Friendship Is Magic! ... Unless You Are a Human

by Huk

Rating: teen
Tags: Profanity, Cheerilee, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, Human, Applejack, Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Sex
Length: 122209

After a catastrophic introduction, a former soldier is struggling to adjust to his new life – facing ponies prejudice. Observing his ordeal - Celestia is starting to question how kind and forgiving her subjects really are...

First impressions are important. A bad one can ruin one's credibility for a long time. John Wildman - the second human to ever arrive in Equestria - is learning that the hard way.

After almost hunting down Applejack, he is trying to adjust to his new home - struggling not only against his own demons and doubts but also against prejudice and hatred.

Ashamed by the bigotry she is witnessing, Celestia is starting to wonder if her subjects are really as forgiving and kind, as she thought. Together with the help of edgy human super-soldier James "Bastard Man" Gastovski and Twilight, she is determined to figure this out and help John before it's too late.

Meanwhile, CMCs and Cheerilee are trying to figure out, why Scootaloo became reckless and vile all of a sudden - forcing new human, to be a participant of their investigation - whether he likes it, or not.

Can an outcast like John make some friends and maybe... save someone in the process?

This story can be considered somewhat of a sequel to both:

https://www.fimfiction.net/story/353834/lonely-among-us
and
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/409639/dashing-to-dirty-conclusions

with James, as a recurring character, alongside the new guy. However, reading the above stories is NOT necessary.

Silhouette vector from:
https://pixabay.com/pl/zdesperowany-stres-podkre%C5%9Bli%C5%82-2676556/

Planned story length:
90-120 K words

Changelog:

2019-08-13:
- Removed 'Comedy' tag - it was suggested by a lot of people that this story has become too dark, and tag should be removed. Sadly, I had to agree.

Published 2019-02-24 19:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-10-05 18:09:25 UTC

Chapter 2

“Damn it, girl – if I still had a heart, you would have given me an attack for sure!”

“Huh?” Applejack opened her eyes, the blurred world around her starting to slowly clear up. “What? Where?”

“Twilight’s castle... Or rather palace, why the hell does everyone call this place a castle is beyond me,” James said, helping her to get up. “Easy there girl, you’ve been through one hell of a ride.”

It took a moment before she managed to sit back up and the room stopped spinning. Regaining some composure, she glanced around in confusion. The area she was in looked like a hospital room – with a few movable beds connected to some sort of medical equipment, surrounded by curtains.

“This is Twilight’s place? This room looks more like a— Sweet Celestia!” She dropped to the ground, her eyes locked onto James standing above her, his body covered in blood. “What the hay did you do?!”

“You mean the blood? It happened when I interrupted your intimate date with Mr. Shrapnel here,” he dropped a small piece of metal onto the table, “I realize he almost stole your heart but—”

Applejack slammed her hoof on the table near her bed. “Talk normally!”

“Fine, Mrs. Killjoy… This piece of metal pierced a part of your heart and grazed your lung – you were bleeding out faster than I piss, after a six-pack.”

Applejack’s eyes widened. “Are you saying that this is—”

“Your blood, yeah. You are lucky that Twi and I are into researching some new drugs and I had some pony blood left.”

“But… why am I not in the hospital? Who patched me up?” James smiled. “Y-you? How? You’re not a doctor!”

Rubbing his hand together, he put on a sly grin. “I had a mandatory UNDF field medical training just… three hundred years ago, plus I’m a big fan of ER and House MD, so it was easy-peasy,” Applejack said, nothing – just staring blankly, her face pale as a ghost. “Although… I did misplace my scissors somewhere… You don’t feel anything funny in your gut, do you? I wouldn’t want to operate again,” his grin transformed into a crazy smile as he extended one of his wristed blades.

“I think I’m gonna be sick…” Applejack pressed her hoof to her mouth.

“‘I’m gonna be sick’… really?” Rolling his eyes, James retracted his weapon. “I’m practically playing Freddy Kruger in front of you, and your only reaction is ‘I’m gonna be sick’? Jesus fucking Christ AJ, you are no fun… Anyway, to answer your question – moderately advanced medical procedures are part of my programming, and I got you here instead of the hospital because the heart damage was extensive. I doubt you would survive without my nano-tech—”

“What?!” Applejack regained her composure in a blink of an eye. “You used that fancy techno-jumbo on ME?!

“Yes, I know how you despise technology, magic and me – but there was no other way. I guess you can say, a part of me will always be in your heart… Quite literally, I might add,” he let out a chuckle. “Oh, I also fixed your mangled hoof – I’m that good!”

Applejack glanced at the hoof she injured during the chase, but aside from a few bruises and some scratches, it looked as good as new. Her eyes moved to the side of her stomach, but again, it looked fine – except for some red stains left by the blood.

She let out a sigh. “Thanks, I guess… I—” as she tried to get up again, a searing pain shot up her flank. “Oh nelly… That hurts!” Gritting her teeth, she glanced at James piercing him with her cold gaze. “You… you didn’t try anything funny, while I was out, did you?”

“Funny?” James arched his eyebrow. “You… you think I’m a somnophil?” He chuckled darkly shaking his head. “Now I see what the ‘no good deed ever goes unpunished’ means. For the record – I have nothing to do with the pain in your flank, this bad boy does,” he threw her another small flattened piece of metal. “If it weren’t for the stuff in your bag that slowed it down, Celestia would have to look for a new bearer of the element. You’re lucky you had that thing on you.”

Applejack glanced at the piece of metal in her hoof and let out a deep, slow sigh. “Not lucky enough, I lost the merchandise…”

“I get it, that bag was important, but it’s not the end of the world is it?”

“We’ll see...” She said, putting a confused expression on James’s face. “Never mind.”

“Well, anyway, just so you know, somnophilia is not my fetish. But, it’s good to know you think so highly of me…”

“You have a reputation mister, you got only yourself to blame for it.”

James put on a sly grin. “At least I don’t have a reputation of rutting my cousin…” Suddenly, Applejack’s eyes widened again and cheeks turned red. For a moment her jaw was going up and down, as her brain desperately searched for a response – to the delight of James. “Yeah, I know about your little workout with Braeburn, behind the barn—”

“T-that’s not true!” Applejack finally stuttered, only to see James’s smile widened. “H-hey! We were fillies, and it was just a misunderstanding, honest! … where did you even heard about that?!”

“Ponies like to talk AJ, some would say that you have a reputation… and that you got only yourself to blame for it.”

She rose her hoof to counter, but smiled sheepishly instead. “Point taken… But like I said, this was just a misunderstanding!”

“Don’t worry, if I believed everything I hear, then Pinkie would be a fallen daemon, Flutters an evil enchantress and Rainbow Dash a brainless cunt… Oh, wait – the last one is true but other than that…”

Aside from rolling her eyes, Applejack didn’t comment on his remark. Everyone in Ponyville knew about James’s feud with Rainbow Dash, but nopony took it seriously. They were just two show-offs – more similar to each other than they wanted to admit – trying to prove who is a better hero.
“All right, look – there is one more thing we need to clear up…” James said. “Um, look there.”

She glanced behind her, at the direction he pointed and immediately jumped back. “W-what is that THING doing here?!”

“He is injured and—”

“He?”

“He is a human.”

***

“I don’t understand, you told us your kind was extinct,” Applejack said.

“They were… I have no idea how he got here… or from where.”

For the first time since this all begin, Applejack glanced at the creature in the light. I knew that thing reminded me of something… “He looks almost like you.”

“Yeah… He is wearing a standard issue, NAA PA.”

She cocked her head, blinking. “The who, what now?”

“North America Alliance – they were one of the main factions during the WWIII on my world, and best equipped to, the UNDF borrowed a lot of their tech – including this powered armor.”

“That’s why the two of you look so similar?”

“Yup, my armor is based on the model he is wearing, only it is much more advanced. Speaking of armor APE, how is it going? It’s been three hours…”

A second later, synthesized, emotionless voice filled the air. “Generic access code search in progress, standby—”

“Gah! That thing is listening?!” Applejack said. “It always gives me the creeps!”

James chuckled. “Artificial Person Emulators don’t bite Applejack, and yes, just like any AI, APE hears what I hear and sees what I see… Well, a lot more actually, with all the sensors and stuff.”

Applejack shook her head. “Say what you will, that’s creepy – I can’t imagine having some voice in my head.”

“Well, he CAN break the mood sometimes during my happy hour… If you know what I mean—”

“Ugh! I really don’t need the details!”

James smiled. “Taboo, huh?”

“No! Some ponies just… don’t do it.”

“And some lie about not doing it… Then again, you are the Element of Honesty with a big brother, so perhaps you found other means to relieve the… stress.”

Applejack tried to hit grinning James with her hoof, only to receive another painful surge from her body as a result. “Y-you are just… Ugh! I’m going home!”

Suddenly the look of concern filled James’s face. “Whoa! Hold on! I would recommend staying here till morning – nano-tech or not, your body needs some time to heal, besides… Aren’t you curious about this guy? Who he is? How he got here?”

Applejack wanted to get away from there as fast as possible, but even standing still, she could still feel her body aching. After a moment, she reluctantly, let out a sigh and turned around. “Fine, I’ll stay, but no more stupid jokes or innuendos – you hear me?!”

“Applejack, everything is a sexual innuendo if you think long and hard about it,” James chuckled, only to see her turning to leave. “Fine, fine! I’m not gonna say anything more—”

A sudden announcement from APE interrupted him, “Code accepted, armor locking mechanism released.”

“Finally… Three hours, where is all that quantum computing speed there were always talking about, huh?”

“I am afraid that my computational abilities are limited by the performance of the host’s brain capabilities, sir,” APE said.

This time it was Applejack who let out a chuckle. “So, you are saying that your master is a blockhead? Hmm, maybe that thing ain’t so bad after all – at least it seems honest.”

“Fuck you! … both of you!” He tried to sound intimidating, but Applejack kept smirking. “… blockhead, you’re a blockhead…” He mumbled as he started opening the armor. “Arg… come on you bastard, what the hell…”

“Structural damage in primary locking mechanism – probably from the earlier encounter, sir.”

James smiled sheepishly. “I guess I overdid it a little…”

“Like always,” Applejack murmured.

“No problem! Next time I will try using harsh language instead!” Ungrateful bitch…

Suddenly, a click sound filled the air and James froze – his face filled with confusion. That’s impossible – you are dead…

***

With James still unresponsive, Applejack slowly approached the table the second human was lying on – her heart speeding up the closer she got. Keep it together girl, he won’t harm you… I hope. Shivering slightly, she glanced at the person that just a few hours ago, tried to kill her.

The man looked older than James – his face was covered in multiple scars, some of them behind a light stubble, and his short hair was showing signs of going gray. Eh… just what Equestria needs, another good-for-nothing human.

“Hey! You OK?” She yelled at James, snapping him awake.

“Huh?”

“You’ve been staring at that thing for last minute or two, what’s wrong?”

He scratched his head. “That’s… I don’t understand… I don’t know how the hell is that possible, but that’s Wildman!” Applejack arched her eyebrow. “Sgt. John Wildman?” She cocked her head. “Ugh, a guy from my former squad, OK? But the last time I heard, he was KIA – I have no idea where he came from, or how. I will try to wake him up.”

Applejack watched as James prepared a syringe with a mixture of various medications. So, they are friends? That explains a lot… Even more trouble for Ponyville.

A few moments later James injected his friend with the drugs. “Um, Applejack, promise me you won’t press charges against him.”

“What?!” She slammed her hoof into the ground with force. “You gotta be kidding! He tried to kill me for Celestia’s sake!”

“Yeah, but… with all those nano-tech injections, you will probably live twenty years longer – so in the end, it was a good thing, right?” With her eyebrow arched and crumbled face, Applejack didn’t look like someone laughing at the joke. “OK, how about this one… The way I see it, that was the third time I saved your flank. I never asked for anything in return, but this time I ask you – let him be.”

Her eyes traveled from the unconscious human to the one asking her for the favor. You are both nothing but trouble… ”Ugh, fine, but keep him the hay away from me.”

“Pinkie promise?”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. Happy?”

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud groan coming from the table…

***

“Ugh… my head,” John said, slowly opening his eyes. “Where am I?”

Fuck! If he sees Applejack… James gestured her to keep out of sight and stepped into the view. “Hospital Johnny boy.”

“Boss?” John started massaging his temples. “Damn, I feel like if I was hit in the head by an elephant or something. The rest of the squad… Did they make it?”

“Um, for now, we were only able to locate you. What is the last thing you remember from the… mission?”

“We got inside Houser Labs, everything was going fine, but once we placed the charges, it all went FUBAR.”

Houser Labs… that would be the mission – when they officially died. “Go on, what happened?”

“It was goddamn chaos! We were up against the whole damn garrison – outnumbered fifty to one. They got us pinned down and…” John heaved a heavy sigh. “Jeff and Webber were first to fall, then Meltdown’s powered armor got busted. At that point, we were running out of ammo, and the clock was ticking so Kleiner proposed to use that contraption we went to blow up to transport out of there.”

James cocked his head, his face filled with confusion.

“Yeah, that was my first reaction too… But since we were dead anyway, I said ‘what the hell…’

“Seems like it was a good call in the end Johnny.”

“Maybe, but the ride was pretty wild… Since they were no volunteers, Kleiner and I went first and…” John let out a groan of disgust. “I can still remember the rainbow colors, the tunnel and me spinning, and spinning… until I passed out. Hours later we woke up in the middle of some forest, with most of the gear busted, so I activated the built-in rescue beacon and set up a camp in the nearby cave.”

“Hmm, I… we didn’t find you waiting in a cave.”

“Well, it took you guys so long that we were running out of ration, and the food I found nearby must have been full of hallucinogens or something because after we ate it, I could swear I saw the sun and the moon just popping out of the horizon!” He shook his head. “Anyway, I left Kleiner in the cave, grabbed what was left of our weapons and went out to hunt something to eat—”

“WHAT?!” Applejack yelled, jumping into view. “You wanted to EAT ME?!”

John eyed Applejack and blinked – his mouth agape. “What the hell? That thing’s real?!”Perhaps it was the fact he saw a talking pony for the first time… or maybe it was because Applejack was giving him a stare that was gnawing to the bone. “I-it talks!”

“God damn it Applejack! He is not ready yet—”

“That thing TALKS!” John yelled, and with his shaking hands pushed himself to the far end of the bed, his eyes locked on Applejack. “Jesus Christ, what are you?! "

Fucking great Applejack, you had one job, ONE JOB! “John, meet Applejack – now that I’m nearby with my universal translator thingy, you can understand each other – say ‘hi’ Applejack,” she snorted loudly, her killer stare still upon John. “Um, that was ‘hi.’”

For a moment they just stared at each other – her eyes, burning with rage, and his wide in horror.

“OK, both of you calm down—”

“No! “This is just another hallucination!” John yelled, hopping off the bed and grabbing a scalpel lying on the nearby medical table. “Stay away!”

Applejack immediately took a fighting pose. “Come on you vermin! This time I’m ready for you!” But instead of an attack, the other human was slowly backing away with his arms in the guard position, and body shaking.

“Stay away! Just… stay away!”

“Wow, relax man—”

Instead of calming down, John kicked a nearby chair, sending it flying with enough force – thanks to his power armor – to launch James into the air and across the room when it hit him. Seeing his chance, John immediately dashed to the door, passing confused Applejack and grabbing the handle – but before he could open it, his body sparkled yet again as a few million volts passed through his system.

Applejack glanced at James, to see him already back on his feet and approaching his dazed friend with a syringe in his hand – his weapon letting off some light steam.

“Sorry man, but this is for your own good!” James said, pumping John with a sedative. “Sleep! We will talk later,” a moment later John’s body relaxed, and he was out cold, James moved him back to the bed.

“Is he unconscious?” Applejack said, approaching cautiously.

“You couldn’t just stay away for a few minutes?!”

She bit her lip. “I… sorry… But he said he wanted to eat me, darn it!”

James let out a sigh. “AJ, as much as that may shock you, we humans eat meat – he was just… hungry,” Applejack opened her mouth, but he interrupted her with a wave of his hand. “Don’t say it, I know… Anyway, he will be out for a while, and I need to go.”

Applejack tilted her head. “Go? Go where?”

“Everfree, didn’t you hear? There is another guy over there—”

“What?! You gonna leave him here without supervision?! What if he wakes up?”

“I pumped him with enough drugs for a few hours at least, and I’ll be back in one at most… Besides, you are staying here so you can have an eye on him,” Applejack’s face crumpled up. “Oh, don’t give me that look! The other guy is an egghead, not a soldier, timberwolves will have him for breakfast if I don’t find him fast! That’s something you should understand…”

Looking back between the two humans, Applejack let out a deep sigh. “Fine… but be back soon.”

James nodded and opened the door, but stopped. “You know, if you want something to do, you could clean this place up a bit,” Applejack squinted her eyes, and grumbled. “What? It’s your blood after all, you know!”

Seconds later he disappeared into the night, leaving the grumbling earth pony, alone with the sleeping human. “One day… I’m gonna buck him to the moon! Ugh, where is the darn mop…”

Author's Note

Please remember - no matter how old the story is, leaving constructive feedback (good or bad) is ALWAYS appreciated :twilightsmile:

Chapter 3

Somewhere above Equestria, a royal carriage – with two alicorns on board – was soaring through the sky. Both princesses were staring through the window in silence, almost admiring the beauty of the dawn… almost.

“Are you mad at me?” Twilight said, trying to break the awkward silence.

Celestia let out a chuckle and put on a gentle smile. “I have never been mad at you Twilight, even when you cast ‘want it, need it’ spell on the entire Ponyville. It is just…” She let out a slow deep sigh. “I am not convinced that what you did, was the best approach. Taking this matter to royal court seems premature, and those ponies may claim to have a connection with the land—”

“I respectfully disagree,” Twilight interjected, levitating a parchment, “Section five paragraph seventy of the border treaty, clearly indicates that those lands are part of Equestria—”

“Yes, I know, but—”

“Moreover, section five hundred paragraph twenty of the royal defense act, states that all borderlands can be taken by the right of eminent domain if necessary.”

“Twilight, this is not what—”

“There is also a loophole in the agriculture law that would allow us to—”

Celestia raised her hoof to interject but quickly decided to wait it out instead. She sat in silence, with a gentle smile on her face, watching as Twilight picked up a parchment, after parchment, quoting various laws and regulations. She must have read all the books about law. Celestia chuckled under her breath. Probably multiple times.

“—and there also is… um,” Twilight said, frantically checking a pile of scrolls in front of her. “No, I think… there is nothing else,” she wiped some sweat off her forehead with her hoof. “But, as you can see, the law is clearly on our side – I don’t see how we could lose.”

Celestia let out a sigh, her face turning blank. “Be that as it may – we must first exhaust all possibilities of finding a peaceful solution. We should consider using the law, as a last resort. You must learn to be patient.”

“Ugh! Respectfully, Celestia – after our last meeting, I don’t see the ‘peaceful solution’ happening! Those ponies are just… impossible!”

“You must have more faith – this is not the first conflict with some wild settlers, I had to deal with. It may take some time, but they will come around, trust me.”

“After a few days of negotiations with those ponies, James’s problem-solving… techniques seem so appealing,” Twilight let out a dark chuckle. “Five minutes of shooting and problem resolved.”

“Yes, ‘violence solves everything, and if it doesn’t you’re not using enough of it,’” Celestia said sarcastically. “I was not aware you like dark humor.”

“Me neither, until I began living with James… Sometimes I think he is crazy – during the past few weeks, he was sure that someone was snooping through his room and stuff. He also thinks that you send ponies to constantly watch him.”

“Hrmph, good old fashioned paranoia, I presume?”

“That… Or his weird sense of humor, hard to say. At least I didn’t find him beating on anypony in my dungeon yet…” Celestia squinted her eyes in confusion. “Yes, dungeon – he built one in my castle.”

“I hope you made it clear that we would never let him keep anyone locked in there?” Twilight bit her lip. “Please tell me you are joking now.”

“No, no I made it clear. It’s just… He didn’t build the dungeon for that.”

Celestia cocked her head. “Why then?”

“He said, and pardon me, but I quote: ‘When the white… tyrant will want to lock me up again for innocence, it will save her some bits on transportation cost’ unquote. He is weird.”

Celestia smile melted into a scowl, her eyes piercing Twilight like a dagger. “White tyrant?”

Seeing her mentor’s cold, intimidating gaze shot some tingling sensation down Twilight’s spine. Squinting her eyes, Celestia let out a very unroyal growl. The deep sound, leaving her mentor’s throat, made Twilight cover her face with her wings, expecting… well she wasn’t exactly sure, what – but with her imagination already warmed up, the visions of the moon, sun and… ruined libraries filled her mind. She waited in fear for what seemed like an eternity… until a light chuckle filled the air.

“I got you there for a moment, huh?” With one eye, Twilight glanced through her – still close – wings, to see a smirk on Celestia’s face. “You really need to learn to relax Twilight.”

“So… you are not mad?”

“Of course not, it has been a while since I was called a ‘white tyrant,’ it’s so… cute. Then again, I expected nothing less coming from James,” Celestia chuckled gently. “Makes me wonder if perhaps this is how humans normally behave. Maybe the name-calling is part of their customs.”

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t think so, I have studied a lot of data he brought with him, and as far as I can tell, the attitude of his people was pretty similar to that of the humans in the mirror world where Sunset is. James himself said he was always distant from the others. I just don’t understand why.”

“Hmm, if I recall, not so long ago, a certain student of mine also preferred keeping to herself – putting her studies above everything else,” Celestia winked. “It took a while to change her approach.”

A gentle blushed filled Twilight’s face. “Point taken, but you would think that if someone spent a few hundred years alone on a dead planet, he would be more willing to be around others. I just can’t figure this out.”

Celestia let out a slow deep sigh. “That makes two of us.”

Twilight tilted her head, to see that the smile Celestia had on her face just a few seconds ago, was gone now – replaced by a blank expression. “Princess Luna?”

“Yes. It has been seven years, and I can still feel that she is isolating herself from others – no matter what I do,” Celestia glanced at the silver moon still hanging above the horizon. “Luna was always less social than me, but… all that isolation has taken its toll. Every time I try to encourage her to get out of the palace and participate in something, she is always too tired.”

“Perhaps that’s true? After the latest… um, incident with Starlight and all – you told me yourself, that night shift wasn’t as easy as you imagined.”

Celestia put a gentle smile back on her face. “True, my perspective was somewhat misguided, but I can tell this is not the case here. I just… I wish she would tell me what is bothering her – can it be that she still fears rejection?”

Twilight bit her lip, looking for an answer. She had a first-hoof experience with Luna’s reaction around other ponies and her somewhat awkward behavior, but she never considered that a problem. On the contrary, if the incident in Ponyville during the Nightmare Night was any indication, then – after the initial misunderstanding – ponies enjoyed Luna’s silly behavior. If there was something wrong, the only way to find out was to ask someone close to the princess, someone she would trust with such secret, someone like…

“James,” Twilight said, getting Celestia’s attention. “I think you should ask James. He and Luna are close friends.”

“I realize that but… Somehow I doubt he will want to talk with me on such sensitive topics, especially after I locked him up.”

“Um, about that… Don’t you think that was a tiny overreaction on your part?” Twilight said.

Celestia tilted her head and arched her eyebrow, once again piercing Twilight with her eyes. “Twilight, contrary to what most ponies believe, I am an easy-going mare for the most part, but… Printing my scowling face on a bunch of t-shirts with a big ‘OBEY!’ word under it, and then selling those things to foreign delegations, is something I will NOT tolerate.”

“Well, they weren’t as bad as the other versions…” Twilight murmured.

“Other versions?”

Chuckling nervously, and with a sheepish smile on her face Twilight said, “Um, you know what… Better ask James about that.”

Celestia straightened in her seat, a different and slightly offended frown on her face. “Why do I have the feeling that if I do that, that dungeon of yours will get an occupant? Then again, thanks to your impatience, we did finish a day or two ahead of schedule. I guess I could take a few hours to talk with him before I return to Canterlot.”

“Why only a few hours? Stay in my castle for a few days! We would have a chance to catch up, and you could talk to James in the meantime.”

Celestia struck a thinking pose. I think Luna could handle things for a while longer… A few more days away from the nobles would be wonderful. ”Are you sure I would not be a bother?”

“Of course not! You are always welcome at my place… Speaking of which,” Twilight said, pointing her hoof at the Castle of Friendship, which was just few hundred meters away, their carriage already on the landing approach.

Celestia smiled. “I shall accept – on one condition. Please promise me you will not try to show me reports of any kind.”

“Um, actually I was hoping to…” Twilight started, but after seeing a frown on Celestia’s face, she let out a sigh of defeat. “Fine, no reports – I promise.”

“Then I accept your generous offer,” Celestia said, just as they hit the ground.

A few seconds later, carriage door opened and a middle-aged pegasus guard with a light grayish-blue coat and lightning bolt hitting the ground as a cutie mark, bowed his head.

“We are here, your majesties,” Lightning Strike said.

“Thank you, Captain. However, I will be staying in Ponyville for a few days, please inform my sister.”

He bowed his head again. “Yes, your highness. Shall we dispatch a royal escort from Canterlot?”

Celestia rolled her eyes. Yes, and the whole parade while we are at it – that is all I need. “That would not be necessary, I think I can manage without protection for a few days.”

Without a word of protest, the pegasi harnessed themselves back to the carriage and flew away. Thank you, Lightning Strike – if only all of my captains were so obeying… I need to promote you one day. She smiled, as they began walking towards the castle door.

“You know, a year or two ago I would never think I’ll say this, but… It’s good to be home,” Twilight said, levitating some scrolls and documents in the air. “After losing the Golden Oak Library, I couldn’t get used to this place.”

“Trust me, I know how you feel. When I had to move to Canterlot, after the… incident with Luna, I missed my old castle as well for a while.”

“Really? How long did it take to finally let it go?”

“Oh, I don’t know… thirty… forty years?” Celestia said, forcing a hollow expression on Twilight’s face. “Why so shocked? I was very sentimental about that place. The location, no nobles in sight coming to you with every whim, fresh air… Did I mention, there were no nobles—”

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a scream coming from above…

***

Sometime earlier at the castle…

John’s eyes opened, revealing a blurry image. Oh… my head. With the world around him spinning, he slowly sat up on the bed, only to be blinded by the rays of the sun that was just moving above the horizon. Too bright! Trying to block the annoying sensation he put his hand in front of his face and lost his balance – his arms reached out trying to hold on to something, but that only took the content of the nearby table down with him.

“What in tarnation?!” Applejack shouted, alarmed by the noise. “You were supposed to sleep, darn it!”

Too preoccupied with picking himself back up, John didn’t notice her. Ugh… what the hell did I drink last night? And where the hell is a bathroom? With some significant effort, and the room still spinning, he managed to reach the exit. The door opened with a loud shriek, revealing the twisted corridor outside, sparkling in the morning light.

“When did I get to Disneyland?” He said to himself, glancing at the crystal structure.

Applejack stepped in front of him trying to block his path, but he only chuckled mumbling something to himself. He tried patting her on the head, but with his mind still drugged, she was able to avoid his hand with ease. “We are not in the mood for petting today I see… Fine, run along,” he said, moving away.

“Are you listening to me?!” Applejack attempted to get his attention, but without the universal translator nearby it was pointless. He just kept walking or at least tried to – staggering from side to side and hitting the floor every few seconds... Oh, nelly, like Rainbow Dash after my strong cider… I better follow him.

John continued his tour for some time, opening one door after another, what started as a search for a toilet, quickly change to a hunt for a way out. With every passing minute, his step was getting more steady, as the drug was leaving his system. Applejackobserved him from some distance away – keeping low, but ready to burst into action if necessary.

John opened another door and stepped inside a room, and the next thing Applejack saw was a green flash feeling the corridor in front of her, immediately followed by the loud scream.

“What in Equest— Whoa!” She jumped away, as a figure engulfed in green flame passed her with blurring speed.

Before she had processed what happened, Spike stepped in front, his body shaking. “Applejack?! Who was that?!”

“Spike? … Oh no,” she said, her eyes going wide, “I’ll explain later, we need to find that thing before something bad happens – follow me!”

***

Current time – front of Twilight’s castle…

Following the scream, Celestia glanced up only to notice a black figure, engulfed with green flame in free-fall – now just seconds from impact. Before she could even wholly process what was happening a sphere of magic surrounded the victim – her mind working on autopilot, stopping him just a few meters above the ground. That was too close… Now the fire. With another spell, she quickly extinguished the green flame, gently placing the singed body on the ground.

For a moment Twilight was lost for words – until the smoke vanished, revealing the familiar looking figure. “James?! Have you completely lost your mind?!” She shouted, but the only response was a yelp of pain. “This is getting ridiculous! What was it this time? You were testing if your armor is dragon-fire proof?”

Initially, Celestia let out a chuckle and rolled her eyes as pulling all sorts of dangerous stunts was James’s specialty. This time, however, something seemed different. “Why is he shivering?” Using her magic, she gently flipped the body over, and her eyes widened. “Twilight… that is not him!”

“Huh?” Twilight glanced at the person and froze. “But… who… how—”

The door to the castle swung open with a loud bang, snapping Twilight back to normal. “Twi? Your Highness? Have any of you seen—” Applejack paused, noticing the motionless body on the ground. “Is he… dead?”

“Fortunately no, I was able to grab him just in time,” Celestia said, “do you know who he is?”

“Somewhat your highness, he is a friend of our local human. He left him sedated and went to look for the other one.”

“What? There are more?” Twilight said.

“One more I think, at least that’s what the one here said.”

“We need to get him inside,” Celestia said, levitating the body beside her. “I still want to know what happened – why did he almost fall to his—” What in Equestria?!

She turned to find the partially awaken human, weakly poking at her cutie mark and mumbling something she couldn’t understand. He was still shivering, and his breath was labored, but a gentle smile filled his face.

Twilight chuckled. “I think he likes you Celestia.”

“More likely he is hallucinating… Let us bring him inside.”

Author's Note

Remember dear readers – upvotes are cool, but comments are 20% cooler :rainbowwild:

Downvotes are fine too, as long as there is some constructive feedback following them.

Thank you for your time :twilightsmile:

Chapter 4

John was back in the infirmary along with Spike and the ponies. He was lying in his armor on one of the medical beds behind a curtain – his body enveloped by a light golden glow coming from Celestia.

“There, that should do it,” Celestia said, powering down her horn after applying some healing spells. “It was fortunate he was wearing that outfit. Otherwise, it would not have ended with only some minor burns and smoke inhalation.”

Spike glanced at the singed human and bit his lip, turning his eyes to the floor. “I’m sorry. I got scared, I reacted… I guess I overreacted…”

“It’s not your fault Spike,” Applejack said, patting him gently on the head, “if anything, it was Gastovski’s… I told him he will wake up, but as usual he wouldn’t listen and just went to look for the other human – and that was a few hours ago.”

“It is not like him to be late…” Celestia said. “Perhaps something happened to him?”

“I don’t think we will get so lucky…”

“Applejack, I realize you are not exactly friends, but such remarks are quite inappropriate.”

Applejack let out a sigh. “Apologies your Highness, but… with all due respect, why Twilight allows him to live in her castle is beyond me – he is good for nothing drunk! I wouldn’t be surprised if he and the other human, were sitting somewhere, sipping a bottle as we speak!”

Celestia smiled gently. “I understand that his… lifestyle is different from ours, but keep in mind – he helped us in a time of need. I think you should give him a chance—”

A loud bang of the opening door interrupted her, getting the attention of everyone. They all listened and looked from behind a curtain as a backpack flew through the air, hitting the opposite wall of the room with force. Celestia arched her eyebrow in confusion, only to see James passing them by with an armored human’s body hanging over his shoulder.

“God damn you Kleiner, and your gear, and especially your fucking EMP grenades!” James said unceremoniously throwing the body to one of the tables.

Celestia and Applejack glanced at each other in confusion, then back at James, who – still unaware of their presence – was in the process of removing another heavy-looking backpack off his back.

“Finally…” James said as the heavy bag hit the floor with a loud bang. He glanced at the body of the human he brought and let out a chuckle. “Damn, that was quite a workout! You may be an egghead, but with that gear on – your ass weight more than Celestia’s.”

Suddenly, the sound of somebody clearing her throat filled the air, quickly transforming James’s smile to a hollow expression. Biting his lip, he slowly turned around and froze. Three ponies plus one dragon were standing near one of the beds – one of them with a huge scowl on her face.

James gulped. I’m soooo fucked… ”Um, hello, your Highness... You… here already?”

“No, we are still in the carriage,” Celestia smiled sarcastically, “Oh, do not mind us, Captain, you were saying?”

“Saying…? I… said nothing! The universal translator must have malfunctioned…” James said, grinning sheepishly – Celestia arched her eyebrow in response. “… should I lock myself in the dungeon?”

“Oh, do not bother, I was so preoccupied looking at the floor that I did not hear a thing—”

James face suddenly changed to a very serious one. “What the hell happened to John?!” He said running up to the bed the other human was resting on.

“He woke up! That’s what happened Mr. Smartypants!” Applejack said, stomping her hoof to the ground.

“Impossible! He should be out cold for another hour or more, unless… Oh, hell,” James shook his head and facepalm with a loud slap. “He thought he was hallucinating – perhaps he took some meds for it. Those drugs can reduce the effectiveness of sedatives—”

“Hrmph! In other words, you messed up!” Applejack said with a sneer. “Just like you always do—”

James rolled his eyes. “Fine, let’s say I did, so what? When he woke up, you decided to make some human barbeque? Why the hell is he burned?!”

Celestia raised her hoof, interjecting Applejack’s response. “Apparently, when he woke up, he started to walk around the castle, looking for something. At one point, he scared Spike and… you can imagine the rest. Shortly after, your friend fell from the balcony – fortunately I was able to catch him just in time.”

“I… um…” For a moment, James stood there with a confused expression on his face, rubbing his forehead, until letting out a deep sigh. “Thanks for saving his butt.”

Celestia smiled. “You are welcome. What about your other friend? Is he unconscious too?”

“Oh, right,” James opened the curtains and not-so-gently threw the other human on the bed next to John’s. “He is a bit tired at the moment, but I’m sure he is honored to meet you and stuff.”

Celestia and others immediately noticed that the other person looked quite different from John – his gray suit seemed much lighter, barely resembling a powered armor. Instead of weapons, the outfit was equipped with some weird looking gear and electronic devices. Through the large transparent visor, an older man with glasses on his nose could be seen inside.

“Is he all right?” Celestia said.

“Sedated, I thought it would be best to bring them up to speed together. Not that he didn’t manage to hit me with a few EMP grenades before I got him to sleep…”

“That would disable your technology… Is that why you were late?”

“Disable some of it, yeah. But…” James cocked his head. “How do you even know that?”

Celestia bit her lip. “Um… I—” A groan coming from John interrupted her. “My slumber-inducing spell is wearing off.”

“Damn! Guys, you better wait outside, just to be on the safe side—”

“I gotta go home,” Applejack said.

James rolled his eyes. “Whatever, just get out of here before they wake up!”

Everyone nodded in agreement and went for the door. Stepping outside Celestia stopped for a moment. “Nice deflection back there, Captain,” she whispered, smiling sarcastically again.

He grinned. “Well, I learned from the best manipulators in Equestria. Gotta go!”

Celestia furrowed her brow, but before she could say anything, the door slammed in her face. “Hmm, perhaps that dungeon will be useful after all…”

***

OK, how the hell do I proceed here? Hmm, let’s try this… “Rise and shine sleeping beauties, rise and shine…”

“Sir, impersonating a shady videogame character may not be the best approach in the situation,” APE said.

“Shady? He wasn’t shady ever since in Half-Life 3 they revealed that—”

“Sir…”

“Ugh, fine, fine! Let me try something else…” He walked up to John, and with a grin shook his body violently. “Wake up!”

“Very… subtle, sir.”

“Oh, come on, man! You can sleep when you’re dead!” James continued shaking John’s body until a loud groan filled the air.

John opened his eyes only to be blinded by the rays of the sun. “Hello?” He said, eying the blurry surroundings, with a confused face. “Am I… dead?”

James smiled sarcastically. “Yes, you’re dead, this is the afterlife, and I’m God!”

John’s eyes adjusted, revealing his friend’s face and… making him cringe. “Ugh, for a God, you sure look damn ugly.”

James smiled. “Hrmph! Fuck you—”

“I saw something!” John hastily sat up on the bed. “I think… I saw an angel!”

Wow, he must have had a wild ride… ”You were hallucinating.”

“I… don’t know boss,” John said, massaging his tensed forehead, “That thing was so real… and beautiful! I could feel the energy emanating from it! And it’s coat was so soft—”

“Wait, what? Coat?”

“Yeah, its coat… or fur, hard to say. It was white, fluffy and delicate… And wings! I could swear I saw wings,” John shook his head. “Something is out there, boss! … Hey, stop grinning like an idiot! That wasn’t a hallucination!”

James bit his tongue, trying to contain his smile. White, fluffy and emanating with energy… right… “Johnny… I swear, I wanted to do this softly but… It would be a crime not to see her reaction here! Give me a sec,” he stuck his head outside the door. “Um, your Highness? May I ask you for a moment, please?”

A few seconds later, Celestia slowly stepped through the door with a confused expression on her face. Seeing an angel standing in front of you, would probably be a pretty big experience for anyone. John took it pretty well…

“JESUS CHRIST!” He shouted, his face pale and hands trembling.

James smirked. “Nah, that’s princess Fluffestia,” Celestia arched her eyebrow. “Um… I mean Celestia… Celestia! A-anyway, is that what you saw?” John nodded nervously, making James chuckle.

Celestia put on a confused expression on her face. “Care to share the joke?”

“He thinks… you’re an angel,” Celestia cocked her face and smirked herself. “I know, right?!” He turned to John. “I can assure you, Celestia is not an angel, but… She is a big boss around here so that comparison to Jesus was pretty close…”

Celestia arched her eyebrow. “Big boss? I thought ’white tyrant’ was the latest nickname.”

“Nicknames are like lies, you have to change them regularly.”

“I see… interesting,” Celestia turned to John, who was watching them in silence, his face still pale. “Mr. Um—”

“Wildman,” James interjected.

“Mr. Wildman… Do not be afraid—”

“No, no, no, no, no…” John said, shaking his head vigorously, “I don’t believe it… This must be a dream…”

“Please, try to calm down—”

“NO!” He shouted, pushing himself off the bed. “S-stay away!”

Celestia glanced at James, but his face told her he was as confused as she was. She looked back at John, whose eyes were locked on her, his pupils dilated. Why is he so afraid of me? She moved forward, quickening his breath.

“Please, look at me, I will not hurt you,” she took another few steps and was now in range of his grasp. “Take my hoof – you will realize I am real.”

John’s eyes were traveling from her hoof to her face and back to her hoof again. With his arm shaking, he slowly reached to grab it, only to flinch when it finally happened. “W-what are you? You look like a unicorn, but those creatures exist only in fairy tales.”

Celestia smiled. “Close – I am a pony, a pony alicorn to be exact.”

John shook his head. “That’s not possible… I just—”

“You would be surprised what is possible Johnny,” James said. “Although, I admit, I was pretty shocked myself at first.”

“… This place. Where are we?”

Celestia smile faltered, and she let out a heavy sigh. “I think, James should be the one providing the explanation.”

James gave her a cold glare. “Said the master of deflection…” He sighed, and sat down next to his friend, with Celestia close by. “John, I’m afraid there is no easy way to say this… That teleporter worked a little too well and… let’s just say you are not in Kansas anymore, nor on Earth for that matter…”

John cocked his head, blinking in confusion. “Huh?”

“You and Kleiner have crossed to the alternate universe Johnny… This place is called Equestria – the planet itself is similar to Earth, but ruled by creatures like ponies, griffons, and dragons.”

Suddenly, a hissing sound of armor opening filled the air, quickly followed by the voice of the other human. “FASCINATING!”

“Um, Celestia – meet Dr. Peter Kleiner. Probably Twilight’s new best friend.”

Celestia cocked her head. “Oh? Why would that be?”

“Just give him a few minutes, or… Could you… do your thing? With the sun, I mean?” James asked, and Celestia nodded. “Time for a magic trick guys – observe.”

Celestia’s horn light up, and the sun rose above the horizon, then a few seconds later got back down – she repeated the procedure a few times, for good measure. John was staring in disbelief, with his mouth wide open, rubbing his eyes. Kleiner on the other hand…

“FASCINATING! How did you do that?! We will need to do research right away! Argh, where is a notebook when you need one!”

“Allow me, doc!” With a grin on his face, James put his hands close to each other and a sphere of energy formed between them, quickly followed by a blinding light. “Huzza! Here you… go?” He glanced at his hands, but there was nothing between them.

“Impressive,” Celestia chuckled.

James let out a growl, and energized his matter-to-energy conversion matrix, filling the room with another light show… that died down a moment later with no results. “Ugh, it’s your fucking EMP grenades! Must be some imbalance… Ah, here it is!” His hands glowed for a moment once again, but this time, when the lights died down James was holding a notebook and pen.

Both Kleiner and John stood speechless with their mouths hanging agape. “How?” Kleiner finally said.

James smirked. “Magic!” Kleiner arched his eyebrow. “No, really! This land is magical… or in your terms doc ‘it’s quantum energy potential is thousand times greater than that on Earth.’

“Do you mean that—”

“Yes, here we can use my nano-tech to replicate some simple stuff on the fly.”

A childish grin filled the old Kleiner’s face – with his eyes wide opened, he looked like a kid in a candy store. He grabbed Celestia by her shoulders and started shaking her violently. “Do you know what this means?!” Surprised by a sudden contact, she just shook her head. “Research! Whole new field…” He let her go. “No, fields of research! The possibilities are… endless!”

Celestia took a few steps back from the crazy figure. “Yes, I think your friend and Twilight will like each other.”

On the other side of the room, John was sitting in silence, his eyes locked on the ground. “Hey man, don’t be like that, here,” James armored brightened up again, transforming air between his hands into three bottles of vodka. “That’s good stuff! One for me, one for you, one for you,” he handed the bottles to John and Kleiner and turned to Celestia, “and NONE for you, unless of course you finally gathered enough courage to have a drink with me?” She gave him a glare that was chilling him to the bone. “I take that as a ‘nope’—”

“I want to go back,” John said, his eyes not leaving the floor, “is that possible?”

James’s smile faded in the blink of an eye. “I’m afraid not, and… there is nothing to get back to anyway,”

“What are you saying?”

“Does Alpho-Meg, ring any bells?”

John shook his head, but Kleiner interjected. “A first-ever synthetic virus with extended adaptation capabilities. In theory, it could have been programmed to target a very specific group of people, but due to its nature, it was deemed too risky and unstable.”

“And yet… some morons used it,” James let out a sigh. “Alpho-Meg from alpha and omega, a beginning and the end… A fitting name for something that wiped out human life on the entire planet.”

Kleiner shook his head. “That is not possible… It would have never survived airborne for more than a few months.”

James chuckled darkly. “Apparently, they made it a bit too adaptable… In the months following the first strike, it mutated and started infecting plants and animals as the carriers, and the incubation period increased from days to months... Before we know what was happening, half of the population was exposed… it was pretty much a game over.”

James glanced at John, to see him frozen, his mouth slightly open and a blank expression on his face. “B-but… Someone must have survived! How do you know—”

“I spent the last three hundred years searching for survivors, using everything from heat sensors to satellites – before they deteriorated. I found nothing, no animals… no humans. I only survived because of my nano-enhancements,” both John and Kleiner cocked their heads, “Oh, yeah, I’m three hundred thirty-six – thanks a lot doc, for making me able to regenerate practically anything… Immortality sucks!”

“But… as far as I know, nano-technology does not make you immortal – all other soldiers died within months of their enhancements… We need to do some research!”

“Fuck you, doc! I already have Twilight poking all the holes in my body!” Celestia cocked her head, arching her eyebrow. “I… don’t wanna talk about it!”

Suddenly, John stood up. “I need time... Alone.”

James nodded. “I understand. It’s a lot to digest. I suggest you get outside, some fresh air will do you good. But before you go there is one more thing…” James cleared his throat and smiled. “Oh, Twilight, you can stop eavesdropping and come in now.”

The door slowly opened with a quiet click and Twilight stepped inside – a sheepish smile filling her face. “Um, hello everyone…” she said, turning to Gastovski, “How did you know?”

“Please, my nano-tech ears could hear your gasps of excitement from a kilometer away…”

Twilight bit her lip, her cheeks burning. “You didn’t have to be so… descriptive.”

“Well, you wanna blame someone, blame Kleiner over there, he designed the damn thing…”

“If memory serves – your ear’s maximum pick-up range is about two hundred meters,” Kleiner said.

“Actually, the last time we measured, it was about three hundred – still not near a kilometer…” Twilight said.

James facepalm. “Oh, for God’s sake! It was a figure speech! You scientists are all the same!”

“Scientists? Are you saying they have scientists here as well?” Kleiner said.

“Of course they do, the purple one here is a bigger egghead then you, doc—”

“I BEG YOUR PARDON!” Both Twilight and Kleiner shouted in unison, making James grin.

“Um, boss…” John interjected, remaining every one of his presence.

“Right… Twilight – would it be possible to find rooms for these guys?” James said.

“Well, this castle has enough room to host a few dozen ponies – make yourself at home.”

“Thanks, as for you guys…” James said, replicating some contraption looking like a smartwatch, “here John, doc. This thing contains a map of this place, plus the universal translator, carry that at all times.”

John nodded in silence. A second later he left the room with his eyes staring blankly at the floor, the whole time.

“Do you have a lab in this place?” Kleiner said. “I would like to start analyzing that ‘magic’ right away.”

Twilight brightened. “Of course! Please, follow me! I have already started comparing how our magic affects the technology from your world, and the results are fascinating!” The door slammed behind them, leaving Celestia and James alone.

“Um, is it my imagination, or we weren’t invited?” James said.

“It would appear so. Twilight actually ignored me… That never happened before, it feels surprisingly… good!” Celestia chuckled. “I am sure she and your friend will like each other.”

“Yeah, and they will want to experiment on my body… Do you have any idea what Twilight is doing to me?”

Celestia smiled. “Yes… She sends me reports every Tuesday.”

James frowned. “So you approve… Interesting.”

“Oh, I am sure you can handle it. I am more concerned about your other friend, it would appear that he took the news rather hard.”

“Yeah, can’t say I’m surprised… I had three hundred years to accept the fact that I was alone… Kleiner is a science nut, for him as long as there is research to be done, he will be happy. With John it’s different,” James sighed deeply. “He had a family back home, a wife and daughter, and a lot of siblings. From his perspective, yesterday they were all fine, and now – I told him they are all dead…”

“I am sorry,” Celestia said, “if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. For now, I better sort all of the gear I brought with Kleiner. Then, I better check on those two nerds, before they blast this castle to the moon.”

“Very well, good day captain,” Celestia said, going to the door. “James, when you will have a minute, I would like to—” She turned around, only to see him with a blissful smile on his face and… eyes locked on her backside. “What are you looking at mister?!”

“Silkbuns…” Suddenly he shook his head, snapping back to reality. “Did I say that out loud?”

Celestia smiled sarcastically. “Let me guess, another malfunction in the universal translator? I noticed a lot of those malfunctions lately… Especially when talking about my rump…”

“Must be one of those rumpaging bugs, you know… The funny thing I noticed is that… you don’t seem to mind all that much when that happens,” James snickered.

Celestia let out a very un-royal ‘Hrmph!’ in response, and un-ceremonially left the room with her snout in the air, shutting the door with a loud bang. She let out a deep sigh and glanced at the reflection of her backside in one of the nearby crystals. “Silkbuns…” She chuckled, moving away, with a little smirk on her face.

Author's Note

Remember dear readers – upvotes are cool, but comments are 20% cooler :rainbowwild:

Downvotes are fine too, as long as there is some constructive feedback following them.

Thank you for your time :twilightsmile:

Chapter 5

Outside, Ponyville was up and about, with ponies doing their usual business. At the market, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were glancing nervously at the giant slingshot-like contraption, Scootaloo set up between two trees.

“I don’t know Scoot,” Apple Bloom said, “I don’t think we should be trying that in the middle of Ponyville.”

Preparing her scooter, Scootaloo waved her hoof dismissively. “Nah, it will be fine. We’ve done crazier stuff in the past.”

Sweetie Belle shook her head. “Not like this – we always tried the more dangerous stuff outside town—”

“It will be fine, trust me!”

“It won’t be if you lose control!” Apple Bloom forcefully stomped her hoof. “Somepony might get hurt Scoot, I really don’t understand why you insist on trying this in the middle of Ponyville.”

Scootaloo glanced at both of them, her eyes filled with defiance. “Because I need a straight road for that trick to work! Look, if you don’t want to help then just say so.”

“Scoot, we’re just worried,” Apple Bloom said, “Ever since Pinkie organized that party at the end of the school year, you’ve been having a lot of crazy ideas… Even more than usual, I mean. Remember last week?”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “What’s wrong with a little hang gliding?”

“Nothing… Unless you want to glide through Ghastly Gorge, during Quarray eels mating season!”

“Yeah, what was that all about anyway? It’s not like we need to try crazy stuff to find our cutie marks anymore, unless…” Sweetie Belle put her hoof to her chin in a thinking pose and smiled. “You got a job in the circus we don’t know about?”

Scootaloo’s eyes widened. “W-what?!”

Apple Bloom smirked. “Ah, that would make sense! The Scooter-Mare! Or Crazy-Glider or—”

“Or nothing!” Scootaloo shouted stomping her hoof with force, interjecting her.

Both CMCs glance at the pegasus, only to see her breathing fast through clenched teeth. While her eyes were fiercely cold and intimidating, her face was burning with rage. Seeing her like that was sending some tingling sensation down their spines.

“S-scoot, we were just joking—”

“Well, don’t!” Scootaloo snorted loudly, her angry eyes not leaving her friends for a second. “I don’t want to be a stinking circus pony, get it?!” The only answer she got was a nervous head nodding.

Seeing agitation on her friends’ faces, she closed her eyes, taking a few deep slow breaths.”If you really must know… I’m working on a stunt to impress Rainbow Dash on her birthday.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shared a confused glance.

“Yeah, I know what you’re both gonna say, but… Ever since she became a Wonderbolt, I’ve been seeing her less and less… I’m just looking for something I could impress her with – something she will remember…”

After a moment Apple Bloom broke the silence. “I’m still not sure about this but…” she put on a gentle smile. “If this is important for you then I will help—”

“You mean – WE will help,” Sweetie Belle interjected, “the CMCs never leaves friends hanging!”

Scootaloo bit her lip, her defiance was suddenly gone. “Even the crazy ones?”

Apple Bloom let out a chuckle and pulled both of her friends in a tight embrace. “Especially the crazy ones!”

The hug lasted only for a few seconds, but it was enough to completely defuse the situation. Without further ado, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom started pulling the sling, as Scootaloo put on her helmet.

“Scootaloo… I… don’t think this will go any… further! Hurry!” Sweetie Belle said, barely able to hold the sling with her magic.

“Just a few more seconds!” Scootaloo said, putting on her goggles and positioning herself for lunch. “OK gals, ready… steady… careful—”

Before she could finish, a loud swoosh like sound filled the air. The swing discharged violently, blasting Scootaloo across Ponyville market with a speed of a race car and dragging Apple Bloom along with it.

Sweetie Belle winced. “Apple Bloom! Are you OK?! I’m sorry! I couldn’t hold it any longer!”

Apple Bloom stood up, shaking some sand out of her mouth. “I’m fine… Ugh, I knew this was a bad idea. Hey, where is Scoot?” They both glanced at trails left by the scooter which was leading towards the nearby peak…

***

John walked through the castle, eying and touching his surroundings and trying to make some sense of his situation. His body felt heavier than usual, every step costing him considerable effort.

“This can’t be real… just can’t be…” As he opened the castle’s door, a light breeze hit his face, and sunlight blinded him momentarily. When his eyes re-adjusted, his jaw hit the floor. “Wow…” was the only thing he could muster as he went outside. He strolled through Ponyville, closing and rubbing his eyes, desperately trying to fight his senses and somehow wake up from the dream, but as he got closer to the market, he realized it was a losing battle. Dear God this is real… This really is… real.

He stopped in the middle of the Ponyville market with his breathing labored and sweat pouring down his forehead, when the flashback hit him like a sledgehammer.

”The virus killed everyone.”

His breathing was becoming more labored, and his heart started to race.

”There is nothing to get back to…”

With his mind slowly sinking in the tidal wave of memories and heart pounding, he started gasping for air, but his chest felt like if a ton of bricks was pressing down on it, suppressing his efforts to breathe. He would have probably passed out if it weren’t for a gentle voice coming from behind.

“Good morning, Mr. Gastovski, have you thought about my offer?” John turned, to see a purple pony with green eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry… I thought you were someone else… Are you OK mister?”

“I’m fine, just… need to catch my breath,” he said slowly regaining his composure.

The mare in front of him put on a gentle smile. “New in town?”

He chuckled darkly. “New on the planet… And a little overwhelmed at the moment.”

“It’s OK, I understand. My name is Cheerilee mister…?”

“John Wildman ma’am, pleasure to—”

Suddenly Cheerilee felt a forceful push and landed on her side – before she could say anything a loud thud filled the air – blasting John a few meters back.

“What in Equestria?” Her eyes widened. “Scootaloo! Are you all right? What happened?!”

“Ouch… I’m fine… I think,” Scootaloo said, glancing around. “Phew, my scooter seems fine too—”

Cheerilee stomped her hoof with force, sending some rocks flying. “Scootaloo! What were you thinking! You hit—”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Relax! Cap is indestructible.”

“Ugh, I’m not Gastovski, kid,” John said, trying to pick himself up, but stumbling back almost immediately – his head spinning.

Cheerilee stepped in, acting as the support. “Easy there, lean back against me. Yes, that’s better – are you all right? That blow sounded awful.”

“Let’s just say my ribs seen better days,” he chuckled.

“Mrs. Cheerilee? What happened?” Apple Bloom trotted to the scene, alongside Sweetie Belle.

“Scootaloo, almost run me over – if it wasn’t for Mr. Wildman here, Celestia knows what would happen,” she turned to John with a gentle smile, “thank you.”

John smiled as well. “My pleasure,” he bit his lip, as stabbing pain shot through his chest, “OK, perhaps pleasure was not the best word, ouch…”

“I’m sorry for this,” she said, turning to the young pegasus, “would you mind explaining why did you race like crazy through the center of Ponyville? Don’t you know somepony… or other creature could get hurt?”

Scootaloo shrugged, like if nothing happened. “I needed to practice my latest trick… Besides, it’s Sweetie Belle’s fault, she released me too soon!”

Sweetie Belle bit her lip. “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t hold it any longer…”

“Yeah, well, perhaps you should practice your magic some more!”

“Hey, drop it!” Apple Bloom interjected. “She said she is sorry… Besides, you were the one who insisted on practicing in the middle of Ponyville!”

John shook his head, turning to Scootaloo. “Kid, are you insane? If I weren’t wearing that armor, you would have broken all my ribs… or worse.”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes, visibly annoyed about all the fuss. “Oh, come on! Nothing bad happened! I thought humans were tougher than this…”

“Boy, you really need to—”

“BOY?!” Scootaloo growl, her eyes widening. “Did you just call me a… BOY?!”

John blinked and did a double take. “… you are a girl?”

Giggles coming from the rest of the Crusader filled the air, even Cheerilee smirked, only to hide her smile behind her hoof a second later.

Scootaloo pierced John with her gaze, her eyes burning with rage. “Look um… No offense intended kid, I—”

“Oh, don’t worry mister. Everypony knows she is a… tomboy,” Apple Bloom interjected with a giggle.

Scootaloo vision shifted to the grinning filly. “You take that back!”

Apple Bloom snickered, “Did I anger you? Oh… boy!”

Immediately, Scootaloo dashing after her, but the farm filly was read and quickly jumped out of the way. “You gotta try harder… boy!” She teased, running circles around John, Scootaloo on her tail.

Those girls never change, do they? Cheerilee rolled her eyes. “Girls! Stop this, right now. Girls!”

Seeing two fillies chasing each other and third rolling on the floor, laughing, managed to put some smile back on John’s face until a sudden cry of pain filled the air. John turned to see Scootaloo on top of Apple Bloom, her hoof pounding at the farm filly with blurring motion.

“Hey, enough!” John grabbed the pegasus by the back and lifted her in the air. “Calm down kid!”

Scootaloo’s did the opposite – she flailed her hooves and panting heavily as her rage intensified with every second.

“Let me go you ugly monkey!”

“Scootaloo! What kind of language is this?!” Cheerilee said with a firm tone.

But the pegasus ignored her, still thrashing in the air, trying to get free from John’s tight grip throwing some less than polite insults at him – but no matter what, she wasn’t going anywhere. Everyone’s attention turned to the filly on the ground who was holding her snout.

“You OK, Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle asked, concern on her face.

Apple Bloom replied, pressing one of her hoof on her temple. “… dizzy.”

“I say! Scootaloo hit you pretty—” Sweetie paused, her eyes widened. “You are bleeding!”

For a moment, silence filled the air – even Scootaloo finally stopped struggling, instead gazing at her friend only to notice red liquid dripping from her nose, onto her hooves and coat.

“Hmm, doesn’t seem that bad, but we should get you to the doctor anyway,” Cheerilee said, glancing at the wound.

John turned to the filly still in his grasp. “You calmed down already?” A few quick nods were the only answer. “I’m going to put you down, OK? Just… don’t do anything silly.”

A second later, Scootaloo was on the ground – the defiance that was on her face just a moment ago was gone, replaced by fear and concern. She just stood there, biting her lip and observing the scene with wide eyes – too scared, or perhaps too ashamed to approach her friends.

“May I take a look?” John said to Cheerilee, pointing at Apple Bloom. Seeing the unsure expression on her face, he smiled gently. “I promise not to bite,” Cheerilee smiled herself and nodded.

With a quick motion, he took some contraption, out of his belt, turned it on, and placed it on Apple Bloom’s snout. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you kid. Does that hurt?”

“A little—” A sudden bloody caught, left Apple Bloom’s throat, hitting his outfit. “I’m… sorry—”

John smiled. “Don’t worry about it little one, let’s just get this thing online,” he glanced at the screen, connected to the contraption, and moved it around Apple Bloom’s snout for a few seconds. “Well, I’m not an expert on um… pony anatomy, but if I read this correctly, there are no broken bones and the bleeding is superficial.”

“Still hurts though…”

“Hmm,” John reached into one of the pouches on his armor and pulled something out of the first aid kit.

“Wow! That’s cold!” Apple Bloom said as he placed it on her snout.

“Standard issue cooling pack, hold it there, and it should alleviate some of the pain.”

“Yeah, it’s getting better. Thanks, mister.”

“Apple Bloom, I—” Scootaloo finally said, but Sweetie Belle cut her off immediately.

“What the hay Scoot?! Attacking her for something like that? Seriously?!”

“Sweetie Belle is correct,” Cheerilee interjected, “what’s gotten into you?”

Her ears dropped in shame. “I don’t know.”

“I guess it’s my fault…” John turned to Scootaloo. “Sorry kid, no offense intended, I just can’t tell you guys apart, yet…”

Apple Bloom shook her head, cooling pack still on her snout, “No mister, I shouldn’t have teased her… Still, a buck to the face for something like that, Scoot?”

“I’m sorry…”

Apple Bloom smiled. “Well, at least I think I’m all good now.”

“Hmm, hold on a second,” John crouched to filly’s level with a medical tissue in his hand, “let’s clean this up,” With a gentle motion, he began wiping the blood off Apple Bloom’s snout and coat.

Cheerilee chuckled, “Mr. Wildman, you are a walking pharmacy!”

“Nah, just a standard combat gear—” … better changed the subject before kids ask—

“Combat huh? You must know Cap, right?” Scootaloo brightened.

Too late…

“Got some good stories?!”

John stopped, shutting his eyes closed. “Dear God, please tell me that dork didn’t tell you any stories, about… what we went through on our world?”

Scootaloo let a sigh of disappointment. “Nah… He said we would have nightmares. But he dealt with those shadow ponies and diamond dogs in style! They never saw it coming.”

John arched his eyebrow. “What do you mean? He fought someone… here?”

“Sure he did! First, he saved Sweetie Belle and Rarity from those diamond dogs, and then when those shadow ponies took over he sliced and diced and—”

“That’s enough Scootaloo!” Cheerilee interjected, putting her hoof on pegasus face. “I’m sure John… gets the picture.”

“I’m just saying he was almost as awesome as Rainbow Dash!”

John facepalm, his head shaking. “Nothing awesome about killing, kid – no matter how much that dork likes it.”

Scootaloo cocked her head, as an expression of surprise filled her face. “But… aren’t you a soldier too? Didn’t you kill to protect others?”

More than you realize, girl… A loud sigh left his mouth, as his face saddened. “I did what I had to do, yes… and that’s why I know what I’m talking about. War is hell, James is just—” A walking cheesy one-liner? “—special. Don’t emulate him,” he turned back to Apple Bloom, and resumed the cleanup with a – now, blood-soaked – tissue still in his hand.

Cheerilee smiled, observing his gentle motions. A human who is against killing and war? Interesting… After her dealings with Gastovski, she did not expect that kind of attitude from another human, especially a soldier. Perhaps I should ask him to make the presentation instead—

A sudden scream took them all by surprise. John barely had time to turn his head, before he was launched in the air. His body hit the ground a good three meters away with a thud, knocking him out cold.

“ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?! WHAT DID THAT MONSTER DO TO YOU?!”

“Applejack he didn’t—” Apple Bloom tried to say something but was cut off almost immediately.

“Blood?!” Applejack eyes widened. “Oh, no! Are you injured?! Did it hurt you?! What did it do?! Talk to me!”

“Applejack! Calm down!” Cheerilee interjected, stepping between Applejack and her sister.

“Out of the way Cheerilee!”

Cheerilee stomped the ground with force, assuming a defensive posture. “Not before you calm down – you are scaring everyone!”

A crowd of ponies attracted by the commotion, gathered nearby, to see Applejack and Cheerilee locked in place with their eyes narrowed and backs arched – each one trying to pierce the other with an intimidating gaze. Their little power-play was interrupted by a groan coming from the human, lying nearby.

“Ugh… Oh God, that hurts…” John said, feeling the stabbing heat radiating inside his chest. “What happened?”

“That’s a good question,” Cheerilee said, her eyes not leaving Applejack, “Would you mind explaining why did you attack him?”

“Because that monster—” You promised not to say anything, remember? Applejack let out an audible sigh. “—that thing is evil, that’s all I can say.”

John sat in silence, with an indifferent look on his face as whispers filled the air. A second later, he could feel the gaze of dozens of ponies around, scowling him and grumbling.

Cheerilee gently cocked her head, her vision traveling between John and Applejack. “Applejack, that’s a little vague, we need more than that!”

“I… can’t. You’ll just have to trust me on this. Look what he did to Apple Bloom!”

“Girls just had a little fight – John got nothing to do with it.”

Scootaloo stepped forward, her head hanging low. “I hit Apple Bloom, I’m sorry.”

Scootaloo hit her? Applejack shook her head. “It changes nothing, he did something much worse earlier. I… just can’t talk about it.”

“Applejack that’s not good enough—”

“Drop it, please…” John said, finally getting off the ground, a trickle of blood dripping from his mouth. “She is your kid?”

“My sister!”

John let out a dark chuckle. “Just my luck…” He glanced around, to see that the crowd of ponies was getting bigger every second, most of them with a not-so-friendly expression on their faces.

“You don’t belong here!” Someone said. “We don’t need another troublemaker in Ponyville!” Other added. Soon, half of the crowd was shouting in his direction.

Cheerilee shook her head. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing!”

“Oh come on hon!” Carrot Top said. “He is probably nothing but trouble!”

“Just like Zecora was?” Her remark silenced the crowd momentarily, forcing a visible blush of embarrassment on the faces of some ponies. “I thought, we learned a lesson that day, but apparently I was mistaken—”

“No, they’re right,” John interjected with resignation in his voice. “I think, it will be best if I just leave.”

“Yeah, you do that,” Applejack said, her voice sounding vicious and bitter. “And don’t you dare coming close to Apple Bloom again!”

John let out a sigh and turned towards the Everfree forest. “Don’t worry, I’ll be out of your hair soon, but… for what it’s worth – I’m sorry for what happened earlier,” he said, slowly limping away.

“Mister, wait!” Cheerilee ran in front of him. “You don’t have to leave, whatever happened… I’m sure the two of you can work something out.”

He stopped and for a moment, glanced at her. The gentle smile on her face was contrasting with the frowns coming from other ponies nearby. “I’m afraid it’s not that simple, miss. Your friend has every right to be angry… or scared.”

“I know it’s not my business, but, perhaps if you tell me what happened, we could figure it out together?”

John bit his lip, considering his options. Cheerilee looked like a nice person, someone with an open mind, someone who could maybe understand… But then, there was a crowd of ponies behind her including the three young fillies he met earlier who were now whispering between themselves with confused faces. He glanced at Apple Bloom – she was so young and innocent… And he almost robbed her of all that just a few hours ago. Just thinking about it was making him sick.

John let out a deep sigh, turning back to Cheerilee. “I’m sorry, I know you’re trying to help, but some things are better left unspoken. It will be best for everyone if I just disappear.”

She wrinkled her brows, her smile turning into an expression of worry. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing… I just need to find someplace to… think things over.”

“I… understand. See you later then?”

“Yes, later… Goodbye miss, nice talking to you.”

Cheerilee watched as he continued marching towards the Everfree forest – her mind full of concern. Please, don’t do anything stupid John…

***

Some distance away, the Crusaders, just stared at the scene with confusion.

“I don’t want to see any of you near that thing, understood?” Applejack said.

“What did he do, sis?”

“That’s not your concern!”

“Actually, it is! Because from our perspective, you just attacked him for nothing!”

I can’t Apple Bloom… I just can’t – you would have nightmares… And I promised… Applejack sighed heavily. “Girls… you need to trust me on this, OK? I can’t tell you what he tried to do… but he is dangerous, and I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“But—”

“Darn it, Apple Bloom! No buts, understood?!” Applejack shouted, gritting her teeth. “I’m your older sister, and you will listen!”

Apple Bloom winced and took a step back, she knew better than to provoke Applejack when she was angry. Until recently, her older sister losing her temper was almost unheard of, but lately, it started happening more and more often.

“OK, I will stay away,” as long as you are around, anyway.

Just like that, Applejack smiled again. “Thank you, Apple Bloom, that goes for the two of you as well,” she turned to where the remaining fillies were just moments ago, but only Sweetie Belle was present. “Hey, where is Scootaloo?”

“She left already, when Cheerilee was talking to the human,” Sweetie Belle said.

Applejack rolled her eyes. That girl is always trouble… “When you see each other, tell her to stay away from that thing, OK?” Sweetie nodded. “Good, now—”

“Can we talk for a moment?” Cheerilee interrupted.

“Sure. You girls move along now.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nodded, and after saying a quick goodbye, to Cheerilee – went away. With the mob of ponies that gathered earlier gone too, Applejack and Cheerilee were alone.

“You know what I’m going to ask—”

Applejack sighed. “Cheerilee, I can’t… I promised I won’t tell anyone.”

Cheerilee shook her head. “It doesn’t make any sense… He seems like a nice person – what could he possibly have done?”

Applejack gulped as the flashback hit her – the escape, the pain, the blood… Metallic net cutting her skin… As her mind slowly went into overdrive, she saw him looming above with a knife in his hand. Its jagged blade ready to thrust inside of her, to tear through her flesh… to open her like some hog.

“Applejack, are you all right?”

Cheerilee’s question snapped her back to reality, interrupting the nightmare. Only now, she noticed her whole body was shaking. “I’m fine, I just… need to go, excuse me.”

With that, she trotted away – her shaking figure quickly disappearing in the distance, leaving baffled Cheerilee behind. Why was she so scared…? She shook her head in confusion. What happened between these two…

Author's Note

Remember dear readers – upvotes are cool, but comments are 20% cooler :rainbowwild:

Downvotes are fine too, as long as there is some constructive feedback following them.

Thank you for your time :twilightsmile:

Chapter 7

Author's Note

This is version 1.1 – I fixed some typos and grammar mistakes (including a few embarrassing ones :twilightblush:) and made a few minor changes.

Apologies, for anyone who read the unpolished version – that's what you get when trying to publish the chapter on time, at all costs.

I'll try to prevent that from happening in the future :unsuresweetie:.

Chapter 7

“He did… what?!” Twilight said, her face filled with terror. “But that’s—”

“Shocking, I know,” Celestia let out a deep sigh. “Trust me, you are not the only one caught by surprise here, but it happened, and now we have to deal with the situation at hoof.”

The unconscious human dressed in a hospital gown was lying on the nearby bed – his breath slow and raspy. The massive scar on the right side of his neck and a bandage around his eyes and forehead were the only reminders of the gruesome scene that transpired less than an hour ago.

Glancing between bloodied armor and clothes lying next to the bed and the motionless body, Twilight shook her head. “Well, we do have a mental ward in the Ponyville hospital. From what I… heard, they are very good.”

“He is not a pony, Twilight. If he feels alienated now, locking him up is the worst thing we can do. Frankly, if there is anyone who can help him get through this, it is James… and you.”

Twilight cocked her head in surprise. “Me? I’m not a psychiatrist.”

Celestia smiled gently. “He does not need a doctor – he needs a friend, and that is your field of expertise.”

Once again, Twilight glanced at the unconscious human, scanning him from top to bottom, with a doubtful expression on her face.

“I don’t know about this,” she said, turning back to Celestia. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I believe that by spending time with you and your friends, John should be able to recover from his… predicament. Besides, there is also a matter of the earlier misunderstanding that needs to be handled properly, and who do the Ponyville residents respect the most?” Celestia nudged her gently, forcing some involuntary blush on Twilight’s face. “I realize I am asking a lot, but you are the best Equestria has to offer—”

Before Twilight could say anything, a loud groan caught their attention…

***

John woke up, with searing pain radiating from his neck. He tried putting his hands up only to have them snapped back by some elastic cord. His efforts to shift position, also proven futile.

“Hey, what’s going on?” He said, his voice hoarse and weak.

Celestia wrapped him with her magic, adjusting the restrains. “Please remain calm. You are in Twilight’s castle; you are safe now.”

“I don’t believe it…” John let out a dark chuckle. “How did you… Wait, why’s there a bandage on my eyes?”

Celestia sighed. “I apologize, but you were bleeding out right in front of me, and I had to act quickly. I used my magic to close the wound you inflicted, but… that left you with a nasty scar and affected your eyesight—”

“You blinded me?!”

“Calm down, please. The blindness should be temporary. The important part is that you are well, and—”

A sound of a door bursting open cut her off. She turned to see James approaching fast with an angry scowl on his face. “He won’t be well for much longer!”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “About time mister… I sent you a message half an hour ago, where were you?”

“Someone has to feed Fluttershy’s animals until she gets back you know…”

“That usually takes you no more than fifteen minutes.”

James arched his eyebrow. “You’ve been keeping tabs on me? Interesting… If you must know… Angel, has been giving me a hard time.”

“You can’t handle one little bunny, really?”

“Hey, don’t give me that! To quote the classic, that thing is the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on. He’s got huge, sharp… he can leap about… look at the bones!”

“What bones?”

James paused and blinked a few times. “Good lord, how can you not know that reference? You told me you were into human classics.”

“I am! I read Plato, Homer, Victor Hugo, Shakespeare—”

“Ugh! Quick, God, smite the evil witch!”

Twilight arched an eyebrow. “Those are all giants of human literature!”

James opened his arms in a dramatic matter and glanced up. “God, why have you forsaken me?! … Celestia, you are the closest thing to a god here, blast her to the moon or something, before it spreads!” Celestia arched her eyebrow, the expression on her face remaining blank. “No? Fine! Twilight… what about the movies I gave you?”

“I prefer books.”

James facepalm in defeat. “’I prefer books’ … I bet you say that to every stallion that hits on you—”

“Hey!”

Celestia let out a gentle chuckle. “Maybe I should send you some guards that like books as well? Then, you could read them together,” she finished with a wink.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “You too… really? Perhaps we should get back to the matter at hoof?!”

“You’re right Twi, we don’t want to keep captain suicidal waiting, now do we?” James said, clearing his throat and turning to John. “Johnny, would you kindly explain… What the fuck, were you thinking?!” James hit the nearby medical table, launching the content in the air. “What if somepony found you dangling from that tree you fucking idiot, huh?”

John let out a dark chuckle. “How thoughtless of me not to consider it. How about a death sentence as a punishment?”

“Sorry Johnny, but that low-brow humor of yours needs some working on.”

“Says Mr. Walking one-liner!”

“Hrmph, fuck you! My one-liners are acts of art, and they are funny!”

“Sure… nothing more hilarious than shooting the guy’s head off and then say ‘He looks better without a head anyway!’”

“Hey—”

“Or yelling ‘liar, liar, face on fire!’ after using a flamethrower!” Twilight interjected.

“H-hey!”

“Or jumping at the mob of enemies with an ‘I just dropped by to say f… you!’

“Hey! As I recall, when that happened, I was trying to save that lovely butt of yours, Celestia!”

Celestia bit her lip. “… touché. Perhaps we should discuss what should we do now?”

“I have a suggestion,” John said. “Give me back my gun and leave for a minute—”

“This really isn’t funny,” Twilight interjected. “How can you be acting like this, after… what happened?”

John let out a deep, loud sigh. “That dork and I spent last ten years fighting… During that time we saw things that… would make your skin crawl, blood run cold, and hair stand – all at the same time… As much as I hate to admit it, dark humor has a way to relive the stress, keep you sane and improve the mood – which’s what James is trying to do… but it won’t work. Not this time.

He turned to Celestia. “I got a better question – what the hell do you want from me?! I don’t want to be here, you don’t need me here, and I’m not one of you. So, why? Why did you save me?”

Celestia let out a deep, slow sigh. “I will not pretend to know how you feel right now, but for better or worse this is your new home—”

“Bullshit! My real home is gone!”

“Maybe… But you can rebuild your life here—”

“Didn’t you hear what I said?! I don’t want to live in this place!” Gritting his teeth, John tried fighting with the restraints again, but to no avail. “Ugh! Goddamnit! You don’t have the right to do this!”

“All I want is to help you, nothing more.”

John stopped struggling, and for a moment his labored breaths were the only sounds in the room until he let out a crazy chuckle. “You may change your mind when I tell you I almost killed one of yours!”

“I already know, Applejack told me everything—”

“Wait, what? He tried to kill Applejack?!” Twilight turned to Celestia, her eyes wide in horror. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because it was… irrelevant.”

“Irrelevant?! You are asking me to let him stay at my castle! Seems pretty relevant to me!”

“He didn’t attack her just like that – he was hungry…” James said.

Twilight arched her eyebrow. “That’s supposed to make me feel safer?”

A sinister smiled filled John’s face. “Hmm, it’s been a while since I cooked some horse meat…” Twilight bit her lip and stepped backward, her brain too confused to say anything. “I bet you’re gonna taste good—”

“Oh, cut the crap…” James interjected, rolling his eyes. “That lame attempt at intimidating isn’t going to work on anyone.”

“It’s working on me… a little.” Twilight interjected.

