"HUMAN!!! WHY HAST THOU INTRUDED UPON OUR LANDS!?!?"

A shaking form crawled backwards from the towering amazonian figure, the darkness of the forest giving her already dark coat of fur an even blacker visage. In the moonlight that cast down upon the clearing of a forest, the reflection of silver shoes, a silver crown, and a piece of accessory similar to a gorget were visible on the looming threat to the cowering and trembling human. Two turquoise eyes glared at him as he backed into a tree trunk, sticking to it and grasping at the bark as the loud-voiced female scared the wits out of him with her barking tone alone, nevermind the six or seven foot stature. The amazon female stepped closer to the smaller figure, whom she indicated as a human. Her longsword was pointed at him, the tip just about a foot away from him as the human himself had no idea what was going on. One moment, he was walking home from a camping trip with his friends, then a flash of light knocked him out. Next thing he knew, he was here, in this wild and bizarre forest full of new creatures. It was only a few minutes, probably a quarter of an hour, before this amazon came down from the skies, baring wings on her back and a horn on her head... oh, and the very sharp sword she wielded.

The human continued to try and back away as another figure, similar to the one threatening him, landed behind her. Unlike the first female, this one was about a foot or so taller, and bore a soothing white coat of fur on her frame. Her accessories were near-identical to the darker counterpart, but they were all colored with a gold sheen. On her shoulder, she rested a large battleaxe in standby. Unlike the first woman, this second one had no need for the weapon, and merely kept it as a just-in-case measure.

"Luna, calm yourself."

The taller figure grasped the smaller, darker one the human now knew as Luna. Looking up at the taller one, Luna reluctantly lowered her blade, through not by much. She was still on edge, and with her only knowledge of humans stemming from legends, she had no idea if this creature was a threat. Fortunately for her, and much to her shock, the taller, white entity confirmed her suspicion.

"Can you not see that this human is but a mere scared and frightened child?"

Luna blinked as her blade touched the ground, her eyes scanning the creature once more. The maturity that comes with age was absent from the human that sat in front of her. He did not have the war scars, or the facial hair, or even the lack of baby fat. The taller figure was right, this human was a youngling.

"Oh, dear. You are right, sister."

Luna pulled her sword away entirely, sheathing it on her hip as she knelt down. The human backed away even further as she rose her hand up, making her flinch as she was familiar with that treatment from her own subjects. The fear, the apprehension... She backed away and allowed the taller, white amazon to take charge of the situation. With Luna pulled away, the other knelt down in her place, examining this small child of another species. Sensing his immense fear, she held out a hand to him, this time, with more care as to not frighten him further.

"Please, do not be alarmed. I apologize for the first impressions. I can assure you, you are not in any danger."

She brought her hand back, resting it on her chest.

"My name is Princess Celestia Sol. I am one of the two co-rulers of this land and the one to raise and lower the sun."

She motioned to Luna.

"This is my little sister: Princess Luna. She is the other co-ruler, and the one to raise and lower the moon."

She moved her hand back to the child.

"Do you have a name?"

"M-... M-My mama told me never to give my name to strangers..."

He crawled back some more as she attempted to coo and bring him closer.

"I do not want to hurt you, child. This is a very dangerous forest that has monsters in it. Please, let me help you."

"W-What do you want with me...?"

Celestia blinked at his question, confused as to why he asked that. It seemed as if he was more perceptive than she knew, and that there was an underlying motive to her taking him.

"Young one, I do not want any harm to come to you, but you must understand. I have brought you here, to this land of harmony and peace, to help it grow and rejuvenate a lost gender to a species."

The human blinked as she relaxed, sitting down more to explain.

"You see, young one. Our world is populated only by females. Every species, every race; only one gender dominates. However, it wasn't always like this. Creatures like you used to roam free like us, with equal rights and equal treatment, but something has happened. Over twelve thousand years ago, a pandemic swept over the world, targeting only male members of every race and species, effectively wiping out husbands and sons. We have been desperately attempting to locate a resurgence using magic, but as I feared, it didn't work. Equestria needs the organic touch of a male to bring back the other half of its Kingdom."

She pointed at the human.

"Thus, we used our magic to summon you, one with the perfect genus that aligns with an Equus stallion. Your task, your destiny, is to bring back the male demographic."

The human sat there, listening to Celestia's words and all of their meanings. Out of them, he understood one all too well. Something that happened with his sister, and something he was told in Health Class that was always bad. These two wanted him for purposes of non-consensual intercourse. They wanted him to be a pet, a breeding stock. He may be only thirteen years old, but he was smarter than most knew. Good grades, great perception, and he could sniff out a lie like a wolf could sniff out its prey.

"... You want me to...? No..."

He crawled further back, passing the tree as Celestia watched him with a frown.

"N-No!! Stay away from me! I know what you want! I'm not going to end up like her! She wouldn't want me to! Get away!"

"Child, please. We understand your feelings, but we cannot allow-"

"No! I won't do it! I won't live like that! Not as some slave!"

He turned and attempted to run away, but was stopped when a blue aura surrounded him, lifting him up into the air.

"I am truly sorry, youngling, but thou has no choice. We offer you salvation and a peaceful life upon your task, and you reject it. Thus, we must take matters into different circumstances."

"Help! Somebody! Please!!!"

Celestia deepened her frown as the child struggled in Luna's magical hold. She honestly didn't want things to go down like this, but for the sake of her Kingdom, one life is worth millions more like his. Closing her eyes, she bid her apologies to the child silently before turning and spreading her wings, preparing to fly back to Canterlot.

But a distant howl stopped them.

"What...?"

"Sister! Look out!"

Celestia turned to the side as she was tackled the moment she registered what was happening. A monster made of wood stood atop her, gnashing at her with splintering jaws. Grunting, she stabbed the hilt of her battleaxe through the canine creature's jaw, pushing it off her as Luna, releasing the human, stabbed the wooden wolf through the center, killing its core.

"Sister! Our presence here has disturbed a Timberwolf pack!"

Celestia brushed herself off as she gripped her battleaxe.

"We cannot protect ourselves and the child. We must flee. Grab the human and let's return."

Luna nodded, turning to where she left the small creature. She widened her eyes when she realized he wasn't there.

"It's gone!"

Celestia spun around, seeing that her little sister's words were true. She gritted her teeth as Luna cursed herself, the two turning back to the pack of wooden dogs as they were coming closer from the shrubbery and treeline.

"We must go, Luna."

"But, the human-"

"We have lost our chance today. If he is alive, we will try again another time."

Luna's jaw went slack before she narrowed her eyes, taking a sharp breath and taking off with her sister, following her lead.

As they left the forest behind, the human that escaped sprinted as best he could through the forest, going at his own pace now that nothing was chasing him. His emotions pricked at him as he continued through the dark and damp environment, questions about his whereabouts and what's even happening swarming the forefront of his mind. Soon, he found himself out of breath, and slowed to a sluggish walk. Collapsing on his knees, he panted hoarsely, hugging himself as a harsh breeze hit him briskly.

"I-I... I want to go home..."

Home... Was there even a home for him to return to? Memories of what came before his confrontation with the blue horse lady named Luna were foggy and vague. Only a few names and even fewer visions were present. One thing that wasn't recalled though, was himself. Staring forward in horror, he mouthed his thoughts.

"I... I-I forgot... my name...?"

He looked down at his hands as flashes of those visions plagued him, showing brief images he didn't understand. Letting out a few sobs, he was about to fall flat into the grass, had a voice not have stopped him first.

"Oh? What is this I see? A small wanderer, limp and free?"

He turned his eyes up, seeing a figure wrapped up in a dark grey cloak approaching him.

"Come, small one. This is not a place where many played and won."

She knelt down in front of him as he shimmied backwards, but with no stamina left to give, and his mind rattling on and on, the pressure of the situation finally claimed him, and he fell into her arms.

"Dear me, you are quite fragile, for somepony so small and agile."

The human said nothing more as he was lifted into the air, cradled by the cloaked woman as she turned and walked further into the forest.

"Do not fret, my little creature. Nothing in this forest will hurt your features."

She brushed the dirt from his hair as he closed his eyes, leaning against her as he began to fall asleep. As he did, the woman hummed, giving his head a gentle pat as she stopped in front of a hut.

"You are weak and defenseless. I will take care of you until you are no longer senseless."

Scorn... The feeling or belief that someone is worthless or despicable... To feel and express contempt or derision for something.

These two definitions were something the human knew all too well. Scorn is all he felt, from the moment he set foot in this world to the few encounters he's had with this world's resident Ponies. He had tried to integrate himself, to approach with friendliness and wanton of peace, but it ended the same all five times he's tried: in chains.

