Lies.

Most ponies lie for many reasons. Some to protect. Some to weasel out of situations. Lies are similar to propaganda. A lie is the exact opposite of the truth. All my life, I have been lied to. Not by my family. My family never lied to me. It has always been other ponies. Ponies from my own home. They lie their innocence. They lie their friendship. It has always been lies. I guess that is what shaped me into being the pony I am. My trust for others are very slim. As the years went by, I eventually began to push others away from me. My family was all I had that I could really trust.

But that hasn’t stopped random passer-byers from trying to be my friends. But even though I push others away, doesn’t mean I do talk to others. But every time I do talk to strangers, I feign most of my emotions. Because I know that in the end, they would just lie and toss me away like all the rest. I couldn’t let that happen to me ever again. I will not play the tool. And if that meant having to be a loner, then so be it.

“So, isn’t Las Pegasus like in the Equestrian Desert?” Comp spoke up over his flask of water. We had trotted for a good three hours before finding an abandon market to take shelter in from the coming blizzard. Yes, I said that I didn’t like camping out along the road, but after dealing with those Windigos, I didn’t want to risk having to freeze to death before I get my job done. Comp sat on top of the counter, sorting through some food cans and junk salvage. Brick made it his duty to scavenge the store for any valuables. I trotted to the boarded up window and peeked out. The blizzard made it hard to see a couple of inches away from me. But I had a nagging sense that those Windigos were out there, watching us.

“Well, Las Pegasus is near a desert.” Brick said as he pushed aside tin cans on a shelf.

“Las Pegasus belongs to the Strip.” I said without taking my gaze off of the window. “I’ve been there a few times. And yes, the climate there is arid and dry.” Comp rubbed the back of his head.

“So, what, are we in a tundra biome or something?” he said before tossing aside a bolt.

“We are northwest from the Crystal Empire. But this part of the region belongs to the Empire.” I adjusted my hood. “The Empire has many snow days and icy nights. Las Pegasus is in the northeast of the Empire. That part of the region is known as the Strip.” And not to mention, the home of The Family and gangs. “There is a route we will eventually take that the biomes weirdly split.” Comp gapped at me.

“Are you saying that the snow and sand meet at one point of the road?” I nodded to the colt. “How does that even work!?”

“Legend says that two elemental alicorns battled it out on that very road.” Brick said as he examined a box of Apple Bombs. I arched a brow.

“You mean, Celestia and Luna? I thought they fought it out in the Hoof?” I said. Brick shook his head.

“This is different. These alicorns were more spirits than real ponies.” He said. He looked at us and gave a sigh at our confused expressions. “I read a story on Ancient Spirits of Equestria.”

“So you are a believer of the paranormal.” I nickered. He stomped his hoof.

“I didn’t say I wasn’t.” he said with apparent frustration. Taking a moment to calm himself, he finally looked at us with that stoic look I keep telling myself I would have to knock out one day. “The legend says that these two alicorn spirits, The Spirit of Fire, Din, and the Spirit of Snow, Shiva, both sought to shape the land into their own image. Having been goaded into an all-out war by the spirit of Discord, they clashed their two elements on that very path. And you know how fire and ice go, they both realized how futile their efforts were towards each other and it is the Elements of Harmony that brought the two together.”

“So that’s why the biomes split weirdly?” I asked. I had to admit, it was really interesting to hear this. Spirits of fire and ice being manipulated into a war between each other through discord only to make up in the end by harmony.

“That’s what legend says. The M.A.S. did a little side study about it and concluded that the biomes were just experiencing ecotone.” Brick said rubbing his chin.

“I should really read this book.” Comp said with a smile. “Sounds interesting.”

“I didn’t know farm ponies were so into beliefs.” I said.

“Most aren’t. I’m just one of the few that is interested in legends.” Brick continued to scavenge the shelves. I pulled my hood down and smiled a little. Who would have thought I would be accompanying an interesting pony like Brick. My smile faltered when I remembered him telling me his story of what happened to him. As much as a paranormal enthusiast he is, he was just like any normal pony just making ends meet. I looked over to Comp who beamed as he triumphantly organized our salvage. He then looked up and noticed me staring. He smiled before hopping off the counter and deciding to go into the clerk room in the back to scavenge more.

I knew I told myself that I wouldn’t ask. But now I had to know. Why was I delivering a living breathing pony to uncharted territory? I finally stood up and followed after the colt. Turning the corner, I saw the young pegasus dig through a yellow medical box with pink butterflies on it.

“So I’m curious.” I said making him jump a little in surprise.

“Geez, don’t sneak up on me like that. It’s scary enough that you always wear that hood and that emotionless look every time.” He said. I blinked. Do I honestly wear my blank murderous look all the time? Okay, I know I said I feign my emotions, but some of them are genuine. “So, what are you curious about?”

“Well, my orders are to deliver you to uncharted territory. Any ideas why?” I finally said. He rubbed his foreleg.

“Post Box told me you don’t ask questions about your deliveries.” He said softly. He looked sad, which made me arch a brow.

“And he’s right. But I can assume you know why I am asking.” I adjusted my hood. “I’ve always done deliveries with packages. Not ponies.” He gave me a nervous look.

“I… I…” he stammered. He gave a defeated sigh. “I really don’t know, to tell you the truth.” I cocked my head. “The only thing I can ever remember is being told by Post Box to go with you.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. He looked ready to cry. I panicked and quickly brought him into a hug. I began stroking his mane as he quietly sobbed.

