It was still nighttime by the time the pegasus had reached Twilight’s house. Panting, she banged on the door. “Shit, shit, shit!” she whispered to herself in panic and impatience.

The purple unicorn opened the door with a tired look on her face, as if she’d just been woken up. “Daring Do?”

“They took them!” Daring squealed. A look of seriousness was plastered on her face. “Rainbow Dash and Drake... they’ve been taken!”

Twilight looked back at the panting pegasus, still not fully awake. Her eyes slowly started to open. “W-what?” she asked with a blank stare. “Come on in, and tell me everything!” she ordered, pulling her into the warm treehouse. “Sit down, I’ll be right back.”

Daring Do, driven forward by adrenaline, tried to calm herself down, but nothing seemed to do the trick. The only thing she could do was to pace around the living room to try and occupy her mind for a time.

A small moment later, Twilight entered the living room from the kitchen with two cups of tea, protected by her magic as it floated above her head. She placed the cups on the table before them, sat down by the sofa and said: “Now... tell me everything.”

Beep...Beep...Beep...

The noise of the beeps hammered themselves into my mind, forcing me awake. It was an all too familiar sound, one that greeted me whenever I survived trauma. The sound proved that I was still alive.

Without looking around, I knew I was lying on a metal table. A slight shiver ran through my body as I began to feel just how cold the table was. My hooves were cuffed, and I felt something being pumped into me. If the waves of calmness that assaulted my body and mind were any indication, the liquid was some form of sedative.

Elyntis was the first thing to come to my mind after my rudimentary observation of my condition. Every time I escaped a hell, I only wound up in another one. It was no different on Earth.

“Everything seems to be in order. The prisoner is stable and is ready for surgery.” I heard a female voice announce with professional coldness. Briefly struggling to get up, I found the cuffs did their job well enough. “Wait... he’s waking up!” The rate of the beeping increased as my heart raced with panic. “Cancel the procedure, inject him with--”

“W-what’s going on?” I murmured very feebly, still not realizing the situation I'd gotten myself into. I had my eyes closed for I did not dare look upon my captors. My memory from the previous night were fuzzy, so I wasn’t quite sure what had happened. But the fact that I was tied down meant that they didn’t have good intentions. Alternatively, it could mean fun times were ahead.

“Who the buck removed his cloth? This is the dragonborn we’re talking about! Put a muzzle on him, now!” somepony else ordered in panic.

As I opened my eyes, I noticed the room was, to my slight surprise, extremely clean. The walls were white, the room itself was pretty big, the floors were shiny and as clear as newly polished mirrors, and I noticed cutting edge gadgets around me in all sizes. By my left I noticed a big shiny machine with smaller gadgets and tools attached to it. They seemed harmless and pretty, but I had a feeling in my gut they could be used for anything but harmlessness if the user so chose.

There were several doctors around me, but I couldn’t get an exact number. The drugs clouded my mind too much for that.

“It’s alright”, a tuxedo clad unicorn stallion said, fixing the sunglasses he was wearing, “he’s doped up enough to be harmless. He doesn’t have the energy required to Shout. Give him another dose to be sure though.”

That stallion looked like a millionaire pretty-boy. The smug smile on his face made him seem like he was a cocky superhero. His head was held high in the air, making the belief of his superiority clear. His amethyst colored mane was brushed in a fancy manecut that would be more than appropriate for formal parties, and his coat was pink which surprisely fit him very well.

The scared look on everypony else’s faces slowly faded with soft sighs. The nurse obeyed with a smile and pushed a button on the machine to my left, causing more sedatives to flow through my veins.

I felt the effects at once, causing me to drool a bit in the overdose. I tried to mumble something but my words only died out at the tip of my numb tongue. I managed to give the stallion an emotionless glare and, despite the fact that he was wearing sunglasses, I felt his stare. The longer we looked into each other’s eyes, the more he started to smile.

“Leave us.” he suddenly commanded without breaking the eye contact, making everyone else snap their eyes at him in surprise.

“But, sir... the doctors are ready to perform the procedure--” the guy with him, also dressed in a tuxedo, pointed out. But before he could say anything else he cut him off by raising a hoof.

“That can wait. I want some privacy with the Dragonborn. Everyone out. You too, beautiful.” he ordered again, pointing the last part of his sentence to the female nurse with a wink and an enticing smile, making her blush a bit. But when nobody obeyed him, he turned towards them all and added in a growl, “Now!”

That, however, was enough to send them all out in a pace. Seconds later we were alone in that white, silent room. Minutes passed without either of us saying anything. The beeping sound from the machine was the only audible thing in the room. He just stood there as if he was expecting me to start a conversation. But when nothing happened he crept up to me. I never took my eyes off his sunglasses as he slowly approached. He gave me a small smile before removing his sunglasses, and therefore revealing his cyan colored irises in his eyes. They were pretty nice, and seemed somewhat friendly. It fit his pink coat very well too. “Mr. Drake.” he said softly.

“What am I... doing here?” I pushed out, squinting my eyes at him. “And who are you?”

He slowly walked around me, tracing his hoof gently on my sides as he did so. His touch was surprising, and it made me open my eyes completely. I felt his hoof digging into my fur, stroking me softly. His soft, gentle touch was somehow very comfortable, yet very uncomfortable at the same time. “It’s nothing personal.” he replied in a very friendly manner.

“Eh...”

“Well... in fact, it kind of is. But I’d happily put that aside if you answer for your actions regarding my brother.” He got up to me and looked into my face with a warm smile as he started to brush my mane gently with the same hoof. “You messed my brother up back at Cloudsdale. My guys reported to have found him in a pretty bad shape. It appears that he is almost nothing but ashes. However, my coroner told me that he went through hell before he died. There was gushes of his blood around, his wings had been sawn off, broken bones and whatnot.” He explained, still with a calm, kind voice, not unlike that you would use when talking to a very young child.

“He had it coming, that bucker.” I answered with obvious hint of hate in my voice despite my feebleness. “He... he raped my wife and made me watch. He was going to torture both of us, but--”

“He had his ways, sure.” his brother answered. “I never actually got it, how he was into little fillies. For that I lacked respect for him. But he was also my brother and co-worker, so I could never hate him. Just to be clear, I myself am bisexual and into adults, so don’t think I’m like him. That’s irrelevant though. You see, I’m not a bad guy. I’m not that kind of guy who wants bloodshed. That’s not how I want my revenge.” he said, now stroking my cheek with a very loving touch before bumping my snout lightly with his hoof. “I am a stallion of love and science. My dream is to make technology more advanced than most have ever dreamed of. I want to create something spectacular. Something for the “Royal Equestrian Army”, something for the civilians... you know. I have some great ideas but, as you’d expect, we need to test them out first before we can publish and sell them.”

“I-I thought you wanted me either dead or alive.” I pointed out, feeling more dead than alive.

“Dead?” he shouted back at me, surprised. He facehooved and sighed. “Did those useless imbeciles tell you that I wanted you either dead or alive? Idiots.”

“You... you’ve also been spreading lies about me. You said I... feasted... on your brother.”

“But of course! You killed him.” he pointed out. “What is a little white lie compared to that?”

“Why don’t you want me dead?”

“Haven’t you been listening to anything I’ve been saying? We need your brain...” he knocked on my head “...functional and intact so we can perform tests on you. Killing you would defeat the whole purpose of capturing you.”

“So... you want me alive to be your little test subject?”

He approached my face and touched my nose with his before answering in a soft whisper, “Precisely.”

My head twitched a bit, making him back away. “Wh--what do you have in mind?”

He smiled very softly with a loving look on his face. “I have plenty in mind. And to be honest, you may actually like some of those things. Others, mmm...not so much. However, I can give you a bonus for your trouble... a more pleasant test.” he giggled. “If you’re interested.” he suggested with a wink, still softly caressing my body with his hoof as if I enjoyed it.

I just stared at him in small confusion. I didn’t expect that at all. “Fuck off. And stop stroking my fur.”

His head twitched back in confusion. He gave me a small surprised stare. “Huh... you’re the first to actually deny my affection.” he awkwardly, yet regretfully stopped touching me. “Shame... you have such soft fur.” he mumbled to himself before shaking his head. “Alright then. Let’s get straight to business, shall we?”

“What... what are you going to do to me? What surgery--” I asked, slightly annoyed. I did not respect him. He seemed to be flirting with everyone, and the fact that he even suggested that I would be so low to have sexual intercourse with my captor was just absurd.

“Testing. Don’t worry, I think you’ll like your neural implant. We’re going to implant a chip into your skull and one in each forehoof so you can actually summon a hologram of a weapon in any form you’d like on either of your forehooves. It’s made of silicon-carbide mixed with plasma, which will appear hovering around your preferred hoof. So technically your hoof is the weapon, or so it appears to be. You can use that to kill enemies, or even to cut through most substances without resistance. You just use your imagination to summon a hologram of a weapon in any form you can think of. Neat, huh? However, it does drain your energy, so using it too much would be considered unwise.”

“How would that work?” I asked, not really buying it.

“Let’s say you’re in a dire situation that requires you to summon a... uhm... let’s say, plasma whip... around your right hoof. The chip in your head will communicate with the one in your right hoof to make it possible for you to take an advantage of it.”

While I actually liked the idea, I was not convinced. It wouldn’t make any sense to capture me with the way they did if they wanted to improve my abilities. “There’s a catch, isn’t there?”

“Well, so far the chip that goes into the head has killed all the test subjects. Resistant little buggers they are. They just refuse to cooperate with us. They always seem to explode. But we believe we’ve fixed it this time. And with someone as strong, as resilient as you, we’re sure that you’ll survive it.”

“By the way... what the hell did you do to her?” I spat at him in anger. “I want to see her... now!”

“Her?” he asked thoughtfully. “Ah, yes! You mean, Rainbow Dash? Relax, relax. She’s safe.” he answered with a small laugh. “She’s our prisoner for now. You see, if you die, we got ourselves a new test subject.”

“I want to see her.” I repeated myself in a growl, staring at him with my hateful gaze.

“Hmm...” he thought to himself, scratching his head with the hoof he had been touching me with. “I guess it would be the least we could do. Seeing as there’s not a strong chance you’ll survive what we’re going to do to you. Very well, I’ll bring her up. You two can have some privacy for a minute or two. However, if she tries to free you or if she does anything else we won’t like, we’ll fill the room with neurotoxin. So, if you don’t want to die without hope, I suggest you cooperate. After your little chat we’ll start the procedure. If I were you I’d use this moment to say goodbye. You never know.” With that he left me all alone in that white, psychopathic room.

I had an itch on my snout and since my hooves were tied down, there was no way I could relieve me of it. It was pretty damn uncomfortable and did nothing but make me more annoyed than I already was.

I took a good look around and noticed ventilations all around me. So he wasn’t kidding when he told me that he could flood this room with neurotoxin.

Minutes passed like hours until I heard a soft swoosh of the entrance door. I opened my eyes and noticed that Rainbow, a bit battered, limped towards me, breathing heavily as she did so. As soon as she got near me she hugged me tightly. I would have hugged her back, but I was tied down. I couldn’t move a limb. “D-Dashie! You’re... a sore sight. What happened?”

She cocked her head with a small frown. “Don’t worry about it. I tried to fight them off but they were too many. I know I could’ve taken them down, but...” she continued, slightly sad. “I don’t know. The thought of them punishing you for my actions stopped me. Naturally I got beaten up in the process.”

“Come here.” I exhaled sadly. She nuzzled my neck with her snout while I kissed hers, but then looked into her eyes with a worried gaze. “Look, I have a plan. I think I might have enough energy for one shout. As soon as they come in here to take you back to your cell or whatever, fight them off and dodge when I tell you to. I’ll kill them with my shout and you can untie me. Then we’ll help each other out and send all of them to hell. Alright?”

“But... they said they were going to kill us with that toxin if we tried to resist.”

I shook my head feebly. “They won’t. They need us alive. He knows we two are the toughest persons in Equestria. We are his only hope.”

She nodded once, but not too obviously. “Regarding that. I’ve overheard some of the guards. They’re going to make us their lab rats.” she whispered into my ear, not scared or worried like I was, but rather in an angry tone.

“I know. They said they were going to implant a chip into my head. Look, just act naturally to evade suspicion. Whatever happens, just play along and follow my lead. Okay?” She nodded again. “Also.. I really think we should move away once we get out of here. Cloudsdale ain’t safe for us anymore.”

She looked into my eyes a little hesitant since she liked our current apartment, but sighed in the end. “You’re right, Drake. We can’t let something like this happen ever again.”

“Y’know... I promised your dad not to get ourselves into trouble. I’m terrible at keeping promises.” I sighed, making it sound like I was directing it to myself. “He’s going to kill me...”

“I think I can hear them coming.” she suddenly gasped. I looked at her and gulped in nervousness. I really hoped my little plan would work. She quickly kissed me, and said “I’m ready when you are, hun.”

"I'm ready." I answered in a weak whisper. "And hey... I love you."

She smiled softly and looked at me with her lovely, sparkly magenta colored eyes. "Love you too. Just hang in there, okay? We'll get through this."

Three strong guards stormed in through the door as soon as she let go of that word. They were equipped with cutting-edge bows that made our daedric ones look like a kid’s toy. Their arrows were transparent, almost invisible, and made of plasma that would burn anything it would pierce. Two of them aimed at Dashie while the third one had his aim on my head.

From the middle entered the pink guy behind it all, in a manner that was both extremely professional and extremely stylish. He had his sunglasses back on and wore a subtle grin on his face. “Time’s up.” he announced softly.

“Step away from the Dragonborn and approach us with your hooves where we can see them!” one of the guard spat at Dashie. “If you do not comply we will shoot the Dragonborn!” Rainbow gave me a quick surprised gaze before slowly creeping her way up to them with her head bowed down towards the ground. I felt for a “no” begging to leave the tip of my tongue, but I managed to keep it down.

“I said you two would be alone, I never said we wouldn’t be listening to your conversation.” he added with an amused laugh.

“You’re going to regret this.” I growled with my teeth gnashed in fury. “You harm her in any way and I quadruple the pain we inflicted on your brother on you!”

As soon as Dashie got close enough, she threw herself at them, making them lose their balance. But it seemed like there were more guards waiting outside because as soon as she performed her action three other stallions entered the room with tasers.

Rainbow hesitated but didn’t show any sign of exhaustion. She put on an angry frown, but when she was about to attack them she noticed a guard pointing his plasma arrow towards my head, ready to let go of the string to end my life if she wouldn’t stop. “I’ll kill him!” he shouted, but everyone noticed how hesitant he was. He was trembling a lot and I was actually getting worried that he’d let go of the string on accident. “I swear I’ll--”

“FUS... RO DAH!” I interrupted, launching the guard well away from me. The impact on that poor fellow was so heavy he got killed as soon as he slammed against the wall behind him. I only recently found out that I actually get more and more powerful the more dragon souls I absorb, meaning that all of my powers get slightly stronger with each soul-eating. Apparently I could kill with my unrelenting force now, but only if there’s something solid to greet my victim with.

I panted in utmost exhaustion. I really spent all of my little energy into that shout, and I could impossibly shout any more.

“Not so fast.” the pink stallion interrupted, pointing something at Dashie what appeared to be a ray gun of some kind. “Believe me, you don’t want me to zap her with this.”

While still panting, I stared at the weapon in my subtle surprisement. “I-is that a... a gun?”

“Gun...?” he asked confusedly, looking at me with a strange look. After a long pause he finally formed a subtle smile on his face and widened his eyes in amazement. “Gun! That’s the name I’ve been searching for! I’ll use that, if you don’t mind. Gun... genius! Short and simple.” he squee’d, obviously happy to have completed his search for a good name for his latest technology. “Now, tell your mare to give up and come with us or I will shoot her with this... gun.” he giggled excitedly, happy to use the name of the phenomenon he possessed for the first time. “Such a shame... I’d hate to use it on that beautiful mare. Like I said earlier: I’m a stallion of peace, love and science. But exceptions can, and will be made if threats arises.”

