As the day of my departure arrived, around the time I was finishing preparations, Storm approached me again. I looked up momentarily and, seeing the concern in his eyes, ceased preparations for the moment. He spoke once he made sure I was paying full attention to him. "Aqua, please, don't do this."

"Storm, I believe we've been over this before."

"I know, I know. I still don't think this is a very good idea for you to do this."

"Look, Storm, I respect your opinion and the concern you have for my wellbeing in this situation. That being said, the facts are still the facts, whether we want them to be or not. Duke is still out there. The other slavers are still out there. The slaves are still out there. That isn't going to change here anytime soon unless somepony does something."

"That somepony doesn't have to be you."

"Yes, Storm, it does have to be me. I am one of the few, if not the only one, that has escaped from that life. Besides, look at me." At this point I transformed into my larger form and equipped my new, reforged plate armour, leaving the helmet folded back from off my head. "How many 'normal' ponies do you know that are my size with equipment like mine? How many others share my skill with the sword along with my combat expertise? How many others have taken oaths to protect others and have dealt with creatures far worse than a pony that happens to have a lot of money?"

"None but myself and a few select others."

"Now, how many of them actually know where this place is?" It was silent for a few moments before I spoke again. "I don't want to go and do this either but those ponies have no other chance at freedom if I don't."

"Perhaps another pony will come along that can, a pony that will know about them and will be able to do something to help."

"When?" Silence again ruled the house. "I thank you for your concern over my personage but there is no changing my course. This is something that I absolutely must do. It is entirely imperative."

I started packing the last few things into my saddlebags before putting them on and turning to face him again. "Besides, I'll come back. Don't worry yourself about it. I always come back."

He nodded, defeated. I gave him a hug of reassurance before putting my helmet on and making my way over towards the door. Right as I was about to leave I heard Storm again. "Aqua?"

I turned around to address him. "Yes?"

"Stay safe out there, ok?"

"I plan on it." He fell silent again and I left. The first place for me to go was the train station here in Ponyville. As I trotted in it was clearly visible that those around me were rather uncomfortable. It was understandable, as not many had seen an armoured pony before in their lives, nonetheless a half-dragon pony such as myself. The station master himself had almost a look of terror as I purchased my ticket. Once I boarded the train I noticed that the car I was in seemed coincidentally empty. I took my seat regardless and prepared for the journey towards that town that had saved my life after I was snatched by the dragon.

The train ride consisted of little more than simply gazing out the window at the rapidly passing landscape. When I found that watching nature pass by wasn't enough to entertain me I decided to get a little rest. Surely, I figured, I needed to be well rested for the remainder of my quest.

I was awakened by the sound of the train's whistle as it neared the station. I stretched and prepared my things. When the train finally stopped all the ponies began filing out of the other cars. When I looked around the car again it was clear that I was the only one actually in this one. I decided to disembark as the others were doing. Predictably I was stopped by the station guards and taken into a side room. I was seated across from two of them. Judging the situation to be a kind of customs interview I folded back my helmet to allow them to see my face. It was easy to tell that they were caught off guard by my appearance. "We just have a few questions for you because of some items you are currently possessing. Can you tell us what you plan on doing with those items?"

"You must be referring to my armour, correct?"

"Yes, that and the unnecessarily large saddlebags."

"I was simply wearing the armour so I could use the saddlebags to carry food, drink and a few coins for the journey I'm on."

"Is that all?"

"Yes. I was planning on hiking around the nearby countryside."

"Alright then. You're free to go." After I had stopped the train robbery I expected there to be tighter security and more questions. Finding nothing more I nodded before leaving the room, putting the helmet back over my face. From there I exited the station and began searching for that little shop I had been helped at before, the one that saved my life.

It took me not too long before I managed to find it. Once I had found it I trotted over, opening the door and entering. My heavy hoofsteps resounded through the shop as the tinkling bells eventually fell silent. The door, in which I barely fit through both height wise and with respect to width, closed behind me with a tinkle or two more. I stood well over top of the ponies that were now rising out of their seats, almost backing away. Indeed, I almost towered over them. A moment of silence rode by as I looked over the patrons who, in turn, stared at me in fear. To break the dread silence I spoke. "I have returned."

My words made no difference to the trembling ponies. As such I folded my helmet back once more. This as well had no sway upon their troubled hearts. I realised that this form was not what they had seen me in before. Thinking on this I set my saddlebags on the floor nearby and powered down my armour, letting it fold down before stepping out of it. Once free of the plated mass I transformed back into my smaller, blue scaled form. Once they saw this I heard a sigh of relief as they now recognised me. The crowd then came and thronged about me, asking questions. From the very long list of things asked were many requests to know what happened to me during those many years. Many others wanted to know why I looked so different, why I looked the way I do now, comparing it to the way I looked before. As I tried my best to answer what questions I could one statement rose above the mass of questions and silenced all within the store, myself included. "So it really was you."

This statement left the room hushed as all looked towards me. Unsure exactly of what he meant I shot him an inquisitive look. After a moment or two he repeated his phrase, more emphasis upon his inquiry into the past. "So it really was you."

I was still a little perplexed by his statement and saw that asking with gestures wasn't enough to get the clarification I needed. As such I asked for it. "I don't quite understand your statement. What do you mean?"

"You did return." Either the news from Ponyville and the Order concerning my return spread like wildfire or he put two and two together. Regardless they knew full well that I was back in business. I didn't quite expect his response. "You're here to keep us safe, right?"

I looked over this crowd of ponies once more. It was deathly silent. What had happened during the long decade of my absence I knew not. It is possible that some catastrophe or emergency struck and none of my Order was present or capable. Whatever it was it had clearly shaken these ponies and they now needed consolation. Thinking quickly I did what I thought was best to quiet their fears. "Yes, for this is why I have returned. It is my duty, my desire, to keep you all safe. For the time being I must depart once more to help protect others across Equestria, most specifically nearby in the surrounding wilderness, but I will return. When I do I will keep this city under close watch to ensure nothing happens. If the time comes when I would be unable to aid you because of another mission I have I will send two of my Protectorates to each quarter of this city. Whether by my own hooves or the eight sets I send here it will be the same. There is no more need for worry."

As I finished saying this I looked over them once more. It was quiet for a moment more before the room erupted with rejoicing cheers. I could see now that this is what they needed to hear. I nodded in satisfaction and shifted forms again. Trotting over to my belongings, the group of ponies following very closely behind, I put my armour back on before equipping my saddlebags again. I bid farewell and opened the door. I soon found, after leaving, that this simple goodbye was not sufficient. My entire journey to the train station was accompanied by this collection of ponies. What started out as a small bunch of followers turned into a large multitude as we reached the train station. Once there, although very much against my request, they purchased my train ticket for me. They chose to stay at the station rather than follow. I rode forth once more on the rails for the other side of the country. As the train left the station I waved one last goodbye to the excited crowd before settling in for more rest during this long train ride.

Sleep was, in part, fleeting. I was already more than well rested at this point, but there was a while left in the train ride yet. When I wasn't engaged in sleep I was idly gazing out the train window as the landscape passed by quickly. My thoughts would wander like a carefree filly, that is, until it fell upon the task before me. What first rehearsed through my head was what I needed to, or what I could, do about the black market in the port town. I came to no set conclusion after a long while of drifting through various solutions. Taking it one step back I realised I had to deal with Duke first. I had escaped his grasp but was now returning to his home openly. I knew not what I would do with him. I knew not what actions I needed to take in order to give him the desire to pay his workers, or what I needed to do to liberate them if he would not cooperate. As these thoughts swirled about more came in, begging me to pay them heed. Seeing as I still could not come to any sort of set conclusion I began to focus on the other thoughts. As I did I started picturing how to get to there once more, how to return to that forsaken little town. I tried my best to picture the landscape, piecing it together from the scattered memories of the desperate flight from Duke.

I was torn suddenly from my thoughts as the train whistle resounded. The station was very near, as was this looming task. I prepared my things as the train pulled into the station. Once it had stopped I disembarked. As we were all passing through the gates I, predictably, was pulled aside for questioning. Into a dark room, lit by one lamp off to the side, was I taken. Two ponies again sat across from me. They wore formal attire, so I could only assume their job was some kind of intelligence work. After a short while they addressed me. Out of courtesy I removed my helmet, again causing a bit of shock to play across their faces. Shortly thereafter the questioning began. "What is your name?"

"My name is Aqua WindStorm." I answered them in all seriousness, looking them in the eyes to demonstrate my unfaltering honesty.

"Where are you from?"

"Ponyville, Equestria."

"What is your vocation?"

"Guildmaster of the Order of Protectorates."

"What brought you here today?"

"It was the closest train stop to my destination."

"What is your destination?"

"I came up here to adventure through the surrounding landscape."

"And why do you need armour for that?"

Shoot. They dug into every last detail they possibly could. I had to think of an honest response lightning fast. "Well, I have been attacked many times by the wildlife in this region. I would prefer to be safe from such."

