The blizzard had died down into a small calm snow fall. The sky being as cloudy as usual. I laid on my belly in the snow, looking through a pair of binoculars at Pleasant Town. I am pissed. I saw raiders helping themselves to the town’s market and food supply. Then, they decided to intimidate ponies they had captured. Some of them being couriers that had wandered in and be unexpectedly surrounded. I saw some bodies on the street of the town’s ponies and minor couriers that had fought back only to have a bloody end. Goldnelee was next to me, looking through her scope.

“Oh dear. There are quite a lot more than we had anticipated.” She looked grim as she continued. “It’s almost like that vile mare had turned them into an army of savages.”

“Raiders have and always will be savages.” I said darkly as I scanned the roofs of the town. Just as I had expected, some of the raiders had positioned themselves inside the top floors of abandon buildings and only three that I saw were on the actual roof themselves. I passed by tiny shops in the market street to see ponies being held captive and a group of raiders helping themselves to property that was not theirs. I bristled. I couldn’t look anymore. I wanted these fuckers dead. They were pillaging my home. I stood up, still crouching low as I made my way to the wagon.

Comp and Iris had hid their armored barding into the back and dawned long sleeve rags that would pass them off as traders. Comp looked at me.

“These things itch like crazy!” he said as he rubbed his side. Iris also seemed uncomfortable as I saw small lumps moving where her wings where supposed to be.

“I really hate not having to move my wings.” She groaned as she hopped onto the driver’s side. “I’m also a mare. And knowing raiders, they will try something.” I nickered.

“Well, your epic mane style will put you off as a boy more than anything.” I teased. She flushed and brushed a hoof at her spiked back mane.

“Not my fault. My great ancestor, Cloudchaser, had this exact mane style.” She snorted. “This is how it naturally is.” I smiled and kissed her cheek, making her ease a little.

“Don’t worry. I really like your mane. When I get Post Box and some of our best couriers in place, you can have all the action you want.” I gave her a worried look. I know she wanted to fight. She enjoyed her battle with the Reaper and I was worried that she might get too caught up into the fight and get killed because of it. I blinked as she gave me a small smile and a wink.

“Hey. I’m pretty. I’m cool. I’m pretty cool.” She said. I felt my heart flutter more and trotted to the back of the wagon. I hopped in and saw Brick and Shining Star donning robes that were in the back of the wagon. The raiders must have pillaged a poor settlement to get them. But they blended in well with all the junk. I looked out and saw Goldenlee give me a smile. I nodded to her and she turned to look back through her scope. I levitated up the Stealthbuck. I would activate it when we reached the gate. I nodded to Silver Iris, who then faced forward and slapped the reins on Rex. I felt the wagon move with a jerk and we made our way down to the gate.

The wagon came to a stop in front of the gates. I could see vulgar sayings painted on it. I held my anger back. I wanted to save it for the mare that had caused this.

“Well, well. A caravan eh? What’s a colt like you doing here?” I heard a raider speak. Iris gave him a smile.

“Just passing through. I don’t want any trouble, no siree.” She said, making her voice sound deeper to play off as a stallion.

“Oh yeah? Mind if we take a look?” the raider asked. Iris said nothing as I heard hoof steps rounding to the back. I quickly activated the Stealthbuck just in time as the mare raider looked in. She looked hideous. Her hide mangy and smelly. I noticed she didn’t have a PipBuck on her. But I wasn’t ruling out that some of these raiders had them. The mare snorted and pulled away. “He ain’t got much. But I think the others will think differently.” I could swear she was grinning evilly when she said this. The gate opened and the wagon went through. I patted Brick’s and Star’s robes, signaling that I’m getting out. They nodded as I turned and slid out of the wagon.

The town was quiet. I could see some pony’s stuff being burned and I winced, feeling Din cackle at the sight. I ignored it and crept quietly as I could. I had casted an illusion spell to mask my hoof prints so that if a raider happened to come by, they wouldn’t get too suspicious. But it wouldn’t last long. I need to hurry and reach the Express before the spell and the Stealthbuck dissipated. I turned the corner and gapped.

In front of the Crystal Express were dozen of courier bodies. The snow, red with blood and gore, littered everywhere. I bit my lip, praying that Post Box and my sisters were okay. I sighed quietly with relief as I saw the building that housed Stable 50 underneath looked untouched. I crept across the street and slid up to the wall. I sidled to the window and saw a couple of couriers dead on the floor and a few others bound and gagged. A raider was snoozing loudly behind Tabletop’s counter. I tried the window, only to find it locked. I pulled out my screw driver and a bobby pin and began fiddling with the lock. I smirked as the window let out a soft click and I slid in when it opened. The raider didn’t seem to notice, thanks to his loud snoring. I did see some of the bound couriers look confused at the sudden window opening, but kept quiet.

I crept behind the counter, plucking the knife from the raider’s belt and quickly slit his throat. He gurgled in surprise and fell to the floor with a quiet thump. The couriers seemed more surprised by the raider’s sudden death. I went over to them and whispered.

“This is Courier Sixteen. I ask that you please keep quiet while we get our town back.” They looked at me and nodded. Taking the knife, I cut their bonds and they threw off their gags.

“Courier Sixteen? The Savior of the Roads, Sixteen?” a courier whispered. I let out a small groan of annoyance before I spoke.

“You can get an auto graph once you help me take back our home.” I said. I went over to a mare that I had recognized and freed her. Tabletop sputtered a bit before smiling.

“Oh thank Celestia that it is you.” She said. I shushed her before speaking.

“Tabletop. Where is Post Box?” I asked. She looked worried.

“He’s should be barricaded in his office.” She said.

“And what about Heart. What about Bell. Are they safe?” I asked. She nodded.

“Heart is down in the stable with your sister and the other town folk that had made it there in time.” I sighed with relief. I knew Heart wouldn’t be taken down so easily. I looked back as the couriers drew their weapons, two sidled quietly to the windows and peeked out, before looking to the stairs. Tabletop put a hoof on my invisible shoulder. “Courier, please be careful. That wasn’t the only raider that had made it in here.” I smiled, putting the knife into the sheath on my duster. Guess I did need it after all.

