+5 hours prior to the Canterlot Castle Massacre+

"Big Sis, Big Sis!" Applebloom ran across the field and towards her home, her youth pushing her little hooves forward. She passed the grazing cows, the playful pigs, and only when she passed the red barn, did she made her way inside. However, when she entered she noticed two things: no one was in the kitchen/dining room when she came in, and there was a strange silence in the house.

"In 'ere Applebloom..." She heard Granny Smith call from the living room, but there was something in her voice that made her worry. Did she stay out longer than she should again? Did she forget to do her chores before she left again? Did she forget to feed Winona....again.

When she came into the living room, she saw that Granny Smith was up and not sitting on her usual rocking chair and Big Mac was with her, covering the view of the couch with his large frame. They turned their heads turned to her, both of them had grim expression on them. Even, Applebloom knew that something was seriously wrong.

"W-what's wrong?.." Big Mac and Granny Smith moved out of the way, for full view of the weathered couch or more precisely what's on it. Splayed out on the couch was Applejack, her head bandaged up and her breathing was shallow, she otherwise looked peacefully asleep.

*Gasp!* "Applejack!" Applebloom cried going up to her with tears welling up in her eyes and a quivering lip. "What happened?!" Granny Smith embrace the lip-quivering Apple Bloom to soothe her.

Big Mac was the one to answer. "She was trying to stop some pony that was being chased. He bonked her head good and knocked her out. The doctor says that it ain't nothin' too serious but she needs some time to rest."

"Applejack is tough as nails. Let's head to the kitchen and make something for your sister. I do believe that mah apple stew will liven her spirits right up!" Said Granny Smith with enthusiasm. Applebloom followed after, still eying her sister's weaken form. she can't believe somepony could do this to her, she was as tough if not tougher than Big Mac. Applebloom hoped that she would never had to met this pony.

And she really wanted to tell Applejack about the new pony she and the girls met today...

+Present+

"This is unacceptable!" Council member, Forge Stablehoof exclaimed, his hoof sounded loudly as he smashed it against the table.

Forge's outburst was joined by other similar cries among the Council. Forge was original a law enforcer from Manehattan until Celestia offered him a place in the Council, which he gladly accepted in hopes to better Manehattan as a whole.

"This pony has killed over twenty of the castles guards, heavily wounded the Captain of the Royal guards and who knows what else, and you wish to offer him his freedom?! A pony like this is too dangerous to walk among normal society!"

Several members shouted their support to Forge's claims and and others who are of the higher class of Canterlot simply nodded or gave a hearty "hear hear".

"Everpony ha the right to redeem themselves and we should give them the chance to to do so!" Countered Vorlod Diamond.

Vorlod's support was few in number but great in conviction. Vorlod was a pegasus from Canterlot, who often wrote letteres and came to Celestia's tri-monthly hearing with citizens of Canterlot in order to promote public services in anywhere in Equestria. He has done much good for the common welfare, and jumped at the opportunity to join the council.

Both of them and the rest of the Council continued to bicker. They have been at it for about two hours since Celestia told them what the meeting was about. She didn't even begun to explain the situation when Forge motioned for the swift execution of "the Accused" (Alpharius). Word of the situation spread fast apparently. Luna stood in the back of the room, being only a spectator in today's meeting in order to teach Luna how a Council meeting works, so far all she's done was silently agree with Forge and his supporters, judging how closely her expression resembles Forge's supporters.

Celestia pounded the gavel against the table with her magic, the resulting noise quickly quieted the bickering politicians.

"Enough, it's time to hear the full extent of my proposal. I do plan on offering the convicted the chance to redeem himself, but I intent on having eyes on his activities. Soldiers are already stationed at Ponyville, lead by a veteran from the Griffon War. If anything happens within Ponyville, the soldiers will be there to deal with it."

"By the time they find out what happened, it will be too late!" Shouted Flamveil.

"And what is the use of soldiers when he can easily dispatch them like the guards?" Retorted Lilypop, puffing the stuffy collar of his shirt.

"Worry not, it is not just the stationed garrison that will be keeping a vigil of the convicted. He will also be under the care and supervision of my student, Twilight Sparkle, and her friends, The Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and they will be tasked with reforming the convicted. Of course he will be revoked of all his possessions until I say otherwise in sound mind."

After much delegation and convincing, the Council passed the motion and finally left, all of them swore and oath of secrecy. The two princesses soon made their way to the dining room for lunch. location

"You have made Twilight aware of the situation and not send a letter at the last possible moment like last time, correct?" Questioned Luna.

"Don't worry Lulu. I will send a letter soon enough, after lunch. Today' s dessert is strawberry and banana shortcake, my favorite." She moved with a purpose.

"And of the recently passed?"