I sighed in defeat and nodded once to my Dashie with a sad expression, making her whisper a no back in surprise. I looked back at my cuffed hooves with another sigh. If I only had more energy, I could probably get ourselves out of this mess.

The pink coated pony smiled widely. He indicated something with his hoof, making the guards lead Rainbow Dash out of the room. She cooperated and let them take her away. Before she left the room I noticed that she was both sad and angry. Her facial expression told me that she felt for guilt and pity.

Once again we were left alone. The pink stallion sheathed his gun and walked up to me again. He waited for a little while, just looking at me before breaking the silence. “I’m back.”

“No shit you’re back.” I stared back at him and gave him a sharp look. He extended his smile into an amused grin.

“You’re so cute when you’re angry, did you know that?”

“And haven’t you noticed by now that your sweet talk isn’t affecting me at all?”

He shook his head slowly a couple of times in small disappointment. “My dear Drake. I’m just trying to make you feel welcomed. Besides, why should I hide my opinions of you? You and your wife are perhaps the most attracting, most exquisite creatures I’ve ever met. You should feel honored. I’ve met many ponies in my time, and you outmatch them all.”

“Do you flirt with everyone? Are you really that unprofessional?”

“I have my ways, and you have yours.” he objected. “Please note that my behavior does not in any way prevent myself from being a professional in what I do best.” he continued, slightly more serious than before. “And, no. I don’t flirt with everyone. In all honesty, I only flirt with those I’m attracted too. And I do admit that I am attracted to quite a lot of ponies. Don’t get me wrong, though. That’s just my personality.”

“Eh... alright.” I said, feeling slightly scared all of a sudden. I honestly expected him to go a little bit further, and since I was unable to shout due to my exhaustion and since I was tied down, I could not do anything to stop him.

“Time is running short. We should get that chip implanted into your head. Can’t wait to see the results.” he pressed a button on the big machine next to me, injecting another big dose of those sedatives. I got completely doped up at instance, and this time I could barely even talk. I could only move my eyes and lips, but that was about it. I even started drooling a bit again without meaning to.

He got up to me and caressed my mane again, only inches away from my face. “You know, I really hope you survive.”

My eyes widened a bit in surprise. “C-could you please back off a bit? You’re really getting into my private space here.” I pushed out barely audibly. “And for fuck’s sake, stop touching me.”

I don’t think he understood me, since I couldn’t even understand myself, but I was sure he got the message.

He ignored me. Instead he did something I kind of expected, but never thought he’d actually do. He closed his eyes and slowly kissed my lips a couple of times, and I couldn’t do anything to resist. The drugs pumping from the machine into my vein and the fact that I wasted every juice on that shout earlier prevented me from moving a limb.

I breathed heavily and tried to shake him away, but the medicine basically immobilized me. He slowly opened his eyes, still tasting on my tongue with his, enjoying himself as he did so, before receding. He licked his lips and wiped his mouth to clean our saliva off and sighed once. “That was for good luck.” he whispered with a wink, still brushing my mane softly with his hoof as he stared into my eyes with an interested smile.

Slightly shocked, I stared back into his blue eyes and fought to respond as clear as I could in all seriousness: “Y-you do that ever again...,” I stuttered, swallowing hard in the unexpectedness. “...and I swear to the gods that I’ll send you to Sithis the same way I sent your brother.”

“You’re such a violent person. I think all you need is--”

“And you... you’re just a horny playboy with shiny toys. You’re... you’re no leader.”

I finally managed to crack his lovely face and turn it into a small frown. He gave me an evil glare, not as amused anymore, before storming towards the exit. “Start the procedure!” he shouted nefariously into the blue before vanishing out of the room.

All the companions of the Dragonborn had been summoned for a meeting at Twilight’s house. Shadowmere was furiously pacing around the room while Citrine, Drake’s sister, tried everything in her power to track them down in the meantime with her magic, but without any kind of progress. Twilight gave her a boost with her own magic to look for clues and traces of where they might’ve been taken, but even with their magic mixed they weren’t strong enough.

Reaper seemed as cold as ever. However, seeing as how much their disappearance affected Drake’s sister, he couldn’t help but feel affected as well. Anything that hurt his only friend hurt him too, no matter how cold his heart was.

“This is unacceptable!” moaned Shadowmere, still aimlessly wandering around the living room as he fought to keep his rage in check. “This is outrageous! Oh, they bucked with the wrong ponies!”

“Yeah, well, I agree with Shadowmere.” muttered Daring Do to herself with an annoyed frown. She was sitting on the sofa with her forehooves crossed. “I’ll kill them all if it comes down to that.”

“Just make sure to leave some guys for me.” added Shadowmere in approval, obviously happy with the mare’s attitude. “And by killing them, I mean killing them. I’m not gonna cuff down anypony and send to prison. Oh, no. They’re going to the place even Sithis despises. First, I’m going to chain them up in a cold, dark room. I’m going to take a dull knife and slowly take off all of their skin. I’m going to bathe them in salt and beer. Then, when they’re begging for death, I’m going to send them to it.” he spat out, his eyes becoming redder than ever.

“Ponies! Calm down, please?” begged Twilight, grasping her head in her immense headache. “Instead of thinking of how we’re going to punish the captors, let’s focus on how to track them down first, alright?” she added, making Citrine nod quickly in agreement.

“I agree with Twilight. We can think about what we’ll do to them after Drake and Rainbow have been secured.”

“You’re right.” admitted Daring Do, still with a frown of guilt and disappointment. She knew that she could’ve done something to stop them, but instead she ran away like a coward. But then, Drake ordered her to do so, so she didn’t feel all that bad about it. “I just wish we had some kind of start. We have to be quick before the trail goes cold.”

Citrine held her head in her hooves as she fought to focus her magic. “Daring... you were there when they were taken. Can you describe the captors?”

“I didn’t get a good look at them. It was very dark, but what I did notice was that they were dressed in all black. They were trained and they knew what they were dealing with. That’s it.”

“Could it be the Dark Brotherhood?” asked Twilight, oblivious to the fact that Shadowmere was a part of said organization.

“It’s not the Brotherhood.” hissed Shadowmere with an icy voice.

Twilight facehooved when she realized it. “Of course, sorry.”

Reaper sighed in annoyance. “Look, this is none of my darn business, nor do I want to be any part of it, but I’d like to get this over with so Citrine can breathe lighter. Shadowmere here...” he said, pointing at him. “...was the only one accompanying Drake and Rainbow Dash to Riften.”

“Now wait just a minute--” Shadowmere interrupted, pacing menacingly towards him. “What are you implying?”

“Back off! I’m not done speaking.” Reaper spat at him, making Shadowmere give him a disapproving glance. “Anyways... what I’m trying to say is that Shadowmere might have some clues where we could start searching, seeing as he’s been with them more recently than anyone else here.” he finished, returning that evil stare with his own. “I wasn’t implying anything, dipshit.”

Shadowmere let out a small warning growl. He sat down on the sofa next to Daring Do and scratched his head, contemplating on the situation. “I really don’t-- wait... yes, of course!” he shouted, his eyes completely widened as if he’d come up with an idea. “Bloodlust!”

“Did you say “Bloodlust”? Who the hell is that?” asked Daring Do, starting to get a tad interested. Twilight, Citrine and Reaper also seemed to fix their focus on the black stallion.

“On our way to Riften we raided that one criminal camp. We kept one of them criminals alive for interrogation. He told us that there was a bounty on Drake’s head. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before...” he explained, completely shocked but happy to have found that start they had eagerly been searching for.

“Did you kill him afterwards?” asked Twilight, giving Shadowmere a small squint.

“No, we alerted the guards and they put him in prison in Markarth.” Shadowmere pointed out, leading him to another bright idea. “We could go there and interrogate him again? Maybe he knows where they took them!”

Citrine stood up determinedly with her horn not glowing anymore. “Then what the hell are we waiting for? Let’s get to it!” Reaper stood up by her side, obviously in agreement, and nodded to her with a determined look on his face.

“The sooner we get to kill those buckers the better. I’m in.” said Daring Do, also standing up from the sofa. It seemed her little betrayal earlier when she caused Dashie’s death strengthened their friendship after she had been forgiven. She both cared more, and considered them to be her only family. And now that they’d been taken away from her, she hungered to get the two ponies she cared most about to safety. “You in, Twi?”

Twilight looked at her companions-to-be and nodded without hesitance. “I’m not going to sit by as our friends are being held captured. We’ll go at midnight. But for now, go to your homes and get some rest. ‘Cept for you, Daring. I don’t want to send you back up there.” she ordered, thinking about nothing but her friends’ safety. “We’ll meet up here at sunset.”

I paced around the surprisingly clean room as I awaited updates on what they were going to do to us. Ironically, my little prison cell was one of the fanciest rooms I’ve ever been into. It was very cozy and I admit that it made me feel a little like home. There was furniture around, a comfortable sofa I could sit on, hell, there was even a kitchen in there. However, the walls were made of unbreakable glass, and that really made me feel like I was trapped in a box. Well, that was the case. It could be worse though, so I didn’t complain.

It’s funny how I’d never even heard of this organisation before, because their technology was so advanced that it would certainly be difficult keeping it a secret. But somehow they managed to remain invisible to the world. A lot of those new devices I’d been introduced to were actually quite impressive, but the fact that I was trapped in there while my Drake was being tested on filled me with the urge to fly. Not the normal urge that I get, the one that makes me so awesome. This urge was more the urge to fly away. To do something. Because, I had to save him before they seriously messed him up, but I couldn’t go anywhere. The electronic door was locked with a kind of technology I didn’t know even existed. It was locked up with some kind of combination code that was impossible to guess.

From the other side of the glass I saw him. That pink stallion walking towards me with a smug smile like a superstar. He had his sunglasses on and his mane a little wilder than the last time I saw him, but that didn’t make him seem any less friendly. I knew he wasn’t a friend. He was just subtle as fuck and I knew he’d try to flatter me to get me on his side. But that wasn’t going to work. I had to remain strong, whatever happened. But I had already thought of a plan, and I had to count on that working.

He got up to a telecom and said, “May I come in?”

“Sure.” I replied with a sad sigh, seated on the soft sofa.

He entered with an even bigger smile, trying his best to walk up to me in the least menacing way possible. He took a seat next to me, but I never even looked at him. I just stared out the thick glass and nibbled on my lower lip.

Neither of us said anything for some time. There was dead silence, the only things I could hear was our breaths and the buzzing sound from the electronics of the new refrigerator they invented. “How are you, Miss Rainbow Dash?” he broke the silence, removing his sunglasses.

“Look, before I do anything stupid and get myself killed--”

He cut me off with a serious facial expression. “Rainbow... your husband is in good hooves. Our surgical technicians are one of the best in Equestria. However, his fate is not bound to their hooves. It is bound to that chip we’re planting into his head. Whether it explodes or not is entirely unpredictable to us.” he explained, remaining serious.

I turned my head and looked at him. I admit that he seemed pretty attractive. Young, smart, and, frankly, gorgeous. Yet, at the same time, I realized he had a monster inside him. “Why are you doing this? We’re trying to save you all from the dragons! Release us, or else...” I expressed, trying my best not to let out my anger. I couldn’t finish up the sentence though, because in fact, I didn’t have a clue what to do if they wouldn’t release us. I was being held as a prisoner while they were bucking Drake up.

He looked back into my eyes and reached his hoof forward to give my cheek a small soft stroke. I had an urge to back off, but I decided to stay put. “I’m sorry you feel that way.” he whispered, looking at me with a sad facial expression. “I really do. I wish I could do something about it. You see, you two killed my beloved brother.”

“Your brother?”

“Back at Cloudsdale. You even tortured him first.”

I opened my mouth in disgust as it hit me. I frowned and felt for my body aching in hate again. “He’s your brother? That bucker deserved every bit of it!” I spat. “He got less than he deserved! I’d happily resurrect him just to torture him again if I could!”

He grabbed my shoulder with slight passion. “I understand that you’re angry. I’ve heard about what he did to you, and for that, I am truly sorry. I’m not like him in any way though. I’m not going to hurt you.” he pointed out, giving me a look that told me he could be trusted, at least about that part.

I loosened up a little and nodded. “Please, I beg you. Don’t hurt Drake.” I said worriedly. While I was acting about my kind behavior, and actually holding my hate and rage contained, my worries for my love was very much real. “He’s been through so much already. If anyone should be punished, it should be me. It’s entirely my fault your brother received that fate. I dragged him into killing him. Hell, he even tried convincing me to let it all go.”

The pink stud grabbed the back of my neck gently and gave me an interested look. “You two are the most beautiful ponies I’ve ever seen. I’d hate to buck you up. But no matter how evil my brother was, we still shared the same blood and I feel it’s my duty to avenge him. And I’m not going to do that with violence. I’m doing it for something far greater. Something more beneficial to us all. You two will be a big part of our country’s future technology! You should be rather honored for being a part of something as big as this.”

I grabbed both of his shoulders and looked deep into his cyan colored eyes. “Just let it go.” I whispered mildly to him, trying to win him over by being kind and seductive. “Please.”

He analyzed my face with a warm smile and sighed. “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are? Really, it’s almost... hypnotizing.”

I faked a giggle. “Yeah. The Dragonborn, my husband.” I answered, reminding him of that I was already engaged to the most powerful being this world has ever known.

“Y’know...” he added in a small whisper, now caressing my thighs with his hoof. I was on the edge of hitting him but I tried my best to stay calm. “Nobody’s going to enter this room but me. Nobody has to know.” he suggested, giving me a small wink. “What do you say?” He went for a kiss but I stopped him by putting my hoof on his snout.

“Who do you think you are? Do you really think I’m that cheap? Take a good look at my ear and tell me what you can see.” I hissed at him, giving him a sharp look.

“Maybe he can join us then, after his little surgery?” he suggested again, obviously excited at the thought of sleeping with two of the most famous, the most powerful ponies in Equestria. “You both could use a little relaxation.”

My patience was wearing very thin and I realized that my methods wasn’t going anywhere. However, I still believed I could get something out of him if I was civil enough, so I tried my best to contain my fury. “My flank belongs to him and him only.” I teased him with a small amused frown. “Sorry, big guy, but you’re going to have to leave this room disappointed.”

He bit his lower lip, still with that disturbing look. Alright, might want to toughen it up a bit. I’m being too soft on him.

I hadn’t seen this coming, but suddenly he went for another kiss, but this time he managed to deliver, shoving his tongue into my mouth. I completely froze and widened my eyes in shock. It was so surprising despite being so forthcoming that it managed to immobilize me. My body just refused to obey my mind.

He kissed me very passionately, as if he loved me with all his heart. The wet sound of our saliva mixing filled my ears and I couldn’t seem to do anything about it. He wrapped his forehooves around me and breathed heavily into my mouth as he tastes on my tongue. I felt like I was being tied down and I didn’t like one bit of it.

By the time I realized what was going on, he was already caressing my thighs and preparing to move on to the next stage. I snapped out of my small blackout and smacked him as hard as I could, making him groan as he fell down hard to the ground. I was still shocked, meaning that I couldn’t move the rest of my body. I just stared at him and panted in startle and panic. He looked back up at me and wiped his mouth quickly with his hoof to clean up our saliva and some of his blood. “S-sorry, I lost it there. I know that was unprofessional.” he almost cried, very obviously trying to contain his tears.

“Y-you do that again... and I swear with Sithis as my witness I’ll send you to him the same way I sent him your brother.”

He let out a small amused chuckle before grunting again a bit. He rubbed his jaw and answered: “Funny, your beloved Dragonborn said something similar.”

I stirred up, staring at him with my eyes wide open. My jaw dropped as I felt for the anger busting out of me. I swear I could almost imagine his skull cracking by my hoof. Fortunately for him, he sensed that it was time for him to leave. I watched him walk away dizzily, but still he showed the mock to turn around and give me a wink.

The hateful and somewhat envious rage that filled me at the thought of him kissing my Drake blinded me, making me charge towards him in utmost anger. I reacted too late though, since he was already out of the room.