“You got it. Just keep your head low. When I get Post Box and some of the other couriers, be ready. I have friends that are going to help out as well.” I was surprised that Tabletop looked at me with a smile.

“You have friends? I knew this day would come.” She stood up, drawing her 9mm pistol from her holster. “Your parents would be proud of you.” I said nothing as she quietly crept with the other couriers, positioning themselves near the windows. I quietly crept up the stairs and found the second floor to be a disaster. A few bodies of couriers littered the hall and I heard banging come from one of the rooms. If we wanted to take back the town, we had to take back the Express first. I crept towards the sound of banging and found that two raiders stood in front of the door. One was banging a sawed-off shotgun at it.

“We know you’re in there. Open the fucking door!” she growled. I crept silently up to the bored looking stallion by her side. I levitated out the knife from its sheath and quickly slit his throat, gurgling in surprise. The mare blinked and looked at him. I batted the shotgun away and stabbed the knife into the mare’s throat. Her eyes widened as she gurgled. I twisted the knife before pulling it out and let the mare drop to the floor in a bloody heap. I heard voices from the room.

“What was that?” a muffled voice asked.

“I don’t know, but they stopped banging. Let me go check.” I heard the door open slightly and an eye peek out. My own eyes widened. The door opened and a young grey stallion with a combed down black mane looked around. Behind him was another courier and the mare I once had a crush on. Her pink hide looking like it was scratched at and her lemonade colored mane reached my eyes as she looked at the stallion. The pony that had inflicted the pain on me all those years ago narrowed his eyes at the dead raiders. “Weird. They had their throats slight.” Saying nothing, I ignored the feeling of panic as I crept down the hall to the stairs. I wanted to get as far away from them as I could.

I reached the third floor and found that the hallway wasn’t as beaten as the second. Though, I could see a grim looking raider in front of a door. The room he was guarding was the room that was across from my room. Thankfully, my room looked untouched. I always locked my room and sometimes jam the lock so other ponies wouldn’t just wander in for plain curiosity or sick jokes. I crept toward the raider and quickly and silently slit the stallion’s throat. I quietly set him down and peeked into the room. I wanted to vomit as I saw two raiders fornicating in a bed. The mare seemed unimpressed with the stallion that made small grunts of satisfaction. I looked around the room.

I smirked as I levitated up the sawed-off shotgun from the unimpressed mare and took aim at the stallion. I pulled the trigger and the stallion’s head was blown off. The startled mare blinked as her shotgun aimed at her. The bed was covered in blood when I pulled the trigger. I closed the door and crept back to the fourth floor. I had to act quickly, for I only had a minute left for my Stealthbuck. I saw Post Box’s office and three raiders in front of it. They were trying their luck with the lock. The mare swore when the bobby pin broke. I made my way down towards the raider that was facing my way.

“Would you hurry the fuck up already?” one of the raiders by the lock hissed at the fumbling mare.

“How about you shut the fuck up and let me concentrate?” she barked back. The bobby pin broke. The stallion raider yawned and I took that opportunity. I reared back and lashed out a fore hoof to his yawning face, making him spin stupidly and taking the knife to his neck, I lifted up his carbine and fired at the two raiders that looked stupidly at him in confusion. When the two fell to a bloody heap, I slid the knife under the stallion’s throat and dropped him to the floor. The Stealthbuck dissipated as I knocked on the door.

“Friendly?” a voice asked.

“Courier Sixteen.” I said. There was a slight pause before the door clicked and a young courier cadet filly opened the door.

“No way! Boss, it’s the Savior!” she beamed.

“I know damn well who it is.” I smiled at the vanilla colored old stallion who smiled at me. “Took your time didn’t you?” he snorted. I rubbed the back of my head.

“Well, it took a little time. But I had friends that helped me.” I said. He chuckled as he picked up the raider’s carbine.

“Well, ain’t that a surprise. If your father was around I would bet he would dance around the town.” He said with a smirk. I returned it with a smirk of my own before I led them down to the first floor. The other couriers and Tabletop were still positioned by the windows. Post Box knocked on the counter to get their attention. “Now listen up. We have a town to save. And I’ll be damned if I die this day and see it fall into the filthy hooves of raiders and scavengers. We are couriers. And this is our home. I say, give them hell.” He said. The couriers before us murmured in agreement before he turned to me. “Knowing you, you have a plan.” I nodded.

“I have a friend up on the hill that is going to take out the ones on the rooftops while the others distract the ones in the center of town.” I looked to the couriers. “Position yourselves on all the floors. Keep your head low. When you see a glint of light, fire down on them.” I turned to Post Box. “I need to check on my siblings.” Post Box looked at me sternly.

“Courier. Your mother isn’t in the Stable. I fear she may still be in the Peace Building.” He said. I gapped. “I know your sisters. They can take care of the stable. But we need to save Golden Road. You need to save her. I don’t want to lose another friend.” I looked at his serious expression. He is really good at hiding his emotions, but I could tell he is deeply worried about my mother. And he should be. He is my parent’s best friend after all. I nodded before turning and going to the window. I peeked out and took the knife out, moving it into the small bit of sunlight from the clouds. I saw a small quick glint on the hill. I smiled. Goldenlee has some pretty damn good eye sight. The couriers did as I told them and waited. We watched as a raider on a rooftop patrol above. She stopped to look over towards the center of town before her head suddenly blew up into blood and giblets. I heard gun fire coming from the town. Just as I thought, raiders from other buildings piled out and the couriers and Post Box fired down on them. A few raiders went down before the rest became smart and took cover, firing back.

I bolted out of the side window and raced along the alley wall. I knew these streets well. Every turn, every corner, every minor detail came flooding back to me as I made my way to the center. Reaching the center of town, I smiled as I watched my friends and a few other freed ponies fire back at raiders that had taken cover. I saw a grenade from Brick’s launcher land behind a raider’s cover and was suddenly engulfed in flames. I ignored the feeling of Din’s desire as I galloped over to the Peace Building. The door was busted in and I saw two raiders peeking out of the window. They saw me and ducked back. I smirked and conjured a copy to rush in.

