The Interrogation: Spared Changeby Post ScriptChaptersPrologueDay OneDay TwoThe Final DayEpiloguePrologueThe Interrogation: Spared Change “Kid, are you sure you want to go after the Crystal Tear right away? You aren’t ready for it, I’m telling you,” Fleetfoot said. Fleetfoot, like so many of his brothers in the Guild, had become quiet and cautious, forever jumping from shadows in case she found him. “Fleetfoot, for the last time, I know what I’m doing,” Purse Cutter said to his old friend. Ever since he had announced his intention to steal the priceless jewel from the Canterlot Museum of Art, his peers had begun to whisper behind his back. They claimed that the pressure being placed on the Guild by Princess Celestia had finally gotten to him, as it had so many others. For months now she had been thinning their ranks, somehow ‘reforming’ them into polite, productive members of society. The idea brought a smile to the arrogant young pony's face. Just try it, Celestia. I can’t wait, he thought to himself. “Well it’s your funeral, kid. I’d say I’ll see you later, but we both know I won’t. She’ll make sure of that. Are you sure you want to do this?” “...Oh, trust me, no matter what happens tonight, I’ll be fine, “ he said, turning away with an unearned confidence. As he left the room, he noticed that every eye in the Great Hall of the Thieves Guild was on him. Some were fearful, while others held a cautious optimism, even a spark of hope. Purse Cutter was known to be fairly reckless for a thief of his rank, and he had been planning to deal with the ‘Tyrant’ for quite some time. “Dead stallion walking!” one jeered from the back of the crowd. “Why are you doing this? You can’t stop her, so why try?” asked another. “My reasons are my own,” he said for the thousandth time. It still felt as though he had only just announced his plans yesterday. He could still remember the cheers, the partying that night had brought. But now that the time had come there was no cheering, no offers of free drinks or begging for him to reconsider. Only the same sort of cold, solemn silence usually reserved for remembrance of a lost comrade. As Purse Cutter took one last look around the room, each face brought with it a memory etched into his heart. Some good, some bad, but all precious to him in their own way. His stony expression finally broke into a warm smile. “See you later,” he said happily as he walked out through the great wooden gates of their hideout one last time. *** The museum was quiet, empty. A stage, and the performers were all about to make their appearance. Cutter breathed deeply, staring at his prize. It glistened eerily in the darkness, radiating a light that was entirely its own. To any other thief, it would have been his goal, but to Cutter it was merely a doorbell. He approached slowly, as if enacting a summoning ritual. He knew he would get caught, but for him that was the point. Mere moments after he grabbed the jewel ten spears were at his throat. He played dumb. “Damnit, I can’t believe this!” he growled. “This gem was going to change my life!” “Oh, it will, lad,” one of the guards said mockingly. “Once she gets ahold of you.” The others laughed, and Cutter stood there, frozen. Seconds later, Princess Luna glided in through a window in the roof of the building, draped in the night itself. Even for one as arrogant as Purse Cutter, she inspired awe and fear in equal measure. “What doest thou desire? Tell me, as all the others have.” Cutter grinned wickedly. There was no sense in lying to her. “A challenge,” he said. “Hmph,” she said, thoroughly unimpressed. “Sleep.” The world around him became soft and warm, as if he was resting his head on a pillow under a beam of summer light. He felt himself being lifted, and the giddy joy of flight enveloped his heart. For the first time in years he felt like a child again; a genuine joy replaced the smug feeling of pride he had thought was happiness for so long. *** Cutter opened his eyes, and rubbed them until he could see clearly, burning as he forced them to adjust to the light of the room around him. At first he had assumed it was the throne room, but for all its marble pillars and grand tapestries lining the walls it was a strangely serene place, not at all like what he had expected. He found himself sitting on an enormous velvet cushion, but was too uncertain of his surrounding to risk moving. Weird, I thought it’d be a cheap, hollow castle full of tacky expensive stuff, but it’s so quiet... “Good morning, young one,” a kind, motherly voice said. Cutter turned, and saw Princess Celestia sitting before him, pouring a cup of tea. “Good morning, Princess,” he said, his tone neutral. “I know you did this intentionally,” she said, her voice still kind and gentle. “For the challenge, was it not? Interesting. Most of your peers saw me as a fate worse than death, yet you sought me out. You could have simply asked, if you wished to speak with me.” “The theft was a statement of intent, Your Highness. I wanted to prove that you are nothing more to fear than a jail sentence. I will not be changed by whatever strange tricks you’ve used on the others,” he said, his voice full of pride. “Would you like some tea?” she asked, handing him a cup. “Alright,” he said, picking up the cup and sipping it a little too eagerly. He had hoped his willingness to go along with whatever game she was playing would surprise her, but her face was as serene as ever. “You aren’t surprised I haven't asked for a different cup? That I don’t think this is drugged?” “No,” she said simply. “You aren’t the first to try this tactic, by the way.” A chill ran down his spine. No. No! Keep calm, even if others have tried to address her like this, you can still defeat her! You’ve braved worse, now make your brothers in the guild proud! he thought to himself, beginning to panic. “S-so, what are we going to talk about? I assume that’s how this works. That or you blast me with one of those “Conformation Spells” you love so much…” he said, shifting about on his cushion a little uncomfortably. “Oh, you mean the Reformation Spell? I’ve never used that on anyone. Frankly, I only allowed Twilight to use it because she wasn’t ready at the time for more… diplomatic means. Thankfully, the business with Discord didn’t even require it, in the end,” she said, taking a sip from her own cup. “I’ve seen what you do to them. They come here as adventurous souls, ready for anything, and leave as broken shells, smiling simpletons like all the rest. You claimed my mentor, Shadow Shifter. Now he’s content to ‘live’ as a teacher, if you can even call that a life,” he spat, throwing the Princess a look of utter hatred. She didn’t even blink. “I have changed no one. They chose to change. I merely showed them what they could become,” she said. “Oh? And what do you see in me, ‘Your Highness’?” he said, putting a nasty edge of sarcasm to the title. To his surprise her gaze turned to one of sadness, sympathy. She placed her tea down on the saucer, and carefully stared into his eyes for a few seconds, as if to gain some understanding of what hid behind them. “In you? I sense sadness. Deep, unfathomable sadness. The last one, Chase, was full of anger, but you carry a terrible sorrow with you, Sunny Ski-” “Don’t you EVER call me that name!” he shouted, suddenly standing up. His mask cracked and fell away, revealing an anger that until now he had been able to hold in check. “You hide your true self, as if it dulls the pain... but it doesn’t, does it?” she asked. “I won’t change! I don’t care what you say or do! I’ll let it wash over me, pass through me! The others failed because they resisted, but I’m smarter than that! I’ll let your words glide off my back, and then you’ll finally realize you can’t win!” he said, his voice a bitter blend of conviction and spite. “Win?” she said, her eyes as sympathetic as before. “I don’t care about winning. I want to help you, child,” she said, raising her cup but not drinking from it yet. “Help me become an ‘upstanding citizen’, like the rest of those zombies? All of my friends, they’re gone now! Dead!” “They’re not dead, they have simply changed their minds.” “Or had their minds changed for them,” he muttered darkly, “The ponies I knew and loved are dead,replaced by dreamy-eyed husks,” he said in a bitter whisper. “...I think that’s enough for today,” she said, lowering her teacup. “When can I leave? Once I’m a good little boy?” he said, snarling at her. “Three days. If you still wish to leave after that, then you may,” she said. As he turned to be escorted to a room outside, she said one last thing. “Your brother misses you.” Cutter stopped. For a second, his past fell upon him like the coldest rain. He turned back, his eyes full of tears. “He can’t. He’s gone. Goodnight, Princess.” Day One “Good morning, Purse Cutter. Did you sleep well?” the princess asked as he stumbled through the doors to her room groggily. “For a hostage,” he managed, his head aching. In truth, he had barely slept at all, despite the luxurious room he had been provided. “I don’t get what you’re trying to do here. I can’t help but think you’re just waiting for me to let my guard down…” he said, eyeing Celestia suspiciously. “What would you like for breakfast?” she asked, ignoring his question entirely with a sweet smile. Cutter considered the question for a few moments, then slowly broke into a devious grin. “The most expensive cake in Equestria, on a silver platter. If I’m going to be a guest here, I’m going to make things as difficult as I can for you.” To his immediate chagrin, she smiled and simply summoned the food out of mid air with a spell. “...that didn’t cost you a thing, did