“I don’t know who I am…” he finally said. I looked down at the crying colt. “I can’t remember where I have come from or who I am. I can’t even remember my own parents.”

“So you don’t know anything about your past?” I said. He sniffled before nodding.

“I can only remember Post Box telling me to go with you and that is all. I can’t remember past that.” He pulled himself away from me and quietly rummaged through the salvage on the shelves. “So I don’t know what to expect when we reach our destination.” I said nothing. I could agree with the colt. I don’t know what to expect either. Come on, Courier. You are giving yourself unwanted questions! I sighed as the horned pony jabbed at my head. We have to do something! I mean, he’s a colt! A living, breathing pony! And we are just going to allow ourselves to go through with this? Come on, Courier. We have to do something. We have to find out more! Why are we being asked to deliver the colt? I agreed with the winged pony before standing up on my hooves. Then, I froze. Red bars on my EFS. I hissed and motioned for Comp to stay quiet. He stopped rummaging and did what I told him to.

I crouched and crept along to the edge of the door and peeked out. I saw Brick ducking behind another counter and caught my look. I nodded to him and he nodded back. Just as I thought, the door opened and in walked slavers. I counted four of them. Two mares wielding assault carbines, one carrying a strange charred blade and weird looking pack on his back. But what blew my mind was a big stallion that came in from the back of the herded ponies in shackles. He had a minigun strapped to a battle saddle. Well shit, that’s going to cause problems. I agreed with the horned pony.

“Fuck, my ass is freezing!” one of the carbine mares shouted. They herded the ponies to a corner.

“Then why don’t you let me keep it warm for you?” winked the mare with the strange charred blade.

“Ah, shut up you slut.” The mare retorted before making her way to the counter and trotting behind it. I pulled back a little into the door way to avoid being spotted as she banged at the register with her gun. It opened with a ring and she just snorted. “Fuck, none of these things have decent caps.”

“Well no shit, Sherlock. What, were you hoping for a vibrator or something?” the other mare with the carbine retorted. The mare behind the counter fired off her carbine at the other mare who retaliated by ducking behind a shelf.

“How about you shut the fuck up before I put a bullet in your thick head?” she growled. I looked back at Comp and put a hoof to my mouth. He nodded. I pulled out my last Stealthbuck and activated it. If I could take care of the stallion with the mini gun, we would be home free. But first, I had to reach Brick. Crouching and being light on my hooves, I quietly made my way out of the counter. Stepping around littered empty cans, I reached the counter and spotted Brick ready his launcher. I put my hoof out to the gun and hissed quietly, startling the stallion.

“It’s me.” I whispered. Brick nodded.

“Any ideas?” he whispered back. I peeked out to see that the second mare with the carbine and the charred blade wielding mare patrolled down the aisles. The stallion seemed to be guarding the slaves.

“Hey, check this out!” The mare behind the counter said. My heart beat as I noticed them looking into the door where Comp was hidden. I swore silently.

“A wall safe eh? And it looks like no pony has found it yet.” The second carbine mare grinned.

“Let’s break it open!” the first leered.

“Wait!” I froze. I looked over to one of the slaves standing up. “If you break it, all that loot in there will stay in there forever.” Said the rust colored earth pony. The mare with the charred blade came over and planted a good hoof to the face, sending the pony to the ground.

“Shut the hell up! We didn’t give you permission to speak, ya’ filthy slave.” The mare hissed.

“Wait a minute. I think the cap bag might be on to something.” The first mare with the carbine said. The stallion stood up and spat blood out.

“Let me open it for you.” He said.

“What makes you think that you won’t pull anything funny?” said the second carbine mare. The stallion kept a calm and cool demeanor as he spoke.

“I am bound to shackles and have a synchronized bomb collar on my neck. And I don’t want to risk killing the others. Plus I spoke when I wasn’t told to, so I must do something so you can spare us.” He said. I cocked my head. How did they capture a braniac like him? The mares rubbed their chins in thought.

“Alright then. But do anything funny and off goes your little heads.” The mare with the charred blade said. The stallion made his way over and for a second, I thought he looked at me. He pulled out a bobby pin and picked up a small metal piece and began fiddling with the safe lock. I quietly made my way over to the stallion with the mini gun. Reaching him, I carefully slithered up to the gun and without missing a beat, jammed the trigger. The stallion looked down at his gun and to me. His eyes widened. I said nothing as I quickly pulled out some tranquilizer I have (just in case I came across something bigger than a radigator) and threw my hoof over his muzzle and jammed the needle in his neck. He muffled a bit before his eyes drooped and he fell to the floor with a thud.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” the mare with the charred blade hissed looking at the sleeping stallion. Before she could react to her sleeping companion, there was a thump and the sound of a grenade being bounced across the floor. “Oh shit.” I was suddenly blinded by a bright light. There was the sound of the carbines going off and then silence. The light faded and I blinked away spots. I looked over to see that Brick had rushed over to the two mares with the carbines and had knocked them out. I looked down to see the Stealthbuck had dissipated.

“What was that, Brick?” I said as I continued to blink away the spots.

“Flashbang.” He said casually.

“Well, warn me next time before you do that.” I froze and looked at the ponies. “Wait, where’s the other one?” As if on cue, I was tackled from the side. I quickly brought my hooves up to block whatever the mare had in her mouth. I felt my legs being warmed. Really warmed. I glanced to see that the charred blade was now on fire. I gasped and felt my eye throb at the sight of the dancing flames. I saw a burning mare screaming in agony and the feeling of pure joy.

