Princess Celestia's New Creed

by S. K. RyDer

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Doctor Whooves, Sad, Princess Luna, Original Character, Apple Bloom, Octavia, Scootaloo, Princess Celestia, DJ P0N-3, Main 6, Gore
Length: 22298

Princess Celestia enslaves the Earth Ponies

It's been three years since Princess Luna returned from her imprisonment from the moon, and she and her sister are ready to once again take up the Fall Equinox once more.

Although, with the new creeds and laws, will Equestria ever be the same?

Published 2011-12-15 23:34:21 UTC
Last updated 2011-12-25 23:12:32 UTC

Purity First

“Today’s the day!” Pinkie Pie was, as usual, singing to herself. After all, this was the day that the two sisters were to put aside their differences, and be as one again.
“OH! The Equinox! The Equinox! No more sister-sister Paradox! They’ll be friends again, they’ll love each other again! OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH--”
“Ready to go Pinkamena?” The earth pony turned, seeing Skorpeon right outside SugarCube Corner’s door.
“Gimme a second Skor!” She said, pulling a pink satchel onto her hips. “I still need a few more things for the road!”
Skorpeon nodded, going beyond her range of vision. Pinkie Pie looked at her pink cannon that shot the party equipment from it. She shook her head. Too bulky this trip. She WOULD just use her hammer space emulator, but not today.
“Wait up guys!” Pinkie Pie dove out the door, bouncing to the sides of her friends.
“Typical Pinkie.” The violet Unicorn muttered, trying to restrain herself from going into “Pinkie Mode”.
“Y’all hear about these here new law thingies they’re gonna be talkin’ about?” Apple Jack’s little sister was riding on the elder’s back, “There should be a law against Cutie Marks not shown’ up!”
“Hold yer fillies,” Apple Jack chuckled, “’member what we keep tellin’ ya; it’ll come in due
tahm.”

Applebloom made a sound similar to a tuba, resting her face on her hooves.

“I don’t know about you,” Rarity sighed, “But I think it will be an absolute DREAM to return to Canterlot. The fine dining, the entourage, Fancy Pants.”

“The Blue Bloods.” Skorpeon snorted, “Never did like those people.”

“But Skorpeon, you said you came from Britain?”

“I’m of British decent.” He corrected, bouncing the cyan satchel on his shoulder, “I’m British until my maternal grandmother. I grew up in Canada.”

“And how posh are they?” The tiny white Unicorn piped up, “Really posh, or not so much?”

“Think of it this way: Canada has people slaughtering pigs for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all meals in-between.” He chuckled, “Not saying they’re bad, though.”

“Dad, come on.” Miles, though you couldn’t see behind the goggles he wore, rolled his eyes, “Just because Fluttershy’s not around…”

“What?” Skorpeon looked at his son, “Can’t say anything about Bacon?”

“Personally, I think it’s barbaric.” Miles said, brushing his bangs form his goggles.

“Yeah, now you do when you’re in love with Equestria’s most timid pony.”

“And proud of it, pops.” Miles said, breaking away from the group to head to a small house by the edge of a forest.

Skorpeon led the rest to his cabin, he still had two things to grab:

“Dashie? Scoots?” He opened the door, looking for his Marefriend and student.

“In here!” A voice called from the far bedroom, to which Skorpeon followed.

“You two ready?” Skorpeon asked, cracking the door open a moment later.

“Yeah, give us just one more sec.” Rainbow Dash had tied her hair back in a small ponytail, weaving a few flowers into her rainbow-colored mane.

The orange Pegasus at her hooves yelped as Rainbow Dash’s brush clipped her scalp.

“There. Let’s go.” Rainbow Dash tossed the brush over her shoulder, helping Scootaloo up off the bed.

Skorpeon held the door open, placing his paw on Dash’s shoulder as the three walked back outside.

“Shall we go now?” Miles asked, yellow Pegasus and white rabbit in tow, “I think the Eclipse will happen before we even leave now.”

“Whatev’s little man.” Skorpeon chuckled, slinging another satchel onto his silver shoulder.

“Alright, we have all thirteen of us, we’ve got our equipment, so let’s go!” Twilight, Spike, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle took the lead, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Fluttershy, Angel, Skorpeon, and Miles behind them, with the three Earth Ponies behind.

“So, what are these new creeds we were told about going to be, do you think?” Rainbow Dash asked after a moment of silence as the foxes and ponies walked the path to Canterlot.

Skorpeon, Pinkie Pie and Apple Jack looked at each other, “Uh, there’s one on, um…” Pinkie Pie tried to think of something, “Inflagration, was it called?”

“Ugh, never mind.” Rainbow Dash climbed onto Skorpeon’s back, wrapping her wings around his body, “Just wake me when we get there.” Skorpeon chuckled, successfully stopping the memories that were trying to shove their way through.

They walked the good thirty-seven miles to Canterlot just before Luna’s moon rose. The Equinox was the next day, allowing Twilight and Spike to go to her old library-house to grab a few things for the Princesses.

The rest of the ponies made their way to the Shining Hooves Hotel to get their room claimed. Twilight and Spike had to accept Celestia’s help to get room there. Almost all of Equestria was attending the first Equinox in a thousand years, naturally making all the hotels’ managers break out the “No Vacancy” signs for the first time in Celestia know how long.

Skorpeon, donning his “Skorpony” disguise, trotted to the counter, “Room for thirteen, reserved for Twilight Sparkle and Company?”

The deskcolt looked at Skorpeon, “And is Miss Sparkle present?”

Skorpony shook his head, “She’s off doing business, here.” He pulled a piece of parchment from Rainbow Dash’s satchel, placing it on the desk.

The deskcolt levitated it in his aura, reading what it said. He muttered something about tubas, then handed Skorpony three keys.

“Your rooms are on the fifth floor, fifteen through seventeen.” The deskcolt waved a hoof, as if to get Skorpony away as quick as possible.

“Hookay.” Skorpony led the way to the fifth floor, opening the three doors they were assigned to.

They were quite similar, the couches were positioned in the very center of the room, the drapes were open almost perfectly half-way, the suede-colored carpet looked as if it was replaced after every use.

“Oah.” Rarity sighed, entranced by the noble sight. “How marvelous.”

Apple Jack rolled her eyes, “Now Rarity, jus because we’re stayin’ in Silver Hooves, don’t mean that we’re--”

She was cut off as AppleBloom and Scootaloo dove right over her, the Crusaders bolting straight for the large bed.

Rarity was horrified as the three fillies rumpled the way the sheets were perfectly folded on the bed, turning it into a massive mess.

“Girls!” She hollered, trying to get them under control. “GIRLS!”

Skorpeon and Miles suppressed a laugh, claiming the room as far away from the Crusaders.

AppleJack and Pinkie Pie took the center room, settling right into the comfort of the feather-filled beds.

It had been a long day of walking; a good ten hours. Skorpeon laid Rainbow Dash onto the bed against the wall, brushing her mane from her eyes. He looked at how beautiful the young Pegasus slept, comparable to Mei Ling.

“Hey Dad.” Miles was looking out the window, “What’s that?”

Skorpeon looked at what Miles was pointing at; “Canterlot Castle. That’s where Celestia lives.”

“Typical.” Miles said, closing the curtains, “The leader lives in an Ivory Tower. I should have figured.”
“Fitting for her tyrannical leadership these days.” Skorpeon growled in RyDeresse.
“You okay dad?”
“No. Not really.” Skorpeon sat on the edge of the bed, waving his wand over Dash’s ears, “Princess Celestia wants to lay some new laws down, as well as modify others. A few I understand. One I hate with a deep, loathing passion.”
“And we’re Conversing, why?” Miles asked, unlatching his goggles.
“We’re Conversing, because of one of her new creeds. I’ve been going to the conferences and tried hard to appease to the court against this.”
Miles cocked his head, “Something wrong with it?”
Skorpeon nodded, “I am legally gagged until after the Equinox tomorrow. But I will say this; what Celestia wants to do will shatter the rights that DisQord actually placed for them.”
Miles nodded, eyes half open. The door opened, showing Fluttershy, Spike, and Twilight.
“Hey Miles.” Fluttershy walked to the silver fox.
“Have fun Shy?” Miles placed an arm around her as she jumped up on the bed next to her fox.
“Oh yes. Twilight introduced me to the caretaker there. He’s quite charming for a Unicorn.”
Miles nodded, placing his cheek on her mane.
Skorpeon failed to suppress a smile; Miles and Fluttershy were actually a pretty good picture together.
“We’ll leave you four to your room.” Twilight backed out, almost slamming the door as she dove for the room across the hall.
Skorpeon looked at Miles and Fluttershy, “Maybe we should get to sleep.” Skorpeon said, “When’s the Equinox?”
“Seven, I think.” Fluttershy said, “It’s at seven?”
Skorpeon muttered something, burying his face in his paws. He laid down next to Rainbow Dash, trying to not think about the impending failure he could experience in a few hours’ time.

*=====*

The six ponies, three fillies, two foxes, lone dragon, and Angel, were sitting on the rooftop almost directly behind the podium where Princess Celestia would give her creeds.
They were talking between themselves, save for Skorpeon. He was brooding over the conference a mere ten minutes prior.
I failed. he told Moony, I failed the conference.
You tried your best Skor. she was being sympathetic. Why couldn’t Celestia either. But you know my sister. Someone tries to disagree with her, and she’ll send them to the moon for a millennium.
And they say DisQord was the tyrant.
The two’s link was broken when the fanfare went off. Skorpeon clenched his fist, trying not to pounce just yet.
“Pegasisters!” Princess Luna was using the Canterlot Voice so they could all hear, “Bronies! Welcome, to the first Equinox in a thousand years!”
“A thousand years of disagreements!” Princess Celestia took her turn, “A thousand years of the past. For the first time since Nightmare Moon’s reign, we will stand united! Ready sister?”
The two Alicorns took their positions, horns glowing their respective violet and azure.
The moon rose behind Princess Celestia, casting a white glow on the spectators. Luna flew above Celestia, the sun rising along with her. The two sisters rose as one, the sun positioned itself behind the moon as the two sisters mirrored their responsibilities for that one moment.
After a moment, the Alicorns let go, the moon falling back to its position.
“There are a few creeds and laws that are to be placed, though.” Princess Luna shot a dirty look at her sister.
“Here we go.” Skorpeon threw the cloak on, placed the hood over his eyes, then took off over the rooftops. He positioned himself right behind Celestia, giving his wrist an experimental flick.

“…And finally!” Celestia took over again, Skorpeon’s rage not allowing him to hear what she was saying.
Luna shook her head, “Of which I do not agree with sister.” She said. That was the word. Skorpeon flicked his right arm, grabbed the wire, and slid.
“AHKEYAAHHHH!” He flicked his left arm, positioning it to hit Celestia right between her shoulder blades.
Skorpeon was within blade’s reach when it happened; Celestia was knocked out of the way as a burly guard knocked her to the ground.
The guard screamed as the blade sunk into his chest. Skorpeon cursed as Celestia’s hoof connected with his head.

Skorpeon shook his head, that wouldn’t work. He flicked his right wrist, “You win this round Celestia.” He slowly walked back to the ponies.
“Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie. I’m sorry. I tried.”
The two Earth ponies hung their head as Princess Celestia’s words hit them.
“Earth Pony Segregation will be RECOMMENDED. Actually, after today, Earth Ponies will be considered Low-Life. Starting today, anypony who manages to capture an Earth Pony will be rewarded.”
There was an outcry as Ponies protested to this news.
“What?” Twilight shrieked, “They can’t get away with this!”
“Twilight, Celestia herself passed the creed. There’s nothing we can do.”
Skorpeon looked at Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie. “I tried my best. Their minds wouldn’t be changed.”
The Royal Guards were rounding up the various ponies in the audience, seeing the Earth Ponies captured like the Twi’lek were back on Coruscant.
Skorpeon sighed, throwing his Invisibility cloak over the two earth ponies on the roof. The Bearers, Crusaders, and Miles dove off the roof, leaving Skorpeon alone to try an combat the guards rounding up the Earth Ponies that were too slow to—
“VYNIL!!” He heard a familiar voice call, his instincts kicked in.
He dove off the roof, using the device hidden in his right sleeve to catapult himself over a Royal Guard. He ran to where a pale white Unicorn was protecting a grey Earth Pony.
“Leave her alone!” the Electric blue hair was shaking, tears forming in her blood-red eyes, “What did we do?!”
“You guys weren’t born with wings or Magic!” Skorpeon leapt over one guard, planting a kick to the other. “Come on!” He grabbed Octavia, slinging her onto his back. The three ran through the chaos.
“RyDer!” Skorpeon made the mistake of turning around; Princess Celestia was aiming a blue orb of energy at him. Before he could do anything, a guard grabbed Skorpeon’s arms, the other taking Octavia from his back.
“Vinyl!” She tried to fight the magic encasing her, fear for both her life and the life of her unborn foal showing in her eyes.
“Octavia!” Her horn glowed, and a small hole formed in Celestia’s magic. Skorpeon saw a fluid motion from the corner of his eye, the sound of hoof striking horn, and Vinyl Scratch crying out in pain as her horn clattered to the ground.
Skorpeon’s vision clouded over with rage, “Force.” He muttered, “PUSH!” Celestia was knocked to the ground as the energy hit her, Skorpeon diving on top of her.
“Guards!” She cried, trying to get the fox off of her.
Skorpeon looked into the blue eyes of Celestia, “You aren’t getting away with this as long as I’m alive.” Skorpeon growled, flicking his left wrist.
“GUARDS!!” She shrieked. Skorpeon slapped her.
“SHUT UP!” Skorpeon brought his paw back, ready to attack. He felt something hit the back of his head.

Skorpeon hit the ground with a pronounced thud, blood pooling under his head.

“Let’s go.” Celestia panted, “Leave him. He can’t do anything.”

The three guards followed Celestia, levitating the crying Earth Pony between them.

Skorpeon groaned; the back of his head was pressed under a building.

“…tried to save her, but the guards wouldn’t allow it.” He heard somepony sobbing.

He opened his eyes, trying to make sense of what happened.

“Spike.” He heard Twilight speak up.

He sat up, causing the DJ to jump into the roof, “Sorry Vinyl.”

Twilight looked at Skorpeon, “Spike, take a letter.”

He heard Spike mutter something, pulling a quill and paper towards himself, “Shoot.”

Dear Princess Celestia,

Due to this new “creed” you are laying out, I must say that I cannot support you.
You are taking the rights and liberties of Earth Ponies all over Equestria away as if
they were nothing more than typical animal straight from the Everfree Forest.
You are taking the rights of ponies away from them.
Half the friends I made in Ponyville are Earth ponies, and you’ve been sweeping
them away as if the fact they were born without wings or magic is a bad thing.
I have to say, I do not want to continue under the tutelage of a leader who’s taking
my friends from me.

Twilight Sparkle.