it?” he said, disappointed. “Kindness never does,” she said happily. “Now then, what would you like to ask me today?” This question deeply confused the stallion. He backed away slightly. “What? I thought you were the one who was going to ask the questions here,” he said, taking the smallest, still-suspicious bite from his cake. “We’ll get to that in good time, but for now I think I’d rather listen to yours instead. After all, you are as welcome to question me as I am to question you.” “... okay,” he said at last. “Why won’t you just let me leave yet? All I want is my freedom!” “Really now? Then why didn’t you try to escape last night? I had made sure the doors leading to a guaranteed escape were unlocked. All of them,” she smiled knowingly. “W-well… I need to prove that you can’t change me. I won’t be like the rest.” “Like the rest? No, you won’t be. They have all found their happiness in their own ways; no two ever quite came to the same conclusion, though many came to similar ones.” Cutter was starting to get irritated. He decided to bring out the big guns, pushing his breakfast aside and walking forward angrily. “...Well then, your kind and gentle Majesty,” he snarled. “Did any of them beg? Cry? Plea that you let them keep whatever precious individuality they had before you TORE IT OUT OF THEM?” he snarled, his voice echoing through the chamber. The smile fell from Celestia’s face, replaced by a look of shame. She closed her eyes. “A few. I allowed them to leave immediately. It would have been cruel to force them to stay in such fear of me. I confess… seeing such fear in the eyes of my beloved subjects breaks my heart. I wished only to help them, but I know when it is kinder to simply let them leave. They have abandoned their previous ways out of fear rather than an epiphany, and in a strange way that saddens me as much as if they had simply continued the life of a thief.” “There are worse things to be than a thief, Princess. Like being a tyrant,” he said scornfully. “I think perhaps it is my turn to ask a question, if I may,” she said, slowly regaining her cheerful disposition. “You have heard the rumours of how I change the thieves brought before me, as have I. Some of these rumours frighten even myself. And yet you still took the risk to face me directly? Why? If I may be frank, if I had been in your position I would never have attempted such foolishness. What possible cause could you have had for seeking me out? Had I been brainwashing your peers as it was rumoured, this would have ended very badly for you.” “Why?” he asked, downing his tea in a single gulp before pouring a second cup. “Because a long time ago, I was a coward. Too weak to protect someone very important to me. And ever since I’ve taken it on myself to always face my fears, no matter how terrible they might be. I’ve run through the Everfree Forests with a pack of Timber Wolves on my tail. I ran through a dragon’s cave, escaping the jaws of death without so much as a scratch… but you scared me more than any of that. My individuality is all I have, Princess Celestia. Losing it would make me just another dull, meek face in the crowd. You won’t break me down, your Highness. Facing you will make me stronger.” Celestia beamed, her smile even more joyous than usual. “On that, I very much agree,” she said. “But it seems to me that all you ever seem to do is run. Have you never asked yourself why?” “I’ve fought when I needed to,” he said defensively, “but a good thief goes unseen. I’ve only ever knocked out guards when I saw no way to break through their patrol routes, and they were all fine in the end.” To his surprise, Celestia’s face became stern. “No,” she said in a harsher voice than before, “not all of them. Close your eyes.” Well, this is it. There’s no turning back now. I asked for this, and now I’ll finally see if I can resist that accursed spell of hers… here goes nothing. Cutter closed his eyes and found himself in a strange, quiet place. At first, it was an empty void, but as the seconds passed it slowly became full of life, colour and sound, like a drawing being sketched out before him. The sea glistened with the moon’s full radiance, and the jealous stars clung desperately to the skies’ face, adamant that they would not be outshone. A lone guard whistled tunelessly as he walked down the docks, never straying far from the warehouse he was watching over. Celestia was there, looking at Cutter with the slightest hint of disapproval. “Where are we? What’s going on?” he said, his voice full of fear. “A few moons ago, you hurt a guard who worked a night shift at this place. His name was Moonshine, and he had a particularly thin skull.” Cutter backed away, horrified. “Tell me he didn’t…!” “Watch,” she said simply, and the two were brought back to that night. Moonshine was whistling to himself, whilst Cutter slowly approached from behind and knocked him out with a blackjack. “NO!” Cutter yelled, only for Celestia to place a hoof on his shoulder. “They cannot see or hear us. This is only a memory, nothing more. Now, let me show you what your actions that night wrought for poor Moonshine.” The scene shifted to a house Cutter had never seen before. Moonbeam sat at a table, clutching his head. His wife came over and hugged him. “Are the headaches getting any better, honey?” she asked. “A little. They come and go…” he sighed. “They had to let me go, said I was in no state to guard anything anymore. I just hope Comet doesn’t think any less of his old man now…” “Of course he won’t, he loves you so much!” his wife said, hugging him tighter. She turned her head away so he wouldn’t notice her tears. Cutter closed his eyes, unable to bear what he had done. He felt the strangest sensation, as though the world was shifting once more beneath his feet. When he finally gained the courage to open his eyes again the two were back in Celestia’s room again. Cutter felt awful, sickened by his actions. “Princess, this is awful...what happened to him?” he said, his voice holding a tone of concern he hadn't used in years. “He eventually recovered enough to find a new position as a guard- at the same museum you attempted to rob last night, ironically. But let that be a reminder of what your chosen path can do… and I dare say some of the others I have spoken to have done far worse…” she said darkly. “Worse? Like… kill?” he whispered. Celestia turned away, as if speaking more to herself than Cutter. “I have taken it upon myself to save them from their darkness. All of them. And yes, some have fallen further than others,” she turned back to him, her smile sweet once more. ”You are fortunate that you have yet to fall that far yourself, my little pony. The way of the thief is an hollow one, full of empty promises. Ironically, it steals things from those that take it up… though I doubt that bothers you. Tell me, why did you become a thief?” “Like I said, I wanted to make sure I was no coward. What better life than one of adventure, of the thrill of taking what isn’t mine? And I’ve got a mischievous side, too. The way I saw it, I was killing two birds with one stone,” he grinned. “Is that so? There are better ways to show bravery, child. Nobler ways. You saw that fateful night as a reason to become brave, but you forget why you needed such bravery. To protect that which you lo-” “Please, not yet. I’m not ready to talk about him yet,” Cutter said in a wounded voice. “Very well. You may leave the grounds if you wish. My guards will escort you wherever you wish to go. Biggs, Wedge!” she shouted to the guards at the door. “Yes, your majesty?” Biggs said. “Take Purse Cutter wherever he pleases- within reason. Bring him back in an hour,” she said. “As you command. Come, prisoner-” Wedge noted the scornful look Celestia was giving him and changed his tone “-come er, guest.” *** “I don’t get it. Freedom to go wherever you like after the stunt you pulled, and you come here? I woulda gone for a drink myself, kid,” said Biggs, his tone more casual now he was out of the palace. Purse Cutter stared at the grave in front of him. It was a modest one, worn down by years of harsh weather, yet it was priceless to the stallion. The epitaph could still be read, but only faintly. Cutter felt a lump in his throat. The warmth on his back and the fresh wet grass beneath his hooves felt wrong to him; this wasn’t what the visit was meant to feel like. Here lies Warm Winds, died age seven. May his laughter echo in the heavens forever. “Nice day out, isn’t it?” Wedge said. “Not a cloud in the sky.” “Don’t worry,” Cutter said sadly. “Sooner or later, it always rains.” Day TwoTwo colts were walking through a field, side by side. The larger one was snivelling from a grazed knee, whilst the smaller one rolled his eyes, thoroughly unimpressed. “Darn it Sunny, are you still crying over that little scratch? And I thought you were supposed to be the big brother here…” he sighed. “S-shut up! It’s your fault it happened anyway! I never coulda jumped all the way over that fence, it was too high, Windy!” Sunny yelled defensively. “Well I managed it, didn’t I? And I’m shorter than you! But nooooooo, you just had to screw up again, didn’t you? Just another excuse to be a crybaby. Anyway, it’s your turn to decide where we go. Try to not choose somewhere lame this time.” “The Everfree Forest,” he said. Warm Winds gasped, but quickly regained his composure. “...not a bad choice,” he said, trying to mask how impressed he was at his brother’s decision. “So what are we gonna do there?” “Well, I told Mom and Dad we were gonna go sleep at a friend’s house, and they had that big party tonight, so they’ll never even check anyway… I hope,” he gulped. “So we’re gonna stay