The first one he met was calm and friendly as well. She'd even invited him in secret to her humble abode. Nothing about spelled deceit, but the human now knew better, and berated himself for not seeing the red flags and signs. Luckily, he had managed to get out of there before the worst of it came. The human assumed her to be a bad egg among the species. A selfish mare who wanted him to herself. He wanted to believe the others would be different.

All other four attempts proved him wrong, and the last one was the final straw. She didn't just chain him up, she magically infused those chains onto his person, sealing his arms and legs in rock to make sure he never left, and could never escape. Luckily for him, Zecora knew when he was in trouble. It was part of her charm, a caretaker's instinct. She tracked him down, ripped him from the mare's hold, and dissolved what she could off of him. Now, only the right braces and pieces of rock remained, forever attached to his right forearm and his right ankle. He never gave another mare a chance thereafter, not even the kind and shy Pegasus that resided just outside of the Everfree and Ponyville, even if she always left him.

Having been fed up with being powerless, with Zecora coming to bail him out of jams like that, he decided to try and obtain the power Ponies had: magic. This journey took him to some old castle, one he'd been to on various occasions to explore in safety, as it was the only structure in the Everfree hidden from the eyes of the world. Hidden doors and chambers were everywhere, all holding relics that were priceless and powerful. Zecora had warned him of the latter, always telling him to stray from them, but this time, he couldn't. He needed to push back when the world shoved him. So, he found something legendary, something forbidden, and he now wore it around his neck like a necklace.

Standing atop a hill on the outskirts of Ponyville, the human looked down at the town, dressed not in normal clothing, but in a costume created and conjured up by the Alicorn Amulet he bore.

The costume was pitch black with its material being a leathery fabric magically enhanced to withstand physical and magical strikes. On his torso runs a v-shaped red stripe that rounds to his tailbone at the top of the V, which stops at his pecs. The bottom of the letter goes down to his groin, passing between his legs and meeting the stripe at his tailbone. A second stripe of the same color goes around the back of his neck and travels down his shoulders and arms, stopping at the base of his forearm-length gloves. Two more stripes create horizontal Vs on his mask, his eyes being at the base of the twin letters. His waist has a belt made of chains, and a second belt is attached to his left leg, three satchel pouches clipped to it. They served as inventory, allowing him to carry bits, miscellaneous items, and small potions brewed by Zecora. When in the costume, his eyes become a pure pitch white, and he bears a long black cape connected to black metallic shoulder armor, which is kept there by the Alicorn Amulet, as it is attached and acts as the hook to the cape.

To all who see this costume, they would find it to be just that, but it was so much more, especially when it was made by one of the greatest and darkest amulets known to pony kind, and with the costume came great magic and power; more than enough to rival and triumph over those that try to take advantage of him. Of course, nopony had tried, sure, and the human doubted they ever will again once they see him now.

With seven years under his belt, and turning twenty not too long ago, the human's mind still wandered, always entertaining the thought of what came before. He hated not knowing who he was. A whole childhood was wiped without reason or an explanation. He could only assume that his memory was meant to be wiped, so that when those two Alicorns came to take him away, he would always believe that he was their pet, their breeding bull, and that nothing's ever changed. It didn't work, and while he didn't remember anything, he still knew that there was a life before. A life taken away in favor for selfish, or perhaps selfless gain. Honestly, he couldn't discern whether or not he was the bad guy for staying hidden for as long as he has, but with everything that's occurred, he definitely viewed himself as a lesser evil to the mares who found out about him.

Still though, if there was one thing he remembered from his past, the single solitary thing... It was his promise to some old man who, in his vivid visions and dreams, was in a hospital, dying before him. He wanted him to do what was always right, even for those who didn't appreciate it. He wanted him to be better, and keep BEING better. That's why he didn't just take the Alicorn Amulet for a means to fight back, but a means to be a hero, a guardian that dwells on the darker side of harmony.

Turning his pure white eyes upwards, the human stared at the afternoon horizon.

'That man... He's the only thing I can remember, and that... gruesome image of him in the casket...'

He looked down at the brace on his arm, tugging at it before looking out again.

'Who am I...? Why did they not want me to remember anything? And, who is that man?'

He felt he'd never get an answer. At least, not anytime soon. With a cool breeze blowing his long black cape to the side, he turned to return to the Everfree Forest.

"Heeeelp! Help!"

He stopped when he heard a voice calling for aid, turning back around as he recognized the voice to be young, too young to be adult. It was a child screaming for someone, anyone to answer her call. Looking towards the source of the cries, his eyes fell upon a well with a broken boarded entrance. A filly had fallen in, he wagered, and acting upon his impulses, he reeled down. The cape behind him split at the seams, burning into two slices that formed into a pair of wings. Flapping them once, he refocused himself and launched into the air, turning and gliding towards the well. Smashing through with a magically-infused fist, he cruised down the large hole in the ground, wondering just how the filly who fell down was even alive. Reaching the bottom, he flared his wings to slow himself, finding the small anthropomorphic standing, slightly sunk, in the murky water.

She squeaked at the sight of him, especially when his red stripes glowed with the usage of his arcane magic, but she was given no chance to flee from him as he grabbed her and tucked her under his arm. Giving a hard push upwards, he soared towards the top of the well, gaining more and more speed as he could feel the presence of a crowd just outside. Flying up out of the well, he arced over the crowd before allowing the wings to fuse back into a cape. Slamming into the dirt, the glow of his stripes faded as he let the youngling mare down. Her mother, having heard her cries before the human sprang into action, rushed to the little filly. She scooped her up in her arms as the human watched, ignoring the cheers he got from the others around him. Walking past them without a word, he sprang upwards, landing on the roof of one of Ponyville's buildings.

"Hey! Wait!"

The human paused, looking back down at the crowd as the filly was waving at him and the mother smiling.

"Thank you so much! I couldn't begin to think about what could have happened to my daughter had you not have shown up!"

"... Think nothing of it, miss. Part of the new job."

The filly wiggled in her mother's arms, looking up at him excitedly.

"I'll think EVERYTHING of it! You're my hero!"

The mother nodded in agreement.

"Yes. What is your name, Miss?"

The human rose an eyebrow before rolling his eyes, turning gliding off back towards the edge of town, leaving the crowd behind as he traversed into the Everfree, a place where nopony will come to bother him. Landing on the ground, the human allowed the suit to fade away and allow his normal clothes to return. With a little extra aid from Zecora, the human learned how to make his own clothes from the designs of modern mare attire. He now wore a simple brown tank top with a pair of black shorts and sneakers. With the Alicorn Amulet still present around his neck, he made his way through the forest, rolling his shoulder as he came upon a familiar hut. Opening the door, he peeked inside.

"Zecora, I'm back."

The Zebra was by her cauldron, as usual, brewing up a new potion for her collection.

"Ah, the matured human returns. Tell me, how much of Ponyville did you overturn?"

The human closed the door behind him, taking off his shoes and leaving them by the door.

"Not much of it, actually. Some kid fell down into the well, and I decided to finally test out my suit's capabilities in a real-life minor emergency."

"And?"

The human rubbed his back. With the suit enabled, his body also went through changes with the appearance. His body is able use its most vital organs and structure as weapons, turning his twenty-four ribs into chains that burst from his chest, all within his control and manipulation. The veins in his arms and wrists can also emerge, transformed into wires sharper than guard's blade. Finally, his spine removes itself from his body, remaining underneath his cape as the top portion of it was still buried and connected into his nape. That spine not only controls his cape, but hardens it enough to make it a lethal weapon against his enemies. It's strange, but it works, so he's not complaining.

"It went well. I've finally revealed myself to the populace, and got a good reception from it."

He sighed as he walked up next to the taller Zebra.

"Though everyone thinks I'm a girl."

A chuckle escaped Zecora as she patted the human's head.

"Do not fret, little human. Many have not seen such a creature of your stature and domain. The only ones who know you exist, are those that seek you for desist."

The human narrowed his eyes angrily. Celestia and Luna were his two biggest pains right now. Even though it's been seven years since he's been sighted in Equestria, they still have guards sweeping the nation for him, making hiding much more difficult with the added threat of kidnappers. Walking to his bed, he flopped down on it.

"Ah, I just wish things didn't have to be like this. All I wanted out of both worlds was just a family and friends to top it. I didn't want to be hounded my entire life, threatened with neverending sexual assault by every person on the world. It just SOUNDS like hell..."

"A statement we can both agree upon. However, not every creature in this land seek your life undone. Speaking of which..."

Zecora stopped stirring her brew as she turned her full attention to the human.

"Have you finally come up with a name to call you by? I wish not to call you 'human' by time's nigh."

"..."