Everyone looked at Twilight, who had tears streaming in her eyes.
“She’s enslaving Earth Ponies,” she whispered, “I don’t want to look up to somepony that’s that cruel.”
Spike sent the letter off, then walked over to Twilight. “It’ll be okay Twi. I’m pretty sure that she won’t care about Pinkie and Apple Jack.”
Suddenly, there was a loud crash next door, followed by some screaming.
“Apple Jack!” Twilight rushed out the door, only to be impeded by a Guard.
“This hall is off limits to unauthorized--” his sentence was cut off as there was another crash: Skorpeon slamming his way through the wall.
“LEAVE THEM THE BUCK ALONE!” Skorpeon roared. He flicked his wrist, slamming his paw on a guard’s chest.
The guard roared in pain as Skorpeon thrust his paw towards the ground, the Unicorn collapsing in a pool of blood.
Another guard ensnared Skorpeon in a green aura as two other grabbed Pinkie Pie and Apple Jack.
“Let us go!” Pinkie Pie tried to break the energy holding her t-posed in the air, “We are the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony!”
“Let me go!” Apple Jack managed to free her left forelock, planting it right in the unsuspecting guard’s crotch. The guard crumpled, dropping Skorpeon and Applejack. Together the two knocked the third to the floor, Skorpeon recognized him;
“This is for Vincenza.” He pulled his knife from its sheath and swung it right into the base of his horn.
The guard roared as he felt the horn break off, and then felt something connect with his chest.
“Girls!” Skorpeon sensed more coming, “Over here!” He grabbed Pinkie Pie around the wait, grabbed Apple Jack’s hoof, “Rainbow Dash! Hiert dehn sengza!”
He spun, Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie in tow through the rubber tube. They landed in Skorpeon’s cabin with a wood-creaking thud. The three of them were breathing heavily.
He heard a small discharge of air as Rainbow Dash teleported with everypony else.
“Everyone alright?” he called, “We got them all?”
“Everyone’s here dad.” Miles was still holding Fluttershy on his back, daring anyone to get close.
Apple Bloom was shaking, “Where—where are the guards?”
Skorpeon looked at her, “Hopefully, nowhere near here.”
The ponies visually relaxed, but they still moved with great caution; as if any moment, there would be the great white flash of a Unicorn teleporting, and the skirmish would begin again.
Skorpeon finally looked at what he was clutching in his paw; the unicorn’s horn.
Guess I don’t need to worry about Hermoine getting me some for a while now. he thought grimly.
“Skorpeon?” He turned to the young Jockey, “Is there any way to--”
“There is one.” He slipped the Guard’s horn in his pocket, “Let me see.” He took her horn from her, realigning it to the shattered stump. There were bits missing. The bits that were probably strewn on the Canterlot streets by now.
“Vulnera Maxima” he whispered. The horn reattached itself, then the missing patches healed over.
“You may still have you Magic, you may not. The only other time I—Ah fuck.”
Skorpeon’s gaze had wandered from Vinyl Scratch’s horn to the window. He saw a patch of white fur and a glimmer of gold.
“They’re here.” He sensed them coming up fast. Too fast to hide Pinkie Pie or Apple Jack.
He swung his whole arm, knocking the ponies from his couch, then the couch slammed against the door. He swung again, and the couch landed with a resounding CRASH!
Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, AppleBloom, and Rarity picked themselves off the floor, appalled by the sudden change of Skorpeon’s mood.
“Skorpeon RyDer!” They heard Princess Celestia’s voice resonating from the very walls. “Open the door and hand the Dirt Ponies over!”
Skorpeon looked out through his bangs, his eyes glowing black, “And that’s actually Celestia. There’s nothing pointing away from an imposter like AyJay’s. FUCK YOU CELESTIA!”
He pulled a black-and-yellow device from his cloak, pulling a chain four times. The devices started crying like an angry bee as he positioned himself behind the door.
“Girls: Hide.” He jumped, planting a fist into the ceiling and hoisting himself up-side-down on the ceiling.
He growled, the hood of his cloak coming over his eyes. He held the chainsaw at the ready. The ponies ran into Mile’s workshop.
The couch became encased in a blue glow, then rose a fraction of an inch.
Skorpeon narrowed his eye, waiting for somepony to show their head.
The couch flew across the room, knocking a nice hole in the wall. Skorpeon tensed, releasing his grip on the ceiling a fraction.
A guard kicked the door down, levitating a t-shaped piece of metal. He was wearing a black uniform.
Skorpeon let him pass. Celestia followed. Skorpeon let go, kicking the Chainsaw back to life;
“Armstrong McGyver Farnsworth!” He brought the roaring machine into Celestia’s back, almost savoring the blood that hit him as the weapon ripped the Sun Princess inside out.
He felt Celestia’s breathing stop. He heard her heart stop beating as the blood ran clear.
“Adios Mother Fu--” His taunt was cut off as he felt another beam of magic ensnare him.
“You failed RyDer.” The real princess barged her way in, her eyes narrowed into small slits. “You think I’m going to just waltz right into someone’s house that I know has the capabilities of killing? No. That’s why I gave her a potion to make her look like me. Look, look, its wearing off!”
Skorpeon was forced to watch as the dead Alicorn shimmered, the illusion wearing off.
The white fur turned purple, waving mane shrinking into a small pink one. The horn and Wings vanished, revealing three smiling flowers on her flank.
Skorpeon bared his teeth, his animal instincts kicking in. He barked at Celestia, tyring to fight her magic.
“You can’t touch me. Now, where are the Dirt Ponies?” She looked right at the steel door that marked Miles’ workshop. Without warning, she sent a ball of energy towards it.
There was a massive crash and a yell of pain as the steel door fell inwards. Celestia and her lone guard walked in, releasing their hold on Skorpeon.
Skorpeon dove right for the pony that was laying on the floor. There was shock forever frozen on her face. Skorpeon Stared, trying to find her soul. He cursed Celestia. He killed an innocent pony.
“Force!” Skorpeon jumped up at Celestia’s voice, running right for her. “PUSH!”
Celestia spun; an invisible barrier encased her, the energy going right around her. Another moment later and Skorpeon was caught in her magic again.
She looked at Skorpeon, her magenta eyes glowing, “You, RyDer, are committing treason to the crown of Equestria. I would lock you up for the rest of time, but I do owe you for saving Luna’s life.”
Skorpeon glared at the Sun Princess, “Then forget about you ‘Purity First’ crap. Earth Ponies are just as useful as either Pegasi and Unicorns. As I said this morning, as I said weeks ago.”
Celestia glared right back at him, “I was meaning that you will not be jailed. Yet.”
She levitated the three Earth Ponies, struggling against their bonds. She made it halfway to the door before Apple Jack got her right hoof loose. She knocked her beloved Stetson off her head, catching it in her mouth.

“Skorpeon!” She said as best she could, She flung the hat across the room, ringing it neatly on Skorpeon’s head, “Always remember us! NEVER FORGET!”

There was a flash of light that left a small cloud of dust. Skorpeon fell to the ground, Apple Jack’s hat following.

He stayed in that position a moment, on his paws and knees. It had been almost a month since they got the real Apple Jack back. He had promised to protect them. He failed. They were now considered Equestrian Slaves.

“All rise!” the Unicorn wearing the powdered wig was leading again, “Princess Celestia of the Sun and Princess Luna of the Moon residing.”

Skorpeon stood, mainly for Luna’s respect. These conferences were getting more and more on his nerves with this new “Purity First” creed. He was trying his best to sway them. No dice.

“Sit.” Celestia commanded, taking her side of the podium. “This will be the final conference on the creeds and laws for this years’ Equinox.” She said, “First up, Purity First.”

“Which I think is still a bad-as-hay idea.” Skorpeon got right to the point, tapping a small notification on his Pip-Buck, “But, I have one final piece of evidence against it.”

“OBJECTION!” a Jury Colt called, “He’s given enough on the matter, and Her Highness Princess Celestia has already given her say on the matter!”

“Overruled.” Luna said, “Continue Mister RyDer”

Skorpeon grinned, “I think everyone will be more than pleased to welcome four of Equestria’s Fashion Designers.” He pointed to the door, which swung inward.

Eight Earth Ponies trotted in, the same look of rage on their faces.

The first one, a grey stallion with a snow mane, was practically shooting daggers with every step he took. The second and third, one a bright yellow, the other grey with black mane and lugging a cello case on her back, were still shocked with the face that there were creatures like Skorpeon, so they didn’t exactly hear why he needed their help.

The fourth, a Mare wearing thick glasses that obscured half her face, was on a small podium being carried by the last four Earth Ponies.

“These four Earth Ponies are the most popular in all of Equestria.”

“And what are their names?” The stenographer looked at Skorpeon over her half-rim glasses.

“My name is Hoity Toity.” The grey stallion put emphasis on his name, almost daring them to forget.

“I, dahling, am the Equestria renowned pop-artist. Saphire SHOOOREEEESS!” She sang her name on such a high, which caused Skorpeon’s ears to ring for a moment.

“My name is Octavia Philharmonica.” She looked at Celestia, “And I still--”

“I am only asking for names!” the stenographer whined, looking at the fourth, who was now stepping down from her podium.

“And I am. Photo Feeneesh!” She put great emphasis on her name, even posing for the court to admire her.

“I like Photo Finish’s approach to life.” Celestia said.

“YOU SHUT UP NOW!” Skorpeon roared, “We didn’t ask for your opinion.”

“Yeah, if you’re going to enslave us,” Hoity Tioty said, lowering his glasses so that he could look at Celestia, “You might as well give us the final hour of respect.”

“To Hay with hour. How about eternity?” Saphire said, glaring right at Celestia, “And here ah thought the eternal naght was going to be horrible.”

Celestia yawned, “I have no time to deal with Dirt Ponies.” She said, “But go on. I doubt you’ll change my mind.”

Skorpeon felt Luna nudge into his mind, What are you playing at Skorpeon?

Just let me work this out. I know I can. “Ponies of the court.” He said, gathering the attention of the many Unicorns and Pegasi surrounding him, “I present four artists, two of music, and two of fashion. All Earth Ponies.”

“The term is ‘Dirt’” the same Unicorn that spoke earlier shipped in. Skorpeon ignored him.

“How many of you are wearing something of Hoity’s or Photo’s?” He looked around at the mass of ponies, about a quarter had their hooves raised. “What about listening to either Saphire’s or Octavia’s music? Come on, I have three albums of Saphire’s myself, and I am not Equestrian.”

A better ratio of ponies raised their hooves this time. “Imagine, if you will, if we WERE to enslave these ponies. There would be no new music, and imagine wearing these.” He waved his wand, transforming everypony’s outfit into the same burlap sack. They all recoiled in horror at the illusion, trying to claw it form their bodies.

Skorpeon waved his wand again, their clothes returning to normal, albeit slightly ruffled. “That is the future of ALL Equestrians if this were to happen.”

Celestia rolled her eyes, “And how many of you are wearing Fancy Pant’s work, or listening to Black Gryph0n’s music? Marey Gaga perchance?"

Skorpeon groaned as everypony present raised their hooves. “Trollestia strikes ay-fucking-gain.” He slapped a paw over his eyes, muttering to himself.

“Before we move on, I have one more piece of evidence.” Skorpeon said, “Thank you, Earth Ponies for your time.”

“And what is it?” Luna herself asked this question. If it was good, her sister couldn’t argue. Granted, every piece of evidence that Skorpeon showed was turned down, but she was still hopeful.

“I don’t think I’ll need him to introduce himself.” Skorpeon said, “I’m pretty sure we all remember him from a few months back.”

“And who is this?” Celestia drawled, “If it’s another Dirt Pony, I will be massively dis-impressed.”

“Not even a word.” He muttered to himself, then spoke out, “Come on out, big guy.”

The doors opened up, revealing a strange creature. He had the tail of a dragon, the wings of a pat and a Pegasus. He had a lion’s paw and an eagle’s talon for arms, which connected to a furry serpent’s body. He gawked at Celestia with a goat’s face, with a blue horn reminiscent to a ram’s.

“Celestia, it’s been too long.” He chuckled.

“DisQord!” Celestia found her voice again. “How- bu- wha- how- how-”

“Simple. Skorpeon released me.” He pointed a claw at the red fox, “But we have an agreement.”

“I’m listening, even if my sister isn’t.” Luna spoke to the Draconequus with inept interest.

“Luna no!” Celestia looked at DisQord, trying to keep her voice calm, “What- what is the agreement.”

“Skorpeon and I have come to an idea: I am allowed to run free again, if and only if you enslave Earth Ponies. BUT! If you decide to recall this Purity call, then I will gladly limit my powers and not unleash pure chaos. A chocolate raincloud here, then a month later I allow one apple to grow in extreme sizes there.”

Celestia closed her eyes; My crown, or my creed? Crown or Creed? “Deal. ” she sensed a bluff somewhere. She held her hoof out, “Shake on it.”

Skorpeon’s eyes widened. “DAMMIT ALL!” The one thing he didn’t factor in; you can’t shake hands with illusions. Standard principal.

DisQord vanished with a loud POP. Skorpeon sunk to the floor, defeated.

Celestia, smiling, rose up again, “Next up, Same Sex Marriges.”

Skorpeon stood, shuffling out of the courtroom. He failed.

Skorpeon looked up when someone called his name. Rainbow Dash was sitting beside him, her crimson eyes watering over, “You alright?”

Skorpeon stood, wiping his eyes. His voice cracked when he spoke, “I tried. I tried my damndest to protect their rights. And I failed. I failed miserably.” He brushed Rainbow Dash’s tail from him, stalking towards the bathroom.

He locked the door, placing his paws on both sides of the sink. He looked at the fox in the mirror. The fox that failed what he had fought so long for.

Without thinking, Skorpeon brought his right paw against the mirror, “STUPID!” He wanted to hurt that fox that was crying. Trying to get some sense in him. “Stupid! Fucking STUPID!” He slammed his fist on the mirror one last time. He brought both fists against the sink. He cried for a moment longer, then became slowly aware of a red-hot pain in his paw. Skorpeon pulled a piece of glass from it, letting his blood trickle down his arm.

He sunk to the floor, “Why?” he asked himself, “Why wouldn’t they listen?”

He felt something snap; The Apple Family, Pinkie Pie and the Cakes, The Flower Sisters, and countless others in Equestria were going to be enslaved. No, they were enslaved.

“NO!” He yelled at himself, “NOOO!” His agony became physical as he felt his fur catch fire. It began at his chest, close to his heart. It spread to every extremity of his body. He tried to beat it off, but it wouldn’t stop. He cried out in pain as the burning spread.

It ended as fast as it began, leaving Skorpeon breathing heavily.

Did… I… just… He rose slowly, seeing himself in the cracked mirror.

His fur had gone from a blood-red to a marbled black and blue. His hair, once pale white, was now dark blue with a solitary purple stripe.

The new fox looked back at him, then it hit; He had Mortified again.

“Skorpeon!” He heard Rainbow Dash knocking on the door, “You okay in there?”

Skorpeon unlocked the door, allowing Rainbow Dash to dive into his arms, “I don’t know if I’ll be okay again.” He whispered in his ear, “Dark times will be trying for all, Equestrians and RyDers alike.”

Rainbow Dash looked up, noticing his color-change, “What happened?”

Skorpeon sighed, “It’s trying for all of us. I won’t be surprised if Miles Mortifies again.”

Rainbow Dash’s face went from sheer shock to admiration, “Atleast you look twenty percent cooler?”

Skorpeon shook his head, “and feeling twenty percent shittier.”