I hit the glass between us with everything I had, hoping I could manage to at least give it a crack. “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you all!” I shouted in blind fury, watching him leave the room without turning his back.

I woke up with an urge to throw up. A strong urge. I tried to gag to puke so I could get rid of that horrible feeling, but no matter how much I tried to let it all out, I just couldn’t do it.

My head was on fire. The abysmal headache I got after the wild night before going to Elyntis was nothing compared to this one. My head felt extremely heavy, as if it was about to explode to pieces. I couldn’t even move my eyeballs without feeling for agonizing pain. A pain as if I was being electrocuted. As if my brain was on eternal fire.

I wasn’t lying on a bed anymore. Now I was stuck to an experimental chair. I couldn’t move any of my limbs but my two forehooves. The other parts of me were strapped against the chair with their machinery made of steel.

I heard muffled, deaf voices around me before someone stabbed my neck with a long needle. At instant I felt relieved. My headache immediately vanished; only that little irritating electrocution from that chip in my brain remained. My sight and hearing got instantly better too, meaning that I could hear and see clearly again.

“Good job, ladies and gentlecolts. We’ve successfully implanted the first augmentations into patient #42265. Since everything went as expected, we may proceed to testing.” I heard a soft female voice speak.

“What the hell did you just put in me? Buck off... stop injecting shit into me.” I demanded, staring at the wall before me. I saw a dummy with a bullseye target strapped to its chest and somehow I didn’t like the sight of it. It seemed pretty far away and indicated that I had to interact with it somehow, which I’d rather not do.

“How is my favorite stallion today?” a familiar voice added. It was the pink pervert. He let out a small ouch, but I was too pissed to give a fuck.

“Fine.” I muttered, still not able to turn my head in his direction. “I hope you realize you’re not getting away with this. No matter how great everything will turn out, I will still kill you for kissing me and for forcing me to be your little lab rat.”

“Of course you will. And I don’t give two shits about it.” he responded. “My life is nothing, nothing, compared to the technology I’ve evolved. You may kill me, but my pride will always live in you. You are my legacy.”

“I bet my friend can help me get rid of your little devices with her magic.”

He let out a loud laugh. “Nothing will ever rid you of my work. That is, without killing you. Even the strongest magic cannot help you here.”

“Sir, the patient is ready and good to go.” the female nurse interrupted, smiling softly. He smiled back with a wink, making the female nurse leave with a small blush like last time.

“I’d cooperate if I were you. Something might accidentally hurt Rainbow Dash.” he pointed out, being very mocking about that last part.

I started breathing heavier. More than being filled with rage and hate, I was worried. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Where was she? How was she doing? Was she okay? Did she need my help? “Y-you wouldn’t dare.” I whimpered. “You wouldn’t--”

“Oh, I wouldn’t. You’re very correct about that. As I said, I’m not fond of violence. I’m not sure about my friend Bonebreaker though.”

“Fuck you!” I shouted. “You touch her and I’ll shove that plasma blade of yours down your throat!”

“That’s the spirit! But we’re not sure if it works or not. We’ve never had a patient living the operation before. That’s why we’re going to prepare you for the moment you end my life with your brutal ways.” he explained, letting out a small giggle. “Sounds good to you?”

“Ugh, fine! Let’s get this over with.” I growled, staring at the dummy before me in anger and defeat.

One of the boss’s agent came up to him, removing his sunglasses to take a better look at the bruise on his face. “Eh, what happened to you, boss? Your face looks pretty bad.”

“Nothing!” he hissed back. “Don’t ask about it ever again! Now, let’s get on with it.”

That made me smirk in amusement. I was positive Rainbow gave him that mark to teach him a lesson. That’s my girl.

I was also convinced that she was alright. That pink stud may have been an unprofessional pervert, but he was no rapist. He had not harmed Rainbow in any way and that made me breathe a little lighter. However, I could imagine why he got that mark and I didn’t like a bit of it.

The pink stallion indicated with his hoof that everything was in order, that I was ready and willing to start. Another female wearing a nurse outfit sat down behind me with a clipboard and announced: “We’ll start off with long-range weapons. Patient #42265, please correspond the following instructions. When you hear the buzzer, please summon a weapon of your own choice that can fire projectiles. It can be in a crossbow, longbow or in any other form, but--”

Before she could even finish her speech I summoned a transparent-orange rifle around my right hoof. It was slightly big, but light as a feather. I groaned in pain as I fired plasma rounds with my mind at supersonic speed, vaporizing the dummy to ashes as soon as I imagined pulling a trigger. The sound of plasma and the smell of something burning filled my nose and ears. It was tiring and very uncomfortable. I could literally feel the chip in my head electrocuting my brain. I let my body slunk down in exhaustion and closed my eyes with a tired moan.

“Whoa! You have a powerful imagination!” the boss shouted, clopping his hooves in awe and pride. He seemed extremely pleased of his work. It was he who invented that powerful device. Him. And he knew that mighty well.

I heard the nurse pony scribble something down in her clipboard before speaking once more, “Now we will proceed to melee combat. Please, lower down the next target.”

I heard a swoosh before the chair disassembled by itself and vanished down into the ground, making me fall down to the shiny tiles on the floor. I was powerless and dizzy, but before I could even try to stand up I felt for another needle stabbing me. Seconds later I got filled with energy again. I turned my head towards the nurse who kept injecting those medicines into my body and gave her an angry frown. “Piss off!” I hissed, making her hesitantly receding with a scared look on her face.

The room I was in was tight in security. It was pretty much just a huge steel box that no one could enter or leave without the correct combination of a code. At least, that’s what they told me. They knew I wasn’t stupid enough to engage them, and they were correct. The thought of them harming Dashie prevented me from doing anything they considered forbidden. Besides, I admit that I kind of liked that new upgrade. I was so much more powerful now. I couldn’t even imagine how unstoppable I’d be after I’d fully adapted to it. Now was a good time to train. Learn to control it so I can tolerate the sudden drop of energy the chip consumes. But the fact that I liked my neural implant did not mean at all that I approved of anything they were doing to me.

Another target was lowered, but this time it was something quite unexpected. From the ceiling they lowered down a living, breathing target. Another fellow Equestrian. He was a young red stallion with dark brown mane; blindfolded and hoofcuffed. He was breathing heavily in panic and seemed to be swallowing a lot in nervousness. “W-where am I? P-p-please let me go!”

“Combat training;”, the nurse continued, “subject will now engage the target with a melee weapon. Patient #42265, please correspond the following instructions. When you hear the buzzer, please strike the target down with any--”

“Wait just a minute here!” I interrupted, turning around to take a look at all the ponies scrutinizing me. “Are you out of your bucking minds?!” I angrily shouted in disbelief, giving everyone my disapproving shocked expression. “No. I’m not going to kill an innocent civilian! I refuse to harm him in any way!”

“D-dragonborn?” the red stallion asked, gulping. “D-Drake! It is you! Thank the gods! P-please... I-I have a filly sleeping back at home. My daughter needs her daddy around. She’s already lost her mother. Please, don’t do this to her. I don’t want her to be raised up in the Honorhall Orphanage.” he begged in a cry. He started sobbing quietly and I strongly sensed that he was telling the truth. He was not begging for his life, he was begging for his daughter’s, and I felt for great sympathy. Also the fact that he mentioned the Honorhall Orphanage meant that he was a resident of Ponyville.

I was just a normal guy when I got here. I hadn’t been raised to be a hero and face difficult choices, I just suddenly became one, and not by my will. In my heart I was still that insecured lowlife I was once, although a big part of me has changed.

“Oh, but you will.” the pink pony whispered into my ear, a bit agitated. “You either strike him down or we will kill Rainbow Dash. That is a fact, I guarantee you.” he added in an angry shout, only inches away from my face. It was the first time he raised his voice at me and somehow did it do nothing but make me angrier than I already was.

I turned around to face him and looked him in his eyes, fighting the urge to stab that fucker. I could do it, but there were too many guards in top form in this room with their advanced weapons, and I wouldn’t know the combination to get out of this room either way, meaning that I would die in here as the world burned. Also the fact that they got Dashie imprisoned. I don’t want her to suffer for my disobedience.

My heart was screaming to give in and unleash its monster side upon them all. My limbs shivered for I was stuck in a situation I could not handle easily. But my love for Rainbow Dash was too strong. There wasn’t anything I could do. It was either that random stallion or my wife I loved more than anything I’ve ever loved. She was going to be the one to be by my side as I slay Alduin. She was the person who’s kept me going. To me she was as crucial to Equestria as I was.

I closed my eyes as my tears started blurring my sight. I wasn’t crying, but realizing what had to be done put me on the edge on doing so. My mouth shivered as I whimpered barely audibly into the air, “I-I’m so sorry.”

“W-Wait...” he tried to reason in a cry with his voice full of innocence, yet surprisingly calm. This moment affected me so much I could almost imagine the laughters of his daughter, the love he had for her father, the passion he had for his offspring. And I was to be the one responsible for his death. “D-Drake, please... just hear me out. It doesn’t have to be like this. Y-you can save us both. I-I’m sure of it.”

I took a deep breath and kept it in my lungs for a second or two before exhaling it out in the purpose of calming myself down a little.

I opened my teary eyes and frowned as I regretfully, yet determinedly, stabbed him with the big, sharp blade I summoned around my right hoof. I gutted him so deep, my hoof, which was at the center of the transparent blade, bumped into him. I listened to that sickening hissing sound of the fat plasma blade slowly eating his body, making me growl loudly in hate and anger; hate towards the ones forcing me to kill an innocent, most likely a peaceful pony who did not deserve that fate. I grabbed the back of his neck with my other hoof and kissed his head, paying my respects in that way so he could at least know that I did not kill him willingly.

He was still on his knees. His mouth was slightly open and his body was completely stiff. He started gagging up some of his blood, but as soon as I made my plasma weapon disappear he fell flat down to the cold floor, dead.

I knelt down next to him and quickly mourned him. I closed my eyes and had my head bowed down. Now that I believed in gods, I had a quick, silent prayer to bless his journey to the land of the dead where he would be treated as one of their own, and that his daughter would make fine without her parents. “I’m sorry...” I repeated myself in a whisper.

I opened my eyes again with my lips still shivering in slight panic and disgust. I swallowed hard and didn’t even care for that small pain I got from the chip in my head. I simply didn’t give a fuck anymore. “I-I’m going to enjoy hurting you.” I murmured without looking at him.

“You did great.” He smiled in return, ignoring my threat, and gave me a pat on my head. "It's funny how cute you are despite of your violent behavior. Have I ever told you that?" He giggled softly. "And now you're so much more powerful than yesterday. Such a strong stud you are..."

Before he could touch my cheek again, I grabbed his hoof and twisted it. "Don't you dare touch me!” I growled loudly. “I’ll cut your hoof off if you don’t. stop. fucking. touching me!”

“I just wanted to bid you goodnight!” he cried out in his unexpected pain.

I hesitated a bit and let him go. “What the hell do you mean?”

He thrust his other hoof towards me, but much quicker than before. I tried to block it but he was too quick. As soon as he tapped my shoulder I felt for a sharp sting. I groaned once and gave the hoof he slapped me with a look. I noticed that he had a small pointy needle strapped to a gray circle plastic that was attached to him. “W-what the--” before I could finish the sentence I fell down to the ground and immediately blacked out.

It was nighttime. Not a certainty, but I was almost positive about it. I just had this feeling that everyone was sleeping safe and sound in Ponyville. I smiled as I thought about my people. They deserved to live in peace. They knew the time of the Dragonborn had come, and for that they were utterly thankful. They had themselves a protector that eagerly wants to defend them with everything he has. Well... that is, if they were still clueless about the fact that he was some secret organization’s lab rat in the unknowns of Equestria.

I was very lonely and extremely bored. I’d been there for an unknown period of time and I hadn’t had a proper conversation with anyone for a long while. The loneliness was tearing me apart from the inside. I was trapped in a glass box and I had nothing to do. Time seemed to be going so much slower and I couldn’t do anything about it.

I lay down on the sofa and exhaled softly as I looked up to the glassy ceiling. I started thinking about the songs that I’d recently been listening to. All those great bands from Earth and the meaning their songs had.

In all my boredom I started singing in an attempt to cure that a bit. I mumbled parts of lyrics of my favorite songs that I knew, but no matter how low I murmured it to myself, it always sounded like I was singing too loudly. I constantly tried to lower my tone since I had this disturbing feeling that someone was listening to me. In the end I dropped it altogether with a sigh, instead deciding to daydream a little.

I giggled feebly as I thought about the time I defended Fluttershy’s honor back in Cloudsdale as young mares. She was being harassed by other Pegasi since she couldn’t fly as... assertively... as the rest of us. I gave those bullies a good taste of my hoof and they never bothered Fluttershy ever again. I scoffed with another giggle. Hah... good times.

But then I thought about how much my life had changed for the past months. How my life took a whole different turn after I met Drake, Equestria’s hero and legend. Huh... never thought I’d start a relationship with anyone, least of all with him. I’d never been much interested in such a thing, but he managed to crack that.

I then thought about everything he had done for me. My induction into the Wonderbolts was his doing. He revived my mother, freed my father and crossed the borders of the land of the dead just to get me out of there after I died. And he... he’d always been there for me. He made me feel safer than I already was. I, on the other hoof, was the one who had been getting us into trouble. He was always the one to fix it, such as the time when I wanted to kill my dad’s former boss. I nearly ruined both of our lives. Fortunately my mom crashed the party in the nick of time. And now he needs me more than ever and I’m trapped in a glass box like a guinea pig. I had to put my trust in faith and hope, which was killing me. I even admit that I was scared shitless.

And by that moment I got a brilliant, yet idiotic idea that just might work to get me out of here. He’s a playboy that thinks of nothing but his fancy toys and sex. What if... I make it look like I want his affection because of my horrible loneliness that is tearing me apart? What if I try being gentle with him again, but this time I’m actually willing to go further? Whenever he delivers me food I’ve noticed him staring at my flank. He wants it, and it might just be my ticket out of here. Hmmm... yes. It just might work. As soon as things are getting tense I’ll pin him down, steal his weapon and knock him out. I’ll... I’ll make him tell me the code out of here.

“Can someone speak to me, please?” I shouted up into the ceiling. “You, pink guy, whatever your name is. I’m not gonna hit you again. Please, just come over and talk to me? Let’s communicate like adults. Let’s... let’s talk, okay?”

It didn’t take him a long time to answer me. He entered the room and approached the thick glass by the entrance with a small confused look on his face. He seemed pretty hesitant, but I noticed subtle passion on his face; like he was determined to get me on his side. “Please, have a seat.” I added as soon as he entered.

“What do you want?” he asked, taking a seat next to me once again. I took a subtle look at the dagger strapped to the belt of his uniform. He also had that weird weapon Drake called a “gun” strapped to him. It looked like it was getting in his way, yet still he managed to walk without trouble. I also noticed that he was wearing hoofcuffs. Perfect.

I slowly approached him and put up my innocent facial expression, one that was bound to make him feel sorry for me. “I-I just wanna talk.”

“Why? So you can hit me again? My face is still sore!” he pointed out in an irritated cry. “But... I guess I did deserve it.” he admitted with a sigh, looking away. “I should’ve known better.”

I slowly brushed his mane behind his ear, making him look at me in confusion. I smiled and gave him an apologetic look. “Look... you’re a strong stud. I just... didn’t expect a kiss, that’s all. But I... I liked it. I shouldn’t say this since I got a husband and all, but... I liked feeling for your soft lips against mine. And I... I’m just so lonely and... I’m in heat. I could really use some company.” I whispered the last word out, forcing a blush.

He gasped a bit, still as confused as before, before grinning widely. He reached his hoof forward and did the same to my mane. I kept smiling and gave him the same passionate bedroom eye look I constantly give Drake when I want something from him, making him crack immediately. However, he still seemed pretty hesitant about kissing me again. How couldn’t he be? I almost broke his face the other day.

