The Fall of Our Tyrants

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1: Beginnings
Chapter 2: Changes
Chapter 3: Magic

Prologue

Once upon a time in the magical land of Equestria, two benevolent sisters ruled over their pony subjects: Princess Celestia; the bringer of the Sun and Princess Luna; the ruler of the night. Under their leadership, ponies would be taught compassion, trust, forgiveness and most importantly; friendship. With these teachings in hand, Equestria was peaceful, prosperous and tranquil. The sisters did not rule with an iron fist, but instead considered themselves equal to their pony subjects, and thus treated everypony with equal respect. They were fair, and allowed their ponies to say, believe, and choose, what they wanted.
As time passed, a small organization, known only as the Ponies for Independence Party (PIPs), wanted an Equestria without rulers or leaders, where the public would make the decisions. They did not believe that the Princesses had the right to rule over them. The Princesses however, whilst slightly concerned behind the teachings of the party, disregarded them as a threat to their rule and allowed the group to continue with their preaching.

Eventually, and unfortunately for the Sisters, the PIPs increased exponentially in size. As more ponies joined under the PIPs banner, including high ranking officials within the Equestrian military, the Sisters decided that they must take action against this rising opposition. This involved the banning of public speeches made by members of the party, the rejection of propositions for protests, and taking down posters encouraging ponies to join the PIPs.

This only made things worse for the Sisters, as by doing this, they merely provided fuel for the burning fire of the PIPs. and gave more ponies a reason to join them.
Months passed, and the PIPs had raised an army that rivalled even the Equestrian Military, allowing them to issue an ultimatum to the Sisters: resignation or war. The Sisters knew that they could not abandon their beloved subjects, but they did not want a war on their hooves. The choice however was made for them, as the PIPs declared war.

And so began a bloody new chapter in the Equestrian history books.

Death and destruction filled the years that followed. To help with the war effort, Celestia focused more on the areas of science, technology and the arcane. This did not end the war quickly, it made it worse. As new technology was introduced, the destructive power of newly-developed weapons became quickly apparent. Worse still, the PIPs would scavenge these weapons off the bodies of the Equestrian military, turning the war into a stalemate. As a last resort, the Sisters reached out to the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony to end the war.The Bearers had not intervened in the war yet through trying to protect themselves and their families. However, once the Sisters had asked for their help, they felt it necessary to finally act. Utilising the Elements, the Bearers attempted to make the PIPs peaceful towards the Princesses. It worked, the PIPs no longer felt the usual hatred towards the sisters, but by then it had been too late. The war had taken its toll on both Equestria and its inhabitants. Cities such as Hoofington and Manehatten lay in absolute destitution or were completely obliterated. Bodies littered the battlefields of the once peaceful lands. The once beautiful landscape had now become a rotting corpse.

It is the subject of speculation for the motives of what proceeded after the war, whether the war had psychologically damaged Celestia, or whether it had encouraged a part of her buried deep within to come forth and take control of the once kind Princess. Regardless, Celestia ushered in brutal new changes to Equestria.

These changes divided the land surrounding Canterlot into five distinct sections, each controlled by somepony specifically chosen for the task. Section Five was controlled by Princess Cadence. Her husband, the newly promoted General Shining Armor, ruled over Section Four. The mysterious Parliament ruled Section Three. Princess Luna, Section Two. And finally,Celestia, the self proclaimed Queen of Equestria, controlled Section One.

This had not been the only new change to occur. A mysterious new force known as the Authority began to rise. They were the police force of Equestria, under Celestia’s orders. They showed no positive emotions, and were fuelled by everything that would come under the term ‘evil’. Anyone who showed rebellious attitudes or other actions considered ‘not acceptable’ by the new regime would swiftly receive a visit from the Authority, and would be taken to ‘rehabilitation’. Their dreaded black armour caused fear in the hearts of whoever saw it, wondering whether it would be them that would be taken next.

This is the world we live in. This is the world we die in. No hope. No freedom.

But there are some out there who fight back. Who oppose this tyranny. Whose cries fall on the deaf ears of the common pony to join them. And while their reasons vary, from revenge to morals, one thing remains certain; they still have hope. And although there are ponies out there that still have hope and joy buried within them, these lucky few, the ones who shout ‘No more!’, have allowed that hope to flourish and guide them. And it’s those who choose to show this hope, to show this fire and to show their fight, that are the faint glimmer of a light in this sea of darkness.

However, one question arises: is it worth it? These ponies have been fighting against these tyrants for years, to no avail. To no improvement of their lives.

Maybe it’s time to hang up the reins.

Maybe it’s time to give up.

Or maybe it’s time for a spark, for even the smallest spark can bring on the biggest change. And maybe, just maybe, this spark will have the power shine the darkness away. To become a beacon of hope for all ponies to follow.

Or maybe, it’s just a dream. A sick, twisted dream to keep the pain of clutching onto that last piece of hope, rather than letting it go.

Still, the statement stands. The statement that has become commonplace in pony society. That everypony thinks when they wake up in the morning, look out the window and gaze upon their Section:
This is the world we live in. This is the world we die in. No hope. No freedom.

Maybe it is time for a change.

Chapter 1: Beginnings

Beep-beep! Beep-beep! Beep-beep!

“Uhhhh,” I groaned, the alarm clock piercing through my ears, “Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.” Extending my hoof I tried clumsily to turn it off, or at best smash it to pieces.

First try, “Nope.”

Second try, “Nope.”

Third time’s a charm.

Thwack!

‘Success!’ I thought, arising from my semi-comfortable bed. Rubbing my eyes, I was greeted by a slither of sunlight through my tattered curtains. Looking down at the floor, at the clock and its sparkle batteries, I whispered to myself.

“Another beautiful day in Section Five. Hail Cadence and our glorious ruler Celestia!”I said in a dry, sarcastic tone.

Moving up from the bed, I trod on the batteries of my morning enemy.

“OW! Fuck! So this is your payback, huh?” I said shaking my hoof at the broken contraption. Crouching down, I placed the batteries back into the clock. Red numbers appeared on the scratched screen.

“Eight CR, huh? Damn, must be a record,” I grumbled, placing the clock back on the nightstand.

“See you tomorrow morning!” I said, waving my hoof at it, still half-asleep.

I walked over to my curtains and pulled them open. The sunlight shined bright in my eyes.

“AH!” I exclaimed covering my eyes. Not a good idea to look outside just after having woken up. After letting my eyes adjust to the light, I braved the window again.

I looked out at my home. Section Five. A sea of buildings provided the landscape. And towering above them was Cadance’s castle. A magnificent structure, built with dark purple stone. A striking contrast to the decrepit buildings that lay beneath it. Banners hung from some of the taller buildings which pictured Cadance staring at us, embezzled with slogans such as ‘No pony escapes my eye!’ and ‘I am always watching you. Never forget’.
My gaze turned towards the street. Ponies exited from their homes, off to another day of work. Wanted posters had hung on some of the houses, though I was still too tired to read them. It didn’t help that the posters were a bit distant from me.

I stepped away from the window. I made my way to my bathroom and I stared into the grimy mirror. I could see my frazzled light and dark blue mane and the bags that had formed under my eyes.

I yawned
“ Oh, my manes a mess!” I exclaimed. Pulling out my mane-brush, I brushed it straight, my mane now lying somewhat comfortable next to my horn. I ran the cold water tap, gathered some up in my hoof and splashed it in my face.

“Ah! Refreshing!” I said looking in the mirror, a slight smile on my face.

“Ok! I’m awake. Now it’s time to get changed”. I trotted to my wardrobe and opened it, revealing seven identically white uniforms as well as other miscellaneous clothing.

‘I wonder which colour to pick today?’ I thought jokingly. “This one goes with my mane,” I said pointing at the far left uniform. “But this one just screams Moonlight.” I said pointing to the far right one.

‘Ah hell. Let’s be spontaneous!’ I thought, grabbing the central uniform.

I pulled it over my body, covering my grey coat. I could feel the rough cloth against my skin, but after so many years of wearing it, I’d become desensitized to it. I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

“Pretty as a picture,” I said with a smile. I galloped downstairs, eager to tuck into my oats. Once I finished breakfast, I walked towards the front door and stepped outside into the streets of Section Five.

*** *** ***

I hated Section Five.

Sure, I put on a smile on the outside. But inside I detested this place. I hated the buildings. The way the people were treated. I even hated the sky. If something as innocent as the sky could be hated, then something truly is wrong. But I keep on smiling; because that’s the only way I can keep my sanity in check.

I walked down the street on my way to work. I had seen ponies grudgingly trotting to wherever they work, emotionless, like zombies. This is what the Sections did to you, if you let them have their way with you. Turned you into a husk of whatever you were before.

I turned my head to spot one of the families. A female unicorn with pale pink hair, brandishing a calculator for a cutie mark, along with a green earth pony, who bore a hammer on his rear. Two fillies walked slowly behind them, most likely on their way to school.