the night in the forest. The whole night. And the first one to run… has to give the other their dessert for a year!” he smiled. “You’re on,” Warm Winds said, smiling smugly. *** The two brothers had built a crude campfire in a clearing, and for awhile the forest was quiet. The meagre flames licked at the darkness, but provided little comfort for the pair. They sat there, staring at each other , just waiting for the other to blink, or suggest going home. “Can’t sleep, huh bro?” Warm Winds said, breaking the silence at last. “Figures. As if a scaredy-cat like you could ever get any sleep in a place like this. Me? I’m keeping watch,” he said, as if preempting Sunny’s response. The two heard a distant howl, and both shivered together at the sound. “This was a bad idea. We should go home, it’s not safe here…” Sunny whispered. “Oh yeah, right. You just want me to surrender. Nope, sorry bro, if you’re going back you’re going alone. Real stallions live up to their promises, they don't just chicken out when it’s most convenient,” Warm Winds said, holding his head high. “Damnit Windy, you could get hurt out here alone! You could DIE!” Sunny yelled angrily. “As if you’d care. Mom said you used to be happy when you were little. Then I showed up and suddenly you had to share the spotlight.” “S-she said you being born made me less happy…?” Sunny mumbled, his voice becoming quiet as it always did when his brother had managed to hit a nerve. “She didn’t have to. I’m not an idiot, I know you never wanted a brother. That's why you’re always making me look uncool in front of everyone, so I can’t make any friends. You know what? You get your wish. We’re not brothers anymore. I’ll stay out here, make a new life in the woods. Go away.” “Windy, I don’t want you to-” “Get lost, Sunny Skies. I never want to see you again,” he said coldly. “Go on, cry like you always do. Cry, and run away. The only things you were ever good at. I bet your Cutie Mark will be a tear drop or something. Now go away.” Using every bit of restraint he had, Sunny forced back his tears. He gave his brother the nastiest look he could manage before turning away in silence. A few hours later he was still nearby, on the other side of the forest. As tempted as he was he simply couldn't leave his brother out there alone. He sighed, staring at the moon. To him, it was a huge sad face in the sky. To his horror, he started hearing yelling in the distance- his brother’s voice. He rushed to the source of the noise. His brother was clinging to a rotten old log, half submerged in a rapid river. “Sunny! Help me Sunny, I don’t wanna die!” he shouted through his tears. Sunny ran to the log, and grabbed him with both hooves. He tried as best he could, but he could barely hold his brother; he was never going to be able to lift him back to safety. The log began to buckle and crack under Sunny’s weight. “Sunny, the log, it’s about to break!” Warm Winds said. “I can’t leave you, Windy!” For the first time in a long time, Warm Winds looked at his brother with kindness in his sad eyes. “...It’s ok. It’s ok to cry this time, big bro. See ya,” he said, pushing himself into the frothing water. Within seconds he was gone. Sunny wasn’t sure when he stopped crying. Maybe it was when he went to the funeral, or when his parents finally spoke to him once more. Maybe a part of him never stopped at all. *** Cutter awoke from the dream with a jolt, and for the first time in a long time he wept for his brother. He felt a figure embrace him warmly, her great wings enveloping him with a motherly kindness. “He… he… Celestia, he was my little brother and I left him…” “He did for you what you would have done for him.” “I wish it had been me. Heck, I wish we had both died that night. Even if I sometimes wished he was gone I never wanted this…” he said, still shaking. “Shhhh,” she said tenderly. “It’s alright. You don’t have to talk about anything tomorrow. If you want, you can leave.” “...no. Not yet. I’ve come too far to back down now. I really don’t want to, but I’ve gotta. Tomorrow, we’re talking about Windy. I don’t think I can go back to sleep, not now… I’d just have another nightmare.” “Oh, trust me, you won’t. As a matter of fact… sister, if you would do the honours?” Princess Luna stepped out of the shadows, and Cutter looked straight into her eyes. To his astonishment, he thought he could see the stars themselves reflected in them, somehow. They flashed with a deep purple, and seconds later he closed his eyes, drifting off into a peaceful, dreamless slumber. *** “You certainly seem to be enjoying the tea. More than most, actually…” Celestia said, noting that Cutter was on his fourth cup already. “You call this tea drugged? I’m not even getting a buzz offa this stuff,” he said. To his amusement, this actually managed to give the princess a look of surprise. “You truly are a strange one,” she said, smiling slightly. “I do not wish to pry, but are you ready to speak of him yet?” “Not quite. I wanna know about what you did to my mentor, Shadow Shifter, first. He used to be awesome, fearless. Cocky as hell, but I loved him for it. Now he’s teaches kids, some straight laced loser like all the rest. You ruined him.” he said, his voice not quite as angry as it had been yesterday. “He told me how proud he was of his ability to teach. I asked why it had to be thievery, since he was clearly smart enough to educate a pony with far more than pickpocketing techniques. I might have stroked his ego a bit, made him think thievery was beneath him… but it was hardly an outright lie.” “Well now, aren’t you a sly one,” he retorted bitterly. “Trust Shifter to be brought down by his ego- it was the only thing we had in common. So Princess? Are you going to try buttering me up with some flattery? Try it. I can read that insincerity of yours from a mile away. That mask you call a smile, those irritating little acts of ‘kindness’ that hide your true nature. Show me who you truly are.” “You won’t accept anything less, will you? But if I hide behind a mask, then you hide behind a thousand, child. Not that there’s anything wrong with keeping secrets from others; that much is your right. But it seems you are keeping them from yourself, as well…” “What do you mean?” he asked, not liking where this was going. “You didn’t come here to face me, Sunny Skies. You came here to ask forgiveness for your failure to protect your brother… and it is given.” Cutter threw his teacup to the floor in outrage. “...you think I need your forgiveness? You, that twist the mind of those you see as a threat? Those that were no more a danger to you than the birds are to the trees? And you forgive me? You sanctimonious b-” “-he’s disappointed in you, you know. With what you’ve become. After that night, you gave up.” Celestia said, her usual smile replaced with a slight frown. “How dare you? Everything I did, I did…” His voice trailed off, suddenly realizing what he was about to say. “For what? For him? He cares nothing for your actions. By committing them in his name you have spoiled his memory. No, Sunny Skies. You did what you did to forget, by crafting a future for yourself so bleak that it would eclipse even the misery of your own past.” Her voice became gentle, sympathetic again. “But you don’t deserve to writhe in the shadows, little one. You never did. It wasn’t your fault he died that night, and he forgives you.” Cutter rose slowly, shaking his head and turning to the door. “...I’m leaving. Maybe I’ll come back, maybe I won’t. Biggs, Wedge, take me to the Headless Horseman, it’s a bar on the far side of town. I need a drink.” The guards looked at Celestia, who nodded. They escorted Sunny away. “Do you think he shall return, Sister?” Luna asked. “That is for him to decide, but… I hope so. Tonight he will decide whether to confront his sorrow or to let it cling to him forever...” The Final DayThe Headless Horseman was almost empty when Sunny arrived. There was only one other patron there, a pony with a mane the colour of charcoal. He nursed his drink, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Sunny took a seat, but said nothing. A few drinks later, he started rambling out loud, as he always did when he had one beer too many. “I’ll show her! Talking about my past like she was there… Celestia, I’m gonna show you there’s at least one thief in this city you can’t change!” he proclaimed proudly, draining his mug with little effort and slamming it down hard against the counter. “...if you’re going in expecting a fight, you’re in for a surprise,” the mysterious stallion said simply, shaking his head. Sunny turned towards him. “And just who are you? I’ll prove I can handle her, that she’s nothing to be afraid of! I’ve already survived two days of her nonsense, and tomorrow's the last! After that I-” “Two days, huh? You don’t seem like you’ve spoken to her at all yet… or maybe you’re just that stubborn. She’s really not all that bad.” Sunny sighed. “I guess you’re another one of the thieves she caught, huh?” “Yeah, I am. She was pretty patient with me, though. After a while talking to her just made sense, I guess. Once I started listening I actually began to appreciate the things she had to say… well, some of them.” Sunny turned to his drink, staring into the tiny island of bubbles that floated along the top of the glass as he reflected on what his ‘interrogation’ had been like. “I… at first I thought it would be a battle, but now I’m not sure what it is. I don’t get her at all. What does she want from us? I guess I’ll never know that much…” “She… well, in my case all she did was listen and it was infuriating. She played innocent, mocked me, pressed all the right buttons...and showed me