“Don’t worry Twi, that idiot is just playing, he wouldn’t hurt a fly for no reason. Besides… you ponies are too sweet.”

John sighed in irritation. “Yes… I’m sure they are all fluffy, wuffy and adorable.”

“No, no, I meant the meat – it’s just too sweet, like beef mixed with sugar.”

John winced in disgust. “Ugh, that’s fairly revolting, but… how the hell would you know how pony meat taste?”

“That is the question I would really like an answer to as well,” Celestia said piercing James with her gaze.

James bit his lip, smiling sheepishly. “He, he… let’s um… not dwell on such minutiae. The point is… John is not going to hurt… or eat anyone. Right buddy?”

Instead of an immediate response, John choose to quietly lay in bed, almost lost in thought. His slow, labored breaths filled the air, as everyone awaited his response. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he slowly shook his head and let out one more deep, slow sigh.

“I’m sorry for what happened earlier… If I knew back then what I do now, I would never attack your friend. But that only proves how much I don’t belong here.”

“This can still be fixed, John,” Celestia said.

“That pony I attacked made it pretty clear that she hates me, and won’t forgive me anytime soon, if ever. Not that I can blame her…”

“That doesn’t sound like Applejack,” Twilight said.

“Well, she called me a monster in front of everybody – It makes conversation a bit tricky… Besides, if the reaction you had a moment ago is any indication the best I can hope for is a life of an outcast.”

“We could move you to another town,” Celestia said.

“So I can be a freak over there? Living the rest of my life alone, as some leper? Thanks, but no thanks… Please, just let me go… It’ll be better for everybody.”

Everyone looked at each other thinking about how to respond. With her thousand plus years of knowledge and experience, Celestia knew that to have any hope of success, she had to be gentle. She was still in the process of thinking what to say, when Twilight cleared her throat and stepped forward.

“I realize it must be hard for you right now, but… suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem—” Twilight was interrupted by an audible slap-sound coming from Celestia and James, as they both facepalmed in unison. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Twilight…” Celestia shook her head, lost for words, but chuckled bitterly a second later. “No… it just - you forgot to say that it is selfish.”

“Oh, and don’t forget it’s a coward’s way out, and some people are much worse than John, and he is just depressed, and… Hold on, I’m going to check my database for more moronic reasons not to kill yourself.”

As Twilight tried to process their remarks, John let out a chuckle. “Not the sharpest tool in the shed is she?”

“Actually she is one of the sharpest… most of the time.”

“I don’t understand,” Twilight said, with confusion in her voice. “Those are all valid reasons.”

“Valid reasons…” John shook his head. “Tell me, do I look like a little girl?”

Twilight cocked her head. “Pardon?”

“Do I look like a little girl… or a boy, or whatever?”

“Um, no…?”

“Then why the hell, are you treating me like one?! This whole ‘permanent solution to a temporary problem’ BS is what they keep telling teenagers! Jesus Christ! I’m not suicidal because I got bad grade or my daddy didn’t buy me an iPhone! I want to end this goddamn nightmare because I lost everything! Do you have any idea how that feels?!”

“Johnny, I think she gets the point—”

“Lose your wife, kid, family, and all your friends along with your world, dreams, and aspiration and then tell me it’s a ‘temporary problem,’ you stupid bitch!”

Biting her lip Twilight took a step back, but couldn’t prevent her eyes from tearing up.

“Hey, pipe it, man! She’s just trying to help.”

“If she wants to help, she should give me back my goddamn gun! And you… I don’t believe that after all, we’ve been through you are letting them do that to me! You promised, you son of a bitch!”

James cocked his head in confusion. “… you can’t be serious. I promised to finish you off in case we were about to be captured by some sadistic bastard that would skin us alive or something. I don’t see anyone here torturing you.”

John paused again, to let out a bitter chuckle a second later. “The only thing that kept me going during the war was the hope that one day I will get back home and life will be normal again, you know? Having barbeques with friends, playing with my dog, teaching my daughter how to draw—”

“Cursing at the price of gas?”

“Yeah, that too, boss… Instead, I have been thrown over time and space, and the best I can hope for is to spend the rest of my days on some god-forbidden world knowing that I will never see my wife, or hug my little girl or play with my dog ever again.

John let out a deep sigh. “You never had a family, so maybe you just don’t understand how it feels to lose one, but for me, knowing that they are dead, knowing that I’m forever alone it’s like a stab to the heart. This is a nightmare, and I want to wake up…”

“John, contrary to what you are saying, you are not alone – or at least do not have to be,” Celestia said, “please let us help you.”

“You haven’t been listening—”

“I have, and I heard a lot of pain and anger. Believe it or not, but those will pass… if you let them.”

“This would only work if I would let go of the memories of my family – and that is NOT happening!”

“I see… Let me ask you this – do you believe your wife or daughter would approve of what you want to do?”

“W-what kind of question is that?!”

“A simple one, you should answer honestly… Would they approve or not?”

“I… I don’t know…”

“You do not know, or you do not want to think about it?”

“I don’t know!”

“Oh, I think you do – you just do not like the answer—”

“Enough! I have had it with this bullshit!” John shouted, trying to break his restraints yet again. “Argh… Either finish me off or let me be so I can do it myself!”

“As long as you are in that negative frame of mind, I will not.”

“Then what do you propose?! Locking me up until I die of old age? Because that’s what it’s going to take!”

Celesta shook her head, this wasn’t going well at all. She glanced at both James and Twilight, but neither seemed to have any ideas. For a moment they just kept watching as John struggled in his restrains, getting more angry and desperate with every passing second.

“How about a compromise?” James said, snapping them all back to reality.

“What sort of compromise, you bastard?” John said, gritting his teeth.

“With our help, you’ll give Equestria some time, say… a month and—”

“Fuck you, boss!”

“James is correct,” Celestia said. “I am willing to do everything in my power to help you adapt—”

“Both of you go fuck yourselves! You can stick that big horn of yours, up his ass or something!”

James glanced at – surprisingly calm – Celestia and took a step back, placing his butt firmly against the wall. “H-hey, man stop giving her kinky ideas…”

“My tolerance of your… humor has a limit mister,” Celestia said, to James - arching her eyebrow.

“Humor? Shall I remind you who dreamed of doing what a few weeks ago?” James said, making Celestia bit her lip. “You’re lucky that comrade Glim-Glam taught Twilight that memory wiping spell, so almost no one remembers that… incident. But, even if we wipe that off the board, there are other rumors about you…”

“You know what they say about rumors…”

“Yes… that they are usually true,” Celestia gave him a glare as he turned to John again. “Anyway, you didn’t let me finish, man… Give Equestria a chance, say… thirty days – after that, if you’ll still want to go… I’ll help you—”

“Are you insane?!” Celestia interjected angrily. “I will never agree to that!”

John smiled sarcastically. “I see that Mrs. Big Butt here is holding your balls in a tight grip, man.”

Celestia snorted loudly, turning to James. “You and me outside… NOW!”

John chuckled. “Going for a quickie?”

“Dear sir, the part about limited tolerance applies to you as well.”

“I certainly hope so.”

James shook his head. “Thanks a lot, Johnny, now she’s going to take it out on me… You think it over in the meantime.”

***

They walked outside, shutting the door behind them. The momentary silence was cut short, by a loud grumble coming from Celestia.

“May I ask what were you thinking to make an offer like that?” She said, her face stoic and regal.

“Hmm, what was I thinking giving him an offer he may actually accept? That’s a tough one, you need to give me a minute…”

Celestia frowned. “He may accept it, but I will not! Do you seriously believe, I will allow you to kill him?”

“Oh, don’t worry, I will teleport outside Equestria’s border first, you will be covered—”

“That is not the point! You are talking about killing an innocent human being… just like that!”

Shaking his head, James turned around and walked up to the nearby window. Outside, blissfully unaware of the drama, ponies were shopping, playing and doing their usual business. The view made him smile.

“What’s so funny?” Twilight said.

“Nothing… It’s just… Celestia must really take me for some sick bastard.” He turned to Celestia and let out a bitter chuckle. “He’s one of a few people I would consider true friends. I don’t want him dead, believe it or not…”

Celestia sighed. “I apologize, I am just… trying to understand why would you even consider such a… drastic measure when there are still other options.”

“Other options? Like what? Mental hospital? We both know that won’t work—”

“Why not?” Twilight interjected. “Depression is just like any other disease, I don’t understand why shouldn’t we try?”

“Yes! Let’s pump him full of drugs, lock him up and send him to therapy – I’m sure that will help…” James smiled sarcastically and snapped his fingers. “Or better yet! When is comrade Glimmer coming back? She can just brainwash him – problem solved!”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “I’m serious, why would you object?”

“Because John’s reasons for depression are neither trivial nor easily fixable, Twilight,” Celestia said. “The only way he can start healing is after he accepts his predicament and let go. Locking him up will not help.”

“With all due respect, you don’t know that.”

Celestia smiled gently. “Am I one hundred percent sure? Of course not, however… my own personal experience tells me that the chances of success are slim at best.”

For a moment, Twilight froze with a bewildered expression on her face. She wasn’t blinking, moving or even breathing – instead, she stared at her former mentor in disbelief, until the urge to breath snapped her back to reality. But before she could say anything, Celestia cut her off.

“It happened shortly after I banished Luna. Without her protection, my dreams had become nightmares… Every time I closed my eyes, some horror was there to haunt me. It was not long until I stopped sleeping altogether.

“Of course, the proud fool that I was, I thought nothing of it,” She smirked bitterly. “Alicorns are tough! Sleep is for the weak! I said… Oh, how naive... After a few days, everyone saw something was wrong – the way I walked, how I talked, how I became easily irritable…” She let out a quiet chuckle. “Everyone saw it… except me.”

“Haven’t anypony suggested you needed help?” Twilight asked, with a mix of curiosity and fear on her face.

“Of course they have, and at one point, I accepted it. I got admitted to the best mental facility, we had at the time, but It only made matters worse… much worse,” Celestia shook her head, as the unpleasant flashback hit her hard. “Do not misunderstand, the doctors, and the staff was all trying their best to help, but instead, they made me feel… alienated, an outcast. I never felt more lonely in my life. "

“I don’t understand… How come you felt alienated…”

Celestia sighed. “If there is one thing that humans and alicorns have in common, is that in Equestria we are… rare and special, and back then, we were considered even more god-like than now. I quickly became a curiosity… a zoo specimen that everyone wanted to see, but no one could understand. That continued until I snapped completely and…”

Twilight bit her lip, pressed her head to Celestia’s side. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea.”

“It is all right, this was a bad time… With Luna gone, I was lonely and broken – suddenly in the eyes of the hospital staff I was no longer their champion, but something else… something they did not know how to handle, something… they feared.”

“So… how did you get over it?”

Celestia let out a chuckle. “Would you be surprised if I tell you that friendship was the answer? All it took was one… very special pony. He made me realize I needed to let go, even if it hurt.”

“I don’t recall reading about any of this in any history books…”

“This is one of those things I try to keep to myself,” Celestia said, turning to James, “and I would appreciate if it stayed that way.”

“Got it.”

Celestia cocked her head. “Hmm, no puns or silly jokes? Are you feeling all right?”

James rolled his eyes. “The fact that you are a crazy horse is nothing new to me – the point is that we all agree this won’t help John,” Twilight twitched shaking her head, “or do we?”

“While I understand what you both are saying, I still think we should at least try the therapy – a lot has changed during that time.”

“Twilight it’s not… OK, let me try something else,” he turns to Celestia, “If you were to describe me, what words would you use?”

“… brave, honest, impartial—”

James smiled sarcastically. “Am I blushing? Don’t sugarcoat me, please… What do you really think? Go on, I can take it.”

“As you wish…” Celestia cleared her throat. “Grumpy, sarcastic, stubborn, pessimistic—”

“OK…”

“—vulgar, impulsive, impatient—”

“OK! I got it!”

“Let’s not forget sexist,” Twilight interjected.

“Hrmph! Says one of the rulers of a country lead by females only!”

“You are forgetting prince Blueblood,” Celestia said.

James arched his eyebrow, giving Celestia a cold look. “Like I said, females only… Anyway, the word I was looking for was a loner. Even after three hundred years, I don’t like socializing very much.”

“I thought, all humans were like that.”

“Negative, most were like you – just making friends, hanging out and so on… And John was one of them. Hell, Applejack always reminded me of his attitude, the irony is a bitch, huh?”

Twilight put on a confused expression on her face. “But, if he is like that then frankly, he should like it here.”

“Yes, you’re finally getting it! I hope that if everything goes well, in thirty days, he won’t be suicidal anymore, and… I will finally have someone to drink with…” Celestia frowned. “Oh, don’t give me that face – that’s your fault!”

“Of course it is.”

“Well, who should I blame for the fact that your ponies can’t really drink, huh? I mean… OK, some earth ponies can, but only a few – because of that I’m forced to usually drink alone… What about alicorns, can you guys drink?”

“I am afraid I do not know.”

James grinned. “Any of you would like to test what those magical livers can do?”

“No.”

“Oh, come on…” He turned to Twilight. “How about you?”

“No!”

“For science!”

“I… no.”

“You are both so… negative, sometimes – seriously, you need to relax,” he snapped his fingers. “I know, from now on, I will make it my life’s goal to get you drunk, starting with you, Celestia.”

Celestia rolled her eyes. “Everybody needs a hobby, I guess… It may take a while to accomplish though…”

James put on a grin. “So you’re saying it IS possible?! Ha! I knew it… how long will It take?”

“Eternity.”

“I got time…”

“Perhaps we should get back to the matter at hoof?” Twilight interjected.

“Do you have to be such a party pooper? Even if he somehow gets out of restraints, I’m sure somewhat as experienced as Celestia removed all sharp objects from the room, and locked his powered armor and guns somewhere… Right?” Celestia bit her lip and smiled sheepishly. “Seriously?! Come on!”

***

They entered the room to find John struggling with his restraints – one hand already free. “Damn it, I really hoped it would take longer,” he said, letting out a sigh of disappointment. “So, where did it go?”

James winced putting a hand on his butt. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

Celestia shook her head and enveloped John in her magic. “Your friend is one of those persistent types I presume?”

“Almost as stubborn as me...” James said with a chuckle.

“That damn… magic tickles! Let go of me, damn it—”

“Sure man, in thirty days—”

“Hell, that really tickles! Tell her to stop!” John clenched his fist, as he felt a sensation of rope binding his loose arm. “Hey! Don’t you fucking dare tie me up again!”

“I will stop if you promise you will not try to break free.”

“God damn it! Now it itches! Tell her to stop the damn magic!” John shouted, resuming his struggle.

“Stop it, not like he has any way to run to, especial half naked.”

“Oh yeah?! Watch me!”

“Jeez, man, I was just joking!” He turned to Celestia. “See what you did?”

Glancing at the struggling figure of the human Celestia let out a sigh. Here we go again... She turned around towards James and Twilight, biting her lip. “We should… probably wait until he calms down.”

“You don’t say…” James shook his head when audible snap filled the air. “Hey, don’t take off the blindfold yet, you moron… Are you listening?!” He said, only to get another f-bomb in reply. “Up yours too, buddy! … we need to wait, his rage usually lasts only for a few minutes at most.”

“Do you think he will accept the offer when he calms down?”

John grunted, finally freeing himself from both his restraints and blindfold on his head. “I WILL NOT!”

“Quiet, adults are talking!” James chuckled. “Yeah, he might, and if not…” He turned to Twilight. “When is Starlight getting back, again?”

“Ugh… damn it! My eyes… it’s too bright in here!” John said, stumbling as his eyes started to slowly readjust to the light. Suddenly a loud gasp coming from Celestia filled the air, followed by complete silence. “What the hell is so fluffy and—”

John’s eyes readjusted revealing what the silence was all about. James and the alicorns were still there and with their mouths agape and eyes wide opened, they stared in his direction, not even blinking. He, however, had time to blink once, before he realized they were not looking at him, but rather at his hands... Placed firmly on the certain royal rump.

He managed to blink one more time, before letting go off Celestia’s fluffy butt and taking a step back. “I… s-swear this wasn’t intentional!” He said, placing his arms in a guard position.

Celestia closed her eyes for a moment, letting a loud, but slow breath fill the air… With a hollow regal expression back on her face, she turned around and glanced at John, piercing his shaky figure, her gaze gnawing him to the bone. He closed his eyes and winced.

“Fluffy… not fat?”

John opened one of his eyes… no, it wasn’t a dream – Twilight and James were still there, all right… so was Celestia, but the hollow expression that filled her face just a second ago was gone – replaced by her usual a gentle smile.

“P-pardon?” John stuttered.

“My sister says I eat too much cake… so, did it feel fat to you?”

John bit his lip and shook his head. “How can you be so calm about this?”

Celestia smiled. “Because I believe it was an…” For every step forward she made, John took a step back. “Do you honestly believe I am going to hurt you?”

John gulped. “I’m not the only one…”

Celestia turned around to see that Twilight and James were both covering behind a medical table. Twilight surrounded by a shield, and James’s suit in full armored mode. “Really? Both of you?”

“He, he… Um, it has been just a little… unexpected, I guess…?” Twilight said, putting on a sheepish smile, and lowering the shield.

“You are really not going to kill him?” James said.

“Of course not!”

“I’ll be damned! Do you have any idea what you’ve done!” James shouted demolishing John’s plan to be as inconspicuous as possible. “That… that’s… impossible!” He shook his head viciously. “I got that task at the very bottom of ‘things to do before I die’ list.”

“You… WHAT?!” Celestia shouted.

“Please…” He dismissed her with a wave of his arm, “half of the stallions in Equestria literally dream about doing that, just ask Luna.”

“This… this is… an outrage!”

James smiled. “If it’s any consolation, I think so too, but then again, you did that to yourself you know…”

“W-what?!”

“Well, according to Luna, the number of your… shall we say fans, dropped significantly after you coronated Cadance and Twilight.”

“ENOUGH!” Celestia shouted. “We both know I meant your… perverted fantasies!”

Suddenly the expression on James’s face turned into a very serious one, as he crossed his arms and risen an eyebrow. “A: that is a long-term plan, not a fantasy, B: like I said, half of Equestria want to do that… and much, MUCH more, and C:” James put on a grin, “… remind me who said ‘There is no wrong way to fantasize’…?”

“I said it to Twilight in a… very specific context. How do you even know about that?”

James made a motion towards the blushing princess of friendship. “He, he… I um… might have mentioned it to him…” Celestia’s eyebrow arched, her left eye piercing Twilight’s shrinking figure. “H-how was I supposed to know he will take it… like that…?”

Celestia rolled her eyes, and sighed deeply, turning to James. “You… dear sir, are a pervert…”

“Babe, you are talking to a guy who spent last three hundred years alone, on a dead planet, with only a bottle, porn and his right hand for the company—”

“Jesus Christ, boss! We don’t need the details!”

“My point is – she can’t really blame me for being a little perverted…”

“I can, and I will!”

“Hrmph, Toxic femininity!”

“Call me babe one more time, and I will show you how toxic I can get!”

“Then blast me to the moon again, or throw me into that dungeon I built here and see if I care… honey!”

“Oh, I am sure you would like that! You little… masochist!”

Twilight opened her mouth, trying to say something, anything – to break this fracas, but at the moment her mind was utterly blank. After scanning the arguing duo from left to right for a hundred time, she took a step back, to where the bewildered John was sitting.

“Hey, miss,” John said to Twilight, “shouldn’t we try to… stop this somehow?”

“I think… we better let them argue for a while longer. It should be over soon.”

“This happens often?”

“Um, when James and Celestia are talking… it happens a lot. But it usually doesn’t last longer than a few minutes.”

“Wow… I see boss is aiming high over here.”

“How about I turn you to stone instead?!” Celestia said. “I heard they could use a new statue in Canterlot garden!”

“In that case, I need to get into a proper posture first!” James said, slowly arching his right arm into an Italian salute, his middle finger sticking out of his closed hand. “OK, now I’m ready!”

The three-second delay was enough for Celestia to regain some of her composure. Shaking her head, and rolling her eyes, she turned to John. “He is doing that gesture a lot, especially when around nobility – what does it mean?”

John bit his lip. “Um, it’s…” Think of something man… “an ancient human… farewell… yeah, a farewell!”

Glancing at John, Twilight bit her hoof, knowing all too well what kind of farewell that was.

“I see… interesting,” Celestia said, regaining her cool. “And you are smiling… Enjoying our little quarrel?”

“… maybe?”

“Relax, John. I am just glad you got some humor back. So, how about the offer James made earlier?” John shook his head in confusion. “Look, it took you two minutes to brighten up and believe me, there are better things in Equestria than James and I… arguing. Are thirty days really so much to ask?”

“I…” John bit his lip again, and let out a deep sigh. “I give up… Thirty days it is, although I still don’t think this is going to work. So… now what?”

“I think it will be best if I leave you in captain’s capable hoofs—”

“Hands, Celestia! Hands…” James interjected in an annoyed voice. “But I would still like to know how is he alive after… grabbing the sun? I remember you using me as a hack saw for much less!”

Celestia rolled her eyes and turned around. “Your friend is in a state of depression, and I do believe he did that… accidentally. Does that answer your question?”

“Hmm, you know, looking at John I’m starting to think that royal cutie marks must have some magical anti-depressive properties… And I’ve been feeling kind of down lately myself…” His face turned to a little sad frown. “Would it be possible for me to… you know?”

“No, it would not,” she said with a smile.

“You blasted me to the moon for no reason, locked me up for innocence, don’t want to have a drink with me, and now, this…” He shook his head. “That’s not fair…”

“Life is rarely fair… But perhaps my nephew could be of assistance?”

James cocked his head. “What?”

“Prince Blueblood runs a ‘Make a Wish’ foundation. I am sure I could ask him for a little favor… I mean, if you are correct, then probably any royal cutie mark should work.”

“Um… You know, now that I think about it… I’m starting to feel much better!”

“Oh dear, are you sure?” Her smile widened. “I really could ask him—”

“NO! … I mean, um… I wouldn’t want to take him away from his royal… duties.”

“As you wish. Please help John get acclimatized.”

“First, we need to replace all the blood he lost, I could use your help with that Twi,” Twilight nodded.

“Very well. Twilight, please find me after you are done – we have some business to discuss,” Celestia said leaving the room.

As soon as the door closed, James turned to his friend with a grin. “OK, she’s gone – tell me, how did it feel!”

John bit his lip, glancing at frowning Twilight. “I… don’t think that discussing it would be appropriate, boss.”

“I’m sure Twilight would like to hear all about it too!”

“What? I’m not into this stuff!”

“You are both such party poopers… Although, ‘ancient human farewell’?” James chuckled. “I almost pissed my armor! Even Twilight barely contained herself.”

“Hey, I didn’t lie… too much…”

Chapter 8

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 9

At the hospital, both the doctors and other patients were staring at the sight with a bewildered expression on their faces. Occasionally, the staff had to deal with a griffon or a minotaur – once or twice, even a changeling – but they never treated a pure-blooded human. Nevertheless, as soon as the gravity of John’s injuries was clear, they switched into a ‘full professional mode’ in no time. While Dr. Stables’ team was working to keep John alive, he was querying James about the human body and its parameters.

A minute after they finished talking, Celestia, Twilight and Dr. Kleiner arrived at the scene, with Rainbow Dash lurking behind them. “How is he?” Celestia asked with a concerned voice.

“I don’t know, but... When I found him, his condition was critical.”

“What happened exactly?” Twilight said.

“Ask her,” he nodded in Dash’s direction. “I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it.”

Rainbow Dash was in the corridor outside the room, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. She sat there, lost in thought, with her eyes locked onto the nearby wall – her mind trying to comprehend what happened – when the sound of her name suddenly snapped her awake from her daydream... And into a nightmare. Princess Celestia was looming over her, asking something that Dash could not understand at the moment.

“I... Yes?”

“I asked you what happened to John – James said you know something.”

That was the understatement of the year. Chewing on her lip, Rainbow paused for a moment, trying to figure out something, anything, that would get her out of this mess. But her mind was as blank as a sheet of paper. With a shivering voice, she finally said, " Is he gonna be OK?”

Celestia let out a sigh. “I am afraid we do not know yet…”

Just as she said those words, the door to the ICU opened, revealing Dr. Stables approaching James with a somber expression on his face.

***

“I have some good news and some bad news,” Stables turned to James. “The good news is that we managed to stabilize your friend and for a moment his life isn’t in danger. The bad news is that his left arm took a lot of internal and external damage…” He let out a sigh. “We need to remove it.”

“Remove his arm?!” James shook his head in frustration. “Come on, doc! What about all those healing spells and magic and… stuff?”

“Even if he were a pony, I don’t think any magic could save his limb – there is a lot of shrapnel embedded there, and from what I can tell, when the lightning struck it got super-heated. I don’t know how it happened, but—”

“The lightning didn’t do it… not by itself, anyway.”

Stables arched his eyebrow. “Meaning?”

“I think that when he was struck, the bolt traveled along his body, and inside of the armor – damaging primary battery in the process. Part of it exploded, and the intact cells were just discharging current all over the place. Some of it probably ran through his arm for a while.”

“That would make sense… In any case, the generated heat has damaged the major arteries and veins from the inside out by burning and fusing the tissue. The blood can’t get through. I’m sorry, but this is way beyond what we can fix—”

“Excuse me,” Kleiner interjected, “I am a doctor of sorts, would it be possible to examine that limb? Perhaps it can be saved with the technology we brought from home.”

Chewing on his lip, Stables scanned the human in front of him from top to bottom. Ordinarily, he would never even consider letting anyone messing with his patient, but those were extreme circumstances, and with his white lab-coat on and a pair of simple glasses on his nose, Kleiner looked almost like a part of hospital staff himself. “All right, please follow me.”

As soon as the door closed, Celestia turned her gaze back to Rainbow Dash, and their eyes met. The pegasus instantly looked away in silence, but her nervous lip chewing, widened eyes and shaking figure confirmed what the Princess already knew. Rainbow Dash, what have you done…

The sound of the door interrupted her pondering. Both Kleiner and Stables were already back, but if their faces were any indication – the situation wasn’t good.

“I’m afraid I have to agree with my colleague here,” Kleiner said to James, gently shaking his head, “They need to cut it—”

“But, the nano-tech—”

“—won’t be fast enough, the damage is simply too extensive. Even if they cut the arm, his chances of survival are... Not good.”

“It’s that bad?”

“I’m afraid so... He was lucky that most of the explosion of the battery hit only the arm, but the lightning is a different matter. It caused arrhythmia and internal burns – all of his organs took some damage. If he survives the surgery, we may attempt to heal some of it with nano-tech, but... I’m not sure how much—”

“Doctor! Doctor Stables!” A scream from the ICU snapped everyone awake, “Patient has regained consciousness!”

Before the medical staff could react, James ran inside, ignoring all the remarks about how he shouldn’t be there. “Doctor, may we have a moment to talk with him?” Celestia asked gently.

Stables wanted to say no – princess or not, this was a hospital after all – but the view of Celestia’s concerned face and pleading eyes was melting his heart. “All right, but please make this brief – we need to operate as soon as possible,” he said making a notion with his hoof, informing the staff to leave.

***

“Oh, God…” John curled into a shaking ball of pain. His right hand painfully clenched the bed sheets, and sweat was pouring down his forehead. “God it hurts… B-boss? Where am I? What happened…”

“You got hit by lightning, and—”

“My arm! I… can’t feel my left arm!” John glanced at his limb and his eyes widened in horror. “Christ! What… what the hell?!”

James and Celestia only now realized that the limb in question looked like something taken from a Frankenstein movie: with dozens of holes and lacerations oozing some leftover blood – some of them deep enough to reveal the damaged bone inside.

“Your powered armor battery exploded and… that’s the result,” James said.

“I… remember a cloud moving towards me… almost as if on purpose.”

“I am afraid you are correct, this was not an accident,” Celestia said, her head hanging in shame.

John stared at both of them in silence, with nothing but the sounds of his short breaths filling the air. “First burning alive, then calling a monster, then not selling food and now striking with a bolt of goddamn lightning?!” He shot Celestia a frown of bewilderment. “What the hell is wrong with you people?!”

“I…” Celestia bit her lip. Even her thousand plus years of experience has not prepared her for a situation like this. She didn’t know how to respond.

“What was that you said about food?” James interjected. “I gave you the money—”

“Yeah, but apparently no pony wanted to sell anything to a monster like me.”

“That… cannot be right,” Celestia murmured, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Believe what you will,” John clenched his teeth. “God… that’s starting to hurt even more, give me something for the pain…”

“I can’t, because…” James paused, letting out a sigh. “John, there is no easy way to say this, but... They need to cut off your arm.”

John shot him a cold glare. “No.”

“They can’t save it—”

“They’re not cutting off my arm!”

“We have no choice, John,” Celestia said. “That is the only way to save your life.”

“Save my life… For what? So you can torment me some more?!” John shouted clenching his teeth. “I thought humans like torturing others, but after spending one day here, I must say that your kind is the cruelest and most heartless species I met—”

“Hey, cut the crap! You are pushing it way too far, man.”

“Am I?! I don’t know what kind of brainwashing they did to you, boss, but you act like you are wearing rose-colored glasses! I’m outta here!”

Before anyone could react, John jumped off the bed only to feel a searing pain shooting from his mangled arm to the rest of his body. He let out a wail and hit the floor, clenching his limb in agony.

***

John’s muffled screams could be clearly heard outside, but when the door opened, they turned to a crescendo of agony. Lying on the floor and shaking from the pain, he was howling like a wolf to the moon.

“Doc! Get in here NOW!” James shouted. “Give him a shot, goddamnit!”

Biting her lip, Rainbow Dash cautiously peeked out from behind the wall, to see a unicorn nurse trotting inside – holding a syringe with her magic. For a second, the scream died down, but when she thought it was over, John hollered again, even louder than before.

“Don’t try to get him on the bed! Sedate him first for fuck’s sake!”

Witnessing the agony she caused was slowly pushing Rainbow over the edge. With her eyes shut, she covered her ears with her hooves, trying to block the sound. Make it stop… Please, make it stop. She pleaded, shaking in her chair. For what seemed like an eternity, she rocked back and forth, praying to wake up from the nightmare – not realizing that the howling she was trying to screen herself against, died down some time ago. She was brought back to reality when a different sound, filled the air around her.

Opening her eyes, Rainbow found herself face to face with James who was standing above her with a deadpan expression on his face, clapping his hands. “Bravo Dash, bravo! Best prank ever – a prank, to die for…” He shook his head in disgust and walked away, with Kleiner in tow.

Celestia was next, but unlike James, she remained quiet. For a moment, she just gazed at the pegasus in front of her with disappointment in her eyes, before shaking her head and leaving without a word. As Celestia moved away, Rainbow thought the situation couldn’t get any worse… until Twilight stepped in front of her.

Initially, Twilight wanted to give Dash the piece of her mind, but looking at the shaking figure of her friend in front of her, she didn’t have the heart to do it. After a moment of silence, Twilight let out a sigh and sat on the chair, placing her hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder.

“Twi, I…” Rainbow whispered with a shuddering breath when something inside her broke. She buried her head in Twilight’s chest and let out a wail. Twilight embraced her in a tight hug, letting the torrent of tears to flood her fur. “I-is he gonna be OK...?”

“I don’t know, Rainbow,” Twilight tighten her grip, as her own eyes started to tear up, “I really don’t know...”

***

“I better get back to the castle,” Kleiner said, “I need to check what kind of medical equipment we have and what can we do with it.”

James nodded. “Most of the medical machinery over there is pony-optimized, but all the blueprints from Earth are in the lab’s computer – replicate what you need.”

With that, Kleiner left, leaving him alone with Celestia. James sat down on the nearby bench, staring blankly into the horizon. Around him, the sound of nature and pony foals blissfully playing echoed through the air – their happiness and enjoyment contrasting with the drama happening just a few hundred meters away. The joyful view only added an insult to the injury.

“Irony is a bitch…” James let out a bitter chuckle reaching for his bottle when he felt a gentle sensation on his shoulder. “Don’t.”

Celestia retracted her wing without protest. “I am sorry, I just... Thought you needed it.”

“I’m not the one needing hugs right now.”

Celestia joined him on the bench. “I am sorry for asking this, but… do you think it is possible that John made up the part about the food?”

“Yeah, sure!” James smiled ironically. “I bet he probably shot himself with the lightning as well… What a guy.”

“I… apologize, it is just… I find it so hard to believe that my subjects would act in this manner. Tell me, have you ever been mistreated in a similar fashion by my ponies?”

“Hmm,” James tapped his chin with his finger. “There was one incident, but… I already forgot about it.”

“What happened?”

“Well, shortly after I arrived in Equestria, a crazy alicorn blasted me to the moon for no reason!” He said with a chuckle, but Celestia bit her lip and bowed her head with a shameful expression on her face. “Good God, woman! Don’t be such a stick in the mud – you need to learn to appreciate some dark humor.”

“Even in situations like this?”

“Especially in situations like this!” He let out another chuckle. “Now, If you want a real answer… Your society is just like any other, with good people, indifferent people, and annoying people—”

“H-hey…” A voice interjected from behind.

“Speaking of annoying people…” James rolled his eyes, and they both turned to see Rainbow Dash and Twilight standing nearby. “What do you want, Dashie?”

“I... I don’t know what to say except... I’m sorry,” Rainbow said, her head hanging low.

“For what? That prank was awesome! John was dying for a chance to see it—”

“Cut that out!” Twilight interjected angrily. “She said she’s sorry!”

“Ah, I see, this is the part where I say ‘It’s OK!’ and that ‘Everything will be just dandy!’ Except we both know that’s BS!” His demeanor suddenly changed from sarcasm to anger. “I asked you a dozen times to stop your fucking pranks, then I threaten you to back off, but you just kept going! And now, when you have finally done it, you think that a simple ‘I’m sorry’ will fix it?”

“James is correct, I am afraid a simple apology is not enough, Rainbow Dash,” Celestia interjected, her face suddenly going stoic. “You will have to face the consequences of your actions.”

Twilight tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“That depends largely on whether John will live through this or not. However, there is one other matter.” With her eyes closed, Celestia heaved a heavy sigh. “Rainbow, do you remember the Wonderbolts’ codex? Specifically, the section about criminal records?”

Rainbow cocked her head with a confused expression. She was lost in thought maybe for a few seconds before the realization struck her. When it happened, her eyes went wide as if a dagger had been thrust through her heart.

“No… please – anything, anything but that!” She fell down to the ground, grabbing Celestia’s hoof, as her eyes go watery again. “I beg you...”

Both James and Twilight looked at the scene, with their eyes wide open, watching as the daredevil pegasus clung to princess’s hoof as if it was a life raft. “I don’t understand…” Twilight finally asked.

“According to the codex, only creatures with no criminal record are allowed to be members of the Wonderbolts. If a member is found guilty of an intentional crime against another creature – he or she shall be expelled from the service,” Celestia let out a sigh. “Sadly, this is exactly what you did, Rainbow Dash.”

Dash tightened her grip, letting the waterfall of tears to slowly soak Celestia’s hoof to the skin. “Please... Don’t do this to me...”

“Isn’t there anything that can be done?” Twilight said.

“I am afraid not—”

“But… Rainbow didn’t know she struck him specifically! It was unintentional.”

“It changes nothing – the target might have been unintentional, but the act itself was deliberate.”

“Even so, we could claim in court that her actions were unintended—”

“Twilight…”

“If we could convince the court to treat this as an involuntary offense, it would allow Rainbow to remain a Wonderbolt.”

“Twilight—”

“There’s also a possibility of royal pardon! We could—”

“Twilight Sparkle!” Celestia boomed in her royal canterlot voice. “I cannot believe what I am hearing! You cannot be serious!”

Twilight cocked her head in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

Celestia’s stoic mask shattered – the emotionless expression becoming cold and intimidating. Her eyes were piercing her former student with a gaze that gnawed to the bone. It lasted only for a moment, but for Twilight it felt like an eternity.

When Celestia finally decided to break the silence, her voice sounded regal, yet disappointed. “During the day I had spent here, I have witnessed the dark side of my subjects, but until now, I tried to convince myself that all of this, was caused by a handful of misguided individuals... Please, tell me, what am I supposed to think now?”

" I… don’t—”

“What should I think, Twilight – when even the embodiment of the elements acts by putting their self-interest, above the life of another creature?” She turned to the pegasus who was still clinging onto her hoof. “Rainbow Dash, you maimed that human, perhaps even cost him his very life, and all you can think about is your career?” Before Dash could say anything, she enveloped her with her magic and pushed her away. “And you, Twilight? Making excuses for your friend so she could avoid punishment?!”

Twilight bit her lip. “Princess, I… I didn’t mean it like that—”

“Really? Then what about the royal pardon?! Good heavens! It is meant to be used only in extreme circumstances, not to get your friends out of trouble caused by their reckless behavior!” Celestia turned her back on them and letting out a deep, slow sigh – closed her eyes, but not before a few tears streaked her cheeks. “Both of you – leave me be. I have a lot to think about.”

For a moment, Twilight wanted to counter, but her mind was blank. After a few seconds of awkward silence, she enveloped the still sobbing Rainbow Dash with magic and with her head hanging low walked away, leaving a mark of tears behind her.

***

After they left, Celestia sat on the ground, racking her brain over what transpired during her stay. During her rule she saw more than anypony – there were ups and downs, but at the end of the day there was always progress... Or so she thought, until now.

“Now you look like someone who could use a hug,” James said, putting his hand onto Celestia’s shoulder in a supportive manner.

“Thank you… I just do not understand, how can my ponies be so… selfish? Where are their compassion and kindness?”

“Fluttershy must have taken it with her when she went on that tour with Tree Hugger and Pinkie – you need to blast her to the moon when she gets back.”

Celestia shot him a glance, but smiled a moment later. “I shall… keep that in mind.”

“See, some light humor can really diffuse a tense situation,” James smiled himself. “But, jokes aside – don’t you think that what you did was a little... Harsh?”

“Perhaps, but Twilight needs to realize that nobody is above the law, and neither she nor I can favor our friends in that matter. Also, she has been rushing things a lot lately… When we were trying to settle a dispute with the wild settlers, she went for a legal solution after only a day of negotiations, even though I told her that these things take time.” Celestia sighed. “Maybe this splash of cold water will do her good.”

“That’s nice and all, but… I was actually referring to how you treated Rainbow Dash.”

Celestia turned to him with confusion on her face. “I would expect you to be the last person to defend her.”

“I’m not! I have an urge to shove something up her rear for what she did… and not in a fun way…”

“But…?”

“But… We both know she didn’t assault him on purpose.” Celestia arched her eyebrow. “OK, I know she shot him deliberately, but she thought he was me… I’m not sure you should punish her by destroying her life.”

“As I said, this is out of my hooves, the law must be respected.”

James smiled furrowing his brow. “You know, the last time when you decided to lock me away – for innocence – I took the liberty of studying Equestrian law, and if I remember correctly, John will have to press charges against Dash.”

“If he survives, yes. But even if he would somehow decide against it, according to the Wonderbolts’ codex, Rainbow Dash should still be expelled—”

“—only IF the current commander of Wonderbolts decides that her action warrants it,” James interjected, as Celestia stared at him in confusion. “Yes, I know the codex as well, and while Spitfire is Dash’s boss, you are her boss… Hell, you are everybody’s boss.”

“Except for you…”

“Nope, you’re my boss too…”

“Really?” Celestia arched her eyebrow. “Funny, how you never listen to anything I say!”

“Because I don’t like being bossed around, boss,” James smirked. “The point is, you can… persuade Spitfire to keep Dash around, and punish her in some other way.”

“You… surprise me. As far as I know, Dash and you are constantly at each other’s throats. I even recall you sent me a scroll to… do something I would rather not quote—”

“To blast that damn Rainbow… Can’t Understand Normal Thinking, to the moon, where she belongs!’ Yeah, I remember.”

“Yes, that… And yet, you are here defending her – even after what she did?”

“I’m not saying to let her slide, but if John survives, and won’t press charges, then perhaps you should consider switching her punishment to something else?” James struck a thinking pose and smiled. “Scrubbing Wonderbolts’ toilets for a year, for example - I bet they would have become twenty percent… cleaner.”

Celestia smiled involuntarily and nodded a moment later. “All right, I shall follow John’s wishes in that regard… That is, if he survives.”

“Yeah, good point,” James let out a sigh. “I better get back to the hospital and see how things are going.”

“Me too, Equestria can wait for a while.”

James smiled. “Well, then – after you…”

Chapter 10

“Your Highness, with all due respect, I must protest once more!” Dr. Stables said, slamming his foreleg into the ground. “The patient is barely in stable condition, he should stay in the hospital!”

“I understand your concerns doctor, but Captain Gastovski and his friend convinced me this is the best approach.”

“It’s been only three days since the operation, and we barely managed to save him back then—”

“That’s why Twilight, Kleiner and moi, were working our asses off for the last few days, to get this place ready,” James interjected. “Your staff did a great job, doc – but we’ll take it from here.”

Stables shook his head. “This place is not sterile, he can get an infection or worse!”

“Doc… I realize you would like to have him under your watchful eye, but trust me, he will be fine here,” James said just as they reached the door to the room that was converted to the infirmary.

Stables wanted to counter, but as soon as the door opened, he stopped dead in his track and let out an audible gasp of amazement. He was expecting an obscure bed, and at most some essential equipment beside it. Instead, the room was filled with lots of medical devices – some of which Stables had never seen before. Even the bed itself had some monitors attached to it – which all came to life as soon as John’s body was laid on it.

Seeing the amazement on Stables’s face, James smiled. “I know it’s not much, but I think we will manage… somehow.”

The doctor scanned the room for a few more seconds, before clearing his throat. " All right then… I’ll leave him in your capable… hands. However, I still want to see your friend later – for a checkup.”

“Got it, and doc... Thanks for saving his butt.”

“That’s what we do, Captain.”

“Yeah, but… You operated with only a minimal knowledge of his anatomy, without even a drop of human blood to replace and still pulled it off. That’s… fucking awesome!”

“Again, that’s my job,” Stables said with a smile. His professionalism wouldn’t allow him to admit it, but he was indeed very pleased with how the procedure turned out. “I just hope your friend recovers. Good luck.” He bowed to Celestia and left her and James with the patient.

“OK, now that we’re alone,” James turned to Celestia. “When are you going to talk with Twilight?”

“I am… busy.”

“Oh, don’t give me that crap… For the past three days, the two of you have been avoiding each other like the plague. Don’t you think that’s enough?” James shook his head. “You’re the one who is two-thousand something—”

“I am twelve-hundred!”

“Oh, don’t worry… you look no older than eight-hundred anyway,” James said with a smirk, only to get an angry snort in return. “Seriously, act your age and talk with Twilight. She… isn’t taking this whole affair very well.”

Celestia let out a sigh. “I shall do it after the situation with John is cleared up. Speaking of which, how much will it take before he wakes up?”

“Kleiner suggest to apply the nano-tech treatment and to keep him under for another day… I’ll let you know…”

***

“I don’t know about this,” Sweetie Belle said to Apple Bloom, who was putting some apple in her saddlebag, “You sure you want to go? You know what Applejack said.”

“I know, but it’s driving me crazy!”

“But what if she’s right? What if he really is dangerous?”

Apple Bloom stopped packing the scattered fruits, and with a deep sigh, slowly shook her head. “Sweetie Belle… You haven’t seen what happened that day. Cheerilee and I were just talking to him, he finally started to brighten up and then…” She bit her lip and shuddered, as the memory flashed before her eyes. “There was a flash and the scream! Sweet Celestia… I never heard anything like that before! He cried out in pain, clutched his chest and dropped like a rock.” Her figure started visibly shaking. “And when they turned him, his eyes were so... cold, like… I don’t know – I have never seen anything so scary in my life. He was dead! Burned!” She tightened her grip, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow. “I can still feel the stench… I can’t get it out of my head, not after what happens to mom and pa…”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know…” Sweetie Belle embraced her, gently stroking her mane.

“Do you understand now?” Apple Bloom said, sniffling loudly. “I must find out if he really is fine, I just have to know! What if they’re lying to me again, like back then?”

“I think I understand…” Sweetie sighed, and with a gentle smile, started levitating some of the fruits from Apple Bloom’s over-filled saddlebag to her own. “Let me help you with those apples… You hear something?”

As soon as their ears perked up, a loud screeching sound filled the air, making them flinch. They turn to see Scootaloo emerging from a nearby cloud of dust.

“Hey, guys…” She said apathetically, her head hanging low.”

“What’s up Scoot? I haven’t seen you in the last few days,” Sweetie Belle said. “Been practicing some new stunts?”

“Yeah… you can say that—”

“What is THAT?” Apple Bloom pointed at the scooter. “It looks ancient…”

“Um… Yeah, it’s an older model,” Scootaloo said. “It breaks down all the time too…”

“What happened to the old one… I mean the new one… I mean…” Sweetie Belle paused and jerked her head. “Ugh… You know what I mean!”

“It’s… being repaired…”

“Hmm, practicing your circus stunts on that thing must be a nightmare—”

“What did you say?!” Scootaloo’s face suddenly changed from indifferent to angry. “I’m not a stinking circus pony!”

“Darn it Scoot, she didn’t say anything like that…” Sweetie interjected. “Why are you so jumpy lately, huh?”

“Nothing! Just… don’t mention the darn circus!”

“Fine, whatever…” Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. “OK, I think we’re done here, Apple Bloom – our bags are full.”

“Where are you going?” Scootaloo said.

“Twilight’s castle – Apple Bloom wants to find out if the other human is OK… Any luck with Rainbow Dash, by the way?”

Scootaloo slowly shook her head in silence. Ever since the incident, Dash wasn’t herself anymore – her brash speedster attitude was gone, replaced by an apathetic shell. She took a leave of absence from the Wonderbolts training – spending most of her time either locked up in her home or sleeping on one of the clouds. She didn’t smile, she didn’t fly, and she didn’t talk, not to Scootaloo, not her friends, not even to her family.

“Her parents should try knocking some sense into her,” Apple Bloom said.

“They tried, but she didn’t tell them anything either…” Scootaloo put her hoof on her chin. “You know… Maybe Twilight knows what’s going on with Rainbow?”

“Maybe, but ever since the incident, she’s been spending most of the time inside the castle…”

“Mind if I come along? Maybe I’ll be able to get something out of her…”

“No problem Scoot, I just hope they let me see him...”

“Hey, cheer up!” Scootaloo poked her roughly in the side. “We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders, remember? We’ll find a way!”

Seeing both her friends smiling for a change, Sweetie Belle decided to strike while the iron is hot. “We better get a move on while the day is still young, come on!” Without waiting for a response, she directed herself towards Twilight’s castle.

“Hey, wait for us...”

***

“Ugh...” John groaned quietly, as his eyes were struck by the light coming from the crystal above. “Where... What?”

“Easy there buddy, you’ve been through one heck of a ride.”

“Huh? I… I don’t…” John glanced at his left side and his eyes widened. “My arm… it’s gone…?”

“Sorry, man…”

“But… I can still feel it… It can’t be gone!”

James sighed. “Phantom sensation… Trust me, I know this little bastard all too well…”

For what seemed like an eternity, John stared at where his arm should be, with a vacant expression. He was scanning the ugly stump from top to bottom, over and over and over again – squinting his eyes, blinking and shaking his head – his breathing becoming rapid and shallow.

“It’s your fault!” He snarled to James.

“Going from denial to anger in less than a minute – nice…”

“Fuck you! You had no right!”

“Watch it buddy – you are yelling at the only guy who can fix you up.”

“Fix me up?” John cocked his head. “They have some magic here that regrow limbs?”

“Magic-shmagic… technology is the answer! I’m working on a real beaut for you, state-of-the-art bang-bang!” John arched his eyebrow. “Not convinced? Just wait a day or two – it’ll be so good, you’ll want to use it instead of your right hand when unleashing the Kraken!”

“Man…” John let out an involuntary chuckle. “You got issues.”

“Maybe, but at least you brightened up a little… Jokes aside, Kleiner and I are really working on something – it should be ready by tomorrow. Some clothes too, because your armor is pretty much done for.”

“Wait, my stuff – where are my things?!”

“Hey, easy there, man! I got you junk right here… somewhere.” Scratching his head, James started snooping through various boxes scattered all over the room. “Ah, here it is. Let’s see… One universal translator… one slightly used wallet – minus the ten bucks you owned me.”

“Hrmph, a-hole…”

“One, worn-out locket – that’s probably what you were blabbering about… Next, we have a ‘Best… Sperm Donor Ever’ pen and… it doesn’t work, so into the trash can it goes—”

“Give me that!” John snatched the pen out of James’ hand with force.

“Jeez, sentimental aren’t we? What else do we have… some MREs! I haven’t eaten those for months – yummy!”

“You want to eat the ‘Meals Refusing to Exit’ be my guest… I would rather have something healthy for a change…”

“And last but not least we have a… ‘Playmare’ magazine… ?”

John smiled. “I’m pretty sure that’s yours.”

“Not this one, no… must be Spike’s,” James arched his eyebrow and smirked. “And it has Fleur de Lis on the cover, nice… I better take it with me for… safekeeping.”

“Ugh… this is, bestiality.”

“Hrmph, here ponies mate with griffons, hippogriffs and other creatures and no one’s complaining!”

“Do whatever you want, but I’m not gonna touch a damn pony… or anything else!”

James smirked. “We’ll see. I’ll put the box with your stuff under the bed.”

“Fine… How long was I out, anyway?”

“Five days. We moved you here yesterday and fortunately, your body is responding well to the nano-tech injections,” James picked up a jet injector. “Speaking of which—”

Before John could say anything, the hypo gun was already pumping the medicine to his system, with a soft hiss. “Argh, damn it! That thing stings like a bloody wasp!”

“Hrmph, don’t be such a wuss! It may hurt for a moment, but it’ll make you feel a lot better in a few minutes, trust me,” James said, just as the hissing stopped. “OK, done… John, I need to get Celestia here… You’re not going to try to kill yourself, are you?”

“Right now, the only person I want dead is the bastard that did this to me…”

“We’ll see what we can do about that. But, you sure I don’t have to bind you until I’m back?”

John smiled. “If you like rope so much, maybe you should try bondage.”

“I did once, but she just tied me down and whined about how hard it is to be a princess… Anyway, need something while I’m gone? A book? A movie? Some porn?”

“Um… no thanks—”

“You sure? You know that unused organs atrophy, right?”

“Ugh… You REALLY have issues…”

James smirked. “Not with that part I don’t—”

“Just… go already,” John waved his hand dismissively.

“Fine, fine… I’ll be back in a sec. Enjoy… staring at the ceiling, or… something.” James said, leaving the room.

As soon as the door closed, John sat up in bed, eyeing his surroundings, looking for something to pass the time, but quickly realized he should have taken James up on his offer for a book or… something else. Aside from some various medical scanners and equipment, there was nothing particularly interesting in the room, and his mind was beginning to wander… until his eyes glanced again at the left side of his body.

There was no rush, so he took the time to study the mutilated limb, examining the stump from every possible angle, and thinking about what happened. As the minutes passed his breathing quickened, and his rage flared up again – it didn’t take long until it reached the flashpoint. John slammed his fist to the nearby medical tray, lunching the content to the air. “Fucking, ponies…” He laid back down just as a few tears of anguish rolled down his cheeks.

He was waiting on his bed for what seemed like an eternity until the sound of steps snapped him awake. “’I’ll be back in a second’ – my ass! Next time—” John furrowed his brow in surprise. Instead of James and Celestia, he saw three fillies standing nearby with their eyes wide and mouths agape, gaping at him.

Before he could say anything, they started backing away in horror, with eyes locked on his stump. In haste, they failed to notice that the floor was littered with the medical supplies from the tray which John hit earlier. Apple Bloom reared and stumbled from the shock and surprise as a needle from a syringe sent a pricking pain up her front hoof. She lost her balance and fell backward, hitting her head on the crystal floor.

“Hey! Kid, damn it!” John jumped off the bed like a wildcat, ignoring the searing sensation shooting up his abdomen. A moment later, Apple Bloom was on his lap, quietly groaning. “You, OK?”

Apple Bloom squinted her eyes, and her vision cleared momentarily, but as it happened, she gasped in shock – flailing her hooves.

“Whoa! Easy there, girl!” John tried embracing her, but one arm was not enough for the job. “Calm down! I’m not gonna bite—”

Just as he said the words, Apple Bloom’s hoof connected with the stump sending a wave of pain that radiated through his entire body like a biting pack of fire-ants. The agonizing sensation made him loosen his grip, and she broke free from the embrace. Shaking like a leaf, Apple Bloom ran for the door, with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo right behind her.

“Apple Bloom, come on! “Scootaloo shouted, opening the door. “Before Frankenstein gets up!”

Expecting the one-armed beast to be right behind them, Apple Bloom turned around, but instead of the blood-thirsty monster, shesaw a curled-up figure sitting on the floor and painfully clenching its left side. It was the first time she had a moment to observe the creature in peace, and as she glanced at its face, her eyes widened. It… it’s him…

Biting her lip, Apple Bloom slowly approached the groaning human. “I’m… so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.”

Still sitting on the floor, John glanced up and let out a bitter chuckle. “Yeah, I hear that a lot lately.”

“I didn’t recognize you at first with that…” Apple Bloom glanced the stump. “D-does it… hurt?”

“No…” John said, but the clenched teeth and sweat on his forehead were telling a different story.

“I came here to find out if you’re OK, I didn’t mean to hit you,” Apple Bloom sniffled, and Before he knew what was happening, she was around his neck, trying to squeeze the life out of it. “I’m so sorry, please don’t be mad at me…”

John exchanged glances with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, quickly realizing he wasn’t the only one dumbstruck in the room. “Getting a little hard to breathe here…” He said with a smile. “Tell you what… help me up and back to the bed and all is forgiven – how about it?” Enthusiastic nod was the answer. Using Apple Bloom as a support, he got back on the bed a moment later. “Thanks, and sorry for the scare—”

“Someone is coming, hide!” Scootaloo shouted, and all three fillies quickly hid behind some of the medical equipment a second later.

“Please don’t tell them we’re here!” Apple Bloom said, just as the door opened…

***

Celestia and James walked inside, quarreling over something – Twilight and Rainbow Dash followed right behind them in silence, their heads hanging low.

“You want to see me in private? What for?” James said.

“It is a… surprise.”

“Fine, but I’m putting my chastity belt first,” James said, turning to John before Celestia could respond. “Sorry it took so long, but we needed to find Rainbow Dash first.”

With her head hanging low, unkempt and tangled mane and baggy, bloodshot eyes, Rainbow Dash looked like someone who had been buried and then dug up again.

“Um... I don’t understand,” John said in confusion.

“Rainbow Dash is the one who caused your injuries,” Celestia said, joining the conversation – her voice sounding stoic.

John’s face crumpled up. “What the hell is she doing here?!”

“According to Equestrian law, as the victim – you are the one to decide if you want to press charges.”

“I see… let me think about this...” He struck a thinking pose, smiling sarcastically. “She shot me with lightning, almost killed me in the process and cost me my arm... Should I press charges? Hmm, that’s a tough one…”

“I’m sorry...” Rainbow murmured, her voice barely audible.

“What was that?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“Oh, really? Because if there is one thing I recall clearly is a dark cloud moving towards me… How the hell is that even possible?”

“It’s a pegasus thing, don’t think about it too much,” James said. “All you need to know is that they can control the clouds… and lightning.”

“Fine…” John turned back to Rainbow Dash. “So, you are saying that you somehow accidentally found a storm cloud on a cloudless day, accidentally hung it above my head, and accidentally discharged it?” Rainbow Dash quietly looked away in response. “Thought so…” He turned to Celestia. “I’m sick and tired of being treated like a punching bag around here. You bet I want to press charges!”

Any glimmer of hope Rainbow still had, was extinguished at that moment. Squeezing her eyes shut, she hiccupped letting the few tears still inside of her, to hit the floor below.

Celestia sighed. “Very well… Rainbow Dash, while it is technically true that you are innocent until proven guilty, I would like to ask you to resign from the Wonderbolts yourself before the trial, so that we can avoid the official expel procedure—”

“WHAT?!” The eyes of everyone in the room glanced back, in the direction of a large machine where three fillies were hiding. “Rainbow Dash… what are they saying?!” Scootaloo said, approaching Dash with her mouth agape from shock.

“I am afraid I will have to ask the three of you to leave,” Celestia said, but her words fall on deaf ears.

“No!” Scootaloo grabbed Dash in a tight embrace, her own eyes starting to tear up. “You can’t do this to her!”

“It’s OK squirt, I deserve it...”

For a moment, Scootaloo tightened her grip, allowing a few tears of anguish to soak Rainbow’s blue fur, but when she glanced at John something broke inside of the young pegasus. “It’s all your fault!” She shouted, breaking the embrace and sprinting towards the confused human with fire in her wet eyes.

“That is quite enough!” Celestia said, enveloping the feisty filly with her magic.

“It’s his fault! His fault!”

“My fault?! Your idol almost killed me and cost me my arm, you damn brat!”

“You are lying! Rainbow is a good pony! She would never hurt anyone like that—”

“But I did,” Scootaloo turned in shock and fell silent. " I deserve this squirt… I would give anything to turn back the time, but… I’m guilty…” Rainbow let out a sigh of defeat. “Do whatever you want, I just want this nightmare to end already…”

Silence filled the air as Scootaloo and rest of the Crusaders stared at Rainbow Dash in shock and confusion. Released from Celestia’s magic, Scootaloo once again approached her idol, this time with a blank stare. “Rainbow...” Was all she managed to whisper, before burying her head under Dash’s, and sobbing.

Glancing at the scene, Apple Bloom shook her head. “Please, don’t do this to her,” she said to John. “Rainbow really ain’t a bad pony.”

“How can you say that? You were there when that happened for Christ sake!”

“She didn’t do it on purpose... She thought you were him,” Apple Bloom said, pointing at James. “That was supposed to be just a prank.”

“A prank?! Are you ponies insane?!” John snapped, making Apple Bloom take a step back. “What’s next? Boiling oil? A living torch—”

“Johnny…”

“Don’t you ‘Johnny’ me, goddamnit! Those ponies are nuts!”

“Johnny, before you continue your little tirade, you should know that due to the nature of Equestria, ponies – and most other creatures living here – are pretty much immune to most lightning strikes. It can singe them a little, but not much else… I’m also more-or-less immune, but it can mess up my nano-tech and make me act funnily – I guess that miss feather brain over here tried to do just that… again.”

John cocked his head and facepalm in disbelief – burring his face in his hand. The momentary silence was interrupted by a chuckle that quickly turned into mad laughter – getting louder with every second.

“Um… Care to share the joke with the rest of us, buddy?” James said.

“This whole situation, that’s the joke. A… sick, morbid kind of joke, but still – hard not to appreciate the irony.”

“FUBAR, huh?”

“To put it mildly…” With a smile, John turned to Celestia and shrugged. “What do you expect me to do, huh? Let her slide? Say that everything is dandy as if nothing happened?”

“No, I do not – you have every right to demand harsh punishment. No matter how guilty Rainbow Dash feels, it does not absolve her from responsibility for her actions.”

“Goddamnit, it’s not about my rights! It’s about what’s right and wrong, and I… don’t know anymore…” Shaking his head, John let out a deep slow sigh. “When I first met you, you were all cheerful. Even after you saved my butt from that little... incident, you were still happy. And now?

John pointed at Twilight. “The purple one looks like she hasn’t slept for a few days, and every time you look in her direction, she looks away. The kid here is crying her eyes out – and you?” He turned back to Celestia.

“Gone is the happy face and cheerful attitude I witnessed earlier. Instead, that current gaze of yours is so cold, Gastovski could probably use it to cool his vodka… There is so much despair in this room that I feel like if I’m attending a fucking funeral! And you’re telling me I have the right to make it even worse? Somehow that doesn’t make me feel any better…”

Celestia glanced at Twilight and the CMCs, letting out a sigh – John’s words were a perfect summary of the last few days. With Rainbow Dash in her depressed state, and Twilight almost not getting out of the lab, the atmosphere was grim at best.

“Apple Bloom, would you come here?” John said, but the filly in question was hesitant. “Please?”

Slowly, Apple Bloom approached him, with an unsure expression on her face – not knowing what to expect. When they were face to face, John extended his arm, gently touching her mane. She flinched at first, but seeing the sadness on his face, allowed the contact a moment later. “I’m sorry for the yelling… This is just… messed up…”

Apple Bloom smiled. “It’s OK, I understand.”

“Thank you, little one,” He turned to James. “What will happen exactly if I press charges?”

“Short version: Dash will be dishonorably discharged from an elite military unit. She pretty much worked her entire life to get this job, so it’s kind of important to her.”

“I see,” John turned back to Apple Bloom. “And she’s your friend, huh?” Apple Bloom nodded. “If I don’t press charges, she won’t learn her lesson. If I do, I will destroy her dream...” John turned towards Celestia. “How about something in the middle?”

“According to the Wonderbolts’ codex, the unit’s commander has the right to punish those under his supervision. If you are willing, we could use that approach.”

John nodded. “I am – If you promise me to fix that doom and gloom, around here as well.”

“I… beg your pardon?”

“Johnny is trying to say in a gentle way that you and Twilight should get wasted and finally talk to each other,” James said with a smile. “You know, the same thing I’m constantly asking you to do?”

“John, you cannot expect us to—”

“I can, and I am!” John said, making Celestia furrow her brow. “You can skip the drinking part, but the rest stays – and that’s the final offer.”

Celestia took a good look of her former student. With baggy eyes and unkempt mane, Twilight looked only a little better than Rainbow Dash. “This is extortion, but… I… or rather we, shall try.”

“Then it’s settled. Do I need to sign anything?”

“W-what does it mean?” Rainbow Dash said, with a trembling voice and confused face, still not grasping the situation.

“It means that John is the soft-hearted idiot I always took him for.”

“Am I blushing, boss?”

“It also means that the little list of things Spitfire can punish you with, that I compiled – will not go to waste!” James grinned. “It also means that you won’t go to the slammer – so much for losing your virginity anytime soon… And last but not least… it also means you’ll remain a Wonderbolt. What do you say, Dashie?”

Instead of an answer Rainbow cocked her head in confusion and started glancing between James, Celestia, and John, as if expecting one of them to shout ‘It’s a prank!’ It took a few seconds before she realized this was happening for real.

“W-why?” Dash finally said. “I don’t deserve this…”

“Come here,” John said, with a blank face. Rainbow complied but avoided eye contact. “Look at me,” slowly, she lifted her head and locked her eyes with his. “You know… right now, a good part of me would like nothing better than to jump off this bed and strangle you! Prank or not, what you did was reckless, irresponsible and stupid!”

“I… know.”

“Really? I’m not so sure. I see that you’re sorry – but why you’re sorry is a different matter.”

“Then… why are you doing this?”

“Because… outside this castle, only two people treated me like a normal human being,” John said with a smile, stroking Apple Bloom’s mane. “If she claims you’re not a jerk then I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.”

Rainbow lowered her head again and sniffled as tears started streaming down her face. “Thank you…”

John gently lifted her chin and smiled, looking in her watery eyes. “When you cry like that, I no longer know if I should strangle you, or hug you…”

“I’m s-sorry,” Dash said with a shuddering breath, “I’m so s-sorry...”

“I know, but... make no mistake, I hope that your commander will make sure to teach you a lesson.”

“Knowing Spitfire, I will be cleaning Wonderbolts toilets for years,” Dash chuckled through tears.

“That’s just for starters, Dashie,” James snickered.

“What’s on that list, boss?”

“Oh, let’s not dwell on details, but let’s just say that Spitfire and I agreed that it should teach Dash a lesson. Also, I had a feeling that she isn’t very fond of Rainbow’s pranks either…”

“Well, sounds like you’ll have your… hoofs full miss, just… don’t make me regret my decision.”

“I won’t! I promise!” Dash said.

“Good… Oh, one more thing… you have a death wish or something?” Dash tilted her head, not understanding the question. “I mean, do you have any idea what cheesy would do to you if you had zapped him then?”

“Probably not as much as I would want to…” James grumbled.

“You, letting a prankster live? That’s new…”

“It’s complicated, Johnny – let’s leave it at that,” James said, only to notice Celestia and other ponies, gaping at him. “What?”

Celestia smirked. “Cheesy...?”

“Captain ‘cheesy one-liner’ Gastovski,” John said. “He didn’t tell you his nickname?”

Trying to hide her grin, Dash put her hoof to her mouth, and the rest of ponies quickly followed. They turned to James, to see him with a squinted eyes, gritting his teeth and a bloody-red blush filling his cheeks.

“Nobody heard that nickname… got it?!” James said.

“Whatever you say… Cheesy,” Celestia snickered.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t hold it anymore, she hit the floor laughing hysterically

“Johnny,” a buzzing sound of Gastovski’s weapons powering up filled the room, “I heard they treated depression by shock therapy. I think you should try it.”

“Um, I’m not depressed anymore – really!”

“I insist!” James said, grinding his teeth.

“You wouldn’t hurt my friend, with that, would you?” Apple Bloom said, stepping in between, making her characteristic puppy face.

James locked his eyes with hers, trying to fight her gaze, but this was one battle he couldn’t win. “Ugh! You… damn little cute manipulator…” He said, powering down his cannon and turning to the crowd behind him. “OK, I’m gonna say this once – anyone who uses that lovely nickname is gonna get tazed. And royalty will be tazed twice, for good measure!”

Celestia furrowed her brow and smiled sarcastically. “Is that a threat? Perhaps I should put you in chains and throw you into the dungeon?”

“After the last time I’m not really into bondage, but thanks for asking.”

John interjected, clearing his throat. “Although I love this whole ‘Gastestia’ thing – I’m starving, got anything to eat around here?”

“Oh, I almost forgot! We brought you some apples!” Apple Bloom interjected, opening her saddlebag, and spilling the apples on the nearby empty table.

With his mouth almost watering John glanced at the fruit in front of him. Perfection, that’s one word that could be used to describe them, perfectly round, and fully ripened. “Thanks! Boss, pay her up.”

“Pay me?” Apple Bloom chuckled. “Those are for free, silly! A little ’hope you get better soon’ gift.”

“I don’t get it...” John scratched his temple. “Why are you so nice to me? After the... incident with your sister—”

“Look, I don’t know what happened between you and Applejack, but you don’t seem like a bad person, especially after what you just did for Rainbow Dash. I just thought this will make you feel better...”

John smiled. “Tell me... Do you ponies like belly rubs?”

“Belly rubs?”

Before anyone could protest, John picked Apple Bloom from the ground, putting her on her back and scratching her tummy.

“Hey! That tickles!” Apple Bloom said, chuckling at the same time.

“So, you want me to stop?” John said, but Apple Bloom just shook her head. “I hope I’m not breaking any laws?”

“Um... I... don’t think so...?” James said, turning to Celestia.

“As far as I know, there are no laws against it... As long as Apple Bloom approves, of course.”

“You do, don’t you?” John asked, making a puppy face, similar to what Apple Bloom did earlier, and she nodded again.

“Ha, ha!” Rainbow Dash laughed, “Almost as good as Apple Bloom herself! I didn’t know humans can do that!”

James turned to Celestia, trying to put a puppy face himself. “So… Care for some belly rubs?”

“No thank you.”

“Hrmph, thanks for reminding me how unfair life is.”

Celestia smiled. “Anytime—”

“Darn it, Twilight - are you in there?” The door to the room suddenly opened, revealing the irritated figure of Applejack. “Where the hay, do you want me to put those darn apples you ordered?” She glanced at John, and he glanced back – Apple Bloom still on his lap. Before anyone could react, she was galloping towards him. “LET HER GO!”

Seeing her sister approaching, Apple Bloom jumped off John’s lap, quickly hiding behind a nearby table. “Whoa! Wait!” John shouted, raising his arm defensively.

Instead of attacking him, Applejack dashed towards her sister first. “Are you OK? What did he do?!” Not waiting for an answer she turned to John. “If you ever touch her again, I’m gonna break every bone in that worthless body of yours, you hear me?!”

“Applejack, he didn’t do anything—”

“Hush! You, home, NOW!” Applejack started pushing her towards the door.

“That is enough!” Celestia yelled, enveloping both earth ponies in her magic. “Applejack, John did nothing wrong, and he did not hurt Apple Bloom in any way.”

“With all due respect, your Highness, I will protect my little sister the way I see fit! Even you don’t have the right to tell me how to do it!”

Celestia closed her eyes, releasing Applejack from her magic and placing her on the floor. “You are correct, I cannot force you in that matter. However, I ask you to stop this foolishness—”

“FOOLISHNESS?!” Applejack slammed her foreleg into the ground. “After what he tried to do, you call me foolish?”

“Applejack, please don’t—”

“No, Rainbow Dash! I’ve had it!” Applejack said, roughly pushing Dash’s hoof away. “Last few days it was just, him, him and him! No one cares what happen to you or how you feel, or how Twilight is doing, or that the crops are dying because the darn weather ponies can’t do their job!!” She turned towards Celestia. “You don’t care! It’s all about him – what about us?!”

“Applejack... you are pushing this way too far. Where is your compassion?”

“And where is yours?! Don’t you see what Rainbow is going through, or Twilight?!”

“I am well aware. But frankly, both of them need to understand that—”

“That you don’t care?! Oh, yeah, we got that part!”

“I do not appreciate when someone constantly interrupts me,” Celestia spread her wings, looming over Applejack. “Now, I think you should apologize to John for what you said a moment ago.”

“That’s not happening!”

“Stop!” John said, getting their attention. Both ponies turned towards him, only to see that the smile he had just a minute ago was gone, and his eyes were locked onto the ground again. “If she doesn’t want me near Apple Bloom, I shall respect it.” He turned to Applejack. “But you should know that I would never hurt your little sister…” John paused, noticing Applejack gaping at his stump. “What? Never seen a cripple? A little souvenir from your blue friend... and you know what? I forgave her... Too bad you can’t forgive me...”

“John, this is not right—” Celestia said, but he cut her off.

“Just leave me alone, all of you – I’m not hungry anymore.”

Celestia sighed. “Very well,” directing herself towards the door, the rest of the crowd quickly followed.

As the door closed, John heard muffled protest coming from Apple Bloom. “Why can’t I see him?! It’s not fair!”

John let out an audible sigh, staring at the crystal ceiling. “Such is life little princess, such is life...”

***

“Children, I think that is enough emotions for one day. Please go home,” Celestia said, and CMCs nodded in agreement.

As they were leaving, Applejack stopped near Celestia and took off her hat. “Your Highness... I’m sorry.”

“I think, enough words have been said for one day and... both of us have something to think about. Perhaps you and Rainbow Dash should have a talk, because frankly… I do not understand your attitude lately.” Celestia took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. “I am not angry, Applejack, but... I am disappointed.”

Applejack squeezed her eyes shut. “Princess, I—”

“No, Applejack,” Celestia cuts her off, “for now, say no more, but please think over everything that happened here today, and ask yourself if John deserves that kind of treatment,” she turned towards James. “Please come with me.”

“AJ, you OK?” Rainbow asked.

Glancing at the ground, her hat still in her hoof Applejack shook her head. “No, Rainbow, I’m not OK. Nothing is OK.”

***

Meanwhile, in the other part of the palace, Celestia and James reached the kitchen, closing the door behind them.

“Tea?” She asked, already heating up the kettle with her magic.

“No, thanks,” he glanced at the kettle, which was already letting off steam. “Whoa, slow down, or that thing is gonna explode!”

“Fear not,” Celestia said, at the same time levitating a teacup with the ingredients. “I have been doing that before you were born,” she added pouring the boiling liquid into her cup.

“Hrmph, showoff…”

“Do you have any idea why I asked you here?”

“You found out that I have imported Hippogriff cookies on me?” James pulled out a pack of neatly packed, high-quality cookies with some Hippogriff writing on it. “Those things cost an arm and leg, and I’m not sharing!”

“Those are indeed delicious,” Celestia licked her lips and smiled. “But they are not the reason I called you,” she took a sip from her cup, and her face crumpled up. “Ugh, remind me to pass a law requiring all royal palaces to be stocked with good quality tea... How Twilight can drink that... abomination is beyond me.”

“Only tea? No cake?” James snickered only to receive a piercing gaze in response. “O-kay tea... got it. I’m just trying to be helpful.”

“Of course you are,” she said, smiling sarcastically and took another sip of her cup. “Tell me, how do you think John will be affected by what transpired?”

“I don’t know, but it definitely won’t be anything good… Damn it, of all ponies around, he had to bond with Apple Bloom... Irony—”

“Is a bitch, I know… Would you agree that meeting more ponies could help with his... recovery?”

“Probably, but if Applejack blames him for what happened to Rainbow Dash, then I bet others in Ponyville will too... Not the best environment to make friends…”

“I agree, and I have an idea... Do you know what is the ’Royal Summit’?”

“It’s that party that is coming soon, right? Something like that ‘Grand Galloping Gala’ only more elite. Rarity is constantly blabbering about it…”

Celestia nodded. “Correct, it is a gala when the royalty from all over Equestria meet with a very selected part of the nobility.”

“Great, but what that has to do with John?”

“I believe, he should attend.”

James blinked a few times, slowly tilting his head. “Um... I think you are confused – we want to get him out of depression and prevent him from suicide, not push him to it!”

“The gala will give him a chance to meet some new, unbiased ponies—”

“Nobility, unbiased? HA! They would take him for me, and mess him up.”

Celestia smiled. “That is why you are going as well.”

“Ha, good one…” James said, only to realize Celestia was not joking. “You can’t be serious! I’m not going anywhere!”

“Yes, you are.”

“Um, I studied the law remember? I know for a fact that you can’t make me go.”

Celestia’s horn started to glow, shifting some paper on the desk. “While it is true that I cannot make you attend, I would like to show you something to ‘convince’ you... Ah, there it is,” she said, pulling a strange looking piece of white paper of the stack.

Seeing the particular sheet, James’ eyes widened. Luna… you didn’t! Keep your composure, don’t let her know! “A piece of paper... How interesting – can I go now?”

“Are you not curious what it says?”

“Not really...”

“I think I am going to read it to you anyway,” she leaned her chin on her hooves, levitated the paper in front of her.

’Hey, Luna! Yeah, I heard about the ‘Royal Summit’ but don’t worry, I already have a plan for how you can avoid it.

Trust me on this one, there will be an ‘emergency needing your immediate attention’ and ‘coincidentally’ it will happen just minutes before you are called in :P

Don’t worry, Sun Butt—

Celestia paused, shooting James a cold glare.

—will never suspect a thing and you will have a solid alibi :)

James.’

“Hrmph, obvious fake! I don’t know who gave that to you, but you should blast that person to the moon!”

“Two days ago, Luna sent me a pile of papers needing my attention, this was a part of the stack,” Celestia smiled. “Are you saying she is trying to prank me?”

“Um... I don’t know... maybe?”

“And to do that, she somehow got a sheet of... how do you call it? A ‘printer paper’? And somehow printed the letter using the technology you brought from home?” Celestia smiled sarcastically.

“Um, she is kind of dedicated,” James said, but seeing that Celestia was unfazed, let out a sigh of defeat. “Fine, I did it… but I had a very good reason.”

“And what would that be?”

“Um...” James started frantically scratching his head, looking around for something that would get him out of this mess. “You’ll have to give me a minute, I’m just making it up right now,” he said smiling sheepishly. “How about… trying to protect Luna from her overbearing sister?”