Seeing their cutie marks reminded me of mi-ohhhh wait, I didn’t have one. I’m a blank flank, though nowadays this is more of a blessing than a curse. You see, when a pony receives their cutie mark, they are taken away by the Authority for ‘examination’. This is where they check to see if your talent is beneficial to the Celestia regime. If it is, then you are free to go. However, if it is not, you are taken to ‘modification’. ‘Modification’, through technology unknown to me, forcibly removes their talent and cutie mark, and changes it to something deemed ‘beneficial’ to the regime. I hear the process is...painful. Both physically and mentally. To think, to have the one thing that makes you unique removed and you are forced to become someone you are not. The thought made me shudder.

I carried on trotting. I was coming on to the more dangerous sections of my street. I kept my head down, not wanting to accidently give a ‘look’ to any of the Authority members, or any of the ponies walking around for that matter. I walked past a tall grey post with a speaker on top.

“Anypony caught coercing with members of the Phoenix will be rehabilitated immediately. If you see anypony doing so, report them to your nearest Authority member immediately for a reward. Hail Celestia!” it blurted out in a tinny voice.

“Reward,huh? Yeah, right.” I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes. Any smart pony would know that that was just propaganda, but then any smart pony would know not to make a comment like that. I wasn’t a smart pony, but I was smart enough to know to follow the latter.

Oh! I should also explain one other thing! How could I forget? The Phoenix. They’re rebel fighters within our section, fighting against Cadance for control. They’re terrorists. Well, that’s what we had to call them. Otherwise, better prepare some tea and scones for a visit from the Authority. The Phoenix hasn’t been successful in their conquest, being little more than a mosquito bite on Cadance’s ass. They try though which is more than what other ponies can say.

I looked at the walls of some of the buildings I was walking past. Many had been emblazoned with green spray paint in the shape of a phoenix. Others involved vulgar language directed at Cadance, but it was hard to see what it was as it had been mostly cleaned off.

Suddenly, shouts erupted from one of the houses that I was approaching. Looking up with caution, I saw Authority members pulling ponies out by their manes, some wearing red uniforms with a phoenix on the rear. The homeowners were thrown into a wagon and were taken to who-knows-where. The Phoenix members however were forced to lie down.

One of the Authority members pulled out a small pistol and slowly trotted down the line. One-by-one , she shot the ponies in the head. There were no screams. Just bangs. Blood and brain matter trickled down the sidewalk and into the adjacent drains. The bodies were removed and a cleaner pony went to work on the sidewalk. Nopony said anything. Nopony even looked up. It wasn’t surprising, just another daily occurrence. And it made me sick. But I was just as bad as those ponies. I couldn’t do anything. I was just one mare. And with that thought, I looked down at the ground again and carried on trotting.

*** *** ***

I logged into my computer. I worked in one of the office buildings that towered over the rest of Section Five. I had a decent view of it from my desk. The sun was still high in the sky, showering the buildings with a blinding ray of light.

A piece of paper had been placed on my desk, detailing a time and location. I shook my head and chucked it in the bin. No doubt it had been from Stone Throw. That stallion had wanted a piece of my flank since the first time I walked in. I had told him already that he wasn’t really my type. Nor any stallion really. But still, he insisted.

“No. You want me; you just don’t know it yet.” I had remembered him saying when I first turned him down. I thought it was a joke at first. Now it made me giggle, even if it was creepy.

My work was boring. I didn’t know what I was doing. I just typed words into the computer. But somehow this benefitted the regime, so who was I to argue? I was bored so I pressed a buzzer near my computer. Slowly sipping some water and staring out at the window, I waited. And waited. Finally, a familiar voice broke my daydream.

“What’s the problem, Moonlight? Have you tried turning it on and off again?”
I turned to face the pale yellow stallion, his brown mane sitting comfortably on top of his head. He bore a screwdriver for a cutie mark.

“No problem. Was bored so I thought you’d give me some company, Spark Plug.” I said with an expanding smile.

Spark Plug was the one of the office’s computer repairpony. And my closest friend. I’d known him since I was just a filly. He was a lot smarter than me.

He sighed, shook his head and then smiled.

“You know I could get in trouble for this. And I’m sure there are ponies in need of genuine help with their computers.”

“Ah, there are other repairponies for their problems.” I said with a wave of my hoof.
Spark Plug trotted over and sat down. He looked in the wastebin and pulled out the piece of paper I had thrown in there moments ago.

“’10 LR. On the corner by Mane Square and Sweet Lane. And bring that fine flank of yours.’ Let me guess, Stone Throw?”

“Who else?” I replied, still casually drinking the water.

“You know, you should report him or something if he’s getting on your nerves.”

“Ah. It amuses me how much he tries. Plus, nobody would listen to me if I did report him. So I’ll leave him be.”

Spark Plug looked at me and shrugged. He rolled the piece of paper back up and placed it back in the bin.

“So how are things going?” He asked, with a slightly worried look on his face.

“I’m fine. Well, as fine as you can be during these times. Mom and Dad are also doing okay. You?”
He placed his hoof on his forehead. His face turned slightly grim. Brushing back his mane with his hoof, he sighed.

“Sky Blue and her family were taken for rehabilitation today”
Rehabilitation. That word caused fear in the hearts of any who heard it. It was just a fancy word for execution.

I frowned, and placed a hoof on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry. I know she was a good friend”

﹡Spark Plug lifted his head, tears forming like crystals in his eyes.

“Thanks,” He said with a small smile, and he wiped his eyes “But what’s happened has happened. I shouldn’t let it get to me”.

I was concerned about how quick he was to get over it, but it’s happened so many times before that the concern rapidly disappeared. As I said, this was daily life. Not everypony is around forever. Especially in these times.

I stood back up and walked over to the window. My work area wasn’t that far up, so I could easily make out the streets below. Authority members stormed a house on one side of the street. I couldn’t hear the screams, but I knew they were there. On the other side, Phoenix members had been blindfolded and stood against a washed out blue wall. An Authority member wielded a weapon that fired at an amazing rate. The shots were muffled by the windows. The wall wasn’t blue any more. The bodies slumped against it like dolls.
I looked down at the mess that was happening below me.
“It’s getting worse, isn’t it?” I asked, placing my forehoof against the window.

Spark Plug walked up behind me.

“Huh. I don’t remember a time where it was better for it to get worse. This looks like the same as it was ten years ago” he replied.

I slumped down on the floor.

“This is all the Phoenix’s fault. The Authority was at least tolerable before the Phoenix’s rise. And we were safer, knowing it was less likely we were going to receive a visit. But now, they’ve agitated them, and the Authority are more hostile than ever! How many houses have they stormed? How many ponies have they killed?! How many foals and fillies?!”
In a fit of anger, I bucked the wastebin, it’s contents spilling over the floor.
I fell to the floor again. I placed my face in my hooves and sighed.

“I’m fed up of waking up at night, expecting to hear my door crashing down and to be taken off to my doom. Or worrying that I won’t see you, Mom or Dad the next day because you were taken for rehabilitation.”

I started shaking, on the verge of breaking down. I could only keep smiling for so long. I had placed all my fears and hate within the depths of my mind, and now the dam holding them back was about to break.

I felt a hoof on my shoulder. I looked up. Spark Plug was smiling down at me. I hugged him and I began to calm down. The dam slowly rebuilt itself.

He whispered in my ear.
“We’ll always be around, Moonlight. Me, your mom, your dad. We’re not going anywhere anytime soon.”

I let go of him.

“Thanks. You’ve always been a good friend, Sparkie” I said with a smile, some tears trickling down my cheeks.

“I told you not to call me that anymore” he said, rolling his eyes.

“Ah. You love it,” I said, giggling slightly, “Well I think our session is over for today. I’ll let you get back to work”

“Yeah. Looks like you’ve got some work to catch up on too” he said in a sarcastic tone, looking at the logon screen on my computer.
I smiled innocently. We hoof-bumped and I watched him leave.
Spark Plug. He was always a good friend and a good shoulder to cry on. He was always there for me. And I was always there for him. Friendship. One of the few things that got you by in this world.
I sat down and stared blankly at the screen, resisting the temptation to press that button again.

*** *** ***

Night had befallen Section Five. The streets were quiet, save for the odd shouts or buzz of a street light.

I was on my way to see my parents. This was a daily routine for me. Not only to see them, but to make sure they were safe. The moon shone bright in the sky, cascading white light onto the streets. I had always thought the night beautiful. The way the stars dotted the sky like tiny spotlights on a field of black. The way the wind blew cool against my face and mane. It was bliss. My moment of escape from this place.

I knocked on the door of the small house. The door cautiously opened halfway. A purple mare with a dark blue mane poked her head out of the side of the door, her horn standing proud on the top of it. She had wrinkles under her eyes, from both age and exhaustion.

“Hi, Mom!” I said with glee.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Oh Moonlight! It’s you!”

She pulled me in for a hug. I could tell she had been worried as I felt her chest rapidly rise up and down, slowing down as we finally released. She welcomed me in and I entered the living room. It was well-lit, the red of the walls making me feel warm.

“Your father has just finished the dinner.” she said, walking me to the wooden table.

“Wait? You’re letting Dad cook? You remember what happened last time? I was sure that he had intentionally tried to poison me”.
Mom stifled a giggle.

“Honey, be nice. Sure his food isn’t...the best. But he’s learning.”