Celestia slowed to a halted, she sighed. "I have not forgotten about them. They are still having trouble counting and identifying bodies since many were...severely damaged, and letters have yet to sent loved ones. Remember what Forge said about it being over twenty? The count is closer to...sixty... It hard to believe that a single pony can beget so much death."

"Which is why we should execute or even banish him off-world," Luna pleaded. “He’s not even a pony, you’ve seen what he is like in his world. Monstrosities and death are normal there and mercilessness is second nature to him. Given the chance, he will throw all of Equestria into turmoil."

"Even a pony like him can be reformed, just like you were. You've seen his mind, he was just mad that someone took his possessions. He just need to be taught that there are better reactions to the situation," Celestia said hopefully.

"I was nothing like what we have seen!" Luna argued, unnerved. Suddenly, she was hit with a wave of pain from her skull and was forced to stop in her tracks. Something was pounding within her mind, something familiar yet unknown. As quickly as it came, it disappeared, and she found herself looking at a concern sister.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes I'm quite fine," Luna proceed to walk with Celestia, but she felt something within herself that doubted Celestia, though the thought passed, "must have a little too much on my mind. I still say that something should've been done to him."

"Regardless, He is in our world now not his, he no longer needs to be the creature he once was. Also, both parties have agreed to it: the Council will allow Alpharius to go on parole, and Alpharius himself has agreed to it in exchange for a spell that will return him him to his previous form and his armor when he has shown progress."

"And is said spell readily available?"

"Unfortunately no, there are temporary morphing spells but nothing permanent to give him what he wants. I do have scholars looking into a permanent morphing spell."

Celestia's answer had Luna baffled.

"What if he finds out about this, that you don't have an actual spell to change him back?"

"Then it is best that he doesn't know this, and be content on the temporary spell until the conditions are met."

Luna could only sigh, "Well dropping the matter for now, how have you been fairing sister?".

"Well since you asked, my day could be a little brighter," Celestia answered as they continued to trot, "delegates from the Gryphon Empire has asked for an increase in metal ore trade."

"Yes, I have heard of the incident in their kingdom. A chain of explosions from a single metal forge cost them five of their biggest," Luna stated, "How did you respond to the delegation's need?"

Celestia frowned, "Unfortunately, I can not meet their demands no matter of their offer. If I had agreed to the trade, the Gryphon Kingdom will have a massive supply of metal within a few years, and depleting our own in the process."

Both of them enter the dining room. Taking their seats, they continue to talk as servants brought forth their meal.

"And I take it that that they were not pleased with the news." Luna said matter-of-factly.

"No they did not. The Gryphons are good creatures but they are very prideful to a fault, so when they did seek help from me only to deny their initial demand, they were not pleased one bit. Thankfully we managed to come to an agreement: They will get their increase metal shipping, but at much lower than they original wanted, and our own metal reserves will not be in danger."

Celestia proceeded to take a bite of of her cake. It was bittersweet.

A knocked sounded from Twilight's door. Twilight sighed as she put down the her latest book, "Daring Doo and the Cursed Scroll of Ahriman", she was just getting to the best part.

"Coming!" She called. She opened the door to reveal a pony she didn't think she would so soon.

"Derpy, what are you doing this late at night?" Twilight asked much to her confusion.

"I came deliver a package new books I forgot to give you during my morning run," she said a little embarrassed. She reached into her mailbag and presented it between her hooves.

"Thanks Derpy." Twilight use her magic to set the box on her table. Derpy just smiled and waved goodbye before flying off. When Twilight closed the door, another set of knocks echoed from her door

"Derpy, you didn't forget something again did you, or is it about letting you muffins in the library?" Twilight quipped.

It wasn't Derpy. A large red stallion stood covering doorway menacingly. Twilight gasped in surprise and fear. She charged her horn ready to defend herself. Suddenly, Spike burped in the background.

"Hey Twilight, you got a letter from Princess Celestia." he called out from the library.

"You should get that," Alpha told her. Twilight didn't know what to think but she slowly moved towards Spike, still watching Alpha for any movement. She levitated the letter in front of her. Her jaws dropped as she read the letter.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

A guest be arriving soon from Canterlot and will be staying in Ponyville for quite some time. He is not the most social of ponies and I want to fix that. He will be lodging with you for the time being until he acquires his own lodgings or when other arrangements can be made. During his stay, you are to teach your new student about friendship and I would like to get reports on the following months to monitor his progress, be sure to write down anything of interest. There is a possibility that he may get a little rowdy, if such situation occurs, use your best judgment. I expect that he is treated well but kept in line, such measures have been put up to ensure that. I have faith that he can be converted to become a steady member of Equestria. However, he is not like anypony you have met, so keep an eye on him and him out of trouble. Lastly, in cases of emergencies in regards of your new guest, contact Gallant Aura or me immediately.

-With Faith, Princess Celestia.

Twilight stood there, her mind drawing up blanks.

Author's Note

Bring on any comments, I do love hearing what you think ^_^