They must have been able to tell that I had to think, even for a moment, about the response. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

"What kind of wildlife? What creatures?"

"Timberwolves and other related creatures."

"'Other related creatures'?"

"I've been in a few other lands, seen a few other species of wolves and wildlife."

"Alright then. Why are you wearing the armour?"

"For my adventure in the wilderness." I thought I had made myself clear on that point before.

"Granted, but why currently?"

"I needed to use these saddlebags for supplies."

"If so then why not carry the armour as well?"

"That is a lot of weight to carry, plus these are the saddlebags I use normally to carry the armour."

"You can wear more than one set of saddlebags, ma'am."

"Then it would be for the weight."

"You are wearing the armour. What weight difference is there between carrying it around your body versus on your back?"

They are persistent, if not ignorant and hard hearted. "This armour has hydraulics. It's a power suit. It's virtually weightless to carry when worn."

"Are you currently carrying any weaponry, explosives, chemicals, live creatures or other such dangerous objects?"

"No." I resisted the urge to shift. I quickly justified my statement in my own mind to put down even the slightest reaction of a lie; I was not carrying my swords. I was wearing them.

"We respect the safety of our citizens highly. As such your honesty in this subject matter is highly suggested. Any contradiction or indication of ill will will be met with extreme prejudice." It seemed as if they caught on to my momentary justification, or as if they thought that I had lied on the last question. Technically, they were right. At the same time, however, they were not; there was no need for these ponies to fear what I had with me. "So I will ask you again and I expect your cooperation. Are you currently carrying any weaponry, explosives, chemicals, live creatures or other such dangerous objects?"

"No."

"Are you absolutely certain you are not carrying a hazard?"

"I am absolutely certain." They stared at me for a while as I stared right back at them determinedly. As almost uncomfortable as it was to lock eye contact for that long, I would not back down, indeed could not back down. They looked at each other and nodded.

"Then you are free to go. Enjoy your adventure." I nodded. Once I was released I made my way out of the city. I trotted my way around the periphery until I found myself on the beach to the north. Once here I turned my back to the city and travelled for the remainder of the day. When night came I made camp, ate and lay down. As I waited for sleep my mind would idly wander. As it did I started to get an apprehensive feeling about this journey. I shook the thought from my mind and preoccupied myself with reviewing how I got away from Duke so I would know how to get there, to that place that bought my freedom. After a few interjected yawns I decided to sleep.

When I awoke I prepared my things and headed north once more. It did not take long before I stopped and looked this location over. I looked out to sea to see if I could recognise any landmarks. I also looked inland as well. I readjusted my position on the beach until things didn't quite seem familiar anymore. Heading back to the more vaguely familiar area of the beach I took note of the sun's position. Using this, the direction it cast my shadow and the movement of the sun, I set my course. As I remember from my journey it was to my right before. Accordingly I set it to my left. From here, with this bearing, I set forth in a mild canter, making sure to be aware of my surroundings in case I recognised some feature.

After another day and a half of journeying I came across what I recognised as the little forest I had galloped past on my flight to freedom. Granted it was a mile or two away, signifying a bearing off by a few degrees. I set my course for it and trotted over. Once I arrived I reacquired my heading and set off again. It was late afternoon, early evening even, at this point. Seeing as there was time left I did not stop there for rest, but pressed forwards. The evening eventually became the fall of night as dusk began casting its shadow over the landscape. It was right as I was nigh about to set up camp for the night that I saw distant lights on the horizon. I decided instead to head towards them to see what it was causing the lights. The darkness of night shrouded my approach, a few times making it difficult to find my way. Nevertheless I did make my way over to find exactly what I had been looking for. These lights came from that little town I so despised. The time had come to settle this thing.

As I approached the guard post I could see the watchman trying to figure out what I was. As I drew closer, as I entered into the light shining from the post, the guard finally saw what I was. He panicked a little and caused an emergency lockdown. An alarm resounded as large steel plates rose up out of the ground to seal the entrance entirely. Spikes also came out of the top of the brick wall. These, I could only assume, were similar to what I had injured my tail on previously when I went to vault Duke's wall to begin my escape. I continued my steady cantering advance to the guard post despite the frightened pony manning the station. When I was but a few yards away the pony within finally spoke. "Halt! You cannot advance further. You are outnumbered and there is no entry. Turn and leave immediately."

I finished trotting up to the little room and leaned my head against the iron-reinforced windowpane. I laughed, almost menacingly, and caused him to back away from the glass. I sat for a while like that, watching his terror stricken face burn with contested desire to perform his duty. What added to his already quivering frame's fear was what I spoke next. "Good. It wouldn't have been fun if it was just you."

I left the glass and headed to the barrier beside it. It was a fairly large steel slab that protruded from the ground. I smiled as I approached the fixture, ready now to tear it down. As I neared the wall I turned around, facing away from it, and trotted the last tiny distance backwards. When I made contact with the metal plate I adjusted my position and locked my front hoof anchors into the ground. I pulled my hind legs in and bucked as hard as I could, coupling my force with that of the hydraulics. The solid connection with the gate sent an uncomfortable shock up my spine, forcing a shiver. A glance back at the gate revealed to my gaze a more than thoroughly warped steel plate. I heard barked orders from over the wall, orders such as to move them out of the way. I released the anchors, moved back further and anchored myself once more. Summoning my strength I bucked again and heard the large metal plate skidding down the road within. I unanchored after the next shiver and turned. A few more shuffles came from those within the walls as they now formed a solid barrier of hide. I trotted near, still out of their reach, to strike a kind of proximity fear into their hearts. I figured it would work since the tops of their heads barely reached the top of my shoulders. I could see that it did, but only in part. It was not enough to cause them to break rank. The fearful ponies still stood before me. Hoping that resorting to violence was not an option here I reared up on my hind legs, causing me to stand more than double their height, and extended my blades. After their initial sounds of fear only the hum of electricity echoed in the street as the blades heated to a glow. Terror caused a few to quake. They knew their cloth uniforms and wooden nightsticks stood no chance against my armour and weapons, yet still they stayed. With one last attempt I tried to disperse them without violence. "Now, do you really want to make this a fight?"

A few began to back up. One stepped forth, presumably some kind of captain. "We are to give our lives in defending these ponies."

"A noble goal, really. The shame of it is that all these you are protecting are unholy wretches who make their commerce in the exchange of equine lives." I retracted my blades again and dropped down on all fours. "I'm not here to stain my hooves crimson. I am here to speak with Duke. You all can leave."

I began trotting by and the captain barked at his subordinates. "Don't just stand there. Stop her!"

"I would suggest you don't even try." Some of the guards, the captain as well, began attempting to strike my armour with their pitiful weapons. Each stroke bounced fruitlessly off of the forged shell I wore. I turned to face those that were assaulting me in vain. It was the captain and a select number of others who continued to swing their nightsticks even after several had stopped already after seeing such fruitlessness. I chuckled audibly at the spectacle. "You simply don't listen, do you?"

After another moment or two of watching the determined ponies hitting my armour I, relatively gently, kicked the captain. He tumbled and rolled several yards away, ultimately coming to a stop in an unconscious heap. Those that were taking swipes stopped immediately; the whole crowd backed up several paces. Stepping one hoof forwards towards them I lowered myself a little. "Flee.”

With a jolted movement, and within a few moments, the whole group had fled, stumbling over one another in their panicked flight. I nodded my head, having finished dealing with this minor distraction, and turned towards the streets filled with houses. My next task was to find Duke's home, which, all things considered, was not difficult. It was easy to recognise the nightmarish structure that had imprisoned me for so many years. As I trotted down the lane to where the front of his property was I noticed his gate was closed. It was almost predictable, considering my all too recent escape. Nonetheless I found satisfaction in this chance to destroy what he had. I trotted up to it and kicked it with my front left leg. The gate warped immensely, but did not break surprisingly. I turned around and used my tail to finish bending it far enough to let me slip through. Once inside I approached the front door. Upon attempting to open it I found it to be locked. Finding great joy in defacing his property, possibly causing thousands of bits worth of damage, I turned about and bucked in the double doors violently. They splintered and caved in, leaving a mess of wood chips and expensive materials on the tile floor. It was a shame that I had to destroy such a beautiful piece of art such as his door, but the lives of those within meant more to me than an homage to my heritage. I began my way inside, finding I was heavy enough that each step cracked and destroyed the costly flooring underhoof. I reached the stairwell and made my way up to the fourth floor, probably more out of divine providence than architectural design. Each step cracked and creaked frightfully on my approach to the top floor. On the right side I saw a long hallway with double doors at the end of it. It was there that Duke was; it was there I went. The time was nigh. I reached the doors and an attempt to open them revealed that they were locked. Since, conventionally, the doors would not budge I bucked both in simultaneously as I had done to the front doors. These too scattered wooden shrapnel across his bedroom. When I turned I found a very startled and frightened Duke cowering on his bed. Beside him was a mare, one I recognised from my time in this hole; she was just as frightened as he was at this point. Duke had just woken up, and his fear was tangible as I trotted in. "Surprise! I'm back!"