So instead I decided to go for it. I closed my eyes, grabbed his head and slowly kissed him, trying to imagine that I was kissing Drake. However, they don’t feel and taste the same, so maintaining it was a little harder than I thought.

He excitedly kissed me back and took me down, leaning over me. Okay, he fell for it. Concentrate, Rainbow... only for a little while longer. Don’t lose it now, just keep on going until every bit of his defenses are down.

“Can you... turn off the security cameras? I’d like to continue in privacy.” I pointed out, hoping he would comply so I could proceed with my plan.

He smiled and murmured something inaudible as he reached the pocket of his black tux for his small rectangular device. He pressed a button and at instance I noticed that the red light on the cameras around me had been shut off. I felt for a subtle smile forming on my face and a new sense of confidence filling me.

I took him in for another kiss, making him do the same to me. “Mmmm... you’re a good kisser. I-I change my mind. I want you to take my flank.” I force a smile, constantly giving his weapon a subtle longing stare.

I could already feel for his half erect shaft on my abdomen through his pants, making me shudder a bit. I kept my eyes closed and swallowed, trying to calm myself down. “I gladly accept your offer.” he responded, overwhelmed by the surrealistic situation he’d gotten himself into. “Now, help me get my pants off.”

I kissed him yet again and pulled him closer to me, pressing his body up to mine. After making out some more, we finally got his pants off. He put his belt with his weapons on the floor beside us, making me smile even wider. I wrapped my hind legs around his waist and opened my eyes to give him an enticing wink. “You’re a smart stallion. I’ve never heard of such locks before. This cell really is unbreachable.”

He licked my snout before answering with pride, “It was my invention, ya know. It can be opened in three ways. Password, hoofprint or voice recognition. No one’s getting out of here without my consent.”

I let him touch me for a little while longer until I felt that he had completely put his guard down. “Is that so? Well, in that case...” I quickly went for his blade beside us and brought it up against his neck, pushing it roughly against his skin.

He gave me a shocked stare, confused and obviously disappointed as he realized that it was all a trap. “Oh, come on!” he shouted out, groaning a bit as he felt for the cold steel very slowly biting his skin.

I rolled us over and sat on his chest as I hoofcuffed him to the sofa leg, still keeping his dagger against his neck. “You free Drake and get me out of this box, or I will cut your throat and spill the liquid that’s keeping you alive!”

I noticed that he was panting and swallowing a lot. He had been pretty damn excited by the fact that he was going to fuck the Rainbow Dash, but now that he realized that I tricked him, he couldn’t do anything but squeal and sob in disappointment, anger and humiliation. I felt for his body stirring up. “I can’t do that.”

I gave him a sly smile. “How about I...” I receded the knife from his throat and quickly positioned the pointy end against his groin. “...threaten to destroy the area of your body you favor so much?” I gave him a light push with his dagger, making him squeal again in shocked pain. “Might start off by skinning your rod...”

“Okay, okay, okay! Let’s not do anything hasty here.” he quickly responded. “Y-you see, you can’t get out of here. There are, I’m not over exaggerating, hundreds of guards with high tech weapons ready to--”

“I don’t care! Just get me out of this room... now!”

“I’m actually doing you a favor by keeping you in here!”

I rolled my eyes and sighed sharply. “I don’t have time for this. Are you gonna help me or not?”

“Look... I have... a proposition.” he used his free hoof to put it gently on my snout, implying that he wanted me to hear him out.

“Go ahead. Speak.” I spat out, pushing the edge of the blade again against his neck rougher than before, making him bleed a little.

He sucked in air with a hissing sound. “We continue where we were heading... and afterwards I... I’ll let you out of here.”

Before he could even let go of that last word I smacked him so hard across his already swollen face that the sound of the impact almost echoed along the glassy room. He was knocked out immediately. I sat still on his chest for a little while longer, watching him angrily in his unconscious state as I contemplated about what I’d gotten myself into. I punched him again as hard as I could. “That’s for kissing Drake, you freak!” I shouted into his face.

Alright, step one’s done. Now it’s time for phase two. I took a look at that strange device strapped to his belt. I gingerly picked it up, as if I was expecting it to be hot, and hummed with myself. He pointed the barrel at me that other day... so I guess the projectile comes out of that end.

That strange weapon was pretty big. To power it up I had to insert my hoof into a slot by the back of the device. As my hoof slid into the slot I felt for the machinery automatically adjusting firmly to the size and thickness of my hoof. I heard a sound as if it is powering up and soon enough I saw a small vertical green light displayed by the handle, telling me that it was cooked and ready to serve. I closed my one eye and slipped my tongue out as I aimed at a vase on a table by the bed at the other side of the room. I held my breath and focused on that one spot I was aiming for. As soon as I fired the weapon my hoof forcefully kicked back, hurting me a little in the unexpectedness. I had not anticipated it to be so powerful.

I missed by a wide margin, hitting the glass well above and behind the bed. It didn’t damage it at all, not even a small crack, but it did leave a small black mark. Well, I’m not of much use if I can’t use it. The cameras are turned off and he told me no one would ever come into this place. I guess I have enough time to adjust to the weapon before I make my escape.

I rubbed my right shoulder and positioned myself again. I quickly shook my head and rolled my eyes with a sigh. Time to try again. Focus, Rainbow. Better do this fast before he wakes up.

I aimed again and pulled the trigger.

The moans and groans from the badly nourished prisoners filled their ears as they walked past their cells towards the one located at the other side of the room. The prisoner behind those bars did not whine or moan like the others. He just sat on the stone made bench with both of his forehooves on his cheeks, staring down at the ground in anger and boredom. He had been played for a fool, and he acted as a sissy in front of the mightiest, the most respectable pony in Equestrian history. He knew that. But he was not like a little colt without his mommy anymore. Now he was angry, disappointed and embarrassed. His comrades had been killed and he realized that he had failed his master, whom he’d forcefully vowed to serve well. But then, at the same time another part of him was grateful that he was in prison; far away and safe from his grasp.

Bloodlust slowly looked up with a small frown as he saw the five ponies approaching his cell with a jailer by their side. He made a small growl as he noticed Shadowmere. He recognised him instantly. However, he was a little confused by the fact that neither the Dragonborn nor his wife was anywhere to be seen.

Citrine’s glamour seemed to be a part of the reason for why they were allowed to talk to Bloodlust, but her beauty also seemed to have its downsides. Some of the criminals tried calling her over, but she ignored them all. She did not even give a hint that she knew about their existence.

“You know where to find me if you need anything.” the jailer said with his deep Nordic accent before he trotted away, leaving them alone in a room full of murderers, thieves and rapists.

Shadowmere nodded without looking at him. He was too focused maintaining that eye contact he had with the prisoner before him.

Bloodlust bore his eyes into Shadowmere’s. “You...? What the hell do you want?”

“Answers.” he responded, walking one step near. “Tell me where the hell your people took my friends.”

A small smirk formed on Bloodlust’s face, for he understood that by friend he meant Drake and Rainbow Dash. “I don’t know. I’ve been here for days. Weeks even. How could I possibly know where my buddies took them?” he answered, making Shadowmere’s eyes glow furious as hot coals. He quickly gripped the iron bars blocking the path to him and gnashed his teeth in anger.

“Tell me where he is or I’ll get in here and make this a little more personal.”

The prisoner extended his smile. “I’m in jail. You can’t just get in here and beat me up. It doesn’t work that way.”

“Not in this case.” answered Daring Do. “We’re acquainted with princess Celestia. We can do whatever necessary to get the Dragonborn back. You think she cares about a filthy low-life criminal? Oh, no. We could make a mess out of you right here, right now and get away with it.”

“We could’ve killed you back at the campfire. We went through a lot of trouble just by sparing your sorry flank.” added Shadowmere, still angry, but a bit calmed down at the same time.

Bloodlust didn’t seem to budge, but his smile slowly started to fade away. “Look... you, with the red eyes. You probably heard me before you ambushed us. I meant everything I said. I did not want to get anywhere near it. You see, we weren’t sent out to kidnap your friend. My boss tends to be a scientist too and he needed new materials, so he sent us out to gather useful resources for his latest invention. Capturing the Dragonborn was only a side project. We’d only go after him if we spotted him. The point is... I did not have anything to do with his disappearance. As I said, I did not want any part in it. And besides... they’d kill me for giving you information.”

“We can, and will, offer you protection and your freedom if you provide us the information we need. I am Princess Celestia’s personal student.” added Twilight.

“I know where they are!” shouted a random criminal. “I’ll tell you for my freedom!” Everyone ignored him, fully aware that he was fooling no one but himself.

“I know you, Twilight Sparkle. You’re one of Equestria’s seven heroes that still draw breath. Your princess has no authority over this territory.” he answered suspiciously.

“Move to Ponyville or Canterlot and you’ll be untouchable.” she approached him in a friendly manner. “You can start a new life and move on. You can start a family and actually give your unworthy life some purpose.”

“It’s complicated.” he added, looking down onto the ground. “He’d find me. He’d use me as a sick experimental--”

“Take a good look at us, scumbag.” interrupted Reaper with his usual frown. “We’re going in there. We’re going to free the Dragonborn and his wife. We’re going to kill anyone in our path. You’re just a criminal pawn that works for someone above you. You don’t understand power. We do though, and we’ll spill blood if it comes down to that. And believe me, it will come down to that. So tell us what we need to know or we’ll squeeze it out of you!”

He did not dare look into Reaper’s eyes, but the sight of the faintly glowing scythe strapped to him made his already waning confidence crack. “Okay, okay! J-just don’t hurt me. W-what I want is a guaranteed freedom. I want a property in Ponyville and I want enough gold to last me a lifetime.”

“We’ll give you a property in Ponyville. But the cash we cannot give you.” objected Twilight. “Your house will be under surveillance and protection by Equestria’s royal guards. You will be left in peace and you can start anew.”

He quickly shook his head. “That’s not good eno--”

“Not good enough?” shouted Daring Do. “What do you call good enough, you ungrateful bastard? We’re offering you free housing, free protection and your life back in return for letting your tongue loose, and you’re bargaining for more? Are you out of your damn mind? Y’know, we could just find another way and let you rot in here with those crazy assholes if you’d prefer to.”

“No harm in trying!” he quickly responded. “Okay, look... I want a guarantee that I get those things first.”

“I’ll talk to the princess.” promised Twilight.

“Okay, fine... they’re being held captive as lab rats by Equestria’s most secretive organization. Little is known about it and less about who’s behind it. They’re also the most technologically advanced in all of Tamriel. And I’m not over exaggerating.”

“What?!” shouted Citrine with her very soft voice, making the room go dead silent for a second.

“Shh!” shushed Bloodlust. “I don’t want anyone else to know. And I’d appreciate if you’d allow me to finish.”

“Go on...” growled Shadowmere.

“Alright, look. Their weapons are the most powerful this or any other world has ever known. They... my boss is a genius. If he gets an idea he normally makes it a reality, one way or the other. His researches often involves brutal experiments on living subjects. But his latest ideas requires strong willed ponies, and since the dragonborn and his wife are the strongest ponies in Equestria...”

“Jesus... just tell us where we can find them!” Insisted Citrine, obviously the most worked up of them all. The fact that her brother was being tested on by a mad scientist made her shiver in anger and disgust. He had been through too much already, and he did not deserve any more pain, in whatever form it was in. But at the same time she realized that the pain wouldn’t stop there. It wouldn’t stop until he had slain Alduin.

“The point is, they’re too well hidden. You can’t see it with your bare eyes, nor can I give you an exact location. However, I can draw you a map and pinpoint their base roughly.”

“Why is it so hard to spot?” asked Shadowmere, cocking his eyebrow.

“Because it’s underground.”

“I see. And how do we get in?”

Bloodlust didn’t say anything for a short while before he spoke again. “I trust you the most of your friends, no offense. I’ll only tell you. Come closer.”

Shadowmere approached the bars again until they were inches away from each other, the steel bars being the only thing between them. Bloodlust whispered something into his ear, making Shadowmere cock his eyebrows again and look at him with disgust. “What kind of twisted organization are you guys?”

He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Now, do you have anything for me to draw a map on?”

Daring Do didn’t let him tell her twice, and snooped into her bag of supplies until she found a clean brown paper, a quill and some ink. “Take it.” she spat out, throwing them in between the small gap between the bars. Bloodlust knelt down and began drawing immediately by his memory. He closed his eyes a couple of times to concentrate, and sometimes he seemed lost. But he managed to complete it in the end. It didn’t help all that much, at least not as much as they’d been hoping for, but it was better than nothing. “Now... get me out of this shithole!”

“I’ll speak to the princess.” Twilight repeated herself. “After we’ve dealt with this problem.”

“Be quick about it! I can’t stand being here for much longer.” He growled back just before they left his presence.

There was no one in the room by the time I woke up. I noticed that they were still pumping unknown chemicals into my blood and again I could clearly feel for its effects. Except this time, I’ve never felt worse. I was very dizzy, I knew I had a bad fever, my headache couldn’t get any worse and my limbs were aching in response to the drugs. I was getting double visions and the colors were starting to fade a bit. I did notice that my cyan fur was slowly turning gray due to my illness, my tongue and mouth felt numb and my breathing was irregular, as were my heartbeats.

I groaned gently as I gained consciousness yet again. “G-g-get me... o-out of here... p-please. Anywhere but here. Please...” I whispered in a dry voice with my eyes only slightly open, but it only faded away into the blue.

The room was dark and silent as a grave if not for that small buzzing sound of the gigantic machine next to me and my heavy breathing. I managed to swallow once before I forced to add, “Y-you with the medicine... I-I change my mind. I’d appreciate a... a fix... please.” I pleaded, still with my dry, hoarse voice. What the hell did they do to me?

Time went on and each minute seemed as hours. I tried to fall asleep again to get away from the intolerable pain, but no matter how much I tried to sleep, I couldn’t lose my consciousness again. So instead I forced myself to reach my head over to the needles which were buried deep into my body, and gently pulled them out. I did not expect it, but suddenly I felt a tad better. But only a little. I was still in misery.

Suddenly the lights went on, brighter than ever. I peered my eyes for my pupils couldn’t handle the sudden change of brightness. I squinted into the direction of the entrance and tried to figure out who had entered the room. It was someone I least expected.

The cyan colored pegasus ran over to me, looking back in between to look out for the guards trying to kill her. She had bruises and red, shallow cuts over her body, meaning that she had been getting into close combat against some of the guards. “Drake!” she panted. “Wake up!”

“D-Dashie?” I moaned, not even excited at the sight of her. My confusion and illness made sure of that.

She hastily unrestrained me with her mouth and one of her forehooves, as she had a device like a gun strapped to her other hoof. “C’mon! We’re getting out of here!”

I sucked in some air. “I-I can’t... can’t move...” I pushed out, sounding more like an old man on his deathbed rather than the young guy I literally was. “C-Can’t...”

Rainbow gnashed her teeth in anger when she noticed my agony. The look she gave me was of pity and sadness. “We’ll get out of here and we’ll get you fixed.” she promised. “Now, come on!” she added, pulling my limping body onto her back.

“Hnnng!” I groaned, firmly pressing my eyelids together. “D-Dashie... d-don’t...” I tried objecting, knowing full well that I would only draw her back. “Just... leave me here. Go get some help... and come back for me.”

“Shush! We’ll get out today! Now, hang on! I can hear them coming.” she demanded, getting herself into a fighting stance. The cool thing about that gun she was wearing was that it was built in a way so one could walk normally without damaging the weapon itself. It was and fitted like a glove.

I carefully wrapped my forehooves around her neck and tried hanging on, but I only found myself slipping off. I had no energy to hang on. As I was about to fall off again, Rainbow helped me up by spreading her wing. “I know it’s tough. But you gotta hang on! You can do it, I know you can!” she added, trying everything she could to boost my morale, never taking her eyes off the entrance door.

“D-dashie... take me... to the medical lab. One of the nurses has medicine that will help me. Take me there... and... and... eugh...” I moaned, breathing heavier than ever before. I felt like I was breathing in thick, deadly, hot smoke.

