Just One Wish

Topaz listened to it all. He didn’t ask any questions or doubt my sanity which I was starting to doubt myself. Funny enough I did feel better after letting it all out.

He sighed when I finally finished and said “That’s an interesting tale. So what are you going to do next?”

I blinked. It seemed obvious to me. Find a way back home starting with a map or something then…then after that…. I just get a cart or a hot air balloon or something… and I’m back home. Yes I’m lacking a few details, but it isn’t that bad of a plan. It can easily be changed and won’t have to many problems fixing it when I run into a problem… like lack of a plan.

I shook my head of the last doubts and replied “You’re not questioning it? The whole I'm a pony from Equestria which apparently everypony around here thinks if a myth?”

Topaz shrugged “Does it matter? Either your story is true and your trying to find a way to get back home… or you were kidnapped as a filly and forced to get a lot of random details from about some random lands far away with a copious amounts of Dream Drought or by the Raven’s dark magic so you can be a living tomb of knowledge for some rich Frost Kingdom Lord.”

I shivered at that last comment. I was almost forced into that last part back at the last place.

Topaz scratched his chin “Either way you’ve been given a crate of Fool’s Gold for your trouble without a map to town.” He noticed my perplexed look “It’s an old expression for rotten luck, besides Shadow Tail tends to attract people with strange stories. It’s not the strangest tale I’ve heard that turned out to be true.”

I sighed. The fact this wasn’t the strangest tale made me worry a little thought for some reason I could believe it. I wish I was back in Equestria. We never had to deal with bug ponies that could make themselves look like other ponies and we never had to worry about crazy magical monsters… and that’s saying something when you live in a town that’s practically right next to the Everfree Forest.

******

Topaz followed me out of the town as I couldn’t tell if he was standing guard to protect me or to protect the town from me. Either way he followed me as the snow continued to drift down just as bad as it did when I was ridding the cart. Funny enough the ponies didn’t seem to mind as little crystal fillies ran around throwing snowballs. The “farms” were large wooden buildings with crystal roofs to give the plants light and keep the snow out

It was kind of strange at first. Crystal ponies looked normal sized as the rest of the unicorns and earth ponies came in the extra-large package. Essentially they were earth ponies… but just shinier and more crystal looking than a normal pony. I never head of crystal ponies before, but I never heard much of this place either... and it didn’t help I wasn’t a history major.

Long story short or at least according to them… there used to be crystal ponies in Equestria until some evil unicorn lord fought the two sisters… whoever they were…. but before the final blow could be struck the evil lord whisked away the kingdom never to be seen again for a thousand something years. The survivors who weren’t in the capital roamed the land and then settled here… somehow. Not going to lie. I’m not sure how much is actual history or just story and considering Equestia itself is considered a myth makes me wonder a little bit. Surely their would be some sort of record of an entire kingdom vanish overnight back home... or possibly taught to foals back before we got our cutie marks. Starting to wish I had access to the library in Ponyville just to double check.

To my surprise though there were other Diamond Dogs in the village… except less charming like Mr Topaz and more similar to the ones back home but with more clothing due to all the snow and they weren't rude. Most of them spoke in a broken speech kind of like the ones back home, but quickly shaped up when Mr. Topaz glared at them.

The glare was something I’ve only seen on a few ponies. A few times when mom was really angry, that time some pony joked about going to the Grand Gallaping Gala in a really bad suit near Rarity… and that one pony who broke a Pinky Promise with Pinky Pie.

“So what’s with all the Diamond Dogs?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Topaz took a deep breath and tried to calmly say “The ground tends to be frozen solid or hard to till. Our claws have an easier time going through them than pony hooves and picks. We like gems, crystals, and other shinny objects and the Crystal ponies can also grow crystals, make gems, and craft some proper fitting objects for us to wear.” He grinned as he took of his monocle and wiped it clean “We help work the land and they pay us in gems and crystals. It’s not that bad of an arrangement for either side.”

I looked up at the sky. The clouds were dark as the wind continued to howl. I couldn’t help but shiver as the storm itself seemed to have a dark presence hanging over it. They didn’t have any pegasi left, but I still couldn’t help but wonder if they couldn’t clean up the sky.

I slowly hummed to myself trying to take my mind off it. The old winter wrap up song was always a nice tune to sing as the words themselves didn’t matter so much as the feeling it brought you. Topaz’s ears perked up as he stared at me in interest and slight confusion.

I grinned sheepishly as my face blushed “An old song we used to sing during Winter Wrap Up.”

“How did you… clean up winter with a song?” Topaz said with interest as he looked at the sky.

I shook my head “We didn’t. We worked… and the song made us feel better.”

