Chapter 5

Northwest of the Whitetail Woods

Panicking was surely not an option, but the reaction sure seemed apt for my issue. The bandits had dragged Trixie into their carriage and remained in place. Every few seconds I would look over to see if any movement had occurred, nothing appeared to be happening within. My first thoughts were that the duo were attempting to use Trixie as bait. Then I had wondered how I could carry Trixie over the distance to escape. Trying to formulate a rescue plan, my thoughts had worn into a loop.

How would I rescue her, how to rescue her, how to rescue her, how to rescue her.

With a pause, I take a deep breath and rest my head against the tree. My current abilities seem a woeful comparison to my predicament. Hypnosis may have a chance of failure, and I am afraid to see what those bandits would do to me if they had the chance. I only can hope to surprise them- and I'm not sure what to do from there.

A muffled yell from the carriage makes me jump. It sounded like one of the bandits, Trixie must have tried escaping once she woke up. Deciding to move closer as they are distracted, I rush forwards and hover beneath the windowsill. I can feel my blood pounding in my head as I look up and hear faint voices from within the carriage.

"When... the little twerp will rescue...?" The male of the two, his words heavily muffled by the walls.

A female voice carries through the window, clearer than her partner. "Her summon should be here any minute now. All we need to do is wait."

I stifle a curse. They were trying to bait me! Any element of surprise that I thought had would be moot, I would just have to make some sort of distraction. Looking around, I try to see if anything in the surrounding area could be of use. I see some rocks lying in the grass. A cliche distraction that would not work. I search some more until my eyes land on the rear spokes of the carriage, I could break one or two and cause the carriage to tip. Then, in the distraction, I could escape with Trixie. Looking up, I make sure I remain unnoticed and slip around to the back of the carriage.

Hugging the wall, I take a good look at the wheel next to me. One of the spokes has a knot in the wood, which would hopefully make the breakage easier. Upon further inspection, the same spoke had also sustained a crack along the grain. Perfect!

I turn my focus to the damaged spoke, finding it in the space around it. Closing my eyes, I draw my hand back and push power into the hold on the axle. Then, with a sudden sweeping of my arm, a crack echoes outwards from the splintered spoke. With the increased pressure on the others, I thrust my hand forwards and the bottom part of the wheel buckles. With a groan, the carriage tips to the angle of its injury as panicked voices can be heard within. With a crash, I hear something shatter and a strange light sparkles from within, motes flying out of the window. Before I can question the occurrence, I hear the doorknob turn. Startled, I move just out of the view of the door as it opens, the unicorn stumbling out.

He mutters something to himself as he sweeps his pale indigo mane back out of his eyes. I peek around the corner as he lights his horn and attempts to lift the carriage. The carriage lifts next to me as he inspects the wheel for damage. A sudden jerk rocks the carriage as it falls from his grip. With a wince, he rubs his forehead as the feedback from the weight of the carriage strikes.

He turns his head and calls out to his partner, "Oi, Violet! Can you bring me the stand for the carriage?"

'Violet' responds from the doorway, "Already had it out, I need to get our guest out from the carriage before you can lift it."

Soon afterwards, the aforementioned pegasus drags Trixie out of the carriage. As she looks over, I duck behind the carriage quickly. Now is my chance to attack- or run away with Trixie in tow. Sneaking around the far side, I ensure that the duo are both distracted. I hear the carriage lift and fall once again as the unicorn falters.

"Well, go on Indigo, can't you lift just the corner?" Violet says with slight impatience.

"What does it look like I am doing?" Indigo Rose responds with quickly growing annoyance, shifting for another attempt.

As I round the corner, I see Trixie laying prone nearby. Rushing closer, I give her a once-over. Only a few bruises and scrapes are visible from Violet and Indigo's treatment after capture- nothing time won't heal. Leaning a bit closer, I focus and try to lift her. The movement elicits a groan from Trixie as her eyelids flutter.