Octavia Philharmonica

Octavia Philharmonica:

“Who will give me fifty-five?” the auctioneer suddenly sped to a vocal range that Octavia couldn’t keep up with.
“So this is how it is now.” She told herself. “This is how it is, Octavia. Being sold like a watermelon. With a smaller watermelon inside the first.”
She closed her eyes with a heavy sigh. “I miss you, Vinyl.” She couldn’t forget the screams of her lover when the guard brought a heavy hoof on her horn.
“SOLD!” the auctioneer yelled, snapping Octavia out of her mournful sorrow.
“Next up, a lovely grey Dirt Pony. Her talent may be music, but there may be somepony out there that can use her for something else.”
She looked up, seeing two Pegasi coming up to her. She bent her head low, allowing a single tear to fall to the ground.
One Pegasus hit her with a piece of plastic. “MOVE!” She wanted to kick him, but that would mean more lashes. She obeyed, trotting up to the stand.
“Now, we’ll start the bidding at one twenty-five!” He pointed to her, “One hundred and twenty-five bits for the lovely musical pony!”
“Two hundred bits!” somepony roared, “And if anyone tries to outbid me, feel my wrath!”
The auctioneer looked at the source of the voice, “Two hundred? I think if you want her for that, you may go a bit higher!” he chuckled.
“Seven thousand bits then!” The pony ran up, tossing a bag of bits on the podium. “Seven thousand up front! Come on!”
Octavia kept her head down. She had been sold just like that? The stallion who purchased her gave her a hard shove. “Move! Come on, we haven’t got all day!”
Octavia allowed herself to be shepherded into a carriage. When the door closed and the cart started moving did she allow herself to cry out loud.
Celestia damn the stallion that try to smack some sense into her. She’d accept it with dignity.
What she didn’t expect though, was what she got.
“Shh… It’s okay, Octavia. You’re safe now.” She felt a hoof embrace her. She looked up, right into the eyes of… wait, that can be…
“Ro- Rolando Staccato?” Her soon-to-be father-in-law?
“I couldn’t let anypony get to you.” He said, “Thank Luna that I found you right off.”
“What were you doing at an auction?” she asked, “I didn’t expect you to be one of those who--”
“No.” Rolando cut her off, “I have been against slavery even before Vincenza was born. Even before I could talk, really. No, the reason I was in an auction was to see if I could find you.”
She looked at the caring look of her mentor’s face, “Thank you, father.”
Rolando smiled, “I just want to make sure my daughter-in-law is alright.”
The two rode in silence, until;
“Wait, did you say ‘thank Luna’?”
Rolando scoffed, “Can’t really thank Celestia, when she’s the one that got us into this mess, now can we? I wouldn’t be surprised if Celestia was overthrown and Luna took her responsibilities.”
Octavia looked out the window, “I just wish we could help everypony else.”
Rolando nodded, “Yeah, me too. I’m wondering if Luna and Celestia switched somehow. Did you see the look on Luna’s face when Celestia told us that creed?”
Octavia nodded, remembering the purple Alicorn glaring at her sister when she said those words, decreeing Earth Ponies as garbage. “She looked ready to send Celestia to the Moon.”
The carriage stopped at an exquisite manor, almost as big as the city of Appleloosa.
“Come on, we’d better find a way to protect you.” Rolando opened the door, allowing Octavia to jump down.
The two trotted flank-to-flank up the marble walkway to the Oak doors. The door swung open as another Unicorn threw them open.
“Master Rolando. Ah, and Lady Octavia. Glad to see your well in these, ah, trying times.”
“Hello Sebastian.” Octavia accepted the Butler’s hug.
“Sebastian, get Mariana.” Rolando nudged Octavia inside, slamming the doors behind him.
Octavia felt a sudden pain between her legs, as if someone shoved a knife in her… well... she “You alright Octavia?” Rolando had turned at her grunt of pain, seeing her doubled over.
“It just felt like someone stabbed me with a knife.” She said. The pain had passed, but still hung nonetheless.
“How far are you along?” Rolando placed a hoof on her forehead.
She had to think a moment, “About eight months?”
Rolando nodded, “Yeah, you’re probably getting contractions. The baby does that in the final stages.”
“Octavia?” Rolando turned around, seeing his own wife coming down the stairwell, Sebastian close behind, “How nice of you to join us.”
Rolando sighed, “Mariana, I lied to you. I didn’t tell you everything that Celestia laid out.”
Mariana looked at him, cocking her head, “Oh? You covered a lot of things…”
“Yes, but not the Earth Pony Slavery. ‘Purity First’ as Celestia calls it.”
Mariana looked simply appalled at the fact, “Slavery?”
Octavia nodded, “I’m surprised they didn’t get Vinyl.” She still heard the scream of pain that Vinyl emitted.
“But, Vincenza’s a Unicorn.” Rolando’s turn to cock his head, “Why would they go after her?”
“In the skirmish to protect me, Vincenza’s horn was shattered by a guard.”

The three Unicorns backed up a step as if her words were a white-hot fire, Mariana going as far as to faint.

Rolando caught his wife as she fell, “Vincenza’s horn? You sure?”

Octavia closed her eyes, “Yes. She tried to break the magic encasing me from the protective hooves of those against it. Another guard knocked her down and stepped on her horn.”

Rolando, though a white Unicorn, somehow managed to go even paler.

Mariana’s eye fluttered open, “She’s severed?”
(Everypony who knows a Unicorn that once their horn is broken, they’re classified an Earth Pony, because of their inability to encase magic, titled “severing”)

Octavia nodded, feeling a tear roll down her check, when she spoke, her voice cracked, “There was nothing anypony could do. I mean, Skorpeon was trying to do some damage to their attempts.”

Rolando looked at Octavia, “Who?”

Under any other circumstance, Octavia would have giggled over her mistake. These times were not any other circumstance however. “Skorpeon RyDer. He’s a friend of Twilight Sparkle and the residents of Ponyville. He came here about two years ago, and hasn’t left.”

Rolando nodded, “If he’s trying to ‘do some damage in their attempts’, as you put it, then maybe he and I should get together.”

Octavia nodded, “He and I performed side-by-side a few times, but we’ve never actually had a genuine conversation. So I wouldn’t be able to get you on a first name basis.”

Mariana shuddered. Her horn glowed a light purple, and her eyes clouded over

“Mariana?” Octavia and Rolando asked in unison.

Rolando shook her a bit, “Mariana, are you okay?”

Mariana shook herself, “That was weird.” She said, “Vincenza was just talking to--”

She resumed her position. Rolando, getting a bit nervous, slid under Mariana and scooped her onto the couch.

It lasted a bit longer, but when she shook her head again, she looked right at Octavia.

“Vincenza was telling be that she was okay, and I should expect Skorpeon to contact me. Then he started telling me about what he did. It’s the only way he could contact me and get out location.”

Rolando’s eyes widened, “Is Skorpeon mad?” he looked at Octavia.

She shook her head, “He won’t tell us exactly what happened, but in the forest in Ponyville, something happened to him. I don’t think he’s a hundred percent good, but nothing points to him being evil either.”

There was a flash of light as two Unicorn appeared in the room, one was a violent violet with dark purple mane, the other pale white with electric blue hair.

Octavia threw herself to the white one, “Vinyl!” She started crying into her lover’s shoulder, “Vinyl.”

“Hang on, Philharmonica.” Octavia pulled away. Vinyl had a high-pitched Scottish accent. Not a deep gravelly foreign one. “It’s Skorpeon. I can’t go around as myself at the moment. Sorry for tricking you. Vinyl would draw less attention that Skorpony at the moment too…”

She drew away, blushing heavily. “Sorry. I though--”

“It’s okay. I assume you are Mariana and Romando?”

“Rolando.” She corrected, “And yes, we are the Staccato Family.”

Vinyl trotted to Mariana, handing her a small bag, “If it is okay, we’re going to use your house as a shelter for anypony else we can help.”

Rolando nodded, “Send them along. We’ll help.”

The violet Unicorn trotted to Octavia, “If you need anything, just call. We’ll be here in a flash.”

Vinyl pointed a hoof to Twilight, “She’ll be a flash. I’ll be more of a displacement of air.”

The two Unicorns stood flank-to-flank, “Later, Tuba.” Vinyl snickered before the two Unicorns vanished in a white flash.

“Tisk. Well.” Sebastian said, “He’s quite, ah, charming.”

Octavia giggled, “And he’s not usually like it.”

Mariana closed the bag, “Shall we do dinner? I don’t think they fed you two well in the last two weeks?”

Octavia nodded, leading the way into the kitchen for her first real food since the Equinox.

NOTE: Rolando, Sebastian and Mariana are charachters in Lithe Kamitatsy's Two's a company, Three's a crowd. I'm not taking his work, just merely referencing one of the best Fan Fiction's I've read this side of the dimension.

Apple Jack: UPDATED

Apple Jack no longer fought the Pegasus holding her. Her mother always told her that her strength was in her Stetson.

At this moment, she agreed. It seems the very second she threw her hat to Skorpeon, her strength failed her.

Pinkie Pie whimpered to her left, of which the guard noticed;

“Shut up!” There was a sound of hoof to flesh, and Pinkie Pie screamed in pain.

Apple Jack just closed her eyes, making note not to “Speak unless spoken to”.

That’s what The Combine said.

Apple Jack looked at her left hoof. Visually, it was just like her right.

But it wasn’t.

Apple Jack was used to this treatment. That’s why she was so quiet. That’s why she gave Skorpeon the hat her father gave her before he died.

She missed him. Her father was the one who taught her all she knew.

“Miss Griselda Smith?” The nurse came out into the foyer where Winona, Big Mac, Granny, and little Apple Jack were sitting. The look on her face confirmed Granny’s fears. Still, the wizened old Pony asked that fateful question;

“Will he be okay?” She seemed resolutely calm.

The nurse shook her head, “The cancer spread too fast. If we were to operate, we’d kill him. He’s just to deteriorated to do anything. I’m sorry.”

Apple Jack, still a blank filly, was leaning against Mac, sleeping peacefully.

“What?” Winona’s blue eyes started to water over. “Morgan’s…”

The nurse sighed, “I estimate a month. Maybe two. I’m so sorry.”

The nurse turned around, her own eyes starting to water over.

Winona looked at Big Mac, then to her little Jackie. She was sleeping peacefully against her elder brother.

“Ma?” Big Mac looked at his mother, his green eyes impassive, “I think ta’ll be better if Ay Jay knew the truth. Not some--”

“Stop right there Macintosh. She’s still a filly.” She sighed, “A filly without a father.”

The doors opened once more, revealing the nurse from before, and the burly black workhorse.

What was left of his majestic mane was frayed, the RadioMagtive therapy letting the rest fall out at an exceeding rate. His eyes, once the vivid green she knew, were clouded over and grey.

“Winona.” He whispered, “I don’t give a rat’s flank what these here doctors say, I ain’t leavin’ ya. I promise.”

Big Mac shifted, trying not to wake his baby sister. Unfortunately, Apple Jack shifted at that moment, falling to the floor.

“Whabouthegoldendeliscious. Huh?” She shook her head, then saw her father. “Daddy!” She galloped to him, giving him a small hug. “Wha did them doctor folk say?”

Winona and Morgan shot Big Mac a look that screamed don’t say a word or you are grounded!

“Daddy’s okay. For the time being.” Winona said, trying to create a loophole.

Apple Jack grinned, “Then we can still go to the Summie Sol-oli-stice?”

Morgan chuckled, “Daddy will be around to take you to the Solstice. Don’t worry.”

Thinking back on it, Apple Jack was surprised that her father lasted long enough to go to the Summer Solstice that year. He had still kept up with his chores, while the cancer killed him from the inside out.

Morgan was trotting down the road, his daughter riding on his back. He smiled as she took in all the sights, sights he cared not about. He never did like the fancy-shmancy stuff these Canterlot Ponies did.

“Daddy! Can ah get that hat?” He looked in the direction of the tiny orange hoof pointing to a diamond tiara perched on a stand.
“Let’s see how much it is.” He trotted over, bending to the price tag. His eyes widened to the fact that there were enough zero’s in Equestria to make the price tag.
“Daddy? Can ah get it?” Apple Jack asked her father when he turned around.
“Ah don’t think mah little Jackie needs something like that.”
“Aw.” She whined, “Why not?”
“’Cause yore pretty enough without it.” He simply stated.
They went along a bit longer, eventually coming across;
“Mandarin!” Morgan called, out, “Mandarin Orange!”
A pale yellow mare turned around, “Ah, Morgan! How goes it?”
Morgan ran up to his sister, “Not too well.” He lowered his voice when Apple Jack jumped down to give her uncle a hug. “The barrel only has a few apples left.”
Mandarin’s eyes widened, “At least you still have a full orchard. Does Ay Jay know?”
He shook his head, “Winona and ah don’t want her to worry none, but ah know it will hurt later in life, but ah don’t wanna hurt her now.”
Mandarin nodded, trying to imagine life without her Mosely.
A fanfare caused the three ponies to jump, “Daddy! It’s Princess Celestia!”
Morgan scooped Apple Jack onto his back, standing on his hind legs so she could see.
Celestia stood for a moment, then started flapping her wings. Even from this distance, Apple Jack could see that her horn was glowing like all You-nee-corns did.
“Daddy! She’s raising the sun!” she squealed.
“Yeah, and she also moves the moon.”
The sun moved right in front of the princess, silhouetting her in an orange fireball.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah sugercube?”
“Ah wanna be like Celestia someday.”
Morgan looked at his daughter, “And you will. Here.” He slid Apple Jack from his back, flicking his head. He caught the orange Stetson he wore in his mouth.
He placed the hat on his daughter’s head. “This here hat was given to me by yore granddad Smith before he left. He told me what I’m gonna tell you now.
“Never give up on yore dreams. Even though yore heroes will leave ya physically, they’ll never leave ya forever. They’ll always be there, whether in the whisper of the wind, or the shadow in the yard. Always remember us. Never forget.”

Apple Jack felt a tear running down her muzzle. She missed her father. It hadn’t been long after her father’s death that AppleBloom was born. And her mother joined her father in child birth. It was then did Granny Smith and Big Mac tell the truth about her father.
“Shut up!” Apple Jack felt something connect with her face. She didn’t show any sign of breaking.
Stay silent. Stay resolute. She kept telling herself. Though they were breaking her body, they weren’t breaking her spirit.
She looked at her hoof again. She moved it, faintly hearing the pneumatics hissing.
You survived The Combine. You can survive this new creed.
She looked up, seeing a large wooden box. A box cart. The doors opened, and Pinkie Pie and her were practically thrown into it. The doors closed with a slam, leaving the two Earth Ponies in the pitch dark.
“Pinkie Pie?” Apple Jack asked, “You okay?”
Her answer was a bone-crushing hug and a wet shoulder.
“”Sall gonna be alright Sugar Cube.” Apple Jack told her sobbing friend. “Jus’ show no sign of breaking, and they’ll let up eventually.”
Pinkie sniffed, “Will it work?”
“It worked when ah was with them Combine. Noriko told me to stay strong.”
“Who?” If Apple Jack could see, she probably would be looking into the confused face of Pinkie Pie.
“She’s a… friend ah met when the Combine got me. She was the only one who was on mah side. The other prisoners tried to shunt me to the sides. The food lines, the beds. Noriko tried to get them to shape up, but they never loosened.”
Apple Jack took a breath, then continues her story as the rail car bumped and clattered to an unknown destination.

“Come on! MOVE!” Apple Jack woke up with a start, jumping right to her feet.