The human looked down before remembering his thoughts upon the hill outside of Ponyville. Remembering the word that described his situation, he grinned, finally finding a name that suit him best.

"Scorn, Zecora..."

He turned to her, his grin widening into a smile.

"Call me Scorn."

"Have you finally come up with a name to call you by? I wish not to call you 'human' by time's nigh."

"... Scorn, Zecora... Call me Scorn."

-----

Sunset loomed over Equestria, blanketing it with a beautiful orange hue in the sky as the town was working into its evening hours and shifts. Ponies still walked about as if it were daytime, but now they were only just getting the last remaining bits of items and shopping wares they wanted and/or needed before heading home and turning in.

Standing where he was before earlier today, Scorn looked over Ponyville, his ribs and veins lashing and flowing from his arms and chest. His cape was wrapped around him like a cloak, giving the impression that those chains and wires made from his bones and veins were parasitic tendrils. With his white eyes focused on the sunset, he walked forward, kicking up a little bit of dirt with every step of his boots. Stopping at the top of the hill, he turned his gaze down to Ponyville, glaring into the town as he threw his arms out, the chains and wires slithering back into his body as two spheres of red, electrifying magic engulfed his hands. Throwing his cape back, he jumped into the air and dove for Ponyville, cruising over the shopping district with his cape turning back into wings.

His aim was simple: look for any evildoers to help solidify the want for these creatures that pushed him around to fear, yet revere in his name. Hovering up to the peak of Town Hall, he grasped the tip of it as he surveyed the town. Given his costume, he was able to blend with the shadows nicely, only ever visible when his stripes would glow in response to magical usage. Keeping his eyes to the ground, he watched as everypony packed in and called it a day. Workers left, and soon managers did a well, leaving the stores to be locked up for reopening tomorrow. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary yet, Scorn sat back, taking a breath as he watched the sun set.

'So much for this town being a hotspot for trouble.'

"C'mon, c'mon; hurry...!"

"Quiet down, sister. We're comin'...!"

Scorn perked up as he stood on his feet again, looking towards the sounds of voices. He blinked as he watched several mares, all disguised or masked, going into Ponyville Bank a block down.

"Finally..."

Scorn grinned under his mask as silently flew over Ponyville, landing on the roof of the bank. Looking in through a single-paneled skylight, he watched as these mares used their magic to cut open the ABTM (Automated Bit Teller Machine), tossing the panels aside and gathering the gold coins from within. There were four ABTMs in total, one for each of the robbers. Knowing his opening when he sees it, he gently opened the skylight and used his cape to lower himself in. He didn't make a sound when he touched the ground, and remained there behind the masked mares as the shadows gave him a menacing edge to his appearance.

"Hehehe.~ Magic makes this too easy."

"I told you this was worth it."

"With this at our disposal, we can hit five other places tonight."

"Read my mind, girl!~"

Scorn hummed as he rose his head, his veins coming out and hardening into tangible wires once more.

"Is that a fact now?"

All four mares spun around instantly, their eyes widening behind their masks when they saw him.

"H-Holy shit...!"

"Who the hell is this?"

Scorn chuckled as he lifted his hands, letting the wires writhe.

"Your Angel of Death awaits.~"

They stood up and advanced on Scorn immediately, making him smirk as he was finally gonna get some action. Throwing his wires forward, he wrapped them around the crowbar one of them was holding. Tugging it to the side, he checked two of the four mares with it, snapping the second one's jaw with the force alone. Raising his other arm, he blocked the elbow strike from the third mare, wrapping his wires around her arm and forcing her to send a punch to the fourth, dropping her to the floor.

Lunging into the air, the cape suspended Scorn as he used his feet to literally pedal the mare into the wall. Pressing himself against the surface, he hung himself upside down whilst reeling back, dodging a fist flung at him from the first mare that tried to seize him. Grabbing her arm as she flung another haymaker, he spotted the second mare charging her horn. Using his wires, he threw the first mare into her, tumbling them both to the floor as the third ignited her horn, ripping him from the ceiling and holding him in the air.

"Hmm... Very sneaky of you. I can see you're the smart one."

The third mare smiled at that, happy to get the compliment enough to be distracted. Stringing his wires across the ceiling, he tagged them through a lone desk in the corner of the room, yanking it back and shattering it to splinters up against her back. Landing back on the ground, he approached the downed morsels he planned to use as examples. Grinning, he manipulated his cape to cover their faces. Bursting his chains from his chest, he let them poke and prod them, drawing down their stomachs and legs as Scorn's grin only widened at the possibilities.

'What way could set the best foot forward...?'

In his musings, he was unprepared for one of them to start firing magic wildly. Ducking under a shot, he kicked her back as the others were flung into the corner of the room, knocked unconscious as his wild attacker shot several dozen beams of magical energy everywhere. Leaning back from the last one, he turned to face her, only to stop when he heard an explosion behind him. Spinning around, he saw that the bolt of magic had struck a bakery across the street, most likely hitting something flammable as the whole place went up in flames.

Tensing at the sight of the burning gingerbread house, he looked down at the only awake crime mare. Stabbing one of the chains through her leg, he dragged her along with him as he sprinted out the door of the bank, rushing towards the bakery known as Sugarcube Corner by the sign. Dumping her at a fountain, literally, he amped up his speed and launched himself through a window. Rolling to a stop, he heard multiple screams and crying coming from upstairs. Running up to meet whoever was in here, he came across a chubby blue mare in the hallway above the bakery's main floor. Behind her was a lankier yellow mare, someone who appeared to be her wife.

'Same sex couples. Considering this world, I'm not surprised nor against it.'

He rose up his hand.

"You two, to me, now."

The two adults followed his voice, not caring about how it sounded. Pointing down the stairs, he directed them as he ushered them along.

"Go through the main door and do not look back. Are there any others inside the building?"

"Y-Yes! My babies!! I couldn't get to them! The door is blocked!"

"And Pinkie Pie! Help her, too!"

Scorn nodded as he rushed down to hall, finding the blocked door first and violently kicking it open. Seeing two foals in a smoking crib, he took them out before the fire could reach it, bringing them to his arms whilst gently wrapped in his wires. Hearing coughing coming from the door, he saw a pink mare with a fluffy mane stumble in. She wore charred pajamas that were decorated with multi-colored balloons. Her blue eyes were tearful and red, the inhalation of the smoke causing her to cough violently. Once he had the two foals in his arms, he backed up to her.

"Wrap your arms around my shoulders."

The mare attempted to speak, but only coughed some more as she complied. Lifting her up so she could do the same with her legs, Scorn ran for the window, shattering it as the roof burst with another explosion. Unable to glide through the air with his cape restricted, Scorn could only brace as he hit the ground with enough force to kick up a lot of dirt. Standing up, he shook the mare holding him off, letting her stand on her own as he handed the couple their children. Stepping back from them, he watched as the couple cried over their foals, and even letting the pink mare join the hug and patting her back as she continued coughing. The blue mare looked towards the bakery as it collapsed.

"O-Oh... Sugarcube Corner... It's ruined..."

The lanky yellow mare frowned sadly.

"All of our hard work... Gone..."

Scorn gave them a sympathetic look beyond his mask, lowering his head before turning it to the last crime mare awake. Storming towards her as she tried to crawl away, she looked up and gasped as Scorn stood over her, feeling his eyes burning a hole through her own as he shook with unbridled rage.

"You threatened the lives of the Ponies around you... all for a few petty bits...!"

His cape flew over his head, snaking around and wrapping around her head and lifting her up into the air.

"You threatened the lives of foals...!!"

He smashed his fists into the ground, staying knelt as his wires went through the dirt and up under the mare, wrapping her up tightly and cutting into her skin. Her screams were muffled under the cape as he ripped up his arms, tearing back his wires and skinning the poor mare whilst dropping her from her cape. Retracting the tangible cloth, he flared it out as it came back to his backside, encasing the skinned mare with it and hiding her from the world. Another scream came as a pulse of red flashed, then he released her, revealing only a skeleton with flesh and chunks of meat slushing onto the dirt. Glaring down at the dead mare, he lifted up his mask and spat on her bones.

"Your life's not worth a bucket of piss..."

He lowered his mask as he flew up into the air, landing on the rooftop of a nearby building just as a crowd began to form. Luckily, they didn't see him there, nor leave. They were horrified with the corpse, though, so that was the first step to getting the message across. Watching them all converge and express concern for the mares Scorn rescued, he turned to leave, but jumped as he found the pink mare behind him. Jumping backwards and almost attacking her, he stopped himself once he recognized her. She no longer wore her pajamas, and instead opted for a pink tank top with black shorts. Casual clothing, it seemed. She was nervously poking at her index fingers, looking up at him for a second before looking back down. Her fuzzy mane was deflated somewhat, and her coat's color had a grey tint to it.