“I suppose. Let’s just hope this time it’s a step up from whatever thing was on our plates last time.”

After waiting what felt like an eternity, Dad finally rolled in with the “food”. He had a dark-blue coat with a faded green mane.

“SOUP’S ON EVERYPONY!” he shouted.
I face-hoofed.

Dad was eccentric. But I idolised him and with every reason. He was the toughest stallion I had known. He fought during the war as a soldier in Celestia’s army. ‘Sword Dancer’ he was known as by his comrades. ‘Idiot’ by the higher ups. During the war, Celestia’s science team had created the first guns to be seen in Equestria. Every soldier was outfitted with them. Except for Dad.

‘Only fillies use guns’ he would say. Dad was brave, though some would say foolish. Instead of using guns, he would run at the enemy, sword in mouth, dodging out of the way of bullets. He would slice through anypony in his way. ‘A master at work’ his comrades would say. Once I was five, he taught me everything he knew: parrying, where on the body to stab, what end to stab with. Anything to do with swords, he taught me.

I did say eccentric, right? I mean who in their right mind would teach their filly how to fight? With a sword?
I still have his sword, buried somewhere in my house gathering dust.

“Umbra, shush! You’ll wake the neighbours!”

My dad’s face went slightly red.

“Oops. Sorry honey.”

It was hard to believe that after everything that’s happened in the world, Mom’s still worried about waking the neighbours. Such a normal thing to worry about. It made me smile.

Dad passed me a plate. I looked down at the mush, hoping it wouldn’t move. Actually it might be better if it moved. At least it would be off my plate. I moved the green gunk around with my fork, gagging slightly at the way it moved.

“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh” I thought as I lifted the fork to my mouth, placing it in.

“Ohmygoshohmygoshoh...oh? Oh my gosh. OH MY GOSH!”

The mush was...nice. Really nice. Impossibly nice! My taste buds danced in joy as I swallowed the glorious food. I immediately scoffed it all down.

My dad leaned back with a smile.

“I knew I’d get it right eventually” he said casually.

This was weird. Unprecedented. But who was I to complain? I let out some gas, and held my plate up. With a cheesy grin, I looked at my Dad.

“Seconds?”

After dinner, I walked around my parent’s house. It wasn’t small, but it wasn’t big. Paintings and photo’s adorned the yellow walls of the main corridor. The photos were mostly of Dad in the army. Sword in mouth. Helmet too big.

There was a picture of me as a foal. I’m glad Spark Plug hasn’t seen this. That would be pretty embarrassing.

I walked past the basement. I stopped. My ears perked up.

“Was that... a whisper?” I thought. I was about to open the door when suddenly Mom appeared out of nowhere like a ghost.

“AH!” I screamed, jumping back, almost knocking a vase over.

My Mom smiled at me and giggled.

“Aw, you were always such a scaredy-pony Moonlight. Now come on, your Dad’s made dessert”
My mind was wracked with joy. Dessert. Hopefully, it was as good as dinner. But I was still curious about what I thought I heard.

“Mom, I... I think I heard a whisper in the basement. You want me to check it out?”
Mom looked at me confused, and then giggled.

“Whisper, honey? Ha, most likely the wind. I’ve been meaning to get Dad to fix that hole,” she said looking at the basement door. She faced me again.

“Like I said, scaredy-pony” and she patted my mane.

“I’m not a scaredy-pony!” I thought.

I looked back at the basement door. It was quiet now. I shrugged.

“Guess it was the wind” I whispered to myself, and I followed behind Mom.

*** *** ***

“One out of two, Dad. Not bad” I thought, feeling slightly queasy from dessert. I’d left my parents and made my way back home. The moon still sat in the sky, though it’s light was smudged out by the clouds.
“Looks like it’s going to rain” I muttered to myself. I picked up my pace, not wanting to get stuck in the downpour.

I crashed through the door, narrowly avoiding the droplets of water that slowly started falling. I yawned; my eye’s slightly stinging from tiredness.
I crawled up the stairs, towards the comfort of my bed. Reaching my destination, I flopped on the soft mattress. The moonlight was now non-existent as I looked out my window. The rain was picking up as the window became speckled with drops. I yawned for a final time.

“Goodnight, Section Five, you worthless piece of shit” I grumbled as I pulled the duvet over my body, ready to get lost in dreams of what life could be like.

The rain splashed against the window sill, heavier than it was before. I closed my eyes and let the darkness take me away, to peace.

Chapter 2: Changes

Chapter 2- Changes

I stood in a dark forest. I looked up. There were no stars. There was no moon. Just an endless black sky. Trees watched over me, their branches outstretched like claws about to swipe. There were no noises except for the dead leaves crunching underneath my hooves. I felt no fear, only curiosity. Questions raced through my mind.

“Where am I?”

“How’d I get here?”

“What the hell’s going on?”

I proceeded through the maze of plants. Thorns scratched against my body like tiny needles.
I stumbled out into a small opening. I was surrounded by trees. They blocked my every escape. Even the entrance behind me has mysteriously closed; looking like it had never existed in the first place. I could make out the shapes of two ponies in the dark. I edged towards them.

“Hello?” I called out. No answer.

I moved closer and closer until I was right next to them. They were still shadows as I stood by them.

“H...Hello?” I lifted my hoof towards them.

They turned their heads suddenly and looked me in the eye. I recognised the faces.

“Mom? Dad?” I said in a slightly panicked tone.

They stood up, the movement creating a haze which followed them.

“Moonlight?”

“Mom, it’s me!” I said trying to get a reaction.

“Moonlight” Dad said.

“It’s me, Dad. Please snap out of it!”

Their tones turned more worried.

“Moonlight!”

“M...Moonlight!”
“Mom! Dad! Wha...what’s going on?!” I said on the verge of tears.

“MOONLIGHT!” they screamed out in terror. A bang erupted out of nowhere.

“AHHHHHHHHHHH” they screamed in agony. Before my eyes, they melted. Skin. Then blood.

Then bone. I stumbled back in horror, falling on my back.
Their bones collected in a little pile. Their skulls lay on top. I rocked back and forth, crying. Screaming. The skulls spoke to me, the bones clacking about as their jaws moved.

“Moonlight. We’ll always love you. But you’ve got to wake up, honey” it whispered in a ghostly
voice.

Another bang.

A light blinded my eyes but I didn’t close them. As my sight returned the area around me had turned red as if it were ablaze.

“Wake up, Moonlight”

My screams echoed through the forest.

“Please, wake up!”

.*** *** ***

I awoke, gasping. Sweat clung to my mane and coat. Thunder boomed outside while lightning lit up my room. It was pouring down with rain. I jumped out of bed, still breathing heavily. I ran to the toilet and slid onto the floor. I proceeded to vomit into it. Tears were in my eyes as my mouth and throat stung. I sobbed quietly. That dream had been really vivid. And it scared the living crap out of me! I stood back up and rinsed my mouth out. I walked back towards my bed. It was still dark. I couldn’t have been asleep for more than a couple of hours.

My ears perked up. Loud noises, but it wasn’t the thunder. It was shouting by the sounds of it. It was strange because it’s usually dead at this time of night. Eager to see what all the fuss was about, I put on a hooded coat and made my way out into the rain.

The rain was coming down fast. I tried my best to jump from shelter to shelter. Other ponies ran with me, as curious as I. In the distance was a bright light which seemed to be the origin of the shouts. A burst of lightning cracked through the sky, lighting the area up around me. In the brief flash, I could make out ponies by their windows, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever was going on.
Closer and closer I got to the mysterious light. The shouting grew louder. I was too focussed on running that I didn’t notice the crowd in front of me. I crashed into a brown stallion. He turned his head and growled at me, before looking back at the commotion.

I got up. I tried looking at what was going on but I couldn’t see over the ocean of curious ponies. I had to get closer. I moved my way through the crowd, squeezing my way past everypony that was in my way. This was big, whatever it was. I’ve never seen this many ponies out at this time of night.

I came to a point where I could get a clear view of what was going on. I was right near the front. I stood before a make-shift wooden stage. The bright spotlight lit up the scene; hooded figures in what looked like stocks.

“What the fuck’s this?” I whispered. This was new. Scary new.
A sudden hush befell the audience as a black-armoured stallion walked up the stairs at the side of the stage. This guy was different. He didn’t wear a helmet. I could see that he was a red stallion. More black armoured ponies moved in front of us, creating a barrier between us and the stage.

‘The Authority. Figures.’ I thought. Whatever it was, I doubt it was anything good.

The stallion cleared his throat.

“We understand this is a change to our usual schedule, but we needed to make it clear. We tell you, again and again and again: if you are caught coercing with Phoenix members, you will be rehabilitated. But you refuse to listen. So we are trying something new.”

The stallion pulled out a pistol.

“Underneath these hoods are ponies that have refused to listen. To obey. And now, to make you listen, you will witness their deaths first hand, so you know we are serious”

He looked out on the crowd.

“Some of you will know these ponies. They could be your friends, neighbours, families. But they
are traitors. They are scum. And so, they deserve to be punished.”

He took the hoods off the first two ponies.

No.

Fuck no.

NO!

“MOM! DAD!”

The stallion looked at me.