The mare darted off to the side but he kept to his bed until he found that he could not remain safe there anymore. As he shifted to one side I set my hoof on the frame and applied weight as if to climb on. The frame creaked and ultimately snapped in twain on this side. He kept on the massive mattress nonetheless. I saw the mare fleeing from the corner of my eye but it did not matter to me, for my business was with Duke. I set both front hooves underneath the shattered frame and lifted up fiercely. The bed flipped on its side, causing Duke to fall within the now-imprisoning canopy. He was now cornered by his own grand canopy bed. The force caused me to stumble but I caught myself and moved in quickly. He was just up and ready to bolt when I wheeled around the corner of the frame to block his only remaining exit. He backed up until he hit the wall; I followed in after him. I found room enough to turn and grasp him with my tail. He shouted in fear as I drug him out roughly. I flung him across the room into one of his bookshelves. The force caused many of the books to become displaced, and several of the lighter volumes all together fell from the shelves. I trotted over, picked him back up and threw him to the other side. As he hit the shelves he was met with the same result by the contents of the shelves. He tried crawling away, and it was clear that he was injured, yet still I wrapped my tail around him and yanked him from the floor. In a voice cracking in fear he screamed at me. "What do you want from me?"

I threw him, but only with enough force to cause him to skid to a halt on the opposing side of the room. I folded my helmet back to reveal my face, one that I'm sure burned with deep anger. "Have you forgotten me so quickly?"

"What do you mean? I've never seen you before in my life!"

"How many scaled ponies have you known during your lifetime? How many ponies have you bought with that much money?"

He was momentarily silent. "Aqua? But I thought that dragon got you!"

"You thought wrong! Not even Death himself can keep me in his grasp! Did you really think one pathetic dragon could be my demise? That, however, is unimportant. I came here for one thing: you. Since I have you powerless and cornered it looks as if you have no choice but to fulfil my request. You must either release all of your slaves or hire them for a fair and marketable wage."

"Never. I'd die before then."

"That can be arranged." I bolted in before he could move out of the way and wrapped my tail about his hind right leg, a little above the knee on the thigh. I then quickly trotted over to the window. Using almost unnecessary roughness I shoved him out the window with my grasp still firm around his leg. The shattering glass echoed in the room, mixing with the terrified screams of Duke. He now hung precariously over a four story drop to his death. Where before he clawed to break free of my grasp he now clambered to keep my grip alive. I could hear him screaming still from the outside.

"No! Please! I'll do it! I'll do it!"

A part of me was disappointed, but I complied. I pulled him back in and threw him one last time against the wall. I trotted over to him and, once I had arrived, unsheathed a blade. The sword heated to a white hot and dimly lit the room. I brought it very near to his face and watched as he struggled in vain to escape the heat. "Now, here's the deal: you are either going to free your slaves and release them back into normal society or you are going to pay them for their hire. I shall return in time, the frame of which even I know not, to check on this place. If you have freed them then it is well and I will assure they fall not to slavery once more. If you pay them it is of equal esteem to me and will be treated the same. If you do neither, if you fail in this task as you did in keeping me imprisoned, I will personally see to it that you never have the chance to purchase anything more, slave or not. Period."

I retracted the blade and made my way for the entrance. Upon reaching the doorway I saw a very large group, indeed it seemed to be the whole household's worth of ponies, standing outside the doorway to Duke's chambers. They all looked at me. Some stood in a kind of fearful reverence, others in quiet anticipation. As they looked at me and I at them I took the opportunity to speak. "Remember this night; for it is the night your ransom has been paid. The one that escaped has returned to set you free. If Duke frees you not I shall return and enact justice in its fullest. Watch for that day."

I put my helmet back on as they began talking one to another. There was an air of jubilance and joy in that crowded hallway. I knew I had done something good for these ponies. Regardless of such I, myself, could not celebrate with them, for the task now before me was darker than the one I had just recently accomplished. Finding myself unable to shake the heavy thought from me I decided against joining their merrymaking and celebration. I set out from amongst them, finding my way out of Duke's house. Once outside I set my aim for the East Gate, knowing the forsaken little port town lay in that direction. Leaving from thence was almost unbearably easy; all of the guards must have been at the West Gate to assure no escapes or intrusions and the one guard here must have figured it to be easier simply to let me leave than to try and stop me. I walked out of the gate with grim determination.

It wasn't more than a half-day journey. The scenery, though little there actually was, blended into itself. No outstanding geographic or natural sights drew my attention away, especially as the little port town became visible on the horizon. I had to shake my head a few times on the journey there to shake some vile and dark thoughts from my mind with respects to what I was going to do when I arrived. As I drew closer my thoughts centred, almost unconsciously, on the unmistakable husk of a town I was about to enter. I was glad that I had my armour this time to keep me safer than I was last time I was here.

When I entered the port of the city I began looking around, searching. The last time I had been here I was shoved in a box and jostled about until I was sold and loaded in a cart, from whence I could not make out details very well. I realised I didn't actually know where the market was. Being as lost as I was I approached a nearby worker, who stood just as tall as I did, surprisingly. In order to draw his attention, and judging his character to be a little rougher anyways, I barked at him. "Hey, you!"

He turned about to face me, a look of disgust on his countenance. "What do you want?"

"Where's the market?"

"What are you, blind?" He pointed to the side. "There a huge sign that points it out, stupid."

"Not that kind of market you oaf." It was not hard to read the look his face carried when I said that; he tried to hide, rather poorly, his countenance of recognition. There was a black market and he knew where it was.

"Uh, we don't have that kind of thing here."

"Like hay you don't." I pulled out several bits from my saddlebags, hovering them nearby. "Do you know where it is now?"

His covetous greed sold him out in the end. "Yeah. It's in the biggest warehouse next to the docks. There's an auction starting here soon. I'm planning on seeing what they've got."

I put the bits back into the bag before he could grab them. "I suggest you don't go for your own sake. Thanks anyways."

"Hey, what's the big idea?"

"I'm not sure what you're talking about."

"Give me the money."

"What money?"

I was fibbing around, seeing where I could get with this pony, perhaps even convince him to not go to the auction. He drew his blade, his tiny little dirk. "Give me the money or I'll-!"

"You'll what? Hit me with your pathetic little dagger? Even if I had no armour it would do nothing. I don't think you quite realise who you're talking to here. Run along, now." He sat in silence, utterly frustrated. He could tell that the dagger would do nothing, so I left him where he was and went directly to the dreaded building. As I neared I could indeed hear, in the faintest, a bidding session taking place. I trotted around the whole periphery of the building. It was a quick scan, nothing more, simply to check the number of entrances. The answer was two: one of public access in the front and the other for the entrance of the merchandise in the back. I decided to take the public entrance, see if I couldn't but sneak inside at the minimum. Once back to the correct side of the building I quickly and quietly entered. The door closed behind me and I momentarily grew concerned that somepony heard it. Thankfully enough the room was far too alive for them to hear the gentle click of the door. I turned and unsheathed a blade, leaving my back to the audience currently and hiding as best I could the soon-to-be gleaming sword in front of me. Once it was fully heated I used it to primitively weld the doors shut, which turned out to be a little harder than I had imagined it to be. From here I made my way around the back of the crowd to the left. A few took note of me as I passed to approach the front but they brought no alarm, perhaps thinking I was there myself to bid. As it was darker I'm sure they couldn't make out what I was exactly and assumed me to be a large dock worker or some kind of security for the auction. It was only when I began climbing on stage that a ruckus picked up. A few tried to stop me as I approached the pulpit. Their efforts were in vain as I simply shoved them off of the stage. I drove the auctioneer from the pulpit and took control. As the room fell quiet, awaiting my reasoning, I took a moment to see what was being sold. It was a young mare and a stallion together. The mare was about average size, perhaps a little short. Her hide was a light grey, almost silver in colour. This was contrasted by her jet black hair, which, I can still only assume, was cut short by the traders. Surprisingly enough they had styled it, albeit roughly and a touch messily, yet I suppose it was enough to do the trick and raise the selling price. Her weight was a bit heavier than normal, but of a stronger build; I could only judge her to have done physical labour for a decent while. I couldn't quite place exactly the colour of her eyes, but recollecting on it I would say they were about a steel-blue.

The stallion was large and well built. His work must have been very heavy physical labour, possibly some kind of quarry or construction work. His hide was far darker than the mare's light grey hide, yet grey it still was. He was almost the colour of flint. His hair was a brown, not terribly light yet not very dark. His hair was also cut relatively short. Surprisingly enough his eyes were a touch more blue than the mare, yet a form of the same steel-blue they were.

Simply looking at the two of them impressed upon my mind that they were fetching a high price. As high as mine? Not hardly, but still more than others I'm sure. I turned back to the silent audience standing before me. I took a deep breath to collect my thoughts and begun. "Alright, here's how this is going to go down. This is up to all of you. You will now separate yourselves into two groups: property bidders and slave owners. Why does it matter? Well, I'll show you why. You there, in the front row."