"How did you...?"

"U-Um... I wanted to thank you. What you did was super-duper nice."

"Nice? There's nothing nice about this situation. Had I not have been there, you and your family would be roasted meat crammed under gingerbread wood."

She nodded.

"Y-Yes. We would, and that would be a major bummer, especially for Pound and Pumpkin."

We both looked down at the street, seeing the twins now relaxed and unharmed, though I doubt this won't scar them for the rest of their childhood.

"M-My name is Pinkie Pie, and I would throw you a party, but..."

She motioned to the building.

"I don't think any of my party favors and equipment survived..."

Scorn observed her as she seemed to deflate further. Humming, he motioned to himself.

"I do not have an official name, but most now call me Scorn, and if that building means so much to you..."

Scorn glanced at her before staring at the destroyed building. Looking down at his hand, he held it out towards Sugarcube Corner, closing his eyes as his hand glowed with a gentle red aura. The building quivered, then a bubble of sparking crimson magic surrounded it, a loud crackling boom startling the residence as it appeared. All the Ponies watched as time within the bubble seemed to go in reverse, going back to the fire when it raged, then back to the time before it was hit by the beams of magic the mare he killed sent towards it. Once he was sure he had the right moment, he released his spell, looking down at the building as he could hear the couple crying down below, exclaiming how their home was back. Pinkie's mane inflated once more as she, too, had tears in her eyes.

"I believe now you will be able to find your 'party equipment'."

He turned to Pinkie Pie, then jumped away immediately as she tried to jump at him for a hug.

"Heeeeeeey!!"

She jumped after him, chasing him through the rooftops before the two of them got back on the ground. Pinkie kept running after him, arms reaching for him as he kept jumping away.

"Your appreciation is not necessary...!"

"Come baaaaack! I wanna hug yoooooou!"

Scorn jumped away again, this time backflipping over the crowd as Pinkie ran through them.

"Scooooorn! Wait! It's just a hug! Please stop running from affection!!"

"Didn't ask for it! Don't need it! You're welcome! Go f*** yourself!"

He turned and accelerated, leaving the tailing Pinkie in the dust as he retreated from Ponyville, rushing back into the Everfree and towards Zecora's hut. As he was coming to a screeching halt, Zecora was outside collecting the last of her plants for a brew. She jumped and screamed as Scorn zipped past her, putting a hand on her chest as she watched him stop at a tree.

"Goodness me, what a fright! What has caused you such a plight?!"

Scorn grunted as he flicked the remaining blood away from his hand, using the Amulet to dismiss the suit.

"Sorry about that, Zecora. Just got back from stopping a robbery and saving a family from a fire."

"A robbery, you say? Tell me what has happened, what events transpired in this play?"

Scorn shook his head.

"Isn't really anything special, but it was the hook-line-and-sinker I needed to jumpstart my reputation. Now, Ponies will revere or fear me."

"And why were you running like you caused an uproar? You looked as if you were chased by a wild boar."

Scorn rose an eyebrow as the two collected the plants Zecora dropped.

"Is a boar pink, overly affectionate, and will stop at nothing to hug you?"

Zecora fired the look right back before realizing who he was talking about. Laughing as they went back into her hut, she dropped the ingredients off at the side desk near her cauldron.

"Ah, Pinkamena Diane Pie. A brash pony who's insistent on partying till she dies. If you are the one to rescue her, then Ponies will most definitely label you hero and villain in a blur."

"Really?"

He sat down on a stump remade as a seat.

"Why would saving that mare boost my rep?"

"She is known as the one to always bring laughter. An Element of Harmony she bears to make everypony's day brighter. Everypony loves her, and thus in turn, they will love a hero who can hold his liquor."

She handed him a glass of green liquid, which he downed with a few scrunches of the face.

"Gak-... Ugh, your taste in booze IS powerful, Zecora. I'm surprised you don't go to the local pub."

The Zebra shrugged as she went back to work. Yawning after a night like tonight, Scorn figured he could sleep in peace knowing he got what he wanted. Laying back in his cot, he closed his eyes as his gaze was fixed on the moon. Slowly falling into slumber, Zecora watched him a small smile on her stretching on her face.

"A hero you try to be, yet a villainous streak you leave. A Dark Guardian is birthed this day, and your name, from all mouths of Ponies, will they say..."

-----

"I'm tellin' ya! This guy came outta nowhere!"

Pinkie Pie bounced around the interior of Ponyville's residential library, her friends all gathered to hear the story of what happened at the bank and sugarcube corner.

"He was super-duper-terrifically amazing, but also dark and broody! Like Batmare!"

Her best friend, a cyan Pegasus, hovered above her.

"It's true, Twi! I saw this all myself! The gal was fighting off some mares trying to rob Ponyville Bank, then when one of them shot a beam of magic into Sugarcube Corner, she jumped in to save them! It was so wickedly awesome how she moved!"

A white Unicorn crossed her arms, showing an uncertain expression.

"While I agree with you, Rainbow Dash, darling, I simply can't approve of what has happened after."

Rainbow Dash blinked before remembering the slaughter that occurred after Pinkie's rescue.

"O-Oh, right... I forgot about that..."

An orange Earth Pony tipped her hat back, the same expression as the white Unicorn: Rarity donning her face as well.

"Ah gotta say, with everything that's happened, Ah can't tell if this feller's rotten or not. She saved the Cake Family, and Pinkie. That much Ah'm forever grateful for, but-"

"There has never been a single murder in Equestria for years..."

A purple Unicorn sat alongside her friends, her hand pressed to her chin as she looked down.

"The law made such a hideous crime punishable by execution in the past. Now, it's banishment to the moon for a year."

"Banishment to the moon? Can anypony SURVIVE up there?"

Twilight hummed as she leaned back.

"I can bet that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna could. After all, the Elements of Harmony WERE going to banish the latter to the moon herself, but they only changed her back whilst dispelling the spirit of Luna's grief into the Everfree until about two years ago. However, I don't think normal ponies would survive without their intervention, so it's possible."

The purple Unicorn shook her head as she stood up.

"But that doesn't matter. Ponyville, and by extension, Equestria, is being greeted with some sort of new neutral force. Many say she is a hero, some say a monster for what she did to that mare."

Rainbow tilted her head.

"So, like, an anti-hero?"

"I would say more along the lines of a lethal protector, yes, but without seeing her, I wouldn't be sure myself."

She turned to the desk she sat at.

"I should write to Princess Celestia about this. She may know more about this than we do."

Pinkie jumped up again, raising her hand high into the air.

"Oh! Oh! We should throw a party!"

"Pinkie, don't be silly."

"Actually, sugarcube, that might not be such a bad idea."

Applejack scratched the back of her head.

"Despite killing that poor girl, she did save many more lives today and yesterday. If it ain't for that, at least celebrate her heroism a bit. Plus, if yer so keen on pulling the Princess into this, y'all can invite her down ta meet her if she comes."

Pinkie stared at Applejack with a bewildered expression.

"Wait, what do you mean?"

Applejack turned back to Pinkie, confused as well.

"Huh? What do Ah mean by what?"

"You're all calling him a 'she'. He's not a girl."

A collective chuckle came from the group, save for a shy yellow Pegasus in the corner.

"Ah, Pinkie. You're such a card! Of course this hero's a girl. There's never been a stallion in Equestria for, like, thousands of years."

"Really? Well... she had a penis."

The laughter died as all eyes were on Pinkie now.

"What? I saw it under his suit. I'd say, maybe... six or seven inches, and his voice didn't sound feminine."

Twilight narrowed her eyes.

"Pinkie, are you ABSOLUTELY sure?"

"Cross my heart, Twilight!"

The purple pony said nothing for a moment, then spun around.

"Barb!! Take a letter! Quickly!! This must get to the Princess immediately!!"

"OK... OK... Just a little more, Applejack!"

Pinkie ushered her farmpony friend forward, stepping back with her as she carried a speaker the size of both of them. Grunting as she made a few more steps forward, she halted when Pinkie stopped her.

"That'll do! Set her down!"

Applejack huffed as she set the speaker down, brushing off her arms and she wiped her hands clean of dust.

"Thank you, Applejack! This'll work perfectly!"

"No problem, Pinkie. Need any help gettin' the other speaker up here?"

"Oh no. Vinyl said that was the only speaker that was detached from her setup. She'll handle the rest."

Applejack nodded, heading towards the exit of Town Hall.

"Whatever ya say, Pinkie. Ah'm gonna go see how the food's goin' at Sweet Apple Acres."