“Ah, looks like somepony does know these two. Quite well by the sounds of it. Well, little mare, mommy and daddy are fucking traitors. And will die a traitor’s death.”

Mom and Dad looked down at me.

“Moonlight! We’re sorry. We’re so sorry.” Mom called out, tears streaming down her cheek.

“It’s going to be alright. Please, don’t do anything drastic.” Dad begged of me.

The stallion interrupted.

“Aw. Well isn’t this fucking cute? Get me a tissue!” he said, after which he laughed.

“Well this tirade has gone on long enough. Time to say goodbye to mommy and daddy!”

“Don’t you fucking touch a hair on them, you son of a bitch!” I shouted. I didn’t fucking care about his little minions.

He cocked the pistol. I ran at him. I was going to kill him. But I was stopped by the impenetrable wall of Authority members. I shouted and screamed.

“NO! NO! YOU FUCKER! GET THE HELL OFF ME!” I shouted at the wall of black.

“For the crime of harbouring terrorists and coercing with Phoenix members, I sentence you, by the power invested in me by the great Princess Cadence and her Majesty, Queen Celestia, to death”

He placed the pistol in Mom’s mouth. She started crying.

“Goodnight, mommy”

Bang!

My dad shouted in agony.

“YOU FUCKER! I HOPE YOU ROT IN WHATEVER HELL YOU CAME FROM!”

“Tut-tut, you kissed her with that mouth? And what a poor example to show in front of your child. I can imagine you were a useless father!”

He placed the pistol in my Dad’s mouth.

“DOOF IT! DOOF IT!” Dad screamed from around the pistol.

He laughed.

“Hah-hah, as you wish.”

He pushed the gun further into his mouth. Dad started to gag on it. Tears fell down his face.

“Goodnight, daddy! Sleep tight!”

Bang!

The shots echoed through the night. The stallion was covered in my parent’s blood.

“Fuck, they were messy!” he said wiping it off his armour.

Time slowed down around me. I wanted to cry and to scream. But nothing came out. I could see the droplets of rain splash against the lifeless bodies of my parents. The blood seeped through the wood, staining it. My heart felt like it had been sliced into a hundred pieces and put through an incinerator. My stomach ached inside me, making me feel like I was going to be sick. I felt dizzy; my mind was trying to compute what was going on. I moved back from the Authority. I wanted to shout, to punch and buck. But I was paralysed, and as much as I tried, I couldn’t move my legs.
Sound distorted all around me. My vision became hazy and blurry. Was this it? Is this what it felt like to break? If it wasn’t, then I couldn’t fathom what being broken felt like.

“Moonlight!” A fuzzy voice called out. I tried to look around, but I felt sick doing that.

Suddenly, Spark Plug manoeuvred out of the crowd. He ran towards me. The crowd around me moved back, creating space for the broken pony that sat on the ground. I felt him hug me. I still couldn’t move. He helped me off the ground, and put his hoof around me. He walked me out, the crowd creating a corridor for us to go through.

The rain matted my mane as I gave a vacant stare into the emptiness that was the street I had walked down. We were by the edge of the crowd.

“I’m so sorry, Moonlight. I really am. I should’ve gotten there sooner”

I didn’t reply. I was trying to figure out what emotion to show. Sadness? Anger? Hatred?
“Moonlight? Please, talk to me”

He went to put his hoof on my shoulder.

“NO!”

I pushed him away and he fell into a puddle. He looked shocked.

“I don’t want to talk!”

I needed to run. I needed to figure out a plan. This was the last straw. No more. I took one last look at Spark Plug, who had stood up. His coat was soaked.

“I’m sorry!” I shouted at him. I ran, ran as fast as my legs could go. I needed to go home.

“Moonlight!” he shouted after me, but I ignored him.

The rain was heavier now.

I kept running.

Bang!

I closed my eyes and saw the faces of my parents, right before they were killed.

Bang!

My lungs burned. I had never run for this long.

Bang!

It was time for a change.

Bang!

Cadance... I’m coming for you.

Bang!

*** *** ***

I burst through the door. My house was dark. The storm was still happening outside. I moved my way through the kitchen and up the stairs. I entered my room and proceeded to open every drawer and cupboard I could see. Nothing.
I searched under my bed. A few boxes that contained some random crap that I chucked in there, but I still couldn’t find what I was looking for.

“Where is it?!” I shouted in my head. I thumped it trying to get some idea of where to look. Then it hit me.

I ran downstairs and turned left. I stood before a worn-out door. I grabbed the torch that rested by it and proceeded to open it. The door creaked loudly. Cobwebs covered the room like paint. I tried the lights. They turned on and flickered on and off. Then they bathed the room in an orange glow.

My old training room. Where Dad had taught me what he knew. They used to live here before they moved out. And now the house belonged to me. I glanced at the cupboard that stood to the side. I opened it. A cloud of dust clouded the room. I retched and coughed, my insides burning slightly. I picked up the touch and turned it on. I scanned the cupboard.

“Nope”

“NO-wait”

There it was. An oak case with a gold latch. Inscribed in metal letters was U.G. Underneath it, scratched on was M.G. I bit on the latch and lifted the case. I trotted over to a nearby table and placed it on top. I flipped the latch and opened it. Inside laid a blade. Dad’s blade. I lifted it up.

Hoof accessible, meaning I didn’t have to hold it in my mouth. I moved it around. The handle looked worn, but still had grip. The blade shined in the reflection of the light, casting an orange glow around the sword. There was a small button on the side. I pressed it. The blade shot into the handle.

“Retractable,huh? Convenient”

A leather sheath also lay in the case, initialled ‘Lt. U.G.’ I picked it up and attached it to my back.

“So what’s the plan, huh?”

I turned around. Spark Plug stood behind me. I hadn’t even heard him enter. I turned back to look at the sword.

“It’s simple really. I’m going to go to Cadance. And I’m going to stick this sword through her throat, slowly. I’m going to make her see her own blood on the blade.”
“That’s it? You just think you’re going to walk in, by yourself, and somehow find a way up to Cadance and kill her? An alicorn? That’s not a plan; that’s suicide!”

“I don’t care if it is suicide, as long as I take her with me.”

“Moonlight! Listen to yourself! You’re not thinking straight! There’s got to be a better way!” he shouted at me, obviously distressed. I didn’t listen. I needed to do this.

He looked down and sighed.

“Look, I understand what you’re going through bu-“

I turned back and glared at him.

“NO! Don’t you EVER say that! You have NO idea what I’m going through!”

He looked shocked. I walked towards him. He slowly backed away.

“YOU didn’t see your parents executed right in front of your eyes! You don’t have a CLUE what I’m feeling! You couldn’t possibly understand!”

He whispered to me.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it, but this isn’t the way.”

“I don’t want to hear it!”

I turned quickly and picked up the sword and sheath.

I made my way towards the door.

“Is this it?! Is this the time the section breaks you?!”

I stopped.

“No. Not yet.”

“Oh you keep telling yourself that! Take a good long think, Moonlight! You are NOT the same pony you were yesterday. You are walking to your death. Now please, I implore you, don’t do this! Let’s find another way. Together!”

I turned back.

“I’m sorry. But this is the only way.”

I trotted up the stairs.

“Don’t try and stop me, Spark. Otherwise, I can’t be held accountable for what will happen.”

*** *** ***

I felt awful. I had just threatened my best friend, but I needed to make sure he wouldn’t follow me. He has something to live for. I don’t. Cadance’s castle stood high. My next destination.

The rain had stopped now, but the atmosphere was eerie. Street lights were dotted around as I
ran under their amber glow. My hooves splashed in cold puddles. I tried my best to not my close my eyes, in hopes of not seeing my parent’s dead.

I had once thought the night beautiful. I suppose in some regards, I still do. But it was tainted now. I would never look at it the same way again. Feel the same way again. Death would be all that I was reminded off whenever I stepped outside.

I wondered how Spark Plug was doing. Whether he was following me, keeping out of sight or if he did just leave me be. Regardless, I would still end Cadence.

I had entered the dark alleyways that lined the Section. A light fog covered the ground. I had run past ponies that were homeless or were doing something dodgy under the cover of night. It was a surprise really to see that, despite the threats from the Authority, there were still ponies dealing banned substances or selling themselves. These were new sights for me. I had never traversed the alleyways before. I only knew where I was going by using the castle as a landmark. It was lucky I lived so close; otherwise I would have had to find a more difficult way.

I stopped suddenly and hugged the wall. I could hear speaking further down the alley. It sounded like Authority.

“Well, well,well, what do we have here? You lost, girl?”

“Listen, I’m sorry. I just went out for a stroll and took a wrong turn. I’ll be leaving now.” she said hurriedly, obviously afraid.

I looked over at the ponies. I was right. Two Authority members were harassing a hooded pony. She tried to leave.

“Ah, ah, ah,” one of the members said, putting his arm in the way of her “Not so fast. This is a very serious offence”

The hooded figure shook her head in confusion.

“O...offence? I haven’t done anything!”

The other Authority member stood forward.

“Oh, yeah. Handling banned substances. That won’t go down well”

“Y...you have no proof!”

The Authority members laughed.