“Try to relax... we’ll get you fixed up--”

“There she is!” a heavily geared guard behind the vast door made of clouded glass shouted. But he didn’t dare enter the room. “G-go get her!” he added in another shout, backing away a bit to let his comrades go in first.

Rainbow hurriedly analyzed the place for cover until she noticed a container of some sort made of steel a little to our left. She quickly flew over to the solid box and gently put me down behind it. “Stay here while I take out these bastards.” she commanded in a hurry before she left me all alone in my misery. I positioned my back up against the steel square and painfully sucked in air with my eyes closed; wishing I would just wake up from this bad nightmare safe and sound in my bed.

I listened to the threats Dashie and the guards exchanged, still with my eyes closed, before the shooting started. The sound of plasma and laser, the sound of sparkles, something disintegrating and the agonizing shouts of ponies. I forced myself to take a peek and noticed that Rainbow was behind cover at the other side of the room. She was behind a stone pillar that was slowly narrowing down with each hit it got from the guards’ plasma rounds and arrows. She tried shooting back, but she didn’t seem to hit any of them.

At last she was forced to seek cover elsewhere. But as she was about to get behind a steel crate at the back of the room, a plasma arrow flew through the room and stroke her leg, making her fall down to the ground in a scream of pain. “We got her!” I heard someone yell. “C’mon, let’s finish her off!”

My heart stopped for a bit, my eyes widening completely. She looked me in the eye from her position and gnashed her teeth in pain, her body shivering in the pain the burn from the plasma inflicted on her. That look she gave me made me growl in anger. My agonizing pain that had enslaved me had no hold of me now.

It is worthy to note the curious phenomenon often known as “berserker rage”. This was the only way to describe how I felt at that moment. Magma flowed through my veins, empowering me. My reactions quickened to the point where I was confident I could slap a bullet out of the air. Finally, there was no more pain. It’s said that pain is merely weakness leaving the body, and at that moment there was no weakness left to leave me.

I jumped up, got out of cover and faced at least 7 guards that were still aiming their weapons in our direction. I sucked in as much air as I could before forcing it all out in my favorite shout, “Yol, Toor Shul!”, burning them all alive with a fire that seemed it could outburn Celestia’s Sun itself... they never stood a chance. As they screamed and ran around in flames, my eyes dulled again and I slunk down to the ground. The rage had left me as quickly as it entered me. But it was worth it. The faint screams of the guards shouting in pain and a loud buzzing sound was the only thing I could hear. My pain struck back harder than ever, but despite all that, I could do nothing but smile from within. I saved my Dashie’s life, and that’s what counted.

Some time had passed before Rainbow found enough energy to stand up again. She limped pretty badly from the ugly wound on her right hind leg but still she managed to walk pretty fine. She knelt down by my side without bending her wounded leg and put her hoof on my sweaty forehead. “Whoa, you’re burning up. Come on... more are on the way. We gotta get to the med lab.”

I slowly opened my eyes and saw the most beautiful sight I’d seen for days of pure torture. That alone made me feel slightly better. “Help me up then.”

I noticed a small smile forming on her face as she offered her hoof.

We supported each other as we walked along the clean, fancy hallway. The hallway was graced with deaf light. There was also dead silence, but we both knew the guards were regrouping somewhere, probably coming up with a brilliant plan to catch us both.

I almost jumped when the lights started to flicker; and the creepy slithering voice coming from the speakers in the darkness around us did not in any way make this place any less freaky. “Rainbow Dash... Dragonborn... why are you running?” it whispered teasingly, but we didn’t know where it came from. However, we both knew who it belonged to. I don’t think we’ll ever forget the sound of his voice.

I looked at Dashie and noticed that even she was getting pretty scared. She looked at me and didn’t even try to hide it. We were both terrified, and we both had a reason to be. We both noticed that hint of subtle madness in his voice and we both realized that if we got caught again, he would be doing more to us than just testing. Oh, yes. He would make us suffer more than we already had.

“Oh, shit... c’mon, we gotta move.” she said with a scare in her voice. “C’mon! Quick!” We picked up our pace, still supporting each other with our hooves. I let my other forehoof caress the wall as we limped through the dark silent hallway.

“Quarters...Bathrooms... Autopsy Centers, oh gods...” she shivered as we passed by the signs. “Ah! Here it is, Medical Lab.”

We entered the room in a haste but we weren’t alone as we’d hoped for. Two ponies; one male, one female were in the room. Their manes were messed up and their white robes creased. They were making out, the male having his back turned on us. We both awkwardly stood there and confusedly stared at them for a while, both wondering why the hell they were getting intimate while we were running loose?

Dashie pointed the gun at them. “Don’t move or I’ll blow your heads off!”

They stopped kissing and turned around in startle, backing away a bit in panic. “Please don’t shoot!” begged the unicorn mare, a little behind her stallion for his protection.

“Wait... you’re Rainbow Dash.” said the stallion in suspicion. “You’re one of Equestria’s heroes. You wouldn’t kill us.” he added with a relieved smile.

“I serve Equestria, you’re very correct about that part. But you’re working for a criminal organization that is an enemy to the throne. If you’re hoping I’m too honorable to take a life, guess again. I can take yours easily with full confidence without feeling for the slightest remorse.” Rainbow answered in an angry, somewhat panicked shout. “Help us get some medicine and I’ll let you live. Oppose us and we’ll treat you the same way!”

“W-What do you need.” the mare asked, still staring at us with her gaping eyes.

“Her leg.... fix her leg...” I uttered, feeling weaker with every moment.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Nevermind me. Just make him better. He’s in a terrible condition and needs treatment at instance.”

“I-I got just the thing, it’s over--”

“Here.” the stallion finished, already holding on a small vial with his teeth. “This will make him feel better.”

“B-but... that other medicine... the one they used to treat me after each test... they were in syringes.”

“Trust me, this is better.” he nervously pointed out as he hesitantly walked over to us. “Drink.”

I gave him a long suspicious glare, but in the end I removed the plug of the vial and chugged its contents, never taking my eyes off his.

I waited for a bit, looking at the floor as if I was expecting something extraordinary to happen. A minute or two passed until my eyes started to widen. I looked up at the stallion again in disbelief and dropped the vial, making the glass shatter. I held my throat as if something was choking me, and started gagging and coughing. I started feeling like my insides were burning up slowly; like my body was being cooked in boiled water. I tried screaming in pain, but no sound came out. My voice was already gone.

By now I had realized how stupid and unaware I had been. I got fooled by that doctor. He made me drink his dissolving poison.

Rainbow gasped when she realized it and immediately knelt down by my side, shouting something towards me I couldn’t make out of. The male doctor slowly backed off towards the wall, heading for a hatchet. Rainbow didn’t notice him at first because she was too focused on me, but as soon as she heard the doctor charging at her with his weapon, she quickly aimed for his head and pulled the trigger. The other mare screamed in shock as his warm blood sprayed over her face, parts of his brain sticking in her mane. “Shut up and help him!” Rainbow screamed back at her, hitting her in the head with the gun that was strapped to her hoof. “Or you’ll end up like him!”

I was kneeling and gagging, expecting to puke blood and innards. But nothing came. I could hardly breathe as the feeling of my insides boiling became stronger and stronger. I tried yelling for help but my voice was completely gone, just as if someone had taken my ability to speak from me.

The nurse hastily opened a drawer behind her. She digged into it like her life depended on it, which was kind of the case. She knew that if I died, Rainbow would happily kill her too. “Hurry up!” Rainbow shouted after her, giving her another slap with the gun.

“I’m trying, here!” the nurse snapped back, never stopping the search. “Now, listen carefully or he’s gonna die. He must throw up the poison. Make him inhale two full tablespoons of syrup of ipecac. After that you must make him drink a lot of water. You can find the ingredients necessary on the other side of the--”

Rainbow had already spurted back and forth, only taking her a second or two to get the syrup and a bottle of water.

I had no idea what was going on, but how could I when the poison was eating me alive? My organs felt like the guards I had toasted. I wanted to throw up, but I couldn’t, which made everything so much worse. But still I had a feeling that in a matter of minutes I’d throw up gushes of blood on the ground.

“Open your mouth!” Rainbow shouted, not giving me much time to react before forcing the syrup down my sore throat by opening my mouth with her hooves. I tried resisting but she held me down. Then she shoved the nozzle of the bottle up my mouth and squeezed the bottle, not giving me much choice of spitting the liquid out. The quantity of the water she made me swallow was so much I managed to throw everything up on the ground. I felt weak; my body ached so much I couldn’t manage to even kneel anymore, making me collapse completely on the ground in exhaustion. I tried to breathe lighter and murmured nonsense into the blue.

The nurse came back with another bottle of water, but she also had something else floating above her head. “Now, I’m going to add some activated charcoal into the water that he’s going to have to drink. It will calm the stomach and acts as a temporary neutralizing antidote.”

Dashie pointed the gun at her again. “Just... make him better.”

I moaned softly as my eyes rolled in confusion and sickness. I tried to focus on the nurse, but I couldn’t.

Soon enough I felt something touching my lips. Realizing it was a bottle of water, I slowly opened my mouth and let her feed it to me. I drank as I rested feebly in her arms, like a newborn baby. Afterwards she put me gently down, stood up and made her way to the other side of the room.

Dashie looked at me sadly. She couldn’t stand looking at me. She knelt down next to me and held me in her arms like the nurse did earlier. “It’s going to be alright.” she whispered to me, kissing my mane softly. “Just.. survive. Please...”

I shivered and nuzzled my head against her chest with a feeble groan, making her hold me tighter.

The nurse came back with a syringe filled with the familiar blue liquid I instantly recognised. I smiled a bit and allowed her to inject it into my body. Its coldness swam through my blood vessels, and I instantly felt a lot better. But my stomach and throat were still very sore.

“He cannot use his voice for a week.” she regretfully announced. “And even after that, his voice won’t be as clear as before.” Rainbow quickly snapped her eyes towards her. She didn’t say anything, just stared at her and slowly shook her head. “The poison inflicted serious burns on his insides. Any ordinary doctor has a medicine for that, but it’s not enough to get him back to 100%.”

“You’re wrong.” Rainbow answered back. “He can literally spew fire without hurting himself. He has the blood of the dragons flowing in his veins! A little poison is not going to harm him permanently.”

“If that is so, then I have no way of knowing one way or another. He is… unique in his nature. If the gods are with him, he’ll make a full recovery. But that does not prevent him from not being able to speak for a week. You must get him out of this place, somewhere he can rest in peace. Leave, and don’t let yourselves get captured again.”

I tried to speak back but no sounds came out. I literally had lost the ability to speak, and it was very startling. But I didn’t panic. I heard the nurse and she said it was only temporary. But what worried me is that we were attempting to escape, and not being able to Shout really hurt our chances of succeeding.

“Can you walk?” asked Rainbow in a hurry. I answered by slowly nodding a couple of times. “Okay, let’s get out of--” she stopped speaking as soon as she looked up. I had my eyes still fixed on Rainbow and noticed the most terrifying look I’d ever seen on her. I turned my head, but was greeted with an unwelcomed sight.

“There you are!” the pink stallion giggled, standing by the doorway with at least three guards behind him. But it was no ordinary giggle, nor was his appearance. His amethyst colored mane and his tux were messed up, he reeked of madness and his voice indicated that he was completely losing his mind.

He bore his crazy cyan eyes into ours and grinned widely with a loud evil laugh. He wasn’t the same “lovable” pony as before. Oh, no. Whether he actually tried it or not, his monster side had been revealed and it was not something we wanted or intended to unleash.

Somewhere over the plain, snowy landscape of Equestria they stood, looking around the scenery as if they were expecting something to emerge up from the ground. Maybe there’s a button somewhere that will summon this altar up from the ground, Shadowmere had thought to himself. But he saw nothing but nature. No buttons or levers to reveal the altar he was looking for. Nothing but tall trees and snowy landscapes.

“Do you dare tell us why you have a living rabbit in your backpack?” asked Twilight for the thousandth time, not giving away that she was getting sick of repeatedly asking the same question.

“You’ll see soon enough!” Shadowmere growled back, his anger not as subtle as it had been before. He shook his head. “According to Bloodlust, this is the place.” he added loudly enough for his friends to hear, still looking through the map they had been provided to make sure they were at the right place. He had pictured the place to be quite different in his mind.

Citrine walked angrily up to him. “Let me see that map he drew. You probably misread it.”

Before he could even react, she snatched the cloth from him with her magic and started analyzing it closely. It didn’t take her long to see that it was indeed the right place, but she wasn’t satisfied. What she had expected was something a little more...obvious. “Fuck.” she whispered to herself, throwing the map towards Shadowmere in annoyance. Everyone noticed the anger that had taken a hold of her. In fact, she had been hateful and angry the whole way. “I swear to god that if they hurt him, I’ll... I’ll--”

“Keep in mind that your brother is more than capable of handling himself.” Reaper pointed out, reminding her that Drake possessed powers beyond imagination.

“And if they touch Rainbow Dash...” she ignored Reaper, too busy dwelling in her rage and hate.

Twilight got up to her and put a hoof on her shoulder. “I bet they’re alright. I’ve been with them in many dangerous times, and I’ve seen what they’re both capable of. Their willpower is so strong it’s almost unnatural. You should’ve seen your brother when he fought to get Rainbow out of Sovngarde. Such determination have I never seen before.”

Citrine nodded with a small giggle. “Heh...sounds like him.” she sighed. “Yeah, okay. Let’s just get on with it.”

While they talked, Shadowmere had been eagerly searching for something that would lead them to the next phase. He did not like what they had to do to get in, but it had to be done. “Come on, help me search around the place. There should be an altar somewhere around here.”

“An altar?” Citrine asked, approaching Shadowmere in a haste. “What the fuck do you mean alta-- oh, I get it... you’re going to sacrifice that bunny on said altar to gain access to their sanctuary, aren’t you?” she added in an annoyed, confused whisper.

Twilight frowned. “So that’s what it was all about. You’re lucky Fluttershy isn’t with us.”

“Look, it wasn’t me who made it this way. You want to save Drake and Rainbow Dash or not?” he spat out, giving them both an angry frown of his own. “I’d be more than willing to kill all the bunnies in the world if it meant our friends’ safety.”

They both sighed. “I guess you’re right. As Citrine said, let’s just get this over with.” said Twilight, joining the others in the search of something that could give them a lead.

“Can’t we just use that magical scythe or something?” moaned Daring Do in impatience, kicking the snow beneath her.

“No, we cannot.” Reaper answered with a hint of pride in his voice. “It does not possess the magic to bypass security, nor would it work as a replacement of the... blood ritual... that is required to open a way down to their base.”

“Damn it.” she sighed. “Shadowmere, don’t just stand there. Help us find this altar of yours so we can proceed!”

Shadowmere seemed lost in his thoughts. He had been wondering the whole way the last thing Bloodlust had told him before they left. Don’t trust anyone.

What did he mean? It’s not like we’re going to trust the ones who captured our friends.

“I think I found something.” called Reaper with his voice still as dull as before. But before anyone could get near him, he had already pressed on a button that was a little too subtle for anyone to notice with bare eyes. It was a little loose button made of stone on a big boulder they had all seen but not given much attention to before.

An earthquake struck as a big stone made table slowly emerged from the snowy ground at the middle of the vast area. They all approached the altar as the landscape calmed down again and just stared down at it. After they had brushed the snow off they noticed a drain in the middle of the table. The top of the table was not flat though; it was curved, supposedly in the purpose of sending the blood down the drain that led down through the table and into the ground.

They exchanged stares, giving each other hesitant nods, ‘cept for Reaper, who did not seem to like this plan at all. “I guess this is the part where we... sacrifice that bunny.” announced Shadowmere, suddenly interrupted by the increased movement in his bag. He let out a sigh before continuing. “I can do it, but I’ll need a unicorn to hold it by its ears while I slice its neck. Any volunteers?”

Citrine stepped forward. “I’ll do it. Let’s just get this over with.”

“Why the hell do we have to sacrifice a bunny to open a door? What kind of sadistic bastards are these guys?” asked Daring Do.

