Cold Welcomingby ZephyscribeChaptersPart One: welcome to Ponyville Part Two: The messenger Part Four: I Try.Part Five: Judge. Jury, and Executioner Final part: Assumed Reality Part Three: Throwing stonesPart One: welcome to Ponyville Part One: welcome to Ponyville Part One: Welcome to Ponyville The gravel crunched and the mud squelched as the wheels of the chariot passed over, and grinded to a halt. A bright purple pony and her small dragon companion stepped out of the gilded golden chariot and on to the filthy mud laden streets of Ponyville. “ Is this really the right place.” Inquired the purple pony “Yes miss twilight, there is no doubt.” Briskly replied one of the proud guardsponies that pulled the fancy chariot. The guards pony seemed almost eager to fly off and leave the impoverished town of Ponyville far behind. “ I suppose the princess knows best.” Said twilight uncertainly. “Come now spike, we have work to do.” The pony set out into the town with the dragon following close behind. Spike was a baby dragon and his stout legs struggled to keep up with the lengthy stride of Twilight, his caretaker and friend. Clutching a parchment scroll to his chest, the dragon looked around at the sagging and rickety shacks that surrounded him. The buildings of Ponyville were in absolute shambles. The moldy-thatch-roofed houses were crooked and sagging from age and abuse. It was clear that these homes had once been a gleaming white, but over the years had faded to a dull gray. A shallow channel ran down the middle of the road carrying refuse and dung in a stream of putrid water. The little dragon pinched his nose to avoid the smell of decay and poverty. “Uhhg, Twilight lets just deliver the princess’s message and get out of this dump.” “Hush. Spike. Do not be so impolite, a local is coming this way.” Spike looked down at his feet, embarrassed for being scolded in public. The approaching pony was of a bright pink color with balloons for a cutie mark and straight hair hanging like a wet towel on her head. “Um, hello. My name Twilight Sparkle, and I was sent by the princess to perform a census of Ponyville.” The pink pony seemed not to notice twilight and continued to drag her feet and look at her hooves as she passed. “Um, pardon me, but can you hear me…” inquired Twilight. The pink pony looked up and scanned Twilight and Spike with her vibrant blue eyes. “huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!” The pony suddenly exclaimed, and ran off into one of the winding alleyways, and out of sight. “Well that was interesting alright” said Twilight in disbelief. “ Um, well spike lets move on like that never happened.” The dragon nodded. “It says here that we need to go and talk to a pony by the name of Apple Jack because she is the newest mayor of ponyville” said Twilight as she studied a small sheet of paper in her hoof.” The duo; Twilight and Spike, set off along the dirty trail toward Sweet Apple Acres, not knowing that they were heading toward the premature end of their happy lives. Part Two: The messenger Part Two: The messenger Part two: The messenger Knock, knock knock! Twilight hammered on the door of the large ugly building that jutted out of the earth like a giant stone brick. Spike jumped playfully around in the muddy puddles behind her, with a grin on his face. “Spike! Please do not get the scroll all wet.” Spike’s mirthful grin slowly faded, but Twilight had not finished her reprimanding of the little dragon “ If your not going to act mature, than maybe I wont bring you on trips with me any more,” said Twilight harshly. Spikes face twitched and tears formed on the edges of his eyes. “Im…im sorry twilight.” Whimpered the heartbroken dragon. “I was just trying to have some fun” “ This is a business trip not a vacation. Give me the scroll I can’t trust you to keep it safe anymore.” Twilight held her hoof out impatiently to spike. The little dragon began to cry as he reluctantly handed the scroll over to her. “I…I hate you twilight” whispered the dragon. “ You disrespectful lit-” Twilights comment was interrupted as the door that stood behind her swung open, and a yellow-orange pony trotted out. The new comer looked at spike with disdain and disgust. “What is it?” said the pony. “Uh, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I am here looking for mayor Apple Jack. Are you her?” The yellow-orange pony spit on the ground and responded in her thick accent. “Yup, that’s me.” She stood looking impatiently at twilight. “Well are you going to come in?” “Oh, yes.” Twilight look surprised and took a step forward with spike. “Not him. He stays outside.” spat Apple Jack as she pointed at spike. The dragon stopped mid step looking confused. “ You stay out here until you can learn to behave” said twilight strictly. Twilight turned, and the two ponies trotted slowly into the bowels of the facility, leaving spike behind. Twilight thought she was perhaps being a bit too harsh on Spike and his childish antics. But than again that dragon really needed to act more mature in public. “I am sorry for my partners bad attitude. He really is a good dragon usually.” Interjected Twilight as she walked down the claustrophobic hallway with Apple Jack. “Pfft, the only good dragon, is a dead dragon” “Wha…I…I didn’t know that dragon discrimination still existed so close to the capital.” Said Twilight taken aback. “Sugar” replied Apple Jack. “You would do well to learn things fast around here.” The two ponies emerged from the hallway into a massive open room filled with ponies at workstations. The room smelled of dirt and sickly sweet apples. Ponies franticly pealed apple after apples at their stations as a blue Pegasus pony flew overhead with a nasty looking whip clutched in her hooves. “ Come on you whelps pick up the pace.” The blue Pegasus screamed, veins popping as her face contorted in an angry scowl. The Pegasus flew close to a small earth pony that had dropped an apple, screaming in her ear. “ WHAT IS THIS? You think you can just slack off while everypony works their flanks off. I made a promise that I would meet my quota. AND I NEVER GO BACK ON MY WORD! I will give you ten seconds flat to pick up the pace.” “So sorry Miss Rainbow Dash. It w...wont happen again.” Whimpered the little pony as she cowered on the floor. Rainbow Dash began to viscously strike the cowering pony with her hoof. Sticky blood and hair stuck to Rainbow Dash as she continued to pommel the helpless pony. The nearby ponies continued their own work, as if this was an ordinary occurrence. “This is terrible” shouted twilight as she saw the confrontation unfold. “ How can you let such violence and cruelty unfold right in front of you?” Apple Jack raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Rainbow Dash is just very dedicated to her status quo. She’s the most loyal work I have.” “But…but” Twilight stammered. “What would Celestia want me to do?” Thought Twilight. “I wont say anything right now, I will just report this to Celestia later.” The little pony had made up her mind. There was nothing she could do now to help the poor pony, but if she just waited than perhaps later she could. “Shall we move on?” She said forcing a weak smile. The two Ponies moved on through the halls, passing crates of blood red apples labeled Honest Apples. “Honest my flank” said twilight under her breath. “What was that sugar cube?” said Apple Jack, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Oh, It was nothing. Nothing at all.” Part Four: I Try.Part four: I try Twilight sped through the factory, her head lowered so that she could achieve maximum speed. The ponies glanced up from their workstations just long enough to see the unicorn rush past them. They had work to do and wasting any time gawking at the disturbance could earn than a beating from their cruel taskmaster, Rainbow Dash. Twilight ran focusing on a single paternal instinct to rescue Spike. How could something like this be happening? Spike had done nothing wrong. Yet he had been put in danger by the hatred and narrow mindedness of others. This town was a terrible place and Celesitia had to be informed of how dangerous it had become. But first Twilight had to get spike out of here. Twilight burst