“Proof? We don’t need it. One simple word and you’re gone”

The hooded figure moved back.

“There is... one thing that you can do. To negate this offence.” he said, stroking her body.

“G...get off me!” she said pushing back his hoof.

“Looks like we got a fighter” one of the members said.

“Good” the other said sinisterly.

The first Authority member pushed the mare to the wall, and put his arm across her neck. The other pulled out a baton.

“If you don’t do what we tell you to do, you’re going to regret it”

She started sobbing.

“Now are you going to get started, or are we going to have a problem?”

Uh-uh. This shit wasn’t happening on my watch. The mare started to move down.

“HEY! OVER HERE!”

The Authority members looked at me.

“Well, looks like we got another lost soul”

“Yeah, I’m a little lost soul. What do I need to do to be found?” I purred seductively.

The members laughed.

“She’s feisty” one of them said.

They walked over.

“I’ll meet you in the alley” I whispered, shaking my flank from side to side as I made my way into the adjacent alley. I heard them trot behind me.

I turned around and secretly grabbed my sword.

“So, you starting?” one whispered

“Sure. But do you mind if I used my toy first?”

“Absolutely!”

“Thanks. I always prefer a bit of foreplay”

And with that word, I flicked out the sword and sliced the first member’s throat. He clutched at it, the blood seeping out over his hoof.

“OH SHIT!” the other one shouted.

He went to pull out his pistol.

The blade went cleanly through his hoof. The now dissected appendage flew onto the floor. The Authority member looked at the stump on his arm, the blood spitting out.

“You’ll pay for that!”

He charged at me. I hadn’t noticed the baton in his other hoof. I tried to dodge out of the way but the baton caught my hindhoof. A painful sensation went through it. We were one on one. His hoof had been removed. My leg had been broke, I think.

I limped towards him and thrust my sword. He parried with his baton, knocking me back a bit. I went for him again. This time I pushed against his force when he blocked. I was able to knock him to the ground. He roared in pain after landing on his stump. He tried to get back up, but I bucked him down. He looked up at me, and started laughing.

“HA! Do it then! Kill me!”

I smiled.

“Oh don’t worry about that. I had no plans on keeping you alive. But I’ll make it extra slow, since you really want to die”

I moved round his body. I slipped the sword into his hindleg and turned it.

“AH! You fucking WHORE!”

“Ah-ah-ah, language”

I pulled the sword out and walked back to his front. I knelt down.

“Now, I didn’t appreciate what you and your friend were doing to that mare.”

“Fuck. You.”

I feigned shock.

“Well that’s not very nice!”

“Go to hell!”

I smirked.

“I guess I’ll see you there.”

I stood back up. The alley was still dark and quiet. I wondered if that mare had moved off.

“Since I showed you my toy,you’ll have to show me yours.”
I walked towards his rear.

“Oh no! Your armour’s in the way. Don’t worry, I can deal with that!” I started slicing at the armour near his area.

“AHHHH!!! FUCK!!!!” he screamed clutching his region.

“Oops! How clumsy of me!”

“You bitch!” he spoke between gritted teeth.

I yawned.

“Well I’ve had my fun but you’re boring me now.”

He squirmed on the ground, still holding his region.

“Who the hell are you?!”, he shouted, looking up.

I knelt down again and looked him in the eyes.

“I’m Moonlight Glisten. And I’m your fucking nightmare.” I whispered.

I held my sword at the ready.

“YOU BI-URGGHH!!!”

My sword pierced through his head, spilling blood on the sword and the floor.I grinned as it splashed against my face. I stood back up and wiped the bloodied sword on the dead stallion’s flank. I was breathing deeply and looked down at what I had done. I dropped the sword in horror.

“What the hell just happened?!”

This wasn’t me. There’s no way I would do this.

“If Mom and Dad had seen what I just did... would they have even recognised me?”

I walked over to a puddle near a dumpster that had formed from the storm. I looked down at my reflection. I had blood splatters on my face. I knew it was me staring back, but it wasn’t me. I didn’t recognise this version.

“You do recognise me Moonlight.”

I looked back in shock at the puddle. The reflection was speaking!

“Ok, I must be dreaming.”

“Are you sure? Look around you. Does this seem like a dream to you?”

“No. No. This is crazy. I’m going crazy.”

“Maybe you are, but this is what you wanted, right? Revenge? For Mom. Dad. ”

“Yes but not this!”

“You knew you would have to kill.”

“Yeah, but that was torture!”
“Eh, he deserved it. Think how many he tortured.”

“Wha...what the hell’s going on?!” I started shaking.

“You’re wising up. You’re breaking out of the cage that you put yourself in.”

“No! This isn’t me!”

“Sure it is. I’m what you buried deep inside you. All that hatred and anger, where did you think it went? Behind some imaginary dam? No, it was always there. You just wouldn’t let it out. But trust me, you’re going to see a lot more of me. And soon...well, let’s just say I won’t be the one in the reflection anymore”

“NO!”

I stomped the puddle hoping to kill this horrible hallucination. I looked back. My head was slightly disfigured from the ripples. It was me in the reflection, and it wasn’t talking.

“Maybe Spark Plug is right. Maybe this section has broken me.”

I wiped the blood off my face. I thought about what I had intended to do. Was I really planning on just waltzing in and killing Cadence? Just like that? Take on an alicorn? All by myself? No, this isn’t what Mom and Dad would’ve wanted. They wouldn’t want me to kill myself. I had been so consumed by rage that I didn’t think about anything but revenge. And I don’t want to know what my mind was doing during that attack in the alleyway

I picked the sword back up and retracted the blade. I placed it in the sheath on my back. I left the bodies where they lay. Somepony else will clean them up. I was about to leave to see Spark Plug, hoping he didn’t hate me for what I had said and the way I acted, until I remembered the mare.

I made my way back out into the alley. The mare was crouched, facing the graffiti-laden wall. She was sobbing faintly. I didn’t know what to say. What had almost happened to her, there was no easy way to approach it. A pony on the brink of insanity was not the best one to talk to about this. I slowly walked over to her.

“Hey. Are you alright?” I whispered, trying not to scare her.

She continued to face the wall. The sobbing quietened.

“Listen, I took care of them. There’s no need to be scared anymore.”

She sighed and whispered in a shaken voice.

“Wh...who are you?”

“Moonlight. My name’s Moonlight.”

“Why?”

“W...why what?” I asked confused.

“Why did you stop them?”

Was she really asking this?

“B...because they were hurting you. Weren’t they? And I couldn’t stand to watch that. So I killed
them”

“T...thank you.” she said, seemingly appreciative of my actions.

“Don’t worry about it. But who are you? What’s your name?”

She didn’t answer. I noticed a faint blue glow reflect of the wall.

“What’s that? What are you doing?”

Still no answer.

“Hey! Talk to me!”

I understand this wasn’t the best approach, but I needed to know what she was doing. I grabbed her. She turned her head, her horn contacting mine.

All I remembered was a bright flash, then darkness.

*** *** ***

There was black everywhere. This didn’t look right. I ran but I never moved. Was this another dream? I stopped running when I realised it was pointless. I heard hooves trot behind me.

“Yeah, you’re dreaming.”

I turned to see who spoke but from where the voice came was nothing.

“Who are you?!” I shouted, echoing throughout the nothingness.

The voice giggled. I turned around again. Still nothing.

“Stop hiding!”

“Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?”

I froze up. I turned my head to see the blood-stained face with a smirk on its face. It was the reflection. It was me. But bloodier. Darker.

“Leave me alone!”

“Well that’s going to be difficult. A, I’m in here”, she pointed her hoof to her head, “so it’s going to be kinda hard to get rid of me. And B, I really have no intention of leaving.”

“What do you want from me?!” I screamed at her.

“Simply, I want you to accept me and embrace me.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I’m better. All your...morals and stuff get in the way. With me, there’s no need to worry about that. No need to fear anything. Unlike you, I can get the job done. Quickly and efficiently”

“No! Go away!”

I punched the figure and it disappeared into a dark mist.

“Gah, I really am a dumb pony,” she muttered behind me, “I’m in your head, numbskull. I’m not physical! You think a punch is going to get rid of me?”

I did it again.

“Try again” she said mockingly.

Again.

“Ooh so close.”

I did it again. This time she disappeared before the punch even hit her. I heard a whisper in my ear.

“Gotcha!”

I turned my head suddenly. She was right up against my side. She began to nuzzle my neck.

“Oh I love playing with you!” she said, kissing my neck slowly. Okay, I was officially freaked out.

I couldn't move. She turned my head for me and smiled. Our eyes connected. I felt her lips touch mine. Her tongue forced into my mouth meeting mine. It was warm and moist. I went red. She removed her lips from mine, and laughed.

“Aww, look at you. You’re so cute when you do that.” she said, slapping my cheeks with her hooves. She smacked her lips together.

“Hmm, so that’s what I’m like when I kiss. Eh, could do with some work”

“What the hell is going on?”

“Ah I’m just having some fun. Don’t think too much about it. I wonder what they call it when you kiss yourself?” She put her hoof under her chin to mimic thought and then shrugged her shoulders.
I felt a sharp pain in my side.

“Ah! What the hell?!”

