Chapter 9

Deadeyes Office, Mineshaft, Equestria

1 day later

Sergeant Darius 'Breaker' Trace

I paused, standing right outside of Warden Deadeyes office, prepping myself for what I was about to say. After I had told Celestia what I had needed, she helped me without hesitation, saying what I had asked was selfless.

I opened my jacket (Made specially by Floras Tailor shop) and looked inside a special inner pocket. I exhaled when I saw the pouch was still there. A pouch containing about 3,000 bits of golden currency.

Straightening my jacket again, I breathed in and out again, prepared to go inside. I turned and gave a thumbs up to Mineral Flare, who waved back. I looked back at the door again. I pushed the door open, entering the room.

Warden Deadeye's office looked exactly the same as it had the last time I had been here. Nice windows on the side walls, an intricately carved desk in the back of the room, and bookshelves and cabinets lining the walls. Right behind the desk sat a blue pony, who was currently working on some paperwork.

Warden Deadeye didn't look like much at first glance, but I knew that he was a fierce stallion, and could probably take me out with one pounce. He was a navy blue unicorn, with a brown eye, an eye patch of sorts covering his other eye, and a cutie mark of a satchel.

He looked up at me when I entered, and smiled. "Breaker! My dear human, please take a seat." The chair was a little small for me, but somehow I was able to fit into it. He picked up his papers with a reddish magic, and teleported it to one of the cabinets. He then sat again, and smiled. "What can I do for you?" I gulped, trying to think of a good way to say it.

"I have come to pay off Mineral Flare." Wow, that sounded better in my head. Deadeye frowned, leaning back a little bit. "What is that supposed to mean?" I sighed, ready to repeat myself. "I have come to pay off Mineral Flares debt." Deadeye looked shocked, and he began to stammer a bit, which he quickly covered up with some fake coughing. He then regained his stature, and looked me in the eyes.

"Breaker, there is no possible way you can pay off her debt. Where would you single handedly even get the money to pull that off?" His tone was harsh, even a little mean. So, in my best business like manner, I pulled out the pouch containing the bits. "In this pouch, contains all that Mineral Flare owes you, and even more!" Looking skeptical, he opened the pouch, and his mouth widened. His mouth widened more and more as he counted the bits, all the way to 3,000. After he had counted the money, he looked me in the eyes.

"Breaker, I cant let her go." I stared back at him, trying to contain my rage.

"And why the bloody hell not? That should be enough, and more!" He just continued to stare at me, no emotion being listed in his eyes. "Do you really want to let Mineral Flare go? This is her life, and she has no experience of the outside world. Yes, I know of her desires to see the world. But, is she really ready to see the world for what it is? She has lived a protected life, believe it or not."

My rage died down at this, registering what he had said. All that he had said was true. But still, it was wrong. I shook my head at Deadeye.

"That may be true, but let me tell you something, Warden. She is the smartest pony I have ever met, and she is certainty not naive. She can take care of herself, both here, and in the world around her! So I say again, accept the money and..."

I stumbled back in shock as Warden Deadeye whacked the bits off the table, his emotionless features gone, replaced by pure fury. "Now you listen to me, Human! She is one of my greatest miners, and is the one that brings me profit. If she leaves, Mineshaft will crumble, I will lose everything! So no, I will not accept your money, and I will not let her go!"

By now, Warden Deadeye was on the table, his voice at a screaming level, and his horn was bursting in an angry light. I started backing away from the table, honestly scared out of my mind. "You hear me, Breaker! I WILL NEVER LET HER LEAVE!" He screamed this last part with so much anger, I fell to the ground.I didn't know what to do at this point. He looked like he was about to murder me. And nothing was going to stop him from doing so.

"Actually, Warden Deadeye, you will release her." I turned to the direction f the voice, and stared right at Breezy Arrow, the guard I had rescued from the Raider attack, accompanied by 2 of Celestia's personal guards. Breezy stepped into the room, approaching the now fuming Warden. "You will release her, because if you don't, I will have to place you under arrest."

Deadeye calmed down pretty quickly, turning a little pale. "On what charge?" Breezy was now standing in front of the table, his front hooves sitting on top of it. Deadeye began to back up, now off the table. "For slavery. You know, if you refuse to accept pay to release a debt slave, that pony becomes a personal slave. And I am sure you remember law order A1-13, stating quite clearly that Slavery was outlawed."

If Deadeye was pale before, he was a skeleton now. He was completely backed away from the table, now cowering in the back of the room. Breezy jumped down, now standing right in front of the Warden. "So, unless you want me to take you in, Boss, I suggest you sign the correct papers, accept the money, and we all forget that this little incident ever happened."

Now my mouth had dropped. Wow, wished I could have done that. I stood up, thanks to the help of Celestia's guards. Deadeye was up now, sweating up a storm, and was hunched over some papers Breezy had laid in front of him. With a quick, hateful glance at me, he used his unicorn magic to write his signature. Breezy looked at me, smiling. "From this day forward, Mineral Flare is free from debt."

Handing me the paper, Breezy and the guards left. I was left alone with Deadeye, the room eerie and silent. He stared at me. "Get out of my office." I was about to say something, when he screamed at me again.

"GET OUT!" I quickly retreated, closing the door behind me. Mineral Flare sat there, a look of worry on her face. She galloped to me, hugging my leg.

"I was so worried! I heard screaming, then the guards had to go in and... What happened?" For the first time in this whole endeavor, I smiled, handing Mineral Flare the paper. "What happened this day is that now you are a free pony." She squealed with joy, now jumping into my arms, and pecking my cheek. I blushed as she said, "Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU!" I hugged her back, knowing that this was worthy of celebration.

Later that night, as Mineral Flare, Breaker, and several of Mineral's friends were celebrating the glorious day, Warden Deadeye was stumbling down the street, in a pure, blind rage.

How dare that creature take away his best miner! What right did he have? None! Deadeye thought to himself as he continued down the dirt road, mumbling any curse he could think of.

"May Celestia bring hell upon that Breaker!" Deadeye screamed into the darkness. "Breaker, is that his name?" Deadeye wheeled around quickly, staring at another human. He quickly realized that this was not Breaker, for this man was a lot stronger, more buff.

"Not another human!" Deadeye whimpered, ready to run, when the human's big hands clamped on the ponies neck. "Shhhhh, I don't mean to harm you. I have a hate for this human you speak of also. Maybe we can work together, and make all of these curses of your come to pass." Deadeye stared at the human, replying, "How?"

The human let the pony go, smiling a devious smile. "Just wait a little while, then we shall take him out. Oh, by the way, my name is Shannon." The human, Shannon, put his hand out. The Warden took it, mirroring the same wicked grin. "Mine is Deadeye. It will be a pleasure doing business with you."

Shannon let go saying to himself, "Indeed, it will."