“Very funny.”

“Says the one whose nickname was Trollestia in the past.”

“W-what? Who told you that? It was Luna was it not?!”

“I shall never betray the source of my information! … But yes.”

Celestia snorted. “I shall have a little chat with my dear sister, but the bottom line is, both of you need to be punished for scheming behind my back, therefore – you are going.”

“And if I just don’t show up?”

“In that case, I will be… upset,” Celestia said with an unnatural, sinister smile on her face. “And believe me, you do not want that,” she added, taking another sip.

Shaking his head, James clinched his fists. “Get me out of this mess, and I’ll… stop the rumor about Blueblood being your firstborn.”

The remark struck her by surprise and she choked on her tea, coughing out some of it on the paper in front of her. “There is no such rumor!”

“There will be…”

“You would not dare!”

“Phew, of course, I wouldn’t dare! Some anonymous stallion writing for the Canterlot Times, would. But I know how to stop him!”

“I see… Well, thank you kindly for the offer, but I think I will manage. I will see you at the gala. Oh, and please tell mister anonymous that if I hear a rumor like that floating around, he may end up with a little addition to his title.”

James tilted his head. “Addition?”

“Instead of sir anonymous, he will be known as sir anonymous... the gelded. How does that sound?” Celestia said, her smile getting back on her face. “You can go.”

James got to the door in silence and grabbed the handle. “You’re evil…” He said, before leaving the room.

Reading one of the documents in front of her, Celestia placed the pack of Hippogriff cookies on the table, and levitating one to her mouth took a bite. “Evil, indeed.”

Author's Note

2019-04-16:

Version 1.1 – I fixed some typos and grammar and made a few minor changes.

Something tells me that I'm going to piss off a lot of people with this chapter… or maybe not:applejackunsure:? I'm very interested in the comments on this one :unsuresweetie:

Chapter 11

Twilight woke up to the sound of a few raindrops hitting the bedroom window. The moon was still on the horizon, trying to fight its way through the clouds, but the quickly fading silver glow indicated it was a losing battle. Another day, another unscheduled rain. Letting out a quiet groan, she dragged herself off the bed, and turned on the lights, flinched at the reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were red and baggy from exhaustion, and her mane was one greasy, bedraggled mess – she looked more like a Manehattan’s homeless pony than a princess.

Sixth day… The sixth day in a row she woke up like this. A few hours of unsteady slumber at best, if she even managed to fall asleep in the first place. Initially, she convinced herself it was because James, Kleiner and she worked day and night to replicate all the necessary medical equipment John would need. But that excuse wore thin after the third day when they had almost everything ready to go.

After that, she tried finding herself something else to do, something to clear up her mind, something to distract her from the recent problems, something… to postpone the inevitable confrontation with Celestia. But no matter what she did, she couldn’t get the feeling of failure out of her head – it was like a splinter in her mind, slowly stripping her of sanity.

Twilight took another glance at her reflection and let out a sigh. “I will do it today,” she said to herself, only to hear a loud gurgle coming from her stomach. “But first, some breakfast… or coffee.”

Lighting her path with magic from her horn, Twilight was slowly walking towards the kitchen, trying to be quiet and not wake anyone. All that changed when about halfway through, she sniffed something in the air. Is that a… smoke? The kitchen! Her eyes widened, and she dashed towards the source – readying the fire extinguishing spell…

“Jesus Christ!” Twilight froze, as she saw someone holding a large kitchen knife, standing maybe a meter away. “Good lord, you almost gave me a heart attack!” She realized it was John.

“I’m… sorry, I thought we had a fire,” she said, her eyes still locked on the blade. “Are you… cooking?”

“Well, since you don’t feed your prisoners, I…” He paused, realizing he was holding the knife in an aggressive manner. “Sorry your Highness, old habit,” he lowered the blade, but even so, Twilight took a step back, her eyes not leaving him even for a second. “You think I’m going to stab you, or something?”

“No, I just… um—”

“Please, don’t lie to me. I can see it in your eyes. I’ve seen that fear many times,” he threw the knife at the nearby cutting board, making it stuck. “Tell me, your Highness – how am I supposed to make this work when even you think I’m some mad slasher?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t—”

“I know I messed up, I almost killed your friend, but Jesus Christ, I would never do that if I knew…” He let out a sigh, burying his face in his remaining hand. “This is pointless.”

Twilight approached him with sadness clearly visible on her face. “I’m sorry… you are correct – for a moment there my heart skipped a beat. But, the last few days were so… stressful that my mind must have thought you’re going to throw that knife at my throat, or… something.”

“Too many movies… or books, your Highness. In real combat, knife throwing is pretty much useless. Unless, of course, captain Cheesy is the one throwing – but an ordinary soldier? No way.”

“But… you just threw it at the board.”

“And, you think I learned that in the military?” Seeing her nod, John smiled and gently shook his head. “Nope… I learned that ‘deadly’ technique when I was working in the restaurant before the war.”

“You were a cook?”

“Yup... I almost became a chef actually, but then the war broke out and… here we are. Hold on for a second...” Using a big spoon, John stirred the sizzling mix of finely chopped vegetables on the frying pan for a few seconds. He took the spoon out, blew on it to cool it down and presented it to Twilight. “Try it and tell me what you think.” She hesitantly glanced at the ‘served’ dish. “I promise, it’s not poisoned… Well, not more than usual, anyway,” John said, with a smile.

Twilight kept glancing at the spoon, unsure what to do. The last time James tried cooking something, it took her a week to get the stench out of the kitchen. That day she promised herself to never let him do anything more than some tea, or coffee. Expecting similar disaster, she reluctantly sniffed the dish, but to her surprise it didn’t stink – in fact, it smelled delicious! She decided to give it a try and licked the spoon.

“Well…? How is it?” John said, nibbling his lower lip.

After a few seconds of chewing in silence, Twilight’s eyes widened. “This is… good, like… really, really good! What is it?”

“Just a little experiment of mine. I always liked trying new stuff. Does it need more pepper or salt?”

Twilight licked her lips. “Hmm, maybe a pinch of pepper.”

“Yeah, thought so,” he said, turning his attention back towards the sizzling dish.

For the first time in a while, Twilight put on a gentle smile on her face. Perhaps it was the delicious aroma in the air, or maybe she just needed some small talk. Whatever it was, she felt good for the first time in days. Levitating a spoon with her magic, she tried to get some more food from the pan.

“Hey, not ready yet!” John said, blocking her attempt.

“Just a tiny bite…”

“No!” John made a very intimidating-looking face. “I have a spoon and I’m not afraid to use it!”

After a moment of exchanging glances, Twilight smiled. “You remind me of my mom. She never allows snatching food from the pan, either.”

“Then I’m in good company,” He said with a smile, turning back towards the stove.

“Um, did you do the dishes, too?” Twilight said, and John nodded. “Why?”

“I needed to get my mind off things, and when I got here for a snack, I saw this pile of dirty dishes and… well, you can guess the rest. Nothing like some good old physical work to clear your head,” Twilight glanced at him with mouth slightly agape. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, it’s just… you sounded like Applejack. I can see now, what James meant,” John gave her a confused expression. “Never mind… Well, at least Spike’s going to be delighted when he wakes up, washing dishes is his chore—”

A loud gurgle coming from her stomach interrupted her. John cocked his head, scanning her blushing figure from top to bottom. “When was the last time you ate a decent meal, your Highness?”

“Um, a day or two…” John’s left eyebrow arched, his eyes not leaving her for a second. “OK, maybe four… or five. Look, the last few days were a bit crazy. We were working day and night to get the medical ward ready for you—”

“Ah, so it’s my fault?”

“What? No—”

“Sure, blame the alien… Before I know it, I’ll be in jail for the attempted assassination of one of the princesses!”

“I said it’s not—”

“At least, let me take my own pillow!”

Twilight arched her eyebrow. “You’re joking.”

“Well, hopefully,” John said with a smile. “That said, I do feel kind of guilty anyway… I will make sure you get a decent breakfast today. But, it needs another ten minutes.”

Twilight didn’t protest, on the contrary, as more and more of the pleasant smell filled her lungs, she had to keep herself from drooling. “I… accept. But, how about some coffee then?”

“Mixing coffee and veggies? Bad idea, but I think I saw some tea here somewhere… Please take a seat, your Highness and I—” Twilight crumpled up her face. “Did I say something wrong again?”

“No, it’s just… I’m not used to being addressed by my title. Twilight will suffice.”

“OK then… Twilight. Please take a seat.”

Twilight watched as John started preparing two cups of tea, shaking his head and cursing under his breath – his mind still trying to use the other limb that wasn’t there anymore.

“Let me help you with that—”

“No!” John yelled, his sudden outburst made Twilight flinch. “Sorry, I shouldn’t shout, but… no, thank you, I’ll manage on my own...” He let out a dark chuckle. “You know, it’s funny. Back on Earth, I had a disabled cousin, and until now, I could never understand why he got angry when someone offered to help. This feeling of being patronized is… horrible.”

“I didn’t mean it like that, I just… never been around crippled—” John’s left eyebrow arched. “I mean… disabled!” He cocked his head, still gazing at her. “I mean… Ugh, I’m not helping the situation am I?”

“No, but don’t worry about it. Been there, done that,” John smiled, moving the tray with both cups, onto the table, taking a seat in front of her. “Look, um… A few days ago I… said some things I shouldn’t have… I know you were just trying to help, I’m sorry.”

Twilight expression changed, her smile replaced by blankness. For a moment the awkward silence filled the air, occasionally interrupted only by the sounds of the boiling food.

Finally, Twilight shook her head and sighed. “Some help I was… I should have kept my mouth shut then, and later when the… incident happened.”

“Yeah, about that… You haven’t talked with her yet, have you?”

“Why? Are you going to send Rainbow Dash to prison if I haven’t?”

John smiled gently. “Nah. For me, that case is closed, but you guys really need to talk this out before it’s too late… I realize we don’t know each other very well, but something tells me, I’m the reason behind this feud, am I right?” Twilight nodded, sipping her tea. “Well then, perhaps you could explain to me what happened, and we could go talk with her together? I realize, I’m just forty-two, and you are probably eight-hundred, but—”

“W-what?!” Twilight said with a shocked expression, almost choking on her tea.

“Um, no disrespect intended…” John bit his lip. “Five-hundred…?”

“I’m twenty-four!”

John stared at the alicorn with mouth agape, his mind suddenly lacking any meaningful words to say anything.

It took him a few seconds to regain some composure. “I’m going to kill Gastovski! That bastard told me that Celestia is over a thousand years old, so I assumed her daughter would be a little younger.”

“Daughter?!”

“… sister?”

Twilight chuckled. “We are not related. Celestia is… was my mentor and yes, she and Luna are both twelve-hundred something.”

“Um, this is… confusing,” John scratched his head. “On the bright side, that makes me almost twice older than you, so… Do you want to share the story?” Twilight gave him an unsure look. “I promise to be objective.”

“John… if I tell you – you’ll hate me…”

“I doubt that very much… and I’ll find out sooner or later anyway, so… Come on, get it off your chest.”

Twilight glanced him in the eye and sighed. She knew he was right, she needed to get that splinter out of her mind, and that was the only way to do it. Here goes nothing... She took another sip of her tea, and told him everything – about her reaction to the incident, about the royal pardon – every single detail.

“—and then she sent both of us, away – we haven’t talked after that. She locked herself in her room, working on papers Luna was sending her every day, and I locked myself in the lab,” Twilight took another sip of her tea. “Truth be told, we were both avoiding each other.”

“Um… let me get this straight… You aren’t talking to each other, because you stood up for your friend?”

“I did that in the heat of the moment! I was out of line, I know that now... Please, forgive me.”

John shook his head, and for a second sat with his mouth agape. He was about to say something, but at the very moment, Celestia entered the kitchen.

***

“Good morning John… Twilight,” Celestia said, with an indifferent expression, levitating some papers. “Hmm, what is that smell?”

“Stench of hypocrisy…” John cold remark made her tilt her head in confusion. “Oh, you mean the breakfast… Sorry, I got them confused—”

Twilight abruptly stood up, almost spilling her tea in the process. “I think, I left some experiment running in the lab—”

“Twilight, you postponed this long enough. She is here, you are here – talk!” John stood up and went to the stove. “I would leave you alone, but someone needs to take care of breakfast.”

Levitating a cup of tea in her magic, Celestia took a seat at the table and Twilight joined her a second later. For a moment they sat in silence, avoiding each other’s gaze and glancing indifferently at their teas.

“I… don’t know what to say except… I’m sorry,” Twilight let out a sigh. “I should have known better.”

“Quite right Twilight, you should have…” Celestia’s answer was cold, almost formal. “I believe you are sorry, but frankly I am starting to have second thoughts about what is happening to you lately.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are rushing things. I noticed that for the first time when we were in Saddle Arabia and you received the message that Fluttershy was sick.”

“But… she landed in a hospital with a high fever! I had to come…”

“I understand your sentiment, but as a princess, you do not have the luxury to be at your friend’s every whim.” Celestia took a sip of her tea and sighed. “Then there was the incident with the wild settlers… Tell me, did you jump straight to the legal approach because you thought it was the best way?”

“Yes…”

“There was no other reason?”

“No… why?”

With a disappointed expression, Celestia levitated something out of the stack of documents. When Twilight glanced at the piece of paper, her eyes widened, and her mouth opened. “Celestia… I… can explain.”

“What do you want to explain, Twilight? That you just lied to me? That you rushed through the important and delicate negotiations because you were planning a special birthday party for Spike?” Celestia shook her head. “Mrs. Cake came here with the bill while you were occupied. She did not want Spike to know that the party was planned and then canceled, so she gave it to me instead. If she hadn’t come here, would you have told me?”

Twilight locked her eyes on the middle of the table, avoiding Celestia’s gaze. “He worked so hard lately, I just wanted to make it special for once…”

“And of course, there is the matter of your reaction to the incident involving… your other friend.” Twilight silently buried herself in her hooves. She wanted this nightmare to end already, but it was only beginning. “After careful consideration, I came to the conclusion that you should be relieved of your princess duties for the time being.”

“W-what?!” Twilight gasped in shock, this wasn’t part of her checklist. “Y-you want to degrade me?!”

“No, Twilight you misunderstood—”

“Please don’t do this! I… I will work twice as hard! I will not let anything distract me from my duties this time, I swear!”

“Twilight, this is not a punishment. You will still be the Princess of Friendship, but your duties will be limited to friendship problems only. Think about it, you will have more time to spend with your friends and more time to gain the necessary experience—”

A loud rattle of the lid hitting the frying pan with force suddenly cut her off. Celestia turned to see John gaping at her with an angry expression on his face.

“Oh, I’m sorry… Did I break your concentration?” He said, in a sarcastic tone.

“Please, stay away from this.”

“Kind of hard to stay away, when you are doing the exact opposite of what I asked you to. Can’t you see, you’re hurting her?”

“This is the last thing I want to do.”

“Then, you have a very funny way of fixing this whole mess.”

“Once she gains enough experience, she will return to her other duties.”

“Ah, I see… So you want her to gain experience, by… not allowing her to participate in any situation that would give her the experience…?” John let out a chuckle. “Where do you politicians get such brilliant ideas...”

Celestia stood up, turning towards him with wings spread, horn glowing and gaze cold as ice. “For someone who just recently arrived, you are getting involved with things you do not understand, dear sir. That is something I do not appreciate, nor do I enjoy your sense of humor.”

“Trying to intimidate me? Really? Sorry, but after nearly ten years of war, there is nothing left in me to scare. You are going to get a piece of my mind, whether you like it or not,” he said with a smile, that turned into a long chuckle.

“Care to share the joke with the rest of us?”

“The joke is… you, your Highness, and the fact that you don’t see it is even a bigger one.”

“Another thing I do not appreciate is being called names, mister. You better have a good explanation for what you just said.”

“Here you go,” he inhaled deeply, and expression on his face became hollow. “Ever since I arrived here, you did everything in your power to convince me to... basically, let go of my old life. And yet, you can’t let go of the fact that your student here, stood for her friend instead of some stranger?” Celestia opened her mouth and squinted her eyes in surprise. “Yes, before you entered Twilight told me what happened… You call her the ‘Princess of Friendship’… Now, I have no idea what that means, but… I would expect someone with such title to stand up for a friend… and you want to punish her for it?”

“Your situation and Twilight’s are on a completely different level.”

“Yes, they are… my situation is FUBAR no matter what I do, but hers is messed up only because you don’t want to accept her apology and the fact that people make mistakes!”

Twilight teleported between them trying to settle things. “Please, both of you calm down—”

“No, Twilight! Sorry, but I’ve had enough of Mrs. Self-righteous over here! She is acting like a moron, and someone needs to tell her that!”

“I… What?!” Celestia’s left eye arched, her stoic demeanor was starting to break. “Even my patience has limits, mister – and right now you are testing it!”

“Likewise!”

Twilight took a step back, her eyes glancing between John and Celestia – both of them staring at each other with rage in their eyes, and no sign of letting go. This is not good…

“You are as stubborn and persistent as James…” Celestia said with a small smile back on her face. “You appear to believe in what you are saying and I can respect that, but you have no clue what is at stake here.”

“You’re also missing an important clue – let me give you a hint… what does the atomic number of chromium, pure gold and Twilight have in common?” Celestia cocked her head. “Really? Twilight, how about you?”

“Um… The atomic number of chromium is twenty-four… and pure gold has… twenty-four carats and… I’m twenty-four years old…?”

“I still do not understand.”

“Oh, for the love of…” John rolled his eyes. “Let me repeat that for you... She is twenty-four! Not two thousand, four hundred; not two hundred and forty – twenty-four! You never made a mistake when you were that young?”

“I…” Celestia froze as her past suddenly open behind her like a dam and flood her with memories. She looked away, trying to fight her body, but the involuntary nibbling on her lower lip and an embarrassed smile on her face made her look like a child caught telling a lie. Her blushing cheeks were just the icing on the cake.

“Something tells me you weren’t exactly an angel back then,” John said with a smirk.

“No, I was not… Still—”

“Still, what? Someone was hard on you in the past, and now you want some payback?”

“What? No!”

“So you’re one of those ‘all or nothing’ teachers that always wants perfection?”

“No!”

“Then why?! Why are you so hard on her? How can you blame her for—”

Suddenly, John stopped, scanning Celestia from top to bottom. With her mouth slightly agape, she glanced at Twilight, then back at him, only to lock her eyes onto the ground in silence a moment later.

“You aren’t really blaming her are you?” John said, but Celestia kept staring at the floor.

“I don’t understand.”

“She’s not blaming you, Twilight. She’s blaming herself… Right, Princess?”

Celestia smiled bitterly. “It would appear, you are a better judge of character than I anticipated…”

“I don’t understand…” Twilight said. “I’m the one at fault here. I’m the one who failed you—”

She was cut off, by a gentle touch of Celestia’s wing to her muzzle. “No, Twilight… You never failed me. It was my own arrogance that forced you into a position you were not prepared for yet… I was the one who rushed things in the first place, and now you are paying the price.”

“That’s not true. I was the one who completed the spell, remember?”

“Twilight, from the first day I met you, I knew you were destined for greatness, but I could have waited a few more years before sending you that cursed scroll… With Sunset, I tried to take it slow and it ended in disaster, and with you I tried to move things too fast…” Celestia sighed, shaking her head. “Maybe, I am just a poor teacher…”

“Nonsense! You’re the best teacher anyone can hope for!”

“Am I? There are so many things I am ashamed of, things you will not find in any history books, things… I would do differently if I had a chance. I just thought, that with me as your guide, I may be able to shield you from some of the pain I had to endure.”

John smiled. “Your Highness, with all due respect, but… that’s not possible. Making mistakes sucks, but it allows us to evolve… Frankly, what you want to do is even worse than that royal pardon which Twilight wanted to use to get her friend out of trouble.”

“How so?”

“Imagine… an overprotective parent that doesn’t allow her kids to play outside, because they may catch a cold, or get hit by a car, or… something. The goal is noble, but… in the end, those poor children will have to learn those lessons, the hard way – without parent’s support. From my perspective, this is what you’re trying to do right now... Believe me, it won’t work.”

For a moment, Celestia sat in silence, pondering – her eyes were darting between John, Twilight and the crystal floor. Finally, after a few seconds, she closed her eyes and let out a deep, slow sigh. “I think, you are correct… Please, tell me – knowing the situation… what approach would you propose?”

“Simple: allow her to be who she is and support her. Berate her if necessary, but let her live her life, let her make mistakes. Step in only if and when she’ll need guidance on how to learn from her mistakes.”

“And do you think she learned her lesson this time, or should I step in?”

John smiled. “I think you both learned your lesson, your Highness.”

With a deadpan expression on her face, Celestia glanced coldly at John, arching her left eyebrow, but let out a quiet chuckle a second later. “Yes, it would appear that even an old mare like me can learn new tricks…” She let out a sigh. “Twilight… I—”

Before she could finish, Twilight threw her wing around her in a tight embrace, burying her muzzle in Celestia’s chest – Celestia replied by cuddling her closer. Both alicorns, stayed like that for a moment, letting some tears of joy to wet their coats.

“That’s better…” John said, quickly wiping a tear that formed in his own eye. “You guys look so cute in that pose…” Both alicorns shot him an irritated glance. “Scary… but still cute. You know… you could have done that a few days ago.”

“Apparently, we needed a chaperone… Thank you for giving me the piece of your mind, John – I needed that. You are quite a philosopher.”

“Me? I’m just a simple guy. Now, Gastovski when he gets drunk… That’s a real philosopher.”

“Of course he is…”

“Hey! I’m serious – he always picks a subject on something he likes, and you can’t shut him up. Haven’t you ever talked with him when he was tanked?”

“I did a few times,” Twilight interjected. “But, he either talks about something morbid or… um… makes some nasty comments.”

“About me, I presume?” Celestia said, getting a nod from Twilight in return. “That is why I try not to talk with him when he is… indisposed.”

“Sounds to me that he really likes you, Princess,” John let out a chuckle. “He only makes nasty comments about things he likes.”

“Hrmph… well, at least he did not try to grab me by the flank yet – unlike certain other… individual.”

Twilight smile as John arched his left eyebrow at Celestia’s remark. “This isn’t going away anytime soon, is it?”

“Dear sir! You shall be forever remembered as the human who ‘accidentally’ grabbed the royal flank! Just think about it… A thousand years from now, ponies all over Equestria will be asking themselves ‘Who was this… John? What kind of relationship did he have with the Princess? Was it really an accident?’ – I am especially looking to read some papers on that last part.”

“I can see why Gastovski likes you so much—” John said with a smile but was interrupted by a loud ding coming from the stove. “Ah, breakfast! Finally!” He turned around, going towards the steaming pan. “Um, Twilight, about that little help you offered earlier, is it still valid?”

“Of course!” Before John could say anything else, Twilight levitated the food from the pan to the plates and placed them on the table.

“Um… I just wanted to ask you to hold the pan for me, but I guess that will work too…”

Twilight quickly jumped in her seat, her mouth almost drooling again. Celestia waited for John to join them, but he just stood near the stove with an unsure expression on his face.

“Afraid to take a seat near me?” Celestia said with a smile. “I promise not to bite.”

“I just thought… Is it appropriate for me to eat with you, guys? I mean, you are royalty, so…”

“Oh, for the love of… Get your butt seated on the stool!” Celestia facehoofed, pointing at the seat to her left. “You know, sometimes I think that being a royal and a leper must have much in common, with everypony fearing to be near us and all…”

John put on a sheepish smile and sat down. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like… that…?”

Celestia cocked her head, looking at the confused human. Following his gaze, she glanced to her right, only to see Twilight pushing a spoon after spoon of the breakfast up her smiling mouth – her cheeks already bulging from the excess of food. It took a few seconds of silence for Twilight to realize she is being watched by the ‘crowd.’ With her eyes darting between smirking John and Celestia, she quickly swallowed the food and put on a sheepish smile.

“He, he… sorry about that,” she said, as her cheeks grew warm. “But it’s just, sooo good… One of the best things I ever ate!”

“I’m glad you like it…” He glanced at Celestia. “Well, one of you, anyway… Not hungry, Princess?”

Celestia glanced at the mix of veggies on her plate and bit her lower lip. “Um… I am more of a fruit mare, I am afraid.”

“More like a cake mare…”

“Twilight!”

“What? Did I lie?” Twilight let out a snicker, seeing a little angry frown on Celestia’s face. “Seriously, Celestia, try it! It tastes like heaven!”

With a sigh, Celestia levitated the fork up to her muzzle and took a bite, her eyes widening immediately. “All right, I have to admit, this must be the best mix of vegetables I tasted in a while…” she took a sip of her tea and flinched. “Ugh… but this tea is just awful.”

“Damn, and I thought it was just me!” John said.

Cocking her head, Twilight took a sip. “Um… seems fine to me – you don’t like it?”

“Honestly, it’s like a mixture of grapefruit and battery acid.”

“But… James likes it.”

“You are talking about a guy who literally drinks denaturant mixed with bleach!”

“Well, he said it helps keep his nano-systems clean…”

“Twilight, he drank that stuff even before they changed him!” John let out a chuckle. “I didn’t say anything about the tea because I thought this is what you guys drink around here.”

“Heavens no!” Celestia said, pushing the cup away. “I will introduce you to some real tea on the Royal Summit.”

John squinted his eyes. “Um… the what?”

“It is a sort of a gala for Equestria’s royalty and nobility, I would like you to attend. I know James will.”

“He will never come – he hates parties,” Twilight said.

“Oh, I can assure you, he will, and Luna will as well… Can you believe he almost helped her get away from it?”

“W-what? You know about that?!”

“Yes! Luna accidentally sent me their entire plan of—” Suddenly, Celestia paused and glanced at her former student squinting her eyes. “You sounded almost like if you knew all along about this little… scheme.”

Twilight had her muzzle deep down in her teacup. Her eyes were wide and darting erratically from left to right, and her cheeks were on fire. She looked like a filly caught with her hooves in a cookie jar. The only response was a frantic shake of her head.

“I see… So, if I ask Luna if there were a third… conspirator,” Celestia put on a wicked smile, arching her eyebrow. “I will not hear your name, will I? What do you think, John?”

“I think… five,” John said, making Celestia cock her head. “Four, three, two—” A loud gasp filled the air as Twilight let out the breath she was holding, greedily inhaling the oxygen a second later. “Busted!”

“I… can explain…?” Twilight said, with a sheepish smile, gasping for air.

“As entertaining as that would be, I think I heard enough,” Celestia said, her expression regal and formal again. “Let me just make one thing clear – the summit is going to happen, even if Tirek escapes Tartarus, Discord turns Canterlot upside down, and Chrysalis invades it, at the same time. And I will be there, Luna will be there along Mr. Grand conspirator Gastovski, Cadance will be there and YOU – my dear former student – will also be there. Do I make myself clear?”

“… perfectly,” Twilight said with an audible gulp.

“I am glad we understand each other,” just like that, Celestia’s expression transformed back to her usual, gentle smile. “What about you John? Will you attend?”

“Well, since you made it sound like so much fun…” John snickered, but immediately, his expression changed from happy to blank. “I… don’t know.”

“It is not as bad as it sounds—”

“It’s not that I… I just don’t think this is going to work…”

Celestia cocked her head. “Please tell me you are not saying, what I think you are saying…” She got no reply, John just stared motionless at the food in front of him, swirling it gently with a spoon. “I must say, I am at a loss here… After what happened with Rainbow Dash I thought you were slowly getting through those… morbid thoughts.”

“I was… until I almost got my teeth knocked out at the end. That gave me a new perspective on things…”

“Please, do not let that one incident get you down. Applejack was out of line.”

“No, she wasn’t... We both know, she had every right to react the way she did. If I were in her place, and it was my Lilian instead of Apple Bloom, I would have done the same… or worse.”

“Hrmph, interesting…”

“What is?”

“Your hypocrisy,” John cocked his head at her remark, waiting for some explanation. “Yes, hypocrisy John, you heard me correctly… A few minutes ago, you were lecturing me on how important it is to forgive others. What about forgiving yourself?”

“It’s not the same.”

“How so? Rainbow Dash almost cost you your life, not to mention your arm, and yet you forgave her… Frankly, I have serious doubts if my ponies would be so lenient on her if they were in your place.”

“Again, it’s not the same! I did what I did because she learned from her mistake—”

“And you have not? Are you saying you are still willing to attack and eat my ponies?”

“W-what?! No! But—”

“But what? The way I see it, you learned your lesson, just like Rainbow did,” Celestia shrugged. “What do you want me to do? Put you in jail? Would that ease your conscience?”

“You have the right…” John murmured.

“Quoting you, dear sir: ‘It’s not about my rights! It’s about what’s right and wrong,’ and right now, I do not understand why you cannot let it go. There was no harm done, Applejack is fine, you say you will not do it again nor would you do it in the first place if you knew then what you know now. So, what is the problem?”

John kept gaping at the plate, swirling the untouched food for a few more seconds, before letting out a slow deep sigh and shaking his head. Celestia noticed his eyes were getting glassy.

“You really don’t get it, do you? Apple Bloom, that’s the ‘problem’… She is one of only a few ponies that gave me a chance out there… How do you think she’ll react when she finds out what happened that night? How will she react when she learns that all this time, she was kind to a monster that almost killed her sister?!”

The dam broke and John buried his face in his hand, sniffling loudly as the tears of anguish started flowing down his cheeks like a flood.

“Just a few hours ago, I had a dream – I was back in that forest, hunting her, chasing her, pinning her to the damn tree… I… finished her off, only to hear this terrifying scream from behind… It was Apple Bloom, she watched as I butchered her sister!” He violently shook his head, his lips and chin trembling. “I can’t get that image out of my head…”

Celestia extended her left wing, placing it on John’s shoulder. “It sounds horrifying, but it was just a nightmare.”

“If Gastovski were there literally two seconds later, it would have been a reality…”

“And if Rainbow Dash struck you a little harder, you would be dead… But neither of those things happened,” Celestia sighed. “I am not saying you should forget about that incident, but you need to forgive yourself and move on because otherwise, the guilt it is going to eat you from the inside out.”

“Ah… wisdom of the immortal goddess… Who is the philosopher now?”

Celestia smiled. “Wisdom… from personal experience, actually… Do you know about what happened between my sister and me?” John shook his head. “Well then, allow me to tell you a little story…”

For the next ten minutes, Celestia told him about Luna, Nightmare Moon, how she sent her away for the thousand years, and how James received similar treatment. John listened carefully, not interrupting her even once.

“So now that you heard it all, would you agree that I have at least some idea about what you are going through?” Celestia said and smiled gently. “You are not the only one making serious mistakes.”

“Um… I probably shouldn’t ask that, but... when you blasted your sister to the moon... How did you handle the guilt?”

“Denial, anger, bargaining… I went through all five stages, just like any person would. In the end, it landed me in a psychiatric ward.”

“Did it help?”

“No… Due to my pride and stubbornness, I delayed it for months… When I was finally admitted, I was in such state of mind that the therapy only made it worse… much worse. It all culminated with an… incident involving one of my doctors and me,” Celestia inhaled slowly with her eyes closed. “I would prefer to not go into the details on that one, but, let us just say that a few days later, after a conversation with a very smart pony, I reached the turning point and finally started to let go. If it was not for him, I do not know what would have happened.”

“May I ask who was it?” Twilight interjected. “One of your assistants?”

Celestia smiled. “No, his name was Keen Sweeper, he was an earth pony working in the hospital as a janitor,” Twilight squinted her eyes and tilted her head, making Celestia chuckle gently. “She looks surprised does she not?”

“I would say, shocked…” John smiled. “Damn, that face! I wish I had my camera.”

Twilight jerked her head a second later, regaining her composure. “That is pretty surprising... A janitor?! What could he possibly say? If you don’t mind me asking, of course.”

“If I recall, it was something like: ‘Would you kindly move yer fat flank off the bed so I can clean this pigsty?”

“Something tells me you made a face similar to what Twilight did a moment ago,” John said.

“You got that right! I was… dumbstruck, I threaten him, made some magic show, but… he was like: ‘You wanna impress me? Use some of that mumbo-jumbo to clean yer filthy flank! You look like a pig and stink even worse!’” Celestia glanced Twilight and chuckled – Princess of Friendship was sitting frozen with mouth agape, letting out some squeaking sounds of disbelief. “Let us say, that after a few more insults, I barked out something, but let him stay to clean the room… And since he was the first pony I have seen in days… soon, we engaged in some small talk.”

“Small talk?”

“Yes, Twilight, small talk. I realize how silly it may seem, but it was exactly what I needed back then, to talk about the weather, food, anything other than my duty to Equestria, or how Equestria needed me, or how I need to be strong for the good of the nation. Keen Sweeper did not care about any of those, he treated me like a normal mare. Soon, we became friends, and that allowed me to slowly start the healing process and forgive myself – at least to a point.”

“And you think that making friends is going to help me too?” John let out a sigh. “Still, when Apple Bloom finds out, she is going to hate me… How can I make peace with her sister, after what happened?”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, Applejack has been acting strange lately,” Twilight said.

John rolled his eyes. “Yes, when someone almost kills you, you may be a little nervous around him.”

“Even before you showed up, she has become easily irritable, blowing problems out of proportion, getting angry about minor things – stuff like that...” Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof. “I think, it started when the new weather ponies took over after Rainbow Dash and her team. They started causing havoc with the rain. AJ has been on edge ever since...”

“Hrmph… perhaps you should add ‘train new weather team’ to your friend’s punishment list.”

“Actually, that may not be a bad idea… If the weather problems would stop, Applejack would probably relax as well. I’ll talk to Spitfire about it.”

“I think there is more…” Celestia interjected. “The day John arrived, I saw Applejack talking to Legal Beagle.”

“Who is that?”

“He is a lawyer from Canterlot, that works for the nobility… I do not know what exactly transpired, but I do recall Applejack saying that… she will not be able to deliver some goods on time. She seemed pretty stressed about it.”

“You think that’s significant?”

“Legal does not work for just anypony, Twilight. His services are very expensive… If Applejack is dealing with someone who can afford him, then yes, I think it may be significant.”

“Hmm, that doesn’t sound good…” Twilight said. “I’ll try to talk with her tomorrow, maybe there really is more going on than meets the eye.”

“Even assuming that I’m not the reason behind your friend’s stress… you really believe she’ll forgive me? I doubt it…” John shook his head.

Twilight smiled. “You don’t know her. Applejack is an easygoing mare, and it’s not the first time her life was in danger,” John cocked his head. “Let’s just say we had our share of adventures, and she is now friends with most of the former bad guys.”

“The truth is, you and Applejack share a lot of traits – compassion being one of them,” Celestia smiled. “I believe that if you talk to each other, she will forgive you. And if she will, Apple Bloom will as well. Twilight and I, may try to arrange you a meeting.”

John glanced at the floor in silence and shrugged his shoulders a moment later. “Ah, what the hell, not that I have much to lose anyway,” he smiled. “Sorry for the whole, crybaby scene… As for that gala... I’ll go – I want to see what’ll Gastovski do, he hates parties.”

“He should have thought of that before. Now, he will find out what I do to people plotting against me,” she turned to Twilight, “and their co-conspirators.”

“Didn’t we just establish that we should forgive others the mistakes they made…?” Twilight said.

“Yes… After they learn to never make them again, and frankly, I have a feeling that did not happen yet...” Celestia struck a thinking pose. “Now, if I were to – for example – deny somepony the access to the Canterlot library for a month and confiscate all the books from her castle…”

Twilight’s eyes shot wide. “You are not serious… right?” She glanced at Celestia to see a wicked smile forming on her face. “Right?!” Celestia added an arched eyebrow in response. “Please! Anything, but that!”

John cocked his head. “Seriously? So much fuss over some silly books?”

Slowly, Twilight’s gaze turned in his direction. The expression on her face was blank, but intimidating at the same time. With her eyebrow twitching and grinding her teeth, she let out an angry snort. “Some silly books…” Her glare intensified, sending shivers up his spine. “Some silly books?!”

“My, my… now you have done it, John,” Celestia said with a chuckle. “She does not like when someone insult books.”

“Can we just pretend I didn’t say that…?”

“Silly… books…” Twilight grumbled through clenched teeth, her gaze still fixed upon him.

“Um… A little help?” He said to Celestia, but she shrugged with a smile.

The door to the kitchen burst open at that moment, and James walked inside with a grin on his face. “Good morning!” His grin widened. “What a lovely day, wouldn’t you say… Um, why is Twilight trying to murder John with her gaze?”

“He said ‘silly books.’”

James flinched. “Auch… Twi, give it a rest, he didn’t know books are your fetish.”

“They’re not my fetish!”

“Whatever you say, miss, ‘I prefer books,’” James smirked.

“You seem to be in a good mood today, boss,” John said, finally free from Twilight’s gaze. “What was it? Good night’s sleep? Good bm, or did you kill someone?”

“Oh, you’ll find out soon enough. Celestia, I’ll need your services later today… And no, for once that’s not an innuendo.”

“Somehow… that makes me feel nervous…” Celestia said, only to see James shooting her a wicked smile. “Very nervous...”

Author's Note

If you think that chapter was a bit too slow, just remember the 76th Rule of Acquisition:

Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies.

Chapter 12

“Ugh, those darn new weather ponies!” Scootaloo said, as her hoof hit a deep puddle on the ground. The torrential downpour started just a few hours after the moon rose above the horizon, and continued through the night, converting streets of Ponyville into one giant mud-bath. “This is the second time this week alone when they messed up! This never happened when Rainbow was running the things around here…”

Muttering under her breath, Scootaloo slowly moved forward, her eyes nervously darting between the ground and her surroundings. Ordinarily, she wouldn’t mind some unpredictable weather, especially during the summer break – but that day was different. Sneaking around with a heavy saddlebag on her back was hard enough on its own, and not being able to use her scooter due to all the mud was making it even worse.

When she finally made it to her destination, the lower part of her body was soaked with a mixture of sweat and muck. She looked behind her one more time to make sure no one followed her, but the nearest pony she could see was a few hundred meters away, at the Ponyville market.

Scootaloo sighed with relief and turned around, her eyes widening almost immediately at the view in front of her. “Ugh, this place is really creepy,” she said, scanning her surroundings.

She stood near a partially destroyed, abandoned villa. Its once elegant double wing steel door now rusting and wide open, the windows around it fractured or completely broken. With shutters flapping in the wind, and aroma of rotting wood in the air, the building looked and felt out of place, its depressing appearance contrasting with the rest of Ponyville.

The memories of Twilight’s battle with Tirek were visible in every stone and piece of rubble. Ponies were avoiding this place like the plague. It was like some morbid monument to the time everyone wanted to forget – Scootaloo included. Unfortunately, it was also why they choose it as the meeting point in the first place.

“Where the hey, are they…” Scootaloo said, tapping her hoof, and nervously glancing around. “They should be here already—”

She jumped, as a sudden loud crack filled the air, quickly followed by another, and another.

“H-hello? Is that you?” She started backing up, her heart speeding up. “Guys, this isn’t funny—”

She felt something wet latching onto her hind hoof and jumped again, letting out a scream – a loud metallic sound filled the air a moment later. With heart in her mouth, she frantically turned around… only to see a few buckets of dirty water, one of them now empty, its content spilled onto the ground. Above them, the wind was forcefully slamming one of the shutters against the window.

“Ugh, you darn paranoid idiot! Can’t you do anything right?!” For a moment, she stared at her reflection in the nearby puddle, allowing her anger to grow, her breathing getting faster and faster until something broke inside of her and she began hitting her head into the nearby wall. “Useless, stupid, worthless… CHICKEN!” The last impact was strong enough, to leave a visible mark on her forehead.

“Scoot! What the hay are you doing?!”

Scootaloo’s heart skipped a beat as she noticed Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looking at her, with terror in their eyes.

***

“H-hey girls, w-what are you doing here?”

“We should be the one asking that question Scoot,” Apple Bloom said, glancing at Scootaloo’s saddlebag that was filled to the brim. “What’s with the big bag?”

The question was all that Scootaloo needed to regain her composure. “None of your business! … how did you know I was here anyway?” She said, arching her eyebrow. “You were following me or something?!”

“Hey, calm down!” Sweetie Belle said. “We were just on the market to buy snacks, and we ran into Cheerilee.”

Scootaloo cocked her head. “Cheerilee?”

“Yeah, she told us you were avoiding her the whole week and asked us to tell you to meet her when we ran into you.”

“Then, just as we were leaving, I saw you lugging that saddlebag over here and—” Apple Bloom said, only to be cut off.

“I don’t believe it!” Scootaloo forcefully stomped her hoof. “Since when did you become Cheerilee’s lapdog?!”

“W-what?! You know I’m not! But she said that something went missing from the school, and it was when I saw you messing around with the same saddlebag—”

“Y-you told her you saw me?!”

Apple Bloom bit her lip. “Scoot, I—”

“You… snitch!” Scootaloo started moving towards Apple Bloom with fire in her eyes, only to be interjected by Sweetie Belle.

“Hey, cut that out! She only wanted to help.”

“By ratting me out?!” Scootaloo shook her head, filling her face with a look of disgust. “Goody Little Two Horseshoes, that’s what you are! Both of you always had everything handed on a silver platter, and now, you are messing with things you don’t understand!”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle glanced at each other with confusion.

“Scoot, what are you talking about? I don’t understand…”

“Oh, of course you don’t! If I were a mud-pony with an apple seed instead of a brain, I wouldn’t understand either!”

Apple Bloom said nothing, instead, with her mouth slightly agape, she scanned her friend from top to bottom slowly shaking her head.

“What the hey Scoot?” Sweetie Belle said. “What’s gotten into you?”

“If you don’t like it, why don’t you teleport out of here Mrs. Horn-head? What? Your horn not big enough?”

“Hey! What are you laughing about? Teleportation is an extremely complex spell!”

“Apparently, so is line holding, right? Or did you sabotage me on purpose that day?” Seeing Sweetie Belle nibbling her lower lip, and a slight blush filling her cheeks Scootaloo grinned. “Face it, Sweetie Belle, your magic is weak! Heck, Pumpkin Cake can do more spells than you!”

“T-that’s not true!”

“Can you levitate yourself?”

“N-no, but—”

“How about passing through barriers? Or picking up things?”

“I know how to levitate—”

“A broom?” Scootaloo chuckled.

“S-shut up—”

“Yeah, that one may be useful one day, when they hire you as the street sweeper of Ponyville.”

“Just… shut up already!” Sweetie Belle shouted through the clenched teeth, her eyes squinted and glassy.

“Scoot, enough!” Apple Bloom interjected, regaining some composure. “Why are you saying those things?”

Scootaloo grin widened. “Oh, the truth hurts? Not my fault that’s the best job she’s ever going to get with that pathetic horn—”

“Says the pegasus who can’t fly!”

Silence filled the air, as both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo glanced at the shaking unicorn with their mouths opened wide in disbelief. The surprise on their faced, poured a mixture of courage and anger into the Sweetie Belle’s heart.

“Yeah, you heard me, dodo!” Sweetie Belle smirked, closing her eyes for a moment. “Or should I say… Chickenloo!”

A moment later she felt a hit on her muzzle, strong enough to knock her onto the ground. The next few seconds were a blur. Her ears were ringing, and the picture was fuzzy, but she could make out Apple Bloom trying to pull Scootaloo away, only to get a buck to the chest in the process. That was the final straw, something broke inside of her and she went on autopilot.

Before Scootaloo could react, she was launched into the air by Sweetie Belle’s magic, landing in the nearby muddy pile of rubble with a loud thud. The unicorn didn’t stop there, with fury in her eyes, she was firing blast after blast at and around her friend, pushing Scootaloo into more dirt and litter.

“Still thinking my magic is weak?!” Sweetie Belle said, with a mad grin on her face, continuing her onslaught – her horn sparkling like a Christmas tree. “Well, do you? Do you—”

Suddenly, Apple Bloom knocked her to the ground, interrupting her tirade. “Calm down, before you hurt somepony!”

Glancing at her friend, Apple Bloom gulped. Sweetie Bell’s eyes were wide open, her teeth clenched, horn burning, and her breathing quick and raspy – she looked like a pony who could take on Tirek and Discord… at the same time. Fortunately, Apple Bloom’s presence made her breathing began to stabilize. A moment later her magic died down, just as a flush of red filled her cheeks.

“Better?” Apple Bloom said with a smile, getting off Sweetie Belle and lending her a hoof.

“Y-yeah… sorry,” Sweetie Belle got up, shaking some dirt off her coat. “But only to you, Scootaloo deserved what she got! You hear me over there! I’m not apologizing to you!” She said, in the direction of Scootaloo, but got no reply.

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom glance at each other in horror and expecting the worst turned around, but Scootaloo was there – alive and well – counting something on the ground. Only then, Apple Bloom realized that during the fight, Scootaloo’s saddlebag was sliced open, its content now spilled on the muddy earth. A mishmash of knickknacks would be the best way to describe it – on the ground one could find all sorts of stuff, from books and toys to jewelry. But what caught Apple Bloom’s eye was a small, spherical crystal.

I don’t believe it… She really stole it? Apple Bloom slowly shook her head, approaching Scootaloo.

“Ruined, ruined… fine… that one is fine too,” the pegasus mumbled, picking through the spilled contents of the bag. “Maybe it will be enough? It must be, it must be…”

“Scoot… where did you—”

“Back off, Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo exploded, turning around, her hoof in the air, waiting for a target. “You’ve done enough damage already!”

“We?!” Sweetie Belle said, as her horn sparkled again. “You are the one who started this stupid name calling!”

“Because you snitched on me!”

“We didn’t, you feather—”

“ENOUGH!” Apple Bloom shouted, jumping between her friends. “I’ve had it! You both need to calm down—”

“But!”

“No buts, Sweetie Belle! I don’t wanna hear it! We are leaving! If she wants to be left alone, so be it.”

Sweetie Belle cocked her head and wanted to protest, but a wink from Apple Bloom calmed her down. “Fine, we will talk later,” she said, as they started to walk away.

“Yeah, I don’t need you… I don’t need anypony! Just go and leave me!” Scootaloo shouted, but as the figures of her friends got further away, fresh tears flooded her face. “Leave me… Just like everypony else…”

She sat there, glancing at the ground and crying softly until a male voice snapped her awake.

“Nice job kid, getting rid of those nosy friends of yours. Now, let’s see what you’ve brought…”

***

As they got some distance away from the ruins, Apple Bloom broke the silence. “You OK, Sweetie Belle? That hit on the muzzle looked painful.”

“I’m fine.”

“Maybe we should get you to the doctor—”

“I said, I’m fine!” Sweetie Belle shouted, but bit her lip immediately after. “Sorry, I’m just frustrated… The things Scoot said…”

“Yeah, but… You know, you shouldn’t have mentioned her flying, she is very touchy on the subject.”

“I know, but… When she started attacking me, I got so angry that I couldn’t control it…”

“Well, one thing for sure… she won’t be questioning your magic anymore.”

Sweetie Belle smirked. “Yeah… Honestly, I didn’t know I had it in me, must have been all that anger... How did you manage to keep your cool? I mean… I saw you going ballistic before when somepony called you a... mud-pony.”

“Oh, believe me, I had an urge to shove my filthy ‘mud-pony’ hoof down Scootaloo’s throat,” Apple Bloom smirked. “But, lately, I learned the hard way that it’s better to let things calm down instead of escalating, especially when dealing with a stubborn pony like Scootaloo… or Applejack.”

“Applejack? What’s up with her?”

“I don’t know exactly, but… ever since those new weather ponies started messing up, she is easy to anger. Yesterday, she even... hit Big Mac.”

Sweetie Belle eyes widened. “She… what?!”

“They were just arguing which part of the field to do first, and she smacked him in the face. She apologized immediately, but…”

“Wow… That doesn’t sound like the Applejack I know.”

“Hrmph, you are telling me… I thought that maybe something I’m not aware of is happening on the farm, but both Granny and Big Mac said that everything is fine.”

“And Applejack?”

“She said, it was the stress of dealing with that unpredictable weather…”

“You don’t sound very convinced.”

“It’s just… Even when Rainbow Dash was running things, it wasn’t always perfect…” Apple Bloom chuckled. “Heck, I lost count on how many occasions, Applejack had to chase her to get some water over the orchards because she was napping on the cloud.”

“That’s Rainbow Dash all right,” Sweetie Belle said with a smile.

“Yeah, and Applejack never got that angry with her. I have a feeling that something is bothering her, but she won’t talk to me… or anypony else for that matter,” Apple Bloom let out a sigh. “Reminds you of somepony else, doesn’t it?”

“About that… I think I can see Cheerilee in the market – over there,” Sweetie Belle said, pointing her hoof. “Do you think… we should tell her?”

Apple Bloom stopped and for a moment locked her eyes onto the ground, thinking, but the answer seemed obvious. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Scoot will get even more furious, you know,” Sweetie Belle said, hoofing at the ground. “And… we will be snitches, for real.”

“Maybe, but I saw the crystal globe among the things she was picking up after the fight. She must have stolen it... I don’t know what is going on with her, but if she refuses to talk with us, maybe she will with Cheerilee.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right…” Sweetie Bell heaved a heavy sigh. “Let’s go catch her before she leaves.”

***

Some distance away, Cheerilee was chatting with Carrot Top…

“…now that you mention it, I heard some complaints about misplaced stuff lately,” Carrot Top said while weighing some merchandise. “But I never gave it a second thought.”

“Oh, please add about half a kilo of those baby-carrots on top of that... Do you know what exactly went missing?”

“Hmm, no details honey, it’s not like we’re gossiping here all day, you know...”

“Only half a day…” Cheerilee murmured with a little smirk.

“What was that?”

“Nothing, nothing… I was just hoping for some more details.”

“Oh, you know how it goes… Somepony said she lost some bits, another that he lost some merchandise – but nothing specific. The other day, the owner of the antique’s shop was complaining that he couldn’t find some of his stuff, but you know how cluttered that shop of his is, he probably misplaced it.”

Cheerilee sighed. “Unfortunately, I’m sure I didn’t misplace the crystal globe. I turned the school upside-down and it’s not there. That’s why I’m so packed today,” she pointed at the two saddlebags on her back, both filled almost to the brim with papers, “I need to compare school’s inventory from this year with the previous one, to see if anything else is missing.”

“Here you go honey, that will be five bits!” Carrot Top quickly exchanged the neatly packed carrots for the money. “Looking at your bag, that inventorying thing seems like a lot of work...”

“Don’t remind me…” Cheerilee rolled her eyes. “You would be surprised by the level of detail they require in those annoying forms. I’m usually done in a day or two, but if something turns out missing, it can take three times as long... Oh, how I would love to get my hoofs on the one who designed this lovely system...”

“There is your chance – look,” Carrot pointed her hoof at Celestia who was strolling nearby, alongside James and John. “Maybe you should give her a piece of your mind.”

“Is that… John?” Cheerilee cocked her head. Without his powered armor – wearing plain gray sweatpants and matching shirt, the human in question was barely recognizable. “So, he is fine after all…”

“Can you believe that Princess ordered us to sell to that… thing?! Hrmph, instead of ordering us around, she should keep her big flank in Canterlot!”

Cheerilee turned to Carrot, arching her eyebrow. “I’ll make sure to let her know that.”

“Um…”

“Oh, I also make sure to tell her that you think she should lose some weight—”

“Keep it down!” Carrot whispered through clenched teeth with panic on her face. “I don’t wanna get in trouble…”

“Then maybe you should stop badmouthing others! And he’s not a thing – he has a name…” Cheerilee shook her head. “I don’t understand why do you treat him like this, did he do anything to you?”

“Well… no, but… have you seen Applejack lately? She is like a ghost!”

“And you know for a fact that John’s responsible?”

“Well… I’m not sure, but she said he is a—”

“I know what she said, but… we don’t know what happened between them. I talked to him, and he seems like a nice person. I don’t think he… or anyone else deserves to be treated like some outcast.”

“Hon, you’re naive… I bet he has something to do with the missing stuff. Maybe he stole something from the farm and that’s why Applejack is so angry.”

“Carrot… I already have a suspect, and it’s not him.”

“It’s Gastovski then, isn’t it?”

“Um, no…?” Cheerilee cocked her head. “Why would you even consider him?”

“You mean, besides the fact that he’s a lazy bum?” Carrot Top let out a chuckle, but Cheerilee only put a vacant expression in response. “OK, how about the fact that with his skills, and all that… technology, he could easily steal from anypony without being spotted?”

“Maybe, but I don’t see the motive.”

“Seriously? With the way that bum drinks, he probably squandered all his bits on alcohol already – and, I bet that he never saw a day of honest work his entire life—”

“Hey! Stop saying things like that!” A loud, angry shout interjected, getting their attention. Sweetie Belle was standing alongside Apple Bloom, with an angry expression on her face, and enraged eyes locked upon Carrot Top.

“Sweetie Belle! Didn’t your parents teach you that eavesdropping is bad—”

“They also taught me that badmouthing others is even worse!” Sweetie Belle said, piercing Carrot with her glare.

Carrot Top tried to counter Sweetie’s glare with her own, locking eyes on the young unicorn for a moment, until she saw Apple Bloom shaking her head in a pleading manner.

“Honey… I know he saved you from those nasty diamond dogs, but—”

“Me? What about you, and the rest of Ponyville? You already forgot how he helped all of us?”

“Oh, believe me, I remember, that… ugly thing reminds me every day!” Carrot said, pointing at Gastovski’s statue that was towering in the middle of the market. “Ugh, fine… perhaps he is not the thief, what about the third one? He’s a weirdo too…”

“Carrot…”

“All right, all right…” Carrot Top grumbled. “Maybe they didn’t do it – doesn’t mean I have to like them! Anyway, you want to buy something, girls?”

“We’re here to talk to Mrs. Cheerilee… We just found the… pegasus she was looking for and… um…” Apple Bloom bit her lip, her eyes going from Carrot Top to Cheerilee.

Got it, Apple Bloom. ”Girls, I’m going home, why don’t you accompany me? We can talk on the way.” Cheerilee winked.

With a quick goodbye, Cheerilee and the crusaders, left the market, not wanting for anypony else to hear what they were about to say.

“All right, I think we’re alone,” Cheerilee said. “What did you find out?”

“Scootaloo… she… um…” Apple Bloom sighed. “She’s the thief…”

“How can you be sure—” Cheerilee’s eyes widened. “Sweetie Belle, you are bleeding!”

“Huh?” Sweetie wiped her nose with her hoof, revealing some red on her coat. “Ugh, great… that’s Scootaloo’s doing. We found her near that abandoned house that was destroyed during Tirek’s attack. Apple Bloom asked her about the bag, and she went ballistic! She started calling us both names, and stuff I would rather not repeat, and… um…”

“Let’s just say things got a little out of hoof,” Apple Bloom smiled sheepishly as Cheerilee rolled her eyes. “I know, I know… But on the bright side, when they were fighting, the globe fell out of Scootaloo’s saddlebag.”

“You saw it?!”

“Yeah, it and… a lot of other things. I… I didn’t want to believe it, but I think that Scootaloo stole all this stuff...”

“This isn’t good, but… thank you for bringing that to my attention,” Cheerilee glanced at the glum expression on fillies faces and smiled. “I know it must have been hard for both of you to come to me with this… but you are doing the right thing.”

“At this point, we just don’t know what to do anymore,” Sweetie Bell sighed. “If you won’t be able to knock some sense into her head, then I don’t know who will. She may still be around that ruins, it looked like she was waiting for somepony.”

“Just… please be gentle with her, OK? She is acting really weird…” Apple Bloom said.

“Don’t worry girls, I will. We need to get to the bottom of why she’s doing that – for her own sake… I’ll see if I can still catch her near those ruins... As for you Sweetie Belle... I would suggest you go to the hospital, but we both know you won’t listen,” Sweetie Belle smiled sheepishly. “At least… put some ice on that...”

Chapter 13

“This… better be important. I have a lot of work to do,” Celestia said to James, blinking to stay awake – her head was hanging low, her eyes baggy and tired.

“Oh, believe me, it is… and before you ask – yes, it has something to do with the content of this bag,” James tapped on the huge sack on his back and smirked, cocking his head a second later. “You OK? No offense, but you look like me after I run out of amphetamine…”

“I… did not sleep.”

“Luna gave you the ‘runaway cake’ nightmare again?”

Celestia smiled bitterly. “She probably would, if I had slept at all. Too much work lately… Anyway, what is in the bag?”

“It’s a surprise… You like surprises, don’t you?”

“Usually… But a surprise from you is typically a nasty comment or a dead body—”

“Your regalia makes you look like a Saddle Arabia prostitute… Just to give an example.”

“Right… So, given your reputation… should I expect a cadaver in that bag?”

“Of course not! … I hope,” Celestia arched her eyebrow. “Let’s, um… change the subject, shall we? How’s the new arm, Johnny?”

They both glanced at John in unison and notice him still checking out the contraption attached to his body. The artificial limb was metallic, its shiny surface sparkled in the sun, and every motion it made filled the air with the sounds of electric motors.

“Well? How is it?” James repeated.

“Stiff and rigid.”

“Try walking in front of Celestia instead of behind her. It helps me…” Celestia and John cocked their heads, raising their eyebrows. “What? Oh, you meant the arm! Sorry, my mind must have been in the gutter…”

“Again!” Celestia said with an angry snort.

“Hey, don’t blame me! Blame my gender!”

“Really? John is also a male, and I do not hear him throwing low brow sex jokes in every sentence…”

“Phew… his slogan is ‘The Best Men Can Be!’ and he shaves with a Gillette, go figure—”

“Fuck you, boss!”

“Such language! Not cool bro, not cool!” James said with a smirk, getting a metallic finger in return.

“It seems to work well for him, maybe you should try it?”

“Sure… and you should stop devouring cake, and dogs should stop licking themselves… We both know that’s not gonna happen.”

“Hrmph!” Celestia let out a snotty grunt. “If you cannot control your nasty comments, then how about at least trying to control your more… inappropriate urges?”

“Have you ever tried controlling your erection, Princess?” James said with a serious expression. “It’s hard, you know. Very, very… hard. Now, if some ponies could just stop swishing their tails, and showing off their privates to everyone…”

“You are a… pervert! My ponies do not act in such a perverse manner!”

“Actually female ponies do that when around males, ask Twilight if you don’t believe me,” Celestia cocked her head at his remark. “She’s writing a paper on this… phenomenon. In other words – it’s all your fault—”

“Is that the best clothes you could get?” John interjected, shaking his head. “It’s all so... drab. I feel like an idiot…”

“Sorry, man… Rarity should be back in a week or two. I’m sure she’ll make you something… marvelous. By the way... look, I understand the locket, but the pen? Why the hell would you carry that around your neck?”

“It’s a... memento... It’s all I have left,” his response made James roll his eyes. “Yeah, I understand that you don’t care, but it’s important to me.”

“Then at least get that thing fixed—”

“No! It stays the way it is! Touch it, and I’m gonna break your neck!”

“Fine, whatever...” James shrugged. “Anyway, what about the arm?”

“Like I said… The arm is stiff, rigid and cold... Feels weird.”

“Sorry… This is an aluminum design back from Earth. It’s the most high-tech model we had before the apocalypse. It’ll have to do for now… Oh, and... I added a little surprise if you can find it.”

John arched his eyebrow. “What did you put in there?”

“It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I told you, would it? Anyway… I’m already working on an upgraded limb. It will be using nano-tech, better materials and will be powered directly by Equestrian magic. I need a few more days, but with that baby, you’ll be able to snap Rainbow Dash’s neck in ten milliseconds flat,” James grinned. “Just imagine that beautiful sound of her bones cracking.”

John glanced at Celestia, but she just rolled her eyes in silence. “What is it with you and her anyway, boss?”

“She is a prankster!”

“… and?”

“And… what? Isn’t that enough to hate someone?”

“Yeah, I know about your ‘love’ for pranksters, but still…” John smiled. “It’s the rainbow mane thing, isn’t it?”

“Hey! Contrary to popular belief, not every Pole is a bigot or racist you goddamn… faggot, negro, Jew! … how was it?”

“Hmm, I’m not black, not a gay and not a Jew, but… other than that, it was spot on!” John chuckled. “But what about Christians, atheists, Muslims or ponies? They’re not good enough for a nice slur or what?”

“I could never figure it out… Is it more racist to make a slur about someone, or to exclude that someone when you’re making slurs about everybody else?” James scratched his head. “It’s so confusing…”

“Wait… are you saying that you didn’t try insulting ponies yet?” John said, with a shocking expression on his face. “Are you feeling all right, boss? Maybe you need a reboot or something? Do you have an on/off switch somewhere?”

James smiled. “Sure, it’s next to the prost—” suddenly his smile faltered as his eyes locked on Celestia’s horn. “Scratch that, I’m not making that joke around her—”

“Ugh… Would you kindly drop that already?” Celestia said. “It was just an… inappropriate dream.”

“And I would like to keep it that way, thank you very much! Anyway, John, ponies are no fun. ‘Mud pony’ or ‘featherbrain’ or ‘bone head’ – that’s the best racial slurs they have. All related to the sub-species, no creativity at all!”

“And that stopped you from coming up with your own?” Celestia said, gently cocking her head. “I am quite shocked, sir!”

“Of course, not! I wanted to enrich your boring vocabulary, so I came up with things like ‘prick head,’ ‘cloud humper,’ and ‘mud muncher’ – just to name a few, but... your ponies were completely unappreciative! Just covering their ears and giving me weird looks!” Celestia shot him a cold glance. “Yeah, exactly – that kind of look!”

“Those ungrateful bastards…” John said with a smile, and for a moment started glancing from left to right, biting his lip to remain silent, but his will was not strong enough. “What about the Princess? Got some nice insults for her?”

“Oh, thank you kindly John, I thought he forgot about me.”

“Never! But, making racial slurs against a fellow racist is… uncouth.”

“W-what?! I am NOT a racist, mister!”

“Is that so? Mr. Wildman, what is your opinion on the matter?”

With a vacant expression, John put his right hand under his chin, scanning Celestia. “I’m afraid I will have to agree with my colleague here. I mean, you are... white.”

“What... that has to do with anything?!” Celestia said, shaking her head.

James expression changed to a serious one, once again. “Your Majesty, it is a well-established fact, that by definition, all white people are racists! Plus, you run a totalitarian, women-only government, and... you blasted your black sister to the moon—”

“Luna is not black! She is dark blue—”

“Eh… it’s close enough.”

“And should I remind you, about Prince Blueblood?” Celestia said, to see a look of revulsion and disgust coming from James. “Ugh… Fine, but there is still Shining Armor – you cannot deny his… masculinity.”

“Oh yes, he is so manly that Cadence holds his scrotum under her iron hoof – both figuratively and literally. He’s a prick that will do anything she says so he can fill her hot buns with his wiener!”

Celestia stopped dead in her tracks and shot James a glance of confusion mixed with anger. “I… do not even…”She shook her head. “Shining Armor is a compassionate person, a remarkable father, and most of all, Twilight’s brother! By insulting him, you are insulting her as well!”

“Well, Starlight and I made a bet that one of them was adopted… Hey, don’t give me that look! I put ten bits on him!”

“You… insolent… ugh!” She let out an angry snort, clenching her teeth. “I have a lot of patience for your behavior, mister, but today you are crossing the line! If I were you, I would be very careful what you say next…”

“How… diplomatic of you. I tell the truth and what do I get? Threats of violence! Of course, it’s my fault that you’re a dictator that spread white privilege and toxic femininity—”

“Oh, shut up!” Celestia let out a heavy sigh and facehoofed. “My headache is bad enough already…”

John let out a chuckle. “I admire your courage, Princess. That you want to take him to that gala, I mean.”

“Maybe… I should reconsider…” With her mouth opened, Celestia paused and started slowly tilting her head, but it wasn’t until her tired eyes noticed James’s smirk trembling a little, that the epiphany struck her light lightning. “You little… rat! That is why you have been so… insolent—”

“W-what? No! I… really believe that you are a… white racist, honest!” James tried to counter, but his remark only put a smirk on Celestia’s face. Defeated, he turned to John with a frown. “You… idiot! I was… this close!”

John smiled sheepishly. “Um… ups?”

“Yeah, ups…” James turned to Celestia and sighed. “Come on… I don’t wanna go!”

“I would really love to help you, but... since I am a white racist and a tyrant, I would not be in character if I let you go, would I? So, instead... I will make you go, and I will take pleasure in watching you suffer, every second, of every minute of that gala!” Celestia said with a sinister smile. “How is that for a tyrant you… nano-jerk!”

“Y-you just… used a slur! Not only you want me to suffer, but you are insulting me as well?” James let out a chuckle. “There’s hope for you yet, Celestia… Although, nano-jerk-off, would be a more appropriate title for me.”

“I will... keep that in mind—”

Their little talk was interrupted when the bag on Gastovski’s back, started to move.

“Oh, I see our subject is starting to wake up. Fortunately, we are here,” James said, pointing at one of the houses nearby. “Time really flies when you are insulting people, wouldn’t you say?”

“Is that… Lyra Heartstrings’ house?” Celestia said, and James nodded. “Why are we here?”

“You’ll find out soon,” he smiled, knocking on the door.

A few seconds later, the sound of the door opening filled the air, following by the outburst of enthusiastic mumble.

“James, you came!” Lyra said, hopping outside with a grin. She stopped for a second after noticing Celestia. “Um, but you brought the wrong princess.”

“Huh?” James cocked his head. “Oh, no, no, no, sorry I didn’t come for... that. Besides, I doubt Celestia would be interested.”

“Interested in what?” Celestia said.

“She Wanted me to bring Luna for a threesome.”

Celestia glanced at Lyra, to see her face pale as chalk. “Oh, if I knew, I would send a chariot to bring her here…” She rolled her eyes and shot James a glance. “You and your lewd jokes.”

“Y-yes… j-jokes…” Lyra let out a nervous chuckle.

“Anyway, Mrs. Heartstrings, I came here to give you a present… Mrs. Bon Bon!” James pulled out Lyra’s friend from the bag, her hoofs tied, and a piece of duct tape covering her mouth.

“What is the meaning of this?!” Celestia said, her eyes darting between grinning James and struggling pony. “Have you completely lost your mind?!”

“Long time ago, but this is not the point here... Hold on, I just need to remove this first… In the movies, it doesn’t hurt if you do it fast,” James grabbed the duct tape and forcefully pulled it off. “Wow, it actually—”

“Aiieeeee!” Bon Bon yelp was loud enough to wake up the dead.

“Movies lie! Shocking…”

“Do you have anything to say, that would save me the trouble of blasting you to the nearest dungeon?!” Celestia said.

“Remember when I said that someone was snooping in my room? The first time when that happened, I was so drunk… I mean, dreadfully tired, that I thought maybe I really was seeing things… However, then it happened again, and again. I thought Spike was just watching my porn, but it turned out to be something – or rather someone – much more… sinister,” he pointed at Bon Bon. “So, I brought you here to give you a message…” His expression suddenly turned to vacant and cold. “Keep your little spy away from me and my room, or I swear to everyone gathered here today, that I will have Spike mail her to you, piece by piece… and that’s only after I introduce her to the pear of anguish!”

Lyra cocked her head. “Pear of what?”

“Anguish… You know…” Everyone but John gave him confused glances. “Seriously? Ugh, it’s a little device that you put inside a selected orifice, and it makes it stretch, and stretch, and stretch—”

“Really?!” Lyra grinned.

“Yeah, really...” He turned to Celestia. “So, unless you want your little agent to go through an exciting experience—”

“I’m not an agent, you dork!” Bon Bon interjected. “He’s paranoid, your Highness! He kidnapped me!”

“Save your breath Sweetie Drops, I have it all recorded!” Bon Bon bit her lip, her eyes darting from left to right. “After I started suspecting that something fishy was going on, I put cameras everywhere!”

“Which only confirms that you are paranoid,” Celestia said with a stoic face.

“Paranoid is what they call people who imagine things, and I don’t! I got proof of Mrs. Bon Bon’s… activities,” James said, but Celestia only shot him a vacant look. “What? Still saying she’s not an agent?!”

“Of course she is not! Whatever happened, I am sure can be logically explained.”

“OK, in that case... Mrs. Bon Bon, you are under arrest for violating Equestrian’s penal code section 1701 paragraph D.”

“W-what?! I didn’t do anything!”

“As my recordings clearly show, you were snooping in Twilight’s castle and setting up some weird devices. The law states that ‘Any attempt – successful or otherwise – to trespass a royal palace is punishable,’ plus I bet that those things were there to assassinate Twilight!”

“You are insane!”

“We shall see what the judge will say about that—”

“Let her go,” Celestia said, stepping in front of him with a regal expression on her face.

“Are you going to confirm that she was working for you?”

Celestia arched her eyebrow. “Do not make me repeat myself.”

“I’ll take that as… ’yes,’” James cut the rope with a smirk.

“Mister… You are in a lot of trouble!”

“Sure I am, especially since she was the one who broke inside the castle and snooped in my room – on your order!”

“I did not order anypony to do such a thing!”

“Well, in that case… come back here, Bon Bon, I’m taking this to the judge—”

“No, you are not!”

“Watch me!”

“Mister… in a moment, I am going to—”

John watched the ruckus from a safe distance with an amused expression on his face. They REALLY should find a room. Not expecting the quarrel to end anytime soon, he started looking around. Far away he could see Twilight’s castle, proudly towering over Ponyville. He noticed Sweet Apple Acres for the first time and whistled to himself – from his location the apple orchards looked almost endless, merging with the horizon. He also noticed a group of foals happily playing nearby, not minding his presence at all. The blissful picture made him smile. Hmm, have to admit, this place looks and feels pretty good... when no one wants to kill you.

His daydream was interrupted by a familiar figure. Is that... Cheerilee? She must be carrying a ton! With the bags full of papers, and groceries from the market, Cheerilee walked slowly, her hoofs sinking in still wet mud. Even at a distance, John could see she was struggling. A little help wouldn’t hurt... right? After glancing at the still ongoing ruckus, he rolled his eyes, and quickly run towards her…

***

Meanwhile, Scootaloo and a pegasus stallion stood near the ruined villa, waiting for someone in anticipation.

“Where are those featherbrains?” Dumb Bell said, tapping the ground. “They’re always late...”

“Can’t you just carry all that by yourself?”

“Nah, my saddlebag is full already, and Hoops got your... medicine. But I must say kid, this is some nice stuff you have there,” Dumb Bell picked up the crystal globe. “Especially this trinket... Where did you get it?”

Biting her lip, Scootaloo fixed her eyes on the ground. “D-does it matter?”

“Nah… Don’t worry kid, I understand – you gotta do what you gotta do…” A second later two more pegasi landed nearby. “Finally! You guys got lost or what?!”

“Hey, it’s not our fault!” Hoops said. “It’s those darn weather ponies! We had to fly around some heavy rain, man.”

“Makes you want that Rainbow Crash was still running the show!” Score said.

“With you guys, it’s always some excuse... Pack up the merchandise, give the kid his stuff, and let’s get out of here…”

Just as they began filling the bags with goods, they heard a voice from behind. “Scootaloo, what is going on here?” Cheerilee said with a stoic expression, getting everyone’s attention.

“None of your business, teach! Leave us alone!” Dumb Bell interjected angrily.

Cheerilee locked her eyes with his. “I was informed that lost school property is here. I kindly ask you to return it right now so we can avoid unnecessary trouble.”

“The way I see it, the only one who is going to be in trouble in a moment is you, old nag!” He took a step forward, forcing her to step back. “Leave, before I get really angry.”

His sudden movement made Cheerilee flinch, shattering her stoic expression in a blink of an eye. As the adrenaline started flooding her veins, she bit her lip and glanced at the frozen Scootaloo, quickly considering her options. If it were just the globe, she would leave and call the authorities, but with Scootaloo’s safety on the line, her protective instincts kicked in – she needed to get her out of there.

Cheerilee cleared her throat. “I’ll leave, but I’m taking Scootaloo with me.”

“Oh really?” Dumb Bell let out a dark chuckle. “She wants to take the kid… Hoops, what do you think about that?”

Hoops dashed towards her with a speed of lightning, forcing her to jump out of the way. As she landed, one of her hind hoofs fell inside a bucket, shooting a surprising cold and wet sensation up her leg. Her body sent an involuntarily buck command to her hoof, and she kicked the bucket with force. The sudden jerk combined with the slippery ground made her lose her balance and trip. She landed on her rump, knocking over the rest of the containers, and spilling all the dirty water on herself.

“Ha, ha! Hoops, I think the lady likes you... She’s so wet already!” Dumb Bell said, glancing at the muddy figure of Cheerilee who was trying desperately to keep her papers from soaking. “Oh, why don’t you help her gather her stuff?”

Hoops grabbed one of Cheerilee’s saddlebags and hovered above her, while Dung Bell and Score, approached – still paralyzed – Scootaloo, and continued packing the rest of the stuff she brought.

“Put that down!” Cheerilee said, to Hoops. “There are important documents inside!” She tried jumping, but he just kept moving the bag out of her reach with a grin on his face. During one of the attempts, she slipped once again and landed flat in an even deeper puddle, making him laugh hysterically, forcing some tears of helplessness to roll down her face.

“Whoa, I see that our mud pony must really enjoy this muck!” Score let out a chuckle.

“G-guys, stop...” Scootaloo finally managed to mumble, looking at the scene. “She didn’t do anything…”

“Kid, after what you told us, you’re still defending her?” Dumb Bell shook his head. “I don’t get it—”

Suddenly, a loud splash filled the air, getting everyone’s attention. They turn to see Hoops lying with his muzzle in the mud, and John standing above him with Cheerilee’s saddlebag in his right hand.

“That’s no way to treat a lady, boy,” John said, helping Cheerilee out of the puddle.

“Would you look at that...” Dumb Bell smiled sarcastically. “The old teach finally found herself some company. And you guys thought she’ll be lonely forever!”

“Y-you are in trouble um... monkey boy!” Hoops said, spitting out some mud.

“’Monkey boy’? Seriously?” John rolled his eyes. “Your father must be a farmer, right?”

“Huh? I’m a pegasus, not some mud pony! You blind or what?!”

“Well, then how the heck did he grow himself such a turnip?”

Dumb Bell, Score, and even Cheerilee chuckled in unison while confused Hoops processed what he just heard. When his brain finally rebooted, he let out an angry snort.

“Why, you!” He dashed towards John aiming his hoof, only to impale his muzzle on his metallic arm. “Ow! My nose—” With his hoofs on his muzzle and eyes, he stepped on one of the empty bucket and performed a combination of pirouette and backflip, that ended with his face hitting the ground. “Ow! ... I think I chipped a tooth.”

Watching his friend’s drama made Dumb Bell facehoof. Calling him a turnip is a compliment... Arching his eyebrow, he turned to John. “You are asking for trouble little man—”

“The only one in trouble here is you,” Cheerilee interjected, picking up the crystal globe that fell out of Hoops’ saddlebag during his stunt. “That globe is the school’s property!”

“I suggest you put that back before something bad happens!”

“And I suggest you recalculate your chances!” John said. His face was vacant, his eyes squinted and fists clenched. “Unlike you, I was trained to fight. You wanna try something? Go ahead, but you’ll end up in worse shape than Mr. Turnip.”

Dumb Bell and John looked at each other, exchanging cold glares, but a moment later the pegasus broke the silence. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on a second here. Kid’s the one who brought the stuff for exchange, right, Scootaloo?” Biting her lip, Scootaloo nodded. “See? Leave us alone, and deal with her, we didn’t steal anything.”