She looked at my side.

“Ooh, looks like my cue to leave. I’ll see you soon!” she said, kissing my cheek, before vanishing.

“Ok. That was weird” I muttered.

The voice echoed through the pitch black

“Hey, it’s your head. And oh-ho-ho, there’s a hell of a lot more fucked up shit in here!”

I flinched at another pain in my side.

“Oh yes! You should probably think about waking up now!”

“W...wake up?”

Suddenly, I fell through the emptiness. The room sped past me growing lighter and brighter. The pain in my side became more intense and I screamed as I fell back into reality.

Chapter 3: Magic

Chapter 3- Magic

I awoke suddenly. I moved my head up to ascertain where I was. The room was pitch black.
“Where am I?” I thought. All I remembered was that mare and a bright light, and now I was suddenly here. Wherever here was. I moved off whatever I had lied on and jumped onto the floor. A sudden sharp pain ran through my leg like a white hot needle. I had forgotten the damage I had taken from that Authority member. I felt a slightly duller pain on my side, but until I found some light, I’d have to wait for that reveal.

This wasn’t the best idea I had. I tried moving around in the black, my hooves out in front of me, limping from the pain in my leg.

“This is the thanks I get for helping somepony?”, I muttered to myself. A light switch. A torch. A candle. Anything that would let me see. I had kicked multiple objects whilst I was at the mercy of the dark. I’m so glad nobody was seeing me this vulnerable. I banged my head against a solid object.
“This must be the wall” I said rubbing my head with my hoof. I followed it until I felt something familiar. As luck would have it, it was a light switch. I flicked it on. A bright light unveiled the room I was in.
It was small, smaller than I thought. The walls were brown, with no visible signs of decay. It was remarkable really when compared to the rest of the room. It was a mess. Whether it was like that before, or whether I had created this damage myself when I was stumbling around in the dark like a fool was anypony’s guess. In the center stood a table. It was nothing too fancy; a smooth wooden table with makeshift restraints attached. I looked at my arms at the faint marks that were dug into them. I put two and two together and realised that at some point, I had been put in those restraints. There was some slight red stains on the table. It looked like blood. Was it mine? I looked around some more, but the only thing that caught my attention in this bland room was a desk that stood against the north wall.
I trotted over. On the desk lay a note, a book, a potion and something metal covered in blood. My sword and sheath also lay on the desk. I picked up the note first. Hopefully it would provide some insight into where I was. I unfurled the note.
‘Moonlight, I understand you probably have a few questions’
“Hah, understatement of the century” I remarked.
‘But there isn’t time. So I’ll start off with the biggest question you may have. On the desk you’ll see a chip. That chip... was inside you’
“Wait,what?” I asked surprised. I looked at the chip. That had been in me? For how long? Or better yet, why?
‘That chip, every unicorn is implanted with it as soon as they are born. It restricts the magical energy within you, to the point where you can’t use it.’
“Magic? I wonder what that is.” I muttered to myself. Wait, how did they get it out?
I looked to my side to see the small scar that had been etched onto my body. I realised that this was the cause of the pain I had felt, both after waking up and in that dream. That dream. What was going on inside my head?! “Now that that chip’s been removed, you now possess the ability to learn magic, which ,I can imagine, will be very helpful in your quest.”
How did this pony know about my plan? Who were they?
“I assume you have noticed the book and potion. The book provides some details on magic, and can also teach you the most basic magical ability; telekinesis.”
I lifted up the book and put it under the light.
‘Magic: A Learners Guide To Spell-Casting and Other Magical Techniques. Volume 1:Telekinesis Written by T.Sparkle’
“Oh great. Reading. That sounds fun”
‘That book was written by an old acquaintance of mine. I’m sure that you’ll enjoy reading it. The potion will also be helpful.’
I looked at the blue-tinted liquid in the vial.
‘Helpful, how?’ I thought.
‘That’s all the information I can give you at this current moment of time. Good luck on your quest.’
“I wonder who did this?” I questioned.
The note was signed ‘a friend’.
“Hmmph, of course it is” I said, rolling my eyes.
I stopped and thought for a minute. Could I really trust this potion? For all I know,it could be an Authority trick. I grabbed the book and potion and placed them in a bag I found tucked away under the desk.. Hopefully, Spark Plug could give me some answers, if he forgave me.Before I left, I made sure to pick up the sword and sheath.
I walked to the door. I was surprised to find it unlocked. I entered into a small corridor, where I looked upon another door. I hoped it was the exit. I trotted towards it and pushed it open with my hoof. The light seeped in like gas.
It was daytime.

*** *** ***

I shielded my eyes from the bright light. I looked about my surroundings. It was dingy, wherever it was. I had never seen this place before. I looked back at my temporary prison. It was a rusted shed in an overgrown back garden. The house,which was situated by the shed, looked run down and deserted. I didn’t dare enter, for fear of it collapsing on me.

I trotted through a nearby alleyway and entered a street. Just like yesterday, ponies were trotting off to work or school. But something was different. There were a lot more Authority members around. I walked down the street, hoping for a sign or something to let me know where I am. The speakers that inhabited the street spoke in their tinny voice.
“If anypony has any information about the murders that took place last night, report to an Authority member immediately”.
Murder? Oh crap, they found the bodies. I hope nobody saw me.

I had entered into the main square. It was bustling with ponies, buying goods or working. A statue of Cadence adorned the center, her imposing figure looking down upon us with malice in her eyes. I knew where we were now. Hoofton Square. Spark Plug wasn’t that far away.

Authority members were in their droves here; questioning, frisking, arresting. I kept my head down and hooves crossed hoping they wouldn’t ask me any questions.
“Hey! You! Stop where you are!”
Shit.
I looked up as an Authority member trotted over to me.
“Where you were you last night?”
“Er...me? I was…working. You know? Late night at the office. Just making my way back from there.” I smiled sheepishly. He didn’t seem impressed.
“Working, huh? Did you witness anypony acting suspiciously? Did you witness the murders?” he questioned. Though I couldn’t see his eyes, I felt his icy glare run through me.
“Murders?”, I replied, acting shocked “No,sir. I was too focused on my work to see anything”
I pretended to yawn.
“Speaking of work, like I said, late night. I should probably get some sleep. Sorry I couldn’t be of any use.” I rushed, smiling. I was about to trot away when he stuck his hoof out.
“Not so fast,” he said cooly. He pointed at my back. “Where’d you get that sword?”
Damn it! I forgot about the sword.
“The...sword? I...er…. work at the hay store! I use it to cut the straps holding the hay together!”
Please work.
“The hay store huh? Odd, I thought you said it was a late night at the office.”
Crap! Think, Moonlight, think.
“That’s what we call it! At work anyway.”
“You call it an office?”
“Er...yes?” I smiled, hoping that I had gotten away with it.
“Hmm. I don’t know. The murders were done via a bladed instrument, and so far, you’re the only pony I’ve seen with such an instrument. I’m going to take you in for questioning. See if we can find anything else out.”
The jig was up.
“You don’t want to do that.” I said, staring at him.
“What did you say?” he asked. He sounded genuine, as in he didn’t actually hear me.
“ I said-”
Suddenly a loud explosion interrupted me followed by gunshots and shouts. The Authority member looked behind him suddenly.
“Oh crap! Phoenix!” he shouted, pulling out his pistol. and running to join his fellow members.
“That was lucky.” But I didn’t stick around to question that luck. I ran, keeping out of the way of the hail of bullets. I pushed past other ponies who were fleeing for their lives. I needed to find Spark Plug. The shouts were louder and more intense. I didn’t know who was winning. I didn’t care. I trotted past some of the local shops; the owners busy putting up flimsy protection from the attack.

I turned a corner, and crashed head on into another pony. I fell to the floor, dazed. The other pony was lying face down on the floor.
“Spark Plug!” I shouted. I lifted him up. He pushed me away, and glared at me.
“Oh it’s you Moonlight.” he said, calming down slightly, but he still kept that glare. I’d obviously hurt him, both physically and emotionally.
“Look, we need to talk. Somewhere private. And safe.”
He nodded.
“My home isn’t too far away.”
The shouts grew closer. The fighting was nearing us.
“We have to move. Now!” he shouted.
We ran. A sudden surge of ponies appeared from nowhere. Bullets buzzed past my ears. I tried to push my way through. I was knocked back and forth, like I was in a washing machine.
“Mommy!”
My ears perked up to this sound. I looked back. A blue foal was walking around the firefight, crying and shouting. Spark Plug disappeared into the crowd.
I ran back. I couldn’t leave this poor foal out here. I trotted towards him and scooped him up. Another bullet sped past, narrowly missing me. I looked down at the foal, making sure he was safe and stopped.
I stared at him.
I stared at the blood on my hoof. At the lifeless body that lay in my arms. Tears formed in my eyes. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t think. I just stood there, staring down. I didn’t know the foal, but I didn’t need to. I felt like this was my fault. I should’ve been quicker. I should’ve protected him.
I felt a sudden sharp pain in my leg. I dropped to the floor, the body still in my arms. I noticed the blood clinging to my fur. Not his blood. Mine. I’d been shot. It was going to be difficult to walk, but I wasn’t leaving this foal here. I couldn’t. I limped towards an alley off the side and stumbled through a door. There were a few ponies hiding. Trying to protect themselves. They looked at me, and at the crumpled mass in my arms.
“Oh no. Nonononono. Aqua.” I heard.
A purple mare ran towards me and took the foal out of my arms. She hugged the body, crying hysterically, rocking back and forth.
“Why? Why?!” she whimpered, sobbing into her foal. I couldn’t do anything but stare.
“I...I’m sorry.” was all I could spit out. She didn’t look at me, she just continued to cradle the lifeless form. I made my back out into the alley, feeling the stares of the other ponies from the room.