“You picked the wrong day to mess with us!” the mare with the flaming blade hissed. I smirked at her.

“You and what army?” I said. I used the moment of her confusion and drove my hind legs into her stomach and heaved her over me. She rolled into the counter as I jumped to my hooves. I was feeling that sensation again. I wanted to kill. I wanted to watch the flames dance around the mare. I couldn’t help but chuckle a little.

“The hell is so funny?” the mare hissed as she stood up. Without waiting for an answer, she charged. Reacting, I bobbed and weaved as the mare swung furiously at me. The blade came close to singeing my cheek. I quickly ducked and brought out my shotgun and jabbed the barrel into the mare’s chest. Entering S.A.T.S. I delivered five point blank slugs into her chest. I pushed her limp body off of me and stood up, gasping for breath. Taking a moment to collect myself, I peeked out from under my hood toward Brick, who nodded to me and went over to the slaves. He began deactivating the collars. I looked down at the pony I had shot. Well, her body wasn’t burning and I wasn’t feeling satisfaction, so I guess yay? I didn’t know what to think. All I could remember when I saw the fire that I just wanted to laugh and watch the flames dance. There was just something so fascinating about the flames. I shook my head.

‘Okay, I might be a minor pyromaniac now. Great, more psychological problems for me.’ I thought to myself and went over to the counter. The stallion just looked at me.

“So, I guess I can assume you are the good guys?” he said. Comp appeared from underneath a pile of salvage.

“Well, Courier wouldn’t say heroes, per se.” he said with a grin. I nodded.

“We were just taking shelter from the blizzard.” I pulled my hood down as I continued. “It was just dumb luck that slavers came in.” I looked over to the two knocked out mares and levitated their carbines to me. I examined them. They were in pretty poor condition, but I figure Comp might get some caps out of them. I gave them to the colt who arched a brow.

“What happened to not being a filthy scavenger?” he said with a smirk. I grinned back.

“I’m not one. Which is why I gave them to you.” I said. Comp rolled his eyes and trotted out to the lobby. I looked over to the stallion.

“How did you know?” I asked. He rubbed the back of his head before answering.

“When we entered the store, it looked like the place was recently scavenged. And from the signs of rummaging, it was apparent that whoever was scavenging was still in the store.” He said. Brick came over and deactivated his collar. The stallion eased a little now. “And I was right. When I noticed you sneaking by, I made a certain gamble.” I couldn’t help but smile and arch a brow.

“Pretty ballsy.” I said. He dusted his tattered slave clothes and sighed.

“Yes, but when I make gambles, I’m usually on the side of misfortune.” Brick nickered.

“Well shoot. If I hadn’t known you were so danged smart, why did you get yourself in this situation in the first place?” The stallion deflated at this.

“I am a, how do you say, relic hunter. My expertise is exploring iconic ruins and retrieving important relics of the past.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “I am Shining Star. Relic hunter and architectural enthusiast.” Brick nodded his head.

“Brick. And that colt over there is Comp. And this mare here is Sixteen.” I looked at Brick, who gave a bashful smile. “Err… thought we were introducing ourselves.”

“Exclude me out of it.” I said flatly. “Anyway, so how were you captured?”

“I was out exploring near the Ironshod R&D factory not too far from here.” He sighed. “Before I could manage anything, I walked straight into their ambush and found myself with a collar around my neck.” Then he looked at me. “Did he say Sixteen? As in, Courier Sixteen?” I glared at Brick who gave me a sheepish smile.

“I hate that nickname.” I said as I trotted over to the safe and examined it.

“Oh! So it is you! Courier Sixteen, real name Courier or “Curry” to her siblings. Born in Stable 50 and raised in Pleasant Town. You are the middle eldest child of five sibling couriers that are descendants of the infamous courier from two centuries ago.” I looked at Shining Star with utter surprise and amazement. I opened my mouth to say something, but closed it.

“Habazawa??” was what I could manage. Shining Star gave a sheepish smile.

“Oh, sorry. I guess it is strange for some pony to tell you who you are before you could mention anything.” Brick and Comp exchanged baffled glances before looking at me. Snapping out of my stupor, I instinctively pulled out my shotgun and jammed the barrel into Shining Star’s mouth.

“You better give me a damn good reason to not blow your brains out. Now, how the hell do you know who I am and how have you dug into my family’s history?” I was feeling murderous. Shining Star muffled something and I pulled the barrel out of his mouth, but continued to point it at him.

“W-well… a minor miscalculation. But no matter. I guess you have every right to feel suspicious.” He cleared his throat before speaking. “Well, I guess I should start by reminding you I am a relic hunter. And yes, your family history is indeed in small minor reports and recordings I have come across on my travels. Left behind by one, Courier One, I believe?” I stiffened and lowered my gun. Courier One? Was it Lyon? Or could it be…

“Did these reports or recording mention the name of who left them behind?” I asked.

“They didn’t say. Maybe, I should show you what I mean. There is an abandon ruin to the east of here that has one such recording that might help.” He said. I looked at my two companions before turning to the stallion.

“Take me there.” I said.

After Comp popped open the safe and bagging what useful loot he could find, I aimed my shotgun at the back of Shining Star as he lead us east from the store. The slave ponies behind us were nervous as Brick flanked them from the back in case we get ambushed by critters or more slavers. Comp looked nervously at me.