The raiders opened fired and my copy became riddled with bullets. The mistake they made was to unload their entire rounds into me in panic. The real me leapt in and aimed my shotgun at one, blowing her head to bits before turning and doing the same to the other mare. I rushed to the stairs, taking out a raider that had bolted down to check on the noise and made my way up. Reaching the floor my mother was on, I sidled and peeked behind from the stair way. I saw two raiders standing in no particular fashion down the hall. I conjured two more copies and motioned for them to go down the hall. I followed behind as the raiders yelped in surprise and fire onto my copies. We fired back. One of my copies took out the head of a raider and the copy on my left got blasted into oblivion. I rushed up, knife drawn, as I tackled the raider to the wall and stabbed him repeatedly in the gut, twisting the blade each time. He gurgled and slumped to the ground. My copy faded and I quickly went for the door. Locked.

I bristled, panic rushing as I quickly messed with the lock. The bobby pin broke, making me swear and moving to a next. It broke again. I felt my breath rasp as I made the third attempt. It clicked open. I bolted in and my eyes widened.

My mother laid on the bed, her hooves bound to the posts and a gag over her mouth, screaming in pain as a raider moved on top of her. He stopped and looked at me in surprise.

“How the fuck did you get in here!?” he said reaching for his weapon. I bristled, galloped forward, delivered a hoof to his face that sent him to the wall and pinned him, knife at his exposed tender spot. I must have given my murderous look as the raider looked positively scared.

“You picked the wrong mother to do that too.” I said coldly. He tried moving, but I slid the blade slightly on his tender spot, making him wince in pain. I shoved him harder into the wall, my leg at his neck. “Where is she?”

“I-I-I don’t know what you me-.” I delivered another hoof to his face, seeing a tooth fly out and blood spill with it. He coughed and sputtered.

“You know damn well who I mean. Your boss. Where. Is. She.” I wasn’t making it a question. The raider gulped and spit more blood out before speaking.

“Sh-she’s in the town hall.” He stammered. I looked to see a couple of couriers look in. Their eyes widened at the sight.

“Get my mother out of here.” I said. They exchanged glances. “That wasn’t a fucking choice!” I shouted. They hurriedly went to help my mother as I turned my attention back to the raider. He gave me a sheepish smile.

“Let me go?” he said weakly. I smirked. I slid the knife fully through the tender spot. He screamed in agony as he bled from the spot. I wasn’t finished there. I reached with my magic to his tail and pulled him along behind me. I threw him down the stairs, hearing the bones crack in the process when he landed. I did the same thing to the rest of the floors before he landed at the bottom. He was still alive when I narrowed my eyes at him. This fucker is resilient, I’ll give him that. But the act he had committed on my mother was one I was not willing to reason with. She had enough emotional problems as is. Being dealt what had happened to me in my childhood and seeing it happen to my mother, I was beyond reasoning.

He screamed more as I dragged him into the center of town with my magic. My friends and the couriers had successfully taken back the town’s center. I ignored the looks of concern from my friends and the applause of the town’s ponies as I stood and narrowed my eyes at the group of raiders emerging from the town hall. I saw the familiar Reaper. His grin planted onto me. My eyes fell to the mare next to him. The horned red and black striped mane and the green hide in an armored dress caped mare looked at me with interest. She looked at the screaming raider, then back at me, clapping her hooves.

“Oh such a devious little girl you are. Yes, you will fit perfectly in my ranks. So, have you’ve come to an answer?” she looked at me with an arched brow. I said nothing. My magic went for the bleeding raider’s neck, choking him and lifting him up from the snow. I felt eyes on me as I took the knife and without a single hint of emotion, stabbed the knife into the raider’s chest and slid the knife down. His organs fell to the snow with a sickening plop and he gurgled before the life in his eyes vanished.

“Do you know what that raider had done to deserve that?” I asked, my voice cold. The Reaper seemed to chuckle.

“Oh, I bet something bad that had you do that.” He said. I ignored him as I continued.

“He was in the middle of raping my mother.” I said. I heard murmurs from the town ponies and the gasps from my friends. “I told you that if you wanted my cooperation, you had better leave my home town alone. And here I find one of your lackeys raping my mother.” I tossed aside the raider’s body, seeing in the corner of my eye his body plopping sickeningly in front of a few startled ponies. “I am beyond reasoning.” I heard Din cackle evilly.

“Yes… show them your hatred. Show them the power to fear you. I will gladly help you burn the ponies that had hurt your family. Your friends. Just turn the key.” I looked at Din in the pitch blackness of my mind, key levitating in my magic by my side. I said nothing. I wanted the mare dead. I wanted those responsible to feel my wrath. I may not have known most of the ponies in town, but Celestia help me, this is pmy home. And having to watch raiders do as they please was unforgivable. I’ll gladly let Din burn them. Burn them all. I grinned as I turned the key more and the flames went higher and became brighter. When I opened my eyes, I found the ponies around me back away or take cover.

“Courier, no!” I heard Comp shout. “Don’t be another Tipson! Please Courier!” I ignored him. Like I said, I was beyond reason. I felt the feeling creep up to the side of my face and took a step forward, the flames rising and falling with each step I took toward the mare. She seemed a little surprised, but then motioned for the Reaper to go forward. He grinned, power hoof crackling as he walked to me.

“This is going to be fun.” He said. I said nothing, feeling Din’s embrace around me. The Reaper galloped forward, entering S.A.T.S. as he got close. I was surprised that the area hadn’t slowed around me. If anything, he had slowed himself. I looked him dead in the eye as I passed him. I drew out my shot gun, saw a small stream of fire pour into the muzzle and grinned. I watched the Reaper’s face went from confident to plain confusion in the moment of S.A.T.S.