How do you get around explaining that back home everypony cleaned up winter without unicorn magic because the town was founded by earth ponies? Come to think of it how did they clean up winter without any pegasi… or did pegasi just visit the town and cleaned up the left over clouds?

That would be one useful bit that this town needed. How to do Winter Wrap up without pegasi or unicorns! Lessons on friendship and forgiveness sold separately.

A filly shouted “You know how to clean up Winter!”

I quickly shook my head and my hooves shouting “NO! Well not exactly. It’s a different place and a different stuff.”

The filly jumped up and down “I’ll get the others!”

I hung my head and sighed as Topaz simply chuckled. How could I clean up a mess that had lasted for over a hundred years? I looked back up at the clouds again. If only a weather pony was here to give the clouds a few good kicks. Maybe a unicorn could move them, but these clouds didn’t look like the ones back home. Even then the book itself said that the Raven’s magic had weakened so it might be possible if the magic continued to weaken…

I shook my head trying to get rid of the crazy thoughts. This was unicorn or pegasi territory, not lost earth pony territory. Topaz simply placed a paw on my shoulder and pointed at the large group of fillies rushing towards me. My brain stopped working as all those bright and cheerful eyes stared at me waiting for me to magically make the weather go away. I’m an earth pony! I don’t have that kind of magic… and their using the puppy dog eyes… with diamond dog puppies in the mix. Now that’s just plain low.

I closed my eyes but I could still feel them. Like a cat or a dog just resting right in front of your face waiting for you to get out of your nice soft bed. One of them even began a small whimper as Topaz chuckled again obviously enjoying my suffering.

“Fine!” I admitted out loud in defeat. “I can give it a shot, but I can’t promise anything.” The fillies cheered “But I’ll need help and you’ll need to sing along with me.”

A purple crystal filly shouted “But we don’t know the word’s Miss Flower!”

I took a deep breath and repeated the same thing I was told as a filly “The word’s done matter as much as the tune or the feeling… just say or sing what comes naturally and we’ll see what we can do.”

Celestia have mercy on these poor infant souls as I’m bound to sing off key very badly. Their eyes widened expecting for some fancy magic trick as Topaz kept glancing back at me and the clouds. My chest tightened as I started to feel stage fright, but I didn’t want to let them down. Of course I didn’t want to mess up either which was more likely, but it was hard trying to stand tall infront of those fillies.

A warm feeling rose in my chest as I tried to sing “Put on this vest and listen. I’ll teach you what to do.”

“But we don’t have vest. We have coats.” One of the fillies responded.

Topaz sighed “They just don’t know what to do.”

“Well, then I’ll explain so you can know that there is nothing you should fear.” My voice sang out “Now come on everyone and sing along with me.”

I nearly said everypony until I remembered the diamond dog puppies. That would have been awkward, but the fillies and diamond pups started to smile as Topaz looked at me strangely. I didn’t care as they were looking up to me. I doubt I would be able to change anything, but I just wanted to put a smile on their face.

“Each year we help to welcome spring. We welcome back the warmth and all things green.”

“But how…” one of the fillies asked. “Just how do you get past the cold and the howling winds?

“Since it’s your first time I’ll take the lead. Topaz some help?” I sang out loud

He blinked “But how do I help. I’m not a pony! What am I supposed to do?”

“Well just come help us out and sing along.” My voice seemed to have taken a mind of it’s own as I hopped out into the fields. “Winter Wrap Up. Winter Wrap Up. You do it. I’m right here!"

One of the fillies smiled as he tried to sing along “Winter Wrap Up. Winter Wrap Up! Come on Mister have no fear!”

“Come on Topaz have no fear.” I sang along as he gave us a gruff look.

“But how do you clear all this snow?” Topaz asked out loud.

I hopped over to the shed with rakes “Well first you grab a rake right here and scoop up all the snow.”

“Then where do you put it?” Another filly asked.

“Why in that cart over there!” I stopped for a second as I remembered this wasn’t ponyville.

A stallion waved at me as a cart was nearby. The fillies and diamond pups started to move the snow into the cart as more ponies were starting to watch. Properly trying to figure out why a crazy pony was singing… or waiting to watch me blunder.

“Then Topaz just help us till the ground right here.” I turned to the fillies and pups “Just don’t worry as you’re doing just fine.”

The fillies chanted back “Winter Wrap Up. Winter Wrap Up!”

“Come on people let’s lend a hoof or hand.” I sang out loud.

More ponies started to enter the chant. Maybe it was out of the warm feeling of watching the fillies and diamond pups or the fact the song seemed brighter than the cold winds around us.

"We can lend a hoof or paw, but how do we clear the clouds that snow upon us now?” A pony asked out loud

I turned around pointing at a unicorn “We just simply move them now.”

