-All Hope-

All-Hope, Equestria's only admax prison, held not only Equestria's most demented criminals, but the world's. If someone were of note in the world and committed a horrific crime, then their new home was in the middle of Beggar's cove. Often times, when beings were caught, they would inquire about going to All-Hope and if the answer had been yes, then guards would find them in their cell the following day hanging from their bunk by their own hoof.

Each cell in admax had been enchanted to slow aging so that sentences could be carried out. Completing multiple life sentences held real meaning to those that received them. Often times, an inmate would stay until they were rehabilitated, but the cases were so rare only two had ever been recorded. On occasion, Inmates would commit grotesque crimes to receive a death penalty due to the strain of time on their mind. Most just wanted to end it.

Every night since Princess Luna's return, inmates were treated to their own personal brand of torture by nightmare until their execution date arrived. Only thing was, inmates weren't told when their day was, so every day they woke up they didn't know if it was their last. Their only signal for the end was when the Warden opened their door wearing his dress cloths and hat.

A pair of guards walked along the individual cells in All-Hopes echoing corridor. The older guard ran his nightstick along the walls as he passed cell one zero seven, causing a grim dragging sound, he wound up and rear kicked it as he passed, showing his disgust with the inmate sat within.

"Now, Rooke, this is the last stop for the shift. I know you're used to guard life on the outside, but All-Hope is a different beast." The seasoned guard gruffed out as he sat by the thick, iron door.

"I can manage, Sir. I've met plenty of criminals and I'm ready for this one."

The older guard tapped on the window trying to stir the pony inside. "No, you're not. This one will eat you up without you even knowing it. He'll sow seeds in your mind and you'll be upset all the time, many guards have transferred or all together quit out of frustration. All because of six one six here."

"I know all about this one, Sir. I've followed his career-" Rooke found the end of the nightstick on her helm.

"Forget all that, the pony you see before you isn't the same pony from your textbooks. He's the only pony in this wing for a reason." The guard glared at the inmate singing in his bunk. "He's a thinker and knows exactly how to get on your nerves. "

"Guard Eleven!" The Warden called angrily as he approached with two armor clad royal guards. His chest gleamed and clanked around with medals. His dress uniform had been pressed and his green mane cut short and neatly parted for ceremony.

"Y-Yes, Sir!"

"Open that cell and get that prisoner, it's time." The Warden's usual cheery mood was uncharacteristically bitter.

"Right away, Sir." The grey guard called as he waved at the control room to open one zero seven. When the smack and hisses of the cold clamps released, the door swung open to reveal a large gunmetal grey Unicorn sprawled out on a bunk singing and reading a book. His royal blue mane was long, graying, shaggy, and covered much of his face save for his intense yellow eyes. The most notable feature, however, was the filed horn that barely parted his mane.

"Oh hello, Noddles." The inmate said. "Time for my haircut already?"

"It's Doddle, Rein." The guard growled as more guards lined up outside with chains and clasps. "But that won't matter much anymore. It's time for you to take a nap."

"Ohh, scary." Rein rolled and brought himself to his hooves. "So how does equestria do it now? Electric chair? Injection? Snoo-Snoo? Oh no, that's why there are so many mare guards here?"

The mares scoff as Rein approached slowly, his massive form towered over them all. He stared on in silence which put everyone on guard. After a thick silence, Rein talked, making the guards jump. "Well, aren't you going to hoof-cuff me?"

A small rookie mare grabbed his large hooves and fastened the cuffs. She had trouble trying to find the right adjustment, but Rein chuckled. "A little tighter and don't forget to double lock them."

"T-Thank you." The mare whispered as she disappeared back into the growing crowd of guards.

"So where to Warden?"

"You have a visitor before the chair."

"Yes! The chair, and here I thought you would disappoint." Rein barked in uproarious delight. "Wait a moment, All-Hope inmates don't get visitors."

The Warden brought his hooves to his mouth and chewed the end of his cigar. "Well, I can't say no to this one. Guards, bring Rein to the interrogation room."

Slowly, the guards dragged Rein by his reins. Every so often, he would stop and force the small mare guard to yank on his leash, making him whinny in excitement and continue behind her. After a mile of bared doors and security entrances, the procession of armed guards stopped in front of room labelled 'interrogation.' The door opened and the mare lead him in to a cold, familiar chair. She slowly hoof-cuffed him to the table and un-clipped his leash before backing away.

"This was nice, Rooke." Rein said, startling the small mare by use of her name. "Y'know, if guard work doesn't work you certainly have a talent for bonda-"

"And now we leave the inmate." The Warden cut off Rein by pulling the mare out and shutting the door.

Rein sat there and looked around the room, bored of his predicament. He looked at the two way mirror and waved, he heard some muffled voices on the other end before the door slung open slowly.

"Gallant Mind?"

Author's Note

I love feedback and need it, if you dislike something, love something, or just have input please tell me. I'm not the kind of author to get over butthurt at stuff.

Message from the author in the annex.

Thought I would try something new with this story. Detective work and other aspects in that field have always been a passion of mine so it was all too easy to write this up, but hard in the way I couldn't make it too accurate.

Gallant Mind, current look minus the coat and cigar.

Grammar on the other hand, isn't my best skill so there are no doubt errors. Outside of that, I hope it is enjoyable. This story has been on my mind for a while and was actually started like six months ago. I'm super picky so it took this long because I sat in the fetal position in the shower wondering if it was good enough to post.

Sexual content, strong language, and many other mature topics will appear in the story.