Why is life?

Chapters

South Equine
First Compound
Survivalist's Failure
First Contact
Southern Tendencies
Home Sick
Til Death
Crossing the Line
Recall
Femanism (Part 1)
Feminism (Part 2)
Troubling Revelation
Feminism (Part 3)
Developments
Because why not?
Malich's Curse
Spike's Vindication
Vickors' Gambles
Illusions and Reflections
Luna's Letter
Illusions and Reflections (Desistance)
Amends
(Because I Can) Shade does Canterlot
Question (A/N)
It's done (A/N)

South Equine

"We're in South Equine?" Twilight asked dumbly.

Sin gave an irritated shake of the head before answering in the affirmative. "Demos hadn't wanted to take the risk of getting too close to Triple M.'s Head Quarters, so he dropped us off in the only place that the company held almost no influence. They will escort us on your way to Unitas, the capital city. If memory serves there are a few hidden compounds we will be able to travel on."

Mac looked over to see Ace speaking quickly with two diamond dogs who seamed to be growing increasingly agitated. One of them pushed passed, an angry looking white hound with dark golden blotches, and walked up to the group. Sin turned his attention to the canine and lifted his chin. Mac's eyes widened as the dog slammed his fist into Sin's face, throwing the pony to the ground. He began to walk to Sin's aid, but Spike placed his arm in front of the stallion and shook his head.

"You!" The dog growled.

"That's it!" Sin barked tackling the dog and slamming him to the ground..

The white pug face grabbed Sin's foreleg and tweaked it onto the ground, holding the stallion in place. "One year gone, and you return to us like this?!" He demanded placing more pressure on his adversaries appendage. Sin growled in pain before rolling into his assailant and using the force of his movement to yank the dog into him. The element of surprise on his side, the pony rammed his foreleg against the dogs throat, pinning him to the ground.

"I return." Sins applied more pressure upon seeing the dogs paw move up. It held in place than slowly retracted when the pug realized the consequence. "Because you failed in your promise to look after Windmane." The dog growled and used his claw to help pull him to his side, gasping for some much needed air. Before the pony could act, his attacker gone victim used his back legs and kicked his own out of place, causing the stallion to fall face first. Before the match could continue farther, a lavender aura surrounded them both, levitating them away from each other.

The dog and Sin continued to glare at each other, neither complaining about the forced separation. "Now that's enough, both of you." Twilight scolded, though neither heeded her, instead choosing to continue arguing.

"You left when we needed you most!" The pug proclaimed and motioned his arm.

"You broke a promise," Sin sneered.

"We're in the wrong here? Do you joke?" The canine replied in shock. "You are the one who abandon the movement and the country."

"The country is dying, and there is no saving it!" The stallion barked, erecting shocked gasps all around. "I was in the Senate, I saw what was happening, and the citizens sit by and do nothing while the government kills the country."

"The Citizens are scared-"

"FEAR IS NO EXCUSE!" Sin yelled causing the dog to flinch. "You talk about them being afraid? How they can't make ends meet and work tirelessly? They work themselves sick and starve because of one thing... It. Is. THEIR! Choice to do so. I've lost sympathy for them allowing their fear to dictate their actions."

"SIN!" Mac shouted, appalled by what he was hearing. He didn't know exactly how New Equine worked, but Sin claiming he didn't care about other suffering was just to much to go uncontested.

"How can you even say that?" The pug asked. "These are innocent citizens who'd done nothing to deserve any of this! You think they choose to live under an oppressive government?"

"Innocent?" Sin scoffed. "They made the choice to live the way they do. Their fear has controlled them to the point they are willing to endure what ever the local law and Senate says. You can justify it however you want, but the fact remains, if they didn't want to listen to the government; they would fight back or leave as I had." He cracked his neck. "They make their own suffering, and I refuse to feel pity for that."

"Frisket." One of the unicorn ponies called. A light blue aura had over powered Twilight's over the aforementioned and slowly lowered him to the ground, remaining in place until the pony was sure her associate was calm.

"And what would you have them do? Huh?" Frisket asked chuckling in disbelief. "They have no choice!"

Sin too was lowered. "There is always a choice, in this instance: Listen to the government and only deal with a portion of their wrath, or walk away and own up to freedom. It's clear which choice they have made."

"That's enough." Applejack called adjusting her stetson. "Nao, look here, both o' ya. We're in tha middle of Luna knows where an' y'all 'r arguin' like a bunch a fillies." The dogs of the group narrowed their eyes to the southern pony.

"She means children." Sin corrected stepping in front of her. "Equestria isn't inclusive of other races, but it's not a racial thing." Sin explained. The dogs didn't look convinced but enough told the others to just let the issue die.

"Whatever." Applejack rolled her eyes. "My poin' is, I don't want no more of this here bickerin' understand me?" Sin and Frisket shared one final glare before nodding their agreement. The applemare allowed herself a proud smirk, happy with her work; Mac also smiled at his sisters ability to calm the situation.

After quick introductions were given, and a failed apology attempt, Ace told the already apparent reason for the detour to the unexpected state. The mares of the group were unhappy with the exceptionally long distance needed to travel in order to reach North New Equine, though Pinkie Pie reminded the group the reason for their visit in the first place was to give reports on the Federation as a whole, not just the Unicorn/Pegasi Consortium.

Twilight conceded the point and smiled, though Big Mac wasn't too sure. If what their guide had told them was correct, this state was the most different from Equestria. There was relatively little money that wasn't taxed from it's citizens, and what little that was left went to buy frivolous things... How were they supposed to buy food if they couldn't work for money?

The Stallion's concentration was broken when Ace announced that they needed to start moving, the journey to the first compound would take at least one day on foot. The group began trotting forward, the Equestrians taking in the land scape, with mixed results of: wonder, curiosity, and boredom . The sandy shore and salty smell of the ocean subtle turned into a darker yellow grass scape, random trees were placed every mile or so, and the thick scent of post rain filled the air.

After a few hours of awkward silence, it was Twilight who finally spoke up.

"So..." She said to no one in particular. "What do... what's the all inclusive term for all of the Federation's citizens?"

"Oh: Everybody, Everyone, the Citizens." Ace replied with a smile. "Things of that nature." Sin let a low growl of frustration due to the numerous times they had been over the topic.

"Ok, so what does everyone do for fun in South Equine?"

"These commie bastards having fun?" The light blue Unicorn mare from before asked with a harsh laugh. "That's a good one."

"Silvia, that's not right and you know it." Scolded a much older looking dark grey and rugged faced earth pony stallion, shooting the unicorn a look. He smiled at Twilight. "The South Equine have always found fondness within community. Typically, the Citizens of other states prefer more privacy and seclusion, we in South Equine like to spend more time with others than by ourselves." Pinkie joined in the conversation, of course asking about what parties and other festivities consisted of. This prompted the elder stallion to begin a lecture on the early years of the state, in order to put it's holidays and such into context.

Mac took this opportunity to talk to Sin about what he said before. He wanted to know what kind of thought process could ever lead someone to actually relish in the suffering of another. Luckily the desired stallion walked at the end of the group a good distance, so privacy would be certain, save the night pegasus who walked with him. Though, Macintosh considered Star Shade to be relatively safe to speak around.

"Sin." Mac spoke just above a whisper, "Can we talk?"

Sin shook his head and let out a sigh. "I know what you're going to say. And no, it's not that I enjoy seeing beings suffer for no reason." He trotted along, both his companions listening with great intent. Growing rather bored of listening to Pinkie gasp and awe about South Equine customs, Mac pried the question a bit more. "Ignorance and laziness are the greatest hindrance to Sentience, Mr. Macintosh. Once those two are accepted and protected, a great deal of restrain and foolishness are to follow. Perhaps not from the current generation, but surly from the generation's posterity."

Mac furrowed his brow, how does one protect ignorance and laziness? "I'll give you an example." Sin continued, his tone wavering from annoyed to explanatory. "When the Federation was first formed, there was no Southern or Northern Equine, it was just called New Equine..." He continued on, telling the history of how after the revolution, there was a terrible depression that had taken hold, many of the Citizens had adopted to voting for a higher tax to help feed those who couldn't work to feed themselves. Adopting a way to pay farmers for growing food while simultaneously giving nourishment to those in need. Mac liked this Idea: nobody goes hungry, nobody was out of a job, the richer ponies paid their fair share... It was a win all around.

"Tha' sounds like a good system, did it keep 'round?"

Sin gestured with his hoof, a twinge of disappointment on his face. "South New Equine was born from that Idea, and has since expanded on it." He looked around. "Everything from food to medical supplies, to entertainment and hygiene was all put into the hands of the government." He further explained about how the state had adopted more and more socialist tendencies, eventually sprouting into one of almost pure Communism, allowing only enough money not to be taxed in order for the citizens to purchase frivolousness from the Triple M. Corporation. Enchanted wagons, delving into the revolutionary steam engines and so on.

The earth pony noticed how disgusted the stallion looked while speaking of the matter, and while the economic freedom vs economic fairness aspect of the conversation did interest him, he couldn't help but ask why. Sin chuckled a little, he didn't hate that a community wished to operate in such a fashion, elaborating on how such a system would only be in mammalian sentient nature to a degree. Helping those less fortunate, caring for the sickly who can't care for themselves and so on... Though, it was the way the system was enforced that caused the former senator to spit in bitter taste.

There was no choice in the matter for any who lived within the states respectively. One couldn't keep their property should the majority wish it owned, and all who fought were met with violence, justified by the government's law. There were those who wished to leave and some did, escaping South Equine for another government type. That was one of the original intent for the separate states, according to the Libertas Clamo: The different states would have the governments that the citizens would desire. Thus allowing the individual a choice on what government they would like to live under instead of having an all encompassing Federal law to control all.

It was about an hour or so of detailed explanation before Sin finally drew down to address the original question. "I have told you everything in order to give you a satisfying answer Big Mac." Sin looked to Star Shade who gave an encouraging nod. "The suffering of others for stupidity is suffering they bring upon themselves. I enjoy watching it for hopes they will learn. Mistakes will always be made: ponies, griffins diamond dogs, and all others are anything but perfect." He looked ahead to the group walking forward, Mac couldn't help but smile, aside from a suborn cyan pegasus; most of the group seemed to be in relatively good spirits. The Federation Citizens were just as curious about Equestria as the foreigners were about them. "But we do the best we can, and with out restrictions and constant fear mongering, we can achieve great happiness and prosperity."

"HEY!" Called Applejack waving a happy hoof. "Y'all r' gonna get lef' behind if ya don't hurry up!" She called playfully. Mac had more questions, though he supposed those could wait for a later time. For now, maybe it was time to just enjoy a bit of tranquility devoid of drama and deep thought. He'd been thinking alot lately, topics that dwarfed the simple day to day questions he had lived his life on. And it had began to take it's toll on his mental state. He trotted ahead, pushing away mixed feelings about having his question quasi-answered and listened to his sister and her friend repeat everything the pony told them.

"Hoo wee, I tell ya Mac." His sister said enthusiastically. "This place is mighty differen' from ponyville n' th' farm." She motioned to the earth stallion besides her, the one who scolded Silvia. "Pardon' my manners, this is Kondile, he was 'riginally born in North Equine and traveled down here t' be 'round folks who think like he does. Avoid too much drama and what no'."

Mac smiled to the pony, it wasn't often he could look straight ahead and see a ponies eyes, but this particular pony rivaled his height; if not surpassing it. "Ah, Big Macintosh." He held out his hoof and Macintosh introduced himself. Klondile's voice was soft and deep, rather relaxing in a way. "Your sister has told me a lot about you." Mac couldn't help but blush, he knew they were kin but to talk 'alot' about him. What was there to say? Oh right...

He looked to find the others were also integrating well, Rainbow Dash had found herself in an exciting discussion about an annual race of some kind, debating about if the current leader of the track "Vector" would be able to hold his own against the wonderbolts Spitfire or Soarin. Twilight and Pinkie conversed with a pair of surprisingly intelligent dogs, each going on about the technology and magical advances that had been made in the Federation, partial compliments of Triple M. in some way, shape or form.

Finally, the head diamond dog held up a paw, informing the others to halt and then pointed to his companions telling them each to go in different directions. After the ritual was completed and each nodded thier head in approval, the white pug from before smirked and approached a small cluster of tanned red rocks. Mac quirked a brow and elbowed Klondile for an explanation, the dark grey pony smiled knowingly and watched as the dogs moved two bolders aside, revealing a dark whole beneath. "Follow us." Frisket called jumping down the sentient made crevice. The ponies were soon lowered in, leaving Sin and another dog outside.

"We'll be along shortly." The dog said standing in Sin's way. Star Shade glared skeptically but his associate calmed his fears with a few words of affirmation. Once the Night pegasus had disappeared into the hole, the leader of the pack turned back to address. "So, care to fill me in?" He asked crossing his arms.

"About?" Sin replied.

"Don't play dumb with me Islander." He deadpanned. "You don't care this much about Windmane, so why did you come back?"

Sin stared blankly at the pegasus and denied the accusation, though the dog had known the former Senator for quite some time prior to his departure, he knew that the two stallions had been friendly with one another during their time served. Though, the dog wouldn't consider his associate the type to travel two countries away just for the sake of helping find an old acquaintance when there was no proof he was in danger.

Sin smirked. "You always were one to see through my lies, Toby. If you must know, I've heard that North New Equine had begun a great deal more deficit spending, providing subsidies to Aquafine and Triple M.'s Mercenary department. Oliver's Enterprise, Ol' MacDonald and other companies who have no business receiving hand outs. And then adding universal health care legislation? Those things aren't cheap you know." Toby eyed the pony, his light beady yellow eyes demanding more answers. "And as you know, North Equine hasn't exactly had the best time balancing a budget, between higher costs and already strained public incomes, spending cuts and higher taxes will send the public into a frenzy."

"All options are closed for the State, end subsidies and cut taxes; the public is hit with higher prices to make up the difference. Maybe the money that was meant for taxes is enough to make up for the price increase, maybe not. Or the other option, continue with business as usual, put themselves further in debt and await the inevitable crash to occur."

"So you're here for?" The light brown pooch asked, tired of his question being dodged.

"To see what happens when the other states finally halt their capital lending, and North Equine's government has to stop subsidizing." Sin's smirk grew int a cynical smile. "As I've said before, when the foolish suffer, I always get a certain sense of satisfaction."

"And what about Windmane?"

"Call finding him a mutual benefit." The tan clad stallion chuckled, "Though as far as saving those willful slaves, I have no interest."

Toby shook his head. "You're a very sick pony, you know that?"

"I suppose honesty isn't well appreciated these days." Sin shrugged. "But by all means, if you still have faith that this system of things can be saved, work to your heart's content; I wont get in your way. Though I hold no shame when I say I will take great pleasure in standing by as this 'civilization' eats it self alive, I'd rather be called a 'sick pony' than a delusional one."

First Compound

Mac looked around the torch lit mineshaft hallway. Small bits of dirt began to spill from the roof, the sound of shifting rocks and moving hooves and paws were the only noises aside from the constant hisses for silence. This was a compound? He felt his sister push him forward. As he trotted through the earthen path barely big enough for him to stand in, a sudden thought crossed his mind. Ponies live like this. They want to lay hidden down in this hole to avoid being spotted by those they deem a threat. How can they do it? Maybe it wasn't as bad as all this, maybe there was an expansion ahead! Yea, the walls would be wider, and the ceilings would taller. They had to be.

After a few more minutes of walking, his hopes rose a little when they came to a more widely dug out area vertical wise, Though the floor dropped an inch or so, on the whole, it still seemed too cramped and limiting for his personal liking. Small torches pierced the surrounding darkness to reveal a long table and a handful of cots sputtered all around the cavity.

"This is... where you live?" Twilight asked awkwardly.

"It's not much," Frisket called, removing a dagger from his fur toned vest. "But it's all we have." The other Federals began taking seats on their beds, or looking over pieces of paper on the table. "Can't draw too much attention to ourselves." He spoke barely above a saddened whisper.

Ace nudged Twilight, "This is how it is for most of or compounds her in South Equine." He whispered, Twilight's dumbfounded look only served to further fuel him. "The price of freedom for now. But don't worry, they don't spend too much time down here." The lavender unicorn looked around and questioned about the food supply, Ace informed her that there were surrounding farms where the Syndicate members would scavenge nourishment enough for survival and operations. There was a town not too far north who'd become sympathetic to their ideals and have no trouble harboring the activists.

"This place is kinda... Cramped" Rainbow complained inspecting the walls. "Man, what I wouldn't give to see Rarity's face if she were here. She'd be all 'Oh heavens darling this place is simply ghastly'!" Mac chuckled at the fliers attempt to preform the fashinista's snobbish accent, though he wasn't alone in his mirth.

"Rainbow," Applejack chuckled, "Yer terrible fer that."

Rainbow blew a raspberry before giggling again and poking some more information out of Ace. Mac looked on to find Spike looking around with morbid curiosity. "Wow," sighed, "They really do live like this, don't they?"

"Was i' so differn' from how we lived fer six months?" Mac asked a little disturbed. Of course it was different, they were free to roam where ever they please and do what ever they liked so long as none were hurt. These guys were seen as outlaws, criminals who'd simply wanted to live a life without intrusive government. They live in a hole for Celestia's sake, what kind of question was that? There had been a point previously, though he couldn't remember to save his life now.

Though, they could just leave if they wanted to... Right? Since they chose to stay here, than they also chose to live this way. If they didn't want to they could just pack up and move on.

Spike shrugged. "Maybe, I can see where your coming from if your talking about living with out the typical comforts of home" Yea, that was it! "But what do they have to do to live in a place like this?" Mac thought on that, that was actually a good point. From the surrounding terrain, it didn't look like a camp would serve any purpose here. Curious for answers he and Spike walked past the crowds conversing and some laughing, and found Frisket looking over some maps.

Upon noticing the duo, the mentioned dog shuffled the map from view and eyed the Equestrians skeptically. Mac tried to put on his most friendly face, but that only seemed to put the hound more on edge. Finally he gave up and allowed himself a more neutral demeanor. "What?" Frisket barked.

Mac cleared his throat after a wince. "We was just wondern' why is it ya have compound 'round here? Ah mean, 's not much goin' on by the look of it." Spike nodded in agreement.

"That is Federation business, NOT Equestria's." Barked Frisket, he found a large gray paw on his shoulder and turned his pug like face to see his wolfish superior "Toby?"

"We treat guests better than that, Corporal." Toby gave his subordinate a disappointed look, the torchlight almost making him appear in a melancholic anger. "However, despite my friends lack of manners, he is correct. Our business here is classified to the Syndicate, sorry to say." Toby looked to the pony and dragon and saw Mac giving a defiant glare. He had to know why they were here, what was so important that would make a sentient being live in confined hole like this? "Alright fine, you win. Though, I can't give you specifics, basically we observe the towns and complexes."

"So y'all just look at ponies n' town n' such?" Mac asked skeptically.

"Basically. There's more to it than that I assure you. However, as I stated before, No specifics." Toby smiled and looked back to Frisket, "Now apologize." Frisket rolled his eyes and offered a quaint, not to mention insincere, 'sorry'. Acknowledging that was the best he was going to get, the Alpha told his subordinate to go and do something having to do with field reports and the begrudged hound left, muttering a few rather unfriendly words.

After a quick meal of carrots and lettuce that Ace and one of the other pegasi had stolen from a near by field, all the occupants of the small, and now cramped lodging; took to settling in for sleep. Mac and Spike found the tunnel leading outside to be the most viable quarters as far as personal space went. The four mares had gotten into the routine of huddling together and using each other to preserve body heat. The crimson Equestrian yawned and laid his head down for the first grounded and hopefully restful sleep he had since the Gonshinian.

Sin sat out in the frozen night, the cold air assaulted his lungs, reverberating into a jolt of pain to his heart. He laughed at how his body reacted to such insignificant variables. After traveling around in colder weather, you'd think his body would be used to it by now. The moon had shown and disappeared thanks to the roving clouds overhead, a small glow in the east spoke shadows of a larger town or complex that lay beyond the ridge. The liberty stallion decided to take watch for the night, Star Shade had been more sane than usual, and that could only be brought about by either interacting him just after he woke up or sleep deprivation.

The mentioned stallion also sat on watch, nodding off every once in a while only to shake himself awake in a fruitless cycle to maintain consciousness.

"Why don't you get some sleep?" Sin called keeping his head forward. "I'll handle watch tonight."

"What so your friends can have their way with me?" Shade chuckled and cover his rump. "This plot belongs to Discord."

Sin shook his head. "And no horror story will ever give me a worse image. Thank you Shade."

"Tis what I do, my good sir." Shade bowed his head, he stumbled from exhaustion but caught himself before falling. The night pegasus yawned and coughed. "At any rate, what is the plan?" He asked yawning again, Sin began his explanation, naming off the numerous compounds that would need to be reached and who the group would need to talk to. Giving very tedious and unnecessary details for every point. A light snoring interrupted his preaching and he found his associate laying on his side, using his forelegs as a pillow.

Some times it's just too easy.

Sin took this time to think, what would he do once he reached Windmane? He had nothing better to do until the economy collapsed under it's own bloated weight. The government giving corporate welfare and trying to systematically retain social programs all with out collecting enough in tax revenue? It might take a while, but seeing the state come down due to it's citizens own perpetuated ignorance and hearing their cries for help in for their own mistake would make all the time biding worth while.

This would show them.

All those statist retards bickering over how the Boltinian 'free ground' beliefs and Synidratic 'free sky' beliefs were absolutely worthless.

-Especially considering that rhetoric should have been dead since the two parties didn't even stick with those principals anymore- Sure the artifice was used for the Senate's relation to the public, some how integrating freedom of the sky or land; but it was used in more of a metaphorical sense than litteral. Better yet? The idiotic citizens fell for it, they actually believed the constant bull shit pushed down their throats.

There was no real difference between them, all of them bickering on and on about compromise, all the while trade routs and weather planning was restricted. Thousands go hungry and even more suffer cold because of this supposed "stale mate". Both parties only create more oppressive law of control, neither dare to repeal anything of substance.

And the real cause? Of course, money. Money to fill their fat fucking pockets and retirements.

All the while, the Northern New Equinites merely bicker and argue from one political candidate to the next about which Federal Program would be the most help, and which is more worthy of tax payer funding. North Equine was almost solidified in it's alliance with the Boltinian party, however, more and more Syndicratic groups had been gaining steam, seeing the ground based free trade as a hindrance and inefficient, while the pegasi's have been restrained to interfere in the weather at all for a more "natural" way of living.

At least they followed their "principals" in that way.

At least, that's how it was when he left, little did they know that no Syndicrat has dared oppose the bills already passed by the Boltinians, and vice versa. Not that it mattered really, the citizens couldn't see passed the current "crisis" at any given time anyway. They were to busy defending their own party or attacking the other to see what they truly were. A farce, an unintelligible facade of a two headed snake lobbied by those who only seek to use their power for personal gain.

Those who thought that the government was the solution to the problems it created, hearing their screams of help and hunger in his mind was almost enough to bring a genuine smile to the cynical stallions face. Though, there was that little problem with Senatorial Martial Law being declared upon the states economic collapse, though he couldn't see the Triple M. mercs trusting each other enough to protect their families for them. So, that bridge would be crossed when need be.

He wondered where he should go to witness it first. The thought of staying on the outskirts of the capital crossed his mind, though if too many Citizens flee he could be exposed; thus leaving him open for the pillaging and plundering that would soon follow after food prices hiked beyond reason. The only thing holding up N. New Equine right now was it holding Triple M.'s Head Quarters. Should the Company leave the state and set up elsewhere, South Equine would loose most incentive to trade food in as great abundance as it had. And thanks to the anti-gardening laws that passed curtsy to the Consumable Safety Administration claiming that all food must pass their inspection, it wasn't likely that there would be enough food in N. Equine to feed it's current population.

It's downfall would be full of panic and chaos... Sin smiled at the thought. Absolutely glorious.

Sin's happy fantasies of angry and scared: Ponies, Griffin,, and Sentience in general panicking and suffering were interrupted by a sudden shouting from behind him. "HIYA SIN!"

He bolted around in a gasp to witness Pinkie beaming at him. A few more calming breaths passed before he looked to make sure Shade was still asleep, fortune smiled at hope. He then turned back to address the eccentric mare.

"Ms. Pie, please, they are trying to sleep." He called in a harsh whisper.

"Oh, sorry." Pinkie smiled apologetically and climbed out to sit by the former Senator. Here we go again, what does she want this time? "So, Can I ask you a question Sin?" The aforementioned shrugged indifferently. "Isn't it hard to see at night with those goggles on?"

Sin shook his head. "No."

"Are you sure? It's really dark out at night."

Sin slowly turned his head to see the beaming pony. In a low and sarcastic voice he replied: "You don't say."

Sin saw Pinkie's ears press against her head, and her smile vanished. Victory, though he knew that if the last few weeks were any indicator, this was only the first of many battles to come this evening. He didn't know exactly what the Party mare wanted from him or why she insisted on speaking with him so frequently, but it couldn't be good. She'd been prying ever since they left Canterlot, trying to get him to 'talk about himself'. What did she want? Use the information against him? Did Star Shade put her up to it? He did say when he 'least expected it.' It's a possibility. And even if he didn't, this pony was something dangerous if she put her mind to it, he knew that much to be certain...

"My friend Fluttershy," Pinkie began her sad smile brightening a bit. "She has a problem expressing herself you see. She's always been a gentle and kind mare. She wont admit it, but I know she becomes very lonely at times. Never wanting to inconvenience anypony- er... anybody to keep her company."

"This story of yours." Sin interrupted. "Does it have a point?"

Pinkie winced at the venom in Sin's tone but continued on. "I-I try to visit her once in a while to keep her company, help stave off that feeling of isolation." She let out a sigh. "I don't like to see ponies angry or sad. I like to make everypony happy. It's what I consider my special talent to be..." She trailed on.

Yep more story telling about her friends and life back home. Doesn't she have actual friends she can talk to about this? 'Why does she keep pestering me like this? Me of all ponies? Hmm... ' Maybe the theory of her trying to poke at his brain isn't so off base after all. it's not like he's been the nicest pony to her. Though, he'd be lying if he didn't find this whole ordeal amusing, for some reason or another.

A challenge of will? A psychological game that he already knew the outcome of? Or maybe it was just seeing the hyperactive mare get that shit eating grin wiped off of her face with words.

Pinkie continued to drivel on and on about something while Sin lost himself in introspection of his philosophies, brought countryman's previous aggression. 'Well, I guess the concept is a bit cruel, though I'm not a cruel stallion. Ok, so I like to see individuals suffer for their stupidity. That's consequence of their action or inaction, they have it coming. It's not cruel to enjoy the suffering of others when it's self inflicted. It's the price of ignorance and stupidity. Sympathy for such will only lead to the desire to protect it.'

"... you know what I mean?" Pinkie asked hopefully. Sin looked over, relieved though at the same time unnerved by the ponies silence and expectancy.

'I was supposed to be paying attention to that, wasn't I?'

"Uh, yea, sure. Why not?" He shrugged and delved back into his thoughts.

"Why do you hate me?" Pinkie asked, her somber voice breaking his train of thought yet again.

Sin groaned dramatically, "Why do you pretend to care?" He shot back. It's time the games to finally begin. He'd walked around her challenges long enough.

"What?" She asked, her voice trembling. Sympathy, empathy and guilt; clever tools of the female sex when utilized properly. However, there were no males here to protect her in such a emotionally distraught state. She couldn't use her emotions to manipulate anyone here.

Sin repeated his question, emphasizing each word. Pinkie looked on the brink of tears. "But, I..."

"Get some rest miss Pie." Sin barked. "We have a lot of ground to cover to the next compound." The awkward silence soon gave way to the familiar and bitter sweet comfort of solitude. Though it was far shorter than he was expecting, the game had been played... Victory was his.

Tonight anyway.

"Hey Mac!" A harsh whisper came from the darkened hallway. "Mac, you awake?" The mentioned pony let out a groan, that sweet embrace of sleep was almost upon him, and now he had to wake up? Life wasn't fair sometimes.

"Yea, wha's goin' on Spike?" He called retraining the irritation he wished desperately to show.

"I was just thinking, Do you think it's ok to enjoy the suffering of others, so long as it's only because they do it to themselves I mean?"

Mac too had thought about the concept ever since Sin had brought such a disturbing thought to light. No, no it was not ok, the former senator was wrong. True ponies would make mistakes, the world wasn't a perfect place. But to insinuate that the best thing to do was to sit by while they suffered for them? No, that was not something the earth pony could bring himself to accept. He could help, what if the mistakes killed the pony who made them? How were they supposed to learn if they died? "No, Ah don'. He's wrong 'bout it." He lifted himself until he was sitting upright.

"How do you know?" Spike asked also sitting up and eying Mac. "What he says makes a lot of sense."

"Jus' 'cause it makes sense; don' make it right." Mac replied, a twinge of begrudging squeezed due to the interrupted sleep. Spike protested his point, though Mac interrupted him. "Wha' would ya do if Twi' er Pinkie er the others made a mistake? Would y'all really sit back and le' them hurt for it?" Spike opened his mouth to give a quick yes, though the word stuck in his throat. After a few thoughtful moments he conceded the point.

'He was wrong on this, other ponies hurting is never a good thing'. Mac thought as he laid himself down to embrace the sweet grounded rest he'd been denied for the past week. Sleep almost took him again, though a continuation of gentle sobs began to make him grit his teeth. 'why me?' he groaned and sat up again to see Pinkie quietly tip toeing past the other pony who shared the hallway and into the main room. 'what's her problem?'

"Mac wake up, it's time to go." The stallion shooed the poking claws away, complaining that he hadn't slept with this much content in a week. Another shove brought his mind from the struggling daze and he found that the hallway had become alot brighter. "Mac, it's time to wake up!" He looked to find Spike with his arms folded and an annoyed stare. Had it not been for a low growl of his stomach solidifying the end to any chance of rest, the earth pony would brushed the dragon off and allowed himself another hour or two of rest.

Reluctantly, Mac stood up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. All the while wondering how it was possible to wake up more tired than when he went to sleep. He followed Spike into the main room and found the the four Equestrian mares conversing amongst themselves. Toby and Frisket had despair ridden looks as they both read over a few pieces of paper. Sin, Ace and a new pony who wasn't there before stood together debating about something or another.

"...and you're absolutely certain?" Sin asked.

"Yes, they were defiantly heading to the compound." The newcomer Pegasi nodded sadly.

"Tripping the light's fan-fucking-tastic." He shook his head, then looked to see Mac looking at him in concern. The brown clad pony let out another sigh and made his way for the hall. "I'll have Star Shade scout an alternate route." He walked by with out even a nod of acknowledgement. Mac felt nervous, what was heading for the compound? He questioned Ace about the concern to which the pegasus gave an empty chuckle.

"No, no not here." He assured laying a comforting hoof on the farmers shoulder. "It was the compound about twenty miles north that was hit. Though that's almost just as bad, we've lost communication and reconnaissance up there. " His voice turned grave. "Along with the fact you wont have shelter when you arrive at that checkpoint as planned." He turned and motioned for Mac and Spike to follow him. they looked at a thin Map on the close side and the golden pegasus pointed a hoof to a small dot with a red 'X' over it. He explained that the next compound would be a three day trip after the two days it would take to reach the overtaken one. Spike grumbled and looked over the terrain, he pointed to an elevated area and asked about seeking refuge their for a night.

"Mount Pike?" Ace asked looking at the area thoughtfully. "Hmm... There are some foragers that go in there for the berries and herbs that only grow in that area, but I suppose it's better than staying out in the open." Twilight and Applejack approached and inquired to what was going on, Ace brought them up to speed and the two grimaced. "The other bad news, is that there wont be an escort for us."

"What?" Twilight asked wide eyed.

"These boys are stationed here, they were already pushing their luck leaving for a day, five days up and five days back would leave us with out eyes in this sector, And since the Sector up ahead is already blacked out, and with with the odd activities going on lately the Syndicate can't spare further loss of information."

"That's alright." Rainbow Dash called with a confident smirk. "We don't need any help. We'll be fine as long as I'm here."

"My aren't you full of... Confidence." Ace smirked. "Alright, saddle up, we leave after breakfast."

The meal passed in relative silence and peace. The dogs and ponies of the out post had already taken their leave on daily scouting and recon, leaving only Toby to stay and summarize the reports he had gotten. Once all of the carrots and cabbage was gone, the six ponies and dragon climbed out of the shelter into winter's cold and cloudy grip and continued due north. After almost an hour of walking, Star Shade returned from his expedition and told the only pony of the group he actually spoke to what he had seen ahead. Sin relayed the information to Ace who finally announced the information to the rest about the clear way ahead.

"You know," Rainbow grunted eying Shade. "You could have just told us flat out." Shade grunted and continued trotting along. "Hey!" The rainbow mare dashed up and blocked his path. "What's your problem?"

"Rainbow!" Scolded Twilight. The mare gave her a look than stared back to the unimpressed night guard before her. After another pout the speedster stood out of Shade's way and allowed him to pass. Mac shook his head, things had been a bit more difficult with the arrival of his old friends. Shade would only talk to Sin unless Spike or Mac initiated a conversation, even then; it was hard to get anything helpful or semi-sensical out of him.

Spike had gotten a bit more temperamental with Twilight getting on him in anything she could: Reminding him to be careful with his gem carving, badgering him to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. But even though it was all motherly and well intentioned, the incipient nagging had begun to take it's toll on the reptile.

Rainbow had more or less been the most tolerable of the group of his old friends, surprising as it was to say. The worst she did was antagonize a little and gloat, passed that; she was either cheerfully conversing or flying around not bothering anybody. His sister had to be the worst one of them though, all of Twilight's nagging was nothing compared to the hard core stubbornness of Applejack. Sin laid down the law when they first set out from Canterlot, less than kindly informing them that either they followed him or he left them behind. He'd hear what they have to say, but ultimately it was his call to make. He and Shade were the only ones spared from his sisters wrath, but not her complaints.

During the trek to the Gonshinian from Canterlot, each of the girls wanted to help pull their own weight. So they paired off and Mac decided it best to team up with his sister in his culinary duties. At first it was innocent enough, a few suggestions about adding a specific spice or a small addition that wasn't preferred; but from there it only got worse: scoldings about over cooking or under cooking the food, complaining about how much he ate when he tested the stews, and even going so far as to excluding him from the process in favor of her own volition.

Twilight and Sin had few to no issues in food collection, and since Shade refused to even acknowledge any of the mares Pinkie Spike and Rainbow Dash would all tend to the fire. Pinkie and fire... yea that just doesn't even sound like it will end well. Rainbow had decided she would go against one of the oldest tenets of fillies and 'play with the flames' making them dance and even tried to make a puppet show; searing Pinkies mane in the process To his happy surprise, the group that seemed so doomed to crumble actually compromised at Twilight's behest. While still not the greatest, they did learn how to work together and more responsibly.

Sin even took kind of well to the girls, but Star Shade? He simply hated them, Mac couldn't figure out why. Any time he'd ask the night guard about it, he would simply fly away or shrug it off entirely, any of the four would receive the same response just by talking to him at all.

The a light breeze sent shivers down the stallions spine, it would be a cold night to be sure, but nothing that installed any fear of hypothermia or anything like that. After a quick rest stop by a near by pond for a few minutes of rest and re-hydration, they continued on until dusk.

"Sin," Called Applejack softly, "Thin' we shoul' set up camp?" The mentioned stallion looked at her, than to the setting sun than back to her and gave a nod in the affirmative. Everyone went to their duties save Ace who decided to help Shade in water gathering. To Mac's surprise the stallion actually allowed the help, and they trotted off to obtain the life giving fluid.

Mac dug out the tools he typically used for the stew, using his canteen water to wash them up for use. Pinkie had gathered a small mound of dead grass to be kindle while Rainbow looked for actual wood. Sin and Twilight went off to look for food, leaving He and his sister to their work. "Hey Mac," Applejack called quietly. "Might I have a word witcha."

"Was goin' on?"

"It's 'bout you n' Spike. Ah think I need to tell ya somethin' Ah should'a told ya a while ago." She motioned for the dragon to come over, leaving Pinkie to keep the flame alive. "Ah just wanted to let ya both know, Ah'm real proud of ya." She smiled sincerely at the bright blushes the two were giving her. She fiddle with her stetson a bit, trying to find the right words. "And Ah also wanna apologize. Ah know that Ah - we... Haven't treated ya the best, whether disregarding your opinions er treaten ya like you can't handle yer selves. Ah'm sorry if we pushed you away, the only reason we did it was 'case we care 'bout you. You know that right?" the apple mare nervously eyed her brother and Spike.

"You know we do AJ." Spike chirped. "And I suppose we're sorry for walking away like we did." The dragon kicked at the ground, his face ridden with a little guilt. Mac felt the same way, he was genuinely regretful for hurting his sisters feelings and putting her through so much worry. He loved her, always would; no question about it.

"Thank you Spike." Applejack continued with a smile. "N' for what it's worth, Ah think y'all turned out alright." The three shared a quick embrace and waited to see if they would need to use their rations, or if nature would nourish them tonight. Forgoing lunch hadn't exactly been an easy adjustment, but they typically made up for it at dinner. The water gatherers were the first to arrive back.

"Damn." Ace complained arching his back. "How do you do this every day?" Shade chuckled and shook his head. The two buckets had found their way into the homemade filtration system of an unused cloak and finally into the small cauldron/pot. The cooking utensils and water found their place and only needed the food to be put to service. Rainbow was next to return, carrying a fag in her forelegs and complaining about having to do the 'real work' alone. Finally, they saw Sin and Twilight approaching in the last dim glows of dusk.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Twilight apologized repeatedly. When looking for what exactly happened to elect this behavior, Mac found the leader of the group had a limp in his step. "Please forgive me."

"Wha' happened?" Mac called leaving his post.

"I- I didn't mean to..." Twilight almost sobbed.

"Just a little accident Mac, nothing to get worked up over." Sin cooed pulling out a few heads of lettuce, asparagus, and eight potato.Mac eyed the feast before him, tonight they would eat like kings. "Be sure to keep the flame down, we don't want to attract any unwanted attention." The black eyed stallion called before limping away from the group where he nursed his wound.

"Dang Twi, what did you do?" Spike chuckled before Pinkie shot him a look and left to check on Sin.

"It was an accident I swear." Twilight protested.

"Sure, so would you mind telling us why you accidentally tried to assassinate Sin?" The drake asked with a wry grin. Mac watched with amusement as Twilight's eyes darted from side to side. After finding no help to be had, she let out a sigh and told the group about the nearby farm, she came a cross a very stubborn potato root and her determination in pulling it out had lead to her yanking the spud out of the ground and unintentionally slamming into Sin's leg.

"Death by potato." Mac shook his head. "Fah shame, Miss Spa'kle." The group burst out laughing as Twilight's face grew red from his teasing.

Pinkie grabbed the poker stick and began rearranging the tinder in the fire pit. After seeing that her action actually started to kill the fire, Rainbow Dash questioned her motives, the party mare smiled and happily answered. "Sin asked me to make sure the fire didn't get to big, he wasn't sure if you guys heard him."

"He's right." Ace coughed before looking around. "We don't want to draw too much attention to ourselves." Twilight asked what the harm was in having a fire, surly nobody would care that much if they found out some vegetables were stolen. "It's not about the vegies, Miss Twilight. It's about the state. We're in an area where technically it's illegal for us to be. And one thing about the ponies and such who live here is that they live by the 'see something, say something' policy."

"See something, say something?" Spike asked before rolling his eyes. "So tattling basically."

"Basically." Ace affirmed. "If we are spotted out here, who knows what the South Equine Government will do to us..."

And please point out any mistakes you find! I don't have an editor/proofreader, so it's up to the heartless grammar and spelling Nazis out there to make me feel bad about myself for having a "than" instead of "then" or too many commas, or what ever.

-Dax

Survivalist's Failure

"Are we there yet?" Rainbow complained for the umpteenth time. Her hooves crunching in the ankel deep snow with every step on the trail.

"NO!" Yelled Twilight for the hundredth time, all patience lost for her friends constant wining.. "How many times do we have to go over this?"

Mac groaned, here we go again.

The few days spent walking away from the first compound had been the worst few days of his life. Thankfully, their guide had far more extensive knowledge of wilderness ingenuity that had astounded still. Sin managed to carry all manner of equipment on him, including a weather resistant tarp that when constructed into a half roof hut near a fire, would insulate the area to the point where the constant freezing temperatures held little consequence.

Though, he had always made it with at least two hours of daylight left, and the sun would be setting soon, he didn't stop to make camp. Instead, the freedom loving pony just trotted ahead of the group, keeping to himself as he mainly did.

Rainbow Dash exhaled a sigh of frustration, the thick steam of her breath indicative of the freezing temperatures she had only fared in at extremely high altitudes. They group had been walking in the skeletal, frost ridden forest for the past half day, the sun's decent was almost complete and with it, the temperature dropped even further. "You know Twi'? I'm starting to get real sick of your bossy attitude."

"I'm sorry." Twilight quipped sarcastically, narrowing her eyes. "If it weren't for a certain pegasus whining every five minutes, I don't think I would need to be such a pain in the-"

"Alrigh' that's enough!" Applejack interrupted, walking in between the two mares. "Rainbow, I'd expect this kinda behavior from you, but Twiligh' Sparkle. I am honestly surprised."

"Stay out of it Applejack, you're just as bad as she is." Rainbow accused waving a dismissive hoof.

"Beg pardon?"

"You're. Just. As. Bad." The pegasus emphasized every word. "Do you know how bad you get with the cooking? It's like Mac and Sin are dealing with Chef Ramneighies." (Bad pun, now RAGE!)

Oh no, they brought him into it.

"Well, at least I can keep mah mouth shut fer more than five minutes..." Mac let out an aggravated sigh as the three mares stopped walking to argue with one another. Each pointing out specific flaws about the others, all actual constructive arguments cast out in favor of each just trying to hurt the others feelings at this point. They kept arguing in circles, making the same "points" over and over again. Pinkie tried to jump in and quell the harsh words, though one mention of how she hadn't done anything at all discouraged her from saying anything further. Electing instead to simply sit alone and sulk, ever since she'd run out of sugary treats to snack on, the typically hyperactive and party driven pink pony had mellowed considerably. Not to the point of depression, but still uncomfortably calm to say the least.

After a few minutes of his migraine growing, the last slivers of patients finally gave in. "WILL Y'ALL SHUT THE BUCK UP!?" Mac hollered,. "Fo' Celestia's sake, Ah knew y'all could act like a bunch a' fillies, but you have to choose right now to do it? In the middle of the freezin' cold forest? What would Granny Smith, the Wonderbolts, and Celestia say?" He asked looking at each pony respectively to their mentioned idols. He knew it was a low blow, but his calm and stoic nature could only tolerate so much.

Mac's nostrils flared with the fums he was exhaling, a mix of pride an guilt ran through him as he observed the less than innocent looks the mares gave him. He felt a gentle presence on his shoulder and looked back with an expression of pure distaste.

Sin nodded, easing the stallions anger with a wordless shake of the head, and motioned for them to continue forward. Mac could hear the three of them behind him, still bickering in harsh whispers, at least the majority of the arguing has passed. He had to fight the temptation to turn around and yell at them again, but then he'd be no better than any of them if he kept on yelling himself.

"Ace." Sin called, the sun dipping down beyond the horizon. The golden pony looked upon the survivalist with tired eyes. "In the mountain, was there any mention of a cave or crevice we could seek shelter in?"

"I um... uh." Ace fumbled over his words, the exhaustion in his face the clear culprit of the typical smooth and witty ponies words turning sluggish and incoherent. "Not recalling anything."

Sin looked the sluggish pony once over than turned his attention to the others to find that most weren't in much better shape. Mac was gasping for air from the extended travel time, the oxygen just didn't feel as satisfying in his lungs as it used to... Sin apparently failed to mention the fact that the passage they were taking would cause him to venture to a higher altitude.

After the pony shook his head and outed a sigh, he looked forward to the approaching elevation of terrain and informed the troop it would not be much longer until they could rest again. The revelation sparked a new hope and energy within the travel ridden ponies and they began to trot a little faster to the mountain incline.

