From the words of the Celestial Bible itself, I transcribed every tidbit and speck of magic lore I could. From counter-curses to sacred prayers to the Celestial Spirit, even to harnessing the sun's magic to raze my enemies, I was in my eden. My eden was being knowledged. Being aware of the world around me was a natural delight I had no idea anypony else could even sully. But amidst my daly studies, I did find and experience the most wretched soul. Her name was Apple. And with her tagged along another uninspired pony called Cleave. They were both ignorant of the world around them. Often times, they'd waltz into my living quarters and play paintball while staining the wallpaper with ugly chaos. Obtrusive magentas and cyans mixed with violets and dirt browns on walls that weren't even theirs.

I wished them quarter and peace, so their desecration of my Scion wouldn't dasheth them against my stones. Because I was tempted. The first week of rambunctious destruction and what I could only assume was rampant incest on the other side of my wall was tolerable. I was good to them as both neighbor and sister. I did not cast stones and I did not want more than peace and quiet for my scripture.

Oh, but one day, they did it.

I was trotting into the kitchen once and I saw Uncle Pepperjack showering them with adoration. He was teaching them, too, with the same chalkboard and the same chalk. I remembered the stale afterburn of chalk soaked in moonshine. I stayed serene, reminding myself that knowledge was everyone's right. Everyone deserved to see they were naked. But Cleaver carried his big, ugly knife near the entrance and swiped it in practice; I jumped in-place, muzzle-deep in the good book. That was when Cleaver and I finally felt something. My winter coat ran red and I held my eye... afflicted with one, crude laceration. I would never be beautiful again. I was soiled. I was dirty and all he could do was smile like a rank ape in it's own lies.

I narrowed my eyes and I dropped the book on the table. He blinked once and took to screaming when I tore a smile into his lips. He cried for Father Pepperjack and I beat his jaw till it was raw and coatless. Father grappled me and tore me away, only to trap me against the wall and ask what I'd done.

"You hurt Cleaver more than he hurt you! You didn't need to do a god damn thing, you idiot!" He barked frightfully, sobbing and shaking till the fire in my heart died away.

I closed my eyes and begged for forgiveness.

"You're right, father... I should’ve turned the other cheek. I should've trusted you for judgement. And I ain't no angel anymore."

I felt his grip loosen. But something was off about it. He wasn't firm or gradual in releasing me. He was unexpected and let me drop faster than I'd ever felt. I heard him choking on his cries. So I hung my head and bit my tongue. I'd let Father down and lost myself to the taint. My ears drooped and my wings fell heavy beside me. He always said... I looked just like the old paintings of Celestia. Father always carried me like his own, and I'd finally realized why I did it.

I wanted to stay beautiful to Father.

I wanted to be his one-winged princess. Forever. And always. It struck me deep within and I rose to my hooves, limping out from how much it hurt to rip my right wing off. He called after me but I knew the implications of what I'd witnessed. I was no longer his princess and he was no longer my Father. I galloped to my throne room and sat in court alone, atop my wooden seat reciting prayers.

I knew someday, he'd understand. But Celestia would punish me. And that was okay.

How could anyone ever want me home again.

He knocked for half an hour straight. And I studied for half an hour, learning light spells. They were all warm and tender at first. The intial dozen spells were things like flashlight beams and blinding somepony. The other spells caught my attention. A thorough instructional section guided me to hurtful light. I was learning the wraith after the mercy. And it was good. I only needed kindling for the art of pyromancy. I needed kindling and a sparking catalyst... A wide, painful grin twisted me as I packed the bible and all the lantern oil I could. I took medical gloves from my study and a first aid kit, my dollie and my first book.

Madre Diosa's Blade was between my teeth. I glanced back when I heard the door burst apart.

"Whitestar...! Whitestar, I didn't mean it! Come back, it's okay...! It's okay, we-we're family- we forgive...! Don't you hear, I don't want you gone!"

I shed a tear and said through my teeth,

"I'll never forgive me."

I leapt out and caught the nearest tree husk. I slid down and broke branch after branch. I struck them down with my heavy hindlegs and galloped when I struck the earth. The fog shrouded me. I was one with the land again. Time became irrelevant. Time was an illusion the other carbon-based lifeforms depended on. I was too busy running. I ran and ran till I simply collapsed in Pilgrim's Landing and melded with the trash blanketing the ground.

My aching chest was sprained. All those years took a toll on me. A good scribe could only be a good athlete if she worshipped her work and her study. They were never the same thing. I knew that personally because studying a book never struck me like Goliath. I was huffing and panting for the first time in three years. So I lay limp and on my side, wincing and twitching as my raw wing stump tickled with cement chunks stuck to the sinews. My lips moved and my empty heart spoke the pain away.

"And am no more worthy to be called thy daughter: make me as one of thy hired servants..."

I heard a contraption whistling and churning to my right. The sound was alien, almost mechanical but less intrusive and clattering against my ears. My left hindleg convulsed shortly for no reason at all. I kept my knife steady and stumbled to my hooves. A steamboat crossed the mighty waters and left somepony else across the docks. She watched the dock for loose boards and wide, trapping gaps. But she made it, one step at a time. My eyes fixed upon her.

Her bonnet was from somewhere else. And her clothing was neat and uniform, white with many buttons over her ribs. I drew a gasp from her fragile lips and had the luck of watching her brows dip. The mare trembled closer and whispered 'p-please... move aside. I-I don't know what you want but I don't have much.'

I let my mouth gape as I too evaluated our impasse.

"You can take me with you." I said, trotting over and behind her, puzzled at how she hid her backside with her tail.

"Please... this isn't a joke is it? You really won't hurt me?"

I shook my head in disbelief.

"What? What no good brute would do that to such a pretty mare like you. I'm not like that, miss. I'm a Celestian. And I act with purpose. We can work all day. But sinning comes later."

Her cheeks burned cherry, so I asked her her name to keep them clean. It only made it worse. Her lips parted and her cheeks bloomed. A few steps forward and she let me watch her narrow rump. I only grinned once because she caught me, only to start trotting with her shoulders pressed inward.

"My name is... my name's Tequila. Tequila Redshot." I heard her mumble, fixing her glasses and leading us away from Pilgrim's landing.

Author's Note

Level Up! New Perk Gained!

Riu, Riu Chiu:

You're reckless (-3 DR and DT, +6.66% movement speed and combat movement speed).