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Ataraxia

by ty500600

Chapter 1: Prologue: Freedom


Prologue: Freedom


Ataraxia


By: Ty500600
Edited: Athanix
GoldenArbiter


Deep in the sewers of Canterlot, in the heart of the Empire, huddled around a small fire sat four ponies. Two earth ponies, two pegasi. Each were shaking their newly born limbs which used to be almost useless due to the ataraxia injections. The earth ponies were shaking their rapidly strengthening legs, while the pegasi were flapping their wings.

“Oh my, it feels so good to stretch these things without the pain,” sighed the blue pegasi. He gave his wings a few solid pumps to make sure there was no pain left. He turned to his colleagues, “You know what I think? I think that once we get out of the city, I’ll give these babies a test run, know what I’m saying?”

The other pegasi smacked him upside the head. “Are you crazy Clear Sky? They’ll spot you the instant you leave the ground! They have their own forms of flying machines you know. Not to mention the other technology that helps them find magic users and flyers.”

An earth pony leaned over the fire, his grizzled face partially illuminated by the flames. “And don’t forget about the hunters...”

The two pegasi both glared at the elder pony, their eyes stabbing him like the light from the flames. “You know that the hunters are only a scare tactic used by the Empire. As if there was a group of magically blessed ponies who can do all that nonsense.”

“Believe what you want, young colt, but it is you who will pay the price for being so naive. Do as you will, but know that you put all of us at risk.” The old stallion cautioned before falling back on his haunches.

“Old coot. I’ll bet he also believes that the Princess of the Moon is still alive as well.” He raised his voice just enough so the earth ponies could hear. “I bet it must suck not being able to leave the ground.”

“Sky, quit it. We’re trying to escape together, we don’t need to fight with them,” muttered the red pegasi.

“C’mon Firewing. They’re cramping our style. They have no idea what it is like to fly!”

The younger of the two earth ponies decided it was his turn to speak. “But you have no idea either so shut your face. Besides, who says we’re going to leave the city. From what I hear, the Underground is recruiting new members. I say we go find them and offer our newly... acquired talents.”

“Oh no. We escaped on our own. No pony helped us, so I ain’t gonna’ help no pony either.” Clear Sky stated.

Firewing glared at his friend, “Sometimes Sky, I just wanna hit you.”

“What? I’m looking out for number one here and thats me. Even if we did find these rebels, what use would two pegasi and two earth ponies be?

The younger earth pony started up again, “Well, I don’t know about you two, but Steel Hoof and I have a little bit to offer other than our new strength, and that is some—” A hoof shot up against his mouth, silencing him.

“Hush now Star. We don’t need to go around telling secrets.”

Both pegasi were now interested, eyeing the two earth ponies curiously. “What do you got?” Clear Sky asked.

“Nothing, now mind your business,” grunted Steel Hoof.

Firewing decided to change the subject. “Steel Hoof, what did you do before escaping the ataraxia?”

A long sigh followed the question. “I was a metal worker for the Empire. Some strange things they had me make. Never asked much questions though, just did like I was told. Not much else I could have done what with the ataraxia in my system all the time.”

The pegasi’s eyes widened. “You worked for the Empire?”

“Not like that. I didn’t directly serve any higher official. I worked with metal and occasionally they would have me make parts for some... things. As I said, I didn’t ask questions,” grumbled the elder pony.

Firewing was brandishing a smirk, “So that means you could possibly make lances and armor and other weapons?”

“Listen here, youngen. I don’t know you and you hardly know me, so lets stop playing twenty questions and just get some rest. Besides this fire has been going too long as it is. All we need is to get caught with our guard down,” the elder pony finished.

Clear Sky wasn’t going to give up that easily though, “Is that what’s in the bag? Weapons?”

“Boy, does it look like you could fit a lance in this thing?”

“No but—”

“Exactly! Now cram it and get some shut eye. I’m telling you those hunter ponies are real and they look for ponies like us.”

“I really don't think—” Sky jerked his head towards the sound of soft splashing. All that was visible was darkness, however, along with some ripples in the water.

“Rats or something man. Ain’t no way anything is gonna find us down here,” said Firewing. “And even if they did, we’d be able to—”

Clear Sky turned to see why his friend stopped talking, only to find a long metal arrow jutting out of his friends face. The limp body slumped to the ground against the wall, leaving a trail of red behind it.

“Holy shit!” Sky shrieked.

The two earth ponies reacted with speed that Sky had never seen before. They ripped open the bag and two collapsible spears and a bow harness dropped out. Steel Hoof doned the harness and fired several shots down the hall, each reloaded by Star. The only retort was the sound of metal scraping concrete or skipping on water.

Silence filled the air, interrupted only by the sound of embers burning. Steel Hoof dropped to a knee and attached the spear, Star following the same motion. They stepped back to back looking for any more signs of danger. It was then, from a different sewer pipe, did another volley of metal death come rocketing out, smashing into the side of Steel Hoof. The elder pony had died almost immediately.

Star let out a scream before charging headlong into the darkness. The only sound Sky heard was metal hitting metal then a thud. Soon after, a slow clopping came for him. “Star! Star is that you?” Sky began to panic. He dove for the spear attached to Hoof’s corpse and fumbled with it, trying to get it to attach to his harness. The clopping sound grew, making him panic more. The source of the sound was almost on him. “I surrender!” He shrieked. Out of the darkness stepped a light blue pegasi with a mane and tail that were a furious red hue, its face surrounded by a black iron mask.

“You have been deemed traitorous to the Empire. Your friends have met a fate too good for them. You shall be taken to processing. Any attempts to flee or fight will result in instant termination. Now, sleep,” boomed a deep voice that seemed to come from every direction except the Hunter. A dart shot out of the side of the helmet, embedding itself into Cleary Sky who fainted on the spot. The Hunter picked up his prey and trotted back into the darkness, leaving the flame to extinguish with the life of the dead or dying ponies around it.

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