Savage POV

I walked alone through the streets of Alicornia. Blueberry went with Zitrus to the palace and Crystal was flying over the village and scouting the area.

I had to admit, I liked this village. Sure, the idea of being the capital is a bit over the top maybe, but I liked that, or better yet my kind, were respected here.

And with respect, I do not mean it the way like the Goddess once did. Under the Goddess we were feared. Ponies avoided or obeyed because they were scared. But here in Alicornia the inhabitants adored us. They saw us as leaders.

I do not know too much about Equestria before the great war, over 200 years ago. But I know that they also were ruled by two alicorns. Celestia and Luna. As alicorns, they were long lived and gained wisdom and power over the course of their thousand year long lives. Does it surprise anypony that they were able to hold everything together with so much experience?

“I am sorry, my princess.”

A voice to my left suddenly pulled me out of my own head.

I turned my head and was greeted with a unicorn mare. She had a light green coat and a white mane and tail. The mane was bound into a ponytail. She also wore an elegant white, blue dress. She looked up to me as she dipped into a half bow.

“Could I ask for your royal advice?”, she asked me.

“Sure, what would you like to know?”, I agreed.

The face of the mare lit up.

“Thank you, your highness. You see, I create dresses and clothing of all kinds. Normally I got my fabric and thread from a trader who has access to an old prewar textile mill. But he told me that it would soon be empty. Now I soon will need a new way to get my fabric or else I will have nothing to work with”, the mare explained.

With all fairness, I had not much knowledge about dressmaking or fabrics in general. But this mare asked for advice, and I could at least try.

“So, you're looking for a new way to get textiles?”, I asked her.

“Yes, your highness”, the mare answered and gave a polite bow.

I had to think about this. It was not an easy problem. Just a simple string was not always easy to find. Let alone in high numbers. But then an idea crossed my mind.

“Do you know the place Greengrass?”

The mare gave a nod.

“I do. Some days away from here. I sometimes send my goods there to sell.”

“Good. Has a lot of knowledge when it comes to cultivating plants, since they have unsullied ground”, I explained. “Normally, they use it to grow eatable grass, but they may also be able to grow cotton. They don’t even have to use the unpolluted places since you do not use it as food. Instead, you further expand it. Are you able to weave?”

“A little, yes. I am sure I will be able to master it. But I might need to hire some pony. Still, this might save my business if Greengrass cooperates, which I am sure they will”, the grey mare said happily.

“Indeed. And if you are able to expand more, then you might even put the old textile mill back into operation”, I said.

“Yes, thank you! Thank you very much for this advice”, the mare said and gave a deep bow in gratitude.

I had to smile at that. I clearly saved the day for this mare. Maybe I wouldn't make such a bad ruler? In the end, it feels nice to be adored like that.

I lowered myself into the warm water. Today was a good day and this relaxing bath was just the thing I now deserved. I helped some pony folks while walking through the streets and even convinced Zitrus and Blueberry to stay for another night in Alicornia.

I mean, why not? They treated us very good here. They brought us food, made the bed completely fresh and even offered me, as soon as I came back into the palace, a hot bath.

Now I was in that hot bath, which took up half the room. It was more a pool than a bath. Enough space for multiple alicorns. But since I was on my own, I enjoyed the extra space while one mare cleaned my long mane with soap. Her name was Crow, and she was a short black earth pony with an open long mane. A second mare, with a curly blue mane and a mistyrose body, stood in the background and prepared the towels for when I came out of the water. Which will most likely not be too soon.

Suddenly, the door to the bathroom opened and Zitrus, Blueberry and Crystal entered.

“Ah sisters, join me. I just got into the water. You too, Zitrus”, I offered.

“I'll pass”, Zitrus meant shortly.

Blueberry looked over the elegantly decorated room and looked more disgusted than pleased.

“They built such a large bathroom just for their rulers? And have even filled it?", Blueberry said with a partially neutral expression on her face.

"Only the best for our kind", I said to her.

The mare who had prepared the towels stepped up next to Blueberry.

“Are you alright, my highness? You seem stressed. I could help you clean while Crow is busy with miss Savage”, the mare offered.

“I can clean myself!”, Blueberry threw back harshly.

The poor mare took a step back in fear.