“What about the assault on Mrs. Cheerilee here, huh? Should we forget about that too?”

“Technically, there was no assault, I... tripped,” Cheerilee said.

With a confused expression, John tilted his head, to notice Cheerilee’s pleading face not to push this further. “Fine, let’s forget about this whole… misunderstanding.”

“Yeah, sure, monkey boy,” Dumb Bell rolled his eyes. “Come on boys, let’s get out of here, this party is getting old—”

“Wait!” Scootaloo interjected. “W-what about my... you know.”

“Sorry kid, but as you can see, those two don’t want us to help you.”

“B-but!”

“Sorry, nothing I can do,” Dumb Bell said, launching into the air, with his friends in tow.

“Wait! I need it!” Scootaloo jumped, flapping her wings with all her might, hoping to catch up to the group in the air – only to painfully hit the ground a moment later. “Don’t leave! Please…” She mumbled as fresh tears filled her face.

***

Scootaloo sat on the muddy ground and cried, covering her face in her hoofs. Her mind was blank, with no idea what to do anymore, she just wanted the nightmare to end, but the voice of Cheerilee reminded her, that the horror has just begun.

“Scootaloo... Would you mind explaining what has happened here?” Cheerilee said, trying her best not to sound angry, but miserably losing the battle. “Well, young lady?! I’m waiting.”

“Nothing...”

“You stole the globe from school and by the look of it, items from other ponies as well. You were avoiding me for almost a whole week, attacked your friends and were doing business with some shady ponies. And you call that ’nothing’?!”

“Those two snitches that sent you here are not my friends,” Scootaloo let out a bitter chuckle. “I don’t have any friends, not anymore.”

Cheerilee gave John a look, informing him to let her handle it alone, and he nodded.

“We both know, that’s not true. They are worried about you Scootaloo, and frankly, so am I,” Cheerilee let out a sigh. “You never acted like this before, please talk to us, let us help you.”

Scootaloo sank into silence, and for a moment the air became quiet, even the wind seemed to have died down, almost as if in anticipation.

“You know… I always looked up to you. Unlike my parents, you were always around, always happy to answer questions. I thought...” Scootaloo sniffled. “I… hoped that at least you care, even if nopony else does.”

“Scootaloo, I... I didn’t know you felt this way, but, believe me – I do care,” Cheerilee put her hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder, but the filly pushed it away.

“You really think I’m that stupid?” Scootaloo turned around, revealing her swollen red eyes. “You think I don’t know what’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” Seeing the fresh water coming down Scootaloo’s face, she reached out her hoof. “Please talk to me, I really don’t understand.”

Glancing at the friendly gesture with her vision blurred by the tears, Scootaloo bit her lip and started slowly extending her hoof. Cheerilee smiled, but a second later the young pegasus forcefully slammed her hoof to the ground – the expression on her face changed from sad to angry in a blink of an eye.

Almost there. ”It’s OK, Scootaloo. I know you are angry, but—”

“I hate you all...” Scootaloo whispered.

Did she just... No, it can’t be. “W-what did you—”

“You heard me right! I hate my so-called friends, I hate my parents, and I hate you!” Scootaloo shouted, her eyes sparkling with rage. “All of you are liars, thinking I’m just a dumb kid!”

Scootaloo was breathing fast, her bloodthirsty eyes locked onto Cheerilee, and pure hatred present on her face. With her teeth clenched and hoofs slightly bend she was like a predator, waiting to strike. Seeing her young student like this, made Cheerilee’s heart beat a little faster.

“Scootaloo, I... I don’t understand,” Cheerilee said, taking a step back. “Why are you saying those things? We are just trying to help you—”

“By lying and hiding the truth from me?” Cheerilee’s eyes widened. “Yes, I know everything!”

Biting her lip, Cheerilee glanced away, looking for words that would get her out of this mess, without making matters worse. “Scootaloo, I—”

“How could you?!”

“Please, try to understand. This wasn’t my decision to make—”

“Liar, liar, liar!” Scootaloo shouted, repeatedly pounding the ground, with a torrent of tears streaming down her face. “Y-you are worse than Diamond Tiara! Even she never felt so low to pretend to care, only to stab somepony in the back!”

With her mouth agape, Cheerilee just stood there, stunned, watching as the wailing filly started to flee. No matter how much she wanted to stop Scootaloo, her body was not responding anymore, its efforts redirected to keep her eyes from tearing up. She snapped back to reality when Scootaloo stopped near one of her saddlebags, she left behind.

“No! Scootaloo, please don’t!” Cheerilee pleaded, but it was no use. With her eyes still flooded with tears, Scootaloo grabbed the bag with her teeth, and threw it into the deep puddle nearby, continuing her escape a moment later.

Immediately, Cheerilee dashed towards the sinking bag, but before she pulled it out, it already hit the bottom of the pool, its content flooded by mud and dirty water. Glancing between the ruined bag and Scootaloo’s figure shrinking in the distance, she heaved a heavy sigh of defeat and closed her eyes, but not before a few tears rolled down her cheeks.

***

John, who was still observing the scene from a distance, stepped forward. “Um, you OK, miss?”

“I almost got beaten up by a bunch of thugs, lost a bag full of important documents that will take me a week or two to recreate and... Oh, yes! I learned that my actions probably pushed one of my students into a depression, which she cures by taking drugs,” Cheerilee let out a dark chuckle. “Yes, mister! I’m just great, never better!” For a moment silence filled the air, but a few seconds later she sighed deeply and shook her head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that...”

“I understand, don’t worry about it, miss...”

“Cheerilee.”

“Pardon?”

“Please call me by name. Only my students call me ‘miss’ – it makes me feel old.”

“How about a deal – I’ll start calling you by your name, and you start calling me by my?” Cheerilee brightened a little and nodded. “All right then... Cheerilee, I think, those are yours too?” John sat next to her and passed her some more dirty documents. “I collected those when you were... talking with the kid.”

“Thank you, John... I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome...” John said with a smile, but his expression changed to concerned, a second later. “Cheerilee... I know it’s not my business, and I don’t mean to be pushy or anything, but... if you would tell me what is going on with the kid, perhaps I could help you figure something out?”

“Scootaloo must have found out about the test results. She...” Cheerilee let out a sigh. “She won’t be able to fly.”

“Poor girl... I guess that must be hard for a pegasus.”

“Such news is shocking even for an adult, and since Scootaloo dreams of becoming a Wonderbolt one day – for her, it must have been devastating. Her parents visited me at the end of the school’s year with the news, asking for advice. I told them that Scootaloo had the right to know, but they decided to wait until they can make some arrangements.”

“They must have been terrified themselves.”

“I can’t say I blame them, but it would appear she found out on her own and, here we are... Sweet Celestia, if my indecision pushed her into this whole mess...” Cheerilee bit her lip, feeling that her eyes were beginning to tear up again. “John, what have I done...”

John watched Cheerilee’s eyes becoming more glassy with every passing second. Instinctively, he started moving his arm to place it on her shoulder but forced himself not to. For a moment, he wasn’t sure what to do or how to act, but then, Cheerilee’s lip began to tremble and first tear rolled down her cheek, quickly followed by another, and another... The dam broke a second later, and tears flooded her face, washing off any hesitation he still had. Placing his right arm around her shoulder, he gently pulled her towards him, and she returned the embrace, burying her watery eyes in his chest.

“It will be OK,” John said, gently caressing her mane. “It’s not your fault—”

“But it is! I’m a teacher, I knew what could happen!” Cheerilee sniffled. “I should have... p-pushed them harder!”

“No one could have foreseen this… Sometimes bad things happen no matter what you do...”

With her eyes fixed on the ground, and head on John’s lap, Cheerilee just sat in silence. While her mind was lost in thought, he continued to gently stroke her messy mane, and slowly, her heart began to slow down, and body relaxed.

“I want to help her, but... I don’t know how,” Cheerilee finally said with a calm voice.

“What about her parents? Shouldn’t they handle that?”

“They are traveling adventure ponies, Scootaloo only sees them a few times a year. She lives alone, her aunts visit her a few times a week, but... I’m not sure if they even know about her condition,” Cheerilee let out a sigh. “I need to sleep on it and come out with a plan.”

“What about those three bullies? If they really are selling her drugs, shouldn’t we call the Princess or... someone?”

“I don’t have any proof, and I fear they would just deny everything. And in her current state of mind, Scootaloo could even start defending them...” Cheerilee shook her head. “I think, I need to get to her first – those three can wait.”

“I understand… If you’ll need a witness or… anything – just let me know.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, and John... thank you. Both for what you’ve done earlier, as well as for... this,” Cheerilee said, with a gentle blush on her cheeks.

“You looked like someone who needed a hug,” he smiled and cocked his head. “You know, I may be able to help you with those papers too – or rather, Cheesy may be able to. I bet with his sensors he could scan and print them for you—”

“Cheesy?”

“... Gastovski,” John said, making Cheerilee smirk immediately. “Yeah, I know, just don’t use that lovely nickname when he is around – he’s very... touchy about it.”

“I’ll try,” Cheerilee said with a chuckle. “John, could I ask you one last favor? Could you help me get all those stolen goods to my house? I can’t just leave them here.”

John nodded. “I’ll get the bags.”

Unknown to them, some distance away, two pairs of eyes were observing the scene in excitement.

“Romance is a beautiful thing, is it not?” Celestia said with a smile.

James rolled his eyes. “Ugh, I don’t know what the hell that is, but let’s get out of here before my sugar level overloads…”

“Oh, are we jealous? Not cuddling with anyone lately?”

“Oh, I cuddle with some ponies all the time… that’s why I constantly need to kill some people, to earn some money...” Celestia shot him a glance, arching her eyebrow. “What? Those Canterlot brothels aren’t cheap, you know...”

“I really hope that was just a metaphor.”

“Nope… Canterlot working girls reallyare expensive. Red Velvet, for example, charges like—”

“I meant the… Ugh, never mind…”

“You dwell on minutiae way too much, it stresses you out, and chronical stress is not healthy, you know. It can cause wrinkles, affect your mood and your libido…”

“Is that a fact?”

“Yes, it is! Also, did you know that according to numerous studies – sex is a great stress reliever?”

Celestia smiled sarcastically. “Oh, I would love to, but I am tired, and my head hurts.”

“Oh, poor you…” James said with a caring face. “Need someone to tuck you in?”

“No thank you, I think I will manage on my own.”

“As you wish… Anyway, let’s get out of here before they see us. I will ask John later about what happened—”

“James! Wait up!”

James and Celestia turned in unison, to see Lyra running towards them.

“What? Bon Bon changed her mind? Tell her the deal is final!”

“No, no, I… came with a request, but um... would it be possible to talk alone?”

“Lyra, whatever you say, I will blabber it to Celestia sooner or later, so you may as well spill it out now.”

“I... just...” Lyra bit her lip and smiled sheepishly. “Could you get me one of those... pears of anguish?”

“Um… you know, on the second thought,” James jerked his head at facehoofing Celestia.

“Princess... what?” Lyra said, cocking her head. “She wants one too?”

“Mrs. Heartstrings!”

“That was supposed to mean ‘I changed my mind, catch me later when she isn’t around,’” James let out a loud chuckle. “Besides, I’m sure she has much better toys than this, not to mention the harem—”

“One more word, mister… Just… one… more… word…”

“Oh, right, I always forget that the... ‘royal spa’ is a state secret... Anyway, Mrs. Heartstrings...” James turned to Lyra with a solemn expression. “The pear of anguish is a torture device, not some... sex toy!” Lyra hung her head in shame, biting her lip. “So... you want one with or without a splash guard?”

Author's Note

EDIT 2019-10-13:
- minor changes about Scootaloo's parents.

Chapter 14

That afternoon, about 2 PM, Spike and John were in the kitchen chatting, when the door burst open with a loud thud, revealing James with an annoyed expression on his face, and grumbling something under his breath.

“Johnny... Next time you want to do your girlfriend a favor, be kind enough and keep me out of it, OK?” James said, closing the door.

“She’s not my girlfriend you moron… Besides, you’ve been in the neighborhood anyway, to feed your friend’s animals.”

“Wait, who are we talking about here?” Spike said.

“Who do you think? Cheerilee, of course.”

“Again, she’s not my girlfriend!”

“Well, all I know is that when she opened the door – wearing a sexy bathrobe, I might add – she had this little grin on her face, and her cheeks were burning... You should’ve seen the disappointment in those huge, greenish eyes when she realized it was me delivering those papers instead of you, Mr. Romantic…” James grinned. “I bet she wanted to ask you to… flush her overflow pipe... If you know what I mean.”

With a stoic expression on his face and a dirty dish in his hand, John let out a sigh. “You have to excuse him, Spike. He was shot in the head... multiple times.”

“True as that may be… it doesn’t change the fact that the two of you were snuggling earlier…” John cocked his head in surprise. “Yes, mister ‘I won’t touch pony in my life!’ Celestia and I have seen… everything.”

“She just needed a helping hand after the incident, and I offered it. Nothing else happened.”

“I know, and that’s the problem! I was hoping you’ll at least hit the second base instead of that... hugging, and crying, and romance, and... blah.”

“Didn’t you learn your lesson after what happened with Twilight?” Spike said with a smile.

“What happened?” John said.

“I… offered to help her with her stacks, and she... agreed.”

“Wait a second…” John cocked his head. “Are you saying that you and Twilight were…”

James smirked. “Yes, yes, we were! It started slow, but then we went all the way. In and out, in and out… for two days straight! It was glorious.”

“Yeah, sure... Spike, he is making that up, right?”

“Nope... That really happened. When I walked in they were both a sweaty, panting mess,” John froze at Spike’s remark, shooting him a glare of disbelief and shock. “What? Rearranging the whole library for two days straight is pretty exhausting… Trust me, I know...”

“Rearranging... Wait, what?” John realized Spike started smirking. “Good lord, Spike... For a moment I thought they were really... You know…”

“Hrmph, I wish... The worst part is that according to my behavioral analyzer she really thought I was talking about library stacks, instead of her… other stacks,” James said shaking his head. “Seriously, she’s gonna marry a book one day... I hope you’ll have better luck with Cheerilee...”

“Ugh, here we go again… You forget I’m married, you a-hole.”

“If I recall, you told me once that you and your wife had an arrangement that, if one of you dies—” James was interrupted by a cold glare coming from John. “OK, fine, maybe I’m jumping the gun a little.”

“That’s an understatement!”

“Sorry, man. I’m just... glad you finally made a friend, you know? And Cheerilee is pretty cool...” James paused for a second and smirked. “And hot at the same time—”

“Spike, do me a favor and light that idiot up!”

“Just try it, and I’m telling Rarity!” James said with a pouting face. “What are you doing here anyway? The dishes?”

Spike’s eyes went from the pile of dirty dishes on the left to the clean ones on the right. “How did you guess?”

“Must be my psychic power!”

“Right… Well, captain psychic – I’m just glad that unlike some other... individuals,” Spike arched his eyebrow, “John is not a lazy type.”

James smiled. “Work smart, not hard. That’s my policy, boss—”

“I think we’re done here, Spike,” John said, wiping the detergent from his hands. “From what I heard, it’s more like ’work none,’ in your case... You’re just a lazy bum.”

“Maybe, but you know what they say – It’s the lazy people who invented the wheel and the bicycle because they didn’t like walking or carrying things. Besides, Celestia is delegating stuff all the time, and nobody is calling her lazy—”

“Except for you,” Spike said and smiled. “Then again, I can see what you mean by nobody.”

“Hrmph, fuck you…”

“Speaking of Celestia,” John opened one of the kitchen cabinets and took out a few centimeters thick, stack of papers. “Would you give that to her?”

“What is it? Love letters?”

“Only if the ‘Secretary of the Royal Treasury’ is one of her admirers...”

“I hope not...”

“What? Some handsome stallion?” Spike said with a smile.

“No, it’s a she, Spike... If Celestia swings that way, then my chances to score are getting slim.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it, man.”

“Ah, so you think, she loves me so much that I’m going to score anyway?”

John smiled. “Nope... I just think that your chances are already at zero percent, so they can’t get any lower.”

“Jeez… thanks for the pep talk…” James smiled sarcastically. “Not only you’re killing my dreams, but you are also stealing my happy hours, John. I got... stuff to do—”

“Yes, we know, drinking and touching yourself... Just get the paper to the Princess on the way!” John glanced at Spike with a surprised expression on his face. “What? I’ve been living with him for a few months now, we all know what he’s doing.”

“Well, at least I’m not playing with a Rarity sex doll...”

“It’s n-not a... sex doll! It’s for c-cuddling!”

“It must be one of the ‘glow under black light’ editions, then...” James said with a smirk, making Spike’s cheeks turn as red as a ripe apple. “But don’t worry, Spike – we’re all guys here...”

“More like, two guys, and one perv...”

“Hey, Johnny, don’t be like that! He’s still a child, cut him some slack... Besides, if you think he’s twisted, then you don’t know about the gals living here...”

“Who?” Spike cocked his head. “Starlight?”

“You should have seen her bed under UV. She put Jackson Pollock to shame! She always puts a bubble of silence around her, to stop me from hearing anything. But it always gets intermittent at the end...”

“Ugh, man, we really don’t need the details!” John shook his head and pointed at the stack of papers. “Are you going to deliver those or not? You can always scan Celestia in the UV mode, while you are there.”

James put his hand in the air to protest but started scratching his chin instead. “I like the way you think, Johnny!” He said with a grin, grabbing the papers, and dashing for the doors. “See you later boys, I’ll tell you how it went!”

As the door closed shut behind him, John and Spike glanced at each other and sighed in unison.

“Spike... do you think there is a chance that Celestia will vaporize him?”

“I doubt we’ll get this lucky...”

***

Standing in front of Celestia’s chambers, James knocked on the door, but there was no answer. Hmm, maybe she is outside. I just leave it in there. He quietly stepped inside and chuckled to himself. Door with no locks... Real, Royal-Level security... Never before having been in this particular room, he took a moment to look around.

The room was larger than Twilight’s bedroom and divided in two by a curved wall – elaborate paintings and decorations hung everywhere. Next to the door stood an elegant, king-size bed, with an equally elegant nightstand. A big vanity table with a huge mirror was on the other side, facing the bed. The other part of the room housed a study desk with a few bookshelves, and a huge window providing an excellent view outside.

James whistled in awe. “Damn, Twilight made this place better than Celestia’s quarters in Canterlot. No wonder she doesn’t wanna leave.”

With a smile, he put the papers on the nightstand and turned towards the door when something caught his eye. He gaped at the object next to the bed, cocking his head. It was part of Celestia’s regalia, the golden chest piece with a sapphire. If that is here then— A quiet grunt, coming from behind, interrupted his pondering.

His eyes shot wide, and he froze. A few milliseconds later, his computerized mind had already calculated a thousand possibilities of how this would end, each with the same conclusion. I’m fucked... As another soft grunt filled the air, he winced and closed his eyes. To the moon in three... two... one... Nothing, no magical blast or even a comment from Celestia.

James let out an audible gulp, and very slowly turned around, biting his lip. He expected a bloodthirsty Celestia with glowing red horn, eyes pulsing with energy, and fireballs coming out her ass – ready to tear out his testicles through his throat, but again... nothing. No angry alicorn in sight, no farts of fire, or lasers coming his way. The room was empty, and quiet as a tomb, aside from someone snorting in the—

His eyes shot wide again. He cocked his head to readjusted his ear, and a quiet snort filled the air one more time...

Turn around, dash out the door, and run like a little girl towards the Everfree, praying he didn’t wake her up. That would have been the smart thing to do, but James wasn’t that smart. With his curiosity getting the better of him, he took a step forward, and another, and another and...

He did a double take, blinking a few times just to be sure, but the image stayed the same. Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, leader of the Three Tribes, the almost-immortal goddess with the best tush ever... was lying on the bare floor behind the desk, in a fetal position and out of her regalia. She snuggled her ever-floating mane like a blanket and rested her head on a thick stack of papers, smudging some of them with a light string of drool that was oozing from her open muzzle.

The picture changed James’s demeanor in a heartbeat, making him stare in disbelief with a sly grin on his face.

“Sir, may I suggest we evacuate the premise immediately?” APE said inside James’s head, snapping him back to reality.

“B-but... what if she needs medical attention? We better watch her some more... just to be sure she’s fine.”

“Probability assessment indicates that it may end up with you needing medical attention afterward, sir.”

“Oh, but she’s so cute... May be worth it—” He stopped when his eyes went from her back to her drooling head... or rather the horn attached to it.

“Shall I make an appointment with the doctor Colin O’Scopy now, sir, or should I wait some more?” APE said, sounding as sarcastic as his programming would allow it.

James bit his lip, noticing that the sleeping Celestia, choose that moment to put a very evil-looking grin on her face. “Um, I get your point, let’s get out of here before—”

That was the moment when the universe decided to demonstrate how much it hates him... Or, maybe the author just needed some cliché plot device? In any case, James’s heart skipped a beat when a string of magic penetrated the window, flew above Celestia, and materialize a moment later into a parchment, smacking her across the face.

“APE, I think I will need that appointment after all...” He said as Celestia’s eyes opened...

***

Celestia mumbled something and after blinking a few times, noticed the pale-faced James standing a few meters away. “Would you mind explaining why are you in my room?”

“I… can explain!”

“Good, because that is exactly what I asked,” Celestia stood up, stretching her neck and walked towards her desk. “Well? Do not keep me waiting.”

“P-papers! I brought you some papers!” He grabbed the stack from the nightstand and dashed toward the desk, with a speed that would put Rainbow to shame. “I totally didn’t plan to see you naked, honest!”

Celestia glanced at the documents in his hands with a deadpan expression, and a second later her face hit the table with a thud. “Thank you... You can leave.”

“That’s... not the reaction I was expecting...”

“If you want me to disembowel you, that will have to wait... Right now, please leave me alone... unless…” She raised her head with a resigned expression on her face. “You would be kind enough to put me out of my misery?”

“Um… sorry, but if I do that, then Luna will be the one to gut me…”

“Oh, yes! Because she loves me so much... That is why she is sending me all those lovely papers to deal with...”

“More rather, because then she would have to deal with all that crap herself, but... Yeah, you can go with sister’s love...” James said, and Celestia let out a gentle chuckle, tilting her head, only to wince a moment later. “Pain in the neck?”

“Only when you are around.”

“Funny… that’s not what you were talking in your sleep... It went something like... Oh, James... Oh, James! Oh—”

“Oh, James...” Celestia put on a sly grin. “Is it in yet?”

James cocked his head arching his eyebrow and smiled sarcastically. “Ouch… You must tell Luna to stop messing with your dreams. Otherwise, you may be in for a huge surprise one day. Besides… it’s not the size, it’s how you use it!”

“So I heard... from every underperforming stallion…”

Watching Celestia stacking papers on her desk with a smug, James frowned and crossed his arms. “Perhaps they just hit the ‘black hole’ problem...”

“Black hole?”

“Yeah, you know – even a star feels tiny once it enters a black hole.”

Celestia’s smile faltered, and she arched her eyebrow at the grinning human. “I see... However, that was not the case!”

“If you say so, your Majesty... Jokes aside, are you OK? You seem to be tilting your head to the left.”

Celestia sighed. “I must have strained a muscle while sleeping in that... lovely position. Now my neck and back are killing me,” she glanced at the gaping James. “What?”

“Sorry, it’s just... I thought alicorns were tougher than this.”

“I wish... It is kind of funny that I can withstand an energy blast powerful enough to shatter stone, but can still strain my body in my sleep.”

“Well, if it’s any consolation, I have the same problem with my nano-tech. I once got a little overexcite and...”

“And...?”

“Well, let’s just say that super strength is a bitch... and I sympathize with every man who got his naughty bits, crushed in a vice.”

Celestia cocked her head in disbelief and winced almost immediately, both from the pain in her neck, as well as from the images that flooded her mind. “Um... ouch?” She whispered.

“More like ‘Aiiieeeeeeee!’ But yeah, it sucked... and not in a good way,” James smiled. “Fortunately, nano-tech regenerates everything, including Flip and Flap.”

“Flip and Flap? Did you name your… naughty bits?”

“Of course! One is bigger than the other, and they’re acting stupid all the time... the name seems appropriate. There’s also Mr. Womb Rider – one hard bastard!”

“Oh, I bet...” Celestia smiled. “Tiny things usually are...”

“... ouch again!” James said with a frown, but let out a chuckle a moment later. “Damn, you’re good at this… Must be that evil part of you.”

“Yes, it must be... While I would love to exchange some more sexual jokes and innuendos, I really need to get back to work.”

“Yes, mistress…” James walked towards the door and grabbed the handle, but a loud grunt from behind got his attention. For a moment he just stood still biting his lip and thinking.

“Forgot something?” Celestia said.

“No, it’s just...” He let out a sigh and turn around. “I... may be able to help you get rid of that pain.”

“I am sure a drink would do wonders, but I have to decline...”

“It would, but it’s not what I have in mind.”

“Thank you, but I think I will manage,” Celestia tilted her head to read the papers, only to grit her teeth immediately, as the tearing pain shot through her muscles. She glanced at James and rolled her eyes. “Ugh... Fine, what do you want to do? Give me an injection of your nano-technology?”

“No, it is not calibrated to eliminate that kind of pain... I have something different in mind, but first, you have to promise me that you won’t kill me, blast me to the moon or do anything nasty for at least... three minutes.”

“What kind of promise is that? What are you planning to do?”

“Nothing inappropriate... You can always kill me afterward.”

“So that you can avoid the gala? Ha! Nice try...”

“I would never do that! … OK, perhaps I would, but I’m not planning to…” Celestia shot him a sarcastic smile, and he rolled his eyes in response. “Ugh, promise or suffer – your choice.”

“Hrmph, I must say, you got me curious... I am going to grant your... request.”

“Good, now um... get on the bed,” James said, and Celestia smiled, thinking it was a joke. “Seriously, I mean that – get on the bed,” she squinted her eyes and shot him a glare. “What? You think I’m going to jump you, or something?” He said with a smile, but it faded a moment later when Celestia wasn’t moving. “I’ll be damned... You really believe that, don’t you?”

“No... I am just not comfortable when I do not know, what you are planning to do—”

“First Applejack, and now you? Damn it, Luna’s right...”

Celestia cocked her head. “Right about what?”

“Forget it...” He shook his head and sighed in resignation. “Goodbye, your Highness – have a nice day...”

Celestia watched in confusion as he started walking towards the door with his eyes fixed on the floor.

“James, wait!” She said, just as he grabbed the handle. “I did not mean it like... that!”

Not letting go of the knob, he slowly turned around. “You know... I may seem numb most of the time, but some things still hurt...”

“I…” Celestia glance at him and to her surprise, he stood there with a wounded expression. “I am sorry, I really did not mean it like that. Can we start over?”

For a moment, he stood there in silence with his eyes still fixed on the floor. It lasted for just a few seconds, but for Celestia, it seemed like an eternity. Finally, he let out a sigh and nodded.

“Get on the bed and turn around. You have to trust me on this,” this time she complied without complaint. “OK, here we go...” She felt his hand on her back and flinched immediately, turning her head with an angry expression. “Three minutes, remember?” She let out an angry snort but turned her head back. “Now, this may hurt a little...”

Celestia felt something warm pressing upon the back of her neck in a circular motion. As the pressure increased, the pain started – at first it was intense, like a stabbing sensation that spread across her entire back, making her clench her teeth and throw a very unroyal curse under her breath. But as time went on, the pain started to falter and slowly, she felt her body relaxing on its own. As the quiet crunching sounds filled the air, she let out an involuntary, soft moan…

A few moments later, the endorphins filled her veins, and she felt like she was in heaven. All the problems seemed far away, and the pain she felt just a moment ago, was replaced by relief. Until...

“OK, that’s it...” James said, making her turn her head in surprise. “The three minutes, I mean... So, do you want to blast me to the moon for touching your royal back, or do you want me to continue?”

As he pulled his hands away, Celestia shivered gently, no longer feeling the warm sensation on her back. She shook her head from side to side and immediately felt that the pain in her neck was substantially easier to deal with. Arching her eyebrow, she surrounded James with her magic, and without warning pulled him closer, piercing him with a cold, intimidating glare.

“I am going to have your head for this!” Celestia said with a hiss.

James glanced at the enraged alicorn and winced, closing his eyes, and awaiting execution, but instead of the sound of death-ray, he heard a quiet chuckle.

“I meant that only if you do not finish what you started…”

James opened one of his eyes, to see Celestia smirking. Before he could say anything, she was already back on the bed, stretching out her body.

“It is very rude to keep a lady waiting...”

“Um, sorry, but... couldn’t you just say normally, that I should continue?”

“What fun would that be?”

“Well, maybe it wouldn’t be so fun... but at least my armor would still be dry... Anyway, where were we?”

He put his hands back on her back and started massaging her again, it wasn’t long before she closed her eyes and let out another soft moan.

“How are you doing that...” She relaxed her muscles and smiled blissfully. “That is the best massage I ever had...”

“Combination of fingers, active nerve scanners and... experience.”

“Experience?”

“I worked many jobs before the war, and... masseur was one of them,” Celestia let out a giggle. “Hey! Not everyone was born a princess, you know... At the time, the economy was what it was... The pay was pretty good, though...” He switched to ‘chopping-massage,’ his hands going in a blurring motion. “Truth be told... Unless I had to deal with those higher class demanding assholes – I enjoyed that job.”

“Feel my pain, I deal with such ponies all the time.”

“Well, at least you can blast them to the moon, or throw them in the dungeon, or... ask me to deal with them. That offer to arrange a little chariot ‘accident’ for Blueblood still stands if you are interested.”

Feeling James hands chopping her body with a dashing speed, Celestia let out another blissful whimper and smiled. “Dear sir, I will never agree to that! ... do you have any idea how much those chariots costs?” Another moan filled the air as her eyes rolled to the back of her head. “If I knew you had such talents, I would hire you in Canterlot—”

“Celestia!” Suddenly the door burst open, and Twilight ran inside with a crazy expression, and face smudged with soot. “Dr. Kleiner and I just discovered that…”

James and Twilight froze, looking at each other with their mouths agape, Celestia on the other hand, just lay peacefully with a smile on her face.

“Yes, Twilight, it is exactly what it looks like,” Celestia said, calmly stretching out her entire body. “Care to join? I am sure he can do us both...” She winked.

“I... left an experiment running in the lab!” With her cheeks burning, Twilight put on a smile of embarrassment on her face and disappeared in a flash, leaving behind chuckling alicorn and bewildered human.

“’He can do us both’?! James said, restarting the massage. “You just used an innuendo against Twilight... I don’t know if I should be proud... or scared...”

“Maybe a little of both… I bet you ten bits that she is using her panic bag right now…”

James let out a chuckle. “Fuck me, you’re evil…”

“I have my moments,” Celestia said with a smile but a moment later sighed deeply. “Thank you for the massage, but I think we have to stop… I still have a lot of work to do.”

“I understand... just one question...” He gently pushed his fingers into some of the pressure points on her back, getting one more blissful groan out of her. “About that whole... Summit thingy...”

Suddenly, Celestia’s eyes shot wide and she frowned. Before James could even blink, her horn lit up, and he got – not so gently – lifted into the air.

“You little snake—”

“Um... I told you, it’s not the size, it’s how you—”

“Quiet!” Celestia boomed arching her eyebrow. “You thought that little back-rub is going to get you off the hook?!”

Biting his lip, James smiled sheepishly. “... maybe?”

“Get out!” Celestia dashed towards the door and using her magic, unceremoniously threw him out. “The nerve! I... Oh, hello John, Spike,” she said with a smile to the two onlookers in the corridor and turned around.

“Wait!” James said. “At least tell me if it helped!”

Celestia glanced back at him with a cold gaze. But as she started turning her head from left to right, the expression on her face shifted to a blissful smile. “Yes, the massage was wonderful, and the pain is gone, thank you.”

Still lying on the floor, James grinned. “Well, at least I still got the touch and power—”

“And you are still going to the Summit, hrmph!” Celestia stuck out her tongue, before getting back to her room and closing the door with a loud bang.

“How very royal of you!”

John and Spike glanced at the figure on the floor and sighed. “Do we even want to know?” John said.

“Oh, don’t worry guys, that was a thank you for a... favor I did for her,” James frowned gently, standing up. “That’s what I get every time I act out of the goodness of my heart...”

“Didn’t they rip your heart out when they changed you?”

“Hrmph, I guess that makes me a heartless bastard... But this time, Celestia is the one being heartless, that white... TYRANT!”

“I can hear you through the door, mister!” A muffled voice of Celestia coming from her room filled the corridor.

“I’m well aware!” James let out a chuckle. “I better go before she decides to do something nasty. See you later boys.”

As James walked away, John smiled and cocked his head as an idea popped into his mind. “Spike... what kind of cake does Celestia like?” He whispered.

“Any, really... Why?”

“She must have her favorite.”

“Hmm... I know she likes banana, blueberry, and strawberry—”

“Strawberry... It’s been a while, but... I think I still remember how to make a strawberry cake...” John said, making Spike tilt his head in confusion. “If I recall, you can buy strawberries in Ponyville, right?”

“I think so.”

John smiled. “I need to do some shopping...”

Chapter 15

“Fifty bits...” Hoops grunted, checking out his fixed tooth with his tongue. “If I see that monkey boy, he’s gonna get it!”

Dumb Bell and Score cast a silent glance of pity at their buddy, shaking their heads. They just picked Hoops up from the Ponyville’s dentist’s office, and he was already starting to get on their nerves, constantly boasting about how he will get John and Cheerilee and make them pay for what they’ve done to him.

“You aren’t going to say anything? That old nag and monkey man cost us a small fortune, man!”

Dumb Bell sighed, rolling his eyes. With the sun slowly moving towards the horizon he just wanted to get out of there, get home, grab a cold one, and forget about this day. Reminding him about the cash they lost wasn’t helping. “Just forget about it, Hoops.”

“But, man—”

“Look! I don’t like it either. But with those two on our tails, we need to lay low for now,” Dumb Bell said just as they entered the market. “Tell you what, how about we grab some snack before going home? I’m starving!” His companions smiled and nodded in unison.

At that hour, some of the stalls were already empty as the market was slowly dying down. They managed to grab some fast-food just before the stand closed. They were chewing on their oat-burgers and carrot-dogs in one of the alleys when their eyes suddenly widened.

“Hey, it’s that nag, over there!” Score pointed his hoof. Cheerilee was some distance away, her saddlebags were looking full.

“Hrmph, that human is here too,” Hoops pointed at John, who was on the other side of the market. “I say we kick his flank!”

“So that he could knock out your other teeth?” Score said with a snicker.

“H-hey! That was an accident, man!”

“Sure it was, with the pirouette and all. Oh, and that landing!” Score let out a chuckle. “Have you ever thought about a career in the circus, Hoops?”

“Hey! You take that back! Or I’ll—”

“Knock it off, both of you,” Dumb Bell said, quickly munching on what was left of his hay-burger. “The last thing we need right now is to draw attention to ourselves. We’ll beat up the human, and tomorrow we’ll have royal guards on our flanks!” Hoops hoofed the ground mumbling something to himself, but both he and Score nodded in agreement. “Finish up your food and let’s get out of this hole—”

“H-hey, guys...” Somepony interjected from behind.

They turn to see depressed Scootaloo on her antiquated scooter, standing next to them, her puffy red eyes fixed on the ground.

“What do you want, kid?” Dumb Bell said, raising his eyebrow.

“I, um... still need my medicine—”

“Sorry, no can do. Not with that teacher of yours on our backs.”

“B-but... I need it!”

“Didn’t you hear what I said? Can’t help you, kid.”

Scootaloo started nibbling her lower lip, her eyes watering up and body shaking. “P-please, I’ll get you more stuff! I’ll do anything! Please...”

Ignoring her, Dumb Bell turned to his buddies, to see that they just finished their food. “Come on guys, let’s get back home.”

“Wait, man!” Hoops said. “If the kid wants us to get him his stuff—”

“For the last time, we can’t! Not unless you want to spend some time in the dungeon!”

“Why nopony want’s to help me...” Scootaloo sniffled loudly. “It’s not fair!”

“Yeah, DB, the kid is right. I’m with Hoops on this one, let’s... help her one more time. That’s what friends are for, after all,” Score said with a sinister smile.

Letting out a deep sigh, Dumb Bell shook his head. No matter how stupid, his buddies were right on one thing... As long as Scootaloo was willing to do anything to get the ‘medicine,’ she was a gold mine, and losing her meant saying goodbye to a lot of bits... As he was glancing between Cheerilee and John, and listening to the sobbing pegasus, he got an idea…

“OK, there may be a way to help you, kid, but we need to get rid of that old teach and the human first.”

“W-what do you mean?” Scootaloo’s eyes widened. “Like… K-kill them?”

“Nah, I don’t want them hurt… too much,” Dumb Bell chuckled. “What I meant was that we need to ruin their reputation so that they won’t be able to interfere anymore. And I have an idea how to do it…”

“Most ponies already hate that human since Applejack said he is evil or something, but... Cheerilee?” Scootaloo nibbled her lower lip. “I... I don’t know. I don’t think she deserves it—”

“I don’t get it... You still defend her, even after what happened?” Dumb Bell shook his head. “The way I see it, she’s one evil bitch, but... as you wish, kid – it’s your life.”

Dumb Bell and his gang turned around and started walking away, but a moment later, Scootaloo stopped them.

“W-what do you want me to do?” Scootaloo said, her voice was cold and emotionless.

“Simple… When ponies will ask you if those two hurt you – answer ‘yes.’

“That’s all?”

“Yup, leave the rest to us. So... are you in, or out?” Scootaloo nodded. “Good! OK, guys listen up, here is what we are going to do...”

***

“That will be twenty bits…” Carrot Top said, as she started packing some of the highest quality carrots, her eyes lock on John, tracking his every movement, even as he counted the money.

“Here you go.”

Carrot glanced at the coins, then back at John and shot him a dirty look. “Are you mocking me?!”

“Pardon?”

“Let me try that one more time… Twenty BITS, not CENTS – BITS.”

“And... those are cents…?”

“Bravo!” She said with a sarcastic smile. “And here I thought that all humans are idiots.”

“If the only human you ever interacted it was James, then I can see why…” John smiled. “Most of us are pretty civilized... For example, I can read, write, am potty-trained, and everything.”

“Impressive… Your mother must be so proud…”

“Oh, yes! She once told me that I was the only child she never wanted to strangle with a pillow…” Involuntarily, Carrot let out a chuckle and smiled gently. “Well, I’ll be! I just made you smile, feels funny!”

“Don’t flatter yourself, hon. I’m not one of those easy to impress mares! It takes more than a silly joke to get my trust.”

“Challenge accepted…” John said with a smile. “As long as you’ll promise to keep an open mind, that is.”

“Hrmph, we shall see…” Carrot said, with a pouty expression. “Getting to the matter at hoof… You need more bits.”

“Sorry, I’m not used to handling your currency. Hmm, let’s see…” John took his money bag and spilled the rest of the coins across the table. “This is all I have on me, is this enough?”

With her eyes darting from left to right, Carrot quickly counted the money and shook her head. “Sorry, hon, but there are only eleven bits here.”

“Great…” John put on a sheepish smile. “Could I pay the rest tomorrow?” Carrot arched her eyebrow and put on a deadpan expression on her face. “I take that as a no... Could you put those away for me? I’ll go to get the cash. I should be back in ten—”

“I’m closing in five minutes mister, sorry. But, you can just exchange the premium carrots for normal ones – for those, twelve bits will be enough.”

“Those are for Twilight. I want the best quality for the dish I’m making.”

Carrot cocked her head. “Twilight hired you as a… cook?”

“She didn’t hire me per se, it’s just that… Well, let’s just say I want to contribute something, and cooking helps me unwind, so… I already bought the ingredients for Princess Celestia’s cake,” John said, lifting one of the bags off the ground. “All I need now are some nice carrots for Twilight’s dish, so... any chance for—”

“Sorry, hon, but I don’t sell on credit. Nothing personal, it’s just bad for business.”

“’Nothing personal,’” John smiled sarcastically, crossing his arms. “Right… OK then, I’ll take the ordinary stuff—”

“That won’t be necessary,” somepony interjected from behind, and a second later twenty bits hit the stand. “Here you go, John will take the premium carrots.”

John turned and smiled. “Cheerilee! Thank you, but… I can’t accept—”

“I don’t want to hear it!” She interjected firmly, but with a smile. “This is the least I can do after all the help you provided.”

“Um, it was nothing really…” John’s cheeks went a little red.

“It was for me! You have no idea how important those papers were, not to mention the... other things...”

Glancing between Cheerilee and the blushing human, and packing the merchandise as slow as possible, Carrot smiled waiting for the moment to strike. Let’s try this. “Oh, my! How clumsy of me!” She said, ’accidentally’ dropping some of the carrots to the ground. Just as she suspected, both of them immediately bent down to pick them up. She paused for a moment and cleared her throat. “So… Mr. John helped you with those nasty papers you mentioned earlier, huh?”

“With those, and a few other things…”

“Ah... That explains why the two of you were so dirty...”

“Oh, yes!” Cheerilee let out a chuckle. “We both landed in the mud...”

“I see…” Carrot said with a sly grin. “Well mister, if you’re Cheerilee’s… friend, then I guess you must be all right, she is a rather picky mare in that regard. Aren’t you, hon?”

Cheerilee’s eyes shot wide, and she froze for a moment. Her head began to slowly lean out from under the stand a few seconds later, piercing Carrot with a cold, gnawing gaze, but the salespony kept grinning, completely unfazed by the death stare.

“Oh, by the way, hon – how was the last date—” She was interjected by a loud thud, and a cry of pain from under the stand, coming from John. “You OK in there, mister?”

John stood up, holding his skull and quickly put the carrots back on the stand. “Ugh, I hit my head, nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you, for picking those up… So, hon? How about that date?”

“That... is none of your business, Carrot!” Cheerilee said, gritting her teeth. If her eyes could shoot lasers, Carrot would have got sliced in half.

“I’m just saying that a beautiful mare like you should date more! You’re not getting any younger, you know… Unless of course, you already found some pony… or creature?” With a smirk, she turned to John. “Can you believe that she’s still single?!”

John glanced at frowning Cheerilee, then back at smirking Carrot, and smiled gently. “I believe that... some women have higher standards than others. For example, they don’t gossip…” Carrot’s smile suddenly faltered, and she shot him a glance. “I believe that this discussion is inappropriate, but most of all... I believe it’s time for me to go—”

“Likewise!” Cheerilee interjected.

“Um… of course, of course!” Carrot bit her lip but smiled back a moment later. “See you later!”

“Goodbye miss and... thank you for carrots,” John nodded and walked away, alongside Cheerilee.

When they were out of Carrot’s hearing distance, Cheerilee broke the silence, letting out an angry snort. “Carrot Top… We’ll be the local news for the next month...”

“Local gossip girl?”

“You have no idea...”

“If it is any consolation, James paired us up too,” John let out a chuckle. “People have a vivid imagination...”

“Yes... Yes, they do…” With her eyes fixed to the ground, Cheerilee let out a sigh. " John, I... I’m going to give back some of those stolen items to the owners, would you accompany me? It shouldn’t take long.”

“No problem...” Just as he said it, his eyes wandered towards a stand where Applejack fiercely argued with some pony. “Cheerilee... would you give me a minute? I need to talk with her...”

“Of course... Do you want me to go with you?”

“Thank you, but... this is something I need to do alone.”

“I understand... Tell you what, I need to catch the owners of those items before they go home... When you finish talking, just go stand over there,” Cheerilee pointed her hoof to the center of the market, “and I’ll find you, OK?” John nodded. “Good luck.”

“Thanks...” He said as Cheerilee walked away. “Something tells me I’m gonna need it...”

***

“This wasn’t the deal! He can’t do this!” Applejack said, holding a piece of paper in her hooves. She looked like she went through hell, her mane was unkempt, eyes were bloodshot and baggy, and her whole body was shaking from anger and lack of sleep. “This can’t be legal, it just can’t be...”

“I’m afraid it is...” Legal Beagle said, letting out a sigh. “The contract you signed, gives my client a wide field to act upon, and since you failed multiple times to deliver the goods—”

“That’s a lie! All the deliveries were on time!”

“True, but the quality of the merchandise was in question, and because of that, according to the contract’s rules the delivery was incomplete.”

“Lately, we have some troubles with the weather, but... I hoof-picked the merchandise I sent him myself. For the last three weeks, I worked day and night to make sure he got the best apples and crops we had, but he still claimed that half of them were bad... That’s a blatant lie!”

“It’s not my place to be a judge here, I’m just telling you what my client told me, and he claims you had troubles keeping your end of the bargain. The last delivery, for example – didn’t happen at all—”

“I almost lost my life trying to make it happen!” Applejack shouted, hitting the stand and sending some apples to the ground. “You... you know what? To heck with that!” She shook her head, violently crumpled the document and threw it in Legal’s face. “You can tell him to stick it! I’m done making deals with him!”

Legal picked up the wrinkled piece of paper with a stoic expression, and let out a slow deep sigh. “I understand you’re angry, but... you’re making a big mistake.”

“I don’t think so… I will cut my losses while I can, instead of wasting even more bits…”

“Applejack...” Legal glanced at her with a bewildered expression. “Did you read the contract before signing it?”

“Of course! Well, more or less... We had it all talked out, so I didn’t see the reason to read it all once again... Why?” Applejack cocked her head. “Why are you giving me that weird look?”

“Hold on…” Legal opened his briefcase and after a few seconds of rummaging through papers, took out a document. “This is a copy of your contract, look here... Do you see what it says on page fifteen?”

Applejack started reading, and her eyes shot wide. She blinked and reread it, did a double take and reread it again, and again... “’Contract secured by mortgage of Sweet Apple Acres’?! This can’t be... this wasn’t there when I...” Her face suddenly became pale, her hind legs turned to jelly, and her rump hit the floor with a thud. “T-that’s why they wanted me to get Granny’s signature...”

“And she didn’t read it either?”

“No, she... she doesn’t know about any of this...” Applejack bit her lip. “I... gave her the contract alongside other papers she normally signs, and she didn’t notice.”

“Let me get this straight... Not only you didn’t read the contract before signing it... You tricked Granny Smith into signing it as well?!” Seeing her nod, made him facehoof. “Why would you do that? Why didn’t you consult someone first?”

“I... didn’t have the money to spare.”

“Forgive me Applejack, but... aren’t you a friend of Princess Twilight? She may not be a lawyer, but I bet she would tell you to never sign this!”

“S-she has been so busy lately... Friendship quests, her royal duties, helping Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy with their tours... I just... didn’t want to bother her...”

“Good grief...” Legal shook his head. “This is... bad, very, very bad... but that only reinforces my point… If you don’t deliver the goods, my client will attempt to take over your farm—”

“He can’t do that!”

“Yes, he can! And I’m sorry to say, but with that document... it won’t be a problem. The only way to get out of this contract is to deliver those goods. Only then, you’ll be able to resign without further consequences.”

Applejack started shaking, her breath was raspy and shallow, and sweat sprouted from her forehead like a sprinkler. She looked like someone who was about to get a heart attack.

“Legal... I can’t do this...” She said with a stammer. “He wants me to give him more zap-apples than we harvest, each year. Even if we somehow could deliver, the farm needs those zap-apples to survive! We would go bankrupt!” Her eyes started to tear-up. “P-please... There must be another way out of this...”

“I’m sorry, but... understand – you’re not dealing with a nice, forgiving pony... People like my client build their wealth by exploiting every possible loophole there is. He’s not interested in compromise, all he cares about is profit.”

“How can you work for such vermin…”

“It’s a job, Applejack, nothing more... I usually deal with disputes between my client and big companies, not small business like yours...” Glancing from left to right, Legal let out a sigh. “I can see one other way out of this mess, but... It’s not pretty.”

“H-how?”

“Granny would have to claim in court, that you tricked her into signing the contract... If you admit to it, you may be able to win, but... knowing the people I’m working for, they’ll not let you walk out without a fight. And, if you win... you may be facing some prison time.”

“If I win? You mean that even if I admit to everything, I can still lose?”

“Yes... It’s pretty much fifty-fifty... They’ll claim that Granny signed that paper in good faith, and now she just wants to bail out without consequences. They may try to use your own title of ‘Element of Honesty’ against her, or against you... and so on. They’ll do anything to win, and like I said... it won’t be pretty...” Legal glanced at the resigned figure in front of him, and let out a sigh of sympathy. “I’m sorry Applejack, but if you really can’t deliver, then that’s the only alternative I can see… I’ll be staying at Ponyville’s hotel until tomorrow… Sleep on it and make a choice.”

With her eyes fixed on the ground, Applejack nodded. “I… don’t know how, I’ll pass the news to Granny, or the others…”

“If I may suggest something... Just be honest about it, hiding the truth may only make matters worse at this point... Whatever you do, I wish you luck. Goodbye, I’m sorry things have to turn this way.”

Applejack watched as Legal turned around and walked away. For a long time after his figure disappeared on the horizon, she stayed frozen and lost in thought, just glancing ahead at nothing in particular.

“Excuse me,” someone said, getting her attention.

When she turned and saw John standing nearby, her eyebrow arched on its own. “What the hay do you want?!”

“Can we... talk?”

“About what?!”

“I... Look, I can’t take back the time, but believe me... I regret what happened that night... Knowing that I almost killed you, almost... took Apple Bloom’s sister away, it...” John let out a sigh and shook his head. “I don’t know what I want to say... I don’t expect absolution, but... I would like to try to make amends… If you’re willing.”

Applejack gaped at him in silence for a moment, before her lip started trembling and curling into a smirk. She let out a chuckle that turned into a mad laughter a second later.

“What’s so funny?” John said, cocking his head.

“You’re funny...” Applejack said with a crazy grin. “You made me miss my delivery... If it weren’t for your little stunt, then maybe... I would still have a chance to get out of this mess...” She gritted her teeth, piercing him with a cold gaze. “You almost killed me, ruined everything else, and you want to make amends?!”

“What are you talking about? If I messed something up, maybe I can help you fix it?”

“You ‘helped’ quite enough! Because of your doing, we’ll probably lose our farm!” Applejack spat. “Making amends? You can forget it! Get the hay away from my sight, before I buck you into oblivion, you vermin!”

Some of the nearby ponies cocked their heads in their direction, once again shooting John intimidating glances, but this time expression on his face remained stoic and cold as well. He stood there in silence, gaping at Applejack and shaking his head.

“Interesting... You know, I kind of overheard a part of your conversation with that other pony, and you said you’re the one who signed this contract and the one who tricked your granny into signing it. And now, you want to blame me?” He shook his head with an expression of disgust. “To hell with that, you obviously don’t want my apologies, you want a scapegoat.”

“Scapegoat?! No! It’s your fault! You just… have no idea what you did!”

“Twilight told me you started acting weird weeks before I even showed up. That’s also my fault?”

“It’s... It’s just... complicated!” Applejack let out an angry growl. “I’m done talking with you! I’m going home...” She attached herself to the cart, and started walking away…

“I don’t get it...” John shook his head. “How can you an Apple Bloom be so different—”

“What did you say?!” Applejack’s eyes shot wide, and she turned around, gritting her teeth. “Don’t you dare mention her name!”

“Whoa, easy there—”

“If I see you near my little sister again, you’re gonna be sorry! Stay away from her!”

John glanced from left to right, to see that their little ‘chat’ started attracting more and more, angry ponies.

“Don’t worry, I’ll stay away, but no matter what you think, I would never hurt her... If you ever calm down and feel like talking, I’ll be waiting...”

The only response he got was an angry scowl, before Applejack attached herself to her cart and walked away. John turned around and started walking towards the point Cheerilee pointed him earlier.

“Good... Let him get to the middle of the market so that more ponies will hear it...” Dumb Bell said, observing him from above. “And then… it’s showtime...”

***

John reached the center of the market and scanned the horizon, but Cheerilee was nowhere to be found. He put his groceries on the ground and crossed his arms, waiting and enjoying the sun, but a second later, a sudden hit knocked him off his feet, and he hit the ground with a thud.

“Hey! Watch it—” John said, but paused immediately after realizing who hit him. “You?!” The only answer was a powerful punch just below his armpit, making him groan in pain.

“It cost me fifty bits to get my tooth fixed, monkey boy! You’re gonna pay them back, right now!”

Gritting his teeth, John painfully clenched his upper body. Seeing his agony made Hoops grin, and he took another swing, only to have his punch caught in mid-air this time, and the wind knocked out of him a second later with a powerful knee to the gut. He let out a squeal, and as he was gasping for air with his mouth opened, John grabbed his front hoof and with a stomach throw – sent the wheezy pegasus to the rear.

“I don’t wanna fight you!” John said, standing up and shaking some dirt off his clothes.

Hoops got on all fours, breathing heavily. “Now... you... really... gonna... get it!”

He reared and tried striking John on the face, but this time hit the well-placed metallic arm instead. Letting out an angry snort, he tried again, and again, but each time, John just blocked it. The ruckus attracted a small mob of ponies who gathered nearby, gaping at the scene and whispering something between themselves.

For a good thirty seconds, Hoops was throwing wild punches in the air, but they were either missing entirely or hitting the block. With sweat pouring down his forehead and running out of breath, he launched in the air and made a desperate dash forward, finally tackling John to the ground again.

“Get off me, you damn turnip!”

The next few seconds were a blur, with both of them rolling on the ground, cursing and groaning, until one of Hoops’ hoofs finally connected with John’s jaw with a loud crunch-sound. The little victory poured some courage back into pegasus’ heart, and he grinned – rising his hoof for another strike when suddenly, Dumb Bell and Score began pulling him away.

“Whoa, calm down, man! It’s not worth it!” Dumb Bell said.

“W-what?” Hoops cocked his head with a bewildered expression. “But... you said that—”

“I know! But you want to land in the dungeon?! You know that guy has protection!” Dumb Bell glanced at confused John, and raised his voice, making sure everypony around would hear him loud and clear. “He got away with hurting a child, you think he can’t get away with busting your teeth again?”

“W-what the fuck are you talking about?!” John stood up just as whispers around him intensified, becoming audible.

“Playing dumb, are we? I’m talking about what you did to the poor Scootaloo...”

“What... I DID?! You son of a—” Gritting his teeth, John took a swing, but Dumb Bell launched in the air before it could connect. “You were the ones who wanted to take advantage of her—”

“Hold on!” Somepony in the crowd interjected. “What happened exactly, boys? What did he do?”

“I would rather not say... it’s a delicate matter, for the kid. Besides, we’ll all get in trouble if I tell you...”

“If he did something to the poor filly, we have the right to know!”

“Jesus Christ! I didn’t do anything—”

“You gonna tell us or not?!” The pony from the crowd repeated.

“Well... Let’s just say that a few hours ago, we found him trying to give her an... aggressive cuddling – if you know what I mean...”

The voices turned from murmurs and whispers to angry shouts and curses in a blink of an eye. John couldn’t make the most of it, but what he did understand told him ponies were buying into everything.

“This is bullshit!” He shouted, pointing at Dumb Bell. “Can’t you see they’re trying to jerk you off?! I would never—”

“Then why did Applejack scream at you to stay away from Apple Bloom, a few minutes ago?!”

“This is not what she meant!” John said, but the more he protested his innocence, the more the crowd believed in his guilt. As the mob demands got louder and louder, he quickly scanned his location from left to right, realizing he was surrounded by at least fifty ponies, and that all escape routes have been cut off. He glanced back at Dumb Bell who was hovering above him and noticed a little smirk on his face.

“That would explain why she called him a monster earlier!” Somepony interjected.

“And why he was hanging around Cutie Mark Crusaders in the first place!”

“I bet Rainbow Dash shot him because she knew! And look what happened to her!”

“I’m telling you they’re lying! Go ask the kid—”

A loud crunching sound filled the air, quickly followed by a searing sensation shooting up his back. John grunted and swung around just in time to see a levitating plank hitting him across the chest and knocking his wind out.

“Fillyfooler!” Somepony shouted.

“Filthy human!” Someone else added.

“Goddamnit...” John coughed up, blocking another hit with his metallic arm. “I didn’t—”

Before he could finish, a hand-sized stone struck him across the head, and he hit the ground on all fours. The blow transformed the world around him into a jumbled mess of blurry figures and distant voices he couldn’t make out.

“We’ll show you how we treat freaks like you!” An earth pony shouted, pushing confused John towards the enraged mob, quickly followed by another one doing the same.

With his ears ringing, ground spinning, and adrenaline filling his veins, John took a defensive swing. It was instinct, it was uncoordinated, and it barely connected – but it was enough to send the crowd into a furious rage. They piled in on him and began throwing him around like a rag-doll. Every time he tried to get up, there was another pony, plank or rock waiting in anticipation to painfully send him back to the ground.

Watching the ruckus below, Dumb Bell smiled. “Darn, that was easier than I thought... If I knew that guy was so hated, I would have kicked his flank back then...”

“Let me have some fun!”

“No, Hoops! You stay away from this! I know you want a piece of him, but let the mob handle that and just enjoy the view...”

Hoops grumbled something under his breath but complied – turning his head back to the fighting below. By that time, John has regained some composure and was trying to find the way out of the crowd, but was trapped between angry pegasi attacking him from the air, rocks bashing his skull, and branches getting broken on his back.

“Stop!” Cheerilee shouted just as one of the blows knocked John off his feet and into the nearby puddle, to the delight of the crowd. “For Celestia’s sake, what are you doing?!”

“That pervert tried to rape poor Scootaloo a few hours ago!”

“W-what?!” Cheerilee’s eyes widened in horror. “That’s a lie! Who told you that?” She noticed smirking trio hovering nearby. “It was them?!”

“Yes! They saw everything! Now step aside—”

“NO!” The loudness of Cheerilee’s shout made the pony in front of her flinch, rear, and fall backward to his flank with a thud. Nearby ponies shot her a glance, but seeing her outraged face and eyes burning with rage, they cringed and made a step back.

Just like that, the ruckus died down, and all fell silent, gaping as Cheerilee helped the beaten up John slowly get back on his feet. When he finally regained his balance, she flinched at the sight. His face was swollen and bruised, his breathing raspy, and some blood was slowly oozing from his mouth.

Cheerilee angrily shook her head and turned to the crowd. “First, you treat John like garbage, and now you decided to beat him up?! What’s wrong with you?!”

“B-but... they said he tried to—”

“They lied!” Cheerilee shouted, stomping her hoof. “I was there, they were the ones that were hurting Scootaloo, not him!”

“Yeah, sure! You would say that!” Dumb Bell said. “Everything to defend your... special somepony, huh?”

Whispers filled the air again, but Cheerilee stopped them, raising her hoof.

“You are the most... despicable pony I’ve ever met! Not only did you take advantage of a helpless child, but now you want to blame it all on John and me? Disgusting!”

“What you tried to do to that poor child, that’s disgusting—”

“Hold on, boy!” Carrot Top interjected from the crowd. “Are you saying good old Cheerilee’s a... fillyfooler? Ha!”

“H-hey! But... that’s true! She was with him when that happened!” Dumb Bell said, but this time instead of buying it, ponies started shaking their heads.

“Princess Celestia’s going to learn about this, and you’re going to pay for what you did to Scootaloo!”

“Wait, hon! What did they do?”

Cheerilee shook her head. “I cannot discuss it right now, but you’ll find out soon.”

Suddenly the crowd began scowling and whispering in the direction of Dumb Bell and his gang, getting second thought about what transpired.

Hoops glanced in the direction of one of the closed stalls, behind which Scootaloo was hiding. Their eyes met, and he gave her the sign to move in.

“What... what’s she doing?” The trio glanced in unison at the stand, to see Scootaloo with glassy eyes, biting her lip and shaking her head. “Great... That little brat set us up!” Seeing the crowd getting more restless, he gulped and turned to his companions. “Guys, we better get out of here—”

“Maybe we don’t have to...” Score whispered, pointing at something. “You see that, DB?” Dumb Bell squinted his eyes and smiled a second later. He and Score exchanged glances and nodded to each other, setting a new plan in motion.

“Hold on, hold on...” Dumb Bell said to the crowd, just as Score left the scene. “Let me get this straight... You don’t believe that... your Cheerilee would be capable of such sick act, right?”

“Of course, we don’t!” Somepony said. “The human? Maybe... but Cheerilee? No way!”

“I see... I can’t say I blame you... It was pretty shocking to us too, but... if you think she’s a saint, then answer this...” Dumb Bell smiled. “Would the person you take her for, steal from you?”

“You son of a...” John said, spitting out some blood. “You know she didn’t steal anything!”

“Well, then... what’s this?!”

Score suddenly dashed from behind, grabbing Cheerilee’s saddlebag off her back, and spilling its content to the ground. Before she could say anything, the outcry filled the air.

“That’s my book!” Somepony said.

“And my necklace!” Another added.

“Wait! This is not what it looks like!”

“Where did you get those things?!”

“I... I didn’t steal them! I got them here to give them back to the rightful owners—”

“Likely story!” Dumb Bell said and smirked. “But if you didn’t steal them, then who did?”

“I...” Cheerilee bit her lip and glanced at John, but he shook his head, informing her not to reveal anything. “I... can’t say. Not yet, anyway—”

“I think it should be pretty obvious who she’s protecting...”

“It wasn’t John!”

“Then who was it?!”

“I can’t tell you that! It would ruin everything! Please... you have to believe me, I brought those here to give them back!”

Once again, murmurs and whispers filled the air, as the crowd was trying to make up its mind. Some ponies were shaking their heads, others were shooting cold glances towards Cheerilee and John, mumbling something between themselves. There was no immediate consensus, but their reaction was showing that the seed of doubt has been successfully planted, and was growing fast.

“Cheerilee... If something bad happens, run for the castle,” John whispered.

“John, I can’t—”

“Listen to me! Try to get James here, or Celestia or... someone, and... if you won’t be able to... just hide—”

“OK...” One of the ponies in the crowd interjected. “I must say this... looks bad, but... I still can’t believe Cheerilee would do anything against a child...”

Dumb Bell frowned, trying his best to look angry, while he laughed inside his head. Pushing this further would only aggravate matters, and they didn’t need that. Ruining Cheerilee’s reputation was enough for their plans.

“Hrmph, suit yourself! But I would be cautious with your fillies around her—”

“Hold on, everyone! Let’s just ask her!” Carrot Top interjected, pointing her hoof at one of the stands.

Everyone turned in unison to see Scootaloo peeking from behind the stall. Feeling dozens of eyes gaping at her, made her own eyes widen in horror. She gasped and jumped on her scooter, flapping her small wings with all her might, trying to get out of there... only to feel the warmth of unicorn magic enveloping her body, and pulling her towards the mob.

“No! Let me go!”

“Easy there, Scootaloo – we’re not going to hurt you,” one of the unicorns said. “We need to ask you a question, that’s all.”

“No... please, let me go...” Scootaloo shook her head. “I don’t wanna do this...”

“You cannot just force her like that!” Cheerilee said.

“You don’t have anything to hide, do you?”

“That’s not the point! You’re hurting her!”

Both Cheerilee and Scootaloo tried to protest some more, but a few seconds later, the filly and her scooter were gently placed on the ground, facing Cheerilee and John.

“Scootaloo... we heard some... disturbing rumors about the human and Cheerilee. Those rumors include you—”

“I... I didn’t do anything!”

“No one is saying that you did, but... there were some... a rather serious accusations made, and we need to clear out some things.”

“A-accusations?” Scootaloo noticed the stolen items lying on the ground, and her heart skipped a beat, her eyes widened, and breathing became quicker. “I h-had no choice!”

“Hon, what do you mean?” Carrot said. “Did somepony force you to do... something you didn’t want?”

“I didn’t have a choice!” Scootaloo repeated, her eyes getting wet. “P-please, leave me alone! Please...”

“Tell us, did that human or... Cheerilee, force you to do something you didn’t want? Did they... hurt you?”

Scootaloo’s eyes started going between the stolen goods, Cheerilee and John. Her heart was pounding like a sledgehammer, her breathing was rapid and shallow, and her body began to shake.

”When ponies will ask you if those two hurt you – answer ‘yes.’”

Dumb Bell’s words were playing in Scootaloo’s head like a broken record. One part of her wanted to yell ‘YES,’ while the other was screaming that this was all wrong. Her mind was torn between anger, shame, and regret. She glanced at Cheerilee one more time, and another flashback hit her.

”Yes, I think sending Scootaloo away would be advisable...” Cheerilee said to Scootaloo’s parents. “...circus seems like a good place for a filly like her.”

With the painful memory on its side, shame won the battle, and her eyes filled with tears. “W-why...” Scootaloo said, glancing at Cheerilee like a beaten puppy. “What did I ever do to you that you hate me so much?”

“Are you saying that... Cheerilee and the human, really did hurt you?”

“Yes...” Scootaloo said with a loud sob. “Yes, they did...”

Angry outcry filled the air, and ponies eyes turned towards confused Cheerilee. “Scootaloo... why are you saying those things?! You know that’s not what—”

“Trying to intimidate the kid?” Dumb Bell interjected. “Pathetic!”

“You put her up to this, you son of a bitch!”

“Look everypony, monkey boy’s defending his girlfriend!”

“Fuck you, turnip!”

“Enough! All of you!” Shouted a pony from the crowd and turned to Cheerilee. “There were rumors about you, but I never believed them, until now… An old mare with no children of her own working as a teacher…” He shot her a cold glare. “A perfect cover up for a fillyfooler, wouldn’t you say?”

“Are you out of your mind?!”

“Is he?!” Another mare interjected. “All those extracurriculars...”

“What about them?”

“Were you using them to get… an easy prey?!”

“W-what?” Cheerilee frantically shook her head. “Listen to yourself! I would never hurt a filly!”

“My colt came home feeling blue a few times after attending those… extra classes!”

“So did my daughter!”

“Now that I think about it... More than once did my colt come back from school crying, not wanting to tell me why!”

“I never hurt a child! I would never—” Cheerilee’s eyes started to tear up. “H-how can you say those things...”

Cheerilee tried to protest but was drowned by the accusations that burst all around. The mob of ponies closed around John and her, shouting and cursing in their direction with mad faces. She scanned the crowd, looking for someone... anyone who would be willing to take her side, but the few ponies that tried to intervene were quickly silenced by the rest. The feeling of helplessness overwhelmed her, and tears started rolling down her face.

“This is even better than we planned,” Score whispered to Dumb Bell. “No one is going to believe them now.”

“Yeah, but let’s hope it won’t get any worse. We don’t need the... No!” Dumb Bell’s eyes widened. “Hoops, don’t—” he tried to interject, but it was too late.

Hoops sent a fist-size rock flying towards the center of the crowd, and it impacted John on the head a second later. “Get the fillyfoolers!”

His words were like a spark thrown into the pool of gasoline, starting an explosive reaction from the crowd. John was still clenching his head when a forceful blow to his back sent him to the ground again. Cheerilee jumped in, trying to shield him with her own body, only to be forcefully pulled away by the mob.

Seeing her disappear in the sea of ponies put John in a crazy mood, and adrenaline shot up his veins. “Cheerilee!” He jumped up with a spin, punching nearby ponies with enough force to send them flying back towards the mob, and with a crazed battle-cry began tearing through the crowd like a mad bull.

An angry pegasus was looming over Cheerilee when John’s left hook came out of nowhere and knocked him out cold. John grabbed him by the tail, and after a few violent spins – performed a hammer throw into the crowd, knocking several attackers off their hooves, and opening the escape route. Before ponies could shake off the shock, he grabbed stunned Cheerilee off the ground and began running towards the opening.

Dumb Bell watched them from a distance. “This is getting out of hoof... Hoops’s a goddamn idiot!” He shook his head and facehoofed. “Score, let’s get out of here before the authorities get involved!”

“What about Hoops?”

“Hoops, move your fat flank over here! Hoops!” Dumb Bell shouted, but his friend was already preparing for the next strike.

John pushed through the crowd and was running with Cheerilee on his shoulder. “No matter what happens, don’t stop! Get to the castle—”

A crushing blow knocked John off his feet and sent Cheerilee and him rolling on the ground.

“You’re not going anywhere!” Hoops said.

“Run, Cheerilee! Run!”

She hesitated for a second, and Hoops glance at her. Seeing the terror in her eyes made him grin in a sadistic way.

“Oh, no, you’re not going anywhere, you old nag!” Hoops dashed forward, ready to knock her out... only to painfully hit the ground. “Oww!”

“Run, Cheerilee!” John said, holding Hoops by the tail. “Please...”

Once again, she hesitated for a moment, but the mob was closing in fast. She exchanged a painful glance with John, nodded, and took off.

“Oww... I don’t believe it!” Hoops spit out a chipped tooth. “I just paid fifty bits to get that thing fixed!” He turned to John with rage. “I’m gonna kill you, monkey boy!” Just then, the crowd arrived. “Leave this one to me, get the old nag instead!” The mob listened and ran after Cheerilee.

“Hoops, leave the monkey boy alone, and let’s get out of here!” Score said. “Dumb Bell already left!”

“No way, man! I’m getting my fifty bits, right here, right now!” Hoops turned his head to the commotion nearby, to see Cheerilee running away from the angry crowd, towards her house. “Well, would you look at that! Your girlfriend didn’t make it after all!”

“Cheerilee—” John was interrupted by a powerful punch to the face. “Let go of me, you bastard!” Using his metallic arm, he began clumsily punching Hoops, but his energy was gone.

“Aw! Why you little… Take this!”

Hoops jumped in the air, and using his wings like a propeller, dashed down, landing both his hind hooves where John’s prosthetic arm connected to his body.

“Argh!” John let out a holler loud enough to wake the dead as his arm hit the ground, turning and bending in unnatural and uncoordinated ways.

“You like that?! Have some more!” Hoops jumped and landed again, tearing the entire arm off its bindings. He glanced at the contraption, and a bundle of fiber-cable that was still connected to John’s body and tore it off completely. “Look at that! Tin Man is broken! How do you like that, huh—” To his surprise a right hook coming from convulsing human was the answer. “You bastard!” Hoops shouted, and went all out, thrashing John with all his might, to the delight of the cheering Score.

***

Some distance away from all the ruckus, frozen Scootaloo observed everything in horror. As Hoops began pummeling the defenseless John, she turned her head away, only to notice a mob of angry ponies in front of Cheerilee’s house, throwing rocks and trying to break in.

“This isn’t happening...” Scootaloo frantically shook her head. “This is a dream! Princess Luna! Wake me up!” She screamed with tears in her eyes, but there was no answer. “Please...”

“Scoot!” Apple Bloom shouted, running towards her. “What the hay’s going on here—”

“Is that... Cheerilee’s house?” Sweetie Belle interjected. “Holy Celestia! What are they doing?!”

“I... didn’t mean to! I swear I didn’t!” Scootaloo hopped on her scooter before they could ask her anything more. “It’s my fault! It’s all my fault!”

“Scoot, wait! Scoot!” Apple Bloom shouted, but the pegasus was gone, driving like crazy towards the Everfree Forest. “Come on, Sweetie Belle! Let’s go after her!”

***

“How do you like that little monkey, huh?!” Hoops said with a grin, delivering another punch. “See that? You chipped off the same tooth, twice!” He grabbed John’s neck and started squeezing the life out of it.

“Hey! Don’t overdo it, man!”

“Shut up, Score, and enjoy the view!” Hoops turned back to the suffocating John. “Who’s the turnip now, huh?” He tightened his grip. “Huh?!”

Using what strength he had left, John tried to push Hoops away, but his energy was gone, and a few seconds later, his body relaxed on its own. His vision tunneled and started turning to black when his ears registered a loud boom. A deep blue hoof hit Hoops straight in the muzzle with a loud smack, sending him a few meters to the back.

“Ow...” Hoops whined, spitting out some teeth. “My face, my beautiful face... Score, get her!”

“Now, you’ve done it, Crash!” Score dashed forward in a fighting pose. “Now, you’ve dooooniiiiiiii—”

John’s eyes readjusted just in time to see Rainbow Dash performing a swift evasion, and responding with an uppercut... to Score’s exposed scrotum. It connected with a loud smack, accelerating his family jewels from zero to one hundred in ten milliseconds flat, and making him squeal in agony. He fell to the ground like a rock, clenching his nether regions, and mumbling something to himself. Hoops glanced at his friend and winced, then turned to Dash with an unsure expression.

“Come on, try something!” Dash grinned. “Nothing would make me happier right now!”

“You’re making a mistake, Crash! A huge mistake!”

Rainbow arched her eyebrow and shot him a cold glare. “Call me Crash... one more time...” Seeing her squinted eyes, and vacant expression, made Hoops’ heart skip a beat, and he shook his head. “Thought so... Get that pathetic friend of yours and get out of my sight...”

“H-hey! You can’t just intimidate me—”

“NOW!”

“OK, OK! Don’t need to get... um, nervous, man!” Hoops galloped Score, trying to get him to move, but the pegasus was just lying motionless in the fetal position, whimpering like a child. “Come on, man... Let’s get out of here…” He put him on his back and quickly flew away.

“Good riddance! Those guys are always... Hey, where do you think you’re going? I need to get you to the doctor!”

“Cheerilee... Help... her...” John said, pointing his hand.

“Huh... What the heck are they doing?!”

“No time... Get help, don’t let them hurt her...”

“But... I need to get you to the hospital—”

“Please! Help her!” John noticed a bunch of ponies coming their way. “I’ll get their attention!”

“But...” Dash tried again, but after seeing the pleading expression on John’s face, let out a sigh. “Fine... Good luck, I hope you know what you’re doing...” She launched to the air and in the direction of Cheerilee’s house.

“Ditto...” John picked a bunch of rocks and his disconnected metallic arm and turned to the approaching crowd. “Hey! Pony bastards! You want me?! Come and get me!” He sent the rock flying in the direction of the mob and started running towards the Everfree Forest, with a few dozen ponies on his tail...

Author's Note

In order to write this, I made a research on how the mob lynches people – including, watching some real videos on LiveLeak…

It was an... interesting (and messed up :pinkiesick:) experience. I dare everyone who believes that the 'Court of Law' should be separate from the 'Court of Public Opinion' - to go there and watch some of those videos...

Chapter 16

“The tracks end here…” Sweetie Belle said. “She must be somewhere nearby…”

“She better…” Apple Bloom glanced at the sun and shook her head. “It’s going to get dark soon, and we’re a good twenty minutes away from Ponyville...”

She began glancing around… On her right, some distance away, a river was flowing, filling the air around them with a quiet, soothing sound. On the left, there was a patch of tall trees stretching to the horizon, but Scootaloo was nowhere in sight. She perked her ears up, listening for any sounds that could give away the location of her friend, but aside from chirping birds and buzzing bees, there was nothing.

“Hey, over there!” Sweetie Belle suddenly said, pointing her hoof to the left. “I think I can see the scooter! Come on!”

They ran in that direction, to see the antiquated contraption in one of the bushes, and the helmet lying some distance away. Their ears perked up again, and this time a quiet sob got their attention... Scootaloo was hiding under the protective shade of a leafy tree, sobbing and sniffling. Her eyes were puffy and damp from the tears, and her hooves were soaking wet. She sat with gaze fixed apathetically to the ground, gently rocking back and forth.

“Hey, Scoot!” Apple Bloom’s voice snapped the pegasus back to reality. “You, OK?”

“I... I didn’t mean to do it… I swear...”