who I really was." "What did you find out?" Sunny asked. The stallion looked up...almost distantly before he said anything back. "That despite all the masks I wore, that's all they ever were...masks. And when removed, there was nothing left but a frightened child." "A child?" "Yeah," he chuckled, albeit bitterly. "She showed me who I was...and I both respect and hate her for it." “It’s weird, I went in there planning to ignore her every step of the way myself, but its feels like she knew the way I was going to confront her beforehand, like she had planned for this. Then again, she is an alicorn… there’s no telling what she does and doesn’t know. Any advice on what to say to her when I go back?” “None whatsoever, that much is up to you. The name’s Chase, by the way.” “I’m Purse Cutter, but I go by the name Sunny Skies these days. See you around.” Sunny said, walking from the bar with a renewed sense of purpose. *** When Sunny returned to the castle he found Biggs and Wedge standing by the door to Celestia's room. “Oh, hey guys, you left early. Weren’t you supposed to stay with me? What if I had tried to run? Some guards you are…” he said. “Kid, Celestia has a gift for you. I can’t really explain what… just thinkin’ about it gives me a headache. But it sorta comes at a price. Y’see, if you go through these doors you won’t come out the same way. Are you ready to take that risk?” Biggs said, a little concern in his voice. “Wait, after everything she said about not brainwashing ponies, she’s actually going to go back on her word?” She’s even worse than I thought she was… “It’s your choice. You can either risk it all, or take the money and run, so to speak.” “And why the hell shouldn’t I just leave right now?” he said, already turning to leave. “Because the thing you desire most in the world lies just moments beyond us.” Celestia said warmly. Sunny turned and saw her, smiling warmly at him. “I will tell you nothing more. Make your choice, child.” The thing I desire most? What could it…! If I do this, what will I become? Will I even be me anymore? But… I want to see him again. “I’ll do it. Princess Celestia, before I open this door, I need to tell you one thing.” “What is it?” “I don’t like you… but I don’t dislike you as much as I thought I would. If the pony that walks out of this thinks differently, just try to remember that the real me didn’t hate you outright either. Goodbye.” As soon as he stepped through the doors he was enveloped in a brilliant light. The space he was in was nothing like the room where he had spoken to Celestia- in fact, it was no longer a room at all. It was a grassy field on a bright summer’s day. When his eyes finally adjusted to the light he saw a figure in front of him. He was an adult now, but his features were unmistakable; it was his brother, Warm Winds. “...Windy?” Sunny said, his voice hesitant. “This is just an illusion, isn’t it? Smoke and mirrors. Some pleasant elevator music as my mind descends into the dreary mists of a mundane life.” “Well, your cheesy metaphors are as painful as ever,” Warm Winds smiled. “And as for this being a dream…” he walked over and slapped his brother in the face. “Ouch! What the heck, a pinch is more traditional, y’know!” Sunny said, clutching his cheek. "But... how is this happening?" "The Sisters... Luna's created a sort of dreamscape for us to talk, and Celestia's letting me appear before you like this. I can't stay, they're breaking enough rules so I can talk to you for a mere instant as it is." Warm Winds turning away, staring up into the deep blue sky. He sighed before speaking. “I didn’t die that night to watch you mope and whine from the other side. I gave up everything, and you became a thieving little rat scurrying amongst the shadows. Great job, bro. Really makes me feel it wasn’t all for nothing.” “Are you kidding me? You’re on her side as well?” Sunny said, disappointed. “I’m on your side. I may not have been that nice to you in life, but I was always on your side. Maybe you don’t like her, and that’s fine, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t make a good point .Thievery is a dead end, and you know it. You’ll end up wasting away behind bars for years, and then you might as well be as dead as I am!” “I thought you’d be different… you’re not my brother. You’re just another one of her tricks. Tell me then. Tell me something only you would know, so I know you aren’t just a puppet on her strings.” Sunny crossed his arms, waiting for a response. Windy leaned forward and whispered “You wet the bed ‘til you were seven.” “...well alright, I guess you are the real deal. Nice choice of answers, by the way.” he muttered, embarrassed. ”I wish you weren’t siding with her on this, though.” “Sunny, all I’m gonna ask is one thing, and if you answer honestly then I’ll accept whatever that answer is. Are you happy with your life as it is now? Please don’t answer straight away; really think about this.” Sunny thought back, remembering all the good times he had spent as a thief; his first heist, the day he had stolen more than any of his friends, the rare Black Pearl he had plucked from the Canterlot Museum of Art, which had been his biggest success to date. “Yes. Yes I a-” Then he remembered Moonshine. “...no. Not entirely.” “Bro, why is that? You seemed so sure of yourself a second ago.” “I hurt someone. I ruined their life.” “Moonshine, right? Celestia told me already. You know, I had an idea…” he whispered something to Sunny. “Wait, really? But do you even think they would let me joi-” “I’m sure of it. Big bro, I gotta go now, my girlfriend’s gonna kill me if I keep her waiting any longer! Heheh, ‘kill me’...” He laughed at the irony of the expression. “Wait, what? You have a girlfriend up there?” “Sure do, can’t let a little thing like death get in the way of enjoying life!" he laughed, "Anyway, just walk through those doors and you’ll be outta here.” Sunny stared at the doors, and a heavy, intense feeling of fear entered his stomach, as if only oblivion lay beyond them. “Bro… Celestia said once I entered this place I wouldn’t come out the same way. What’s gonna happen to me?” “I don’t know. Seeya in about fifty years, Sunny.” Warm Winds said, as he floated up towards a light in the sky. Seconds later he was gone. Sunny turned towards the door, a feeling of dread in his heart. He blinked, and the room became Celestia's chambers once more. Well, I’ve gotten what I wanted, now it’s time to pay the price. Goodbye, old self. I hope this doesn’t hurt… He opened the door, and saw a darkness. There was the distant sound of rushing water as well, for some reason. After a few minutes he managed to gather the courage to jump into this bizarre exit. The ride was a strange one; he was being washed along at a frightening speed, and to his surprise he saw several foals and fillies ahead of him, laughing and screaming with delight. To his shock, he could hear Princess Celestia’s laughter echoing from nearby. In just a moment she was right next to him, laughing. “P-Princess Celestia? What are you doing here?” “Having the time of my life! Get ready, this is the best part!” The two crashed into the water, and after a few terrifying seconds they were outside in a nearby amusement park. “Thank you for riding the Sonic Rainboom! Please purchase a photo at the gift booth.” said a pony at the exit. “An amusement park? You sent me to an amusement park?” he asked, incredulously. “Well, it was rather amusing.” Celestia’s voice said. “B-but you said that once I entered that door I wasn’t going-” “You weren’t going to leave the same way. Technically, you left by a very different exit. I’m afraid I might have a bit of a mischievous side myself!” she said, winking. “Princess, I’ve spoken with Windy, and I know what I want to do with my life now.” “Oh, and that is?” “I’ll tell you about that the next time we meet. I can visit you again someday, right?” “Anytime. Goodbye, Purse Cutter.” “Please call me Sunny, your highness.” he said smiling. Epilogue Fleetfoot wandered through the alleyways, looking nervously over his shoulder for the slightest glimpse of guards. Sunny bumped into him, all of a sudden, smiling vacantly. “Oh, hello Fleetfoot. Have you met the Princess yet? You really should, she is quite wonderful.” he said in a hollow, serene voice. “She got you, didn’t she? Poor fool, I told you she would.” "She taught me so much," Sunny said with a vacant, hypnotized look on his face. "She could make your life so much better." “I like my life very much, thank you. Now leave me alone, I want nothing from a hollow little gelding like you.” Sunny’s expression changed in an instant. His grin became wicked. “Oh really? Not even... this?” he said, showing Fleetfoot the wallet he had just stolen from him. “Wait, you actually managed to… does this mean you’re still one of us?” “Well, yes and no. In my heart I’ll always be one of you guys, but I’m afraid this wallet will be the last thing I’ll ever steal. I’m done with the crime game, and besides… there’s someone I have a lot to make up to. Goodbye Fleetfoot, and don’t be afraid. She can’t change you any more than you allow her to,” he said, walking away. *** “Moonshine, sir! I’ve done another sweep of the building, and there’s no sign of any intruders!” “For the last time, kid, I know! You can relax a little, it’s just another slow night. Why in Celestia’s name did they pair me up with a newbie… and an ex-thief at that!” Moonshine sighed. Outside, the rain was dense, and the wind howled. Moonshine shivered. “Nights like this make me feel like it’s the end of the world. Wish I was at home with my kid right now…how about you, Sunny?” “Oh, I’m not too worried. After all, it can’t rain all the time.” Sunny said, smiling.