through the door of the facility out into the cold, thick air. She glanced about quickly trying to access the situation. Spike lay curled in the muck surrounded on all sides by stone-throwing ponies. The Pink Pony was in the front of the mob laughing madly and pumping out a constant stream of well-aimed projectiles. Twilight now realized that this pony was not motivated by hate for dragons or frustrations with the Celesial government, rather she was motivated by a primal and potent feeling of utter delight. This pony could only truly find her joy when she was causing intense moral and physically pain. “No,” shouted Twilight with all of her voice. She knew that she would not have enough time to cast a spell powerful enough to stop the pony’s cruel barrage, so she did the only thing she could think of. Dashing forward Twilight threw herself at Spike, standing over him, shielding him. Twilight moved in the way, but the stones still fell. Twilight screamed in pain, but the stones still fell. Spike cried and begged Twilight to save herself, but the stones still fell. Twilight fell to her knees as blood spattered her mane, but the stones still fell. Looking into Spikes eyes Twilight weakly smiled. The little pony’s body jerked and bent as rocks bounced off of her back. A larger stone hit Twilight’s leg with the dry crack of breaking bones. A drop of blood fell from Twilights mane and onto spikes forehead. “ Twilight, please stop,” said the baby dragon as tears streamed down his bloody face. “Please, don’t. It’s killing you. Stop! Twilight,” Spikes voice cracked as he sobbed. “ I will never leave you Spike.” Said Twilight tenderly. A particularly well-placed rock smacked into the side of Twilights head, causing her neck to snap to the side. Twilights eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapse on top of Spike. “Woo hoo! Pinkie Pie strikes again,” shouted the pink pony as she jumped with glee. The rest of the mob stopped their assault and looked uncertain. “ Did we…kill her,” asked a purple pony in the mob? Pinkie Pie trotted happily over to the collapsed pony and nudged her with her hoof. “ Nope, she’s oikie dokie lokie,” giggled Pinkie Pie. Pinkie began to swiftly strike Twilight with her front hooves. “ Wakey Wakey sleepy pony. We aren’t done playing yet.” Twilight groaned and began to stir. “ That’s a good girl,” exclaimed Pinkie Pie! Pinkie Pie grabbed hold of Twilights mane and pulled her head up out of the muck, exposing her bloody and swollen face. Twilight groaned. Pinkie giggled. Spike softly cried. The mob of ponies watched uncertainly. Pinkie looked into Twilights eyes. “Now why would you defend a disgusting little dragon spawn?” Inquired Pinkie in an abruptly serious tone. “Hmmm? Well tell me.” Smack! Pinkie suddenly smashed Twilights face into the mud and held it there, choking her. “Pinkie…I think that’s enough,” shouted a yellow Pegasus pony that had just flown into the altercation. “ Enough, enough. It’s never enough,” exclaimed Pinkie Pie as she pulled Twilights snout out of the muck. Twilight sputtered and coughed as she gasped for air. “ Please Pinkie. I said that’s enough,” replied the yellow Pegasus. “ You have no right to talk to me like that Fluttershy. You’re just as twisted as I am. No matter how you look at it your just another butcher,” shouted Pinkie Pie as she smothered Twilight in the mire again. Fluttershy jerked back as if Pinkie’s words had physically struck her. “I…I,” stuttered Fluttershy. “ You know I don’t like doing what I do. But I…I have to. It’s the kindest thing for someponies. Pinkie Pie burst into laughter, her hoof still holding down Twilight. “ No one buys your mercy execution and kindness killing. You’re a monster Fluttershy you just can’t see it. Look in a mirror sister.” “I never…i’m,” tears started to form in Fluttershy’s glistening eyes. It was then that something changed inside of Fluttershy. Like a switch being flicked, Fluttershy’s personality changed like a light bulb from light to dark. Her eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed. “ I try so hard,” she whispered calmly. “I really do try Pinkie Pie. To bring a fast death to anypony that needs it. I am no judge. I am no jury. I am only the Executioner,” she suddenly screamed. “ And when I see you torturing a little pony like that…well it really makes me aggravated,” she drew out the last word she said into a long and smooth verbal dagger. “ I try Pinkie. I try so…very…hard,” her eyes began to cross and her entire body began to shake with rage. “ She’s lost it again,” whispered a brown colt in the mob as he stepped back in fear. The rest of the mob began to dislodge them selves from the tight circle and move back away from Fluttershy. They wanted to see what would happen but avoid being drawn into any violent conflict between the two ponies. Fluttershy hovered in the air above Pinkie Pie her face growing more and more wrath. Pinkie still held Twilights head as she sat nonchalantly on the ground, as if bored. The showdown persisted as the two ponies stared down wash others noses. The cold evening air was deathly silent. Suddenly Fluttershy’s face contorted in an angry scowl as she screamed. “ You’re going to love me!” And with that she charged forward, her mane streaming behind her. Part Five: Judge. Jury, and Executioner Part Five: Judge. Jury, and Executioner Part five: Judge, Jury and Executioner. Fluttershy collided with Pinkie Pie with a loud crack! The Pink pony barely had enough time to yelp in pain as Fluttershy pinned her to the ground. With a roar Fluttershy began to smash Pinkie’s nose repeatedly with her hoof. Growling with rage, pinkie head butted her opponent and pulled out of her vice like grip. Fluttershy slipped forward as Pinkie wiggled out of her grasp. Taking advantage of Fluttershys incapacitation, Pinkie kicked hard in the direction of Fluttershy’s unprotected head. Relying on her primal instincts, Fluttershy rolled out of range of the kick and regained her footing. Stalemated, the two ponies circled each other looking for openings. Twilight regained enough consciences to push her self up and observe the quarrel through her swollen eyes. Everything in her body hurt. She rasped for breath and looked down at her back hoof. It was twisted in a grotesque angel. She shuddered looking down at the cowering form of spike beneath her. Twilight knew that if she didn’t do something right away that she would be in even greater peril. Thinking fast she went through a list of spells in her head. Her determination was far greater than her pain, which had become little more than a nagging pressure in the back of her head. Finally she found the spell that she had been seeking for. She brought forth the knowledge from the depths of her conciseness. With a groan and a mighty heave she lifted her self from the mud, rising above the muck that clung to her with zeal. Her horn began to glow illuminating the dark and dismal surroundings. “Look, she’s trying to do something!” somepony shouted from the crowd. Pinkie; who was now on straddling Fluttershy, glanced over just in time to see a tendril of purple energy lash out her. The magical aura lifted Pinkie Pie off the ground. She articulated a single scream before she was dashed against the walls of the facility. A dull crunch resounded. It was utterly quite, the ponies all stood dumbstruck. Twilight panted in exhaustion. She stumbled trying to regain her footing in the think mud. “Spike,” she said softly. “Are you alright.” “I’m so sorry, Twilight. So sorry.” “You didn’t do anything wrong.” Twilights voice was strangely sweet and comforting. The wind tugged at leaves on the nearby trees as Twilight pitched to the side and collapsed, everything went black. Twilight felt a persistent chafe on her cheek that drew her out of the depths of darkness. She lifted her heavy eyelids and squinted into the dim light. She was on a raised wooden platform located in what seemed to be in the town hall of Ponyville. The wood creaked, pushed by the breeze that seemed to constantly tug at the town of Ponyville, even when one was indoors. Twilight felt cold, and a stabbing pain penetrated her scull, the rest of her body throbbed. Her attention