Zitrus gave a heavy sigh.

“Can Crystal and I have a short talk with Savage alone?", he said, not only to Blueberry, but to the staff as well.

My blue sister seemed happy to leave the room. She didn't wait long to turn and head outside, followed by Crow and the second mare

“What is wrong with Blueberry?”, I asked my green sister as soon as the door shut.

Crystal shook her head and answered: “Blueberry is a bit stressed. She does not like it here. This nonstop worshipping makes her feel wrong.”

“Why? These citizens fulfill our every need and adore us. Besides, she told me that she is willing to stay here another night.”

“Yes, she did. For your sake”, Zitrus said with a bit louder voice.

A moment of silence hung between the three of us. Just me starring at Crystal and Zitrus while they looked back at me. Then Crystal laid down on the pool edge. Her front hooves gently hung in the water.

“Blueberry doesn’t want this. All of this. She does not like luxury. She has no use for such. She is happy with less and us around her. She wishes more to be treated like everypony else instead of some princess. But also, she does not think that she deserves the gifts and affection of these ponies. And on that part I agree”, Crystal explained.

“What do you mean sister?”

“Savage, you know me. I like to be in the centre and bath a bit in the shine and devotion. But here it is different. These ponies think we are perfect. But you and me especially know that this is not the case. We did awful things in our pasts. Things that make me unable to ever think of myself as perfect.”

“That was while we were under the Goddess. That was a different time. The Goddess tried to get the respect of ponies through shows of force and inspiring fear, like a tyrant. These ponies here don't respect us for who we pretend to be. They do so because of who we really are.”

“And who are you?”, Zitrus asked.

I gave a snort out of my nostrils.

“What a stupid question. I am Savage. I am…”

The princess of Alicornia and soon the wasteland?

I was unsure if I should say that. Would this just turn me back into my old self? The fanatic that once thought that alicorns should rule over the wasteland? But too late I realised my mistake. Crystal gave me a concerned look as she was able to read my thoughts. And Zitrus was able to read Crystals expression…

“Crystal, Blueberry and I decided that we will leave tomorrow shortly before noon. I hope you are ready then.”

With that said, the two turned around and left too, leaving me alone in the bathroom.

I dove into the water. One, to finish cleaning my mane and second, to clear my mind.

They do not get it! They just need a bit of time.

It was the next day and I sat in the throne room on one of these majestic chairs. They might look good, but they still need a bit of improvement in comfort. Especially if you sit in them for a long time.

Stargazer took note that I helped a lot of folks around the village and recommended that I should hold court. Which means sitting on the throne, setting rules, and processing cases to keep order. Since I am the law, ponies would come to me for judgments. But also, if they just need some advice or help to solve problems.

“... and since we hope to to expand our capital with immigration, we need ways for ponies to notice this place. It would also help to grow our economy.”

A smaller yellow stallion with an orange combed mane stood in front of me. He figured out that Alicornia need to grow in population in order to keep the growing business of the city up. But, of course, also to make the city expand. Higher population means bigger city.

“I see. Well, the problem I faced was that there was no road or path leading to Alicornia. The only reason why I and my group found this place was, because we were walking offroad to explore. But normally ponies travel on given ways like streets. So, if there should be more ponies coming here, then we also need to make it possible to find Alicornia”, I told.

“Yes, your highness, we thought about this too. But the problem is that connecting the nearest locations with roads would take a lot of time, effort, and caps", the stallion said in concern.

“Indeed, but we have to start on it sooner rather than later. One day, it will be essential for faster and safer travels. But we can start with small steps at the beginning, which gives a cheap but fast head start. We lay a gravel road to the north and connect it with a Pre-war roast in the south that my green sister found yesterday”, I suggested.

The stallion gave a nod in agreement.

“That sounds plausible. We will immediately plan a route.”

Another job well done, I thought to myself and felt rather proud.

“Alright, if that is all, then I am ready for the next case.”

“Well, that would be us”, an all too familiar voice said.

Zitrus, Crystal and Blueberry entered through the gate and came to a halt in front of my throne, looking up to me. Zitrus wore his saddlebag and Blueberry had her longbow equipped.

The yellow stallion realised that this was not a moment for any other pony to be present and swiftly escaped out of the room.