Shadowmere swallowed hard as he opened his bag and noticed the brown rabbit he had been keeping safe for a little while. Apparently it understood us, since it started resisting Shadowmere’s grip, as if it was trying everything in its power to stay away. “Come here, you...” he whispered to himself as he fought to get a good grip on the furry animal. Unfortunately for the rabbit, the bag was not spacious and therefore it had no way to go but in small circles. In the end he managed to capture it, but he had difficulties holding it, which made him blush a little in embarrassment. “Citrine... hold it by its ears.”

Citrine nodded and easily did as he asked. She didn’t even have to focus her magic on the rabbit, since only the very basic spell was required that all unicorns were born with. The animal tried to fight back for freedom but it was no match against Citrine’s magic.

Shadowmere approached with a knife, preparing himself to spill its blood. But before he could go on with it, Reaper stopped him.

“Wait!” he said in a haste. “Let me do something first.”

“We’ve wasted enough time.” objected Shadowmere, but Reaper ignored him.

He got near the animal and put one of his hoof on its back, shushing and stroking it gently. At first he just examined it, giving it a look of pity. With a deep eye contact, he started speaking to it in a beautiful language no one understood. It seemed as the bunny really understood him because it slowly stopped resisting as he went on. In the end he gave it a small smile and receded from everyone. He did not want to be a part of this, nor would he dare look at the butchering.

After the bunny’s blood had been milked down the drain, another earthquake struck, this one slightly more powerful than the other. Again something emerged from the ground, but this time it was an elevator.

Reaper was still on his own at the other end of the area. He was sitting on a rock in front of a small river and was softly stroking his precious scythe as Shadowmere walked up and sat down next to him. “What do you want?” Reaper asked coldly, not even hiding that he wanted to be left alone.

“It was just a rabbit.” he replied confusedly. “I expected you least of all to be affected by that.”

Reaper slowly turned his head in his direction with a frown. “Why? Because I’m not a people’s person? Because I don’t compliment you enough?”

Shadowmere quickly shook his head. “Look... it was just a rabbit.”

“Just a rabbit... is that what animals are worth to you? Animal or no, does that give one the rights to take a life without remorse? You’re an ignorant fool. I do not wish to continue this subject further.” he answered sharply and turned his head away in disapproval. “Now go. I’m right behind you.”

Shadowmere rolled his eyes. “Okay, fine. But one other thing. What did you do to that rabbit? What language did you speak to calm it so?”

Reaper hesitated. “...the ancient language of the extinct Dragas.” he finally responded, giving him a suspicious glare. “It is not known to many today, but... legends say that the Dragas, who peacefully lived in tribes in the very woods of Equestria, possessed the gift of understanding animals. They could easily train wolves to fight by their side, or even mighty bears of the wilds. And that only by communicating with them in their magical tongue.”

“What happened to them?” Shadowmere asked, surprisingly getting interested in the subject. He, who had never been arsed about the ponies’ history and/or legends, was now getting drawn into their history, as if it was gonna help him somehow in the coming future.

“They were wiped out.”

“Wiped out? By whom?”

Reaper slowly tilted his head with a small irritated frown on his face. “I’ll tell you more about it later if you really are this interested. Now... let’s get down there and preach true power.”

“Right behind you.” Shadowmere smiled, happy that they ended their conversation in a somewhat positive manner.

Reaper grunted softly as he stood up, strapped his sharp looking scythe behind his back and led Shadowmere towards the iron box that was supposedly an elevator of some kind.

I couldn’t believe it. I wished with everything I had that I didn’t hesitate shooting him back when he found us. Why didn’t I shoot? Why the fuck did I hesitate? I had him in clear sight. I could’ve ended it right there. I had my husband on the death’s door in my arms and I let that pink bastard capture us again. I guess I was too terrified to shoot, and now we’re both paying the price. Fortunately, Drake was unconscious. Thank the gods... I would not want to be awake with what they’re doing to him.

He passed out after they hung him up with meat hooks. Strapped directly through the skin of his back. Through his sticky fur that was covered in both of his fresh and dried up blood, there were countless and countless of needles and wires attached to his body, and three thick plastic tubes forced down his throat. I heard him breathe rhythmically through a medical ventilator. He had to use that since he couldn’t breathe on his own. The tubes made sure of that.

I didn’t know what purpose it served, but I didn’t care at all either. I just wanted both of us safe and sound from this horrible place. I didn’t even try to cry out after him in the fear of waking him up. I begged in my head that he remained asleep for now. Please, don’t wake up yet. Don’t. Wake. Up.

But my situation was far from being any better. I woke up sitting in a leather chair in the same room as Drake, with my eyes being kept open with eye speculums. There were little tubes attached to it that wetted my eyes regularly. My hooves were restrained to the arms of the chair and my wings tied down, meaning that I couldn’t move a limb, very much like Drake earlier.

I found myself starting to breathe faster and faster, the beeps from the machine measuring my heartbeats increasing quickly. I hate to admit it, but I’d never been so scared my whole life.

“Test subject #31743: Enhanced sights.” a soft female voice announced. “Surgeons will operate on the patient’s eyes without anaesthetics in the purpose of practicing their precision once the patient starts wailing around in pain. Your goal, surgeons, is to implant these little devices into the patient’s eyes without damaging her sight in any way. Once that is complete, and if you succeed, you will be given further instructions.”

“Like hell you will!” I screamed back, struggling. “This is not a bucking game! I’m a living being, now get me out of here!”

I noticed two surgeons approaching with surgical masks covering their snouts. One is a male and the other female, judging by their eyes and the curves on the masks from their snouts. They’re both unicorns; they had to be. Being precise with a surgical knife required steadiness, so it was pretty self explanatory. “Get your bucking hooves off of me! Don’t touch me, you piece of shit!” I shouted in almost painful anger. “Rot in hell!” I paused to catch my breaths. “All of you!”

I tried everything I could to break myself free, with my rapid breaths and my heart sounding like jungle drums, but without results. I had a feeling that I’d get a heart attack soon if I didn’t calm myself down. My situation didn’t improve when I saw a thin, but very sharp surgical blade directly before my left eye. It was the last thing I saw before my vision tinted red and agonizing pain took over.

“I don’t like the looks of it.” mumbled Shadowmere as he and his group walked along a narrow, but long hallway. The lights were off; only a light bulb or two flickering. “It’s too dark, the air is foul and it’s too quiet in here. Where is everyone?”

“We better be cautious. This place is full of evil and terror. I can sense it.” said Reaper, holding firmly on the two handles of his glowing scythe. Despite his might and power, Citrine was the only one to notice the worries in him.

She put a hoof on his shoulder, making him look back at her with a frown. But as soon as he realized it was her, he loosened up and cracked a smile. “You okay?” she smiled. He nodded back, appreciated by her action. “Good.” she added, still smiling as beautifully as the morning’s sunrise.

Daring Do was cautiously creeping forwards, gnawing on the handle of her ancient dagger she kept with her at all times. Shadowmere noticed how furious her bite was, and that sight alone warmed his heart. He noticed the strong feelings she had for her best friends. He knew that Daring Do knew that Drake was originated from Earth, yet she didn’t look at him as any lesser than anyone else. In a matter of fact, she looked up to him. It shone through her how much she desired them safety, and that made him wonder about how his opinions of the Equestrian ponies had changed more this week than it had for the past years. Ever since he met Drake he has become a more friendly person. More open, more social, and easier to be around.

He looked around and took a look at his new friends. Twilight Sparkle; Daring Do; Citrine; hell, even Reaper. And of course, Drake and Rainbow Dash, had they been present.

He smiled, thinking to himself that these were his friends. They may be in a pony body, but that didn’t matter to him anymore. What was once filled with prejudice was now blooming with love and passion. And he loved that new side of him. It was like the burden of loneliness he had to carry all these years was gone, like he was finally free.

“I’ve never seen anything quite like this before.” Twilight gasped, staring up into the ceiling to take a good look at the flickering light bulbs as they passed by. “It is some kind of a device that creates light, I presume. Impressive.”

“Those are called light bulbs from where I come from.” Citrine added. “Now, let’s get a move on. We’re not alone in here.”

On they went until they reached a crossroad. They had three options to choose from: Straight ahead, left or right. But those routes seemed as endless as their previous path, so they had no idea on what route to take.

“Great, now what.” asked Daring Do, getting more impatient by the second.

“Let’s split up.” suggested Shadowmere, realizing that he had been the leader the whole time. He felt like it was his responsibility to plan their tactics and to keep the group alive. “Citrine and Reaper, you take left. Daring Do, you will take Twilight with you straight up ahead. I’ll go alone to the right.” Both Daring and Twilight nodded hesitantly, not quite sure what to think of the fact that he had to go alone.

Reaper stepped forward. “I’ll go alone. I have the most powerful weapon of us all and I have better senses than any of you. Just make sure Citrine is safe, or I’ll rip your spine out.”

“A-are you sure?” Shadowmere asked, a tad terrified at the thought of his spine being ripped out, but Reaper didn’t answer. He just left into the darkness without another word.

“Don’t worry, he’ll be alright.” Citrine said. Shadowmere seemed to be lost in his own thoughts again until he realized Twilight and Daring Do had already left them as well. “Lead the way.” she added, breaking his daydream completely.

He quickly nodded and led her to the right with their weapons unsheathed. Shadowmere had a bow attached around him and a small dagger sheathed on his belt while Citrine used her magic to hold her glass sword next to her.

Shadowmere really lived up to his name, since she almost lost him into the shadow a couple of times as he blended in with the darkness around them. Being pitch-black added further to his stealth.

“That is no toy.” teased Shadowmere with a voice as if he was talking to a child, his red eyes only visible. “It is not safe for dolls like yourself to play with swords.”

Before he could let another laugh, he felt for something tightening around his throat, as if someone was strangling him. He gasped for air as he felt for his body slowly floating up into the air.

It was Citrine, clearly showing him what she was capable of. “I’m no doll.” she slammed him up to the wall. “I could kill you right here, right now if I wanted to.”

“Y-you proved your... point!”

“Fortunately for you, I like you.” she let go of him, making him collapse to the ground. He panted and gasped, kneeling on four legs like a weakling. “And we got my brother to save. So stop fooling around and let’s get to it.” she added, already moving ahead and expecting him to follow.

Shadowmere stood up and smiled with a small laugh. He was impressed in the mare’s attitude. “You do realize I was only fooling around, right?” he said as he caught up with her. “If I was serious you wouldn’t even had the time to use your magic on me.”

“And if I was serious we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.” she smiled back.

“I like your attitude.” Shadowmere chuckled, “Have you always been this--”

“Wait...” she suddenly interrupted, putting a hoof on his snout to shut him up. “Straight ahead, two guards speaking.”

Fortunately for Shadowmere and Citrine, the darkness and their silent movement was enough to keep them out of sight, so they could proceed without further notice. “Let’s sneak up and take them down silently.”

Shadowmere nodded once and gnawed on the handle of his dagger, already blending in with the shadow before she could say anything else.

“I don’t like this.” said Twilight Sparkle after Daring Do, her friend, had twisted a guard’s neck that was on shift. She wasn’t afraid, but the evil atmosphere really got into her. She sensed strong impurity and her instincts told her to be anywhere but there. But she knew that they had to do this. For their friends’ sake. And she was more than willing to go through with this for their safety.

“I don’t like this either, Twi.” answered Daring Do. “And I don’t like how narrow this hallway is. If we get caught, there’s nowhere to go. Fortunately it’s dark in here, so we can at least stay hidden long enough to get into close range combat before they notice anything.”

“I agree. The sooner we get into a more opened area, the better.”

“Why the lack of light though? It’s like they deliberately took ‘em out to ease us a path or something. ‘cept for the few flickering lights here and there.”

Twilight stopped all of a sudden, positioning herself in the darkness with her eyes wide open in fear. “S-speaking of flickering lights...” she whispered, pointing forwards with her right forehoof. “...who’s that in the weak light up ahead?”

Daring Do stopped breathing for a second. “Shit, get down!” she whispered harshly, pulling Twilight down with her. They stayed low for a while, but the pink stallion before them just stood there. His physical appearance was a sore sight. His mane was messed up, his dirty clothes indicating that he had been there for months or even years. “Is it just me, or does it look like he’s watching us?”

They exchanged stares and swallowed hard before looking back up at the mysterious figure in the flickering light. “Well... it looks like he’s staring into our direction. Do you think he can see or hear us?” she added in an even lower whisper to be absolutely sure that he couldn’t hear them.

“Let’s just... let’s just sneak up at him and take him out.”

“He looks more like a prisoner to me than a guard.” Twilight pointed out, a tad uncertain about the idea of eliminating him.

“We can’t take the risk, Twi!” Daring pointed out. “Drake and Rainbow are more important than that no-lifer. Assuming he’s hostile, we must do it quietly, or else he’ll charge the alarms and we’ll jeopardize the mission.” Daring pointed out, slowly unsheathing her blade. Twilight sighed and nodded, realizing that she was right.

They moved as slowly as they could, focusing on being as silent as one could be, but the pink pony didn’t move. He just stood there, seeming to them like he was waiting for them to get up close.

“On my mark, you’ll hold him down with your stasis spell and we’ll finish him off.”

Twilight nodded, starting to breathe a little faster. She locked her eyes on the target and slowly licked her lips as she focused on her aim.

Daring waited at the edge of the borders where the darkness divided from the light, and looked at Twilight, looking for a hint in her facial expression that she was ready.

“Now!” Daring said, standing up quickly and stepping into the light towards the stallion before them.

But before Twilight could cast her spell or Daring thrust her blade, he let himself drop on his knees and quickly showed his forehooves, meaning that he was not armed. “Wait!” They both hesitated, giving him a confused look. “Wait, wait, don’t kill me!”

Daring Do harshly picked him up and put her blade against his throat. “Who are you?”

“I’m innocent! T-thank the gods you came, you have to get me out of here!” the pink stallion begged, staring with his beautiful cyan eyes into Daring’s. “I-I got kidnapped eight months ago. They were gonna operate on me; inject some stuff into my body. But I finally managed to escape. Please tell me you’re here to save us.” he begged in a cry, panting heavily in fear.

Daring Do let him go and sheathed her blade, making him gasp as he fell down on his knees again. “How many of you are imprisoned? And do you know any of them?”

“N-no... I-I didn’t know any of them. Never seen them before.” The unknown stallion started crying. “I-I..I don’t know! Six or seven, maybe? We were all separated from one another, so I only got a glimpse on them for a second or two from time to time, mostly when they were transporting me someplace else.”

Twilight knelt down next to him and started brushing his amethyst colored mane gently in the purpose of calming him down a little. “It’s alright, you’re safe now. But tell me... did you see a mare with a Rainbow colored mane or a cyan colored stallion with black mane who happens to be the Dragonborn?”

His eyes widened a bit as he looked up at Twilight, swallowing once before nodding. “Yeah, I saw them once or twice. She had the most luxurious cell, to be honest. Her husband though... he took the worst hit of us all. They’ve been putting him into all kinds of tests and brutal experiments.”

Twilight and Daring Do both froze. “You said you always saw them separately?”

“Y-yeah...”

“I-I never said they were together...” Twilight added in a half whisper.

The pink pony’s innocent facial expression slowly changed into a smile as he realized the mistake he had made, and only then did they both realize that there was more to him than met the eyes. He giggled amusingly, his eyes so innocent was now full of evil and deceit.

Daring backed away a bit, widening her eyes in startle. “Stasis, now!” she yelled to Twilight, going for her blade that was strapped to her belt. Unfortunately, they reacted too late. He stabbed both of them with a little needle on each forehoof before either of them could react properly, making them both instantly fall down to the ground, unconscious.

Getting through that maze didn’t seem to be any problem to Reaper, who downed his enemies with his sharp scythe before they could even let out a sound. One swipe and he easily decapitated them. The challenging part, however, was figuring out where to go.

But his hearing was excellent and his instincts had proven to be trustworthy over the years. He knew from the second he saw Citrine that he had to help her. Be her guide and trainer. It was something that was meant for him from the beginning, as if his Gods had chosen that role specifically for him.