“Fool.” I said, my voice not sounding like my own. I gasped as I watched the shotgun being fired and a stream of flaming slugs pelted the helmet of the Reaper. I watched his eyes curl up and saw a big sizzling hole in his helmeted head. Din had merged her powers with my slugs, making them armor piercing and incendiary. He fell to the floor, spasaming a bit before finally staying still. I wasn’t done. He had hurt Iris. And he was a part of the attack on my town. I heard Din chuckle as she controlled my body to continually fire at the Reaper, before stopping as the flames finally engulfed the body. I saw my shotgun’s barrel red hot and sizzling. The magic must have been strong as it looked like it was on the verge of being destroyed. But it had begun to mend itself. Whatever Shining Armor did to the gun, he wanted it to last.

“Kill her! She threatens me!” I heard the mare shout as she glared at me. She must have been pissed. That one shot to the Reaper was probably not part of her plan. My focus remained on her as the six raiders that had accompanied them fired at me. Some were shit with their aim, but others got lucky. My body was soon riddled with holes. I just chuckled it off and felt my hood fell off of me as I looked at the raiders before me. Once they had finished their rounds, it was my turn. I controlled the fire around me to snake over to a fruit stand, catching it on fire and sent it rolling into the raiders. Some were smart and leapt out of the way, but two were unfortunately rammed and crushed into the next stand, catching that stand on fire as well as the raiders. They screamed as the flames danced around them.

“Courier! Don’t do this! Tipson, remember!!?” I heard Shining Star shout. Yes! I can hear you! But I’m not in control of myself. I was instantly regretting as I glimpsed to the fire. The fire had spread and grew around the center. The flames must have been too much for some of the ponies as they retreated and fled from the flames snaking out from underneath me with each step I took. Din laughed maniacally as the raiders and the mare fled back into the town hall. No, Din! Please spare the hall! There could be ponies in there! Din looked at me, her fangs showing as she spoke.

“But, don’t you want to watch the flames dance at the harmonious singing of those that had hurt you? You saw that stallion and your old crush in that room. What makes you think they ever forgot that moment? The stallion felt pleased with himself. The mare being his cock cleaner. And I can guarantee you, dear Courier.” She grinned wickedly as she burned an unlucky raider that didn’t make it into the hall in time. “They will be happy to do it again.” I said nothing. She was right. After what had happened, they stuck around. I found lessons that hadn’t involved them, but that didn’t still stop them from tormenting me. Whenever they got the chance, they would insult me as I walked by. The colt who had hurt me would make rude gestures as I passed and whooped and cheered at my flank.

When I became courier rank sixteen, I had found that my old crush and him had become couriers eighteen and twenty. They were in the top twenty with my siblings. I panicked there and then, but had said nothing as they stood not too far from me at the graduation from rookie cadet to courier VIP status. I ignored their looks of hate at me as I went up to receive the diploma. They had taunted me when I had left, my siblings unaware of the situation. After all those years, they still hurt me. They still tormented me. And I had saved them from raiders. I saved them and they didn’t know it. And if they were watching me now, they would fear me and bring more hurt to me.

I really am a monster. I let Din control me. The flames dancing quickly as they surrounded the town hall. I ignored my friend’s screams. I ignored the hundred of eyes watching me laugh maniacally as the town hall burned. I stopped laughing as I saw a sliver blur zip by me and into the town hall. I felt something heavy hit me. I looked to see both Star and Brick pinning me to the bloodied snow. I laughed again as the fire streamed past their cheeks, singeing them in the process. They had no choice but to break away when they saw my shotgun being aimed at them. The armor piercing incendiary rounds grazing them as they retreated back, but no too far. I wanted to tell them to run. To tell them to forget about me.

But they were my friends. They wouldn’t do that. They had made it clear back in Las Pegasus and they plan on helping me. Even if it meant their lives in the hooves of a friend.

“Why do you insist on stopping us?” I heard Din’s voice replace mine as she addressed the stallions.

“You are destroying our friend’s home.” Shining Star said. “You honestly think we are going to let you take control and destroy everything she knows about this place? This is her home. Not a toy for you to destroy because you want to.” Brick nodded.

“Ayep.” He said. Din laughed more.

“Oh this is just too precious!” she grinned wickedly at them. “You honestly think she truly sees you as friends?” They narrowed their eyes at her. No! Don’t listen to her! I’ve changed! You have to understand! I don’t want to hurt you all! But Din had silenced me as she continued to speak. “Years of torment. Years of abuse. Years of being alone. With only her family to rely on. She had agreed to let me destroy those that had hurt her. And this town had hurt her more than she could imagine. I must destroy everything that hurt her. And there is nothing you can do to stop it.”

“Like hell we can’t!” I heard a voice say. I looked with wide eyes as a snarling timberwolf pounced and pin me to the ground with a wooden paw. Comp looked sternly down at me as Din cackled.

“A boy with no idea who he is. How can you truly trust her that she will stick by her word? You have no past. No memories. But I know you, dear Comp. You are different from other ponies.” I watched Comp’s look change from stern to a look of concern. Don’t listen to her Comp! This is Din! Not me! Again, I was silenced by Din as she spoke. “Yes, very different. In fact, I could say you aren’t a pony at all for that matter.” His look changed from concern to utter shock. He gritted his teeth and twisted his hooves on the handles of Rex, shoving me more into the ground.

“Bullshit!” he said. “I may not know who I am. But I definitely know I am a pony. A living breathing being. And I trust Courier to find out who I am. I don’t need to hear it from a spirit like you!” Rex snarled in agreement. Din laughed more and more. Comp darted his eyes and adjusted his hooves, making Rex hop back as flames surrounded me. Thankfully, my duster is still fireproof, but I could still feel the heat on my body. Din stood my body up and faced my friends.