“Come on! WE haven’t got all day!” A pegasus guard was yelling.

“Let’s go Pinkie.” A light blue stallion with hot pink hair was looking at Pinkie Pie, “Remember what you--”

“Shut up! No talking!” A guard landed a hoof in the Stallion’s chest.

The three ponies marched in unison towards another wooden cart, this one had iron bars.

“You will remain here until the auction in two weeks!” the guard kicked Apple Jack in, turning to Pinkie Pie, “I suggest you get comfortable.” He laughed, kicking her after Apple Jack.

That same stallion tried to trot in, but was impeded but the guard, “What?”

“You think I’m going to let the three of you in one? Fat chance. Those two, yes, but not you.”

He nodded, allowing himself to be shunted into the cage next to the mare’s.

“Pinkamena? Apple Jack?” The two ponies turned, seeing a familiar pony.

“Cousin Braeburn!” Apple Jack ran to her cousin, crushing him in a massive hug.

“Apple Jack. At least we’re in the same boat.” He said, “Hello Pinkie Pie.”

Pinkie muttered something, looking at the floor. Without warning, and with a sound like a deflating balloon, Pinkie’s hair started to lay flat.

“You okay Sugarcube?” Apple Jack trotted back to Pinkie, Braeburn following on her hooves.

“I’m fine.” The pink pony muttered, “Really.”

“Ya’ll don’t look fine.” Braeburn said, “Ya’ll look a might down in the ruts, if’n ya know what ah mean.”

Pinkie Pie sniffed, looking into the green eyes of her friend. “Why would Celestia do this?”

Apple Jack snorted, “Ah was wonderin’ the same thing. Ah understand why The Combine did what they did ta me, but Celestia? Nah. Ah know she’s good. Yore guess is as good as mine.”

“Combine?” Braeburn asked, “Whacha talkin’ ‘bout cuz?”

Apple Jack sighed, holding her left hoof up. “Lisen close now.” She moved it, and if you held your breath, you could hear a slight hissing.

“Ah don’t get it.” Braeburn heard it, “What’s that got to--”

“These people kidnapped me an’ tortured me. They did horrible stuff, and they ripped mah hoof off. Skorpeon RyDer, mah protector, hooked me up with this here ‘sinth’ hoof, as he called it.”

Braeburn’s eyes widened, “Who would do a thang to us ponyfolk?”

Pinkie Pie looked up, “Tyrants like Celestia.”

The cage door opened, and two more ponies were thrown in. They rolled a few times, grunting in pain.

“Aloe? You alright?” One with a blue coat and bright pink mane helped the other up.

“No.” the pink one was crying. “I want to go home.”

“That’s not an option.” The two sisters looked up, seeing they were not alone.

“Ah know you two!” Apple Jack said, “You’re the ponies that work at the spa in Ponyville!”

“And you’re Apple Jack! Element of Laughter, right?” Aloe looked up, her vivid blue eyes brimming with tears.

“Nah, Ah’m honesty. Pinkie Pie’s laughter.” Apple Jack pointed a hoof at Pinkie Pie, still brooding in a corner.

“Oh, My mistake. I’m Tranquil Lotus. This is my twin sister, Tranquil Aloe.”

They shook hooves, jumping as a massive THUMP! The ponies looked at the wall, slowly backing away.

“The guards could just use the door.” Lotus said, “Why would they--”

THUMP!

“What in tarnation are they doing?” Braeburn asked, stepping protectively in front of the mares.

CRASH!

A pony tumbled through the new hole in the wall. He rolled, then stood.

“Not interrupting, am I?” He brushed himself off, showing his identity.

“Hairspray?” Pinkie asked, “What did you do?”

He chuckled, “I knocked a hole in the wall. So?”

She laid back down, continuing her brooding. Hairspray trotted to Aloe and Lotus.

The three ponies went to the far corner, which wasn’t far, considering the size of the cage they were in.

Pinkie, Apple Jack and Braeburn took the other corner, huddling together protectively.

The three ponies talked in hushed tones, trying to get Pinkie’s hopes up.

Suddenly, there was a massive clatter that caused all the ponies to turn towards the gate.

“Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie. Come here.” A voice called out.

“Princess Celestia?” Apple Jack couldn’t mistake the flowing mane and silhouette of her.

“Yes, Apple Jack. Now that you know my name, come here!” She commanded. The two ponies went up to the princess, bowing slightly.

“You two I want to be my personal servants.” Celestia said. “I want you by my side from sunset to moonrise. And all times in between. You got that?” She slammed the door shut on the rest of the Earth Ponies’ curious glances.

“I said, do you get it?” she spoke louder, going on the brink of “The Royal Voice”.

“Yes Celestia.” The two muttered.

She slapped the two of them. Hard. “When you answer me, you answer with ‘Yes your Highness.’ GOT THAT?”

Not wanting to make another mistake, the two slaves acknowledged.

Celestia smiled. “Good. Now latch yourselves onto that cart. I don’t want to walk all the way to the castle.”

Apple Jack looked at Canterlot Castle: a mere block away. “Pardon me, your Highness, but it’s a short walk. Wouldn’t it be better to--?”

Celestia’s hoof connected with Apple Jack’s hoof. “YOU WILL SPEAK WHEN SPOKEN TO! Whelp.”

Apple Jack picked herself up, spitting some blood from her mouth. Her face stung, but she showed no sign of breaking.

Like she told Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie Pie!” somepony called. “Pinkie Pie!”

The two ponies turned, seeing Hairspray galloping towards them, “WAIT!”

“Guards!” Celestia called, “GUARDS!”

Two unicorn guards appeared out of nowhere, ensnaring the stallion in two cases of magic.

“Celestia, you tyrant!” Hairspray tried to free himself, “You’ll never get away with his!”

Celestia chuckled, shaking a hoof. “I already have.” She shoved her hoof onto his chest, causing him to scream in pain.

“Hairspray!” Pinkie Pie, abandoning safety, knocked Apple Jack to the ground as she ran to the fallen stallion.

“Pinkie.” He coughed. Apple Jack couldn’t hear what he said next, but she could see it from here;

She saw Pinkie cradling the stallion, then heard her wail as his head slumped.

Apple Jack’s stomach lurched, a memory breaking her barriers;

Noriko was bent over an orange pile, pressing a spare uniform on a red spot.

“It’s alright, Apple Jack. It’s stopping. I can feel it.”

Apple Jack had her eyes closed tight, trying not to emit even a whimper. She figured if she even opened her mouth, all her pain would fall forward.

“Apple Jack, you’re lucky to be alive.” Noriko said, “I’m surprised that you can stay awake too. Most people can’t handle losing this much blood.”

Noriko pulled something from a small bag at her knees; a small needle. She inserted the tip in Apple Jack’s shoulder, then pushed the plunger.

Apple Jack opened her eyes, looking at the bloody patch. “What is that?”

Noriko smiled, “I stole a bag from the interrogation room. It had medical supplies, no doubt for the Conscripts.”

Apple Jack felt her shoulder cool down, then the pain stopped. She tried to look, but Noriko placed a hand on her eyes.

“You don’t want to look. Trust me.”

Apple Jack let Noriko tidy up the wound, and then she sighed. “Ah don’t know why ya think I’m such a baby.”

Noriko rolled her eyes, “I don’t think you’re a baby. You’re a lot stronger than me. If this happened, I would have either died when they did it, or passed out from blood loss. You didn’t do either.”

Apple Jack looked at the bandage, “Thanks, Noriko.”

She placed a hand on the pony’s good shoulder. “That’s what friends are for. Now; let’s get some lunch.”

The two exited their cell, heading to the mess hall.

Two soldiers, one in brown armor, the other in white, walked past. Though they knew better, Apple Jack and Noriko tried to listen in on their conversation.

“Something about a proximity alarm.” The Elite replied to the Soldier’s question

“Did they get footage?”

“There were tracks. But footage shows a cloaked figure walking on two legs.”

“What did The Consul say?”

“Consul said the tracks looked like a fox’s. How many fox’s are six feet tall and wear black cloaks?”

Apple Jack gasped, shoving a hoof in her mouth. Or trying to anyway.

The two Combine turned to the sound, seeing Apple Jack and Noriko, they changed course.

“You two looking at?” the red light of the Elite was shoved in Noriko’s face.

“Simply? You’re uniform. My friend and I want to join the ranks.”

The Shotgunner laughed, his vocader making it all the more eerie. “Yeah, like you two will ever join the ranks.”

Noriko simply turned, continuing down the hall. When they were out of earshot, Noriko bent to Apple Jack’s ear. “Why did you gasp? You could’ve gotten us shot on site!”

“That figure they were talking about, the fox tracks and the cloaked figure. Ah think that might be Skorpeon RyDer!”

“The guardian you keep talking about?”

“Yeah, ah think--”

Her sentence was cut off as a shotgun blast rang from the corridor. The two friends turned, seeing the guards from before glaring right at them.

“You two! Come over here! NOW!”

The two slowly walked back to the soldiers, Noriko holding her hands behind her head.

“You heard our conversation?” the Elite asked, glaring at Apple Jack.

“Only about some tracks and footage of a cloaked figure.”

“Then who is it?” the Shotgunner shoved his weapon in Apple Jack’s face, “WHO IS IT?!”

“Ah—Ah don’t know! It’s just, yore description reminds me of a friend of mahn!”

The elite stuck his weapon in her face too, “And who is that?”

Apple Jack took a step backward, “Ah- ah don’t thank ya’ll would know him!”

The Shotgunner pumped his gun, “Try us.”

She took a breath, “RyDer. His name’s RyDer.”

The two combine looked at each other, “Tell the Consul Anti-citizen Two’s lurking? Might be good on our ranks.”

The Shotgunner chuckled, “Yeah, and we’ll take these two to back us up. MOVE!” He shoved his shotgun in Noriko’s back, the Elite placing his AR2 against Apple Jack’s head.

“Don’t try anything funny, or you’ll find you body open to sunlight.”

“Yeah? And If you two move, spaghetti sauce will look rather chunky!” The three humans and pony turned, seeing a blood-red fox standing behind them. In his paws was a massive gun.

The two soldiers shoved Apple Jack and Noriko in front of them, “Try something funny, and they’ll get it!”

Skorpeon growled, pulling a lever back. The barrels started to spin, emitting a loud noise as the engines moved them at a high speed.

“POWER DOWN!” The Shotgunner moved his shotgun against Noriko’s back, “Power down or I WILL kill her!”

Skorpeon narrowed his eyes, pushing the lever forward. The gun stopped spinning as he set it on the ground. He tipped it forward, placing his paws at his shoulders.

If you could see his face, you would see the Shotgunner smile. His finger twitched. There was a noise of thunder as Noriko fell to the ground, screaming in pain.

“DOWN!” Skorpeon Pulled the gun towards him, pulling the lever once more. Apple Jack dove into an alcove, closing her eyes as she heard the sounds of weapons being fired, bullets flying, and the sickening sound of flesh being ripped apart.

“Apple Jack! Come on! We don’t have any time!” Apple Jack stepped from the alcove, looking at the fallen form of Noriko.

“Apple Jack.” The human whispered, trying to wave the pony closer. “Thank you.”

Apple Jack looked at the human’s back, the pooling blood censoring her entrails. Apple Jack was grateful.

“For what Sugar Cube?” her eyes started brimming with tears.

“Apple Jack!” Skorpeon tried to get her attention.

“For being my friend. Never before would I think I would die in the presence of a talking pony.”

Apple Jack placed a hoof on Noriko’s mouth. “Don’t talk like that Sugar Cube.” She sniffed, “Skorpeon? He’s a powerful wizard. He’ll fix you up in no time.”

Noriko smiled, “Even if he could, I don’t want him to. I want to go home. Be with my family.”

Apple Jack shook her head, “But wha ‘bout me?”

“You still have your other friends.”

“Apple Jack!” Skorpeon called, a hint of panic on his voice.

“But not you. You’re the only one who showed me true kindness here. We can help you.”

Noriko smiled, “Apple Jack. You’ve been a good friend. It was an honor knowing you. You’re friends have no idea what they have.”

Apple Jack bent her head low, a few tears soaking the floor. “Ah’m gonna miss you, Noriko.”

Noriko looked into the green eyes of her only friend, “Exile, Vilify.” She whispered, the light leaving her eyes.

Apple Jack heard them coming. She heard Skorpeon’s gun power up. She heard more gunshot. She felt a bullet hit her shoulder.

Apple Jack didn’t react to anything. The only pain she felt was the pain in her heart as the friend that consoled her the past eternity died, her only friend crying over her.

Pinkamena Diane Pie

Pinkie Pie was staring intently at where she thought Apple Jack’s face was as Apple Jack told her the story of her time in Nova Prospect, was it?
Eventually, Apple Jack fell asleep, cutting the story short. Pinkie Pie, not knowing when they would stop, decided that she’d better too.
“A rather shocking story, right?”
Pinkie jumped, stifling a scream, “Who are you?”
There was a noise as the other pony moved, “Sorry. I wasn’t meaning to scare you. Forgive me. I’m Hairspray.”
Pinkie Pie laid down, “Can you come over here? I can’t see a thing.”
The stallion trotted to her, his eyes long adjusted to the dark, “Guess we all need to be united in these times, one way or another.”
Pinkie Pie nodded, “I just wish that this is a nightmare. I’ve had one before that plagued me to almost perform it, but this is nothing compared to it.”
Hairspray trotted over to her, “I overheard the conductor saying something about Canterlot, so you may want to get some sleep. It’s still a long way.”

She sighed, “I’m never going to be able to sleep again.” She said, “Never until the moon stops rising.”

The stallion laughed, “Which may not be too long, seeing what Celestia is doing.”

Pinkie Pie felt a hoof on her shoulder. “I think, that if the two of us could stick together, Pinkamena, then we can get through anything.”

Pinkie looked up, “How do you know my name?”

The stallion smiled in the dark, “Rock farming.”

“I didn’t have any brothers.” She said, “The only boy I knew was…”

“The boy down the street?”

“Strike?” she remembered; the bright pink filly she had a crush on!

“I changed my name when I got my cutie mark.” He chuckled, “Then became a mane stylist.”

Pinkie Pie felt a bit more secure, knowing she had two friends with her now.
“Come on, Pinkamena, Let’s get some sleep.”
Pinkie smiled, nuzzling into his side, “That might work.”

Pinkie Pie looked up from her brooding. She heard a noise.

“What in tarnation are they doing?” Braeburn asked, stepping protectively in front of the mares.

CRASH!

A pony tumbled through the new hole in the wall. He rolled, then stood.

“Not interrupting, am I?” He brushed himself off, showing his identity.

“Hairspray?” Pinkie asked, “What did you do?”

He chuckled, “I knocked a hole in the wall. So?”

She looked at him, then lowered her head. Even though his return was good, she still wanted to cry her heart out.

Skorpeon? You saved Apple Jack from those Combine people. What will it take to save us now?

“You okay Pinkamena?” Hairspray sat down beside her, placing a hoof around her. “You’ve been crying.”

He brought his other hoof up to her face, wiping the tears away.

“Hairspray?” she asked, looking deep into his lovely black eyes, “Can I tell you something personal?”

“That you’ve had a crush on me from the moment that our fathers combined their rock farms together?”

Pinkie’s jaw literally dropped to the floor, “How did you know?”