“What happened over there? All we saw was a mob trying to bust the door to Cheerilee’s house—”

“I didn’t mean for Cheerilee or that human to get hurt! I just... I just wanted to be normal!” Scootaloo yelled, hitting her head on the tree, with enough force to shake it. “Why can’t I do anything right...” She sniffled and glance up. “Why did you have to send her after me? Why couldn’t you just... stay away...”

“Because we’re your friends, that’s why!” Sweetie Belle said. “The CMCs never leaves friends hanging, remember? We want to help you, but we need to know what’s going on first.”

“Help me? You just, don’t understand—”

“Because you’re not talking! I mean... what the heck Scoot?! Ever since Pinkie threw that party at the end of the school year, you’ve been acting strange.”

“Yeah, Sweetie’s right! First, you were doing some crazy stuff, then all of a sudden you were disappearing for days, and now... you’re stealing?” Apple Bloom shook her head. “This isn’t the Scootaloo we know... What’s bugging you?”

“Y-you wouldn’t understand...”

“Try us, Missy!”

“I’m telling you - you wouldn’t understand!” Once again, Scootaloo forcefully hit the tree she was under, sending a powerful shockwave that shook the entire plant. “Just… leave me alone—”

“Darn it, Scoot! I’ve had it!” Apple Bloom shot her a glance, arching her eyebrow. “We went through some crazy stuff together, I thought we trusted each other!”

“That... that’s not the issue—”

“Then what is?!” Sweetie Belle interjected. “Tell us!”

“I... don’t wanna! Leave me alone!”

“Not happening! We’re not going anywhere until you tell us!” Apple Bloom growled, angrily stomping her hoof, but Scootaloo just frantically shook her head, her eyes not leaving the ground. “Darn it, Scoot! Tell us so we can help you—”

“You can’t! You can’t help me or understand me! You’re not a pegasus!”

Aside from the sounds of bees buzzing somewhere nearby, everything went silent. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle glanced at each other, then back to the pegasus just as tears of anger and despair flooded her face.

“Scoot... I...” Apple Bloom bit her lip, trying to hide her embarrassment, but the blushing cheeks were a dead giveaway. “Your wings?”

Scootaloo nodded. “They say, I won’t be able to fly...”

“I... I’m so sorry...”

“Me too...” Sweetie Belle said with an embarrassed voice.

“Do you know what’s the worst part?” Scootaloo glanced up to see CMCs shaking their heads. “They lie! All of them lie! There’s a cure, but... my parents don’t want me to have it...”

“What?” Apple Bloom cocked her head. “That... doesn’t make a lick of sense... Why wouldn’t they?”

“Why?” Scootaloo let out a dark chuckle, and her lips curled into a crazy smirk. “Because they’re embarrassed!”

“Scoot, when we met your parents, they seemed proud of you!”

“I heard them saying it, Apple Bloom! I heard with my own ears how they said I let them down... They despise me!” Gritting her teeth and with tears of anger rolling down her cheeks, Scootaloo hit her head on the tree. “It’s... not... fair!” She continued assaulting the trunk, with more and more force.

“Scoot, stop before you hurt yourself!” Apple Bloom said.

“Maybe that would be for the best!”

“Stop saying things like that! We’re gonna figure it out!”

“There’s nothing to figure out! I’m a flightless pegasus, that’s only good at causing trouble and hurting others! It would be best if I just... disappeared!”

Sweetie Belle wanted to say something when a bunch of bees hovering around her muzzle interrupted her. She waved her hoof, chasing some of them away, but the buzzing was intensifying. Following the sound, she slowly glanced up, to see a humongous beehive hanging from one of the branches, swaying back and forth. Her eyes widened, and she glanced back to realize that Scootaloo began angrily bucking the tree with her hind legs.

“Scoot... you must stop!”

“You stop, Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo shouted, bucking the tree again. “You don’t know how it’s like!”

“No, Scoot! It’s not what I—”

“You have normal parents, and sister and... everything!”

“No! Stop kicking the tree! There are—”

“Stop telling me what to do!” Scootaloo hollered, sending one more mighty kick against the trunk – her buck powerful enough to make Applejack proud!

Before Sweetie Belle could say another word, something splattered nearby, covering all three of them in a sweet and sticky substance, and filling the air with a noisy buzzing sound.

“B-bees...” Apple Bloom’s eyes widened, at the swarm coming out of the ruined hive. “Not the bees!”

Scootaloo grabbed her scooter and helmet in a blurring speed. “Quickly, hop on!”

The CMCs didn’t need to be told twice. As soon as they were aboard, Scootaloo put the pedal to the metal, dashing from the scene and leaving a cloud of dust behind them.

“Phew... that was a close call!” Scootaloo said.

“Don’t celebrate yet! They’re still on our tails!”

“Relax, Sweetie Belle! There’s no way they’re going to catch...” Scootaloo’s eyes widened, as a vibration began coming from the front left wheel. “No! You can’t do this to me, you piece of junk!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Girls, brace yourselves! We’re about to—”

The wheel fell off with a loud snap, sending the scooter and screaming ponies into an uncontrolled spin down a slight slope, and into a patch of brambles.

“Ugh… You OK, girls?!”

“We’re fine... but we’re stuck!” Apple Bloom said.

“Me too...” Scootaloo began painfully dragging herself out. “Darn blackberries!”

“We need to get out of here before…” Apple Bloom said, just when a loud buzzing filled the air, and a second later, the sky went black from the swarm covering the sun. “Oh, nelly! This is gonna hurt...”

***

John quietly crawled out from under a patch of thick bushes, scanning his surroundings and the sky with caution. When Rainbow Dash went for Cheerilee, the confused mob couldn’t decide whether to go after him or her. Their momentary distraction allowed him to break free and get to the Everfree... where the game of cat and mouse continued.

Pegasi were flying over the forest, scanning it like vultures looking for a prey, while a bunch of earth ponies and unicorns were trying to track John down on foot. Following his tracks, they drove him almost all the way to the ruins of Castle Of Two Sisters, before giving up.

“Ugh, damn ponies...” John said, breathing heavily and clenching his chest. “Fuck, that hurts...” He glanced at the sun, that was now almost touching the horizon. “If that moron doesn’t find me in time, I’ll need to a place to stay... Hmm, those ruins look cozy...”

After scanning his surroundings one more time, John began walking towards the ruins, until he reached the antiquated bridge.

“Huh, looks all right...” John took a step forward, only to frantically grab the rope a second later when a plank broke under his weight, hitting the ground below with a loud thud. “Shit! That was a close call...” Feeling his aching body, he cocked his head, gaping at the rocky bottom below in silence, when a morbid thought hit his mind…

“Thirty or forty meters... Not exactly Golden Gate, but the sharp rocks at the bottom should do the job... How did that rhyme go again?” Breathing heavily, he started mumbling something to himself. “If you’re feeling like a jerk… ‘Cause your project just won’t work… Go ahead and take the leap…” He raised his leg. “Then you’ll finally get some sleep…”

Standing with his mouth opened and one leg dangling in the air, he blinked, cocked his head to the left and blinked again... tilted his head to the right and blinked one more time. As he repeated the cycle, his lips began involuntarily curling into a gentle smile, that transformed into a smirk. A few seconds later, he fell to his butt and burst out into hysterical laughter, that went on, and on, and on...

After what seemed like an eternity, he finally stopped and took a deep, slow breath. “This is so... stupid!” He chuckled to himself with a smile. “No! I’m not gonna give those pricks the satisfaction... or leave Cheerilee alone with this crap!” He picked up his metallic arm, arching his eyebrow. “As soon as I get the replacement, I’m gonna squeeze the life out of every bastard that tries something funny again! No more mister nice guy—”

“Help!” A loud outcry interrupted his tirade.

John cocked his head to the direction the sound was coming from but shook his head a second later. “Fuck it, man! Over here no good deed ever goes unpunished...” He said to himself, to hear the cry for help yet again. “No way... This may be a trap, just ignore it…”

Sitting on his butt, he tried enjoying the sun and ignoring the pain that was radiating through his entire body, but his head involuntarily moved in the direction from which the scream came from just a few moments ago.

“Ignore it... Just... let it go—” Another desperate outcry filled the air, hitting his conscience like a speeding bullet. He shook his head and rolled his eyes in frustration. “Fuck, fuck, fuck! You’re a fucking idiot, you know that?”

John stood up, sighed deeply, and started running towards the source of the sound, cursing under his breath...

***

“Ow… I won’t be able to sit for a week…” Apple Bloom said as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle pulled her out of the thorns.

“I think, more like a month... all of us...” Sweetie Belle added, rubbing her flank. “And I thought bee’s stingers are not long enough to get through pony’s coat…” She arched her eyebrow at Scootaloo. “Why the heck didn’t you listen to me?!”

“I... You should have told me you meant bees!”

“It’s always somepony else’s fault, isn’t it?!”

“That’s not what I said...”

“You don’t talk to us? It’s our fault! You steal? It’s your parent’s fault! And now, when you bucked a darn beehive off the tree, it’s my fault!”

“I didn’t say that! But—”

“Girls, drop it!” Apple Bloom jumped between her friends. “It was an accident, OK? No pony is to blame!”

“Tell that to Miss magical! Why didn’t she just vaporize that entire hive with her magic?”

“I’m gonna vaporize you in a moment!”

“STOP!” Apple Bloom shouted, and her front hooves hit the ground with force, sending it flying in all directions. “Both of you calm down, or I swear to... Celestia, I... I’m... I’m gonna kick both of your flanks!” She cleared her throat and shot her friends a cold glance, only to notice confusion on their faces. “What?”

“You OK, Apple Bloom?” Scootaloo said. “Your lip is... puffy.”

“I’m fine... I... think—”

“Your hoof!”

Apple Bloom glanced at her leg and cocked her head in confusion. It was swollen like a balloon, she glanced at her other hoof and notice it expanding as well.

“This is... odd...” Apple Bloom said with a raspy voice. “Something’s... wrong...” Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had noticed her breathing becoming more wheezy, with every passing second. Suddenly her eyes shot wide. “Oh... no...”

“What’s going on?” Scootaloo said, just as Apple Bloom began gasping for air. “Apple Bloom? Apple Bloom! What’s happening?!”

“Allergy... Can’t... breathe...”

Suddenly, Apple Bloom’s mouth opened, and panic filled her face. She fell to the ground clenching her chest and thrashing about like a wounded animal.

“Apple Bloom?! Apple Bloom! Help! Somepony, help us!” Sweetie Belle shouted with horror in her eyes. “Scoot, we need to get her to the hospital!” She said, but Scootaloo stood paralyzed with fear, just watching her friend convulsing on the ground. “Scoot! Help me! We can’t just...”

Apple Bloom’s spasms ended as abruptly as they started as her body went limp and eyes rolled to the back of her head.

“No, no, no, no, no, no! Breathe! Apple Bloom, breathe… you must breathe! Help!” Sweetie Belle yelled again, trying to jerk Apple Bloom up. “Scoot, help me get her on my back!” She shouted again to notice the pegasus backing away. “What are you doing?!”

“It’s my fault... It’s all my fault!” Scootaloo shouted in horror, frantically shaking her head. “I didn’t mean to...” She turned around, and with tears flooding her face began running away. " It’s all my fault!”

“No! Get back here! Don’t leave me alone! Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle yelled, but her friend’s silhouette disappeared in the bushes. “No… what do I do? Help!”

Sweetie Belle nervously glanced around trying to recall the path to Ponyville, but with sweat pouring down her forehead and adrenaline flooding her veins, she lost the sense of direction, seeing nothing but trees and bushes.

“Help, someone! Help me!” She hollered once again as water began rolling down her face. “Apple Bloom... get up! Please get up... Please...”

Sweetie Belle was shaking Apple Bloom’s body and pleading for her to wake up, but as seconds passed her hope began to wane, and a few moments later died down like a burnt-out candle, leaving the wailing unicorn resigned and broken. She rested her head on Apple Bloom’s chest, flooding her coat with tears.

“I’m sorry Apple Bloom... so very, very sorry...”

***

“Miss Belle?!”

Sweetie suddenly jerked her head to see John, running towards her. The view was like gasoline poured into the dying flame, rekindling her hope in a blink of an eye.

“Help! Help me! Please, help me!”

“What’s the prob... Apple Bloom?!” John’s eyes widened. “What happened?!”

“There were bees, and the next second she couldn’t breathe—”

“Is she allergic?!” Sweetie Belle nodded. “Christ! How long?”

“I don’t know... a minute, or... two?!”

John’s jerked his head from left to right and exhaled sharply. “Look for something sharp! Like a rock or a branch!” Sweetie nodded, and they both started scanning their surroundings, but there was nothing appropriate nearby.

“Sweet Celestia, her lips! Her lips are turning blue!”

Breathing heavily, John glance around one more time, and an epiphany struck him like lightning. He grabbed his disconnected metallic arm and started forcefully bashing it against a nearby boulder.

“Break! Fall apart! Break you son of a bitch, break!” John was striking the contraption against the rock, but aside from a few dents, the arm was in one peace, with no signs of falling apart. “Come on, break! Please...” He suddenly stopped, breathing from exhaustion. One of the hits, tore off a warning sticker, revealing a small piece of metal with a flask symbol beneath it.

“I added a little surprise if you can find it.” Gastovski’s words were playing in John’s mind as he pressed on the icon. A hiss filled the air, and a second later, his arm opened, revealing a small hidden compartment housing a glass bottle, with a note attached to it.

’Daddy’s little helper – enjoy!’

Clenching the bottle in his hand, John let out a chuckle. “James, you goddamn drunkard! I love you!” He took a sip, poured the rest on Apple Bloom’s throat, and smashed the bottle on the nearby boulder, picking the largest piece of glass that remained intact.

“Miss Belle, no matter what I do now, you must trust me, understand?!” Sweetie nodded. “OK, hold her down, tight!”

Sweetie Belle grabbed cyanotic Apple Bloom by the head and watched in horror as John placed the piece of glass against her throat with a shaking hand. She glanced at his face, and he glanced back, with a terrified expression.

“I... never done that to a pony...” I never done that to anyone! “God, please make it work...”

Holding his breath, he pushed the sharp piece of glass, vertically against Apple Bloom’s throat, and dark red blood appeared a moment later, and a few seconds after that a large enough opening was made. Sweetie Belle bit her hoof to restrain herself from throwing up at the sign.

“She’s still not breathing...” John frantically shook his head. “We need a... tube or... something, to blow the air inside!”

“Wouldn’t that work?”

Sweetie Belle pointed her hoof at John’s neck, or rather at one of the things hanging around it. He ripped the ‘World’s Best Dad’ pen and scanned it from top to bottom for a second and nodded frantically. A moment later, the pen was lying in pieces, and the tube was down Apple Bloom’s throat.

Biting her lip, Sweetie Belle observed as he began blowing air inside, and Apple Bloom’s chest started rising, then falling. “You did it! She’s breathing—”

“No, she’s not! I’m breathing for her...” John put his ear up to her chest. “I... think her heart is still beating, but barely...”

John blew more air inside her chest once again, and it contracted a second later. He repeated the procedure again, with the same result. For the next minute, the whole world became just the tube, and Apple Bloom’s chest, the tube, and the chest.

“Come on Apple Bloom, start breathing! Come on—”

“Look!” Sweetie Belle suddenly shouted, pointing her hoof.

They both leaned in and observed as Apple Bloom’s chest began rising on its own, and fell down a second later. It did it again… and again… and again... They glanced at each other, then back at the breathing earth pony, then back at each other one more time when the wheezing sound around them intensified.

“It... worked... It really worked!” Sweetie Belle shouted enthusiastically, and before John knew what was happening, she grabbed him in a tight embrace, flooding his clothes with the tears of joy.

“Thank God...” John returned the embrace, letting out a few tears of his own. “I’m getting too old for this...”

For a while, they just kept watching the breathing Apple Bloom, but it still wasn’t over. “Miss Belle... we need to get her to the hospital. Hold on... I’ll get this contraption that James gave me working... unless you know the way?”

“Hmm...” Sweetie Belle squinted her eyes and glanced around, to point her hoof a second later. “There! That wrinkled-looking rock! We need to get there and turn right.”

“All right...” John gently placed Apple Bloom on his shoulder. “Lead the way...”

***

When they reached the outskirts of Ponyville, the sun was touching the horizon, painting the sky with red and orange.

“There, I can see the hospital!” Sweetie Belle smiled and pointed her hoof. “We should be there in… You OK, mister?”

“I’m... fine...” John lied, gasping for air. His body was aching all over, and sweat was pouring off his forehead like a waterfall. “Just... tired... Give me a sec...”

He sat behind one of the many trees, inhaling deeply and at the same time glancing at the destination. He squinted his eyes and slowly shook his head a moment later.

“Miss Belle... I can’t go there – you’ll have to carry her the rest of the way...”

“What? Why?”

“I can see ponies near the hospital, and something tells me that if I go there... I’m not coming out alive...”

“Why would anypony attack you?”

“It’s a long story. Let’s just say that Cheerilee and I were accused of something we didn’t do...” John let out a sigh. “We don’t have time for this... Will you bring Apple Bloom to the hospital?” Sweetie Belle nodded. “Good... I would have a favor to ask, though... After you deliver her, could you find James, and tell him I’ll be waiting near those ruins to the south?”

“Sure, no problem—”

A quiet groan interrupted them…

***

Apple Boom slowly opened her eyes, glancing at John and Sweetie Belle in confusion. A second later, a mixture of fear and pain filled her face, and she jerked her hooves.

“Easy, easy! Sweetie Belle, help me out here!” John said, blocking Apple Bloom’s attempt to pull the tube out of her throat. “Apple Bloom, look at me! Please, look at me!” She glanced at John with horror in her eyes. “You’ve been bitten by bees, you’re OK, but we’re taking you to the hospital...” She opened her mouth, but when no sound came out, she tapped the tube with her right hoof. “I know it hurts, sweetie, but the tube must stay for a few more minutes...” Apple Bloom bit her lip in confusion. “We don’t have time to explain... I need you to be brave for a while longer, OK? Can you do that for me?” Seeing a reassuring smile on John’s face, she nodded. “Good girl!”

“Apple Bloom, I’m gonna take you to the hospital...” Sweetie Belle said. “Just, please... don’t stop breathing again, OK?” She turned to John. “I’m ready.”

Gently, John placed still swollen body of the earth pony on her back and sighed. “You’re good to go... I know it’s only five minutes or so, but... good luck. And please, remember about informing James, OK?”

“I will, and mister...” Sweetie Belle glance at him, and a few tears rolled down her cheeks. “Thank you... Thank you so much...”

“No problem,” John winked with a smile. “Just... get her to the hospital.”

Sweetie Belle nodded with a loud sniffled, and with Apple Bloom on her back headed towards Ponyville. John waited until their silhouettes disappear, before turning back himself, and heading to the south...

***

Meanwhile, at the hospital emergency room, Rainbow Dash was arguing with a bunch of ponies.

“I’m pressing charges!” An earth pony said painfully clenching his hoof.

“Go ahead!” Rainbow Dash shouted back. “I’m sure Princess Celestia will be pleased to hear from you! Oh, and don’t forget to add how you beat up the human and wanted to do the same to Cheerilee!”

“She’s a fillyfooler—”

“Says who? Dumb Bell and his gang? And you bought that?” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Those three are a lying bunch of losers!”

“Scootaloo herself confirmed it!”

“Yeah, I heard how that ‘confirmation’ looked like—”

“Rainbow Dash!” Apple Jack said, joining the conversation. “I came as soon as I heard what happened! How’s Cheerilee?”

“She’s fine... A few bruises, a cut on her hoof and pretty shook up, but she should be OK. Her house is a different matter, though...”

“What about you?”

“Me? I’m not the one who almost got beaten up by a bunch of losers!” Rainbow said, turning her head back to the group of ponies. “Idiots! All of you! I hope Celestia’s gonna kick your flanks!”

Murmurs filled the air, but no pony responded, either too afraid or too ashamed after what happened. Applejack kept glancing between angry Dash, and the bunch of injured ponies, shaking her head in disbelief.

“How could that happened... One accusation and the whole town went crazy?” Applejack noticed Rainbow Dash arching her eyebrow. “What?”

“It’s just funny coming from you, AJ...”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing...” Rainbow shook her head. “I gotta dash and tell Twilight what happened here if she doesn’t know already. See you later...”

Applejack sat down on one of the chairs and with a confused expression on her face, tried to understand what Rainbow Dash could have meant. After a minute or two, the hospital’s door burst opened, interrupting her pondering and revealing Sweetie Belle with Apple Bloom on her back...

***

“Help! Somepony!” Sweetie Belle said. “Apple Bloom needs help!”

“W-what?!” Applejack’s eyes shot wide, and she ran like crazy towards her sister. “Apple Bloom, what happened! Talk to me!”

“She can’t talk, she has—”

“What’s this?!” Applejack pointed at the tube in her sister’s throat. “What happened?!”

“What’s the problem here?!” Doctor Stables interjected, his eyes darting from left to right in a blurring speed. “Sweet Celestia... Redheart! Get that filly to the ICU, stat! Who brought her in? I need to know what happened!”

“I did,” Sweetie Belle said. “We were bitten by bees and—”

“Allergy?” Stables interjected, and Sweetie Belle nodded. “And you put that... Hey, Applejack, you can’t go in there!”

“Like heck, I can’t!” Applejack snapped. “She’s my sister!”

“I understand, but she’s in ICU now – medical staff only.”

“B-but—”

“No, buts!” Stables said, but seeing the determined look on Applejack’s face added. “Look, I may make an exception for you... but first, we need to take care of her, OK? Come back in an hour or two.”

“Hours?! But—” Applejack wanted to protest, but seeing the stoic expression on Stable’s face, let out a sigh of defeat. “Fine...”

“Doctor Stables, we need you!” Nurse Redheart said.

“Coming!” Stables said, turning to Sweetie Belle. “Thank you young lady, that’ll be all, you can go home—”

“Is she gonna be OK?”

“We’re going to do everything in our powers to make her OK, Sweetie Belle. Now, if you’ll excuse me...” A second later, Stables disappeared behind the door to the ICU.

“That’s... not an answer... “Sweetie Belle murmured, only to be forcefully turn around by Applejack.

“Who did this to her? Who put that... thing inside her throat?!”

“You mean the tube? John did! If it weren’t for...” Sweetie Belle cocked her head, noticing Applejack’s lip trembling and brow twitching. “You OK?”

Breathing heavily and gritting her teeth, Applejack slowly turned her head towards the confused unicorn and shot her a cold, intimidating glance. Sweetie Belle took a step back.

“Where... is... he?” Applejack said, her eyes burning with rage.

“H-he said he’ll be waiting near the ruins of old Celestia’s castle, but...” Applejack dashed through the hospital’s door like a mad bull, knocking several ponies on the way. “Applejack, wait! He didn’t do anything!”

Chapter 17

“Goddammit... Where is that bum...” John threw a rock down the gulch and rolled his eyes – it was starting to get dark, and there was no James in sight. Sighing in frustration, he stood up to pick up another stone when his ears perked up at something walking towards him. “Took you long enough, you asshole!” He said, but the reply he got was not a sarcastic remark he was expecting.

“H-hey...”

He turned around, to see Scootaloo standing some distance away, with face puffy from tears, head hanging low, and eyes fixed on the ground.

“You?!” John shot her a glance, gritting his teeth and clenching his hand into a fist. “What the hell do you want?! Weren’t you entertained enough when your pony friends were beating the crap out of me?!”

“I just—”

“Do you have any idea what you accused me of? What you accused Cheerilee of?” John shook his head, letting out a hiss. “Jeez, kid, what the hell is wrong with you?!”

Instead of an answer, Scootaloo began walking towards the gulch until she reached the edge of the precipice. She glanced down and closed her eyes, letting out a deep, slow sigh. “Are you… going to try again?”

“Try what again?”

“The thing you tried... on the first day. When... Princess Celestia stopped you...”

Scootaloo’s words hit John like a sledgehammer, and his eyes shot wide. He stood dumbfounded, his mouth agape, unable to make any sound. When he finally spoke, it was like a baffled whisper.

“How do you…”

“I saw everything…”

“Kid, I…” John paused, querying his brain for a meaningful, not awkward response, but the results turned out empty. “You, shouldn’t have seen that… I’m sorry—”

“No, don’t be! You’re brave! I wish I had so much courage...”

“Ki... Scootaloo, there is nothing brave about... that. It wasn’t courage, it was... desperation…” John squinted his eyes. “Why are you asking about that, anyway?”

Scootaloo let out a sigh and turned towards the gulch. “I came here many times before, hoping to... find the courage to just jump down there and... fly – even if only for a few seconds...” She glanced down the precipice and flinched. “I couldn’t do it... I was always paralyzed by fear, but... when I saw you standing there just a few moments ago, I... I just...”

“Just... what?”

“Please... take me with you...”

John’s lips curled into a confused expression, and once again, silence filled the air. He just stood there with his gaze locked upon the whimpering pegasus, until something clicked inside his brain.

“Wait… You want me to... grab you and jump down?”

“I know I don’t deserve your help! But... I just... can’t do this anymore...” Scootaloo sniffled as some tears rolled down her cheeks. “It hurts too much...”

“Scootaloo...” John took a step towards her. “I know things are bad right now, but—”

“You don’t know anything…”

“I know about your wings...” This time it was Scootaloo’s time to stand frozen, gaping at John with a bewildered expression. “Look, I’m sorry... I won’t pretend to know how you feel about that, but...”

“Yes... those things...” Scootaloo glanced at her tiny wings with disgust. “Those... pathetic things! It’s all their fault!”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you think?! I’m a cripple! A dodo! A walking pile of shame! Everypony hates me... and it’s all because of my wings!” She yelled, angrily stomping the ground, her breathing shallow and rapid. “I started stealing because of them, I made a deal with Dumb Bell because of them, and my parents want to send me away because of them...”

“It’s not the end of the world yet, Scootaloo... Things are bad, but...”

“You don’t understand...”

“I’m not a pegasus, true, but... I do know how it’s to feel so much pain that you’ll do anything to make it stop...” As the memories of what happened a few days ago flooded John’s mind, he sighed and shook his head, staring blankly at the ground. “You look at the core of the problem, and it seems impossible to fix... And then that little voice in your head starts telling you to just let it go, and all your problems will be gone... You have to fight that insidious bastard because there is always a better solution.”

“What if... you did something very wrong? Something that can’t be fixed? What then?”

“You’ll have to live with it, but... doing something like that rarely happens.”

Scootaloo let out a dark chuckle and smiled bitterly. “Yet... it happened to me...”

“If you mean the stealing and the ‘little’ misunderstanding—”

“I did something worse… Much, much worse…”

“Like what?” John noticed Scootaloo forcefully squinted her eyes, and a second later, her body began trembling. “Whatever you did, it can’t be that bad... I’m sure your friends will help you figure it out—”

“No, they won’t! Because I... I...” Suddenly the dam broke, and fresh tears flooded Scootaloo’s face like a river. “I killed Apple Bloom!”

“What?!”

“I knocked off the beehive, and then crashed the scooter, and... she stopped breathing and I just... I just ran!” With her teary eyes fixed to the ground, she began wailing like a child. “I left my best friend to die... I’m such a coward…”

The view of the heartbroken, shaky figure, washed away any animosity John still had for the young pegasus. He walked up to her and with a smile of sympathy on his beaten up face, put a hand on her shoulder. “Scootaloo, she’s fine...”

“No... I killed her, I saw her dead!”

“She passed out, but Sweetie Belle and I got her to the hospital.”

Instead of brightening up, Scootaloo glanced at him like an angry wolf, squinting her eyes, and gritting her teeth. “You really think I’m that stupid?! I know what I saw! She’s dead!”

“I’m telling you the truth – please calm down—”

“I don’t wanna calm down! You’re a liar like the rest of them!” She snapped, pushing him away. “I killed her! I killed my best friend! I... Hey!” Before she could react, John’s vice-like grip was around her body, pulling her away from the edge. “Let go of me!”

“Not before you calm down!”

“No!” She shouted, struggling and kicking. “Help! Somepony, help me!”

“Jeez... Now I know how Celestia must have felt...” John rolled his eyes, pulling her away from the precipice. “Darn it, kid! Would you kindly... Argh!” Scootaloo buried her teeth in his biceps, sending a sharp, radiating pain up his arm. “Fuck, that hurts! Calm down, goddamnit!” His pleading only made Scootaloo angrier, and she began bucking her hooves against his bruised ribs.

“Let... me... GO!” With defiance on her face, she kicked one more time, and it connected perfectly, sending John to the back, knocking out his wind, and launching her forward. Her expression changed in a blink of an eye when she realized, she was flying directly towards the gulch...

Scootaloo’s eyes shot wide, and all sounds around her died down, leaving only the rhythmic beats of her young heart – each strike like a reminder of something that was about to stop. The cruel trip put her instincts into overdrive, jerking her body upwards like a plane trying to perform a loop, and she hit the edge of the gulch on her hind legs, almost vertically. She stood erect with her eyes fixed on the rocky bottom below, and her tiny wings flapping like crazy.

Time seemed to slow down, and for a moment, it looked like her wings would be able to save her, to pull her body up, to prove that they weren’t completely useless. As desperately as she fluttered, though, it was only enough to keep her from falling, and she was already panting from exertion. Her wings ran out of steam a few moments later, and her body started dropping forward...

***

“Argh!” Scootaloo plunged down but got tangled in some old roots on the way. With her heart pounding like crazy, she tried jerking her body around, only to hear ripping-like sounds – the roots were starting to tear up. “H-help! Help me!”

“Gotcha… I think…” John grasped her by her mane, but with nothing to grab onto, his body started slipping down as well. “Scootaloo, you gotta climb!”

“I can’t!”

“Yes, you can! Use your wings to help you!”

“They’re useless—”

“For flying, maybe, but they should—” One of the roots gave way, removing some of the little support Scootaloo have, pulling John closer to the edge. “I’m slipping... You must try! I can’t pull you up.”

“I can’t! I’m useless...” John’s body moved another inch, and he glanced at her, to see nothing but depression and apathy. “Just... let go...” Scootaloo whispered, closing her eyes. “I deserve it...”

“No, you don’t! Listen, you made some bad choices, it happens! But you can still fix things!”

“Apple Bloom—”

“We got her to the hospital! I swear!” John said, but notice her shaking her head in disbelief. “Scootaloo... There’s nothing I can do to convince you but consider this... If I’m telling the truth, and Apple Bloom learns about what happened here, she’ll blame herself. Do you want that?”

“I...” Scootaloo bit her lip, her teary eyes darting from left to right. “No... I… I don’t want to hurt anypony, anymore…”

“Then climb! If not for yourself, then for her!”

After a short pause, Scootaloo glanced up and sniffled. “She’s really alive? You swear?!”

John smiled and nodded. “Pinky swear!”

His gentle and warm expression was like a glimmer of hope, penetrating Scootaloo’s gloomy shell and filling her heart with a weird sensation. It was a feeling of something she didn’t experience in a long, long time. It was the feeling of… confidence.

“All right!” Scootaloo grabbed John’s arm with determination.

Her tiny wings came back to life, fluttering in reverse like crazy, pushing her body against the rock wall. Using John’s arm as a rope, she began climbing, one hoof at the time. It was slow, it was clumsy, but it was working!

“That’s it! You’re doing it! Just a few more steps and—” But then, Scootaloo pulled on his arm a little too hard, and his body began to slip down, with no way to stop it.

“Argh! We’re falling! We’re—” John interrupted Scootaloo’s yell, with a mighty jerk that launched her into the air, and she hit the ground a second later, performing a few barrel rolls before stopping. “Ugh... We’re… OK?” She opened her eyes, and after a short pause of disbelief, let out a chuckle. “We’re OK! You did it! You...” She turned around, but John was not there. “Oh, no…”

***

Scootaloo dashed forward, her mind filled with morbid thoughts, but once she reached the edge, she brightened up. “You... OK?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m dandy!” John was hanging from the same bunch of roots, that saved her life just a few moments ago. “Just hanging around...”

“Hold on!” Scootaloo turned around and went prone, lowering her tail. “Can you grab it?”

“No... It’s close, but out of reach.”

“I’ll get help!”

“I doubt those roots will hold for that long—” One of them snapped as if trying to prove him right. “Fuck! Get... um... get me a long branch!”

“Long branch... Got it! I’ll be right back!” Scootaloo disappeared, leaving John hanging by the literal thread.

John glanced down, trying to figure out a way out of this mess, but the nearest ledge was about ten meters below him, and too narrow to land on, anyway. He scanned the gulch from left to right, but there was no way out of this. He was trapped like a rat in a hermetic maze, with air quickly running out.

“What the...” John arched his eyebrow, realizing he was slowly descending. He glanced up to see that his weight was pulling more and more of the rotten root out of the rock face. “Shit... Hurry up, kid!”

He locked his eyes at the edge of the cliff and waited, praying to see Scootaloo with a rope, stick or... something – before it’s too late. He stood there motionless for what seemed like hours when his ears finally perked up. However, instead of his would be savior, he saw Applejack.

“Hey! I could use a little help here!” John said, but Applejack just glanced at him with a vacant expression, her eyes cold and emotionless. “What are you waiting for?”

“Did you do this to Apple Bloom?”

“Can we talk about this AFTER you pull me up?!”

“Did you cut my sister’s throat?!” Applejack repeated.

“Oh for the love of—” Just then, the root moved a few centimeters again, sending John further down. “Shit! Yes! Yes, I did it! You happy? Now, pull me up!” But Applejack looked at him with disgust and just stood there, watching his struggle. “What are you waiting for?” John shot her a last desperate glance, only to see her lips curling into a sly grin. “You... You’re not gonna help me, are you...?” One of the roots gave way then, and the rest started snapping like dominoes. “You… sadistic bitch!” John yelled just as he started falling down.

He painfully hit one of the ledges and began rolling down like a rag doll, his body going faster, faster and faster, each bump more painful than the other, filling the air with John’s yells of agony. A few seconds later, an audible thud echoed through the gulch, and it was all over.

Applejack glanced down at the motionless body with satisfaction and spat. “You’re not gonna hurt anypony again, you vermin—”

“Did you get to him?” Scootaloo’s voice snapped her back to reality. “Where is he?”

“He… fell.”

“W-what?!” Scootaloo ran to the edge and glanced down. “No, no, no!” She stepped back, frantically shaking her head, and burst into tears a moment later. “It’s my fault...”

“Now, now Scootaloo, let’s get back to... Hey, where are you going?! Scootaloo!” Applejack shouted, but young pegasus kept running away and disappeared in the bushes a moment later. “Consarn it! That filly is always trouble...” She said and went after her.

***

“Again?! That’s like... what? Third time this month?” Nurse Sweetheart said to Redheart as she poured herself some coffee.

“Fourth, actually... Hey, pass me a sugar, would you?” Redheart poured five spoons into her cup and quickly filled it with a black liquid, inhaling the vapors with a quiet moan. “Oh, how I needed that...”

“Five spoons... Honey, you’re addicted.”

“Hrmph, nonsense – five is not that much... Besides, I can stop wherever I want!”

“Oh, yeah, I remember Berry saying the same thing when Stables and I were pulling that bottle out of her... backdoor,” Sweetheart took a sip of her tea and smiled. “What did you pull out this time, anyway? Don’t tell me they finally tried the pineapple?”

“Actually, our lovebirds went fully professional! That thing I pulled out was a metallic bulb-shaped object with adjustable handle.”

Sweetheart cocked her head. “But, if it was adjustable, how did it get stuck?”

“That’s what you get for not reading the instruction, before using your toys... Especially when they’re imprinted on the part that goes where the sun doesn’t shine,” Redheart drank some of her coffee and let out a chuckle. “I always say, RTFM—”

“Working hard, I see...” Doctor Stables walked inside and interjected with a sarcastic grin. “Oh, don’t mind our patients or me, you’re obviously busy... saving lives and all...”

“You’re asking for an enema, Stabie...” Sweetheart said, arching her eyebrow. “I spent the last three hours cleaning wounds and setting bones of those idiots that attacked poor Cheerilee. I think I deserve a coffee break!”

“Ah, about that...” Stables picked up one of the charts. “Since when do broken bones and lacerations need a... rectal exam?”

“Some of those stallions were bragging on how they’re going to run Cheerilee out of town... I feared there might be a lump, blocking the backflow of blood from the colon to the brain.”

“And was there any blockage, nurse Sweetheart?”

“No, but it would appear that some of them were suffering from a strong case of cranial fecalitis. Fortunately, it seemed to disappear after I finished the procedure.”

Redheart shot her an inquisitive glance. “Care to share your secret technique with us?”

“There’s no secret, hon. I did the procedure by the book! Except for the lubricant, since we’re all out.”

Stables closed his eyes and let out a slow, deep sigh. “Sweetheart, did you ever hear about primum nil nocere?”

“I didn’t do any harm! Well, no permanent one, anyway... Although they may walk a little funny, for a few days – just long enough to get back to their senses.”

“Great... And if they decide to sue us?”

Sweetheart put on a sly grin. “I have a secret stash of Pavulon just for that.”

“Hon… Did anypony told you, you’re evil?” Redheart said with a dark chuckle.

“A few... But sadly, they all… passed away,” Sweetheart lowered her voice into a whisper. “stopped breathing for... some reason.”

“I see...” Stables poured himself a cup of coffee and shot her a glance, arching his eyebrow. “It’s not poisoned, is it?”

“Not more than usual...”

He took a sip and smiled, letting out a deep sigh of content a second later. “Jokes aside... I really hope you put something better in their charts as an explanation for that rectal exam... And in the future, please don’t do that—”

“Stabie... Poor Cheerilee was so shaken, I had to give her a cocktail of sedatives just to stitch up her hoof, and she’ll be limping for the next month or more! Those idiots should be glad I didn’t perform a full colonoscopy on each one of them!”

“I understand, but please let the authorities take care of that from now on, OK? I’m sure Princess Celestia will look into it. In the meantime… how is our little patient? Still sleeping?”

“Yeah, I check on her a few minutes before you came here, she’s out like a log...” Redheart shook her head. “Poor little filly.”

“Fortunately, Sweetie Belle not only got her here in time, but she also trached her.”

“She did that?!” Sweetheart’s eyes shot wide. “Impressive!”

“I agree...” Stables smiled viciously. “Who knows, maybe she’ll be taking your job, Sweetheart...”

“Good, I always wanted an apprentice—”

A knock interrupted their conversation. Redheart opened the door to see Applejack standing in the hallway, with tired eyes and a crooked smile on her face.

“Evening nurse, is doctor Stables here?”

“Ah, Applejack... You came to see your sister, I presume?” Stables said, and she nodded. “I can let you in, but... she’s sleeping right now.”

“Is she OK?”

“Yes, she should be fine. We were able to make the swelling go away, and I fixed her throat with a few healing spells. We’re going to keep her under observation for another twenty-four hours just to be on the safe side, but everything should be OK.”

“Thank you, doctor... Can I see her now?”

“Like I said, she’s sleeping, but... I guess I could let you in for a while. If you promise to stay quiet and not cause trouble, that is.”

“You betcha!”

“All right then, follow me, I was about to check on her anyway.”

They entered a dimmed room, and the sound of medical monitors immediately filled the air. Apple Bloom was on the first bed to the left, her mouth slightly agape, and a patch on her throat. The only things contrasting with the peaceful view were some cables connecting her to the machinery.

“All parameters are stable... Excellent,” Stables murmured to himself, noting something on her chart. “I’ll leave the two of you alone... We’re constantly monitoring her remotely, so don’t worry about anything...” Applejack squinted her heavy eyelids and bobbed her head a couple of times. “You seem... tired, everything OK?”

“Oh, believe me, doctor, everything is fine,” Applejack said with a smile, caressing Apple Bloom’s mane. “For the first time in a long time, everything is A-OK...” Not wanting to interrupt, Stables smiled and silently left them, closing the door behind him. “Don’t you worry, little sis... I’m not gonna let anything happen to you...” Applejack’s lips curled into a grin, and her words turned into mad, soft giggles. “I’ll take care of all of them... Every... single... one... You’ll see, everything will be fine...”

Looking at her sister’s peaceful slumber, and stroking her mane, Applejack didn’t notice when her own baggy eyes closed, and she dozed off...

***

The door to the room burst open with a sudden bang, abruptly awakening Applejack from her peaceful slumber. She opened one of her eyes to see another movable bed rolling inside, with Redheart and Sweetheart, jumping around it like crazy.

“OK, on three! One, two, three!”

Applejack let out a quiet groan of annoyance and went back to sleep, next to Apple Bloom – the only thing on her mind was to get some shut-eye.

“OK, I hooked him up… Darn, what a mess!” Sweetheart said with a concerned voice.

“Look at his vitals... This can’t be right!”

“Maybe that’s normal for his species?”

“Not according to this chart here... Sweet Celestia, what happened to this guy.”

“Fell down the gulch near the old castle from what I heard.”

Applejack’s eyes suddenly shot wide, and she leaped off the bed like a startled cat, scaring both nurses in the process.

“Darn it, Applejack! Don’t do that—”

“Who’s that?!”

“That other human – John… something, why?”

Applejack’s eyelid twitched, and she launched in the air with madness on her face – like a religious fanatic, crazy for revenge. “You vermin! I’m gonna kill you!”

“Whoa, calm down!” Sweetheart said, trying to pull Applejack away. “Redheart, sedative!”

“You darn vermin, I’m not gonna let you hurt Apple Bloom!”

Applejack grunted and hissed, struggling with the nurse. Sweetheart tried her best, but it was a losing battle. Applejack knocked her away and once again launched to the air with murder in her eyes. She was almost on top of her target when something grabbed her by the coat and violently jerked her up. The next thing she saw was the mad face of James, just before his right jab smacked her to the muzzle with a stunning effect.

Nurses glanced at each other with unsure expressions, then back at James and Applejack.

“Well, that’s one way to sedate someone...” Sweetheart said. “Please, get her out of here, we need to take care of your friend.”

“Got it...” James said coldly and left the room with dazed Applejack still in his grasp...

***

James’ was trying to strangle the handle as he closed the door. He was a furnace, ready to burn the life out of Applejack and give her a taste of her own medicine. All it would have taken was one stronger squeeze, a single shot from his gun or one thrust of a blade... He thought about it for a moment, but chose a second best thing... and sent her rag doll body flying.

The painful landing was like an unexpected reboot, wakening Applejack up from her dazed slumber. Immediately, she dashed for the ICU – only to be stopped midway by a well-placed jab. With the trickle of blood coming from her nose, she tried again, with the same result.

“Out of my way, you vermin!”

“You’re not getting in there, bitch! If I see you near John again, I swear to Jesus fucking Christ, I’m gonna rip off your hoof and shove it up your ass so far it’s gonna stick out of your mouth!”

Gritting her teeth like a mad dog, Applejack launched into the air, trying to buck James out of the way, only to feel his fist connecting with her chest once again. The sledgehammer strike sent her to the floor panting like a runner after a marathon.

“What’s going on here?!” Stables interjected their one-sided brawl. “This is a hospital, not a bar!”

“What is that thing doing in one room with my sister?!”

“What... thing?”

“The other human!”

“Because this is the ICU...” Stables said, but Applejack kept hissing through her teeth like an angry cat. “Um... Intensive Care Unit? You know, for creatures needing... intensive care?”

“Move Apple Bloom somewhere else!”

“She may not need intensive care at the moment, but needs to be constantly monitored—”

“Then move that... thing!”

“Applejack, this is the place where both of them should be! What’s the problem?”

“You put the monster that tried to kill my sister in the room with her, that’s the problem!”

“He… what?” Stables turned into a statue, his jaw hanging low and eyes glancing between mad Applejack and disgusted James. “Is... this true?”

“He cut her throat!”

“Cut her throat?” Stables cocked his head. “When?”

“What do you... Are you blind or what?!”

“Let me translate that from rednecks’ to Equestrian for you, doc...” James interjected. “According to Sweetie Belle, John’s the one who put the tube down Apple Bloom’s throat.”

“He did this?” James and Applejack nodded in unison. “Darn, so much for an evil apprentice...” They both shot him a glance of confusion. “Never mind... Well, if he did this then... Not bad! The cut was a little crude, but—”

Before he knew what hit him, Stables was lifted off the ground like a sack of potatoes and pushed against the wall. Applejack looked ready to tear him in two!

“’Not bad’?!”

“C-calm down!”

“That... thing tried to kill my sister, and you say ’not bad’?!”

“Kill her?! Applejack, he saved her life!”

“He cut her throat!”

“So she could breathe!”

“W-what?” Applejack felt her energy dwindling in the blink of an eye, and Stables hit the ground a second later. She glanced him in the eye and shook her head. “What are you saying...?”

“Didn’t you talk with Sweetie Belle?” Stables said, readjusting his wrinkled lab coat. “Well anyway, from what she told me, Apple Bloom was bitten by a bunch of bees—”

“She’s allergic to bees!”

“Exactly... That must have been one heck of a swarm because she got an anaphylactic shock and her airways closed up a few moments later. Whoever put that tube down her throat let her breathe again.”

All of a sudden, Applejack felt heat washing over her skin, changing her tongue into sandpaper. The air was like hot steam, burning her lungs with each intake.

“This... this can’t be right,” She said, frantically shaking her head. “It just... can’t be...”

“It can, and it is,” Stables said. “If he is the one who put that tube down Apple Bloom’s throat, then he saved her life.”

His words turned her hooves into jelly, and a second later, she folded like a house of cards. She sat there with her wide opened eyes glued to the floor and face white as snow, praying to wake up from this nightmare.

“Plot twist, bitch…” James whispered with a voice of disgust. His words only tightened the noose around her neck, making her gasp faster.

“Is... he... gonna be... OK?”

Stables let out a sigh and levitated John’s chart with his magic. He tried to keep calm and hide behind the mask of professionalism, but his empty eyes were telling a different story. When he started reading, it quickly became obvious why. The centimeter thick chart was screaming a litany of pain and suffering.

“Multiple lacerations, broken bones and ribs, cranial trauma, abdominal trauma... and probably a dozen other conditions we haven’t diagnosed yet... I’m sorry, but... to be honest, I doubt he’ll make it through the night.”

“N-no... You, you have to save him!”

“I’m sorry, Applejack, but he had the worst case of bad luck I’ve seen in years – first that incident with Rainbow Dash, then getting beaten up by the mob, and now accidentally falling down the gulch—”

“A-accidentally?”

“Yeah... I saw the whole thing. He just... fell off the rock face...” James squinted his eyes, piercing her with his chilling glance. “Too bad, there was nopony that could just... give him a hand, and save his life... isn’t it?”

“I... I don’t—”

“What about using that technology of yours?” Stables interjected, tapping his chin. “Couldn’t it save his life?”

“For what...? So you ponies can play the game of ’smash the human pinata’ for a while longer?”

“You do realize that only a small part of Ponyville population was part of that mob? And that Cheerilee tried to help your friend, and got hurt too?”

“Yeah... I also realize that this ‘small’ part of Ponyville, will continue to treat him like a fucking leper no matter what he’ll do... Do you have any idea how it’s like to live surrounded by creatures who hate you with all their heart, doc?”

“Mister, with all due respect, but... what makes you think that the whole population of Ponyville is going to treat your friend like that?”

This time it was James’ time to admire the tiles on the hospital’s floor and let the awkward silence fill the air. His face twitched a few times before he slammed his eyes shut and let out a deep sigh.

“Personal experience...” James finally said but cut the topic before anyone could respond. “I don’t wanna talk about it. The bottom line is... I’m not going to use nano-tech on John – let the guy die in peace...”

“Well... since I swore to try to save all life, I’ll do my best regardless. Maybe some miracle will happen...”

“With his luck?” James let out a dark chuckle. “Don’t count on it... I do have a favor though...” He pulled out a small spherical device with a button on top. “When he dies... could you push that here and hold it until it starts flashing? It’ll let me know he’s dead.”

“All right...” Stables grabbed the contraption with his magic. “I need to go and check him out, I let you know if something changes. And Captain... I’m sorry about your friend, from what I heard he seems like a good man,” Stables disappeared behind ICU door, leaving James with Applejack.

“Yeah... he was...”

***

As soon as the door closed, James glanced at the pony next to him, to see a ghost sitting there with eyes still fixed to the floor. The bravado she showed just a few moments ago was gone, replaced by apathy and confusion. He couldn’t care less.

“How does it feel, Applejack?” James said, his voice empty and emotionless. “How does it feel to kill a guy who saved your sister’s life?”

“I didn’t kill him...”

“Ah, yes... You just let him die – because that’s completely different?”

“I don’t know what Scootaloo told you, but—”

“Don’t you mention that goddamn brat! She better not cross my path anytime soon, or Dash gonna need to find herself a new number one fan!”

“Then, how—”

“I saw everything!” James said with a face of a judge before handling the death sentence. “Sweetie Belle told me where he was, and that you went after him. I took the shortcut, running like crazy, I made it in time to see him in the distance, dangling from that rock, and you standing above him… Why didn’t you help him, damn it?!”

“I thought he tried to... I...” Applejack began shaking her head like mad. “It’s not my fault! You’re the one who doesn’t want to save him! And he’s supposed to be your friend!”

“Yes, he’s my friend, and that’s exactly why I’m gonna let him die in peace. He doesn’t deserve the shit you ponies put him through.”

“T-then... You’re the one killing him, not me! It’s not my fault!”

James glanced at the pony in front of him with a mixture of disgust and contempt. Applejack, the Element of Honesty, fell so low she was lying to herself. The cruel irony made him feel bad for her, and he hated it. Suddenly, the door to the ICU burst open, revealing nurses pushing John’s bed out of the room – doctor Stables right behind them.

“Coming through, out of the way!”

“What’s going on, doc?” James said. “Where are you taking him?”

“The O.R. – he’s bleeding internally, we need to operate immediately. I’m sorry, no time to talk!”

The creature on the bed was a mixture of zombie and a mummy, with dozen different tubes and devices connected to his bandaged body – each one beeping a crazy tune. The view made Applejack flinch and step back, and something inside her mind rebooted abruptly. It started an inferno that went through her brain and soul, incinerating all the lies that kept her sane during the last few hours.

“He’s probably going to die on that table...” James said as the bed disappeared behind the corner. “I hope you’re happy…” He turned to leave, to hear something he least expected.

“Save him...” Applejack said with a pleading, shaky voice. “Please, I... I want to make things right.”

James turned, boring through the shaky pony with his cold gaze, only to smile a moment later – her body telling him precisely what he wanted to know.

“We had a saying back on Earth: too little, too late. You made your choice back then, now you have to live with it... But don’t worry, I won’t say anything. He fell on his own – that’s the official version.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you to suffer!” Applejack cocked her head. “Yes, miss Honesty, you heard me right... No matter how despicable you are, I can see there’s still some conscience left in that head of yours... and you’ll have to live with the knowledge of what you did for the rest of your life,” James smiled viciously. “I don’t think it’ll end up well...”

“S-stop, stop talking!”

“Knowing you, I bet that it’ll be like a splinter inside your brain, slowly stripping you of your sanity, until every time you look at Apple Bloom, or in the mirror, you’ll see his face!”

“B-be quiet!”

“It’ll be a pleasure watching as guilt drives you insane until you finally crack and confess to your crime... And when your family disowns you, and you’ll lose everything, I’ll be there to remind you that’s all because of your stupid hatred towards John and me...”

His words hit her hard, leaving dark stains on her very soul. She was shaking like a leaf and looking about to pass out, but James was not done. He crouched down to her level and looked her in the glassy eyes.

“Was it worth it, Applejack?”

That question was the final straw. She cracked, burying her face in her hooves in silence, and a second later, her cheeks became a waterfall of tears. Seeing her broken, shaking, and crying her eyes out, put a sly grin on James’ face.

“Why did it happen?” Applejack shot him a glance of a confused child. “I’m not like this... Why did I try to kill him—”

“You, WHAT?!”

Applejack and James turned in unison towards the ICU door, to see Apple Bloom standing there, looking like she’d just seen a ghost.

“Applejack... Tell me, I heard that wrong... Please...” She said, but her sister kept staring at the floor in silence. “No... I don’t believe it! W-why?!”

“Apple Bloom, he... he tried to kill me! When he arrived here, he almost hunted me down! I thought... I thought he tried to kill you too...”

“He... what?!” Apple Bloom yelled with a horrified expression, her eyes darting from left to right. “He tried to kill you, and you didn’t tell me?!”

“Please, I was trying to protect you...”

“By lying to me?!” Apple Bloom shot her sister a hurtful glance. “And he didn’t say anything either… You’re both liars!”

“Apple Bloom...”

“No! Stay away from me! I hate you... and him! I hate both of you!” Apple Bloom said with a sniffle and ran back inside the ICU.

“Wait!” Applejack extended her hoof, as if hoping it will bring her sister to her, but nothing happened. “Please, come back...”

“So it begins... Maybe you should catch her later and tell her she should be happy! After all, the ‘monster’ is dead, she’s safe, and ponykind is safe...” James said and began walking towards the exit, but stopped a few moments later. “Although, after all that happened, it makes you wonder who the monster really is... Doesn’t it?”

Applejack watched as his silhouette disappears around the corner, leaving her in the silent corridor alone with her thoughts. Just when she thought she had begun digging herself out of the hole, she tripped and fell back to the bottom. Except, this time the hole grew so deep she couldn’t see the sunlight or the way out anymore. Then came the voice inside her head, the voice she tried so desperately to silence all this time. It went from a whisper to holler in a blink of an eye and was getting louder by the second. It was the voice of her conscience, and it was slowly devouring her from inside out.

“I’m... I’m a... a... Ugh!” She couldn’t stomach the truth. With one hoof covering her mouth, she darted towards the bathroom, burst inside one of the stalls and violently threw up. She clung to the toilet and rocking back and forth, began wailing like a child, with James’ words playing in the back of her head.

’Although, after all that happened, it makes you wonder who the monster really is... Doesn’t it?’

“...I’m the monster...”

Author's Note

So... anyone feeling bad for Applejack:unsuresweetie:?

Chapter 18

When the night fell, stormy clouds filled the air, turning the streets of Ponyville into pitch black darkness, occasionally brightened up by a flash of lightning. The sky loomed over the city like a monster, ready to devour everything in its path. Every creature was running for shelter like there was no tomorrow. Except for one.

Cheerilee hobbled towards the train station with two saddlebags on her back, dragging one of her legs behind her. She was a broken shell, hiding in the shadows like some rogue, and frantically glancing around like a mental patient whenever her ears picked up any sound.

“Dad, miss Cheerilee would never do that!”

The sound of her name was muffled and distant, but her mane bristled anyway, and she dashed towards the gloom. With her injured leg like a ball and chain, she made it just in time to see two azure colored ponies emerging from around the corner. It was Bold Hoof – the unicorn that forced Scootaloo to talk, and his pegasus son – Gallant Mane.

“Hrmph, maybe she knew what I would do to her if she had tried anything with you,” Bold Hoof, always the braggart and always the first to start a brawl. “But from what I heard, other fillies weren’t so lucky...”

“But, what did she do, dad?”

“Something horrible, Gallant... You’re too young to understand...”

Cheerilee’s head dropped, and her eyes locked to the ground. The stallion’s words were screaming wicked innuendos, a duet with the scream of wind from the approaching storm. It was all a scream when the ponies she knew her entire life were accusing her of something so hideous and disgusting. It made her stomach turn.

“Oh, come on, dad! You know you can tell me anything!”

“Not this, my dear boy...”

“Why? Do you think I would be scared? Ha!” Gallant launched into the air like a rocket and performed a few loops. “I’m just like you, not scared of anything! If something ever attacks Ponyville again, I’m gonna mash it!”

“I know, Gallant, I know... I’ll tell you someday.”

Cheerilee took one step back into the gloomy alley. She wanted to get to the station, leave this sick town, and finally get some sleep. But fate had other plans. A gush of air came from the dark and hit the scene with the power of a hurricane. The breath of the monster from the high above grabbed the young pegasus by surprise, sending him higher and higher.

“Gallant!” Bold Hoof shouted, trying to catch the boy with his magic, but the pegasus disappeared in the shadow of the night.

She should have stayed away, should have let the father find the kid, should have just kept going towards the station – it was a logical thing to do. But when the colt hit the ground near the river, her instinct kicked in, teleporting her to his location before her mind could protest.

“Are you OK?”

“Miss, Cheerilee?” Gallant Mane shook his head. “No, you must hide! If my dad sees you… "

“I’ll be fine...” A lie, if she were to stay there for much longer. “How do you feel? That was a hard landing.”

“Um, I think I’m OK...” Gallant said, but gritted his teeth as he stood up. “A little bruised, but nothing I can’t handle. You... you really should go, before it’s too late—”

Too late came sooner than she had hoped. Bold Hoof dashed between them like a mad boar, roughly knocking Cheerilee to the ground. His expression told her, it wasn’t an accident.

“Stay away from my boy, you nag!”

“Dad! She just wanted to help!”

“Just like she ‘helped’ the other kids, huh?”

“I didn’t do anything...” Cheerilee stood up, clenching her teeth. The rough landing tore the gauze on her hoof. “You’re believing lies.”

“So, poor Scootaloo is lying too?” He glanced at her packed saddlebags, arching an eyebrow. “Going somewhere?”

“None of your business.”

“Oh, but it is!”

“What are you... Hey!” His magic surrounded her like a swarm of bees and jerked her off the ground. “What are you doing? Let me go!”

“I’m not gonna let you run away! First, you’re going to answer for your crimes, and then, and only then – I’m gonna personally run you out of town!”

“Darn it, let go!” Cheerilee kicked and struggled, but his magic was a vice, holding her tight. “You ruined the school, destroyed my house, and landed me in the hospital! Do you think the Princess’ going to turn a blind eye on all of this?!”

“That was self-defense! I couldn’t let you hurt my boy!”

“Self-defense?! You attacked me and beat up an innocent man, and you call that self-defense?!”

“Innocent? Just like his mouthy friend, huh?! Those humans are nothing but trouble!” Bold Hoof brought her closer and put on a sly grin. “When we’re done with you, I make sure to throw that... filth out of Ponyville, as well!”

Freezing razor sharp wind hit them once again, like a breath of a windigo feeding on the scene. When it faded, it left behind a clinking sound that got their attention. Bold Hoof’s eyes shot wide then, and Cheerilee hit the ground. An empty glass bottle with a skull and crossbones label was rolling towards them with a mocking cackle. An ominous foretaste of what was to come.

And it came fast. A hand emerged from under the nearby bridge, followed by the figure of a creature that Bold Hoof prayed not to meet. James stood in front of them, gaping. With his black armor, and empty eyes, he was death incarnate, and he smelled just as bad. Judging by the stench, he must have drunk a bar... and then some. He began walking towards them...

***

“I had a... weird dream a moment ago,” James said with a wicked smile. “You were there mister Bold, boasting about how you beat the crap out of my friend...”

Bold Hoof’s bravado turned to steam and faded like a fart in the wind. All of a sudden, he wasn’t so bold anymore – his name was like a cruel joke or the fate of irony.

“Look, um... I don’t want any trouble,” Bold said, motioning his son to get behind him.

“Odd… I could swear I heard you saying how you wanted to, throw me out of town?”

“Um... It was just an... misunderstanding—”

“Bullshit!” James’s good guy act was gone, replaced by pure hatred. “I know what I heard – how you bragged about beating the crap out of my friend, and what you wanted to do to Cheerilee, here.”

“Captain, please don’t!” Cheerilee interjected. “You’re drunk!”

“I’m not drunk, I’m... completely wasted! Mr. Bold... Would you like to join me? We could drink together for... good old times!” He said with a giggle but got no reaction. “Big mistake... If you would have said ‘yes’ it could have saved your life, but now…” Unicorn took a step back, hiding behind Cheerilee. The view made James laugh. “A cardboard cut out tough guy – that’s what you are! Only brave against those weaker than him. A goddamn... chicken!”

“Hey! My dad’s not a coward!”

“Sure... that’s why he’s hiding behind Cheerilee, shaking more than Lyra’s magic dildo!”

The young pegasus glanced at his father to see him cowering in fear, just like James said. For a normal person, that would have been a cue to shut up, and stay away, or to try to deescalate the situation, but for Gallant, the view was like a shot in the muzzle. With a defiant expression on his face, he blasted into the air, performing a loop after loop, going faster and faster, before launching himself at the bully with a mad battle cry. His flying hoof hit the spot like a sledgehammer... or so it seemed until James cocked his head and chuckled.

“You little shit!” His left hand was squeezing the kid’s throat before anyone could react. The effect was immediate.

Bold Hoof went first. His horn began glowing like a rod of hot steel as he enveloped James’ hand in his magic, trying to force it open, but it only widened the evil grin on James’ face. Cheerilee was next, grabbing his arm, and trying to pull it away, but it barely budged. No matter what they tried, resistance seemed futile.

“Captain, let him go! He’s just a child!”

“I’m not afraid of him, Miss Cheerilee!” Gallant said, unfazed by his situation. “Let me go, you monkey, and I’ll show you!”

“I’ll be damned... You really are a gallant little bastard, aren’t you? Maybe you could demonstrate it...” James glanced around for a second and picked up a hand size rock, perfectly smoothed by the river’s flow. “Here you go – crush it.”

Gallant cocked his head and blinked, but with James’ vise grip around his neck, he wasn’t really in the position to argue. He grabbed the rock with his hooves, and squeezed it, puffing like a locomotive.

After a few moments of trying and breathing hard, he looked smirking James in the eye. “That’s not possible! Nobody is that strong!”

James grabbed the rock in silence and held it for all to see. His whole arm lightened up like a Christmas tree and magic began. Everyone watched as the piece of stone started shaking and letting out a quiet snapping sounds, getting louder and faster with every passing second. It all reached a crescendo a few moments later when the rock shattered into twenty tiny pieces.

“Nice trick, wasn’t it?” James presented the remains to Bold Hoof, before spilling them to the ground. “I must confess that it makes me wonder how much pressure could a pony skull take...” He placed his hand firmly on Gallant’s small head, and glanced him in the eye, his wicked smile piercing pegasus to the very soul. “Would you like to find out?”

Just like with his father, kid’s boldness went out the airlock, leaving behind a shell of a pony that would pee himself if fear hasn’t closed his sphincters tight.

“D-dad, dad!”

“Oh, and here I thought you were not afraid of me...” James let out a chuckle. “Like father, like son, I see...”

“P-please, don’t hurt my boy! Please... I’ll do anything!”

Bold Hoof was on his knees, pleading. His body shaking as if his heart was about to jump out of his chest. A pathetic view of a pitiful man. Cheerilee realized it wasn’t doing him any favors, and joined in.

“James... Please, let him go. The child is innocent.”

“Yeah... So were you, and so was John – that didn’t stop that idiot from starting a riot and beating you both up!”

“And you want to be like him?”

Her words poked something inside of him, and for a moment, everything slowed down. James glanced between the terrified kid and his father, and back to Cheerilee. Her eyes like a mirror that reflected his conscience, forcing his mind into guilt-trip mode.

“I can see why John and you ‘clicked’ so fast...” James shook his head with a bitter smile. “You’re right... to a point – kid’s innocent... Time for a switch!” He sent Gallant flying and grabbed his father instead, jerking him into the air like a sack of potatoes. “Hello there, cutie pie...”

“James! Stop this!”

“Unlike the kid, that bastard deserves a lesson, and you know it!” Bold Hoof froze, his wide and empty eyes locked on James’ grinning face. “You consider me some kind of psycho, right? Now, what should I do to earn it... Hmm, shot in the head, perhaps?”

“James!”

“You’re right, Cheerilee! You’re absolutely right... That’s no psycho at all... How about, I just poke your eyes out? No, wait, I got it! Total dismemberment!” James snapped fingers, and a shining piece of metal popped out of his right arm, like a death’s scythe. “We’re gonna remove your horn, hooves, and tail and donate it to science! What a great way to redeem yourself – teaching all those ponies about the anatomy... What do you say?”

The answer was a massive pile of undigested dinner making its way out of Bold Hoof’s stomach and onto his coat with a splash, slowly oozing down to the ground.

“Yeah... I guess you’re right, that would be a bit messy... Maybe we should go for something less dramatic after all—”

“Stop this madness!” Cheerilee tried again.

“Tell you what... I’ll stop when you pick a punishment.”

“I... what?”

“Tell me what you want me to do to him, and I’ll do it! It can be anything—”

“Let him go!”

“OK... Anything, but that...” He said with a smile, but Cheerilee remained stoic like a statue. “Oh, come on, Cheerilee! He attacked you, ruined your house and the school, and wanted to beat you up again! He deserves a goddamn lesson!”

“Yes, he does... But not like this! This is revenge, not justice!”

Everything stopped once again, leaving the air with nothing but the sounds of approaching thunder. James glanced at Cheerilee to see a gaze of concern and compassion. Even after all the crap that unicorn put her through, he couldn’t find a hint of revenge in her eyes. He couldn’t decide whether to hate or admire her for it.

Shaking his head, he turned to Gallant who was standing nearby in silence, with pleading face and watery eyes. “See that kid? That’s how you earn real respect.”

“R-respect?”

“Yes, respect... See, your daddy hurt Cheerilee... badly, and yet she still cares what happens to him... That’s pretty… noble. Stupid, but noble... Too bad I’m not like that...” James jerked Bold Hoof around, pointing his hand at something. “Do you know what that is?”

“Your… statue?”

“Exactly! Your daddy and the rest of Ponyville put that thing there, to... honor me because I helped you in the past... A monument of hypocrisy, built by a bunch of liars... And, if there are two things I really hate, it’s are liars and hypocrites!”

A small bubble on top of James’ right arm opened like an eyelid, letting out a soft buzz. The laser pointer of his particle cannon formed a perfect red dot right between the eyes of his prey, but before he could do anything, a loud rumble got his attention…

***

“STOP!” A voice boomed from the sky, and something hit the ground nearby like a meteor, sending dust and rocks flying. Celestia emerged from the cloud like a fallen angel, her squinted eyes locked on James.

“Wow! Have you seen that, kid?! Superhero landing! She did a superhero landing! Awesome! But, it’s very bad on your knees, you know—”

“Let him go!” Celestia said in a very stern tone.

“I thought you were called to Canterlot.”

“I got back as soon as I heard what happened.”

“Took you long enough! What, did you stop for drive-thru?” Celestia didn’t budge, clearly not in the mood. “Anyway... Go to the Sugarcube Corner, grab a cake, and get back in ten, would you?”

“Let my pony go, NOW!”

“Sorry, but I’ve been looking forward to kicking that asshole in his asshole the whole day. I’m not letting go until I’m... What the...?”

James glanced back. Celestia was focused, her horn charged and sparkling. She gritted her teeth with effort, trying to teleport the pony away, but it wasn’t working.

“Yeah... As you can see, I made a few upgrades since our last fight – no more teleporting me or anything within about a meter of me, away...” His speech only made her try harder, turning the air around him and the stallion into a fireworks show. “Goddamnit! Are you deaf? You continue doing that, and you’re gonna cut him in half! ... not that I would mind, it would be pretty cool!”

“Do not force me to do this...” The color of her horn changed from gold to red, and her eyes started glowing with intensity. It looked as if she was surrounded by the fires of Hell itself. “Please...”

“I told you, stop this damn magic before you hurt someone! I’m gonna let him go when I’m done... which should be in a few seconds,” he turned to flour-faced Bold Hoof and chuckled. “Gals... Always want it their way, don’t they? But, it’s getting kind of late, so let’s make the lesson quick...”

James aimed his weapon again, and the air turned to a jumble of screams and pleadings. The ragged clouds above decided to add a bolt of lightning into the mix, just when his cannon discharged. A final outcry before it all went quiet...

***

“Good riddance… I wanted to do that for a long time!” Shaky Bold Hoof opened his eyes to see he was still alive. His body was turned around so that he could see the middle of Ponyville. “It’s an improvement, wouldn’t you say, mister Bold?”

James’ statue that just a moment ago proudly hovered above the market was shattered into a hundred little pieces.

James turned Bold Hoof around, grinning smugly, like a winner. “All those things I said earlier? I could do them to you…” He looked him in the eyes. “Every... single... one. But I won’t. Because I’m not like you! I don’t believe in witch trials, the court of public opinion, or lynching people. I trust Celestia to look into this matter objectively. You’re free to go...” He dropped Bold Hoof to the ground, and Gallant Mane galloped to him like there was no tomorrow. “I hope your dad learned a lesson, kid...”

Instead of a joyous reunion he was expecting, both ponies were just giving him this horrified expression as if they were looking at a ghost, zombie or an alien.

“What? I don’t shoot people in the back, you know. Go home...” He turned, to see Cheerilee giving him the same look. “Seriously? I didn’t kill the idiot! What else do you want?”

“It’s… not that...”

“Then what...”

He felt it, a warm sensation spreading over his left hand like hot water, except it was dark red and sticky. There was a nice round hole the size of a bit coin on the left side of his body, and the life-giving fluid was leaking from it like a beer from a tap. His confused eyes slowly turned to the left. Celestia stood there with the same horrified expression as everybody else, her horn still letting out some steam. A smoke signal pointing out the culprit.

“I… didn’t expect that...” He turned to the kid, showing him his bloody hand. “Do you know what this is?”

“B-blood?”

“More than that... This is the best present someone can ever give you, kid – pure clarity...” Both Gallant and Bold Hoof cocked their heads in unison of confusion. “It’s a rare gift that burns all the lies, leaving nothing but the truth... No matter how painful it might be...” He let out a slow chuckle and spat some blood. “You wanted to get rid of all filthy humans out of Ponyville, mister Bold? Something tells me, Princess’ gonna be more than happy to oblige...”

“James, I...” Celestia started, but when James glanced her in the eyes, she lost the words.

The weather decided to chime in, and the rain started pouring from the sky in torrents – like the tears from the monster that hung over Ponyville for the past few hours. James and Celestia stood motionless, staring at each other like a bunch of statues waiting for the downpour to clean them from the dirt.

It seemed like an eternity before his expression change, and finally, when it did, it was like a shot in her muzzle. James’ face wasn’t of anger, or rage, or anything else she had expected... Instead, it was a face of betrayal, and even with all this rain, she could swear she saw a few tears rolling down his cheeks. The view set her guilt on fire – a blaze that all the water of the world wouldn’t put out.

James broke the eye contact and turned around and without saying a word, began walking away – leaving behind a trail of red…

***

“I want to press charges!” Bold Hoof’s words woke Celestia from her daydream and back into the nightmare.

“I see you didn’t understand anything he said—”

“You’re taking his side, Cheerilee?! You should stick with your own species – how can you call yourself a pony is beyond me!”

“Funny... I was about to say the same thing about you...”

“Hrmph! The nerve! Your Highness, I officially demand an investigation!”

“You shall have it...”Celestia’s voice was cold and emotionless, her eyes fixed on the horizon. “I can assure you, I will investigate this whole incident myself, starting with... You!”

“M-me?”

When Celestia turned around, her face wasn’t of the benevolent ruler everyone used to know, but of something else, something... menacing. “Yes, you! Now, leave...”

“But... what about that human? You can’t just let him go, he’s dangerous!”

“Dear sir, allow me to say it one more time... BEGONE!” Her voice boomed like a shot of a cannon, and her eyes turned to sparkling chunks of ice. “Leave... before I show you how dangerous I can be!”

Bold Hoof opened his mouth, but one glance at the Princess close it shut again. She looked as if waiting for an excuse to tear someone in two with her own hooves. With a sheepish smile on his face, he nodded and trotted away with his son.

“Coward...” Celestia murmured as soon as their silhouettes disappeared into the gloomy night. “Cheerilee, you stay. I need to know what happened here…”

***

This was James’ second party under the bridge that night, but the way it started didn’t promise anything good. He was breathing heavily and thinking, then trying not to think, only to think about it over, and over again. He would probably stay in the crazy loop for eternity if it weren’t for the burning sensation radiating up his body. The familiar feeling of Tabasco being poured down his guts began as soon as the adrenaline wore off, and was getting from standard to Habanero.

“Fuck... The damn wound should have fixed itself already... Why isn’t this healing, APE?”

“The energy discharge left some kind of electro-static residue, preventing the nano-probes from functioning. Attempting to compensate...”

“It knocked out our nano-tech?”

“It would appear so, sir. Seeking medical attention is advisable.”

James didn’t get the last part, grabbing the bottle instead and getting ready to guzzle it all down. His approach wasn’t very original, in fact, it was probably the oldest one in the book. Drown your problems in the endless sea of ethanol, hoping they’ll somehow go away. Even if the result was always the same, people did it anyway, over and over... A definition of insanity, if there ever was one – old as dirt, but still going strong.

“Unless, you came here to lock me up, or finish the job – go away...” He took a gulp, didn’t waiting for an answer.

Celestia looked under the bridge but stayed outside – a bubble of magic protecting her body from the onslaught of the rain. James just kept sipping and didn’t even bother to look up.

“How did you know it was me?”

“I could smell the stench of hypocrisy,” James said with a smirk, but her arched eyebrow made it fade away a second later. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Who else could it be? The better question is, how did you find me...” That one quickly answered itself. A diluted trickle of red was leading under the bridge, like a ball of thread leading to the Minotaur. “Right... You came to enjoy your handiwork?”

“I would like to ask you about John.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s dying on schedule, don’t worry...” He was expecting a scowl but instead could see the horror filling her face. “Odd, I would have thought your little spies have told you everything by now.”

“I was informed about the incident, but... I had no idea it was that severe...”

“It wasn’t...” James took another slow sip, much slower than he needed too, savoring on her anticipation. “Dash saved his ass, and he managed to escape, but later fell down the gulch near your old castle.”

“Fell down... on his own?”

“Yeah... I saw it all – a freaking accident... What a guy, huh?” He tried to smirk but winced instead.

“Let me help you with that wound.”

“You helped, quite enough. Although I must say, this wound is pretty interesting… Not only did your magic passed through armor’s hyper-flex nano-polymer like a hot knife through butter, but it also somehow prevents me from healing. Almost as if it was... designed specifically for me.” James smiled bitterly. “But you wouldn’t know anything about that... would you?”

She answered by dropping her head, not even trying to deny the accusation. Her vacant expression and hollow eyes fixed on the ground were like a scream. She was guilty as hell.

“All those tests Twilight did on me, all those experiments, and Bon Bon sneaking through my room... It was to develop that little spell, wasn’t it?” James took another gulped and let out a chuckle. “Friendship is backstabbing, yay!”

“Allow me to explain—”

“Explain, what? That Twilight and you were looking for a way to kill me? I’m not good at this friendship stuff, but… I’m pretty sure friends aren’t supposed to stab each other in the back.”

“That spell was supposed to be used only in case of an emergency!”

“And that justifies it?!” He lifted himself off the ground and began stumbling towards the Everfree. “Fuck this shit!”

“Where are you going?”

“Anywhere, where you’re not!”

“You were drunk and threatening to kill a pony! How was I supposed to react?!”

“You really thought I would have killed him just like that? And in front of his kid, too?!” He shook his head. “Fuck me... You’re just like the rest of them! Thinking I’m some goddamn psycho!”

“With your reputation for violence, I needed to have means to keep you in check!”

Her words stopped him dead, just as the rain intensified – hitting him with raindrops the size of hail. Something high above was trying to cool off his hot head, and extinguish the burning rage inside of it.

