rarity, take the others with you,"

"Got it!!" They shouted in unison. Dash picked up AJ and flew back to Fluttershy's cottage, the two unicorns following. Rarity had dragged Pinkie and Fluttershy with her.

"Alright, you fucker, let's rock!" You screamed as you charged once more. Your blades connected multiple times, sending sparks shooting out all around you. The sound of clashing metal filled the air, no other sounds other than the heavy breathing of you and Broad as you both began to tire.

You caught sight of Fluttershy still there, attempting to stay out of sight. She must've snuck back.

"What are you doing?! Get outta here!!" You shouted. Just after the words left your lips, a sudden force made itself present on your chest. Broad placed a firm kick on your chest, causing you to fly back. You hit the ground with a grunt, pain pulsating from your ribs.

Broad sighed. "Just like last time...though this time it was more fun." Broad lifted you by your throat, squeezing. He then threw back onto the ground.

"ACK!" You cried out as you slammed into the dirt. Broad picked you up by the head, and threw you into a tree. He repeated the process chortling all the while. You struggled to stay conscious, the pain becoming unbearable. Broad threw you to the ground, and kicked you in the head. Over and over, his foot launched into the side of your head, your skull threatening to crack open under the force. Broad, laughing still, picked you up and slammed you into the ground. By now, your entire body went numb, the pain overwhelming your senses.

"Aw...giving up already? That's too bad..." He said in a malicious tone. "Oh well..." Broad turned, dropping his sword to the ground. You heard a shing, sounding like a blade being unsheathed.

"N-no, please don't, NO!!" Fluttershy screamed.

Your eyes shot open. Fluttershy was in danger!! Broad was going to kill her!!

You stood up, using your sword for support.

"DON'T YOU TOUCH HER, YOU TREACHEROUS PIECE OF SHIT!!” You screamed at the top of your lungs. You sprinted forward at speed's rivaling Dash's flight. Broad stopped, his dagger raised in midair. You thrust the sword through his back, coming out of his chest.

You saw the blood flow out from the wound around your sword.

"This was you!! Not me, you!! We were best friends! I trusted you! And you had to go and do this!!" You thrust the sword deeper with each sentence until it reached the hilt before you pulled it out, the sickening sound of slicing flesh emanating. Broad coughed, and fell to the ground, unmoving.

You dropped your sword, and walked over to Fluttershy, who was staring at Broad in shock. Tears were running down her cheeks. You fell to your knees in front of Fluttershy.

"You're...alright...n-now..." You spoke in a cracked, pained voice before you fell to the grass on your back. Fluttershy, coming back to reality, bent over you, fresh tears flowing.

"E-Epee!? Epee!!" She screamed before your hearing faded. She was yelling garbled words, tears flowing down her face, dripping onto yours.

Everything's...alright now...