Hairspray chuckled, “Apple Jack told me.”

Pinkie Pie turned to the two Apple ponies across from her, “You didn’t.”

Apple Jack smiled apologetically, “He asked, and ya’ll know ah can’t lie.”

The door was thrown open with a resounding crash. The ponies present turned towards a white Alicorn with a flowing mane.

“Apple Jack. Pinkie Pie. Come here.” She commanded.

The two ponies trotted to the princess, head bowed. They followed the princess out the door, Pinkie not listening to Celestia’s rambling.

There was another crash, and a shout of “Pinkie Pie!”

The pink pony turned, seeing Hairspray running towards her, “Hairspray!”

“Guards!” Celestia called, “GUARDS!”

Two unicorn guards appeared out of nowhere, ensnaring the stallion in two cases of magic.

“Celestia, you tyrant!” Hairspray tried to free himself, “You’ll never get away with his!”

Celestia chuckled, shaking a hoof. “I already have.” She shoved her hoof onto his chest, causing him to scream in pain.

“Hairspray!” Pinkie Pie thought she knocked Apple Jack down, but she didn’t care. Even from this distance, she could see Hairspray’s blood leaking onto the pavement.

She bent low over her friend, “Hairspray.” She whimpered.

“Pinkie.” He coughed, “I should have told you sooner.”

“Told me what?” Pinkie asked, trying to staunch the flow of blood.

It was no use. Hairspray felt himself slipping away, “I wanted to tell you sooner.”

“Tell me what?” Pinkie was looking around, her pink eyes practically glowing with hatred towards the Unicorns.

“I need to tell you.” He coughed again, blood pooling on the corner of his mouth. “I need to tell you, that I love you.”

Pinkie tried to smile, but her lips wouldn’t move. “I love you too, Hairspray.”

Hairspray looked the pony in the eyes, “Strike. Call me strike. Please?”

Pinkie bent low, crying into his ear, “I love you, strike.” She whispered.

She felt it before she smelled it: Death.

She looked into the black eyes of her lover, now clouding over with grey.

Pinkamena screamed out in pain. She screamed to rid it. The pain in her heart.

She screamed until she felt that her throat would shred open and start bleeding .

She screamed until something hit the back of her head.

Pinkamena Diane Pie fell unconscious onto the dead body of Strike, her one love.

Pinkie stood there, her armor irritating her coat. She had been there two months, and Strike’s words still echoed in her ears.

I love you. I always have.

She blinked back tears, “I love you too Strike.” She whispered.

“What’d ya say, Sugar Cube?” Apple Jack asked, shifting in her own set of armor.

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” They exchanged for the umpteenth time.

The doors opened, revealing two Alicorns. Pinkie Pie and Apple Jack immediately thrust their muzzles to the ground, not wanting more checkerboards on their backs.

“Sister, you don’t understand!” Luna was practically yelling at her sister, “You can’t execute a pony like that!”

“He was rallying resistance. He was trying to form hope. Hope that could shatter everything you and I worked so hard to do this past year.”

“You have done that yourself.” Luna muttered, almost wanting to slay her sister.

“Pinkamena!” Pinkie almost jumped, Skorpeon’s voice suddenly sounding in her ear.

“Skorpeon? Where are you?” she asked in an undertone.

“Pinkamena, can you hear me?” he asked, excitement flooding his voice.

“Yes, but I can’t talk now.”

“Pinkie? Can you hear me?”

“Skorpeon, I can’t talk.” She said a bit louder.

“Must be interference. Nod I you can hear me.”

Not knowing how he could tell in she nodded, she moved her head slightly.

“She can hear us, but we can’t hear them.” She heard Skorpeon tell someone on his end.

A small piece of metal appeared in Pinkie’s face, the floated to her ear. She heard something click.

“Pinkie, can you hear me?”

“Yes. I can hear you.”

“Okay, we got audio. Pinkie, stay calm, I’m coming to get you.” He said.

“No, Celestia’s here! She’s spitting nails as it is!”

She heard Skorpeon sigh, “Who purchased you?”

“We’re Celestia’s personal servants. Aloe and Lotus from the spa are here too.”

“Rarity’s not going to like that. Don’t worry, I’ll send Wolf or someone to get you. I’ll keep a tab on you. You may not be able to hear us, but we’ll be here. All you need to do is say the word.”

She heard the device click, then silence.

Apple Jack jumped sky high, no doubt from the transmission that she was receiving from Skorpeon.

“Apple Jack!” Celestia rounded on the orange pony, “What are you doing?”

“Ah, nothing, your highness!” Apple Jack stammered, “Ah was, ah, there was a--”

“Oh, please stop your inconsiderate stammering!” Celestia pulled a rope from the side of her throne, flicking it.

Apple Jack screamed as the glass on the ends of it cut into her flesh. Her scream caused another flick.

Pinkie Pie turned her head, looking back at the far wall.

“If you’re going to do something Skorpeon, you’d better do it fast.” She muttered, hoping that he could still hear her.

Celestia slept peacefully in the room she and Lotus were guarding. Lotus, having the bigger armor, was sleeping her shift. Pinkie Pie was mindlessly twirling her pike on the ground, listening intently for Celestia’s room to make some sort of noise.

She sat there an hour. All was silent.

There was a hardly audible beep. That was the signal.

“Lotus.” Pinkie Pie tapped the head of the robot in front of her. “Lotus, your shift.”

The robot moved, “Thanks Pinkie. You get some sleep now.”

Pinkie Pie nodded, settling her head on her hooves. For the millionth time since this new creed came out, she cursed Celestia.

She cursed Celestia for killing the love she had.

She cursed Celestia for enslaving her kind.

She cursed Celestia for what Lotus and Aloe were shoved into.

There was a scream that caused her to snap out of thought. “GUARDS!”

Pinkie Pie and Lotus practically knocked the door down as they went in.

Princess Celestia was sitting up in her bed, heavily breathing.

“Your Highness?” the mechanical voice of Lotus rang out, “What happened?”

She stuttered, “Skor—Skorpeon RyDer! Right through my window!”

Pinkie heard another small beep, “I’m behind you. Don’t acknowledge.”

Pinkie took a step to her right, under the preoccupation of looking at the open window.

“It was probably a nightmare.” Pinkie said, “Sometimes when I left the window open, I’ve had dreams where somepony came in through it.”

Celestia, for once, didn’t care that Pinkie Pie spoke without permission. In fact, she was kind of comforted by her words. “Thank you Pinkie. If you’d be so kind as to close it.”

“Go ahead.” She heard Skorpeon whisper without the device’s help.

Pinkie grabbed the rope in her mouth, closing the windows shut with a small click.

“Good. Now leave.” Celestia laid back down on her bed, pulling the curtains closed.

Pinkie heard a small noise. A chuckle? Lotus stepped out the room, leaving Pinkie Pie to close the door but a crack.

“Celestia, you’re DEAD!” they heard another voice and Celestia scream once more. Her scream was cut short with a sound of metal and flesh. There was a gurgling noise, then silence.

The door opened, and Pinkie felt something tap her shoulder.

“Pinkie, your shift.” Pinkie Pie blinked awake, looking into the glowing red eyes of Lotus’ armor.

“Thanks Lotus. Get some sleep.” She looked towards the door; unopened. “That was a great dream.” She sighed, “If only…”

Tranquil Twins

“Hey Aloe!” Lotus’ voice rang from the front of the hotel room, “You ready?”

Aloe looked herself over in the mirror once more. Her hair was neatly tied back, her headband was freshly cleaned with peach juice, and her hooves were nicely curved and trimmed.

“Go on sis! I’ll still be a moment!” She still had a few more thing to do.

The pink spa pony pulled a small box towards her, flicking it open with uncanny expert precision.

“And now for the final touches.” She muttered to herself, withdrawing a small circle with fur on one end.

“I can’t imagine what I would do if my outlook was trashed.” She giggled to herself, “Only Rarity outshines Lo and I.”

It took her a good ten minutes to put her makeup on, making sure she’ll look her best at the Equinox.

Aloe took off at a brisk trot, looking out for her sister. She saw a small group of ponies sitting on the roof, not too far from where the Princesses would be.

“Glad the guard doesn’t care.” She muttered to herself.

“ALOE!” She turned to the group again, recognizing the small group.

“RARITY!” she called back, waving to the white unicorn, “HOW GOES?!”

There was a small flash, and Rarity appeared in front of her. “It’s going well. You?”

Aloe shrugged, “I’ll just be glad when this is over. Have you seen Lotus?”

Rarity’s eyes widened a fraction, “I haven’t. Um. You need help looking for her?”

“If you’d like, yes.” Aloe said. Rarity always acted… strange…when it came to her sister. “I’d love some help.”

The two ponies looked for the blue pony. Though the two ponies were twins, Aloe and Lotus looked drastically different. Tranquil Lotus was a medium blue with vibrant pink hair and grey-blue eyes, while Aloe was a medium pink with grey-blue hair and vibrant blue eyes. Yet the two were inseparable.

“Rarity! Aloe!” the two ponies looked to the source of the call, seeing the lost half, “Over here!”

Rarity giggled, her cheeks brightening. “Ley Hotus!”

Lotus blinked, “Uh, weird. Got a good seat Aloe. You joining us Rare?”

Rarity shook her head, “Yeah, of course.” The three ponies took a seat right as the fanfare played.

“You know?” Lotus said, “Canterlot is rather exquisite, don’t you think? The ivory towers are outright outstanding, and the gardens are utterly bedazzling!”

Rarity nodded, not taking her looks from Lotus the entire time. Aloe shook her.

“Rarity, you’re missing what they’re saying!” Aloe teased, “I mean, for all you know, they could be saying that we’ll be outlaws.”

“And finally, Earth Pony Segregation will be strongly recommended! Anypony who manages to bring either Luna or I an Earth Pony will be rewarded!”

The three ponies’ jaws dropped, already the screams of many Earth Ponies reaching them.

“I WAS JOKING!” Aloe said, feeling something clamp down on her tail. She turned, seeing Rarity biting her tail.

“Let us go!” Lotus yelled, her own tail in Rarity’s jaw.

“I’m gonna gethus outhhere!” she said, her horn glowing.

“What?” All Aloe saw was a flash of light, a brief period of darkness, then the inside of Carousel Boutique.

“Rarity, what’s going on! All our stuff is back at the Silver Hooves”
Rarity looked at Lotus, her eyes brimming with tears. “I overheard Skorpeon RyDer telling Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie about the creed that will enslave you girls. I just couldn’t let that happen. Especially to you Lotus.”

The blue pony’s cheek flushed, “Thank you, Rarity, but what about you?”

“I’m protected.” Her voice shuddered, “I’m a Unicorn.”

Aloe looked between Lotus and Rarity, trying to make a connection.

“Rarity, do you-- ”

She was cut off as a flash of light left the two earth ponies alone.

“—or not.” Aloe finished, looking out a window.

“What were you going to ask her?”

Aloe looked away from her sister, “I was, uh, wondering if she had any, um. Any, any food. That’s it.”

Lotus blinked, “I wasn’t aware you’re absent minded sister.” She said, pulling a blind closed, “But I must say, you’ve been acting weird in Rarity’s presence.”

“Only when she’s acting weird in your presence, sister.” She muttered. Aloe pulled the other set of blinds closed, finishing off by barricading the front door with one of Rarity’s couches (Well, actually, the two of them pushed the couch, neither strong enough to get it more than three feet at a time).

“Rarity!” the two sisters jerked awake, a sudden pounding at the door, “Rarity! You in there?”

Aloe looked at her sister, “That sounds like--”

“—Rarity’s friend. Rider?” Lotus nodded.

Aloe stood, quietly going to the door. “Is that you, Rider?”

There was a pause, “Yeah, it’s me. Rider.”

Aloe sighed, knocking the couch on its front. She slid the side of the couch enough to open the door.

Suddenly, the door was forced open as a burly Unicorn barged her way in. “Hah. If it isn’t two little dirt ponies. Looks like the reward is mine.”

Aloe screamed as she was engulfed in an orange glow. She was forced into a t-shape, the only thing she could move was her head.

“Lotus!” she called, “LOTUS!”

The glow faltered as the blue pony threw a can of something at the Unicorn’s head.

She stumbled, but still kept a hold on her prize, “Not going to work.” She said, her horn brightening. “They say that I can’t do this kind of magic. I’ll show them.”

Her horn glowed brighter, causing the two sisters trapped in the glow to turn their heads. There was a flash of light, and they found themselves sprawled on a red carpet.

The unicorn looked at them, an exhausted grin plastered on her face. “I. I did it.” She panted.

Aloe looked at Lotus, “This isn’t good.”

“Come on, Dirt Ponies!” the unicorn said, “MOVE!” she felt a kick near her cutie mark that sent her on her muzzle.

“Get up!” she shrieked, planting a kick in her ribs. Aloe gasped, stumbling to her feet.

“Leave her alone!” Lotus yelled, baring down into the Unicorn’s face. “Just because you’re a Unicorn dosen’t mean you can treat us like dirt!”

The unicorn’s eyes narrowed, “Learn your place, whelp!” her hoof connected with Lotus’ muzzle, sending her careening into Aloe. “Now. I’m going to say this one more time: Move.”

The two ponies, unwillingly, allowed themselves to be shunted to the large doors that looked tall enough to allow two giraffes through with room to spare.

The unicorn nodded to the two guards, “I have Dirt Ponies.” She said, “Where do I take them?”

The Pegasi looked at each other, pushing their respective doors open.

The scene in the throne room made the Tranquil sisters gasp; there were two ponies in armor standing at attention beside a large white Alicorn. They were holding what looked like fanning pads, bit with a smaller palm.

“Princess Celestia!” the unicorn called, “I have some Dirt Ponies!”

Celestia looked up, an evil smile playing on her lips. “Thank you. I can take them from here.”

Aloe gasped as a stronger magic enveloped her, returning her to her t-pose again.

The Unicorn looked at Celestia, “If I am not mistaken, you promised a reward to the pony who brought you or Luna a Dirt Pony.”

Celestia gave a mirthless laugh, “Yeah, I forgot. Your reward is that you brought two unwanted creatures to their place.”

“THAT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!” the unicorn reared, clearly annoyed; she had expected some bits.

Celestia chuckled at the sight of the teenager, “You think that you, a tiny little Unicorn with hardly any magical experience, can take down the Alicorn who raises the sun day in and day out? Not to mention that I raised the sun AND the moon when my sister decided to go all ‘misunderstood fillyfoaler’ on me?”

The unicorn’s horn began to glow, her face contorting into rage, “THEN TAKE THIS TYRANT!”

“No! DON’T!” one of the ponies standing by the throne had dropped her pole in shock, her eyes wide under her helmet.

An orb of pure energy shot from the Unicorn’s horn, hitting Celestia in the chest. The Alicorn fell to the ground, a small pool of blood forming at the corner of her mouth.

The Unicorn, once standing tall, was slumping over to one side. She looked up at Celestia’s limp form, pulled her face in a small smile, then collapsed with a small shuffle.

Aloe and Lotus picked themselves up from the floor, looking between the Princess and the Snatcher.

“You okay, Lotus?” Aloe asked her sister, concern showing in her eyes.

“Yeah, you?” Lotus shook her head, disrupting her mane a mite.

