Author's Note

Chapter. Ugh, this one was hard. It just sucked. It was like pulling teeth. But it came out. So there's that.

This day sucked. Like just all around sucked. So If somepony wants to send me adorable pictures of Dashie, I will love them forever.

Special thanks to my mom for helping me figure this out. You rock!

Enjoy the chapter, and Wind Rider's punishment!

Well I Paid A Visit

Wind Rider’s eyes widened at her question, and his heart began beating faster. Of all the possibilities in how this would end, he had considered many, and planned for some. He had considered Spitfire surrendering to him, and planned elaborate torment. He had considered Rainbow Dash escaping, and had planned a few boobie traps around the grounds to do this. He had considered this ending in him being beaten to a pulp, which had happened. But he had not considered this. In all actuality, he had not thought that this would go all the way up to the Princess. Oh, he had assumed that he would be caught somehow. And he had been prepared and ready for that. However, he had, in hindsight, foolishly thought that retribution would be given at the hooves of Spitfire or maybe Rainbow Dash’s friends.

Not Celestia herself.

Really, though, he should have seen it coming, knowing who her friends were. But he couldn’t think about that now. Now, he awaited his punishment at the hooves of the most powerful ruler of Equestria.

Celestia stared at him for a long time. She had seen creatures commit heinous crimes against ponies, but usually it was in the pursuit of power. And even though this was a crime against one pony and not thousands, somehow, this was worse. Because this wasn’t a quest for power or money, or anything that big. This was about something as petty as revenge for a stolen spotlight. And it sickened her. Because of his actions, Rainbow Dash may very well never recover from these events.

She was a professional at remaining self-possessed, but this time her anger was palpable. A dozen options for punishment floated through her mind. She could have him work in the castle, or she could send him to the edge of Equestria. She could let Discord play with him, or maybe send her sister to haunt his dreams. All of these options came through her mind, but none seemed severe enough. She wanted this to stick.

The tension was electrifying. Wind Rider became more and more uneasy with every minute that passed. Celestia’s stare was absolutely piercing. It was like she was looking straight into his soul. Her lips pursed in a thin line. Apparently she did not like what she saw. After an eternity of silence, she spoke.

“I’ve been thinking, Wind Rider.” She said, slowly. Wind Rider couldn’t stop himself from gulping. “What punishment would best teach you your lesson?” She went forward. She looked utterly displeased, completely infuriated. And he knew exactly what would become of him. In a few words: He. Was. Dead. “I’ve thought over a dozen different punishments in my mind, and none seemed severe enough. So I will give you this. Wind Rider, I hereby banish you to Tartarus!”

“WHAT?!?!” He exclaimed. “You can’t lump me in with those criminals! I’m nowhere near as bad as them!”

“You’re right.” She agreed, and it gave him pause. Was she revoking her words? His erroneous assumption was proven wrong a moment later. She spoke with a snarl. “You’re worse.”

His mouth hung open. “I-“ She raised one hoof and it shut him up.

“Most creatures who incur the punishment of this magnitude have done such atrocities to thousands of ponies on a grand scale. Usually they do it in the pursuit of power, money, fear, things of the like. You did all of this to two ponies for the petty reason of revenge. And to add to it, you meticulously planned out this torment, to one pony. You didn’t like what Spitfire told you so you crushed Rainbow Dash’s bones to torture them both. And you knew that if you did so she may never fly again, and never beat your record. You did all of this over something so small, so trivial, and you knew the exact level of cruelty this required. I have seen many criminals in my time, but you are the worst I have ever seen.” She said.

“Me?” He parroted.

“You.” She said. Her gaze was unremitting.

He resisted the urge to squirm under her glare. She stepped forward.

“Are you sorry for what you’ve done?”

“Yes.” He said.

She looked at him. “No you’re not. You’re just sorry you got caught.”

He almost blushed. She was right. But he would not lose any more of his dignity. He had to have something left.

Celestia never noticed his internal dialogue. “There will be two guards stationed outside of your door, and another in here. When the doctor deems you stable, I will be back to escort you to your new home.” She said. It seemed to him that she was almost smirking as she finished that sentence. But that had to be his imagination… Right? It had to be. Celestia was a royal, she didn’t take pleasure in other ponies’ torment… Didn’t she? Wind Rider swallowed again at her cold and callous demeanor. It was only when she could see the fear in his eyes, that she started back to the door. Wind Rider breathed an almost silent sigh of relief. Celestia smirked a bit to herself, hearing the exhale with her sensitive ears. He was getting exactly what he deserved. She spoke with the doctor for a brief moment about the guards, and he nodded. Then, she sent a scroll to her sister, asking her to send a few of them. She wanted no room for error with this- she had to be sure that he would not escape. Not that he could have done it easily in his current state, but she had learned to never underestimate ponies like him.

Only when the Princess had passed through the doorway and was completely out of his eyeline did he finally relax. He looked around, seeking a way out. There was a window, but not one big enough to fit through. There was a door to a connecting bathroom that seemed to have a window in it judging from the sunlight in there. But he expected that it was too small too. His theory was confirmed when he used the restroom later. Too small. As he climbed into his hospital bed, only one thought went through his head:

What am I going to do?