“Is that really necessary?” he asked. I said nothing.

“L-look. Please put the gun down. I’m an unarmed innocent. There is no need for this type of behavior.” Shining Star stammered. I arched a brow at him. I could almost swear he was about to wet himself. The blizzard has finally let up a bit, but snow still blew all around us. Glancing quickly at my PipBuck, I saw the cartoon pegasus.

‘I’ll check it later. I need to find out what the hell is going on. And if my family is involved, I have to think of some way to stop it before it gets out of hand.’ I peeked out from under my hood and gapped as we reached a small building with faded pink colors.

“An M.o.M. building?” Brick arched a brow. “What is a ministry building doing here?”

“Interesting isn’t it?” Shining Star chuckled. “Yes, it is strange to see a ministry building here. One would say that the Ministry Mares worked with Canterlot. But it seems from certain reports that they had expanded out to the northern region only to abandon the idea.” I walked ahead of the stallion and looked up to the building. I could tell it has seen better days. The windows were broken or cracked. I could swear I saw movement on the second floor. But what really gave me the chills was the face of the elderly pink pony staring down at us.

I shivered at the thought and turned to my companions.

“Brick, stay with the slaves. Comp you do the same. You, braniac.” I motioned with my head. “You’re with me.”

“But I wanna come!” Comp whined. I glared at him. “But… there could be treasure in there.”

“Well, I did see a few interesting trinkets.” Shining Star said. I turned my glare to him and jabbed the back of his head with my enchanted shotgun. He sighed. “Yes, yes. I’m moving.”

“Stay.” I said to the colt. He sat on his haunches and crossed his forelegs.

“Jerk.” He snorted. I ignored him and with the stallion, entered the building.

I was instantly overcome with a chilling sensation. The lobby was wide but not too big. Chairs and some desks were stacked onto one side of the room, blocking whatever path was down there. Papers littered the floor and the stench of old death lingered in the air. I adjusted my hood so I can get a better look. I saw in the corner of my eye Shining Star glancing nervously at me. I turned to him and smirked. He backed up as I conjured a copy that mimicked me holding the gun with my magic to the back of his head.

“Try anything and get a head full of lead. And don’t get too comfy.” I turned and made my way around the center desk before continuing. “My copies are real enough.” Shining Star seemed more intrigued than scared.

“Really? A genuine live copy?” He looked over my copy that gave a confused and annoyed look at the stallion. “That must require a serious amount of magic.” He turned to me as I began looking through the drawers. “Are you a specialist in illusion magic?” I said nothing as I frowned and looked over to the stairs.

“Hey, egg head. Show me where you found the report.” I pulled my hood down. Eh, might as well tell him. “And yes. I specialize in illusion magic. I can make the most basic illusions to the advanced doppelgänger trick that you are so lucky to see.” Shining Star nodded.

“Yes, so very lucky to see.” He said with a smile.

“I say that because ponies won’t be around long enough to tell their friends about it.” I said flatly. I motioned for my copy and my copy jabbed the back of his head, forcing the stallion to move upstairs. We entered through a melted door that me made think as to what had happened to cause this place to be abandon. Based on the scorch marks on the walls and doors, I could safely assume a fire had caused it. Then I stopped. My EFS picked up one red bar around the corner. I listened closely. My ears twitched to the sound of a small beeping sound.

“How did you get around this place without being shot at by turrets?” I asked the stallion with a frown.

“I didn’t say I’ve gone in without getting shot at.” Shining Star said. I lifted my own shotgun and dashed around the corner, entered into S.A.T.S. and blasted the turret that had popped out from the ceiling. Two good slugs and it blew up. I smirked. “Oh, now you’ve gone and woke the others up.” Shining Star groaned. I cocked my head at him. Suddenly, more red bars on my EFS appeared.

“Intruder. Intruder.” A small metallic voice of a filly sounded. “Preparing to remove from premise. Please surrender your arms and come quietly.” A brain bot rounded the corner and shot a bolt of energy at me. Ducking, I fired straight into the brain case. With a sickening splat, the bot tipped over. I gave a good applebuck to the door behind me and the door was sent off its’ hinges.

“Come on, move!” I said. Shining Star and my copy rounded the corner. My copy wasn’t so lucky and got disintegrated by a brain bot’s beam. We galloped across the office into the next room. We both closed the door behind us and made a break down the hall. I reloaded my shotgun just in time to enter S.A.T.S. and blast a turret that had popped out from the ceiling. I groaned in pain as a beam struck me in the shoulder. Ignoring the burning sensation, I ducked behind a fallen piece of the ceiling with Shining Star right behind me. Taking the moment of our cover, I chugged a health potion down and peeked out from cover. I quickly ducked back as a beam nearly hit me square in the face. I turned to the stallion. “Which room has the report?” I shouted over the blasts. There were now two brain bots down the hall.

“It’s in the room above us!” he shouted back, ducking as the beam nearly nicked his ear. I looked up then peaked behind cover. I pinpointed where I thought the roof is weakest. I levitated out the grenade I had taken from Brick and Shining Star’s eyes widened.

“Are you trying to bring the roof down on us!?” he said. I gave him a grin as I plucked the steam and tossed it down the hall. The explosion knocked us back a bit and we were engulfed in a cloud of dust as the sound of the ceiling above the brain bots collapsed on top of them. Coughing as the cloud cleared a bit, I looked over to Shining Star who stood up and shook debris off of him, coughing. “You are a mad mare.” He growled.