All eyes turned to the unicorn as I felt a little guilt as the fillies sang “Winter Wrap Up. Winter Wrap Up!”

“Alone it may seem rough,” Another unicorn sang “but with just a little bit of help! It will be just fine.”

I smiled as more unicorns joined the group. Their magic glowed as the sky seemed to be a little bit brighter this time.

The fillies and pups sang their line again “Winter Wrap Up. Winter Wrap up! With you right here it will be alright!” And apparently added a new verse.

Topaz chuckled as he actually sang “Winter Wrap Up. Winter Wrap Up.”

I sang along as the choir grew. I doubt we were really doing anything, but at least we were feeling good about doing nothing! We continued singing as the feeling grew with each voice that joined in. I did my best to help guide them along as I thought back to each task that needed to be done.

******

Hours passed as apparently none of us cared. Everyone was singing and having a good time as the snow finally stopped. The air felt warm as I looked up and stopped singing for a moment as everyone went silent.

My eyes stung for a few seconds as both ponies and the diamond dogs gasped. The sun was out and the clouds were gone. I didn’t know how long they had been out, but the sun was now shinning down on us as the land felt a bit more cheerful without that darkness lying about.

One of the fillies shouted “Flower Pony’s song worked! She stopped Winter!”

Whispers filled the town as they stared up in the sky in confusion as I remembered the book. The storm eventually died down, but the wild weather never stopped. It never cleared. The Raven’s magic had finally ended other this town.

I shook my head “I didn’t do it. All of you did it.” They were now staring at me in confusion. “I just sang a song to help you out. The rest of you managed to clear it up… I just started the tune and the rest of you finished it.”

At this Topaz laughed out loud shouting “If this was all we had to do then maybe we should have started singing sooner!”

At that moment a few of the other Diamond Dogs started to chuckle as soon the ponies joined in. To them the storm that never ended was finally stopped and all it took to stop it was just a stranger and a few fillies singing as we tried to clean up winter. It actually sounded funny when it was said out loud.

A few of the fillies just chanted “Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! Have no Fear!”

Everyone was now laughing as there wasn’t even a cold breeze now. Maybe it wasn’t the song that stopped the storm. Maybe it was the fact everyone got together and was happy. They worked side by side and sang a silly tune forcing back the darkness left by this Raven creature’s dark rule. Maybe that was all that was needed in breaking the curse over the town or maybe it just finally gave it. Either way like Topaz said to me… It does it really matter? Right now their happy and the storm is gone. That’s all that really mattered right now.

******

I rested in the cabin as Topaz had guarded the door. The ponies were happy and were enjoying the sunlight for how ever brief it might be. I on the other hoof decided to open up Shadow Tail’s book again to get some much needed information on the world.

The Crystal Kingdom was considering a shining capital that helped spread love and hope all over Equestria or at least it did before it disappeared from our world by the Dark Lord Sombra. With the kingdom lost the Crystal Ponies were scattered until they managed to gather together again and built a new life what is currently known as the Frost Kingdom. With their magic in gems and Crystals they have helped rebuild and made a new kingdom… currently known to the rest of the world as the Crystal Palace. The center of the Frost Kingdom capital along with most of their ancient lore.

Sadly much of history of before the Raven’s time has been lost, but every crystal pony speaks of the lost Crystal Kingdom and how it fell to darkness. Some even claim that Sombra was the first general of darkness though this could be wild tales. All that is known was that over one thousand years ago… There was an evil pony named Sombra. He fought Celestia and Luna, but when he was about to lose he whisked away the Crystal Kingdom taking away the very thing the Two Sisters fought so hard to protect.

The first Drake’s made by the Crystal Kingdom were made in the image of dragons due to their natural size, awe, and power. In fact most are based off of adolescent western dragons as they walk on two legs leaving their front "arms" free to grab or hold weapons. While the Lunar Republic prefers it’s constructs and various robots…. And the Protectorate with it’s magical golems/creatures. The Frost Kingdom forges each Drake with a “miniature Crystal Heart” as they call it. In truth it is nothing like the Crystal Heart that was found in the heart of the Crystal Empire that used positive emotions to power it... But there are rumors of the magical connection and gifts Drakes alone seem to possess that many other constructs and ancient golems do not have despite the countless advancements made during the years since then.

Drakes are also known for their active abilities or "Quirks" that tend to develop under use of an owner. The Berserker Class Drake in particular is quite known for this habit and are some of the first models made during the war and still used to this day. While some constructs may show “Quirks”. Drakes like the image they were forged from are extremely protective and sometimes emotional. Some would even go so far as saying they have a soul. Berserker Class in special can sometimes for a “Bond” with other ponies besides unicorns. Picking a fight with a Bonded Berserker will only end with either the opponent’s death or the destruction of the Drake itself. Kill the owner… The Berserker variant will not stop, or even rest as it will continue to hunt the killer until either they are destroyed or the Berserker is finally destroyed.