"Okie-dokie!!"

Pinkie waved to her friend as she left, turning to another as she flew up to her.

"Hey, Pinkie. I know you usually got everything under control when it comes to parties, but how exactly are you gonna get him to come here? He doesn't look like the type of guy who likes parties."

Pinkie giggled, patting Rainbow Dash's arm.

"Don't be silly, Dashie! Everypony likes parties! He just needs a little push to come out of his shell, and the costume."

"OK, but that still doesn't answer my question."

Pinkie bounced over to a window, Dash following close behind. Opening the window to Town Hall, she took in a deep breath.

"HEEEEEEELP!!! HEEEEEELP!!! RAAAAPE!!! RAAAAAPE!!!!"

Rainbow's jaw dropped as she heard this, watching in awe as Pinkie pulled out an envelope and attached it to a balloon. Sticking it outside, she released the letter, letting it float up and out of view.

"There! Now, he'll definitely get the invitation."

She bounced back where she came from to continue preparations as Rainbow just hovered there, eyes wide and jaw slack.

'W-Wha...? What the... What did I...?'

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts and leveling out her mind.

"Oooooooh wow... I... did not expect that..."

She turned and went back in to help Pinkie with the preparations.

"Hopefully he won't be pissed with the way he got it."

No more than a second after she said that, she could have sworn she heard someone yell outside. Blinking, she perked up an ear to listen.

"... WHAT THE F***?!?!?"

She deadpanned as she recognized the voice.

"Yup. He's pissed..."

-----

"An invitation?"

Scorn sat on his usual spot in Zecora's hut as she took the note he was lured to, reading it to herself as the human rolled his wrist.

"Yeah. It's a party made specifically for me, apparently, but who sends an invitation by balloon after screaming bloody murder about a rape?!"

Zecora let out a hearty laugh as the human she cared for placed his face in his hands.

"Jesus, is this mare always like this?"

"Unfortunately, her attitude is her character. Such eccentric behavior is meant for joy and pleasantries with nothing sinister."

Scorn huffed as he looked back down at the invitation.

"It says here that they want to celebrate the fact they have a new hero in town. I'd wager it's mostly for what happened a week ago with Sugarcube Corner burning down and that robbery."

"Ah, I see. If it is for you, this conversation I will not pedal. Will you be going to the party to meddle?"

"I... I don't know."

Zecora rose an eyebrow.

"Oh? And why is that? Is there, perhaps, something amiss striking you like a bat?"

Scorn's eyes read through the letter, his eyes focusing on two names: Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

"The two monarchs that wanted me enslaved and made into a breeding bull for the Ponies of Equestria are going to be there. I don't know if I can take a confrontation with them without it going bad."

Zecora's expression softened. She'd learned by Scorn's words as a child that Celestia and Luna were the ones to bring him here, to this world, with near-wiped memories. To be honest, she didn't expect the fair maidens that ran this country to do such a thing, even if the intent was for their Kingdom. Everypony is entitled to a choice, and right now, this was up to him.

"I cannot make you stay, but I also cannot make you go and play. This is your decision, whether you go and mingle, or stay in derision."

"..."

Scorn scanned the paper one last time, sighing as he put it down on his lap.

"... The party's later today, in the late afternoon..."

He turned his eyes to Zecora, licking his lips before popping the question.

"Look, Zecora, I don't think I should, but... do you think you can go for me?"

"Go... for you? To become a substitute, how can one pursue?"

"Hey, I'm only asking, Zecora. I can't go, even if I wanted to. If I went there and ran into Celestia and Luna, I don't know what would happen..."

He looked down as Zecora slowed her stirring, the two of them knowing that what he said was a lie.

"Well, actually... No, we BOTH know what will happen. It reacts to vulnerabilities... The corruption..."

"Yes... A grave consequence for weakness. You must be strong everlasting, and never show such meekness. If you reunited with your would-be captors, you would lose yourself, and become like a raptor."

Scorn snorted at the analogy Zecora used, but otherwise didn't correct her. She was right, in a sense. After taking the large spoon out of the cauldron, Zecora nodded to herself.

"Very well. I will go, but only till sunset rings its bell."

Scorn looked back up at her as he willed his suit away, giving a smile to her as she walked over, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks, Z. I'll hold down the fort while you're gone."

"That would be most favorable. Finding my toxins and potions gone when I return would not be enjoyable. Don't fret any further, I will attend and your name, I will murmur."

She turned away as he got up, walking to the cauldron as she put on her old cloak. Bidding Scorn farewell, she made her way down the path towards Ponyville. Little did she know that somepony else was there in the trees, watching carefully before turning and speeding off in the other direction.

-----

"Ah, sister. What is it you have there?"

Celestia looked up from the dining hall table, seeing her tired baby sister wandering in with a cup of coffee in hand. Seeing her like this always made the white goddess smile with sympathy. Luna does so much in the night. She protects her ponies in and out of dreams, and the pressure of that work shows every time she comes for breakfast. Holding a letter in her hand, Celestia ushered her baby sister over.

"An invitation. It appears that Ms. Pie down in Ponyville has requested our audience at a party."

"A party, you say? By the Element of Laughter?"

Luna walked over to view the invitation herself.

"How strange. Could this party involve the new arrival of the human, sister?"

"It would seem the case, most likely. Isn't it exciting? I have not met a single human in eons."

The younger deity nodded.

"Nor have I, Tia. The last we've seen of their race was just before Equestria was founded, and their race was, sadly, dying away from the magic that flowed throughout the world."

Celestia frowned at the memories, closing her eyes upon the reminiscence of a human named Marcus. The two were close, very close; One might even say they were friends, as ludicrous as that may be for a commoner and royalty. When he passed away, it disheartened Celestia, losing yet another subject she loved so dearly, but in the end, she honored his wish in keeping Equestria strong and letting it grow to be all it can be.

"It was a sad time, Luna."

"Indeed, but now, there is hope. Not only is this new arrival a human, but he is a male. The resurgence of the gender has begun!"

Celestia chuckled at her sister's enthusiasm, putting the invitation down and pulling over a blank parchment to send to Pinkie Pie.

"Calm down, little sister. We mustn't rush him into something he may not want any part of. Every creature has his or her right to choose how they live, and while it would help Equestria greatly, I am more intrigued with how Twilight described him."

"Hmm? Whatever do you mean, Tia?"

The white monarch's demeanor grew serious as she wrote.

"This human, according to the Element of Laughter, has adopted the name: Scorn. He proclaims himself a 'dark guardian'. Such a name can only entail a bleak history, perhaps even a dangerous one. I do not wish to antagonize this human, but I will also ensure the safety of my subjects, especially now that he's taken his first life."

Luna perked up at this news.

"He has... He has what...? Sister... You don't mean to imply that-"

"He has murdered a mare in cold blood. By the circumstances Twilight has explained, the action could be seen as justifiable, but only barely so."

"But still, a crime like that is met with severe punishment, Tia. No murders have occurred in quite a long while, not since we've achieved a negative harmony in our land."

"Be that as it may, it is still possible, Luna. As you say, we are in a time of negative harmony. Threats will always oppose us and the roots of evil can corrupt my little Ponies. We may never achieve positive harmony."

"So... what do we do?"

Celestia rolled up the scroll and held it in the air, engulfing it with her magic and sending it away.

"We wait until we have the full story, then judge accordingly. For now, let us prepare for the party."

"Of course, sister."

-----

"Oh? He has returned, has he?"

Two eyes peered from the looming shadows of a darkened throne room, looking down upon another as she stood before her. The figure sitting upon her throne was donned with a white coat, and the wings and horn of an Alicorn. The same traits could be found on the one standing before her, though her fur was a dark blue. Teal blue eyes returned the gaze of the first pair.

"Yes, sister. I have been informed that he now goes by the alias: Scorn. He possesses a new variety of powers and abilities, and quite frankly, capturing him will prove difficult with the Elements of Harmony growing closer to him as well."

"Mm... Yes. Let us remain behind for now. If the cards are played right, the seeds of doubt and distrust will grow, and our chance will come much sooner than anticipated. Keep the scouts on standby till then. If what I've heard recently about his whereabouts, we can send them to capture him with ease once he's alone."

"Right away, sister."

-----

"Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!"

Pinkie Pie stood at the door of Town Hall as she welcomed in all the patrons, giving each a balloon on their way in and tying it to their wrists. As she did this, Fluttershy approached her from the side, tugging at her sleeve.

"U-Um, Pinkie. None of my animals have seen him yet..."

"Don't worry, Fluttershy! He's just a bit busy. He's a hero, after all. Lots of crime fighting to do here and elsewhere. He'll be here, though. I know he will."

"Well, um... OK."