Shit. The voices on the other side of the carriage had stopped and hoofsteps crunch on the grass. Looking around, I scoop Trixie in a telekinetic hold and rush away as fast as possible without losing focus. There is a treeline in the distance where I can lose the pursuers. I make it a decent distance from the carriage before I hear voices call out.

"Stop, twerp!" Indigo calls while giving chase. His partner takes to the skies and starts gaining, pulling what appears to be a folded net from saddlebags. I make a quick decision and set Trixie down nearby, my only hope is to hold them off. Looking up, I see Violet nearing me, preparing to throw her net. If pegasi use air currents in the way that birds do, then this should work. If not, then on to plan B.

Readying a blast similar to the telekinetic attack used on the carriage axle, I focus instead on the air. With a quick pull of my arm, I suck the air towards me in a concussive burst. Then, with a short delay, I funnel most of my power into a blast outwards. Just like lifting the carriage- Only my freedom depended on it this time...

With a sudden clap, dust rolls and the air ripples with green energy. Through the cloud, I can see Violet falter in the air and fall to the ground in a heap. A wave of guilt starts to come with fatigue but I beat it away.

No time for that now, just focus on the other one. I stop myself as I look onwards. A growing indigo and grey form in the distance indicates the partner coming to try his luck.

I look down at the fallen pegasus, she seems to have been knocked unconscious by the blast. Turning to look at Trixie, she seems to stir slightly. Whatever her captors had used seemed to be slowly wearing off. Shaking her lightly I see if I can wake her. More groaning is the response I receive.

A panting voice calls out from nearby, "Now you're gonna get it."

I look over to see Indigo stumbling up and glaring at me. He had set his partner into a more comfortable position and looked like he wanted justice.

"I'm sorry for injuring your partner, but I would like to remain free, thank you." I declare as he moves closer.

"Did you say that you're sorry?" Indigo asks slowly.

I blink suddenly, he had understood me! Thinking of what to say, I lower my guard for a second. With a sudden glint in his eyes, Indigo lunges forwards and grabs me in his telekinetic grasp. I thrash about and yell out at the sudden attack, trying to break free. In response, Indigo strengthens his hold and reaches for something in his saddlebag. A sweet smell hits my nose as he pulls a cloth out with a flourish.

"I'd have gone with more flair but you've left me no choice." He grumbles as the chemical-soaked cloth levitates closer.

I try to break free from his hold, but I seem unable to access any of my power with his magic working against mine.

The cloth moves over my face and eyes as everything fades to black.

Voices can be heard from the other room as I lounge on the couch. My sister, Caroline and her fiance had invited me over for dinner and had ousted me from the kitchen to do the dishes. Caroline had insisted and said it was all that she could do to make up for the food catching fire. We had ended up ordering food and preparing it on dishes with classy utensils. I had suggested it as a joke and Caroline had agreed.

More dishes clink and I hear the voices stop and footsteps along the floor. Caroline walks into the living room and sits down in an armchair across from me. She was a year younger than I. With vibrant ginger hair and a splash of freckles across her nose, we looked exactly like siblings.

"Hey Will," I hear her say in a soft voice.

Looking over, I nod and respond in kind.

We both sit in an awkward silence for a while, dishes can be heard in the kitchen over running water. I adjust myself in the chair and look over at Caroline.

"You know why we invited you over right?" She says with a tilt of her head.

"No. Not really," I say as I sit upright in my chair.

"I've just been worried about you, you just seem to be sinking more and more into your world of fantasy. I understand why you've done it- With mother and father both is all. Just promise me you'll try to break free someday." She says as she smiles and brushes her hair out of her eyes.

Break free...

Break free.

Caroline's eyes gain a green hue as the words echo again in my mind.

"It's time for you to break free Will, make a life for yourself and I will be there with you."

I nod and my vision descends into darkness.

Break free.

Author's Notes:

A tribute to the two best antagonists I have ever encountered. I assure you Trixie will not be the damsel in distress.

No excuses for the late timing of this update. Point out any mistakes and I hope you have enjoyed reading.