As for those who think they can “out wait” a Berserker Drake… Longest recorded hunt was 25 years as the killer fled to Raven Fall. The Drake in question slayed the demons, monsters, and even the Night Lord of the land just to reach the prison the Killer was locked inside. Needless to say the Drake finished his task killing said pony. Try thinking about that before you pick a fight with a Drake.

It showed an image or Brigs tossing a large spider as it stood protectively over a group of crystal ponies. So I had a powerful metal dragon that wouldn’t betray me and would hurt anyone that tried to hurt me. Now only if Brigs was with me right now... Or did I just lose him for good?

I flipped past the pages looking for pictures until I ran into two standing side by side. The crystal heart and a red gem of a unicorn with wings.

Emotion is a powerful force. Much more than most races tend to believe and quite frankly take for granite. The Crystal Heart is the magical crystal that uses the Crystal ponies love, hope, and other various positive emotions to protect the crystal kingdom and even destroy some of their foes.

Sombra was one dark lord who broke the Crystal ponies spirit and will as he hid the gem from them. While hope was all that was needed to save them… Kind of sad considering how things ended. Still many believe this to be a key trait in the miniature crystal hearts. No matter the battle, no matter how bleak the circumstance is. The Drakes will stand tall and defend their owners to the last soldier. To the Frost Kingdom… Drakes are Hope forged into metal form forged to battle the darkness that seeks to destroy them.

The Alicorn amulet on the other hoof focuses on Dark Emotion. Fear, Hatred, Wrath primarily. It can enhance a unicorn’s magic greatly and allow the ability to cast spells previously unable to or even grant new spells to it’s user. Unlike it’s namesake sadly it also enhances the darker emotions  of it's host granting the user more power and making them worse as it corrupts them until the amulet is finally removed.

Thankfully removal of the amulet frees the pony of the taint of dark magic it held as most would never do the actions they did under it’s influence. As few tales that speak of such objects say… It takes the worst traits you have and then makes them your only trait until a crude copy of you is in control as you watch helpless in your own body.

Worse even still… just like the original Crystal Heart was the baseline for Drakes… there are quite a lot of magical artifacts that used the Alicorn amulet for their baseline including those nasty side effects.

******

Time had passed by without me knowing until my stomach rumbled letting me know I was hungry. I stretched as I put away the book ready to grab something to eat. Outside everypony was celebrating as tables were filled with food. Immediately two ponies dragged me over to the table as they loaded up my plate with a lot of food.

I smiled and nodded as they gave their thanks. Most of them were just enjoying themselves as they really needed it. Soon drinks were passed and everypony was laughing along with the diamond dogs. I even saw a crystal pony and diamond dog engage in a drinking contest as both contestants tried to outdo the other.

Everypony was happy until a filly started shouting “There’s an army outside!”

The music stopped dead. Ponies and diamond dogs drinking were now spraying their drinks as I could hear a few plates hitting the ground. Nopony waited to see what was going on as they grabbed weapons as some even grabbed chairs until they could replace it with a pitchfork or riffle.

Topaz stayed beside me as he had his blade drawn as we followed the filly near the edge of town. Right in the distance we could see a large group of ponies marching towards the town. These ponies wore white armor that practically blended into the snow itself as their white banners hung in the air. I rubbed my eyes not believing the sight at first, but surely enough the banners held the image of Celestia’s cutie mark.

I should have been jumping for joy, but instead a growing feeling on unease rested in my chest as I continued to watch them. Their armor didn’t match the Royal Guard’s armor at all. Instead it covered the body from head to hoof as only hints of yellow were placed on the armor for detail. Their helmets covered their faces up completely, but instead of an expressive mask like Shadow Tail. Each mask seemed to have been craved in the image of an angry pony. Even the sun itself seemed to be more jagged instead of the soft curved lines it usually had.

The towns ponies came up behind me as they were nervous. I was nervous when the large group stopped with in sight as the stared at us as the sun glinted off their armor making it difficult to look at them.

One of them shouted “Has the storm stopped over this small town?”

Topaz grunted as he shouted back “For now it has!”

He practically growled at them as the ponies held onto their weapons tightly. The armor in white pulled out their blades. Each one as bright as their armor except they had decorations of fire dancing across the hilt in blazing red. These blades did not feel ceremonial at all.

The one that shouted “We wish to see what has happened!”

Weapons were now being pointed at each other. The armored ponies scrapped their hooves across the ground as the towns ponies prepared for a fight.