Mac collapsed onto the forest floor, the cold ground meeting his bare stomach. The walk to the incline had been longer than he had originally thought. The cold and lack of actual rest had been getting to everyone. What with Twilight and Rainbow at each others throats and his sister failing to play moderator. He typically didn't believe in emotional exhaustion affecting physical well being, but the extent of tiredness he felt wasn't just from the constant marching in the frozen snow. It took a lot more energy than he thought to hold himself back from screaming for his friends to be silent.

"We should-" Sin panted. "set up camp here."

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief before following Mac's lead. Tired, hungry, and cold had to be the worst combination in the history of all thing born to evil. The only two who began to preform their duties were Sin and Shade, each looking just as worn as the rest. It wasn't long before a attempts at a fire were made. Spikes green flames made quick work of a small pile of grass and twigs, engulfing the kindle into a soothing dance of yellow and orange. Though with out the reverberation of the shelter, the heat source hadn't given the heat it once offered before.

Mac added more twigs and started to poke the fire some more, his thoughts began to drift; as they often did when tending flame. He thought about if coming here was the right idea, even if the girls weren't among them, would he have chosen to come should the option be given to him again? Failing to stop for camp before and continuing until dusk hadn't been Sin's brightest of ideas; and now everypony would suffer for it until he made it up.

The three days in S. New Equine had been far more taxing than the six months in Equestria by far, at least in Equestria they could seek refuge in one of the towns inns. All that lay out here was the frozen cold, questionable meal intake, and the constant fear of being spotted by the locals and having them do Celestia knows what.

After a few minutes of allowing himself rest, Mac tried to raise the poker and assort the wood so it would give off more heat for the meal to come. Trouble was, his body didn't feel like following his brains command. His eyes widened at the numbness his nerves were beginning to endure, he wanted to move, he wanted to set up the rig for food preparation and water purification, but; the cold had numbed his form to the point sleep was of a higher prerogative than eat or drink.

"Damn it." He heard Sin seethe, the red stallion looked over to see the pony dig his hoof into the ground and shake his head. He called out each of the mares names, trying to gain their attention; though to no avail. "I should have known they wouldn't be able to handle this." He then looked to Mac who gave a dazed reply. "I need your help."

Mac attempted to stand, his body however, had other ideas. The freezing temperature had weakened his joints and heaved his eyes. What he had meant to be simple 'on his hooves' turned more into an 'on a knee and yea screw this'. He fell back to the ground, the cold earth beneath him no longer burning his hooves or hair. Only a deep longing for unconsciousness. "Mac!" Sin coughed. "You need to help me get them into a pile."

Mac found the idea even more arduous than a few seconds ago. No, no sleep is what he needed to do now. Mac felt his eyelids heavy, the sounds of creaking trees and crunching leaves muting. His vision tunneled, darkness consumed around everything. So tired... So sleepy. A sharp pain on his cheek brought him back to consciousness, what? What just happened?

"Mac," Sin called sternly. "I need your help. The fire isn't enough, if we don't get them into a pile, they will die. Your sister and her friends will freeze to death." Mac's eyes widened, his sister would die? Not on his watch they wouldn't, none of them would. The apple colored earth pony used every last bit of will power he had to get to his hooves and even more to stretch a little bit of feeling back into his limbs. He first nudged Pinkie Pie closer to Twilight, his strength only a fraction of what it usually was made just moving the mare one inch an Olympic sport. "Shade, C'mon." Sin called making his way to Rainbow.

"No."

Sin began pushing the unconcious Rainbow Dash to the others but froze upon processing what he had just heard. "What? Why?"

"Because I told you this would happen." Shade shook his head. "I warned you that you'd stick your neck out for them at the first sign of trouble, and you didn't disappoint. What happened to that individualist crap you were talking before huh?"

Sin abandon the speedster and wondered over to his chaotic associate. "You're really doing this? You're really being that guy right now."

"You're damn right. Look at these kids-"

"That's just it." Sin deadpanned. "They're kids, they didn't know what they were getting into."

"Oh so now ignorance is an excuse?" Shade shook his head and laughed. "You know Sin, if you're going to preach something, you're supposed to practice it. That's the saying right?" Mac looked on as the two debated Sin's philosophies. Unbelievable, Mac looked to Spike and Ace for help, but those two were just as useless as the mares were at this point. Not to mention the frozen ground the girls would be laying on would make them freeze if they lay long enough.'Come on Mac, If you don't get them together they will probably get hypothermia. Forget those two, the work load has been doubled with the addition of Spike and Ace, you don't have time for him.' He finished rolling the pink mare next to Twilight and saw that her cloak was spread out on the ground.

A moment of brilliance struck him, he rolled Twilight over as well and spaced herself and the party mare just so, he watched as their bodies began to shiver more violently than before. He had to work quickly. Applejack was next, he limped over to his sister and strained his body to push the mare next to Twilight. Three down, three to go.

"Enough!" Barked Sin almost coughing up a lung. "I've had it with you. Mac has already done half the work in my time arguing. If you don't want to help, fine." He made way back to Rainbow Dash and proceeded to move the mare into place. Mac felt a great deal of relief now that he had some help. Shade growled before flaring his wings and taking off the ground... all of about two feet before collapsing back down again. He hissed in pain and inspected his right foreleg. Mac let out a frustrated growl, if it wasn't one bucking thing, it was another.

"We'll deal with him later Mac, we gotta help the girls first."

The two ponies had place it just so they could wrap the four mares, single pegasus stallion and dragon up, using the cloaks to shield them from all sides as one giant blanket. The body heat of each would also help with the insulation of the cloaks. "Alright Mac." SIn said panting throwing over the tarp for good measure, "you get in there as well. Make sure that you all keep warm for the night." Sin coughed out after his last words. "Keep warm, and don't let any of them roll away from each other." Mac smiled happily and snuggled in between Twilight and Pinkie, the warmth of their bodies already soothing the constant trembling.

"is it warm enough?" Sin asked coughing again. The consistent harshness of each hack had become a concern to Macintosh. He offered Sin a place right beside he and Pinkie though he declined.

"Wha' abou' you two?"

Sin smirked, his mouth trembling from the cold. "Please, if this were enough to do me in; I'd have no right to call myself the student of survivalist expert: Tyken. Besides, someone needs to keep Shade alive." He paused for a moment, his features changing from confident to disheartened. "And I'm sorry, I should have set up camp sooner."

Mac eyed the woeful survivalist for a moment, than to the shivering angry night pegasus-ical. "Screw you and your: warm, toasty, cozy, well insulated, warm pile of ponies!" He spat then looked down at his injured appendage. "With out any broken legs!" Mac couldn't do much other than chuckle at his friends anger, and it didn't sit well that the two weren't going to join him but he was too tired to fight it. He lay his head down onto the nice cloth of his cloak and the sweet embrace of unconsciousness had found him and satisfied his desperate need for rest.

Mac smiled in his sleep. "mmmm, Twilight" he chuckled and tilted his head. "Mmmm just how I like it." The soft nuzzling of his neck slowly but surly awoke him from his rather, sensual dream. As he was about to open his eyes to greet the cold air assaulting them, his legs found that there was a body laying on top of him. His eyes shot wide, the dream... the effects it would have on his body and... uh oh. The very mare he was dreaming about lay in his hooves, right against his hormone driven form. He was a bit confused, he wanted this, he was dreaming of it; so why did it feel wrong again?

He looked around to the group of ponies that made up the pile, most asleep, others not so much. To his surprise, Rainbow wasn't giggling like a school filly at his compromising predicament. Instead her irritated gaze shifted between himself and a very smug looking Pinkie Pie. "Wha?" Mac finally croaked, the awkwardness of the whole situation finally getting to him.

"Fine." Rainbow moaned throwing two bits at Pinkie, who caught them gleefully. "You win."

Mac could only stare up in unknowing awe. Was... Was that a bet? Did they just make a bet on me? Well what made Rainbow lose? So many questions began swimming around, Twilight snuggled closer. "Hmmm, Mac." She moaned happily nuzzling his neck. Pinkie's smirk grew while Rainbow's look of disbelief exacerbated.

"Oh come on!" Rainbow exclaimed throwing another two bits at the party mare. "I can't believe you were right about both of them!" She pouted before looking to a still sleeping Ace and Applejack. Her pout disappeared in favor of a smirk. "Double or nothin'." She eyed her party loving friend who giggled happily.

"Oh silly, he doesn't play for the other team. I know from personal experience." Rainbow's smirk left as quickly as it came, she asked if the two had actually had intercourse. "Nope. He just asked me if I had a colt friend back home, when I told him I didn't he asked if we could, but I turned him down."

"Why?"

Pinkie grew a sadistic grin. "Let's just say I don't need any distractions." She rubbed her hooves together maniacally. Mac rolled his eyes at the display of failed gamblings, a faint rustling of the mare hugging his chest gained his attention, his eyes turned to pin pricks when he saw that Twilight was in fact waking up. She looked so adorable with bed head.

After a gentle yawn, she looked down to the crimson pillow she was using and slowly followed it up to the stallion glancing down at her. They both laid there with blank stares, lavender eyes meeting apple greens. It was almost like they were looking at each other for the first time.

_________
Pause
_________

"No, no you are not doing this!" Pinkie Pie yelled. "There are too many 'TwiMac' er 'Macinlight' or whatever out there already. Seriously? No. I mean don't get me wrong, I like that there's finally some kind of romance. But don't you think this ship is dead?"

"..."

"Yea?"

"..."

"I see. And what exactly makes you think you can make this kind of love story 'original'? No and don't give me that 'well the story isn't exactly like most others' horseapples either. Everypony knows that this story is just your-" A zipper clamped her mouth shut, she shook it off. "-opic view of the world. Well Mister I'm here to tell you that I will not stand for it, and I will expose you for the fraud you are! I mean look at it, this fourth wall break could have been done a lot better. I'm hardly even Canon!"

"..."

"You wouldn't..."

"..."

"And make us have a foal? That just plain mean and nasty."

"..."

"Fine."

"..."

________
Replay
________

Twilight coughed awkwardly and slowly retracted her self. "Sorry about that." They both blushed deeply. Mac reluctantly allowed her away, strange, isn't a dream come true supposed to be a good thing? To his relief she hadn't noticed his "excitement" or was simply too embarrassed to say anything about it. He heard the two mare's snickering behind him. "Did you two put us like that?" Twilight accused.

"Nope, just Dashie." Pinkie chirped happily, earning a glare from her cyan friend.

"Snitch." She mumbled before she gave a sheepish grin to the two ponies glaring at her. "What?" She chuckled nervously, "it's not like I made you two do anything you didn't wanna do already." her nervous smirk turned knowing.

"Tha- that's not the point, Rainbow!" Twilight stuttered, her pinked face turning even darker. Mac was still shocked over the ordeal, he held a mare while he slept - one who wanted him no less. His anger to Rainbow became a mixed feeling, he'd hugged plenty of female ponies in his life, but waking up to one in his arms, and one he liked no less; that was something special. Though, he'd never thought about Twilight in that way before, her waking up nuzzling him just felt so right. Her beautiful eyes, the adorable way she gets worked up when she's giving a lecture... 'Wow, where did all of this come from?'

Twilight was still giving her lecture, though the victimizing pegasus was too busy grinning at something. Mac followed her magenta eyes stare and found Sin and Shade huddled together wrapped in each others cloaks, each ones head laying on the others back. "There." She proclaimed pointing a hoof. "Pay up!" She pointed a hoof to Pinkie Pie.

"What'er you goin' on 'bout?" Asked Mac finally finding his will to speak, and legitimately curious as to know what the two mares were betting on.

"You cannot tell me you think those two aren't colt cuddlers." Dash prodded Pinkie. "Pay up."

"Whadaya mean?" Pinkie ask innocently looking at the two sleeping ponies.

"Think about it, those two are always together, Shade only talks to Sin, he literally runs away from any girl who tries to say anything to him, and now there they are cuddling." The speedster crossed her forelegs, grinning ear to ear.

Sin raised his head and looked to the group. "You really get some kind of thrill out of biting the hand that feeds you, don't you Miss Dash?" Rainbow inquired as to what the stallion was referring to. He pointed to the pony pile she and the others were laying in. "Had Mac and I not placed you all together like that, you would have frozen to death, or gotten hypothermia and been to sick to make it to the next compound."

Rainbow looked around and grinned sheepishly and, albeit reluctantly, thanked him. "Don't thank me." Sin said pointing to Mac. "Thank the pony you've been giving such a hard time too. Maybe an apology while your at it." Rainbow gave a quick word and nod of appreciation to Mac, who found them as genuine as calling a lump of coal a diamond.

Her eyes narrowed, "You know Sin, it's called a prank. Man, I wouldn't be surprised if your Cutie Mark is a stick in the mud." All the other conscious ponies chuckled at the comment, though the more Mac thought about it, the more he realized that he didn't know what Sin's Cutie Mark actually was. He always had the cloak covering it, and any time he bathed, he did it in private. Spike awoke next and asked what was so funny. Twilight did her best to hold back the chuckles and told the weary drake her friends joke.

To their surprise Spike didn't laugh, instead he turned to the butt of the joke and flat asked what his Cutie Mark actually was.

"WHAT?" Twilight barked, springing Applejack and Ace from their sleep. "You don't know what his cutie mark is?" Her look of utter shock was unprecedented as far as Mac was concerned, was it really such a big deal as to what the picture on somepony's flank was?

"Never seen it." Spike shrugged. "Never thought about it either until now actually. But now that you mention it, I'm pretty curious." He eyed the stallion expectantly who shook his head and laid back down. "Aw come on Sin I know your all secretive and stuff, but I think we've known each other long enough to see what it is." Spike folded his arms.

"Spike's righ'." Mac agreed. "Ah've been meanin' ta ask too."

The stallion in question raised his his head again and eyed the curious group, for as little time as Ace and Applejack had been awake, they too seemed to to be interested. "Why is this so important now?" Sin ask cracking his neck. "Tell me that, and I'll show it to you."

"You have to tell us what it means too." Pinkie chirped.

"This isn't a negotiation."

The group thought about the question, Ace laughing about the improbability of their success, mentioning how he had known Sin for years and still hadn't ever seen the mark.

"Because, friends want to know about their friends." Spike shrugged again. "I mean we are friends aren't we? You know plenty about Mac and I, yet we don't know really any thing about you; aside from you being a Senator and a survivalist apparently." Mac agreed and pushed about how Sin's stoic and inexpressive nature had begun to concern him.

At first he thought it was just the fact that he didn't know them very well, and while he warmed up a little bit; it felt like the enigmatic stallion wouldn't trust Spike nor himself. "Maybe if y'all tell us somethin' 'bout y'erself; you'd open up a bit more, n' be a little happier."

Sin shook his head and reached for his cloak, Mac's breath caught in his throat. Anticipation caused his brain to some how stand still and go into overdrive as the stallion began to bare himself of the cloth. This is ridiculous, it's just a ponies cutie mark, why would he be feeling like he was about to gaze upon the lost treasure of Atlantis. Finally, the tanned obstruction was completely removed and everyone gasped while Sin stood up. "Can we drop the issue now?" He growled.

"What?" Pinkie asked, her mouth a gape.

"Where is it?" Twilight asked, Mac squinted his eyes and noticed the barley distinguishable difference in tone of brown that his flank and the rest of his coat held. Was his mark just a lighter tone of his coat?

"You're a pegasus?" Rainbow asked shocked. "What's wrong with your wings?" She pointed to the bandage encased flight giving extremities at Sin's side.

"I said I'd show you where my mark was." Sin answered replacing his cloak and laying back down. "I didn't say I'd explain anything."

"Was?" Twilight questioned.

The group sat in silence, waiting for the stallion to answer Twilight's question; when none came Spike tried to change the subject. Ace confirmed that the next compound was only a day's travel further north. The tension melted as the golden pony foretold of the well sized town that held a great deal of comforts for all of them to enjoy: Warm beds, hot baths, well seasoned foods and safety; all of the mentioned placed the Equestrians into a state of longing fondness. Mac couldn't help but drool a bit from the thought of having something other than berries and edible boiled tree bark that the troop had been snacking on for the past few days. And a warm bed away from the freezing cold? Nirvana had been found in the thought alone.

Another hour passed before the weather was deemed suitable for travel, and with a renewed hope and moral, Mac and his friends happily traveled forth. Though he was happy that he wouldn't have to suffer the weather for a day or two, but his sister and her friends would also be spared. He had been surviving in the wilderness like this, albeit not as cold, for some time now. He hadn't really taken the time to dwell on how hard it must have been on the new comers, after all, they hadn't the slightest bit of preparation for this.

'Wait.' Mac grimaced, his own thoughts disturbing him. 'Did I just think of my own family and friends who I have known for years as: 'new comers?'

First Contact

Dear Princess Celestia,

I hope this letter finds you in good health.

It has been a difficult few days in South Equine to say the least, our travels have been plagued with a harsh weather that would shame even the coldest of nights in Equestria. We have yet to actually interact with anybody anypony from this land aside from the obvious. Though, if what our guide tells us is right, we will soon arrive to not only the next compound, but a town with sympathizers to his cause. The scenery is much like Equestria, however, the weather seems to work of it's own accord much like the Everfree forest.

The colder climate is president due to our trek northward, though, that hasn't made the journey any easier for us. Our intent was to land in North New Equine and give you reports on the: Culture differences, Social interaction observations, Agriculture accomplishments, and what ever other research data would be deemed suitable to report. As it stands, we actually docked in South New Equine; a more collectivist oriented state, and must travel on foot to reach the city of Unitas for our guide to begin an investigation for a missing associate.

As you may have guessed, we have had little interaction with anypony from the state. There was a small incident where somepony named "Malich" had greeted us upon arrival. Our guide had a moment of logical deferment and proceeded to engage the pony and his men. Once the issue was resolved by yours truly, it was discovered that this "Malich" was supposedly a Vice President of some big corporate entity. If what I understand is correct, they hold great political influence within the national and state governments.

OAPN (On A Personal Note)

Spike has seemed rather distant lately, even as I write this letter; I can see the discouraged and bleak look in his eyes. I'm beginning to worry about him, I know he's not the same as he used to be and all, but still... Perhaps it's the cold getting to him, it's been getting to us all actually. Applejack and Rainbow Dash have been going at each others throats more than usual; I'd be lying if I said I wasn't in the mix as well.

Big Macintosh has been a great deal more agitated than he used to be, and become a lot more withdrawn than when we had first reunited back in Canterlot. Thank goodness for Pinkie's eternal optimism and smile, had it not been for her constant words of encouragement and laughter, who knows how the lack of moral would have affected the situation.

I'm not sure how much you know about Ace, but he seems to be the most sociable of the Federates among us. His stories are incredible, writing them in my own words wouldn't do them justice, your highness.

And with as self centered and standoffish as Sin appears to be, we all owe he and Macintosh a great debt. The two had saved our lives a few days ago when the cold had overcome us, and used the insulation of our clothing and own body heat to keep us warm, maybe he's not so bad. Anyway, we had been told how bad the Federation's winter could be, my expectations were vastly exceeded.

My next letter will come after the first observation and interaction with a group of ponies in a small community named "Saffron 13". I look forward to seeing how the locals interact with each other, hopefully it will be different than the cold weather we have been getting both physically and metaphorically.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle.

"Finally." Ace sighed as he reached the top of a small snow covered bluff over looking a conglomerate of small grey buildings below. Macintosh drudged behind the newly formed travel line. He and Spike acting as the proverbial caboose to ensure none fall too far behind. Once the group had all gathered together, a small cheer erupted to the first sign of civilization.

"Finally is right." Quipped a very annoyed dragon cracking his neck. "Well, let's get going." He began to trudge down the hill but was stopped when a lavender aura had found it's way around him and held the drake in place. "What the? Twilight let go!" He looked to his former care taker, whom placed him down when she was sure she had his attention.

"Spike, we are here as practical representatives of not only Princess Celestia, but of Equestria itself." She explained calmly before her tone turned to one of a mother talking to a child. "And the lack of hygiene isn't exactly the best first impression we can make." Spike's face showed mild shock at the implication, he turned and made a dash for the compound that even the rainbow mare herself was impressed by. Alas, the desperate dragon was still in range of the scholarly unicorn's magic, and the dramatics were repeated once again.

"Are you crazy Twilight?" Spike asked, this time being held upside down, his cape hanging awkwardly. "You want us to take a bath when it's this cold out?"

"Nope!" Twilight chirped before her magic opened her saddle bag, "luckily, i prepared for just such an occasion." The unamused eyes of Spike turned to ones of pure terror upon a small veil of purple and pink liquids emerged from Twilight's saddlebag.

"No..." He protested shaking his head vigorously.

"Yes." Twilight grinned. "And you're going to like it."

Spikes eyes began to scan for any sympathizing looks, "Mac!" Cried Spike with a hopeful grin. "Mac, help me out here." The hope the reptile felt instantly vanished when an evil smirk graced the red stallion's muzzle.

"Gee, if Ah remember correctly," Big Macintosh placed a thoughtful hoof to his chin. "Ah recall bein' in a sit'chiation much like tha' one. N' Ah also remembah a certain dragon ignorin my cries for help, n' actually laughin' at em." Spike furrowed his brow for a moment, when did Mac as for help and I... Oh no...

"Aw c'mon Mac." Spike pleaded as Twilight uncorked the bottle. "Don't be that guy right now." Mac's smirk only grew wider before he took a step back; solidifying his abandonment of the poor creatures fate. Spike pressed is lips together, his eyes narrowing to slits. "Sleep with one eye open Macintosh, sleep with one eye open."

"Oh quit being so dramatic." Twilight rolled her eyes and began shaking the perfume onto her scaly friend.

"No!" Spike cried trying to push it away. "The lavender scented liquid from Tartarus, It burns!"

Macintosh bit his lip to with hold the chuckle that such satisfying revenge brought. The dragon's suffering gave him an unnerving amount of joy, even his complaints and whines were music to his ears. "Hey Twi'" Called Applejack grinning. "Ah'ma need that when y'all r' finished. Mac n' me aren't in the best shape either." His smug smile dropped almost instantly, his wide eyes traveled to his sister who grinned evily.

"Enope" He called before turning tail and bolting for the town. His dreams of escape were short lived as two mares tackled him to the ground.

"Not so fast there," Rainbow chuckled.as Applejack and she held him down. Despite his attempts at freedom, the apple stallion was held firmly in place by the strongest mares Ponyville had to offer. His eyes locked onto Twilight who began approaching him with the bottle still in her magic's aura. They widened and darted to Spike who was in between an annoyed pout, and a cynical smirk for his consolation.

"Sin! Help meh!" He looked over to find that the stallion in question was in a debate with Ace, Ace trying frantically to convince him of something with his associate shaking his head. Before he knew it, small drips of lavender scented perfume began to descend upon his coat, making him sigh at the girly smell he would now carry.

Twilight shook the bottle a little on Applejack than turned to Rainbow who held up her fore hooves defensively. "Hey whoa guys, I don't want any of that stuff on me." Mac took this revelation to hold the pegasus in place. She looked down in shock and confusion for a moment before the vengeful grin of Mac told her exactly what she didn't want to know. She gave groans of protest as she too was covered in the thick scent.

After the little game was over, they approached Ace who informed them that Sin would be staying behind while they all ventured to the village below.

"He's not coming?" Twilight asked curiously.

"No, Sin has a bit of a problem with South Equine's way of doing things." Ace rubbed the back of his head. "Listen, it's best not to argue with him on something like this. Trust me, he isn't happy we're here as it is."

"When is he ever happy?"

"Exactly." Ace chuckled before taking point and motioning for the others to follow. All began falling in line save for Mac and Spike who said they would catch up after a quick word with their mentor. Though reluctant the girls agreed and the duo approached the stallion.

They stood in silence behind the pony for a moment, Mac steeling himself for the prying he knew was to come. "Can I help you?" Sin asked not bothering to look at them.

Mac took a long breath and was about to speak, though Spike beat him to it. "Yea, what's your deal Sin?" Spike snapped angrily catching the apple stallion off guard. "Where's Shade, Where is your Cutie Mark? Why aren't you going down there with us?!" His voice became more enraged the longer he went on. "And finally what in Celestia's name does Malic want with you?" He pointed a claw, "I'm getting really sick of all of your secrets, and I want answers!"

Sin turned around and eyed to scowling reptile. "Shade is not my responsibility, he may do as he pleases. Aside from that, I had my Cutie Mark removed a long time ago."

"Why?" Spike pressed.

"That is not your concern." Sin replied, his voice showing hints of agitation. Spike took a step forward to press the issue, emphasizing how Sin's question dodging had done nothing for his temper. "This is the stress talking, you don't need answers right now, what you need is rest."

"BUCK YOU ALL I NEED IS REST!" Spike yelled running at the tan clad stallion, a pair of red forelegs enveloped the dragon and held him back. Mac couldn't help but recall how familiar the situation was. After a great deal of calming and convincing; Macintosh lead his now fuming friend down the bluff to the towns gates.

"Spike, wha's gotten indaya?" Mac scolded, Spikes let out a heavy and dramatized sigh.

"I don't know, I'm just tired and frustrated I guess." He rubbed his eyes with his hands. "But C'mon, you get me right? His secrets, how he acts like he's all old and wise and crap. Doesn't it get under your coat just a little?"

Mac nodded in the affirmative, Sin wasn't that much older than him if what he said was true. The fact he acts like a sage with such youth was rather arrogant. "Ya, Ah guess."

"Then you get where I'm coming from." Spike reasoned.

"Ah do, but Ah also think he's righ'." Spike quirked a brow. "We're all jes' plum tuckered out from th' cold. The stress 's gettin' ta all o' us, sure it's eattin' at him too." The drake opened his mouth to retort but thought better of it, opting instead for a long sigh and a quiet walk to the main gate. The wall surrounding the quaint town was of a kind alien to Mac. It was metal, though not solid nor bared. The thin cool grey metal wire just seemed to intertwine with itself from the top and work it's way down, replaying itself all around the 'wall'.

Ace was speaking with a mid sized dark blue earth pony, the black maned stallion was smiling and nodding while his golden countryman spoke. By the time the conversation was distinguishable, the blue pony was welcoming in the Equestrians with a genuine smile. "Good afternoon Eqestrians, my name is Seer." He pointed to the small card that hung from his neck, "please come in, get out of the cold." He called in a rich and fatherly voice. The group followed him passed two very bored looking griffin watchmen, one filing her talons while the other just stared off into space, both of which also wearing the same white cards that Seer bore.

The town itself wasn't too impressive, a few tan colored buildings stood higher than the rest, most obviously warehouses and silos. The smaller buildings were simple square... huts, was the only word that did them justice. They weren't big enough that he would consider them actual houses, but they weren't too poorly sized to lack personal space. The citizens of the town seemed to be happy enough with the way things were, every: Griffin, Pony, Diamond Dog, and even a few minotaurs walked around with seemingly content smiles. All during the groups curious observation, the blue stallion thanked them for visiting and gave the grand tour.

"I'd imagine this is quite a culture shock for you all." He smiled back at them as they walked. "From what I understand, Equestria is primarily a Capitalistic nation much like North New Equine, here in South Equine however; we work on a more worker friendly economic style." He went on to explain the lack of class and pure equality between ever citizen within the country. There was no rich nor was there poor, there was nobody being exploited, nobody being overworked, there was only doing your fair share under the ever watchful eye of the government.

Mac smiled at the explanation, no body went hungry and nobody suffered from poverty? The warm feeling he got from the concept alone was well enough to- wait, this sounds amazing. Why do these citizens want to help those whom wish to over throw the government?

"... but please, feel free to explore a bit." He smiled at the group, a smaller unicorn mare greeted him happily and handed him a few strange looking cards. Seer took them and thanked her, "These will be your Visitor Identifications, if you want anything just show you have authorization."

"I've been meaning to ask, why do you have these?" Twilight asked taking one of white cards and observing the signature and numbers.

Seer chuckled. "Twilight was it? In Southern Equine we don't deal in money as that creates a hostile environment of competition and leaves the possibility of leaving some to be without... or the 'losers' if you will. Most all services and foods here are available upon request with out the need of such primitive and destructive tokens." He passed out the cards to everyone. "But by the same token, we can't have those who have done nothing for the collective, sponging off the collective. That's not very fair either, you understand."

"And these are to prove who is part of the collective and who isn't then?" Twilight mused over the concept holden card with a thoughtful frown.

"You've got it." He affirmed. "Now, as I was saying; this building;" He pointed a hoof to one of the fairly large towers, "is our guest quarter, you will be given shower tokens for five minutes each, a hot meal of carrots and cabbage from the cafeteria and a bunk up in the dormitory. You're welcome to stay for today and tomorrow, however if you wish to stay longer, you will need earn your keep."

The Equestrians agreed and with a small reminder of cerfew at sundown, Seer was off into the town proper. Mac overlooked the I.D. card. It didn't have anything that specifically addressed that he was he was actually the owner of it, nor did it have any description of him what so ever. It just had the text Visitor 14 and a few disclaimers and signatures on it.
Figuring it best to keep a tight hold, the stallion clipped the plastic to his cloak and began to wonder, taking in the town as a whole.

As cold, tired and hungry as he was, he was honestly curious to see how such a congress of individuals operated with out money. He had wondered a while ago how things would be if all the money had suddenly disappeared, and he'd finally have an answer. As Twilight and Spike began to interview a random shop keeper (Goods distributor?) Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie settled on going inside with Ace to catch a bite to eat and a few hours of sleep. Applejack decided to accompany her brother as he observed a friendly discussion occurring between a Minotaur and Earth pony, something about earth turning for better crops or some such.

There was a great deal of similarities to Ponyville in this town, aside from the interracial-ism of course: extremely young foals having a playful snowball fight, a few decorated trees for Hearths Warming Eve, a few sleds went by with a minotaur and his younglings, and adults stood around drinking a hot beverage, conversing about something or another.

Though there were also some things very alien: There were no adolescence around. Yes, there were extreme younglings but none could be over the age of five or so, where were all the juveniles? If it was warm enough for the extremely young to come out and play, shouldn't it be just as well for them?

"Hey Mac." Applejack said timidly. "Ah been meanin' ta ask, wha' 'xactly does Sin wanna do when we ge' to the North?"

"Find a friend o' his Ah think." Mac replied.

"Yea, but what after tha?"

"Honestly, can't say Ah know sis."

And awkward silence filled the air for a moment, at least until the siblings turned a corner. "What's tha'?" Applejack asked wondering over to crowd of eager bodies quietly murmuring in excitement around a small star shuddered stage. Macintosh squinted his eyes at a small wooden post that protruded from the stage, it didn't seem to serve any purposed... Was it a stage prop?

After a few more minutes of waiting, the crowd bursting into cheers as two earth ponies with black bags over their faces, escorted a angry and desperate looking light blue pegasus stallion. He fought his captors as they walked him to the pole, finally; the crowd was in an uproar, not one of anger, but one of excitement? Mac looked around, he couldn't believe what behavior was being demonstrated here, they were calling for lashings and pain to befall the pony... Why?

"Citizens!" Called one of the anonymous earth ponies. "This pony has been found guilty of theft of no less than five imported Vincent pairs." The crowd responded with a round of boos and slurs. "As such he shall receive the fitting punishment, twenty lashes." Cheers and encouragement erupted once again from the throng below. Mac and Applejack looked around in disbelief, lashing? As in belt lashings? Over FRUIT?

But what the second earth pony pulled out frightened the two, it wasn't a belt; but a three tailed long whip. The executioner gave a few practice cracks, each ear piercing snap prompting a flinch from the Equestrians. Mac gave an apologetic look to the pony, the only hope of reprieve was the cold numbing his skin. A gentle tap on the shoulder broke his attention from the torture about to take place, and Seer shook his head before motioning them to follow. Reluctantly, the two agreed, a greatly morbid sense of curiosity tugged at Mac to stay and watch the pony suffer; perhaps even do something about it, but in the end the logical fact that he was powerless in the situation won out.

"I.D. badge number?" Asked the server stallion behind a brown wooded counter.

The good head of the compound had lead them into a white tent enclosed restaurant type area. Seer quickly explained the two newcomers and the server pony gave them each a platter of freshly steamed carrots. "Thank you" he called pushing the extra platters along. "I'm sorry you had to see that." He called dejectedly noticing the lack of apatite the Equestrians demonstrated. "That is the worst side of us, I assure you; we aren't as bad as all that."

Mac and Applejack just stood in stunned silence. Low slaps and cries could be heard even when they sat on the other side of town from the barbaric retribution. "So... uh." Mac began, taking a breath, "Where r' all the younin's at?"

Seer took a bit of the orange vegetable before answering. "They have been sent off to the Academy in Gold Camp."

"Academy?" Repeated Applejack.

"Yes ma'am." He took another bite and then began to excitedly explain: "The Academy is where all children are sent when they reach a certain age. It is where their special talents are discovered, how they will best benefit the collective, and how to best partner them with a mate."

"Wai', you tell the kids where ta live n' who ta merry?" The mare asked bemused.

Seer chuckled, "Not entirely, the Academy simply helps to hone the child's skills and suggests where they would be best placed." He took another bite, "They also conduct social experiments, completely safe, that determine: the kind of personality the child has, how they interact with other personality types as well as different races, and adaptation to new environments."

Big Macintosh, nodded in understanding, the idea of such a place made sense to him. He took a bite of carrot while he contemplated the pros and cons of it all. "N' Ah assume the families of the children accompany them as well?"

"No ma'am." Mac halted his chewing and stared expectantly. "Well, you have to understand, the parents are needed in the communities where they currently reside. Sending the parents away would be an unnecessary, not to mention costly, waste of resources. Don't worry though, our councilors at the facility are enough to give the nurture and comfort that the children need."

"Ya take 'em 'way from their families?" Mac asked, the reality of it sinking in.

"As I said, they will be of much greater benefit to all of South New Equine if they are nurtured to their fullest potential and located according tot he communities needs." Seer affirmed. He chuckled to himself again. "I'm sorry I've had this conversation with the snobs in North Equine too many times to feel awkward about how you're feeling. I assure you, it's not as traumatizing as it sounds."

"Sound pretty bad to me." Applejack protested stepping away from her untouched meal before she went eye to eye with Seer. "Tell me som'in, what happens if they don' wanna go?"

Seer gave a quizzical look. "We rarely have such a problem actually. Only one or two cases are reported a year."

"Wha' happens?" The mare pushed, her tone growing dark.

"The Buero of Educational Investigations is called in to interview, analyze and re-educate. The Academy has a specific class for parenting, it gives unquestionable guidelines on how to prepare their child for their own admittance. If the child doesn't wish to go, than the BEI simply convinces the youngling that they must. Simple as that." He shrugged.

"N' they get no real choice in the matter?"

"I'm afraid not."

The mare thanked Seer kindly for his time and the two left back to the dorm in which they would be occupying for the night. While Mac was musing over the benefits of how such a community would work, Applejack was clearly upset by the South Equine culture. "Ah can't believe this place." She whispered. "Takin' fillies n' colts' 'way from their families? That's just wron' on so many levels."

He had to concede that point, from what he learned between Sin and Seer, along with his own personal experience, South Equine seemed like a great place to live. Aside from the bit about children being taken away and apparently indoctrinated to how this supposed 'Academy' wants them to act. But the lack of exploitation, the practical non-existence of poverty, and apparent equality between each citizen could possible justify it... Couldn't it?

"Ah ain't to comfortable stayin' here, if wha' Seer says is true." She continued. "Imma head over n' talk to Sin, got a few questions for 'em."

"Y'all sure that'sa good ahdia?" Mac asked as the two approached the gate. "They migh' no' letcha back in."

"Don't bother me none." Applejack replied angrily. "This place jus' rubs me wrong Mac. Am'ma let tha other's get their rest though, 'specially Pinkie; poor mare's been rather sluggish since she hadn't been eatin' all them sweets." The two walked out of the gates practically unnoticed, and walked back up the wooded bluff where they had left their guide. It was clear that the sun would be setting soon, and Mac was hopeful his sister would change her mind about staying coming back and sleeping in a warm bed for the night.

"Sin?" Applejack called stepping into the thicker woodwork. "Sin, ya here?" She called again a little louder.

"What?" They both looked over to see the desired stallion appear from a thicket. "Oh it's just you two... Don't just randomly call my name out in the woods." The stallion hissed looking around suspiciously before he motioned his hoof. "There are two patrols that way, and another over not to far over there. If they discover I'm here they'll try to take me in for interrogation."

The mare blushed, "Ehe, sorry."

Sin sighed. "Any rate, what is it?"

Applejack cleared her throat, regaining her demeanor. "Ah don't feel comfortable stayin' down there." Sin quirked a brow, "They take foals from their families, foals for pete sake!"

"Ah, so you discovered why I hate this place so much." Sin acknowledged turning around. "Come, I'd rather not be where the patrols could spot us." He lead the siblings a few yards inwards where a large of dead leaves was gathered in a huge pile. "There will not be a fire tonight, reasons are rather obvious. And for what it's worth, I am sorry about this little detour in South Equine. I wasn't expecting it."

Applejack dismissed the inconvenience with a light hearted laugh than looked to the pile. "What's this?" She asked noticing a triangle of sticks at the bottom that formed a cave like entrancement.

"This," Sin motioned. "Is what's known as a debris shelter. If constructed correctly, one can survive up to -50 degrees with out a fire in it. And for the sake of stealth, being so close to civilization, the reasons for it are aparent."

Both the apple siblings observed the leaf covered structure for a bit, admiring it's simplistic yet apparently temperamental design. Mac would have thought the ground to cold for slumber, though he noticed a very compact layer of leaves that would elevate the sleeper at least five inches off the ground. His only real complain was how low the makeshift ceiling was, though what would be the point of trying to preserve body heat when the roof is high enough to help it escape?

"Though, I don't think you came all the way out here to observe wilderness ingenuity."

"Why didn'cha tell us it was gonna be so... controlled here?" Applejack asked after she laid down and wrapped herself in her cloak. Mac laid next to his sister and looked upon Sin as a student might a teacher.

Sin took a moment before answering. "I did tell you that South Equine held rather Statist ideologies, it was the main reason that out of the Federation, I hate this state the most. Don't worry, we'll only be here until the others recover from the trip. You all deserve a little down time right now."

"'S'pose that's true." AJ agreed. "But what 'bout you partner? You've been sufferin' the weather s'much as we have."

Sin gave his famous empty smirk. "I, madam, have been trained in the art of survival-ism. The woods and cold are more my home than anything, what you consider suffering; I consider Tuesday."

Mac rolled his eyes, but to his surprised, his sister laughed slightly. Not one of sarcasm, but of genuine comedy. "N' here I thought y'all din't have a sense of humor."

"If only."

"Say, wouldja mind tellin' me howta create on of them shelters there?" The cowmare asked. Sin replied in the negative claiming that it would take to much time and energy into creating a second traditional hut, however, he retrieved a tarp and found failry thick 'Y' branches, along with a third even thicker branch, and used the two smaller pieces of makeshift lumber to uphold the third in a triangle much like his own. "You stayin' as well Mac?" The aforementioned stallion began to think on it.

"If ya wanna head back n' get some restful sleep, Ah won't grudja for it." His sister assured. A quick assurance of her safety from Sin convinced the stallion that it would be alright to head back. "Tell the others Ah'll be fine for me, kay?"

"Eyup."

Once the stallion was on his way back into the enclosed town, Applejack turned back to Sin, her face serious and stern. "Alright, now we need ta talk."

"I figured as much." Sin replied politely spreading the tarp evenly over the new construct.

"First off: wha happened to yer Cutie Mark?"

Sin's polite demeanor deadpanned as he turned to face her. "Are we're really back on this again?" A quick narrowing of the eyes affirmed that the topic wasn't going to die. "Than I ask again, what concern is it of yours?"

"Ah don't know, Ah jus'," She sighed. "Ah wanna know, is tha too much ta ask?"

"I think it's rather apparent that I had both of them removed."

"Yea, but, why?"

"How about we don't ask that question." Sin quipped.

AJ growled and pouted, eying him for a few minutes, causing an uncomfortable tension to engulf the two. It was one of those female tendencies when push came to shove between two beings of the opposite sex. Classic female pouts and gives an awkward and uncomfortable glare to her debate partner, thus signifying that should the other side not cave to her whims, said other side would not be in her good graces for a certain period of time. In essence, the ultimate weapon of the female creature. (aside from getting other males to fight for her.)

"I'll take that angry glare and silence as a yes." The very rare counter to such a magnificent weapon? Ultimately not giving a husky fuck. "So what was your second question?"

Applejack grunted at her defeat, "Fine, secondly: why did Malich, the suppos'd filthy rich Vice Presiden' of a mega corporation, come all the way down across a nation ta see ya? Why are y'all so important ta 'im? N' lastly, after you help yer friend escape, whacha' plan on doin' then?"

"Firstly, it's a state, not a nation." Sin corrected matter of factly. Causing Applejack to roll her eyes in annoyance.

"Whatever."

"In pertinence to Windmane, after he is free." Sin paused, "I'm not sure what will come after that for me."

"Moreover, I suppose I do owe you all an explanation, considering you all will be traveling with me; and will inevitably get caught in the crossfire between Malich and myself."

"Thank you." Applejack said with a gratifying grin.

Sin humphed at her arrogance. "Malich and I have a bit of a history. It transcends my time in the Senate and even his time being involved with Triple M..."

Sparhawk stood in the dim, torch lit chamber of the Senate. His eyes repeatedly scanning over the piece of paper held firmly in his shaking hand. Anger over the proposed legislation was bubbling up inside of him. Centaurs were known through out the Federation as a calm and wise race, though, his patience was wearing thin due to his time in the Senate.

The Senate, a congregation of idiotic, greedy and self serving politicians who seek to gain their way via acting as petulant children or corporate whores. He looked up to observe the empty seats designated to each state: Griffins of Columbus, Pegasi/Unicorn Consursum of North New Equine, as well as the Earth Pony South New Equine. The Vain Minotaur of the far east, and Canian Diamond dogs next to them. The Donkey state of Orval, twenty years succeeded from North New Equine, and the Buffalo of the Rovin Republic.

He drummed his fingers impatiently while on his dark wooden desk. 'Where is he? I sent Light to get him over an hour ago!' He growled taking another look at the parchment in his other hand.

Senate Legislation 0298

The Reintegration of Owed Representation Referendum - of 356 P.F.

Sponsor: Senator Scrappy of the Third district of Cania.

Co sponsors: Senator Regalia of the First district of Columbus, Senator Stone of the Second district of Vain, and Senator Shyana from the fourth district of N. Equine.

The Reintegration of Owed Representation Referendum

The Citizens of any Specific state have an obligation to the state to select and/or elect a representative to Federal Senate via the Articles of Arbitration as well as the Proclamation of Senatorial Power. In Articular I section(s) I through XI and Articles II and III respectively.

In case the: Absence, death, inability, or otherwise unfortunate circumstances prevent any Representative to this Federal Senate from preforming his/her Legislative obligation, this legal document allows any Senator who(m) has not served his/her full term to reintegrate and take the office as they had once before...

This was enough to make the black coated centaur crush the parchment in his hand. How dare the Senate even consider such an act of desecration to this sacred chamber of power? It was bad enough that they themselves sit in here and treat the responsibility of running the country as some kind of game of personal gain via favors to special interests, now they would have the few who have left from shame to return?

After a few minutes of cursing how ridiculous the system had become, compared to the discipline and respect of Citizens of old and the few candidates who would even qualify for this act, an all to familiar grey earth pony trudged into the single occupant chamber with a charmed smile.

"Good evening Arbiter Sparhawk." Malich greeted walking to stand in front of the politician. Though the stallion didn't even come up to the beginnings of the human torso of Spar Hawk, the pony stood confident and dignified. "I heard you wished to speak with me."

"Malich." Sparhawk spat, unraveling the accursed bill. "What is this?"

The aforementioned curiously took the parchment and began reading, much to the anger of the Arbiter.

'Look at him, reading it as if he didn't already know what was on it.' Sparhawk thought as the desire to strangle the pony became more and more tempting to indulge in.

"Hmmm, It seems like a bill to re-allow former senators whom hadn't yet completed their term back into office." He gave a knowing grin. "Why do you ask?"

The Arbiter's eyes narrowed before he slammed an angry hand on his bench. "Don't play the fool with me, you traitorous swine!"

Malich gave a look of mock offense. "Why, Arbiter, I have no idea what you mean."

