“Bwahaha!” I laugh in triumph as I begin to soar over the walls of the compound. ‘Nopony can catch me now! The pink fool finally slipped up!’
Already far behind me, I can see my foolish brother staring between the bars of my once prison with a mixed expression somewhere between sadness and adoration. I can’t help but laugh at him. What sort of fool allows himself to be contained when he is born a pegasus?
But such walls cannot contain my brilliant mind. Even as a unicorn, I’ve found a way to take to the skies. I smile up at the balloon tied to my hind leg. There is no small amount of irony at play here. Truly some divine being has smiled upon me.
What was once a symbol of my imprisonment, the cutie mark of one of my captors, has no become the very tool that has set me free. It took an eternity of planning, of patience, but I was finally able to use my magic to secure the instrument of my escape. I’d plucked it from the feeding area, where ponies would shuffle in looking for another meal. The guards must be bigger fools than my snivelling brother to have missed me smuggling it back to my cell.
I allow myself another triumphant laugh as I see the next stage of my escape fast approaching. A pile of softer ground ahead, the perfect landing spot. I steel myself for this. Any mistake could result in bodily injury.
I reach out with my magic, looking for any tool that can break me free of the balloon’s clutches. It doesn’t take long for me to pick up a safety pin, no doubt dropped by a guard on her way home from the prison. I begin to sweat, knowing full well I must time this just right. Finally, I know I must take the chance, and I stab at the balloon, which ruptures with a pop loud enough for my brother to hear back at his cell.
At once, I am plummeting toward the ground. Wind whistles in my ears as I hurtle at breakneck speeds towards what may well be a messy end.
Success! I’ve hit the soft mound, rolling free of the white pile that has granted me a harmless landing. I give it a silent thanks before crawling towards my next destination.
I must now traverse the most dangerous stretch of my journey. The promised lands lie beyond a heavily guarded expanse of metal structures and open ground. I must tread carefully. After only a few short minutes of travel, I come across an obstacle I have failed to take into account. I stand atop the peak of a mountain.
Despite the fact that time is of the essence, I hesitate. A sight such as this is a rare one, and I find myself staring awestruck at the majestic vista. Truly the ancient ones who carved the side of this mountain were masters of their craft. Incremental ledges have been carved into the mountain. If I take care, I may be able to use them to descend into the flatlands beyond.
The journey is slow. Each ledge stands about the same height as myself, making it difficult to move quickly. I am once again reminded that time is of the essence, however. Far below me I can hear ponies in the flatlands, including the voice of one of my captors.
I freeze for a bit longer than a standard blink as fear threatens to end my escape prematurely. Sweat begins to make its way down my brow, matting my fur. Tears sting at my eyes, threatening to spill over.
‘No!’ I shake my head. I will not let my journey end because of my own weakness. I cannot waste this opportunity. I force myself forward, moving faster than before, despite the risks. Only a few more ledges remain before I reach the flatlands.
My hoof slips from beneath me. I am falling!
Down and down I go. I take back what I said about any divine being smiling upon me. Perhaps they simply wish to see how I fare in my escape, laughing from on high as I face each new challenge.
I lie in pain at the foot of the mountain. I am battered and bruised, but alive. I manage a thin smile at the fact that somehow I’d had the good fortune not to break anything as I fell. I struggle to my hooves and look around.
The few ponies I’d heard from before are still about, oblivious to my presence. The flatlands lie before me. Metal structures tower overhead. I cannot fathom what their purpose is. Perhaps they are monuments to ponies far greater than I?
I shake my head. Now is not the time for this. Far ahead of me lies the portal that will grant true freedom from the imprisonment I’ve known for all my life. If I squint I can even see greenery. Lush grass beckons me forward. I temper my eagerness, though. Carelessness now could mean going back to my cell to rot for the rest of my days.
I crawl forward on my belly, using the shade of the metal structures to hide from anypony that may notice my escape. It is slower going than I would like, but inch by precious inch my goal approaches. I can practically taste freedom though. I am almost there!
The world lurches as I near my destination, and I find myself disoriented as the ground flies from me. I am airborne again? I look about frantically, desperate for answers. When I find the source of my sudden upward movement, my blood runs cold.
~~~
“Uh oh! Looks like somepony’s gotten loose again. Good thing I got you,” Pinkie grinned widely down at Pumpkin Cake as she picked the foal up. “the Cakes would have been worried sick if you’d gotten outside. How’d you get loose, anyway?”
Pinkie held the foal close and trotted past the tables of Sugarcube Corner and up the stairs. Moments later, Pumpkin was back in her crib, bawling next to her brother.
“Oh, somepony’s cranky. A good nap will help though, trust me.” Pinkie winked and turned to leave. Bright red on white pillows caught her eye, the remnants of the balloon Pumpkin had wanted when she was being put down for her nap. “Oh, you’re good. I’m gonna have to be super duper careful next time.” Pinkie giggled as she picked up the balloon scraps and deposited them in a trash bin before leaving the room once again.
~~~
Once again I am confined to a cell. I dry my tears as I realize my act has garnered no sympathy. ‘Soon,’ I vow silently. ‘soon I will find a way to escape. Then, when I am free, I shall have my revenge! First the pink guard, then the world!’