was brought back to the material world by the steady scuffing sound that sounded so close to her ear. She twitched and moved her head around to see from where the sound was emanating. The movement, though not abrupt, sent another wave of searing pain to her head and her vision went black for a moment. The color slowly came back to Twilight as she regained her vision. The dull dismal colors flooded in; browns, greens, blacks, gray, and the colors that made up that gloomy town. But there was one anomaly that stood out among the others. It was bright, radiant, and beautiful, like a beacon of hope among the depressing background. It was yellow, a glorious golden yellow. How had Twilight not noticed this golden jewel before, what was her name…Fluttershy? Yes that was her name. Twilight couldn’t help but stare, why was this simple pony having such an effect one her. She was scruffy, plain, and covered with flecks of dirt, yet she was one of the most beautiful things that she had ever seen. “What are you doing?” She snapped despite herself. “Oh…me? I’m sorry. I was…cleaning your injuries. You looked like you were in pain.” Fluttershy whispered. Twilight remained unmoving, her mouth agape. “Your…I looked… like I was in pain?” Twilight suddenly burst into laughter despite herself. “Ha haa haah. Pain? Pain indeed.” Her laughter quickly turned to hysterics and than to sobs. “Oh don’t do that your going to hurt yourself.” Fluttershy held Twilight firmly yet gently. “ Get your hooves off of me. You disgust me. Such hypocrisy how dare-” Twilights irate tirade stopped abruptly. The red-hot anger that had taken over her had been depleted in a matter of seconds. She no longer had the energy to fight. She felt tired, so tired Fluttershy’s vibrant yellow coat no longer seemed as warm and beautiful to look at as it had before. All she saw now was a dirty pegasi trying to clean her wounds with a filthy rag. “I see that you are awake,” came a surly new voice. Rainbow Dash strode up to the platform and looked down at the purple pony. For the first time Twilight realized that she was tied to a post, her hooves bound. Twilight glared up at Rainbow Dash but other wise remained silent. “ Well it’s time to go to your party.” Twilight continued to glare. She had seen what this pony had done to the workers at Sweet Apple acres and she knew that she should just remain silent to avoid getting hurt further. Yet still there was one thing she had to inquire. “ What did you do to spike?” The rainbow manned pegasai grinned as if she was amused. “Oh he’s waiting for you somewhere else. Come on. Lets not keep them waiting.” “ Them?” “Yes them.” Rainbow Dash yanked Twilight up off the ground with a grunt. With deft hooves, Dash quickly released Twilight from her shackles and dragged her toward the door.” “Oh please don’t be so rough,” pleaded Fluttershy as she scrambled to follow. Although it was painful, Twilight was glad that Rainbow Dash was dragging her. She wasn’t sure if her legs would be able to support her own weight. They reached the door and Dash quickly turned and kicked it open with a swift buck. The frigid air rushed in, picking up strands of the ponies manes and flapping them about their bodies. They stepped out into the overcast courtyard in front of the town hall. It was filled with the inhabitants of the entire town, all of them standing quietly and still. A tall podium had been erected with a wider platform beneath it. A gleaming white unicorn sat atop the podium, twirling her plum mane with a wooden gavel and looking altogether bored with her situation. And under her, on the platform, lay the chained and bound form of little Spike. “AH!” The white pony clopped her hooves together. “ You have arrived.” She motioned for Twilight to be brought up to the podium. “Now we can get started.” The white pony placed her hooves on the podium and fidgeted in her cushioned chair until she felt comfortable. Then, holding her hooves out in front of her to address the audience, she said “ My name is Rarity Belle, and I will be your presiding judge over this trial.” She gave her best smile to the silent audience of ponies. The tension was thick as a tub of jelly. Twilight’s heart jumped. There might be a chance that she could get spike out of this town. This Rarity seemed like a reasonable character and perhaps she would see that everything had been one big misunderstanding… But that was before she saw Fluttershy sharpening the huge razor blade on the side of the podium. This was no trial, but an execution. Final part: Assumed Reality Final part: Assumed Reality Twilight no longer had any tears to cry. There was no more grief, no more pain, no more hope, and no more resistance. Only the cold harsh reality remained. Spike sobbed and Twilight glanced down at him saying “ Spike, there is no use in crying. It doesn’t matter anymore, we are done.” Her voice was flat and devoid of emotion. “But Twilight!” gasped Spike, “ we can’t just give up like this. There has to be a way out of this… This…this has to be some kind of sick joke…Twilight please. Rarity interjected with an impatient cough. “Can we please move this along? I have lots of things to do and I am generously lending you my valuable time to hear your case. Now than if you don’t mind.” She cleared her throat once more. “Oh right,” said Rainbow Dash as she briskly deposited Twilight on the platform with spike and released her heavy bonds leaving only a chain around her hooves. Fluttershy stood still, staring down at her hooves as if ashamed. Rarity straightened her back in an attempt to look proper. Apple Jack lay back in her chair, which was placed beside Rarity’s. The two ponies made a clear juxtaposition, the prim and proper judge and the offhand mayor. The crowd remained deadly silent and for a moment there was an uncomfortable pause as Rarity surveyed the purple pony and dragon in front of her. Twilight said nothing. Her mind had gone blank in an attempt to cope with her seemingly imminent demise. Spike had finally stopped whimpering and was pulling himself up, trying to look as brave as he could. Rarity began to read from a scroll that she had produced from within her podium. Yet Twilight heard nothing, she had retreated within her self and a plethora of images began to flow through her, projected on the back of her mind like a photograph. She saw the first time that she had cast a proper spell for her parents, they had been so proud. She recalled when her brother had taken her out of Canterlot to fly kites that they had made from some think parchment and curtain rods. She remembered when she had hatched Spike, and the long nights they had spent chatting with one another. Next she began to remember when the princess scolded her, for a rude remark she had made to another student. Than she recollected on the multiple times that she had been teased and made fun of by other young fillies. Next she remembered when her brother left for the royal guard service, and how upset that had made her. All of the good memories and all of the bad memories, this was Twilight’s life. All of her memories, her experiences, her feelings; was this really what they led up to? Was this moment right here and now her sole purpose for living. Was everything in her life up till now preparing her for this? This cruel, unfair, sad and dismal fate, was it really to be her final recollection? Who was she after all, some random that would be dealt with and swept under the carpet to be forgotten pony? NO! She was not some random pony. She was Twilight Sparkle and even if that meant nothing to anypony in this town it meant something to her. She was not ready to die! Not here, not like this, not now. Snapping out of her brief defeat, Twilight looked up at the tribunal a new look of determination in her eyes. Spike noticed the change, and moved closer to hold her hoof. “My name is Twilight Sparkle, student of Princess Celectia. And I am here to perform a census of Ponyville.” Her voice was now filled with an uncharacteristic confidence. Rainbow Dash glanced up from a parchment that she had been reciting while Twilight had been introvertedly pondering. The bemused Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. “ We’ve established that already. Now then, where were we before I was punctually interrupted,” her voice dripping with sarcasm, she continued. “ The crimes committed by Twilight Sparkle can only be classified as cold blooded murder. Pinkie Pie, the victim, was simply minding her own business when she was brutally killed by this outsider with her magical abilities.” Applejack snorted with amusement, and Fluttershy began to tug on her mane nervously. “ Wait!” shouted Twilight breathlessly. “ I didn’t kill her I just gave her a little nudge.” “HAH!” exploded Rainbow Dash “ A nudge that broke every bone in her body, and smashed the life out of her.” “But…but I didn’t mean to. It wasn’t my fault. She tried to kill me.” Rarity began to tap her hoof on the podium, bored. She sighed, “ We do not have all day dear, and I have things to do, places to be. So I will rush this up and decide the verdict immediately.” The crowd listened intently. “ But I haven’t even had a chance to defend myself,” interjected Twilight. “Oh don’t worry dear I plan to go easy on you,” the white ponies voice was soft and comforting and Twilight felt her heart jump with hope. Rarity smiled sweetly down at the audience and twilight, her gavel held aloft in preparation for the verdict. “ So then everypony, for the crimes committed by Miss Sparkle, her penalty shall be…death by execution.” The gavel hit the podium with a “Whack!” The guillotine was snugly fit around both Twilights and Spikes necks by a solemn Fluttershy. Fluttershy went about her dark work, refusing to meet Twilights eyes. Twilights heart had sank to its lowest point. To be given hope, only to have it ripped away is utter cruelty. She held Spike’s hand as tight as she could to try and comfort him, but there was no comfort in this demise. The crowd of ponies had divulged into talking amongst themselves concerning the verdict. Rainbow Dash stood by to make certain Twilight would not try anything to escape. However Twilight knew there was no escape. There were dozens of ponies all around her, and her bonds restrained her. Rarity trotted up and held a measuring tape up to twilight with her magic. “ Hold still dear, I need to get the measurements for your coffin. Would you like any decorations on it?” Twilight did not answer. “ Everything is…is ready,” muttered Fluttershy. Twilight braced herself for the end. “ Twilight, I’m sorry. I love you,” muttered spike weakly. Twilight squeezed his hand with her hooves. Could this really be the end? Twilight looked around at the plaza. The hideous hues of green and brown that she had noticed before seemed somehow softer and more natural now. She noticed that the dead trees were not in fact dead, and even yielded a few green leaves scattered amongst their branches. For the first time she noticed that the dull houses had brightly painted window frames. This place, Ponyville, was not as dismal a place as she had thought. She began to see beauty where she never would have seen before. As Fluttershy placed her hooves on the lever for the guillotine, Twilights heart grew suddenly warm. She closed her eyes and faint smile graced her lips. Gradually a faint light illuminated from Twilights horn. Growing brighter and brighter the warm light bathed the podium with a splash of magnificent colors. Fluttershy stood dumbstruck, staring at the light. The crowd stepped back uncertainly as Rainbow Dash bellowed, “kill her now, she must be trying to escape!” Everything seemed to happen at once. Rainbow Dash vaulted toward the podium, Rarity covered her eyes cowering behind her podium, Apple Jack bolted upright in her seat as she tried to scramble away, and Fluttershy pulled down hard on the lever dropping the heavy blade. Time seemed to slow down. Twilight opened her eyes to survey the chaos. Everything seemed to be frozen in place except her. Twilight felt the razors presence above her neck by a few inches. She could have tried to escape but she instead embraced it. She accepted everything, her life, her misfortunes, and her pleasant memories. All that was her being, it wasn’t ready to be ended. She couldn’t expect happiness to seek her out all of the time; sometime she just had to create it herself. The moment ended as quickly as it had come on. The blade fell, light flashed, and it was all over. The dirt crumbled softly and the long grass bent as the wheels of the chariot passed over, and grinded to a halt. A bright purple pony and her small dragon companion stepped out of the gilded golden chariot and on to the bright and pleasant streets of Ponyville.“ Is this really the right place, Twilight?” Inquired the small dragon. The purple pony gazed at her surroundings. The quaint white buildings with brightly painted window frames, the vibrant green trees, the vivid cheerful colors, and the brilliant sunlight bathing the town in its warm glow. Somewhere a pink pony placed the final tier on a sweet frosted cake. Elsewhere a tireless pony worked, collecting apples and wiping sweat from her brow. In the sky a blue pony lay napping in the fluffy warm embrace of a cloud, lazily awaiting her shift. On the outskirts of town a yellow pony sang softly to the animals, smiling brighter with every note. In colorful shop a white pony carefully measured out a length of fabric, humming contentedly to herself. “Yes, spike this is definitely the right place.” Said the Purple pony, a smile spreading across her face. -Dedicated to a friend, Davy Downpour. Without his encouragement i would have given up writing. Part Three: Throwing stonesPart three: Throwing stones. Twilight paced back and forth in Apple Jack’s extravagantly furnished office. Apple Jack had her hooves propped up on her desk and was reading over the scroll for what must have been the fourth time already. Apple Jack’s office was located at the top of the huge stone facility with windows lining its gray walls. “When is this pony going to be finished reading the message?” Thought Twilight as she uncomfortably fidgeted about. Something was nagging at the back of Twilights mind and she had the sudden urge to leave this town. She glanced out the large windows and saw spike sitting as stiff as he could on a bench outside of the facility. Twilight smiled, Spike was trying so hard to impress her and show that he was mature. “ I really was to harsh on that little dragon. When I go back down I should apologies to him,” she thought. “Ahem” Apple Jack rudely interjected. “ So what the hey is all of this hooey.” “Well it is a royal writ from the princess herself. Requesting a census to determine the number of ponies living here.” Sputtered twilight. Apple Jack’s blunt rudeness had put twilight off track. “ Nah, not interested” said Apple Jack as she put a toothpick in her mouth. “ Wha…What do you mean by not interested.” Twilight began to grow angry. “ You can’t just be not interested, this is a royal note from the princess.” Spittle flew from Twilights mouth as she raised her voice.” “ I can honestly say…I am not interested, and in this town what I say goes.” Twilight was about to sting back with a reply when she heard a scream from outside that was loud enough to pierce the thick windows and drive into Twilight’s skull. “ Wait that sounded like Spike” Twilight thought frantically. She rushed over to the window and pressed up as closely to it as she could, her nose leaving a print on the glass. It was indeed spike that had screamed. The little dragon had been dragged off of his bench and thrown into a particularly deep and muddy puddle. A group of ponies surrounded him and were jeering at him, and throwing rocks at his soft-underdeveloped baby dragon scales. Twilight immediately recognized the pink pony from earlier in the group. Except now the pink ponies hair was not straight and lank as it had been before, but wild and curly. The pink pony squealed with laughter as she lobbed stones at the tiny baby dragon. Spike tried to get up but the slick mud caused him to slip repeatedly. Unable to stand, the little dragon curled up in the mud and covered his head as the rocks struck him. “Spike no!” screamed Twilight in distress. The purple pony pulled herself away from the window and trotted out of the office as fast as hooves could take her. “She smeared my window. How rude.” Muttered Apple Jack as Twilight bolted from the room.