“You cannot stop this child’s hate. This town has hurt her. She knows it. Yet she chooses to ignore it. She chooses to still see this painful place as home.” Din snarled and spat. Was that a small goo of fire that I just spat out? What the hell had happened to my body? What did Din do to me? I watched helplessly as Din walked towards them, the flames rising higher and higher as I got closer. My friends stood their ground, but they were ready to move. And they did just that as I aimed my shotgun at them and the piercing incendiary rounds pelted the snow, making it melt in the process, as my friends darted around me. Brick fired a grenade at my hooves and I felt my body jerk and spasm as the electricity went through. Din screamed in pain and fell to the snow. I saw the snow melt around me when I did.

“Do it! Now!” I heard Star shout. I saw Rex rush in and Comp hopped off with a glass orb in his teeth. Din’s eyes widened.

“No! Nonono! I will not let her take control! She must burn her hate to the ground! Those that had hurt her must be burned! They must sing!” Din snarled. Comp smirked.

“Night-night, Din.” He said and put the orb to my horn. I pushed aside Din and made the connection, seeing the world fade away.

I felt scared as I saw the clouds pass beneath my host. I was definitely in a mare. And from the flapping beside me, I was probably a pegasus. I could see cerulean bangs in front of me as my host flew across the sky. I felt healthy. Athletic and for some reason, I felt that my mane looked epic. My host darted her eyes as the ground beneath her soared by. She looked up and gapped in awe as a tall tower loomed over head. I recognized the tower. I’ve seen in the book about the Stable Dweller. This is the Shadow Bolt tower. The place where the M.o.A ministry mare had worked on. The project being dubbed the Single Pegasus Project. My host landed softly on a deck and was greeted by a black pegasus with a white and gray stripped Mohawk mane. My host smiled.

“Well, if it isn’t Thunderlane. I was wondering where you went off to.” My host said. The charcoal pegasus grinned and rubbed the back of his head.

“It’s great to see you too, Cloudchaser.” He said. My host looked sternly at him, making Thunderlane blink. “Oh right, I mean uh, Stormwalker.” He corrected. Stormwalker smiled and ruffled his mane. “How’s Flitter holding up?” Stromwalker sighed as they walked into the Shadow Bolt tower entrance.

“Well, she could have been better. She’s going through a mental breakdown after what had happened to Rumble.” My host looked at Thunderlane sadly as the pegasus narrowed his eyes and looked ahead. “Look, if it meant anything, it wasn’t your fault. He was a great kid.”

“He wasn’t just great. He was my brother.” Thunderlane said coldly, making Stormwalker feel ashamed. “And thanks to that damn war, I’m the only one who has to put up with it.” Stormwalker sighed.

“You aren’t the only one. I’ve been having break downs as well. But not as bad as Flitter.” She said. Thunderlane looked at her with a worried look. He sighed before changing the subject.

“I guess Rainbow Dash wanted to see you?” he asked. Stormwalker nodded. The pegasi made their way to a wide open area. I wasn’t ready for when my host took off right alongside Thunderlane as they flew through the pegasi flying back and forth. I noticed the higher they went, the less dense they were getting. They flew to a strange red barrier that blocked a hallway. Turrets were aimed at them, making my host flinch a little. Thunderlane held up a PipBuck and typed something into it. There was a long pause when suddenly the barrier dissipated and the turrets moved away from them. As soon as the duo moved through, the barrier instantly hummed to life and the turrets began beeping.

“Wow, RD isn’t messing around with this.” Stormwalker said. Thunderlane nodded.

“You are lucky she even wants to see you right now.” He said. My host blinked.

“Why?” They turned the corner and began hovering down the hall.

“She had heard that a friend of hers was assassinated at Little Big Horn. She is upset that she hadn’t gotten there in time.” Thunderlane explained. Stormwalker just sighed. Little Big Horn. The place where honored hero and member of the Marauders was killed protecting Princess Celestia. No pony really knew what had happened, but of course, they blamed the stripes that were on the scene. They stopped and landed in front of a tall double door and Thunderlane trotted up to a terminal. I haven’t seen that type of terminal before. It looked like a cloud.

“The hell do you want?” a voice barked from the screen. Thunderlane flinched before speaking.

“Stormwalker is here on your orders, Ministrey Mare.” He said. There was a slight pause before the terminal spoke again.

“Oh yeah. Well, why didn’t you say so? But only she is allowed in. You stay outside. Understand?” Thunderlane sighed and nodded. The door opened and he looked at my host with a worried look.

“Please becareful. She is under a lot of stress and she hasn’t been herself recently.” Stormwalker smiled and pat the mane of her friend.

“Hey, No biggie.” She said. When she entered through the door, she jumped when the door instantly slammed behind her. Narrowing her eyes and gulping a little nervously, she turned back and made her way down the hall. She stopped and saw that the floor was no longer there, but a red barrier. Out of curiosity, she put her hoof out and quickly stuck it back in when a turret she hadn’t noticed hummed to life and nearly took her hoof out. She shivered and flapped her wings. When she had, she was suddenly blasted with more turrets. I was surprised that the reaction time of the pegasus mare was quicker than I have seen. She kicked off the walls and made quick aerial maneuvers as the energy beams shot past her. What was worse was that saw blades shot out and closed in, making a small opening. Stormwalker narrowed her eyes as she skillfully flew through. She yelped as she nearly got sawed in half by another saw.

I could hear her heart beating and her panic rising as she dipped, dove, twirled and avoided the traps that were being sent at her. She saw a door ahead and making a last ditch effort, flew faster than she should have and landed, rolling as the door behind her closed. She landed on her hooves and gasped for breath, heart beating fast and the adrenaline pumping. She heard a hoof clap and looked up to see a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane that had a hint of grey showing. She also looked strangely drunk.

“Awesome job, Cloudchaser.” My host panted as she spoke, still trying to calm herself.

“Stormwalker.” She took a deep breath and looked up at the mare flying overhead. The athletic looking pegasus hiccupped, making my host narrow her eyes. “You got be kidding me. Don’t tell me you forgot I was coming today.” Stormwalker groaned. Rainbow Dash rubbed her chin, hiccupping again before speaking.