PrologueThe Interrogation: Spared Change “Kid, are you sure you want to go after the Crystal Tear right away? You aren’t ready for it, I’m telling you,” Fleetfoot said. Fleetfoot, like so many of his brothers in the Guild, had become quiet and cautious, forever jumping from shadows in case she found him. “Fleetfoot, for the last time, I know what I’m doing,” Purse Cutter said to his old friend. Ever since he had announced his intention to steal the priceless jewel from the Canterlot Museum of Art, his peers had begun to whisper behind his back. They claimed that the pressure being placed on the Guild by Princess Celestia had finally gotten to him, as it had so many others. For months now she had been thinning their ranks, somehow ‘reforming’ them into polite, productive members of society. The idea brought a smile to the arrogant young pony's face. Just try it, Celestia. I can’t wait, he thought to himself. “Well it’s your funeral, kid. I’d say I’ll see you later, but we both know I won’t. She’ll make sure of that. Are you sure you want to do this?” “...Oh, trust me, no matter what happens tonight, I’ll be fine, “ he said, turning away with an unearned confidence. As he left the room, he noticed that every eye in the Great Hall of the Thieves Guild was on him. Some were fearful, while others held a cautious optimism, even a spark of hope. Purse Cutter was known to be fairly reckless for a thief of his rank, and he had been planning to deal with the ‘Tyrant’ for quite some time. “Dead stallion walking!” one jeered from the back of the crowd. “Why are you doing this? You can’t stop her, so why try?” asked another. “My reasons are my own,” he said for the thousandth time. It still felt as though he had only just announced his plans yesterday. He could still remember the cheers, the partying that night had brought. But now that the time had come there was no cheering, no offers of free drinks or begging for him to reconsider. Only the same sort of cold, solemn silence usually reserved for remembrance of a lost comrade. As Purse Cutter took one last look around the room, each face brought with it a memory etched into his heart. Some good, some bad, but all precious to him in their own way. His stony expression finally broke into a warm smile. “See you later,” he said happily as he walked out through the great wooden gates of their hideout one last time. *** The museum was quiet, empty. A stage, and the performers were all about to make their appearance. Cutter breathed deeply, staring at his prize. It glistened eerily in the darkness, radiating a light that was entirely its own. To any other thief, it would have been his goal, but to Cutter it was merely a doorbell. He approached slowly, as if enacting a summoning ritual. He knew he would get caught, but for him that was the point. Mere moments after he grabbed the jewel ten spears were at his throat. He played dumb. “Damnit, I can’t believe this!” he growled. “This gem was going to change my life!” “Oh, it will, lad,” one of the guards said mockingly. “Once she gets ahold of you.” The others laughed, and Cutter stood there, frozen. Seconds later, Princess Luna glided in through a window in the roof of the building, draped in the night itself. Even for one as arrogant as Purse Cutter, she inspired awe and fear in equal measure. “What doest thou desire? Tell me, as all the others have.” Cutter grinned wickedly. There was no sense in lying to her. “A challenge,” he said. “Hmph,” she said, thoroughly unimpressed. “Sleep.” The world around him became soft and warm, as if he was resting his head on a pillow under a beam of summer light. He felt himself being lifted, and the giddy joy of flight enveloped his heart. For the first time in years he felt like a child again; a genuine joy replaced the smug feeling of pride he had thought was happiness for so long. *** Cutter opened his eyes, and rubbed them until he could see clearly, burning as he forced them to adjust to the light of the room around him. At first he had assumed it was the throne room, but for all its marble pillars and grand tapestries lining the walls it was a strangely serene place, not at all like what he had expected. He found himself sitting on an enormous velvet cushion, but was too uncertain of his surrounding to risk moving. Weird, I thought it’d be a cheap, hollow castle full of tacky expensive stuff, but it’s so quiet... “Good morning, young one,” a kind, motherly voice said. Cutter turned, and saw Princess Celestia sitting before him, pouring a cup of tea. “Good morning, Princess,” he said, his tone neutral. “I know you did this intentionally,” she said, her voice still kind and gentle. “For the challenge, was it not? Interesting. Most of your peers saw me as a fate worse than death, yet you sought me out. You could have simply asked, if you wished to speak with me.” “The theft was a statement of intent, Your Highness. I wanted to prove that you are nothing more to fear than a jail sentence. I will not be changed by whatever strange tricks you’ve used on the others,” he said, his voice full of pride. “Would you like some tea?” she asked, handing him a cup. “Alright,” he said, picking up the cup and sipping it a little too eagerly. He had hoped his willingness to go along with whatever game she was playing would surprise her, but her face was as serene as ever. “You aren’t surprised I haven't asked for a different cup? That I don’t think this is drugged?” “No,” she said simply. “You aren’t the first to try this tactic, by the way.” A chill ran down his spine. No. No! Keep calm, even if others have tried to address her like this, you can still defeat her! You’ve braved worse, now make your brothers in the guild proud! he thought to himself, beginning to panic. “S-so, what are we going to talk about? I assume that’s how this works. That or you blast me with one of those “Conformation Spells” you love so much…” he said, shifting about on his cushion a little uncomfortably. “Oh, you mean the Reformation Spell? I’ve never used that on anyone. Frankly, I only allowed Twilight to use it because she wasn’t ready at the time for more… diplomatic means. Thankfully, the business with Discord didn’t even require it, in the end,” she said, taking a sip from her own cup. “I’ve seen what you do to them. They come here as adventurous souls, ready for anything, and leave as broken shells, smiling simpletons like all the rest. You claimed my mentor, Shadow Shifter. Now he’s content to ‘live’ as a teacher, if you can even call that a life,” he spat, throwing the Princess a look of utter hatred. She didn’t even blink. “I have changed no one. They chose to change. I merely showed them what they could become,” she said. “Oh? And what do you see in me, ‘Your Highness’?” he said, putting a nasty edge of sarcasm to the title. To his surprise her gaze turned to one of sadness, sympathy. She placed her tea down on the saucer, and carefully stared into his eyes for a few seconds, as if to gain some understanding of what hid behind them. “In you? I sense sadness. Deep, unfathomable sadness. The last one, Chase, was full of anger, but you carry a terrible sorrow with you, Sunny Ski-” “Don’t you EVER call me that name!” he shouted, suddenly standing up. His mask cracked and fell away, revealing an anger that until now he had been able to hold in check. “You hide your true self, as if it dulls the pain... but it doesn’t, does it?” she asked. “I won’t change! I don’t care what you say or do! I’ll let it wash over me, pass through me! The others failed because they resisted, but I’m smarter than that! I’ll let your words glide off my back, and then you’ll finally realize you can’t win!” he said, his voice a bitter blend of conviction and spite. “Win?” she said, her eyes as sympathetic as before. “I don’t care about winning. I want to help you, child,” she said, raising her cup but not drinking from it yet. “Help me become an ‘upstanding citizen’, like the rest of those zombies? All of my friends, they’re gone now! Dead!” “They’re not dead, they have simply changed their minds.” “Or had their minds changed for them,” he muttered darkly, “The ponies I knew and loved are dead,replaced by dreamy-eyed husks,” he said in a bitter whisper. “...I think that’s enough for today,” she said, lowering her teacup. “When can I leave? Once I’m a good little boy?” he said, snarling at her. “Three days. If you still wish to leave after that, then you may,” she said. As he turned to be escorted to a room outside, she said one last thing. “Your brother misses you.” Cutter stopped. For a second, his past fell upon him like the coldest rain. He turned back, his eyes full of tears. “He can’t. He’s gone. Goodnight, Princess.”