I pointed my hoof at a gryphon that stood on the ground before me. He pointed to himself inquisitively. "Yes, you. Do you own slaves?"

"No." I turned and looked at those around him, seeking their answer. One disagreed while the rest of those around him asserted such. Needing a more general audience, for fear his bidding neighbours shared a close relationship of some kind with him, I turned to the rest of them.

"Tell me, the rest of you here in the building, does he own slaves, this gryphon up here in the front with the green and blue feathers?" An overall view of the bidders confirmed my assumption. It also gave me a very mixed group of responses. I took it in a moment longer, thinking deeply on it, before signaling for the gryphon and the mare that stood to his right to come up onto the stage. This mare had supported the gryphon and stated his innocence. As these two processed their way up I also made my way towards the two ponies that were being sold. They simply watched me in curiosity, albeit with apprehension, as I approached. When I arrived I whispered to the two of them in a tone the audience could not hear. "You two, I highly suggest you close your eyes tightly and cover your ears if possible. It might be better that way."

The two were more than confused but I didn't dare tell them I was about to soak my hooves in blood if I needed to so as to prove my point. As I approached the podium once more the gryphon and the mare came up. They were more pushed onto the stage than anything. They were soon beside me, while I was standing in the middle. I wrapped my tail about the midsection of the pony and put my front left leg around the gryphon. I turned my attention back to the audience. "Now, your honesty is very important in this matter. Is this gryphon a slave owner?"

Again the response was mixed, but it was now more affirmative than not. I turned to the gryphon and spoke quietly with him. "Where do you live?"

"Uh...in the land of gryphons."

"Interesting. What brings you out here to Equestria?"

"I wanted to see what was out here."

"Ah, I see. How have you liked it so far?"

"It's good, but I like my land better."

"Fair enough. Is your friend here a slave owner too?" I phrased the question to be an intentional pitfall. My heart raced a little, hoping that the gryphon didn't realise what I was trying to accomplish. I also quickly glanced out at the audience and saw a lot of them were nodding. Whether or not they heard the actual question or simply nodded in fear I’m not sure. I then looked back at the gryphon and anxiously awaited his response.

"Yeah." He hadn't realised the trap. He fell for it and convicted himself with his own words.

"Where does she live?"

"Small town. No one knows it."

"Super rich? Huge houses?"

"Yeah."

"Do lots of other slave owners live there?"

"Uh...I guess?" His answers were more cautious now, but it did not matter. I had all the information I needed.

"Yeah, I've actually been there. Fairly quaint. Thank you for telling me. I like your response."

"Wait, what do you mean 'I like'-" Before he finished his question I had extended one of my blades and violently jabbed upwards into the gryphon's chest. In order to avoid falling, as well as to add a little more force and emphasis, I reared up onto my hind legs when I thrust him through. The unheated blade sunk deep, the tip even breaking through the back of his torso. Deep red blood seeped out around the blade until it heated up, from whence the blood boiled and the wound cauterised. I twisted the blade before tearing it out of him. I watched as the life drained from his eyes, the normal and necessary bodily functions of respiration and cardiovascular circulation all but halted from the charred scar. The body fell limply to the ground when I released it. I dropped back down onto three legs. Having finished the first demonstration I turned towards the crowd. "Such is the fate of a slaver. Now let me show you what will happen if you decide to hide one."

Using the firm grip I had upon her midsection, I whipped my tail around to one side, releasing her right as I went to wheel back around. I swung my leg in due to meet the pony that was coming around. Within a moment's time the mare's head rolled out of my view. I looked at the decapitated corpse and let it stumble around for several moments before it fell. To the audience I turned once more. "Have I made myself clear? Now, if I suspect that any of you innocents are lying to protect your friends or acquaintances, in other words, if a few of you hide the guilty you will all die right here right now. The entrances have been sealed; there is no escape. Begin separating between slavers and innocents."

Once those words rang through the room a riot broke out on the floor. Pony and gryphon alike kicked, clawed and shoved as they tried to get some kind of organisation. With all of them distracted I headed over to the stallion, who seemed far more capable of answering my question at this point; the mare was cowering while he held her as best as he could. It was easy to see that the stallion was discomforted by my proximity. He was fairly nervous by the time I was nearby. I leaned in close to the stallion, who was leaning away just as readily, in order to speak. "I will not hurt you. You two can be assured that you are safe, but I need to know something very important. You were here before I was. Tell me, from what you can tell which side of the room contains those who were bidding for you two? Which do you recognise as bidding for your freedom?"

He motioned to the right, but made himself cautious and careful not to actually speak to me. I nodded and looked back upon the crowd. It seemed to have worked itself out for the most part, leaving a large group on the left shoving a few back into the slightly smaller group on the right. The space between the two groups was no wider than a pony is long. I took my place behind the podium and drew the activity to an end. "Enough!"

Things settled down except for a small group that kept trying to breach sides. As I took note of such I jumped off of the stage. I landed with a large thud and began my approach. By the time my first few steps had been taken after the resounding contact with the floor all but one pony had stopped trying to get over. Time and time again this pony fought in vain to get over, entirely oblivious to my presence. As I was very near I stooped low, drew one blade and thrust the sword into the pony. Sending the blade through his chest, ultimately kicking him in the chest with my hoof, I arose. Standing quickly I thrust upwards with all my might, retracting the blade and allowing the force to carry the body airborne into the crowd to my right. I now stood in the middle of this deathly silent throng. Slowly pacing upwards towards the back of the room I spoke. "You on my left: you will file on stage and wait there. You will make sure none others from the right climb on stage. You on my right: you will sit here and await further instructions, but know one thing: if any of you climb on stage with the others I will tear you limb from limb."

I quickly took my position by the doors and turned about. It was here in the back of the warehouse that I hoped to be able to see the movements of any creature that tried to slip through. The one group began filing up onto stage, looking at each other nervously. The other group sat in dread fear. One gryphon managed to slip into the group heading on stage; I took fervent note of his appearance. Another tried to climb on stage and was quickly and brutally shoved back down. Once the group, in its entirety, made it on stage I too climbed up, taking my place behind the group near the start of the stage. "Form a line slightly behind the lip of the stage, just out of reach of those below. You are to face the audience."

It didn't take them long to accomplish such. I managed to pick out the dark red feathers of the stowaway gryphon in the line, about three quarters of the way down. I began a slow, plodding trot behind the line. "The individuals you see before you, those on the stage, have not soaked their hooves and claws in the filth of the slave trade like those of you down below. Had you kept yourselves spotless from this barbaric institution there would have been hope for you yet. Those above will live to see another day. Those of you below? Well, that remains to be determined."

The anxious ponies and gryphons stood in fear driven silence as the only sound to be heard were my slow and heavy hoofsteps behind them. I eventually made my way down the line until I stood behind the gryphon. I stopped momentarily, hearing the fearful change of breaths of those in the area. I turned my back to the gryphon and lifted my legs. I heard a few from the lower audience begin shouting, but it was too late. I, relatively gently, bucked him off of the stage before wheeling around and leaping down after him. He was trying his best to scramble away while recovering but was unable to do so before I landed nearby. Those on the floor cleared the way as quickly as they possibly could. Those who didn't move fast enough were bowled over or shoved roughly aside. I caught up with the gryphon, who was nearly upon his paws, and kicked him brutally back down. Galloping over I placed a hoof upon his back, pinning him to the ground as he tried to struggle for freedom. As he tried crawling out from under my hoof I activated the anchors in the greave, clamping firmly into the flesh of his back. He whelped a little from the pain but I did not stop. I next wrapped my tail around one of his hind legs. Sensing what I was about to do, remembering the threat I had made, he quickly began to protest. "No, wait! Please! I'll do anything. Anything!"

He was sobbing at this point, scared spitless for his own life. "It's too late for actions, wretch! You made your choice when you snuck onto that stage!"

"Please! I have a wife and kids!"

"Yeah? What about the family of those you so heartlessly tore from their homes? What about the fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, spouses and fillies of those you bought and sold like objects? What about your family? What about theirs?! You chose this path with the first bet you made for a life! Now it's about to come to a close." I began pulling his leg away from his body.

"No! Please! Anything! I'll send them back! Pay the families! Please, just let me go!" As appealing as an offer as it was, and as much as I would have taken it, I had a point to prove.

"Your fate was already sealed. Now I'm here to finish it." I kept pulling, his hip flexor popping before ultimately dislocating. He began moaning and, through heavy and frightened sobs, kept repeating his plea for mercy. I wish I could have granted it, more than anything I wish I could have. It rent me to the core what I was inflicting not only on this poor gryphon but on all those watching and, ultimately, myself. Regardless, I had an image to uphold and a promise to fulfil. Three had died already in this demonstration of blood and it hadn't proved to be enough. Now a fourth was required.

"Please! Mercy!"