“The last time I killed someone, we were fighting side by side. I remember that angel-white coat of yours looking pretty red in the end. We both fought, we both killed, and yet... I’m a psycho killer, and you’re a benevolent ruler,” he glanced at her with a bitter smile. “Reputation... Funny thing how that works... No wonder Luna’s still... Ah, never mind…”

He bit his tongue, but the seed was already planted, growing fast. He could see it in Celestia’s eyes – curiosity and fear, side by side.

“Luna’s still... what?”

“Never mind... I said too much, already.”

“I am trying to get to her ever since she got back. If you know something that could help, please tell me!”

He tried to stop it, but her words broke through his will… and a long dark chuckle left his mouth. “You... You really are something, you know? You want to get her trust? Get her to open up? You may start by not treating her like a complete moron.”

“What... What are you talking about?”

“The one thing she and I have in common – trust, or rather lack of it on your part!”

“I trust my sister with all my heart!”

“That’s why you sent your little agents to spy on her?”

A sudden stab in her heart left Celestia momentarily speechless with mouth hanging low, but the mystery of how and why James knew was quickly erased by the feeling of anger and panic. A moment later he was in the air, hanging by a magical noose around his neck.

“You told her?! You idiot!” She yelled, gritting her teeth. James just kept smiling. “How could you be so stupid!”

“Actually, she told ME!”

“W-what?”

“You heard me right, Miss self-righteous! She’s not the moron you take her for! She realized she was being followed YEARS ago, and when we became friends, she passed that information to me. I just put two and two together.”

Her magic faded in a blink of an eye and with it, the barrier protecting her from the rain. The water began striking her coat, quickly soaking her to the bone. But somehow, despite the torrential downpour, her mouth felt like a desert.

“Oh, why the sad face? Remember, she had a reputation! After all, she tried to kill you, take over Equestria, and make an everlasting night. And all for rather petty reasons, too...” James grinned. “Yeah... You’re right. People like her don’t deserve to be trusted.”

“I did not do it because I do not trust her! I did it to protect her!”

“Oh, cut the crap, would you? Luna knows ponies have doubts about her, she can see it in their dreams all the time. Especially those rich bastards, why do you think she hates those damn galas, so much? She knows that one mistake, and she’ll lose whatever little trust nobility has for her.”

“No... This cannot be true...”

“Really? You don’t trust her, why should they? Hell, who do you think spread those rumors about her and Shadowdancer?!”

“What... rumors?”

James cocked his head. “You gotta be shitting me right now… You didn’t hear how Luna was allegedly helping him during the takeover?!”

“She… WHAT?!” Celestia paused, but moments later, frantically shook her head. “No... I do not believe you! I would have noticed something!”

“Just like you did a thousand years ago?”

She noticed something else – a sinister grin on James’ face, getting wider and wider, his dark chuckle perfectly mixing with the view. He found a weak spot and wasn’t afraid to strike it.

“Stop! It is different now...”

“Is it? You didn’t trust her then, you don’t trust her now... History’s repeating itself—”

“No, it is not! B-be quiet!”

That was the last thing on his mind. The stutter was a dead giveaway that his words hit the spot. His gaping wound made him hungry for revenge, and he was going to get it.

He looked her in magenta eyes. “Do you know, how does it feel, out there?” He motioned at the moon, widening his grin. “It’s not pretty... First, there is the trip... All those lovely rainbow colors are drilling through your vision, leaving you with the nastiest case of vertigo you can imagine. You’re a lucky man if you don’t puke. Then you try to inhale, only to feel your lungs feeling with needles and liquid metal.”

“Stop...”

“Oh, let’s not forget the skin. I was lucky, my armor practically acts like a space suit, but Luna? Two hundred degrees in the sun, minus two hundred in the shade, plus a mixture of gasses trying to melt away your skin. Pretty nasty...”

“Be quiet! I heard enough...”

“Oh, and last but not least... Hunger and thirst. Just like my nano-tech, alicorn cells can synthesize the energy from a lot of sources, but that doesn’t stop your gut from nagging you. Try to imagine going hungry for a thousand years.”

“S-shut up! Just shut up already!”

“Face it Celestia, you abandoned her once, you’ll do it again!”

“No... Never!” Her tears were a and sobs were music to his ears. “Never again—”

“But, who cares, right?! She has a reputation, after all! Hell, I bet Twilight and you, have developed a similar spell just for her—”

A flash of white filled the air, interrupting his tirade. When it faded, Celestia was no longer there. The view made James high as a kite and grinning like some wicked clown… until, a moment later, it was all ruined by a voice from behind...

***

“Are you proud of yourself?”

James rolled his eyes, already knowing when this was going. When he turned, Cheerilee was there, scolding him with her gaze as if he was a student in her class.

“Yes, Miss Cheerilee, I am! Do you want me to stay after school to talk about it?” He tried his best to sound funny, but she remained a statue. He wasn’t the first brat she had to deal with. “Damn, that face... Too bad I don’t give a shit. Otherwise, it would be pretty scary...”

“Do you really believe Princess Celestia deserved that kind of treatment?”

“Oh, give me a break! You’re beginning to nag me...”

“Good! Someone has to!”

“Ugh, please spare me the lecture, OK? I don’t know how much you heard, but she deserved all of it, and then some!”

James tried to break the eye contact, but she didn’t let him. Wherever he turned, she was there, like a bad conscience he couldn’t shake.

“I heard it all, and we both know she didn’t! Yes, she made a mistake, but what you did was utterly cruel!”

“Mistake? She shot me for nothing, goddamnit!”

“For nothing? Really? You were holding a pony hostage! What would you do if the situation was reversed?”

James paused for a moment and smiled. “Hrmph, I would aim for the head... But Celestia is not me! And besides, that bastard deserved a—”

“A lesson! Yes, I know!” Cheerilee interjected and chuckled a moment later. “Heavens, you’re such an idiot!”

“Wow... That’s very un-teacher-like—”

“Oh, shut up! You’re not one of my students.”

“My first bit of good news! Now, if you’ll excuse me...”

“Can’t you see, you’re acting like a jerk?!”

“If you don’t like it, then why don’t you go molest someone else! Maybe earn that reputation that ponies gave you!”

He immediately realized what he just said. It was a slip of the tongue in the heat of the moment, but Cheerilee’s squinted eyes and bitten lip were a dead giveaway that it hurt. What hurt even more, was the glance of disgust she shot him a moment later, before walking away.

“Shit... Cheerilee, wait!” He ran in front of her, but she just kept walking. “Look, I’m sorry, OK?” He pleaded, but her face was a stone. “Would you stop for a moment?” She didn’t stop, in fact, she sped up, dragging her injured hoof behind her.

The view of the stumbling away pony sent an unbearable heating sensation through his entire body. An inferno to melt the glacier of lies he surrounded his conscience with. It was working fast and filling him with guilt.

“You’re right...” He said with a sigh. " I acted like a fucking asshole… Maybe Celestia was right, too…”

She stopped and turned, scolding him with her gaze like a brat after a very long school day.

“Apology accepted, but... we both know there is another person who should get one.”

“Cheerilee... What Celestia did, it...”

“Believe me, you’re not the only one who feels betrayed today...” She let out a sigh, fixing her eyes to the ground. “Ponies I knew for years and called friends attacked me for no reason. How do you think I feel about that?”

“So what are you gonna do? Accept their apologies and just forget about it?”

“If they’ll be sincere, then yes. What other choice is there? To run away? We both know that won’t do anything,” his curled lip was telling her he wasn’t convinced. “Look, I know Princess made a mistake, but maybe you should give her a chance to explain it?”

Another pause, another glance, another sigh. The more James thought about it, the more right Cheerilee’s words seemed.

“Yeah... You’re probably right...” He shook his head and facepalm. “I really fucked up, didn’t I?”

“Let’s just say that if you were my student, you would have to stay after school... for a month.”

“Jeez, ever heard of cruel...” His eyes shot wide as if he saw a ghost. “Speaking of cruel… If Luna finds out what I did, you’ll get a jar for the school called ‘human reproductive system – extended edition.’ I need to find Celestia before it’s too late.”

Someone chose that moment to turn off the rain. Some of the clouds gave way to the moon and stars, turning the pitch black night into a spectacle of silver. An omen of hope.

“We both better go, before it starts raining again,” Cheerilee said.

“Your train probably left already... If you don’t have a place to stay, I bet Twilight would be more than happy to take you in.”

“Princess Celestia already told me the same thing, but I need to go to the hospital first, and get a new bandage.”

“Need any help with those saddlebags?”

“Thank you, but I’ll manage... You got bigger problems to deal with, not to mention that nasty wound.”

“Actually, I was able to compensate for the interference, during your conversation,” APE interjected. “We are regenerating, Sir, albeit rather slowly. Regeneration rate is down to five percent.”

“Thanks for the info, APE... If only the other problem was so easy to fix...”

“Good luck, Captain.”

“Yeah... Something tells me, I’m gonna need it. And, Cheerilee...” He let out a sigh. “Thanks for sticking with John and for this, it means a lot. Especially after what happened.”

“Is John, really dying?”

“I’m afraid so…”

“This is... not right,” she shook her head, her eyes fixed to the ground. “Not right, at all...”

“Well, on the bright side, he’ll at least finally get some peace… I know it’s cold comfort, but...”

“I wish things had turned out differently.”

“Makes two of us... Now, if you excuse me, it’s time to get castrated...” His comment put a smile on her face, but not so much on his. “APE, scan for alicorn life signs nearby...”

Author's Note

So... Was James really stabbed in the back here, or was Celestia justified in her actions? :unsuresweetie:

Chapter 19

Apple Bloom lay in her hospital bed, her dull eyes fixed to the tiled ceiling above. The ICU was like a tomb – empty, dark and quiet, with only the tune of beeps coming from the monitors spoiling the silence. A place adapted to help patients sleep.

But she couldn’t sleep, not after what she had heard. While the fire she had shown a few hours ago burned itself out, it left her in a state of confusion. Lost in thought, she was trying to put together the jigsaw puzzle of all the events she had witnessed in the last few days when the door to the room opened softly.

“Hello? Anypony there?” The curtains around her bed moved, and a gloomy figure stepped forward. “Sweetie Belle?! It’s like three in the morning, what are you—”

The vice-like grip hug was the answer. Sweetie Belle clung to her neck as if trying to squeeze the life out of it. Her eyes turned into sprinklers, flooding her coat with fresh tears. Tears of joy.

“Never, EVER do something like that again, you hear me?! Do you have any idea how scared I was?!”

“I’m... sorry?” Apple Bloom said with a sheepish smile. The blush that followed was a dead giveaway that she felt a little guilty. “Is Scoot with you, too?”

That simple question was a splash of cold water, washing away the bittersweet expression from Sweetie Belle’s face, and filling it with a frown. To say she looked angry would be putting it mildly.

“Don’t you mention that darn dodo!”

“Sweetie Belle!”

“No! I’m not apologizing, not after what she did!”

“What do you mean?”

“She ran away! You were unconscious on the ground, not breathing and... she just ran!”

“She did?” Apple Bloom didn’t sound angry, maybe a little confused, but not angry. “She must have been scared...”

“I don’t care! That’s not what friends do!”

“Sweetie Belle...”

“Don’t you ‘Sweetie Bell,’ me! First, she knocked down the darn beehive, and then ran away like a chicken!” She shook her head and let out an angry snort. “If I see her, I’m gonna kick her flank!”

Apple Bloom said nothing. Sometimes she wasn’t sure anymore who was the tomboy in their group, but she was the one expected to be the voice of reason. Burdens of command.

“Fine... You do what you want. When I get out of here, I’m gonna talk with her.”

Sweetie Belle rose her hoof, ready to counter, but the stare coming from Apple Bloom’s squinted eyes began chilling her to the bone. But before her cold gaze could pierce the thick unicorn skull, the door opened with a bang. Startled like a feral cat, Sweetie Belle had barely enough time to jump to the next bed and close the curtains, before voices filled the room...

***

A second later, someone hit the switch, and the room lit up. Another bed started rolling in, with pony nurses behind it. Through the crack in the curtains, Apple Bloom saw a mummified figure with a dozen tubes and wires leaving his body. A creature from a horror movie.

“OK, I’ll take this side...” Redheart began connecting the monitors. “What a night...”

“Pay up...”

“We didn’t bet!”

“You said, he won’t survive the operation, I said ‘I bet you ten bits he will!’”

“That wasn’t a bet!”

“We could spend all day arguing whether we bet or not. Give me my ten bits. Unless... you wanna bet fifty he’ll make it through the night?”

“So you can strangle him with a pillow just to win? Nice try.”

“Seriously? You think I would do that, just to win fifty bits?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

“No, I would not! I’m a civilized pony, you know...”

Sweetheart frowned. That little hurtful expression would make most ponies feel guilty and back down. But years of working in a toxic environment made Redheart immune to it.

“By that, I understand you would use something other than a pillow, huh?”

Redheart’s voice was calm and warm, melting Sweetheart’s frown and turning it into a smirk. They both loved those morbid games.

“Pavulon my dear – no struggle, no fear, no pain! You just stop breathing and peacefully pass to the great beyond—”

“More like to the morgue in the basement, when they cut your organs and set it to some unnamed restaurant in Griffonstone for the highest bidder.”

“The circle of life, Redheart, the circle of life.”

“Ah, my bad. I’m sure your victim would be glad to hear that.”

“I’m glad we agree…” Her lips curled into a wicked smile. “So, about that bet—”

“Don’t even think about it...” Stables walked inside, his tired eyes fixed on the chart he was holding with his magic. “I just spent three hours patching him up.”

“Ugh, the party popper strikes again...” Sweetheart rolled her eyes. “Shouldn’t you be doing what doctors do? You know, like... sleeping on the couch, or something?”

“So you can strangle me with a pillow? Nice try, Sweetheart.”

“Well, it was worth a shot...” She smiled, but once she glanced at the bed, concern filled her face. “Jokes aside... Do you think he’ll make it through, Stabie?”

“Until morning? Maybe, but... all in all?” Stables shook his head and paused. His expression was louder than a thousand words. “It would take a miracle. Oh, by the way,” he pulled out the device James gave him, “remember, if he dies when I’m not around, push that button on top until it starts flashing.”

“Yeah, we heard you the first time, doc.”

“Good, now let me see how our other patient is doing...” He opened the curtain, to find Apple Bloom with a somewhat... disturbed expression on her face. “Err… I thought you were asleep... Did you... hear all that?”

“Kind of, yeah...”

“Do you promise not to tell anyone? Or do you need some... incentive?” Sweetheart’s face was like a stone mask, her cold eyes gaping. The orchestra of beeping-noises filling the air was an indication that her performance was top notch. “Err... Sorry, Apple Bloom. You know, I was joking... right?”

The sound of Stables’ facehoof was loud enough to escape the room and echo through the empty corridors. Nurse morbid had struck... again, leaving the filly shaking.

“Yes, I’m sure she knows!” Stables said. “And the elevated heart rate, dilated pupils, and shivers are just part of an act!”

“Apple Bloom, you have to excuse nurse Sweetheart, she’s just—”

“S-scary?”

“I would say... morbid, but scary is good too,” Redheart’s smirk pushed Sweetheart’s face into a deep frown. “She’s not really killing anyone.”

“It’s never too late to start...” Sweetheart shot her a glance and grumbled, then turned to Apple Bloom. “Sorry sweetie, but um... You won’t tell anyone about this, would you? It could cost me my job.”

“Um... My lips are sealed.”

“Good girl… What about your lips... Sweetie Belle?”

Stables opened the curtains to the next bed, revealing the young unicorn crouching on it with a sheepish smile. Like a kid cough with a hoof in a cookie jar.

“Um... what’s up, Doc?”

“Very funny, Missy... You shouldn’t be here.”

“How did you know she was there, anyway?” Sweetheart said.

“Sweetie Belle, did you happen to ‘borrow’ some expensive perfumes from your sister’s room?” The red blush of her cheeks was the answer. “Here you go. She smells like Rarity, I could recognize that delightful scent anywhere...”

His lips betrayed him, involuntarily curling into a gracious smile. It lasted maybe for a second, and he had hoped nobody noticed, but the wicked grins on the nurses faces were screaming a different tune. They knew his weak spots and went for the kill.

“Really?” Sweetheart went first – who would have guessed... “I don’t recall Rarity coming to the hospital recently...”

Her words were sweet, almost caring... But her smile was screaming wicked innuendos.

“She was here... before the tour!”

“Really?” Her smile turned to grin. “I don’t recall—”

“I remember! It was a few weeks ago...”

Redheart to the rescue! One of the few nurses with some conscience left. That made her practically an angel or a saint. A ray of sunshine on a rainy day. Stables madly bobbed his head. Maybe he would get out of it yet.

“And you gave her a full physical, right?”

Redheart’s lips curled into a wicked grin. The angel turned out to be just another devil in disguise.

“Is my sister sick?! Is that why you were in the boutique that day?”

Stables turned into a statue, his hollow eyes fixed on the hospital floor, admiring it as if it suddenly turned into a majestic work of art.

“She’s fine, Sweetie Belle,” Redheart smiled. “I’m sure Stabie here, took a long and hard look at her...”

“What she said, he’s expert kiddo, I’m sure he checked Rarity… in and out, in and out. Probably multiple times just to be sure... Didn’t you, Doc?”

A setup! That’s what it was! Two smugly grinning faces were proof of that. Stables took a long deep breath and exhale in defeat.

“Yes, my... colleagues are correct, Rarity is fine... Now, how about we get back to the matter at hoof?!” There was murder in his eyes, but his revenge would have to wait. “How do you feel Apple Bloom? Any headaches or dizziness?”

“I’m fine, but my throat hurts...”

“Not surprising, since it was cut open just a few hours ago. Magic or no magic, it will hurt for a week or two... Ah, I almost forgot!” He levitated something in front of her. “Hospital’s policy is to destroy such objects, but... I thought you may want to keep it, as a lucky charm or... something. After all, it saved your life.”

Apple Bloom cocked her head at the piece of scratched and dull metal in her hoof. Something about it seemed oddly familiar, but she wasn’t sure what.

“Your vitals seem perfect... You’re one lucky girl, you should be out of here later today...” Stables let out a sigh. “I wish I could say the same for your friend...”

“Which friend? Did something happen to Scootaloo?!”

“Um, nothing that I’m aware of… I was talking about him...”

Stables motioned at the mummy on the opposite side of the room. Apple Bloom squinted her eyes, and the realization of who it was sent chills up her spine... but it died down a moment later. Not so much for Sweetie Belle...

“What happened to him?!” Sweetie Belle’s yelled, gaping at his damaged body.

“He fell down the gulch near the old castle.”

“B-but, he’s going to be OK... right?” The awkward silence was louder than a scream. “No way... You have to do... something!”

“We’re doing the best we can, but... I won’t lie to you, his chances are minimal. Maybe if Gastovski would give us some of that technology of his we could save him, but—”

“I don’t care...” Apple Bloom’s voice was emotionless and empty. “He’s not my friend... Not after what he did!”

“If you mean the tube, then I already explained it to your sister—”

“No, not that...”

“What then?”

An awkward silence spilled all over the room again. Apple Bloom couldn’t decide whether to tell them or not.

“That wouldn’t be about that chase he gave your sister when he arrived, would it?” Sweetheart sudden interjection was like a lifeboat, saving her from the dilemma.

“Y-you know about that?” Apple Bloom sounded surprised.

“What... chase, Sweetheart?”

“After Rainbow Dash gave him the... shocking encounter, Gastovski, and Princess Celestia visited him a couple of times and I... accidentally of overheard them talking... Apparently, when the poor guy got here, he almost had Applejack for dinner...”

The room went silent again, as their eyes turned to John. The sudden revelation hit Sweetie Belle the hardest, leaving her frozen and gaping. Apple Bloom just kept shaking her head and giving him a disgustful look. A look of betrayal.

“Accidentally, my flank!” Stables let out a snort. “I bet you brought your favorite glass, Sweetheart!”

“I did not!”

“Stabie, she’s a civilized pony, remember?” Redheart’s grinned. “I bet she uses a stethoscope…”

“Hrmph! It’s the last time I told the two of you anything!”

“Are you for real?!” Apple Bloom’s voice boomed through the room, her eyes wide in shock. “He almost killed my sister, and you’re joking about it?!”

“Sorry Apple Bloom, it’s just...” Stables sighed. “Those things happen from time to time.”

“W-what?”

“Carnivores... Some species eat meat. As disgusting as that may be for us, it’s a fact of life.” Apple Bloom kept gaping at Stables in silence, her eyebrow and lip arched. “You want to hate him? Fine, but... in that case, you should hate all the dragons, griffons and hippogriffs, too.”

“T-they eat ponies?” Sweetie Belle said.

“Not usually, but... To give you an example – just a few months ago, we had a griffon suffering from a mental illness. His condition suddenly worsened, and he came at nurse Sweetheart with his claws, beak, and everything! He wanted to gobble her up!”

“R-really?” Sweetie Belle’s grinned with a mixture of fear and excitement. “What happened?!”

“It’s nurse Sweetheart, we’re talking about... A quick jab, somersault, and a few bucks, and he was seeing stars before he could say nighty-nigh.”

“Not before he bit my darn flank! Couldn’t sit straight for a week... Imagine my surprise when I saw that idiot a week later, with a bouquet of roses, groveling on the floor, begging for forgiveness and trying to... ask me out!”

Both fillies began to blink, and their lips curled into a perfect circle. They were cocking their heads, tilting them back and blinking again, stuck in a daze.

“Hold on...” Sweetie Belle was first to leave the land of confusion. “He tried to eat you and then... wanted to be your special somepony? What did you do?”

“I told him to f... fly away at a fast pace...” She snorted. “A crazy, pushover boyfriend, that’s all I need.”

“Right...” Redheart smiled. “You prefer a push-button one.”

“Didn’t fail me yet!”

“You were fine with that?” Apple Bloom interjected, blissfully unaware of the exchange. “I don’t know if I could do that...”

“I understand you’re confused, honey, but from what I overheard, our patient had no idea he was in Equestria at the time.”

“And we’ve been hearing good things about him,” Redheart said. “He saved Cheerilee from the bullies and tried to protect her during this stupid mob. Not to mention he saved your life, so maybe—”

“What?” Apple Bloom turned to Sweetie Belle. “But, I thought you...”

“You... don’t remember?” Sweetie Belle said. “You woke up on the way here, he was carrying you before we switched.”

“I remember the bees, my hoof getting all puffy and... then it’s a blur... until I woke up here.”

“Short term memory loss and confusion are common, do not be alarmed,” Stables interjected.

“I see... But, I thought Sweetie Belle rescued me.”

“I wish...” Sweetie Belle’s eyes turned crystal, and she exhaled slowly. It was a sigh of guilt. “Apple Bloom, I panicked... I had no idea what to do. You were just lying there, unconscious, getting blue and I... I...”

She shut her eyes, but it was too late. Tears flooded her face, and she whimpered, shaking like a leaf during a storm. A tight embrace was around her neck before she knew it.

“It’s OK, Sweetie Belle. It’s OK...”

“No, it’s not... I should have done... something! If he didn’t show up, you... You would be dead…”

This time it was Apple Bloom’s eyes that were starting to get a little too moist for comfort as they darted between Sweetie Belle and the figure on the opposite bed. Voices in her head were screaming conflicting innuendos.

“You should have seen it, Apple Bloom... He knew exactly what to do! He smashed that metallic arm of his, then found the bottle, and then...” She let out an audible gulp, the recalled images made something turn in her stomach. “H-he... shoved that big pen of his, up your throat. I thought I was gonna puke...”

“He... what?!”

“I know it’s... horrible, but we had no choice!” She said, but Apple Bloom was transfixed, gaping at her like a statue. “You, OK?”

She wasn’t. Her eyes exploded and she jerked around, ripping off the cables connecting her to the monitors. She needed to know. A moment later, the tubular piece of scratched, dull metal was lying in her hoof, cold and gaping. And then she saw it, the blurred ‘World’s Best Dad’ writing was the proof she was looking for.

’This pen is a gift from… someone special… It is very important to me.’

John’s voice echoed through her mind, quickly followed by a simple question: why? The combination was a broken record she couldn’t silence, playing in her head over and over.

“Are you all right, Apple Bloom?” Stables’ voice brought her back. “Apple Bloom?”

“I’m... fine.”

“You sure? You’ve been staring at that thing in silence for like a minute...”

“I’m, OK...” A lie, or maybe just an omission, she wasn’t sure. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore. “Doctor, could you leave us alone with him?”

“You ripped off the sensors. We need to reconnect you—”

“Please?” Her round, glassy eyes were staring into Stables’ melting his heart. “Ten minutes.”

“Ordinarily, I would say no, but given the circumstances...” He smiled gently. “Ten minutes, and then nurse Redheart will reconnect you, and give you some mild sedative to get you to bed, and Miss Belle will leave the premises, no questions asked. Deal?” The confirming nod from both fillies was music to his ears. “All right then, come on ladies, let’s give those some privacy.”

The door closed, filling the room with eerie silence...

***

The silence continued long after the door was shut. Apple Bloom kept gaping at John. Looking at the machines blew cold air into his lungs, to feverishly get it out a moment later. Each intake, like a morbid reminder of his life running out.

“Apple Bloom... You wanna say something?” Sweetie Belle said, confused by the wait. “Why did you want me to stay?”

It took another moment of silence, followed by a deep, long sigh before Apple Bloom had found the courage to respond. Her words like a confession.

“That pen... He told me it was a gift from his daughter. That it was... very important to him.”

“So...?”

“After all he has been through, after all those things ponies did to him, not only did he saved me, but he sacrificed something personal to do it... I look at him right now, knowing what he did to Applejack and...” She shook her head. “I know family should stick together, but I can’t. I just can’t...”

“I... don’t understand.”

“Do you remember how Grand Pear came back to Ponyville after all these years? When I found out about mom and dad, and about this whole feud between our families, it was all so... stupid.”

“Well, the way you described it back then, you’ll get no argument from me. Must have been hard on your mom, being ditched like that...”

“Yeah, Granny told us it was – especially at the beginning. She was missing her family, sometimes crying, denying it later, and so on...” She let out a sigh of melancholy. “But, the weird part is that Grand Pear was also missing her, all this time.”

“Then why didn’t he just come back earlier?”

“’He was proud and stubborn’ – his words... What’s worse is that neither Granny nor he even remembers how that feud started…” She let out a dark chuckle, adding to Sweetie Belle’s confusion. “Do you understand? Because of some stupid pride and conflict over something nopony even remembers, both mom and Grand Pear suffered... for years!”

“Um, OK. But what’s that have to do with John?”

“I look at the figure lying in that bed, and even knowing what he tried to do, I can’t stop asking myself... What if it really was a big misunderstanding? Or, what if he did it by mistake and then tried to fix it all, but Applejack didn’t give him a chance?”

“Well... the way the doctor and the nurses talked about him, sure make it look as if he was trying to redeem himself...”

“Exactly…” She grunted in frustration, shaking her head. “A small part of me is still mad at him, but... I don’t want him to die. Maybe it’s because he saved me, or maybe... because of what had happened with mom, I don’t know. But I want him to live... No matter what he did, I want him to get better...” Her voice was packed with guilt, some of it turned into tears, escaping through her glassy eyes. “D-does that make sense?”

Sweetie Belle answered by placing a reassuring hoof on Apple Bloom’s shoulder and smiling – a beam of approval emerging from her face.

“I think it does, and... that it makes you a very good pony. Your mom would be proud.”

“Y-you really think so?” Another reassuring nod. “Applejack won’t see it that way. She went crazy after what he did to her. She’ll feel betrayed...”

“Hold on... Didn’t you tell me she acted weird for weeks, now?”

“Yeah, so?”

“So... how could he be the cause, when he arrived a week ago?”

Apple bloom cocked her head. Just when she thought she had it all figured out, her theory fell apart like a house of cards. The jigsaw her mind put together was suddenly incomplete, and key puzzles were missing.

“You’re right... I completely forgot about it, but... if he’s not the cause, then what? What could top almost getting killed?”

“Somepony spreading rumors about Braeburn and her, behind the barn?”

“Oh, yes, that could get her going, all right!” Apple Bloom said with a chuckle. “But I don’t think that’s it...”

“You think it can be even worse than this?”

“Honestly, after how she’s been acting lately I’m not sure of anything anymore. She’s not herself, the Applejack I know would never...”

“Never what?”

Apple Bloom glanced Sweetie Belle in her perplexed eyes as if trying to buy herself more time, praying for someone to enter the room and interrupt them. But Lady Luck wasn’t in the mood, and Sweetie Belle would find out eventually.

“Applejack I know would never try to... k-kill anyone.”

Sweetie Belle froze, gaping. Her eyes darting between Apple Bloom and the figure on the bed. She couldn’t get a sound out of her throat, but her petrified expression was louder than a thousand words.

“Yeah... That was my reaction too...” Apple Bloom said. “I don’t know what happened exactly, but she said it herself.”

“Has everyone gone mad lately?!” Sweetie Belle exploded like a volcano. Her eyes were burning with pure rage. “This is, this is—”

“I know! Believe me, I know... I spent the last few hours thinking about it...” She shook her head, her glassy eyes fixed onto the floor. “When Princess learns about this... I don’t even wanna think about it... Will they lock her up?”

“I... I don’t know—”

“I don’t want to lose her, Sweetie Belle!” The glass in her eyes turned to liquid, flooding her cheeks. “No matter what she did, I don’t wanna... And I don’t wanna lose him, either...”

The water from her friend’s eyes extinguished the inferno inside Sweetie Belle’s mind, and her hoof wrapped around Apple Bloom’s neck in a tight embrace. She was still angry, but her friend was in need, and for a moment, nothing else mattered.

“Someone should get those two together and give both of them a good old spanking with a solid belt!” Apple Bloom said, laughing and sniffling at the same time. “This is all so stupid...”

“I know, Apple Bloom, I know... Look, um... I don’t know what will happen, but I’m here for you, you know?”

“Thanks…” Apple Bloom’s lips curled into a smile. “If Scootaloo saw us right now, she would be like: ‘Ugh, mushy stuff!’”

Sweetie Belle smiled herself. “Yeah, probably.”

“Sweetie Belle... We need to find her... I know you’re angry, but... We can’t just abandon her for being scared.”

Sweetie Belle sighed – Apple Bloom was right, as always. This whole mess was one bad situation after another, escalating like a wildfire, and the withering victim was on the bed in front of them. Adding hay to the flames would help no one, and no matter how bad she messed up, Scootaloo was still in bad shape and needing their help.

“Ugh... Fine... I will try not to strangle her at first sight. But you better stick close to me, just in case—”

“Sweetie Belle, did anypony told you, you have anger management issues?” Nurse Redheart came out of nowhere with Sweetheart right behind her.

“Yes, my therapist, doctor Psyche said that... But James told me to, um… ‘ignore the old quack.’”

“And he’s right!” Sweetheart grinned. “When someone deserves a punch, you don’t hesitate, you punch them!”

“Please, ignore her... She believes that violence is a solution for everything, and likes badmouthing doctors who disagree.”

“What? I would never dream of saying anything bad about another doctor… Especially such a useless drunk as Psyche…”

“Ugh, anyway. It’s been ten minutes, I need to hook you up, Apple Bloom. And you Sweetie Belle, need to go home.”

Surprisingly, there was no protest. The fillies returned one last hug, and Sweetie Belle turned to the door. The situation was still grim, but at least she knew that Apple Bloom was OK, and she would try to make things right with Scootaloo. She thought that maybe, things would finally turn for the better.

That’s when John’s monitors went crazy, and beeping-noise boomed all over the room…

Author's Note

I know some of you were hoping for James vs. Celestia, but some things needed to be clear up first :unsuresweetie:

Their confrontation is coming next, I promise :twilightsmile:

Chapter 20

“Ugh, fuck, that still hurts…” James clenched his left side, glancing around. “You sure Celestia is somewhere around here?”

“Positive, Sir. Her signature has been detected nearby.”

“Great... Ruins of her old castle, in the middle of the Everfree forest... A lovely place to visit in the middle of the night.”

Then he saw her. Celestia was sitting about fifty meters away, near the old bridge, almost where John had been when he fell off – her eyes fixed onto the ruins. Her broken regalia were strewn all over the ground, the remains glistening in the silvery light of the moon.

“If she broke her stuff, she must be really pissed... APE, have you adapted the armor to counter that spell?”

“Negative, further research is required.”

“So, if she shoots us with full power, we’re gonna vaporize? I love the excitement...” He sighed. “Here comes nothing...”

He approached her slowly, but not quietly. He wanted to let her know something was coming – just in case she was in the mood to shoot first and ask questions later. But nothing of the sort happened. She didn’t budge, didn’t even look at him. Her blank stare remained fixed, glancing into the distance.

“H-hey. Look, um... I said some things I shouldn’t have.”

There was no reaction. Celestia was a statue.

“I was angry, and I said stuff I knew would hurt you and... now I feel like a fucking idiot... I’m sorry.”

He waited, and waited, and waited, but nothing. An awkward silence was the only answer.

“Ah, I see. You’re processing... I’m just gonna leave you alone, then—”

“Was it true?” She finally answered, just as he turned to leave. Her voice was emotionless and empty. “The part about the moon – was it true?”

“Look, um... I really don’t think you should—”

“Yes, or no?”

When she finally turned, James immediately regretted it. Her eyes were puffy and red, with smudged makeup all over her cheeks. The grotesque image of pain threw a noose around his throat, paralyzing it. For a moment he just kept gaping, unable to utter a sound. But the expression on his face was loud enough.

“I see...” Celestia fixed her eyes back to the ground again. “I wanted to ask her... From day one, I wanted to know how it was, but I never had the courage.”

“You could have asked me, instead.”

“H-how do you ask someone about the nightmare you sent him to? Is it even appropriate?”

“More appropriate than sending people to spy on your own sister, don’t you think?”

“I did it to protect her...” Celestia let out a remorseful sigh. “After she returned, nobility was not exactly fond of the idea of having another princess looking over their shoulders, and Luna’s antics were not helping matters, either. My ponies were to inform me of any suspicious activity happening around Luna, anything nobility could do to compromise her! It was all for her protection! I did what I had to!”

“There is always a reason, isn’t there? Just like with that little spell, you also did what you had to... Right?!”

“It was meant to be used only in case of an emergency...” Her words make him shook his head. “Do you think it is easy for me?! I hate doing this, but I do not have a choice!”

“You really believe that, don’t you? Maybe my coming here was a mistake after all.”

“You want to leave? Go, leave me! It is what always happens.”

“Maybe if you wouldn’t stab people in the back it would not? Ever thought of that?!”

“You just do not understand, do you? I do not have the luxury to trust others!” She yelled, shaking her head. “When something bad happens, I am the one expected to find a solution... Not you, not Twilight, Cadance or Luna, but ME. I am alone.”

“This is bullshit—”

“Is it? How do you think I managed to keep Equestria alive and well during the last thousand years? As soon as the news about lack of Elements of Harmony spread, the diplomacy became a nightmare. Creatures I called friends just a few months before, were suddenly threatening to invade our borders if I do not ‘compromise.’ And by that I mean: give them what they want. I quickly learned that when you are a ruler, you do not have the luxury to trust others. I thought you of all people would understand...”

“Oh, but I do! I don’t even have a problem with you shooting me!” She arched her eyebrow. “Well, OK, maybe I do a little, but after talking with Cheerilee, I can see how messy that situation might have looked from your perspective. But your motivation for that fucking spell? ’I had no choice’? ‘I’m alone’? This is bullshit!”

“You just do not understand—”

“No! You’re the one who doesn’t understand! That excuse might have worked in the past, but now? You have Luna, Twilight, and Cadance, not to mention Discord and me! I would hardly call that being alone—”

“Until things really go bad, and then it is ’Princess Celestia, what do we do?!’”

Squinted eyes and wrinkles on her forehead were screaming escalation. She didn’t know when to back down. Too bad neither did he.

“And I thought I was paranoid... Keep lying to yourself if you want, I’m done here,” she let out an unceremonious huff and jerked her head. He turned to leave but needed to throw in the last word. “I realize we’re not exactly friends, but I thought that we at least respect each other. I guess that’s one way only.”

Before he could take a step, chortling filled the air, but not the good kind. He turned to see her chuckling darkly. Almost like a bad guy using the cliché evil laughter.

“Respect?! You, of all people talking about respect?! The one that constantly uses my lewd past to mock me?! The nerve!”

“Your... what?” James cocked his head as his lips curled into a perfect ‘o.’

“Do not play dumb with me! Luna should have kept her mouth shut! But of course, she had to blab about it, and to YOU, of all people!”

“Look. I have no idea—”

“This is all in the past, do you hear me?! And no amount of stupid sex-jokes and innuendos is going to change that!”

James could feel the energy emanating from her body, like a wave of the sun itself. Her eyes were squinted and chilling, and her cheekbones curved, showing off her knife-like teeth. She wasn’t a pony, she was an ancient behemoth or some other mythological beast, ready to tear him apart. But he didn’t care, not anymore.

“OK, first of all, your Highness... Believe it or not, but Luna and I don’t spend time together to talk about You behind your back. I know it’s shocking, but you are not always the center of attention! And second. When you actually do come up, Luna is VERY defensive of your privacy... to my great annoyance, I might add. So, I have no goddamn idea about your ‘lewd’ past or anything!”

“Right... That is why you keep throwing stupid sex jokes, one-liners and innuendos at me! At least have the courage to admit it, you coward!”

“Missy, I was throwing those at people before you were born!” She arched her eyebrow again. “Um… OK, maybe not that far, but I was using them before I even came here!”

“Ah, so it is just a big coincidence? Right.”

James rolled his eyes. “Sometimes you’re an idiotic bitch, you know? Recall when Dash was apologizing to John for turning him into a lightning rod! Recall how John called me!”

“’Cheesy’?” She let out a chuckle and smirked. “For once a nickname that suits you!”

“Right... Now think about it, for a moment... If your theory is correct, then how did I get that lovely nickname?” Her smile disappeared, replaced with a hint of confusion. “Well, miss... Sunbutt?”

Celestia let out an audible gulp, but didn’t react, not even to James using her lovely nickname. Her eyes kept darting from left to right, looking for some way to solve the puzzle. But there was none.

“See? The only thing Luna ever told me was about your funny nicknames from the past – nothing more. The only thing she’s guilty of is being worried about you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m really not at liberty to discuss it. But I will tell you that she deserves a hell of a lot more trust than you give her…” He shook his head. “I told you what I wanted to tell you... and more. I think we’re done here.”

“Wait! Please…” Her voice changed. The bravado that filled it just a moment ago was gone, turning into something insecure instead. “What do you know about what happened between the two of us a thousand years ago?”

“Same as everybody else, I guess? Luna was feeling ignored, she went berserk and got a one-way ticket to the dead rock.”

“That is all?”

“Well, isn’t that the story?” A long, awkward silence was the answer. “Celestia?”

Just like that, the beast turned back into an alicorn, gaping onto the ground with depressed eyes and expression of guilt on her face.

“I don’t get it? Is there more to that story?”

“Let us just say that the... official version is ‘a story,’ but not ‘the story,’” She glanced up, her eyes were glassy again. “Would you like to hear the full version?”

A moment ago he was ready to leave, but that changed everything. He would be lying if he said it didn’t get him intrigued. What the hell could she be hiding? He nodded in silence, and they both sat down on a nearby fallen tree. Then Celestia became a narrator…

***

“After we defeated Discord, for the first time, Equestria was recognized as power by other nations. Even though Discord’s rule left us in shambles, the nobility had sensed the opportunity the Elements of Harmony had brought us, to consolidate our position. From the start, Luna had told me it was a bad idea, that we should concentrate our efforts on rebuilding what Discord destroyed instead. But the nobility persuaded me otherwise.

“At that point, I have become the icon everyone knows. I was the alicorn that moves the sun, the ‘benevolent’ ruler, and someone who can even defeat the Lord of Chaos himself. And with the Elements of Harmony on my side, suddenly, doing ‘diplomacy’ became very easy. All that power and popularity just... went to my head. It was the beginning of my downfall.”

“Downfall?”

“Yes... You see, Luna was working day and night to rebuild Equestria, to make sure ponies had enough food and water, while I was going from one party to another, doing ‘diplomacy.’ And by that I mean... eating, drinking, and...”

“And what?” She bit on her lip and glanced away. “Oh, that must be the ‘lewd’ part, huh? What did you do? Some good old ‘diplomacy through the bed,’ with someone?”

“If by ‘diplomacy through bed’ you mean… regular orgies, including delegates, my guards and their guards? Then yes.”

Once again, James’ lips curled into an ‘o,’ this time followed by one of eyebrow arching. He shot her a glance and kept on gaping in silence. She was definitely pulling his leg... This had to be a joke.

“No, I am not joking, nor am I making this up,” she shook her head and glanced away. “The truth is, Luna was the one really running the country, while I was a drunk wench, traveling from one party to another, sleeping with everyone and everything I could lay my eyes on. The worst part was that I was still getting all the... praise... Are you listening?”

He was trying to, but his mind was on an acid trip, producing a hundred different images of the ‘old’ Celestia per second.

“Um… I’m sorry. Just trying to process the information...” James said with a sheepish smile and scratched his head. “Why were you getting all the praise?”

“Nobility... They thought that the ‘Lightbringer would give ponies hope!’ That was the excuse anyway. In reality? They just hated Luna because unlike me, she was not their puppet.”

“So, in the past nobility was hating Luna too... Why am I not surprised. Old habits die hard, I see.”

“She was not their favorite, no. But... the truth is it was my fault too. I... I loved it, all of it. The admiration, the parades in my honor, the endless parties. I was like an addict, running on praise, cake, and sex.”

“This is... If you’re not making that up then... fuck me! It’s as if Molestia was real.”

“How do you think that nickname came into being?” His empty stare was the answer. “I did so many things I regret. In the end, it cost me almost everything.”

“So what really happened? Between Luna and you, I mean?”

“Nobility called off the ‘Week of The Moon’ – a festival in Luna’s honor, the only holiday when for once, ponies would praise her. They said it was because the treasury was empty, but it was an excuse.”

“And you didn’t stop them?”

“Actually, I...” She bit her lip and glanced away in shame. “I signed the decree myself.”

“You... what?!”

“I was drunk! They just gave me a stack of papers and I signed them without reading...”

James’ expression was a volatile mixture of disbelief and rage. She had expected a jab to the muzzle, but it never came. He just kept staring. His giant eyes were like a dagger, cutting her deeper with each passing second. She would have preferred a punch.

“When Luna found out, something broke inside of her. She locked herself in her room for a few days and... The rest of the story goes, according to the history books.”

“So, to summarize... Luna was working her ass off day and night, getting nothing but crap for it, while her big sister was having fun and screwing around... And when the time to get out of this shit for a while came up, she learned that you had canceled it?” James’ dark chuckle only intensified Celestia’s pain. “Fuck me... I see you have a lot of experience stabbing people in the back. How many more have suffered for your mistakes?!”

“Too many...” She lowered her head and sighed. The confession was not over. “Do you remember how I told Twilight that after banishing Luna, I could not sleep and ended up in the mental hospital? Doctors did their best, but I was slipping, further and further away. But there was a single young pegasus – doctor Marbles, that did not give up. When everything failed, he came with an unorthodox idea... He told me it was all my fault.”

“Unorthodox? Seems like a simple truth to me.”

“I know that now, but back then, after the initial shock wore off, I went from blaming myself to a complete denial. I began blaming Luna for everything.”

“This is getting better and better... So what happened when he told you, you were the one who fucked up?”

“From what I gathered, he had believed that it would be the shock to my system, and by accepting it, it would allow me to start on the road to the recovery. He was not wrong, not entirely. It was a shock, but... it did not do what he thought it would. Instead...”

She closed her eyes shut. The thousand years old memory felt so fresh and real. She could see her sitting in the Marbles’ office, see his diplomas hanging on the wall and pictures of his wife and two fillies on his desk. The damp aroma of the Everfree turned into a pleasant smell of cinnamon and coffee. A place of comfort. But what he had told her, was anything but comfortable.

“What did you say?!” Celestia’s wide eyes shot him a glance that could melt stone.

“You heard me correctly, Celestia – you are guilty. I know it’s hard to face it—”

“No! It was not my fault! Luna could have... tried talking with me!”

“When exactly? When you were recovering from a hangover, or having another wild party?” Marbles’ said, readjusting his glasses. His voice was stoic and professional. “We both know that’s an excuse. Your sister is the victim here, not you.”

“She turned against me! She betrayed me!”

“How so? You told me yourself – you were the one neglecting your duties, you were the one having parties, you were the one living a good life while she was working hard in the back.”

“I was... manipulated! That is why I said those words!” She yelled, gritting her teeth. Her burning gaze trying to tear him apart.

Marbles nodded in silence, letting her cherish the thought of victory for a moment. For his technique to work, he needed her to drop her guard, and getting her angry was the simplest way to do it. He glanced one more time at the magic suppressor at the base of her horn, making sure it’s in place, and began.

“Pathetic...” Marbles said, shaking his head. His stoic expression turned into disgust, and his voice was full of contempt. The combination hit the spot just as he thought it would.

“W-what?!”

“Your excuses are pathetic, that’s what.”

“I’m warning you! Watch your mouth—”

“Or what… you coward?!”

His interjection was like a punch to the face, designed to knock her out of her game. It worked, turning some of Celestia’s anger to confusion, and stopping her tirade.

“B-be quiet!” Was the only response she could muster, her bravado swallowed by the sea of confusion and the pain coming from the heating up magic blocker. “I order you to be quiet!”

“No. Someone has to tell you the truth, and here it is... You were the one who betrayed your sister—”

“Shut up!”

“You betrayed her, you forced her hoof, and now you don’t want to face it—”

“Shut up!” She yelled again, frantically shaking her head. “Just... Shut up!”

“Face it, Celestia! You’re a coward!”

She let out a growl, and her shivering hooves covered her entire head. The air around her changed into a cloud of something pungent, turning each gasp into a painful chore. His words were meant to be like a shock from a defibrillator, to restart her senses, and for a moment, it seemed to be working.

“I know it’s harsh, I know it’s not what you wanted to hear, but you can change all that. The sooner you understand it and face it, the sooner you will regain control and respect of... "

Marbles’ suddenly stopped, feeling a wave of heat radiating from Celestia. She remained hidden behind a guard, but her sticking out horn lightened up like a piece of hot steel.

“Celestia, stop! Before you hurt yourself!”

She didn’t stop, but instead dropped her guard, revealing a figure trembling from the agony, with a wicked smile on her face. This wasn’t the broken pony Marbles’ had expected, but a twisted person, ready to tear him apart. Then, the magic suppressor turned to liquid gold and hit the floor.

Celestia’s mad eyes locked onto him, and her smile turned into a grin, sending a shiver up his spine. He realized he made a mistake and jumped towards the door, but it was too late. Before he knew it, he was splattered on the wall.

“Oh, trying to run?” She walked up to him and let out a dark chuckle. “Who is a pathetic coward now, doctor?”

“Celestia, p-please calm down...”

“Oh, I intend to, but first, I need to teach you a little lesson...” Her grin turned savage. “It may hurt a bit, but as they say, ‘no pain, no gain...’”

“W-what are you... Argh!”

“You killed him?” James said.

“That is an understatement... I barricaded the door and... tortured him for hours...” Celestia shook her head. “This is one memory I would really want to forget, but it is still so vivid after all these years. I can remember everything, every single detail. His scream as I broke every bone in his body... His pleas to stop as I tore off his wings... In the end, he begged me to just finish it. Not that it stopped there...”

“There’s more?”

“Even after he let out a ghost, nopony was stupid enough to try to force me out. So I stayed locked in the office for days... along with his rotting carcass. I only gave up his body after his widow came and begged me for hours... And, once she saw him, or rather, what was left of him, she…”

“I think I get the picture. So, what happened next?”

“I completely lost it after that. It is a jumble of images, but I basically did not leave his office, and nopony dared to try to force me out. I stayed locked in there for days. We are talking about 4x4 meters wide room, smudged with blood and viscera and without a toilet. So, you can imagine... Or maybe it is better if you do not.”

“Too late...” James’ face crumpled up in disgust.

“Sorry... Anyway, after a few days, I was lying on what was left of the bed, when the door suddenly burst open. I was expecting an army of hulking orderlies with an anti-magic straitjacket, but instead... a janitor’s cart rolled inside...”

“Would you kindly move your fat flank off the bed so I can clean this pigsty?” Before Celestia could say anything, a mop hit the floor, going from left to right.

“Who are you?”

“Name’s Keen Sweeper, I came here to clean the mess you did. So kindly move your big ass out of the way.”

Celestia couldn’t believe her ears. Some low-life just barged inside and order her to move her flank. The fire inside of her rekindled in a blink of an eye, filling her face with a wicked smile.

“How dare you! Do you know who I am?”

“Judging by the smell and the looks, a pig rolling in her own shite!”

“W-what?!” Her horn lightened up. “I am warning you, watch your mouth or I—”

“Holy hell...” Keen Sweeper’s head jerked to the side, and his hoof covered his nose. “Where was the last time you brushed your teeth?”

His question turned her anger into embarrassment that filled her cheeks. She covered her face behind her wing and exhaled involuntarily. It must have been a lie. He just wanted to get her angry, to lower her guard! That’s what she told herself, but that fairy tale ended abruptly when the rotten-egg like smell went from her mouth to her nostrils, almost making her puke.

“I don’t know what smells worse, the room, or you.”

“I... I am warning you! Leave, or I—”

“What? You’re gonna shoot me with your darn magic? Hrmph! You wanna impress me? Use some of that mumbo-jumbo to clean your filthy flank! You look like a pig and stink even worse! Or at least move out of the way, so I can clean the room!”

She said nothing. His unceremonious interruption caught her off guard. Some bum was talking back to her as if she were an ordinary pony. That wasn’t something she was used to dealing with. But the stench in the room was really unbearable.

“Fine, clean it,” Celestia finally said with a hint of irritation. “Just do it fast!”

He nodded and began mopping immediately. That she expected, what she didn’t, was the happy tune he was whistling as he did it. He was cleaning off blood and more nasty stuff, and he acted calmly... coolly, as it was every day’s job.

“That weather is really getting to you, isn’t it?”

“What?”

“The rain, I mean. I can always feel the middle of the crop season in my old bones.”

“It does not bother me.”

“Lucky girl.”

“Girl?” Celestia’s eyebrow curled from confusion. “I am two hundred years old, Mister.”

“Really?” He scanned her from top to bottom. “Hrmph... I would say you look no older than a hundred and fifty to me.”

She arched her eyebrow, ready to explode, but realized he let out a gentle chuckle. Maybe it was the giggle, or perhaps the wink that followed it, but she smiled and chuckled herself. For the first time since the banishment of Luna, it was a genuine feeling of satisfaction, she subconsciously longed for. But her paranoia quickly struck back, turning it into a sense of suspicion.

“Is that your plan? To make me soft, so I lower my guard?!”

“Missy—”

“Do not call me that! You shall address me as Princess Celestia!”

“Um… No.”

“What did you say?” Her eyes locked onto him with a frown. “I am a Princess!”

“No, Missy. In here, you’re a patient like everypony else, not royalty. Unless we count you being a royal pain in everybody’s ass, that is...” He rolled his eyes. “Look, I came here because this room stinks to high heavens. Can I get back to cleaning it, please?”

Celestia huffed and turned her head.

“Thank you...” He began mopping again. “You really need to drop this paranoia, you know. It’s not healthy.”

“Oh, you are a doctor now too?”

“Nope, I’m not... then again, I’m not the one who locked himself inside a room with a rotting corpse, am I?” There was no answer. “A pony with half a brain could see you’re not well.”

“I am fine, thank you!” A lie. His arching eyebrow told her he didn’t buy it, but it did shut him up. As he mopped, she walked to the window just in time to see the sun going higher. “Who... who is moving the sun?”

“That thing? Um… I think they’re asking for unicorn volunteers…”

She waited for it. She expected him to say how Equestria needs her, how it’s her sacred duty to move the sun, how she should just do everyone a favor and start acting her age. She waited for it, but the words never came. He just kept mopping and whistling again. Maybe it was the smell of cleaning solvents, or perhaps the conversation, but her senses began coming back to her, and for the first time in days, she took a good look at herself.

Her coat was tangled and sticky, and the odor was unbearable. She looked like a diamond dog after a month underground and smelled even worse. It was bad, but what really started turning her stomach, were the bloody smudges on the floor. Each one like a stain on her conscience that no amount of solvents would ever wipe away.

“I... did not want this to happen…” Celestia’s voice was almost like a whisper.

“You mean your sister or the poor Marbles?”

“Both... I do not understand how it happened.”

“You messed up, that’s how.”

“I would watch it if I were you... Doctor Marbles said the same thing, and...” She let out a sigh. “You know how it turned out...”

“Well, unlike him, I have a big mop, and I’m not afraid to use it,” his chuckle made her eyebrow arch.

“How can you be so calm about this?”

“I’ve been working in this place for thirty-two years. Let’s just say that those things happen from time to time. Although I must admit, they’re usually not so... gruesome.”

She lowered her head and fixed her eyes onto the floor. A silent scream of guilt.

“Feeling bad, huh? You should. That means, there’s still hope for you... Which is more than I can say for this mop. Darn blood...”

Hope? She was a murderous alicorn that had driven her own sister to madness and sent her to the dead rock. Hope wasn’t in her vocabulary at the moment.

“Could you help me out here?” Keen Sweper’s voice came out of nowhere, waking her up from her daydream.

“With what?” Celestia cocked her head only to see him, pointing at the largest blood spot on the floor, and the second mop. “You are joking!”

“Not really, blood is not easy to wipe away, you know. But if we work together—”

“No, I cannot!” Her head began frantically jumping from left to right. “Even looking at those stains brings back the memories of that day. You do not understand what I did to him!”

“I kind of do. Marbles’ screams were loud enough to wake the dead.”

Celestia took a step back, shaking her head in silence. During the past few days, her crazed state was a barrier, guarding her against her conscience and ironically keeping her from completely losing it. Their little chat cracked the barricade, and bad memories were quickly rushing inside.

“G-get out! Leave me!”

“This again? Look, I—”

“I am warning you! L-leave at once!”

Her lightened up horn was sparkling with power and screaming for him to leave, but her trembling lip and shaking body were telling a different story.

“You don’t really want me to go. You want someone to help you.”

“No, I do not!”

“Really? Then answer me this, and I’ll leave: with that fancy magic of yours, you could have just teleported out of here days ago. Yet, you stayed... Why?”

Her eyes began darting from left to right, trying to solve the riddle. Why did she stay? A simple question she had no answer to.

“I think you stayed because you wanted to punish yourself for what you did to your sister and poor Marbles.” She kept quiet, but her glassy eyes were a dead giveaway. “Missy... Celestia. Marbles’ is dead, and you can’t change that. But if you don’t start cleaning this mess right now, you’ll end up rotting in here forever. I’ve seen it happen, many times.”

“Maybe I deserve this...” Some tears of anguish escaped her eyes. “Have you ever thought of that?”

“Everybody makes mistakes—”

“This was not some mistake. It is not as if I spilled someone’s coffee. What I did...”

“Was awful and gruesome, I know. But if you’re in this wing of the hospital, then it wasn’t you, not entirely anyway. I know it’s little comfort, but it’s true.”

Her magic died down, and her hollow eyes fixed themselves onto the bloody stains on the floor. He was right, deep inside she wanted help, hoping someone would pull her out of this hell. But at the same time, the macabre abstract expressionism work of art, formed by the blood and viscera was screaming she didn’t deserve help.

She let out a sigh. “Even if I would want to fix it, I would not know where to begin...”

“I’m not saying you can do it overnight, frankly, after thirty-two years, I can tell you it’ll take time. I could try to help you if you’d like.”

“Why? You do not even know me.”

“Seriously? Wanting to just help someone is not good enough reason?” Keen Sweeper let out a chuckle and smiled. “You politicians are weird. Look, I’m not a doctor, but if you need someone to talk to...”

“Y-you would really do that, for me? Like a… friend?”

“On two conditions... One, you take a bath – seriously, you really stink.”

A comment that would make her mad, just a few minutes before, this time make her smile. The sense of smell was one thing she would prefer not to have at the moment. Her stench could force dead out of the grave.

“Yes... a bath would be nice. And the second condition?”

Keen Sweeper cocked his head, motioning at the second mop once again. Her smile faded.

“I know you don’t want to do this... I mean, that big royal flank of yours is probably above all that peasant labor...” She countered his smirk with an angry, pouty face. “But I could really use some help. And I think it will help you too.”

She paused again, but his smile was like a beacon of hope. It quickly erased all her doubts, pouring some much-needed faith in her heart. A faith for change.

“Let us do this...” Celestia grabbed the other mop with her magic. “But first, tell me. Who are you, really?”

“I already told you – a janitor.”

“Nothing more?”

“Nope, just a simple pony who says what he thinks,” his words put a gentle smile on her face. “Not something you use to deal with, huh?”

“As a matter of fact, I am not, not really. Ponies I deal with would not say the things you said. Maybe that was the problem, maybe all I needed was a breath of fresh air, so to speak?”

“Glad to help, but... speaking of fresh – are we gonna clean this mess or not?”

“Lead the way...”

“So, he was the friend you talked about, earlier?” James said, tapping his chin.

“Yes, he was. That night, we cleaned up the office, and he got me back to my room. He even helped me convince the doctors to restart my therapy. If it were not for him, I would be rotting in that asylum forever.”

“OK, it’s an interesting story, but... I’m not sure why you told it to me? If you expect some sympathy, then don’t count on it.”

“I do not expect sympathy. I told it to you because... I need an unbiased, straightforward opinion.”

“From me?” James said, and grinned. “You, of all people, would ask little me for an opinion? Why? You run out of advisors?”

“No, I did not. Frankly, you are often a rude, inconsiderate person that thinks that acting like an idiot and throwing sex jokes is the latest trend.”

James arched his eyebrow. “I really hope there’s a ‘but’ coming...”

“But, you are also one of a few creatures I know that really say what they think. Just like Keen Sweeper, was. And I need a blunt opinion right now. Can I count on you, or not?”

The depressed stare that followed the question turned it into a plea. The misery coming from her eyes was making James feel bad... again. A secret weapon that almost always worked. He hated her for it but nodded in agreement.

“Ever since Keen Sweeper pulled me out of that rabbit hole, I swore I would make things right. I swore I would never make the same mistakes again. For a long time, I thought I was doing what was necessary and that it was all justified. But now... I feel like I am doing it all over again...”

“Doing what, all over again?”

“Things that others may have to pay for...” Her glassy eyes locked onto the ground, and her head began going from left to right. “Luna already paid for my actions once, so did doctor Marbles. Has my pride blinded me again? I need to know...”

Looking at the shaky figure, James knew where this was going. If this had happened just a few minutes ago, he would probably enjoy pricking her with the metaphoric needle, but now, he was looking for a way to soften the blow. He couldn’t find any...

“OK, you asked for it…” He inhaled feverishly and began dropping bombs. “Yeah, I think your pride blinded you. And yes, Luna, me and probably others are paying the price, or will have to pay it in the future.”

The silence was the only response. Celestia just kept gaping to the ground like a statue, but the eerie tranquility was louder than a wail. He told her what she wanted to hear, it was the truth. But that didn’t stop him from feeling a little guilty.

“I cannot let this happen,” she finally said, her voice silent as a whisper. “Not again...”

“Then don’t...” James let out a sigh, shaking his head. “Look, I can understand what you did to me, even if it feels like a stab in the back. But Luna? Sending ponies after her? That one is beyond me!”

“I did it to protect her, I swear!”

“Even if this is true, she didn’t take it that way. She felt as if you don’t trust her. And what about the real story behind Nightmare Moon, huh? The way you described it, she was the one running entire Equestria, and it was a combination of stress and disrespect that drove her into madness. Pretty far off from the official version, don’t you think?! I don’t even want to think about how she feels about that... So yeah! You keep doing things like that, and you’re gonna lose her, and others!”

His last yell forced her eyes shut, but it didn’t stop the tears from pushing themselves through. And once it started, it quickly went from bad to worse, drowning her cheeks. The water coming from her eyes quickly put out the flames of his anger, turning them into remorse. He wasn’t sure if he went too far or not until she spoke again.

“H-help me...” She looked up with her puffy eyes and trembling lips. “Help me make this right.”

“Me?” James’ said, arching an eyebrow in confusion. “Celestia, I don’t think—”

A hoof around his neck stopped him dead, frozen, and gaping. “For the love of Equestria, I beg you! Help me fix this before it’s too late!”

When he came there to apologize, he expected yelling, name-calling even another magic blast. Getting a tearful hug wasn’t high on the list... if at all. He wasn’t prepared for this, and the dumbfounded expression was the proof.

One part of him wanted to push her away and to tell her to go to hell, but another wanted to return the embrace and tell her everything will be OK. Yes, she had fucked up, but when it came to that, James was a goddamn master. He made up his mind.

“Goddamn it. You’re such a manipulating bitch sometimes, you know?” With a deep sigh, he gently returned the embrace, getting a bit mushy himself. He couldn’t say no, even if he wanted to. “I don’t know how much I can do, but I guess I can try.”

“T-thank you...” She said and glanced at his wound. “I am so sorry. I really hoped to never use that spell.”

“Seeing a drunk guy armed to the teeth, holding a pony hostage didn’t exactly help matters, did it? I guess we both fucked up. But tell me one thing, did Twilight knew about this spell?”

“No, and I would appreciate—”

“You’re gonna tell her,” Celestia glanced up, her stare like a plea. But James just shook his head. “You want my help, you must tell her about the spell, and about your fears of ruling alone, and of course, admit to Luna about those damn spies. Those are my conditions.”

“All right. And, what about my... past?”

“I doubt your ponies would believe you were a murderous... um...” He paused, looking for words, but she was faster.

“Slut?”

“I was going to say ‘sex machine,’ more politically correct, you know.” He smiled, and to his surprise, she smiled as well, even let out a quiet chuckle. “Seriously, though – you’re not pulling my leg here? Those orgies were real?”

“Yes, they were,” she said, but James’ face was telling her he wasn’t convinced. “What? You want the details?”

“Well, I certainly wouldn’t mind hearing about the techniques used back then,” his face brightened up. “You know… double stuffing, sandwiches, spit roasts – stuff like that.”

“Oh, you mean that positions for beginners?” Her smirk erased his smile.

“If that’s for beginners, then what the hell did you do?”

“Hmm, let us just say that if you were to pick up a most hardcore pulp erotica fiction from the library, I probably did everything from that book... and then some.”

“Fuck me... So, that little dream with your horn up my... backdoor, wasn’t exactly a fluke, huh?”

She let out a sigh. “What do you want me to say? Unlike what my ponies think, I am just a mare, with my own goals, dreams and—”

“Fetishes?” For the first time, there was no denial. “Interesting...”

“But I know where the line is drawn. And my past is called past for a reason.”

“See, that’s one thing you could learn from Luna – you don’t have to jump from being a… sex machine to the virgin Mary, you know. Balance is the key. You have to stop isolating yourself from others.”

“I am not.”

“Yes, you are, and Luna’s worried for you. Don’t get it the wrong way, but... after seeing us talking a few times, she kind of asked me if I could try to become your friend. I guess it didn’t really work out.”

She broke the embrace and sat up. When James thought it was all going well, her eyes locked onto him with a piercing gaze. But it transformed into a silly smirk.

“You are such an idiot...” Celestia shook her head and chuckled. “What makes you think we are not friends?”

“W-we are?”

Her smile faded. He wasn’t pulling her leg, he really was asking the question for real.

“You really are not joking?” He bit her lip and shrugged. “Good heavens... Mister, if we were not friends, then your nasty comments would get you a nice cell in Canterlot’s dungeon a long time ago.”

“Hey, I’m not really good at this friendship stuff, OK? And after you shot me, I thought... you tolerate me, at most.”

“You have some nasty habits, true, but all in all, since you say what you think – being around you is refreshing. You have no idea how hard it is for me to find someone who would treat me as an ordinary pony.”

“Huh... So, you’re not angry that Luna asked me to befriend you?”

“No. Especially, since she asked me exactly the same thing.”

“Huh, interesting… Maybe you should inform Cadance that someone else is trying to do her job.”

Celestia smiled. “First thing in the morning.”

“Well, I would like to see her reaction to—”

A buzzing sound went out of James’ arm then, filling the air around them. His smile faded to nothing. He glanced to the ground with a look of defeat on his face.

“What is it?” Celestia said but got no answer. “James?”

“John is dead.”

Author's Note

This must have been the toughest chapter to write so far, and I'm not entirely pleased with it :applejackunsure: Still, I hope it explained why Celestia acts the way she does.

Also, what's your view on my take on Equestria's history :trollestia:?

Chapter 21

“It feels much better, thank you.”

“Anytime, hon,” nurse Redheart said. She just finished putting a new bandage on Cheerilee’s hoof and was walking her outside. “Just make sure to keep that leg away from the water, OK?”

“I’ll try…” Cheerilee paused and cocked her head. “Are you, OK? You look tired.”

“Crazy night, honey,” Sweetheart joined them out of the blue, the bags under her eyes only a little smaller than in Redheart’s case. “From what I heard, you had some problems too?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Nothing, my flank!” Sweetheart let out a snort like a bull seeing red. “Who the heck that Bold Hoof thinks he is?! He better not cross me, or he’ll have to change his name to Broken Hooves!”

“I would rather deal with him within the law,” Cheerilee said with a gentle smile. “But I appreciate the gesture.”

“Cheerilee, that guy’s a darn bully! Somepony should smash his teeth, break his hooves, and crush his testicles—”

“Sweetheart! Cheerilee doesn’t need to know your sadistic tendencies...” Redheart said, getting a pouting face in response. “But Cheerilee... Just so you know, neither of us believe those ridiculous accusations. You’re not alone, don’t leave Ponyville.”

The supportive expression on the nurses faces struck Cheerilee with much-needed hope, and a warm fuzzy feeling spread through her body, curling her lips into a gentle smile. Redheart, and especially Sweetheart were a little crazy, but no matter what, their hearts were in the right place, and their kindness was real.

“Thank you, I appreciate it,” Cheerilee said, and they parted ways. But as soon as she went behind the corner, something got her attention…

“Applejack?”

***

Applejack was sleeping in a fetal position on one of the benches, clinging onto her hat. Her body was dirty, her coat tangled, her hooves, eyes, and cheeks mushy from tears. She looked like something the cat dragged in and spit on the floor.

Cheerilee nudged her gently. “Are you all right?”

“Cheerilee?” Applejack rubbed her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“That was supposed to be my question... I came by to get a new bandage on my hoof. What about you? Why are you here?”

“Y-you don’t know anything?” Cheerilee answered by shaking her head. “Apple Bloom... She... she almost died.”

“What?! How? Why? What happened?!”

“Bees. She got bitten, badly. But she’s OK now.”

“Thank heavens! So... you’re waiting for visiting hours to begin?”

Instead of an answer, Applejack empty eyes went to the floor. She was like a statue of sorrow, shaking her head in silence. Her misery put Cheerilee’s good nature into overdrive.

“I know it’s not my business, but what’s going on with you lately, Applejack? You barely talk with anyone, and when you do, it often ends up in a fight. You also became quite jumpy. I noticed it started the day John arrived. Is it because of him?”

“That’s what I’ve been telling myself, but it’s a lie,” Applejack let out a dark chuckle. “Some Element of Honesty I am, lying to myself...”

“I don’t understand. What happened between the two of you?”

“He...” Applejack paused, thinking whether to spill the beans, but quickly realized there was no point in keeping it a secret anymore. “He tried to kill me...”

Cheerilee lips curled into a perfect ‘o,’ and a mix of dread and confusion filled her face. She had expected many things, but not that. The answer, like a hit to the throat, left her gaping in silence, unable to make a sound. Applejack continued.

“The night he arrived, he almost hunted me down. And during the chase, I have lost important merchandise I needed. If Gastovski were there just a few seconds later, we wouldn’t be talking right now.”

“Is... Is this why you were so protective of Apple Bloom every time he was around?”

“Yes. I was afraid… at first, but after Rainbow had zapped him, it all changed. During those few days, when he was in a coma, Dash was completely broken... Just sitting on the cloud the whole day, crying or just staring at the ground. The worst part was that no one seemed to care. It was all about that human.”

“With respect, Applejack, but John was the one dying in the hospital. And it’s not that we didn’t care, but... Rainbow Dash pretty much brought it on herself. How many times did we ask her to stop with those childish pranks?”

“I know, Cheerilee, but back then, Dash’s situation and my own problems made me so angry at that human that I began blaming him for everything. Including my own mistakes.”

“What do you mean?”

Ordinarily, Applejack would keep her problems to herself, but that’s what got her in this mess in the first place. She wasn’t about to make the same mistake. After a momentary pause, she let out a deep sigh. It was time to confess.

“Do you know how ponies say that ‘the road to Tartarus is paved with good intentions’? I never gave that saying a second thought, until now... It all started at the end of the school year when we had that little chat.”

“You mean when I told you that Apple Bloom is one of my best students?”

“Yes... See, a few days before that, Zecora had told me she had a knack for making potions. Apple Bloom told me herself, she loves mixing things, and trying different formulas...” Applejack smiled gently. “She’s smart, much smarter than Big Mac or me. I thought that one day, we could send her to Canterlot to get a proper education.”

“That’s very commendable of you.”

“Yeah, except... Those things cost hoof and tail, and we’re not exactly swimming in bits. I thought that if we could find another business partner, we could expand and make some more money.”

“So, you did?”

“Yes. But, I knew Granny would never consider doing business with anyone outside Ponyville, so their representatives came when she was not around. They tested the merchandise and were very pleased, and the prices they offered were far better than I had expected. The contract was plain and simple, too. It was like a dream come true. So the next time they came by, I signed it... without reading all the papers one more time.”

Cheerilee winced. “Applejack…”

“I know! Heavens, I know... I even tricked Granny into signing it as well. It all went downhill from there. My new business partner had always found some flaw in the merchandise: either the apples were too sweet, too green or too red, or they were not big enough. I thought it was because of the weather problems we had, so I tried to hoofpick the best apples I could. For the past month, I was lucky if I managed to get four hours of sleep per day. It was all work, work, and more work.”

“That explains a lot, but... why didn’t you ask for help? I thought you had learned that lesson years ago.”

“I would have to tell Granny about everything. I just... couldn’t. At that point, I still thought it was all due to the weather, and it would all turn around. My client even suggested that he could be willing to forgo any contractual penalties if I deliver him some of our special cider. The day that human almost killed me, I was gathering the ingredients, but as I said, I lost it all during the chase.”

“So he became the target...”

“Yes. And the worst part is that it was all a lie. I should have known that deal was too good to be true, but the money blinded me, and now...”

Applejack’s throat suddenly went dry, and for a moment she couldn’t utter a word. And when it finally came, it felt as if she spoke in sandpaper and razors. It was the pain of the truth, and it was forcing some tears out of her.

“W-we’re probably gonna lose the farm...”

“It’s really that bad?”

“Yes, and… I still don’t know how to tell Granny. And that human?” Applejack shook her head. “He didn’t deserve this, Cheerilee. He tried to talk to me and make amends, but I wouldn’t listen. He... He’s the one who saved Apple Bloom’s life.”

“Really?”

“Yes. If it weren’t for him, I would be planning a funeral right now. He saved her life and I... I...”

The few tears from a moment ago turned into a river, filling Applejack’s eyes with water. With her lips trembling, her eyes went to the floor, and a mix of fear and shame clogged her throat. She was a weeping jelly. Just then, James and Celestia appeared in the corridor.

***

“Your Highness, James…” Cheerilee bowed gently. The look of Celestia’s torn regalia was tempting her to say more, but she bit her lip. But the Princess heard the unasked question anyway.

“Yes, Cheerilee, the matter between James and me, has been resolved,” Celestia said with a smile, but it quickly faded away. “I wish I could say the same when it comes to John.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s dead,” James said, his voice empty and emotionless. With his curled lips and twisted face, he shot Applejack a glance. It was a stare of pure revulsion. But Cheerilee didn’t see it, her own eyes went to the floor in silence.

“I’m... sorry,” Cheerilee said, her voice like a whisper.

“It’s not your fault... At least he’ll get some peace. Now I just need to find—” The view of Stables walking out of the ICU interrupted him. “Hey, Doc!”

“Mr. Gastovski?”

“Yeah, I got the message. When can I pick up the body?”

Stables’ blinked and tilted his head. “Body?”

“John’s body, Doc. You activated the beacon, I assume he’s dead.”

“He had a cardiac arrest about an hour ago, but we were able to bring him back... for now.”

“Are you telling me he’s not dead?”

“The last time I checked, he was still alive, yes.”

“Then, who activated the beacon?”

“Maybe… it was an accident?”

“I don’t think so. You have to hold it for five seconds before it starts. Someone did it deliberately. If it weren’t you, then...”

“It was me.”

Stables and James turned, to see Apple Bloom standing nearby.

***

“You?” James squinted his eyes. He was as consternated as the rest of the crowd. “Why?”

“I want you to save him. I know you can.”

“Just a few hours ago you were screaming how you hate him – what’s changed?” Apple Bloom glanced away. “Oh, I see... You probably found out who saved your hide and now feel guilty, huh?”

“No... OK, maybe a little, but—”

“Don’t!” James interjected with a stone face. “You don’t want him to get better, you want to ease your conscience!”

“Not true!”

“Yeah, yeah, deny all you want, I’m done here. Doc, please take the beacon and hide it somewhere, OK? And when he really dies, activate it again—”

“I want you to help him!” Apple Bloom yelled, stomping her little hooves.

“Yeah, well, I want a hot yoga with the Princess here...” Celestia’s arched eyebrow was like an ax, ready to chop him in two. “See that look, kiddo? Life lesson for you: you can’t always have what you want.”

“I don’t understand,” Cheerilee interjected. “If you have the means to save him—”

“One: even with nano-tech, his chances are slim. And two: save him for what? So that ponies could throw some more rocks at him?”

“You can protect him!” Apple Bloom said.

“How? By shooting everyone who tries something? The Princess here would never allow it... all that revenue from taxes lost—”

“Why are you acting like this? I thought he’s your friend.”

“Yes, and that’s why I don’t want this shit to continue!” James jerked his head. “None of you can understand how it is...”

“Really?” Cheerilee eyes went to her injured hoof and back to James. Her lips curled into a mocking smirk. “Funny, I could swear the mob of angry ponies did this to me. But what do I know...”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake... I’m not talking about the mob, I’m talking about what happened before!” Cheerilee cocked her head in confusion, the rest of the crowd quickly followed. “See, you don’t understand. You can’t understand, because it never happened to you!”

“You mean the way my ponies treated John?”

“Yes, Celestia, that’s what I’m talking about... You don’t know how it’s to be surrounded by creatures that hold nothing but contempt for you!”

“Do you not think you are overreacting a little?”

“No… See those?” James tapped on his ears. “You would be surprised what you can hear about yourself when you have ears that can pick up and amplify whispers from up to three hundred meters... You learn that you’re a murderer, a freak, a child-killer, a rapist voodoo... something. Even the people that you saved call you a somnophile, and treat you like dirt... Don’t they, Applejack?”

A shameful blush filled Applejack’s cheeks. She turned her head, biting her lip, but it didn’t stop the pricking sensation. It was the stares of others, each one jabbing her like a thousand needles.