"LIES!" Spar bellowed pointing a finger. "We both know that YOU have both Syndicrats and Boltinians in your back pocket, all other Lobbysts have chosen a party to stand with, yet this bill has bipartisan support when only the Boltinians have something to gain! I desire to know why."

Malich gave a thoughtful sound.

It was true that, in terms of political parties, the Boltinians had two recently disappeared members: Senators Windmane and Islander, while any Syndicrat who would be eligible had been dead for years, considering such a problem hadn't happen for over a century.

Senator Islander had banished himself from the Federation after an incident involving the near murder of a fellow politician, and due to a clause in the Articles of Arbitration, the entire congress had to postpone any and all law making until the tedious process of Emergency Elections could have a chance for the citizens of N. New Equine to replace him. Much the same for Windmane.

Still, this bill shouldn't have the support of the Syndicrats. And only one company was powerful enough to influence politicians from both sides of the isle.

"Sorry to say, your honor." Malich shrugged, snapping Sparhawk from his thoughts. "I've had nothing to do with it."

The centaur smirked. "Liar." Islander must be coming back, it's the only explanation. Windmane was one of the few who despised Lobbying as much as the Arbiter did himself. So, it would be rather pointless to bring him back, though; Islander's sibling relationship might have something to do with it. Despite the pegasi's over Anarchist tendencies.

Malich gave a polite smile. "Me?" He pointed a hoof at himself. "Why sir, I would never lie to you, what reason would I have?"

"Your brother-"

"-Left the Senate a year ago, and has since lived in Equestria. Sorry to say, we haven't spoken much since." The pony chuckled.

'much?' Malich was a schemer, one of the most intelligent of any race the centaur had ever met. When one looked at his family background, it wasn't too surprising actually. Especially with his father turning the Triple M. Corporation from a small and local business to the largest profiteering empire that spanned continents that it was today. All in a matter of five short years no less.

"If that will be all, I have a business meeting in half an hour." Malich announced turning to walk away. "Oh and please, do give Light Heart some time off, we don't want any more," he turned and smiled "Accidents."

Sparhawk watched with a clenched jaw as the businesspony walked back out of the chamber like he owned the place. Shoot, he might as well. Once Malich was far out enough, the Arbiter crumpled the document again. If his guess was right, Islander would return at some point in the near future, question was; was he in on all of this as well?

Southern Tendencies

Dear Princess Celestia

We have finally made first contact with the natives of state known as "South Equine". I'm astounded to inform you that what we were told was true, not only are the races desegregated, but there seems to be no overt signs of racism anywhere.

Recorded Species Present:

1) Ponies: Earth, Pegasus, and Unicorns
2) Griffins
3) Donkeys
4) Diamond Dogs
5) Minotaur

Listed in order of visible population density.

There are supposedly Buffalo here as well like from the Mild West! And another race known as the Centaurs, both of which I have yet to come a cross unfortunately. I'll need to ask about them later. However, at a glance: the citizens of the small town we're visiting seem rather happy and content with their day to day lives, despite the bitter cold and dismal landscape.

However, upon my first interview, it was confirmed that the state of Southern Equine holds a great deal of socialist themes. So much so that they don't even bother with currency aside from the small amount held in the treasury for a democratically determined purchase from a Northern New Equine company... It would seem that even the utopian society the ponies here wish to create, isn't beyond of the clutches of frivolity.

The interview continued and Spike and I learned that the ponies citizens of south Equine held exception for their Equestrian origins. The political style here is one of collective democracy, details to this and the locationing of ponies will be included with the detailed report I shall send later on. The citizens here see any form of centralized monarch or oligarchical government as inherently wrong and self destructive. This too shall be given detail at a later date.

This land is interesting Princess, though; it does have, in my opinion, it's short comings, it also has so much more to offer that I'm sure I just haven't found yet. Expect the detailed report some time tonight.

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.

Mac sighed dramatically as he reentered the towns gates. Thoughts about how the "collectives" demands had warped the parents methods of raising their children. Did they know their grandparents? Brothers or sisters? Were the parents allowed to show genuine care when the child left or would that cause complications in the extraction process?

As his thoughts drifted, so did his concentration. He carelessly hit and knocked over a small filly that looked as though she were about to hit adolescence. "Sorreh." He called helping the young mare to her feet, rubbing the side of her sapphire mane she accepted the apology and looked up curiously.

"It's ok, hey; you're one of those liberty fighters, aren't you?" Mac thought on it for a moment, technically he wasn't really fighting for anything, he was just here to accompany his friends, though, Sin was part of those guys, wasn't he? Deciding not to complicate the matter he simply nodded. "Can I ask a question sir?" Mac nodded again. "Why do you hate the government so much?"

Mac mused over his memories, he didn't really hate the government; he just hated what it could and had done to him.

"I mean," the filly continued. "If it wasn't for the government, we wouldn't have food. All of the farmers would just hog it all to themselves, the construction workers would only build for themselves and those who travel would only trade for themselves."

Macintosh's eye quirked at the statement regarding farmers. He hadn't been forced to share his food, he had assisted in the apple bucking and selling of his own free will. Yet this filly made it sound like he, and all farmers everywhere, would keep it for their own while everypony else starved. But another thought hit him, this pony spoke with such conviction and intelligence that far exceeded her age. That alone was enough to halt any response he might have given.

"Who toldya that tha farmers n' such would be so selfish?" He managed after a moment.

"Momma told me, of course." The mare smiled, "She and Pop told me that the government is the only reason society works. And if they weren't here to make sure the job was done, it wouldn't be done."

That wasn't true, that wasn't true at all! What kind of lies has this child's parents been teaching her? Instead of rebuking the statement, as hard as it was to refrain from arguing, he simply kept asking more questions. Each inquiry answered in some way by the intervention of government forcing it's will for the greater good. A migraine was soon to make itself at home in his mind the more he interviewed the filly. It did hurt him personally a little that she not only thought his entire thought process and philosophical beliefs were inherently bad, but to call what he himself had accomplished impossible.

His eyes darted around as he thought about another question to ask, though he noticed he was receiving strange looks from the locals. One of skepticism and miss trust, perhaps these citizens weren't as sympathetic as he was lead to believe? "Ah right." He announced pushing the uncomfortable leers aside, and bringing up a fool proof scenario of which he had personal experience. "Wha' if the yo' government arrests som'one that don't deserve ta be 'ressted?"

To his disbelief, the filly actually giggled at his question. "Well, he wouldn't be arrested if he didn't deserve it."

"N' how do ya know that?" Mac quirked a brow. A light smirk twisting his muzzle.

She giggled again, "Well, why would they arrest some one who didn't deserve it? That's just silly."

Mac couldn't help it, he facehoofed, Not only was she insulting him by claiming what happened to him was 'silly', but this child demonstrated hair pulling ignorance in the simple fact that she couldn't understand the concept of corruption was not only possible, but inevitable. He was about to scold her for such blind faith, though a familiar purple unicorn and dragon interrupted him.

"Oh, hey Mac." She said, her tone fidgety. "Oh is this your friend? I'm sorry, but I need to talk to him, k thanks bye." She quickly pull Macintosh away from the slightly confused youngling and proceeded to yank him by the foreleg all the way to the dorm building. Mac, for his part, was in a mix of stupidity shock, and delight to have contact with Twilight's hoof. The longer he was pulled, the more he had forgotten about the child's words and reasoning's.

Finally, the reached the building where Twilight's assistant stood looking around suspiciously. "Hey Mac." He greeted with a nod. They were all lead inside, passing into the noticeable warmer cafeteria space. Carpet, warm sweet- NOT COLD GROUND, DIRT, OR SNOW-, nice soothing carpet. Oh how you feel so bucking amazing right now. No wind, no extreme cold, and no desire to just give up on hope.

The feelings of warmth and blurs of dark green tables and chairs were all that the stallion could take note of before Twilight practically threw the duo up the spiral stair case that lead to the higher floors. Finally, after a quick walk down the walkway that over looked the eating space, they entered what was presumable her provided dorm room and she quickly locked it behind her. Her nervous features morphing to ones of full on terror. "This place is crazy!"

Spike did his best to calm the scholar, and after a quick pacing mixed with nonsensical mumblings; the mare calmed herself enough to to explain what had put her in such a state. Mac facehoofed, again, upon discovering that Twilight had informed the townsfolk that she was from Equestria, and that she was here to conduct interviews and observations on how the Federation operated. Apparently the South Equineite's weren't as ignorant of Equestria as the Equestrians were of them. They knew that her nation was ruled by monarchs.

"I admit," Twilight gave a guilty look, her ears pressing against her skull. "I didn't really believe Sin when he said that this state didn't have any real kind of currency, that everything was traded in a more centralized manner. That they would willingly give up their labor for the pure sake of everypony else, with little thought for themselves. They seemed so tolerant and kindhearted, but when they discovered-" her voice began to waver, and she sniffed to fight back a sob. "When they discovered where we were from, they..."

The mare tried to get her words out, but a twinge of pain kept coming over her face as if reliving terrible memories. That did it, the tears came. She placed her hoofs over her eyes and tried to sniffle the sobs. Mac placed a comforting hoof onto the mare's shoulder, which prompted the unexpected response of her hugging him and softly crying into his chest. What did they say to her to make her break down like this?

Mac patted her head comfortingly before looking to the grim postured dragon for information.

"Why... would... they say... such things?" Twilight managed between sobs.

"Wha' happen'?"

Realizing the distraught lavender pony wouldn't express her pain in a coherent manner, Spike answered in a tone of disappointment: "We were talking to a few ponies before," He explained. "Asking the basic questions you know, than they asked us if we were from North Equine; asking so many questions and all, Twi said no and that we were from Equestria... And that's when they said some things."

"Things?" Mac repeated.

"Look, they said some mean things and made her upset." Spike barked. "And now she wants to leave."

The stallion looked down to find Twilight had calmed herself again and he gave her a sympathetic smile. A sense of Déjà vu swept over him as her lilac eyes met his again. Rage began to mix with the sadness he felt now, how could they say such terrible things to her? She hadn't done anything wrong, she was just from a country who's political ideologies the citizens current, didn't agree with. The stallion had to push his thoughts away for now, anger wouldn't help comfort his friend.

"Ah think we should ge' sum sleep."

Spike yawned and stretched out his arms while Mac ushered Twilight to her bed. Laying on the dark blue comforter in such a vulnerable position, Mac had to mentally smack himself to keep his mind out of the gutter. 'But she's so beautiful!'

He looked around the dorm to find it only housed two for the night, figuring he would have to find another dorm in order to get his rest, he proceeded to the door only to have something grab his hoof. He looked back to find a lavender hoof enticing his own. "Please stay." Twilight pleaded looking up at him with puppy dog eyes.

Mac felt his heart begin to race, he knew the mare needed comforting, but an inexplicable nervousness tugged at his heart. What was the big deal? It was only sleeping and comforting a friend. 'a friend whom I have feelings for'. A voice called from the back of his mind. He looked to Spike, and after a shrug of apathetic approval, the stallion joined his friend and bed and wrapped his forelegs around her. She returned the favor and snuggled her head into his chest, and before long; a content smile passed over her muzzle in a deep and restful sleep.

Of course, the one night Sin could be alone, the one night he could actually go through with taking care of a private matter, he had to be stuck babysitting. At least he had enough tarp to give the apple mare her own debris hut, one more and he would have had to resort to cutting up a tree or two.

They would be traveling together again come the morrow, and even though it would only be a matter of time until he was alone and able to sort this issue out again, the fact that he had been neglectful was beginning to burden his mind. He had to do it tonight.

Applejack was fast asleep now, Sin thanked what ever it was that made this night a little warmer than the others; especially yesterdays. He wondered away from the mare, keeping in close enough proximity to ensure that nothing too bad would befall her, and began wondering around the cold woodwork. Thoughts of time and his past echoed into his mind, thoughts of conspiracy and piloting making his teeth clench in guilt and frustration.

That's when the fear set in, fear of the ritual he hadn't preformed in over a year. Fear of the pain that was soon to befall him, the agonized screams he gave the first time he had preformed it were the worst. But just being able to slightly muffle the sounds of his cries didn't make it any easier. He smiled to himself, lightly berating his own cowardice.

Seven times.

Seven times he'd broken them, whether they ever managed to heal correctly was anyone's guess... Perhaps bandaging wasn't even necessary anymore. The worst part of it would actually be the saddlebags, the pressure they would put on his spine and on those would for exceed the initial break by leaps and bounds. Especially when he was moving.

Though, there was a big chance that breaking them now could leave him incapable of travel with said baggage. He was able to walk and carry bags in Equestria the last time the ritual had taken place, though; he had to stop and rest far more than he should have about two weeks in. Maybe they wouldn't ever be able to work now? They'd certainly snapped enough times to leave excessive doubt to the contrary. Though, all mechanics aside, it was more than that now; it was a need for a punishment he both mentally deserved and sadistically craved.

Gingerly, the stallion removed his cloak once he deemed himself a good distance from camp, the cold assaulting his naked form causing him to shudder. He looked back and undid the belt loops of his saddlebag, slowly allowing it to descend down his sides. Biting his lip, a quick decision to use some kind of numbing agent transpired and he searched through the documents and tools of his travel sack for anything... though, nothing to be found for it.

He cursed himself for the weakness of even wanting them in the first place, they would only numb him for so long anyway. Chewing his lip he looked back to his bandaged appendages, thoughts of his younger brother smiling and happy filled his minds eye. A gentle smile played at Sin's lips, simpler times before life became as out of control as it was today. His brother, an earth pony, happy again; how he longed to see his younger sibling smile like he did when they played games and raced around...

'You just had to do it didn't you?' He told himself, his warm smile dying. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't be so angry and resentful. You deserve to feel pain, he was only a colt!' Encouraged by the inner voice.

Sin slowly lifted his hoof and flared his wing, a shamefully great feeling had to be repressed after allowing the limb a much needed stretch. He reached around it, wincing at the feathered touch. 'Look at you, feeling sorry for yourself while he suffers. Pathetic and selfish. You continually go on abut freedom and it's leading to happiness. What about his happiness? The one you 'argued' him out of?' The shame filled stallion hooked his leg around the wing and cringed as he began to tweak it upwards.

You like to see the suffering of others. How can anyone enjoy seeing pain? You're a monster, and what's happening to you now is your own fault. The warning pops at the base shot sharp sprints of tense displeasure into his spine, causing him to grunt in both discomfort and effort. You don't deserve to feel anything other than pain and shame.

There it was, the breaking point, the point that his wing wouldn't bend anymore and even slightest bit of pressure caused nothing but blinding agony to shoot to his mind like a roaring mantacor.

He remembered what came next, the instinctual side of his mind pleaded for the stallion to end the masochism, but he couldn't. How could he? After what he did, after everything he helped cause, how could he even begin to think he deserved mercy?

Sucking in a quick breath and readying himself for the grand finale' of earth shattering pain beyond pain, he slowly pulled forward, anticipation and fear coursing through him like electricity until finally...

"Sin?" Called a voice causing him to freeze in place. He looked over to see a very concerned looking Pinkie Pie emerging from the brush. 'Of course, it had to be her.' "What- What were ya doing?" She asked.

Sin released his flight granting appendage allowing it and his hoof fell into place. "I was stretching my wing." He lied, doing his best to give a smile. Though; the mare's leer didn't give him confidence that she bought his words.

"Really?" She called skeptically walking face to face with him

"Yes, at any rate. I'm glad you're here." Sin smirked at the ponies greater interest in his words than his actions. He wondered over to his saddle bag and from it, drew a plastic wrapped rectangle. "I wanted to thank you."

Pinkie tilted her head and took the rectangle before she made out the purple and pink coverings. She gasped happily upon discovering that thing was actually a well packaged chocolate bar. She hastily ripped off paper obstruction and opened her mouth to bite down and quell a long suffering sugar withdrawal. "Wait," she stopped and looked up to her associate with curious eyes. "Why are you giving this to me now? Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful; but, why now?"

The aforementioned stallion's smirk grew. "To be honest, Miss Pie, with as much grief as I give you; it's because of you your friends have come as far as they have. Even if they don't realize it." Pinkie tilted her head to the side and began to nibble on her coco based treat.

"You and yours haven't been conditioned to survive in the wild as I have. I can help them survive, feed them, shelter them, and all of that. However, you have kept their mental states in check and their moral high enough to where they won't kill each other. Even if it is just by guilting them into peace."

"Believe it or not, the most important thing about Survival-ism, is not tools, the knowledge, or even the know how; but keeping everyone mentally together. Being in not only a new land, but in a whole new environment deprived of the typical comforts that you and your friends have become accustomed to, has wrought an excessive amount of stress. And I am proud to say that you all have fared very well considering the circumstances, and I would just like to thank you for your efforts, and try to keep your moral high so that you might keep theirs as such."

Pinkie smiled gratefully and finished off the chocolate in a matter of seconds. To Sin's delight, the party mare's mane regrew some of it's poofieness and her eyes restored a shine they'd lost a few days ago.

"Thank you." She beamed and moved to give Sin a hug, to which the stallion raised a leg and held her out of reach. Pinkie looked up to him in confusion at his rejection of her affection.

"Easy there kiddo." The survivalist replaced his hoof once he was sure the pony wouldn't assault him. "Unlike most, touching is six ways of uncomfortable to me, no offense." He did his best to maintain his resolve,but the pink mares disappointed face all but broke his heart. 'Strange, usually I get an unusual sense of satisfaction out of seeing her dejected, why is now different? He sighed. I'm going to regret this...'

"Alright," Sin held out one of his forelegs, "Go ahead."

Pinkie perked up at the offer and the stallion soon found himself unable to breath due to an ungodly amount of force trying to destroy his rib cage between two pink forelegs.

'I take it back, regret really doesn't cover the amount of woe I feel about this decision'

Finally, after a few breathless seconds, the party pony released her death grip. Her victim gasped for air, grateful for reprieve, electing an apology and sheepish grin. "Actually," Pinkie smiled malevolently, "If you really want to keep my spirits up, it would be nice if you answered a few questions."

"Always a catch. Go ahead."

Pinkie beamed. "Where is Star Shade?"

Sin was actually taken aback by the question. "Uh, I'm not completely sure, Star Shade isn't the most predictable of ponies you understand."

In another village, dozens of miles away: Star Shade cackled maniacally overhead as the towns folk of a large wheat farm ran through the panicked streets, the over abundance of straw that many storage units stored catching flame, and quickly engulfing the small town into an inferno.

Females and younglings screamed and cried in terror as the males of all races began a fruitless campaign of quelling the flames. Homes burned, dispensaries of food and water would soon lay in not but ash and char; all edibles crisps and all water poisoned with burned debris.

And through it all, one single bat pony flew on high, dozens of beaten and unconscious griffins and pegasi laying before him.

"I AM YOUR LIBERATOR! YOU SHALL NOW PLEDGE YOUR ALLEGIANCE TO THE CHAOS GOD: DISCORD. AND BRING ME YOUR UNBORN BABIES!"

Sin shivered, "Now that you mention it, I have a growing sense of impending doom when I think about it."

Pinkie giggled than told of how that wasn't her real question, but something she was just curious about. Sin couldn't help but roll his eyes, as much as he really hated to do that, and motioned for the party lover to ask her real question. "Who are you to Malich?"

Sin shook his head before complimenting the mare on her tenacity. He explained that his world was more controlled by money than anything, politicians elected to the Senate typically were older and more well spoken males and females. His youth and lack of experience should have been enough to keep him from ever getting into such a position of power. However, Malich had money. And alot of it. And helped fund his campaign for election into his district.

"I lacked age and experience, and that made the voters weary of me." Sin recalled as the two made their way back to where Applejack was sleeping in her debris hut. "However, my grandfather and survival mentor whom I'd sought out in my younger days had both helped me to hone my principals and articulate my speech. I had attended many debates with other would be politicians, and because of the discipline surviving in the wilderness had thought me, coupled with my grandfathers reasoning skills and refined vocabulary; I succeeded in becoming a politician."

Pinkie nodded, a little impressed over the young ponies accomplishments, though he still hadn't answered initial question. The two finally made it back to the two huts where she called him out on the fact.

"Malich and I have a long history between us." Sin shifted uncomfortably, before taking a steeling his resolve. "He's... my brother."

"Your brother huh?" Pinkie didn't seem quite as shocked as expected. "If you think about it, it's really not all that surprising. From what you've told me, he could have taken you at any time, but he hasn't. It's obvious he wants you around for something; but he wants you to do it willingly."

"You are smarter than you look." Sin chuckled before looking to the sky. "Cleche isn't it? One brother fighting against another, all the while both trying not to hurt each other."

"Why do you fight him then?" Sin looked dumbfounded, the mare had asked the question as if it were one of the stupidest things in the world. "I mean, aren't families supposed to stick together? I've fought with my sisters lots of times, but we always make up in the end."

She looked over, offering a weak smile. "It's not the same, Pinkie, I assure you."

Sin jumped back after Pinkie let out an over dramatic gasp. He quickly turned around to see if anything was there, but when he didn't see anything, he looked to the mare. "What?"

"You, called me Pinkie." Her gaped mouth turned into a ear splitting grin.

'Now I fucked up didn't-' Before he could even finish his thought, the cotton candy ball had latched onto him again, squeezing him for all he was worth. 'Yea, I fucked up. Maybe she can break my wings for me, at least then I wont have to deal with any questions about it.'

"You've never called me by my first name before." She said after releasing him.

"I think that one was actually tighter." Sin coughed. He sighed again than apologized for his casual address. Pinkie responded with a giggle.

"You silly, the hug meant that I liked you calling me that."

"Of course it did."

Pinkie's smile faltered at his sarcasm, though instead of pressing the matter of his bad attitude, she had another question to ask. "You said you lived in the wild before you became a Senator. Why did you do that?"

Sin contemplated answering the question. He really hated it when anyone knew too much about him, Bluecloak knows this pony was the first he ever, personally, admitted to being the sibling of Malich. The whole state of N. New Equine knew about their brotherhood after journalists published a few nice pieces for a newspaper that reached every corner of the state. But, at the same time, it felt good to talk about. Get it off of his chest and so on.

Predictably, he decided to answer, revealing his vast infatuation with Economics. While most colts and fillies would go out and play; he would be studying what made the world go round. Alas, he had a different childhood from those he considered his peers at the time, but he strained on how he felt no regret for it. Pinkie couldn't help but comment upon the similarities between Twilight and himself in that regard. Though, his point was made; he had questions that desperately needed answers...

Why did paper money work? Why did shops accept paper for actual commodities and consumables? Why was it important for people to continually buy and sell? What was an Economy? If the Economy crashed, how would he and his family be affected? And the questions just piled up from there, left to be answered in hours upon hours of pain staking research and abandon to all else. Sin summed it up in a paranoid, or at the time anyway, fear of complete economic collapse. (At least for North New Equine) Effects running from: lack of medication and gas power, to anger in the streets. And that would be nothing compared to the devastation that the food shortages would bring.

And then there was the political side of it...

That which made him commit to becoming a senator in the first place. During his later youth, he began delving into state spending as well as the decades of acts and legislation passed not only by his own state, but also by that of the Federation as a whole. Finding correlations between state involvement in things like: health care, food stocks and educations in magics, and their expanding costs. Noting how closely the Economic side of life was closely intertwined with the Political side.

After what felt like hours of him trying to give detailed and context-filled explanations on the intricacies of the economic-political spectrum of the Federation mixed with the State and their actions; Pinkie looked as if she were about to pass out on the spot. Shaking his head at her stubbornness to listen to his tale, the stallion walked the pink mare to his own debris hut to lay her to sleep.

He quelled the mares protests about his lack of sleeping space, after which, and with some effort; Pinkie carefully slipped her way into the slender tent like construct and wished her friend a good night.

"Oh, and don't try to break your wing again, ok?" Pinkie called, Sin looked in her direction about to ask her to repeat what she had said, though before he realized it, the filly was already well within a deep slumber. He smiled down at her innocent and content face, completely oblivious to what she was really asking of him.

After procuring an emergency insulation blanket from his bag, the stallion began to wrap it around himself. Stopping upon the sight of his bandaged appendage, Pinkie's words echoing through his head.

"No promises."

"The implications of this bill are ridiculous!" Cried a well kept donkey slamming a piece of parchment onto the dark brown bench with his fore-hoof. "And the fact that it's receiving actual supportt is ridiculous! Don't we have more important matters to attend?"

Light murmurs began churning around the chamber.

"Be that as it may-" Sparhawk said massaging his temples. "-the bill has received the required number of co-sponsors and all other criteria." It was stupid, it was ridiculous, and by the centaurs hunch, it was out right cheating. These idiots didn't care about the law they were making, they just wanted fatter pockets. Gah! It was almost enough to make the Arbiter miss Islander, at least he took this job seriously, even if he did vote 'nay' on every bill that came up.

At least his term in the Arbitration committee was almost up. After that, he could recluse into the farthest part of Northwood; away from all of the idiots and stupid banter he'd been forced to suffer through.

"Allowing a unfulfilled senator to return? I will never vote for anything like this." The donkey replied folding his fore legs over his chest, before thrusting his nose into the air.

Sparhawk watched expressionless while the senate began to debate amongst themselves. Though, it was quickly silenced by a small pegasi mare slowly approaching the podium in the middle of the room. "Something you'd like to say, Senator Thornberry?"

The light brown mare cleared her throat and pushed her wild blond mane behind her ear. "Yes Arbiter," She took a breath. "These are trying times for both the nation and North Equine. Though I and the newly elected Senator Nymph would be the only two who's seats would be affected by this, there are more important matter that must be attended to."

Most of the politicians looked on with approval, especially the bench of the Pegasi/Unicorn consortium. Though a few politicians of each race and most of the Orvalian Donkeys didn't take well to her words. As she continued her speech about the insignificance of the bill and how it's passing would have no real impact, the anger within each of the non-bribed politicians began to grow.

"-and in conclusion, with all of the indignities that the North Equine Citizenry are suffering, it is in the best interest of not only my own state, but the Senate as a whole; to vote yay on the bill and simply allow it to pass. I reserve the balance of my time." She stepped back from the podium and the congress erupted into a grand stand of applause with a few shouting against her.

"THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS!" One of the minotaur yelled.

"Yes!" Agreed a griffin, "Senator Stone is right. It is absolutely ridiculous to pass a bill simply under the premiss of it being 'irrelevant'."

It was a new low for Sentience in power, just pass a law because: Why not?

Sparhawk put his hand over his eyes, Only in Unitas...

"If it's so inconsequential? Why not just vote nay and be done with it?"

'Because their lobbyists told them to...'

Thornberry sighed. "Because we've already had two Senators go missing this year. And as miniscule a chance the scenario may be, should another go missing; it would be best to return an old Senator than have to wait until a new one is elected.

'Is that what they told you?'

The chamber began it's low key bickering again, arguing semantics.

'And their off... You know with the poor approval rating these guys have, I could kill them. I could kill them all and no jury in the Federation would convict me. I'd probably receive a damn medal for it.'

"Just pass the bill!"

'A medal? Who am I kidding? There would probably be a parade in my honor. Maybe even a day dedicated to me. "Sparhawk day". Awarded for his single handed slaughter of the 35 most moronic individuals in the country...' Now that tickled his fancy.

The arguing grew to unintelligible shouting.

'Too bad I'd have to wait until all new Senators were elected. A whole new batch of idiots to moderate at that point. Oh Tapio, what if they were worse than these retards? Was that even possible? We should really make a law against that.'

After damn near thirty minutes of bickering, the third Arbiter, much to Sparhawks relief, called it to a vote.

Fortunately for his patience, unfortunate for the sanctity of the chamber, the legislation passed with a vast majority. of practically 4-1.

'Maybe I'll just sew their mouths shut or constantly threaten to skull fuck their left eye socket if they speak. The possibilities are truly endless when you add violence to the equation.'

Home Sick

"
Dear Princess Celestia,

It's been six days since I had last written to you, and I apologize for my tardiness. The less than hospitable Citizens of South Equine have caused me a momentary grievance; however I am past that now thanks to the comfort of my friends.

We've left the compound and began traveling north again, the skeletal and basic plains have become more hill country and cold has fluctuated in severity. More investigating has lead to my personal discovery of the Centaurs nation that lies at the northern most point of the continent. And, the more I dwell on it, the more I believe I should have known something about them. Prior to our arrival here, I had no Idea the race even existed. (Details of hear-say will be included in the follow up report)

We just left another in ground compound. This one holding: Ponies, Diamond Dogs and even griffins. They seem to get along well enough, though one astonishing realization is that they insult each other almost constantly. According to them it's all in "good fun" and "comedy". (Details of this also included in a follow up report, discretion is advised) However, compounds aren't giving me much to work with in terms of actual culture or habitual behavior of the citizens.

Once we reach North Equine, I hope to give more detailed and extensive reports.

----
OPN (On a Personal Note)

Applejack and Macintosh asked me to write to you in hopes that you could reply with notes from Granny Smith and Applebloom. Both have been missing them terribly. Rainbow would also appreciate it if you could check up on Scootaloo for her, she's "too cool" to admit it, but I know she worries about her and Tank. (Who should be with Fluttershy right now).

Pinkie also requested that a check up on the Cake's and their foals, she's been rather discouraged lately (by the constant tension of travel in the cold or lack of sweets... Probably both) and could use some warm thoughts and memories.

Ace told us that we are almost at the border, though, supposedly there will be high security that we would have to sneak by and he isn't sure our group would be able to make it as big as we are.

Sin sends his regards to you and Princess Luna, and Star Shade... In his own words "I hope you both rot in the fiery pits of Tartarus and become sex slaves to the Demon King..."

"Discord Rules you!"

With love,
Star Shade.

P.S. Suck it long and Suck it hard.

Star Shade laughed as Rainbow Dash rubbed her head and cursed him for moving just in time for her to slam into a tree.

"Send it dragon boy!" Shade yelled tossing the scroll to Spike, with a chuckle that indicated his amusement of the situation, the aforementioned blew and the scroll turned into a fine magic dust before scurrying off to be read by royalty.

"SPIKE!" Twilight wined, causing Shade and himself to burst into another fit of laughter.

"That's it, you are dead!" Rainbow yelled taking flight again. Shade blew a raspberry and darted away from the enraged mare. Her rainbow streak quickly catching up to his black one. Twilight tried to lecture her former assistant, though her annoyed glare and tone only served to further fuel the dragon’s mirth. To her surprise, Applejack, Pinkie and Macintosh soon joined in. "GIRLS!"

"Ah'm sorry sugarcube, but tha look on yer face-" Was all the blond mare could get out before her mirth overtook her again. Pinkie only mentioned that laughter was her element and re-joined her friends in merriment. Twilight rolled her eyes, but smiled before she ventured away from her friends and walked to Sin and Ace whose eyes were both glued to the rainbow and black streaks in the clear, noontime sky.

"I'm telling you Sin, she's faster than he is." Ace said, all three of them tilting their heads as the chase shot to the left.

"Nah, as long as I've known Shade, he's never been outdone by anybody." Twilight's ears perked as the angry voice of Rainbow Dash became clearer. She squinted to see her cyan blue coat quickly following a black blurred figure, coming quickly into view. Realizing the two were heading right for them, the three ponies ducked. They felt the wind push against them as the two speedsters flew over head.

"Bring it Crash, you ain't nothing to me!"

After they deemed it safe, they all cautiously stood up to see Rainbow quickly gaining on the object of her displeasure.

"Well, at least he's back to normal... SHADE!" Sin yelled, prompting the bat pony to come to a screeching halt mid air, Rainbow Dash shooting by his unexpected stop. Shade quickly made his way down to his associate and landed with a forced grace.

"Sup boss?"

"What exactly did you say in that letter?"

Shade shrugged. "Oh you know, the usual." The pegasus let out a grunt after a rainbow swooshed by, and slammed him into a tree.

Sin looked at Twilight. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Before the lavender mare could ask what he was talking about, Spike burped out a new scroll, garnering the attention of everyone around. He unfolded the scroll and began reading aloud.

"Dear Star Shade, I'm not your mother last night. With Love, Luna?"

"WHAT?" Shade barked throwing his athletic adversary to the side. Ace and Sin began chuckling as the insane pony grabbed the letter and read it himself. "Beast gon pay fo' momma."

"What did you say to her?"

"It doesn't really matter." Ace asked still chuckling from Shade's eye twitching. "It's obvious the Princess won this round."

Rainbow and Ace fell on the ground cackling maliciously. Sin did his best to wipe the tenacious smirk from his face, though in the end he just chewed his lips to avoid the wrath he knew to come.

Spike rolled his eyes before letting out another belch and producing another scroll. He read aloud and announced that Princess Celestia would personally attended the matters requested herself. The girls cheered at the knowledge they'd found a way to communicate with their families again.

Two days after word had been sent to Celestia to check on his loved ones, Macintosh had grown increasingly anxious. Why hadn't they heard back by now? Were Granny Smith and Applebloom ok? How about Winona? Applebloom was taking care of her, wasn't she? Did they hire enough farm hands to run the farm properly?

The questions kept buzzing as the stallion trudged on. The days here were unpredictable in terms of temperature and precipitation. Just the other day it had to have been almost freezing, and the day before that was cold but bearable for travel; and today, it was almost nice. He grew to miss the forecast that the pegasi in his home town would bring him, foretelling of how the weather would be was a lot better than waking up to find he'd become a damn mare over night.

"Big Mac?" Twilight called, he looked over to her concern ridden lavender eyes. "Are you ok?" The stallion gave her a reassuring smile. The two had grown closer, much to the dislike of both Applejack and Spike, ever since the incident that the mare labeled 'first contact'. A nuzzle here and there, a peck on the cheek after helping her out with lifting a particularly stubborn root or plant. (After the little incident with Sin and the potato, he'd been rather hesitant to join her in any kind of activity.)

"Eyup" he smiled. Mac couldn't say he really minded the stallions offer to switch places with him, matter of fact, he couldn't have been happier about it. Twilight's compassionate and curious nature was a heavy and welcomed contrast to AJ's constant stubbornness and chiding. "Jes' thinkin' 'bout home."

Applejack working with Sin, now that trade off had defiantly left the young N. Eqinite with the shorter half of the stick. Sin's recipes for stew and salads hadn't exactly coincided with his sisters, and he felt that today would defiantly be the day that Sin's patience would finally kill over and the two had it out. In a sick kind of way, he found himself looking forward to it.

"I know what you mean." Twilight said, her gaze turning down wards and her ears falling. "I hope my parents are alright, and Fluttershy is taking good care of Owlicious and Pee Wee." Mac observed her expression with a frown than nudged her playfully, causing the librarian to stumble.

"Hey!" She called with a playful smirk pushing him back.

The two shared a laugh and climbed the hill where the train of ponies began to group. Mac gaped upon seeing an unprecedented and magnificent landscape of lush green grass and trees healthy enough to be mistaken for those on the farm. Small, clear blue streams of water flowed with out the familiar white and dirt of tainted ice, ponds sparkled, reflecting the light of the clear blue sky overhead.

Wait a minute. How was this possible? The landscape looked as though it hadn't been touched by winters icy grip, nor autumn’s death before it. Had he judged simply by the serene and tranquility of valley before him, he'd have thought it the middle of spring.

"The Vale?" Sin asked dumbfounded.

"The what?" Twilight asked, obviously just as infatuated as big Macintosh was.

"The Vale." Sin repeated turning to address the Equestrians. "It's the heart of the entire Federation. It isn't known how, but this plot of land is always in a state of complete and total serenity in terms of nature."

"The weather is always pleasant, the worst precipitation it will allow is a light drizzle." Ace chimed in. "Before you ask, no; Sin's absolutely right. Even the Centaur haven't a clue as to why the Vale acts the way it does. It just does."

"You talk about it like it's a living thing." Twilight said in a half question.

Ace nodded and further explained that the Vale was a perpetual paradise on the planet, forbidden to be settled upon by any one of any race, ordered by the Centaurs and up held by the Senate. If nothing else, than just to preserve one of the most magical of natures gifts to the nations Citizenry.

"Can we go into it?" Pinkie asked a excited to get out of the cold weather. To her dejection, Ace answered in the negative, claiming that the wide valley was protected by a large all encompassing border patrol. Apparently, immigrants from Zeborica had found the land mass to be an excellent place to attempt settlement, considering the fertile soil and the numerous herbs that it held.

This information piqued Twilight's curiosity on what happened to those that were found.

Ace told of the penalty that such an illegal activity wrought death by public hanging. News of the steep penalty didn't sit well with the rulers of Zeborica, once word reached about how their people were treated and relations with the Zebra nation and the Federation had only been growing more tense for it. Mainly due to the fact that the Federation had taken an Isolationist stance and wouldn't even bother to hear the Chieftains plights nor the War Chiefs threats on if the killing of their people weren't stopped.

The Equestrians each verbalized their distaste for such barbarian tactics to maintain order. Capital punishment was an extreme rarity in Equestria when it was legal, and now was completely non-existent. Ponies could still be held for life in rehabilitation, though that was a very unique occurrence. Needless to say the prospect of public killings was far beyond anything they could comprehend.

As Sin and Ace conversed about how they had arrived at the border of the Vale instead of the border of N. Equine; Spike let out a belch that brought forth a long awaited scroll. Rainbow Dash eagerly told Spike to pick it up and tell them how their families were doing, hope of her request going being obliged firm in her voice.

"My faithful student: Twilight." Spike began. "Are you in a secure position where nopony can see you? Please respond on this sheet of parchment?" He tilted his head and re-read the note before flipping it over. The Equestrians looked at each other than deduced the relevance and reason for such a question before receiving a nod from Ace. Spike shrugged and wrote a simple "yes" before he sent the message off once more...

Though, the puff of magical smoke acted differently than it usually did. Instead of flying directly off to the castle, it seemed to explore the area directly around it. And as quickly as the strange behavior came, it had gone, leaving the ponies more dumbfounded than the initial question it brought, Twilight and Spike most of all.

What little Mac knew about dragon magic and the mystical properties their flames had, he had never seen a letter bound to the princess act in such a way. It made him uneasy, to say the least.

After a few awkward moments passed, another belch and scroll erupted and, as before, the young wyrm opened it and read the single word it contained.

"Hello?"

Suddenly, a bright golden glow shined and blinded the ponies for a moment, a split second later a crack could be heard adn the light faded to nothing. Opening his eyes Mac couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight cried bowing before latching herself into an embrace with the now present Alicorn.

Celestia addressed her charge and returned the embrace, after which the unicorn gave her respectful kneel and most of the Equestrians, save for obviously Shade, followed suit. "It is good to see you all again."

"Likewise, Princess." Applejack said happily. "Say, what'cha doin' here?"

Celestia's smile brightened "Firstly, I came to see the Federation." she looked around. "I've never been allowed in here bef-" Her words caught in her throat upon observing the valley in the distance. "Oh my." She smiled taking in the heavy contrast of the serene landscape in the distance against the immediate deadwood around her...

After she had her fill of observation, the princess re-addressed her subjects and told of the second reason for her coming. Small sounds of disappointment escaped them upon hearing that she hadn't any news of their families or friends, though, they were quickly replaced with gasps of hope when she offered to take them home to visit.

"Really?" Rainbow asked, excited as a school filly being asked out by her crush.

"Yes Rainbow Dash." The sun goddess nodded. "You all have been away for a month; I figured I would see if you would wish to see your families. You are on this journey on my request after all."

"YAY!" The girls all exclaimed in unison before beginning to talk about how things were back home. Mac smiled at the prospect of seeing his grandma and sister again. He also looked forward to seeing how the apple business was doing without him for all the time he was gone. Even if his sister was there, he had always been the mathematician of the family ever since...

"Princess." Sin called garnering Celestia's attention away from her subjects. "If I may request that you also take Ace and Star Shade."

Both of the aforementioned gave surprised looks to the stallion before arguing against the request.

"Look," Sin deadpanned. "The less of us that cross the border, the less of a chance we have of getting caught. I've done this a few times, and if only I'm caught than only I will face consequence for it. Besides..." He smirked before mentioning how the two could rest, eat good food, and relax for a while. Finishing up with the reiteration of the fact that crossing the border out of S. Equine would be easier done alone.

"Err, you won’t be alone." Celestia interjected causing all three of the stallions to look at her. "I can only teleport to a location I know of. The scroll that Spike received and sent gave a magical beacon of sorts that I needed to transport to. Without that, I can't tell where anypony's location would be."

Spikes enthusiasm wavered, "So... That means-"

"I am sorry Spike." Celestia said sadly. "But I need you to stay here to give me the basic area on where to teleport."

The drake's eyes lost a bit of life at that moment, "NO!" Twilight yelled hugging her unresponsive charge. "I won’t leave him."

"And I'm not going either!" Shade proclaimed turning to face Sin. "I already hate them enough here, I'm not going to be stuck in a palace with them."

"Discord will be there."

"TAKE ME WITH YOU MYSTICAL HORSE LADY!" The insane pegasi demanded latching onto the the surprised Alicron's leg. "My god needs me."

Sin shook his head and observed Spike and Twilight, he couldn't make out their words exactly, but the facial features and movements made it seems as if the dragon were reassuring his former caretaker.

"Sin?" Pinkie said drawing his attention. "You'd better make it work for the three of us, ‘cause I'm staying too." She said firmly.

Shaking nodded in the negative, the stallion recalled the party mare finding him in the woods in a rather compromising position. After that, she wouldn't let him out of her sight. Even when everyone else was asleep and he so little as stirred in the night, he could feel the Pinkie's scrutinizing eyes upon him. No matter how much he tried to convince her that he only extended the discomfort from his static wings, she always gave a distrustful "so you've said".

Deciding it best that she leave for not only his agenda, but her own well being, he played the database of information he had against her. "Pinkie," He whispered with a smirk. "You really should go with them. You haven't had anything cavity inducing in days. Not to mention Gummy and all the... Missed birthday parties."

His ploy onto her psyche hadn't gone over as he planned.

"Gummy's fine silly," Pinkie chirped happily. "And there will be more birthdays and I can wait on eating the yummy," Pinkie's eyes widened. "Delicious" a small bit of saliva drooped from her mouth, electing a smirk from her opponent. "Scrumptious..." The mare shook her head, breaking free of her thoughts. "Snacks and cakes I've eaten before. Maybe I can ask Twilight to get me some on her way back!"

The survivalist's smirk faltered. "Come now Pinkie, that isn't fair." He chastised earning a confused tilt of the head. "You could spread so much more laughter and happiness in Equestria than you can here. There's no reason for you to miss out on the fun and love of your friends and family."

"I think we both know that there is a reason I can't go home right now." Pinkie calmly replied. Her voice didn't hold any aggressive sternness to it, though the unwavering matter-of-fact-ness of her words had sent a chill up Sin's spine. He dismissed that he had no idea what she was talking about, praying silently that the mare wouldn't bring up the incident a week prior. It was at that point that Sin had denounced prayer, since she had done just that. Albeit in a more euphemistic way, though, it was clear she knew what he was doing.

"Look Ms. Pie. The more ponies I bring with me, the more of a chance Spike and I have of being caught. There is no need to take more of a risk than we already are."

Pinkie mused over the notion.

Sin wasn't afraid of many things in this world, though, the next few words to come from Pinkie's mouth made him sweat internal bullets. He didn't want to hurt her, and he knew she would try to stop him if she found out, but it had to be done... His need for it was beginning to make him physically ill. Guilt can make you do and feel some pretty stupid things. He knew it was irrational, he knew it was stupid, mechanistic, and dangerous but it was the only way to silence that nagging in the back of his head. That damn shame educing voice that wouldn't let him sleep until the ritual was done.

Not to mention the fact that she was an absolute liability at this current point in time.

"Alright." Pinkie said happily.

'wow, that was easier than expected,'

"On one condition."

'Of course there is.' Sin motioned for her to named the terms.

"You have to Pinkie Promise that you won’t stretch your wings while I'm gone." Sin gave a questioning sound and she recited the sacred bond educing ritual that was the unbreakable swear. She eyed him expectantly, to which sin just stood and stared blankly at her.

"yea, I'm not doing that."

Pinkie gave a small pout. "Well, if you don't do it, then I guess I'll have to stay." She said firmly.

The former senator sighed in defeat. "Alright... Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a pastry in my retina er, whatever." A look from the mare prompted him to do it correctly, though with a great deal of begrudging, and satisfied her enough to leave him be.

He saw her smile and open up her forelegs for a good bye hug.