Day One “Good morning, Purse Cutter. Did you sleep well?” the princess asked as he stumbled through the doors to her room groggily. “For a hostage,” he managed, his head aching. In truth, he had barely slept at all, despite the luxurious room he had been provided. “I don’t get what you’re trying to do here. I can’t help but think you’re just waiting for me to let my guard down…” he said, eyeing Celestia suspiciously. “What would you like for breakfast?” she asked, ignoring his question entirely with a sweet smile. Cutter considered the question for a few moments, then slowly broke into a devious grin. “The most expensive cake in Equestria, on a silver platter. If I’m going to be a guest here, I’m going to make things as difficult as I can for you.” To his immediate chagrin, she smiled and simply summoned the food out of mid air with a spell. “...that didn’t cost you a thing, did it?” he said, disappointed. “Kindness never does,” she said happily. “Now then, what would you like to ask me today?” This question deeply confused the stallion. He backed away slightly. “What? I thought you were the one who was going to ask the questions here,” he said, taking the smallest, still-suspicious bite from his cake. “We’ll get to that in good time, but for now I think I’d rather listen to yours instead. After all, you are as welcome to question me as I am to question you.” “... okay,” he said at last. “Why won’t you just let me leave yet? All I want is my freedom!” “Really now? Then why didn’t you try to escape last night? I had made sure the doors leading to a guaranteed escape were unlocked. All of them,” she smiled knowingly. “W-well… I need to prove that you can’t change me. I won’t be like the rest.” “Like the rest? No, you won’t be. They have all found their happiness in their own ways; no two ever quite came to the same conclusion, though many came to similar ones.” Cutter was starting to get irritated. He decided to bring out the big guns, pushing his breakfast aside and walking forward angrily. “...Well then, your kind and gentle Majesty,” he snarled. “Did any of them beg? Cry? Plea that you let them keep whatever precious individuality they had before you TORE IT OUT OF THEM?” he snarled, his voice echoing through the chamber. The smile fell from Celestia’s face, replaced by a look of shame. She closed her eyes. “A few. I allowed them to leave immediately. It would have been cruel to force them to stay in such fear of me. I confess… seeing such fear in the eyes of my beloved subjects breaks my heart. I wished only to help them, but I know when it is kinder to simply let them leave. They have abandoned their previous ways out of fear rather than an epiphany, and in a strange way that saddens me as much as if they had simply continued the life of a thief.” “There are worse things to be than a thief, Princess. Like being a tyrant,” he said scornfully. “I think perhaps it is my turn to ask a question, if I may,” she said, slowly regaining her cheerful disposition. “You have heard the rumours of how I change the thieves brought before me, as have I. Some of these rumours frighten even myself. And yet you still took the risk to face me directly? Why? If I may be frank, if I had been in your position I would never have attempted such foolishness. What possible cause could you have had for seeking me out? Had I been brainwashing your peers as it was rumoured, this would have ended very badly for you.” “Why?” he asked, downing his tea in a single gulp before pouring a second cup. “Because a long time ago, I was a coward. Too weak to protect someone very important to me. And ever since I’ve taken it on myself to always face my fears, no matter how terrible they might be. I’ve run through the Everfree Forests with a pack of Timber Wolves on my tail. I ran through a dragon’s cave, escaping the jaws of death without so much as a scratch… but you scared me more than any of that. My individuality is all I have, Princess Celestia. Losing it would make me just another dull, meek face in the crowd. You won’t break me down, your Highness. Facing you will make me stronger.” Celestia beamed, her smile even more joyous than usual. “On that, I very much agree,” she said. “But it seems to me that all you ever seem to do is run. Have you never asked yourself why?” “I’ve fought when I needed to,” he said defensively, “but a good thief goes unseen. I’ve only ever knocked out guards when I saw no way to break through their patrol routes, and they were all fine in the end.” To his surprise, Celestia’s face became stern. “No,” she said in a harsher voice than before, “not all of them. Close your eyes.” Well, this is it. There’s no turning back now. I asked for this, and now I’ll finally see if I can resist that accursed spell of hers… here goes nothing. Cutter closed his eyes and found himself in a strange, quiet place. At first, it was an empty void, but as the seconds passed it slowly became full of life, colour and sound, like a drawing being sketched out before him. The sea glistened with the moon’s full radiance, and the jealous stars clung desperately to the skies’ face, adamant that they would not be outshone. A lone guard whistled tunelessly as he walked down the docks, never straying far from the warehouse he was watching over. Celestia was there, looking at Cutter with the slightest hint of disapproval. “Where are we? What’s going on?” he said, his voice full of fear. “A few moons ago, you hurt a guard who worked a night shift at this place. His name was Moonshine, and he had a particularly thin skull.” Cutter backed away, horrified. “Tell me he didn’t…!” “Watch,” she said simply, and the two were brought back to that night. Moonshine was whistling to himself, whilst Cutter slowly approached from behind and knocked him out with a blackjack. “NO!” Cutter yelled, only for Celestia to place a hoof on his shoulder. “They cannot see or hear us. This is only a memory, nothing more. Now, let me show you what your actions that night wrought for poor Moonshine.” The scene shifted to a house Cutter had never seen before. Moonbeam sat at a table, clutching his head. His wife came over and hugged him. “Are the headaches getting any better, honey?” she asked. “A little. They come and go…” he sighed. “They had to let me go, said I was in no state to guard anything anymore. I just hope Comet doesn’t think any less of his old man now…” “Of course he won’t, he loves you so much!” his wife said, hugging him tighter. She turned her head away so he wouldn’t notice her tears. Cutter closed his eyes, unable to bear what he had done. He felt the strangest sensation, as though the world was shifting once more beneath his feet. When he finally gained the courage to open his eyes again the two were back in Celestia’s room again. Cutter felt awful, sickened by his actions. “Princess, this is awful...what happened to him?” he said, his voice holding a tone of concern he hadn't used in years. “He eventually recovered enough to find a new position as a guard- at the same museum you attempted to rob last night, ironically. But let that be a reminder of what your chosen path can do… and I dare say some of the others I have spoken to have done far worse…” she said darkly. “Worse? Like… kill?” he whispered. Celestia turned away, as if speaking more to herself than Cutter. “I have taken it upon myself to save them from their darkness. All of them. And yes, some have fallen further than others,” she turned back to him, her smile sweet once more. ”You are fortunate that you have yet to fall that far yourself, my little pony. The way of the thief is an hollow one, full of empty promises. Ironically, it steals things from those that take it up… though I doubt that bothers you. Tell me, why did you become a thief?” “Like I said, I wanted to make sure I was no coward. What better life than one of adventure, of the thrill of taking what isn’t mine? And I’ve got a mischievous side, too. The way I saw it, I was killing two birds with one stone,” he grinned. “Is that so? There are better ways to show bravery, child. Nobler ways. You saw that fateful night as a reason to become brave, but you forget why you needed such bravery. To protect that which you lo-” “Please, not yet. I’m not ready to talk about him yet,” Cutter said in a wounded voice. “Very well. You may leave the grounds if you wish. My guards will escort you wherever you wish to go. Biggs, Wedge!” she shouted to the guards at the door. “Yes, your majesty?” Biggs said. “Take Purse Cutter wherever he pleases- within reason. Bring him back in an hour,” she said. “As you command. Come, prisoner-” Wedge noted the scornful look Celestia was giving him and changed his tone “-come er, guest.” *** “I don’t get it. Freedom to go wherever you like after the stunt you pulled, and you come here? I woulda gone for a drink myself, kid,” said Biggs, his tone more casual now he was out of the palace. Purse Cutter stared at the grave in front of him. It was a modest one, worn down by years of harsh weather, yet it was priceless to the stallion. The epitaph could still be read, but only faintly. Cutter felt a lump in his throat. The warmth on his back and the fresh wet grass beneath his hooves felt wrong to him; this wasn’t what the visit was meant to feel like. Here lies Warm Winds, died age seven. May his laughter echo in the heavens forever. “Nice day out, isn’t it?” Wedge said. “Not a cloud in the sky.” “Don’t worry,” Cutter said sadly. “Sooner or later, it always rains.”