“I was not aware of this,” Celestia said. “Why did you not say anything?”

“What would you do? Blasted half of Ponyville to the moon? Told them to be nicer? There is nothing you could have done. There is no cure for racism,” Celestia went silent. He was right, and she knew it. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t get it either. I mean... goddammit, I know I’m not the most likable person around, but... rapist child-killer somnophile? Try hearing that every day and soon you’ll be asking yourself… what’s the point of all this...”

As his voice trailed off, everything went silent. That wasn’t the talk of Captain cheesy-one liner, those were the words of a wounded person. James’ depressed expression was further proof of that. Celestia began extending her wing, but he pushed it away.

“I don’t care. I was a freak back home, I’m a freak here. It was always the case. But with John, it’s different. He was a family guy, good with kids, good with people. Even if I could save him, he would be alone and hated. This is no way to live, not for him...”

“Please… We’ll think of something, just save him…” Apple Bloom pleaded. “He’s my friend.”

“A friend... Just a few hours ago you said you hate him. I’ll ask again: what changed?”

Instead of an answer, Apple Bloom turned to Applejack with an unsure expression on her face. She knew the confrontation was inevitable, but it didn’t make it any easier. She let out a sigh, and then it began.

“Applejack, I know what he did, I know that you hate him, but... I don’t. I know you’ll be mad, but… he forgave Rainbow Dash, helped Cheerilee and helped me. For me, that’s proof he’s a good person. No matter what you say, I consider him a friend, and… I don’t want him to die...”

Applejack said nothing, gaping in silence instead with mouth slightly agape. Apple Bloom knew it was only temporary. Soon Applejack would get going and blow her steam, telling her, how the family should stick together, how that human’s a monster, how she feels betrayed. Apple Bloom was ready for that, and more. When Applejack took a swing, she just closed her eyes shut, ready for the pain. But what came, took her by surprise.

“I’m so proud of you, Apple Bloom,” Instead of a smack to the face, Applejack was squeezing her little sister in a vice-like grip, and bawling her eyes out. “You’re so darn smart...”

“Um... You’re not mad?”

“No, I’m not. I’m glad that at least one of us acts the way she should. You’re right. He tried to fix it, and I kept him at bay. It’s all my fault…”

A second later, Apple Bloom returned the hug and began patting her sister on the back. For a moment, she was the big sister whispering to Applejack it will be OK. The heartwarming view poured some hope into everyone’s hearts, and gentle smiles filled their faces. Except for one person.

“Such a heartwarming scene...” James said with a sarcastic smile and voice. “Too bad I don’t buy it.”

“W-what?”

“You heard me, Apple Bloom. I bet you planned this together to save your sister’s hide. I’m not gonna be a part of it…”

“You darn… idiot!” This time it was Applejack piercing him with her eyes. “You really think, Apple Bloom wants you to help him just to save me from prison?!”

“Well, duh!”

“What are you all talking about?” Celestia interjected, cocking her head.

James glanced at Applejack with a sinister smile. She was busted, and now she would have to reveal everything. He was hoping to see the same panic and terror he had seen before, but instead, he saw a face of defiance and determination. She turned to Celestia with an expression of a kamikaze just before the strike… or an ordinary person with nothing to lose. It was time for a confession.

“Your Highness... I’m responsible for the other human condition.”

“I beg your pardon?” Celestia turned to James. “You told me he fell.”

“He did.”

“And no one ‘helped’ him?”

“He did because I didn’t help him,” Applejack interjected, getting everyone’s attention. “I got near the ruins just in time to see that human hanging from the cliff, and Scootaloo looking for something to pull him up. I told her I’ll handle it and to wait in the back. When I approached him, he was still within my reach...”

“And you did not help him, because you were afraid he may pull you down with him? Is this what happened?” Celestia’s question sounded like a plea for a confirmation. But Applejack would not honor the request.

“No… I could have saved him, but I didn’t.” Applejack sighed and took off her hat, hugging it with her right hoof. “I wanted him to die.”

For the next few seconds, a jumble of voices filled the air, and everyone began exchanging nervous glances. Except for James. He was nodding with an impressed expression. He didn’t think Applejack had it in her.

“Are you happy now?” Applejack said, but James shook his head.

“Not really... You just know how John forgave Dash and are hoping he’ll do the same for you.”

“I’m going to prison anyway!”

“What, you killed someone else?”

Applejack stopped, trying to prolong the moment, hoping for some miracle that would save her. But after a few seconds it was obvious there was no rescue in sight. She made her bed, and now it was time to sleep in it.

“I... I killed our farm...”

“W-what are you talking about?” Apple Bloom said. “Granny told me everything is fine on the farm!”

“She doesn’t know. No one does… I made a deal with someone, and they tricked me into signing something I should not have signed. And now, we may lose everything...”

Apple Bloom stepped back in silence, her face white as snow. Her throat was filled with concrete, and not a sound was getting through. But her shaky figure was a scream in itself.

“There is still a chance to fight it, but even if we win, I’m going to jail,” Applejack let out a heavy heave. A sigh of guilt and defeat. “I’m so sorry, Apple Bloom. I messed up everything...” She turned to Celestia. “I’m ready to face all the consequences. However, I would like to ask you to help my family. They’re innocent and should not have to answer for my crimes.”

Instead of an answer, Celestia looked at the floor, and an eerie silence filled the air. She stayed like that for only a few seconds, but for Applejack, it felt like an eternity. When she finally glanced up, her empty eyes and emotionless expression informed everyone that something was wrong.

“John was also innocent, and yet... you and a good part of Ponyville showed him no mercy,” Celestia’s voice was cold and formal. “According to the law, you cannot be punished for not aiding someone if the help could endanger yourself. So, when it comes to John, legally, you are not at fault. But... I will have no part in helping you avoid the consequences of your other actions.”

“W-what are you saying? You won’t help my family?!” Celestia nodded.

Applejack had expected many things, but Celestia giving her family the cold shoulder, wasn’t on the list. The notion quickly turned her guilt into anger.

“I have served Equestria for years, never asking for anything in return. And when I finally ask for help, not for me, but for my family, you refuse?!” She was yelling, but her screams were bumping off Celestia’s stony face. “It is all on me! They had nothing to do with it! Why don’t you want to help them?!”

“Two reasons. One: because the deal I have with nobility, prevents me from interfering in the matters of the civil court. And two: because you want to take an easy way out.”

“What?! I want to answer for my crimes! How’s that an ‘easy way out’?!”

“Yes, you want to answer, but by your own rules! You will land in jail for a few years, but your family will be safe from the troubles you caused. How convenient! That’s not facing the consequences, that is escaping from them!”

“You’ll make my family suffer, just to teach me a lesson?!” Applejack couldn’t believe her ears, but Celestia’s cold and formal expression was telling her the same story. “Apple Bloom doesn’t deserve to be punished!”

“Maybe you should have thought of her before—”

“I did! I did it for...” Applejack bit her lip just in time. She couldn’t let Apple Bloom know. “I... I had good intentions.”

“’Good intentions’… Applejack, some of the biggest tragedies in this world happened because of ‘good intentions!’”

“I’m sorry...”

“Oh, I believe you. I also believe that all ponies from the mob will be sorry as well when they realize the consequences. But this is not enough! Guilt is not enough! Everyone thinks, all they have to do is say ‘I am sorry’ and that it will somehow fix everything. No one wants to pay for their actions. But they will, you can be sure of that!”

Celestia’s cold glare quickly put out any glimmer of hope still left in Applejack. This wasn’t the benevolent ruler everyone knew, but something else. Her stony face like a petrifying totem, scaring everyone nearby. Well, almost everyone…

“With all due respect, your Highness, don’t you think you’re overreacting?” Cheerilee said, not affected one bit.

“Really?” Celestia turned her gaze and squeezed her eyes, only to see Cheerilee counter her with precisely the same move. “Maybe I should just let everyone go? After all Bold Hoof has a son, I am sure the little colt will miss his jailed father.”

“This is not the issue here. Applejack is ready to go to jail for her actions. What you’re proposing is to punish not only her but also her family.”

“I am not punishing anyone. There is an action and a reaction to everything we do, Cheerilee. Even if the action was done with good intentions, you still have to face the consequences!”

“Then, if I may be so bold, what consequences will you face for your actions, your Highness?”

“What?” The stone on Celestia’s face shattered, leaving her with a confused look.

“Wasn’t that spell used on James, also created with good intentions in mind? What sort of punishment will you give to yourself?”

“That... that is different,” Celestia didn’t buy that lie herself. Then Cheerilee dropped an atom bomb.

“And what about, Princess Luna?”

“W-what?! How dare you bring my sister into this?!”

“Did she face the consequences for trying to kill Twilight and her friends when she returned from the moon?”

“Cheerilee...” Celestia’s horn lit up, and her eyes widened. She was breathing heavily through her clenched teeth. “Do not slander my sister, ever again! You have no idea what she went through!”

“With all due respect, but following your own logic, didn’t she deserve it after what she tried to do?”

Everyone, but James and Cheerilee began slowly backing away in silence. There was madness in Celestia’s eyes, and her horn was glowing red, heating the surrounding air like a sun itself. Marbles’ scenario was playing in James’ head, he was ready to jump in if the worst would happen. But it didn’t. Instead, after a few moments, Celestia turned her face away, and the fires in her eyes and horn died down, leaving her gaping to the floor.

“No, Cheerilee. She did not deserve it. But you would not know that...” What was left of her stoic mask shattered then, and her eyes filled with water. “But soon, you will know the truth.”

“Celestia, what are you talking about?” Her teary smile confirmed what he already knew. “Can we talk outside?”

“My mind is already made up. I cannot expect my ponies to follow the lesson which I failed myself, can I?”

“You want to reveal... everything?” She nodded with a smile of relief. James’ reaction was the opposite. “Celestia... Are you fucking nuts?!”

“Actually, I think that for the first time in a while, I finally think clearly.”

“Excuse me, but... What are you talking about?” Cheerilee interjected, cocking her head.

“You shall find out soon, all of Equestria should find out—”

“It’s all in the past, damn it! Don’t be a fucking idiot!” James furious yells only made her chuckle. “What are you laughing about?! It’s not funny!”

“No, it is not, but you trying so hard to protect me, kind of is. I would have thought that you of all people would encourage me to do it.”

“Encourage you to ruin your reputation for things you did over a thousand years ago?” James shook his head. “You fucked up, it happens, but look where you’re now: Luna’s back, Equestria is booming, and you’re no longer doing… um, what you were doing!” Celestia’s eyes went to his wound and back. “OK, maybe you still have some old habits you should break – doesn’t mean everyone has to know about everything.”

“But they should know the real reasons why Nightmare Moon happened...” Her smile faded, leaving behind a shameful face. “I should have done that years ago, without asking her...”

“Wait... what? I thought you had no plans to tell anyone.”

“I did plan to reveal everything after Luna gets better, but she told me not to, and… honestly, I was relieved that she did.”

“See? Even she knows it’s in the past.”

“No... She just wants to protect me, as she always has. It is time for me to be the big sister for once,” James tried to say something, but she silenced him, placing her hoof on his lips. “My mind is made up.”

“Ordinarily, I would say I know things about you and try good old blackmail, but I doubt anything I know can top what you want to reveal,” she let out a chuckle, but it was cut short. “What about Applejack?”

“We shall both face the consequences of our actions.”

“OK, it pains me to say it, but... I’m with Cheerilee on this one. Applejack is the one who should have her ass kicked, not her family.”

“This is not how—”

“How the law works, I get it, but I’m asking myself what would John want, and you can bet your ass he wouldn’t want Apple Bloom hurt, no matter what. He’s that kind of good-hearted idiot.”

For a moment, Celestia was lost in thought, analyzing the situation. Her eyes darting from Applejack to Cheerilee, to Apple Bloom and back. Her face empty, like the face of a judge before passing sentence.

“I... cannot just revoke the contract you signed, Applejack. That would undermine hundreds of years of trust between the nobility and me. Who did you sign the contract with, exactly?”

“Miser Mane.”

“Oh, dear...” The sound of Celestia’s facehoof echoed through the hospital. “Applejack, do you not think that his name alone should be a dead giveaway? How could you even think about making deals with that snake?”

“My, my, Celestia. I haven’t seen you badmouthing a noble before...” James said. “Not in the open anyway.”

“In his case, I do not care. He is one of those ponies that make me want to go Daybreaker! He cares for nothing but money, and have no mercy for anyone. I have seen him evicting entire families when they could not pay the debt.”

“Then why do you allow such person to function?” Applejack shook her head. “The law should protect the innocent.”

“The law is always a compromise, Applejack. And if I understand correctly, you were the one who did not read the contract in the first place.”

“I read the first draft... I thought they didn’t change it.”

“I see... I will see what I can do, but to be honest, with him, the chances are slim to none.”

“Legal told me the same thing. He told me there may be a way. Since I kind of... tricked Granny to sign the deal—”

“She could challenge it in court. Yes, Applejack, that could work, but... I can assure you that Miser Mane will do everything in his power to throw you in jail. If this is what you want, I could get you the best attorney I can find, but... again, this may not be enough.”

“I understand, and... I would appreciate it, your Highness—”

“You can’t take her away!” Apple Bloom woke up from her paralytic daydream. “No matter what she did, you just... can’t!”

“I need to answer for what I did, Apple Bloom. I just hope I’ll be the only one…”

There were no more protests. Instead, Apple Bloom buried her head in her sister’s side, crying softly.

“That leaves us with John...” Celestia said.

“All that had happened doesn’t change much... I help him, and he’ll still be hated.”

“Not if I can help it—”

“You have helped, quiet enough, Jackie.”

“Look, I know I messed up, but if I explain to ponies what happened and why I acted the way I did, they’ll understand.”

“I’ll try to help as well,” Cheerilee said. “And Apple Bloom? I’m sure most ponies will come to reason once they learn he saved her life.”

“Yeah! And Sweetie Belle too!” Apple Bloom added.

“I don’t know...” James turned to Celestia. “What do you think I should do?”

“I am afraid this decision is yours alone.”

He rolled his eyes, and a sarcastic smirk filled his face. “The master of delegating... Could you give me a direct answer for once? Yes or no?”

“James, I am... bias. I consider John a friend, so an answer from me would be: yes, you should save him.”

“Even after all he has been through?”

“Yes. I believe Applejack is right, I believe this was one big misunderstanding.”

“You really believe that... or do you want to believe that?”

“A little of both.”

“And Scootaloo? What she accused him of...”

“She didn’t really accuse him or me,” Cheerilee said, to see James smirking sarcastically. “Don’t make faces, mister. I was there, you were not. It was a forced accusation made under pressure—”

“And,” Applejack interjected. “I didn’t get most of it, but... Scootaloo acted as if they made amends already.”

James began tapping his chin, his eyes going in circles. He could feel everyone’s gaze on his skin.

“You’re just gonna stare like that until I agree, don’t you?” Their silent glare was a dead giveaway. “Ugh, fucking pony manipulators, I hate you!” He shook his head and turned to Celestia. “He’s gonna kick my ass for this...”

“I am sure you can handle it.”

James smiled sarcastically. “You just like to see me suffer, don’t you?”

“Yes... That is what I live for.”

“Ha! I knew it—”

“Would you stop that and go help him already?!” Apple Bloom’s angry voice echoed through the corridor.

“Bite me! You’re not my boss—”

“NOW!”

Apple Bloom’s scream hit James’ ears hard, making his face crumple up. This wasn’t Applejack’s little sister, but a little devil with fiery eyes ready to burn him to a crisp. The view put a smile on his face.

“Since you ask so nicely... Fine, I’ll do. But IF he survives, then you... all of you are committed to making sure he doesn’t feel like an alien. Deal?” Everyone nodded in unison. “Don’t make me regret this. Celestia, I need a lift to the Twilight’s castle...”

Chapter 22

Scootaloo lifted up her heavy eyelids, to have her eyes invaded by the rays of the dawn. Her coat was bathing in the rising sun, feverishly absorbing the much-needed warmth. Outside, a light fog was looming over the gorge, covering the nearby trees and rocks with a white mist. A start of a beautiful day.

But for Scootaloo, it was all gray and dull. She turned around with a grumble, hoping to get some more sleep, but her empty stomach let out a gurgle of protest.

“There’s no more food, shut up...” She said to herself, glancing at her empty saddlebag lying in the corner.

It was the third day she spent hiding in that damp cave, and the cucumber sandwiches she took with her were long gone.

“Shut up... Go away...”

She tried not to think about hunger, not to think about anything, but her conscience was like a high-pitch scream, slowly driving her insane.

“Go away... Just, go away...”

“I’m not going anywhere, squirt!”

Scootaloo jerked around to see Rainbow Dash standing at the entrance with a mix of anger and concern on her face.

“R-rainbow Dash? I—”

“Do you have any idea how worried we all are?!” Rainbow’s interjected squinting her eyes. “What the heck, Scoot?! Running away from home, and to the Ghastly Gorge of all places?!”

“How did you find me?”

“By checking one place after another. Your aunts, me and a bunch of other ponies have been looking for you for days!”

Scootaloo’s eyes went to the floor in silence, and a shameful expression filled her face. Her whole figure like a scream of guilt. When she spoke, it only got worse.

“I’m not coming back.”

“Because you stole stuff?” Scootaloo shot her an inquisitive glance. “Yes, Scoot, I know. Cheerilee told me about it.

“She did?”

“Yeah, and about your dealings with Dumb Bell and his gang of misfits, and about what happened during the mob,” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “Scoot, what you did was... uncool!”

Uncool. Hearing that word from Rainbow Dash hurt Scootaloo harder than a punch to the face. Her idol’s razor-sharp eyes were only adding to the agony. It was official, even Rainbow Dash hated her.

“G-go...” Scootaloo said, not looking up. “Just leave me, like everypony else.”

“I’m not going anyway, Scoot, how could you even think that?” Rainbow Dash sat next to her number one fan, and let out a sigh. “I just want to understand what’s going on.”

For a moment they sat in silence. Scootaloo was staring at the floor, thinking about what to say. There was one question she wanted the answer to but had no one to ask. Until now.

“Is... Is Apple Bloom, OK?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. I heard that human saved her life after you... ran away.”

“So, you know everything… She’ll never forgive me.”

“Oh, horseapples! Both Sweetie Belle and her were looking for you, Scoot. They’re worried sick.”

“W-what about Cheerilee? Is she OK?”

“Yeah, more or less. Her house and the school are a different story, though…”

With her empty eyes still nailed to the rocky floor, Scootaloo slowly shook her head.

“I didn’t want this to happen...” She sniffled, with tears in her eyes. “I hurt so many ponies...”

“Yeah, you made some mistakes, but it’s not like you’re the only one who did… After I zapped that human, I thought my life was over. No more Wonderbolts, no more nothing... I hid and moped for days, and you saw first-hoof how that turned out. In the end, I had to face the music anyway.”

“But, you didn’t do it on purpose…”

“Maybe, but it changes nothing. That guy almost died,” Rainbow glanced at her wings and back. “And I made him a cripple. Honestly, if somepony would do that to me, I don’t think I would be so forgiving.”

“But… At least you had the courage to face the consequences...”

“It wasn’t courage, it was... resignation. I just wanted it to end, one way or the other. When he proposed that deal with Spitfire, I thought he was pulling my leg.”

“What does she have you doing, anyway?”

“You don’t wanna know, Scoot... But I deserve it, and more. My point is that if a complete stranger can give another chance to a stupid mare like me, you can bet ponies will give one to you, too. If you ask them.”

For a while, Scootaloo kept gaping to the floor in silence, thinking. Rainbow didn’t push her, she was there herself not so long ago, she knew how hard it was. Then, Scootaloo’s lip began to tremble.

“I helped Dumb Bell hurt Cheerilee, left Apple Bloom to die and run away when that human fell from the cliff.” Her whole body was shaking now, and tears of anguish began flowing down her cheeks. “Diamond Tiara was right. I’m a coward, a chicken.”

Rainbow’s right wing grabbed her in a tight embrace, pulling her closer. The sudden contact broke through the dam like a ram, and a river of tears began flooding Rainbow’s coat.

“I’m scared, Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo buried herself in Dash’s coat. “I’m so scared...”

“I know, squirt, I know. But it takes real courage to admit that to yourself. Remember, whatever happens, I’m gonna be with you.”

“Y-you promise?”

“Pinkie promise!” Rainbow nudged her gently and winked, putting some tiny smile on Scootaloo’s tearful face. “Look, I know for a fact that they’ll try to wake up that other human today, and Apple Bloom and Cheerilee will be both in the hospital. Why don’t you go there with me, and apologize to them?”

“I... I don’t know—” Scootaloo’s stomach let out a loud gurgle.

“Hmm. What if I said, I got some food on me?”

Scootaloo’s face turned into a pouty frown. This was cheating, plain and simple!

“And what if I said it was good food?” Rainbow said, taking out a perfectly shaped hay burger, that was still letting off some steam.

The view made Scootaloo lick her lips, and her stomach let out another loud gurgle. Rainbow heard it, and her lips curled into a smirk. The darn cheater really thought it would be that simple... Turned out, she wasn’t wrong.

“You know... This is just mean...” Scootaloo said, grabbing the sandwich.

She took a bite. Then another, and another. She ate, no, devoured the whole thing in ten seconds flat, leaving Rainbow dumbfounded and staring.

“What? I didn’t eat anything in two days.”

“Yeah, it shows,” Dash chuckled. “We should get you back home, I’m sure your aunts will be glad to have you back and have something good to eat, too!”

The imagined view of delicious snacks and her aunt’s steaming soup washed away any doubts still looming inside Scootaloo’s mind. She nodded to herself.

“All right. We can both go to eat something and then visit the hospital. If John’s alive, I have something I need to give back.”

“That’s the spirit, Scoot! You got your scooter?”

“It broke down... I’ll just walk.”

“Bah! Hop on!” Rainbow motioned at her back, and Scootaloo was on board a second later. “Hold tight, Scoot! We’re gonna go fast!”

For the first time in days, Scootaloo grinned. “Engage!”

***

A fuzzy, shining bright light. That was the first thing that hit John when he opened his heavy eyes. The agonizing drilling sensation that quickly followed forced his eyelids shut again. He let out a groan, a mix of confusion and pain.

“Good morning, or rather, good afternoon.”

“J-James?” John forced his eyes opened, and sure enough, James was standing above with a smile on his face. “Where... What?”

“Hospital. You probably don’t remember, but—”

“I fell from the cliff...” John said with a raspy voice, getting an eyebrow in return. “Yeah, this time I remember. I remember everything... Do you know how’s Apple Bloom, Cheerilee and Scootaloo?”

“Well, why don’t you ask them yourself? The first two I mean...”

Still drowsy from the drugs, John squinted his eyes in confusion, but it was short-lived. Cheerilee, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle approached the bed, smiling.

“H-hey...” John smiled himself. “You’re all OK?”

“I think we should be the ones asking that,” Sweetie Belle said. “How do you feel?”

“I don’t know… How do I feel, boss?”

“You stink, and you’re peeing in the bag... Other than that, you got broken legs, arm, ribs, punctured spleen and liver... But nano-tech is slowly regenerating that.”

“Dandy...”

“Fortunately, there was no spine damage, don’t know about the brain, though... How about you recite the alphabet?”

“Ugh... A, B—”

“No, no, I meant backward.”

John arched his eyebrow in silence.

“No? How about something easier then – what’s my name?”

“Cheesy manipulative bastard?”

“I think his brain is working just fine,” Cheerilee said with a little smirk.

“Yeah, I guess it’s hard to damage a brain when you don’t have one...”

“Hrmph, look who’s talking.”

“Hey, my MOS 6502 is working perfectly fine, thank you,” James smile faded a little. “Jokes aside, if you feel any dizziness or headaches, let someone know ASAP, OK?”

“Got it, boss.”

“Good. Look, um... There’s someone who wants to see you, and I need to get her here.”

“Celestia?”

“Her, and... Applejack.”

“W-what?” John’s eyes darted between Apple Bloom and Cheerilee and back to James. “Boss, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Don’t worry, Cheerilee, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle already know everything.”

He was out of the room before John could say anything. When the door slammed behind him, John’s heart skipped a beat, and he began glancing between his guests. A trapped animal looking at the predators.

“W-what did he mean? What do you know?”

“Everything, John,” Cheerilee said. “Both what happened on the first day, and how Applejack... watched you fall.”

“I see...” John noticed anger creeping over Apple Bloom’s face and let out a deep sigh. “I don’t know what else to say except... I’m sorry.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Apple Bloom... I—”

“Both you and Applejack lied to me!”

“I didn’t—”

“OK, maybe you didn’t lie, but you sure as heck were not telling the truth, either!” Apple Bloom’s angry voice boomed through the room. “You could have told me!”

“H-how? How do you tell someone you almost had her sister for breakfast? H-how do you tell her... you really are the monster that everyone says you are?”

His watery eyes went to the ceiling and he closed them shut, but he couldn’t stop his lips and cheeks from trembling. His entire face was a painting of despair and sorrow. The view turned Apple Bloom’s anger into guilt.

“W-wait, I didn’t say that—”

“I knew it’s gonna end like this,” he shook his head and let out another sigh. It was a sigh of resignation. “Please, leave me alone.”

“John, please stop this,” Cheerilee said. “You’re not a monster. We know that was a mistake.”

“Mistake... I almost killed and ate one of you – do you understand that?”

“And would you do it again, now?”

“Jesus Christ, I would never do it in the first place if I knew. No one believes me...”

Then, something he least expected interrupted his tirade. It was a snort, a happy snort to be exact, and it was coming from the crowd.

“Good heavens, you humans really think we’re fragile and scared of everything, don’t you?” Cheerilee said with a chuckle.

John opened his eyes and glanced her way. There was no fear on her face or anything else that would indicate anger or revulsion. There was only a gentle smile.

“You’re not angry?”

“I am!” Apple Bloom said. “But not because you attacked Applejack... Well, OK, maybe for that too. But what angers me is that both you and she were hiding the truth from me! It was like when mom and dad died! Back then, Granny and the others, only let me see their closed coffins, because ’I was too little and their bodies were burnt.’ They decided to spare me the view, and because of that, I...” She sniffled, and some tears appeared in her eyes. “I never said goodbye...”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“It’s OK, it was years ago... It’s just, Applejack and you reminded me of that, and of the stupid feud between our families. I’m not little anymore, the girls and I are helping others discover their destiny, and Applejack still treats me like a foal.”

“Apple Bloom... Please, believe me. I wanted to tell you, but everyone kept telling me that your sister and I could resolve this on our own. There’s really nothing else I can say except... I’m sorry.”

“You could say you’ll never do it again...”

“Jesus, I swear! I would never try to eat a pony if I knew!”

“And?”

“And...” John repeated, making Apple Bloom arch her eyebrow. “And... I’m sorry for lying to you?”

She added squinted eyes to her commanding tone. “And?!”

“And, um,” John smiled sheepishly, like a kid in front of his parent. “I never do that... again?”

“Phew, finally,” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “You’re catching almost as fast as Snips and Snails.”

“Huh, why do I have a feeling this wasn’t a compliment,” his comment made both ponies chuckle. “So, you don’t hate me?”

“You forgave Rainbow Dash, defended Miss Cheerilee from those bullies and saved my life... That makes you a good person in my book.”

“Good person...” John smiled gently, but it quickly faded away. “Thank you, but I don’t think others will see it that way.”

“You would be surprised, John,” Cheerilee said. “I know it’s hard to believe after what you’ve been through, but Ponyville is a very friendly place.”

“I take your word for it, but if I live through this, I’m—”

The bang of the opening door interrupted him, and a second later, James walked inside, with Celestia and Applejack behind him.

***

“That was fast.”

“Thank Celestia, Johnny. She used her magic to teleport us around. I liked it!”

“Do not get used to it. I am a Princess, not a taxi service. Anyway... Applejack, we are here. You can begin—”

“Hold on...” James interjected. “Just so you know, Jackie. I’m standing right here, you try anything funny, and Celestia’s gonna need another Element of Harmony. Get it?”

“Do you truly believe that Applejack would try to harm John with all of us present?”

“I wouldn’t think so... Then again, I would never think she would just let him fall from the cliff in the first place, so...”

James knew where to jab so that Applejack would feel it. Her shameful expression was proof of that. With a sigh, she took off her hat and turned to John, but words escaped her. She stood there, gaping like a statue until he broke the silence.

“Why did you come? To get an absolution? Forgiveness? What?”

“I… I would like to make amends, but... I don’t expect you to agree.”

“So NOW, you want to make amends? When I asked for the same, you told me to go to hell... And a few hours later you sent me there yourself.”

“I’m sorry...”

“Yeah, I’m sure you are. Tell me, how many years are you facing for watching me fall?”

“Zero, Johnny,” James interjected, getting an eyebrow in return. “According to Equestria’s codex, she broke no law.”

“Seriously? Huh, I guess we’re even then. I tried to kill you, and you tried to kill me... Well, that’s not accurate. You ‘just’ watched me fall, with a nice smirk, I may add,” John let out a dark chuckle. “You were enjoying it, didn’t you?”

Applejack couldn’t get the words out of her throat, but her bobbing head confirmed everything.

“See? Give me one reason why I should accept the apology of someone who wanted me dead over her own goddamn mistakes?”

“It... It wasn’t... about the farm.”

“Ah, let me guess… You heard I’m a child molester and decided to take matters into your own hands?”

“No...”

“What then?! You wanted me dead so that I would not expose you?”

“No!”

“Then, why? What the hell did I do to you?”

“Not to me. I thought...” Applejack sighed. “I thought you tried to kill Apple Bloom.”

Her statement turned some of his anger into bewilderment, leaving him stunned with a confused expression. It wasn’t something he expected to hear – some lame excuse, maybe, but not this. Applejack continued.

“I heard what happened to Cheerilee and went to the hospital. I was tired and angry at everyone and everything. Then Sweetie Belle brought Apple Bloom in with that darn tube down her throat. When she told me you did it, I... I don’t know. It’s all a blur... I honestly don’t remember much after that. I do recall anger, talking with Scootaloo, and then... relieve, when I saw you hit the floor. As if all the problems fell with you.”

“Jesus... You have a sister with a severe allergy, and you didn’t know what the tube was for?”

“At the time, I didn’t put two and two together. When I learned what really happened I...”

She lowered her head, clenching her hat like a lifeline, and her big greenish eyes filled with water. A figure of pain and despair.

“I know what I did, heavens, believe me, I know... I don’t expect forgiveness, but I just wanted you to know that I’m sorry for everything.”

She stopped talking and the air filled with silence. Everyone’s eyes were on John. His mind went to the land of confusion, leaving his body gazing into the ceiling. For Applejack, the half a minute it took him to process everything, seemed to drag on for an eternity.

“I don’t know what to say…” John finally answered. “I don’t even know if I should believe you.”

“She’s telling the truth,” James said. “She almost strangled Stables when he said you did a good job with the tube. And when we told her what happened, she had this ’what have I done?!’ moment. It was pretty cool.”

“Yeah, I bet it was,” John shook his head and sighed. “This is... messed up. I don’t know what to think, or what to say to you, Applejack. If James says you’re sorry, then I have to accept that, and I would really want to say that all is forgiven. But I can’t...”

“I understand...”

“No, you don’t. You don’t know me, but I usually don’t hold grudges. But when I look at you, I feel things I don’t want to feel. I don’t want to be angry with you, but I would be lying if I said I’m not.”

“You’re not gonna accept her apology?” Apple Bloom said.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. It’s too early.”

John was ready to hear her scream how she hates him, and run away, but Apple Bloom just nodded in silence. Her sad face was telling him she was expecting this.

“I understand, and I know you hate her, but please give her a chance. Applejack’s really a good pony.”

“Wow, hold on, Apple Bloom, I didn’t say that!”

“Y-you don’t hate me?” Applejack said.

“I don’t want to be your friend, but that doesn’t mean I want to be your enemy. I need time to let this body heal, and for this anger to burn out,” he glanced in her big greenish eyes. “Yeah, I’m pissed off, but I don’t hate you.”

She glanced back at him, looking for something, anything that would indicate deception, but found nothing. He was telling the truth, there was no hatred in his eyes, only some well-deserved anger. Ironically, this only made her feel worse for what she did.

“Thank you...” Applejack whispered. “I really needed to hear that. Maybe when I get out of prison, we can try one more time.”

“Wait... You just told me you won’t get punished for not helping me.”

“Yes, but I’m gonna take the blame for the farm’s trouble. All lawyers I talked to told me I’m gonna face prison time. I made my bed, it’s time to lie on it.”

“I see,” John sighed in sympathy. “Well, no matter what, I wish you and your family luck—”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. She put you through hell, and you wish her luck?!” James rolled his eyes, letting out a groan of annoyance. “Can’t you just hate others like a normal person? At least punch her in the face, or something.”

“Sorry, my mom never tough me how to hate properly. I guess I’m too old now.”

“This is not funny, man. Maybe I should take you out of here until there is still time!” James cocked his head and nodded to himself. He suddenly got an epiphany. “You know, jokes aside, maybe that would be a good idea.”

“You want to leave Equestria?” Celestia said.

“More like Ponyville. A trip to the Crystal Empire or even another Equestria’s city could do John some good. Besides, Cheerilee wants to bail out of here too, right?”

“W-what?!”

Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shouted in unison. They glanced at Cheerilee with wide eyes and jaws hanging low. A mixture of confusion and dread.

“I’m sorry girls, but... James is right. I will probably leave Ponyville soon.”

“But why?” Celestia said, as confused as the fillies. “I thought you were going to stay. Did something happen that I am not aware of? The school shall be fixed before the start of the year.”

“It’s not that, it’s the... rumors. I thought they’ll die down, but some parents still believe in them. I heard they’ll not send their children to school as long as I’m the teacher,” Cheerilee let out a tired sigh. “As much as I would like to stay, I have to think about my students first.”

“But you... You didn’t do anything?!” Apple Bloom yelled, shaking her head. “This is wrong!”

“I don’t see another way. But don’t worry, I’m sure Ponyville will get another teacher soon—”

“We don’t want another teacher!” Sweetie Belle shouted. “We want you!”

Both fillies rushed her, and a tight hug quickly followed. Her rapidly darting eyes were a dead giveaway that she wasn’t expecting that. The sobbing assault pushed some tears out of her own eyes, and she returned the embrace.

“It’s OK, girls. It’s OK...”

“No, it’s not! You’re leaving and...” Suddenly, Sweetie Belle broke the embrace and clenched her teeth. “It’s all Scootaloo’s fault!”

“Sweetie Belle—”

“No, Apple Bloom! Don’t even try! If it weren’t for Scootaloo, none of this would have happened! She better not cross me, or I’m gonna give her the piece of my mind!”

“You already have.”

Sweetie Belle cocked her head at James’ and following his motion, turned to the door to see Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash standing there.

***

“Well, speak of the devil!”

“I think it’s not a g-good time!” Scootaloo tried backing away, but Rainbow’s wing blocked her.

“Scootaloo, you can’t run from this forever. I’m with you, let’s do this.”

Scootaloo shot her an imploring glance to let her go, but Rainbow Dash gently shook her head, not moving her wing even a centimeter. Scootaloo was trapped, with only one way to go, and she knew it. Defeated, she let out a sigh and turned around.

“H-hey...” That was all she could muster before her throat went dry. But then she saw a ghost. “Apple Bloom! Y-you, OK?”

“I’m fine Scoot.”

“See? I didn’t lie,” John said.

“Y-you’re OK, too?”

“Well, more or less,” John’s face winced painfully. “I think less... but I’ll live.”

“I... I’m so—”

“Don’t say it, please. Scootaloo, after our chat back then, we’re OK. Besides, I think we both know you owe someone else an apology.”

It was the moment Scootaloo dreaded the most, but there was no turning back. She turned to Cheerilee with eyes glued to the floor and sighed again.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen—”

“Yeah? Miss Cheerilee will have to move out because of your stupid stunt!” Sweetie Belle yelled. “First stealing and now this? How could you say things like that?!”

“I’m with Sweetie Belle on this one,” James said. “Do you have any idea what you accused them of?”

“Scootaloo didn’t accuse us of anything!”

“You can argue semantics all you want, Cheerilee! They asked her if you and John hurt her, and she said ‘yes!’ Seems like a fucking accusation to me!”

“Hey! Back off, pal!”

“Fuck you, Dashie!”

“Stop! All of you!” Cheerilee eyes scolded them as if they were her students. “This is not productive at all. Let Scootaloo speak.”

Whether it was her teacher’s gaze or something else, it worked. Everyone shut up, turning towards Scootaloo, waiting for answers. She could feel the forest of eyes around her, their intense stares were shooting chills up her spine. There was no turning back.

“Sweetie Belle is right. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have stolen, I shouldn’t have lied, but you,” Scootaloo glanced at Cheerilee. “You shouldn’t have lied to me, either…”

“Scootaloo, believe me, I wanted to tell you, but my hooves were tied. I told your parents they should tell you, but they were afraid.”

“And that’s why you decided to send me away?” Scootaloo face began filling with anger. “Send the cripple to be a circus attraction?”

“W-what? Scootaloo, I don’t understand.”

“I heard your conversation with my parents. Everything! How they’re embarrassed by my condition, how I let them down, and how you and they were planning to send me away!” Tears flooded her face, turning her anger into despair. “W-why? I know I’m not the brightest, but I’m trying! What have I ever done to you? Why do you hate me so much?”

This time Cheerilee was the one feeling everyone’s gaze piercing her like a knife. It was a dreadful sensation, but seeing the figure of Scootaloo bawling her eyes out was even worse. And she had no idea what Scootaloo was talking about.

“It makes no goddamn sense...” James broke the silence, shaking his head. “It would go against Cheerilee’s psychological profile.”

“Her what?”

“A stack of information containing various things: her likes, dislikes, sexual preferences, and stuff,” Cheerilee’s glance was ready to cut him in two. “Oh, don’t give me that look. The AI in my armor generates a profile for each person I talk to. They designed it to find spies and saboteurs. Besides, your profile is pretty normal, you should see profiles of some other ponies,” he lowered his voice. “It’s always the quiet ones.”

“I make sure to let Fluttershy knows that.”

“Oh, she knows, Cheerilee, believe me... Anyway, my point is, either that billion-dollar software is wrong, or Scootaloo is wrong. I’m betting the latter.”

“I know what I heard,” Scootaloo said. “My parents said they are so ashamed they want to send me to a freaking circus, and she said it would be a good idea! I guess I should become one of the attractions, huh?”

“Good heavens, this explains so much. Your reckless behavior, the jumpiness, the anger...” Cheerilee shook her head. “All this time, you thought your parents and I were scheming behind your back?”

“You were! I heard it!”

“Scootaloo, I don’t know what you think you heard, but it’s not true.”

“They said they were ashamed! True or false?!”

“Yes, they said that, but they meant of themselves, not you,” Scootaloo cocked her head, confused. “What happened was that they came to me with the news of your condition. They know how you adore Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts, and since this ugly illness is genetic, they were ashamed, blaming themselves for ruining your dreams. But they never blamed you.”

“But they said... B-but, the circus?”

“They asked me for alternatives based on what you like. When I told them about your stunts, your father came with an idea about sending you there... for professional training. But only if you would want to! He thought it could be something you would enjoy.”

“That makes sense,” Rainbow Dash said. “You love doing stunts on the scooter, Scoot. Imagine what kind of tricks you could do if one of those circus ponies trained you. It would be awesome!”

“Y-you think so? But I would never see you again.”

“Scootaloo, the training would only last a month or two, and then you would come back to Ponyville,” Cheerilee said. “Besides, if that doesn’t suit you, what about one of the other alternatives I mentioned?”

“Alternatives?”

“You heard the whole conversation... right?” Scootaloo answered with a sheepish smile and burning cheeks. “You got to be kidding me…”

“I kind of ran after I heard the first part. And with that party Pinkie organized outside the school, it was hard to hear clearly through the window...”

Cheerilee facehoofed, shaking her head. “I need to tell my replacement to start the semester with a lesson about the eavesdropping. Scootaloo, we discussed many possibilities based on your interests. Circus pony, stunt pony, a mechanic.”

“Me? But that’s for smart ponies like Twilight...”

“Remind me who likes tinkering with her scooter and other devices? I know how much the three of you improved your skills since that ‘Twilight time’ disaster.”

“Cheerilee’s right, Scoot,” Apple Bloom said. “You’re working on that scooter of yours, or building contraptions for your stunts all the time.”

“Exactly! You’re not a stupid pony, Scootaloo. Maybe a bit lazy at times,” Cheerilee arched her eyebrow, giving her a stern look. “But not stupid.”

“But, if that’s all true, they why didn’t my parents said anything?”

“I don’t know, but if I had to guess based on their reactions, they probably wanted to look into the things I mentioned first, to spare you the disappointment if something didn’t work out. Believe me, Scootaloo, they were terrified about how you would take the news.”

“Huh, I guess, after all I did, they had the right to be,” Scootaloo said with a bitter chuckle.

“I guess so,” Cheerilee chuckled gently herself. “But to think that all this trouble was because of a misunderstanding...”

“I think the phrase you’re looking for is FUBAR, Cheerilee,” surprisingly, she smiled and nodded at James comment. “OK, Scootaloo. That messed up mindset explains your weird behavior, but why the hell would you hang around Dumb Bell and his two moronic friends?”

“They were selling me medicine.”

“Medicine...” Cheerilee shook her head. “Scootaloo, I finally understand what you were going through during the past weeks, but taking drugs is never the answer.”

“W-what drugs?” Scootaloo arched her eyebrow in confusion. “Wait, you think I was... I would never touch that stuff!”

“But, you just said they sold you—”

“Medicine, for my wings!” Scootaloo said but got confused looks in return. “What?”

“Scoot, in my head, I have entire Equestria’s medical database, and if I’m querying it right, there is only one known condition affecting pegasi wings, and there is no cure for it,” James said.

“You’re wrong! It’s a powder from Griffonstone that you can’t get in Equestria for some twisted reasons. It makes your wings grow. Of course, now I won’t get it anymore, all I have left is an empty container...”

“You have it with you, perhaps?” Scootaloo nodded. “Show me.”

With a few quick moves, Scootaloo opened her saddlebag and pulled out a small plastic-like medicine bottle with a cap on top. James opened it and shook it, getting some leftover powder on his hand.

“Time for a magic trick!” He said and licked it off, spreading it around his entire mouth with his tongue.

“Um, you run out of amphetamine, boss?”

“Nah, it’s brewing nicely in Twilight’s basement. My stuff can put any brain into overdrive. This, on the other hand, can do that only if you’re addicted to sugar,” Scootaloo shot him a confused look. “According to my scans, this powder is nothing more than three different types of sugar, mixed with something bitter for the taste. No medicine in here.”

“But it can’t be! After I started taking it, I could hover for a longer time. It was working!”

“That’s a placebo effect, Scoot. Your mind told you what you wanted to hear. Sorry kid, but this won’t fix you.”

“You’re lying!”

“No, Scootaloo he is not,” Celestia said. “I am aware of the condition you have, and I am afraid that James is correct. There is no known cure. Those three lied to you.”

“But why would they—” Suddenly epiphany struck her like lightning. “Money... They did it just for bits?”

“I am afraid so. I am sorry.”

For a moment it looked like Scootaloo took the news well, just gaping at the floor with a slightly opened mouth. But then her lip began to tremble, and her cheeks quickly followed. She shut her eyes and started to wail. A cry of pain and anguish.

“I spent my entire savings on that, I stole hundreds of bits, I even sold my scooter, and it almost cost Apple Bloom her life. And it was all for nothing?! I’m so stupid!”

“No, you’re not!” John said angrily, his monitors began beeping faster and faster. “Those bastards used you. They’re the ones to blame!”

“Hey! Easy there, man!” James’ eyes widened. “Your body’s not ready for the stress!”

“Fuck that! Do you know what they did to her? Do you know what she asked me to do when we were near that old castle?!”

“N-no!” Scootaloo’s eyes shot wide. She was frantically shaking her head in fear. “Please, don’t say it!”

“Scootaloo, they need to know so they can help you.”

“N-no no no! P-please! I’ll be a freak for the rest of my life...”

“Scootaloo, I asked you to trust me that Apple Bloom was fine. You’ll have to trust me again. You can hate me all you want after that.”

“What are you talking about?” Cheerilee said.

“Huh, where to begin... When I arrived here, I was kind of down. When Applejack sent me flying and marked me as a monster I decided this wasn’t for me,” he sighed and shook his head. “I took my rope and… went looking for a nice tall tree.”

“John...”

“I know Cheerilee, I know... A book example of depression and what it can do. Anyway, I was standing with a noose around my neck, ready to end it, but a certain Princess had other plans.”

James smirked. “So what you’re saying is that’s all Celestia’s fault?”

“Of course it is,” Celestia said ironically. “And I do not regret my decision, John.”

“Me neither. Problem is, Scootaloo witnessed it all. And later, when I was standing near that damn gulch, she thought I was going to try again. She asked if I could take her down with me.”

“W-what?! Scoot, you wanted to...” Rainbow Dash glanced at her with fear in her eyes. “Why?!”

“I’ve seen no way out! I thought I killed Apple Bloom! And those stealings? Every time I took something, it felt horrible. I didn’t want to do this anymore. I didn’t want to hurt ponies anymore, I just... I just wanted the pain to stop...”

“Why didn’t you say anything earlier, Scoot?” Sweetie Belle said. “If we knew how you feel, we would work through this together!”

“I thought my parents wanted to leave me, I feared you would do the same. Who would want to hang out with a cripple coward thief? Even more so now, after what I did...”

Scootaloo felt Sweetie Belle’s magic, pulling her closer. Both fillies were glancing at her with angry faces. Expecting the worst, she covered her face, but instead of a punch she felt a bunch of hooves around her neck.

“Darn it, Scoot! If we told you once, we told you a thousand times! The CMCs never leaves friends hanging!” Sweetie Belle said, tightening the embrace.

“E-even the crazy ones?” Scootaloo said with tears in her eyes.

“Especially the crazy ones!” Apple Bloom said, hugging her closer.

The view of three fillies put a smile on everyone’s faces, even Gastovski’s. It was one of those heartwarming moments to remember. At least until Sweetie Belle opened her mouth again.

“All that said, Scoot, I need to make one thing clear... You leave me like that ever again, and I swear to everyone in this room that I’m gonna rip those wings of yours and shove them up your butt so far that they’ll stick out of your nose! Get it!?” Scootaloo bit her lip and nervously bobbed her head. “Good!”

“Sweetie Belle, stop talking like that when adults are around,” James said. “If Rarity hears you, I’m gonna get another bawling.”

“Like the last time?” She shook her head. “I still don’t understand why she freaked out over some rubber cucumber and pearls in her room.”

All adults in the room glanced at James, biting their lips. Their eyes screaming the obvious question.

“What? It’s not what you think! Rarity sent me to her room to get some fabric from under the bed. Not my fault I had to pick up the box with a… 40 cm black rubber cock...umber and, um... ‘pearls.’”

“Yeah, and then she was screaming at him for ten minutes, with a red face,” Sweetie Belle said. “I still don’t get what’s the big deal.”

“Me neither. It must be one of those weird ‘ladies’ thingies... Right Cheerilee, Celestia?” Both ponies just stared away in silence. “I take that as ‘yes.’”

“Ugh... Maybe we should get back to the matter at hoof?!”

“Which is what, Cheerilee? John’s alive, Scootaloo got here and apologize, we know what she did and why. Heck, even Rainbow Dash redeemed herself a little.”

“Huh? I did?”

“Well, from what I heard, you saved John’s ass, and then pulled out Cheerilee out of her house when the mob broke the door. Quite a comeback indeed.”

“Yeah, thanks for giving me a hand back then, Dash, and for pulling Cheerilee out of there. I appreciate it.”

“Hey, anytime!”

“She took your arm first, but then gave you a hand, interesting…” James’ comment put some embarrassment on Dash’s face. “Then again, from what Sweetie Belle told me if it weren’t for the metallic arm and my drinking habits, Apple Bloom would be dead. I guess it worked out in the end... Anyway, is that all?”

“Wait! I almost forgot,” Scootaloo rummaged through her bag and pulled something out. “Here.”

It was John’s golden locket. It’s dull and scratched surface shining in the light. John grabbed it and froze, gaping at the item with empty eyes.

“I found it at the bottom of the gulch when I was looking for a place to hide.”

“Thank you, Scootaloo...” John whispered, clenching his hand hard around the medallion. “I didn’t even know I lost it.”

“You, OK?”

John’s arm was shaking, face trembling, and water began collecting in his eyes. No, he wasn’t OK.

“It’s nothing. Just... this brings back memories.”

“What is it?” Apple Bloom said.

John sighed and clicking sound filled the air. The locket opened, revealing a small picture inside. Seeing the photo pushed more water out of his eyes. His crying grim face was also a picture. A picture of agony and pain.

“John is that...” Cheerilee already knew the answer.

“My wife, Mary and my daughter, Lillian. That is all I have left of them. That day when I tried to... It wasn’t Applejack’s fault. I just wanted to be with them.”

“You miss them, don’t you?”

“Y-yeah, I d-do,” John sniffled. “Being alone hurts so much...”

“And my actions only made it worse,” Applejack said.

“Well, they certainly didn’t help. I guess Scootaloo and me, both felt so alone that stupid ideas came to our heads.”

“I’m sorry, John,” Cheerilee said and put her hoof on his arm. “But remember, you’re not alone.”

John smiled gently. “You’re not scared to hang out around someone who almost ate a pony?”

“No, as long as you promise not to do it again.”

“It’s a deal!” John said, but notice James smirking. “What?”

“It’s just... You just promised never to eat a pony again, right?”

“Yeah, so?”

“What if somepony, Cheerilee for example, would ask you, really, really nicely to eat her?”

Hearing his comment, John facepalmed and froze, Cheerilee was a different story. She turned towards James’s smirking face with a gaze so cold, he felt it freezing his very soul. Her eyes were narrowed, like the eyes of a beast before the strike.

“You, mister are a PIG—”

“I don’t get it,” Apple Bloom interjected. “Why would Cheerilee ask him to eat her?”

Cheerilee rolled her eyes and buried her face in her hooves. Her cheeks were burning with rage and embarrassment. Mostly rage.

“Cheerilee is right,” Celestia shot him a cold glance. “You are a pig.”

“The pot calling the kettle black... Oh, by the way, how is that book of yours coming along?”

“It... went to print yesterday.”

“Well, then. Let’s wait a few days and see who’s gonna be called a pig, shall we?”

“When I rise from that bed, I’m gonna bust your teeth. But for now, what I would like to know is what will happen to those three bastards that used Scootaloo?” John said, but the expression on Celestia’s face wasn’t what he expected. “Don’t tell me you don’t have laws for such things over here?”

“We do, and my royal guards are already looking for them...”

“But?”

“Since they did not sell Scootaloo drugs, but only some sugar, we will have to drop that charge. And, Scootaloo, correct me if I am wrong, but every time you were passing the stolen goods, you were meeting in a secluded place?”

“Yeah, that ruined villa on the outskirts of Ponyville.”

“I feared that. If they are smart, proving their guilt may be impossible.”

“Hoops and Score are morons that couldn’t tie shoelaces if they were wearing boots, but Dumb Bell is a different story,” James said. “I heard he’s a sneaky bastard. If he’s the brain behind it, you probably won’t find any evidence.”

“Are you saying those assholes are gonna walk free?!” John’s monitors started beeping again.

“Two of them assaulted Cheerilee and you during the mob. They won’t walk away from that—”

“Celestia, I don’t care about me! They should answer for what they did to Scootaloo, damn it!”

“Easy there, John!” James said, glancing at the monitors. “Your heart might pop from the stress! If you die now it would be so anticlimactic...”

Surprisingly, James comment worked. John began inhaling deeply, in and out, and soon his heart rate dropped. He glanced at gloomy Scootaloo and shook his head.

“This is not right, Celestia. They need to be punished for what they did to her.”

“Proving their guilt in that matter may be impossible. But they will still get punished—”

“Yeah, by getting only half of what they deserve!”

“Unfortunately, no law is perfect—”

“Oh, come on! Use some loophole, something!”

“That would set dangerous precedent—”

Celestia and John began arguing loudly. John’s sentiment was shared by most. It was this annoying feeling of helplessness and injustice that screamed for action. Looking at the ongoing argument, James clenched his hand and began turning to the door, only to see Rainbow Dash doing the same. Their eyes met, and a second later they quietly left the room.

“John, I will do everything in my power to bring them to justice, but I cannot guarantee success.”

“Damn it... Hmm, if I can’t help you with them, maybe I can help Scootaloo with her wings.”

“There is no cure, John. I am sorry.”

“There may be no cure, but maybe our nano-tech can help?”

“You think that could work?” Scootaloo said.

“I’m not making any guarantees. But nano-tech is extremely advanced, who knows, maybe it could help you. We can arrange a visit to Twilight’s castle so that Kleiner could take a look at you.”

“B-but, I don’t have any bits...”

“Don’t be silly, he’ll do it for free! Heck, knowing him, he’ll be excited by a challenge. What do you think, boss?” John cocked his head. “Hey, where is James and Rainbow Dash?”

“Oh, no...” Celestia teleported out of the room.

***

“Are you sure?”

“Trust me, as a Wonderbolt I know ponies that can locate them,” Rainbow Dash said and clenched her teeth. “And then—”

A sphere of energy materialized in front of them, interrupting her tirade. It disappeared a second later, leaving behind not so happy looking alicorn.

“Where do you think you are going?” Celestia said.

“I... need to re-arrange my sock drawer.”

“Yeah, me too!”

Rainbow Dash realized what she said a little too late. No way in hell, James would let such opportunity pass.

“You have a sock drawer?” His stupid smirk forced a hot blush on her cheeks. “Kinky Dashie... I like it!”

Celestia, on the other hand, didn’t like it. “Rainbow Dash, you are already on probation. If you do anything stupid you will be expelled.”

“She’s right, you know. We need to be discrete,” James began tapping on his chin with his finger and smiled. “Hmm, APE, how much hydrochloric acid do we need to completely dissolve bodies of three pegasi?”

“James, I am serious!”

“So am I! That acid will take care of everything,” her stern look was telling him she wasn’t in the mood for his humor. “OK, jokes aside. Do you think you can put them in jail?”

“Those two that attacked John and Cheerilee? Probably. Their leader? I am not sure.”

“Oh, come on!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “They should all be rotting for what they did to Scootaloo! She was thinking about suicide, for Equestria’s sake!”

“Agreed, but there may not be enough evidence. They will still get punished for attacking John and Cheerilee—”

“If you get witnesses,” James interjected. “How is that investigation going anyway?”

Celestia shook her head. “Not as well as I had hoped.”

“Ponies don’t wanna talk, huh? We both know that if you don’t find witnesses, they may walk away scot-free.”

“Yes, there is that possibility. What would you have me do?”

“Um... blast them to the moon? No, wait, they would drink the booze I left there. Hmm...” James cocked his head, thinking. “Tell me, if you were using one of those transfiguration spells that alter your appearance, and someone would punch you. How many years would that person face?”

“I do not understand.”

“Just answer the question.”

“Hmm, I think there is no specific law in place here. That person would face the same punishment as if he punched me knowing who I was,” she put on a sinister smile. “That is if that person would live long enough to meet the judge.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’m not suicidal at the moment... But it gives me an idea if you’re prepared to bend the law a little, and work with Luna.”

“Luna? What does she have to do with this?”

“Nothing yet, but... Look, send her a letter saying that you need to catch three assholes, and you want Moony and Sunny to do it. She’ll explain the rest,” Celestia tilted her head in confusion. “Trust me on this. It will be fun for both of you, and we will put those assholes behind bars for a few years.”

“I have no idea what this is about... But I guess I can at least ask Luna.”

“Good, just make sure to do it before arresting those idiots. Oh, and I think Dash and I need to be with you, to see it.”

“Hmm, fine, if you both promise not to do anything stupid in the meanwhile,” James nodded, but Dash didn’t. “Rainbow Dash?”

After a moment of staring, the pegasus finally gave in and nodded, but not without a scowl. She wasn’t happy.

“All right, it is a deal,” Celestia said. “Now how about we get back to the hospital? The visiting hours are not over yet.”

“Lead the way.”

Author's Note

Phew, this was exhausting:trixieshiftleft:.

I can't believe that there is just one or two chapters left... :unsuresweetie:

Chapter 23

“Did you read it?!” Sweetheart said to Cheerilee, with a wide grin on her face. “I never realized our Princess was so... kinky.”

“Yes, I’ve read it. I think that by now everyone did,” Cheerilee shook her head. “I don’t know how my replacement is going to explain it to the students.”

“Oh, come on, hon. Don’t tell me you still want to leave us! It’s been two weeks since that mob farce. I had thought that after Applejack and Scootaloo told what really happened, and after they locked up those three morons, you would be over it. Is this because no one from the Ponyville was arrested, and you feel unsafe?”

“No... To be honest, after the news spread, I asked Princess Celestia to give them suspended sentences.”

Just as Cheerilee had expected, Sweetheart shot her one of those ’are you out of your mind?!’ glances. Truth be told, she was asking that question to herself. She was either this naive or just soft-hearted. Probably a little of both.

“I know what you’re going to say, but I don’t seek revenge.”

“Revenge? How about justice! Bold Hoof and the others should feel its rod on their flanks!”

“They will don’t worry. I just don’t see the point in sending them to prison, when we can have them do community service for Ponyville for years. And if they try anything funny, they’ll end up in a dungeon in no time. It’s a win-win for me. What would you have me do?”

“I would go with flogging...” This time Cheerilee was the one glancing. “What? It worked well in the past—”

“My God, it’s like the Middle Ages over here!” James interjected joining them. He had a wrapped up package in his right hand. “Taser is the way to go, Sweetheart. Much more effective way of torture... Err, I mean punishment.”

“Hrmph, I’m an earth pony, I prefer simple things, thank you very much! Besides, I doubt your techno mumbo-jumbo could beat a good old vice on the nads!”

“You would be surprised!”

“Really?” She shot him an inquisitive, yet evil glance. “Would you like to make a little test?”

“My, my, the two of you should get together,” Cheerilee said, shaking her head. “Oh, by the way, James. It’s good you remembered to visit your friend at least on his last day in the hospital.”

“Hey! I didn’t visit him in the last couple of days because I was busy, honest!”

“Doing what?”

“Traveling all over Equestria it would seem,” Celestia said, joining the group. “From the Crystal Empire to Manehattan.”

“What? Is it illegal to travel or something? And by the way, didn’t we agree you won’t be spying on me anymore?”

“I do not need to spy on you, mister. You are one of only three humans in Equestria, when you go somewhere, the word goes around.”

“Hrmph! Your ponies should keep their nose out of my business and do something constructive for a change like... read that book of yours!”

His words and smirking face forced her to break eye contact. But when she glanced at the two nearby ponies instead, the expression on their faces jabbed her even harder.

“Why do I have the feeling they already read it...”

“Of course we did, and... Wow!” Sweetheart grinned in delight. “If ten years ago I knew you diplomatic types have so much fun, I would change my profession!”

“Miss, it was a thousand years ago. I no longer organize... those things. They cost others and me, too much.”

“By that, you mean that having a harem is cheaper in the long run?” James said with a smirk. But it quickly faded once her eyes reached his. “O-K, I didn’t say anything...”

“Well, for what it’s worth, Princess, it’s good to know that under all that regalia there’s a normal pony, instead of that stick in the mud we took you for.”

“Um... Thank you. I think...”

“Well, I gotta go, my shift starts in a few minutes,” Sweetheart said, just as they reached the hospital entrance. “See you later, Cheerilee. And your Highness? If you ever organize another orgy, count me in!”

Sweetheart winked and got inside before Celestia could say anything.

“Count me in too,” James said with another smirk, but this time got no reaction. “Oh, come on! What did you expect after publishing that thing?”

“Anything, but that. Then again, other reactions were baffling as well. Some ponies think it was a joke, that I am just pulling their hoof. Others think it was so long ago, it is ancient history. Heck, I even heard that some believe my sister is behind all this. And out of ponies that believe those events took place, I had heard both words of sympathy for my ‘bravery,’ as well as words of revulsion, for hiding the truth for so long. But to be honest, I expected more backlash,” Only then she realized Cheerilee was doing everything not to look her in the eye. A perfect opportunity for some unbiased opinion. “What do you think, Cheerilee?”

“Me? I...” She bit her lip and shook her head. “I really don’t think I have the right to judge your actions.”

Celestia smiled. “Cheerilee, out of all ponies, you had shown both compassion and firmness when it was necessary. And when it comes to John, you have been the most objective, non-judgmental person, out of all in Ponyville. If you could do that one more time, and tell me what you think, I would really appreciate it.”

Cheerilee stayed quiet with eyes fixed into the ground, thinking. But after a moment of silence, her mind was made up. After a long sigh, she glanced the Princess in the eyes and began.

“Over the last thousand years, you have led Equestria into the age of stability and prosperity. You were always there when we needed you, always ready to make sure Equestria thrives. And thanks to that, you earned a lot of respect, but... Your past and present actions will cost you some of that respect.”

“Do you believe I should step down?”

“What?!” James couldn’t believe his ears. “Are you fucking nuts?!”

“Please, let Cheerilee answer the question,” Celestia said, but instead of a response, silence filled the air, getting more awkward every second. “Cheerilee?”

“Before I answer, tell me, why did you hide the truth all these years? Even after your sister returned? You must have known that some ponies were still afraid of her because of the past, yet you said nothing. Why?!”

Celestia fixed her eyes onto the ground. This wasn’t the first time she heard that question, but Cheerilee’s teacher’s tone and firm expression made her feel like a filly being scolded. And rightfully so.

“When they let me out of the hospital, I wanted to come clean, to tell the whole world the real story behind Nightmare Moon, but I could not. By then, the rumors about our inability to use the Elements of Harmony were spreading like wildfire. The peace treaties I signed just months before, were being threatened. Equestria was being threatened. My advisors informed me that my confession would divide ponies and give our enemies the advantage. I had to make a choice, to tell everything and risk more lives, or to go with the official story, and try to salvage what I can, and save Equestria from possible wars. As much as it hurt, I chose the latter. Maybe it was a mistake, I do not know.”

Cheerilee’s anger subsided a little, leaving her with a feeling of guilt instead. The more she thought about it, the more sense Celestia’s explanation made. But some jigsaw puzzles were still missing.

“But you had literally a thousand years to come clean. Why didn’t you?”

“Cheerilee, it took tens of years to wrap up all the foreign threats. This was not the peaceful Equestria you know today. Without the Elements, we were struggling to keep the peace, and it was not always successful. Equestria needed a strong leader it could rely on, and I was it.”

“And when Princess Luna came back? You could have told the story then.”

“Yes, I could have, but after Luna saw what we were able to achieve in her absence, she asked me not to. I should not have listened to her back then, but I was afraid and ashamed, just like anypony would be,” Celestia smiled bitterly. “I know that some ponies still think of me as an infallible goddess, but the truth is that I’m just a mare, with my own fears. I guess, I just gave into them...”

As she processed the information, Cheerilee’s eyes hit the ground again. But with years of teaching behind her back, it didn’t take her too long to reach the verdict. She sighed once more and glanced Celestia in the eyes.

“The way you describe things, you faced a situation with no good solution. And while I think you made mistakes, I don’t think you should step down.”

“Thank you,” Celestia smiled, and sighed in relief. “You have no idea how badly I needed to hear that.”

“You’re welcome, your Highness, but I do have a few more questions if you’re willing to answer,” Cheerilee said and got a nod of confirmation. “After what happened to doctor Marbles, were you ever charged with anything?”

“Believe it or not, but I wanted to be punished, but since I was classified as insane at the time, I was not guilty of anything. I had to continue my therapy, of course. Ironically, my new doctors said that my remorse was a good thing, that it was a sign that the therapy was working,” she shook her head. “The knowledge of what I did to him was so hard to bear that there were times when I wished my treatment did not work. After I got out, I even tried to apologize to his wife, but she said I should go to Tartarus. I cannot say I blame her.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I deserved it, Cheerilee. I made sure, she was taken care of financially, but that does not absolve me,” Celestia exhaled again, but this time it was a sigh of guilt. “You know... Being a princess is a much dirtier job than ponies think. During my reign, there were numerous times I had to take a life. But Marbles was the only, truly innocent being I killed...”

Celestia’s voice trailed off, leaving her with an agonized expression. At that moment, she wasn’t the fearless leader everyone took her for, but someone begging for a hug of reassurance. And Cheerilee did just that, putting her hoof on Celestia’s shoulder.

“You need to let it go, you know?” James said, mimicking what Cheerilee did. “Or, perhaps find his relatives, and apologize?”

“I...” Celestia cocked her head. “You know, I did not think of that, but maybe you are right.”

“I also think that would be a good idea, your Highness,” Cheerilee said. “I’m sure they would be willing to forgive you after all this time.”

“Hmm, I will look into it. Thank you—”

Just then, the hospital door opened, revealing John with doctor Stables right behind him.

***

“Whoa, what a welcoming committee,” John said, slowly limping their way. “You guys really didn’t have to come.”

“But we wanted to,” Cheerilee said with a smile. “How do you feel?”

“Still pretty stiff, but I’ll manage.”

“At this rate, you’re going to be fully recovered at the end of the next week!” Stables shook his head, still in disbelief. “Two weeks from critical condition to... this. This nano-technology is amazing!”

“Let’s not forget the new arm, doc,” James said. “Still feels weird?”

John glanced at his left arm, clenching its hand. This wasn’t the primitive metallic contraption he had earlier, this one looked and felt real, with skin, hair, and heat – the whole nine yards. If he didn’t know it, he would have never guessed it was artificial.

“It still feels a bit off, but I think I won’t notice any difference soon... Hell, it really is an amazing piece of work. Thanks, man.”

“It really does look the same as your right one, John,” Cheerilee said.

“That’s because the outer layer is real skin that we grew using his own cells. Of course, that’s only for esthetics. Inside is a real beast! Hyperflex nano-polymer tritanium composite powered directly by Equestria’s magic. It has enough force to punch through concrete or break necks with a simple snap!”

“Fascinating, but... I’m just glad to have two arms again. How about Scootaloo, any progress?”

“Some, but we need to do a lot more research. Kleiner thinks we may be able to fix her, but it needs time. And we need to get her parent’s consent first. Speaking of the devil,” James pointed at the quickly approaching CMCs and Rainbow Dash.

***

“Darn it, are we too late?” Sweetie Belle said.

“Nah, I just got out,” John said. “How are you doing, Scootaloo?”

“Better... I’m trying to earn the bits and return what I stole. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Rainbow Dash are helping me, but... It will take forever.”

“So I heard... And you don’t have those thoughts anymore, right?”

“N-no, I’m fine. This was so stupid now that I think about it...”

“Those thoughts usually are, trust me, I know. Anyway, I’m glad you’re all right, Scootaloo,” John turned to James. “Did you bring it?”

“I’m still not sure about this, man. Isn’t it like rewarding a thief?”

“No. It’s to aid in the rehabilitation, bring it in.”

With a grunt of annoyance, James began unwrapping the package he had with himself.

“Now look, Scootaloo. I like what you’re doing, that’s why I asked James to get you something...”

“This to be exact!” James said, ripping off the final wrapping.

When it happened, Scootaloo eyes shot wide. For a moment, she kept staring, frozen like a statue.

“A scoter?”

“Not a scooter, the scooter! Look at that beaut!” James’ tone was even more enthusiastic then Scootaloo’s glance. “Made of tritanium polymer, almost fifty percent lighter than anything you can get in Equestria! And see that button? You can extend the damn thing so that all three of you can easily fit in. And the shock absorbers I added are so good, it can easily take the weight of Celestia’s big butt without breaking a sweat!” In his overenthusiastic state, James failed to notice that Celestia’s eyes were screaming ‘rip and tear!’ “So, what do you say, Scootaloo? Wanna try the damn thing out?”

Everyone expected a quick, enthusiastic answer, but Scootaloo just kept staring and shaking her head.

“What? You don’t like it? It’s the color, isn’t it? I knew I should have gone with black.”

“No, no, it’s just... Why?” Scootaloo shook her head once more. “After what I did? I don’t deserve this.”

“Scootaloo, during one of her visits, Apple Bloom told me about your plan to return stolen goods and make things right. And I kept hearing good things about you,” John said. “Consider this to be an incentive to keep up the good work.”

“I don’t know...”

“But I do. Take it, and make good use of it. I know it can help you with your paperboy’s job.”

Scootaloo glanced between her friends, John and Cheerilee, looking for signs of disapproval, but there were none. On the contrary, everyone’s expression was like a scream that she got their blessing.

“I don’t know what to say. T-thank you.”

“Just watch it, Scoot,” James said, handing her the scooter. “This thing is made from way better materials, then anything you can get in Equestria. It can go fast, and I mean FAST!”

“Really?!” Rainbow Dash said, eying the contraption. “You should try it out!”

“Just don’t kill yourself doing it, OK?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t. Thanks again!”

“Oh, I almost forgot,” James pulled out a pen-shaped object. “That’s for you, Apple Bloom. The next time you get beaten by bees, just press it against your flank and—”

“You mean like this?” Apple Bloom said and immediately hissed from the pain. “Ouch!”

“Great, you just injected yourself with adrenaline. Lucky for you there are five doses in there, so you’re still good.”

“My... heart is pounding.”

“That’s normal, it will pass in a few minutes. The bottom line is if you get beaten by bees ever again, use it. It can save your life. Clip it to your bow, or something.”

“Portable epinephrine… This is amazing!” Stables interjected.

“Not really, just some simple tech from Earth.”

“It may be simple for you, but we don’t have anything like that over here. That technology could help a lot of ponies if you could manufacture it on a larger scale.”

“Yeah, doc here is right, boss. You have the entire knowledge from Earth inside that empty head of yours, why not use it for good?”

“Hey! I’m a soldier, not a walking database!”

“Oh, come on, man! With our tech, Kleiner and you could advance Equestria’s medical research by decades. Just think about it! You could help people instead of killing them!”

“B-but… genocide is more fun...” A forest of eyes glanced at him, gnawing him to the core. “Ugh, fine! I think about it, you happy now? And you, Apple Bloom just carry that thing with you when going to the Everfree, OK?”

“Fine...” Apple Bloom neither sounded nor looked too enthusiastic.

“Still the same thing going on the farm, huh?” John said, and she nodded in silence. “I need to talk with Applejack, do you know where I can find her?”

“She should be packing our stand by now.”

“Oh, come on, man! I just got back from the trip. Let’s go to Twilight’s castle and get a drink!”

“In a few minutes, boss. I need to talk with Applejack first, and I need you with me.”

“Why? Need a bodyguard?”

“No, something else,” John turned to the rest of the crowd. “Thanks for the visit guys, I’ll see you later, OK?”

“I am afraid I have to get back to Canterlot, I await a message from Miser Mane,” Celestia shook her head. “Equestria postal service can be such a headache sometimes. I should have gotten his response days ago.”

“Huh... that explains a lot,” James mumbled to himself.

“What do you mean?”

“Uh, nothing, never mind. All right, John, follow me, I know the way. See you later, guys…”

***

Applejack glanced at the sun and sighed. It was time to pack, to get back home, and to get some rest. But ever since she told the truth, the farm turned from being a save heaven into a dark and spooky place. The eerie silence was the hardest. It was an endless supply of gasoline to the fire of her guilt. She thought it couldn’t get any worse.

“Applejack...” John’s voice proved her wrong.

“H-hey...” She said, not looking up. “I see you’re out. Good...”

“Yeah, I should be fine. How are you holding up?”

“Me? I’m just great! Can’t you tell?!”

“Whoa, hold on. I didn’t come here to gloat if that’s what you think.”

With her eyes squinted from anger, she snorted and shot him a heated glance, but her fire quickly died. Instead of a smirk of triumph she had expected, there was an expression of concern. He was telling the truth.

“I’m sorry, I...”

“They still won’t talk with you, huh?” Applejack cocked her head. “Yeah, Apple Bloom told me. As you probably know, Cheerilee and she has been visiting me a lot during the past two weeks.”

“Then you probably know everything. Ever since I told them, both Granny and Mac barely talk with me. And I still have no news from Princess Celestia…” She let out a tired sigh. “This uncertainty is unbearable for all of us.”

“Well, Celestia just told us that she is awaiting response herself, so maybe you’ll have it soon. Oh, by the way, thanks for the pies. Hospital food was barely edible.”

“Well, they were the least I could do after the whole fiasco.”

“They were great, kind of reminded me of home... Anyway, I came here to ask you something. Do I understand correctly that if you could deliver the goods, then the contract would be fulfilled and you would keep the farm?”

“Yes, but I can’t do it. Miser Mane wants more zap apples than we harvest each year.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you can only harvest one-third of them? And the harvesting day is tomorrow?” Applejack nodded. “Can’t you just get some help?”

“Zap apples are called like that because they zap out of the ground and because if you’re not careful, they can literally zap you with lightning.”

“I thought, you ponies are immune to lightning.”

“Well, a single bolt won’t kill us, but it still hurts. Even unicorns can’t easily get these apples safety off the trees. It’s hard to find help for such work. Besides, with all the trouble we had recently, I can’t afford to hire anyone.”

“But, hypothetically, if you could get help, would that solve your problem?”

“Why are you asking her that, man?” James said. “It’s not like you can help if that’s on your mind. You know what happened last time you got zapped.”

“I know, that’s why I have someone else in mind.”

“Hrmph, like who? Who would be crazy enough to...” John’s smirking face was like a punch to the gut. He had to be kidding! “No way! You got to be shitting me!”

“Him?!” Applejack shook her head.

“Don’t worry, Jackie, I’m not about to help bitch like you anyway!”

“Good! Cause I don’t want your help!”

“Would the two of you stop for a moment and… Hey! Guys?!”

John tried to get their attention, but the ongoing ruckus was like some impenetrable barrier, absorbing his words. Two adults were shouting and spitting at each other, like a pair of spoiled brats. The view made him facepalm.

“Hey, what’s going on here?!” Rainbow Dash said, landing next to John.

“I asked James to help Applejack, and now... The two grown-up kids are having an argument.”

“Him, helping Applejack? Ha! That’ll never happen!”

“It better, because that may be the only chance to save the farm,” Dash cocked her head in confusion. “I don’t have time to explain, nor do we have time for this. Cover your ears, this is gonna be loud.” John inhaled greedily until his lungs were ready to burst, and aimed at the arguing figures. “SHUT UP!”

His wild scream made Rainbow cringe despite pressing her hooves on her ears. James and Applejack got the message too, glancing at John with a mix of dread and confusion.

“I swear, the two of you are acting worse than a bunch of toddlers!”

“She started it!”

“Actually, you did! But I don’t care,” he turned to Applejack. “No offense, but you’re acting like a stubborn idiot again! Remember what happened the last time?”

“It’s not that simple—”

“AJ, we all know you don’t like each other, but if he can help you save the farm, then you need to put your pride away for a moment,” Rainbow said, but seeing Applejack opening her mouth to counter, added an atom bomb. “It’s not just about you, you know.”

Her harsh, but true words forced Applejack’s mouth shut, leaving the cowpony with a blank stare. John’s agreeing nod only added to her agony. It was a painful shot, but judging by the look on her face, she got the point.

John turned to James. “And you, stop acting like an asshole!”

“Asshole?!” Unlike Applejack, James wasn’t about to go down without a fight. “John, she treated me like crap from day one!”