"Spike." he called, interrupting an embrace that the drake and Twilight were sharing. As well as Pinkie’s advance." I need to have a word with you real quick." Spike smiled to Twilight before venturing away. Once the two were far enough to speak privately, Spike asked what he was called over for.

Sin cleared his throat. "I'm not going to blunt here Spike; I need to know if you are ready to kill to protect yourself."

"WHAT?!" Spike yelled taking a step away.

"Spike, we will be crossing the border from South Equine to North Equine. The wall that separates the two is guarded, and I can't guarantee either of our safety." He stated before taking a calming breath. "And if we are caught, we may have to kill border patrol agents to avoid arrest."

Spikes retinas constricted at the notion.

He would have to kill somepony... HE would have to knowingly TAKE a ponies life! Sin killing was one thing, but could he; the beloved though at times mischievous and sarcastic dragon, end a life? The very thought of it was enough to make his stomach churn. Why? Why would he have to kill? It wasn't right, nor was it fair. Though, if what Sin said was true, there were far worse consequences if he didn't.

Sin took the blank stare and silence as his turn to speak again. "Should you wish to return with them, I will not think any less of you. And neither should you, yourself. Ending a sentient life isn't something that should ever come naturally to anyone. Should you choose to leave, I'll understand."

"I-" Spike began. "I don't know." It might not even come to that though! If he was quick and stealth-ful enough, the two could get through virtually unscathed. No death required, but what guarantee of that was there? How could he be promised safety and restraint? The border couldn't be that fully guarded right? Surly there must be some way they could cross without being caught. But why did he want to stay? Why was he even considering this whole venture?

Oh right, the same reason they agreed to come here in the first place; their friend.

"I'm sorry to rush you. But I think your friends are getting ready to leave." Spike broke from his train of thought and looked to his associate innocently. "Are you willing to kill to defend yourself?"

Senator Thornberry wondered out of the Senate chamber into the Lobby, her spirits were a bit higher today than they had been in a while. Even if she just stomped all over her principals for the last few days.

A couple of Lobbyists gave her a smile and a nod of the head, to which she replied with a sad smile. After the unicorn had exited the capital building she sighed and turned around to take in the view once again.

Light grey and white marble walls outlined the impressive structure cylindrical, complimented by a thick golden ring that circled the middle of the building all the way around with a crest of one of each of the races that inhabit the country embedded within a large bright gold coin on the front. The emblem of the Federation.

Tears began to grow as she thought about the first time she had ever observed the structure. It was over a year ago, she had foretold of her desires to ascend from local politics to that which encompassed the entire country. Truth of the matter was, she wanted both a higher pay grade and a higher status among society.

She remembered how excited she was to be here, Unitas, the Capital of the entire country. Even if her first time in the city was with one of the most somber and melancholic, stallion she had ever met. Though, to be fair, he was the reason she did get the job.

And the only one who gave her good, albeit depressing, advice the entire duration of her time in office.

His words began to echo in her head.

"I warn you Thornberry: Being a Senator here is a great deal different than being a Mayor."

Even though the two had known each other for a few years, Islander was younger than Thornberry, and as such, she dismissed his warnings as lack of experience. She'd handled a lot during her time as mayor of Northwoods: political corruption, a cartel of griffins shipping Vexsium, and ordered a task force to help clean up the gangs in town. Surly she could handle what ever the Senate threw at her.

Heh...

How wrong she was.

"If you ever do get into this pig den, remember this: Cut all relationship ties with everyone you know. Your friends, family boyfriend, husband, fiancé; what have you. Do them and yourself a favor, forget them.

She protested, why would she want to do that? Why would she want to be alone? She wanted friends and family and love, who didn't? Everyone needs love in their lives. Well, almost everyone.

There are those who will use your loved ones against you. None are safe from it.

In a sad revelation, it all suddenly made sense to her now... She always wondered how a stallion with such youth and in his prime would recluse from society. At first she thought it was due to politics and his family background; can't have a Senator going to wild parties and having stupid fun and what not.

Though, now she understood it. She tried to stand by her principals, and her father was found dead the next day by "suicide". Thornberry knew her father was a happily married and retired stallion with her mother, he wouldn't kill himself.

Her suspicions were confirmed the day after the event when the same individual from when she refused to throw away her principals before, approached her with a knowing grin. His words of conviction made her want to throw up and kill him at the same time. How could he sentence her parents to death? How could he be so smug about it? What did they do to deserve what happened to them?

"Here, if you stand by your principals, you will pay for it. One way or another."

And now her Windmane was in his masters hands. That same pony from before who seemed to relish in her agony invited her to a meeting where she would find out where her beloved was.

It wasn't fair. Her father hadn't done anything and neither had her mother. They were good ponies, followed all the laws, helped out neighbors when asked, and ever even started a charity for returning lost younglings to their parents.

Though, as unfair as it all was, it was reality. These were her real problems. A dead father, a hurting mother, and now a lost loved one. At least he was alive, or so they claimed.

The unicorn mare's train of thought was broken by two minotaur passing by, discussing the economic crisis of N. Equine. Whether it was by dreadful mistake or happy rudeness, the two left her with a feeling of sobriety. It was easy to forget about the actual point of your job when you have to think and scheme just to keep your life in tact because of it.

She called a donkey drawn cab and sadly filed in. Luckily she knew the driver; so she wouldn't need to say anything, he'd know where to go.

As she sat back in long red booth of the car, her mind began to wonder. She had done as he requested, how long until he kept up his end of the deal? The cab came to a slow halt, and a wave of confusion enveloped the ponies mind. That was far to short a distance to be at her apartment, why did they stop?

Suddenly the door to the cab swung open, an all to familiar earth stallion walked in, his smile cynical, and his presence menacing. "Good afternoon Senator...”

Author's Note

Alright, so... that's the end of the pre-written chapters. (Well aside from one that has mostly to do with the Star Shade bonus chapter up next)

I was just wondering what everyone thought so far. Characters seem alright? Something not making sense? Questions, loop holes? And most importantly, improvements?

And yea, enjoy.

Til Death

Dear Princess Celestia.

Thank you for forwarding Twilight's message to me, I'm glad she's having fun with her brother and Caidence. Sin sends his regards to you and Ace, as well as his apologize for Star Shade. He didn't specify exactly why, he just said "Sorry for what ever he broke".

Sorry about Sin's insistence on holding off on any message sending for the past five days. He's rather paranoid about needless communication due to where we are, though, I can see his point.

We've finally reached the boarder to North New Equine about two days ago! But it has alot more guards than I had originally thought it would. More griffins and pegasi in the clouds looking down than actual guards on the wall though.

When I asked how he planned to get through, Sin said he would be surveying and monitoring the guards routines and shift changes. That way we would be able to slip through when they were too distracted by going home or what ever.

And there's something else I need to confess, Sin's been hounding me to learn to shoot my cross bow. He said that there was a chance I would need to defend myself, but it's a minor chance if we're sneaky enough. Hehe. Any way, if you're going to send a letter in response to this one, please do it within an hour upon being received. If not, I'll send one sooner or later.

The two of us have another Reconnaissance run to do tonight, and with the lack of cover, the last thing we need is to be spotted because of obvious green flames in the dead of night. Send my compliments to Twilight!

Spike

"Alright, ready?" Sin asked holding onto a small log tied to an above branch via a long root. Spike noded and Sin released the log, allowing it to swing away from him. Spike took aim with his cross bow, lining up the head of the bolt against the small brown root wrapped around the logs center. After it hit it's full swing, the drake allowed his finger on the trigger waiting for the right time to loose the projectile.

His breath quickened and swallowed, he'd already lost three of his ten bolts to the forestry beyond after the two had failed to find them. But not this time, this time he'd hit it, this time, he'd split the root in two and bring that bloated hunk of wood down. The dragon was beginning to think himself crazy, but he could swear the log was mocking him. Sitting there swinging back and forth untouched by his attacks, but being at this for hours had taken it's toll on his mental state, so that was more than enough excuse for him to growl under his breath. "Die you bastard."

His finger tightened and the familiar, albeit minor, recoil of the weapon pushed against his shoulder. He watched with loathing as the bolt over shot the log by mere inches and stuck the tree behind it... again. He growled in frustration. "This is IMPOSSIBLE!" He yelled throwing the contraption onto the ground.

"Calm down." Sin replied approaching the wyrm. "You're being emotional while shooting again."

"Nooooo. I'm missing because, it. Is. Impossible!" Spike yelled, his eyes almost on fire. "We've been at this all day, and not once have I hit the damn thing!"

"Impossible?" Sin seethed before taking a few steps back and bucking the log. He quickly trotted away from the object and Spike before turning and taking aim with his own weapon. Not even three seconds past before he loosed his own bolt striking the root as if it were nothing, than quick loading a second arrow and losing it again in the same time.

Spike's head was a mix of both rage and amazement as his dream of seeing the cocky piece of wood that mocked him so, fell to the ground, the upholding root wire having been pierced and snapped. The both stood in silence for a moment, the dragons mind abuzz with how to respond to the event. He felt a bit insulted that Sin made it look so easy, but at the same time, he wanted to learn to do it himself; if nothing else than for the self serving desire to drop the log of his own volition and wish it's miserable existence nothing but kindle and tinder.

"Impossible." Sin spate gaining his associates attention. "And difficult are very different concepts. And I hate nothing more in this world than where such an excuse is given."

Spike pouted, "what ever, so you can do it. What makes you think I can?"

"Do you really think we've made no progress here?"

"Huh?" Spike quirked a confused brow, he was legitimately confused by the question. He'd fired countless time, and not a single one had managed to penetrate the log. How could progress have been made when he'd shown no signs of it. To his surprise, his teacher pointed to the tree where his missed bolts had repeatedly struck. "Yea, so what?"

Sin's ear twitched and he wondered over the three bolts stuck in the lower trunk. "A problem we had was that we were loosing bolts, you found holding your shot until it was lined up with the tree would be the best way to conserve ammunition, thus demonstrating problem solving." He gave a little criticism on how such a thing could also be counter productive as it puts another little ounce of pressure to only allow him to fire at a specific point, but that -in the long run- would help him to become a better bowmen in the long run.

Spike pondered the situation for a moment. To him, it seemed like common sense, yet he was receiving praise for it? Maybe Sin's as angry as he was because he really was surrounded by idiots?

A few minutes later, the two had the log set up again with more dug up root wire, and Spike was ready to start again. "Before we begin." Sin stated holding the log. "I want you to forget about the tree."

"What?" Spike asked lowing the bow. "But if I miss, we could lose the bolt."

"I know. but that's what's causing some of your anxiety." Sin explained. "What your trying to do will take alot of practice and time that we don't have. I promise you, you'll get there, but I'm already pushing you by skipping static targets. Just line up your shot, and take it when you're most comfortable now."

Spike gave a word of affirmation and Sin loosed the log again. Spike eyed the log again, he took aim with his bow and followed the root covered center. His vision found the tree and his body tensed, forget the tree, forget the tree, forget the tree he kept following as the wooden target begun it's back swing. He swallowed, and let out a slow breath. As it slowly began to swing for a second time, a feeling of euphoria overtook him. A brief moment of utter clarity and peace resonated through his body, and the cluttered rats nest of thought that was his mind, suddenly calmed.

He took the shot...

Two thuds erupted almost instantaneously. One was the familiar sound of the crossbow, another was an almost alien sound of shattering splinters over hallow wood. The young dragon gave a toothy grin and a small cheer upon discovering the bolt had lodged itself into the log. Albeit, not where he had targeted, but success and progress were still success and progress.

"Well done." Sin smiled.

"Thanks." Spike ran up to the log and retrieved the projectile, a proud smirk playing across his lips. "Hey Sin." He asked, tough he wanted to ask how the pony had gotten so good at shooting, another question came to mind. "Why did you leave the Senate?"

"What? Where did that come from?"

"Well, remember when I said friends want to know more about each other? I just want to know. Ya know?"

The former senator gave a wry smirk. "Well, it was because I was surrounded by idiots." He answered simply. "Now how I left might be a more interesting story..."

Big Macintosh leaned back against his all to comfy chair, Applebloom had been pestering him for the past three days about his adventures in both Equestria and the Federation. Her delighted smile at Nightmare Night festival, her shocked and disgusted words at the mention of the enslaved Diamond Dogs, and mix between excited and fearfulness at the story of his battle with Golvec amused him to no end. It was good to be home.

"Ah can't believe y'all fought a dragon!" Applebloom grinned. "Wait 'til Scootaloo hears 'bout this!"

"Thank Luna, she came 'n saved owah' flanks from tha' beast." Mac admitted, it did take away from the story that the four of them hadn't actually beaten the ruby Wyvern, though it was the truth, and a story he wasn't ashamed to tell.

Ace trotted down from upstairs, the golden pegasi had been invited to stay with the farmer while Star Shade was given a little tent to sleep near Discord. Under constant and well armed surveillance of course.

"Morning Mr. Ace!" The young filly greeted." Ace smiled sheepishly and returned the greeting. "Wha' happen to yer face?"

Mac tilted his head to see Ace's typically golden cheek, was now a slight lavender, with clear signs of swelling.

"Oh you know." Ace chuckled nervously. "Your sister and I just had a little accident." he trailed on, mumbling something unintelligible under his breath.

Mac sighed, ever since they had arrived back here; everypony discovered a whole new side of the stallion, the girls most of all. He enjoyed "playing" as he called it. In summary, he tried to jump on any flank that would have him. Sure, he did it in a smooth way, yet it was still meaningless sex. Hay, his first day in town and he was flirting up a storm between Lyra and Bon Bon, the later of whom had the pleasure of slapping him to the ground after a certain comment about her Cutie Mark.

Apparently, loss of consistent stress of freezing to death and venturing to the Senate had brought out the pony within. And that pony was veeeery friendly.

Luckily, Mac knew his sister wouldn't be deceived by some smooth words and a nice smile, and what ever she did would hurt Ace far more than anything he could do. Plus, it was nice to see the Apple family wrath brought down on somepony who actually deserved it.

Applebloom tried inquire as to the nature of the accident, though Mac winked and told her she was to young to know about those things. Rolling her eyes, the young filly chuckled and asked if she could go play with her friends. Mac nodded and she dashed out of the house.

After their privacy was confirmed, Mac shot a look to Ace. "Y'all tryin' to get with mah sister?"

"Actually no." Ace stated truthfully. "I was walking down the hall and she swung a two by four which caught me in the side of the face." Oh, that actually is a plausible explanation, AJ was doing some construction work in the guest room, going so far as to deny his assistance when offered. "Being told once is enough for me."

"A'righ'." Mac laid back in his chair again, contemplating his return to the Federation. Sin said that they would need at least a week to cross the border, intricate planning on not getting caught and what not, so most of the Equestrians decided to return to Ponyville and catch up with old friends along with relaxing for a bit with in the confides of their nice, safe, and warm homes. Pinkie was back with the Cakes, Rainbow was back at her cloud house, and Applejack, Ace and he were back home. Twilight and Shade elected to both stay in Canterlot, reasons were obvious for both, considering.

However, thoughts of how things had been trailed back to him. The cold and lack of readily available food they had endured hadn't been lost on him. He really appreciated his life on the farm right now. Compared to the sleepless nights, freezing marches and lack of any real certainty at all; dealing with Ace's shenanigans was relatively low key in terms of stress. However, he had a few questions as to why anypony would willfully live in such a way.

"Hey Ace, can ya tell meh sumthin'?"

"Depends, what do you want to know?"

"Why did Sin leave the Federation?"

Ace pressed his lips together, surprising a small chuckle. "Wait, he didn't tell you why he left?"

"Enope."

The golden pegasus' grinned evily as he took a seat on the green sofa opposite Mac. "Well, you know how politicians are right?"

"Nope."

The flier chuckled, than he cleared his throat and calmed himself. "Well, they're idiots. No, I'm not talking about your run of the mill village fool; I'm talking, they like to mess up."

Mac quirked a confused brow. Ace let out a sigh, before mentioning how he would need to explain it in great detail. Apparently politicians in the Federation aren't like those in Equestria. Mayor Mare wouldn't be caught dead going directly against the wishes of the Ponyville citizenry. Yet it was pretty much expected in not only N. Equine, but the country as a whole. To emphasize on why that would be, Ace told of what lobbyists were, and how the political desires of the citizenry came second to the self serving interest of the politicians who made up the Senate and local governments.

Suddenly, Mac realized how good it was to have a divine and benevolent being rule over them in such a way. The princess was actually very lenient compared to the ruling class of tAce's homeland. When questioned about the citizens actions against the selfish indulgences of their representatives, the Federalist gave a reply that nearly dropped the crimson stallions jaw to the floor.

"The're doin' nothin'?"

"Not a damn thing." Ace replied. His usually calm and charming demeanor turned into head shaking disappointment. "They just sit by while our politicians destroy the country. Some of us have rallied under the Syndicate to peacefully lead a resistance against them. However, they Federal Government has been getting more violent against the protests. And as a result, so have we against them."

"More violen'? Why?"

"Well, despite the trouble Triple M. has caused us, they really haven't been a big corporation for very long."

Asking what they had to do with this, Mac listened intently to the history of Triple M. And how it's original creator, a pony by the name of Mandylion, had donated the company to his son; Jemeni. -Man these ponies have some weird names- And how this particular Corperate's interest revolved around violence, with it's use of Mercenaries and Medical. What better way to make money than to heal what you've hurt?

As fascinating as this story was, Mac couldn't help but bring it back to his original question.

"Oh right, sorry." Ace chuckled. "Well, Sin only made it through half of his term in the Senate before he was half kicked out, half left. There was this bill..." Ace chuckled, though continued with the story. "This bill was meant to provide a universal healthcare system in Northern New Equine. And Islander, he..." He burst out into another case of chuckles.

"Islander?" Mac questioned.

Ace's laughter died immediately. A look of realization causing his eyes to constrict. "Ahem, sorry. Anyway, the creator of the bill was a from the Griffin state of Columbus." Before Mac could enquirer why a senator from a different state would offer to give universal health care to N. Equine, Ace explained that Sin and Xom, the opposing politician, hated each others guts. While Sin focused primarily on halting all freedom impeding bills (Which was pretty much all of them) Xom took his own sponsored bill being stopped personally, and lead the Healthcare legislation as an attack on Sin personally.

"And once Xom began to say that the bill was a reward for all of his hard work, by implying Sin wished to give his state free health care, Sin lunges out of his seat, climbs over all the other senators and starts whaling on the poor bastard." Mac's eyes widened and he started to chuckle.

"He started a brawl within the whole chamber!" Ace laughed, forcing the stallion to join in the merriment. Mac felt a bit guilty, he was laughing at ponies and such getting hurt but at the same time this 'Xom' probably had it coming. Not to mention Sin, the stoic and composed pony that mad Big Macintosh himself look like an expressive chatter box, jumping over who knows how many ponies and griffins, snarling and cursing, jumping onto a griffin and flat out beating the crap out of him? How could he not laugh at that?

"NO WAY!" Spike exclaimed whist attempting to hold back a laugh. "Y- you didn't!"

"Sure did." Sin smiled arrogantly. "If memory serves, I knocked out three of his teeth." His smile grew. "Good times."

After a few more bits of laughter, Spike calmed himself and asked "And that's why you left?" He wiped a forming tear.

"Well, that's what prompted my vacation, but what made me leave was the lack of action by the citizenry."

"What?"

"Well-" The stallion's words caught in his throat, Spike stood expectantly, a bit confused by his friends sudden desire to become a statue. In the silence, he heard something.

"What?" The drake asked only to be hushed by Sin. The ponies ear twitched and he quietly motioned to be followed. Not wanting to question it, Spike followed close behind until they both were ducked down behind a larger tree. As they silently sat, the sounds became clearer, it turned into voices. Voices meant sentience, and sentience meant Citizens, and Citizens means... Buck.

The dragon's heart rate began to accelerate and time slowed as the voices became louder. Adrenalin coursed through his almost trembling form. What if they were spotted? Could they handle these guys? And if they could, what would 'handling them' require?

His eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat. They might have to-

Sin poked his shoulder motioned for Spike to cut down the log. The drake complied after making sure the approaching Federalists weren't in sight yet. He jump up and cutting the root with his claws while his associate under neath to catch and silence it's decent. Once that task was complete they gathered the bolts from the tree trunk and dashed back to the hiding spot to await for the threat to pass.

No, no they wont have to kill them, Spike tried to assure himself, if anything; they'll probably go on and none will be the wise- "Belch!"

"What was that?" One of the voices called.

"It came from over there!" Said another.

Spike looked in dread and disbelief at the small parchment that rest on the forest floor. His attention lost to the patrol heading his direction for a moment, and completely on the princess. Really? Right then and there? He had specifically asked that the princess NOT send anything until After he'd confirmed they were in a safe place, or one hour after he'd sent the last scroll. And it had been far longer than an hour.

"Spike!" Sin spat in a harsh whisper, breaking the drake of his shock. He looked over to find Sin had replaced his bolt in his crossbow and put another one on the quick load holster. "Get your bow ready!"

He replied with a dumb nod of the head and grabbed on the bolts he'd collected from the tree. His mind was a race of thoughts again. Ranging from having to kill the ponies/griffin/whatever coming, and chewing out the princess for not following what he said. A mix of anger and fear flared up inside, his nervousness blatantly apparent from the difficult time he was having placing the bolt where it needed to be.

"We know you're out there!" One of them yelled close enough to send a cold shiver up Spike spine. "We're armed, come out now, and we'll only consider killing you!"

Chest rapidly expanding and contracting, the drake's fidgeting and dis-coordinated movements only seemed to worsen the longer they waited. What were they going to do to them?

"Three." Sin called pushing his head against the trunk of the tree. "Three of them. One griffin, one earth, one Unicorn." He looked over and adjusted the bolt in his Spikes crossbow. Turning the bolt around so that the arrow would shoot out head first instead of the nook. The stallion place a third bolt from the pile into his an attached bow quiver and chanced another look.

"I don't see anything." A third voice said, this one a bit higher pitched than the rest.

"You saying you didn't hear that belch and ruffle of leaves?"

"Maybe it was just a muskrat or something."

"Muskrats don't belch like that dumbass."

Spike listened to the three fight, for some reason it helped to calm his nerves; hearing three patrol agents fight like that spoke volumes to their composure and competence.

"Fine, if you're so paranoid about it, go check it out yourself."

"Fine, I will!"

Breath caught in his throat, the hatchling gripped his weapon tight. This was it, if he found them it was over. He or they would have to die. And so would the other two to stop them from getting reinforcements.

Sin took a breath and inspected his crossbow rapidly, after deeming it suitable for use; he held it at the ready with one last nod to Spike.

Spike gained control of his breath as the crushing steps of their pursuer grew louder. He wanted to run, he wanted to leave this place and return home to his family and friends. What would they do to him if he and Sin were captured? Was it better to surrender? The law wouldn't take kindly to them resisting arrest and killing it's agents. What if they were caught after killing all three of them? Would they be sent to the dungeons or worse, would they be hanged?

The crunching of hooves on leaves almost deafened him now. The patrol agent was just on the other side of their wooden cover.

Spike silently apologized to Twilight and the rest of the girls before he mustered what courage he had left, steeling himself for the fight that was to come. A smile graced his mouth at the irony of the situation, he'd squared off against a ruby dragon who was at least twenty times his size, and walked right out to challenge him and lead him into a trap. Yet here. Against two ponies and a griffin he was almost petrified? Funny how life works.

"Oi!" Called a distant voice, refraining Spike from his intention of turning the tree and hoping for the best. "Find anything?"

A shred of hope popped up.

"No... Guess it really was nothing!" The agent called back before breathing a sigh of relief, prompting Spike to nearly collapse from his own release of tension.

"Hang on." He heard causing him to gasp. "What's that?" More hoofsteps indicated the agent was walking again. Sin looked over to see the back of the stallions indigo back as he observed the log with the root wrapped around it.

Now it was over.

Sin quietly began to creep up on the unsuspecting agent, his bow already taken aim.

"Why would a root tie around a log?" The unicorn asked to no one in particular. "Unless..." He turned to find his woe confirmed. Spike covered his eyes waiting for the thud of the firing bolt to come end end the Federalist's life. Though, it never did. He made a silent wish and removed his claws to find both of the ponies standing absolutely still, the patrol agent wearing a mask of horror while his captor held one of determination.

"W-W- What are y-you doing here?" The unicorn stuttered, a strange green tunic with a golden insignia of an eye on his chest, assumable the uniform of the guard.

Sin placed the bow against the very top of the stallions head, right against the middle of his horn. "Call to your friends." He snarled.

Spike's jaw hit the floor, why would he want to have them come here? Why didn't Sin just wait for him to leave?

"Duke! Earl!" Was all he managed before Sin stomped his muzzle, knocking him out cold.

"Cilide?" called the higher pitched voice.

Sin motioned for Spike to stay behind the tree and quickly joined him as rushed hoofsteps began shuffling the leaves leading up to them. "CLIDE!" Called the earth pony. The two bent down to check on their friend. "What happened?"

"I did."

The Earth pony and Griffin looked back to find themselves looking up the cross hairs of Sin and Spike. While the griffin had a simple look of shock, the earth ponies was a mix of surprise and rage. "What did you- ugh!" He shouted as Sin slammed his hoof into the ponies face, like before, the stallion fell to the forest floor in a boneless heap.

The griffin however was not as accepting of the situation as her friend, and lunged at his assailant.

THUD!

The griffin fell the ground, a bolt protruding from her chest. Sin looked over to find Spike wide eyed and mouth gaped, and an unloaded bow in his clawed hands.

Silence engulfed the dragon, his mind went blank, the world around him became irrelevant. Sight, smell, touch; it was all lost into oblivion now. He'd just shot a griffin... he just killed somebody.

Senator Thornberry opened her eyes to find herself sitting in a warm and well kept study. The light crackling of a small fire contained within a small red bricked chimney drowned out any sound there might have been. Her eyes shifter around to find the rest of the room was filled with (Faux) leather bound books placed neatly upon multiple shelves that reached to the ceiling.

A large wooden desk with ink quills and scattered across it's top stood to her left. A long green rug with gold trim acted as a pathway from the fire place to the work station. Complimented by the darker wood and darkened window beyond.

She rubbed her head, a massive head ache making it's presence known by trying to split her brain in two.

"Where am I?" She asked moving back upright. A small swishing sound drew her attention to the red reading chair where she currently sat. She rose a hoof up to her head to feel a large lump beginning to form under he mane... Ok, how did I get here?

I remember leaving the Senate building, and than doing something... What was it?

As if fate wanted to answer her question, a small creak of a door opening squeaked behind her. She turned to find a grey earth pony smiling at her. "Malich?"

"Good evening madam Senator." The businesspony greeted closing the door behind him. "I do apologize for your rather, forced presence. Tusk can be... well never mind." He took the seat opposite her. "How are you feeling?"

"Why did you knock me out?" The mare demanded, immediately regretting her raised voice and favoring her temples.

Malich chuckled. "Straight down to business. My brother chose his successor well." He clopped his hooves together three times. The door swung open again, the sound of struggling and dragging caused Thornberry to stand at attention. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw two black clad griffins carrying a turquoise pegasus into the room.

"Windmane!" She exclaimed running to the pegasus, he headache lost to her now by a sudden wave of hope and happiness.

The duo let the pony fall to the floor, allowing Thornberry to tend to his unconscious form. "Windmane?" She cooed softly, caressing his head. She looked up to Malich with nothing but pure hatred.

"Unconscious, I assure you." He smirked clopping his hooves together again. The lackeys gave a deep bow before exiting the room. "Islander wouldn't forgive me if I killed you now."

His words fell on deaf ears after he confirmed Windmane was still alive. She didn't care what he had to say at this point, she was with her beloved again, and now, if only for a moment, was their time to feel reunited.

"Windmane." She whispered, tears forming in her eyes. His face was beaten and battered, a black eye swollen on the left side of his face right over a few lumps and lacerations on his cheek. She kissed his ragged mane and held him close, silently weeping into the top of his head. His typical smell of chard wood and kitchen spices had dulled severely, as well as the sheen of his coat, only adding to the mare's grief. 'What did they do to you?'

A dark chuckle erupted from behind her. "It's rather funny in a way." Malich lectured, causing Thornberry to tense up. "You politicians talk such a big game upon your pedestals."He snickered. "Promising this and proclaiming that, declaring your support for the little guys, yet all I have to do-" He stood and walked over to the collapsed stallion causing Thornberry to bare her teeth. "is threaten one little Citizens life, and suddenly you'll lick the dirt off of my horseshoe."

"You monster." The mare spat, her voice sounding more like a pathetic sneeze than an insult.

"Yes. I whom try to rid the world of the ignorant and foolish, am the monster." The pony rolled his eyes in amusement. "Unlike you, who agree to protect stupidity and ignorance by making your little 'laws' and what not." He wondered over to his desk and pulled open a drawer, retrieving a rather nice bottle of what Thornberry assumed to be alcohol and a shot glass.

"This is what's going to happen." He said after pouring himself a shot. The mare had no idea what the amber liquid was specifically, but the odor it wrought was pungent enough to make her gag. It must have been stronger than anything she had, considering her captor was at least twelve feet away.

"What?" She whispered.

The Businesspony threw the glass up, draining the contents into his mouth. "I am giving you time with him now as a token of good faith. However, In return, I expect you to give your resignation from the Senate in a week." His Ice blue eyes locked onto hers, any form of amusement gone "And if you should fail to do this, I'll have you both killed."

Thornberry's eyes widened. 'killed?'

"We'll go to the media!" She exclaimed, he mouth jumping her brain. "They'll expose you and what you've done!"

Malich laughed mirthlessly before slamming another shot. "You don't mean the Unitas Times do you? The Paper I own? Or perhaps the Federalist Papers a company a close associate of mine would be more than happy to allow me to influence."

The Senator pressed her lips together, Windmane's head clutched sternly in her forelegs. How could she have let her mouth get ahead of her like that? It was common sense to almost everyone that the large news papers and radio shows were owned by Malich and his friends.

After that outburst, she thought it best just to nod in affirmation, keep her mouth shut, and hanger her head in defeat. Silently hoping she hadn't damaged her chances at more of Malich's generosity, she also couldn't help but ponder about his intentions. 'He could kill us both and it would have the same effect as me leaving the Senate, why is he allow us to live?'

The mentioned smiled and clopped his hooves again, the doors swung open and the two griffins from before stood over the two Senators with expectant stares.

"I'm glad we have an understanding." He took one last shot and replaced the bottle and glass. "Take Windmane back to the cellar." He called looking out the window. "And escort the good Senator out."

Thornberry found her self grabbed by one of the mercenaries. She cried in protest as Windmane was stolen from her and carried out of the hall. "Malich!" She yelled struggling against her captor, "Give him back to me!"

"You'll be retrieved when it's time." Malich half assured, his gaze still fixed on the darkening city outside the window of the study.

The door closed, though the mares cries of anger and protest could still be heard from outside the hall. After they had finally died down, the pony let out a sigh and placed his hoof on the glass and spoke in a calm whisper. "And when you leave, I'll finally have what I need to eradicate the idiots whom leech off this world."

Crossing the Line

Dear Princess Celestia

I regret to inform you

It is with great regret that I

I'm sorry to say

-Spike

Silence.

There was no sound in the forest besides the light breathing coming from the two unconscious ponies and Spike's own. Seconds felt like minutes as his mind tried to process what he had done. His body began to tremble, his arms loosing grip on the crossbow.

"Spike." Sin whispered looking down to the griffin than back to him. "Spike, it's ok."

Though, his words fell on deaf ears. The baby dragon simply stood in awe. He shot somepony, he killed her.

Sin slowly leaned his head down and placed his ear to the mammals chest. "She's alive." The drake merely trembled with shock. Sin walked closer and slapped him, he left his stupor and eyed his assailant. "Sorry, but we don't have time for this. She isn't dead."

Relief beyond anything he'd ever felt warmed his reptilian blood at the revelation, he wasn't a murderer? He didn't kill her? And some where a chorus of pegasi hummed a revolutionary tone. Hallelujah!

"Thank Celestia." Spike sighed slouching. Thinking you've killed someone takes a lot more out of you than he would have thought.

"Indeed, however, this has put us in a time crunch." Sin proclaimed unwrapping the root from the log. "Tie those two up, I'll handle her." Spike nodded dumbly, and numbly began to hog tie the ponies legs together while Sin handled the female of the group. He may not have killed her, but that really didn't help his mental state of almost doing so.

After the Federalists were secured and blinded, Sin motioned for them to head to the border. "Once that patrol doesn't report in, they'll be onto us and comb the area. We need to move. Now."

Though Spike wasn't exactly in the best of conditions, and Sin's jumping at the pony and having him call his friends had greatly shaken his confidence in the pony's sanity, he agreed with a nod. He was far to distracted with the current events to bring up his concerns, and on top of that, the rest of the wall patrol would eventually find those three and ask what happened.

Luckily the sun was beginning to set, and for what time the two had, enough was observed to give a pretty good indicator as to what the exact regiment was for a certain section of the wall. Three chances if the pattern was followed as it had been nights prior.

Twilight gave way to dusk, they began to approach the wall, hiding behind the fallen tree trunks for what little cover they gave. Now was time for his favorite part, the waiting game. His eyes being serpentine, the drake could see in the dark, keeping an eye out for wondering patrols, though, he didn't need them to see the long stone wall before him., or the guards standing atop of it.

The dark grey structure may have only been about ten or eleven feet high, but what was impressive was it's length. Both sides, as far as the eye could see, the wall stood proud and ready. No cracks, no doors,just flat stone; probably some entrance some where that lead up, none in sight though.

Considering the way the ponies on top moved, the wall was a considerable width as well. Torches were mounted on the wall a few feet away from each other to give illumination to the ground bellow. Fortunately, it also impaired the ponies own night vision by desensitizing their eyes to the darkness that lay beyond their intimidate vicinity.

Idiots.

So the two sat, they sat and they waited. Neither daring to breath a word. Seconds became minutes, minutes became hours. How was it possible to be: Excited, Bored, Angry, Scared, and Proud all at the same time?

Sin gritted his teeth, he lied.

He'd never lied to Spike before, and he didn't want to now, but he also couldn't have the drake moping in guilt about what he had done either.

Now wasn't the time for guilt on either of their parts, now was time to observe and pray to all things freedom oriented that they don't discover the missing patrol until the two were far into North Equine. 'prayer? Didn't I give up on that?'

What he wouldn't give for some kind of time keeping device right now, though it felt like it was almost time for the first change of the guard. Though, he'd like to wait for the third guard to come, considering he'd enjoyed a rather intoxicating beverage, the stallion wasn't completely sure how much time they had, nor how the wall would be secured once the patrol was discovered.

And on top of that, there was the unseen eye in the sky of the pegasi and griffins above. In the day time, it was no problem to catch one of them, but at night? It was like throwing darts in the dark. Luckily, the North didn't much care about immigration from the South, considering that the South's system of doing things would hold far more benefits thanks to the recession, so not too much would be needed to deal with after the wall was cleared.

There he goes.

Sin poked at Spike to get his attention than pointed to the lone pegasus on the wide section of the wall looking around impatiently. After a moment of frustration, the pony groaned loudly and trotted off to the left, assume-ably looking for his relief.

"Lets go." Sin bolted forward, Spike quickly in tow. Though, just as they were about to run out of the brush, the stallion threw the breaks on hard, allowing the dragon to slam right into his back.

"Ow, what the-"

Sin slammed his hoof over Spikes mouth before motioning to the top of the wall again.

Gis green eyes widened upon seeing two griffins in the place of the lone pegasus. Two? Where did they come from? Why were they there? Sin considered aborting the mission, though, even if they did get out of range of the search parties to come, the walls security would be upgraded to the point getting through might be impossible! Or they would have to wait until the security relaxed, ending any chance of making remotely resembling efficient time.

Sin slowly turned around and gently began tip hofing back to the point the look out they had before. Why were there two griffins there? That wasn't part of the routine, did they discover the patrol already? Was security being beefed up for them already?

They finally made it back and decided it best to wait until the second shift change, both hoping there would be enough time for it.

A few hours in, Spike piped up: "Hey Sin," He whispered, "Do you think they'll be alright?" The dragon's mental state seemed to have finally calmed. That was good news at least.

"The patrol? I wouldn't worry about them."

One was dead, and the others would probably be traumatized for life. No helping that now though. "Just keep your eyes pealed, never know when another patrol might cross us."

Indeed another patrol passed by as if on cue, though they only served as a pleasant reminder of how unprofessional the guards truly were. Joking and staggering around.

Were they drunk? Would it surprise him if they were? He probably could have walked over and knocked them all out one at a time, and they wouldn't have a clue what happened. Had it not been for Spike's... unusual body type, he would have taken the guards cloths and disguised themselves to gain what little advantage it would give them.

In retrospect, perhaps it would have been beneficial to observe some of the guards to see if there was some sort of code he could learn. Maybe keeping Shade around would have been beneficial after all-

His thoughts were thrown off by a slight chuckle from beside him. The stallion looked down to find his dragon associate doing his best to muffle a raging cackle. 'Oh fuck. He's lost it, hasn't he? Upon further inspection, he noticed a rolled up scroll in the drakes hand.

Noticing his curiosity, Spike handed him the scroll and explained that it was the scroll from earlier.

Dear Spike

Are you in a safe place to talk right now?

Your friend,

Twilight Sparkle

And suddenly it all clicked.

Irony, if there was ever a moment made flesh for the definition of the word, it had to be this point in time. He couldn't help it, he chuckled with his friend mirthfully.

After a few minutes the drake ceased himself, his spirit seemingly restored. "Boy, you think I'd be mad, but that's just too funny."

Sin shook his head in reply, burying the urge to remind the drake that she was the reason the two were pretty much time strapped now. However, he too was surprised how mellow he was feeling about the whole situation.

All well, nothing to do now but wait.

"Hey Sin, tell me something." Spike said stretching his chest, the following cracks evident to the hours he'd been still. "When we were at the first compound, the... what did you call it? The Syndicate? They stole from the surrounding farms didn't they? Isn't that someone else's property?"

Sin's eyebrow shot up, he thought on the notion for a minute than nodded his head admissibly.

"Well, isn't that a bit hypocritical?"

"Isn't life?"

"Huh?"

The stallion stretched his shoulders and gave a sigh of relief. "Life, I keep hearing how it's suppose to be this glorious gift to those who are given it. Do you agree with that sentiment?"

Spike furrowed his brow, seemingly in thought before nodding.

"Those Diamond Dogs in Golvec's Cavern, did life seem to be a blessing for them?" He smirked.

"Well, no, I guess not. But that's only because they allowed him to do it."

"Exactly."

"Huh?"

Sin cracked his neck. "There were two questions I asked myself a long time ago when I was very young. One of them I asked you, the other lead me to that question." He paused for a moment. "But to answer your question, we do what we must to survive, if petty thievery is required; so be it."

"I see." Spike nodded thoughtfully. "And what was the question you first asked?"

Sin smiled and looked directly into the drakes eyes. "Why is life?"

Spike was actually taken aback by the inquiry. 'Why is life? What, like: what is life? What is the meaning of life?' For some reason, Twilight came to mind as he thought about it. All of his friends did. All of the times they spent time together, all of the fond memories and adventures they shared.

A warm smile made it's way onto his mouth. He didn't know why they came to mind, they didn't create him, they didn't birth him into the world for a specific reason. But they gave him something far greater than life in and of itself, they gave him purpose. Purpose and happiness.

"Why is life?" Spike repeated with an amused chuckle. "Pretty deep stuff Sin."

The aforementioned turn his had back. "Not really."

After a request for elaboration, the survivalist mentioned how it was only common sense to ask such a question. Though most came to the conclusion of "What is life?" That was severely limited to basic facts and figures, equating basically to the answer of "reproduction" or "service to a higher power". It was hard to explain exactly what the difference was between "what" and "why" in terms of this topic.

However, the notion of why is life would offer some very different results. Yes, if used by a closed mind, they would basically come to the same answers as before.

The main difference, was the question of 'why' was so much more thought provoking than 'what'. In "what", there were concrete details and predetermined purposes. When asked 'why' the questions became endless. (Unless one asked 'what is the purpose of _____' though, that it essentially asking, "why" as well.) Though, the best way Sin could explain it was: "What" seemed so limited, while why just built onto itself. At least in a psychological sense.

Spike had mixed feelings on the question. To him, they both seemed to be the same thing still. His teachers explanation was there and held some merit, however; it just seemed to play on semantics.

His skeptical demeanor must have been far more apparent than he realized. "Stop me if you've heard this one. Life's what you make of it." Spike nodded. "Why is that?"

"Because... It's your own life?"

"And?"

Spike was starting to become confused. Why was his life his own? What kind of question even was that? How could it belong to someone else? Even if there was some "higher power", what ever that was, he didn't feel he owed it anything for creating him. Finally after concluding to have no real answer, he shrugged.

"Because you choose to make it your own." Sin looked forward again, the conversation clearing Spike's head of the shot griffin in favor of thinking about the concept of 'Why' as opposed to 'what'. He didn't see the difference personally, and he thought his friend a bit odd for saying there was one, but; Sin was anything but foolish. Though maybe he was in a way, after all; nopony was perfect.

Spike's thoughts trailed to what exactly he knew about Sin's personality. Cold, Calculating, Freedom oriented, and Emotionally withdrawn.

Any real attempt to make an emotional connection with the guy never went well. He seems more distant than even Cranky back in Ponyville, against Pinkie no less. Pinkamina Diane Pie, the most happy and cheerful pony he knew of couldn't get Sin to be her friend. Why? If he disliked her bubbly disposition he never voiced it to anyone. Then there were the others who were a bit more subtle, but even they voiced their concerns about his stand offish behavior when ever they tried to have meaningful dialog that didn't revolve around professionalism.

The way Spike saw it, Sin's foolishness didn't lay in his logic or intelligence, but in his emotional well being. Ace and Shade weren't exactly emotional in their own right either, but at least they had personalities. And none of their conversation, at least that he heard, held anything to do with their dreams, aspiration, or feelings. It was always business and professional. Come to think of it, most everything he'd ever done had been based around the notion that friendship was the most powerful idea that could ever be. Yet, Sin's obsession with freedom lead him into higher political office, becoming a survivalist, and a philosopher; seemingly with out an emotional support from anyone else.

This made him begin questioning which was more important: Friendship or Freedom?

"You alright?" Sin asked, Spike looked up. "The meaning of life," Sin chuckled, "Mind boggling when you think about it, isn't it?"

"Yea." Spike replied thoughtfully. "The meaning of life."

Spike abandoned his train of thought, the adrenaline had been taking it's toll on his body; and as much as he wanted to be an adult, he was still a young dragon. Albeit he'd grown due to the belongings Sin had given him, and what he purchased himself, but he wasn't matured fully. Funny how dragons work like that.

"Get ready." Sin seethed standing up. Spike shook himself awake and eyed the wall again, the second guards pony was was arguing with his relief. There he was, the brown earth stallion who would allow them passage in all of his drunken glory. The second guard was yelling something at him, to which the drunk simply waved him off and and took a seat on the wall's edge. Finally, after a few more words, the diligent pegasus shook his head and flew off in the same direction he did the nights prior.

Sin motioned for Spike to follow and the two began to slowly creep up out of the brush. The drake kept his eye fixated on the darkened sky above the elongated structure. They were up there, would they spot him? They didn't seem to be carrying any weapons on them, but what about THEIR reprieving guards? Would they?

Sin gave the signal to for the dragon to hold his position. He looked left of the wall than right, as usual, all other visible guards were too far away to be considered any real problem. Wait, this was the last guard before dawn, if they wanted to get past unmolested they'd have to dispose of him... Uh oh.

Spike was about to voice his concerns, but Sin was already a step ahead of him. He was loading a bolt into his crossbow. The two were just out of range of the torches light, or so the drake hoped.

"You're going to kill him?!" He asked in a harsh whisper.

"No," Sin replied, he pulled out something from his saddle bag that looked like dark brown sphere and stuck it onto the head of the bolt. The object couldn't have been to heavy, considering, but that only meant that it wasn't strong. And if it wasn't strong than the sharp head of the arrow would go through it!

Before the drake could voice his concerns, Sin lined up his shot and fired.

What happened next was nothing less than astounding. Either Sin was far better with a crossbow than Spike had ever given him credit for, or that was one of the luckiest arrows in the world. The bolt grazed the pony's muzzle than zinged by. A dim pop, along with the wind and no doubt pain of the bolt brought the drunken earth pony back to his senses. For a moment, for what ever the sphere contained exploded into a fine dust when it made impact with his head.