"We are ready to leave”, Zitrus simply said.

“That again?”, I asked and rolled my eyes. “Why do we already have to go? Don’t you guys see how good we have it here? Ponies respect us. We are their princesses. And from here we could build up Equestria again. To harmony like it once had been before the great war. With us ruling it.”

“Savage, we said that we’re going to leave Alicornia today. And we don’t want to stay for another day. We want to go now”, Zitrus said with a firm voice.

“Why? What do you have against Alicornia, Zitrus? Here you could finally settle down and live a life in peace with your three mares and nothing to do”, I asked the stallion with the fire colored mane.

“First, i do not like it here. Being around ponies who give me stares, half in respect, half in displeasure.first, i do not like it here.

Second, I am not ready to settle down yet.

Third, IF I settle down, then it will be somewhere, we ALL enjoy living. And none would like to be here. Except for you.”

“Even you, Crystal?”, I asked my green sister, a bit shocked.

For her part,she gave a small but serious nod.

“This place is not made for me. They act like my past does not matter…”

“But here we can be perfect. Ponies here know that we did wrong in our past, but they love us for what we are now. For what can be achieved under our rule”, I told her.

“I am not a leader”, Crystral said. Her voice was death serious. “These ponies here worship us like everything we do is correct. But it is not. Savage, I cannot make all the pain go away. I do not have the answer for everything. Even without my brutal past mistakes, I will never be able to heal all the cancer.

Maybe there are alicorns who can lead this village, and even Equestria, to a bright future. Who does not only solve daily problems like you do, but also is able to make in the right decisions in darker times. But I not such an alicorn. And neither are you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”, I asked very offended.

It was Blueberry this time who spoke. Her normally neutral voice sounded very short tempered now.

“That you are not able to rule this place. As soon as you feel pressed into a corner, might it be by a huge problem, or a mistake made by you, you will let corruption fall over you. Just like you're doing now.”

“That is not true!”, I yelled at her and spread my wings.

“Savage, please”, Zitrus said calmly.

I looked at him with a bit of furry.

“Savage… something ponies cannot handle, is power. And you, an alicorn, have a lot of power. You have strength, are able to fly and cast the most powerful spells. Once you saw your kind as the superior one. The kind that should rule over the wasteland. It took a long time to change you into the alicorn you are now. Please don’t turn back to your old self again…”

“Well maybe I want to be my old self again!”, I gave back with my voice raised. “Maybe I liked how I once used to be! Did you ever think about that? Of course not! For you I was the evil monster! Were you ever concerned about how I saw myself. I didn't see myself as a monster. You guys always thought the Goddess made me the way I was. Using her influence to turn me into somepony evil. But you weren't any better! You just taught me lessons about friendship and how to be good and so on. But maybe I never wanted such! Because who says that your way is right?! You only think that your ways are right!”

Without even really noticing it, I had stood up from my throne and came closer to my two sisters and Zitrus. Head high and wings spread wide.

On the other side, Crystal had made some steps back. Even Zitrus was scared, cowering with his ears pinned back. He was normally quite good at reasoning with other ponies using reason and logic. But this time he had nothing to say. He couldn’t tell if I wanted to be, what he describes as “good”, or if he just made me that way. Now it was ME who had him pressed into a corner. And I was going to exploit this.

But Blueberry stepped in between us. With her wings also spread she faced me, blocking the way to Zitrus and Crystal

“How dare you say such things?! We have loved you, the alicorn you became!”, she hissed.

“Well then, if you do NOT love me anymore, there is no reason for you to stay. You wanted to leave? Fine by me! Go!”, I shouted back.

“Savage, no! You belong with us! We can not leave without you!”, Crystal said with tears in her eyes.

I hated to see my sister cry. But this time I could not care less. I lit up my horn and teleported Blueberry, Crystal, and Zitrus away. Away from my sight and Alicornia.

Teleporting three ponies for a great distance gave me a headache.

But that would go away. I just turned around and made my way back to the throne. Head held high. I had a kingdom to rule after all.

Author's Note

Do you remember that the villagers would not dare to do something to Zitrus? Well, i was honest :P

A classical story how power leads to corruption. Many times told, and still happens every day…
Let’s see how princess Savage will lead and what the group, of three now, will do.