I stepped forward and shouted “Not to be rude… but who are you?”

The armored pony shouted again “We are the Protectorate! Followers of the true goddess! We have heard of a pestilence roaming this land and seek to end it!”

“Uh… You’re kind of late.” I sheepishly replied “The changelings already fled.” Both sides were silent as I stepped forward just a little bit more “But… if you want we can offer you some food and help point you in the right direction at least.” I glanced back at the towns ponies “If that’s not too much trouble?”

The mayor of the town shouted “We can give it a shot.”

Both parties lowered their weapons as the Protectorate forces marched into town. Parents hid their fillies as the diamond dogs retreated into the shadows. Nopony seemed exactly thrilled, but considering the last army was full of shape shifty bug ponies in disguise I couldn’t blame them.

The white armored ponies continued marching until they reached the center of the town. Everypony was silent as the armored ponies didn’t eat. Instead they spread out searching the town as they glanced through each window and inspected every house nearby.

I glanced around for where the mayor went, but either she left or was hiding along with most of the other ponies. The largest of the group stared at me as Topaz stayed by my side obviously unhappy at the new arrivals.

The large pony spoke with distaste “You have mongrels so close to your borders?”

“Ground’s cold.” I replied uneasily tapping the frozen dirt with my hoof “Besides shouldn’t everypony lend a helping hoof if they can?”

The large pony huffed in annoyance almost as if I had insulted her. I didn’t say much… besides Celestia was a nice pony. Surely they couldn’t be that bad? They were just a bit paranoid with the possibility of but ponies hiding in the town. That could make anypony a bit nervous. The armored ponies went further away from the center of the town as I lost sight of a few of them.

The larger one spoke again “Hard to believe that a bunch of town’s folk could frighten off a group of changelings.”

Topaz growled “We helped.”

The larger one spoke in distaste again “Let me guess? By running?”

Topaz stared at the large pony as I could see his teeth clenched. The large pony kept her mouth near her holster as if expecting a fight to break out. I quickly stepped in-between them trying to stop the fight... I had seen enough dead ponies to last me a life time.

“No… well not exactly.” I replied uneasily “The changelings fled after a monster showed up. We killed the monster and the changelings didn't come back.”

The pony went silent. I really wished one of the others were here. They had the full story... well most of the story. I woke up after I was captured by the bug ponies. I glanced back at the decorations they had. All of it was the image of Celestia’ cutie mark… or of flames. There wasn’t a lot of variation for their group.

I chuckled nervously “So… why are you called the Protectorate?”

“Because we protect.” The pony simply replied as if I was asking what color the sky was.

I nodded trying to get more information “And the flags? That’s Princess Celestia’s cutie mark  or is that the sun?”

“Queen Celestia!” The pony practically snapped at me like an angry school teacher “She is the true goddess who watches over these lands. The one who raises the sun each day for which there would be no life without!”

I nodded not exactly because I didn’t believe her, but the fact she was scaring me. Now I felt the very strong urge to keep my past a secret. Princess Celestia was the pony in charge of all Equestria… but she kept the title Princess instead of Queen. No idea why, but nopony is going to argue with the one who gave us one thousand years of peace and harmony over some fancy title wording. Especially when said pony was over one thousand years old! I think she’s been around long enough to pick titles out for herself.

“Got it. Queen Celestia, “The phrase sounded really off for some reason “But… others? Isn’t she the only one?”

The pony raised a hoof ready to snap at me or something, but pause apparently surprised by my confusion. She lowered her hoof and coughed into it for a moment before trying to regain her composer.

“Of course she is.” She stated rather smugly “The lies spread by others speak of a sister when there is only one goddess.”

One of the other ponies marched back to her and shouted “We have cleared our search of the town. Orders?”

The pony glanced up at the sky “Tell me… how did the storm end?”

A small filly crawled out from behind a door and mumbled something underneath her breath. In an instant the large pony glared at the small filly causing her to hide underneath her hooves as her subordinate marched over to the filly dragging her out of the house. I moved to stop her only for a sword to stop me as the blade rested just in front of my chest.

The filly was dumped in front of us as she looked up and shouted “Flower Pony taught us a song and we got rid of the nasty storm!”

The large pony tilted her head “Flower Pony?”

The filly nodded adamantly “Winter Wrap! Winter Wrap!” she sniffed as tears ran down her eyes “She said that’s what they did back home when they cleaned up winter. She didn’t know if it worked here, but she tired anyway unlike you big meanies!”

The pony next to her raised her hooves up as I ducked underneath the sword and pulled the filly away before she got hit. She cried into my coat as I could hear her sniffing loudly. The white armored ponies were frightening a filly for no good reason! I glanced back up at the two waiting to see if she would berate her comrade for such reckless behavior. Topaz was bearing his teeth and had his hand on his sword's hilt. The large pony didn't seemed to care.