"Mercy cannot rob justice!" A few in the crowd came over and started trying to push me away or otherwise cause me to stop. Their actions led to more coming over. Their combined force proved formidable, threatening to move me aside, but I simply anchored to the floor and kept at what I was doing. The resistance of the others was unreal upon my tail and, only upon exerting my best effort was I able to continue the grisly task. As I pulled further his hide began to tear and blood began to drip. His muscles very quickly followed the example of the flesh under which it hid. Soon a sickening sound resonated as the limb came free. The whole time his screaming had become piercing and haunting, cutting my heart. Throwing this soul-crushing thought aside I kept at it. I threw the bleeding appendage into the crowd around me and grabbed the next rear leg. This, as well, was torn from his body in this barbaric manner. By the time the second limb came free from the body the screaming had all but died down; his body was giving in to the pain as he numbed, close to death. By this time the crowd had ceased trying to stop me and was now backing up to the outer periphery of the room. They hoped to get as far away from me as possible. Soon the third limb came free from the limp body, the sickening sound echoing through the deathly silent room, before being hurled at the cowering crowd. They quickly vacated from the limb's landing site. For emphasis I took the fourth leg from the dead gryphon and threw it to the other side of the warehouse. Again the crowd fled from the presence of the severed body part. As an extra show of emphasis, I wrapped my tail about the neck, pulling viciously away from the limbless torso. Once the neck followed the same disgusting pattern set by the limbs, coming entirely off of the body, I held it up with my tail. I then hurled it against the ground behind me, letting the crack of the fractured skull echo as the head bounced brutally across the floor. I then deactivated my anchors and left the limbless gryphon's body on display for the horrified audience to look upon. I folded my helmet back, barely managing to maintain a fierce disposition, to allow my ferocity to display fully. I carried a scowl and a snarl, both with a strong effort to resist breaking down in disgust. "Alright, whelps, this is how things are going to go down. I will take the two for sale, set them free and provide a means for them to return home. All of you on the stage will, from here on out, only bid on items; absolutely no intelligent and living creatures are to be sold. If such is offered: either vacate the premises immediately or beat the vendor to death and free the creature. Whichever you choose is up to you, for it matters not to me as long as no living thing is sold, save for plants. You that are down here with me: you saw what happened. There is no exit, so you will do one of two things. You will either swear to me the release of your servants or I will cut down each and every single last one of you where you now stand. As you have seen I will happily traverse either path. Now, have I made myself clear?"

It was deathly silent, yet all were slowly nodding their heads to the question. One by one, by direction, those gryphons and ponies swore to me on their lives that they would release their slaves. As well, I very easily pried out of them the location of the smuggler's den in the land of gryphons. It is still slightly surprising to me the information that lesser beings are willing to give after they have both witnessed and been scarred by acts that can only be abhorred by even the most savage minds.

With the last one having given me their oath, and with this horrendous display now finished and taken care of, I trotted over to the doors. The gryphons and ponies cleared the doorway well before I arrived, avoiding me like I was the plague. When I reached them I turned about, bucking back with vicious force. The doors catapulted from their welded hinges and frame. I trotted away from the opening to give those inside the chance to flee. Once they felt I was far enough away from the doorway they just about stampeded out of the open frame, slaver and property bidder alike. I turned my attention to the ponies in chains, finally able to drop the charade of ferocity. My face held a dead expression, numb from the soul crushing experience I had just inflicted upon myself. I tried to keep a look of compassion and a friendly attitude but it certainly was difficult, if not impossible, to maintain. As I approached, I noticed that the silver mare was trembling violently and appeared as if she had just stopped sobbing. The grey stallion stood by, keeping his body close as if to give her comfort, and was glaring in a very condemning manner at me. The closer I got the more he tensed up and the more fear-ridden she became. Seeing this I stopped and backed up a little. Hoping to diffuse the situation I spoke. Though I will admit, the first phrase that came out of my mouth was rather idiotic in these circumstances. "Is something the matter?"

"Yeah, you!"

"What do you mean?" I already knew the answer to that one but I wanted to hear him voice it.

"What was that?!"

"Keeping my word."

"What kind of monster are you?" The words sunk deep, cutting me in a way that I had so frequently done so to myself after I had realised my brutality in the past. All I could muster in my thoughts was how right he actually was.

"I will set you free and explain everything in due time."

"You stay away from us!"

"We must depart from here."

"We're not going anywhere with you!"

"Please, I implore you. It's safer that we leave here."

"And why is that? Especially if we have to follow you?"

"You're free now. I will set you free from those chains."

"If that is what freedom means I'd rather be a slave."

"Do not be so rash."

"Don't you dare talk to me about being rash! Not after that unmerited murder!"

"I did what I had to."

"You didn't have to do anything!"

"I set you free from the grasp of those who wished to do things far worse than you could have imagined them to do."

"You're one to talk."

"I had to purchase your freedom for you somehow."

"And that's the price?"

"As it turned out, yes."

"You disgust me. You're an abomination." I noticed the mare nudge him, causing him to turn his attention to her. "What is it?"

"Brother...please."

"I won't go anywhere with that…that freak!" I bit my tongue in order to hold my peace, holding back any reaction.

"This place scares me..."

"And this...this...thing doesn't?"

"Please..." The stallion looked at, what I could only piece together to be, his sister for a moment longer before glaring me down once more. I spoke again, not leaving him the chance to interrupt, with my helmet still down to let them see my face as best they could in this dark room.

"I don't expect you to trust me. I don't expect you to like me. I don't expect you to support the things I do. Let me, however, ask you this: if you decline my offer what else do you have? When I leave who else will come and rescue you? Where is your family or your friends? Where are they? Where are you?"

I put my helmet back on and approached them during their moment of silent searching for answers. The stallion was staring silently until he leaned in to his sister again, hoping that I wouldn't hear what he said. "I'm only doing this because I promised everypony that I'd keep you safe."

I unsheathed a blade, waiting for the length to begin glowing, and made the needed strikes with the heated blade, breaking the hinges on the cuffs that kept them bound. "Let's get moving. Stay close, and please don't wander off. You don't know the landscape well enough, if at all."

I saw apprehension on the face of the stallion as he begrudgingly complied. I led us out of the warehouse to find the port town completely abandoned. What had been a bustling place filled with rough characters now seemed like a desolate wasteland. I reached the regular market in but a few moments and surveyed the scene. Again there was nopony in sight. I then took from the stands nearby the supplies I believed were needed and put what I thought was enough into the massive saddlebags. The stallion spoke out while I was doing so. “Wait, you’re just robbing them of supplies?”

“Do you see a merchant here for me to buy the supplies?” It was silent for a moment. “I was going to leave a fair amount of bits behind to pay for them.”

“Bits?”

“What?”

“What in the wide land we trot on are ‘bits’?”

“Money. I thought it was a universal Equestrian thing.”

“We’re not from here.”

“What do you use in whatever land you come from then?”

“It’s all just bartering, trading one thing for another.”

“Well, here we have money to facilitate that, like this.” I put the last item into the bag and pulled out a decent pile of bits, placing them on the stand. The stallion remained silent, as did the mare. I then turned and left.

I led us from that place and started southward, for I knew there would be some town or other familiar sight that way. The others followed behind silently. They did so with some distance, still terrified of what I was.

By the time night fell on we three, we had barely reached Whitetail Woods. I took us a little further in for extra measures of security for the other two. We then stopped and set up camp, using a few rocks and twigs to set up a fire pit. I used one of my superheated blades to cause embers to spark in the foliage and twigs in the fire pit. Soon we had a decently comfortable fire going. Once all was set up the two took the exact opposite side of the blazing fire we had made. It was clear that the stallion wanted nothing to do with me, while the mare quietly dreaded my presence, as it seemed. I was content with our conditions, so long as they followed me to safety, and decided to try and get some rest. I powered down my armour, letting it pack up. I heard gasps of fear and shock from across the fire, so I turned to see why. The both of them were either looking at me or behind me and I could not tell which. Assuming that reacting to the second possibility would end up being safer I wheeled around, ready for whatever might have been behind me. What I found was a tree. Realising that it was my strange appearance which caused their reaction I turned back to them. It was a look of near horror on their faces. Perhaps it would be better, I thought, if I transformed into a smaller, less intimidating and gentler form. I did just that, but it didn't do much for them. It quieted their fear of my size, yes, but nothing of my appearance was very normal for them. I saw their faces still filled with fear and quietly sighed. "It's time I explain."

"You think?" The stallion seemed to appreciate retorting.

"My appearance is off-setting, I know. I'm a halfbreed: half horse, half dragon."

"I don't care what you are, just stay over there!" I nodded respectfully, the near palpable and unquenchable fear radiating from those two bidding me to comply. I laid down on my side of the fire to see if I could not but rest. While staying there, with my eyes closed, I had the idea of laying as if I were asleep and waiting to hear what they would say about me. I was staying on the ground for quite a while before the stallion started speaking. "Hey, do you think it's asleep?"

"I mean, it looks like it."

"Then let's sneak off, leave it here."

"Sneak off where?"

"Anywhere but here with that monster."

"So we can get lost and die? We don't know anything about where we are or where we are going. What would it possibly solve to wander away?"

"We're going to die anyways."

"You don't know that."