"What's going on?" He yelled looking around, "Who's out there?" And it wasn't long before he began yawning, as the minutes drew on, the yawns became longer and in quicker succession, until finally collapsed where he stood. Good thing he didn't report the abnormality. Spike smirked, Luck seemed to be on their side tonight.

Spike looked over to the markspony with a questioning eyes. "More effective when thrown," Sin commented pulling out another one of the dark spheres. "But, even with the compromise of the arrow, Knockout Pelts will drop almost anything." He dug back into his saddle bag and pulled out a rope.

"Oh, are you going to attach that to a bolt and and shoot it up to the wall, stick it into a stone, and crawl up it?" Spike asked, his eyes burning with excitement. Random burst of comic relief GO!

Sin stopped his doings and simply looked at the dragon in shock. "No." He finished pulling out a large metal hook and began tying the rope within the loop at the top. "As much as I would like to do that for efficiency's sake, the stone is too hard, the bow too weak, and the arrow too brittle." As he finished his speech he tossed up the hook and latched it onto something up the wall.

Spike found himself torn, he couldn't believe he asked such a dumb question, but at the same time, the idea of it happening was just too cool to go unappreciated.

A quick few tugs, a reload of the bow, and the survivalist began to climb up the rope. After making sure the coast was clear he motioned for his associate to follow up. The drake smiled and began his assent. Upon reaching the top of the wall, the wall dawned on him. He couldn't exactly explain how he felt, but the structure just seemed so much brighter and epic from where he stood now. Miles and miles of stone to his left and right, illuminated by the torchlight, even though he'd observed it from a distance before, right there it seemed so... Overwhelming for some reason. The only leap in the constitution was a darkened incision that lead deep within the structure.

Maybe it was the lack of sleep finally getting to him. Luckily after the quick climb back down, it was smooth sailing, and he'd be able to get a peaceful night's rest.

Sin grabbed the rope and reeled it onto the wall, and over the other side before securing it on the opposite opening it was on previously.

"You know, this was easier than I thought it would be." Spike said confidently.

Sin deadpanned. "Please tell me you didn't just say that."

BUM BUM BUM BUM Drums began sounding from within the wall. Panicked voices yelled orders to awaken and commanded the border be "locked down"

Spike grinned sheepishly.

"Damn it." Sin spat pushing the drake to the rope. "Move!" Obliging, the dragon slid down the rope to the bottom of the wall. He quickly moved out of the way and looked up to see his associate following behind. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, excitement mixed with terror, danger, and the unexpected. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but by Celestia's sun this was exciting. Almost like some of the adventure-fiction books he read back home.

To his surprise, the terrain was actually more of the same. No moat, no spikes to hold off an invasion, nothing that looked like it could be a trap, just open grassland with trees in the distance. It was a little disappointing for some reason.

"C'mon!" Sin yelled. The next thing Spike knew, the two were in a dead sprint for the wood work. Voices from behind began shouting at them to return. Yea, because shouting "Get back here" is going to make them do that. He chuckled, they made it half way to the field before two green clad pegasi intercepted them, both baring blades on their forelegs that were held in place by belt straps.

"Stop!" One called, prompting the two fugitives to come to a screeching halt. "You're under arrest. Come peaceably."

"How about no?" Sin asked sarcastically pointing his crossbow. Spike remembered his own and took aim as well, keeping in mind NOT to have his finger directly on the trigger.

"Lay down your weapons." Replied the other pegasus with authority.

Any form of excitement gave way to a familiar fear. This was exactly like the last situation, save these guys had weapons on them. Spike knew there was one of two things to do: Wait in this stalemate until their friends got here to take them into custody, or shoot and be free. No thought beyond that.

"I'll make this simple." Sin called bluntly. "By the count of three, if you don't move, we open fire."

Spike steeled himself, there was no other way right now.

"One-" Was all Sin got before the duo rushed them. Two thuds of string and two impacts later, one of the pegasi guards was down, the other cried out in pain from the projectile in his shoulder joint. Spike had mixed feelings about actually hitting him though.

The pony wasn't distracted long, he lunged at Sin as was finishing up the quick load and tackled him.

Spike watched as the two began wrestling.

'What am I supposed to do?' He thought, Sin let out grunt of pain and rose his leg and slammed his hoof into the pegasus' shoulder. 'C'mon Spike move! Help him!'

The guardspony slammed Sin onto the ground and with a wicked smirk, and threw down his weaponized foreleg. A yell of pain brought Spike back to the present to see the painful sight of his friend being slashed into.

On instinct, the hatchling barreled over the assailant and found himself on top of him. The next few seconds were a blur of angry words, slamming fists, and wet claws. His mind wasn't in the fight, it wasn't even in this current point in time; it was on all the times he hadn't done anything when someone he cared for needed him.

The Dragon Migration and those three jerks who wanted to destroy a defenseless egg, while all he could do was run away to defend it, eventually being saved by Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity. His lack of action against Nightmare Moon while his friends risked life and limb to stop her, their dealings with Discord and the changlings, the diamond dogs abduction of Rarity, and most importantly; his foolishness in turning his back on Twilight after he thought her wrong for accusing "Cadence" of being something she wasn't. All those times he was needed, yet wasn't there.

This time, it would be different.

Rage, guilt, shame, and sorrow were all he had as he repeatedly slammed his fists into the muzzle of the pony. His eyes quickly teared at the primordial and raw emotion he was putting into each slam. He didn't know why he was hitting this pony anymore, and to be honest, he didn't care. All he knew was he wanted the inexplicable burst of emotion inside of him to quell, and this seemed to help.

A sudden strike to the back of his head sent him to the ground and back to reality. He looked around confused for a moment, Sin yelled something unintelligible before pushing him forward and running for the woods. He followed, only daring a chance to look back at his work. His claws felt warm and wet but he couldn't care less at that point, he was tired, tired and scared about the unknown amount of ponies coming to do Celestia-knows-what to them.

All he knew from then was that he was running, any words spoken lost their meaning, noises wouldn't register with his brain. His sides hurt, his lungs burned and his legs ached. He couldn't tell how long he'd been moving since the wall, the sky was starting to brighten to dawn. If that was a good thing or not had yet to be determined.

Suddenly he found himself half on the forest floor, half on something warm and soft.

"Augh!" Sin exclaimed kicking Spike off of him, the drake was about to yell at him but his breath and energy weren't there. Especially after noticing the fine lines and smears of crimson seeping from the pony's cheek, chest and leg.

"Sin!" Spike said walking over to help his friend, his eyes dripping with concern. "Are you alright?"

"Yea," He replied catching his breath, "I'll be fine." He looked back the way they came, nothing was behind them. "I think," He gasped for air, "Well be safe... For now."

"Your leg..."

The stallion looked down to inspect the bleeding appendage and gently set it on the ground. "Shit." He winced and forced himself up shakily. Spike winced in sympathy, the gash looked like it almost made it to the bone. How was he even walking? "C'mon, I'll be useless once the adrenaline runs out."

Spike wanted to follow, he really did, but he couldn't. He'd had enough. Tired, Hungry, demoralized, emotionally drained; this was it. His limit was reached. He took a step forward, however, and found himself on the forest floor for the umpteenth time. Darkness took his vision, and the world muted around him, the last thing he remembered was a voice in the distance calling his name, and then; oblivion.

Malich found himself walking down the streets of Unitas, his ragged attire blended in perfectly with the common folk below and none were the wiser to his prestige and power. He liked doing this from time to time, going about the day to day folks of his land and seeing exactly what they see. If nothing else than to boost his own ego about how utterly clueless they were t the real working of money in politics.

Though North Equine was considered one of the "Boltinian" states, Unitas had a rather diverse citizenry, if given enough time; it would make history by electing one of the first Syndicrats to office within the state.

'Like it even mattered.' he thought with a chuckle. There was one place he knew politics would be talked, he'd taken a liking to the small tavern some where on the east side of the city. Even if the patrons were oblivious to the truth, they were still relatively entertaining and good company.

After a few moments of roaming the cobble stone streets, the high grey building finally came into view. As expected the lights flooded out the window with dancing shadows granting obstruction to the world outside. He smiled, this was going to be fun.

Upon entrance, the chilly air gave way to the typically warm and inviting atmosphere of the pub. The place was abuzz, as usual, with the conversations, debates, and arguments it usually was.

"Hot damn Boltinians" this and "Jack ass Syndicrats" that. It put his mind at ease knowing he wouldn't need to be on emotional guard here. Slowly he danced his way around the scattered tables full of all different races until he finally reached the back of the bar where the light was much dimmer.

"Crain!" Called a voice he knew all to well. Malich walked to a table harboring two old unicorn stallions, one diamond dog, and a Donkey. "How have ya been?" One of the Unicorns asked. An alabaster stallion with deep azure mane.

"Been alright." Malich replied taking a seat, thankfully, he'd been at this long enough to repress his urge to spurt more sophisticated vocabulary. "How about yourself Venture?"

Venture shook his head. "The wife's been up my flank sideways about my pay. Prices going up and all, she wants me to get another job!"

"High prices huh?" Replied the Diamond dog, a white and brown pug, taking a shot. "Guess you can thank your little Boltinian friends for that one after the Timber wolf relocation and it's effect on the trade lines."

"Yes, Harry." Replied Venture. "It's all because of the relocation of the Timber wolves. It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact you Syndicrats are supporting the efforts to allow Columbus to force lower prices on food for themselves and lay the make up revenue on the rest of us."

And they're off...

Malich sat and listened contently as the political sophisticates went back and forth. Everything from the relocation of the Timberwolves (the current "crisis") to abolition of interracial mirage, (Spanning the new who want to allow it vs the old who don't) and using the ever prominent rhetoric that Malich simply adored.

"March free." lines of the Boltinians, and the "Fly high" of the Syndicrats. It was almost too perfect how the meanings of those had been twisted to fit perfectly into metaphors and rhetoric. Most had no idea that when the Boltinian and Syndicratic parties formed, it was essentially to keep both the sky and land literally free of too much government influence. The hope was that future politicians would be held to those standards and follow to only those two clear cut beliefs.

Heh, it's funny how now a days you can just say "Fly free my brothers" and suddenly it's a Syndicratic notion. Take something literal, make it metaphorical and suddenly it's a political ideology that he could manipulate all for the sake of 'party loyalty'.

It actually perplexed Malich when he was younger. Noticing all the contradiction within the political parties and how such words could get all of the "teams" to follow suit with them. Any blind individual can see the so called "Two party system" is a farce, contrived and maintained by the higher class; such as himself now. Mob Psychology was one of his favorite lessons in school, Emotional thinking vs Logical thinking helped him understand a great deal about everything everyone did. Why a mass of Citizens act a certain way, why they react to something as a group, but react differently as individuals, what to do to cause a certain reaction, it was the most intriguing class by far.

"So what do you think Crain?" He heard, snapping him out of his thought.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Do you think the Boltinians are trying to destroy New Equine?" He was referring to North Equine, but all from the state always refereed to it as if it was all encompassing.

Malich made a thoughtful sound, "In regards to it's trade practice beliefs and constant money borrowing for the state, I can't really say no." He said innocently enough.

"OH YES!" Called the Harry throwing his paws in the air. "Borrowing money from Cania and Vain to support the greedy life styles of the New Equnites. I blame the Corporations personally." Malich had to fight to repress a smile. Count on Harry to point out the obvious, especially the fact that he was a resident of the state he was degrading, but the song and dance does have a slip. "And the Boltinians who help support their agenda."

The group continued to discuss politics as usual. Though, it was around this time Malich finally noticed the lack of actual facts and statistics being laid forth. "Hey, where's Bullion?"

"Haven't seen him all day." Venture shrugged.

Strange, the amber minotaur was never one to miss the political banter he'd come to accept as his weekend tradition. Wonder what's keeping him? Pft, why do I care? Probably off with his nose in newspapers or the newest edition of Political Compilation.

The party continued their merriment until a griffin uniformed in a Triple M. overcoat motioned his boss over, trying to keep himself out of view of the others. Malich nodded and the hybrid stepped out of the door. "Well gentlemen, as always, it's been a pleasure." He stood up against the protests of his associate. "Sorry guys, you have a good night, alright?"

He was playfully waved off by the others and walked out of the tavern, he found his subordinate standing inconspicuously down the street with a smile on his face. Malich approached and requested the agent explain his interruption. "You're brother has finally arrived in North Equine."

Malich smiled. "As expected. What of the others in his group?"

"There was only a dragon sir, and reports claim he collapsed from exhaustion."

"Only a dragon?" Malich repeated remembering all of the ponies he saw before. He gave an indifferent shrug. "Too bad, I was hoping to talk to that Twilight mare some more."

The stallion continued interrogating the flier, neither seemed to want to go back, so it was unlikely the others were captured. Maybe just sent away? Hard to tell, he was beginning to wish he'd sent observers into S. Equine. Nothing for that now, he had watchers on Islander currently, and that was all he could do. Apparently the stallion himself was hurt, but hauled the dragon a couple of miles farther into the state. Found refuge in an abandon cottage, and have since stayed to recover.

He smiled, he'd heard his brother had pulled through worse. A few injuries wont be able to stop him from getting here.

"Keep an eye on them." Malich stated turning around. "I need him here in a Weeks time."

"Sir, if I may." His subordinate interjected. A quick nod of affirmation and he continued. "Why don't you simply take him by force? It wouldn't be difficult to have a few agents storm the place and take him by surprise."

Malich chuckled. "My brother is far more passionate about his freedoms than his life, Sargent. He'd swallow his own tongue before he'd allow himself to be taken against his will."

"Is he really necessary?"

Malich smirked and closed his eyes. Memories of all the conversations they had began to repeat over and over in his head. The lessons he learned from his brother helped open his eyes to the world and what it really was. He wanted to fix it, he wanted to make it better, but he didn't have all the answers he needed. Islander would.

"More than you know."

Author's Note

Yay drama.

Now comes one of my favorite parts... I do hope you like it.

Recall

(Warning, heavy dialog.)

Recall

"Spike, just send the letter." Sin groaned rubbing his gazed foreleg.

"I will if you tell me the truth!" The dragon shot back in a rage.

Sin rubbed his forehead with his right, uninjured, leg. This couldn't be going any worse if he'd planned it. First he gets surprised and mauled by two guards, something he should have been expecting in the first place, runs for almost two hours on a cut leg then drags Spike another two to this abandon cottage, tends to the laceration on his leg, which hurt something fierce, with inadequate medical training to a poor completion at best.

And here he was now. Ever since Spike woke up, he hadn't been anything but unresponsive. Feeling it best to give the dragon a bit of comfort; he wrote up a letter informing Celestia that Twilight and the others were clear to return. Personally, he'd rather hold off on them coming back, but Spike needed support and comforting. Neither of those things he knew how to give with any kind of adequacy.

The first letter Spike sent with out an issue, the drake was still melancholic and distant. But when that return letter came... By Strong-Arc, he'd thought the letter contained something along the lines of his dog being put down, the way the drake reacted. He wasn't out of it anymore, now he was livid beyond reason. When asked questioned about his sudden burst of rage, the dragon demanded to know if Sin lied to him on if he killed the griffin or not.

"What difference would it make?" Sin asked genuinely confused, though he shouldn't have been. Spike was a great deal smarter than he gave him credit for.

"Don't play bucking games with me!" Spike yelled, his claws gripping the parchment tight. "Did I or did I not kill her!"

Sin gave an exacerbated sigh, he'd have to know sooner or later, than nodded in the affirmative. Spike demeanor change from one of rage to sadness and guilt. Sin's body tensed at the familiarity of the feeling. He knew what it was like to confirm your first kill, it was one of the most soul slashing experiences he'd ever felt. One that he never recovered from. "Now send the letter."

Spike looked up at him with teary eyes. "I can't."

"Do it."

"NO!" He shouted throwing the parchment across the living area of the cottage. "How am I supposed to do that huh? How am I suppose to face Twilight after this?"

Sin tried to ease the dragons frustration by explaining that his act was in self defense, not out of hate or anger. There was no reason to beat himself up as much as he was. Spike didn't respond well, claiming that he was a murderer, he killed a sentient being just like himself.

Tears ran freely down the drakes face. "I can never go home." His eyes trailed down. "How can she ever love a killer, huh? You saw how everypony reacted when you killed that Triple M. pony! Those scornful and hateful looks we gave you, I can't..." He sniffled. "I can't face that. I can't face her hating me."

"She wont hate you." Sin replied calmly. For some reason; this was hard for him to say. "Ms. Sparkle loves you deeply, I've seen it with my own two eyes. She would walk through a lake of fire for you."

"That's different." Spike said barley above a whisper. "I didn't kill anypony back then."

The two continued on, the baby dragon's emotions swinging from heated yelling near tearful sobs and back again. He went over all of his friends, how Fluttershy would probably never speak to him again, AJ and Rarity would be to appalled to even tell him off, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie would probably disown him outright. Sin tried everything in his power to talk down the emotional twister, but to no avail.

He repressed the urge to slam his head into the wall. How could he have allowed this to happen? He knew the possibilities, he knew the chances, he should have sent Spike with them. He didn't have any business here, none of them did. And here was a baby dragon with blood on his hands: scared, alone and confused, all because he allowed it. But his feelings would need to wait for now, his friend needed help.

"Spike." he called, gaining the attention of the mentioned from his stupor. His eyes were red, his face was stuck in a pathetic look of misery. "You killed someone, yes. There's no helping that now, but you need to send that letter to Celestia." The dragon weakly shook his head.

"Listen to me. I know how you feel, I know the self hatred and degradation you're putting yourself through. You shouldn't have had to do it, and I take responsibility for that. If Twilight will hate anyone it will be me. But right now, you need her."

"How do you know what I need?" Spike replied, his eyes hardening.

"You don't want to handle this alone." The stallion shot back with venom. "Shame is a powerful Master emotion. It can drive you to do some pretty stupid things. Driving your friends away, giving up on self respect and esteem, and soon enough, you start to think yourself unworthy of happiness and," He looked to his bandaged wing, "Hurt yourself. To try to make up for it"

Spike frowned at him, an expression a mixed with anger and begrudging admittance. He tried to eye the pony, though the emerald orbs simply couldn't keep contact.

The stallion gulped. "Take a look at me." He gestured to himself. "Do you really want to be like me?" Spike's eyes shot wide with surprise. It was a cheap move, but he couldn't let Spike suffer the way he had. "It's not my place to put you in this position and I know that, I am a stallion of freedom of choice. However, I'm also a stallion of informed decisions, if you don't accept the help you need, this is what you will become."

The drake didn't respond, just looked on dumbly.

"From what I understand, dragons live for thousands of years at a time." He removed his goggles and looked Spike dead in the eye. His icy blue retina's glaring into the dragons soul. "That's a long time to live, when you spend every day hating yourself."

The look of shock didn't leave the hatchling's face, but after a long pause he began walking over to where he threw the crumpled parchment and studied it. He looked one last time to the pony, who gave him an affirming nod before replacing his eye wear, and the dragon blew the familiar green flames and the scroll turned into the typical magical puff of smoke. After a quick feel about of the area, the cloud traveled out the window.

"What have I done?" Spike yelped. He wordlessly slugged past the pony and into the sleeping quarters of the hut.

Sin sat in silence, he felt bad about his pressuring, however, he had to do it. He only hoped that Twilight and the others would be able to help and comfort him.

A few minutes passed of contemplation, than, finally, the familiar white flash and pop executed in front of him. There stood the ever graceful Princess Celestia and the seven ponies he had been expecting.

"SIN!" Pinkie exclaimed pouncing on him and hugging him. "I missed you sooo much!" The stallion pushed her off with what little strength he could muster, and hissed as he inspected his injured foreleg.

"OHMIGOSH!" The party mare exclaimed gently grabbing the appendage and examining the bandaged wound, "What happened? What meanie meanpants did this?"

Well, she's back to her old self at least.

"It's nothing." Sin spat retracting his foreleg. "Twilight I think-" He stopped as his eyes befell Star Shade wrapped in a straight jacket and muzzle. "Alright, what did he do?"

Yea, it was imperative that They tend to Spike, but right now... He just had to know what he did to get that kind of treatment.

"Well." Celestia growled, her tone far from friendly. "He managed to ruin a perfect good royal feast after fasting to tend to Discord for three days, assaulted my nephew Prince Blueblood as well as a one of his body guards, entered into his room in the middle of the night, snapped off his horn and then proceeded to eat it."

Sin sat silently eying the Alicorn... "What, that's it?" He asked genuinely surprised.

Celestia frowned in reply. "That's it?" She asked equally bemused.

Sin drew his gaze to Shade. "That's really all you did?" Shade smiled and nodded happily. "Wow, you really were on your best behavior. I'm impressed." Shade giggled joyfully while Celestia and Twilight stood wide eyed. "Trust me, it could have been a lot worse."

"Right, so Where's Spike?" Twilight chirped looking around.

Sin bit his lip, 'Well, at least I tried to lighten the mood;' He took a breath. "He's in the other room, Ms. Sparkle before you go in to see him, there's something you should know."

After he was sure he had everyone's undivided attention, he told the story of how they crossed the border. How they were hiding from a patrol and a scroll from a certain unicorn mare, not naming names, came forth in a belch that drew attention to their position.

After came the hard part. He explained about the border patrol agents had found something that compromised their preferable inconspicuous approach and he had to take action to stop the patrol from reporting back with their findings for fear of the wall being put on lock down. Thus killing any chance of getting past it within a month's time.

Everyone listened with great anticipation, to them it was probably like hearing some kind of fictional tale of jumping the castle wall to save the princess. He chastised himself for the little bit of pleasure he took in knowing he was going to crush their feelings of hope, and finished up with Spike shooting and killing a griffin.

There was a collective gasp at the mention and he nodded once to affirm they heard correctly. "After that, we had a minor scuffle with another pair of guards and made it here. I've been trying to get him to send for you for he past twenty-four hours." He looked to one very stunned Twilight. "And that's why I wanted you here as quickly as possible. The longer he lacks the support he needs, the worse off he'll be."

"Dear Celestia..." Twilight whispered, her trembling form betraying her fear.

"I take full responsibility for his actions." Sin growled. "If you're mad at anyone, it should be me. It's my fault."

"No, It's my fault." The lavender mare replied, more to herself than anyone else. "If I hadn't sent that letter, none of this would-"

"Now is not the time for blame Twilight." Celestia cooed, nuzzling the unicorns cheek. "Spike needs you now, more than ever it seems."

Taking a quick breath to focus her confidence, Twilight exhaled solemnly and walked to the door Sin mentioned, slowly poking her way in.

Silence took the room again, it wasn't the awkward silence of waiting for someone to say something; it was the kind of silence that came before something terrible was about to happen. The air was tense and Sin didn't dare to look any of them in the eye. He didn't know how they would react to his admission of responsibility. Even if they did accept what he had done, would Spike? Could Spike ever forgive him? He wouldn't blame him if he failed to.

"Dija make him do it?" He heard a familiar voice ask. The injured stallion looked up to see Big Macintosh looking down at him with indifferent eyes.

"Have I ever made anyone do anything?" Was his reply, a bit more seething than he intended, but being accused of forcing anyone against there will was a bit of an insult.

Mac nodded, his eyes never loosing their neutral glance, than he too wandered into the room where Twilight and Spike were.

"How is your leg?" Celestia asked.

Sin shrugged, mentioning how it wasn't as bad as she thought. The Alicorn nodded before she too went to comfort the dragon. Sin motioned for the rest of the girls to head in with her, best to have all his friends there and what not. Each nodded and followed Celestia in.

"So... What now?" Ace stated, trying to break the tension. Sin replied with a questioning sound. "You alright?"

The stallion sighed, "I don't know Ace. I'm- I'm tired."

Ace laughed, before he teased about how skipping the border and fighting five patrol agents must have worn him out. The oak pony attempted to rise, though his leg caused him to fall back down and humph. Ace and Shade shared a chuckle at the injured ponies expense.

"Ah, c'mon Sin, you know we're just messing with ya." Ace managed. Though their victim seemed to have faded out of consciousness. "Wow, he's more exhausted than I thought."

Shade nodded in agreement.

Sin found himself within the empty confides of the Senate building.

"What?" He asked aloud as his head darted left and right, trying to find anyone who could explain how he ended up here. He scratched the side of his head in thought when he missed the all to familiar duel straps that held his eye wear in place. Matter of fact, upon farther inspection, he noticed all of his apparel was missing. No scars or scratches, and his wings weren't bandaged either.

"Strange." He wondered the Senate building for a while longer, the air seemed... heavier than he remembered, the lights casting a more grey/blue color across the scape. "Weren't those gold?" He thought about how the gold light seemed much warmer and more inviting, the cold silverish blue only made the place seem more alien than the first time he'd ever entered the building those years ago.

He kept the discrepancy in mind, but found no farther use in being there. He walked outside to the familiar streets of Unitas. "Ok, what's going on?" He asked, the streets heald the same grey tone and were bare, not only of life, but of food stands, carts, steam engines, there wasn't even the familiar litter of flying newspapers or stray puddles of water. Now he was starting to get a little unnerved.

He walked forward against his will. He didn't know why he was walking up the street, but something told him he'd figure out why he was here along the path. Besides, standing around here probably wont do him much good anyway. He passed by the familiar shops, the baker's, the fortune teller's, the smith's, a couple of restaurants.

As he turned the corner, his eyes went wide. What he was seeing was impossible, it couldn't be real. "What?" He asked in utter dismay. There, where the Triple M. sky scraper was supposed to be was his childhood home. A quaint little white and yellow house with a grey roof and small chimney. It was a lot smaller than he remembered, though he hadn't seen it since he was young.

Shaking the shock of it all away, he began to approach the structure. He didn't want to, he knew something was there he didn't want to see. There was a gut wrenching pull in his stomach that warned him not to go in, but he couldn't help himself. As he stepped onto the porch, the door swung open slowly, as if the house itself was expecting him.

His stomach dropped completely upon the sight within the small living room. There, on the small haysewn rug was a very young grey earth colt, smiling and playing with a train set. "Malich?" Sin asked. "I must be dreaming. This isn't possible."

The young colt's merriment was interrupted by a clopping of hooves. "Islander!" He exclaimed standing up and rushing out of Sin's view.

"Here we go..." Sin growled, begrudging the fact he would have to follow after the colt. And as expected, his dream forced him to walk inside and stand in the archway right outside the living room. He stood looked to his right and found his brother siting patiently by another colt, this one a brown pegasus with bandaged wings.

"Malich," The colt called. "Haven't we talked enough?"

"Aww c'mon Islander. Just one more." Malich begged with huge eyes.

Sin's body tightened, no, no don't tell him anything! Shut up! Just shut the fuck up! Don't you realize what you're doing you sick bastard?!

Islander sighed, "Alright, but this is the last time." Oh no... Where he was sitting, where Malich was, the book in his hooves, this was it. This was the day he really messed up his brother's head. "Remember what I taught you about ignorance and stupidity?"

Malich placed his hoof to his mouth and thought. "You said: stupidity and ig-nor-ance is the cause of all suffering."

There was no stopping it, this scene would play out as it had before. Sin viewed the world with great disdain during his adolescence, opting to bury himself in more intellectual studies and arrogantly thinking himself better than his peers for, what at the time, thinking he saw the world for what it was. History class spoke of the revolution that lead to the mass beheading of the heads of the states, but unlike his classmates who saw the execution as the end of evil, he couldn't let go of the fact that everyone at the time was actually willing to go to war and sacrifice lives. Believing with out question what ever their government's told them until the Ride of the Centaur, where the truth was reviled.

Though, two hundred and some odd years later, here the Citizens were again; believing what ever the state told them. They were in the middle of a recession when he was that age, a recession that spanned to the present, and since he was the kind of child to want to know how the world worked; he frequented a local library, and spent most of his time reading up on said subject. First came money, after that, purchase and revenue, than cost and taxes, than finally, the Economy as a whole.

He tried to bring up the topic on several occasion to different figures: his teachers, his father, his councilor, but they all shrugged him off, the only help to be had was from the librarian himself. It infuriated him to a great degree, being ignored while he tried to address something he thought was important, all because of his age. But he knew he was right. Even if he wasn't old and wise with time, he thought he knew the numbers added up... Or didn't, rather.

But there was one who would listen to him and his teaching, and that was his little brother.

"Very good." Islander affirmed. "Now do you remember what I told you about the Economy?"

"That's what makes money work!" Malich replied, a grin of pride on his face over remembering it.

"Excellent. Now, what happens when the economy dies because there's no money?"

Malich pressed his brows together, trying to piece the puzzle correctly. "When the economy dies and there's no money, nobody can... buy anything?"

Islander smirked. "Exactly."

Sin wanted to jump onto his younger self and beat him senseless. That smirk, that smirk was the same his brother had now. That self serving and pretentious, smug smile made his blood boil. He stood by and allowed the scene to play before him, the initial shock of it all finally over. He didn't hate it any less, but at least he wasn't as worked up as he was initially.

"What do you think a smart pony would do in this situation?" Malich chuckled before giving his answer. How obvious it was that any smart pony would buy stuff to help them survive in the wild. Islander's smile grew. "And what will happen to the stupid ponies?"

"They die off!" Malich chirped.

"Yes. they die off and get out of the way of we who saw it coming." The older brother set his book down on the couch. "Citizens these days think they know better than back then, they think they are better and smarter, but they aren't." He looked down to Malich. "They do the same exact thing, and that makes them stupid and ignorant."

Sin gritted his teeth, why was he seeing this? There was no point in reliving this memory other than to anger himself. His mind was drawing blanks to what little knowledge on dream interpretation he had, not surprising; considering his entire function of critical thinking couldn't be accessed either. None but shallow thoughts were available to preoccupy him now, thanks to the dream haze as he called it.

"And all stupid people deserve to die!" Malich jumped up and down. Even when put into context, a small child jumping up and down happily over the concept of death was nothing short of unnerving. How could he have felt proud of this? 'How could I ever have seen this as a good thing?'

"They don't just deserve to die, Malich." Islander corrected with his eyes closed and his nose up in the air. "They deserve to suffer."

As much as Sin regretted these scenes that made history flesh, he had to admit, his inside view hadn't changed. He still believed in the suffering of others for their stupidity. But the way he explained it here, it was as if it were something to be hunted and killed, not to pitied and educated.

"They all deserve to suffer. Every last one of them."

The dreaming pony sighed, back then, he wasn't talking about the country as a whole. He was more talking about those who ignored him. Such a childlike mentality, blame the world for the few who hurt you. Still... A child being able to see the economic problems of the country, yet nobody else could? Or nobody else addressed it? Was it really so foolish to label them all stupid for failing to stop what was all too obvious to come?

It really wasn't difficult: More money is spent than what one has, so they borrow, but can't pay back the money that's borrowed... How freaking difficult was that? Sure he went on and became more educated about the intricacies of the state's capital system, as well as different economic systems and theories, but at that point in time, he thought it simply: Pay your debts and live, or fail and don't eat.

Two knocks at the door caused Sn to look behind him confused. "What?"

"Yay! He's here!" Malich sprang to the door. His brother questioned the colts doings, jumping through Sin as if he wasn't there, the colt halted at the door "My friend's here. He wanted to hear what you had to say too."

Wait, friend? This wasn't part of the memory.

The colt opened the door and Sin's mouth gaped. There in the doorway stood a very young violet and green reptile he knew all to well. "No..." Spike wasn't the adolescent self he was now, no; he was the young and pudgy baby dragon that he'd met back in Ponyville, maybe a bit younger.

As Spike entered the home, he and Malich stepped through Sin and walked back to the living room. "It's good to see you again Spike." Islander called.

'See you again?'

"Are you ready for me to ruin your life too?"

"WHAT?!" Sin barked.

Sin snapped his head up and winced. He looked back down at his injured hoof and heaved a sigh of relief; he was awake again. He looked around to find Shade and Ace and Shade sleeping on the floor on the other side of the room. How long was he out? The sun was down, so it must have been a few hours at least.

He looked back to the door and stood, his body trembled, but he ignored the pain and limped to the door and peaked inside to find Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Big Mac sleeping peacefully on a rug, Twilight was coddling spike and tenderly brushing her hoof over his head. Her eyes were red and puffy. Pinkie lay on the other side of the old bed, she could only look on helplessly to the poor dragon.

Strange, her mane wasn't poofy or wild as it typically was. For some reason it was bone straight... Did she straighten it or something?

"How's he doing?" He asked.

Twilight looked up at him with, to his surprise, sad eyes. No anger, no hatred, not even malicious, just despair. "He's been through alot." She replied finally, before looking back down to him. She told how he cried for a while, confessing everything to her. How terrible he felt, how he thought he failed her and that she wouldn't love him anymore, even topics that she thought burred years ago had been weighing on the dragon's mind.

Twilight was in just as much pain as Spike was by the look of it. She winced and sniffled back a tear. "What am I suppose to do?" She asked looking back at Sin. "I- I don't know how to help him."

The survivalist sighed. "You have to make him forgive himself." His words seem to have caught the mare off guard, not surprising, all things considered. "Killing another tears at the soul, Ms. Sparkle. And for a soul and heart as sensitive and caring as his, such a thing can eat at him for the rest of his life. He will never be the same, but his need for you hasn't changed."

Twilight didn't respond, she just sat silently than nodded before returning to her motherly affection. Seeing his business here was done, the survivalist took his leave and walked back outside.

"How's the leg?" Twilight called.

Sin shot her a quick smirk than left the room. He took his spot back on the boarded floor and waited. He guessed Celestia had returned to Equestria, and the others decided to stay. Why? He wasn't sure, but right now he didn't matter. The main concern was his dream and the dragon. Why was he there?

He heard his name called and looked up to see Pinkie looking down on him in concern. "Yes?"

Pinkie lowered herself down and looked at his injured leg before offering her own. The stallion tried to calm her concerns, claiming he was fine, though the party mare wouldn't accept that answer.

"Quit being so stubborn and let me see it." She demanded sternly.

"It's fine."

"Is that why it's bleeding?"

Sin looked down, it did surprise him to see a bit of crimson seeping through the bandages. 'well shit.' He was about to ask for Pinkie to bring him his saddle bag, though a low grumble from his stomach seemed to have decided it's complaining was more important.

Pinkie giggled. "Sounds like somepony's hungry." She smiled softly, "How long has it been since you've eaten?"

"Hmm... About two or three days."

The mare's eyes bulged in shock. "THREE DAYS?!"

"Shh." Was she trying to wake up Spike? Well, if she didn't know, that probably meant Twilight didn't either, and by consequences, Spike was probably as famished as he was.

Inquiring if the returning ponies bore any food, Pinkie nodded and wondered over to a group of saddlebags and sacks. She grabbed one in her muzzle, brought it back, and pulled out a couple of dandelion sandwiches. "I figured you guys would be hungry."

Sin took the sandwich with a word of thanks. He scarfed the morsels down in two bites. He looked more like a wild animal eating it's fresh kill than a pony enjoying a sandwich. Offering him another, She tried again to tend to his leg. She stepped back in surprise when he back away from her.

She scolded him about how stupid he was being and the possibility of the wound being infected. The amount of blood starting to come out due to his movements and stress, was becoming a little sickening.

One last failed attempt to help tend to the stallions injuries, and party mare wondered back into the room. After, Sin limped again and retracted his medical kit from his bag.

"Dude, you're an ass hole."

Sin didn't bother looking over, "I said I didn't want her help. She didn't listen."

He heard Ace sigh. "You're going to need to stop being like this, or you're going to have trust issue for the rest of your life."

"And?"

"You're young. Far to young to be acting like some angry old hermit." Ace shot, it wasn't often one saw the golden pegasus agitated, but when he was, he was as pushy and assertive as they came. Luckily, Sin was more than a match.

"Go back to sleep Ace." He returned to his spot and retracted a bottle of sterilizing alcohol. "We'll be moving out tomorrow."

Author's Note

Do ya hate Sin now?

Yea, we all have seen the typical: Murdered family, murdered clan, hurt family and so on and so forth back story so many times it makes us want to throw up.

I thought I'd try something different. Not completely original, but better than the same tired arcs over and over.

Femanism (Part 1)

Feminism

(Stallions= Male, Mares = Females.IN GENERAL! Because I can't use men and women, and the words "Male" and "Female" are becoming repetitive as hell... Yea, that's getting kinda annoying. And there isn't any accurate gender title that would encompass all of the races.)

Dear princess Celestia,

Your continued concern for Spike's well being is greatly appreciated. He isn't anywhere back to himself yet, if he will ever be, but he has made some emotional progress in the past couple of days. At least he's smiling again. I wish I could do more for him, I still can't imagine how he feels right now. But as his guardian, and the closest thing to a mother he has, I'll do all I can to make him feel better, even if all i can offer is love and compassion.

We are about a days walk away from the small city of Yellowfield, Sin's injury has caused our pace to slow immensely. We've all tried talking to him about it, but no matter what; he brushes us off. We're all becoming a little worried, I may have only known him a short time, but what these two experienced at the border has changed them both far more than I originally thought.

Unfortunatly, the scenery hasn't really changed as I predicted. See Report: F;SE #2, Expanded for details. However, my next report will contain the information that I have been greatly looking forward to obtaining for you ever since this quest began! I'm not going to lie, that does make me a little excited.

Expect a detailed report within a few days!

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle

The troop finally encroached the town.

'This was small?!' Mac thought to himself as the buildings only towered higher the closer he got. 'It's not as big as Canterlot, but sweet Jimminy Crickets... He felt a bit overwhelmed, Though judging by the other Equestrians reactions, he wasn't alone in his stupor. Even Spike, in his depressed state, couldn't help but gawk.

As they neared the outskirts of the city, shouts emanating from within could be heard. How was that even possible to hear them all the way out here? Mac squinted his eyes to see a congregation of all different races gathered. Finally they got close enough to hear what all the commotion was about.

"Are you freaking serious?" Sin deadpanned.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked.

Mac looked at the crowd again, he made out black flags with some kind of red symbol he wasn't familiar with. It looked like a cross with an "O" on the top of it. What was that about? His ears swiveled to hear what someone within was saying.

"For too long have we lived under the oppression of the patriarchy!" A female voice rang out, erupting a cheer from the crowd. "Now is the time for we as females to be heard and demand equality!"

"What are they talking about?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Sin groaned and massaged his temple with his hooves. "They.. They're... You know, I don't even know anymore. Probably demanding more anti-male bull shit as usual" He continued walking to the crowd, mumbling something under his breath.

Finally, the made it to the mass, Mac began observing the signs certain members of the crowd were holding...

"My Safety is a right."

"Females are Citizens too."

"Violence against Us should be a crime."

And they just kept going on...

He put a hoof to his chin and furrowed his brow, why would the need signs like that? Were females here not considered citizens or something? Was violence deemed acceptable by the law against them? Perhaps North Equine was worse in some ways than he had originally thought. He voiced his concerns to Sin and Ace, both reacting in annoyance and disbelief.

"NO!" Ace yelled. "Of course the women of this country are citizens."

"And violence against them is against the law." Sin affirmed. He looked back. "These feminist types believe they 'fight for equality', but if you want the truth, take a look at some of the banners they carry."

The troop advanced farther. While most of the signs were relatively harmless, though confusing, it was then that Mac observed some of the... less family oriented text.

"All Stallions are RAPISTS!"

"Males make the world Dangerous!"

"If I wanted the government in my womb, I'd fuck a Senator!"

Rainbow, Twilight, and Applejack listened intently to the female Minotaur's words while Mac farther interrogated Sin as to the point of the whole rally, asking questions about signs and rhetoric. Apparently, the ones about the bodies being there's were in pertinence to abortion and the governments involvement in it. As expected, he supported the mare's decisions to their bodies, however, there was an issue about state funded abortion that was the real issue. To Mac there was just one issue... He had no idea what an abortion was. Sounded more like a female thing, so he didn't want to really push the issue too much.

The other signs were explained as females who want the state to give them more pity and sympathy, while simultaneously assaulting the character and moral fiber of men as a whole. Curiously, should those signs be shifted to anything else, -such as race, state, or any other group- it would be considered illegal, and the sign holders would have been arrested. However, since it was males in general there was no action taken. Also as expected, Females were considered citizens with rights, violence against them was a crime -there was also a bill just for them as well-.

"What is she going on about?" Spike asked confused. "Are girls really treated as second class citizens?" By the way she was talking, you'd think they were.

"No." Sin growled eying the pink minotaur. "While not all feminists are like her, she is more of a misandrist than a feminist."

"Misan what now?"

"Misandry is to girls as misogyny is to boys." Sin replied beginning to walk around the crowd. The feminist movement started as an equal rights belief. However, as time went on, misandry became more and more prevalent; being pushed as female empowerment via the tearing down of males." He scoffed. "Since then, feminists have been taken a great deal less seriously by the general public; but not so by the government."

"So what your saying is that they see girls as superior to boys?"

"Inferior actually."

"Wait, what?"

Mac had to agree with the dragon's confusion on the matter. To him, it seemed as if the 'feminists' here saw stallions as the inferior sex. Making them out to be bad simply for their gender and the actions of a few. He motioned to a small diner and lead the Equestrians inside. Once they all were seated he offered to buy them anything on the menu, advising to stay away from the back. Mac had to admire the setting, the light colored walls and and checkered floor had a certain old fashioned appeal to it.

"To answer your question." Sin stated as he looked for something good to eat. "They preach about wanting equality between the sexes, yet demand special privilege from the state to get it. While the males like you and myself get no such favors from them. Why would they need special rights?"

Mac thought it over, though he knew he was only getting one side of the story; though his young friend seemed more accepting of the prospect. "I don't know." Spike shrugged. "Because girls are weaker than boys?"

"Spike!" Twilight exclaimed in disbelief. "Women can be just as strong as men. Equestria doesn't have any laws like that, yet there are more mares in higher office than stallions."

"She's right." Sin nodded. "Which is one of the reasons I wanted to visit. The females of Equestria are a bit more determined and ambitious than the ones here, however... You're stallions are also a bit more, what's the word I'm looking for? Whipped."

"Whipped?" Twilight replied tilting her head.

"Yes, basically: the males in your country have a tendency to accept what ever the mares say, along with the fact Equestrians are also more restraint and respectful of the fact." His eyes trailed to Macintosh, "I think you'll be able to explain it better than I can."

Mac let out a sigh, it was embarrassing, the way he used to be. Though, Sin was right. From what he saw, if a mare was upset or angry, most of the stallions would simply bow to their whims just to get along. (Along with those damn adorable pouty faces... Seriously! What defense is there against that where you don't feel like a complete cold hearted cad?) His interaction with his own family was clear evidence of this. The more he thought about it, the more he also realized that most interaction between the sexes that he'd born witness to had worked in pretty much the same way. Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Spike, His cousin Caramel Apple, and all of the guards in the Military. Hay, they weren't even allowed to speak! What kind of crap is that?

"Add to that the disproportionate ratio of mares to stallions, and it's only natural that it would be a female dominated society." Sin finished placing down the menu and explained that here the females are not the dominant sex, albeit they are in slightly greater number, males and females are more balanced. More over, females were treated as a lesser for about a century, though that ended with the rise of feminism over one hundred years ago.

At that point, the Federation's attitude of girls and boys wasn't all that different from Equestria's. Females didn't hold political power, but their influence within the government and the corporations via consumer advertisement and product aim; more than made up for the fact. There was still those who called "patriarchy" but realistically: Law was out in force to protect the female sex at every turn. It was a woman's world to the rational mind.

However, to reach this state, the males were demonized and torn down; even to the point they began to hate themselves

. Shown in only the absolute worst light via being called: Rapists, fema-beaters, misogynists and terrorists against the other sex. And as time passed, the cliche' card of "be a Stallion" and "Stallion up" failed to keep those who would point out this inequality in check. More fema's also had enough of the blatant sexism and sided with them; claiming they wanted equality with males, not special treatment.

Sin's history lesson was interrupted by a waiter who came to take the groups order. It was a unanimous decision to allow Ace and Sin to order, seeing as they were the only Federalists of the group. A quirked brow from the waiter and an order of nine vegitable soups later, the earth stallion left and Sin continued.

"But to answer your question, these so called 'feminists' did and do use the the biological disposition to favor stronger males to their advantage, while simultaneously claiming the sexes are equal in every way. Confusing and contrived as it is, they used political correctness to have their cake and eat it too." He took a sip of water given by the server. "And now they want to return to the old ways."