Part One: welcome to Ponyville Part One: welcome to Ponyville Part One: Welcome to Ponyville The gravel crunched and the mud squelched as the wheels of the chariot passed over, and grinded to a halt. A bright purple pony and her small dragon companion stepped out of the gilded golden chariot and on to the filthy mud laden streets of Ponyville. “ Is this really the right place.” Inquired the purple pony “Yes miss twilight, there is no doubt.” Briskly replied one of the proud guardsponies that pulled the fancy chariot. The guards pony seemed almost eager to fly off and leave the impoverished town of Ponyville far behind. “ I suppose the princess knows best.” Said twilight uncertainly. “Come now spike, we have work to do.” The pony set out into the town with the dragon following close behind. Spike was a baby dragon and his stout legs struggled to keep up with the lengthy stride of Twilight, his caretaker and friend. Clutching a parchment scroll to his chest, the dragon looked around at the sagging and rickety shacks that surrounded him. The buildings of Ponyville were in absolute shambles. The moldy-thatch-roofed houses were crooked and sagging from age and abuse. It was clear that these homes had once been a gleaming white, but over the years had faded to a dull gray. A shallow channel ran down the middle of the road carrying refuse and dung in a stream of putrid water. The little dragon pinched his nose to avoid the smell of decay and poverty. “Uhhg, Twilight lets just deliver the princess’s message and get out of this dump.” “Hush. Spike. Do not be so impolite, a local is coming this way.” Spike looked down at his feet, embarrassed for being scolded in public. The approaching pony was of a bright pink color with balloons for a cutie mark and straight hair hanging like a wet towel on her head. “Um, hello. My name Twilight Sparkle, and I was sent by the princess to perform a census of Ponyville.” The pink pony seemed not to notice twilight and continued to drag her feet and look at her hooves as she passed. “Um, pardon me, but can you hear me…” inquired Twilight. The pink pony looked up and scanned Twilight and Spike with her vibrant blue eyes. “huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!” The pony suddenly exclaimed, and ran off into one of the winding alleyways, and out of sight. “Well that was interesting alright” said Twilight in disbelief. “ Um, well spike lets move on like that never happened.” The dragon nodded. “It says here that we need to go and talk to a pony by the name of Apple Jack because she is the newest mayor of ponyville” said Twilight as she studied a small sheet of paper in her hoof.” The duo; Twilight and Spike, set off along the dirty trail toward Sweet Apple Acres, not knowing that they were heading toward the premature end of their happy lives.
Part Two: The messenger Part Two: The messenger Part two: The messenger Knock, knock knock! Twilight hammered on the door of the large ugly building that jutted out of the earth like a giant stone brick. Spike jumped playfully around in the muddy puddles behind her, with a grin on his face. “Spike! Please do not get the scroll all wet.” Spike’s mirthful grin slowly faded, but Twilight had not finished her reprimanding of the little dragon “ If your not going to act mature, than maybe I wont bring you on trips with me any more,” said Twilight harshly. Spikes face twitched and tears formed on the edges of his eyes. “Im…im sorry twilight.” Whimpered the heartbroken dragon. “I was just trying to have some fun” “ This is a business trip not a vacation. Give me the scroll I can’t trust you to keep it safe anymore.” Twilight held her hoof out impatiently to spike. The little dragon began to cry as he reluctantly handed the scroll over to her. “I…I hate you twilight” whispered the dragon. “ You disrespectful lit-” Twilights comment was interrupted as the door that stood behind her swung open, and a yellow-orange pony trotted out. The new comer looked at spike with disdain and disgust. “What is it?” said the pony. “Uh, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I am here looking for mayor Apple Jack. Are you her?” The yellow-orange pony spit on the ground and responded in her thick accent. “Yup, that’s me.” She stood looking impatiently at twilight. “Well are you going to come in?” “Oh, yes.” Twilight look surprised and took a step forward with spike. “Not him. He stays outside.” spat Apple Jack as she pointed at spike. The dragon stopped mid step looking confused. “ You stay out here until you can learn to behave” said twilight strictly. Twilight turned, and the two ponies trotted slowly into the bowels of the facility, leaving spike behind. Twilight thought she was perhaps being a bit too harsh on Spike and his childish antics. But than again that dragon really needed to act more mature in public. “I am sorry for my partners bad attitude. He really is a good dragon usually.” Interjected Twilight as she walked down the claustrophobic hallway with Apple Jack. “Pfft, the only good dragon, is a dead dragon” “Wha…I…I didn’t know that dragon discrimination still existed so close to the capital.” Said Twilight taken aback. “Sugar” replied Apple Jack. “You would do well to learn things fast around here.” The two ponies emerged from the hallway into a massive open room filled with ponies at workstations. The room smelled of dirt and sickly sweet apples. Ponies franticly pealed apple after apples at their stations as a blue Pegasus pony flew overhead with a nasty looking whip clutched in her hooves. “ Come on you whelps pick up the pace.” The blue Pegasus screamed, veins popping as her face contorted in an angry scowl. The Pegasus flew close to a small earth pony that had dropped an apple, screaming in her ear. “ WHAT IS THIS? You think you can just slack off while everypony works their flanks off. I made a promise that I would meet my quota. AND I NEVER GO BACK ON MY WORD! I will give you ten seconds flat to pick up the pace.” “So sorry Miss Rainbow Dash. It w...wont happen again.” Whimpered the little pony as she cowered on the floor. Rainbow Dash began to viscously strike the cowering pony with her hoof. Sticky blood and hair stuck to Rainbow Dash as she continued to pommel the helpless pony. The nearby ponies continued their own work, as if this was an ordinary occurrence. “This is terrible” shouted twilight as she saw the confrontation unfold. “ How can you let such violence and cruelty unfold right in front of you?” Apple Jack raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Rainbow Dash is just very dedicated to her status quo. She’s the most loyal work I have.” “But…but” Twilight stammered. “What would Celestia want me to do?” Thought Twilight. “I wont say anything right now, I will just report this to Celestia later.” The little pony had made up her mind. There was nothing she could do now to help the poor pony, but if she just waited than perhaps later she could. “Shall we move on?” She said forcing a weak smile. The two Ponies moved on through the halls, passing crates of blood red apples labeled Honest Apples. “Honest my flank” said twilight under her breath. “What was that sugar cube?” said Apple Jack, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Oh, It was nothing. Nothing at all.”