Fluttershy backed away before going further into the party, mingling with the rest as Pinkie kept welcoming in the Ponies that resided in Ponyville. Soon, she was met with a familiar face from the Everfree.

"Zecora! So happy you could show up!"

"Ah, Pinkie Pie, young and eccentric. I come here on behalf with no egocentric."

Pinkie tilted her head, trying to make heads or tails of Zecora's rhyme.

"The human named Scorn, I know quite well. He was asked me to come and represent while he remains in his shell."

Pinkie perked up at that, her eyes shooting straight up.

"You know Scorn?"

Zecora stepped into Sugarcube Corner, pulling down her hood as Pinkie followed her to the side.

"Indeed I do. I have have been taking care of the human since his arrival was new. For seven years, he has been in my care."

"Oh, wow! So is he at your hut or something right now?"

Pinkie gasped.

"Does he have, like, a secret cave where he plots his daily crime-fighting routine?! Like Batmare?"

Zecora rose an eyebrow.

"Why do you many comparisons to Batmare...?"

She shook her head.

"Nevermind that. No, he does not have a lair. He stays in my hut, where he tends to my brews with care."

"Ooooooh, OK. Is he coming?"

Zecora shook her head.

"Some of the party's give him pause. I wish I could say, but I cannot reveal the cause. Dark forces, he controls, but when vulnerability shows, such as fear, you will undoubtedly find Ponies disappear."

She ushered to herself.

"Thus, I am here in his stead, to answer questions that linger in your head."

"That's wonderful news!"

Both Pinkie and Zecora turned to the side, seeing Twilight walking up to them with a yellow Unicorn with a fiery styled mane and tail in toe.

"I have a few questions of my own I'd like to ask about Scorn. Do you mind? We can take a seat over there."

"Yes. I can answer, but I will not strike his privacy as a lancer. I will answer primitive questions, but none that will cause tension."

Twilight hummed before nodding.

"That's fine. I can always ask the more deeper questions to him if I can. I'll just go over the basics."

She motioned to the mare standing beside her.

"Oh, and this here is Sunset Shimmer. She opened up an alchemy lab a little ways down from where my library is."

Sunset held out her hand, shaking Zecora's.

"A pleasure to finally meet you, Zecora. As Twilight said, I'm Sunset Shimmer. I was the one who she helped... reform, and integrate the Equus-Earth technology into Equestria."

"The pleasure is all mine. If you have an alchemy lab, my assistance will be given without anything to deny."

"I'll have to take you up on that. Twilight said you were good with potions and brews."

"That I am, but let's settle and discuss the human that dwells. Let us begin before the ringing of the dinner bells."

-----

*POOF*

"Agh-!!"

Scorn jumped back from the cauldron as it puffed out a cloud of pink smoke. Watching it dissipate in the air, he looked back in, watching the mixture carefully before consulting Zecora's alchemy book.

"Um... I think that's right. Is it supposed to be brown...?"

He looked back in.

"Kind of a bluish tint to it, so I think that's right..."

He flipped through a few pages as he picked up three individual vials of different serums. Studying the labels, then examining the book again, he poured in the orange one, waiting for a reaction.

...
...
...
...
...

"Oh, I guess nothing-"

*knock-knock-knock*

Scorn immediately fell to the ground on reflex, thinking the cauldron was gonna explode. He covered his head, then rose it when he heard the knocking again, this time coming from the front door. He blinked as he stood up, donning his suit once more as he walked to the window to peek out at who it was. His heart dropped instantly when he found it to be a group of trained guards from the Celestial Empire.

"Oh, shit...!"

He turned and rushed back inside as the knocking turned to banging. Flying up to the tallest window in the hut, he smashed through it, cruising down to the ground as the guards all swarmed the interior of the building. Hitting the ground with a thud, he jogged to the treeline, stopping and looking back. None of them seemed to know he was here. That is, until one guard turned her head to the window, and spotted his figure outside.

"There! Outside!"

He widened his eyes and quickly turned, sprinting with magically-induced acceleration through the forest.

"Go! GO!!! Don't let him get away, or the Queens will have our heads!"

'Queens...?'

He shook his head as he kept running, from clearing to clearing as he tried to shake the pursuers rustling the shrubs and bushes behind him. Using everything he taught himself, and learned from the Alicorn Amulet's power, he kept himself ahead of the guards both in flight and on the ground.

Going up the slope of a hill, he saw another squad off to the side of the trees, circling around to cut him off. Seeing a web of vines up ahead, he smirked, flying up again and whirling through them. The guards chased after, but as soon as they touched the vines, they stuck to it as if it were a spider's web. Some of the trees and plants actually came to life and pulled at them, tearing off their armor and swallowing them underground for god-only-knows what kind of fate.

Seeing his pursuers' body count rise, he launched up to the top of the trees, using the branches to stay above and below the guards. Luckily for him, he managed to cloak himself in the darkness, finding a place to stop as the Alicorn Amulet was beginning to react negatively to this chase, his fear for being captured making it turn against him. Clawing at the tree next to him, he fought back against the corrupt grips of the power infused with the Amulet, attempting to calm himself down as he did it to ensure control was held.

He looked down at the Alicorn Amulet as it was seeping a black smudge from the gem, pouring out slowly onto his body. He growled as he gripped the bark tightly, tearing into it as he gritted his teeth violently.

"Remember, Scorn. CONTROL the Amulet. Fight them back as an OUTLAW, not a... not a... a..."

He felt more of the smudge drift over him, going inside the suit as he looked down at the guards looking around for him.

"These Ponies... They... They're herbivores... I can smell them... the sweet, sweet juices... They're so... so..."

He twitched in place before his body went limp. All the guards turned to him as he fell out of the tree, hitting the ground with a thud.

"There! Quickly, grab him before-"

The voice didn't have time to finish before one of the chains silenced it, skewering the guard through her face. A multitude of other chains thrashed around with Scorn's wrist wires as his body convulsed painfully.

"A-Aaagh...!"

He rolled to and fro as the sludge covered his entire body inside the suit, the mask now breaking at the jaw and creating a large, horrifying maw filled with... bones. Jagged bones. Not teeth, not flesh, just bones.

"HHHRRAAAAAHHH!!!"

-----

"So, it really is true, then?"

Twilight looked down at her notes, glancing through the various things she's written down as questions and answers with Sunset Shimmer. Despite not getting personal, she's gotten a lot about the human. She has no need to do tests on him. From what Zecora has told her, his anatomy is almost identical to a Pony's, save for the extra horn and wing appendages, and his structure resembling more of a monkey than an equine. During the time of her interview, the Royal Sisters made their debut to the party, enjoying themselves with the crowd and even allowing Gleaming Shield, Twilight's older sister, to mingle with the Ponies she protects. Princess Celestia had sat down with Twilight to learn about the human herself, and has found out some troubling things that gave her pause.

Zecora was showing animosity towards her, almost in a hostile fashion. She explained her reasons, and that the Princesses should already know about the human, but this turned out to be false.

"Ms. Zecora, I have not seen a human for nigh twelve decades. Nopony in Equestria has the power to summon entities from alternate realms. To do so would require one to break the boundaries of reality itself, a feat my sister and I are incapable of doing."

This caught Zecora off guard. She was sure that day twelve years ago that it was the Royal Sisters she saw try to take the young human away for their own needs, but... if this turned out to be untrue, then who was it she saw? Alternate egos? Copycats? Doppelgangers? It confused her, and she would have to relay this to Scorn when she gets back to the hut. Looking up at the clock, she found it to be late enough to head home.

"While I enjoyed my time here, I believe my departure is near."

She pushed back her chair, finishing off one of Pinkie's delicious cupcakes.

"Your questions continue to rise, but I cannot be the one to abide. Your answers lie within Scorn's mind, so please approach him when he's not in a mental bind."

Princess Celestia stood up, nodding as she took Zecora's hand into her own.

"You have my word, Zecora. My sister and I were not involved with this human until today. We had not even heard about him until Twilight sent me a letter informing me of his new... occupation."

She gave a cheeky grin as she stepped away.

"To be honest, Equestria needs more guardians. While I have faith in my Royal Guards, it often comes down to the Elements of Harmony alone to banish evil. Having someone else watch over my Ponies is a blessing in disguise. However..."

She frowned as she closed her eyes.

"I cannot say I approve of his methods, even if I understand that my Ponies have been unfair and unjust towards him. We are facing a time of peace, Zecora. Having a marauder shedding blood on this sacred Kingdom's land is unacceptable."

"That, you will have to tell him yourself, Princess. My word on that subject is useless."