“I’m quick to improvise.” I turned and beamed as my calculated toss had created a ramp from the ceiling up to the next floor. “See? Improvising.” Shaking the dust off of me and picking out specs of debris out of my bed ridden mane, we made our way up the ramp and turned the corner. Entering through the hallway, I checked to see if anymore bots were coming our way. My EFS showed red bars, but it didn’t look like they were on this floor. I could tell because one red bar quickly zipped by me and vanished. “So, where is the room?” I asked. Shining Star motioned forward with an annoyed look. I followed his gaze and saw a room with a single terminal on the desk. It’s ghostly green glow lit part of the room. I turned on my PipBuck’s lamp spell and entered into the room. Shining Star trotted over to the terminal and began typing. I trotted over to the wall safe and narrowed my eyes. ‘Well, might as well do something.’ I thought to myself.

I levitated out my screw driver and a bobby pin and began working the lock of the safe. I went through three bobby pins before the safe finally clicked open. I smiled as the door swung opened and was disappointed to see only files left two centuries ago rotting. Using my magic to shift aside the papers, I finally saw something that might be of use. It was a memory orb. Instead of reaching with my magic, I plucked it out and stuffed it in my bag. I was going to have to look at it later. Right now, I needed to focus at the task at hand.

“Here! This is the report.” Shining Star said. I trotted over and looked.

>Guess I might as well take a gander at this. This is Courier One, from the Crystal Express. I have to tell you that not everything is at all as you claim it to be. Pleasant Town will be the centerfold.

“What in the…” I whispered. I scrolled down to the next entry. It was a reply from an unknown source.

>We had agreed to the matters, Courier One. The silo will never be active. No matter how much you try.

I read the next entry.

>Lyon has done what I wanted. Now, it is time for another to play the part.

My heart rate increased as I read the line over again. Lyon… then it could have… but why? Why him? I scrolled to the last entry.

>When she has found what she has lost, she will find me. And Equestria will wake from its' slumber.

“These entries were sent ten minutes from each other.” Shining Star said. “I thought it had something to do with your family because I heard about Lyon from long ago. That he is the eldest brother of five sibling couriers.” My heart continued to beat furiously. It was beginning to be hard to breath. “Sixteen?” He backed away as I gave a good hoof punch through the screen. I ignored the glass digging into my skin as I shivered in anger.

Why him? What was this? Who was he talking too? No, it has to be fake. But… is it? It clearly stated Lyon’s name. Courier One… my father was the previous Courier One before he vanished and Lyon took his place. I began to sob.

“Why… why would he…” I said shakily. This was all so confusing. Why had dad mentioned Lyon as if he had done something terrible? And who else was he talking about? Fuck, I wanted to kill something. I looked at my bleeding foreleg. Flicking the glass away, I limped out of the room with Shining Star right behind me.

“Slow down, Sixteen. What about the brain bots?” he stopped and gapped. A brain bot rolled around the corner.

“Stop. Please put down your arms or be removed from the-“ Taking my shotgun like a club, I heaved with all my strength and the butt of my gun broke the case, sending the brain flying straight out the window.

“Sixteen! Slow down, you are going to get yourself killed!” Shining Star said. I ignored him as I flipped the shotgun around blasted two more brain bots that were entering from where we had entered the building. My eye had started throbbing, but I was getting used to the pain, so I ignored it and made my way out of the building, only to be greeted with guns being pointed at me. I checked to see if my hood was still on, but it wasn’t.

Ah, fuck it for now. I was pissed and wanted to kill. I looked over to where the slaves along with Brick and Comp were being held at gun point by a familiar blonde mane stallion stood.

“Well, I guess we were right to figure you were here.” Bud said with a grin. I counted ten ponies, all except for Bud and the mare I recognized as the one who beat me with a chain. I lifted my shotgun up. The mare leered at me.

“We got unfinished business, bitch!” she cackled. The ponies pointing their guns at me moved forward. I wanted blood. And I grinned ever so evilly as Karma had given me the chance for some payback. The ponies stopped and one winced.

“Whoa, what the fuck is wrong with her eye?” the mare said. Now that she mentions it, my eye felt like it was burning. Burning. Yes, the thought pleased me. I want to kill. I want to burn and kill.

“I want death!” I said with such venom that the ponies backed away. Bud seemed a little uneasy but it was Chain Whip that struck the deal.

“Kill the bitch!” she hissed. The next thing anypony knew, I had somehow made my way next to her. I looked over to see that my copy had taken my place. How had I pulled it off? I couldn’t answer my own question as I heard myself chuckle manically. “What the fuck!?” Chain Whip backed away as I took a step forward. I wanted this mare. I needed to hear her sweet music. I need to play with her. I want her to burn. I realized I wasn’t in control of my own body. I panicked. What the hell was happening to me? My body glanced over to the crowd of ponies and something bulged from my eye. I screamed as the pain traveled across to the side of my face and harden. I looked over to my copy to see she has done the exact same thing. I had a growth that looked like a horn had jutted out. I could see dark lines trace it back to my right eye. The next sensation I felt was power. Power to do anything. Power to go above and beyond. I was no longer feeling like myself. My body dashed quickly to two of the ponies that had fired at me. Something shot from my horn. It looked like a lightning bolt. But when it came into contact with the two ponies, their heads instantly exploded. I could feel the gore on my face as I looked over to the rest of the ponies about to shoot at me.