Part Four: I Try.Part four: I try Twilight sped through the factory, her head lowered so that she could achieve maximum speed. The ponies glanced up from their workstations just long enough to see the unicorn rush past them. They had work to do and wasting any time gawking at the disturbance could earn than a beating from their cruel taskmaster, Rainbow Dash. Twilight ran focusing on a single paternal instinct to rescue Spike. How could something like this be happening? Spike had done nothing wrong. Yet he had been put in danger by the hatred and narrow mindedness of others. This town was a terrible place and Celesitia had to be informed of how dangerous it had become. But first Twilight had to get spike out of here. Twilight burst through the door of the facility out into the cold, thick air. She glanced about quickly trying to access the situation. Spike lay curled in the muck surrounded on all sides by stone-throwing ponies. The Pink Pony was in the front of the mob laughing madly and pumping out a constant stream of well-aimed projectiles. Twilight now realized that this pony was not motivated by hate for dragons or frustrations with the Celesial government, rather she was motivated by a primal and potent feeling of utter delight. This pony could only truly find her joy when she was causing intense moral and physically pain. “No,” shouted Twilight with all of her voice. She knew that she would not have enough time to cast a spell powerful enough to stop the pony’s cruel barrage, so she did the only thing she could think of. Dashing forward Twilight threw herself at Spike, standing over him, shielding him. Twilight moved in the way, but the stones still fell. Twilight screamed in pain, but the stones still fell. Spike cried and begged Twilight to save herself, but the stones still fell. Twilight fell to her knees as blood spattered her mane, but the stones still fell. Looking into Spikes eyes Twilight weakly smiled. The little pony’s body jerked and bent as rocks bounced off of her back. A larger stone hit Twilight’s leg with the dry crack of breaking bones. A drop of blood fell from Twilights mane and onto spikes forehead. “ Twilight, please stop,” said the baby dragon as tears streamed down his bloody face. “Please, don’t. It’s killing you. Stop! Twilight,” Spikes voice cracked as he sobbed. “ I will never leave you Spike.” Said Twilight tenderly. A particularly well-placed rock smacked into the side of Twilights head, causing her neck to snap to the side. Twilights eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapse on top of Spike. “Woo hoo! Pinkie Pie strikes again,” shouted the pink pony as she jumped with glee. The rest of the mob stopped their assault and looked uncertain. “ Did we…kill her,” asked a purple pony in the mob? Pinkie Pie trotted happily over to the collapsed pony and nudged her with her hoof. “ Nope, she’s oikie dokie lokie,” giggled Pinkie Pie. Pinkie began to swiftly strike Twilight with her front hooves. “ Wakey Wakey sleepy pony. We aren’t done playing yet.” Twilight groaned and began to stir. “ That’s a good girl,” exclaimed Pinkie Pie! Pinkie Pie grabbed hold of Twilights mane and pulled her head up out of the muck, exposing her bloody and swollen face. Twilight groaned. Pinkie giggled. Spike softly cried. The mob of ponies watched uncertainly. Pinkie looked into Twilights eyes. “Now why would you defend a disgusting little dragon spawn?” Inquired Pinkie in an abruptly serious tone. “Hmmm? Well tell me.” Smack! Pinkie suddenly smashed Twilights face into the mud and held it there, choking her. “Pinkie…I think that’s enough,” shouted a yellow Pegasus pony that had just flown into the altercation. “ Enough, enough. It’s never enough,” exclaimed Pinkie Pie as she pulled Twilights snout out of the muck. Twilight sputtered and coughed as she gasped for air. “ Please Pinkie. I said that’s enough,” replied the yellow Pegasus. “ You have no right to talk to me like that Fluttershy. You’re just as twisted as I am. No matter how you look at it your just another butcher,” shouted Pinkie Pie as she smothered Twilight in the mire again. Fluttershy jerked back as if Pinkie’s words had physically struck her. “I…I,” stuttered Fluttershy. “ You know I don’t like doing what I do. But I…I have to. It’s the kindest thing for someponies. Pinkie Pie burst into laughter, her hoof still holding down Twilight. “ No one buys your mercy execution and kindness killing. You’re a monster Fluttershy you just can’t see it. Look in a mirror sister.” “I never…i’m,” tears started to form in Fluttershy’s glistening eyes. It was then that something changed inside of Fluttershy. Like a switch being flicked, Fluttershy’s personality changed like a light bulb from light to dark. Her eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed. “ I try so hard,” she whispered calmly. “I really do try Pinkie Pie. To bring a fast death to anypony that needs it. I am no judge. I am no jury. I am only the Executioner,” she suddenly screamed. “ And when I see you torturing a little pony like that…well it really makes me aggravated,” she drew out the last word she said into a long and smooth verbal dagger. “ I try Pinkie. I try so…very…hard,” her eyes began to cross and her entire body began to shake with rage. “ She’s lost it again,” whispered a brown colt in the mob as he stepped back in fear. The rest of the mob began to dislodge them selves from the tight circle and move back away from Fluttershy. They wanted to see what would happen but avoid being drawn into any violent conflict between the two ponies. Fluttershy hovered in the air above Pinkie Pie her face growing more and more wrath. Pinkie still held Twilights head as she sat nonchalantly on the ground, as if bored. The showdown persisted as the two ponies stared down wash others noses. The cold evening air was deathly silent. Suddenly Fluttershy’s face contorted in an angry scowl as she screamed. “ You’re going to love me!” And with that she charged forward, her mane streaming behind her.
Part Five: Judge. Jury, and Executioner Part Five: Judge. Jury, and Executioner Part five: Judge, Jury and Executioner. Fluttershy collided with Pinkie Pie with a loud crack! The Pink pony barely had enough time to yelp in pain as Fluttershy pinned her to the ground. With a roar Fluttershy began to smash Pinkie’s nose repeatedly with her hoof. Growling with rage, pinkie head butted her opponent and pulled out of her vice like grip. Fluttershy slipped forward as Pinkie wiggled out of her grasp. Taking advantage of Fluttershys incapacitation, Pinkie kicked hard in the direction of Fluttershy’s unprotected head. Relying on her primal instincts, Fluttershy rolled out of range of the kick and regained her footing. Stalemated, the two ponies circled each other looking for openings. Twilight regained enough consciences to push her self up and observe the quarrel through her swollen eyes. Everything in her body hurt. She rasped for breath and looked down at her back hoof. It was twisted in a grotesque angel. She shuddered looking down at the cowering form of spike beneath her. Twilight knew that if she didn’t do something right away that she would be in even greater peril. Thinking fast she went through a list of spells in her head. Her determination was far greater than her pain, which had become little more than a nagging pressure in the back of her head. Finally she found the spell that she had been seeking for. She brought forth the knowledge from the depths of her conciseness. With a groan and a mighty heave she lifted her self from the mud, rising above the muck that clung to her with zeal. Her horn began to glow illuminating the dark and dismal surroundings. “Look, she’s trying to do something!” somepony shouted from the crowd. Pinkie; who was now on straddling Fluttershy, glanced over just in time to see a tendril of purple energy lash out her. The magical aura lifted Pinkie Pie off the ground. She articulated a single scream before she was dashed against the walls of the facility. A dull crunch resounded. It was utterly quite, the ponies all stood dumbstruck. Twilight panted in exhaustion. She stumbled trying to regain her footing in the think mud. “Spike,” she said softly. “Are you alright.” “I’m so sorry, Twilight. So sorry.” “You didn’t do anything wrong.” Twilights voice was strangely sweet and comforting. The wind tugged at leaves on the nearby trees as Twilight pitched to the side and collapsed, everything went black. Twilight felt a persistent chafe on her cheek that drew her out of the depths of darkness. She lifted her heavy eyelids and squinted into the dim light. She was on a raised wooden platform located in what seemed to be in the town hall of Ponyville. The wood creaked, pushed by the breeze that seemed to constantly tug at the town of Ponyville, even when one was indoors. Twilight felt cold, and a stabbing pain penetrated her scull, the rest of her body throbbed. Her attention was brought back to the material world by the steady scuffing sound that sounded so close to her ear. She