Day TwoTwo colts were walking through a field, side by side. The larger one was snivelling from a grazed knee, whilst the smaller one rolled his eyes, thoroughly unimpressed. “Darn it Sunny, are you still crying over that little scratch? And I thought you were supposed to be the big brother here…” he sighed. “S-shut up! It’s your fault it happened anyway! I never coulda jumped all the way over that fence, it was too high, Windy!” Sunny yelled defensively. “Well I managed it, didn’t I? And I’m shorter than you! But nooooooo, you just had to screw up again, didn’t you? Just another excuse to be a crybaby. Anyway, it’s your turn to decide where we go. Try to not choose somewhere lame this time.” “The Everfree Forest,” he said. Warm Winds gasped, but quickly regained his composure. “...not a bad choice,” he said, trying to mask how impressed he was at his brother’s decision. “So what are we gonna do there?” “Well, I told Mom and Dad we were gonna go sleep at a friend’s house, and they had that big party tonight, so they’ll never even check anyway… I hope,” he gulped. “So we’re gonna stay the night in the forest. The whole night. And the first one to run… has to give the other their dessert for a year!” he smiled. “You’re on,” Warm Winds said, smiling smugly. *** The two brothers had built a crude campfire in a clearing, and for awhile the forest was quiet. The meagre flames licked at the darkness, but provided little comfort for the pair. They sat there, staring at each other , just waiting for the other to blink, or suggest going home. “Can’t sleep, huh bro?” Warm Winds said, breaking the silence at last. “Figures. As if a scaredy-cat like you could ever get any sleep in a place like this. Me? I’m keeping watch,” he said, as if preempting Sunny’s response. The two heard a distant howl, and both shivered together at the sound. “This was a bad idea. We should go home, it’s not safe here…” Sunny whispered. “Oh yeah, right. You just want me to surrender. Nope, sorry bro, if you’re going back you’re going alone. Real stallions live up to their promises, they don't just chicken out when it’s most convenient,” Warm Winds said, holding his head high. “Damnit Windy, you could get hurt out here alone! You could DIE!” Sunny yelled angrily. “As if you’d care. Mom said you used to be happy when you were little. Then I showed up and suddenly you had to share the spotlight.” “S-she said you being born made me less happy…?” Sunny mumbled, his voice becoming quiet as it always did when his brother had managed to hit a nerve. “She didn’t have to. I’m not an idiot, I know you never wanted a brother. That's why you’re always making me look uncool in front of everyone, so I can’t make any friends. You know what? You get your wish. We’re not brothers anymore. I’ll stay out here, make a new life in the woods. Go away.” “Windy, I don’t want you to-” “Get lost, Sunny Skies. I never want to see you again,” he said coldly. “Go on, cry like you always do. Cry, and run away. The only things you were ever good at. I bet your Cutie Mark will be a tear drop or something. Now go away.” Using every bit of restraint he had, Sunny forced back his tears. He gave his brother the nastiest look he could manage before turning away in silence. A few hours later he was still nearby, on the other side of the forest. As tempted as he was he simply couldn't leave his brother out there alone. He sighed, staring at the moon. To him, it was a huge sad face in the sky. To his horror, he started hearing yelling in the distance- his brother’s voice. He rushed to the source of the noise. His brother was clinging to a rotten old log, half submerged in a rapid river. “Sunny! Help me Sunny, I don’t wanna die!” he shouted through his tears. Sunny ran to the log, and grabbed him with both hooves. He tried as best he could, but he could barely hold his brother; he was never going to be able to lift him back to safety. The log began to buckle and crack under Sunny’s weight. “Sunny, the log, it’s about to break!” Warm Winds said. “I can’t leave you, Windy!” For the first time in a long time, Warm Winds looked at his brother with kindness in his sad eyes. “...It’s ok. It’s ok to cry this time, big bro. See ya,” he said, pushing himself into the frothing water. Within seconds he was gone. Sunny wasn’t sure when he stopped crying. Maybe it was when he went to the funeral, or when his parents finally spoke to him once more. Maybe a part of him never stopped at all. *** Cutter awoke from the dream with a jolt, and for the first time in a long time he wept for his brother. He felt a figure embrace him warmly, her great wings enveloping him with a motherly kindness. “He… he… Celestia, he was my little brother and I left him…” “He did for you what you would have done for him.” “I wish it had been me. Heck, I wish we had both died that night. Even if I sometimes wished he was gone I never wanted this…” he said, still shaking. “Shhhh,” she said tenderly. “It’s alright. You don’t have to talk about anything tomorrow. If you want, you can leave.” “...no. Not yet. I’ve come too far to back down now. I really don’t want to, but I’ve gotta. Tomorrow, we’re talking about Windy. I don’t think I can go back to sleep, not now… I’d just have another nightmare.” “Oh, trust me, you won’t. As a matter of fact… sister, if you would do the honours?” Princess Luna stepped out of the shadows, and Cutter looked straight into her eyes. To his astonishment, he thought he could see the stars themselves reflected in them, somehow. They flashed with a deep purple, and seconds later he closed his eyes, drifting off into a peaceful, dreamless slumber. *** “You certainly seem to be enjoying the tea. More than most, actually…” Celestia said, noting that Cutter was on his fourth cup already. “You call this tea drugged? I’m not even getting a buzz offa this stuff,” he said. To his amusement, this actually managed to give the princess a look of surprise. “You truly are a strange one,” she said, smiling slightly. “I do not wish to pry, but are you ready to speak of him yet?” “Not quite. I wanna know about what you did to my mentor, Shadow Shifter, first. He used to be awesome, fearless. Cocky as hell, but I loved him for it. Now he’s teaches kids, some straight laced loser like all the rest. You ruined him.” he said, his voice not quite as angry as it had been yesterday. “He told me how proud he was of his ability to teach. I asked why it had to be thievery, since he was clearly smart enough to educate a pony with far more than pickpocketing techniques. I might have stroked his ego a bit, made him think thievery was beneath him… but it was hardly an outright lie.” “Well now, aren’t you a sly one,” he retorted bitterly. “Trust Shifter to be brought down by his ego- it was the only thing we had in common. So Princess? Are you going to try buttering me up with some flattery? Try it. I can read that insincerity of yours from a mile away. That mask you call a smile, those irritating little acts of ‘kindness’ that hide your true nature. Show me who you truly are.” “You won’t accept anything less, will you? But if I hide behind a mask, then you hide behind a thousand, child. Not that there’s anything wrong with keeping secrets from others; that much is your right. But it seems you are keeping them from yourself, as well…” “What do you mean?” he asked, not liking where this was going. “You didn’t come here to face me, Sunny Skies. You came here to ask forgiveness for your failure to protect your brother… and it is given.” Cutter threw his teacup to the floor in outrage. “...you think I need your forgiveness? You, that twist the mind of those you see as a threat? Those that were no more a danger to you than the birds are to the trees? And you forgive me? You sanctimonious b-” “-he’s disappointed in you, you know. With what you’ve become. After that night, you gave up.” Celestia said, her usual smile replaced with a slight frown. “How dare you? Everything I did, I did…” His voice trailed off, suddenly realizing what he was about to say. “For what? For him? He cares nothing for your actions. By committing them in his name you have spoiled his memory. No, Sunny Skies. You did what you did to forget, by crafting a future for yourself so bleak that it would eclipse even the misery of your own past.” Her voice became gentle, sympathetic again. “But you don’t deserve to writhe in the shadows, little one. You never did. It wasn’t your fault he died that night, and he forgives you.” Cutter rose slowly, shaking his head and turning to the door. “...I’m leaving. Maybe I’ll come back, maybe I won’t. Biggs, Wedge, take me to the Headless Horseman, it’s a bar on the far side of town. I need a drink.” The guards looked at Celestia, who nodded. They escorted Sunny away. “Do you think he shall return, Sister?” Luna asked. “That is for him to decide, but… I hope so. Tonight he will decide whether to confront his sorrow or to let it cling to him forever...”
The Final DayThe Headless Horseman was almost empty when Sunny arrived. There was only one other patron there, a pony with a mane the colour of charcoal. He nursed his drink, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Sunny took a seat, but said nothing. A few drinks later, he started rambling out loud, as he always did when he had one beer too many. “I’ll show her! Talking about my past like she was there… Celestia, I’m gonna show you there’s at least one thief in this city you can’t change!” he proclaimed proudly, draining his mug with little effort and slamming it down hard against the counter. “...if you’re going in expecting a fight, you’re in for a surprise,” the mysterious stallion said simply, shaking his head. Sunny turned towards him. “And just who are you? I’ll prove I can handle her, that she’s nothing to be afraid of! I’ve already survived two days of her nonsense, and tomorrow's the last! After that I-” “Two days, huh? You don’t seem like you’ve spoken to her at all yet… or maybe you’re just that stubborn. She’s really not all that bad.” Sunny sighed. “I guess you’re another one of the thieves she caught, huh?” “Yeah, I am. She was pretty patient with me, though. After a while talking to her just made sense, I guess. Once I started listening I actually began to appreciate the things she had to say… well, some of them.” Sunny turned to his drink, staring into the tiny island of bubbles that floated along the top of the glass as he reflected on what his ‘interrogation’ had been like. “I… at first I thought it would be a battle, but now I’m not sure what it is. I don’t get her at all. What does she want from us? I guess I’ll never know that much…” “She… well, in my case all she did was listen and it was infuriating. She played innocent, mocked me, pressed all the right buttons...and showed me who I really was." "What did you find out?" Sunny