Instead she replied “A song? You just sang a song to end the storm?”

“Honestly I was one of the ponies who didn’t think it would work.” I replied honestly.

The mare nodded “I understand what needs to be done.” She glanced at her subordinate “Tell the others to let the town continue their feast. Let them enjoy the party as our forces restock our supplies before we prepare to continue Celestia’s work.”

I smiled. I was scared, but they weren’t going to hurt anypony. They weren’t exactly the nicest ponies I’ve ever meet, but they weren’t bad ponies. The ponies slowly left their homes as the Protectorate forces assured them that everything was alright. I tried to relax as it seemed like everything was going to be okay.

******

The party started back up again. Ponies played music as they tried to enjoy the sunshine. Fillies now danced around shouting, and playing with each other despite the unease of their parents. Everything looked like it was going to be alright.

Sadly this wasn’t exactly true. The diamond dogs were nowhere to be seen. Not even Topaz was around. I didn’t know why they weren’t here, but I could now tell that the Protectorate forces didn’t like them one bit. Still everything was going alright. Nopony was pointing weapons or frightening fillies for no good reason. Everypony was just a bit nervous.

I glanced at the Protectorate forces and noticed something odd. They didn’t have any unicorns. It felt… odd not seeing any unicorns especially since the Royal Guard had a pony from each race filling up their ranks… and the fact that Canterlot had a lot of unicorn nobles and knights, but no unicorns in this group was rather odd. Maybe something happened to the unicorns during their trip?

Still it was a little bit unsettling seeing how few white armored ponies there were. Sure they had a few nearby the tables… but none of them had taken off their helmets. The rest were still searching in case anything was nearby.

All of the Protectorate ponies was covered in the white armor they all worse. Some of them were more… leather like armor as they had guns strapped to their side… Battle Saddles like Shadow Tail with the trigger either attached to their tail, wings, or near their mouth. It was unsettling to see how many different variations of weapons they had on them. Some of the guns looked like riffles, but a few of them just had some sort of nozzle as they seemed to have kegs resting on their backs. They all wore helmets that covered their entire face up as the ones with the kegs had masks more like Shadow Tail expect without the expressive eyes and just had glass covering over their eyes as you couldn’t see past the glass.

One of the ponies stood up as she smiled “I know it’s been a rough past few weeks with Scron’s Invasion… the raids along the borders and even the assault on our very town, but it’s all changed now.”

She motioned towards the skies “The clouds are clear as the sun is shining.” She chuckled “It’s hard to believe that the snow has finally stopped. We stuck through the storms, the bad harvest, and even against invaders, but now… Now it’s a new day. It’s a new day for our foals, for our future and possibly even bright and happy days for us all.”

The ponies cheered as she stepped down as I couldn’t help but smile. The doubt seemed to have been washed away. Now everypony was joking about now. It continued like this for a short while until a small pony stepped to the front of the tables.

She wasn’t much of a pony. She wore a white robe over herself with markings of the sun all over the robes. Unlike the others she didn’t wear a mask that covered up her entire face. Instead she wore a similar mask to the ponies with the kegs covering her mouth, but her eyes were left exposes. Everypony went silent ready to see what she had to say.

She took in a deep breath as the mask in front of her mouth hissed before she said “I have traveled far and seen much in my service to Celestia. It warms my heart to see the storm that has plagued these lands finally start to end.”

Everypony was smiling as a few of the parents tried to have their foals stop playing about and pay attention. Certainly the rest of the Protectorate ponies were listening and it wouldn’t be good to offend them.

The Protectorate pony nodded “Much hardship has plagued this land since the Raven’s war against us. Many ponies have struggled hard keeping true to the One Goddess’s teachings.”

I sighed knowing just how true that statement must be. Banishing the pegasi? Attacking each other? Celestia tried to get everypony to get along. Trying stay peaceful after all the confusion and terror must have been hard. I could feel the wounds from my stay from the prison cell seem to itch just thinking about it.

“And now the sun has come out to bless her the faithful. To bring life back into this frozen land and bring forth new life.” She said with joy “This truly is the start of a new future for us all”

Everypony started getting ready to applause. I laid back no longer fearing the worst as it was going to be all right.

I almost shut my eyes until I hear her hiss “And it is time to cleanse the taint from this land!  To burn the heretics so that her blessing shall remain! This is why she has called us here this day!”

The protectorate ponies pulled out their swords as the blades now were covered in flames. The pony on speaking now glared at us all in anger and disgust as if our very presence insulted her very being!