twitched and moved her head around to see from where the sound was emanating. The movement, though not abrupt, sent another wave of searing pain to her head and her vision went black for a moment. The color slowly came back to Twilight as she regained her vision. The dull dismal colors flooded in; browns, greens, blacks, gray, and the colors that made up that gloomy town. But there was one anomaly that stood out among the others. It was bright, radiant, and beautiful, like a beacon of hope among the depressing background. It was yellow, a glorious golden yellow. How had Twilight not noticed this golden jewel before, what was her name…Fluttershy? Yes that was her name. Twilight couldn’t help but stare, why was this simple pony having such an effect one her. She was scruffy, plain, and covered with flecks of dirt, yet she was one of the most beautiful things that she had ever seen. “What are you doing?” She snapped despite herself. “Oh…me? I’m sorry. I was…cleaning your injuries. You looked like you were in pain.” Fluttershy whispered. Twilight remained unmoving, her mouth agape. “Your…I looked… like I was in pain?” Twilight suddenly burst into laughter despite herself. “Ha haa haah. Pain? Pain indeed.” Her laughter quickly turned to hysterics and than to sobs. “Oh don’t do that your going to hurt yourself.” Fluttershy held Twilight firmly yet gently. “ Get your hooves off of me. You disgust me. Such hypocrisy how dare-” Twilights irate tirade stopped abruptly. The red-hot anger that had taken over her had been depleted in a matter of seconds. She no longer had the energy to fight. She felt tired, so tired Fluttershy’s vibrant yellow coat no longer seemed as warm and beautiful to look at as it had before. All she saw now was a dirty pegasi trying to clean her wounds with a filthy rag. “I see that you are awake,” came a surly new voice. Rainbow Dash strode up to the platform and looked down at the purple pony. For the first time Twilight realized that she was tied to a post, her hooves bound. Twilight glared up at Rainbow Dash but other wise remained silent. “ Well it’s time to go to your party.” Twilight continued to glare. She had seen what this pony had done to the workers at Sweet Apple acres and she knew that she should just remain silent to avoid getting hurt further. Yet still there was one thing she had to inquire. “ What did you do to spike?” The rainbow manned pegasai grinned as if she was amused. “Oh he’s waiting for you somewhere else. Come on. Lets not keep them waiting.” “ Them?” “Yes them.” Rainbow Dash yanked Twilight up off the ground with a grunt. With deft hooves, Dash quickly released Twilight from her shackles and dragged her toward the door.” “Oh please don’t be so rough,” pleaded Fluttershy as she scrambled to follow. Although it was painful, Twilight was glad that Rainbow Dash was dragging her. She wasn’t sure if her legs would be able to support her own weight. They reached the door and Dash quickly turned and kicked it open with a swift buck. The frigid air rushed in, picking up strands of the ponies manes and flapping them about their bodies. They stepped out into the overcast courtyard in front of the town hall. It was filled with the inhabitants of the entire town, all of them standing quietly and still. A tall podium had been erected with a wider platform beneath it. A gleaming white unicorn sat atop the podium, twirling her plum mane with a wooden gavel and looking altogether bored with her situation. And under her, on the platform, lay the chained and bound form of little Spike. “AH!” The white pony clopped her hooves together. “ You have arrived.” She motioned for Twilight to be brought up to the podium. “Now we can get started.” The white pony placed her hooves on the podium and fidgeted in her cushioned chair until she felt comfortable. Then, holding her hooves out in front of her to address the audience, she said “ My name is Rarity Belle, and I will be your presiding judge over this trial.” She gave her best smile to the silent audience of ponies. The tension was thick as a tub of jelly. Twilight’s heart jumped. There might be a chance that she could get spike out of this town. This Rarity seemed like a reasonable character and perhaps she would see that everything had been one big misunderstanding… But that was before she saw Fluttershy sharpening the huge razor blade on the side of the podium. This was no trial, but an execution.
Final part: Assumed Reality Final part: Assumed Reality Twilight no longer had any tears to cry. There was no more grief, no more pain, no more hope, and no more resistance. Only the cold harsh reality remained. Spike sobbed and Twilight glanced down at him saying “ Spike, there is no use in crying. It doesn’t matter anymore, we are done.” Her voice was flat and devoid of emotion. “But Twilight!” gasped Spike, “ we can’t just give up like this. There has to be a way out of this… This…this has to be some kind of sick joke…Twilight please. Rarity interjected with an impatient cough. “Can we please move this along? I have lots of things to do and I am generously lending you my valuable time to hear your case. Now than if you don’t mind.” She cleared her throat once more. “Oh right,” said Rainbow Dash as she briskly deposited Twilight on the platform with spike and released her heavy bonds leaving only a chain around her hooves. Fluttershy stood still, staring down at her hooves as if ashamed. Rarity straightened her back in an attempt to look proper. Apple Jack lay back in her chair, which was placed beside Rarity’s. The two ponies made a clear juxtaposition, the prim and proper judge and the offhand mayor. The crowd remained deadly silent and for a moment there was an uncomfortable pause as Rarity surveyed the purple pony and dragon in front of her. Twilight said nothing. Her mind had gone blank in an attempt to cope with her seemingly imminent demise. Spike had finally stopped whimpering and was pulling himself up, trying to look as brave as he could. Rarity began to read from a scroll that she had produced from within her podium. Yet Twilight heard nothing, she had retreated within her self and a plethora of images began to flow through her, projected on the back of her mind like a photograph. She saw the first time that she had cast a proper spell for her parents, they had been so proud. She recalled when her brother had taken her out of Canterlot to fly kites that they had made from some think parchment and curtain rods. She remembered when she had hatched Spike, and the long nights they had spent chatting with one another. Next she began to remember when the princess scolded her, for a rude remark she had made to another student. Than she recollected on the multiple times that she had been teased and made fun of by other young fillies. Next she remembered when her brother left for the royal guard service, and how upset that had made her. All of the good memories and all of the bad memories, this was Twilight’s life. All of her memories, her experiences, her feelings; was this really what they led up to? Was this moment right here and now her sole purpose for living. Was everything in her life up till now preparing her for this? This cruel, unfair, sad and dismal fate, was it really to be her final recollection? Who was she after all, some random that would be dealt with and swept under the carpet to be forgotten pony? NO! She was not some random pony. She was Twilight Sparkle and even if that meant nothing to anypony in this town it meant something to her. She was not ready to die! Not here, not like this, not now. Snapping out of her brief defeat, Twilight looked up at the tribunal a new look of determination in her eyes. Spike noticed the change, and moved closer to hold her hoof. “My name is Twilight Sparkle, student of Princess Celectia. And I am here to perform a census of Ponyville.” Her voice was now filled with an uncharacteristic confidence. Rainbow Dash glanced up from a parchment that she had been reciting while Twilight had been introvertedly pondering. The bemused Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. “ We’ve established that already. Now then, where were we before I was punctually interrupted,” her voice