Celestia propped herself up, looking past the Unicorn right at the Earth Ponies. “Now that that is out of the way.” She said, stepping over the Unicorn who hadn’t moved. “I think I need to get you two suited up.”

Aloe gulped, darkness sweeping over her as Celestia’s horn glowed again.

“She’s vaking.” A pony said beyond her vision. “Shall I begin the procedure?”

Lotus opened her eyes, a bright light obscuring her vision.

“Yes doctor. You’re cleared now.” The blue pony heard a door open, then close as a male voice chuckled.

“I’ve always vanted to do this.” He said, a small rustling noise emitting somewhere to Lotus’ left, “Now vith zis new creed, I can do it day in and out!”

“Who are you?” she managed to moan, trying to move her head.

“If you say Vun more sing, dirt pony, zen I vill not hesitate to cut your tongue form your mouth.”

Lotus gulped, sensing her predicament;

She was strapped to a table, her forelocks and legs spread so she was contorted into an “I” shape. Her head was strapped down, but hooked to a small panel that allowed her to move her head around.

“Now, zeh first step.” The “doctor” muttered, pulling a small scalpel from his bag.

Lotus screamed as she felt the knife dig into her leg, then felt the knife circle around.

“Don’t scream or it will only worsen.” He growled, bringing the scalpel down her leg.

Lotus heard a sickening tearing noise as the flesh was pulled from her leg, biting back another scream.

The doctor smiled, stabbing the knife into her other leg.

When he pulled the bloody patches of flesh from her other leg, he pulled two shining black things towards him, as well as what looked like a drill.

“Zis might sting a little.” He laughed, drilling a hole in her legs.

Lotus screamed, trying to shy away from the mad lunatic butchering her.

“STOP YOUR INCONSISTENT SCREAMING!” he roared, the drill hitting her leg.

Lotus started to cry, the tears flowing freely down her face. She whimpered as the drill was pulled from her leg. Then emitted another scream as the drill was moved down to her shin.

“RULE NUMBER VUN!” the doctor yelled at Lotus, “NO CRYING OR SCREAMING! If you fail to obey, I vill not hesitate to drill a hole in your bucking skull.”

Lotus whimpered again, biting down on her lip. The doctor pulled the drill from her shin, setting a shining black device on the raw bone. He clicked his tongue, “Too close.” He pulled a sharp device to him, scratching a mark onto her bone.

Lotus dared a look; the flesh on both legs were gone, as well as the majority of muscles. Her heart raced and she felt dizy, as well as a sick. She closed her eyes, biting back another scream as the drill dug into her bones again.

She heard the doctor say something, and something clicked on her leg. She looked again, the shining black device hooked right onto her leg.

“Now for you other vun.” He muttered, “Then your chips.”

Lotus screamed at the unexpected pain in her other leg; this one hurt about a million times more.

“I’VE HAD IT!” the doctor yelled, throwing his hooves in the air. The drill landed on Lotus’ chest, boring a nice hole against her ribcage. She screamed again, then felt something pin her mouth against the back of the table.

“Now, zis vill allow me to get some SILENCE!” he levitated the drill again, continuing the process.

Lotus closed her eyes, more hot tears flowing down her cheeks. She felt her stomach lurch, then a vile taste entered her mouth.

The doctor looked up at the unexpected noise; some sort of gag. He looked past his glasses, “Du Sie haben wohl Witze mich.” He said, getting off his stool. He untied the strap, allowing Lotus’ last meal to cascade from her mouth to her chest. He swore in a language Lotus didn’t understand.

“You swine! Iss going to take anozzer ten minutes to clean you up!” he went beyond her vision. She heard a whizzing noise as she succumbed to the blackness.

“WAKE UP!” the doctor shrieked. Lotus jerked awake, seeing the doctor set a needle down on the table.

Please let that be a numbing solution. She cried.

“Now.” The doctor clipped the second device to her other leg. “The rest of your armor.”

Lotus felt more tears fall down her eyes.

She felt a weight on her right forelock, then something clicked and pressure formed on it.

Lotus braved opening her eyes; he simply clipped a piece of armor on her hoof. The same sensation formed on her left forelock, then, instead of pressure, she felt a searing hot pain.

“Did zat sting? SAW-ree!” the doctor laughed, a blue streak arced onto the pile with her discarded flesh from her legs. She looked at her hoof, another wave of nausea forming.

She felt a slight soothing, then another shark prick that caused her to cry out. A sliding device was implanted into the incision, then the doctor slipped the armor closed on her left forelock.

She heard a click and fell to the ground. Her bones screamed in protest as the metal dug into them, and her newly-modified hoof followed in suite.

Another weight formed on her back, this time there was two large jabs that secured the armor onto her back. A helmet was simply placed on her head, her vision laminated with a red glow.

“Monger Deus.” The doctor chuckled, “Your sister worked too.”

Aloe ripped her helmet off, crying bitterly into her sister’s shoulder. Both ponies experienced the effects of their forceful operation, but neither felt it compared to the pain in their hearts.

The two sisters cried against each other, vowing to exact revenge on all those responsible of this… atrocity. Both ponies were now augmented in grotesque fashions, their legs replaced by those devices.

The light from their breastplates illuminated the cage they were in, the needles pumping a chemical into their bloodstream that would make them heal faster. Celestia wanted them to be the fit machines they would become tomorrow morning.

“Aloe, don’t cry.” Lotus manages to tell her sister, “It’s going to be alright.”

“You are too.” Aloe accused, “We’re monsters now. We’re like… we’re like HIM!”

Lotus nodded, wiping her tears away, “And crying will not make it better. We need to endure. We need to vilify. Remember what Mommy said before she died?”

Aloe sniffed, “Exile, Vilify.” Aloe looked into her sister’s eyes, “I miss mommy.”

Lotus nodded, “I do too, sister. I do too.”

Aloe was sitting outside Celestia’s sleeping quarters, coupled with Apple Jack. Apple Jack was sleeping her shift. Aloe had her timer counting the minutes to her sleep.

“Guards!” a voice called within.

Aloe carefully trotted to Apple Jack, her hind legs still sore from her operation. “Apple Jack, Tyrant wants us.”

Apple Jack snorted awake, grabbing her pole. They opened the door, seeing Celestia standing at the foot of her bed.

“Monger Eins. I require a glass of water.” She said, “Be a good girl and get me one. Apple Jack, wait here a moment.”

“I have a name you know.” Aloe muttered, “I get armor painfully grafted onto my body to fetch the tyrant a glass of water. Bucking perfect.” She grabbed a tray with a fancy pitcher on it, carefully carrying it to the Princess’s room.

She heard a strike of the rope, and a scream from her friend.

“DON’T LIE! I HEARD YOU!” the princess’s voice shrieked from the open doorway, Aloe didn’t even wait, she just walked in, maybe her presence will make her stop.

Thankfully, it worked. Aloe made her way to the small table at the foot of the four-poster. Before she could set the tray down, a sharp burning sensation formed on the bare spot of her back.

She cried out in pain, dropping the tray with a loud CRASH!

“YOU INSOLENT DIRT PONIES!” Celestia shrieked, “WHY DO I EVEN BOTHER WITH YOU BUCKING FOALS!”

Aloe and Apple Jack ran from the room as fast as their legs could carry them.

“Ah hate that tyrant.” Apple Jack said, cringing at the new scars in her back. “Ah hate her. Ah hope she dies the most painful and gruesome death Skorpeon can thank of.”

Aloe nodded, cringing from her own wounds. “For once, I agree.”

AppleBloom

Apple Bloom was shaking into Big Mac’s side, “They took her, Big Mac.”

“’Salright.” Big Mac whispered in his sister’s ear, “”Salright, Apple Bloom. They won’t get us now. Granny won’t permit them none.”

Apple Bloom looked into the green eyes of her brother, “But wha’re we gonna do about Big Sis?”

Big Mac sighed, “The Professor got ‘er back once. He can get her back again.”

Granny Smith came in, looking right past the two, “Ya’ll wanna go out an’ getcho sister? Soup’s on in five monnites.”

Big Mac sighed, “Granny, Apple Jack is gone. She’s been taked like all other--”

“OPEN UP!” there was a loud banging at the door, “OPEN THIS DOOR!”

Big Mac dove for the door, slamming it closed. They heard a massive crash and the house shook.

“That sounded like--” Apple Bloom’s sentence was cut off as Big Mac knocked the table over, shoving it right against the kitchen door.

“Come on, tha’ won’t hold ‘em long. We need ta get somewhere safe.”

He picked Granny Smith up, slung her over his broad back, and took off. Apple Bloom was almost as fast as her brother. It really was a mystery as to how she was so good at running, and she was still a Blank-Flank.

They took off out the back door, not bothering to even open it.

“There they are!” a voice called, “Get the others!”

The two ponies gave each other a look, nodded, then took their separate routes: routes they practiced a hundred time in case of an emergency.

Like this.

Apple Bloom navigated her route, the trees rushing by her in a massive blur. Normally she and Apple Jack would take this, but—

“HA!” Apple Bloom turned at the sudden noise, her eyes widening.

A lanky Pegasus was chasing her, their grey eyes practically on fire with malice. “Come here, Dirt Pony!”

Apple Bloom took a deep breath, rocketing forward faster than she ever ran before.

The fact that she traversed this particular branch of the farm with speed (and the fact that this was her home), she managed to out run the Pegasus.

Up ahead, there was a small clearing with many slanted trees. The rendezvous point.

“KE’ RAH!” She turned at the noise again, the Pegasus from before vanishing in a black streak. Apple Bloom’s adrenaline kicked in, causing her to rocket towards the clearing.

She saw the clearing; a mere five meters ahead. She smiled, pacing herself a bit.

The mind is a funny thing, being able to memorize all the tiny details when you do something a hundred

times. As such, if there is the smallest detail is changed, your mind throws up a full alert. If you can “push”

this alert down, your mind will disregard it, but not before grumbling to itself and saying "I tried to warn you".

Apple Bloom found herself sprawled on the forest floor, rope tangled on her back hoof.

“Apple Bloom!” Big Mac started to his little sister, but was impeded by a barrier.

“HEY CAP’N!” A green Unicorn jumped into the clearing, triumphant grin on his face, “We gots two!”

Another pony trotted into the clearing. He was tall, yet burly. He was a bit more muscular than Big Mac, yet the way the workhorse was staring at him made him shrink back a bit.

“Boys. Girl.” The captain spoke in a rather weak, yet loud voice, emphasizing the final point with a small nod. “Yeh’ve done well. An Elder, she’ll be taken care of as Celestia sees fit. And the workhorse may be able to rack us a little bonus…”

The five ponies chuckled.

“Hang on a tick. Where’s Grey-song?” the “captain” looked for the missing member. “Yeh’ve done an’ lost a member, haven’t ya’ll.”

“I’m here!” the lanky Pegasus trotted into the clearing, limping and holding a wing at an akward angle. “I expected some trouble. Sorry Dah.”

The green Unicorn chuckled, “And yeh gave them the ol’ one two, eh? That’s mah girl.”

Apple Bloom stood shakily, her flank burning. She hid in the bushes, ready to make a move if need be.

“So, we takin’ ‘em to Celestia, or the traders Dah?” The silver mare spoke up.

“Remember what happened to Swan Dive, Orange Box? Celestia egged her on too much. You… you know how she was with magic.”

The stallion’s voice softened, regretting all the things he told his daughter. His only Unicorn daughter.

“Dah, if it was anypony’s fault,” a pure white Pegasus fluttered to his father, “If it was anypony’s fault, it’s Celestia’s. She just wanted to help us.”

Dah looked up, “I suppose you’re right. T’aint right for anypony to be ripped off in sales.”

Something ensnared Apple Bloom around the waist, causing her to emit an ear-splitting shriek.

“Red Velvet?” the ponies in the clearing were doing a take between the Pegasus in the clearing and holding onto a squirming filly.

“Verdammit!” The one in the clearing yelled, “FORCE!”

The Pegasi were thrown in all sorts of directions, landing haphazardly in the trees. The Pegasus stood on his hind legs, emitting a flash of light and a loud crackling noise not unlike a bag of marbles hitting the wooden floor.

“Apples, come here!” a black and blue fox was standing there, “It’s me! Skorpeon!”\

Granny and Big Mac ran to Skorpeon, Apple Bloom limping slightly.

“They’re getting away!” Dah yelled, “Take to the Skies! Head them off!”

“The skies?” Skorpeon laughed, his eyes glimmering with power, “You are stupid. Would I take three Earth Ponies on foot? No. I think the answer lies beneath us. ALLONS-Y!”

Skorpeon punched the ground, a large bubble forming around the three ponies. He brought his fist back, giving one look filled with hatred at the green stallion. “You fail, Dah.” There was a grey-and-orange streak as Skorpeon was knocked through the bubble, which then vanished with a small pop.

The Pegasi grabbed each of the Ponies (Dah had Big Mac by himself), and vanished with a blinding flash of light.

Apple Bloom tried to shake her captor, but to no avail. They hit the ground hard, knocking the wind out of even Big Mac.

“Come on!” Dah yelled at the Earth Ponies, “Stupid Dirt Ponies! We’re now behind thank to your hopeless friend!”

Apple Bloom felt something connect with her face. She fell to the ground, her face on fire.

Something clicked in Big Mac’s mind. His eyes flushed with red, his hooves acted of their own accord. He spun around, grabbed Dah’s head in his hooves, and twisted.

He felt the spine break and his breath shudder. Dah didn’t have time to hit the ground before the next Pegasus felt the blow.

Big Mac became a whirling tornado of terror, taking anything down that came within hoof’s distance to his little sister.

Big Mac felt something sink into his flank. He swirled, knocking the orange-maned Pegasus into the wall. He grinned savagely when she didn’t sit back up.

He snorted, feeling steam shoot from his nostrils, “Anypony else?” the rest of the Pegasi stepped back fearfully. He looked at his sister. She was crying into Granny’s shoulder.

He turned to the limp form of Dah, a look of shock in his eyes, his neck bent oddly. He looked to one of the blue Pegasi, breathing shallowly.

“MACINTOSH MORGAN APPLE!” Granny Smith snapped. Big Mac took a step back, “DO YEH KNOW WHAT YEH JUS’ DID?!”

As big as Big Mac was, he still cowered under the glare of his tiny, feeble grandmother. “Ah—ah—ah was protectin’ Apple Bloom.”

Granny Smith stood, pointing a hoof at Big Mac, “You just killed two, maybe three ponies!”

Faintly, Big Mac could hear thunder. “Granny--”

“You killed! You killed PONIES! In front of your baby sister!” Granny screeched.

Big Mac looked to the left; a massive amount of Unicorn Guards were advancing, “Granny! We don’t have time for this!”

“Ah have all the time in the world to--” Granny was cut off as a green glow encased her. Big Mach and Apple Bloom were encased in their own.

“Big Mac!” Apple Bloom looked to her brother, “HELP!”

The young Filly watched with sinking hopes as Big Mac failed to shatter the glowing bond that was holding him.

“Get Celestia!” somepony called, triumph in his voice, “Glad you came when you did. Otherwise the stallion would have probably killed the rest of them.”

“There’s only one dead!” Big Mac roared, “He hit mah sister!”

A guard came up to him, “And your sister will get more abuse if you try to interfere.”

Apple Bloom looked at her brother again, his bright red coat starting to pale.