"Wow..." Twilight said wide eyed. "Is that true."

"Indeed it is, it's quite ingenious actually. Call sexism on everything to get ahead and then bring a males masculinity into question should they fight back. when we get to a library, I'll-"

"WHAT THE HAY!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed glaring hard at the menu in disgust.

Oh great, she looked in the back...

"Why is there Rabbit stew in here?!" She described the entree', the girls and Mac began to turn green the more she described how the innocent creature was cooked and prepared with a side of corn and green beans.

The liberty pony placed a hoof over his eyes. "Yes Miss Dash, in the Federation, we have omnivorous beings such as Griffins and Diamond Dogs. They do eat meat."

After the food arrived, the travelers indulged. Judging by the looks and sounds he was observing; the girls seemed to enjoy the food well enough. Sin never much cared for vegetable soup, considering he'd lived off of it for the past year and a half, it wasn't all that surprising. The dinner conversation jumped from topic to topic. The Unitas derby that Rainbow seemed rather interested in participating in. (Her bragging to Ace indicated the notion anyway.)

Applejack and Mac spoke to Spike about home. Catching up since the first few days back weren't exactly ideal for such conversation. The dragon began to smile genuinely though his eyes still held sadness, it would still be a while before he was anything like his old self. Shade was unnervingly quite, his angry eyes darting to some hot pink mare that shamed Pinkie Pie herself.

From what Sin saw of the mares face, Shade's feelings were returned ten fold. Pinkie smiled, happily drinking and humming to herself; while he and Twilight spoke more about the town.

After, Sin paid the tab and they exited back to the cold. The leader of the group informed the rest that they would be sleeping in an motel by the diner they just left. After a quick promise they would remember where they were, they group split up to see the sights of the small city. Save Spike and Shade, who demanded to be given a room immediately. Sin obliged and was joined by Pinkie and Twilight.

The ponies wondered the streets, the mares were in awe, observing the street performers, indulging in the free samples of road side venders, and the questions... Dear sweet beard of Tapio, he'd never been bombarded by so many. The uninviting apparel of Steam run carriages, the effervescent smell of cooked meat in the air, darker and more conformist looking buildings, he shouldn't have been surprised they were as shocked as they were. After all, Equestria was more about compassion, harmony, and friendship. Their country shrived for excellence in this regard, but N. Equine wasn't. It was about efficacy and profit... Perhaps there could be something to learned from both sides.

After he'd explained what little he knew about the steam engine to the lavender unicorn. They turned a corner and came across the same hot pink earth mare from the dinner. Sin didn't think it would be of consequence, though her blocking their path proved his suspicions wrong.

"...Hi." She spat eying him.

"Afternoon." he replied bluntly. "May I help you?"

She flipped her fru fru white mane over he shoulder and introduced herself as Link and mentioned how she could help but over hear the conversation back in the dinner.

'Of course you couldn't' Sin thought smirking 'Please be looking for trouble, please be looking for trouble.' He silently begged the mare to start something, he knew it was coming; it wasn't often you're stopped on the street for saying something here, but when you were, it was usually to get a piece of some one else's mind. And this mare didn't disappoint him.

"... and to that degree, I believe you cherry picked the truth about feminism." She gave a sadistic and knowing smile.

Sin's eyes narrowed as he glared into her own yellow retinas. 'Oh yes, and let the games begin.' He didn't much care about Twilight's scribling on a quill, nor Pinkie's interested eyes. Right now, this was about him. Him and the fun he hadn't had since Canterlot...

"My apologize Ms. Link," Sin's smirk grew mischievous. "However, from your statement; it seems you think my observation on the matter less than accurate. By all means, please." He gestured for her to reply.

Link nodded and explained how the statistics on the Feminist era showed that a higher rate of mares had good paying jobs and more sound employment. Sin replied with the fact that the legislation necessary for this had turned females into a quota for employers, they weren't selected for their skills or abilities, but because they lacked a certain external genitalia organ.

Link didn't take that well, and motioned to the domestic violence against mares. How even during the period, the domestic violence rate against females was extremely high, and the lack of Feminism would have only allowed it to continue, and that wasn't including the mares who were to scared to come forth and report the crimes. Sin chuckled and added to those figures, how about 50% of all domestic crime back then and even now, was perpetrated by mares as much as stallions, And that was after the filter of 'masculinity' and shame preventing stallions from reporting the crime.

After came the one Sin was waiting for... Rape. He hated rape, it was one of the most disgusting things that could happen in this world and he couldn't tolerate it's act for even a moment. However, if she followed the typical feminist logic, she would be more for the victim reporting the crime after, than taking a stand against it at the current point in time.

And she didn't disappoint. A small crowed of three or four ponies had drawn around them, minus Pinkie and Twilight. Two were heavily on the side of Link, while the others were more for Sin. Each spoke their peace against the other, but Link and Sin were in a world of their own. After the logical points failed, the stallion resisted the urge to face-hoof once the emotional arguments came.

"Are you insinuating rape is condonable Sin?" The pink mare asked quirking an eyebrow.

"Of course not." Sin replied smiling. "Unlike you, I believe true measures must be taken to prevent it."

"Unlike me?!" She asked wide eyed. "Legislation and education against such an atrocity are far more effective than anything you could suggest."

"Really?" He replied cracking his neck. "Education that rape is bad? You'd be hard pressed to find a rapist who didn't already know it was an immoral thing to do. And how has that legislation on the war on drugs thing worked out for us?"

Link tried to press her point by communities acting responsibly and protecting each other. Though, beating that argument wasn't hard due simply to the fact that there wouldn't always be someone around to protect you. "You just love your patriarchy!" She growled.

'That's it? She's already breaking out the insults? Huh, the Feminists are getting worse than I thought. All well, fun time.'

"Yes madam, I'm a mare hater for advocating that they carry self defense devices and use their minds to avoid bad situations." He dead panned.

Link retorted that it was a mare's right to walk down an ally way with out being assaulted. While the liberty stallion couldn't agree more by any means, reality had other ideas. No amount of justification to morality she gave could ever equate to the cold and harsh truth of life. Laws only work after the fact. They don't stop victimization, they don't stop crimes from being committed and they have failed in keeping citizens safe.

However, Link wouldn't have it.

"You misogynistic, fema repressing pig!" Yelled the hot pink mare.

Sin chuckled. "Oh yes, I am quite the mare hater." He looked back to Twilight and Pinkie Pie. "I repress them six or seven times a day, isn't that right ladies?"

Pinkie giggled, whether it was from the joke or the fact that Sin was trying to be funny; he couldn't say.

"I mean look at them," He motioned dramatically, "They are so subservient and miserable just being around me and...
Miss Pie!" Sin exclaimed in mock surprise. "Are you..." he gasped "Giggling?" He fought to withhold a smile. "How dare you laugh? Don't you know you're being oppressed?" His tone, his facial structure, it was too much for the unicorn mare, and she too began chuckling at the sarcastic antics of the pony before her. Truly, Sin had to take pride in his acting.

He chanced a look at the feminist to find her scowling. Was it immature? Yes, but this entire conversation warranted nothing less "Well, I cannot believe what I'm seeing." He placed a hoof to his chest. "I repress you, I oppress you and everything in between... And here you are giggling like mad-mares?!" The two ponies couldn't contain their chuckling. It grew from the low snickers to full on laughter.

"Well," He scoffed, looking back to the feminist. "Madam I assure you, they have never behaved in such a way. But fear not, when we are done here, I shall obtain my magical oppression stick and place them back into the oppressive coal mines. Where they will harvest oppressive coal so that I may earn oppressive monies!"

"You're a disgrace to male kind." Link called baring her teeth.

Sin's sarcastic demeanor dropped immediately and he glared into her eyes. "And you are a disgrace to females word wide. You advocate them become victims and reliant to and entity who could really care less about them, while I preach for citizen empowerment via self defense." Sin turned to the Equestrians who were coming down from a laughing fit, and gave her one last glance. "You, and those like you, are far more dangerous to fema-hood than any rapist or mare-beater could ever be."

He began walking with Twilight and Pinkie in tow. His opponent yelled something after him though he didn't care. Victory was sweet on his tongue, and pride full in his chest. He really loathed ignorance, and while mares like her had good intentions, they had very little foresight... Or hindsight for that matter.

One of the stallions who silently observed a verbal debate smiled and walked into a dark alleyway. He pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill and used a random crate to write a simple letter.

Malich

Islander still has his edge.

10/10 against Link.

-Rodcrick

Author's Note

Had I not had that exact debate with a Feminist in real life, I wouldn't have used it. And yes, she did stick with it the entire way until I was unable to speak anymore.

So before the "Daxisle! How dare you trivialize feminism to such a point?!" I do it because when I debated with Feminists in the past, this is what it came to. Unless one indulges the emotional arguments, this is pretty much how it ends every time. (And trust me, you'd call me a bull faced liar if I repeated what most of them threw at me.)

I wish I could argue better for them. But, between trying to keep it realistic, and within the logical point of view; the emotional side just doesn't look good on paper.

I know this chapter was dialog heavy, and nothing really happened. I'll make up for it in the next chapter. And I already feel bad for Big Macintosh and Spike.

Feminism (Part 2)

Feminism (Pt.2)

Mac's eye twitched.

Another billboard portraying a clueless stallion standing by helplessly as a mare opened a jar for him...

Equestria was condescending in it's treatment between mare's and stallions. But this just took it to a level that did nothing but piss him off. Even Applejack had a skeptical and disgusted look branded onto her face.

Matter of fact, the only one who seemed oblivious to the blatant misandry was the only Federalist present. Spike, who wanted some time away from Twilight, conversed quietly with Rainbow Dash about something or another. But all Mac could focus on were the multiple shamings about.

Banners with stallions on leashes, just out of reach of an attractive mare flaunting her body to him. Others with mare's hooves on a stallions neck, and the stallions holding an awkward smile that was a mix of nervousness and fear. He didn't have to be a member of this country to see what the pictures implied.

"Wha' in tarnation is wron' with these ponies?" Applejack asked, observing a sign that bore the Acronym: SCUS Society for Cutting Up Stallions.

Ace looked to her with a sad smile. "We came to the wrong city." He continued walking. "The 'feminist' movement, as they like to call this, are actually misandrysts." Mac continued quietly, his anger bubbling up with in him. He'd remembered this feeling of quiet, repressed hate, it was the same feeling he had when he'd slapped his sisters hoof from his breakfast the day after he'd escaped. The day he made invaluable revelations and finally took control of his life.

And as happy as he was for his decision, and all the feeling of aliveness it brought, he hated where he was.

"So Big Mac." Rainbow called from the blue. "What's going on with you and Twilight?"

That's actually a good question, he thought putting a hoof to his chin. Ever since they parted ways in Canterlot, the two haven't really talked about... Them. "Can't say Ah know." He shrugged.

It was rather awkward now; their reunion to return to the Federation hadn't gone as he would have hoped. Seeing as he became flustered and addressed her as Mrs. Armor. -He still couldn't believe that happened-. Even for all he's learned, there was no help for dealings of emotional communication.

"So, she shot you down after you blundered?" Rainbow chuckled.

Mac returned the mirth, he wouldn't go that far, but at the same time, he could live with out her. Not that big of a deal. Still, the feeling of her warm body in his legs and the smell of her lavender perfume were enough to make his stomach light. "Nah really, bu' we'll see wha' happens."

Rainbow Dash quirked a brow, Mac wasn't completely sure of it, but for some reason, his answer didn't seem to sit right with her.

"Wha's this?" Applejack asked motioning to a giant building that came up to their right. "We've been goin' past it fer a while now, mus' be pretty importan' ta be so big." She whistled.

Mac observed the wide grey structure for a moment, like most of the other buildings, it was bland and didn't really stick out that much. It was different from South Equine and very different from Equestria's infrastructure. Though, exploration was their goal, so why not investigate? The others agreed and they found an entrance that was far to busy not to be public. After entering, they all stood in shock. Food, food everywhere. Mountains of apples, lettuces, tomatoes, onions, bananas, and all kinds of baked goods and cheeses.

What surprised them was the fact that all of the stands were unwatched by any sales ponies. Were they free or something?

Confused and curious, the Equestrians entered. "Wow," Rainbow Dash gawked with Spike on her back. She eyed the high ceilings with low hanging gas lights. Mac was too busy observing the growing congregation of ponies, dogs, and minotaur at the end of the store, each pushing some kind of metal cart and handing it to what he guessed was some one to pay.

"Tha's how it's done?!" Applejack exclaimed looking at the row of registers. "Ponies just grab wha' they wan' 'n r' trusted to bring it up?" She trailed off into a low grumble. Something about how stupid and impersonal a system was.

Mac had to agree with the sentiment, but something more was on his mind. Who owned all of this stuff? Yea, the customers would buy it now, but until then; who actually owned it? Who was so amazing that they could: plant, grow, and nourish this many types of vegetation? It was like the entire market of Ponyville was in here... And then some!

"Thanks guys!" They all looked over to find Ace glaring at them. Oh yea, he was there too, wasn't he? "Mind giving a pony a heads up when you're just going to stop following him and head into a grocery store?"

Grossa what now?

The blank faces prompted the golden stallion into a lecture about this supposed "grocery store." Apparently, instead of having market places, even though they are still around but just not as common, most cities have stores like the one they are in now. The producers of the food sell the product to these stores, than the store turns around and sells them to actual consumers.

It was half brilliant really. The drawbacks were obvious, less money for the initial take home of the farmers, and lacking the experience of seeing their labor greatly appreciated. Though, he had to admit; the fact that the food was all brought to such a place where ponies and the like could merely walk into a single building and find what ever they want? And with a directory no less? It was quite the display of efficiency as far as he could tell.

'Though, how do the farmers know that the store doesn't mess with it? I guess it isn't their problem; but still... Don't they want to see how people enjoy their food?'

"Ok, hold on." Rainbow said grabbing he head. "So... You're telling me, that only one person owns all of this stuff? And that he sells it to everypony else?"

'dammit Rainbow!'

Ace looked around nervously, though no one seemed to notice the slip up. "That is correct Rainbow Dash, everybody buys from the owner of this store."

Rainbow sat and contemplated the notion.

"Gotta say." Applejack said beginning to trot upon the white tiled floor. "It's mighty fine idea."

The ponies began their exploration of the shop after a quick caution from Ace about his low funds. Mac went off on his own into the far back. There was more than just food here, the walls were lined with enchanted gizmos and normal gadgets. Some he was familiar with their uses, others not so much.

It didn't take him long to enter the tool section and observe instruments that would make his job on the farm a LOT easier when he went home.

He froze. 'When am I going home?' The question hit him out of now where. He'd contemplated visiting, but returning to live? With all the excitement and drama, it was a question the stallion hadn't really considered. He blankly observed something called a 'chain saw', and let his mind wonder.

Questions buzzed around his mind like angry bees, each more puzzling than the last. Why was he here? Yes, to accompany Sin and Twilight on her research, but was that reason enough to risk life and limb? What would happen once a Twilight's research was done? What was it that they would do after Sin helped rescue his friend? Who was he to Malich?

A soft sobbing broke the stallions train of thought, he looked over to find a small blue unicorn colt huddled at the end of the isle. "Hella'." Mac greeted,

The colt stopped his sobbing and looked up to see a pair of green eyes gently looking down at him. He trembled a moment. "Are ya lost, youngin'?" The colt stared blankly for a moment before nodding in the affirmative. Macintosh offered to help the colt find his parents, and after quick moment of reluctance, the colt found his resolve to accompany.

He turned a corner and made way to the front of the store, finding that the best place for the foal to encounter his parents. The colt mumbled something under his breath, and Mac asked him to repeat.

"I- I want my mommy." He whimpered in a pathetic tone. A nerve was struck in the stallion as a small tear fell freely from the colt's eye. He knew that feeling, the feeling of a lost loved one. The difference, this youngling would see his parents again. Mac placed his hoof onto the child's back in an attempt to comfort him.

"Don' you worry now," Their eyes met and he gave a gentle smile. "We'll find ya-"

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY SON!" Shrieked a voice feminine voce.

Mac had to process the words to make sure it was actually a pony speaking and not nails on a chalk board. Indeed it was a pony. A very very angry looking unicorn mare.

"Ah- Ah... was just tryin' ta h-help 'em findya." Mac stuttered. Those eyes, those angry eyes the mare was giving him. They confused him, why was she looking at him like that?

"GET AWAY!" She barked before charging and pushing the stallion aside. As he began to stand, he noticed that quite the crowd had begun gathering at the intersection he'd just entered.

"Mac!" Applejack called running to her brother's side. "Ya alrigh' partner?"

Macintosh nodded in the affirmative than stood straight, he turned to give the mare a peice of his mind, but she seemed to have other ideas.

"What do you think you were going to do with my son?!" She yelled, her eyes practically aflame with both rage and concern.

"Wha's yer problem lady?" He replied, his tone full of venom. Confusion would have to wait, right now, he wanted an apology. "He said he was lost, n' so I offer'd ta help him find ya."

"What's my problem?" The unicorn scoffed, as if it were the stupidest question in the world. "My problem, is you were trying to touch my little Sominy!"

"Yea? And?"

Before anything else could be made of it, Ace stepped forward. "I'm so sorry ma'am."

'SORRY? For what?!'

Ace quickly tried to explain that Mac was a foreigner and that he didn't mean anything by the contact. Though the mare didn't seem to keen with the response.

"Now hold on there, missy!" AJ exclaimed, her brow furrowed into a glare that made the mother's eyes widen. "Ah don' know what ch'r problem is, But don' take out YOUR incompetence, on mah brother."

"EXCUSE ME!?"

The next thing Mac knew, he and his sister were being pushed. Not by the mare, but by... Ace? He apologized on last time for the misunderstanding and ushered the ponies out of the store. Rainbow and Spike observed the commotion and quickly followed them out.

"What were you thinking?!" The stallion exclaimed angrily.

"Ah was thinkin' ah-"

"No!" He interupted. "No, no matter what, you never touch a child here." Ace bellowed, He was a little intimidating when he was mad, even to Mac. "I don't care if they are upset, crying, hurt, or otherwise. Matter of fact, just keep as far away from kids as possible."

'Are you bucking kidding me?' He had to restrain his emotions and desire to buck the scolding pony in the face. He was confused and angry. What did that mare mean 'touching' her son? The way she said it, it sound as if... No, no she couldn't mean... that!

Though as the lecture continued, it would seem that's exactly what she was implying. How could she even come to such a conclusion so quickly? She didn't know him, there was nothing like that even going through his mind. Yet she assumed that right on the spot?

"I know it doesn't make any sense." Ace rubbed his temples. "But that's just the way alot of Citizens think. Best thing you can do: is just leave the kid be."

Mac couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Even if a kid's lost n' alone?"

Ace nodded. "Any time you try to help a child that young, you take the risk of that kind of thing happening. And at that point, it's: he doesn't get your help, or you take the risk of being labeled a sex offender, and probably imprisoned."

Ludicrous! Absolute insanity! What kind of ponies live their lives in constant fear like that? Treating every stallion that walks by as a potential pedophile, it was enough to make his blood boil. Not just at the male hating implication, but the fact that he was lumped in with them.

"We'd better move." Ace lead the way. He was speaking, but Mac was too deep in thought to hear him. 'Treating all stallions as if they are going to do something sexual to kids. What kind of message does that send? Why hasn't anyone done anything about it? No wonder stallions are so easily demonized.'

Ace lead the others through the crowded streets and back to the inn which they would be staying. Twilight, Pinkie and Sin were sitting the the lobby, obviously expecting them.

"Well, we have a slight problem." The latter rubbed the back of his neck. "I could only afford two rooms with two beds in each."

... Wow.

"But there are nine of us!" Exclaimed Applejack, forgoing any real salutation. Sin looked to Ace, though, the aforementioned replied that his funds were practically depleted as well.

Could this day possibly get any worse?

"Yea, and there seems to be no cots. So, either some will be sleeping on the floor, or there will have to be two to a bed."

... Silence.

Mac stood, eyes shifting between the ponies around him. Each looking more awkward than the last. Chivalry would dictate that ladies would indeed get the beds, but his current feelings towards female kind weren't exactly the best right now. If they were indeed equals, why should they get special treatment again?

"Yea," Sin spoke again, breaking the tension. "So you have fun figuring that out." He told them what the room numbers were and placed two sets of keys on the table before them. "Oh and I wouldn't disturb Shade too much, he isn't exactly in the best of moods."

After he finished speaking, the stallion began to limp away from the group. Mac quirked a brow, he hadn't been limping that bad before. He asked Twilight what happened, and she informed that the hot pink mare who overheard their conversation in the diner didn't much appreciate his words. So she confronted him and kicked his leg.

However, the story didn't end there. To the mare's surprise, she found herself back hoofed by the pony before being cursed out. Mac couldn't help but chuckle at the look of shock that must have been on her face.

After the story, the mares all around seemed to have mixed feelings on the matter. On one hoof, it's not polite to hit a girl, ever. On the other, she did assault him first, and since she was the feminist type, she did believe in equality right? Hay, if it were a stallion doing it to him, Mac would have expected him to react the same way.

Mac awoke to hushed voices and ruffling sheets. He groaned as he opened his eyes, the rug of the floor wasn't exactly as welcoming as a bed was. Though, seeing as how Spike and Shade had both the beds occupied, it seemed only fitting that the other three take to the ground. At least it wasn't the cold dirt and stone outside.

"Shade, what do you plan to accomplish with this?" He heard Sin seethe, he lifted his head slightly to find the two standing by the window, one with a large brown bag and a scowl, the other, stood indifferently; though with a certain sense of being.

"They think they are being 'oppressed'." The dark pegasus chuckled, throwing the sack over his back. "They think they know what being controlled is like." The humor from his voice darkened to malevolence.

"I'll show them true suffering."

Mac pressed his lips together, he'd remembered the story of Star Shade, and how he'd come to be as he was. His over emotional personality, how he was forced to join the Lunar Guard at an early age, who tried to repress his playful and expressive nature to the point it scared him mentally, and his incarceration due to his emotional instability and lack of fitting to serve in Luna's personal guard.

Compared to him, the mares here had really nothing to complain about. Add to that, that Shade was being held in captivity for a royal mare, it only stood to reason this subject would be rather personal for him.

"I'll show them what real oppression is..."

Author's Note

Star Shade ladies and gentlemen... You gotta love him.

Troubling Revelation

Dear Princess Celestia

North Equine is even more different from South Equine than I had originally thought.

Currency is in the form of paper, just... paper. Not coins like our bits, but something called "Bills". I'll bring some the next time we meet. There is so much here princess, though the most worthy of mention are: The architecture, the living conditions, the society's attitude towards males, and the overall society in general.

They place more value over the concept of political influence and money than of friendship and harmony. The architecture, as mentioned, is a prime example of that. While our buildings are more expressive, colorful and unique; Both North and South Equine's industrialized land scape(s) are based around efficiency and conformity.

The same could be quasi-said for the living conditions. Ponies (and other races) seem to be more confrontational here. (Though, that might be just this city) Putting greater credit on being 'right' or 'better' over good relationships with potential acquaintances. (Elaboration will be given in the follow up report)

The current city we are in takes a very... Feminized approach to it. Male demonizing arch to it. Unlike Equestria, Stallions are actually the dominate sex here. Though, from what I understand, more females claim to be oppressed and dominated. I have yet to witness any of this, though, you can be sure I'll keep my eyes open the farther on we travel.

--OPN--

Spike hasn't spoken in a while. He chuckles and makes little comments, but in terms of real conversation; he's made no progress. I'm worried about him. I know he's grown and matured since he left Ponyville almost a year ago, but still. I can't help but fear what's going on in that little head of his.

My regards to you and Princess Luna!

You're faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle.

Sin grumbled and closed the window. Mac lifted his head and shuffled the blankets, causing attention to be drawn his way. At first the two just stood in silence, Mac's eyes reflected in the dark goggles of Sin off of the moonlight.

After a few minutes, Sin sighed and took his place back on the floor.

"Where'd he go?" The apple stallion whispered.

"Knowing him, I couldn't hazard a guess honestly."

A moment more passed.

"Bed's open, I don't think he'll be back for the rest of the night."

....

"Hey Sin, mind if Ah ask ya' a question? Why are ya friends with 'em?" Sin gave a questioning sound. "Ah mean," Mac frowned trying to word his thoughts, "he ain't 'xactly the nicest pony 'round. N' he hurts ponies all the time, ponies who done him no wrong. Shouldn'cha hate him fer tha'?"

Mac tilted his head to see his associate smirking.

"It's difficult to explain." He shrugged.

Mac motioned for him to elaborate.

"Consider what he's been through, and what he is now. I suppose, in a way, I feel a bit responsible for what ever he does."

Mac grimaced, that didn't make any sense. Sin wasn't the one who put him in the tower, he didn't really do anything to hurt him at all.

The explanation continued on, the stallion mentioned that it was he who had assisted Shade in breaking out of his prison. And by doing so, he was, in a way, accountable for the ponies actions from then on. When put that way, it did kind of add up, but the fact that the night pegasus was incarcerated and driven to insanity by the Lunar Guard, would that not make him their responsibility?

"Be that as it may." The former senator growled, "the fact is, if I don't keep him under control, he'd probably do a lot worse."

Worse? What worse could he do than burning down towns, breaking prince Bluebloods horn, and insulting the rulers of Equestria? One in particular constantly being referred to as "Beast."

"But, Ah don' get it, he still hurts ponies."

That much was true still. Regardless of what the pegasus had experienced, the was still an assailant. And that had to count against him, even in Sin's eyes.

"That's true."

Knew it...

"I guess this is more about helping him and protecting his potential victims than anything."

That... Actually caught him off guard. He made it sound as if: with out him, Shade would be a rampaging monster. Would he be?

Sin said Shade would be worse if he wasn't there, what could he have possible seen the night pony do to say that? And better yet, Mac had to address the little hypocrisy in dedicating his time in service to control Shade's mental instability. Or in other words, how he wasn't put on this earth to serve as pagasus' handler.

To his surprise, Sin actually chuckled.

"I suppose you would have me there." He stopped laughing. "The reason why I do it, is because I chose to. Not because I'm forced to."

The two continued to converse onward. The topics grew farther from Shade and Sin's friendship, and more to the latter as an individual. Which seemed to make said pony quite uncomfortable for some reason. Sin more talked about to himself by his skill set, accomplishment and philosophy. It was typical for him to lean on those qualities when questioned, even if the inquiries had nothing to do with them.

It was so repetitive, Mac actually found the pattern to it. First came the "Due to my time in politics," or "Survivalist training taught me to ____" Even when asking a simple question about his aspirations or dislikes. Next came the questioning of relevance, and finally the quid pro quo.

This time, Sin's question was one that he had actually been asking himself.

"Why are you here?" It wasn't in the philosophical 'what is life' sense. But the reason for his accompanying of the pony through a world so alien to him. He tried to play it off as just trying to help a friend, but Sin wouldn't have it; he pushed that there must have been more of a reason.

"Ain't that why you came back?" Mac smirked. "Ta help a friend?"

Taken aback, the liberty stallion chuckled heartily. "Well, aren't we the clever one?" The apple pony quirked an expectant brow, "alright, alright. That's not the only reason I'm here."

"Though to answer your question, no. I've never been in a relationship with a mare." He admitted.

'Finally!' "Why no'?"

"I think you owe me an answer now." Sin smirked.

Two questions were answered, one more vaguely than the other, but it was still what he wanted. Mac nodded for his friend to ask.

"What are the 'Elements of Harmony'?"

"Some kinda gems that represents tha bond of friendship." Or so Applejack told him.

Sin didn't ponder on the notion long, Mac's curious look prompted him.

"Sorry, I've heard Miss Sparkle mention them a couple of times. She said they were a power that could cleanse evil." He chuckled, at what, Mac wasn't sure. "Could you tell me exactly what they are and what they have accomplished?"

"Well, from wha' Ah understand, they were used by Twiligh' n' her friends ta beat Nigh'mare moon n' Discord."

Sin's smirk dropped to an expression of shock.

"Discord?" He whispered, his tone implying he hoped he heard the name wrong.

"Eeyup."

Sin stood silent for a moment.

"And they are the ones who used these 'elements' to... turned him into stone?"

"Ah think so." Why does he look like he'd seen a ghost? His sister and her friends wouldn't do anything to him. Though, unfortunately, his confusion didn't last.

"Let me get this straight." He deadpanned. "We're traveling with a Discordian acolyte, insane and obsessed, and the mares who had imprisoned his god in stone?"

His heart skipped a beat as realization dawned. Oh wow, he hadn't even thought about that fact... Was that the reason Shade hated the girls so much? No, even as little time as Mac had known the pony, he knew Shade would have taken active measures of revenge.

Ice grew up his spine, thoughts of what would become of his sister and her friends tormented his mind. Shade has proven himself a very capable, cleaver, and strong when he wanted to be. - Single hoofedly fighting a pack of diamond dogs, holding the majority of the fight with a giant Ruby Dragon, Eluding the Lunar guard, sneaking into Celestia's castle, and traumatizing Blue blood... All were proof enough if this-

Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow and Pinkie were by no means weak ponies, but against Star Shade?

They quickly agreed to tell Twilight and the others not to mention the artifacts again, and hope that the bat pony would be none the wiser for the status of his traveling companions. Then Mac took to the bed and lay in wait for the comfort of sleep. Though, another revelation hit Mac...

Sin managed to get the topic off of him again.

Author's Note

I'm going to get FAR more enjoyment out of this than I should...

Feminism (Part 3)

Feminism Part 3

Mac stood with a look of shock. For all of the mental preparation he'd done, for all of the possible scenarios that had gone through his head last night, nothing had readied him for what awaited outside.

Star Shade had defiantly delivered on... something, for better or for worse. the girls all wore expressions of shock and appall, even Pinkie Pie bore the tell tale signs of being offended. Matter of fact, the only one who didn't seem surprised was Sin, who stood with a neutral expression.

A small crowed gathered around the make shift monument, each one just as angry as the last.

"I have to say, I'm disappointed." Sin called, breaking the silence between the travelers. "This is rude at best, not oppressive."

While the display itself was far from pleasing to look at, especially considering what it implied, Mac was far to engrossed in the fact that it's craftsmanship was astounding considering the time it had been made in.

The tall makeshift Discord was raising his lion's paw over his head with a hateful look, the object of his despise was the souloette of a familiar looking pony, crudely painted hot pink with a look of terror and pleading. While not precise, the effigy was detailed enough to send the misogynistic message the artist was trying to portray. If nothing else, the bubble text of "Get in the kitchen" emitting from the draconequus' mouth solidified that.

"How'd he make it so fast?"

"Cause I'm good like that."

They all looked behind to find the mentioned pony leaning against the wall of the inn wearing one of the smuggest expressions Mac had ever seen.

'Wow. He really take pride in this doesn't he?'

"You think that's funny?!" Twilight exclaimed before trotting up to batpony for a proper scolding. "You think mares getting hit is comical?"

Shade's confidence never wavered, he smirked at the lavender unicorn for a moment before looking up to crowd again. "You haven't even seen the best part yet." He walked past Twilight and eyed Sin. "And I assure you, it wont disappoint." He smiled evily and approached the crowed to hear the critiquing of his work.

Big Mac wanted to be angry, he wanted to see this as unacceptable and lacking any sense of comedy. But when contrasted with the billboards of Stallions being held on leashes and kissing a mare's hind-hooves, there was a certain sense of comedic justice to be admired.

"Ah can't believe this!" Applejack seethed.

"Really?" Sin replied turning to her. "This really surprises you? Really?"

"Ah knew he wa'nt righ' in tha head, but this is too far!"

"She's right." Twilight agreed. "Shade may be insane, but there is no excuse for this."

"Aw, you guys are being way to sensitive." Proclaimed Rainbow Dash.

All of the ponies looked at her incredulously.

The cyan mare rolled her eyes. "Look around," she motioned, "there's pictures of stallions being degraded all over and stuff. I didn't hear you all complain too much about that, but now that it's a mare being put down, suddenly the line's been crossed?" She quirked a brow.

Wait, Rainbow Dash, the one Mac would have sworn to be the feminist of the group; was sticking up for equality in terms of gender based pot shots? Yea, he needed a moment to process that one, considering the way she acted in Ponyville nine or so months ago. Apparently so did everyone else.

Their stunned silence made her facehoof and explain that the city had misandristic themes all around. During the intervention on Sweet Apple Acres, she had realized that she had treated Sin the same way Mac had treated her when he was angry, yet she felt justified in her actions while believing he should have been demonized. How fair was that?

And suddenly Mac felt a lot better about his lack of complete hate for Shade's work.

"But still." Twilight pipped. "Violence is never acceptable. Not by any means."

Rainbow looked around. "And I don't see any Twi'."

All it was, was a sculpture of poor taste. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Ah'll give ya tha'." Applejack cleared her throat. "Bu' Ah just can't say this is ok, ya know?"

"Emotionally thinking, you'd be justified." Sin interjected, earning a skeptical glare. "However, logically, I'm afraid you'd lack any real backing. As Miss Dash explained: The city does hold a largely sexist theme, in large; it's just piece of red colored idiocy within a larger blue colored idiocracy. The color doesn't matter, the fact is: stupid is as stupid does."

Mac nodded in agreement while his sister thought it over. The debate could be strung out to individual's being offended and what not, but he knew how it would end. During their travels, Sin had yet to loose a debate. A fact that neither AJ or Twilight were too pleased with.

Twilight, things had gotten awkward between the two of them. He wasn't sure how to approach her now, was it even ok? With the way Spike was? He'd been getting better, but; he just didn't know.

No, no more not knowing. Buck it! Buck it all! Today would be the day, today would be the day he would finally ask where they stood.

"WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MISOGYNISTIC ABOMINATION!?" A mare cried in disgust.

'I guess I'll have to ask her later today' Mac thought as he fought back the urge to laugh at Shade, who comedically, and proudly, trotted up to the mare and announced his creation.

"I give you, Le Equality Alijandra." He said cheerfully. "I call it one of my finer pieces."

The olive mare snarled. "Oh, so you're the artist responsible for this garbage?"

"I WILL BEAT YOU WITH AN UGLY STICK!" Eye twitch. "Well, I could." He shrugged apathetically. "but that would be rather pointless considering you already look like an over aged dragon with one hoof in the grave."

The girls jaws dropped to paved streets while Sin and Spike both burst into hushed snickers. Mac and Ace stood awkward, he didn't want to laugh, that was a very cruel joke... But the expression on the green ponies face as well as those around her, was tempting him.

"I'll ask you once." She said through clenched teeth. "Remove this abomination immediately."

Shade's smile turned into a mock frown. "But, you haven't even seen the best part of it."

At this point two griffins clad in black jackets had entered the scene and confronted the two. Triple M. agents by the look of em.

"Alright what's going on here?" One asked, the voice obviously male. The mare tried to down talk the construct and argue how it should be destroyed and removed. Shade however, wasn't to keen on the idea. After a few minutes of fruitless arguing and many more angry mares coming to give their two bits on it. The pegasus, surprisingly, admitted defeat.

"Alright," He placed his front hooves up in a sign of surrender, "You want it taken down, you take it down yourselves." Calmly, the insane pony retracted himself from the crowd and waltzed up the stairs passed the Equestrians. As he walked, Mac could have sworn his somber expression turned into a sly smirk before entering the inn.

"Well go on!" Cried a voice from the enormous crowd below. "Let's get rid of this trash!"

A cheer erupted and the mares and stallions below attacked in a bombardment of hooves and claws against the defenseless display.

"We might wanna get inside." Sin hastily walked into the doorway and motioned for the others to quickly follow.

Yea, Shade gave that up way to easitly. Mac was the last one in, once the door closed, a loud KABOOM the ground from outside, accompanied by the sound of sloshing and screaming ponies.

Shade's cackling turned them to the window.

"Ugh, what is that stuff?" Pinkie asked ruffling her nose at the white, goopy substance that littered the towns square and all of its inhabitants. Mac's stomach churned, he wasn't sure he wanted that question answered.

Shade began to calm himself down and stood straight just as the shock wore off. Screaming and suggested Federalists ran and complained, each trying to get very degrees of white off of them.

The insane mastermind of the plot stood stoic and unimpressed now. 'Wait what?' He shrugged at his work and turned to his companions. "Ready to leave when you are."

The equine's watched wide eyed as the somber stallion trotted off back to the stairs and began to ascend to the room. Mac thought he'd seen some pretty weird mood swings in his time, but going from bellowing laughter to a kind of angry apathy? That was definitely a new one.

"Rude and disturbing," Sin shrugged, "but still not oppressive."

Was he... Disappointed? Sin, the practical Anarchist; was hoping for oppression? Mac couldn't hold his tongue on the matter any longer. It was one thing to be ok with Shade doing his own thing, but Sin wanting it was something else entirely. When confronted with the issue, Sin smiled and replied: "Consider this one of my many moments of hypocrisy."

Unbelievable. Mac could only shake his head as the stallion followed his charge. The ponies began to return to their rooms to pack up, this situation obviously would call for departure. Though, something stopped them all in their tracks.

"Take my load to your face?"

"Wha was tha', sugar cube'?" Applejack asked.

Pinkie repeated what she said and motioned to a not that had stuck to the window. After holding back the urge to gag, all of the ponies had their turn to read. It was true, it really did say that. But what did it mean? Ace didn't seem to be as clueless as the rest of them, as he failed to retain the snicker that forced themselves on him.

"What?" Pinkie asked furrowing her brow in thought.

"Pft... You don't-" Snicker, "-wanna know." With that he finally burst out laughing. Mac could only look on in confusion as the Golden pegasus continued on his way, snickering like a mad mare. "That is so wrong on so many levels."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE HASN'T REACHED VICKORS YET?" Malich yelled slapping the cold coffee from his desk.

"I'm sorry sir." Replied a wide eyed griffin. "He reports claim he's still in-"

"Forget it." The business pony replied before sitting down and massaging his temples. 'Why wasn't he moving? He should have been half way to the capital by now! What was keeping him? And how had those other ponies return to his side with out any of my agents seeing them? There is great magics in the world, but that one just doesn't add up!

Things weren't going the way Malich had planned. He shouldn't have been surprised though, considering with whom he was dealing.

"What can we gather from their conversations?" He asked calmly.

The griffin cleared his throat. "Typical Islander sir. Philosophy, opinion and giving the basic history of the Federation."

"Basic history?" Malich said thoughtfully. Is he giving them some kind of tour or something? Wait, that's exactly what it sounded like. Why would he do that? Fuck it, we don't have time for this!

His train of thought was broken by his subordinate.

"Also sir, a message has arrived for you from the Griffin National Relations Minister." He pulled a scroll out from within his black coat and held it out.

The grey earth pony groaned. Of course, how could he have forgotten? He was supposed to have a lunch to discuses moving the Triple M. head quarters to Columbus and the whereabouts of the Judgement. At first, both the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Relations seemed thrilled to have it. Triple M. had been very good for the state's economy. -And with their ban on mining for gems, the copious amounts of unearthed precious stones would be of mutual benefit- However, the public in Nimbus, the capital, has been in an uproar over a certain treasure of the clouds that had gone missing.

An air ship that now lay in ruin off the City of Trottingham in Equestria. Once word had gotten out that the battle zeppline had been on loan to the company; thousands burst into a protest to know the location of one of their state most renound treasures. It's reconstruction had begun the moment the deal was struck with the griffin's government, just in-case anything went wrong, and how happy he was that he'd heeded taken the precaution.

The replica would be complete within the week if the schedule held true, and with any luck, the Columbians would be none the wiser for it. Fortunately, extensive photographs and diagrams had been taken along with: Shades of dilapidation, wood erosion, color, damage, and miscellaneous details that could also be recreated. Other worldly powers willing, this would work.

He'd only meant to borrow the ship to copy the design, but the fucking Bloody Sky Captains were spotted not even a days trot from the analyst station. Those anarchist bastards had been undercutting his prices for long range shipping all over the country. With a fully functioning airship at his disposal, he'd seen an opportunity to end their workings once and for all, while at the same time; sending a discouraging message to not only any entrepreneurs who might wonder into the same venture, but to all others of the Syndicate.

Needless to say, his plan had failed. Though, a far more important silver lining did come of it.

A smile crossed his lips as he thought about the newest weapon that the Judgement's fall had inspired.

A weapon unlike the world had ever known. The most powerful of magical blasts would be easily dwarfed in comparison. With this new technology under his patent and the possibilities it wrought, by Bluecloak, what little combat producer competition Triple M. had would be blown out of the market... (Metaphorically and Literally)

Hopefully, his vision would be made a reality with in the month. He couldn't wait to observe the prototype in action.

"Sir?" His thoughts were broken yet again. And ones he enjoyed no less!

He nodded and took the parchment. "Thank you Stromwell. Is there anything else?"

'Powers that be help you if there is.'

"Just authorization to clear out a new band of Zeboricans who've taken refuge in the northern point of the Vale." Stromwell shrugged. "Past that, nothing sir."

Ah, the Zebra's... He owed them a debt really. Had it not been for the Zeborica immigrants intrusion in the Vale; Triple M. would never have come to be the mega corporation it was today. Even if meant changing a company policy or two. Not that it would be fair to say that none of the other: Well timed and well executed business moves that his father and he had made were nothing. As a matter of fact, it was because of them that they began expanding outside of the "M" guidelines and into transportation after Voltare's Reloaction stocks plummeted to near worthless.

"Yes." He nodded. "You have my authorization." He looked over the initial request packet that lay on his desk. The client; North Equine Councilman; La-Chance was quite a despicable character, but he always delivered on his owed favors.

The earth pony grabbed a quill and a stamp and gave his signature and a the stamp mark of approval. With that, he handed the documents to Stromwell, who gave a quick solute before dismissing himself from the study.

Malich took his seat and leaned back. Some thought it was easy being rich and powerful, but damn are they wrong. Between keeping up appearances, maintaining a corporate empire, not falling behind on the politicians and figure heads meetings; there was far more stress than he knew what to do with.

Well, all he would need to do is set up a day next week to meet with the National Minister with the "Judgement" in tow, show it to be with out a scratch and wait for the skepticism of the griffins to die down. The field agents would take care of the zebras, and he'd just set up a meeting to inform Thornberry that her resignation would need to be delayed for a time. His brother would come eventually, and Malich had a few ways to hurry the process along.

He yawned and placed his forehooves behind his head.

Not too much to worry about past that...

His eyes shot wide as a low screech shot from outside his door. "No." He he growled.

He waited in pain staking silence, a feeling of dread coursing through him. It couldn't be, he would have heard about her coming. He would have gotten some kind of warning, right?

The business pony's body was caught in clawing tension, as he sat in silence, he began to wonder if what he heard was just a figment of his imagination. Maybe he'd been stuck up in the study too long? Or under too much stress! Yea, that was it. The stress of the past month had just been getting to him.

His heart sank as he heard that screech again, that failed abomination of an attempted melody. "Fuck me." he slammed his hoof onto his face and awaited the inevitable.

Sure enough, the door burst open with a portly unicorn mare standing in the door way with half lidded eyes, too much make up and the stench of pretentious ditziness that only the thing in front of him could delude herself into thinking was acceptable.

"Maaaaliiiiiiiiich!" She 'sang' with an oblivious smile before waddling in.

The aforementioned couldn't help but cringe and fantasize about how good nails on a chalk bored would sound right now. Lady Fachitaz, heir to the Fachitaz Bank. One of, if not the most, prestigious and well off businesses in the entire Federation. The only who's power actually exceeded Triple M.'s own. His father had been in good standing with the Fachitaz family ever since Triple M.'s initial loan from them. As consequence to maintain said relationships, Malich had to put up with... Her.

There were certain qualities Malich respected: intelligence, resourcefulness, competence, wisdom, determination and being able to take a god damn hint! Qualities that he liked to be surrounded by and rely on. Qualities that would give her a head ache just to think about.

At least, she was too dimwitted to understand the concept of sarcasm.

"Malich, it has been to long." She said in a mix between a cheerful and snobbish tone.

"An opinion if I'd ever heard one." He replied politely, putting on a large smile and walking around the desk. "What do I owe this," he hesitated, "pleasure?"

The Lady chuckled, placing a hoof to her mouth. "I was holding a little swarey in the Centaur Palace this evening, and would, Oh so love it, if you would be my escort."