dripping with sarcasm, she continued. “ The crimes committed by Twilight Sparkle can only be classified as cold blooded murder. Pinkie Pie, the victim, was simply minding her own business when she was brutally killed by this outsider with her magical abilities.” Applejack snorted with amusement, and Fluttershy began to tug on her mane nervously. “ Wait!” shouted Twilight breathlessly. “ I didn’t kill her I just gave her a little nudge.” “HAH!” exploded Rainbow Dash “ A nudge that broke every bone in her body, and smashed the life out of her.” “But…but I didn’t mean to. It wasn’t my fault. She tried to kill me.” Rarity began to tap her hoof on the podium, bored. She sighed, “ We do not have all day dear, and I have things to do, places to be. So I will rush this up and decide the verdict immediately.” The crowd listened intently. “ But I haven’t even had a chance to defend myself,” interjected Twilight. “Oh don’t worry dear I plan to go easy on you,” the white ponies voice was soft and comforting and Twilight felt her heart jump with hope. Rarity smiled sweetly down at the audience and twilight, her gavel held aloft in preparation for the verdict. “ So then everypony, for the crimes committed by Miss Sparkle, her penalty shall be…death by execution.” The gavel hit the podium with a “Whack!” The guillotine was snugly fit around both Twilights and Spikes necks by a solemn Fluttershy. Fluttershy went about her dark work, refusing to meet Twilights eyes. Twilights heart had sank to its lowest point. To be given hope, only to have it ripped away is utter cruelty. She held Spike’s hand as tight as she could to try and comfort him, but there was no comfort in this demise. The crowd of ponies had divulged into talking amongst themselves concerning the verdict. Rainbow Dash stood by to make certain Twilight would not try anything to escape. However Twilight knew there was no escape. There were dozens of ponies all around her, and her bonds restrained her. Rarity trotted up and held a measuring tape up to twilight with her magic. “ Hold still dear, I need to get the measurements for your coffin. Would you like any decorations on it?” Twilight did not answer. “ Everything is…is ready,” muttered Fluttershy. Twilight braced herself for the end. “ Twilight, I’m sorry. I love you,” muttered spike weakly. Twilight squeezed his hand with her hooves. Could this really be the end? Twilight looked around at the plaza. The hideous hues of green and brown that she had noticed before seemed somehow softer and more natural now. She noticed that the dead trees were not in fact dead, and even yielded a few green leaves scattered amongst their branches. For the first time she noticed that the dull houses had brightly painted window frames. This place, Ponyville, was not as dismal a place as she had thought. She began to see beauty where she never would have seen before. As Fluttershy placed her hooves on the lever for the guillotine, Twilights heart grew suddenly warm. She closed her eyes and faint smile graced her lips. Gradually a faint light illuminated from Twilights horn. Growing brighter and brighter the warm light bathed the podium with a splash of magnificent colors. Fluttershy stood dumbstruck, staring at the light. The crowd stepped back uncertainly as Rainbow Dash bellowed, “kill her now, she must be trying to escape!” Everything seemed to happen at once. Rainbow Dash vaulted toward the podium, Rarity covered her eyes cowering behind her podium, Apple Jack bolted upright in her seat as she tried to scramble away, and Fluttershy pulled down hard on the lever dropping the heavy blade. Time seemed to slow down. Twilight opened her eyes to survey the chaos. Everything seemed to be frozen in place except her. Twilight felt the razors presence above her neck by a few inches. She could have tried to escape but she instead embraced it. She accepted everything, her life, her misfortunes, and her pleasant memories. All that was her being, it wasn’t ready to be ended. She couldn’t expect happiness to seek her out all of the time; sometime she just had to create it herself. The moment ended as quickly as it had come on. The blade fell, light flashed, and it was all over. The dirt crumbled softly and the long grass bent as the wheels of the chariot passed over, and grinded to a halt. A bright purple pony and her small dragon companion stepped out of the gilded golden chariot and on to the bright and pleasant streets of Ponyville.“ Is this really the right place, Twilight?” Inquired the small dragon. The purple pony gazed at her surroundings. The quaint white buildings with brightly painted window frames, the vibrant green trees, the vivid cheerful colors, and the brilliant sunlight bathing the town in its warm glow. Somewhere a pink pony placed the final tier on a sweet frosted cake. Elsewhere a tireless pony worked, collecting apples and wiping sweat from her brow. In the sky a blue pony lay napping in the fluffy warm embrace of a cloud, lazily awaiting her shift. On the outskirts of town a yellow pony sang softly to the animals, smiling brighter with every note. In colorful shop a white pony carefully measured out a length of fabric, humming contentedly to herself. “Yes, spike this is definitely the right place.” Said the Purple pony, a smile spreading across her face. -Dedicated to a friend, Davy Downpour. Without his encouragement i would have given up writing.
Part Three: Throwing stonesPart three: Throwing stones. Twilight paced back and forth in Apple Jack’s extravagantly furnished office. Apple Jack had her hooves propped up on her desk and was reading over the scroll for what must have been the fourth time already. Apple Jack’s office was located at the top of the huge stone facility with windows lining its gray walls. “When is this pony going to be finished reading the message?” Thought Twilight as she uncomfortably fidgeted about. Something was nagging at the back of Twilights mind and she had the sudden urge to leave this town. She glanced out the large windows and saw spike sitting as stiff as he could on a bench outside of the facility. Twilight smiled, Spike was trying so hard to impress her and show that he was mature. “ I really was to harsh on that little dragon. When I go back down I should apologies to him,” she thought. “Ahem” Apple Jack rudely interjected. “ So what the hey is all of this hooey.” “Well it is a royal writ from the princess herself. Requesting a census to determine the number of ponies living here.” Sputtered twilight. Apple Jack’s blunt rudeness had put twilight off track. “ Nah, not interested” said Apple Jack as she put a toothpick in her mouth. “ Wha…What do you mean by not interested.” Twilight began to grow angry. “ You can’t just be not interested, this is a royal note from the princess.” Spittle flew from Twilights mouth as she raised her voice.” “ I can honestly say…I am not interested, and in this town what I say goes.” Twilight was about to sting back with a reply when she heard a scream from outside that was loud enough to pierce the thick windows and drive into Twilight’s skull. “ Wait that sounded like Spike” Twilight thought frantically. She rushed over to the window and pressed up as closely to it as she could, her nose leaving a print on the glass. It was indeed spike that had screamed. The little dragon had been dragged off of his bench and thrown into a particularly deep and muddy puddle. A group of ponies surrounded him and were jeering at him, and throwing rocks at his soft-underdeveloped baby dragon scales. Twilight immediately recognized the pink pony from earlier in the group. Except now the pink ponies hair was not straight and lank as it had been before, but wild and curly. The pink pony squealed with laughter as she lobbed stones at the tiny baby dragon. Spike tried to get up but the slick mud caused him to slip repeatedly. Unable to stand, the little dragon curled up in the mud and covered his head as the rocks struck him. “Spike no!” screamed Twilight in distress. The purple pony pulled herself away from the window and trotted out of the office as fast as hooves could take her. “She smeared my window. How rude.” Muttered Apple Jack as Twilight bolted from the room.