“Take the Filly to the cages. The stallion can go to the bar. Take the elder to the Chambers.”

“NO!” Big Mac roared, “You take one one way, you take all that way!”

“SILENCE!” The guard drove his horn into Big Mac’s chest. Blood dripped from the wound around his horn. There was a fairly loud pop, and Big Mac fell silent.

“Take the stallion to the Bar. The filly to the cages. The elder to the Chambers.” He repeated, Macintosh’s blood dripping into his eyes.

Apple Bloom sat in the corner of a cage crying her heart out. She lost her father even before she was born. She lost her mother not too long after she was born. She lost her sister three days ago. Big Mac and Granny just mere minutes.

She had no one.

To rub it all in, she was thrown in with a certain fashion that she saw a red mark on her flank. At first she thought it was a mark form the bushes.

It was her cutie mark.

She had earned her Cutie Mark when she was running for her life.

“This is yer special talent?!” she yelled at herself, “Losing yer family!”

“No, my special talent is Time.” A voice rang from the other corner.

She turned to the voice again, “Ah’m not talkin’ ta ya. If ah were, I’d use yer name.”

“But you don’t know my name.” he laughed, “So you can’t. So I’m assuming that you’re talking to me until you use my name. Of course, you haven’t asked for it, so you don’t know it. So I’m going to keep answering your question until you--”

“Alright! FINE! What’s your name?” She threw her hooves up in the air.

The stallion chuckled, “My name is Doctor Whooves. And I remember you, Apple Bloom.”

Apple Bloom finally took a look at him: he was dark tan, with an almost black mane. His grey-azure eyes were filled with kindness and sympathy.

“Fine. Now leave me ‘lone.” She sat on her haunches.

“If I may, though.” He sat beside her, “Judging by what you said to yourself, I wouldn’t beat yourself over it. This, ‘Skorpeon’ fellow might have been shifty from the start.”

Apple Bloom glared at the Doctor, “Skorpeon saved mah sister’s lahf. He managed to find out that the sister I had been with was some sort of intruder, and brought mah REAL sister back.”

Doctor Whooves raised an eyebrow, “And where is the proof of this?”

Apple Bloom stood on her front legs, brining her back into his face. The doctor yelped, the retreated into his corner again.

“Aye, that tinged. Just tryin’ to be friendly. Git.” He pulled a small device towards him, flicking it on.

“Stupid foal anyway.” She said, glaring at the stallion.

When she awoke in the morning, Doctor Whooves was mere feet away from her. She yelped, jumping onto a small ledge of a support beam.

He woke at the noise, looking for the small mare. “Apple Bloom?”

“What ya want, ya sicko?” she called from her ledge.

He sighed, “In the middle of the night, some guards decided to try to… uh, manipulate… some other mares last night. I heard it all, so I spent the vast majority of the night protecting you. I promise I wouldn’t hurt you.”

Apple Bloom, confused at his sudden change in nature, settled in the rafter all the same, “If yer a fancy doctor, then why don ya jus’ make a flashy little booth and vanish to someplace else?”

“Apple Bloom, please, just let me help you.” He looked up at her, “We’re in the same boat now. We’re both considered lower than Sunday night garbage on the scale of rights. We’ve both got the same risk of being sold like a barrel of fruit to the highest bidder any minute now, and in case you haven’t noticed, you have speed on your side. You may be able to get out.”

Apple Jack turned away, catching her Cutie mark again. For the first time, she actually looked it over;

It was a hoof. A hoof separated at the knee, but connected to a wing. It was encompassed by a flaming circle.

“It’s mah…” Now she saw it, she couldn’t take her eyes from it. “Mah…”

“You’re Cutie Mark, yes.” The doctor said, patience still ringing true in his voice. “What do you say, you want to come down? I can teach you how to use a sonic screwdriver…”

“Nah thanks.” She said, finding a strange comfort in this beam, “You can use yer fancy stuff yerself. I want to be alone a bit, Doctor.”

The doctor nodded, “And for once, I’ll respect that. Now that you’ve finally stopped blaming yourself for Celestia’s mistake.” The doctor pulled the device towards him again, a smile playing on his lips.

“You there! Stallion!” a guard called, “Who’s in there with you?”

Doctor Whooves looked up at Apple Bloom, “A young, fast Filly named Apple Bloom.” He said, “And no, I will not permit you near her.”

“Stand back. FORCE!” the doctor had but a moment to dive out of the way as the door opened with a blast of energy. A black and blue Unicorn stallion barged his way in. His green eyes scanned the vicinity.

“If I may ask, what are you doing?”

The Unicorn’s stump-of-a-horn glowed as the door closed and repaired itself. “Field research.”

There was a small flash of light, and the Unicorn’s horn vanished.

“Getting the inside scoop in the life of an Earth Pony? Maybe write a bestselling book? The life and Lies of the Typical Dirt Ponies?”

“More like, The Death and Lies of those afflicted by Trollestia’s twisted mind.” he said, turning his head.

“What happened to your eye?” The doctor recoiled in horror when he saw a blood-red mess in the pony’s right eye.

“Got in a fight. Never healed.” He replied, “Bloom? You wanna come down?”

Apple Bloom looked at the pony, “Skorpeon?”

“Nah, it’s Skorpony.” He said, “Come here, I want to talk to you.”

Apple Bloom jumped from her perch, “What? Can ya get me out?”

He shook his head sadly, “I’m sorry, you’re going to have to wait. I’ve just talked to Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie. They’re fine!” he saw the shock in her face, “In fact, I’m pretty sure that even Big Mac and Granny are fine too.”

“Tha’s good.” She said.

“What is it?” Skorpeon asked, “Your Mark, I mean.”

Apple Bloom nodded to Doctor Whooves, “He reckons it’s speed. Ah got it somethime after leaving our house to when ah got here.”

Skorpeon nodded, “I saw something on your flank when I was trying to get you, but I was to busy to see if it was blood or this.”

Apple Bloom nodded, “When can ya save us?”

The pseudo-stallion shook his head, “I don’t know. So much of this plan relies on chance. If even one thing is miscalculated…” he trailed off, “But I promise, you will be freed before the year is out.”

Apple Bloom dove against his chest, “I believe ya, Skorpeon.”

Skorpeon placed a kiss on her head, “I’ll find the rest of your family. You have my word.”

He looked one last time at Doctor Whooves, nodded, then vanished in a burst of wind and a small pop.

“Old friend?” Doctor Whooves asked, “Or uncle?”

Apple Bloom jumped back up to her now-safe-spot. “Protector.” She simply stated, beginning her wait for liberation.

Earth Pony Liberation Front

Earth Pony Liberation Front:

Skorpeon and Miles were engrossed in the act of finding the “perfect” ring for their respective Marefriends.

“AH HAH!” Miles shouted, “Can I see that ring right there?”

The stallion behind the counter nodded, “Yes, give me a second.” He levitated a set of keys that he used to unlock the case. He pulled the ring Miles was pointing at.

“This is perfect. Thanks. How much?” he said, excitement flowing from his voice.

“It’s on sale, what with the Winter Gala coming up. You two going?”

Skorpeon hid a sadistic grin, pulling a ring from the open case.

“That’s where we’re proposing. The moon hitting them just right. The clock will strike midnight, and we’ll fall to one knee, bombing them with those four words.” Miles explained, a dreamy look in his eye.

“If I may ask, who are the lucky mares?” the stallion accepted Miles’ payment.

“You’ve probably heard of them? They’re two of the Elements of Harmony. I’ve fallen for Fluttershy, dad’s for Rainbow Dash.”

The stallion’s eyes widened, “Well, congratulations! Do tell me how it goes. In fact, here.” The stallion nodded towards Skorpeon, “Half price. Both of them. Choose your ring, monseiur, and it’s yours.”

Skorpeon nodded, “Thank you.” He looked at the earring in his paw. It was a jade peony set in a white gold teardrop.

The two pseudo-ponies thanked the stallion, then turned, both balancing the small black boxes in their flanks.

Skorpeon was positioned in front of his mirror. He sighed in exasperation as the jacket he was wearing kept sliding to the right.

“Too many bleeding medals.” He muttered, sliding a small piece of metal into his left pocket.

He smiled at his reflection, then Phased.

He blinked his eyes. The red one was proving difficulty. A pure red one next to a pine-green one? Feh. He clipped his eyepiece back on. It clashed with his olive-green uniform. Still lopsided.

“Miles?” he called to his son across the room. “Where’s the left piece?”

“Gimme a sec.” Miles vanished with a small burst of air.

Skorpeon looked into the mirror again. He reached up, clipping the blue glass from the base. He trotted to a desk, pulling a certain drawer open. He pulled a dark green piece of glass form a small box, setting it in the metal clipped to his eye.

“Here dad.” Skorpeon caught the left eyepiece, clipping it against his good eye. He slid the glass out, but not after changing the color.

Skorpeon trotted back to the mirror. Perfect.

“Ready Miles?” Skorpeon turned to his son, who had just finished his Phase.

“Yeah dad.” Skorpeon had to admire the fact that just a mere year before, he had to drag his son kicking and screaming to Equestria to help him with a few minor calculations. Now, he was staning there in his own “Ponyguise”.

He took a white-and-blue spiked mane, keeping it in a messy state. His coat was a pale white with simple silver markings. His cutie mark was a single black butterfly, imposed on a heart.

“Let’s go get them.” Skorpeon said, a grin flashing on his face.

Skorpeon and Miles came upon the two sisters, taking their respective mares.

“Remember, Sphinx. Just for half an hour.” Skorpeon muttered.

“Shall we go?” Rainbow Dash asked, looking Skorpeon over, “War Uniform?”

“Only jacket I have.” He said, looking towards a certain spot. “Ready man?”

Skorpeon smiled, feeling a hoof press against his shoulder. He grabbed Rainbow’s shoulder, and then spun, with two ponies in tow.

They landed at a small curve. It was a good thirty second trot to the gates, but it was enough to mask Skorpeon’s presence.

“Tickets please.” The guard grunted. Skorpeon handed him four tickets. “My son and his Marefriend are coming in a moment. Miles and Fluttershy.”

“Alright. You can go.” He said, looking at the mare, “Just no funny business, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash hid behind Skorpeon’s mass, her cheeks burning crimson in the dark.

The two trotted side by side, simply enjoying the other’s presence.

“Oy!” Skorpeon turned, seeing Miles and Fluttershy flying towards them. “They made us show ‘a viable form of ID’. Gits.”

Skorpeon laughed, “Remember what happened at the last Gala?”

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy looked at each other, resisting the urge to laugh.

They continued to a small balcony off the castle that had a breathtaking view of Luna’s moon almost directly overhead.

“Rainbow Dash?” The four ponies turned to see a yellow Pegasus with a mane like fire.

“Spitfire!” Rainbow Dash’s jaw hit the floor, “Wha- how- ah- guh- ah--” she sputtered into silence.

“Guess I still have that charm on her. How have you been, Skorpeon?”

“Pretty good, considering this creed out.” He said simply. “I’m missing two of the ponies something fierce, but I guess this is the way it is now.”

Too convincing, Skor. he heard a small voice at the back of his mind.

“You guys hungry? I can get you into the VIP section.” Spitfire asked, looking at the four.

“Yeah. I’m starved!” Rainbow Dash got her voice back, hovering excitedly.

“Alright, let’s go.” Spitfire resisted the urge to laugh.

The five made their way to the VIP section. There were a good hundred or so ponies in there. Perfect.

They sat themselves at a table, each picking up their own menu.

Gimme a time crunch Moony. Skorpeon thought when he felt something brush his mind.

If you don’t get out there in about five minutes, the plan won’t work. he heard a bit of annoyance. He sighed outwardly.

Give me three then, Moony. “Fluttershy, Dashie, I think Miles and I have something to ask you.” Skorpeon slipped something into Miles’ hoof.

“You two know how we’ve felt about you these past few months.” Miles said, looking into the yellow Pegasus’ eyes.

“And we were wondering if you wanted to ‘take it up a notch.’”

Skorpeon and Miles simultaneously stood, then got onto one knee. They looked at their own Marefriend in the eye as they said the four words that can change lives;

“Will you marry me?”

Rainbow Dash sat there shocked. She loved Skorpeon, and she was wondering if he loved her back.

This was it. This is what she had dreamed about.

“Of course!” She dove against Skorpeon chest, pressing her lips against his.

There was a muffled thump as the other two ponies hit the ground. She heard another thump, no doubt belonging to Miles and Fluttershy.

The crowd applauded, each pony there smiling. In these dark times, it’s good to see light like this.

Skorpeon stood, “Excuse me for a moment.” He said, dashing back out the gateway. He smiled.

“She said yes!” he said, stopping against the bushes.

There was a slight movement, then another pony stood before him. He was a spitting image of Skorpeon, but both eyes intact. Skorpeon looked at his doopleganger.

“Here, you’ll need these.” He unclipped the eyepieces, handing them to the newcomer. “Remember, Dashie’s in on the plan. If there’s anything they ask you, she’ll answer. Just talk, have fun. After all, you’re going to be me for a bit.”

The pony gave him an unsure look, “But, what if…”

Skorpeon glared at him. “Sphinx, I know you don’t like speaking, but this is just for half an hour. An hour at most. Then you can go back to your silence.”

Sphinx nodded, “Hurry okay?”

Skorpeon gave Sphinx his saddlebags, stuffing his cloak inside. He pulled a black one back out, slipping it on his shoulders. A flash of light, and a fire-orange fox stood there.

“See ya in a bit man.” Skorpeon took off into the night, the paths he was taking unfolding like they did with his goggles.

Finally taking off, are we?
Shaddup moony. I need to concentrate.

Skorpeon flicked his wrists in the same motion he used to dive for a wall. He climbed up to the roof faster than he did in training.

He ran over the roof, shedding his cloak. He NEEDED to be seen. The cloak floated to the earth, landing at the hooves of a guard.

Skorpeon smiled as the guard looked around for the source. He felt something look his way just as he dove down one of the peaks.

He slid down the roof, then moved his legs out explosively. He cleared the gap with room to spare.

“Making good time.” He told himself, “Good time.”

He jumped up an eave, spun, then swung into the window. He rolled amidst the broken glass, pulling the golden staff from his back. The black eyes searched the room.

“She’s not in her room Moony.”

“As expected. I’ve got contact on her in the gardens.”

Skorpeon nodded, diving towards a small door on Celestia’s wall. He punched the brittle wood, looking straight up the shaft.

“Dumbwaiter’s below. That’s good.” He grabbed the rope in his paws and began climbing.

“Remember, the orange room.” Luna said, “It’s the only place in the palace that isn’t guarded right now.”

“Got it Moony.” He continued his slow ascent, pausing only to break a panel with his foot.

The orange fox crawled from the hatch, standing up in a vivid orange room.

Skorpeon smiled, pulling the staff from his back. He slipped a yellow gem from his belt into the base of the staff. The bottom pike filled with a blue light.

“Staff’s full. I’m going out.” Skorpeon pushed the door open, looking down the hall. There were two guards talking between themselves. Skorpeon twirled the staff in his paws, the oval end facing the guards.

“Ice.” He ran forward, right towards the guards.

They heard the heavy footsteps. They saw the fox with the staff. They felt a very harsh cold.

The two guards felt themselves freeze up. Literally. The fox laughed at them as he ran right past them.