"But I am very sure of it."

"At least give it a chance. What do we have to lose?"

"Our lives."

"We'd lose them either way, but, I mean, it hasn't killed us yet."

"Yet. You saw what that freak did back there. This creature is more cruel and evil than the ponies that took us and burned our homes. It should be killed or locked up for good. Make us all safer." That was, probably, the most hurtfully honestly phrase I had heard in my life. It was hard to not react.

"Just go to sleep. If it's like you say and it decides to kill us it's less painful if we're asleep." I heard rustling for a while before it ultimately ceased. I waited several moments more before stealing a peek at them. Their eyes were closed, both of them resting on the opposite side of the dim and dying fire. I waited for a while longer, utterly unable to sleep or escape the nightmarish trap hole of my thoughts. After a large window of time passed, I quietly arose and snuck away from the camp. I went about a hundred yards, I'm sure, away before I, literally, stumbled upon a thick grouping of trees and foliage. As I fell into it I found it to be well enough formed and deep enough to hide within, so I curled up once I had settled down and adjusted. The dark thoughts simply would not cease swirling in and through my mind like a hurricane of unparalleled, self-destructive power. Mixed about in this wrathful typhoon were memories of the gryphon I had so heartlessly and brutally annihilated, an event far too detailed in my memory, along with condemnatory words of spite and malice. Echoing around were insults I had heard frequently, and I had to agree with them at this point in time. Monster. Freak. Abomination. Failure. These words, along with others of equal strength, were flung mostly by strangers and acquaintances I had met along the way. Perhaps it was an overactive, pessimistic train of thought running rampant but I thought I heard the voices of family and friends, those I had known for long periods of time, joining in the chorus. Then came my own voice, more coherent and brutally effecting at demoralising. In my mind were rehearsed words so razor sharp they still cut me to this day thinking on what I said to myself.

'What are you? You swore to protect others, yet what have you actually managed to accomplish? Nothing but murder and torture. What kind of barbarian have you become? Look at you. You will never amount to anything now.' The despair that had now hollowed my heart grew deeper and fuller, threatening to consume my very being. 'Just give up already. Nopony will miss you. Nopony needs you. Look, it will be real easy, simple. All you have to do is-'

My thoughts, thankfully, were interrupted, cut gracefully short by a whispered voice. "Hello? Are you back here?"

It was the mare. Having been convinced of myself that they would be better off without me I sat entirely still and silent. It seemed to have been working until she stumbled upon my alcove in the same manner I had. She let out a gasp as she fell upon me, backpedalling as quickly as she could. I let out little grunts and groans as she kicked me time and time again. When she managed to distance herself from me she waited in frightened silence. I eventually arose from the foliage. "Is...is that you? I-is it?"

Her voice trembled with fear. I had no other option than to answer. I might have been worthless, as I thought at the moment, but I could at least quiet her fears. "Yes, unfortunately."

I heard her sigh in relief. "You couldn't sleep either?"

"Anymore it certainly is getting harder and harder to do so."

"What do you mean? What's wrong?"

"Well, your brother put it perfectly."

"Don't listen to him. He's just scared and doesn't want to show it."

"Oh, no, no, he's right. Just look at me."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm a horse, with scales and claws, that ruthlessly inflicts pain and ministers death. If that doesn't make me at least some kind of a freakish abomination of both nature and society I don't know what would."

"You're just reacting badly right now."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You're just in a lot of bad situations."

"There's a reason I'm stuck in a lot of bad situations. They're my fault, just as I am a monster of my own make."

"Bad actions don't make a bad pony. They just show you're stuck in poor situations and have nothing else."

"I don't think you will be able to understand enough of me to manage to justify that statement."

"What do you mean?"

"I have no hidden facets, no alternate personalities. What you have seen from me thus far is who I am."

"I don't believe that. I've seen glimpses of something better."

"Don't lie to yourself. You haven't seen anything else, anything better, because there is nothing to see."

"Even if I haven't seen anything I don't need to. You're a good pony on the inside. I feel it."

"No. I have been tainted to the core by my own poor decisions."

"That's not what I see."

"Then you are either blind or are not looking at me."

"You might be doing that to yourself. I see a helpful pony, one that is kind."

"Knowing how blackened I have become in my time, I can do nothing else but decline that statement."

"Light chases away darkness."

"Oh, this is far beyond simple moral darkness. If that was all it was there'd be no problem. This is a staining of the very threads of my being."

"You can treat the spots or pull the threads out of a cloth."

"That would leave it tattered, vulnerable."

"Then guard it and go places where good, strong, and pure threads can slowly be stitched back in."

"I don't have time to just sit around. I have to keep going."

"Then make time. Stop for a moment. Let others carry your burden."

"And if they cannot hold up to what I have, what then? I am left with the blame, the shame and guilt that I wasn't there when I needed to be. With a crushing burden such as the one I carry how would I even start? Sharing any of the cargo's weight would crush anypony that tried to help."

"You don't know that."

"But I do."

"Have you let anypony else help you in your duty?"

I thought on it momentarily. "A few."

"To what extent?"

More thought. "Not much."

"Then you can't know for sure."

This mare had me stumped. Perhaps there was a level of wisdom behind those steel-blue eyes of hers that betrayed her youthful countenance. Perhaps even I could learn something from this young mare. "Then how do I start? With what I've done during my life who would even want to help?"

"You'd be surprised, but the first step is taken by you."

I'm sure my brow furrowed in disdained curiosity, although there was no way that she saw it. "How?"

"Focus on what you've done right. For example: you saved my brother and me."

"That doesn't justify what I have done."

"What you did might have saved thousands from evil and slavery, if not now then in the future."

"At the cost of my soul. This problem has dug too deep to be rooted out. Thank you for the advice, but I've afraid that there is no more hope for me."

I heard rustling from where she had been, causing me to assume that she arose to return to the little encampment. "You've acknowledged it thus far. Perhaps there's hope for you yet."

With that she left. I was alone once more with my thoughts. Hope? No, wretched creature that I am, I have no hope. I'm too far down this path of blood to turn around, on my own or not. I wasn’t just struggling in it; I drowning in it. The help of others? I don't have that, never have. For the duration of my life I've been alone in just about every endeavour I've had to undertake. What could possibly change that? No mortal pony could accompany me, and no sane one would even want to. This is beyond their realm of capacity. God and creatures from other realms would see my problems as below them anyways, so that was out of the question. I was hopelessly helpless in this fight.

Several moments of such associated thoughts passed by before I begrudgingly returned to the camp. I transformed outside the ring of trees and quietly took my armour. Again outside the camp I equipped it. I then returned again and sat by one of the trees near the exterior and kept watch over the two as they slept. My thoughts continued to vex me until morning light, when the two of them arose. When they took notice of me I spoke. "Glad to see you slept well."

The stallion was startled by my sudden statement. "Don't worry; I was only keeping night watch."

"Uh-huh. Well, what now, oh magnanimous leader?" His tone dripped with sarcasm, albeit it was tired sarcasm. I ignored it the best I could.

"First we eat. We will travel again after that." They seemed content enough with the answer, so I began preparations.

We finished breakfast after a little while. I took a quick stock of our inventory, finding that we were about out of provision. I packed the bag again and, as was promised, we began our trek through the forest. During the journey, the mare made every effort to walk beside me and ask questions during the journey, whereas the stallion sat in brooding silence a little ways back. Perhaps she intended to befriend me, nevertheless the questions rolled out. "What is your name?"

"The Sanguine Dragon." I tore that name out of thin air, no more than a fanciful answer woven in my mind, but I stuck with it. I wanted to see what satisfaction I could grant the stallion, so I started changed my answers to be far darker than normal.

"Where are you from?"

"The Everfree Forest."

"I knew there was something evil about you." The brother chided in response. He seemed ever ready to rebuke me for what had already cast me to the brink of destruction. "So what exactly are you planning to do to us?"

"Get you back home." As much as any other response would have proven humorous I had to be completely honest with that question. The walk was silent for a while until the sister spoke again.

"What do you do?"

"What do you mean?"

"For a job, for work."

"Murder, I guess."

"I told you it was evil." The brother was always willing to assert that point. The sister, nevertheless, kept going as if he never spoke.

"Nonsense. You have to do something else. I mean, why else would you have freed us back there?" She had a way of making even the worst things seem good. I could not answer her with any kind of negative rebuttal.

"I used to protect ponies, although anymore it seems like I have forsaken that calling as of late."

"Used to? What about us? You're protecting us." For the first time in a long while a smile broke across my face, a smile not requisite upon bloodthirsty satisfaction. They could not see it, though, so they never knew.

"I suppose I am."

"You know, you're not so bad after all. You just need somepony to tell you that you're important." Important. Not many times have I been told I was important, that my presence mattered. Even if ponies mentioned it they always mentioned my importance as the importance of my decisions or position, of my mentality, or technology and magic. Mere aspects of me were praised by those around me. Yet of my whole personage? Infrequent or sporadic mention at best. Now I was here, trotting with two complete strangers, of whom I did not even know the names, that I had just scarred for the rest of their lives, and the one told me that I mattered. Me, myself, my whole being, I was called important. Just like that little smile that had stolen its way across my face a warm feeling crept into my cold heart. It seemed like this young mare was teaching me something I had not managed to learn before, something I did not have the opportunity to learn in my own youth. I did not have the loving company of family to teach me; I was not graced by their care. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by the mare once more. "Do you have a family?"