Malich stared blankly. the last time he'd gone anywhere with this pearl clad walrus; her single hoofed dysfunction had: Destroyed a small business pony's chance at a much needed loan proposition, terminated seven well intentioned security guards, mocked relations between North Equine and Vain, destroyed two hundred Minotaur antique battlements worth millions, and branded he himself, as a potential terrorist of the Minotaur state.

It took him months to smooth things over to the point where he wouldn't be shot on sight of entering the territory. And he didn't even do anything!

"Yea, I'm going to have to get back to you on that." He said unconvincingly before turning back to his desk. The business pony considered himself unmovable, calm and cool at all times; such was the way of maintaining a big business. But this, this accursed abomination to not only ponykind, but sentience itself made his blood boil something fierce.

"Awww, come now Malcih." The Lady whined, "Every time you've said that, I haven't heard back from you."

'One could only wonder why, Lady Fatass.'

The executive pony tried to explain that he had a very full scheduled that couldn't be moved around, emphasizing that it must be he personally, to attend the affairs. The mare's golden orbs of skepticism made it truly difficult to maintain a pleasant and polite tone.

Fachitaz rolled her eyes and droned before she decided to take a look around the study, and give her unwanted opinion. "I must say," She crinkled her nose at the recently spilled coffee. "You spend far too much time in here."

"Yea, bunch of fucktards like you out there."

The two exchanged a few more passive aggressive quips before the unicorn sighed. "Very well," She said in mock dejection, "I suppose I'll just have to have a talk with father about our companies current arrangements." She gave a sly smirk.

'You cheeky bitch'

"Now, now." Malich chided. "There is no need for that." He'll get her for this, she may have been to stupid to realize that hummingbirds don't commit suicide, cut off their own heads, stick it in their owners mouths at night and write threatening messages on the mirror in their own blood; but he'll figure out something. Something that would get the message across that he was NOT to be trifled with.

"So you'll come?"

Malich chocked down the rage endued bile that threatened to muffle his words. "Yes." he nodded.

"EXCELLENT!" Fachitaz exclaimed before jumping in the air. She gave the date, time and place for the congregation
and blew the earth pony a kiss goodbye.

Once he was absolutely sure the mare was gone, he rushed over to the "happy drawer" and pulled out a two bottles of strong liquor. He studied the "75%" on the side of the bottle for a moment than sighed. "Just not strong enough."

Author's Note

End of the Feminist part.

A bit unsatisfying? Sorry to say; the fact that I could right about it disturbs me greatly.

Any way, ON WITH THE PLOT!

Developments

Dear Princess Celestia.

Our departure hadn't gone as well as expected.

Apparently somepony, not going to mention who, decided it was a good idea to give his personal retort to the feminist leaning city we were staying in. (Caution is recommended on reading the follow up report on the subject.)

Luckily we left with out too much incident, and are at the end of a three day travel to a new city by the name of "Vickors". -The names in the Federation are admittedly unorthodox. Not just of the places; but the citizen's names on their own.-

The weather is starting to warm finally, so perhaps I'll be able to give you better detail on the vegetation and land scape once it's a bit more lively.

Oh, before I forget, there was an incident that I still don't know what to make of. Big Macintosh had approached a lost colt and offered to assist helping the pony find his mother. But once the mother was found, she, for some reason, accused him of being a... fillyphile. And no, from what I understand, he hadn't done anything to the poor colt. More will be elaborated in the follow up report.

On a brighter note, Spike has actually begun to develop wings! Wings princess. When he'd grown before, he didn't have them. I wonder why he does now.

He's growing up faster than ever before. But I suppose we have Sin and Mac to thank for that.

I'll send those follow up reports as soon as I can.

You're faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle.

"No, I'm telling you, it's just a weird saying is all." Spike said defensively, trying to get at the newly sprouting appendages from his shoulder blades.

"Well so is 'oh brother'." Sin replied. "Where did that saying even come from? What does one expect their "brother" to do?"

Spike nodded in admittance. "But still, 'god damn it', what is 'god' anyway?"

"Wha' in Tarnation are ya'll talkin' about?" AJ asked frowning.

"That's another one!" Spike exclaimed with a smile. "What is 'tarnation? Is it a nation that's made out of tar or something?"

Macintosh chuckled, Things had lightened up considerably since Spike had gotten the stubs on his shoulder blades. Hopefully he wouldn't fall back into his slump after... the incident. Still, everyone seemed in a good mood for once, even Sin and Shade were inclusive to the current topic.

"Speaking of sayings." Shade pressed his lips together. "What is tom foolery? And what in Tartarus is a Tom?"

"Ah got one." Mac smiled. "Why do ponies have door knobs?" Now that one got everyone's attention. "No, seriously. hooves don' open doors."

No, that had been bothering him ever since he'd had to open them. A griffin's claw or minotaurs hand seemed suitable for the task. But ponies... had... hooves! Who thought such architecture was a good idea?

"Tha's a good poin'." Applejack agreed. "Same could be sai' fo' hammers n' tea cups actually."

"Well, mostly unicorns use those silly." Pinkie smiled. "Most other ponies use normal cups."

Everyone getting along and having a friendly discussion on shallow topics, no immediate lessons to be learned, no brooding lectures, no deep rooted philosophical discussions, and no drama. Mac took a moment to appreciate the fact for a moment. Ever since they had all come to the Federation, it was one bad incident after another.

Sin's killing, Malich's unexplained appearance, the frigged cold, Twilight being insulted, Shade being an ass, and Spike... Well, now wasn't the time for that. Everyone was just having a bit of light hearted fun for once. Why ruin the good mood?

Hours passed as the troop continued traveling on the road side. Passing caravans and lone individuals of every race and type. The weather had definitely taken a turn for the better, even if they were traveling farther north. The air was crisp, the sun shining and the wind still. It almost reminded him of the tranquility of Equestria.

Finally, the sun was begining to set, and Sin called for setting up camp.

"Hold on." Ace protested, "Let's keep going."

"Why?" Sin asked.

"My families spa is just a half a mile up." Ace nodded the way they were going.

"Your family owns a spa?"

The golden stallion's eyes narrowed. "Yea. Venus Relaxation, I told you this when we were going over the rout to Unitas!"

Sin placed a hoof to his chin. "You did, didn't you? Yea, I'd rather not."

"Why?"

"You guys go ahead if you want."

Ace repeated his single symbolic question again, a bit more forcefully. Sin shrugged and waved off the question.

"C'mon Sin!" Pinkie said happily. "Spa's are relaxing and rejuvenating and fun!" Again Sin waved off the request and continued to trot on.

Mac kinda had to side with the stallion on this one. Spas were more of a chick thing. Applejack only went to one once, and that was because Rarity dragged her along after Fluttershy canceled on her for some reason or another. She said it wasn't too bad, but it still wasn't her thing.

"How about you Dash?" Ace called. "You up for some relaxation?"

Surprisingly, Rainbow actually agreed to the venture. And with a little convincing, AJ went with it too. Wait what? Eventually, the mare's convinced Spike to join them and then the question was given to him.

Well, everyone else was acting out of character, why not? Try everything in life once, right?

Six out of eight was healthy enough, but Ace had to extend the invitation to Shade. Who was the only one to act predictably.

"I'd rather roll around in molten lava and walk through a field of cacti. No offense." He said polity, some how.

Ace shrugged and the troop caught up with the survivalist.

Mac couldn't help but smile dumbly as he submerged his body into the golden spa bath. The warm water was just the right temperature to relax but not scold. He could feel every muscle beneath the relaxing liquid unwind, putting his mind into a euphoria of bliss and contentment. Small bubbles tickled his coat like hundreds of tiny hooves trying to remove the stress of his life.

This was what he was missing out on? Screw masculinity, this was amazing!

He slowly opened his eyes and observed his surroundings again. The white textile walls and mirrors hidden by thin layers of steam gave a certain sense of security and solitude. The second tub next to him stood stagnant, yet still steaming and relaxing, the sinus soothing air quelled any sense of conflict in his mind.

If there was ever a paradise on earth...

A knock came from the door, but he didn't care. He was in Nirvana.

"Oh, there you are Big Mac."

His eyes shot open, that voice. Sure enough, one Twilight Sparkled had entered the room and with proceeding hoofclops, slowly approached the unoccupied bath. "Mind if I join you?"

He smiled "No' at all." Mac nodded. With permission, that was for some reason needed, given; said mare lowered herself into the tub. As he looked over, Mac couldn't help but feel a pleasant surprise to the sight of Twilight's mane done up in a bun, revealing more of her petite and slender neck. 'Beautiful.'

Slowly, the mare began to lower herself into the water, her moans of pleasure were too much to go unnoticed. Blushing, the stallion tried to avert his gaze from her form. 'Was she doing that on purpose?' Was the only thought he could focus on. The rest of his thoughts hit a wall, or were to jumbled to focus on.

Eventually, she was situated, leaning back the same way Mac was.

This was the perfect time! They were alone, finally, and in a relaxed situation. Now all he had to do was start a conversation and slowly ease his way into the subject.

"..."

Any minute now...

"..."

Alright, this is ridiculous! 'Okay Big Macintosh, come on now. You've known Twilight for two years now. This isn't that hard. On the count of three you say something. 1.. 2...3

"Hey Big Mac?" Twilight called, holding his words in his gaping mouth. "Is it alright if we talk?"

And suddenly, butterflies in the stomach.

Sin stood a good distance away from the entrance of the establishment, small shimmers of steam flew freely from the outside baths behind the main building. Though, he wasn't out here for that. "I know you're there," He called from out of the blue, a plan formulated in his mind. "You been following me ever since the border."

A few choice words of provocation later, an onyx mare clad in the typical Triple M. coat ventured forth from a brush and eyed Sin for a moment. "Your brother said you were clever."

Sin stood silently, his eyes analyzing the pony's form for any potential weapons before he spoke. "Indeed." He turned his head back to the spa, he knew that Malich would send some kind of observer; but he wasn't the only one who wanted information of it. "Tell me, what has become of Senator Windmane?"

His stalker chuckled darkly. "And why would I tell you that?" She asked, her raspy voice already getting on his nerves.

The cloaked stallion shook his head. "Always has to be difficult. When you're ready."

Before the agent could question what the stallion was talking about, two yells erupted from behind a near by hill. Both turned to see what had happened, a moment later, Shade trotted over the bluff with an all to satisfied smile on his face.

The onyx mare's confidence wavered upon the revelation of her two accomplices, hopefully, sleep endued dismissal. Though, she'd only showed it for a moment. "Very clever." She nodded than turned her attention back to her target, who now had a fully loaded crossbow aimed at her chest.

"Alright, Windmane is alive."

Well that was a relief at least. "And where is he?"

"Your brother is holding him in the head quarters. He's most anxious for you to arrive."

Sin's heart felt a nice twinge at the notion. He hadn't seen Malich since his company had been hired by Princess Luna to remove the ruby slave driver. What few words they spoke during the encounter weren't exactly the most pleasant the two had shared.

"Why does he want me to come to him?" He had a good idea, but now it was time to solidify his suspicions.

The stalker rolled her eyes and shook her head, "'Fraid I can't tell you that."

'Wrong answer.' The agent's breath caught in her throat as a bolt sped past her cheek by mere inches. She was so dumbstruck, that she hadn't noticed Sin charge forth until she was on the ground, his hoof pushing down on her chest.

"I'll make this simple." He growled pushing the assaulting appendage down her diaphragm, resulting in a muted gasp. "I've been having a very-" he twisted his hoof forcefully, "-bad few months. traveling with a group of mares who have no idea when to shut up, a dragon who'd lost his innocence after murdering a border agent, and a psychopath hellbent on making me as paranoid as fucking possible."

"Now, I'm going to ask you again; and this time." He pushed his hoof down farther, causing the mare to moan in pain. "I'd better get a more satisfying answer." Every word he spoke had a seething anger that he'd repressed for the time he'd spent with the girls. He'd preferred his introverted solitude, finding the company of others nice for a time, an hour or so tops; but often needing twice as long to recover. How he'd held it together for so long, with out exploding on them in one critical tirade or another, was actually a mystery to him even now.

The mare gave him a defiant look, though one of surprise overtook it before she desperately looked at her forelegs. Quick to catch on, the liberty pony gave her a malicious smirk, explaining that there was a particular artery of the pony anatomy where, if just enough pressure was placed, would cut off blood-flow to both the upper and lower extremities. The ungodly pain and impairment of breath was just an added bonus for him at this point.

He eased up, allowing the agent a grateful few breaths. Unfortunately. for her, the circulation wouldn't come back for a few minutes, with as hard as he was pressing. "Now, why does Malich want me to come to Unitas?" He stood expectantly. Eventually, the mare gained better control of her breathing, but still held to her vow of silence.

Sin shook his head and dug back into her diaphragm, he could keep this up all night if he had to.

There was a certain quality he'd developed over the years, one that most didn't have and none ever should. He hated the fact that he had it, but since did; and the situation called for it, why not take the small amount of joy in the pain he was causing? He lifted his hoof forwards, away from the artery and up into the organs.

The agent gasped in protest, tears began to fall from her eyes as her assailant began exploring, and irritating her respiratory system. A quick look up found Shade stood relatively apathetic to his methods of interrogation, so at least he wouldn't interfere. Once the mare was in a constant muted scream, Sin gave her reprieve again, he couldn't have her passing out due to excruciation now, could he?

Suddenly, Sin flinched as he felt a force slam into him and knock him off of the mare and straight unto his side. He wasn't sure who did it, but as he lay on the earth with a repressed rage coursing through him, they were not walking away from it.

"It's about what happened back at S. Equine." Twilight blushed recalling how horrible she felt. The insult had stuck with her, to this day she couldn't understand why anypony would say such a mean thing to her. It wasn't her fault where she was born, yet they spoke as if it were a crime against nature.

"But when you held me in your legs-" She smiled gently at him. "I felt a lot better."

Mac's cheeks flushed, play it cool Big Mac, play it cool. "Happy ta help, I'm jus' sorreh they were so mean ta ya." Still, he wasn't clear on the specifics but Twilight dismissed the subject before he could ask, it would seem she was done with that part of the topic.

"I just wanted to say, thank you." She smiled looking over at him.

"Well, what 'r-" He stopped, he wanted to deck himself in the face. 'What are friends for? What? Are you trying to friend zone yourself? ' Crisis averted, but damage was already done.

He chanced a look to find the unicorn staring expectantly. "What are...?"

Come on, Gotta find a save. "What 'r ya thankin' me fer?"

Twilight gave him a tilted her head. It wasn't perfect, and he may come off as simple, but if this played out right... "I'm thanking you for being there for me."

He shrugged. "No need tah thank me Twi'. It was more n' my pleasure." Saved-ish, She didn't answer with anything, but it was more of a waiting silence. "Ah mean, ta be honest-" His voice lowered and the trailed off.

"What?"

"Ta be honest," He said a little louder. "I rather liked it. Not the part 'bout you bein' hurt, but holdin' ya n' all." Smooth mac, real smooth.

"You mean that?" Twilight asked, a serious look in her eye.

"I do." Mac nodded.

"I just- I- I want to know where we stand." She sighed. "After we got back to Equestria, things just kinda... Stopped. And I was looking forward to seeing you again, but than you called me-" She paused, "Well, as you can immagine, that kinda made things a tiny bit awkward." Her voice perked slightly.

Mac chuckled, "Yea, Ah s'pose it did. N' Ah'm sorry fer it." He smiled at her. "But Ah do want you ta know that-"

"Oww!" Cried Spike as he was pushed head first on a massage table, a blue unicorn with a blue man manning the movement.

"Sorry." She chuckled awkwardly before placing him right next to Twilight. "But this will help with your congestion." The dragon took a deep breath and relaxed before the mare got to work on his back, careful around the stubs that constituted his emerging wings.

"Spike!" Twilight called.

"O-o-h-h h-h-e-e-y-y T-w-i-i-i." He managed against he beat of his masseuse hitting his back.

Mac rolled his eyes. That was just absolute perfect timing, all well; he was still to relaxed to be upset. As annoying as the interruption was, at least things were still pleasant and undramatic.

"Dammit Shade, I will-" To his surprise, Shade was standing on the other side of him, still looking on with disinterest. What he found when he looked to his assailant was a frowning Pinkie Pie, staring at him with both anger and concern. "Pinkie!"

"W- What did you think you were doing to her?!" She demanded, fighting back tears.

'Oh boy, here we go with the water works.' The stallion stood, a sudden rush of pain shooting from the leg he'd injured a few days ago. 'Eh? oh yea, that happened.'

The way Pinkie Pie was standing, she had every intent on defending the now free breathing Triple M. agent behind her. He had to get the information before she recovered. "I'm sorry Miss Pie, however, I don't have time for this. Shade, please restrain her until I'm through."

"Nah, I'm good."

Sin inquired as to why his help wasn't given, though Shade merely shrugged and continuously said he didn't feel like it. Or something along those lines. 'well, fuck you too, guy.' Though, he had to take a moment to acknowledge that he had heavily relayed on the insane pony's brute strength a lot, perhaps a bit too much.

Still, where did she come from? He was sure he saw her go into the spa. Dammit, he knew he should have moved farther away. It didn't matter now, he'd berate himself later.

So many choices, yet most of them were closed off due to the fact he didn't want to hurt the pink mare. That only left the most time consuming choice, if practicality and appearances were elements to consider. He tried to quickly explain that this pony had been following them since they had crossed the border. When he'd said Shade had stayed in his room at the last city, he actually asked the pegasus to stalk Twilight, Pinkie and himself, and observe anyone who might be following them. This mare fit the bill, and Sin was just waiting for the chance to question her.

"And that's how you ask a pony a question!" Pinkie threw her hooves up into the air.

Sin began to move closer, he noticed the agents hooves beginning to move again, it wouldn't be long now until she was completely unabridged in her body control. As he drew within a few yards, the party mare placed herself directly between the two, a determined look on her face.

He tried to push past, though he was blocked at every turn. "Pinkie, get out of the way." He seethed, his tolerance dwindling. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to."

Pinkie flinched at the words. That hurt Sin himself for some reason, but she stood fast. "No. I wont move."

Stand off. Every second that went by was another lost chance to re-subdue his stalker, yet his bluff was called. Probably the weakest of the four mares was now standing her ground against him. His feelings on how to approach the matter conflicted on all fronts. He respected her for protecting a weaker pony, yet grew agitated with her stubbornness. Though, it was something else that stopped him; something that he'd felt very rarely from any other sentient being. Fear.

Despite Twilight's brilliance, he still held the belief that his pony was the most intelligent out of the group. There had been little evidence of it, but his instincts had yet to steer him wrong.

The agent rolled onto her side, and that's when Sin made the biggest mistake of the encounter, he looked into the sky blue of the pink ponies eyes and his inner conflict doubled. Not a well known fact, but his goggles were meant to hide the fact he never looked anyone in the eye. What he saw surprised him actually.

There was the expected determination and defiance, but there was something else. Compassion? Why was she looking at him like that?

A quick movement from behind her disrupted the stand off.

"Get down!" He yelled tackling Pinkie to the ground.

The world slowed as the agent threw herself directly at the two, her head making contact with Sin's right leg covering Pinkie's head, the injured leg.

"FUCK!" He hissed as the mare used her momentum to roll over the two and land with a stagger. She offered a wry smirk and bolted off into the night. 'Dammit! Why is it always the fucking leg!'

"Are you alright?" He heard Pinkie ask. Sin looked down to find here eyes were riddled with concern and worry.

"Absolutely fantastic, Are you ok?" He asked in reply, Pinkie nodded and he looked back to where the agent had run. He removed himself from the mare and attempted to give pursuit. Key word being; attempted. His leg buckled from a sharp jolt under him resulting in the pony falling face first into the dirt road. 'I'm going to kill her... Painfully.'

"Sin!" Pinkie yelled 'and HER!' She leaned down and examined for, what he assumed, damages. He used his other foreleg to push her away.

"Get off!" He growled, Pinkie drew back, visibly hurt. "Why'd you push me? I was in the-"

"No I don't care what you were doing!" She cut him off, her hurt expression hardening. "There was no reason to hurt her like that!"

'fuck off there wasn't!' He thought as he looked up to the stern mare's eyes. He began to stand, he hated being looked down on like that. His struggling broke the mare's sternness yet again, and she lifted a hoof to help. "You'd like to think that." She stopped. "My brother sent her, I was trying to figure out why he wanted me to come back."

Once he was a little more than eye level with the mare, he continued to explain how he'd been trying to gain the status of Windmane, and why Malich had abducted him. It wasn't clear if the agent even knew what his reasons for return was, but thanks to Pinkie, he'd lost his chance to find out.

"I- I'm sorry." The aforementioned said weakly.

Sin didn't accept her apology, he knew the culture she lived in, love and tolerance and all of that. Instead he waved her off and began to limp back to the Spa.

"For getting you hurt." Sin looked back. "I'm sorry that you got hurt because of me." Her demeanor calmed. "But I'm not sorry I stopped you from torturing her."

With a shake of his head, the cripple continued onwards.

"Do- Do you forgive me?" He stopped again, that word...

He never quite understood it, even for all of his thought and time spent dwelling on the concept. Forgiveness, it was basically the idea that one would accept the deed done against them, and hold no hard feelings over it. No matter how awful or scarring.

He turned around. "I have held grudges since I was a colt, Miss Pie." His voice grew darker and more serious. "I do not forgive. I can be civil, I can drop the issue, but I have, and will, never forgive anyone for anything."

He turned and limped away again, he heard the his associate say something, but he was far to enraged to care. Forgive? Forgiveness is the easy way out, it was, essentially, saying something terrible done to someone was okay . That was not "okay", and by no means acceptable.

Because why not?

Dear Princess Celestia.

Life is confusing.

Your faithful Student

Twilight Sparkle. And Spike and Mac.

'I'm really starting to regret declining the offer of being held prisoner in Celestia's castle.' Sin thought as he limped on, minding his injured appendage. 'I can deal with a lot of crap, but this constant getting in my way for some childish view of magnanimity is driving me to-'

"Ah!" Sin yelled after he felt something pull on his tail. "WHAT!?"

The weight, one Pinkie Pie, released him and pouted. "What is your problem?"

"For starters, a mare who likes to butt into others affairs, half cocked with no understanding."

Pinkie rolled her eyes, bringing another conflict within Sin to slam his hoof into her face. "That's not what I meant and you know it!"

"No, no I'm afraid I don't know." The stallion turned face to face with her. "Please do elaborate."

"When you were hurting her, you were smiling!"

Silence. He wasn't really sure how to respond to that. 'I was smiling? Well, that's disconcerting' He admitted to himself that he did enjoy causing her pain, there was no denying that. But with a subconscious smile? Perhaps it was time to do some real self evaluation, despite how much he didn't want to.

Finally Pinkie spoke again, a little above a whisper this time. "I didn't like seeing you like that."

The look on her face was disheartening, she looked on the brink of tears... for him? She didn't know him. they weren't close, he'd be hard pressed to even call them anything more than acquaintances. Yet here she stood, seeming genuinely concerned for him.

"Why?"

Pinkie didn't answer.

"Why do you still pretend to care? What do you hope to gain out of it?"

Her reaction wasn't what he'd hoped for. It wasn't a smile to admit that he'd seen through her, it wasn't the hurt look of innocence, trying to prolong the game. Instead; she just sighed. 'What does this mare want from me?'

"This isn't about me." Her voice was calm, a knowing kind of calm. "This is about you."

"Me?" He shook his head. "What about me? I was trying to get information on my psychotic of a Corporate head brother!"

"Why do you always do that?" The mare replied. "Why, whenever the subject of you is brought up, you make it to something bigger than you?"

Sin stood silently, he was far too angry to control this round. He wanted yell at her, he wanted to tell her off and leaver her an emotional wreck. But she was different this time around, she was calmer, cooler, more collected. She was what he was trying to expose her to be ever since they'd begun traveling together.

He couldn't help but chuckle. After all the time he'd spent trying to get her to show her true colors, he'd finally gotten it out at just the wrong moment. A moment where he would actually lose. 'Clever girl. I wonder if she planned it this way?'

Pinkie titled her head. "What are you laughing at?"

She held all the cards. She had the rationality advantage, mentally fresh as well as physically excellent. There was only one thing Sin could do... stall by Quid pro Quo. He offered to answer one of her question's if she'd answer one of his. The pink pony thought the deal over than nodded in agreement.

Sin lead off with: 'why she stayed?' The Equestrians had seen what had happened to Spike, how emotionally torn he was over killing another sentient being, why not go home where things were simple and safe? It had to have been better than sticking around in this freezing and hostile environment.

"The others did want to go back, but Spike said he wanted to stay." Spike wanted to stay? What?

Apparently, even in his emotional distress, he felt compelled to remain in the Federation. When asked why, he couldn't really explain it, he just kept saying he didn't want to leave. And with his current condition, none of the girls dared to either.

"And why did you come back?"

Pinkie chanced a smile than looked at Sin's side, "I had to make sure you didn't break your Pinkie Promise silly."

'Of course you did.'

"Now you owe me two questions." At first he didn't understand, but he quickly counted up the number he asked and growled in annoyance.

"Firstly, why do you break your wings?"

Time for plan B.

"It's a need really."

"A need for what?"

"Punishment."

Pinkie asked for an elaboration, but she'd already asked her two questions. Her childish pout gave a sense of victory, her calm was breaking, and if Sin could keep dodging and giving half answers, he'd end this in a draw. His next question was to why she acted like such a clutz and ditz. It was obvious, especially now, that she wasn't half as aloof as she presented herself. -At least from what Spike told him-

She offered a warm giggle and explained that her's was the element of laughter. She loved to make ponies smile and happy. Being serious and steadfast all the time didn't offer the same comedy and heart felt love that being silly and light heart-ed did. Made sense enough.

After a few more questions to dodge, Pinkie caught on to his strategy and let out another small sigh. "Can we not do this?" Well, there goes hope for a draw. "Why wont you just answer me outright?"

Sin gave another half answer and the two continued on, Sin's frustration slowly being dying, and Pinkies growing. He found it kind of amusing really, she was rather cute when she was flustered.

Mac was in tears laughing alongside Twilight and a masseuse mare. The drake had been telling the story of what his first encounter with Shade was like in Hooftrot.

"And so." Spike says trying to regain his breath. "Just as we think we're about to leave, BLAM! Shade just tackles him to the ground and says 'You lied about Fluffy'." His attempt at a dark Star Shade was actually pretty spot on. Still, that story never got old. "True story."

"Twilight giggled. "Wow, and that's quite a way to meet a new friend. Almost as bad as my first encounter with Pinkie Pie."

Spike scoffed. "That's nothing, you should have seen how Mac and him almost went at it." He pointed to the now curious stallion. "These two were about to rip each others throats out for the first few days."

Twilight looked over to him with curious eyes. "Hey noa," Mac said defensively. "He was gettin' on my las' nerve. N' Ah wasn't in tha bes' of moods that day."

That was true enough, As little time as he'd known Annabell, she'd been the first mare he'd ever expressed his feelings for. And she'd always hold a special place in his heart for that.

"Yea, yea." Spike waved a dismissive claw. "So Twilight, when do you think my wings'll grow in?"

"Can't say I know Spike." The lavender unicorn admitted. "There isn't much research on dragons."

"Why of course there is." The masseuse called stretching her forelegs. The Equestrians all looked on, eager to know what she was getting at. "Well, Triple M. has it's own dragon mount division, surely they must have a tone of information on them."

"Are you kidding me?" Twilight demanded in a mix of excitement and bewilderment.

"Not at all." The mare said before going back to work on Spikes tail. "In-fact, it's their publishing that let me know just how to relax your friend here." She hit just the right spot, and her patron gave a moan of pleasure and a thumbs up. Mac took a moment, he was recalling that Malich did want to use the Golvec, the dragon Triple M. had saved them from, as a personal mount.

Some how or another, the topic had drifted away from the corporation to Malich. It was clear this mare was one for gossip and drama, but perhaps something of relevance could be learned. If nothing else, her soft voice made for great entertainment.

The minutes flew as she talked about the many accomplishments under the Triple M. name: Unearthing tons of precious gems, protection from the "heathenish" Zebras, inconceivable leaps in the fields of medicine and herbology, and a grandiose of well timed and planned business ventures that Mac couldn't quite follow.

"It's to bad about his brother though." The mare complained, moving up her patrons back again. "After what happened, it's no wonder they put him in the insane asylum."

"His... brother?" Twilight asked, her interest more than apparent. The masseuse grinned mischievously and checked the door.

"Well, you didn't hear it from me, but word is that he went crazy after he'd become a Senator." She took a moment to bask in their eagerness for her to continue. "Poor guy was mentally-" She paused to find the right word," impaired, but had his heart set on becoming a politician, so his father and brother set it up so he'd win a seat."

Mentally impaired? That doesn't seem like a good choice of pony to represent for a country. This country was growing stranger than Mac thought.

"Aww, what happened to him?" Twilight asked.

"Well, apparently one of the Senators from Columbus, you know, the griffins? Was making fun of the poor boy, and he lashed out and started beating him senseless." The masseuse gossiped "He was kicked out and hadn't been heard from sense."

Mac furrowed his brow, picking a physical fight in the Senate? That sounded strangely familiar.

"Well, I suppose that just goes to show: The mentally challenged don't have a placed in politics."

"You said it sister," The mare agreed, "Now if only Gill O'Reily would get the memo..." The others trailed on, but Mac was to focused on what she said before.

No, no it couldn't be. Sin would have told him if he was kin to Malich, right? Then again, the stallion's secretive predisposition did anything but help his willingness to trust others. Was he hiding it intentionally? If so, why?

Bah, this mare was obviously a gossip whore, she's just trying to make dramatic small talk.

"... Oh what was his name?" Twlight asked.

"Islander I think."

THAT NAME! Ace said it too. No, no that was too much of a coincidence.

Mac looked over to the drake and found he too was in deep and skeptical thought. Had he heard the story as well? He'd make it a point to discuss it with the dragon the two were alone.

"Why are you being so mean?" Pinkie exclaimed in frustration. "This isn't like you!"

"And what, pray tell, do you think you know about me?" Sin deadpanned, just the thought that some one even thought they knew him, was insulting. "Maybe I'm not the nice pony you think I am."

His adversary merely shook her head solemnly. "If you weren't, you wouldn't have given those things to Twilight and Applejack to promise Spike and Mac would return home safely."

Sin stood silent for a moment. Ok, so he wasn't a complete bastard, that didn't make him any less capable of it. Matter of fact, this gave him a real question to ask. He admitted to his kind acts than shot Pinkie a curve ball. During most of their conversations, he was anything but welcoming to her. The nicest thing he'd done was give her a chocolate bar to help lift her spirits. But even that wasn't really for her exclusively, but to help keep the moral if the group up and make his job easier.

Pinkie pressed her lips together and listed all the times he'd helped Mac and Spike, even some how knew about the reason he watched over Shade. Truly he didn't give her enough credit. However, he melancholy finally came full circle. "I just wish you would trust me."

"Why should I? What have you done to earn it?"

Pinkie smiled, "I didn't spill the beans about Malich being your brother."

Wait, the others don't know? She didn't tell them about it? Well, considering they haven't been jumping down his throat on how he himself skipped over that little detail, perhaps she was telling the truth, but did that mean he could trust her. 'No, no focus you idiot! This is all part of her mind games.'

"No it's not."

"... I'm sorry?

"This isn't some kind of mind game." Pinkie said sternly, Sin took a step back.

'Did- Did she just read my mind?'

"Ya-huh!"

Lost for words, the stallion couldn't do anything but gawk. How did she do that? Was he finally going mad? There was no way that such a feet was possible, especially for an earth pony! No, he has to be losing it.

To his horror, Pinkie attempted to calm his non-verbalized fears. He had no privacy now, even in his own mind. He tried to turn the tables and motion that she'd, some how or another, invaded the sanctity of his mind. But even before he could speak; she called him out on the fact that it was mostly part of a plan on his part, only a small amount of it was him genuinely being offended or hurt.

No, no this was inconceivable. If she could see his thoughts, there was no way he could win. She'd be able to counter anything he threw at her, no there had to be something he could do to win. There had to be some strategy to beat her.

"Why do you see this as the two of us fighting?" Sin's stupor was broken and he cleared his mind before looking to the pony. "I don't want to hurt you-" She took a step forward. "I just want to help."

For each step the mare took forward, Sin took one back.

For the first time in a long time, he felt as though he'd bitten off more than he could chew. He let his pride get the better of him, and now he'd provoked something he wasn't expecting. If she could read minds, what else was this pony capable of? His thoughts weren't safe, his plans weren't safe, nothing was sacred now...

"Please stop." Pinkie whispered, tears visibly falling down her cheeks. 'what now?' "I- I didn't mean to make you scared of me, I just wanted to help you."

Sin stood stiff, he didn't dare think. He cleared his mind as much as he could, hoping that her power only reached to his immediate thought, and not into his memories.

The tension was palpable now. The party mare, or so her title said, stood with a concerned gaze. Sin, for his part, became a statue that could rival Discord's. His rational thought was cleared up, but something else had made it's presence known, something he'd spent years upon years trying to suppress.

A sudden jolt of Ice had sprung up his back, and he tried to repress what was coming, but between that and his thoughts, he didn't have enough energy nor mental fortitude to divide in his mind to keep both in check. But it was too late now, his emotions were beginning to show their ugly little heads.

His gaze found her eyes and he immediately looked away. Fear -of what Pinkie could do- was the most prevalent currently, Shame -for the way he treated her- was joyous enough to accompany it along with anger over the little control he had in the situation. He abandon holding back thought and began to sigh repeatedly, each deeper than the last.

It was a technique he began using to quell his feelings. Sometimes the stallion would waste hours upon hours for the ritual, but that was nothing compared to the utter chaos his emotions would send his mind into.

He was so flustered, he didn't even notice the fact that Pinkie was now directly infront of him. "Sin..." She called quietly lifting a hoof to his cheek, "are you ok?"

The moment her hoof made contact, the stallion snapped. He slapped her hoof away sprung his head forward snarling. Pinkie flinched and fell backwards. Slowly and deliberately, he leaned his head down to hers and growled "Don't. Fuck. With. Me."

Sin didn't care much what the mare's response would be, what he needed right now was to be alone. "Star Shade." He said calmly. "Please take Miss Pie back to the Spa." His tone left naught for debate and the, until recently passive, pegasus genly helped Pinkie to her hooves.and lead her away.

Pinkie looked "You can't keep doing this to yourself Sin!" She said quietly. "Trust me, I know."

Sin didn't respond, instead he turned away and began limping in the opposite direction.

Shade was surprised. He didn't expect the Pink one to be half as passionate as she was, and reading Sin's mind was an insanity all out of his league. Maybe he was right, maybe there was more to this one than met the eye.

"I just don't get him." Pinkie pouted.

"Yea, he can be a bit stubborn at times." Shade smirked.

The mare shook her head. "No, I don't get why he hurts himself like that. Nothing good will come from it."

Shade took the opertunity to ask a question that had been pestering him for a while. "Why do you care so much about him? For all he's done to you, I'd think you'da had nothing but hate for him by now."

Pinkie giggled. Some reason, that wasn't surprising. "Oh silly, I couldn't hate anypony." Odd, Shade did hate everypony, bunch of equine supremacist bastards! Didn't they know only cows can make milk? Wait what?

"But I can't really explain the reason I care about him so much." The mare admitted before smiling. "I guess I just find him interesting."

Interesting as a bowling pin maybe, Sin was a stick in the mud if Shade had ever seen one. Quite all the time, and who's bright idea was it to put a stick in some mud anyway? Was there a reason they did it? Were they simple or something?

"I wish I could explain it better, but I can't. And" She growled in frustration, "-He doesn't make it an easier! I just want to know what's wrong! Maybe I can do something er, something."

Shade contemplated. For all of his efforts, he'd only made Sin laugh once, and that was just recently. Sin was the only friend he considered he had, and dispite himself and his love of chaos and malice, Shade didn't like him suffering either. Perhaps the Pink one actually could help. Maybe?

"Because of his brother." He stated out of the blue. Pinkie looked at him confused. The pegasus began to recount the numerous times he'd heard Sin sleep talking. All consisted of: constant apologies to his brother, begging for ponies named "Ramis" and "Zell" to not be killed, and Demands that things should "progress the way they were supposed to" what ever that meant.

The thoughtful look on the pink pony's face made Shade chuckle a bit.

"What?" She asked innocently.

"It's just funny how infatuated you both are with each other. Yet when you two talk, nothing is ever learned." Pinkie furrowed her brow as if in thought, she looked back up to Shade and gave a nod before continuing on to the Spa.

'She's a good kid,' He thought as he trotted away in hopes of finding his supposed keeper. 'It's too bad I have to screw over Sin though. But hey, my god demands it, and by all things chaos; it is my duty to obey his whims... Hehe, duty.'

Author's Note

It's a clusterfuck of a mess I know, bare with me now.

Aww, Sin's gone a little Emo. Yea, well I was meaning to have the "Pinkie Vs Sin" confrontation at some point, but I wasn't too sure how to make it end. So, I gave it to Pinkie because of her ungodly power to break the fourth wall. It's cheap and broken, but Sin's been on far too much a winning spree. I like the character, but he needed to be knocked from his pedestal.

And now I feel I'm focusing too much on the OC's. Perhaps it's time for a visit from some old friends. (And for me to stop writing for a bit. I feel the story might be suffering a bit due to my over zeal.)

P.S.

'I think Pinkie broke Sin.' ~Star Shade

Malich's Curse

"This party is quite exquisite." Malich said with a forced smile 'Exquisite as a parasprite invasion on my bank safe!' The stallion was in shock at what Lady Fatchitaz had done to the dignity and pride that used to encompass the Centaur Palace. Gargoyles bore circles of multicolored flowers around their necks and on their heads. The paintings of Tapio Bearking and his wife Mielikki Bluecloak now lay hidden by fern and ficus.

Vines littered with different herbs wrapped around dark grey stone beams along with all other manner of beauty and desecration. He didn't want to say it out loud, but the only color that wasn't too well represented was red. And with Lady Fatass's mass, he couldn't help but let his imagination wonder on how he could decorate.

"Oh I knew you'd love it." The alabaster unicorn proclaimed "I've grown everything here by my own personal hoof. Please, do enjoy yourself hmmm?" She bragged before turning to visit other party guests. Malich's smile dropped to a scowl. For all of the executive rivals he had, for all of the renegade and disobedient politicians he loathed, and for all of the attempted muscle-ins by smaller companies to his territory; there was no... thing he hated in this world more than that unicorn.

Deciding to mingle, the business pony began to wonder about and see if he could find anyone he wanted to recognize. There was the Yazu, the Minotaur he'd been in a power struggle with in the emerging field of self replenishing Magic nanos. The two didn't hate each other, on the contrary they were friends, but it was a healthy rivalry, especially considering for all of Malich's money, he couldn't keep up with Yazu's intricate knowledge on Magical properties and sciences; along with the guy's gut instincts.

Over the his right, he found the Bounty twins, a promiscuous duo of beautiful pegasus mare's known for seducing and gaining valuable knowledge. Being the Vice president of a mega corporation definitely put him on their radar. The only reason he hadn't accepted one of their numerous offers is the uncertainty that they use psychotropic drugs to get the information the two wanted.

A year ago, the two had laid a reasonably wealthy stock broker who'd climbed his way from a lowly street cleaner, to millionaire in a matter of six months. After the special session, it was revealed that he had some one on the inside and knew when to sell and when to buy. He lost it all, his insider was found out and reported for insider trading.

Why they turned the poor sucker in was just as much a mystery as why he told them his secret. He obviously had to be a smart pony, too smart to let his dick lead him astray like that.

He gave them a friendly nod and continued to survey the room. A few construction CEO's were present along with their wives/husbands respectively. There was a Udall, a Jeweler that patroned Triple M. and his husband. -Malich never could get used to homosexual relationships- Mr. Cooled, president of Mac Donald's Enchantments, Ms. Cleo, Vice President of Artsy Academy and so on and so forth.

He spoke with a few, checking on how the families and business were coming. Most gave him fake and cheesy smiles. -by hell he hated that.- But there were a few who shared his look of disinterest or had been genuinely happy to see him. A few tried to put in good words for other, others tried to wiggle their way into the Triple M. ranks.

And then there were the occasional few who asked him about his 'availability'. Yep, it never failed. From some big business head trying to fix him up with his or her daughter to gorgeous models practically throwing themselves at him for his money. It got on his nerves some times really.

Yea, he was like any other guy and liked to sleep around, but each time his partner tried to convince him not to wear protection. It was obvious what they really wanted, and it wasn't his love and affection. Still, it did feel good and was fun he had to admit.

But Malich had is eye set on a mare, a lavender unicorn mare from Equestria to be precise. The student of Celestia. From what he understood: Strong, intelligent, determined and the element of Magic. From what he witnessed: Beautiful, strong willed and rational.

Truly a worthy mate for him to birth intelligent and worth while off spring.

"Good afternoon Malich!" The pony sighed at having his train of thought derailed and looked to find an elder unicorn stallion smiling at him, Lord Fatchitaz. Granted the title by none other than his own pretensions and self serving ass.

He was his father's biggest rival and best friend, next to himself of course. "I'm so glad you were able to make it to my daughter's little swarey."

Malich gave a smirk. "Yes, after a contingent of my mercenary agents had been ambushed during a mission in the Vale, I was afraid I wouldn't." He looked around to the party goers conversing polity among each other. "It's a good thing that little issue had gotten sorted out. Say you wouldn't happen to know anything bout it, would you?"

Lord put his hoof to his chin in mock thought, "Sorry to say, I don't think I do."

A bull faced lie, the business pony had taken to keeping a record of all weapons sold from the Triple M. weapons department via hidden number codes. Luckily, the ambushers were nothing more than a common gang, nothing compared to his well trained forces. When the weapons were recovered, it just so happened that most of them were sold under the good Lord's name.

Of course, he'd come to expect it by now. Lord Fatchitaz held a well funded grudge against the pony for failing to take his daughter as his bride.

How was he supposed to? "Ah, well such is the way." Malich shrugged and smiled politely. 'The girl is the epitome of everything I despise! Rude, idiotic, incompetent, not to mention the walrus could probably choke out a black hole if she got to close to one.'

The Lord took a drink from his magically enveloped wine glass. "So I've heard your company has been working on a new weapons project. Do you care to share a little information with an old friend?"

'I've known you for about six months.' "I'm afraid not." The Vice president chided. "The development has full disclosure. The developers aren't even allowed to leave the building until the patent is in." Not that they would complain, the research lab has a VERY nice leisure area for the workers and their families. Malich's Grandfather was of the belief that: A happy worker is a productive worker.

"Ah, I see." The bankster nodded taking another sip. After a few tense moments passed, and the inevitable finally occurred. He asked about Malich's "Eligibility" -as he called it- and openly offered his daughter up to keep him company in marital union.

"You know." The Lord pushed. "She is quite the luscious young mare." He placed a hoof around Malich's shoulder. "And she has quite a lot to offer."

Really? You're talking about your daughter like that? Yea, she's got a lot to offer alright. And all of it could feed the entire country of Zeborica for a month! Seriously, what on this green earth was he talking about? She was foolish, arrogant, aloof, he'd be hard pressed to find a positive trait about her. She couldn't even fall back on her looks to gain herself a mate. What exactly did she have to "offer" to anyone? Let alone himself.

The earth pony gently shrugged off the foreleg and tried to wind down the convincing into an eventual decline. Though, the more he pushed away from the topic, the harder the unicorn pushed for it. This would result in some kind of financial or physically destructive blow to the company, he knew that was certain.

But there was no way he'd settle for her. Especially when there was a protégé to the most powerful Alicorn in all history, running around the federation just waiting to meet him again.

Finally, after rejecting threat and fortune, the Lord finally sighed in defeat. "It's alright." He smiled knowingly, "you'll come to your senses soon enough." He leaned into Malich's ear, "I guarantee it."

The Triple M. Executive shivered as the bankster trotted away. One thing Lord Fatchitaz was good at was making good on his promises. He'd need to double the guards on all of his caravans and militarized compounds. Despite him holding the best in weapons technology and trained combat specialists, there were other organizations that would love to challenge that title, gaining some money of it would only be an all to welcome bonus.