Celestia nodded, sighing as she knew that, if she were to catch up with this dangerous vigilante, she will have to show him the way of her Kingdom, and give him the friendship he deserves, even if what he saw the day he arrived warped his mind.

"I see... Very well, then, Zecora. I wished I could have met the human today, but his displacement is, once again, understandable. I will not pry-"

"Hrrrraaaaaahhhhh...!!!"

A distant, feral cry broke the three from their conversation, Zecora's ears flattening as a horrified expression laced her features.

"Oh no... Not again..."

Twilight stood up.

"What is it? What's wrong, Zecora?"

"The Alicorn Amulet has taken hold. Something has caused Scorn's weakness to show!"

Both of them shared Zecora's expression, knowing full well what the Amulet can do when unchecked. Zecora herself only narrowed her eyes.

"The only weakness he shows is fear, and that means what troubles him most is near!"

She pointed at Celestia.

"You have spewed lies and deceit! How many guards have you sent for his retreat?!"

The Princess only backed away.

"M-Ms. Zecora, I have... I didn't send ANY guards."

She turned to her Captain.

"Gleaming Shield!"

The white Unicorn with a mane and tail perked up, dropping her plate of cake and speeding over to Celestia, saluting her with a fist on her heart.

"My Princess?!"

"Take your squad and go to the Everfree Forest, and quickly!"

"Right away, Prin-"

"No!"

Zecora stepped between them.

"Bringing more of them will only cause further turmoil. The Royal Court only brings his blood to a boil!"

She rushed to the door, grabbing her cloak along the way.

"I must hurry, for if I do not, whomever he has encountered will be made into curry!"

"Mmmph... So good..."

Scorn stood over the remains of the bloodbath, his expression contorted to pure ecstasy as he saw the corpses that lay before him. They were... They were everywhere, and he knew EXACTLY how he laid them out.

The first to feel his unbridled hunger was the guard after the first one he'd skewered. He bit into her throat, ripping out her jugular before turning to the next, who'd cloned herself to throw him off. Of course, the Alicorn Amulet was a magical and very powerful artifact, and it saw through the clones easily. Scorn had punched his fist THROUGH the mare's head, taking her brain out when he ripped his arm out of her skull. He bit into it as two others came at his front and back. Having seen the one from behind charging up a magical shot from her horn, Scorn used his wires to send the passage of magic into the other guard, frying her and cooking up her flesh for Scorn to eat. He tore open her stomach and gouged her intestines out, effectively ripping her in half and leaving her legs hanging in a tree.

Looking up from his meal, he saw the mare he used to fry the one he's eating standing there, shocked and appalled by what he was doing. In mere moments, he ripped through them all and devoured them like dishes at a buffet. Scorn questioned why she was still here, but the hunger of the Amulet demanded more live food, and he chased her down before she could even take a step, grabbing her arms and stabbing his wires into the biceps, cutting the tissue inside to allow him to pull off her arms without much trouble. She screamed and bellowed out in agony as he chomped down on her face, making her screaming more horrifying as all that was left under the chunks of meat was a chewed out skull with no eyes left to contemplate the inevitable gruesome death.

Having turned his eyes to the rest of the squad, they stood no chance as he ripped into each of them, the Amulet's hunger being slowly quelled with each passing kill. He now stood there, looming over his final kill while tearing into her, eating her inners piece by piece..

"So good... So... good... Who needs control... when you have an all-you-can-eat lineup at ALL times...?! The baddies... They taste the best.~ The innocent do not quell my hunger. They need not to face my jaws. No one will get hurt, and I can stave off my meals from then on. Everything will be al... alr-... Everything..."

Scorn blinked as he took in the last gulp, taking a breath as the maw that formed into his suit slowly fixed itself, closing up and becoming part of the mark yet again. As Scorn took another breath, he slowly came to his senses.

"W-What... What is... Wha-... WHAT am I DOING?!??!!"

He stepped off the corpse as he dripped with blood, his hands and legs having strings of meat falling from them. He staggered from the corpses as he felt ill, his throat burning from the bile that was coming up. He kept it down as he gripped his head.

"I-I... No... I thought I... I had it under CONTROL!!! How did...?! Last time, it was animals! It was fine... but this?! I-I... I ATE a... I ate a PERSON!!!"

His fingers clawed at his head as he roared up in mental disrepair.

"OH MY GOD, I ATE A WHOLE SQUAD OF SOLDIERS!!! WHY THE HELL DID I DO THAT!?!?!"

"Hey! I heard voices over this way!"

Scorn was snapped out of his cycle of shock and shame as he heard rushing footsteps approaching him, fast. Not able to bear the thought of being caught in this horrific scene, he did the one thing he did twelve years ago: he ran, and just in time, too. He had disappeared right before the Elements of Harmony, the Royal Sisters, the Captain of the Royal Guard, and worst of all: Zecora, came onto the scene. He could hear them screaming in shock at what they saw, and right now, that didn't matter. He needed to get away. He HAD to. He couldn't go back knowing what he'd done. He couldn't go back and look in the mirror without seeing the monster he's become ever since he put on this Amulet.

He's known for YEARS that this Amulet was bad news. He's known for damn near a DECADE that this magic was dangerous. He's putting his sanity on the line to prove himself worthy of Equus society, to keep them safe, but in the end, that was something he could not do so easily. It's different now. Scorn realized a long time ago that he had to become a lethal protector in order for this to work. There's no arguing it. The Alicorn Amulet, if left unchecked, turns him into a cannibal, and it even made his ordinary diet purely meat, cooked or otherwise. He searches for answers about his past, or tries to save a life, to keep his mind off the horrible things he could, and has now done. He was tricking himself into thinking he was OK...

If he dwelt on the horrible acts he's committed, the Ponies and creatures he's ripped apart when training to become the very name he came up with a few days ago, he was ALWAYS afraid of becomign numb to it. He's changed. He KNOWS he has. He knows that, but even though he can't stop, can't CONTROL himself, he realizes that what he's doing is wrong. That example can't be any further proven than what has happened now.

'Gotta get away... Gotta get away...'

He looked back as he passed out of the Everfree, leaving it behind as he made way towards a river near a mountainside.

'I'm sorry, Zecora...'

-----

"This way! Here!"

The mane six, Zecora, the Royal Sisters, and Ponyville's resident alchemist: Sunset Shimmer, rushed through the Everfree Forest, following signatures of a magical disturbance and the screams that could be heard all the way from Ponyville. Zecora had beads of sweat trickling down her fur. She hoped, she PRAYED, that she was wrong, that what she heard was just the screeching howls of a Timberwolf. She wanted so badly to believe it wasn't him, but as the stench of fresh death drew closer, it was becoming apparent that it was, indeed, the case.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!"

Everypony stopped as they looked back, seeing Twilight had stumbled back from a pair of... legs. A literal pair of legs were hanging in the tree by the intestines. Such a sight made everypony pale, including the Royal Sisters.

"D-Dear mother above..."

"O-Oh my god!!"

Everypony turned to Rainbow Dash as she was floating in front of the rest of the carnage. All the bodies, torn apart and looked to have been... eaten? Just the thought alone made Rarity vomit in a bush as Applejack tried to stabilize her.

"W-What kind of brute would do such a thing?! What kind of ANIMAL...?!"

Zecora knelt down by an intact body, taking a piece of the chestplate off.

"A golden plate, this is. Such a material only found upon a guard's gears."

She turned to Celestia, handing the chestplate piece to her.

"This belongs to your guards, does it not? Or this material and color, I have forgot...?"

Celestia looked over the piece.

"This material... It is the guard's brestplate, but... I swear by the sun, I did not send out my guards here. Luna, did you?"

"Neigh, sister. We did not. What reason would a band of guards have for coming out here?"

Gleaming Shield grimaced at the eaten out stomach of one of the mares.

"Better question is, what happened to them...?"

"I can reveal that myself. To show all, I merely throw this pellet found on my shelf."

She took out what appeared to be some kind of smoke explosive. Tossing it to the middle of the clearing, a mist overtook the ground. As if time reversed, the scene drew backwards, showing a quick flash of all of the events before playing out just as Scorn fell from a tree. He screamed and thrashed around, taking one of the mares out with his wires before his mask ripped at the jaw, giving way to a horrifying maw made purely of bones without flesh. It was then that the Ponies knew, or once again, understood WHY the Alicorn Amulet was so dangerous. Its origins are a mystery, but there's no denying what it will do to you once it corrupts you entirely, even for a brief period. They watched the beloved and feared hero of Ponyville EAT these guards, tearing them to shreds in horrendous and gruesome ways, taunting them the entire time. One of the mares that lost her arm crawled backwards, looking up at Scorn as he slowly stepped towards her.