asked. The stallion looked up...almost distantly before he said anything back. "That despite all the masks I wore, that's all they ever were...masks. And when removed, there was nothing left but a frightened child." "A child?" "Yeah," he chuckled, albeit bitterly. "She showed me who I was...and I both respect and hate her for it." “It’s weird, I went in there planning to ignore her every step of the way myself, but its feels like she knew the way I was going to confront her beforehand, like she had planned for this. Then again, she is an alicorn… there’s no telling what she does and doesn’t know. Any advice on what to say to her when I go back?” “None whatsoever, that much is up to you. The name’s Chase, by the way.” “I’m Purse Cutter, but I go by the name Sunny Skies these days. See you around.” Sunny said, walking from the bar with a renewed sense of purpose. *** When Sunny returned to the castle he found Biggs and Wedge standing by the door to Celestia's room. “Oh, hey guys, you left early. Weren’t you supposed to stay with me? What if I had tried to run? Some guards you are…” he said. “Kid, Celestia has a gift for you. I can’t really explain what… just thinkin’ about it gives me a headache. But it sorta comes at a price. Y’see, if you go through these doors you won’t come out the same way. Are you ready to take that risk?” Biggs said, a little concern in his voice. “Wait, after everything she said about not brainwashing ponies, she’s actually going to go back on her word?” She’s even worse than I thought she was… “It’s your choice. You can either risk it all, or take the money and run, so to speak.” “And why the hell shouldn’t I just leave right now?” he said, already turning to leave. “Because the thing you desire most in the world lies just moments beyond us.” Celestia said warmly. Sunny turned and saw her, smiling warmly at him. “I will tell you nothing more. Make your choice, child.” The thing I desire most? What could it…! If I do this, what will I become? Will I even be me anymore? But… I want to see him again. “I’ll do it. Princess Celestia, before I open this door, I need to tell you one thing.” “What is it?” “I don’t like you… but I don’t dislike you as much as I thought I would. If the pony that walks out of this thinks differently, just try to remember that the real me didn’t hate you outright either. Goodbye.” As soon as he stepped through the doors he was enveloped in a brilliant light. The space he was in was nothing like the room where he had spoken to Celestia- in fact, it was no longer a room at all. It was a grassy field on a bright summer’s day. When his eyes finally adjusted to the light he saw a figure in front of him. He was an adult now, but his features were unmistakable; it was his brother, Warm Winds. “...Windy?” Sunny said, his voice hesitant. “This is just an illusion, isn’t it? Smoke and mirrors. Some pleasant elevator music as my mind descends into the dreary mists of a mundane life.” “Well, your cheesy metaphors are as painful as ever,” Warm Winds smiled. “And as for this being a dream…” he walked over and slapped his brother in the face. “Ouch! What the heck, a pinch is more traditional, y’know!” Sunny said, clutching his cheek. "But... how is this happening?" "The Sisters... Luna's created a sort of dreamscape for us to talk, and Celestia's letting me appear before you like this. I can't stay, they're breaking enough rules so I can talk to you for a mere instant as it is." Warm Winds turning away, staring up into the deep blue sky. He sighed before speaking. “I didn’t die that night to watch you mope and whine from the other side. I gave up everything, and you became a thieving little rat scurrying amongst the shadows. Great job, bro. Really makes me feel it wasn’t all for nothing.” “Are you kidding me? You’re on her side as well?” Sunny said, disappointed. “I’m on your side. I may not have been that nice to you in life, but I was always on your side. Maybe you don’t like her, and that’s fine, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t make a good point .Thievery is a dead end, and you know it. You’ll end up wasting away behind bars for years, and then you might as well be as dead as I am!” “I thought you’d be different… you’re not my brother. You’re just another one of her tricks. Tell me then. Tell me something only you would know, so I know you aren’t just a puppet on her strings.” Sunny crossed his arms, waiting for a response. Windy leaned forward and whispered “You wet the bed ‘til you were seven.” “...well alright, I guess you are the real deal. Nice choice of answers, by the way.” he muttered, embarrassed. ”I wish you weren’t siding with her on this, though.” “Sunny, all I’m gonna ask is one thing, and if you answer honestly then I’ll accept whatever that answer is. Are you happy with your life as it is now? Please don’t answer straight away; really think about this.” Sunny thought back, remembering all the good times he had spent as a thief; his first heist, the day he had stolen more than any of his friends, the rare Black Pearl he had plucked from the Canterlot Museum of Art, which had been his biggest success to date. “Yes. Yes I a-” Then he remembered Moonshine. “...no. Not entirely.” “Bro, why is that? You seemed so sure of yourself a second ago.” “I hurt someone. I ruined their life.” “Moonshine, right? Celestia told me already. You know, I had an idea…” he whispered something to Sunny. “Wait, really? But do you even think they would let me joi-” “I’m sure of it. Big bro, I gotta go now, my girlfriend’s gonna kill me if I keep her waiting any longer! Heheh, ‘kill me’...” He laughed at the irony of the expression. “Wait, what? You have a girlfriend up there?” “Sure do, can’t let a little thing like death get in the way of enjoying life!" he laughed, "Anyway, just walk through those doors and you’ll be outta here.” Sunny stared at the doors, and a heavy, intense feeling of fear entered his stomach, as if only oblivion lay beyond them. “Bro… Celestia said once I entered this place I wouldn’t come out the same way. What’s gonna happen to me?” “I don’t know. Seeya in about fifty years, Sunny.” Warm Winds said, as he floated up towards a light in the sky. Seconds later he was gone. Sunny turned towards the door, a feeling of dread in his heart. He blinked, and the room became Celestia's chambers once more. Well, I’ve gotten what I wanted, now it’s time to pay the price. Goodbye, old self. I hope this doesn’t hurt… He opened the door, and saw a darkness. There was the distant sound of rushing water as well, for some reason. After a few minutes he managed to gather the courage to jump into this bizarre exit. The ride was a strange one; he was being washed along at a frightening speed, and to his surprise he saw several foals and fillies ahead of him, laughing and screaming with delight. To his shock, he could hear Princess Celestia’s laughter echoing from nearby. In just a moment she was right next to him, laughing. “P-Princess Celestia? What are you doing here?” “Having the time of my life! Get ready, this is the best part!” The two crashed into the water, and after a few terrifying seconds they were outside in a nearby amusement park. “Thank you for riding the Sonic Rainboom! Please purchase a photo at the gift booth.” said a pony at the exit. “An amusement park? You sent me to an amusement park?” he asked, incredulously. “Well, it was rather amusing.” Celestia’s voice said. “B-but you said that once I entered that door I wasn’t going-” “You weren’t going to leave the same way. Technically, you left by a very different exit. I’m afraid I might have a bit of a mischievous side myself!” she said, winking. “Princess, I’ve spoken with Windy, and I know what I want to do with my life now.” “Oh, and that is?” “I’ll tell you about that the next time we meet. I can visit you again someday, right?” “Anytime. Goodbye, Purse Cutter.” “Please call me Sunny, your highness.” he said smiling.
Epilogue Fleetfoot wandered through the alleyways, looking nervously over his shoulder for the slightest glimpse of guards. Sunny bumped into him, all of a sudden, smiling vacantly. “Oh, hello Fleetfoot. Have you met the Princess yet? You really should, she is quite wonderful.” he said in a hollow, serene voice. “She got you, didn’t she? Poor fool, I told you she would.” "She taught me so much," Sunny said with a vacant, hypnotized look on his face. "She could make your life so much better." “I like my life very much, thank you. Now leave me alone, I want nothing from a hollow little gelding like you.” Sunny’s expression changed in an instant. His grin became wicked. “Oh really? Not even... this?” he said, showing Fleetfoot the wallet he had just stolen from him. “Wait, you actually managed to… does this mean you’re still one of us?” “Well, yes and no. In my heart I’ll always be one of you guys, but I’m afraid this wallet will be the last thing I’ll ever steal. I’m done with the crime game, and besides… there’s someone I have a lot to make up to. Goodbye Fleetfoot, and don’t be afraid. She can’t change you any more than you allow her to,” he said, walking away. *** “Moonshine, sir! I’ve done another sweep of the building, and there’s no sign of any intruders!” “For the last time, kid, I know! You can relax a little, it’s just another slow night. Why in Celestia’s name did they pair me up with a newbie… and an ex-thief at that!” Moonshine sighed. Outside, the rain was dense, and the wind howled. Moonshine shivered. “Nights like this make me feel like it’s the end of the world. Wish I was at home with my kid right now…how about you, Sunny?” “Oh, I’m not too worried. After all, it can’t rain all the time.” Sunny said, smiling.