She screamed out loud “As the Goddess herself commands! Spread the flames the burn the taint of this village and all the heretics that live here! Kill them all!”

The ponies screamed as the Protectorate attacked. Flames belched forth from the keg wielding pony’s weapons. Guns opened fire tearing apart the panicking crowd.

“Blessed be the Golden Throne!” She shouted before joining the slaughter.

“Blessed be the Golden Throne!” The others chanted back.

One of the crystal ponies shouted as the town tried to defend themselves. One of the ponies tried to attack the pony who gave the order only for her to pull something out of her robes. An explosion went off sending everypony flying as I landed against one of the houses. I struggled to stay awake, Everything hurt as I could hear ponies screaming before I closed my eyes.

******

I opened my eyes again as my body ached in pain. I could feel blood dripping down from my head as I properly should have a doctor take a look at it. My white coat was a mess and red blood mingled with the dirt and fur. I couldn’t believe what had just happened a few moments ago, but when my senses returned I almost wished they hadn’t.

Sounds of Gun fire rang throughout the town as ponies shouted curses and screams of panic in the air. Good descent ponies were lying dead around me. A dead filly who had just been jumping around laughing had just been slaughtered as her blood dripped onto my face. The blood wasn’t from a head injury… it was from her. I struggled to get up as I saw she wasn’t the only filly as another had been sliced open by a sword as the slice along her body was burnt crisp. Fires raged through out the town as I felt sick to my stomach.

They called themselves the followers of Celestia. The Protectorate of her will. Just in what way did slaughtering fillies count as Celestia will! The Celestia I knew would never want this! It was like they were perverting the peaceful princess that gave a thousand years of peace with their twisted mockery!

The dagger I had taken from the changeling had fallen out of my saddlebag as it laid on the snow. The snow now covered in blood as the twisted ponies were now trying to finish slaughtering the town. I could smell the burning flesh as tears fell from my eyes. This was so much worse then the battle I saw when I first arrived here. Not even the evil bug ponies slaughtered foals!

I picked up the dagger and raced towards the first twisted mockery I could see. It wore white armor covering it’s body, but they didn’t give the same pride that the Canterlot guards held or that strange sense of emotion Shadow Tale’s had. Now I understood why it bothered me so much. It felt cold and emotionless like some sort of clockwork golem instead of a real pony.

The white armored mockery turned as the barrel of the gun turned towards me. I ducked into the snow as a steam of flames shot out above me. As soon as the flames stopped I leapt forward like some sort of wild animal and plunged the blade into his chest. He took a few steps back as he turned the barrel towards me again.

“For the Frost Kingdom!” a pony shouted.

The armored pony turned only for a pitchfork to be plunged into his face. The pony shouted in triumph only for a mace to crack open his head.  His body fell before me as his neck was twisted backwards as a new pony stood in front of me. Another white armored monster stood their as a mace floated beside in covered in a red crackling aura. He didn't have a horn, but the mace twisted around to defend him when I kicked up a mound of snow at him and grabbed my knife again.

I charged straight forward without a plan. The mace crashed into my side as my barding protected me. Flames suddenly exploded against my side when the mace hit as I tried to ignore the pain. The pony tried to move away only for me to break the distance and thrust the blade through his throat.

The pony collapsed onto the ground and started gargling as blood flowed out of his mouth. I turned to the next one only to see six other ponies with flaming swords. What was with these freaks and fire? I tired to pick the blade up again as I gave them my best “Do you best” look. I really wish I had a more intimating look. One pony steeped out in a large suit of armor... the same one I had tired to convince not to fight. The pony who betrayed my trust and tried to gather everypony together in one spot and slaughter them all in one move.

She spoke in a tone of annoyance “May you beg for forgiveness when we send you to Celestia's throne.”

I spat at the ground “I don’t know what bucked up Goddess you worship, but the Celestia I know would never agree with the bucked up things you’re doing!”

I never really swore before in my life and right now… it feels good as it’s the only way to get it across just how screwed up these ponies were!

The armored pony charged me as I ducked the flames burned across my mane as she slammed her head against mine. I fell back in pain for a moment before flaming hooves came crashing down upon my face.

I saw the battle saddle on her side holding her gun. I shoved my hoof at it knocking it up as I grabbed the trigger and pulled. Flames scorched across her helmet as she screamed in pain. Her sword swung down tearing the battle saddle off as I tried to crawl away to get a weapon. Her hooves slammed into my back as flames licked my mane making me scream in pain.

She stood over me now in hatred as she kicked my onto my stomach hissing "My Celestia see this mark before you die so she knows the full folly of your transgression heretic!"

Her armor radiated heat practically roasting me alive as the left over snow around me was quickly melting away. My mane felt like it was on fire as her sword went down to my neck for a moment before being raised up to come crashing down like a axe on a log of wood.