“Two guards. Frozen. They saw my face, but not my weapon.” Skorpeon said, knocking another window out. He hooked onto the ledge, swinging himself up onto the roof again.

Skorpeon looked around. The tallest spire was just ten feet from him. Luna’s room.

Skorpeon smiled, walking towards the spire. He jumped onto it, hanging himself upside-down in front of her window.

“Moony?” he tapped the glass, “You in there?”

“Very funny Skorpeon. I’m not in my room.” She said, “I’m coming behind Celestia now. Head in the mission.”

Skorpeon jumped upright, pulling his sniper rifle from his back. He scanned the area, his left paw touching a small silver cylinder. “I see her. Talking to a dark blue Unicorn. Confirm target?”

“I’m walking right behind her.” AS she said this, Skorpeon saw the black Alicorn sidle into his sight.

“I’m going in. On your mark.” He tossed the rifle onto his back, pulling the device off his belt. He tossed it into his right paw, holding it emitter to his elbow. He ran his thumb on a small rectangle, a black light shooting from the black end.

“Three.” He heard Moony say. He ran to the edge of the roof.

“Two.” He smiled, wiping a small bead of sweat from his eye.

“One.” Skorpeon placed his left paw on the edge of the roof, ready to pounce. He licked his lips, tasting the sweat that was forming under his eyes.

“Mark.” Skorpeon jumped from his perch, black blade humming like an angry swarm. He landed right on top of Celestia.

She called out in a mixture of surprise and pain. She turned, seeing an orange fox pinning her to the ground. Skorpeon was faintly aware of the Unicorn running off to get the guards.

“LUNA!” she called, “Sister! Help me!”

“No. I’m not listening to you anymore. Too long have I stood by your side and let you get away with the crimes against the order that DisQord set down.”

“And you really think that you’ll still get away with it?” Skorpeon growled, “I’m not having it.” He bared his left arm, showing her the black-and-blue marbled fur with the white emblem.

“Skorpeon!” she gasped, “Please. No.”

Skorpeon rolled his eyes, “That’s what I said. That’s what I said when you set his creed down. I’m not listening to your pleas.”

“But, surely you won’t--” she spoke with a voice wavering with fear.

“I WAS planning on giving you an ultimatum.” He grabbed her by her mane, pulling her off the ground. She shrieked as she felt some of her beautiful mane separate from her scalp.

“Please!” she gasped, eyes watering.

“Either take the creed away, or I’ll take your life away. But after seeing what you did to the Tranquil Twins. To Apple Jack and Pinkamena. To everypony who are of the earth.”

He positioned his blade against her throat, “To anypony who works with the soil.”

“Skorpeon! I’ll- I’ll take the creed down! I promise!” she felt the heat of the blade singe her coat.

Skorpeon sighed, “Wrong. The minute I let you up, you’ll call your guards to me and have me arrested. And nothing will have changed.”

Celestia looked into her sister’s eyes. “Are you going to let him kill me?”

Luna smiled, pulling a tub of popcorn towards her. She sat on her haunches, smiling.

She felt hot tears come to her eyes. Faintly, she could her the guards thundering towards them.

“Princess Celestia.” Skorpeon said into her ear. “You have committed crimes to the crown of which you hold. You enslave Earth Ponies, you execute innocent lives who try to help. You’ve torn families apart all over Equestria. Do you accept the charges?”

Celestia looked up, watching teary-eyes as her guard had formed around her. They stared back at her, not knowing what to do.

“Celestia, you are guilty to the crown you hold. You are aware of the charges.” He said so the guard could hear. “Luna is willing to take your position as Ruler of the Sun, as well as the Moon.”

BONG!

Luna looked at the Alicorn she grew up with. Also the Alicorn that sent her to the moon.

She will be ended soon.

Luna smiled, taking another mouthful of popcorn.

BONG!

Rainbow Dash was looking at Sphinx. “Any second now.”

The pony nodded, “They will be free.”

A unicorn waiter set a plate down, “Pasta for the lady…”

BONG!

Skorpeon looked at the Alicorn in his paws. He smiled, bringing the blade against her neck. “Do you accept your charges, as well as your punishment?”

BONG!

Fluttershy was leaning against Miles, not sensing the tension he was emanating.

BONG!

Far off, a small timer went off on Monger Deus’ system. Midnight.

“Aloe. Wake up.” She nudged her sister awake, both ponies shed their helmets.

BONG!

Aloe shook the sleep from her eyes, looking at her sister. “How much longer?”

Lotus kissed her sister’s hair, comforting the younger. “Not long.”

BONG!

Apple Bloom looked at the Doctor. He was revering the sound of the clock.

BONG!

“The time is nigh.” The doctor said, “Soon, we will be free. I feel it.”

“Ah hope so, Doc.” Apple Bloom smiled for the first time in a year.

BONG!

The silent Stallion looked out his cage. He felt tears in his eyes. He looked at the ground, a good three hundred feet below him.

Ah’m sorry, all.
He was gone.

BONG!

Octavia Philharmonica felt a jolt in her stomach.

“It’s alright baby.” She said, placing a hoof on her belly, “It’s alright. We’ll be home soon.”

BONG!

There was silence, permeated only by the heavy breathing of Celestia. Skorpeon looked around.

He smiled, “Behold, Celestia.”

BONG!

Celestia felt something permeate her neck, then she felt her body break away. She tried to scream, but she had no control over her voice.

Then she was gone.

Skorpeon swung the severed head of Celestia over his head. “EARTH PONIES ARE FREE!” He looked to the headless corpse. Blood flowed slowly from a small patch not seared shut by the heat of the blade. He smiled, cupping some of the blood in his paws.

When Celesita’s blood touched his lips, Skorpeon’s eyes widened. Her blood wasn’t bittersweet as most people’s are. It had a kind of candy-like taste to it. Like sweet berries in the fields.

He drank deeply, savoring every drop. The guard had long ran, not wanting to see their headless leader.

It was only Luna and Skorpeon alive in that garden.

“A pity.” Skorpeon said, wiping his mouth, “A pity I can’t have more.”

Luna nodded, “But you promised only a mouthful.”

Skorpeon sighed, “And a mouthful I got.” He cast a longing look at the blood pooling on the ground tainted by the dirt.

He stood, cleaning his mouth the best he could. “Thanks Luna. Thanks for your help.”

Luna smiled, “She wasn’t my sister. She hasn’t been my sister since she got idea of this creed. Hand me her head.”

Skorpeon pulled Celestia’s head back towards Luna, who took it in her aura.

She flew off, ready to talk to the Royal Equestrain Guard.

Skorpeon looked at the retreating form of Luna, his good friend. He smiled, turning tail and vanishing into the dark. A flash of light, a displacement of air, and he was gone.

“Aloe?” the black-and-blue fox called, “Lotus? Pinkamena?”

He ran down the hall into the Great Hall. There, he could see a pink mare and a white stallion asleep against each other.

“Pinkie?” he ran to the pink one “Pinkamena?”

The pony stirred, looking into Skorpeon’s eyes. “Skorpeon?”

He nodded, “You’re free. I did it.”

Pinkie looked into the eyes of her protector. Her own eyes started to brim with tears. “What if this is a dream again? I’ve dreamed so much of this moment.”

“Pinkamena.” He said, placing a paw on her shoulder, “You know me. I wouldn’t hurt you. Not even in a dream.”

“That’s what you said last night.” She muttered, that dream still picking at her mind.

She felt a sharp prod to her stomach, causing her to jump.
Skorpeon chuckled, placing his staff back in its sheath. “Now you think it’s a dream?”

Pinkie smiled, “You know what we need?”

Skorpeon looked back at the pony, “You say party and I’ll probably have to strap you down.”

“Why? I like to party!”

“I know you do.” Skorpeon smiled, “That’s why I’m making you take it easy. You’ve been enslaved for the past year, hardly getting voluble nutrients. You’re going to take it easy for a bit.”

Pinkie smiled, “Fine, you win.” She nipped Skorpeon’s ear gently as she walked past. He stood, smiling slightly.

“I am engaged now.” He said, “Try to keep the flirting to a minimum.”

Pinkie Pie’s grim enlarged, “Congratulations! I’m assuming it’s with Dashie?”

Skorpeon nodded, “Get back to my cabin, I’m going to look for Aloe, Lotus, and a few others.”

Pinkie Pie laughed, bouncing out the great hall.

The two sisters were running down the stairs, not bothering to keep their voices low. They talked between each other, glad that Celestia’s death was finally reality.

“Lotus! Aloe!” Skorpeon ran to the Tranquil twins, “There you are! I need your help to get a stallion and a filly.”

“Alright.” Lotus laughed, “Where are they?”

“They’re in the eastern containments: third row, seventh column. They have a blue scrap of metal leaning against their door.”

“Right, we’ll get them.” Lotus made for the direction, but Skorpeon placed a paw on her shoulder. “When you get them to my cabin, go to these coordinates. Wait for me to arrive.”

Lotus downloaded the file, “Where is it?”

“Star Zed Medical Bay. I’m going to fix you up and get that armor off of you. If you want, that is.”

Aloe looked at her sister, “Yeah. Hay yeah we want this armor off.”

Skorpeon nodded, taking off in the direction of Big Mac’s “workplace”.
Only problem: When you have the powers Skorpeon has, you can smell certain aspects before you see them.

Skorpeon skidded to a halt. Big Mac was lying in the middle of the alley, more blood on the ground that Skorpeon himself would think possible.

He looked at the still stallion. “I’m sorry man. I really am.” He picked him up, tears starting to flow from his eyes.
His best friend was dead.

Skorpeon Apparated in the Medical bay, laying Big Macintosh on a bed. “GLaDOS, can you come here?”

The chrome black android came up to him, “Yes RyDer?”

Skorpeon looked at the AI Unit. “Can you dress him up for a funeral?”

GLaDOS processed the red stallion, “It’ll take me ten minutes.”

He patted her shoulder, “Thanks GLaDOS. Did the Tranquil Twins check in?”

GLaDOS nodded, “They’re waiting for you in waiting room four.”

Skorpeon ran the familiar course of the Medical Bay, coming to the back entrance marked with a massive “IV” on the wall.

Skorpeon opened the door, seeing the two ponies consoling each other. “Aloe, Lotus: You ready?”

The two sisters stood, taking a determined breath. “Let’s do it.”

Skorpeon led the two ponies to a White Room, “In here.” He wheeled an extra gurney in, setting it beside the table.

“Give me just one second to change.” He ran back from the room, sidling into a small locker room.
Skorpeon opened a door marked with “SKR”, pulling his White Clothes out. He took his overclothes off, stepping into the cleaner. He pushed the button, slipping the scrub on.
Five minutes later, he pulled a small bag towards him. “Okay, I’m going to give you a shot that will allow you to sleep through this.” He looked at Lotus. She had decided to go first.

“Will I wake up?” she asked, eyeing the needle.

Skorpeon nodded, “Only one person has died in a Star Zed White Room. Don’t worry, if there’s a chance that something will kill the patient, do you know what we do?”

“Try a different approach?” Lotus asked.

Skorpeon shook his head, “Keep trying different recipes until the bleeding stuff is safe enough to eat on cereal.” He pulled a small pistol-like device. “This will just disinfect the fur around the area I’m going to put the IV in. I will warn you, it’s a bit cold.”

He pulled the trigger on the back of her right elbow. She shuddered as the device chilled her skin. She cringed, waiting for the sharp pinch, but that never came.

Skorpeon saw her eyes close like a light. He smiled, “Lotus, can you hear me? Make a noise if you can.”

Lotus stayed silent.

Skorpeon nodded to himself, getting right to work.

He first wheeled himself to her hooves, taking a look as to how the augmented hooves were attached to her legs.

When he leaned back, forty-five minutes later, the hooves were nothing more than a pile of metal and bolts.

Skorpeon pulled a small tool towards him, trimming the bone flush with her legs. He trimmed a bit of the healed flesh back, quickly slipping a mechanical hoof onto the bare flesh. He bolted it to her leg, then drilled the transmitter into her bone. He did the same thing to her right hoof, sighing when he finished.

“Now her fetlock.” He muttered to himself.

“How long will it take for us to recover?” Aloe asked, oddly transfixed by her sister’s operation.

Skorpeon looked at the pink pony, “It will take maybe a month or two to become accustomed to your new devices.” He wheeled himself to Lotus’ left fetlock, slipping the black device from her leg.

He looked at the device. It had a small needle-like blade in it, which was hooked to a device that looked oddly familiar.

Skorpeon shook the hoof a bit, then dropped it when the blade sunk into his paw.

He jumped up, being careful not to bleed on Lotus. He wrapped his hand, replacing both gloves.

“A hidden blade. How original.” Skorpeon said, “Celestia come up with that herself?”

Aloe shrugged, “I don’t know. We never used them, at any rate.”

Skorpeon nodded, setting back to work. He pulled a small knife towards him, sinking the tip into her shoulder. He made a shallow curve, then a small straight line. He pulled the flesh open, pinning it open with a small triangle device. He pulled some tweezers from his bag, craning his neck into the surture.

He pulled three small bloody devices, two he recognized from Apple Jack’s surgery. He closed the wound, then sighed.

“One pony: Hour forty-five.” He sighed, pulling the IV from Lotus’ arm.

“My turn?” Aloe asked, turning to her back.

“Yes. When you wake up, I’ll be right here. Don’t worry, you’ll recover.”

Aloe nodded, feeling safe in this doctor’s paws.

“I want you to count backwards from ten.” Skorpeon said, stepping away from Aloe’s side for a moment.

“Ten.” Aloe heard herself say clearly, thinking about her life before the creed.

“Nine.” She remembered living on the farm with mother. How she and Lotus would always bring the flowers in for dinner.

“Eight.” She felt her tongue slip on the g, making herself kind of choke.

“Sev- seven.” She felt something claw at her conscious.

“Six.” She closed her eyes, suddenly become tired. Faintly, she could her Skorpeon’s drill, then a small pinch on her fetlock.

“Fiii--” She was asleep before she could finish the single syllable, the last thing she thought about was how safe she was now. How free.

Skorpeon appeared in the living room of his own house. Or the dance floor, whichever you prefer.

“PINKAMENA!” He saw the pink pony talking to a small group. He could tell they were foxes.

Hang on a tick.

He ran to them, “Sekhmett? Tiencho?”

The three foxes turned to the voice. “Daddy!” his youngest daughter dove into his chest, temporarily knocking the wind from him.

“Hey Eights.” He said, returning her hug.

Eighty-Six looked at her father with that gleam her mother got, “I’ve done it! I’m a knight!”

He smiled, pulling her into a one-arm hug, the other taking his other daughter. “That’s great!”

Tiencho turned his head in their direction. “And guess who got to coronate her?”

“Nice, Tie.” Although Tiencho was blinded in a freak shop accident, he did more with that dirty rag that Skorpeon did with his two eyes.

“By the by, dad.” Sekhmett handed Skorpeon a small box, “It’s from HeadMaster.”

Skorpeon nodded, locking eyes with the beautiful cyan Pegasus.

“Hang on guys.” He made his way through the crowd, embracing her when she dove for him.

“You didn’t come back after.” Rainbow Dash whispered in his ear “I thought you had been captured.”

“It’s alright. I just had some stuff I needed to do.” He said. “I promise I won’t leave you if I can’t help it.”