“Aww, you did fine anyway. You are alive, aren’t you?” she snorted. “Though I can’t say the same for Big Macintosh.” Stormwalker felt sore now as she followed Rainbow Dash to her desk. “Well, now that you are here, let me remember why I called you in here in the first place.” Stormwalker waited patiently as the ministry mare went through papers, making bored expressions and occasionally laughing in her drunken stupor before finding a file that had the name ‘Cloudchaser’ on it. She beamed. “Aha! There you are you little bastard.” She tossed the file and my host skillfully caught it in her teeth. Stormwalker spat out the file and began looking through it.

The files showed a picture of her. She looked almost like Silver Iris! Though Stormwalker looked older in this one. She grinned in the picture in a blue and yellow outfit. The files said that she had successfully graduated from the Wonderbolt Academy and her occupation stated ‘Foalsitter for Rumble’. The file also showed previous flight records and also stating her position as a weather pony. Then her eyes fell to a stamped word: AWESOMELY ACCEPTED Stormwalker balked.

“I… I made it? I’m in?” she gapped. Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes.

“Are you, Cloudchaser? Or are you just asking me about it?” she said, looking intently at my host from behind the desk. Stormwalker seemed at a loss for words.

“I… passed?” Stormwalker repeated. Rainbow Dash sighed but then smirked.

“You bet, kid. Welcome to the Shadow Bolts. Your training begins tomorrow morning under the coaching of Thunderlane.” Stormwalker beamed and flew towards the mare, scooping her up in a hug.

“Oh thank you thank you thank you! I promise you, you won’t regret it!” Stormwalker said happily. Rainbow Dash pulled away from her and gave her a stern look.

“Now go, before I change my mind. I have stuff to do.” She said. The mare flew through a barrier and disappeared down into a hall. Stormwalker did happy flips and twirls in the air as she cheered “I made it!” over and over. She blinked and looked back at the door. She frowned. “But no way in hell am I going back there. And she left without deactivating them as well.” Stormwalker flew down to the desk and looked around. “There has to be an off button.” She looked under the desk and narrowed her eyes. She beamed when she saw a button with the words ‘Hall Trap Temp. Shut down’ around the casing. She was about to reach for it when something fell from the desk and landed beside her. She blinked and looked to see another file.

“What the hell?” she whispered to herself. She squinted at the words ‘RUM’. Pushing away the papers on top, she gapped in horror. The file now read: RUMBLELANE. “Rumble?” she looked up from the desk, glancing around to see if any pony was watching. She looked back at the file and opened it. She saw the stamped words of ‘Awesomely Accepted’ but stopped and read a paragraph. She growled now. I saw what she had read. Rumblelane was accepted to test certain stimulants. “Thunderlane needs to see this.” she said. She quickly scooped up the file and stuffed it in her saddlebag and pressed the deactivate button before quickly flying off down the hall.

Thunderlane waited by the door and smiled at her as she landed.

“Hey. So how did it go? You made it in?” he asked. Stormwalker nodded.

“I did. My training under you begins tomorrow. Listen, Thunderlane, I ha-.” But she was cut off when Thunderlane laughed and patted her head.

“Well alright! Welcome to the Shadow Bolts, Cloudchaser!” he said. Stormwalker frowned.

“Stormwalker. But listen, I have something I-.” She stopped, her mouth open. Thunderlane looked at her, happy and waiting for whatever she was about to say. Stormwalker closed her mouth, giving him a smile and rubbing the back of her head before speaking. “Ya’ know what. Nevermind. I’ll tell you later.” She said with a hoof wiggle. Thunderlane blinked but smiled again.

“Well, alright. This is going to be great! Just like old times, huh?” he beamed. Stormwalker gave him a nervous laugh.

“Yeah… old times.” She said as Thunderlane took off. Stormwalker narrowed her eyes and thought about something before taking off after Thunderlane.

When I awoke, I was found myself in my room. I groaned quietly as I shifted to look around. I blinked and then panicked. The memory of Din setting the town hall on fire and my friends trying to stop her from burning my home came back to me. My home… I bolted up and looked out the window. I could see to my horror the smoke still going on, but other than that, the town looked normal. Exclude from the dead bodies of raiders being loaded into a wagon for disposal by the town ponies. I bolted for the door and stopped as I heard voices from the other side.

“…I understand. But I ask that you must leave at once.” A voice said.

“Fuck that! We want Courier!” a loud voice of a mare said. There were a surprising amount of murmurs in agreement.

“I’m sorry, but you have to come back later. But right now, you all need to leave her be.” The muffled voice said.

“You’re full of it, Post Box. Fine then, we’ll leave. But when we come back, we want to see Courier. Even if we have to force our way in.” I winced. They didn’t sound too happy. And how can I blame them? They witnessed me under Din’s control and started burning my home. I could have killed them. I could have killed innocent ponies. I heard hoofsteps distance themselves before the voice of Post Box gave a sigh.

“Is my sister going to be okay?” I heard the soft squeak of Bell. I stiffened. Oh-no. Celestia, please no that my siblings did not have to see that. I bit my lip as I continued to listen.

“I’m sure your sister is fine, dear. This isn’t the first time she had been like this.” I heard Goldenlee’s voice say.

“I honestly did not know she was under such pain. So much torment. Why didn’t she come to us?” I heard the voice of Heart say. I stiffened more. Had Goldenlee told them about what had happened to me? No, they didn’t need to know that! What happened, happened. They don’t need to know. I backed away as I heard the door open. I backed up to my bed and watched as Post Box, Heart, Bell and Goldenlee stepped in. Their eyes fell on me. I said nothing. My look must have told them that I heard them. Suddenly, Heart had me in her hooves, hugging me. I felt her gentle cress on my mane. I closed my eyes, letting the tears fall.

They had seen it. They had heard it. What they saw wasn’t their sister, but a monster that had tried to burn down my home and everypony with it. And yet, here was Heart, embracing me, comforting me. I sobbed, holding her tightly. I didn’t want for them to see it. I wasn’t me. I was worried that they would hate me. Shun me because of it. And I was already being hated by the entire town. And probably my sisters too. I wouldn’t be surprised if Heart had rose a dagger and had stabbed me in the back. I would have welcomed it. I am a monster. I had just threatened my entire home. But the stab didn’t happen. The knife wasn’t there. All there was was me crying in the arms of my older sister.