His ear twitched as a soft, fainted scream emerged from afar. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the small sound that would be unhearable to everyone else. “Left.” he murmured to himself, walking straight up ahead until the first turn left. On he went with this routine, downing his opponents that had no chance against him, not even with their thick armor and powerful weapons.

Eventually he got into a new sector, but this one was quite different from the rest. This one had its walls made of clouded glass that no one could see through clearly. And apparently this is the sector where the activity was the most, judging by the lights and the light chit-chatting from the rooms up ahead.

Realizing how out in the open he now was, he understood that he had to use one of his scythe’s mystical abilities; this one turning him invisible for a certain amount of time. He closed his eyes and tightened the grip he had on his weapon’s handle as he focused on activating the power of invisibility. The blade glowed white once, then for the second time, then finally for the third time before making him completely transparent and invisible to anyone and anything.

He strapped his also invisible scythe to his back and walked steadily, looking to the right and then to the left, into the doorway of the rooms he passed through. He noticed that most of the ponies were wearing white coats, as if they were scientists, which probably could’ve been the case, judging by all the fancy tools they were using.

He did not like stealth. He preferred to face his opponents in a fair one-on-one combat so they could have an equal chance of succeeding, although Reaper prevailed all the times. He knew that he could take down anyone in his path with or without his weapon, and he had already taken down enough to know that they were of no threat to him. But he also understood that this time he had to be cautious. It wasn’t his life that was at stake, but the stake of other ponies’ life, including Citrine’s.

The screaming increased the further he went down the hallway. Eventually he got up to a big door made of glass that automatically opened when sensors sensed movement. Fortunately for Reaper, he was invisible, not only to organics, but also to synthetics. Apparently the source of the screams came from this room.

He looked through the glass and saw a very disturbing sight. As cold hearted as Reaper usually was, the sight of the cyan colored mare being cut made him gasp slightly in surprise. She was uncontrollable like a wild beast, fighting with every survival instincts she had for freedom, testing every muscle in her body to resist the strength of the steel holding her. But everything she did was in vain. They had cuffed her with such a strong material that even Reaper was no match of, cutting into her left eye with a very thin surgical blade. Reaper didn’t see it completely, for the surgeons’ backs was blocking the view, but he was not eager in taking a peek.

He shuddered once before manually forcing the slidey door open with his hooves. Only then did he notice the other pony he had been looking for. He saw that Drake was hung up into the air by razor sharp meat hooks that were shot straight through his skin. A little of his blood was seeping down his fur from his wounds as his powerless body slunk down like a ragdoll. His head was leaning downwards, his chin touching his chest. His wings were tied down with a rope made of something he had never seen before. It was purple, yet a little transparent.

Reaper had never seen such cruelty at this stage. It made him feel not only angry, but also a little agitated. Up to this moment, nothing had managed to disturb him.

Rainbow’s screaming slowly turned into a furious growl of power and anger, and seconds later the sound of metal giving in a crack stole Reaper’s attention. He turned around and noticed that Rainbow’s left hoof was free. She did not hesitate and delivered a blow to the surgeon’s face, the one who had been cutting into her eye. Reaper was stunned by Rainbow’s strength and resilience. He watched as she ripped the speculums off and tossed it away. The other surgeon tried to call for help while the nurse with the notepad ran off towards the other side of the room to ring the alarms. Reaper quickly threw a throwing knife at her direction and hit her in the back of her head before she could call it in.

“Reaper!” Rainbow moaned painfully, yet with a hint of appreciation in her voice. “Take her out! She’s getting away!”

Reaper quickly turned around, again surprised at the fact that she knew it was him, and threw another knife, this one hitting the surgeon’s left temple. She fell dead down to the floor and suddenly there was no one else in the room but the invisible Reaper and the injured Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow climbed out of the bed and barely managed to stay on her hooves. She closed her wounded eye and ignored the stinging pain. “Wh-where are you?”

Reaper deactivated his invisibility mode and gazed at her in surprise. They were just cutting into her eye moments ago and now she was acting as if nothing had happened? “H-how did you know it was me?”

“I had a feeling it was you.” she walked over to him with a small frown. “Bastards cut into my eye...” she moaned, trying her best not to panic.

“You’re a tough mare, Rainbow, I give you that.”

Reaper was not very fond of Rainbow, yet after this incident, she gained his respect. Not everyone could have busted the steel open and deliver a smack straight to the kisser. And all that while they were slicing into her eyeball. “But your friend might be able to fix your eye once we get out of here.”

Rainbow patched her bloodied eye with cotton and some tape she found at a small table beside them while Reaper spoke. She looked at him, still with a small unsecured frown. Where were their other friends? Why was he alone?

She walked past him without saying a word and up to Drake. He was a very sore sight; hung up in the air like meatsack. Her right eye filled with tears as she touched him. His body was still as a statue. Not even a twitch or anything. It seemed as if he was dead.

She touched her wet eye and looked at the tear on her hoof. The sight of that made her gnash her teeth in anger. “I’ll kill them for what they’ve done.” she half whispered to herself, fixing her attention to her husband in his terrible condition once again. “They’re going to suffer for what they did to us.”

Reaper walked up to her and put a hoof on her shoulder. He did not even try to make her feel better. He had never been good at that sort of thing. But he realized that the longer they stayed there, the lower chance they had to get out of there without further bloodspill. “Snap out of it! Now is not the time! They know we’re here. We must cut Drake down and carry him out of here before they regroup.”

Rainbow slowly turned her head to look at him with her great frown. “Look at what they’ve done to him!” she snapped, suddenly pinning him up to the wall behind him. “Have you any idea what we’ve been through?!” she shouted. “Have you any idea how much we’ve suffered? We’ve been through nothing but agony, misery and tribulation! What the hell took you so long?!”

“We came as fast as we could.” Reaper snapped back. “You really think we knew where they took you? Now, let me go or we’ll both get captured and everything will be in vain!”

Rainbow gnashed her teeth as she felt for the white cotton already filling up with her blood and harshly let go of him. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s cut him down.”

“This is not gonna work, Shadowmere. Your red eyes will blow our cover.” Citrine whispered in a hiss, nervously looking around the lit up hallway.

“Trust me. They won’t notice a thing!” Shadowmere answered with an overconfident smile. After they took down two guards on their way they stole their uniforms and used it as their disguise so they could mingle with the group of scientists and guards as the progressed. “Just don’t give them attention and don’t over exaggerate your movements. Keep looking ahead without a facial expression that is driven by emotion and we should be fine.”

One of the guards nodded to them as they walked by, and both answered hurriedly by nodding back without giving him much attention. “No trouble so far.” she added with a small sigh. “Let’s just get--”

A loud buzzing alarm interrupted them and everyone around. Everypony stopped their current activity and focused on that immense noise that filled everyone’s ears before it suddenly stopped and was replaced with a soft male commander’s voice.

“All personnel, I repeat; all personnel, grab a weapon and head over to sector B. This is not a drill.”

Everyone, including the scientists and doctors that looked as if they couldn’t even lift a stick, donned their combat armors frantically without a word. They were so organized that it looked as if they had been practicing for this moment for years.

“You heard the stallion!” the pony in charge of that section yelled over. “This is not a drill, ladies!”

“Let’s mingle with the group and stay in the middle. We’ll keep a low profile and they’ll lead us straight to them. This is our shot.” Citrine whispered to Shadowmere without being too obvious.

“Okay, just remember. If anything happens, use your magic to grab your sword and swing away.”

“And you keep your hooves ready on your dagger. I have a feeling this isn’t going to end well.”

They exchanged nods before following the stream of ponies that headed out towards their destination they had been ordered to go to.

“Wake up...” Daring Do cautiously whispered to Twilight, nudging her with her hooves. “Wake up, filly!”

Twilight did not feel well. The mild paralytic poison she had been injected with seemed to have after-effects. She had a headache and she instantly knew that using her magic would not bode good for her.

She gasped after being so suddenly ripped from the dream world and into the cold reality. That cruel unholy environment that had no scent of purity or holiness in any way. For a second she even forgot why she was even there. Why wasn’t she back in her comfortable home, snuggling against a soft pillow and reading a good book while sipping on some tea with honey?

The mental image made her nibble on her lower lip, but when Daring’s voice interrupted her again she snapped out of it and fixed her attention to her. “H-hey... what happened?”

“We got fooled by one of their agents.” Daring scoffed. “And now we’re locked in this cell with this disturbing looking guard at the other side staring at us.”

They weren’t in a luxurious chamber like Rainbow had been put in earlier, but in perhaps the oldest, dirtiest cell in the whole building. The air was foul; there were cracks on the stone made walls and water drops kept dripping down from the ceiling, each drop creating a deaf repetitive tone that echoed around the basement as it hit the ground. The gates of the cell was made of rusty iron bars that may be able to give in with enough force.

Neither of them got it. Why would this particular cell be in such a terrible condition while the rest of the place was as clean as clean can be? Why is the walls of this cell made of wet rocks and the other areas made of glass; gypsum and clean, fancy, sometimes colorful stones?

They could sit there and contemplate about it all day, or try to think of something to breach the gates with. They decided to go with the latter.

Obviously, Twilight could not use her magic. It would require pure concentration and great will to break the iron bars, and she was in no condition to bend metal while the headache prevented most of her spells and tricks. They had to find another way, and that as soon as possible.

Daring Do had been in all kinds of situations before. She had many times been captured by Ahuizotl and left to die in life endangering situations. But each and every time she had managed to get out of it somehow, which is why her confidence was still as high as it normally was. To her, their situation wasn’t nearly as bad as one would think. She had been through a lot worse and she knew that. This time there was no short time limit; no spikes coming from the ceiling; nothing collapsing down on her; no hot sand trying to drown her, or snakes trying to bite and poison her. This time she had time to sit down and carefully think this situation over. Where was the weakness of the cell? With what and how could they bypass their security without alarming anyone?

But the more time that passed the lower their hopes of getting out of there became. Surprisingly, Daring found no way at all to go through. None of the cracks on the walls were big enough for their advantage; and nothing in the cell could be used to break the locks of the iron door, not even a lockpick. If only she had her bag; she had enough of those in there.

And that big stallion sitting on a chair in front of their cell who didn’t even bat an eyelash did not help their situation at all.

They also noticed that they weren’t the only prisoners. They could both hear discouraging moans, groans and cries of starving ponies from the other cells. Fortunately, they weren’t all that many. Perhaps four or five excluding Daring Do and Twilight Sparkle.

“Okay, look. I think I may have found a way out of here.” Daring eventually whispered over to Twilight. The purple unicorn slowly approached, intrigued. “This is what we’re gonna do. You distract--”

Before she could continue, the room was lit up with rays of bright light. They didn’t know if they were just imagining it, but the whiteness felt like they were warming up over a campfire in a cold night in the middle of nowhere.

The guard stood up, more terrified than he’d ever been his whole life as he realized what was going on. Out of the whiteness stepped out a heavenly creature; a white colored Pegasus with a perfectly shaped body and big gracious wings. Holy light shone around her and left smokey traces as she approached the terrified guard who was clumsily pointing the tip of his blade towards her.

The heavenly pony approached him with a small warm smile. With beauty so strong she could probably stop a war with nothing aught her smile. But that would never happen because it is said that the gods and goddesses have one rule, and that rule is that they should not interact with mortals. Breaking it would shame their name and they would be considered weaker than the rest. Most of the evil daedric princes have ignored that rule, having no seat among the gods. Now they have shrines scattered around Equestria, most of them indoctrinating ponies who show interest in said shrines to do their will.

Twilight was puzzled and amazed at that rare encounter. Why would Mara break that one rule now? And why there? Was it really that urgent?

The guard started shaking, swallowing a lot in nervousness. “W-who goes there?”

The white pony shushed gently at him. “Do not fear, child.” she said, indicating that she was no harbinger of violence or death. “Come here.” she added with her soft as silk voice.

The guard hesitantly approached her until they were completely face to face. Twilight and Daring Do both noticed that he was shaking and trembling in fear, but as soon as he looked into her heavenly eyes he stopped shaking. It seemed like he was hypnotized by her beauty.

The angel rested a hoof on his cheek and stroke him gently. “You know who I represent, do you not?”

The guard responded by kneeling down to one knee, using his sword for balance. “M-m-my goddess.”

She chuckled softly. “I am no goddess, but a messenger. Mara’s personal messenger.”

“I-I feel unworthy to look upon thee, messenger or not, my lady.” he added, still swallowing a lot. “But if a poor guard may ask... what message do you bring to such low ranked pony as myself, your highness?”

Twilight Sparkle, Daring Do and the rest of the prisoners watched in awe as they witnessed the heavenly creature interact with the mortal, an event such as this hadn’t happened for centuries.

“I come here with a message from Mara herself. She would let two particular ponies set free at instance.”

“A-anything for you, your grace.” he quickly responded, never even taking a peek at her beauty again. “I would be honored to serve you.”

“Mara would see no harm done to them. If you betray her bidding you, and the entirety of your future bloodline, will be cursed to the worst lives imaginable. Are we clear, mortal?”

“Crystal clear, m’lady.” he answered in awe, still bowing his head towards the ground.

“Set Twilight Sparkle and Daring Do loose.” she ordered. “And lead them to me. Mara has a message to them as well.”

“At once, m’lady.” the guard confirmed, standing up taller than he was three minutes ago. He headed over to their cell and unlocked it, opening the iron door. “Don’t keep her waiting, ladies. She wishes to speak with yous.”

Daring Do and Twilight Sparkle exchanged stares and shrugged both with a smile before walking out and towards the white holy pony before them. As they approached they both paid their respects by kneeling down. “Your grace.”

“Stand up, ponies.” she ordered, displaying the warmest smile they’d ever seen. They did as she asked. “And stand still. I will move us into a more private area where we can talk.”

Everything around them faded away and got replaced by pure whiteness at a blink of an eye. They looked around and saw nothing. They were literally in a place between reality and heaven; someplace like a limbo.

“Now. I know you have questions. I will try to answer some of them, but they must be brief and straight to the point.”

Daring opened her mouth to speak up with her eyes closed but Twilight interrupted her before she could let out a sound. “Why are you helping us? I thought it was forbidden to interact with a mortal.”

“It is. Which is why we must keep this short. Mara has no interest in shaming herself, but she is the only one among the bigger names that is willing to break that rule. No one knows she has sent me, but they will soon enough if I stay away for too long. And if that happens she could be banished, doomed to die or worse. Maybe she’ll get away with it. But we don’t want to risk that.”

“Why are you helping us?” Twilight added, her gaping eyes completely fixed upon the white mare.

“Because if the Dragonborn dies, your world dies.”

“Why didn’t you make your appearance to the guy who runs this place? Surely he would not dare oppose you.” Daring said, amazed.

“He is not worthy to look upon an immortal, nor would Mara dear let him speak to her messenger. His heart is too corrupted for her liking. Besides, he would never release the dragonborn. Instead we chose to appear to a guard that does not even know what is happening around him. He may not have the purest of hearts, but we knew he would never tell anyone of our conversation.”

“Why don’t you just make him forget? Surely you can do that.”

“We’re not supposed to interact with mortals, remember?” she answered, only a trace of a smile upon her face. “That includes meddling with their minds.”

“We understand. But what must we do? We’re outnumbered and this place is a maze. We’ll never find Drake and Rainbow Dash.” Twilight pointed out, not as despaired as before, but still a little doubtful. “And we’re nothing against his strength. They have weapons that--”

“Remember that the gods are with you. The best we can do for you is our blessings.” she interrupted with her voice even smoother than Celestia’s. “Once you get back to your world, the guard will give you armors and weapons of your needs. He will show you the way to the Dragonborn. Now go, ponies, and do what must be done.”

Before either of them could ask more questions, they were snapped back to the dirty basement of that underground bunker. It was astonishing to them how cold and dirty they felt after leaving the presence of Mara’s personal messenger.

They looked around in amazement, a little dizzy by the sudden change of environment.