My body smirked and my copy... no, copies? How had I conjured more? I counted a dozen. A dozen? I can only pull off three!? What the hell was happening to me!? All my copies sported the same growth horn. My body raced into the chaos as my copies and me bit, kicked, tore and blasted the limbs and heads of the ponies. I had never seen so much red in the snow. My copies went to work as my body looked over to a horrified Chain Whip and Bud. My gaze fell onto the mare. I want her to burn! I want her to scream! I want to watch the flames dance! I saw the two turn and flee, but something had shot out of my growth. I watched as a spectral limb grab Chain Whip by her hind legs, making her fall and dragged her to me. I heard her scream for help as Bud looked on in horror. Yes, I finally have her! Time to hear the sweet music of my prey! Time to watch the flames dance! The mare thrashed and kicked, trying to break free of the spectral limb. My body laughed manically. I felt awesome! I felt so satisfied! I watched as the spectral limb release her hind legs and grab her neck, lifting her off the ground.

“Courier, stop!” I heard Comp call out. I ignored the colt. I wanted to play with this mare. I wanted her to sing! Sing as the flames danced to her glorious cries! I then felt a sensation I haven’t felt in a long time.

Fear.

I was afraid. I couldn’t do anything. I could only sit here in my mind and watch as my body manipulated the limb to lift the mare up high off the ground. I wanted to scream. I wanted to stop this nightmare. But I couldn’t move. My legs were glued to the floor. My body glanced to one of my copies who had brought an arm of one of the destroyed brain bots. I gasped as I could see that my right eye was exactly how Lyon’s was. Cold, dead and glazed. But I was grinning. Grinning as widely and unfriendly as I could. I looked to see that the brain bot arm was the beam gun. Another copy levitated a fuel canister from the bot. Breaking it, she tossed the fuel onto the screaming mare. Completely doused in fuel, I grinned wickedly as Brick and Comp shouted my name. I ignored them and looked to the struggling mare. I could see it. True fear in her eyes. The spectral limb suddenly split into tendrils and wrapped around the legs of the mare. The copy with the bot arm fired, grazing the mare. Then, she screamed. I wanted to look away. Goddesses, what was I doing? I didn’t want this. I wanted to stop. But my body was ignoring my commands to stop. Then, I watched. Watched as the thrashing mare screamed as the flames danced slowly around her body. She was soon engulfed.

“Put her down, Sixteen! Stop it!” I heard Brick shout. I was laughing in satisfaction now. This is what I wanted to do to the mare. Hear her music and watch the flames dance with her melody. I screamed for myself to stop. To listen to Brick. But my body didn’t obey. Suddenly, I felt my body spasm. I watched between half closed eyes as the mare was dropped into the snow and Brick throwing snow on her. I screamed in pain as my body fell to the floor and the pain in my eye increase more. I looked over to see a grim looking Shining Star with a bot arm of his own. Then, the whole world around me blurred to black.

When I opened my eyes, I felt myself floating.

“Hello?” my voice echoed. I looked around to see only a dark abyss. Something was off. Am I dead? I remember Shining Star shooting me with the bot arm. Then I remembered that moment. The spectral limb. The horned growth from the side of my face. My murderous insane look. I narrowed my eyes. I could see a small glint of light. I flailed my hooves around, trying to move myself forward. Then, a road appeared. A long, slithering road that led to the small glint of light. I was no longer floating. What was going on? Where the hell am I? I swallowed before taking a hesitant step forward. Then, another. I walked slowly down the slithering road. My ears twitched. I could hear whispers. They were faint at first, but as I made my way further down the road, they were more audible. I couldn’t make out the words. It was like a thousand voices were trying to reach out to me. I willed myself to ignore them and press on. The glint was now becoming brighter. I stopped and gasped.

It is a small orb of fire. I could feel that sensation again. Screams and dancing flames. What was strange to me was that it wasn’t coming from me. It felt as if it was coming from this small orb of fire. As I moved closer, it began to form. I could make out a pony. But it looked different than any normal pony. This one was about my height. The mane was on fire. No, it was fire! I saw wings expand and a glow coming from the horn.

It’s an alicorn. I squinted, noticing small fire chains coming from the orb.

“What are you?” I asked, mainly to myself. The alicorn said nothing as it struggled against the chains.

“That, is the spirit Din.” A deep voice said behind me. I turned to see a stallion walk out of the darkness. Dark smoke flowing out of his grinning mouth. His eyes were pupiless and I could see small faint green tendrils at the corners of his eyes. His grey hide was mostly covered in the smoke and his charcoal mane had more of the smoke flowing from it. But what really stuck out for me about the stallion was the horn. It glinted blood red and curved upwards. The smoke swirled around the stallion. I gapped as the smoke hardened into armor.

“W-who are you?” I asked. I took a step back and spread my legs out, crouching only slightly low. I needed to be ready to move. The stallion smiled and I could see fangs.

“At ease, child. I am not here to harm. I merely want a small chat.” He looked at me with those pupiless eyes. “It is quite an honor to talk to the middle eldest child of Lone Road himself.” I gasped. Lone Road is my father’s name.

“How do you know my father?” I said, hoping as coldly as I could. The stallion chuckled deeply.

