Scars (Expect 18+ themes/Blood Magic)

Scars. Memories of a past that are often hidden. Weakness to some, strength to others. "I promise you, this is the place. I don't want to die, and I really don't want to be asked more questions. I made a promise, I show you where they are, you leave me alone, and I won't return to their ways. I hated it anyways..." the mare whispered, keeping herself hidden behind a bush. This mare was the same that Rosa had questioned before, and with a nod from the aforementioned mare, the ex-Phoenix took off into the trees behind them. Rosa stepped forwards slowly, looking side to side as she walked into the sunlight that beat down through the trees above. She'd come to a stop, looking up slowly into the sky above at the clouds that shadowed the sun. Her eyes would narrow as she spread her wings and shot directly up into the air, flying as high as she could before landing on the cloud she'd seen from below. With her hooves settled, she'd look about the mostly open skies in hopes to figure out where her targets were. The targets she'd been chasing since the night she was attacked on the top of the club. Her new target wasn't the final, but would cause a large impact on those she faced. For now, there was no reason to worry about the leaders of Phoenix...instead, she'd decided to go after another pony. The one that'd caught her. Feather Twin. Her anger spiked at even the thought of his name, and it took everything to sedate the blood rage that'd been lurking just within. Her eyes would suddenly snap open as she attempted to dodge what was coming, but was much too late. Two arrows pierced her, one through each wing, and left her hanging in mid air by chains connected to them. She screamed out in pain, trying to fight against it but only causing more damage. In front of her the stallion she wanted to face. The one she desired to destroy. His smug grin. "Oh, Rosa. You've grown weak, almost undisciplined. You're pathetic now that we burned your abilities away! No shadow can save you from what is coming next. All this because you're oh-so-easy to pray on." He'd laugh, pressing into one of her wings and eliciting another scream from the thestral. "Look, I didn't want to do this at first, but now I really-really do. You...you freaks always get in the way of what's right. An ex-leader who couldn't even make the right call, got her entire team killed, and then just left! Left all of us that remained! Then you do the ultimate sin and challenge Phoenix. A really dumb maneuver." Rosa grunted as she stared daggers into the stallion. "You are a traitor to Equesatria! To Luna! You only caught me by chancze." "Wrong, Rosa. What did you think you would find in Canterlot? Who did you wish to say goodbye to? Oh! That weird medic mare? If it wasn't for how drawn to her you seemed we wouldn't have even noticed you. Instead, you fell for an easy trap. I bet you blame her, too, don't you?" Rosa simply growled in response. "Oh, you still do! Hah-hah! This is rich! And don't worry, we won't harm her, she's nothing to us. You're much-much more important than A-" he'd be cut off, Rosa's head connecting with his and sending him reeling back. "Oh, you fucking bitch!" In response, the two holding the chains tugged, causing her to scream again. Once she regained herself, she'd look up at him, "you...blame me for what I didn't do? You juzst want my neck for...what...redemption? I protected you when I couldn't reach the otherz!" "Then you should have let me die, freak mare. I'm done chatting with you." Feather Twin rubbed the blood that begun to drip from his nose away before flying up and diving at Rosa suddenly...and with a strong, swift kick to her chest... ...the force would rip Rosa's wings, causing severe damage that'd disable her flight. She'd scream out as she fell, watching those above vanish as she plowed through the cloud she'd been on. As she fell backwards, her eyes stared into the sun above. She was about to die, and this time there'd be no coming back. There'd be no flying out of it, no blood to drink, no... Her eyes shut as she fell, letting her thoughts catch up to her...visions of those she's met, of the stallion she'd fallen in love with, and...her mother. Words she'd said last to them all. Seafoam, Alex...at least she bid them a goodbye. (Open in new tab) Will you let them win? Her eyes snapped open, as if trying to catch who was talking. Timed seemed to slow around her as she heard the voice. We have been here for you, always. The Stars Above. You wondered what we really were? The stars are those of your past, Rosa. Your parents, even those that you've lost in Equestria. We've all been brought here to guide you, to guide others. Phoenix Rising is not a real phoenix. To be a phoenix is to be reborn in flames. You fall now, you rise again. Another voice, one she recognized more than the rest. You fight now, you fall when? "Never." Rosa whispered as she spread her wings wide, the red glow of her eyes burning bright as she crashed through another cloud... Above the group watched, Feather Twin smiling devilishly as he did...until the sun above suddenly began to burn a blood red. Blood from his nose dripped down at an almost slow rate before vanishing past the cloud below. At a vampiric speed, Rosa would surpass their height from almost nowhere, appearing just above with a few notable changes. Her wings were seemingly stitched back together with blood, her armor a deep maroon, and most importantly...her eyes burning bright. Within her teeth she clenched a nasty, razor sharp scythe that almost seemed to flow with blood. Behind her the maroon-red sun outlining her figure in fire. Reborn. The two archers tried to aim up at her, reloading quickly, and before they could fire...realized their legs weren't attached. They plummeted with screams that echoed into the distance. Feather Twin looked around, trying to find Rosa before a sudden gust of wind surpassed him. A slash along his leg. Another gust of wind, a slash along his chest. His cheek. Ear. Back. Side. The stallion begun swinging his sword to no avail as the bloody scythe dug deep into his side, causing the stallion to scream out in pain, and drop the weapon into the distance. He was now nose-to-nose with the thestral mare. She didn't look happy, or pleased...she looked sad. Sad that it'd come to this. Sad that he'd made the choice, and he knew it was too late. Feather Twin coughed, splattering blood into a foreleg as he looked at her. "You really...were...the Pink Demon from the bo-" His sentenced was cut in half as he was. Rosa remained floating there for a few moments before flying off into the distance and to the ground. The blood she'd used vanishing into a mist as she landed, scythe and stitches gone. She'd walk weakly forwards and peer out into the night. Only one name hung on her lips as she fainted. "Alex." Scars. Dead memories from the past. A permanent strength for those that are willed. They Rise Above It.