“Applejack’s interactions with me were a big FUBAR from the start too, so what? You want to hold the grudge forever?”

“Yes, please. Besides, you don’t know all the facts, that problem is... irrelevant.”

“Irrelevant?!” Applejack snorted. “This is my family’s future, you’re talking about!”

“That’s not what I—”

“See? This is exactly why I don’t want his help. He cares about nothing!”

“You would be surprised...”

“If you mean anything other than drinking and messing around with those Caterlot brothel girls, then yeah, I would be...”

“Hey! Now you’re pushing it, AJ! He saved our flanks, you know.”

“Whoa, Dash defending me?” James shook his head. “That feels... odd. What’s next? Hanging out together? Saving Equestria together? Or maybe some aggressive cuddling together, if you know what I mean…”

Rainbow arched her eyebrow, clearly not impressed. “I take that back. You’re an ass!”

“Of course he’s an ass, but that’s not the point,” John said, turning to James. “Will you help?”

“John, that matter... it, I… I don’t—”

“OK, let me make this simpler – you help, we drink, you don’t help, we don’t drink. How about now?”

“Ha! Good one, John,” he said, but the expression on John’s face wasn’t that of a joker. “Oh, come on! You can’t be serious!”

“Unlike you, I don’t need vodka to be happy. So, do we have a deal?”

James eyes kept darting between smirking John and worried Applejack for a good five seconds. After that came the groan of annoyance, quickly followed by a hiss. This was a shot below the belt!

“You son of a bitch! I hate you!” His words only made John’s smirk widened. “Fine, but if I’m helping, I demand a few concessions!”

“Such us?”

“One, I want a few kilos of those zap apples so I can see what I can make out of them. And two, after the harvest, we drink. And I mean everyone.”

Applejack cocked her head. “Everyone?”

“All of us! Me, John, Big Mac, You, Apple Bloom—”

“She’s twelve years old!”

“So? My dad always said, ‘son, it’s never too early to start!’” His comment got him glances screaming ‘that explains so much...’ “Ugh, fine, I can excuse Apple Bloom, and maybe Granny, but the rest of us shall drink until we puke! And then... we shall drink some more!”

“Hey! Can I help too?” Rainbow Dash said, grinning. “And then get some cider?”

“Cider? We’re gonna be drinking real booze here, Dash!” Rainbow’s face twisted into a yuck expression, but James knew how to convince her. “Ah, I see... But you know what, I understand. My booze is only for the brave. I doubt your soft pegasus body could handle it anyway… Besides, Spitfire let you off the hook or what?”

“We have a break for a few days, and I can handle anything, mister!” Rainbow Dash said, gritting her teeth.

James smiled. Like stealing candy from a baby. “We shall see about that, Dash... That is if Applejack agrees.”

But Applejack just kept quiet, staring at the ground. She wasn’t very fond of drinking even their hard cider, not to mention Gastovski’s high power booze. Her gut felt wrong about it, but Dash was right. This wasn’t only about her anymore, it was about the future of her entire family. She needed all the help she could get, even if that meant swallowing her pride and getting drunk.

“Since they barely talk with me lately, I don’t know if I can persuade the rest of my family, but I’ll try.”

“I’ll help you!” Rainbow said. “When they hear it can get the farm out of trouble, they’ll agree.”

“I hope you’re right. But I have a question, to you, John,” Applejack shook her head. “W-why?”

“Isn’t it obvious, Jackie? He’s a friend of Apple Bloom.”

“That’s part of the reason, but...” John sighed. “During the past two weeks, I heard about stuff happening in this town, and I know things weren’t exactly pretty.”

“Jesus, not you too...” James said. “Cheerilee already asked Celestia for community service instead of prison for those assholes that beat the crap out of the two of you. What else do you want?”

“Look, we’re leaving soon. If I would ever want to come back here, I want to be remembered as the guy who tried fixing things, that’s all.”

“Wow, and I thought Fluttershy is too soft-hearted…” Dash said with a chuckle.

“When it comes to that, Fluttershy and John are evenly matched. Damn it, if she weren’t on that damn trip, then I bet that whole snafu would get resolved much faster,” James turned to Applejack. “Does that answer your question?”

“I think so…” Applejack let out a guilty sigh. “I wish we would have had a better start, John.”

“Me too. But maybe this can be the first step.”

“Ugh... And before you take another step, could we finally go to Twilight’s and get something to drink?!” John rolled his eyes but nodded. “Remember, Dash, tomorrow we’re working dusk till dawn, literally. So don’t be late!”

“I won’t! And I let you know whether we convinced AJ’s family.”

“All right, see you later, Dash, and you tomorrow, Applejack,” John said. “Now, lead the way, boss...”

***

“Fuck! That hurts!”

“Ha! Have enough?”

“Fuck you, Dash!” James shouted, getting back on his feet. His armor still sparkling with the residue of the recent lightning strike. “My pile is still bigger than yours!”

“Not for long!”

“This isn’t a competition, guys!”

“Of course it is, John! And no way in hell, am I gonna let Dash win this! Come on, Big Mac, let’s roll!”

Big Mac let out a tired groan and grabbed two empty baskets. With the sun almost touching the horizon, it was close to dusk, and the harvest would be over. Just a few more minutes of this madness. With Rainbow Dash picking trees with the speed of sound, Applejack didn’t have it much better either, just running with one full basket after another.

“Holy hell, what have I done...” John shook his head and chuckled. “Come on, Apple Bloom, let’s not fall behind!”

“Um, we already have.”

“I know, I know. But let’s keep going anyway. But watch out not to fall down!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve done it for years. Although, I must say the harvest never looked like this.”

John cocked his head once again, glancing at the two ‘teams’ in the distance. Rainbow Dash and James were still shouting at their ground support to speed things up. The faces of Applejack and Big Mac were already screaming bloody revenge.

“They’re both gonna get it, don’t they?” Apple Bloom answered with a light giggle. “Cocky bastards. I can’t believe Rainbow Dash isn’t James’ best friend—”

Multiple flashes filled the air, interrupting him. With his mouth opened, John watched as all the still hanging apples began disappearing right in front of his eyes. A few seconds later, all that was left were a bunch of dead-looking trees... and cursing James.

“God fucking damn it!”

“Hey, language, man!”

“Fuck you!” James grumbled, getting off the tree. “Shit, that damn lightning hurts. So, what’s the score?”

“No one was really counting, boss, but by the look of the piles, I would say it’s a tie.”

“A tie? Goddamnit...” James glanced at John’s heap of apples and smiled. “Well, at least we beat you guys.”

“Yeah, team toxic masculinity beats a child and a cripple. You must be so proud, boss.”

“Touche...”

“I got a better question. Did we get enough apples to solve the problem?” Applejack didn’t answer, eying the harvested fruits instead and shaking her head. “Damn, I’m sorry, Applejack.”

“F-for what?” Applejack turned, with confusion on her face. “I wasn’t shaking my head because it’s not enough. I did it because... I don’t believe it.”

“So, are we good?”

“Good? John, if I count this right, we harvested almost twice as many apples as the last time!”

“So it did work?!”

“Are we gonna keep the farm?” Apple Bloom said. “And you’re not going to jail?”

“I... I think so. But I will have to contact Legal Beagle. For now, let’s just put those apples in the storage.”

***

And so they did. What was a mound of zap apples, turned into a small pile just when the sun hid beyond the hills, painting the sky with gold and purple. Just when they were to take the last baskets, someone appeared on the horizon.

“Legal Beagle? What are you doing here, and so late too?” Applejack said, trotting his way. “Don’t tell me that vermin wants more apples?!”

“No, Applejack. In fact, for once I bring excellent news. Look!”

Smiling, he gave her some paper and lightened the air with his horn. Applejack read it, shot him a glance, and read it again, and again. She was reading but not believing.

“Is this...”

“Yes! The contract has been revoked! Congratulations, Applejack!”

“But how…” Applejack shook her head, still not believing it. “Is this... Is this final?”

“Yes, it is! Or rather, it will be as soon as you and Granny sign it.”

“Sign it, huh?” James interjected as he and John joined her. “I think you should read the damn thing first. What if they want you to give up a kidney or something.”

“Your friend has a very… interesting sense of humor. However, his advice is valid. You should definitely read it first. That said, I can guarantee there are no loopholes this time. I’ll be staying in the hotel until tomorrow’s afternoon. Please, deliver the papers so we can finalize...” Legal’s voice trailed off, as his eyes locked onto something. “Is… that the Princess?”

He motioned at the chariot landing nearby, and indeed Celestia was in it. As soon as it hit the ground, she approached them, with an irked expression.

“You know, dropping by after the job is finished, is kind of a dick move,” James said, but instead of a sarcastic return he had expected, he got nothing. “You, OK?”

“No, I am not, and I can see Miser Mane is working fast.”

“Pardon me?”

“Well, why else would you be here, Mr. Beagle, then to exercise the damn contract?” Everyone just shot her a confusing glance. She continued. “I finally got the reply from Miser Mane, and he blatantly refused my request to settle this matter in a civilized manner!”

“What? But, then why—” Applejack said, but Celestia kept going.

“And, to rub some salt into the wound, that... buffoon’s reply was full of innuendos, about how he may be persuaded to change his mind if we ’discuss’ the matter in a more private setting... of my bedchambers!”

“Ah, he must have read your book, and just wanted some personal attention.”

“Oh, believe me, if I still were who I was a thousand years ago, I would gladly give him what he wanted, and then some! After one night, he would not be able to walk straight ever again!” Celestia said with an angry snort, but her anger turned into a wicked smirk when James’ eyes began darting between her horn and her face. “Yes, it is exactly what you think!” His only reaction was to firmly place his butt against the nearby tree.

“Excuse me, your Highness, but that makes no sense,” Legal said. “I came here because Miser Mane revoked the contract.”

“What?” Celestia added her expression to the confused stares of others. “How can that be?”

“You said, that the message got delayed, right?” John said.

“Yes, the date was from three days ago. Legal, when did he change his mind?”

“He called for me today and sent me here. Although, I must say that something was weird about him.”

“Weird?”

“Let me put it this way. I have been working for him for a few years now, and I have never seen him so stressed. It was almost as if he was... afraid. I thought it was your doing, your Highness.”

“Oh, believe me, I had an urge to just go in there and show him how I dealt with his kind in the past. But I did not give in to the temptation.”

“This is the first time I’ve seen him backing away from a contract where he could take over some property for next to nothing. I thought he was afraid of no one, but in this case, someone must have scared him.”

“Nice!” John smiled. “You got some powerful friends or family we don’t know about, Applejack?”

“No. I don’t know anyone who would be able to scare someone like him. Maybe Princess Luna did it?”

Celestia shook her head. “I do not believe so, ponies like Miser Mane only fear those who like acting directly and are not afraid to break the rules...”

Celestia’s voiced trailed off as her eyes began wandering towards one person who would be capable of something like that. John, Applejack, and Legal quickly followed suit.

“What?” James said, looking at the forest of eyes around him. “Why is everyone looking at me as if I went there and stuck a sandpaper dildo up his ass?”

“That was... oddly specific,” Celestia said.

James said nothing, but his lips curled into an unnatural smirk. The awkward silence spilled all over the field and stayed in the air for some time. Everyone kept darting their eyes from left to right, fighting the images from invading their minds, and revulsion from filling their faces. John was the only exception, smirking, and nodding in satisfaction.

“Well, I... I better get back to the hotel,” Legal said, finally breaking the silence. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Applejack. Your Highness,” he nodded and trotted away, still shaking his head. As soon as his silhouette disappeared, Celestia began.

“What were you doing in Canterlot for the past few days?”

“Visiting someone.”

“Who?”

“Girls from ’Under the Velvet Horseshoe,’ they were lonely.”

“You have been in the brothel for two days?”

“They were… very lonely.”

“I see. Let me inquire you about something else. Hypothetically, if I were to ask you to deal with Miser Mane, what would you do?”

“Hypothetically, you say? Hmm...” James smiled and began tapping his chin. “Hypothetically, I would go to his manor, and place some of the spying tech around, so that he would not be able to fart without me knowing. Then, I would go through the house, room by room looking for any incriminating documents, making copies on the way.”

“That is all? You would not try putting any... objects inside his body?”

“Nope. I’m not the one with the horn fetish.” His smirking face made her nibble on her inner lip. “Of course, if I knew someone that was hurt by Miser Mane, like... oh, I don’t know, one of the brothel girls that he almost beat to death—”

“What?!” Celestia’s expression tensed up. “I was not aware of anything like that!”

“Not surprising since she didn’t press charges,” Celestia arched her eyebrow. “Oh, come on. One of the richest ponies in Equestria vs. a prostitute. Who would believe her? We’re talking hypothetically, of course.”

“Of course...”

“Where was I? Ah, so if I knew such a girl, and she would want to take an act of justified revenge, then I could provide her with some recording equipment and some GHB.”

“GHB?”

“Celestia, you don’t wanna know,” John shook his head, but the smile didn’t leave his face. “Fuck me...”

“Fuck him, to be more precise. Now, if that girl would give some embarrassing recordings to some anonymous party, that would then mail them to Mr. Miser Mane, asking him, very, very politely if he could cancel a dozen of unfair contracts, including Applejack’s, then I wouldn’t cry over it. Nor would I care if Mr. anonymous would ask him to donate some of that dirty money to a few orphanages.”

“Interesting coincidence, I just heard that Manehattan orphanage got a sizable donation yesterday,” Celestia said, arching her eyebrow.

“Well, you know what they say, coincidences happen all the time.”

“Tell me, hypothetically, what would stop Miser Mane from coming after that girl now?”

“GHB would. He would wake up in his bed, with an aching backside and next to an envelope of incriminating photos, with no memory about what had happened.”

Celestia’s face remained stoic, but she nodded. This might not have been a green light that she approved of anything, but it wasn’t a scolding either. Besides, it was all hypothetical, of course.

“I don’t understand,” Applejack said. “Why? Why would you help me?”

“We were talking hypothetically, Applejack—”

“Cut it, mister. You did it, and we all know it, but I don’t understand why? Did you ask him to do it, John?”

“No, but to be honest, I was kind of hoping he would,” John smiled. “Getting a little soft-hearted with age?”

“Fuck you, John. As for you, Applejack. Assuming I did it, and you still have to ask why then you’ll never understand.”

“Hey, guys!” Rainbow Dash shouted in the distance. “Are you gonna help, or what?”

“In a minute, Rainbow!” Applejack shouted back. “OK, I don’t know why you helped me, and I’m not sure how to feel about your... approach, but, thank you. But if you knew about it, why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I still claim it was a hypothetical scenario,” faces of Applejack, Celestia and John were shouting bullshit. His own smirk was no better. “OK, how about that you kind of made me? I mean, John said he won’t drink if I won’t help! But, it’s an ill wind, as they say, because now...”

He grabbed his bottle, shaking it in front of Applejack’s face. “Oh nelly...” She said and bit her lip. “Well, I guess a deal’s a deal.”

“Exactly! Come on, let’s get the last of those apples to storage and let’s get wasted!” With a grin, he turned to Celestia. “Of course you’re invited to, but we all know you don’t drink.”

“Hmm, I guess one drink could not hurt...”

“Really?!”

“A single drink, nothing more.”

“We shall see! Come on!”

***

Rainbow Dash stared at her drink, or rather at the puff of smoke it was letting off. She tapped it gently with her wing, spilling some in the process, only to hear a hissing sound as the crystal liquid began reacting with the wooden table below. This must have been poison.

“What did you put in this thing?” Rainbow said. “Acid?”

“Only a little, for the taste,” James said. “You’re not scared, are you?”

“No! It’s just, how do I know it’s not poison?”

“It’s pure ethanol, of course, it’s poison, but so is every alcohol,” Dash just shook her head, still not convinced. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, look!” Before she knew what was happening, James grabbed her glass and drank it in one gulp. “Uh, hot stuff. Come on, Dash, your turn!” He poured her another shot and smiled.

Rainbow’s eyes were moving between the drink and James’ smirking face. Applejack was also looking at her, with a mix of fear and curiosity. Well, how bad could Gastovski’s stuff be?

“Hrmph! Here it goes!” Dash grabbed the glass, poured it down her throat, and placed it back on the table with a bang. All in one second flat. “Ha! No problem at...”

“What was that, Dashie?” James smirk widened. “You didn’t finish, could you repeat that?”

She didn’t hear his words because her mind was being consumed by the heat coming from the liquid she just drank. What started as a gentle warmth, quickly turned into a blaze that was now burning her from inside out. With her mouth agape, hooves clenching her neck, and tongue hanging out, she gasped for air like a fish taken out of water.

Finally, her airways opened a little, and a wheezing sound filled the air, quickly followed by a hiss. When she thought it was over, a new sensation hit her by surprise. There was a liquid fire in her lungs, burning everything in its path and twisting her face into a grimace of pain. When it finally died down, it left her with burning cheeks, watery, and eyes as big as apples.

“Not bad, Dash,” James said, pouring her another glass. “Not bad at all.”

“H-how can you drink this stuff?” Her voice was no louder than a whisper. “This thing is disgusting...”

“Of course, it’s disgusting! Otherwise, people would enjoy it too much,” he said and gulped entire shot without any twists or turns. “Speaking of people, where the hell is John?”

Celestia glanced at the figure in the distance. “I think he is admiring the stars. I will go get him.”

“First, you have some of this,” her glass was full before she could protest. “I think we all want to see that delicate alicorn face twisting in agony.”

“Princess, watch it, that stuff is—”

But Rainbow’s warning came too late. Celestia already gulped the drink down and exhaled gently. Then they all waited for the result, and waited, and waited, but the gentle smiled on her face was not going anywhere.

“Not bad, I drank worse,” she said, pouring herself another glass, not discouraged one bit by the stunned expression on the faces around her. “What?”

“No way...” James was the only one with a stone face. “You’re cheating.”

“Cheating? How?”

“Jesus turned water into wine, I bet you did the opposite with your magic. Here,” he pushed her his glass, “drink that using your hooves only.”

Annoyed, she rolled her eyes, but a second later the content of the glass went down her throat faster than a speeding train. And again, there was nothing but a smile on her face. A display of mockery aimed at one person.

“Holy hell, Princess,” Dash said, shaking her head. “How?”

“I was drinking hard alcohol before any of you were even born. Plus, being an alicorn helps,” seeing that her response struck James’ nerve widened her smile.

“I think, I will go get John,” Applejack said.

“Yeah, go, get him and Big Mac,” James said. “I’m not letting anyone off the hook today. In the meantime, have another one, Dashie...”

***

John sat on the ground some distance away, gaping at the night sky and listening to the chirping of crickets. A soothing melody after a hard day’s work. It made him feel like home.

“Hey, John—”

“Listen, Applejack,” they both paused and concentrated on the peaceful sounds of the night. “Isn’t it beautiful? I always found the chirping relaxing...”

“So do I. That’s why you’re here?”

“Yup, I’m just enjoying the sounds and the view, and saying final goodbyes.”

“Goodbyes? To whom?” The epiphany struck her a bit too late. “I’m sorry, I didn’t—”

“It’s OK, Applejack. I’m sure neither Mary nor Lilian would mind,” he let out a chuckle. “Hell, if I would have succeeded with that rope back then, Mary would have punched me so hard that I would wake up back here. See, we both agreed to move with our lives in case of something bad happening… " John let out a long sigh. “I just… I just never realized it would be so hard.”

“When my folks died in the fire I also couldn’t let it go for weeks. If it weren’t for Apple Bloom, I don’t know what would have happened.”

“Apple Bloom? What did she do? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I don’t mind,” Applejack’s lips arched into a gentle smile. “One day, I was in my bed, observing a huge storm outside when the door to my room opened. I thought nothing of it, just staring indifferently into the void of the night. Until I felt something crawling next to me.”

“Let me guess, lightning strike?”

“Yeah, that plus the howling wind scared her, and she came to me for protection. I remember that at first I just shot her this cold glare, I wanted to be alone. But as soon as I looked into those pleading orange eyes, something began to break inside of me. She looked so scared that it made me realized that I’m not the only one going through this nightmare,” Applejack wiped a tear off her eye and sniffled. “I put my hooves around her neck and told her that everything will be fine. That I’ll always be there for her.”

“You found someone to protect and live for, and suddenly life didn’t seem so bad?” She nodded in silence. " That’s why you were so protective of her…”

“Yes, but now I know there was no reason for it. I’m sorry.”

“I know, but like I said before, I need time. I need to get away from this place and clear my head.”

“So, you’re still leaving?” This time he was the one nodding. “I heard Cheerilee’s leaving too. You know, if you ever decide to get back, I hope we can start over.”

John smiled and winked. “Me too.”

“Thank you, John... For everything—”

“Excuse me,” Celestia said, landing next to them. “I do not mean to interject, but we are all waiting for both of you. And Rainbow Dash is already drunk.”

John cocked his head. “After ten minutes? She’s one of those that can’t hold her liquor, huh? We better get back there, and, Applejack you’re welcome, but this time, James’ the one that you should be thanking, not me.”

“Don’t remind me...”

“What is it between the two of you, anyway, Applejack?” Celestia said. “Why do you hate him so much? Did he do something I am not aware of?”

“Not to me, no, but... It’s just... He doesn’t respect anyone! Especially you, your Highness!”

Celestia cocked her head. “I beg your pardon?”

“Those sex jokes, interrupting, shouting, name-calling... You’re a princess, he should show you more respect!”

“Let me get this straight, you hate James because you think he doesn’t respect Celestia?”

When she nodded, John’s lips curled, and a moment later, he burst out into a laughter that lasted for a good few seconds, forcing a grimace of confusion one Applejack face. Celestia, on the other hand was less amused, facehoofing and shaking her head instead.

“Applejack, I appreciate your efforts to protect me, but with all due respect, stick your nose out of my business and drop it!”

“No, no, no! She’s absolutely right!” John snickered. “I’m gonna tell him to be a hundred percent formal from now on. What do you think, your Highness?”

“I think that for a person who just got out of the hospital, you sound like someone who really wants to get back in there!” Her glare only made his smirk wider. “As for you, Applejack, if James’ behavior towards me is the only reason for your hatred, then drop it!”

“But Gastovski... He... I don’t understand.”

“Try being me for a few weeks, then you will. Trust me, if James crosses the line he will be the first to know it. And I must add that I am surprised. I would think that after reading my book you would have at least some understanding of why I may find his behavior acceptable.”

“Um, what book?” Applejack cocked her head.

“About my past. You did not read it?” Applejack answered by shaking her head. “Good heavens! You must be the only pony in Equestria who did not read it yet. I shall send you a copy first thing in the morning, then we can talk. That is if you will still want to.”

“You sure?” John said, still smiling. “After what happened to Twilight...”

“Do not remind me, John. This will go down in the history books…”

“W-what happened? Is Twilight OK?”

“She is fine, Applejack. She just thought that I am a twelve hundred years old virgin, so after reading my book, she had a little panic attack.”

“W-wait! Y-you mean, you’re not?”

Celestia chuckled again until their eyes locked. It was then she realized that Applejack was not making a joke, her empty eyes and fearful face were a dead giveaway that she was asking for real.

“Applejack, I...” She wanted to say something meaningful, something thoughtful, but instead shook her head and let out a sigh of defeat. “I need a drink...”

Author's Note

This was supposed to be the last chapter (aside from the possible bonus one, I mentioned earlier), but it grew too much on the way :twilightblush:.

The next one shall be the last. I have a rather weird/crazy idea how to end this thing, but maybe you'll like it :pinkiecrazy:

Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this one :twilightsmile:.

EDIT 2019-10-22:
- Added part where Cheerilee mentions suspended sentences

Chapter 24

The sun was high on the horizon, flooding Cheerilee’s house with its rays. Most of the furniture was empty, its contents neatly packed in dozens of gray transportation boxes. She already checked and rechecked her heavy saddlebags for the necessities – bits, documents, and some clothes, everything needed to start anew in some other place. She was going over the last small cupboard when something caught her eyes.

It was a picture of her with her entire class taken at the end of the year. The smiling faces looked alien now. A distant memory she could no longer remember. The photo itself was twisted and scratched, and the glass frame was broken. Like a mocking reminder of what she had lost. With a sniffle and some tears in her eyes, she put it in one of the boxes. Looking at it hurt too much.

“Focus, Cheerilee,” she said, massaging her hurting head. “Your train leaves in an hour, it’s not time to get sentimental.”

But no matter how much she tried, the sorrow was there, whispering in her ear as she rummaged through the rest of the items. With this feeling of emptiness on her shoulder, the minutes it took to separate the trash from what she wanted to preserve, seemed like hours.

When she finally stood up and covered the box, a long exhale escaped her throat. It was a sigh of completion. It was done, all her stuff was packed for transportation, and she was ready to go. Before any melancholy could invade her head, she grabbed her traveling saddlebag and suitcase and went to the door.

But as soon as the warmth from the heated handle met her hoof, she stopped one more time and turned around, staring with empty eyes at what was her home for so many years. The once cozy, safe heaven, was now nothing more than a storage of boxes, or a spooky cemetery of memories.

With one more sigh and a tear in her eye, she locked the door and turned towards the train station…

***

“You sure, you didn’t forget anything?”

“Positive, Johnny!” James said, motioning at their suitcases. “Cash, clothes, papers, vodka, more vodka—”

“Yeah, yeah, I got the picture... I just hope this Crystal Empire is friendlier than this place.”

“Man, we’re gonna be staying at the five-star hotel. For the amount of cash we – or rather I – am paying them, they should treat us as fucking gods,” James smiled. “I heard they have a nice massage saloon there, if you know what I mean...”

“No! Just... NO!”

“Phew, I can see we’re gonna have so much fun, already…” James chuckled, getting an annoyed eye roll in return. “Look, the train should be here in twenty minutes, I need to disappear for ten.”

“Ah, a goodbye quickie?”

“Oh, you know me too well… I’ll be back, don’t worry.”

“Just... GO,” John waved him off, shaking his head, and James disappeared behind the station.

With nothing left to do, John’s eyes began to wander. With foals joyfully playing around, and soothing music of lyre coming from the nearby park, Ponyville didn’t seem like the dark and spooky town from before, but rather a place of peace and tranquility. Maybe it was the view, or perhaps the fact that he finally didn’t feel the stares of others gnawing him, but for the first time, he felt safe there. Too little, too late.

“Irony is a... Cheerilee?” His eyes widened in a positive surprise. Cheerilee was just walking onto the platform, carrying two gigantic saddlebags, and struggling with one even bigger suitcase behind her. “L-let me help you with that!”

“N-no need—” Cheerilee said, but John knew better. Before she could do anything, he pulled her luggage onto the platform, forcing some light blush on her face. “Thank you.”

“Anytime,” John said with a smile, and Cheerilee smiled back. “So, where are you going?”

“Manehattan. I’ll stay with my sister until I can find a new job and some place. You?”

“Crystal Empire for now, but that’s probably only for a short time, to get some R&R.”

“Lucky! I always wanted to go there for a vacation. I heard they have a lot of attractions and great health resorts.”

“Couldn’t make the time, huh?”

Cheerilee smiled bitterly. “Couldn’t make the bits. That place cost a hoof and tail...” She noticed John’s eyes began darting from left to right. “Is something wrong?”

“Is it my imagination, or is a lot of ponies coming this way?”

With a quick glance, Cheerilee confirmed what he said. There were dozens of ponies all around the station, and more were approaching.

“I was really hoping to avoid that,” she let out a tired sigh. “They’re probably here with some farewell present or something.”

John wasn’t so sure. The cozy sensation he felt a moment ago vaporized in the blink of an eye and morbid thoughts began filling his mind.

“Or to beat the crap out of me again.”

“John...”

“Sorry, Cheerilee, but after what happened, I’m not sure what to expect around here,” the crowd was thickening with every second. “Damn it, where is James when you need him!”

“Right here, buddy,” James said, walking onto the platform, with Mayor Mare right behind him. “Don’t worry about the mob, I told my homies you owe me ten bits so they’ll leave you alone, for now.”

“What a relief. So what’s all about?”

James motioned at Mayor Mare. She cleared her throat and began. “Mister Wildman, as mayor of Ponyville, I would like to welcome you to our town.”

John smiled. “A little late, don’t you think?”

“Yes, it is, and I realize you already got a… warm welcome from some of our more headstrong citizens,” Mayor turned her squinted eyes towards the group of abashed looking ponies, her cold glance scolding them like a bunch of fillies. “As a representative of our community, I would like to apologize for that.”

“Apologies accepted,” John said, and with a snicker, added. “As long as the streets of Ponyville remain spotless, that is.”

“Both you and Cheerilee can be sure of that,” Mayor shot the group of ponies another glare. “However, I didn’t come here just to welcome you and apologize. There is someone who would like to have a word with you before you leave.”

She made a motion with her hoof, and a few moments later, Scootaloo began walking towards John, with two mares – one earth pony and one pegasus – right behind her. Seeing Scootaloo made John smile, but he also cocked his head in confusion.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“Well, let me introduce you guys,” James said. “John Wildman, meet Miss Holiday, and Miss Lofty. Scootaloo’s aunts.”

Two pairs of eyes quickly scanned John from top to bottom, making the air around him a little too hot for comfort. He wasn’t sure whether to expect a hoof to the face, or a warm hug.

“So, you’re the one who helped our little Scootaloo?” Aunt Holiday said.

“Um, well, maybe a little—”

Aunt Lofty interjected, raising her hoof. “Mister, Scootaloo told us everything. We know that you pulled her up out of that darn gulch, and almost died yourself.”

“What?” Cheerilee cocked her head and smiled. “I didn’t know that part.”

Biting his lip, John turned his eyes, but it was too late. The blush on his cheeks was for everyone to see. It was hot red, and quickly spreading, to the delight of smirking James and Cheerilee.

“I, um...” John grabbed his head with his hand and smiled sheepishly. “I don’t see how that’s relevant to anything...”

“It’s relevant to us. You, you saved her life. You saved our little girl...” Aunt Holiday said as some tears began rolling down her cheeks. “W-we just wanted to say, thank you, both of you.”

“It was a... pleasure—”

“Getting beaten up by a mob, almost having your biceps bitten off, and falling from a cliff is a pleasure?” James shook his head. “And they say, I’m a masochist...”

“I think what John meant to say is ‘you’re welcome,’ from both of us,” Cheerilee said. “And Holiday, Lofty, if you came here to apologize again, I already told you. I consider that matter closed.”

“And yet, you’re leaving,” Scootaloo said, gently shaking her head. “I thought that after this was all cleared up, you would stay.”

“Scootaloo, this has nothing to do with what happened between the two of us.”

“Except, it does!”

“Scootaloo...”

“Please, don’t... I may be a kid, but I can put two and two together,” Scootaloo shook her head again and added a sigh. “If I didn’t overhear that conversation back then, if I didn’t start stealing, if I didn’t lie that you hurt me, none of that would have happened.”

“Scootaloo, there is much more to that. You alone didn’t cause this.”

“Maybe, but I sure started it. And now, you’re both leaving and, and...” Scootaloo’s lips began to tremble, and a moment later, tears flooded her cheeks. “I’m sorry! Please, don’t go!” She buried her weeping face in Cheerilee’s side. “Please...”

Cheerilee expected a goodbye gift, maybe some farewell party, but Scootaloo crying her eyes out wasn’t high on the list. It took her by surprise, and she could already feel water accumulating behind the dam that was her eyes. With a sad smile on her face, she pulled Scootaloo closer, gently caressing her mane.

“Scootaloo, listen to me carefully. No matter what happens, this is not your fault, understand? I don’t want you blaming yourself. Sometimes, no one is to blame—”

Cheerilee was interrupted by the screech of the train. The booming sound made her and others flinch and cover her ears. When the locomotive finally stopped, and silence filled the air, the forest of eyes around her went to the floor in defeat. Except for one pair, which turned into an angry glance.

“Goddammit, Spike was right that this wouldn’t work,” James shook his head. His cold glare forcing some confusion on Cheerilee’s face. “You just cost me ten bits and forced us to do this... PLAN B!”

“Plan... What?”

Before she could utter another word, a bunch of fillies began walking out of the corner of the station. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Diamond Tiara, and more. It was her entire class, along with their parents, plus Celestia, Twilight, and a few others. The banner with Cheerilee’s face and a big ‘Please stay!’ inscription was the icing on the cake, only adding to the awkwardness.

“Y-you Highness? What is t-this?”

“If I may?” James interjected, and Celestia nodded in agreement. “After you told us you were planning to leave because of the damn rumors, we came up with a plan to make things right.”

Cheerilee glanced at John. “Don’t look at me, I had no idea.”

“John is telling the truth, he was not informed,” Celestia said. “The point is that after Applejack and Scootaloo explained the whole misunderstanding, Twilight, myself, and Scootaloo’s aunts talked with each parent in Ponyville, clarifying everything. I do not believe you will find anyone spreading those nasty rumors anymore.”

“And,” James interjected. “There is someone who would like to say a few words... Don’t you, guys?”

Hesitantly, a few other ponies stepped out of the crowd. Cheerilee and John recognized them immediately. It was Bold Hoof and the rest of the leaders of the mob. Except this time, all of them weren’t so cocky anymore. With eyes locked onto the ground, they looked like a bunch of cardboard cut out tough guys, lacking the courage to even look John or Cheerilee in the eye.

As time passed, Celestia arched her eyebrow. “Well? Do you have anything you would like to say? How about you, Mr. Bold?”

Bold Hoof shamefully bit his lip. There was a forest of eyes around him, each one gnawing him to the bone. No matter where he looked, there were only stares of revulsion and anger. He was getting the taste of his own medicine, and he didn’t like it one bit.

“I... um. We... we would like to apologize,” he managed to stammer. “We shouldn’t have acted without evidence—”

“Wrong!” Celestia’s booming voice made him shrink like a snail. “You should not have acted like that, at all! Evidence or not, such matters are to be taken to the court of law, not handled by an angry mob of vigilantes!”

“I-I know, b-but—”

“And just to be clear. If during those few years, I hear you so much as litter on the street, your sentence will be unsuspended, and I will personally drag you and all of your co-conspirators to the dungeon myself! Do we understand each other?!”

“P-perfectly, b-but... If Scootaloo didn’t say they hurt her, then—”

“Shut it!” Applejack walked out of the crowd and stopped next to Bold Hoof, glancing him in the eyes. “Say that it was Scootaloo’s fault one more time...” She said with a glare that sent shivers up his spine. “I dare you! I double dare you! Say it one more time!”

He didn’t. After glancing into Applejack’s dead eyes, the brain-like contraption in his head was screaming for him to shut up, and for once, he listened. After a few more seconds of drilling him with her gaze, Applejack finally looked away, turning towards the crowd.

“Listen, y’all. This wasn’t Scootaloo’s fault or John’s fault. Heck, it wasn’t even the fault of those three pegasi idiots. It was our fault, and ours alone! Scootlaoo’s only a kid, and those three used her. But you’re all adults. You should have known better! I should have known better... We’re the ones who messed things up, and made Cheerilee and John pay the price.”

Some murmurs immediately filled the air, but no pony was brave enough to try to correct her. Or maybe, they just knew she was telling the grim truth.

James smiled. “Wow, harsh, Applejack. Getting back to your element, I see.”

“And she’s right,” Carrot Top stepped out of the crowd with an apologetic expression. “If Princess Celestia has the guts to admit to her past after so many years, we should do the same. It was all our fault. And... Cheerilee, Mr. John, I think I speak for all of us when I say – please stay.”

Cheerilee glanced at the crowd. The gentle smile that followed rekindled the glimmer of hope for everyone around her. Her glassy eyes were like a scream of her internal struggle.

“I must say I didn’t expect this. I don’t know about John, but I’m afraid I already resigned from my position.”

“Um, about that...” Mayor Mare interjected. “I kind of accidentally spilled some coffee on that resignation note of yours. I’m terribly sorry, but you’ll have to sign it again... If you still want to, that is.”

Cheerilee’s smile transformed into a glare that was colder than Applejack’s from a few seconds ago. “Mayor, this is, this is—”

“Extortion and manipulation. I like it! Why didn’t I think of that...” James’ snickering comment only intensified Cheerilee’s glare. “Oh, come on! That only shows how much we want you to stay.”

“Don’t you understand? I can’t stay.”

“Can’t, or won’t?” Apple Bloom stepped towards Cheerilee, making her iconic puppy face. “Do you really want to leave us?”

After so many years, Cheerilee had thought she was resistant to Apple Bloom’s secret weapon. But this time, the filly’s pleading stare wasn’t an attempt to excuse herself for failure to do homework. No, for the first time, Cheerilee could feel it was one hundred percent genuine, and it was beginning to generate pressure behind her eyes. She glanced away, only to see the rest of her class and parents with similar expressions. No matter where she turned, it was the same. The onslaught was coming from every direction, weakening her defenses.

“I c-can’t… I’m sorry, but I just... just—”

“Goddammit woman, do you really want to leave this place?” James said bluntly. “If you want to, then say it!” There was no answer, she just kept darting her eyes from left to right. “Well?” Still nothing. James squinted his eyes like a predator and asked one more time, with even more force. “Well?! Say it!”

But she didn’t. Instead, her dam broke, and some tears flooded her trembling face.

“Hey, that’s enough!” John’s angry voice echoed through the air. “You blind or what?! You’re hurting her!”

“Sometimes, a kick in the butt can do wonders.”

“Yeah? Then turn around, you seem to need one, you bastard—”

“Stop it,” Celestia interjected and turned to Cheerilee, whose watery eyes were locked to the ground. “Look at me. Please?”

It took Cheerilee a few seconds to reluctantly comply. She stopped crying, but the few moments were enough to turn her eyes puffy and her cheeks damp. Her whole face looked like a mask of despair.

“Cheerilee, I know that a lot happened to you, and even if you don’t want to admit it, you feel hurt, and rightfully so. While James’ methods might have been crude, I think his question still stands, and it may be the most important question you had to answer so far. So I shall ask it again. Do you really want to leave Ponyville behind, and start anew?”

Once again, there was no immediate answer. Instead, Cheerilee’s confused eyes went to the ground. Seeing her hesitate, Celestia continued.

“If deep down in your heart, you truly believe that you should leave, then we shall all respect that and wish you farewell on your new journey. However, after what you have seen today, ask yourself if you really feel this way.”

Cheerilee hesitated for a few more seconds, then slowly shook her head. “I don’t know... I, honestly, don’t know.”

“Then let me ask you, if this whole situation would have never happened, would you want to leave?”

“No. But it has happened, and now, I’m not sure if I want to stay, either,” Cheerilee let out a long sigh. “What about you, John?”

“It may be unpopular, but my mind is made up. I need to leave this place, at least for a while—”

“You know what?” James interjected. “After further consideration, I think you’re right. You should both leave,” his words started quite a ruckus and confusion. He waited a few seconds until the crowd was almost shouting and rose his hand. “AND, by that, I mean, you should both take some R&R for a few weeks and then get back here. May I suggest a little trip... To the Crystal Empire.”

With a smirk, James took out two neat looking reservations for the ‘Emerald Hotel’ and showed it to them. Blush filled their faces, and their eyes began nervously darting between the papers, the surrounding crowd, and each other.

“Are you insane?!” Cheerilee yelled, clenching her teeth. “You and your stupid, awkward ideas!”

“Awkward? Um, maybe, but stupid? I know you wanted to visit Crystal Empire for years—”

“And how would you know that? Were you eavesdropping on my conversation with John?!”

“Nope, someone let me know,” her arching eyebrow told him, he got her attention. “Remember those few days I was out of town? I didn’t spend all of them in Canterlot’s brothel. I also visited Manehattan looking for a certain… Mystery Mare.”

“Mystery...” Cheerilee arched her eyebrow. “You mean my—”

“Sister, yeah,” James said and rolled his eyes. “I swear, finding someone in Equestria is a pain in the ass. Anyway, after doing some more or less, legal activities...” His words got him a glare and an eyebrow from Celestia. “I finally found her, and we talked.”

“And both of you decided to play a matchmaker?! Ugh!” Cheerilee facehoofed ant turned to John. “I’m sorry, my sister, she... she’s always like this! Trying to find me a special somepony...”

“Um... I... think... I don’t know what to think...”

“I’m so sorry, John, this is so... awkward.”

“That’s good!” James put out another paper from one of the pouches on his armor and smiled. “See? It’s on the list!”

“What list?” Cheerilee glanced at the paper. “’Make them share an awkward moment.’ Twilight…” She squinted her eyes like a predator and locked them on the Princess of Friendship. Her gnawing eyes made Twilight gulp and smile sheepishly before a blush filled her cheeks. “Thank you very much, all of you, but especially you, Captain. Thank you for a stab in the back!”

“Yes, that’s what I do best, right guys?” A confirming murmur filled the air, making him frown. “You were supposed to say ‘no,’ damn it! Anyway, Cheerilee, the truth is, I went looking for your sister because Celestia’s right. Both you and John have been put through a lot. When I learned that you were dreaming about a vacation in the Crystal Empire, I began organizing the trip.”

“Hold on,” John said. “Are you saying you’re not going?”

“Well, if Cheerilee decides not to go, then I will, but wouldn’t you rather go with a friend you could talk to, tour the place, and do normal stuff?” His remark put an ironic smile on Cheerilee’s face. “Yeah, Cheerilee, a friend, nothing more. Separate rooms and everything. I would never try to play a matchmaker.”

“Then, why? Why would you do this? You barely know me, mister, yet you would spend hundreds of bits to organize this... insanity.”

“Actually, over a thousand bits, and you’re right, I don’t know you that well, but I do know that during the past two weeks, you were visiting John every day. The two of you were talking a lot in the hospital, so I thought you would enjoy each other’s company.”

“That’s all? Really—”

“Oh, come on!” Carrot Top interjected with a smirk. “The two of you were ogling each other nicely two weeks ago!”

“What?!” Both Cheerilee and John denied in unison, their blushing faces jumping from left to right like mad.

“Carrot, this is not funny!”

“Kind to think of it, you were smiling a lot in hospital...”

“Apple Bloom! This is not... Sweetie Belle! Both of you stop smirking!”

“And James and I also saw you snuggling,” Celestia added, smirking herself.

“This was not... like that!” John’s frantic denial only put more smirk on surrounding faces. “It was those damn bullies attacked her. She just needed a friend, you know!”

“Which you were more than happy to provide, huh?”

“Keep talking, man. I think I’m gonna test what that left arm of mine can do, starting with your ugly smirking mug!”

“By defending your girlfriend, you would prove my point, so...” James’ smirk widened. “Please, go ahead!”

An audible crack echoed through the air, as John’s shaking left hand clenched, along with his teeth. The grin on James’ face was screaming for a punch, and the murmurs were getting louder each second. Then, it all culminated, and he blew like a bomb.

“ENOUGH!” John yelled. His scream could compete with Celestia’s Canterlot Voice. “Look people, or ponies or... whatever. If Cheerilee were kind enough to think of me as a friend, I would be honored, but nothing is going on between us, understand?! And if you really want her to stay, then you approached it the wrong way! Anyone bothered to ask Cheerilee how she feels right now?!”

“I don’t mind.”

“See?! She doesn’t mind! ... Wait, what?”

Instead of a hurt pony John had expected to see, Cheerilee was smiling. The blush was still there, and with the hoof placed on her shaking head, it was apparent she was a bit annoyed, but not in pain. John’s lips curled in confusion.

“I’m sorry, John, it’s just...” Cheerilee let out a gentle chuckle. “If you lived in Ponyville for some time, then that wouldn’t really surprise you.”

“And you’re OK with that?”

“Oh, they’re completely crazy, but knowing Carrot, no matter what we say, we’ll be a pair for at least a month.”

“With the stuff you together pulled, I give you at least half a year,” James said with a smile. “You really wanna miss all that fun, Cheerilee?”

“I... I...” Cheerilee once again shook her head. “This is weird.”

“Wanna make it even weirder?” Once again, James showed her the reservations. “It’s all paid up, and I will throw in a few hundred bits for souvenirs. Come on, don’t make me beg you.”

Her expression told him that for the first time, she was considering it for real, but then she bit her lip and turned to one person no one bothered to ask.

“What do you think, John? Would you want to go with me?”

“Cheerilee, if that’s OK with you, then I would be honored, but I don’t want you to feel any pressure—”

“Let’s do it!” Her comment made his lips curled into an ‘o,’ and he froze up. “If that’s OK with you.”

“Y-you, s-sure?” This time, he was the one biting his lip and blushing like a schoolboy to his first crush.

He does look cute with that blush. She nodded with a gentle smile. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint the gossip girls, would I? And two weeks in the Crystal Empire really sound wonderful. So, what do you say… handsome?”

Whispers and murmurs coming from the crowd crescendoed into a roar of excitement, forcing even more red on John’s frozen face. For a moment, he just stood there, mouth opened and gaping like an idiot. Then he chuckled with a sheepish smile.

“Cheerilee, you’re crazy, you know?” She just winked in response. “Oh, hell with that, I’m in! Let’s do this!”

“Thank god... For a moment, I thought I would have to go.”

“You sound as if you wouldn’t want to?” Cheerilee said, and James nodded. “But... It’s Crystal Empire!”

“So? Why would I want to travel to the other part of the country, when I can just drink at home?”

“I see…” Cheerilee made big eyes and shook her head. “I do have one more question. Whose idea was it to organize this charade?”

“Hrmph! You think I’m going to expose my co-conspirators? Ha!” Her empty stare began melting his stupid smirk faster than a sundae in summer’s heat. “Ugh, fine! It was the CMCs, at least in the beginning, then I got involved, then Celestia and then a lot of other ponies!” James said and mumbled to himself. “I swear those eyes are like a goddamn Bat-glare...”

Cheerilee turned her eyes towards Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, who were smiling sheepishly. “Why, am I not surprised.”

“But, you’re gonna come back, right?” Apple Bloom said.

“We shall see...” Seeing the confusion on Apple Bloom’s face, Cheerilee added a wink and smiled, then turned to the rest of her class. “Oh, come here, all of you!”

The mob of fillies rushed her with bittersweet faces hungry for a hug. And hug they got, pushing a few tears of joy out of Cheerilee’s closed eyes.

“And you come back too!” Apple Bloom squeezed John tight, and the rest of the CMCs quickly followed her.

“We’ll see, Apple Bloom, we’ll see—”

“All aboard, for the train to the Crystal Empire!” A conductor’s voice echoed through the station. It was time to go.

“Let me help you with that,” James said, picking up some of the luggage and going to the train with John and Cheerilee. “One more thing. Your sister wanted me to pass a message to John.”

“Is that so?” Cheerilee arched her eyebrow. “Should I leave the two of you alone?”

“Nah, she just wanted me to tell John that, and I quote: ’If he breaks my sister’s heart, I’m gonna break his spine.’”

“Hrmph, sure sound like Cherry Blossom,” Cheerilee said, getting an eyebrow as a response. “What? You thought I’m the only crazy mare in my family?”

“Huh... I think, I better get those on the train, yeah...” John said, and left with a slightly disturbed expression.

“Cheerilee, take care of him, OK?” James said with some concern. “After what has happened here, I don’t think he could handle another stab.”

“I’m not planning to stab anyone, don’t worry.”

“Yeah, I guess. I’m just saying... And Cheerilee, thanks for agreeing. You won’t regret this.”

“I think it’s time to get seated,” John said. “The train is about to leave.”

“Fine, just remember about your injections, Johnny. Twice a day.”

“Yes, mom.”

“Wiseass... Miss Cheerilee, if John misbehaves, you have my permission to spank him.”

“I’ll... keep that in mind,” Cheerilee said with a chuckle.

“See you in two weeks, guys!”

They went inside, and a moment later, the locomotive let out a hiss.

“Oh, and, John! I put something you may find useful in your wallet!” James shouted through the window. Then smirked and began counting down. “Three, two, one—”

“YOU’RE A PIG!”

Jackpot. “I know, Cheerilee, I know! Have fun!”

The wheels began spinning faster and faster, and the train went off with a screech, leaving behind a puff of vapor that quickly vanished into the air. Just as the steam, the crowd began to dissipate too, getting back to their usual stuff.

“Do you think they will both be back?” Celestia said to James.

“I think so... Hell, if this goes well, then soon Miss Cheerilee, may not be a ‘Miss’ anymore. Time will tell.”

Celestia smiled. “I told you that romance is a beautiful thing.”

“Well, maybe, but vodka’s better.”

“Speaking of which,” Twilight interjected, with a frown. “Can any of you tell me how did Rainbow Dash land in the hospital, with alcohol poisoning?!”

Both Celestia and James smiled sheepishly, this would take some explaining...

Author's Note

I'll be damned. I actually did it! The story is done! :raritystarry:

I would like to say a few things:

Thank you, dear readers:pinkiesad2:! And I mean both people who liked the story, as well as those who gave negative comments. Believe it or not, but you gave me A LOT to think about for the future. And even if I disagree with some of the criticism, getting your feedback was very enlightening.

And allow me to add one more time, that if anyone felt that I was 'annoyed' by the criticism - I was not. It might have sounded like that because my personal views about some things are different than yours. I know some of you will find them naive, but that's OK. We don't have to agree on everything:unsuresweetie:.

For what's worth, I never intended to offend anyone, and if that has happened, then I'm sorry.

The bonus chapter I mentioned will happen, but it's 99.9% a standalone short one-shot story at this point (it should be coming in about two to four weeks IF everything goes according to plan).

Of course, I would still like to know what you think about the ending. I wanted to make it kind of 'eat the cake and have it,' so they're leaving Ponyville, but only for a while. Please, tell me what you think :raritywink:

All in all, thanks for reading, and I hope you had a good time :twilightsmile:

EDIT 2019-10-22:
- Added part where Celestia mentions suspended sentences

Chapter 1

Applejack stumbled slowly through the pitch black Everfree forest, cursing quietly under her breath. Navigating through the thick, overgrown wilderness without getting lost, was hard enough in daylight – let alone during the night, when the only light source was coming from the silver moon.

“Oh, horse apples where is that darn path…”

She swore again stepping into a deep puddle, her hooves sinking nearly to her knees. It wasn’t the first ‘mud-bath’ of the night either – her coat was soaked through, with a mixture of water, muck, and sap. Grunting angrily, she pulled herself out of the pond, only to realize that she lost the sense of direction, yet again.

She shook her head, rolling her eyes in frustration. “Next time you tell Apple Bloom, to be home before nightfall, perhaps you should listen to your own darn advice!”

As she berated herself, her eyes glanced at her brimming saddlebag, allowing her anger to subside a little and even put a small smile on her dirty face. Inside the bag, was a mixture of rare herbs and spices needed for a special delivery she was making. That package was worth all the trouble and hardship she was put through that night.

Searching for the lost path, Applejack trod carefully, straining her eyes to see something in the dim moonlight, when her ears registered a quiet rustle and perked up involuntarily. She stopped dead in her tracks sniffing the air, but aside from the usually moldy smell of the rotting plants, there was nothing – definitely no stinking timberwolves or hydras nearby.

“Hello? Anypony there?” She said and waited, but got no reply. “Rainbow, if that’s you then I swear – try to prank me, and you’re gonna get from here to Canterlot in ten seconds flat, by a ‘bucknight’ express!”

As she listened, the clouds above suddenly gave way – allowing the moon to brighten up her surroundings – painting the wilderness around her in silver and showing her the path she was looking for earlier. Applejack smirked, but a quick glance above washed her smile away almost immediately – she had a short window before the clouds would cover the moon again. With no time to waste, she trotted towards the trail. Whatever the earlier rustling was, it was gone now, or perhaps it was just her imagination playing tricks on her – she didn’t care anymore. She wanted to get out of there, to wash away all the mud and sap, to get to her comfy bed and finally get some well-earned sleep. The mere thought of peaceful slumber was putting a gentle smile back on her face.

All that changed, when something hit the tree next to her, producing a sharp crack-like sound. She stopped again, turning towards the noise, only to hear three more quiet pops coming from her saddlebag. Her eyes widened – her bag was ripped open, the precious merchandise she needed so badly was quickly spilling onto the ground. Instinctively, she tried putting her hoof to somehow seal the leak when a searing pain, shot through her abdomen.

“Ow! What in tarnation?!” Applejack yelled, both from surprise and pain. It was then, she noticed that a trickle of blood was coming from behind her ripped saddlebag.

For a moment she froze in place, her brain too bewildered to make any sense out of the situation. With her face wrinkled in confusion, she observed the precious red fluid, leaving her body, drop by drop – until a familiar rustle coming from the nearby bushes snapped her awake.

Run. Her mind screamed. Run you idiot, RUN!

She didn’t have to be told again.

***

Applejack galloped through the thick bushes of the forest with blinding speed, trying to ignore the pain. She didn’t even turn to find out who, or what was after her, she just kept running – faster and faster. With adrenaline rushing through her veins, she would leave Rainbow Dash in the dust.

She ran until a weak glimmer of light cut through the wilderness – getting stronger with every passing second. Ponyville! She grinned, pointing herself directly at the source of the glow. It meant cutting through even thicker bushes, but with her stomach bleeding, she needed to hurry.

Even with the adrenaline in her veins, she was starting to feel a stabbing sensation coming from her torn belly, and every intake of air felt as if filling her lungs with hot needles. Her earth-pony stamina got her that far, but with the agony quickly intensifying, she was running out of time – her body couldn’t take much more.

All of a sudden the moon hid behind the clouds again, filling the forest with pitch black darkness. Battling the thorny bushes as well as her own body, Applejack failed to notice a steep slope in her path – she tripped, her body rolling and bouncing like a rag-doll. Her plunge lasted for a few seconds, before ending on a thick tree below. For a moment, she lay there dazed. The wind was knocked out of her. As she tried to breathe in, a sharp pain shot from her stomach. The earlier wound was now swollen, bleeding more profusely and radiating painfully. She tried to stand up only to feel agony coming from her leg.

“Sweet Celestia! That hurt…” She glanced at the source of the sensation, and her eyes widened. Her left front hoof was severely lacerated and mangled.

Most ordinary ponies in her predicament would panic, screaming their lungs out for help and inviting the timberwolves – or whatever was after her – for lunch. Fortunately, Applejack knew better. Breathing heavily, she tightened the belt on her saddlebag, so that it would press on her wound, limiting the bleeding to a minimum. She forced herself up on her remaining hooves, picked up her hat and started limping home.

Applejack moved slowly, climbing up the slope and fighting through the pain on each step. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she once again saw the light on the horizon – bigger and stronger this time. Her face brightened – it was a reflection coming from Twilight’s castle. She was much closer than she thought – minutes away from the outskirts of the village, at most.

“Come on, girl! It will be over soon...”

Just as she said it, something rustled close by.

“Or not…”

Gritting her teeth from the pain, she darted into nearby bushes just as a crack of branches filled the air. She rested motionless on the floor with her eyes wide opened, and heart-pounding. She was barely breathing, trying not to make a sound. Please don’t come this way, please... There was no fighting her way out of there – not in her condition. All she could do is wait and pray for… whatever was out there to go away.

As she laid there listening, the sound started getting weaker with every passing second – disappearing completely, sometime later. Applejack stayed put for a few more minutes, waiting for the creature to return, until a cold shiver snapped her awake. She glanced down only to notice a small pool of red fluid covering her hiding place. She was running out of time – her body shutting down from the loss of blood. She needed to move.

With conceivable effort, Applejack managed to force herself up again, her head spinning. OK... Now to Ponyville…

She managed only to stagger a few steps before some kind of web knocked her off her hooves and sent her flying through the dense vegetation – painfully pinning her to a tree a second later. She winced in agony, as one of the lines bit directly through her wound, deepening it. In desperation, she flailed her hooves, trying to get free, only to make the net tighter.

The rustling came back, and something emerged from the nearby bushes. For a moment Applejack stopped struggling and glanced at the thing. It was a bipedal creature, almost twice the size of an ordinary pony, wearing some weird looking clothes that covered its face and most of the body. That was all Applejack could tell in the darkness of the night... And because her eyes focused on the giant knife, the thing was holding in its right hand.

Her heart skipped a beat. She pushed her hooves against the web, with all her might. “Come on! COME ON! ... Please ...” But the net didn’t budge. “HELP!”

The beast stopped, tilting its head and observing her struggles. For a moment they stared at each other – the creature scanned her from top to bottom shaking its head. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it started raising the knife.

“No… W-wait, wait!” Applejack screamed, trying to place her hooves in a guard position, but the net was holding them in place. She exchanged one last glance with the creature and let out a deep sigh. “D-do it quickly…” She closed her eyes accepting the inevitable.

But instead of cold metal piercing her chest, a loud crack filled the air. She blinked, just in time to witness the beast in the air, flying in the direction of the slope she climbed up just a few minutes ago.

***

Applejack quickly scanned the horizon and after seeing her savior sighed both in relief and annoyance. Of all the creatures in Equestria, it had to be him – James, the local human freak, a.k.a ‘walking brewery,’ or ‘captain one-liner’ was standing at the edge of the slope. While his black high-tech armor was barely visible in the moonlight, his grin was noticeable even from a distance.

“Uuu, somebody didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation!” He chuckled, as the body of the creature rolled down, disappearing into the bushes at the bottom.

“Um, a little help please?” Applejack said.

He approached the tree she was tightenedto, and his grin widened. “Damn! I should have known you were into bondage. Never parting with your rope should have been a dead giveaway—“

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Ugh, could you stop with your usual cheesy talking and help me?”

“Fine, fine – no fun with you,” he glanced at the tangled web. “This may take a minute.”

“OK. Where did you come from anyway?”

“Apes... If you believe Darwin,” Applejack’s eyebrow arched. “Oh, you mean how I got here? Well, here I was looking for a perfect spot to hide a body—“

“WHAT?! Who did you kill?!”

“No one! … well, not yet, but if Rainbow Dash pranks me again, I want to be prepared,” Applejack rolled her eyes in response. “Anyway, I heard a scream and decided to investigate and… here we are,” he shook his head in frustration. “Ah hell with this thing, let’s just break it.”

“I tried, but that net is too—”

A loud snap-sound interrupted her, as James tore the first part of the mesh. “Forget you are talking to a nano-enhanced super soldier, eh? I can tear through this thing faster than a newborn with bloody diarrhea can fill a diaper!”

“Ugh, you really didn’t have to describe that to me… just get me out of that thing,” she shivered. “It’s getting cold…”

“Yeah, whatever – what the hell are you doing here anyway?”

“I needed some herbs to make some of my special cider for an important client, but ever since those new weather ponies took over, we had problems growing them on the farm so—”

“So you decided to venture into the Everfree, alone, after dark?” James shook his head. “And I thought, that Rainbow Dash was the only brainless one, in your gang…”

“When I went to Zecora it was still daytime, but she wasn’t home, so I waited, and then we had some tea and... I guess I lost track of time.” Applejack sighed. “Look, I know I messed up, but could you please hurry before that... Thing come back?”

Just as she said the words, the last part of the web snapped, releasing her to the bushes below the tree. “Done and don’t worry, that Diamond Dog or whatever that was is probably far away from here—”

A soft thud followed by a loud ‘THREAT DETECTED!’ alert got James attention – his eyes widening immediately. “Oh, crap…”

He darted in front of Applejack just as something exploded. The blast knocked Applejack of her hooves, and lunched James in the air, his body absorbing most of the impact. He landed on a tree with a loud crack – his face burning with anger.

“Goddamn it! That’s IT!” James shouted, cocking his gun as his visor locked down with a hiss. “I’m gonna make you pay for that – pay with interest!” He jumped into the nearby bushes.

Applejack laid flat on her stomach, as loud bangs filled the air, followed by the noise of struggle and some swearing, followed by more swearing… and even more swearing. The language! Sheesh… A few moments later, the creature flew above her head, hitting one of the trees. It got up pulling out the knife again, but before it could make a step, its body sparkled like a Christmas tree, and it dropped to the ground hollering and convulsing for a moment, before passing out.

James stepped out of the bushes with a grin, his arm particle cannon still letting off some steam. “I guess, the bill must have really shocked him!” He chuckled, but Applejack was silent. “Oh, come on! You guys really need to learn to appreciate a good one-liner... Applejack?”

“Can-t br-eath...” She mumbled, gasping for air.

James pulled her up from the bushes and froze. “Shit! Why didn’t you tell me earlier you were injured so badly?! All right, I get you to the hospital, just stay with me… Applejack!” He yelled, but there was no response. “Applejack!”

Author's Note

Please remember - no matter how old the story is, leaving constructive feedback (good or bad) is ALWAYS appreciated :twilightsmile:

EDIT 2019-10-13:
- minor grammar fixes

Chapter 6

At one point or another, most people will meet a person that just can’t stop babbling. If they are lucky, they will be able to make up some silly alibi and excuse themselves from the torment, or gently ask the person to shut up!

Unfortunately, as a princess of Equestria, Celestia wasn’t one of the lucky ones… She was standing in the middle of the market, doing her best to keep the usual gentle smile on her face and at the same time praying for some Ursa Major, Bugbear or Tirek to come out of the Everfree and save her from the predicament…

Why the heck did I have to mention I am here, on a little vacation. Celestia pondered, as the pony in front of her was talking nineteen to the dozen, barely stopping to catch the breath.

“—and then I was like ‘huh?!’ But he didn’t get the hint and just kept talking! Can you believe that your majesty? Some ponies just don’t know when to shut up!”

Celestia’s eye twitched. “You don’t say…” She lost the context many minutes ago, not that it mattered to begin with. Just some standard questions about love, or lust, or… something. Perhaps I should ask James to teleport me to the moon for a while…

“So what do you think?”

The sudden question snapped her back to reality. She gulped covertly, not losing her composure for a second. “I think you should go with what your heart is telling you.” … did I get it?

“Yes! I knew it! Thank you, your Highness!”

“I am glad I could help, but… If I were you, I would go tell him right away.” Celestia winked… praying the pony will get the hint and go away.

“Of course! I will do that, goodbye Princess!”

“Goodbye, my dear subject!” Seeing the pony in question, getting further and further away, Celestia let out a deep slow sigh. Youngsters, always in love… Makes me wonder when Twilight will come running for advice. She let out a little chuckle and started strolling through the market again.

For once, she wanted to forget about schedules, official meetings, and other boring stuff and just enjoy some rest and relaxation. She kept walking in relative peace – occasionally interrupted by a bow from one of her subjects – until a stand with delightful looking snacks caught her eye.

Looking at the delicious cake and sweets, she involuntarily licked her lip. Control yourself, Celestia! You must not give in to temptation. She cocked her head, her eyes scanning the merchandise. Perhaps just one piece? As she pondered what to do, a comment coming from one of the nearby stands, got her attention…

“—yeah, she knocked him off his feet in a single blow! That’s our Applejack!” Carrot Top said to Rose.

“But why?”

“No idea hon, but she wouldn’t attack anypony… or creature, for no reason—”

“Excuse me, may I ask, who are you talking about?” Celestia interjected.

“Your Highness!” Both mares bowed in unison.

Celestia smiled but rolled her eyes at the same time. “Please, this is not necessary. I am on an unofficial visit, just enjoying some fresh air. However, I could not help overhearing your conversation… Did I understand correctly that there was some incident earlier?”

Carrot nodded. “Yes, your Highness - some creature, very similar to our local human, showed up on the market. He had some run-in with the Crusaders… I think Scootaloo hit him with her scooter or something—”

“That girl is a real daredevil!” Rose interjected

“That she is… Anyway, the fillies and Cheerilee were talking to him when suddenly, Applejack ran near them, and WHAM! She bucked him into oblivion!”

Celestia’s smile faded. She attacked John without provocation, and it does not disturb you in the slightest? How can that be… ”Please continue, what happened to the creature? Where is he?”

“Oh, don’t worry Princess – we ran him out of town!”

Celestia blinked a few times. “You… what?!”

“OK, maybe not exactly ran him out… But, after we made it clear he is not welcome, he murmured something and limped away. I think he was going towards the Everfree forest.”

Celestia closed her eyes and shook her head in disbelief. “Let me get this straight… First, Applejack attacked him, and then entire Ponyville chased him away? And nopony tried to even talk with him, or stop him?”

“Well, he did talk with Cheerilee for a moment, but other than that…”

“And that does not disturb you even a little?”

Carrot bit her lip. “Um… I mean, Applejack would not attack someone for no reason… right?”

“Applejack…” Celestia heaved a heavy sigh. “Do you know why she attacked him?”

Carrot shook her head. “No, and she didn’t want to talk about it. All she said is that he is evil, and something happened earlier between them… but, perhaps she will tell you, your Highness?”

“Yeah! You should ask her!” Rose said with a grin. “You can always throw her in the dungeon if she refuses!”

Celestia furrowed her brow. “I am not throwing anyone, in the dungeon ladies – where do you get such silly ideas?”

Rose winced. “Um… but, didn’t Gastovski just get back from jail?”

Of course… anyone would be ashamed of being locked up, but not James. Hrmph! I bet he added some nice story on how the ‘white tyrant’ tortured him every day… Celestia let out a light chuckle. “Yes, he did, but, that is an exception, and that matter is… complicated. In any case, I am not throwing ponies – or anyone else for that matter – in the dungeon for trivialities. Please, remember that. Now if you will excuse me, I need to find Applejack.”

“Oh, she should still be tending her stall – over there,” Carrot said, pointing her hoof.

***

Applejack was near her stand talking to a unicorn stallion, his classy-looking suit with a tie contrasting with the rest of Ponyville. He was levitating some parchment with his magic and pointing something with his hoof.

“I need more time! There were some unforeseen—”

“Mrs. Applejack,” the stallion interrupted. “I’m here on behalf of my client, just making sure that the delivery will be on time. I do not have power of attorney to make decisions.”

Applejack bit her lip. “But… Mr. Legal Beagle, that’s just it. I don’t think I will be able to deliver on time, not with all the troubles we had recently… What’ll happen if I fail?”

Legal let out a sigh. “That is up to my client, but the contract you signed, gives him a lot of ways to proceed.”

“Excuse me, may I…” Celestia interrupted them, cocking her head in surprise. “Mr. Legal Beagle? I would never expect to see you here.”

Legal smiled and bowed his head. “Likewise, your Highness. A little getaway from the nobles?”

“Oh yes, Ponyville is a little… too dusty for them,” Celestia said with a smile. “What brings you here? Business or pleasure?”

“Business, unfortunately. Although, I may book my next vacation here – seems like a nice place to relax.”

“I see…” Celestia sighed. " Legal, I need to talk with Applejack, could you give us a minute?”

Legal smiled. “I was just leaving,” he turned to Applejack. “I will… inform my client of your troubles, you can probably expect to hear from me in a week. Goodbye Applejack, your Highness,” he bowed again and left.

Applejack sat in silence with her eyes locked on the silhouette of the legal pony, shrinking on the horizon. She was clutching her hat in her hooves, almost as if trying to strangle it.

“Is there something wrong Applejack—”

“No!” Applejack shouted, forcing a confused expression on the Princess’ face. “I’m sorry, but no, nothing’s wrong.”

“I see…” Celestia said, not buying her excuse for a second. “Applejack, I would like to have a word with you but… not in the open, please follow me,” after finding some – more or less – secluded location, Celestia begin. “I heard things Applejack, things I do not appreciate. Is it true that you attacked the other human without provocation or reason?”

Applejack sighed, she was expecting it will come to this eventually. “I did attack him, yes – but not without reason.”

“And what would that be?”

“I would rather not tell.”

“I am afraid that will not do Applejack. Attacking someone without provocation is an offense, I cannot just ignore.”

Hoofing the ground Applejack murmured, “I doubt he will press charges.”

“That is not the point!” Celestia said, with a raised voice and a visible frown on her face. “Applejack, you are one of the most honest ponies I have a privilege to know. I realize you would not attack anyone without a good reason, and the ponies at the market said, that you were calling him evil. I need to know why.”

Letting out a sigh, Applejack broke the eye contact and turned around. “He…” She pulled her hat to her chest, as the flashback of that nigh hit her yet again. Celestia watched, as the pony in front of her started shaking with sweat pouring down her temples. Applejack stayed like that for a good ten seconds.

“H-he tried to… eat me,” She finally said, violently shaking her head. “That night, I went to Zecora to get some herbs. When I was going back home, I realized I was being followed. I tried to run, but he caught me, and… If it weren’t for Gastovski…

Applejack let out a sigh. “Then, when I saw him with Apple Bloom, the memory of that night just flashed before my eyes. I… panicked! I couldn’t let him hurt her!”

Celestia wrapped her wing around the shaking mare, embracing her gently. “Why did you not say anything earlier?”

“I pinkie-promised Gastovski I won’t press charges… He did save me after all.”

Celestia sighed, that was one of those gray morality situations nobody liked. She knew humans eat meat on a regular basis, and John probably did what he did from hunger – on the other hoof, that didn’t change the fact he almost killed someone.

“Are you going to look for him?” Applejack said, interrupting Celestia’s pondering.

“Yes. I understand why you acted the way you did, but we need to clear this whole affair up.”

Applejack sighed. “He said he was sorry, I… perhaps I overreacted, I don’t know anymore… He also said he wasn’t going to stay for long.”

Celestia arched her eyebrow, confusion on her face. “That makes no sense… Can you repeat his words precisely?”

“I think it was something like ‘don’t worry, I’ll be out of your hair soon.’ Why?”

“I have a very bad feeling about this, I need to find him before he does something stupid…”

***

On the outskirts of Everfree, the wind was blowing lightly, rustling some leaves on the nearby trees. Even though most ponies feared that place, one couldn’t deny that in the daylight, some patches looked beautiful, and the area seemed so... Peaceful. No timberwolves, hydras or anything like that - just some wind, and sounds of wild nature. The only thing spoiling the view, was a shape of a lonely human, sitting curled under one of the trees. His body was motionless and eyes locked apathetically to the ground – from a distance, one could mistake him for a statue.

He took a deep breath, pulling a small locket out of one of his pockets. It was oval shaped and made out of gold-imitating material, visibly worn out by the time and war. For others, this was just an insignificant piece of metal, but for him, it was a terrifying monster – with fangs as sharp as knives, watching his every move. It’s glance piercing to the bone.

John stared at the pendant trying to ‘fight the beast’ – his eyes wide and hollow. Eventually, he mustered enough courage to try to open it and started moving his shaking hand towards the object… His motion was slow and sluggish, and sweat was pouring from his forehead as if some invisible force was working against him. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, his other hand involuntarily clenched around the pendant impeding his attempt.

Biting his lip, he pulled the medallion to his chest, and the pain intensified a thousandfold, as a tidal wave of memories rushed back to his head. Soon, a single tear streaked his cheeks, quickly followed by another. He couldn’t hold it any longer, nor did he wish to – rocking forth and back, he let out a torrent of tears.

“Why…” He mumbled to himself, weeping like a little girl. Why… A million dollar question, no one had an answer to…

As he sat there, alone and broken, his detached backpack caught his eye… Inside, still in its holster was a pistol. It was his trusted sidearm, a weapon that saved him so many times before… And now, he was contemplating if it could save him one last time. If it could… buy him a ticket out of there…

A rustle filled the air, disturbing the peaceful sounds of nature. “Hello? Anybody there?” He listened for a moment, but quickly let out a dark chuckle. “Nobody’s here you idiot… Those little horses made it clear they want you to get the hell out…”

The flashback of the recent events hit him again, with one particular quote playing in his head over and over. ”You don’t belong here!” That single phrase sounded like a validation… a validation he was looking for. “You’re goddamn right, I don’t belong here…”

He took the pistol out of its holster, loaded it with the full magazine and disabled the safety. With his hand shaking and some sweat pouring down his forehead, he placed the barrel of the gun on his temple and started squeezing the trigger…

“What if one of the kids hears the gunshot and comes here?” Shaking his head, he holstered the gun, securing it inside his armor. “No, they would have nightmares for the rest of their life… This needs to be quiet.” He took his backpack and pulled out a military-grade rope, stretched it a few times to be sure, and nodded. “That will do.”

Not wasting any more time, he used the attached carabiner to make a loop, then threw the rope over the nearby branch and climbed it. He stood there, looking down, with a noose around his neck – ready to make the step forward. The way he saw it, it was better for him and for them… It was a win-win situation, best for everyone.

“STOP!” His pondering was suddenly interrupted, by a loud, ordering voice. “Do not attempt anything foolish!”

John cocked his head, to notice Celestia standing nearby, looking at him with a vacant expression.

He let out a sigh. “My angel has come to rescue me one more time I see…”

“I realized you may do something like this… although I must admit, I did not think you would act so quickly.”

“Sorry to disappoint you…” John said with a dark chuckle, his hand still squeezing the noose. “I will give you a chance to leave before I… proceed. You can tell James where to find the body.”

Celestia started to slowly walk towards him, her eyes locked with his. “I realize that a lot has happened lately in your life, but—”

“But what? You’re going to tell me I can still enjoy the sunshine on my face or listening to birds singing? Or maybe that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem?”

Letting a deep sigh, Celestia shook her head. “John… I realize that no speech can alleviate the pain you feel right now, but please, give this world a chance. Do not waste your life, on an impulse.”

“Impulse?” His demeanor suddenly changed, his face going from hollow to irritated. “I was just thrown over time and space to… god-knows-where, and found out that everyone I cared about, everyone I loved, is dead!”

Celestia bit her lip, this wasn’t going well. “John, this is not what I meant—”

“And I got a pair of broken ribs plus ‘go to hell!’ package from your people because apparently, I’m some monster!”

“This was just a misunderstanding!”

“I have no future here, and no past to get back to, and you are calling my decision impulsive?!” He violently shook his head. “Hell, why am I even… I can’t believe I’m talking to a horse! Last chance – get out!”

“I will not do that, John, it is my duty as a princess of Equestria, to help my subjects in the time of need. That includes you.”

“Not anymore!” He said, pushing himself off the branch, his eyes closing on their own.

Would it hurt? Would he just hear his spine snapping? Or would there be a searing pain shooting through his body? He didn’t know what to expect, but the feeling of being enveloped by an itching, warm sensation, wasn’t high on the list.

“Huh?” He opened his eyes, to realize he was floating. “What the hell?!”

“Please, calm down,” Celestia said, trying to remove the rope from around his neck with her magic.

“Who the hell do you think you are?! Leave me alone!” He flailed his arms, in a futile attempt to break free, but it was no use.

Celestia was working on the rope until a click sound filled the air. She turned her eyes to see that in his right hand, John was holding his trusted sidearm. Her eyes widened, she concentrated her magic on his arm, preventing its movement.

“Goddamnit! Let go you crazy horse!”

As she tried twisting the pistol out of his hand it discharged into the ground near her, one, two, three times – each bullet getting closer and closer to her hooves. She tried twisting the gun one more time when another shot hit some dirt in front of her, sending it flying directly in her face. Wincing, she closed her eyes and dropped her forcefield for maybe a second or two, but when her vision cleaned, John was holding his pistol to his temple. Just as he started pulling the trigger, she grabbed the gun one more time and pulled it away with force…

The sound of discharge filled the air and the next few seconds were a blur. John dropped the gun and grabbed his neck – a stream of blood gushing through his fingers. A moment later, he fell to his knees as his breath turned into a constant gurgle.

Celestia observed the gruesome scene with horror, her body frozen and unable to move – it was not until John lost consciousness that her senses came back to her. Not wasting any time, she lit her horn and teleported both of them to Twilight’s castle.

In a nearby bush, Scootaloo sat in silence, her mouth hanging agape – not believing what she just witnessed…