"I-I don't get how you're doing this!! This isn't how things are supposed to BE! This isn't how they're supposed to happen!! You're supposed to be WEAK!! We should be taking you back to the Queens! We should be getting our praise, and you would be right back where you belong!! H-How are you doing this?! WHY are you doing this?!"

"There's no 'supposed to' or 'should be' in this situation, kid. It's only here and now, and right now, there's FLESH without END. You will satisfy the Amulet's hunger nicely. ALL of you will... and I'll enjoy savoring your flesh for later...! Now, c'mere! One little bite from your neck and you'll learn all you'll ever need to know."

Some of the Mane Six, and even Sunset and Twilight, huddled in on themselves when they witnessed Scorn lunge at the mare, literally biting clean through her neck and ripping out her veins and arteries along with the meat. He continued to eat, savoring and sloshing the blood and flesh around in his mouth as he cooed.

"Mmmph... So good..."

He took another bite as Zecora winced.

"So good... So... good... Who needs control... when you have an all-you-can-eat lineup at ALL times...?! The baddies... They taste the best.~ The innocent do not quell my hunger. They need not to face my jaws. No one will get hurt, and I can stave off my meals from then on. Everything will be al... alr-... Everything..."

Relief washed over the Zebra as she saw Scorn slowly coming to his senses, the mask losing its maw as the Amulet seemed to swallow back the sludge that seeped from it.

"W-What... What is... Wha-... WHAT am I DOING?!??!!"

He stepped off his meal, holding his stomach as he shook violently, looking down at the corpses with a fearful expression that the crew never thought a vigilante like him could make. He grasped his head tightly.

"I-I... No... I thought I... I had it under CONTROL!!! How did...?! Last time, it was animals! It was fine... but this?! I-I... I ATE a... I ate a PERSON!!!"

He looked around, growing more and more disturbed and unhinged from the sight.

"OH MY GOD, I ATE A WHOLE SQUAD OF SOLDIERS!!! WHY THE HELL DID I DO THAT!?!?!"

"Hey! I heard voices over this way!"

Scorn turned his head towards the group, making several of them flinch and shrink away. One of them was, surprisingly, Princess Celestia herself. It didn't take Scorn more than a second to turn and book it deeper into the forest at top speed. Anypony will rational thinking, Zecora herself included, could see that Scorn was panicked, both by his own actions, and being caught in the middle of this bloodbath. He ran, not looking back as far as they knew. As soon as the image faded, and they were looking at the real corpses again, Applejack was the first to speak up, along with Rainbow Dash as Fluttershy sobbed in her cyan coat.

"Wh-Wuh... What in TARNATION was that!!?"

"He-He just ATE a whole group of Ponies!!"

"W-Why would he do this?!"

Zecora shook her head as Twilight knelt down in front of one of the guards that fell before the savage might of this... bestial side of Scorn.

"It was not him that did this, not voluntarily."

Princess Luna nodded.

"Indeed. Sister and I have known about the traits and effects of the Amulet for centuries on end. Its origins may forever be a mystery, but we know that the extent of its corruption goes far beyond even the darkest foes of Equestria."

Celestia swallowed some of her own bile down as she came to grips with what she saw, rubbing her throat before speaking again.

"Yes, but, if Scorn has the Amulet, and he kept it all this time, just how many incidents have happened."

"Only one."

Everypony turned to Zecora as she sifted through her cloak.

"You heard him in the past. The human has only ever done this once before, but it did not last. We have learned how to stave off the Amulet's hunger, but any sign of weakness will enact the corruption, and everything around it will be torn asunder."

Both Princesses, and Twilight by extension, were shocked at this. The Amulet was... controllable? How? Nopony in the history of this nation has ever been able to remain stable and whole when wearing such a powerful artifact. What they've just witnessed now is proof of that, but then again... Twilight remembered the week that had passed. If Scorn was wearing the Amulet the entire time, he was, most definitely, using its powers for the right reasons. With the murder aside, he stopped a robbery, saved a filly in a well, rescued Pinkie and the Cakes, and even repaired Sugarcube Corner. Any power used responsibly like that was guaranteed to show that the Alicorn Amulet WAS controllable, and it appeared that Scorn was the best candidate and host for such a dark element.

"We have to find him. We have to show him that we mean no harm to him."

"Finding him will be difficult, for when he is frightened, he makes it impossible to consult."

Zecora motioned to Celestia and Luna.

"And if they were to find him first, it will only drive him further into his thirst."

Celestia looked down at the armored ponies, kneeling down next to Twilight and being careful not to get her Roman-designed dress bloodied.

"I still do not understand... Why are these Ponies out here...? Why was a guard squadron sent to the Everfree in the first place?"

"That's because they're not ours."

Both Luna and Celestia looked over at Gleaming Shield as she was reading a scroll sent to her.

"I sent word that there were casualties out here, and I just got a response from the General. All Royal Guard squadrons are back at the castle."

Rarity blinked.

"So then... Who are these mares?"

"I'm not sure, but unless Squad 47 back at Canterlot Castle all have twin sisters, we're looking at impostors of some kind..."

Gleaming rolled up the scroll and sent another to the castle.

"You all go. I'll have a few more guards help round up the corpses and take them back to the morgue in Ponyville. Something doesn't add up here..."

Twilight stood up.

"Right. Be careful, Gleaming. C'mon, girls!"

Gleaming Shield waved to them as they rushed through the forest, leaving Zecora and the Princesses behind with the Captain as they rushed in the direction of Scorn's departure, hoping to find him before he got too far.

-----

"Hahh... Hahh... Hahh..."

Scorn leaped through the air as he arced into the river, taking a few gulps to clear out his throat. Coming out the other side, he found his suit now cleaned from the blood. Although... that wouldn't stop Scorn from looking down and still seeing it as a memory.

'I'm starting to REALLY see why nopony would ever, in their lifetime, use this thing...'

He clenched his fist as he looked down at his hand.

'This... This needs to stop. I've proven my point already. Scorn is a revered and feared name. That's all I wanted. I'll be accepted, finally...'

He reached up for the Alicorn Amulet.

'I won't be needing this anymore...'

He gripped the emblem and tugged, blinking as the trinket didn't move. He tried again, this time pulling harder and harder, but for the life of him, it felt as if this thing was as attached to him as the braces on his arm and leg were.

"Shit..."

He pulled again, growling as he felt his skin tear.

"Shit, shit, shit, SHIT...!"

The Amulet snapped back around his neck just as soon as he was about to get it off, the skin reattaching as he clawed at it. In retaliation to his attempts, the Amulet sent a searing jolt through his body.

"YYAAAAHHHAAA!!! W-What's happening to me?! GET THIS THING OFF OF ME!!!"

He fell back into the river, flowing down the stream as he struggled with the Amulet. Soon, he came upon a rock, hitting it with force and splitting his head open. A muffled grunt came from him as he stopped fighting himself. Instead, he opted to crawl back up onto the bank, his hand clasping his head.

"Ugh... Ow..."

He shook his head as he stood up.

"It's... It's stuck..."

He poked at the gem on the Amulet, getting a flicker in return along with another burn.

"Gh-... Dammit... I guess I'm stuck with this thing for a while..."

He looked up at the sunset as it finally fell, the moon coming up in its place. With the said time of day illuminating the riverbank, Scorn shivered, despite the burns.

"Better find shelter. At least, for tonight."

He turned his cape back into a pair of wings, flying up the mountain on his left and looking for an entrance to hide himself in while he slumbered. Seeing one not too far up, he cruised for it, landing before the mouth and rubbing his arm.

"Hahhh..."

He turned towards the horizon, his eyes scanning it for any ponies looking for him. Frowning, he took a seat, rolling his shoulder as his head still dripped with his own blood. Scorn didn't care. The Alicorn Amulet won't detach from him, so he figured it wouldn't let him die either. His thoughts drifted back to the scene he ran from, his eyes shutting tightly as he remembered EVERY last detail of it. Just even the slightest hit of herbal scents made him wanna puke.

"U-Uhhh... god..."

He placed a hand on his stomach as he dismissed the suit, sighing as he sat there, alone, and beyond scared of what tomorrow will bring. It was in that fear that he actually began to contemplate... Should he had gone with Celestia and Luna back then? Sure, it wouldn't have been a good life, but it's a far cry from being... this. A pretender trying to be a hero, when in reality, he was constantly fighting himself day in and day out. He's an exposed power in a place that's supposed to make you feel safe and secure, like a nerve that's constantly throbbing with pain.

'It's a nightmare...'

Shaking his head, he leaned back against the cave wall, his eyes staring out at Equestria. Dwelling on the past didn't matter now. He chose this path, and has even faced consequences for it.

'Time I own up to them...'