//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Runaway // Story: A Hero's Story // by TheBlackPanda //------------------------------// It had been almost a month since the first battle. The battle that had started this war between the Equestrians and Apocalypse's army of believers (or as I called them the 'nobodies'). Why? Because Apocalypse did 90% of the fighting. He had armies for show. But the horrors didn't stop there. I was asked to move out of Rainbow's home and live in the castle with my mother and aunt. She (against her character) cried and begged me to stay. I didn't. That was a bad move to make. As soon as I left town, Apocalypse began to take the form of many. He even disguised himself as Pinkie and butchered people under the premise of 'making cupcakes'. It was absurd. Then, he released propaganda messages about the princesses' rule. He called them liars and deceitful. He stated that if you joined his army, he would see to it that we would be fairly governed. AND THEY BELIEVED HIM. Five hours after, THE ROYAL GUARD decided to join the 'better cause'. My aunt was furious. She tried to reason, but their minds were made up. They were joining the enemy. And we watched them walk out. Some, believe it or not, were pretty cool. But this was just awful. Our numbers started to dwindle. And eventually, we ended up losing the castle to them. We moved into the city, to everyone's surprise. Pinkie, being the crazy, fourth wall-phasing person she is, decided to throw a private 'welcoming' party for me, my mom, and my aunt. It was just us, and our friends. I knew she was trying to make us feel better, but if she hadn't, things wouldn't have happened. I wouldn't have just finished a funeral for her. Because then IT happened. Someone went to the enemy. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The party was lively. We were all having a good time. Pinkie had her signature cupcakes out for us to eat, along with this punch. I ate some cupcakes, which tasted like something I had missed: My grandma's pound cake, with frosting. I had some punch, it was really good. It tasted like some cherry, mixed with rainbow sherbet ice cream. I ate and drank, then danced. I had forgotten that I had two left feet. Kaitlin and Rainbow were finally relating, but Kaitlin looked uneasy. Like she had something on her mind. "What's wrong?" I asked her. "What? Oh, nothing..." She replied, absent mindedly. "You sure?" She gulped, "Actually, I do. I need to ask you and my brother something." He appeared in his usual, flashy 'creature-of-the-night' way. A shadow shooting up with a loud 'WOOSH!' (Which caused Fluttershy to, well, shit bricks). "What is is?" He asked, like he had been there forever. Kaitlin started sweating "Um, I was wondering if I could join his cause..." Me and Darkside both dropped our jaws. "HIS cause?" I asked. She nodded. "Hell no. I wouldn't let you, even if you were safe with him. No way IN HELL am I fighting my baby sis like that." He said, sternly. She hung her head. "Fine..." Then something heavy hit my head, and everything went black. --------------------------Kaitlin------------------------ I couldn't fucking believe it! They just didn't understand. He would free us all. He just needed more followers. I hung my head, to let them think I was defeated. Then, using some magic Twilight had taught me, I picked a moving box up, and hit Brandon on the back of his head. I felt bad, but there was no turning back. I turned and sprinted the other way, bursting through the door. I picked up in flight, I was home free! "And WHERE do you think you're going?" A voice shouted at me from above. I looked ahead to see an angry looking Rainbow Dash floating downward slowly. She landed in front of me, her teeth bared, and her rainbow dyed hair flowing in the wind. "Move!" I said, sick of people in my way. She shook her head. "You know, I was starting to think you were pretty cool. Maybe we could have hung out, talked shit about those dumbass boyfriends that we both had earlier. But now I know, you're just in it for you." She got in a fighting pose "And I'm gonna stop you." I laughed, "Do you think you can stop me? FIRE WHEN READY, BITCH!" I screamed. She flew at me, I dodged the punch she threw. Then I grabbed her leg as she was flying past, under the momentum of her flying punch. I threw her to the ground. Grabbing her head, I turned her to look at me. "Let's see who's gonna beat who?" I said, grinning. I slammed her face back to the ground, then jumped back. She kicked at me. I grabbed her leg, and spun her around. I slammed her in the ground. "What's wrong? You know he doesn't like weak girls like you." I jumped back again. This did the trick. She started to glow, then flew at me, her Sonic Rainboom bursting instantly. She swung again. I sighed. I dodged it and waited for her to bounce from a tree for a second blow. She did. I put my fist out and nailed her dead on in the face. Grabbing her shirt, which was soaked with blood from her nose, I held her up. I slammed her face into my knee. Then I threw her to the ground and kicked her in the face. I'm finally free to set things right. -------------Brandon---------------- I woke up, unsure of my surroundings at first. Then I remembered: we were at home. I took a head count. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Luna, Celestia, and Darkside. Where were Kaitlin and Rainbow? I jolted up. They noticed me getting up. Darkside was the first there. "Where are they?" I asked, feeling a little lightheaded. "Kaitlin knocked you out, then ran through the door. Rainbow flew after her." "WHAT THE HELL?" I sat straight up. "She's gonna get killed!" I ran out the door. Almost Immediately, I saw something that made my heart stop. The trees around were contorted and broken. And laying there, with no sign of life, was Rainbow Dash. I couldn't think. I ran to her, and picked her up. I rushed back to the house, almost at the breaking point. -------------------------------------------- After ckecking her pulse, she was alive, but barely. We got her back. After some pressing, she told us how bad it was. I told her I had some healing medicine. "But it will hurt." I said. "Okay." She replied. I gave her something to bite on. I poured the thick medicine on her cuts and bruises. Tears flowed from her eyes. She screamed and twisted uncomfortably. Finally, after what felt like hours, she was healed. I told her to sleep. She did so. ------------------------------------------- I sat on the roof, crying silently. Why would she do this? I wondered. Why would she just betray us like that? I felt a soft hand on my shoulder. My mom sat next to me. "She's just confused. She doesn't know what to do." She reassured me. I nodded. Luna pulled me into a hug, I cried just a little more on her shoulder. Finally, I felt a little better. I wiped my eyes. Luna raised her hand and with it came the moon. "I may not be a princess, but I'm still in charge of the moon." She said, with a chuckle. We sat there and laughed. We talked about lots of things. My caretakers, as Luna called them, and how they treated me. The family I had there. I felt fresh tears when I talked about my little brother and sister, who were only 7 and 4 when they died. It made me realize how horrible of a brother I was. I never saw them or tried to visit my dad, who had them. "Well," My mom said, "All you can do now, is to ensure that others don't suffer your fate. Be a hero. Allow others here to be good big brothers and sisters. Give them a chance to act where you failed to." She said. I nodded. That was a good idea. "I'll protect this place. With my VERY LIFE." --------------------------------------------------Kaitlin--------------------- Are you sure you want to do this? "Yes." I said. Well then. So be it! I felt a burning sensation. I realized that he would burn the mark of the beast on my skin. There was no turning back. I looked on my right wrist. There was no mark! What? He looked at me, I see. You are a being of light. We cannot brand you with the mark. You will be a special case. I nodded. I was joining the cause. I didn't need their help anymore. I wanted this. And now, I can change the world!