I walked into the alley, the fighting still going on. The pain in my leg was incredible. I leaned against the wall of the alley and sobbed into my arms. A foal. Dead in my hooves. I could’ve done better. I needed to be better.
“You shouldn’t have gone after him”
“What? What do you mean? Of course I should’ve! What’s wrong with you?”
“With me? What’s wrong with you?! You risked your life for a foal you didn’t know and ended up getting shot. And the foal still died!”
“I couldn’t have just left him!”
“Sure you could’ve. Ponies die everyday. What made him so different? What about those other ponies who were shot? I didn’t see you giving a damn about them!”
“But he was a foal! That’s different!”
“Is it? A life is still a life, regardless of age.You know, if I was in control, not only would you not be feeling this way, but you wouldn’t have been shot. Emotions get in the way.”
I thumped my head.
“Leave.Me. ALONE!” I screamed.
“Er, Moonlight?”
I looked around and saw Spark Plug standing next to me.
“Are… you alright?”
“I...I’m fine. Really.”
He looked at me. He didn’t look like he believed me.
“Ok, Moonlight,” he said finally,”I’ve found a way home safely. Come on”
“Ok give me a sec” I lifted myself up, and screamed in agony.
“Holy crap! Moonlight you’ve been shot.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” I said wincing from the pain as I fell back onto the wall.
“Now’s not the time to be sarcastic, Moonlight! We need to get that sorted out. Come on, I’ll help you walk,”
He put his hoof around me, and supported me while I walked.
He looked at me.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Truthfully?”
“Sparkie, I’m fine. Trust me”
That was a lie. I wasn’t fine. Fine was far from the truth. I lied to Spark Plug, my closest friend. What was happening to me? The question plagued my mind as I limped down the alley.

I was in Spark Plug’s home. It was messy. Technological components were scattered across the floor. Looks like he brought his work home with him. I was resting on his couch, waiting for my leg to heal. Most of the pain had gone, but it was difficult to move on it. A bandage was wrapped around the wound. Spark Plug walked in, looking at me with disappointment and a hint of sadness in his eyes.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, breaking the silence that encased the room.
“Like I’ve been shot.” I replied, smirking. He didn’t smile back.
“I’ve done what I can. You’re lucky there was an exit wound. But I’m not sure if it’s enough. That leg may take a while to heal. I’ll make a quick visit to town to get a healing potion, once the fightings quietened down”.
“Thank you.” I said smiling. He still looked disappointed. I sighed. “We need to talk, don’t we?”
“I don’t know. Do we? Because if I remember right, you don’t like talking things through!” he spat at me. He sat in the chair opposite the couch.
I twiddled my hooves.
“I’m sorry. I was too focused on revenge to think straight.”
“Damn right you weren’t thinking straight! Holy hell Moonlight., I was worried sick. I know you were upset, but did you think how it would affect me or anypony else that knows you to find out that you walked into your death?!”
“Like I said, I wasn’t thinking straight! Put yourself in my position Spark! You just witnessed your parents die and you’re telling me you wouldn’t want revenge?”
He stood up and looked at me.
“Of course I would want revenge! But I wouldn’t be stupid about it! You threatened me! You pushed me away! Something’s changing in you, Moonlight and it’s scaring the crap out of me!”
I thought back to the reflection. Was that the point it had taken over?
“I’m sorry, alright?! I don’t know what else you want me to say! I’m a dumb pony! An idiot!” I was on the verge of tears. Spark Plug noticed this and began to calm down.
“I’m...sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted at you like that. You just really worried me. Like, really worried me.But you shouldn’t have gone off your own like that. And you shouldn’t have threatened me.”
“I know. I know I did. I was blinded by vengeance. And for that, I’m sorry.” I whispered.
“I forgive you. But please promise me you won’t do anything like that again. Not by yourself”
Did he really forgive me? I doubted it, but at least we were on track to fixing what was broke.
“Don’t worry, I won’t.”
“Promise me, Moonlight.”
“I promise.”
He smiled slightly and made his way to sit back down .
“So...what did you do? Because you definitely didn’t kill Cadance.”
“Yeah, I stopped myself from going through with it. Those murders they’re talking about on the other hoof,”
I pointed a hoof at myself.
“I thought as much. Your dad taught you well.”
“Yeah, he did.” I looked down in sorrow.
“So what else? Where’d that bag come from?”
The bag. I forgot about that. Luckily, I had the smartest pony I knew with me.
“It was the strangest thing. First I-”
I stopped, just as I was about to tell him about the reflection. I couldn’t tell him that. He’d think I’d lost it. This was one thing I was keeping secret, at least until I sorted it out.
“You?” he ushered me on.
“I…spoke to this mare. Then I woke up in a shed with this.” I pointed at the scar on my side.
“Did you do that?”
“No. I think it was the mare. But she removed something from me. A chip”
“A chip? What for?”
I smiled.
“You ever heard of something called magic?”

*** *** ***

“Astonishing!” Spark Plug exclaimed. He had his head in the book that I was given, making notes and muttering ‘wow’ and ‘amazing’ every now and then.
“So, what is it?”
“Huh?” he said, not even bothering to look at me.
“Spark Plug? Hellooooo? Equestria to Spark Plug. Are you reading me?” I said waving my hoof. I was still lying down on the couch.
I looked around the area for something to throw at him. I picked up some crumpled up paper and aimed at his head. The paper glided through the air and hit him straight in the head. He dropped the book in shock.
“Are you alright?” I asked.
“Yeah. Yeah! It’s just...do you know what this means?!”
“Spark, it’s me. Of course I don’t know what it means.”
He smiled.
“Magic is a powerful element that allows you to manipulate the very fabric of reality with a variety of spells.Every unicorn is born with some sort of magic within them. I’d hazard a guess and say that that chip you talked about...slowed the production of magic within unicorns to a halt. But now... your chip is removed.”
“Meaning?”
“Moonlight, you may be able to use magic. The potential power that you can wield might be enough to actually succeed in defeating Cadance!”
“Awesome! Great! So...how? How do I use magic?”
Spark Plug flicked through his notes.
“From what I gathered in the book, you need to learn a spell. Sometimes it can take days. Months. Years. Even decades. Telekinesis is the easiest one to learn, and every unicorn can learn it regardless of magical ability.”
“Telekine...what?That’s moving stuff with my head, right?.”
“Well, with your horn,but yeah. Knowing you though, and I know you pretty well Moonlight, you’d probably fall asleep within a few seconds of reading.”
“Hey! That may be true, but still!”
Spark Plug got up and walked over to his bookshelf. Most of the books within Section Five were inspected for sedition, so any useful information from his books were most likely taken out. He ran his hoof over the books, muttering the names.
“Ah! Here we are. ‘Potions: An Alchemist’s Guide’.” He opened it.
“What’s that for?”
“The potion you got? You don’t remember a lot, do you?”
I shook my head. He flicked through the book. His eyes grew wide.
“Incredible! That potion you got, it speeds up the learning process of spells. Very rare. And very dangerous if you overuse it.”
“How dangerous?”
“Er...addiction, magic burn out, potential death. You know, the usual stuff.”
He looked up from the book. My face was in shock and worry.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, sure” I said, with slight disagreement with what he said.
“How do you know all this? Those books were inspected for sedition, right?”
“Not these ones.” he said smiling.
“How?” I felt like I was interrogating him.
“I’ve...got my sources.”
Something didn’t feel right, but I suddenly became distracted by the potion.
“So what, do I just drink it?” I said, lifting up the potion about to take a sip..
“Woah, hold your horses.” he said taking the potion out of my hoof.
“Hey! What gives?”
“Do remember you are still injured. Before we do anything else, we need to fix that leg.”
He trotted over to the window.
“Hmm, looks like the fighting’s stopped or at least slowed down,” he turned his head, “I’m going to make my way into town to see if I can find a healing potion.”
“You’re just going to leave me? What am I going to do in the meantime?”
“Sleep? I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
He was about to leave, but then stopped.
“Don’t walk on that leg. And don’t ... touch anything. Ok?”
“I’m not a foal Spark!”
“No, but you sure act like anyone” he whispered whilst walking out the door.
I crossed my hooves with a ‘hmmph’.
I heard the door shut, followed by silence. I lay on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. Wow, this was boring. I tried to move my leg, but couldn’t. I really wish I had a ball or something to bounce against the wall.
My eyelids started to shut. I yawned. I was pretty tired. Lower and lower my eyelids shut, before I was greeted by the ever-familiar darkness.