Once I had recollected myself, I had told them everything that had happen. The pain the colt inflicted on me. My possession of Din. The reason why I was being called Savior. But I wasn’t a Savior. Sombra was right. I am a Destroyer. I had almost destroyed my home. Oh karma, why me? Heart looked at me with concern as I finished.

“Why didn’t you come to us? We would have handled it.” She said. I bowed my head and sighed.

“I know… but I didn’t want you all to worry. I had to accept it. Accept the fact that it had happened and move on with my life. And I did. I’m over it.” I said.

“Are you sure?” Heart asked, now looking at me sternly in the eyes. I bit my lip. Was I really over it? I thought I was. But when I remembered the knife that Zahasha had stabbed into me, I thought back to that day, waiting for it to happen again. The same when my friends had pinned me down by my hooves and I thrashed in fear of it happening it again. I wasn’t over it. I hadn’t accepted it. I thought I had, but in the end, it came crawling back. I said nothing.

“Very well then. I’ll have them both in my office.” Post Box said. “Courier, I know you don’t want too, but you have to be there. You need to tell them how you felt. What you think.”

“I don’t have too.” I said softly. “They already know. I don’t need to tell them.” I said. Bell frowned, went up to me and knocked on my head three times. Since when had Bell learn to hit hard? I hissed and rubbed my poor head as she looked at me.

“Idiot. You have too, otherwise they will just get away with it!” she said. “You already let them have. Now it needs to be dealt with.” I winced. I wasn’t expecting Bell to lecture me. She was still in training. She sighed. “A courier I know said that a pony can make choices. You choose to hide it because you think you could pull through. Then, she said that it was all a lie and they have not dealt with it.” I blinked. I remember Chester saying something about Bell being escorted on one of her deliveries by another courier. Was it the same courier? But in the end, they were both right. I had done just that. Bundled them up and threw them in the closet with the door open and me ignoring it. I hadn’t changed at all.

“I’m sorry.” I said weakly. Bell knocked on my head three times again, making me hiss more. “Ow, cut it out, Bell! That hurts.” I said, rubbing the sore spot. She looked at me sternly.

“I’ll give you more if you stop being a coward and tell us these things!” she huffed. I blinked and looked at the others.

“I hate to say it, Courier. But your sister is right.” Goldenlee said, giving me that stern motherly look. “You have to start telling us things that happen to you. Otherwise, we will find out the hard way and it may be too late to save you.” I blinked at her.

“But you saw what I had done. I had told you! Mother Dandy, remember?” I said, feeling slightly agitated. Goldenlee looked me sternly in the eyes.

“Yes, but those were glimpses. You only told us what we needed to hear. But you are still hurting, Courier.” She said. I felt myself bristle. Was she questioning my personal privacy? I felt my hooves twitch in anticipation to plant on the mare’s gorgeous face. And I did just that. The force of the swing sent Goldenlee straight into the wall. The others looked utterly shocked.

“Who the fuck do you think you are to keep saying stuff like that? You’re not my mother! My mother was raped by a raider and I slaughtered the fucker in cold blood because of it! I enjoyed it! I was laughing at the pain he was experiencing!” I gritted my teeth. “I don’t condone such acts. And when my family is in trouble, I will fucking kill if it meant that they would be safe.” I huffed, my breath rasping. Goldenlee said nothing as she maintained her look and wiped the blood that had dripped from her muzzle. That stoic look again. I hated that look. It was pissing me off.

“You still aren’t telling us something.” She said. I gritted my teeth more. I galloped and reared when I got close. The force of the blow sending her crashing into my empty closet and onto the floor.

“I don’t have to tell anyone, anything! I’m my own mare! I don’t need others to constantly ask me things!” I brought another hoof across the mare’s face, blood flying in process. “You think just because you are my friend you think I want to share my life with you? I don’t have to share anything!” I brought another hoof across. Goldenlee still maintained that stoic look as she spat out blood. That look pissed me off more and more. “Quit fucking looking at me like that!!” I screamed as I lifted her up with my magic and gave her another swing that sent her crashing through the wall. I hopped in after her, pinned her with my knee and glared down at her. But she kept that look.

Why did she keep looking at me like that? Why won’t she stop? Why won’t she just give up!? I brought a hoof down. Wipe that fucking look off your face already! Why won’t you just give up!? I brought a hoof down. Again. And again. And again. I breathed heavily. Goldenlee breathed heavily as well, blood flowing from her muzzle. I had messed her up good. And I had realized too late. My eyes widened and I shakily looked at my bloody hooves. What the hell was I doing? Goldenlee is my friend. Why was I just hitting her? What had she really done to provoke me? Was it because she had given me that look? Or had she questioned me? I blinked. She hadn’t questioned me. She had just told me. All she did was express her concern. And I attacked her for it. Oh my Goddesses. Was I that bad? But I was. I was angry. Angry that my home was threatened. Angry that my mother had just been raped by a raider. Angry because she had just expressed her concern. And I reacted because I had been too stupid to realize that I wasn’t over it. Seeing the raider condone the act brought hateful memories back. I hurt. And she had experienced the same pain I went through.

I was scared. Scared for mother. Scared for my home. Scared for myself. But that was normal right? It’s not always about you, Courier. The winged pony repeated this. I wasn’t over it. I had never been when I thought I had. All I did was accept what had happened, happened. I just closed another door on my pain. I didn’t accept it. I told myself that I had. I said it because my friends were there. They were my friends. And I told myself I would get over it and move on. I hadn’t changed at all. And it wasn’t until now that I realized it and by that time, one of my friends laid beneath me in her own blood that I caused. I looked at the mare. Goldnelee spat out more blood and looked through a swollen eye.

“G-Goldenlee? Oh Goddesses, I’m… I’m sorry.” I said standing up and helping her. She coughed and breathed heavily. Then, she gave me a small smile.