"In what meaning?"

"Parents?"

"Dead." It fell extremely silent. Perhaps she was not ready for that statement. A few more awkward moments passed before the next question.

"Any siblings?"

"One sister just as messed up as I am." Again it was silent for a short time.

"Spouse?"

"Yes."

"What's he like?"

"He's fairly sweet."

"That's nice to hear. How does he treat you?"

"Well, I was away for quite a while recently. When I got back he tried to kill me." These two certainly were not ready for those answers. The silence was nearly painful in and of itself.

"Fillies?" I needed to dodge this one. If they weren't ready for the last few answers they wouldn't be ready for this one. Almost as if heaven-sent, the city came into view from the tree line.

"Would you look at that? The city. It's time to get you two back home." I started heading towards it.

"Wait! You didn't even answer my question!"

"No would be the answer for that."

"Why not?"

"I mean I have no fillies."

"Oh. How come?"

"That's a bit personal."

"You two waiting? Freshly married? How come you don't have fillies?"

"Do you actually want to know the answer to that one?"

"Of course!"

"During a battle with a frost hydra I took a shot from a massive icicle in the lower abdomen. It pierced through the back and shot out of my undercarriage. It took my team a while to finish off the beast, so I sat and suffered irreversible damage to the area from severe frostbite. I'm artificially barren is why I don't have fillies. That blessing was wrenched from my grasp." Now started the longest lasting and, possibly, most painfully awkward silence I have ever experienced in my lifetime.

It was only once we entered the city, the train station to be exact, that the mare spoke again. "Will we ever see each other again?"

"Hopefully not." The look the mare shot a disgusted look over to her brother over this response dripping with disgust.

"Your brother's probably right on this one. Not quite that pessimistic, but still correct nonetheless. It's very possible that we never meet again."

I could see disappointment and heartbreak flood her face. How, after one day and one display of public butchering, she could be heartbroken over us parting I still don't know. It is still a mystery to me today. "But...but..."

"Come on, sis, pick your chin up. It's time we go home."

"No. I want to go with her!"

Her response came as an absolute shock to both of us, especially when she took a single bound to stand directly beside me. "Absolutely not, sis. We need to be home to help with the work."

"I want to help other ponies like she does."

"Your brother has a point here. Every day I have to face either creatures far worse than me. I also have to make decisions that I don't even want to acknowledge. I stare down death almost daily. It's not something you'd want to do. Besides, this mantle is mine to bear and mine alone. I have to run solo on this one. I always have and I will always have to."

"But being alone is what made you into what you don't like. It's what made you what my brother calls you."

"Hey now-" I held my hoof up at him, ordering him to silence.

"Didn't you want to fix that?

"Even if you could help me accomplish that, there's no way I could endanger you like that. You don't have, or even know, what it takes to live like I do."

"Then teach me."

The brother spoke again, regardless of what I had ordered. "Cam, I'm not going to let you do this."

"Lance, I can take care of myself."

"I can't just leave you, especially not in a different land and especially not with that." He pointed to me.

"Then come with me." It was silent for a short while, the two siblings staring at each other in defiance. I was quickly thinking.

"Cam, is it?" She turned to me and nodded. "Cam, I'm going to ask you a few questions, without your brother in earshot."

"No way am I-"

"Can it! This is her decision, not yours. Leave her to answer the questions given to her without adding your commentary for once, eh?" Frustration and anger showed on his face. He left, nevertheless, to comply with the request. I turned back to the mare. "Now, are you ready for the questions?"

"Yes."

"If you so choose to accept this call there is no backing down. You will be committed to a full life's service in protecting and helping others. Is this something you are willing to do?"

"Yes."

"Are you proficient in weaponised combat?"

"Like swords and stuff?"

"Yes."

"No."

"Are you willing to endanger your life in order to train and become proficient in a combat school?"

"Yes."

"To accept this call means you will prepare yourself for the possibility of facing creatures that no other pony can or even wants to imagine. These horrors have caused even the noblest of warriors throughout the history of time to tremble in fear. Also included are criminal minds so warped that sanity is more of an idea to them that a state of being. Are you willing to fight past this?"

She swallowed hard, nervous about this question. She was unsure. She was fighting inside herself, seeing if she really had the courage to accept. I could see she wanted to accept the question but her mortal fears were barring her way. Several moments of silence rolled by before she answered. "Y-yes."

"Joining this cause means you are ready, if need be, to substitute your own life in the place of one soon to perish. Are you willing to make such a sacrifice as this?" I needed to be hard with these questions. I needed her to be absolutely sure that this was something that she wanted to do.

"Yes." Her tone was still a little shaky.

"After you accept this call it is possible that you may be forced to participate in or perform actions that are contrary to accepted social norms. Some may be rescuing enemies of the state or your own nemesis, should one arise. Others may include acts worthy of abhorrence. Regardless, ponies may, and most likely will, talk poorly of you should it occur and many may even begin attempting to take your life for such. Are you willing to tough through acts so unseemly that others shrink from the thought?"

Her courage was wavering. She seemed ready to buckle, to no longer pursue this course of action. Her thoughts must have turned to the things I had done in that warehouse-bound black market. It was taking a very long time for her to think. Finally, and resolutely if I may add, she nodded to give her acceptance. "Yes."

My heart both sank and rejoiced at the same time. I was glad she could be near to pick me up when I had been trampled underhoof, but my soul was also racked with torment at the thought that I was now the ultimate cause of her future demise. "You will soon enough know my name, my actual name that is, the name of the Order and what you must do. You must try your most earnest efforts to not use my name without the walls of the Order so as to avoid any who might be searching for to harm me."

"Why?"

"That information currently does not matter. Do you pledge to do this, using only my title and rank in the Order in its place?"

"I do."

"Good. Call your brother. I much desire to converse with him over the subject matter as well." She trotted over towards him. Within a few moments both were standing by me once more. "Now, Lance if I'm not mistaken?"

"Don't wear it out."

"Right. I have interviewed and found your sister willing to become capable for the task at hoof. Answer for me this one question. There are two parts. Part one: are you willing to allow your sister to join this order and embrace all of the associated implications thereof?"

She looked at him intently and full of hope for a few minutes. He sighed in defeat. "I suppose so, if it will keep her safe and I can maintain contact with her."

I didn't want to tell him that it put her infinitely in more danger, so I immediately moved on. "That brings us to part two: are you willing to join her in this?"

"That depends on what's required."

"If you accept this call there is no backing down. You will be committed to serving, protecting and aiding others for the duration of your mortal life. Is this acceptable for you?"

"Sure." He didn't seem like he was fond of the idea.

"Yes or no? This is a close ended question with two answers and two answers only: yes or no."

"Yes."

"Are you proficient in weaponised combat?"

"I worked a lot with hammers back home."

"As a weapon?"

"No."

"Alright. Are you willing to put yourself in harm's way to become proficient in any field of combat?"

"It'd be kind of intriguing."

"Meaning...?"

"Yes."

"Accepting this call will force you to prepare yourself for things unimaginable. You will face fear inducing creatures of darkness and even wickedly evil individuals, a kind of which you cannot imagine currently. Are you willing to ignore your fears and continue strong in defending others?"

He did not want to go through with this; that much was for certain. He looked at Cam for a while; her bright complexion of hope must have been a help for him in this moment. He thought a moment longer, perhaps that there'd be somepony like me he had to face. He then turned back, almost reluctantly, and answered. "Yes."

"By taking this offer you may find yourself forced to do things that will make you the target of scorn and mockery, be it acts that go against social or even moral principles. Are you willing to toughen your resolve to do so regardless?"

He most certainly thought about what I had done recently. Once could simply see it in his eyes long before his question had formed. "You mean like what you did back there with the slavers?"

"I wish I could promise you no, but I do not possess that kind of foresight. It is, however, extremely rare to have to go that far. It certainly is not something done more than once in a bicentennial blue moon."

"If I answer no, then...?"

"You will not enter the Order."

"Then my answer is yes." I looked at him for a moment, concerned about whether or not he wanted to actually do any of this.

"As the last question I must ask: are you willing to substitute your own life in the place of another should a death be unavoidable?"

"Yes." I believe he was thinking of Cam at that point. His answer was strangely determined and I could find no other reasonable explanation.

"To finish this little interview you must promise me one thing, make one oath: when you learn my real name you will not use it outside the walls of the Order for security reasons. This you must swear to me."

"I will not use your name, but what would I call you then?"

"You can use my title from the Order."

"Alright." It was clear he still did not want to do this. Do it he did, though, but only for and simply because of his sister's decision. "With all of that settled let us stop by your family to make final preparations and bid farewell."