*** *** ***

I stood alone in a misty street. The fog was so thick I could barely see in front of me. I made my way through the blanket of gray, but I felt like I was making no progress. From this realisation, the dream became lucid.
I saw a faint shadow moving it’s way through the fog. A bloodied foal stepped out of the grey sheet.. The same foal that died in my arms.
“You did this to me.” he whispered.
“No, it wasn’t me! I tried to help. I tried to save you.”
“You weren’t quick enough! You tried...and failed.”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Another shadow caught my eye to the right of me. It was the foal’s mother.
“Why? Why did my baby have to die?”
“I didn’t mean to. I wanted to help!”
“Why did my baby have to die?! What makes your life worth more than his?!”
From the left came my parents, drenched in blood.
“You could’ve saved us! Who thought we had raised such a failure! You let that foal die, and you let us die. Who next? Spark Plug?!” they screeched in unison.
I lay down on my hooves,sobbing.
“I’m sorry!!”
“It’s all your fault!” they chanted.
“It’s all your fault!”
“It’s all your fault!”
“I know!” I screamed.
The chants stopped. The foal and his mother vanished, as did my parents. The fog remained.
“Oh, you’re back again.” I heard a voice say disdainfully.
I looked up. The reflection looked down on me. I got up on my hooves and wiped the tears from my eyes.
“What do you want? You’re not going to...kiss...me again, are you?”
She laughed.
“Kiss you?! Please, I was merely experimenting. One time was enough.”
“So, why are you here?”
“Duh, I’m always here.”
A puff of smoke appeared next to her, revealing the foal.
“Remember him? I’m sure you do. He died in your arms and you ended up shot.” she said matter-of-factly.
“I know, alright?!”
“But why? Why did you try and rescue him?”
“Because… he was scared and alone and he could’ve died.”
“And he did. You tried to play the hero, and he died. Yes, he would’ve died anyway, but you’d be better off. You’re not a hero. You never will be. You’re just a killer. That’s what you need to be to survive. If you try to save ponies in danger, you’re going to get shot, stabbed, beaten. You’re only flesh. You won’t last long, the way you’re acting now.”
“No! I can’t just leave ponies in that situation. That’s not me! I wanted to save that foal.”
“I know you did, but don’t think you’re doing for some noble motive. You only did it to make yourself feel better. To try and forget about little old me. Just remember that next time you take the stupid option and risk your life for some stranger.”
She vanished. I stood there,shocked. I’m crazy. I must be. Was it right? No. No! That’s not me!
The world shook around me suddenly. An earthquake? Bright flashes blinded me, varying in length, until one didn’t vanish.

*** *** ***

“Moonlight! Wake up!” Spark Plug said shaking me.
“Wha...what?”
“Phew. I thought I’d lost you then. I’ve been trying to wake you up for about half an hour now.”
“What?! I feel like I’ve only been asleep for a few minutes.”
I sat up and rubbed my eyes.
“Did you get it?”
“Yeah, but it took a while. There were still pockets of unrest. Luckily, somepony was kind enough to sell me one”
“Well, give it to me then.”
He nodded, and reached a hoof into his satchel. He brought out a vial with a bright red liquid inside. He handed it to me.
“Drink up.”
I placed the vial against my lips and drank the liquid. It was smooth, with a slight strawberry taste. Suddenly, I felt the bones in my legs snap back into position, and the wound in my leg close up.
“OW! Shit!” I screamed out, holding my leg in pain.
“Oh yeah, the shop owner said that might happen”
I bit my lips from the sudden pain, but it started to subside as quickly as it came.
“Could’ve given me a heads up!” I said, rubbing my leg. That was not a nice experience.
“Well, can you walk?”
I slid off the sofa and stood on all four. I walked forwards. I smiled at Spark Plug.
“Good. Now that you’re fixed, we can take a look at that potion.”
I rubbed my hooves together, eager to get started. Magic sounded like a useful weapon. I couldn’t contain my excitement.
He plucked the book from the bookcase and the potion from the side. He chucked the book at my legs.
I looked at him perplexed.
“What?”
“You need to read the spell. This book is imbued with magical properties. You read the spell, you’ll absorb the technique for that spell. But you need to drink this potion before you can actually use it.”
“Aww, I hate reading.” I whined.
“Moonlight…”
“Fine!”
He opened the book to the page with the spell on it. The spell consisted of strange symbols.
“How am I supposed to read this?!” I said pointing a hoof at it.
“I don’t know. Just look at it and see what happens.”
Smartest pony I knew right here. I rolled my eyes and tried to read the symbols from left to right. Suddenly, I felt a strange feeling wash over me.
“Moonlight?”
I felt this power surge through me.
“I’m fine. Just...wow!”
The symbols on the book glowed along with my horn. Spark Plug stepped back out of fear. I opened my eyes as I felt my body lift from the ground. My horn shined brighter and brighter, lighting up the room. Then, the light vanished. The book stopped glowing. My horn grew dim. And I fell rump first on the floor. Spark Plug looked at me in shock.
“What the fuck?”
“That... was...awesome!”
I felt better. New. This power I had in me swam through every crack in my body. I felt about twenty percent cooler!
“The potion,please.”
Spark Plug reluctantly handed me the potion. Oh I couldn’t wait for what lightshow this would bring. The blue liquid diminished as I drank it. It tasted like metal.. I could feel it coming. The power!
“Burp!”
Oh, that was pretty anti-climatic.
“Excuse me” I said, sure that my cheeks had turned slightly red.
“How are you, Moonlight?”
“I feel good. Better than good. I don’t know what was in that potion, but it was great!”
I looked around.
“So, how do I use this telekin...whatever it is?”
Spark Plug lifted the book up and flicked through the pages.
“Er… it looks like the gist of it is you have to focus on the object and create a mental image of what it is you want to pick up. Then imagine yourself picking it up, and it should be as simple as that. Once you’re used to it however, you should be able to pick an object up at a much quicker speed.”
“Right. Got it.”
I looked at one of the contraptions on the floor. I envisaged myself lifting that object up. It started to shake, but then stopped.
“Damn it.”
“Focus Moonlight.”
“I know, I know.”
I tried again. I pictured the object lifting up, but still nothing.
“Fuck! I’m never going to be able to do this.”
“Moonlight. Don’t give up now. Clear your mind. Focus solely on the object. Nothing else matters.”
I rubbed my horn.
“Come on! Work!” I thought.
I tried again. I forced myself to think of the object. Nothing else. I could see in my mind the object moving suddenly. I pushed harder, determined to make it float. Harder. Harder!
“Moonlight…” I heard Spark Plug mutter in awe.
I opened one eye, then the other. The object floated in the air surrounded by a dark blue aura. My horn glowed the same colour.
“Woah…” I stood there, wide eyed. I’m sure I felt my jaw hit the floor.
“Amazing…”
The aura disappeared, causing the object to drop, breaking the trance it had us under.
“Well that was...something.” I said.
Spark Plug looked at me with excitement.
“Ha, I’ll say.”
“So...now what?”
He picked the object up.
“Do it again.”

*** *** ***

We had spent some time practicing. It was tough and tiring, but in the end, I was able to grasp some control over the spell, allowing me to manipulate the object and use the spell at a reasonable speed. I fell back on the couch and sighed.
“That...was...long. I’m exhausted!”
Spark Plug trotted in with some cups of water. I quickly grabbed one with my newly acquired telekinesis and gulped it down.
“At least you’ve learnt the spell now.”
“I sincerely hope not every spell is as time-consuming as that.” I said, grabbing another cup.
The day had quickly vanished, and the room was dimly lit.
“Right, it’s time for some shut-eye. We’ve got a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, grabbing another cup. I was going to be up in the middle of the night at this rate, I was sure of it.
“We’re going to see the Phoenix…”
I spat the water out.
“What?! The Phoenix? Why?”
“We need their help Moonlight. We can’t take Cadence on by ourselves. We need their soldiers and their weapons.”
“But they’re terrorists!”
“Are they? They haven’t attacked us.. In fact, they’re trying to help us.”
“But…”
“But what Moonlight? You killed Authority. As far as they’re concerned, you’re a terrorist too. We may as well work with the Phoenix. You ever hear the phrase ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend?’ We’re in that exact situation.”
“I...damn it.” He had a good point. It was dumb to think we could do this by ourselves. Who knows? Maybe the Phoenix aren’t so bad.
“How are we going to contact them? We don’t know where they’re hiding.”
Spark Plug shifted his eye’s left to right.
“Right, Spark Plug?”
“Well…”
“How?!”
“I’ve got my ways. But it’s nothing you need to concern yourself with at the moment. Get some sleep, you’ll need it.” And with that, he trotted out of the room.

Spark Plug is the smartest pony I know. Most of his decisions were logical, and work out a hell of a lot better than mine. So why was I doubting him? Could we really trust the Phoenix? They say they fight for the people, but how could I be sure? How could he be sure? Words don’t say a lot nowadays. Better question, how does he know where to find them?
Spark Plug is the smartest pony I know. His decisions made sense. This time though, I was sure he was making a mistake.
I trotted off to bed, hoping to not have another visit from my mental enemy. I didn’t need it, not since tomorrow would be something quite important.
The day the revolution starts.