The armor glowed red she replied “Celestia is on our side! Nothing shall stop our judgment.”

I clenched the blade in my teeth again as tears ran down my eyes. If Celestia really wanted this then it would be better if I died right here. The armored pony brought her blade down as I shut my eyes only to hear a bone shattering crack. Once I opened them a large red figure protectively stood in front of me as the armored pony laid in a broken mess on the ground. I don’t care how “blessed” she was. I don’t think a neck should be twisted that way and a body for that matter was couldn’t bend that way.

Brigs roared in a bloodthirsty cry frightening the other ponies (including myself) as he clawed at the ground ready for another fight. Two of the ponies raised their blades only for a soft pop as both of them fell to the ground. A shadow flew over me as I couldn’t help but grin in joy. Behind Shadow Tail came a yell as a large group of diamond dogs came tearing through the streets with weapons as they charged towards the armored ponies. Apparently Celestia wasn’t on their side as she had just delivered us a miracle.

I struggled to get back up. This town wasn’t going to burn today.

******

The battle was over as my legs finally gave out. It hurt to walk now. My brain was in agony as I was finally calming down. My first thought was that I killed a pony. The hydra and the red changeling had died because of my actions. The ice monster when shrunk had died due to my actions. Yet it felt different knowing I had personally taken a life.

The second thought was wondering just what where those psychopaths? Daring Doo had villains, but they were in it for money, greed, or trying to bring back an old kingdom. Busho Hooves had villains who had tragic backstories or had tried to change the world. Even if it was with a bad way to achieve the goal like bankrupt a town or something... but they at least had morals! These ponies? They were just a cruel mockery that murdered ponies for no reason!

Brigs simply moved next to me and scooped me up as he then carried me to the wounded tent. All of those ponies that were dead or wounded… all of them were my fault. Just because I song a stupid song I nearly got them all killed.

One of the fillies… dear Celestial she was missing a leg… shouted “It’s Miss Flowers!”

They cheered as they were actually happy to see me. Please stop. It’s my fault all of you got hurt. It’s my fault that your friends and family died. It’s my fault for trusting those twisted ponies.

“It’s not your fault so stop mopping about.” Muttered a voice beside me.

I turned to face Shadow Tail. His mechanical bat wings moved with quick precision that would rival a unicorn’s magic as he plucked out bullets from a pony’s leg with one wing and stitched up the leg with the other. The pony’s face didn’t look at all happy and was relieved when the procedure was over.

Shadow Tail groan “Hey I got the bullets out and you didn’t want to be knocked out for the procedure.”

“You were going to hit me in the head with a frying pan!” the pony shouted back “Haven’t you ever heard of anesthetics?”

Shadow Tail blinked… well his helmet’s eyes blinked. That’s one detailed gas mask.

His wings smacked together “So that’s what I was missing. No big deal.” The pony glared at him “Besides I told you I’m not exactly trained to deal with living ponies.” He turned around to face me “And as for you Miss Guilty Conscious. Stop feeling so glum. So you had to kill a pony. The world isn’t a kind place.”

“But the fight…” I closed my eyes “All of it was…”

“The idiots in white’s fault.” He simply stated “These people were abducted by changelings, had killed a creature created by taint. It didn’t matter if you managed to stop the winter by getting them to work together as you sang a song. They still would have found some other stupid reason to do what they did.”

“Do you really mean it?” I couldn’t help but ask “Or are you trying to make me feel better.”

Shadow Tail grabbed my face and pointed it towards the others “It doesn’t matter if you feel good or bad. The fact is their happy. You saved them from being abducted by changelings, helped kill a monster that terrorized them and a lot of other ponies, then you got rid of a group of psychopaths, but most of all… you stopped the snow.”

He took a deep breath and looked up “For over a two hundred years it would constantly snow as few would ever see the sun. Now… the sun is shining brightly and it doesn’t look like it will disappear anytime soon.”

Despite the wounds most of them seemed happy. The fillies laughed as they told tales about the town ponies and Diamond Dogs that stopped the evil ponies. The grownups were already chatting about which crops they would try to plant as soon as they got out of bed. A few tears were spoken over dead friends, but everyone was happy that the endless winter had finally ended.

Brigs laid me down on one of the beds as Shadow Tale spoke “Now I must warn you. I’m not a doctor. Doctors try not to cause any harm.” He shoved a block of wood in my mouth “I never really could do that part.”

His wings dug into my legs making me scream into the block of wood as I felt my teeth sinking into the block. The bullet going through my leg hurt less than his treatment! Thankfully my low tolerance for pain kicked in as I passed out as Shadow Tail patched me up.