“You could say I am a… acquaintance if you will.” He said walking past me to stand next to the orb. He looked at the fiery alicorn in chains. “Marvelous isn’t it? The spirit Din’s fire glowing ever so beautifully.” Din…

“Are you saying that’s the Spirit of Fire Din? From the legends?” I gapped.

“The Spirit of Fire, Din and the Spirit of Ice, Shiva battled it out on that very spot.” I remembered Brick saying. The stallion smiled.

“It pleases me that you know the legend.” He said. I shook my head.

“A pony I know told me about it.” I said. The stallion sighed.

“Well, at least you are honest about it.” The stallion circled the alicorn.

“So, are you going to tell me why I am seeing Din here?” I arched a brow. “If I remember correctly, Din and Shiva were brought together in Harmony.” The stallion hissed at the word harmony.

“Ah yes… that thing you ponies wish so much for.” Then he grinned widely. “That is till the previous bearers of Harmony began falling apart through Discord.” He snorted. “It’s about time that fool had done his job.” I cocked my head. This stallion must be insane. And from that entrance he put on and the look of him, I could tell he was trouble.

“Who are you?” I said, feeling calm now. He looked me over before speaking.

“I am none other than King Sombra. True heir to the Crystal throne.” He said bowing. I stared at him blankly.

“So, you’re the pony that was defeated by Celestia and twice again by Twilight and her friends.” I said. Just because I don’t know much about the war doesn’t mean the work of Ministry Mares went unnoticed before the ministries were created. He beamed at me.

“So, you have heard of my tales of defeat.” He said with too much glee for my taste. “Then I was right to pick your family.” Now things weren’t looking good for me.

“What have you done with my father?” I stomped my hoof and snorted. He chuckled.

“Oh my. You definitely carry his determination. Those eyes. Those are definitely his eyes.” Sombra took a step toward me. I took a step back. “Oh yes, you have definitely inherited his instincts as well. Like daughter like father.”

“Quit toying with me!” I hissed. “What have you done with father?” Then a thought struck me. “Were you the one who took Lyon as well?” Now he grinned from ear to ear.

“Unfortunately, it was the child’s choice that he came to me.” Sombra stood straight and tall. “He wanted power to protect his family. He wanted power to make things right. I just gave him that nudge to acquire it.” I bristled. He grinned at me. "As for your father... let's just say, he is willing to see the fate of Equestria to the end."

“You bastard!” I charged and leapt at him, only to freeze in mid-air and dangle in front of the stallion. He had caught me in a telekinesis.

“Tut tut, dear Courier. No need to be rash now.” Sombra grinned. I struggled against the magic, but to no avail. “Oh yes, I have an idea.” He said. “Do you want power?” I stared into his pupiless eyes. I wanted to kill this fucker.

“I want the power to kick your ass!” I growled. He chuckled.

“Do you desire power?” Sombra asked. I narrowed my eyes.

“I only desire to bring my family back. The family you took from me!” Sombra then smiled.

“You want your family back? Well, dear child, I can tell you that I am not responsible for taking your father and brother. They made the choice solely on their own.” He walked over to the alicorn with me in tow. “If you desire the power to bring your family back then you must do something for me.” Great. Of course there’s a catch. There is always one. He looked to the alicorn. From the flames formed a lock. “All you have to do is set her free. She will grant you the power to bring your family back.” Really? That’s all I have to do? I looked at the alicorn, then the lock.

All I had to do was free Din. I felt my hooves touch the road and a key appeared in front of me. Taking it in my magic, I looked back at the lock. This is it Courier! Do it! With this power, we could get rid of anything in our path! I looked at the horned pony with a look of concern. Don’t do it, Courier! I looked to the winged pony. This is way too shady! You said so yourself! There is always a catch! Freeing her will definitely grant more misery. Pssh, please. Hell, with the spirit of fire on our side, we could practically rule the Empire ourselves! Ruling the Crystal Empire? I haven’t really thought about ruling. Though I can’t say I haven’t even had that thought. I would sometimes dream of ruling something. And to rule the entire Empire? I liked the thought. No, Courier! You have to remember! We have a job to do! No getting side tracked! You made it your oath to take the job seriously! Not for yourself, but for your siblings. Your own mother! My eyes widened. Of course. That was some of the reasons I chose to become a courier. I looked at the alicorn and then at Sombra, who stared at me with a calculative look. Make your choice, Courier. Do you desire the power to defeat all who oppose you from hindering your search for your brother or stick to being a courier? Sombra smirked at me.

“Interesting. You appear to have a self-conflict about you. I could tell that those ponies are making it difficult for you to choose. But it is solely your decision. Now… choose.” Sombra said. I gulped and looked back at the lock. I levitated the key to level with the key hole. My heart began beating. What if I could use the power for my own gain? I could still be Courier, but have the power of a spirit aiding me. I really liked that thought.

“What have I told you, Sombra. You are definitely pushing your luck.” A voice said behind us. I turned and gasped as I saw Lyon standing a few meters away from us. Sombra hissed. Lyon stepped forward. “Curry. You need to leave. Now.” He said.

“Lyon? What are you doing here?” I asked. He tipped his hat to cover his grim look.

“You don’t need to know. It is between me and Sombra.” He said.

“Hmhmhm. Dear Lyon. So you do still care for your sibling. How noble of you.” Sombra grinned.

“I thought I made it perfectly clear that you were not to go after Curry.” Lyon said.

“Lyon? What’s going on?” I asked. I wanted to move to him. But something had me glued to one spot. Lyon looked at me.