The guard walked up to them and told them to follow him. They obeyed, remembering what she had told them.

He led them to the armory and provided them with everything they needed; each of them getting the finest armors they had; a bow made of titanium and ebony; and fifty plasma arrows.

It was enough to keep them alive and unnoticed, although they had to be cautious nonetheless. There weren’t many female guards around, the guard had told them. He also warned them not to make an eye contact with anyone.

Twilight and Daring Do both thought of going back and free the prisoners, but both realized that saving Drake was more urgent and definitely a priority. As much as they hated doing it, they left the armory and followed the guard to Drake’s location.

I reach out for the stars with a big grin. Bright stars. Perhaps made of brightness itself? Or maybe brightness is made of stars. Why are they surrounding me? Why am I surrounding space? How can I breathe space and the brightness made of stars? How can space and the stars made of brightness breathe me? How can I defeat gravity? Can gravity be defeated? Am I gravity? I don’t care. Let them come to me. Let me come to them. Those stars made of brightness made of stars made of gravity. Those stars of color and splendor and happiness and space and me. I’ve always been fascinated by stars. Or have they been fascinated by me? Are we one and the same, the stars made of gravity and I? And now here I am, and here they are, among them, and among me. We are one and one are we. In colorful space.

A sparkling shooting star flies by and I giggle. Or do I sparkle and shoot like a giggle in the heavens? Beauty. Peace. Relax. Happiness. Joy. Hope and wonder and pain and life and everything burning in beauty and grace and gravity and me and stars.

I am turned around and around me I am turned and I look down and see a map in life. It dances with me as I dance among the color. Equestria. Friends. I?  Why am I unconscious on Rainbow’s back and why does blood fall from my body? Why do I fall from my blood in little droplets of pain and dna and life and everything I ever was, am, and ever could be? Why is Rainbow’s left eye patching up with a patch? What is Reaper doing with his scythe? Why is Shadowmere and my sister fighting off ponies in their uniform outside the room? Maybe the ponies cannot see the color and the stars and life. I feel bad for them. And where are Twilight and Daring Do going with that guard? Probably towards us. Are we going towards them?

Why am I seeing this? Is it seeing me? Is this really happening or am I happening? Are they really here to save us?

Poison. Gagging. Doctor head going boom like a cannon for parties.

Laser. Plasma. Torture. Testing... so much testing. So much suffering. I grab my head. The pain is coming. The stars are fading. Time is leaving me and I am leaving time and I am time and pain and sorrow and rage and I am everything there ever was or is or could be. I’m alone. I scream; nothing happens. I shout towards my friends; not even an ear twitch.

When and what is happening now? Am I really watching us? Now we are reunited. Everyone. My friends and them. They dance upon the waves of a waking dream and I dream of blood and pain. They’re taking me out of here. Running towards the exit with an army behind and in front of us. Projectiles flying. Arrows leaping. Steel meeting. Heads flying. So much red. Too much red! Color and stars and space but this color is a sad color of pain and sadness.

I look. Him. They captured him? Seems so. He’s tied. Unconscious. Strapped to a stallion of shadow and darkness.

I grasp my head again. I’m going insane. Snap out. Wake up. Help. Stop watching and do something, you worthless prick. They’re all gonna die and I can’t do anything about it, so wake up!

My head... I feel like it’s about to explode. My throat... oh, no. Please, not again. Not pain. I breathe rapidly. I can’t speak. I can’t think. Much pressure. So much pressure. I fall down. I reach out to the stars again; my vision blurring. So colorful. So beautiful...

“Two o’clock!” Twilight screamed towards Citrine who was already quickly charging a lightning bolt with her horn as her mind processed Daring’s message. She unleashed it on a heavily geared unicorn guard before he could make a blow with his axe, shoving him into three of his comrades and knocking them down in the process.

They seemed to be limitless. Guards, scientists and most likely every single employee just kept on coming in waves. Rainbow and Shadowmere couldn’t move all that much since they had to carry Drake and the pink stallion.

Fortunately, they didn’t have anything with them when they were kidnapped, meaning that they didn’t have to go look for a chest where it would be stored. Instead they moved fast and helped each other out, heading for the elevator they used earlier to get in.

Twilight focused on defending the group with a large magic light blue shield to protect them from projectiles while Citrine slowed the guards down that were trying to break that said shield from the back with whatever she could think of. Lightning bolts, firebolts, ice spears, and even carved runes on the ground that imploded and damaged a group of enemies when someone stepped on it; everything she could manage to keep them from harm. From time to time Daring reached into her backpack and handed her blue potion that refilled her body and soul, giving her the strength and will to create more spells. In the meantime, Reaper and Daring Do took care of the guys at the front, making sure no one would get to them while Rainbow and Shadowmere took care of the few guys that managed to cross the shield.

Rainbow was limping pretty bad. They didn’t even have the decency to take care of the burn on her leg after she and Drake got recaptured. Twilight had promised Rainbow to take care of them both once they get to safety, but Rainbow’s first concern was Drake. He was still unconscious and in a terrible condition. He didn’t move at all, not even a twitch beside his regular breathing.

After she and Reaper had him down from there and unplugged him from the machines he was tied to, he stopped breathing and his heart stopped beating from the sudden...disconnection. Rainbow immediately performed CPR, and it payed off. She almost had an heart attack herself when she noticed no life marks on him.

The next moment caught everyone’s attention, despite the fact that they were all busy fighting off enemies. Drake gasped for air as he suddenly regained consciousness. He grabbed Rainbow’s neck and held it close, almost strangling her. Rainbow almost lost balance when she felt that he had woken up. She had mixed feelings about that. On one hand she wanted him to stay asleep until they were out to safety, but on the other she was glad that he was at least not in a coma that’d last for days or weeks.

“Drake!” Citrine and Rainbow both shouted at the same time, making Citrine turn her head towards him and therefore lose her focus for a bit. Twilight had to take care of an enemy that got too close to the shield, making her have to maintain that shield and use an attack at the same time which really drained her energy.

“I’ll take care of Drake. Keep them from us, Citrine.” Rainbow yelled over to her, half dizzy by her wounded eye and leg. Drake looked around confusedly like a frightened cat, breathing heavily on Rainbow’s back as he tried in his head to match all the puzzles together. “Drakie! Just keep calm, okay? We’re almost out of here.” Rainbow exclaimed, turning her head towards Drake to take a look at him through her right, fully functional eye.

His appearance was horrid. His eyes were red-ish, his mane as messed up as wild grass and his body was shaking. His mental state was probably shattered. Rainbow feared that he might never fully recover, but she knew that she couldn’t think negatively. Not now. Not while their lives depended on each other’s.

After realizing what was going on, Drake tilted his head a bit to take a better look at Rainbow’s face until he noticed that her eye was patched up with soaking wet bloodied cotton. His eyes widened, his mouth a bit opened. “…” he tried to say something, pointing at her face with a shocked expression.

“I’m fine, Drake. J-just relax. We’re getting you out of here.” she answered painfully, her right eye slowly filling up with tears. “J-just...” she continued. She closed her eye and inhaled the air before opening it again with a frown. “Just hang on tight. I love you, you know that. Just hang on!”

Drake nodded with a sad expression as he panted, and nuzzled the back of her neck with his, holding her as tight as he could manage with the little energy he had.

“Jesus...” Citrine whispered, still with her guard up. “My brother was just an ordinary, unsecured guy... he’s not some hero that can take mental and physical torture and walk out of it unscathed.”

“Don’t underestimate him...” Twilight responded, sweating a bit with the struggle of maintaining the ward shield. “He’s capable... of many things...”

“Where the hell do these guy come from? It’s like he’s breeding an army down here!” Shouted Daring Do, pulling Citrine’s sword she got borrowed out of the flesh of one of the guard. “And watch our flank! We’re passing a crossroad. Rainbow and Shadowmere, you take care of anyone who tries to jump on us.”

Drake didn’t try to move. As much as he wanted to have his revenge on them and help his friends get out of there safely, he was in no condition to do so. He bit his lower lip in shame as he realized what a “hero” he was. Everyone thought so highly of him and there he was, Equestria’s mighty guard and legend, sucking on his hoof as his friends did the work.

Dashie shot a guy by our right with the gun she obtained once again from the boss they’d captured, while Shadowmere took care of the few enemies approaching from the left.

“I-I can’t...” Twilight suddenly mumbled, groaning and grunting a bit. “I can’t hold it for much longer!”

“Potion!” Citrine shouted, piercing an enemy with her Icy Spear spell. “Twilight needs a potion!”

“We’re out of potions.” Daring quickly shouted back, helping Reaper take down a well trained assassin dressed in all black. Daring Do recognised him. He was one of the guys that kidnapped Rainbow Dash and Drake from their apartment, and she was determined to see that bastard pay for what he had done.

Hoof hitting flesh, sword clashing sword and magic vaporizing to dust; both sides delivered their attacks viciously. The only difference is that the better team was stronger despite being fewer in numbers.

Drake squinted his eyes and watched as Reaper and Daring Do took out the black cloaked figure. Then he looked to the right and noticed that Citrine was by his side, constantly giving him a glance or two in between spells to make sure he was absolutely okay.

Drake gently gave his sister’s mane a few strokes and forced a smile, telling her with his facial expression that they was gonna be fine. Everything was gonna be just fine...

I couldn’t stop looking at our prisoner. The one who had been responsible for everything. The head of this organization. I thought about my options and deemed it justice that he did not deserve death. At least not yet. Death is too simple, too quick. Not enough suffering. Not enough pain. He’s getting the same treatment his brother got and he’ll be begging for death before we even start. But then I thought about it some more. I’m tired of pain and torture. Screw it, he’ll get a cell in the worst dungeon Equestria has to offer where he can rot, I’ll make sure of that.

“Okay, that was the last of those in our path. Twilight, where to next?” asked Daring Do loudly, panting a bit, but not wasting any time by going to the back to help Twilight and Sarah take care of the enemies that approached from there.

“Good job... everyone.” Shadowmere said, a little tired judging by his facial expression. The pink pony may not have looked like much, but he sure was heavy. And carrying him while everything was in chaos might not have been the easiest of jobs. He would much rather handle the combat, since he was trained to kill. But Reaper was more fit to be their tank, since he’s the biggest and could take in more pain than any of them all. That pony was incredible; it was like he was tailored to be a warmachine.

Twilight Sparkle didn’t have to focus on an energy shield anymore since all the remaining archers had been dealt with, so she quickly used her clairvoyance spell, drawing a line of blue energy along the floor which pointed to the exit.

The blue magical line pointed them towards a right turn, leading them into a familiar hallway. “I remember this place.” Shadowmere added. “We’re not far from the elevator. It’s just by the end of this hallway, if I’m not mistaken.”

Only one enemy remained. He suddenly stopped and lowered his weapon. Citrine and Daring Do slowly approached him with grins, making him run away in panic into the darkness.

Everyone let out a relieved sigh except Reaper, who did not show any reaction at all. “Don’t put your guard down.” he said. “We’re not out of this place yet.”

“This is a narrow hallway and we’ve taken out everyone on sight. I’m pretty sure we’re safe now.” Shadowmere meekly pointed out, breathing a little faster than before. “I can practically see the... wait... who’s that?”

Everyone turned around and looked towards the exit and noticed a shadow that definitely belonged to a pony. No one dared take another step forward, although they weren’t more scared than before. They had proven to be stronger than any of them, so one pony should not be a problem. “Step out of the darkness, miss.” Reaper shouted towards the shadow. “Although my associates cannot see you, I can. Step forward or I’ll make you step forward.”

At first the mysterious pony hesitated, probably considering her options. Would she run or would she reveal her appearance? She decided to go with the latter.

Out of the darkness stepped out a blue unicorn mare with monochrome mane dressed in a cape and with a pointy wizard hat coated with stars on her head. Her cutie mark was a wand with a star on the top and a quarter-moon of some sort. She did not smile, she did not say anything. She simply stared at the group with a smug smile, mainly at Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight gasped and almost jumped as she realized that it was her arch-enemy and nemesis, Trixie. “Is this the Dragonborn Rainbow Dash is carrying? Our great and powerful savior?” she shook her head slowly. “Can’t say I’m impressed.”

I wasn’t even surprised at her sudden appearance. I was on the verge of blacking out again and I could barely even hold my eyes open for much longer. I groaned in my weary, not even giving her a look.

“Trixie.” Twilight stepped forward with a small frown. “What are you doing here?”

“Don’t give me that look Twilight. No need to hold grudges.” Trixie sharply answered, holding her head just a tad higher than normal as if we were some peasants infected with diseases. “Trixie is here because of the Dragonborn.”

“Trixie? I’ve heard about you.” Citrine joined in, both a little surprised and excited at the same time.

“Of course you’ve heard about me.” she spat out somewhat offended, yet not giving much interest in her. “Now. The Dragonborn. The great and powerful Trixie need to speak to him.”

“He is in no fit to speak at the moment and if we don’t get out of here we will get jumped by the remaining thugs that are lurking in the dark. Let’s talk outside, shall we?” Rainbow added, not very thrilled at seeing her of all ponies again.

Trixie cocked her head. “Fair enough. Let us leave this forsaken place then.”

Everyone approached Trixie and the steel elevator, but my friends insisted that she went on ahead so they could keep their eyes on her. The last we needed was getting fooled by her and let her fuck everything up.

For a time while I was their prisoner I never thought I’d see the day I’d see the sun or breathe in fresh air again, but there I was, breathing in the cold breeze I was so familiar with. The smell I missed so much of trees and herbs filling my nose yet again, oh god, how I welcomed it. We managed to get out of there alive, and while I did not seem happy at all, I was bursting of joy from within. I knew I was in danger still, since there were still some scouts around and they could attack us from nowhere when we least expect it. Also the fact that my body was still aching of all the bad drugs they injected into me. But at that moment I didn’t really bother dwelling on those thoughts. I had a very limited ability to think and all I wanted was to contemplate about something beautiful. Something that would take my mind off this terrible place and bring me some more light in any form.

For a long while in the snow, but calm weather, my friends argued with Trixie about whether she could meet me or not. Twilight seemed to do most of the talking, refusing to allow her to get near me at all. Citrine had spent some time with me, checking if I was okay and if I needed medical treatments. While I actually needed them, I did not bother asking her for anything. Eventually, after I commanded her to, she left Rainbow and I alone. She joined their conversation and picked her side with Twilight about not wanting Trixie near me, while the pink guy who was responsible for everything lay on the ground unconscious next to Reaper who decided not to give a single fuck about Trixie or even us. Rainbow and I couldn’t care less at the moment. We were a little away from them, first of all focusing on each other. She put me down on a boulder I could lean against and encouraged me to stand up. It took some tries but in the end I managed to keep my shaky hooves on the ground without collapsing.

“There you go, honey.” she said, assisting me a bit. “There you go. Heh, you’re a tough son of a bitch, did you know that?” I smiled feebly, barely managing to keep my eyes on her. I slowly shook my head, but then I suddenly felt for unbalance. I quickly threw myself at the boulder and prevented myself from falling. I blushed a bit and coughed, my throat still killing me. “Yes you are! No one would’ve survived what they did to you. Yet here you stand victorious!”

Since I couldn’t respond with words, I answered her by gesturing with my limbs. I cocked an eyebrow and pointed at the bloodied cotton on her left eye and then at the gun that was still strapped on her hoof, indicating that she was a tough son of a bitch. She never even whined about her agonizing pain she must have been in.

Rainbow peered her right eye slightly at me with a small smile and got near, pressing her body up against me. I leaned my body on hers and let her carry me as I hugged her tightly. I hugged as tight as I could manage and she did the same to me. After realizing that we were finally into each others’ arms again, we both shed tears. I gnashed my teeth and firmly pressed my eyelids together as I wetted her nape with my tears. She did the same to me.

This had been a very, very tough, emotional and physical journey neither of us asked for and we were finally out of harm’s way, we had realized.

Despite those very slim survival odds, despite all the despair and all the misery they put us through... we were still alive. Always we were alive.