“Better?” she asked. I said nothing and just nodded weakly. “Good.” She winced as I turned her back into my room with my sisters and Post Box looking grimly at us. Goldenlee chuckled. “Iris wasn’t joking when she said you have a kick.” She rubbed the swelling of her cheek, wincing more. “I’m going to be feeling this for a week.” I said nothing but helped her to my bed and sat her down. She sighed before looking over to Post Box. “I think she’s ready now.” Post Box nodded and looked at me sternly.

“Courier. You must face it. But you won’t face it alone.” He said. I blinked. Of course I wouldn’t. I looked apologetically at Goldenlee who smiled. As much as I made her look, she still looked pretty either way. She waved a hoof at me.

“Don’t worry. I just need to rest up a bit.” She said. I said nothing. I hugged her before leaving my room with my sisters beside me. They looked at me with a smile and I gave a small smile in return. I wasn’t alone. I could do this.

When we reached Post Box’s office, I sat down on a chair with my sisters next to me. Post Box sat down and tapped something into the terminal.

“I had just sent them a message. They will be here shortly.” He said. I felt nervous. My heart beat panicked more. Then, I felt a small hoof on my fore leg. I looked and saw Bell give me a confident smile. Heart nuzzled my cheek and copied the look Bell gave me. I smiled back.

It wasn’t long before the two made their way in. I stiffened when I saw the grey young stallion with the combed down black mane enter with my old crush. They both gave me a startled look, but I adverted my eyes.

“You wanted to see us?” the young stallion asked.

“Yes, Mr. Parasol. Please, take a seat. You too, Lemon.” Post Box said. They did, but not before glancing my direction. I saw my sisters maintain a poker face as we looked to Post Box.

“What’s going on sir? Why are we here with the one who nearly burnt down Pleasant Hall?” Lemon asked, sounding a little disgusted. Post Box looked at them before speaking.

“A certain matter had recently fallen to my attention. A matter that should be handled long ago and I want all three of you to cooperate. Now, I know you are all smart enough to know the dangers of abuse.” When he said it, Lemon and Parasol’s eyes looked at me. I said nothing but kept looking at Post Box. I can do this. “This matter is about that. I hear that you sexually abused not just a senior courier, but a fellow student. Now, I know that you think that it was a long time ago. But do you know what it means to be a courier?” He looked at us and narrowed his eyes. I could tell Lemon and Parasol were nervous. “A courier is honor bound to their duties. They risk their lives to make sure something gets through. They are your comrades. You fight by them. Help them if lost. I took on this job because my family stuck by these oaths.” He looked at Parasol. “And having hurt a comrade not only goes against these oaths, but can suffer dire consequences. However.” He turned to look out of the window, giving Parasol and Lemon time to look at me with simple hate. “I’m a reasonable stallion. And as your boss, I will hear what you have to say. When you have spoken your part, I will make a decision. And you are not to question it, for it is also an oath not to disrespect a comrade.” He turned to us.

There was silence before Parasol broke the silence.

“Alright. Listen, Courier. If it means anything, I’m sorry for what I had done.” I looked at him, giving him a skeptical look. He winced when I did before continuing. “I truly am. I was young and stupid. You know how kids are. But we are young adults now. We are mature. So let bygones, be bygones.” He said. I heard a quiet growl from Heart, but kept quiet. Lemon spoke too.

“I’m sorry too.” She said. She gave me a sad look. “I hadn’t realize how much we had done to you. You just shrugged it off.” She looked at Parasol before looking at me. “Parasol is right. We were young and stupid. I heard about the way you felt about me. And I just laughed it off and hurt you. We all did. And we are sorry.” She seemed to genuinely mean it. I looked back to Post Box who arched a brow. It was my turn. I took a deep breath.

“You hurt me, Lemon. You hurt me a lot.” I looked at them, seeing their guilty looks. “And I don’t forgive you.” They seemed surprised. “After what you had done, you kept going. Probably not repeating after what happened, but you all kept going. For years I had to put up with it. For years, I had to deal with the pain, the torment you had inflicted on me.” I glared at Parasol, looking guiltier now than before. I sighed. “I don’t forgive you both. Lemon, I had loved you. I thought you were my friend. You were nice to me. You hung out with me. I was happy. And then you turned your back on me.” I saw Lemon a little baffled by this. Are they really truly sorry about what had happened? Post Box sighed before speaking his thoughts.

“I see. Well, Eighteen, Twenty. Your punishment for this act is a full year suspension of your courier licenses.” They looked utterly shocked.

“What? You saying we can’t go on deliveries for a full year!? What the hell, Post Box!” Parasol stood, glaring at him. But Post Box remained stoic.

“Are you questioning the decision of a comrade? I thought I had made myself clear. You are free to leave you two.” He said. I thought I saw steam coming out of Parasol’s ears. But Lemon put a hoof on his shoulder.

“Let’s just go, Twenty. It was bound to happen eventually.” She said. Parasol gritted his teeth before trotting out of the room. Lemon looked at me with a concerned look before trotting out after him. When the door closed, I eased a little. I felt good. Really good! Heart nuzzled my cheek happily and Bell nuzzled my foreleg. I looked at Post Box as I stood up. He just looked at me with the serious face and nodded. I trotted over to him, wrapped my hooves around him in a hug and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you, uncle.” I said, giving him another hug before trotting after my sisters. I looked back before closing the door to see him give a small smile in his serious demeanor. I trotted back to my room. Goldnelee looked a bit better from my punches. Bandages and an ice pack on her head. She smiled at us as we entered.

“You are welcome, Courier.” She said. I smiled and gave her another hug. She winced. “Owowow, not so tight now.” She said smiling. I gave her a sheepish smile as I pulled away.

“Sorry.” I said to her. She nodded.

“So, what’s the plan now?” she asked. I sighed and looked out of the window.

“Next plan is to face the town’s rage.” I said.

Footnote Level Up!

Quest Perk Added: Fiery Mutation: Being exposed to the power of the fire spirit, you suffer a mutation that increases your AP points by +10.