“Turn back, Courier.” He said. I gasped and dropped the key. Sombra hissed.

“Lyon, you fool.” Sombra said. Lyon flicked his hat up and I could see that his eyes were not those dead glazed eyes. No, those were the eyes I remembered. Those luscious blue eyes.

“Sorry, Sombra. But I did make it clear. Now let her go. Or else, it’s bye-bye to your precious crystals.” I smiled as Lyon smirked at the stallion. Then he winked at me.

“Lyon…” I said. He looked at me, his eye staring at mine. “Don’t get yourself into too much trouble. I’m still going to bring you back!” I said. I willed myself to move. I galloped away from Din and Sombra and hugged my brother. He hugged back before pushing me away and I galloped around him. I heard Sombra sigh.

“Well, no matter. The offer is still standing. When you are ready.” I kept it in mind as I galloped, looking back to see Lyon and Sombra staring intensely at one another.

‘Becareful, Lyon.’ I thought to myself. As I galloped away from them, I could see a door at the end of the road. I opened it with my magic and jumped through.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself looking up at a cracked ceiling. I could see movement in the corner of my eyes. I turned my head to see a neatly groomed mare. Her white hide shone brilliantly in the sunlight that was peeking its way in from a boarded window. Her lavender mane tied neatly in a bun. What struck my curiosity was the cross hair cutie mark she had. She was humming a tune as she washed her forelegs in a sink. I looked over and my heart skipped a beat. I saw a surgery tray complete with bloody scalpel and forceps. My hoof instantly shot to my eye and I could feel an eye patch covering my right eye. I was panicking now. I noticed that I was no longer in my barding. No worries though, I won’t need them for what I was going to do next. My magic grabbed the bloody scalpel and I quietly slid out of the bed and crept up to the mare. I shot my hooves out, one locking her neck and the other covering her mouth. She gave a muffled panic shout but quieted as I levitated the scalpel right at her eye.

“I am going to remove my hoof from your mouth. I want you to tell me why I am here and what has happened. And if you scream, you won’t be leaving here without a sliced eye and possibly a tongue.” I looked at her as she nodded. I slowly removed my hoof and to my relief she didn’t scream.

“Well, if you must know, dear, it was your friends that brought you here.” She said quietly to me. I eased a little, but kept the scalpel at her face.

“Alright. Next question. Where are we?” I said. She smiled at me.

“Why you are in the lovely town of Wheatfield Acres.” I balked a bit. Wheatfield Acres? How did we get here? I eased more.

“Last question. What did you do to me?” I said pointing a hoof at my eye. She flushed a little.

“Well, your friends said something about your eye being, well… how shall I put this? Different?” I let go of her neck but still held the scalpel at her. “And I am one of Wheatfield’s finest surgeon. You find a pony who is so skilled in the art and not have one pony die on her hoof.” She beamed as she said this. I dropped my head and sighed.

“That still doesn’t answer my question.” I said. She blinked.

“Oh yes, your eye. Well, with my knowledgeable expertise in the art of surgery, I dug around your eye to see what was so different your friends kept telling me about.” She rubbed her chin before continuing. “To be frank, dear, I don’t know what to say. When your friends brought you in, you were perfectly healthy, minus the gore and blood that was on your clothes. I had just finished when you woke up.” I blinked at her.

“Okay… so what did you find? You didn’t happen to see… I don’t know… a growth?” I asked wincing. I had definitely remember the growth that had protruded from my face that felt connected to my eye. The mare smiled.

“Oh no, dear. I saw nothing of the sort. Your eye is perfectly healthy. Now stand still. I need to see if you moving around has done a number on my work.” She lifted up my eye patch with my magic and stared in horror at me. I panicked.

“W-what? What happened to my eye? Is it bad?” I stammered.

“Oh dear… I don’t know what to make of it. I haven’t seen this at all in my life.” She levitated a mirror over to me and I looked. My right eye was still my normal eye. The gold iris staring back at me. I blinked in confusion.

“What do you mean? Isn’t that how I always look?” I asked. The mare hesitated.

“Err… yes I suppose. But when I patched you up, it should take at least eight weeks for your eye to heal from the surgery.” She rubbed her chin in thought. “Have you’ve been exposed to radiation of any kind?” I shook my head.

“I mean, I have been on some roads and places where radiation reached in the yellow, but I always have plenty of Rad-X and Rad-Away for the occasion. And if I had, I never really stuck around for long.” I said.

“Well if it is not a mutation, then perhaps have you been in contact with any drugs?” she asked. I rubbed the back of my head.

“Well, only once. I had tried getting into this town for one of my deliveries and the guard was just being so stubborn about the idea I wasn’t a courier. So I took a Mint-al and succeeded in finally convincing him I was a courier.” I sighed. “After that, I threw away the Mint-als before they wore off and I would feel the after effects of the addiction.” The mare nodded.

“So if it isn’t mutation or drugs… then what kind of magic is being put into play?” She turned to the door of an office that I assumed was hers. “I must do a bit more research into this. You are free to go, dear.” I blinked at her.

“Err… just like that? I don’t have to pay or anything?” I asked. She seemed to ignore me as she began digging through her bookshelf. I sighed and trotted out the door.

Something tells me that this was going to be a hell of a week.

Footnote: Level Up!
Quest Perk Added: Eye of the Spirit: When provoked or triggered, you feel the power of the spirit grant you additional power. Your DT and AP points are added by 10.