It grew very silent; the mare kicked at the ground while the brother was visibly uncomfortable. "Is something the matter?"

"My sister and I are from the Far Colonies. The slavers left nothing behind when they went through and ransacked our town. As far as we know we're the only ones that survived the pillaging."

"No family?"

"Not anymore. Nothing to our names either."

"Then let us depart for the Sanctuary." I contemplated asking them why they were so determined, at least why he was so determined, to get back home when home didn't even exist anymore, but I decided against it. Some things are better left unspoken, so instead I nodded and motioned for them to follow me. Working our way through the station we eventually managed to purchase tickets and get to the correct platform. We waited a while for the next rain to arrive. When it did we boarded it. We were headed to Ponyville, my home as well and the closest town to the Order as well, and this ride was going to get us there as quickly as possible. The train set off eventually and we settled down for the duration of the trip.

When we arrived in the Ponyville station and disembarked the vessel I was, undoubtedly, taken aside for questioning. Behind closed doors they began. "What is your name?"

"Aqua WindStorm. We've been over this before." The one signalled to the other who began searching through some papers nearby. When he finished he simply shook his head.

"No, we have not. Where are you from?"

"Here in Ponyville, and are you absolutely certain?"

"Positive. It shows no records under that name."

"I had a sword with me last time, the train robbery, no ticket, any of this ringing a bell for you?" The one searched the records again for any cases involving a sword, I'm assuming. He then shook his head again. "Well, anyways, I know I've been through this procedure before."

"Mhm. What are your plans with your hazardous cargo?"

"You mean the armour?"

"Yes."

"Get home and pack it up."

"And why are you wearing it in the first place?"

"Convenience. It's easier than lugging it around."

"Fair enough. Anything else you care to bring to our attention? It will be far worse if we discover it later."

"I currently have nothing else."

"Alright. Take care of yourself out there."

"Thank you." With this they released me to meet back up with Lance and Cam. He was the one that spoke first between the two of them.

"What did they want?"

"To make sure I don't do anything stupid with the weaponry I have with me."

"Oh." He must have thought on the recent event; his tone betrayed that there was something else behind it than just simply curiosity.

"So then let us be off. We'll stop back at my home before we head out, as the day will soon end." They nodded. We left from the station towards my house, making our way through town. Once there I knocked on the door. Storm answered it and grew ecstatic when he saw me alive and well. He went to give me a welcoming hug but stopped when he saw the two additional party members.

"Who are these?"

"Storm, I would like you to meet Lance and Cam. I saved them from the black market on my recent journey."

"The black market." His statement seemed on the brink of being a question, or better stated, his question came out more like a statement than an inquiry.

"Yes."

"There's a black market?"

"Yes. Err, there was a black market. It was where Duke bid all that money on me, remember?"

"I do." I could tell that he didn't want to. I trotted inside, Storm moving out of the way. "What exactly were you doing over there?"

As I went to take my armour off Lance jutted in. "Murdering."

His sister certainly was opposed to his comment. He was right, nevertheless in one sense or another, and I could not deny that. "Basically."

When I turned, my armour having folded down and allowing me to step out, I looked at Storm. His face read both disappointment and apprehension. He knew what I had been before, what I had become well before I disappeared for that long window of time. He was crestfallen to hear me acknowledge that I had participated in such dark activities. "We'll talk about it later tonight, Storm. We were planning on staying the night here, as dusk is upon us. In the morning the three of us will depart for the sanctuary. From thence, the two of you will be under my personal watch."

Cam seemed more than ecstatic about such news, while Lance was anxious at best. Storm worked quickly to arrange accommodations for them to stay the night at the house. Once dinner was partaken of and the plans for the morning were discussed, Storm and I went upstairs to rest for the night while Cam and Lance remained downstairs. We sat in the room in silence for a while before Storm started asking questions. It was clear that he was worried and I could not blame him for it. "What happened?"

"I think Lance put it best."

"There's got to be more to it than that."

"Are you looking for me to expound with more details?"

"I suppose I am. Enlighten me."

"I went to the black market and butchered four intelligent creatures."

"Can you explain why?"

"In part: assuring that nopony else was sold like I was. I suppose also a few reasons were trying to stem illegal conduct and personal vindication."

"Personal vindication?"

"Yes."

"Meaning...?"

"I got back at the creatures that had so cruelly torn from me my agency for more bits than I could have imagined."

"So what did this accomplish?"

"Well, I suppose rescuing Lance and Cam was something I managed to do. That and striking abhorrence into the hearts of a few hundred individuals."

"What did you do?" He seemed cautious, as if unwilling to ask this kind of probing question.

"Well, the first I simply stabbed. The second I decapitated. The third I stabbed. The fourth..." I had to pause, hoping to use every force of soul to block the horrific memory from replaying over in my head. Once I got myself under control once more I spoke to finish the sentence. "The fourth I tore limb from limb in a grisly demonstration."

The absolute shock on his face after hearing what I had done is completely understandable. Never had I done such a thing with my own hooves and, unless I am mistaken, I had never told Storm exactly what I had done in the Arena. I had never told him the exact, brutal and bloody details of the fate of those assassins so long ago. "Aqua..."

"I mean, it shouldn't come as a surprise."

"Aqua, please don't."

"From where I was going in the past it was only a matter of time before something horrendous like this happened."

"Aqua, wait-"

"You know, ponies were right about me before. Look at where I've gotten. This is just downright and undeniably vicious and uncalled for."

"Now hold on-"

"My whole life I have fought monsters unimagined by even the most disturbed minds in existence. Yet each one gets worse than the last, each is more difficult than its predecessor. Now I'm facing one I cannot defeat, one so horrid that nopony would even want to try: myself."

"Aqua, don't say that." He was now concerned rather than worried. It was clear he didn't want this self-destructive talk to remain, yet continue with it I did. Perhaps it was simply because my soul was so far afflicted that I was beyond consolation that I continued to vent.

"How can I lie to myself any longer, Storm? I've become just as evil and malignant as those things I vowed to protect others from."

"That's not true."

"The problem is, Storm, that's what I told myself this whole way and look at where it got me."

"We can work through this."

"No. This new enemy knows everything about me. It knows who I am, how I fight, where and what my weaknesses are, when I'm no longer able to fight, how to break me down, and why I do what I do. It's hopeless."

"You’re poisoning your mind with doubts. You’re lying to yourself, Aqua.”

"Am I, Storm?"

"Yes, you are."

"Think on it. Think on it for a moment. Grasp the magnitude of the situation. You know me well enough to know that what I'm saying holds ground."

"You have forgotten yourself, Aqua. Who are you?"

"A disgrace."

"I said who, not what."

"I am a failure of no importance."

"Again, I asked for who, not what."

"Why does it matter?"

"Answer my question and you will see."

"I am nopony of note."

"Try again."

"Fine. I am Aqua WindStorm."

"You know what the Aqua WindStorm I know is good at?"

"Letting others down."

"No. The one I knew is good at helping ponies. She's good at being their friend. She is wonderful at standing up for others when nopony else wants to. She's good at letting others know their importance. She always makes other ponies happy and is good at lifting those too full of sorrow to continue. She is a bastion of protection, a beacon of hope. While it did not always go perfectly she is always willing to forget herself and go to work. That is the Aqua I know. I'm still waiting for her to shake off the chains of discouragement and death like she always seems to be able to do. I'm still waiting for her to come home."

"Maybe I just need sleep." In my distraught condition I only said that to end the discussion, especially since I could find no ground for a counterargument against a point so thoroughly thought out.

"If you believe that is what will help you the most then it would be a good idea." We lay down on the bed and he wrapped a wing around me in a comforting manner. I sat quietly for a while, eventually pretending to be asleep. It was a little while after this that Storm's wing slacked and he eventually rolled over. He was asleep at this point. Using my best sneaking capabilities, and the fact that he could not sense my movements in his sleep, I climbed out of the bed and quietly stood at the stairwell. I listened for the two refugees downstairs. Their conversation also must have sojourned not too long ago as the last shuffles of the two climbing into their respective beds sounded before the whole house went quiet. I waited a while longer in painful silence until I was sure that they were asleep. I then trotted down quietly, heading to and leaving through the front door. Only the slightest of clicks sounded as the door closed. I snuck away until I was sure I was out of sight and sound of any part of the house. I then broke into a normal canter, wandering aimlessly around town and even occasionally outside of the periphery. Where I was going didn't matter. I could barely see, regardless. It was late at night with a new moon hardly illuminating, with its trivial amount of light, the path before me. Though it was pitch black I was not concerned about getting lost. If I did care, I knew that I could simply teleport back home. I simply was too weighted from the recent experiences to sleep.

Most of the night passed in this aimless wandering. As morning came, or the first rays of the sun started to chase the darkness away from around me, I could finally see where I had roughly ended up. I could only assume my night prowl took me several circuits around town and put me where I was: on the brink of the Everfree Forest. I did just the slightest bit of reorientation before heading home.

Next Chapter: 4. Timorous Preparations Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 44 Minutes