The party continued on and he mingled as he had, looking to the clock from time to time hoping it would move faster. This party was suppose to go until midnight or so, and it was only ten-o'clock. If the last parties were any indicator, the other guests wouldn't have him leaving before they could. The saying was true, misery does love company.

Still, he grew ever more bored and disinterested. There was only so many times he could hear a higher up talk about their climb to fame while not threatening to slash their throats open with a rusty pudding spork. 'Wow, I'm begining to think I have issues.'

Eleven finally came around, and the pony took to hiding away in the corner with a bottle of Jack Apples. He wasn't any where near as toast as he wanted to be, but the evening became more bearable none the less.

'Alright, Eleven O'clock. Finally stretch.'If I can confine myself to this little corner, and keep out of sight, I should be able to-'

"Oh, there you are Malich!"

Malich slammed his head into the table. 'Why? Why is it when I always think I'm safe, life has to prove me wrong? WHY?!' He lifted his head slowly to find the hostess of the party smiling dumbly down at him. 'ugh, she looks even worse from down here.'

"Would you please join everyone else in the main hall? There's a very special announcement about to be made that I think you'll find absolutely wonderful."

'What? That you're going to jump off the balcony and split your fat fucking skull?' Malich made a vague threat under his breath before standing and venturing from the only thing that made this night suffer-able. Begrudgingly, he was escorted tot he crowd and began to look around. The place seemed intact enough, considering who was present. Perhaps the night would go better than expected after all... He just thought optimistically, didn't he?

The hostess called for the attention over the room. Slowly, the noise of the crowed began to die down and give their attention to the Lady.

"Ladies and Gentle-Citizens of the upper-crust." She gave a snorty giggle. "If I may have your attention please..."

Malich watched as she clinked her spoon on a wine glass a little too hard and cracked it. 'And so it begins...'

Lady Fatchitaz gave a brief speech thanking everyone for attending and paying tribute to herself for throwing such a "extravagant" get together. As she spoke, Malich's eyes darted all around, trying to analyze exactly what was going to go wrong. There was a certain feeling he got when something was going to go wrong, glass shattering, ponies screaming, antique treasures being smashed, the works.

He had that feeling the moment he wine glass cracked.

He couldn't pin point any particular thing. No exposed strained rope, no one doing anything particularly dangerous, no sharp objects conveniently propped up and ready to be flung. But something was going to happen. He looked up to find he was standing directly under a chandelier and quickly moved ten paces to the left. The first time it happened, he made the mistake of losing his cool and losing his threat assessment. The flying piranhas tank he took to the face taught him that lesson the hard way.

With his luck, he'd wondered how he'd held such a successful business position for so long.

And suddenly, a burning cake. It was a typical spectical for such an event, but one that Malich did enjoy. The longer the I pastry burned, the sweeter it became.

The cake was rolled in on a silver cart by a griffin confectionist. The crowd began to mumble in delight of the treat, each saying something or another about it. "Ahem." Lady Fatchitaz pouted hitting her glass with the spoon again, the glass cracking more.

'Here we go.' Anticipation filled him. The glass would shatter soon and then it would begin. Though, before it did; the crowd silenced again.

"As I was saying," She chided. "I have a very important announcement to make."

Malich pressed his lips together, his eyes fixed upon the glass in the unicorn's white magical aura. Why wasn't it breaking? How was it not shattered? It was a disastrous web of splintering carnies and cuts! He hardened his stare, as if his eyes would be the beverage holders final undoing. 'Break! Break damn you!'

"I am up her tonight to ask a very special pony to join me in martial wedlock." She eyed the crowd. "Malich, would you take me to be you're lawfully wedded wife?"

His heart skipped a beat. She wasn't really doing this. 'Tell me that twat isn't trying to put me on the spot like this?'

The crowd around him eyed him for a moment before looking back to the hostess. It started out as harsh whispers, though it eventually escalated into louder gossip and talking about if he'd really accept the offer. Mixed debates about how foolish it would be to reject her, battled with how reasonable it would be if he declined.

"Order please." The Lady asked hitting her glass again.

Malich, for his part, stood with a disbelieving stare. He didn't even notice the wine glass finally shattering, sending it's crimson contents and shattered gloss to the marble floor below.

The mare let a squeak of surprise before grabbing a cloth with in her magical grip and turning to begin cleaning up the mess. This would have been all well and good if her fat rump hadn't slammed into the tray carrying the flame lit caked and sent it on a run away course to collide with a plant covered pillar.

The business pony broke from his stupor due to the audible gasps that emanated from around him. He observed as the flames began to melt the vines on the wall. Wait. Melt? The vines were fake? Fatchitaz gasped again and rushed to the vine, moving the flaming cake away and using her magical grip to pull the decorative piece down and stomp it out.

Once she thought she'd contained the situation, the crowed gasped again and pointed behind her. Her eyes budged as she found that she'd pushed the cart near a bed of roses, some of which caught flame and also, began to melt.

Malich shook his head. The cake, of course, how could he have not seen that. And the plants being fake? That shouldn't have surprised him at all, anything she touches would probably die if it wasn't smart enough to up and leave her. The more she tried to stop the burning of her faux garden, the more things caught on fire due to her lack of foresight. After a full on inferno was building, the other guests finally decided to attempt to help quell the flames.

Finally, after a few pegasi with emergency storm cloud fire extinguishes put out the blunt of it, Lady Fatchitaz, burnt and winded, turned her attention back to her hoped fiancé. Malich stood impassive. His mind was a mix between relief for the little damaged caused, anger for all the damage it did cause and deadpanned irritation for the question that proceeded it.

Instead of actually giving her a piece of his mind, the stallion simply turned around and deliberately walked out of the main hall and to the stair case that lead to the lobby down stairs.

"So, is that a maybe then?"

Author's Note

Malich, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Anger issues, anger issues everywhere.

Spike's Vindication

Dear Princess Celestia.

We've finally made it to the outskirts of Vickors! This doesn't have the taller, more metropolitan infrastructure that the last city we visited had, but it's more spread out. It's absolutely magnificent Princess, I wish you could see it.

I'll give my follow up report later tonight.

You're faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle

"IT'S THE HUMANS MAN!" Cried a rather disturbed looking bright red earth stallion. "They control everything man!"

Mac took a step back, what was this pony's problem.

"Yes, yes." Ace cooed, motioning to the others to pass by. "It's all them."

"NO seriously man." The pony pushed latching his forelegs onto Ace's shoulders. "They control everything, we're nothing but words on paper to them."

"Yes, of course we are." The golden pegasus assured. "What ever you say sir, have a nice day."

Mac heard the nonsensical stallion continue his ranting until it was lost within the noises of the streets. Yet again, more automated or enchanted wagons were going about their days. Pedestrians were limited to side walks and the pungent smell of different foods filled the air.

"what was his problem?" Spike asked ponting back the way they came.

Ace shrugged. "Some ponies just like to tell tales for attention. Best thing to do is ignore them." Mac furrowed his brow in confusion. 'If a pony needs attention, wouldn't it be a good thing to give it to them?' "Attention whore's seek some kind of recognition that way." The pegasus finished.

Still, it didn't sit right. If somepony goes through so much trouble to get some one to pay attention to them, wouldn't it be who of them to listen to what they have to say?

Typically, Mac would have asked Sin about this kind of thing, however, the stallion in question wasn't acting himself today. Ever since they had left the road side spa, which Mac still had no idea who thought it would be a good idea to put it there, Sin had been moodier and more distant than usual. When both he and Spike tried to confront the stallion on his possible brotherhood to Malich, the pony just pushed past as if he hadn't seen them.

What's worse, when Mac tried to gain his attention by blocking his path, Sin rammed him to the ground. Ever since, the Apple pony had yet to try to communicate. The others mush have picked up on it as well.

To everyone's surprise, Ace trotted ahead to the lone stallion. After a few words were exchanged, Sin walked off into the crowded streets and the golden pony returned with a smile. "So, we'll be heading to the Syndicate Head Quarters for the night." He proclaimed with a certain amount of enthusiasm.

"Syndicate?" Rainbow Dash asked tilting her head. Ace continued to walk and explained what exactly the Syndicate was. As he thought, the organization was a conglomerate of all kinds of individualists and those of a more liberty minded persuasion. While their main beef and fight was with the intrusive laws of the government, they mostly dealt with larger and and more wealthy corporations.

"Unlike most countries and states, North Equine doesn't have a state run police force or military."

"WHAT!" Twilight yelled, causing everyone to stare at her in surprise.

Apparently, the entire peace keeping force was made up of contracts made with the Triple M. Corporation. Macintosh grimaced at the thought, he knew that the company held power, but THAT kind of power? If they decided to turn on the citizens of N. Equine, who'd be able to stop them if the government didn't have fighting force of it's own?

Suddenly, Twilight became a bit more on edge than she was before. Mac gave her a friendly shove and a gentle, reassuring smile. He wasn't too sure why the revelation stressed her as much as it did. So the guards worked under a private corporation, woopdy do. They still enforced the law and made sure ponies didn't hurt each other. Even if they were part of Triple M. they still worked for the citizenry.

Twilight's form visibly relaxed as she looked into his eyes. She gave him a quick nuzzle and thanks for helping to calm her down.

"Eeyup."

"Alright," The lavender mare nodded. "C'mon Spike." She turned around to address her former assistant, but to her surprise, he was gone.

"Where'd he run off to?"

Spike kept his distance from his tan clothed target, taking the occasional interest in a loose news paper or business stand if he'd seen the pony look any way but straight. The odd looks he was getting were no where near as concerning as the fact that more ponies didn't seem to take notice of him. A dragon wondering around a town? He knew that the country had dragons and all, but sheesh, it was like he was only a little out of place rather than a freaking dragon in a primarily herbivorous town square.

The drake pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind and continued to tail his friend. The more he walked, the more he saw things out of the corner of his eye. At first it was subtle, but the longer he walked, the more he couldn't deny what he was seeing. Dragons, some younger, some older; but dragons all the same. He stopped to observe one.

It was a yellow scaled male with wings looking over an assortment of gems on a stand. His large fangs and angry serpentine eyes seemed to suggest that he was more of a mischievous type. Not playfully so like Spike, but mean like Gilda.

Wow, there was someone he hadn't thought about for a while. Come to think of it, he hadn't thought about alot of ponies for a while. Fluttershy, Rarity, Trixie, Sweetie Bell, Applebloom, Scootaloo. Wow, he loved all of his friends, he'd be sure to send them a letter the next chance he got.

'Wait, wasn't I doing something? OH CRAP!' He dashed forward, hoping the stallion wouldn't have taken any turns. Fortunatly, Spike recognized the long cloak and goggles the pony wore and continued his inconspicuous spy mission. After roughly thirty minutes of walking, Sin lead Spike away from the crowded streets and into a more peaceful part of the city. As the ponies thinned out, so did the shops and buildings. Turning into a more sub-urban and open area.

At least he'd be able to keep an easier eye on the stallion, even if there was less things for him to hide behind. Sin's pace kept to an even walking trot, and after another half an our of continuous walking, the dragon was beginning to wonder if he was even going anywhere in particular and prayed that he'd reach a destination soon.

Another few blocks and his prayers were answered. Sin walked into a black gate surrounded a high reaching brick wall. After the coast was clear, Spike too entered the metal obstruct. Though he stutter stepped when he beheld exactly what lay beyond.

"A graveyard?" He whispered to himself, suddenly wishing he'd stayed with his friends. No, no, he had questions and he wanted answers.

( Want to make reading this awesome? Click)

The Cemitary was enormous. Brilliant, alabaster flat headed tombstones littered the scape in long rows as far as the eye could see. Though the sun was shining, A few bigger ones held a slightly more contrasting and intimidating presence in the middle of a court yard. His morbid curiosity getting the better of him, he walked over the freshly trimmed green and began to observe the larger pieces of obsidian. Ignoring the white building that lay beyond.

It was strange, the closer he came to the darkened silhouette, the more tense his body and shallowed his breath became. Fear? Why was he feeling afraid right now? It was just a statue!

His pace began to slow the closer he grew. The statues were coming into their own now, and the dragon couldn't suppress the shivering in his spine nor the knot in his stomach. Finally, he was within five feet of the objective and gazed upon it. It towered over him, causing him to tilt his head up. Only farther adding to it's intimidation.

He didn't understand what he was looking at, it appeared like some kind of tall, black cloth tearing out and grasping something that resembled a griffin in one appendage, with the other holding something long with a curve to it's back. He squinted to make out some kind of dim glow throw an opening of the cloth, but he still couldn't distinguish any real features.

His unfamiliarity with such dark sculpting left him a bit overwhelmed. Equestria had so little of this kind of thing, the only place that might make a resemblance was the old castle in the Everfree Forest.

A cold wind made him shiver as a dark cloud rolled over, blotting out the bright of the sun. In that moment, it all became clear. His eyes widened and he took a step back. Beneath the griffin's eyes was a single glowing red tear for some reason, what he thought was cloth was actually a kind of, bony appendage that wrapped around the griffin's neck, also glowing red. The curve of the stick it held followed suite by alighting in the same muted crimson.

What struck the dragon most, however, was the opening in the cloth. There, glowing like it's exposed skeletal appendages, looking down at him with anger and scorn, was a skull. Not the skull of a pony, nor any kind of animal he'd seen before. It's face was far to flat to be a pony, and the small frame excluded a minotaur.

But the alien orientation only served to make it's stare into his soul all the more terrifying. He fought the bile threatening to spill forward from his throat. He'd never thought anything but love could make him experience such a powerful feeling before.

Anger, sadness, numbness, confusion, and much more washed over his mind, placing himself into a sensory overload.

Spike wanted to move, he didn't want to look at this... this... thing anymore, but he couldn't. Something seemed familiar about the feeling it gave him, like it represented something very personal to him. Slowly his fear began to leave way to a depressed, emotional understanding.

It wasn't something he could logically put into words, not a concept that he ever dreamed of finding in some book or a story. Matter of fact, he couldn't explain it at all, he just felt as if something inside of him, that soul tearing nick that he'd locked away, was finally beginning to wined down.

The cloud passed and the statue was as it was. A silent tear rolled away from the dragons wide serpentine eyes. He didn't feel conflicted, he didn't feel afraid, he didn't feel anything anymore, save a dull sense of acceptance. Accepting of what, he was not yet sure.

"Interesting design." Spike turned his head, knowing who was speaking. "Isn't it?"

Spike's eyes slowly turned back to the blackened stone. The two sat in silence for a moment.

"What is it?" Spike asked.

Sin walked beside him, his eyes never leaving the statue. "It is said that when some one dies, it comes to take them." He looked back to the dragon. "Here, it's known as Death, but you might know it as the Grim Reaper."

That's when it all clicked for Spike, this was the depiction of death. This was what he'd called upon those few days ago to protect himself and Sin...

The dragon nodded his head as the logical realization mixed with the emotional. Though his melancholy didn't last, for Sin placed his hoof on the dragon's shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. Spike smiled back and they shared another quiet moment as a clock tower bell chimed in the distance.

Author's Note

A little for Spike this time around.

Vickors' Gambles

With Spike's disapperence after Sin's, the group concluded the obvious and were lead through the streets.

Mac had to admit, he liked Vickors. With out all of the misandryst dogma about, the well diversified city seemed lively and a little more friendly. Ace offered to give a brief tour around, to which everyone present was more than eager to accept. For the next few hours, Mac observed shops that parallel those in Equestria: Bakers, book stores, clothing enterprises, wagon and tool exclusive shops and the like. Next came the merchandise that ranged from bewildering to disturbing.

There was an auto shop for the steam powered vehicles that hogged the road along side the donkey pulled wagons. -he hadn't noticed before, but most transportation was held by the jack's-. Customized enchanters every so often, butcheries, tobacco shops, large hotels and even a casino. It was official, he wasn't in Equestria anymore. (Yes, I did just make that joke.:D)

Applejack and Twilight looked on with wonder and curiosity, while Rainbow and Shade seemed indifferent. Pinkie, for her part, was more interested in the ground than any of the sites. Twilight and the others had tried talking to her, but she just smiled and said she was just thinking.

"A dragon?" Rainbow asked. The rest of the group looked over and their eyes nearly burst from their skulls. Sure as sugar, there was a short, sapphire blue drake laughing with a pair of zebras. At first, Mac thought it was a trick of the eye; minotaurs looked something like dragons when they were both young, but nope. The scales, the base long tale and canines extinguished all doubt.

'She'd been that way ever since she left the spa, wonder what's eating at her.'

There was a baby sapphire dragon. The other citizens didn't seem to have any real fear of him. Matter of fact some even waved as if he was a familiar sight. This town was accepting of dragons? Well, at least Spike should be ok.

The more the group walked, the more the sub-urban construct became metropolitan. It wasn't that that big of a space, and took them half a day to wave through, however, the buildings still towered over head. Finally, they reached one building that was about twenty stories tall with the words "Federal Vindications" In bold white on the front.

"Here we are." Ace sighed happily, "Home sweet home." He ventured in with the others quickly on his tail. The inside was a lobby that wasn't too special, yet still held a quaint charm to it. A simple receptionist desk conformed to the tan and white walls and floors, a few red waiting chairs stood in rows with unimpressive plants serving as decorations. The feature that stood out was how the place smelled, or lack there of.

Mac sniffed the air. Nothing. There was no smell to the place, he'd at least expect the smell of pine scented cleaning agents; but there was nothing of the sort. It was as if his sense of smell had been taken away.

He didn't have long to linger however, the Golden pegasus lead them through a couple of doors to the left. The last said: "Authorized Personal ONLY!"

He burst in like he owned the place. What lay beyond was a concrete spiral stair case, and at the bottom, after it had gotten considerably colder, a pair of iron clad double doors. He stopped and turned to the group who'd just finished filing down the stair way.

"Now, listen closely." He started, his face dead panned serious. "You do not ask anyone any questions. You do not speak unless spoken to, and you do not touch anything with out permission." The dark tone in both his voice and eyes was actually kinda frightening. "Many in the Syndicate are paranoid beyond reason. The fact I have brought you down here qualifies me for an inquiry."

After he made everyone promise, backed up with a Pinkie Promise, to keep to the rules. He turned around and took a steeling breath before knocking on the door. A small slit opened up and a pair of eyes greeted him, a voice came asking him something in a language Mac couldn't understand, and Ace replied in kind.

The slit closed with an audiable thunk and the doors began to open. A rush of warm air overwhelmed the ponies and they were beckoned in by a surprised looking diamond dog. "Who are they?" It asked in a deeper and gruff tone.

Mac eyed the canine for a moment, it wasn't like any other he'd seen before. The muzzle was a bit longer, and it's colors were a simple black with orange paws and underside.

"Relax Disodo." Ace replied with a smile. "They're allies of the Syndicate." He tried to move through the doors, but the dog's fairly large arm blocked his path.

"And why should I believe that?" The rottweiler growled, his eyes full of skepticism.

Ace sighed and looked back to the group, he sighed again and shook his head. "They are with Islander."

The cynical dog's face turned bemused. "Islander? He hasn't shown his face here in over a year." He crossed his arms, "and if he's smart he wont. After his little stunt in the Senate, Mary is just aching to get a hold of him."

Mac's suspicions were all but confirmed. He couldn't believe Sin didn't tell him about Malich.

"I don't care who sent them, boss said no non-members can come in without authorization."

"Is that how things work now?" Called a voice from above. Sin strode down the stairs, Spike close behind, and past the Equestrians. "I wasn't aware the Syndicate had adopted taking leadership positions. I guess I was away longer than I thought."

Disodo's demeanor changed from casual to combative. "YOU!"

Sin lifted his hoof to cut the guard off. "Disodo, I'm in no mood for your shit." The pony pushed past the dog, "Tell Mary, the two of us will be having a little chat soon enough."

Mac couldn't help but wonder who this 'Mary' was.

With the guard dog subdued the Equines (and dragon) finally ventured into the warm, well lit hallway beyond. After they had entered another pair of doors, Mac's jaw hit the floor. A long railing encompassed all the way around the room. Below were dozens upon dozens of ponies, griffins, dogs, minotaurs, and every other race he'd ever seen. Including a few zebras.

Most were at desks, looking over documents and folders of every sort. Others were walking about holding quick conversations or exchanging pieces of paper or some small trinket or another. Surprisingly, with as many beings as there were present, the noise levels were practically unregistered. Had it not been for the visuals, Mac wouldn't have guessed there was anyone in the room.

"By Celestia's name." Applejack whispered.

"Welcome to the main Base of Operations to the Syndicate." He smiled and offered to lead them down to the lower levels. The ponies followed in quick order, until they came down to the bottom. The extreamly large interior looked even bigger from the lower level. More so, the volume had upped a bit. Though nothing distingishable, it was clear that the congregation of ponies were actually working.

"What's going on here?" One of them demanded, a turquoise earth pony. "What's all of this now? Who said you-" His words stopped. "You."

"Yes, yes." Sin waved his hoof dismissively. "It's me, spare me the rest."

The pony seemed to grow only more aggravated by Sin's words. "Fuck this, I'm letting the boss deal with you." He declared before turning around and trotting off.

"You aren't well liked around here, are you?" Twilight asked said sarcastically.

Sin smirked. "Only on days that end with 'Y'."

It took a moment, but everyone got the joke and shared a little laugh. A few moments later, the earth pony from before reappeared with a confident smirk, another pony, an older, dark orange and red unicorn followed with a frown that had to have been practiced for years. "That's him boss."

The new unicorn passed by the now onlooking workers and trudged up to Sin. Mac felt his body tense, if it came to it, he'd be ready to assist his friend if need be. Shade seemed ready to do the same, though with a disturbing smirk.

As the Federalists studded each other, the orange red stallion's serious expression didn't waver, and neither did Sin's. "Well?" He snapped looking back to the pony whom had fetched him. Said stallion's confident smirk disappeared to a look of confusion and nervousness. "What did you bring me out here for?"

His confusion turned into bewilderment and he began stammering. "But it's- He came back and... what?"

The superior of two sighed dramatically and slapped his hoof to his head. "By the gods Celvin, you disturb my speech preparation for this?" He motioned with a hoof. "This group of less than threatening ponies? I'll have your nuts on a pike, boy!"

Celvin's eyes constricted at the threat, he was obviously confused and distraught, but nodded his head in understanding and slowly back away with his tail between his legs.

"Nice to see you're social skills have improved, Mary." Sin chuckled.

This was Mary? Mac quirked a brow.

"What you're not dead yet? Fucktard can't do anything right, can you?" Mary spat before looking past. "And what the fuck are lookin' at, smiley?"

Shade's smirk grew, the challenge on his face only farther ignited by Mary's words. "Can't tell, some kinda failed mix between a tiger and aborted buffalo it looks like."

The stallion stood silent for a moment, his passive face leaving no indication to how he took the insult. While Mac had learned to keep his cool in almost any situation, on the inside he was a bit nervous. It was obvious this 'Mary' was feared among his subordinates, and Shade was... yea. This wont end well.

"HA! I haven't heard that one." Mary burst into a mirthless laugh. "Don't do it again."

"No promises."

"Now, who are they, and what are they doing here?" The orange unicorn asked, turning back to Sin.

"Good afternoon." Twilight interjected, much to Mac's disbelief. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, we are from-"

"PFT bwahahahaha." The addressed burst out into a more genuine laughter. "Twilight Sparkle?" He lost his words to another chuckle. "What? What is that? I don't even..."

Twilight frowned at the pony's display of mockery and rude comedy. What was so funny about her name?

"No, no wait." He wiped a tear from his eye. "Let me guess, that's your stripper name, right?"

"Stripper?"

"And let me guess." He continued looking to the other mares and inspecting them. "You're Applemare, Pink Ballon, and Rainbow Mane."

"That's Rainbow Dash." The cyan mare spat with venom.

Mary visibly fought back a laugh. "You're joking right?" The serious look on Rainbow's face made him lose it. Laughter didn't quite capture what he was doing, it was more of an insane cackle. Complete with him rolling on the ground and clutching his side. "Oh man, Oh gods, I- I can't... haha!"

Mac could only look on with a poker face. Mary's laugh, it was the contagious kind that, no matter the circumstance, would make almost anyone join in. Even Spike and Ace were fighting back the ultimately scold sentencing activity. Harty and lifting as it was, the bellowing eventually died after another few minutes.

"Ok, I've heard some names in my time, but that just out does it all!"

Sin cleared his throat and explained that the four were not from the Federation, but from the desegregated pony homeland of Equestria.

"Ohhh." The stallion nodded his head in realization. "So that's where your dumb ass went. Now it all makes sense." he looked to the foreigners and shrugged, all comedy removed. "Still stupid names."

The girls scoffed.

"Any way, why'd ya bring 'em here?" Mary barked. "I knew you were stupid, but I thought even you had more sense."

Sin opened his mouth to explain, but the superior cut him off again. "You know what? To Tartarus with it, I don't even care." He began walking back the way he came. "Just don't break anything."

As soon as the pony was out of sight, the other members of the Syndicate went back to their works and Ace gave a hard glare. "What in the world Twilight? I told you not to speak unless spoken to."

"I'm begining to wish I had." She shook her head. "That was just rude."

"And I say he's gonna pay for it." Rainbow called beginning to walk after him. "Nopony insults my friends and gets away with i- OW! What the hay?" She looked back to find Sin grabbing her tail with his good foreleg.

"Trust me," He let her go. "He's the last guy here you'd want to mess with."

Rainbow rolled her eyes and groaned. "Whatever."

Ace took that as a signal to lead the group away from the main area, and to another door which, low and behold, had another stair case going down.

"Hey Ace, What's the point of this building anyway?" Twilight asked, breaking the droning sound of hooves on concrete.

"This building is basically dedicated to defending private entities from the Federal government." He explained all to happily. "Basically, the State government and Federal government are two different entities to deal with. Be it taxes, regulations, actions or otherwise. There are things that the state says you can do that the Feds say you can't. Federal Vindications is a company built by the Syndicate to combat the system in a legal way."

Rainbow finally voiced her confusion about the differences between the two governments, with Applejack and Spike in full agreement. Mac didn't voice his opinion on the matter, seeing as he had a grasp on it, shaky as it was.

"Basically, one government makes laws for just the state it governs, the other makes them for the Federation as a whole." Sin blurted in annoyance.

By this time, Twilight had pulled out a quill and parchment and began jotting down notes. It didn't make any sense why, it seemed like an easy enough concept to understand. But, Twilight's going to be Twilight.

Finally, they made it down stairs and entered a large recreational room, consisting of a few recliner chairs, a pool table, lounge study with numerous books, and a few lights.

"Wow, nice to see they livened up the place a bit." Ace quipped genuinely.

"Right." Sin agreed before he lead the golden pegasus to the other side of the room while the Equestrians explored the lackluster entertainment the room had to offer. Mac recognized the pool table, it took a lot of practice just to hold the stick right when pinched between the foreleg and hoof, if he remembered right, it was a game created by minotaurs.

Eventually, the red clothed game arena lost his interest and he looked over to find Sin walking out the door they'd come in. Once the stallion had left, Ace addressed the room. "Alright ladies, gents and Star Shade." The mentioned narrowed his eyes.

"My name is Reverend father uncle Billy Bob Cletus Lee Roy - god free-god send - Alabaster the third to you, goldy."

"Yea, anyway..." Ace explained that since this city was the main head quarters of the Syndicate, it would be able to offer them the most protection, and it would make the best place for Twilight to gather information for her teacher. When she questioned about the diversity of the city and it's location bias, Ace assured her that Vickors was the most divers city in the entire Federation. Maybe lacking tolerance for other cultures more... extreme and traditional activities, but still there were seperate sectors where the population of a respective race became more dense and so was it's way of life.

However, the more one drifted away from those exclusive population concentrations, the more things blended together. For example: The traditionalist Earth ponies here HATED anything enchanted that had to do with labor. Mainly because it made harder jobs easier to do, and in turn, the fact that they were stronger and faster than most of the other races; were negated. However, you'd find them using said technology to assist them in preforming their work in more magic accepting communes than their traditional counterpart.

Ever since S. Equine needed a certain kind of drill to break through a mountain to create a more conventional road, due to popular demand, it was voted that the ban on magical items be lifted from the state. After, the ponies of said state, began to experiment more and more with the tools. Some taking reservation, but most finding the lightened work load more pleasing. Though, the traditionalists still held their way for their own reasons.

Applejack voiced her sympathy.

"yer darn tooten. Nothin' li'e ol' fashioned hard work ta' make taste good."

"Taste good? AJ, they are just making it easier to collect the food." Rainbow interjected. "That doesn't make a difference in taste."

"Oh no?" The apple mare rose a brow, "N' what about that time when them, 'Flim Flam brothers' came ta Ponyville pushin' their apple cider? Their fancy smancy invention broke down when i' was put against the Apple Family."

"Yea, because we helped you." Rainbow smirked.

That was true, Mac remembered Rainbow running with him to keep the cider press going at full steam. It wouldn't have been that important of a contest, except somepony, not going to name names, decided to bet the ownership of the farm on it. Not to mention the exclusive rights to sell apple cider in Ponyville.

"And you saw how everypony reacted to it." Applejack replied with an even bigger smirk.

That was true as well, of course that was due to the fact that Applejack's friends helped out, and forced the two to trade off quality for quantity.

The two continued their debate and Ace left it alone past that. He offered Macintosh a game of sticks and the two wondered over to the pool table. "So what do you think of North Equine so far?" Ace asked grabbing a pair of sticks from underneath.

"'Sides the stallion hating of the last town?" Mac replied in comedy. "Not to bad, really."

His opponent chuckled as he set the balls up. "Yea, there's a reason the Syndicate doesn't hold a presence there. Hey Twilight, Spike, you guy's up for a team game?"

The two looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure." The mare agreed. Ace grabbed another two sticks and handed them over. "I'm not too sure on how to play though." She grinned sheepishly.

Ace tapped a hoof on his chin, "Hey Mac, you've played this before right?"

"Eyup."

"Good, You and can help your team mate there." He motioned. Mac couldn't help but smile, he'd seen how the males taught the females pool.

He offered to have Shade be the judge of the game, even though one wasn't really necessary. The stallion declined in a declaration that such a game was against his religion. Knowing better than to argue, Ace moved onto Pinkie Pie, who also declined the offer, electing instead to go for a walk around the city. Rainbow offered to go with her, but the pink pony insisted that she wanted to be alone for a little bit.

Yea, something's definitally eating at her. Maybe some time by herself might be good for her. Mac and them wished her a good time, which she gave a small smile at, than walked back up the stair case.

"When you need to come back in, just tell whoever's on guard that you're with me." Mac wasn't sure if Pinkie heard the gold pony, but there was nothing he could do for it now anyway.

"What about you Twilight?" Ace asked setting up the cue ball. "How are you liking the Federation so far?"

"It's... Different." Twilight said awkwardly.

"I bet." The stallion quipped before lining up his stick and breaking the triangle of pool balls. None had found their way into any pockets, but Mac saw a nice yellow strip that he could sink.

"Between that first city and, well..." She paused an looked at her former assistant. He gave her a reassuring smile and told her that everything was fine with him now. His friends were changing alot since they'd been here, Shade's oddly calm behavior, Pinkie's depression as well as Sin's own, and after the dragon's little escapades, his mood swings weren't all that surprising. He didn't notice at first, but when Mac thought about it, it dawned on him just how much life had changed for him.

Before, he was just a simple farm pony. He bucked apples, pulled the plow, and tended to his chores. Now, he was in an entirely different country, shooting pool with a freedom fighting organization member after traveling in chilling colds, roughage terrain, and rode abroad a hot damn air ship! And that was only half of what he'd been through.

"Hey Mac?" Ace called, breaking the pony from his thoughts, "You gonna take the shot or what?" He looked around and realized he had yet to hit the ball. After a nervous chuckle, he narrowed his eyes and struck the cue ball, sending it cascading and hitting the 9 ball into the corner pocket.

Ace continued to reject something during their conversation until the ball hit home.

"Good shot Mac!" Twilight praised, causing him to blush in embarrassment. He lined up another with the 10, but that didn't go as well.

Spike was next, and had a much easier time with his actual clawed hands. He used his fingers to loop around the tip of the stick and aimed at the solid red. "I really don't know." He said before shooting and missing his mark completely. He cursed under his breath before continuing. "I mean, yea, I'm with Twi' on the last town, but in this one, I saw other dragons walking about."

Ace chuckled and told that when drakes were younger, Citizens didn't really fear them. Triple M. had managed to integrate dragons into the city when they were younger and since most didn't cause too much trouble, the city folk didn't object. It was still a relatively new concept, but if the reptiles had money to spend, they were more than welcome. There was even talk of opening an actual dragon colony and giving them their own state.

"Facinating," Twilight said jotting down a few notes on a parchment. "Celestia's been trying to make contact with Dragons for years. How did they do it?"

"How Triple M. does everything." Ace sighed. "By force... and It's your shot."

"Oh." The unicorn blushed and leaned over the table.to the white sphere, Mac couldn't help but allow his eyes flow across her now extended body. Her curves exaggerated and toned backside gave him a miniature heat stroke. Thoughts began to race in his head about how her warm supple body would feel beneath his as he-

"Am I doing this right?" She asked innocently.

Ace bit his lip, "Uh... No. Mac, wanna help her out?"

Mac's eyes darted over to his sister, for some reason to make sure she wasn't watching. She and Rainbow were now hoof wrestling on the ground, so she was distracted. "Sure." he walked up behind Twilight and carefully situated himself to help adjust her body to hold the stick properly. The more he tried, the more awkwardly he made her move. Slowly, he eased himself down onto her back to better move her forelegs.

After a bit of coaching, the mare pushed the stick forward, barely taping the ball a few inches.

"Aww horse apples." She complained. He coach couldn't help but smile, she was cute when she had that look of frustration.

"I' was a good firs' try." he assured, Twilight flashed him a quick smile and two shard a laugh.

"Uh, you can get off now Mac." Spike said blankly. Mac removed himself from Twilight's back and allowed Ace to take his next shot.

The game continued on, Twilight growing increasingly frustrated with her lack of the elusive spheres hit into pockets, and her opponents almost effortless near victory. Even with Mac helping her, she couldn't get one "point" as she called it.

While there were still four stripes on the table, all Spike would have to do is sink the 8 ball and they'd win.

"It was a good game." Ace called, knowing his victory was predetermined.

"It's not over yet." Twilight grinned as Spike missed his mark.

"I think I've got the feel for it, thanks Big Mac." Twilight winked at him. Mac shrugged and allowed her to go with out him. "Tell you what." She began rubbing some blue chock on the tip. "If I get this next ball, you have to lead us to every district in the city."

Ace stiffled a laugh. "Uh, no thanks. You may not be the best, but I'm pretty sure you can sink at least one."

"Alright, than if I win, you have to."

Mac's mouth dropped, she couldn't even hit one ball in, how did she plan to win?

"And should you lose?" Ace replied with a knowing smirk.

"I'll put in a good word for you with Fluttershy." Her eyes lidded half way. "I've heard you had a thing for her."

Ace pondered the notion for a moment.

'wait, when did he even meet Fluttershy?' Mac couldn't remember the stallion ever mentioning her from back on the farm.

"Alright, deal." he smirked.

And with that, Twilight lined up her shot and, sunk two at once. Everyone paying attention had to do a double take. No longer were her forelegs the wobbly and unbalanced wreck that Mac was trying to help stabilize, but the calm, cool and precise mechanisms for striking with a pool stick.

"Two down, three to go."

The next two were sunk with efficiency and precision, lining up the final shot like a pro. Ace broke from his stupor with a shake of his head. "You damn pool shark!" He exclaimed in disbelief.

Twilight smiled and took aim, in one last stroke, she slammed the white ball into it's black victim and sent the 8 into the corner pocket. However, the white ball didn't hit it at the right angle and began to roll to the opposite corner. Ace and Spike's faces lit up upon the revelation, slowly but surly, the scratch was coming to make her the loser of the game.

Five inches, three inches, two inches, One inch until finally, it was almost in. Though, it stopped just a centimeter short, and began to wobble on the brink. Mac's muscles tensed as the sphere hung almost over the edge until finally the wobbling stopped.

"Are you kidding me?" Ace demanded. Twilight gave him a smirk.

"Guess not." The stallion groaned at the terms in which he'd agreed and motioned he needed to get a drink. He invited Spike to join him and the two left the room. It was at that point Mac noticed something under the ball, the faintest hint of a purple glow emulated from beneath it.

His gaze flew up to Twilight who gave him another wink before the ball fell into the pocket with an audible thunk.

'... That was her magic, wasn't it?'

"Twiligh' Sparkle." Mac playfully scolded. "Did y'all jus' pretend to be bad ta win a bet?"

The mare in question giggled before giving him a sultry look, "Well, I'd be lying if I said that was the only reason." She gave a seductive smile before turning her back and following out the door, her plot waving a little too freely. For all of the mare's play on innocents, there was something more there after all.

Mac had to take a seat, he knew Twilight was a clever mare, but... wow. She played him as well as she had played Ace. Leaning back into the wall, he blew a relaxing sigh before he took notice of just how quite it was. Figuring he'd see what his sister was up to, he opened his eyes to find the room completely vacant. Even Shade was missing.

"Wher'd everybody go?"

Author's Note

Traditional Earth pony to Enchanted objects: "Dey tuk er' jerbs!"

Illusions and Reflections

Applejack and Rainbow Dash wandered around the monotonous and desolate hallways.

"Face it Rainbow, we're lost." The blond of the two commented, Rainbow scoffed.

"We are not lost. We just got... turned around. That's all." The skeptical look on AJ's face probed more convincing. "Look, we just need to go down those stairs and take a left."

"We went down more stairs 'N we came up!"

Rainbow rolled her eyes. 'This mare, she always nags. She could write a book about it how she perfected the art, I swear.' "What ever, C'mon, we're wasting time."

Again, Applejack followed her friend's lead and, again, they didn't find the right door.

"For pete's sake Rainbow. Ah told ya we shoulda asked before headin' to tha little filly's room." Yep, and the nagging goes on.

"Hey, don't blame me, you could have asked too." 'Just because you're the element of honesty doesn't mean you need to get a word in on everything.'

"Ah was gonna, but somepony, had the brillian' idea tah we could fig'er it out fo' our selves."

She had her there, but in her defense, Rainbow thought the toiletries would be simpler to find! Seriously, they've been on at least four different levels, and haven't seen a sign of a single restroom. Ever since their failure to find it, they've been trying to find their way back to the rec room. With pretty much the same results.

Conceeding to the apple mare's point, Rainbow Dash pushed for the issue to be laid for a later time. Right now, they needed to find their friends before somepony else found them.

Deciding it best to follow AJ's directions this time, she allowed her to lead, and they went up two flights of stairs. After, they repeated the routine of going around the hall way and checking each door to see if it was the one they needed. No luck on this floor, so, they walked up to another one. Than another one, than another one.

Wait a minute, this doesn't seem right. The two went up another flight of stairs, we did not go this far down. "Wait a minute Applejack." Rainbow warned holding her position on the flight. "We didn't go down this far."

The orange mare looked at her confused. "What do ya mean? Course we did." She pointed to the stair case.

The speedster shook her head. "No, we didn't go down this many flights of stairs." She couldn't prove it now, but she knew that she'd put in alot more time going up the stairs than going down them. Even if they didn't come to the rec room, they should have hit the work station floor by now. Something didn't add up.

Applejack noticed the serious look on her face and gave the accusation a bit of thought. "Ya know, come to think of it. Mos' those doors did look alike from one floor to 'nother."

That was another thing, each time they climbed or dropped a stair way, Rainbow could have sworn the same. The doors were almost in the exact same places. At first she thought it was just the design of the building, but the door they were looking for had a window on it. And as far as she could tell, there hadn't been any with anything other than the typical cold and grey solid metal.

"What's goin' on around here?" AJ demanded slamming her hoof on the ground.

"Perhaps I can be of service?" The duo looked to the top of the stairs to find a dark blue minataur with his arms folded smiling down at them. Rainbow flew into the air and demanded he identify himself. "Of course, my name is: Tosh. And you don't have authorization to be here." He smirked.

Rainbow was about to explain their situation, but a sudden feeling of nausia caused her to fall silent and descend to the ground.

"Rainbow?" Applejack asked concerned. "Are you alright sugarcube?" The pegasus pony couldn't reply, she didn't want to open her mouth on the chance that something might come out more than just words. AJ's eyes trailed up to the minotaur. "Whadidya do to 'er!?" She demanded.

Tosh chuckled lightly. "I don't like it when others fly up to my face." He snapped his fingers, and the sudden wave of nausea passed, leaving Rainbow wobbly but still better than she was. "Now, I'm going to ask some questions, and you're going to answer them. First off, how did you get in here?"

Rainbow shook her head clear and resisted the urge to rush her aggressor into the wall. After being insulted by that Mary guy, argued down by Applejack and now sent into an unknown educed sickness fit; this place had been a definite stress on her ego and temper.

Instead, Applejack tried to explain that the two were with a group of others, escorted by Ace and Sin. And that when they were looking for the little fillies room, they'd some how gotten lost. And now, here they were.

The amused look on Tosh's face didn't sit well with the mare, it was the pretentious and self serving smile that she'd always loved to rub off of other pony's faces after they thought they could take her in a race.

"There is no 'Sin' in the Syndicate. If there was, I would have met him." he cleared his throat. "And Ace is on a high level mission out of the country. Do you care to try again? Perhaps the truth this time?"

He doesn't believe us?

"We are tellin' tha truth!" AJ insisted with a stomp of her hoof. The Federalist sighed and shook his head and offered her one last time to give him a better answer. When she failed, he smack his lips together and grinned.

"Well if that's the story you're sticking to, I suppose it can't be helped. I'll get the truth," He snapped his fingers. "Eventually." And in the blink of an eye, the beast was gone. No flash of light to suggest teliportation, no evaporation, he just vanished.

"When you're ready to talk," Tosh's voice echoed, it's source untraceable, "I'll be ready to listen."

The two stood in silence, their senses on high alert. Rainbow wouldn't show it, but she was honestly a little scared right now. A minotaur who could teliport and some how keep them in a elongated stair way that seemed endless? It was defiantly something new to her. Especially considering that, to her knowledge as limited as it was on the matter, their species had no magical abilities what so ever.

"Ah don' ge' it." Applejack said. "Wha' did'e mean Sin wasn't part of this? Practically everyone recognized him."

Rainbow nodded in agreement before something stuck her. "Wait, didn't Ace call him something else at the door?" Uncertain for a moment, AJ thought back than smiled. "What was it?"

"Colaberating your story, ladies?" Tosh's voice echoed again. "A lie is a lie, no matter how much you convince yourself of it." He paused for a moment. "I'll make you a deal, If you tell me you're names and who you work for, I might be lenient."

'Lenient? What, trapping them in this wasn't cruel enough for him?'

"Listen you psycho, I've had it wi-" The pegasus' words were cut off by an orange hoof.

"Easy there, sugarcube, we don't know what else he could do to us here." Her friend warned. "My name is Applejack and this here is Rainbow Dash. We aren't working for anybody."

Silence overtook grayed stairway, both ponies hoping that their story would be accepted.

"Okay, if you're going to give false names, you could at least give ones that are believable."

Rainbow still couldn't understand what was so weird about it.

"No, honest, those 'r our names!"

Another moment passed, and another sigh. "Very well." The door to their immediate right creaked open, and Rainbow's heart soared. 'He's letting us go!'

"You bring this on yourselves."

As Sin walked back from Mary's office, a nice bit of money in his saddle bag he had hidden in the stallion's safe, he walked past the work stations and into the double doors that lead to the lower levels. He was a little surprised when he saw Pinkie walking up... alone.

"Where are you going?" Sin asked looking down at her.

"For a walk." Pinkie mumbled.

"Alone?"

She nodded.

Sin took an indecisive moment to think something over. As much as she irritated and scared him, he didn't want her walking around this city by her self. Fuck, this was his home town and he wouldn't walk these streets alone if he could help it. Since he hadn't said anything, Pinkie moved past him and continued on her way.

In the brief moment he'd seen the mare's sad and forelorn eyes, a rush of memories came flying back to him on how exactly Pinkie had treated him, and how he'd responded to it. For all of his paranoia and almost sacred belief that she was trying to "get him", he couldn't really find a time where she'd directly gone out of her way to cause him pain. Yes, there was the time she slammed into him, but that wasn't so much against Sin as it was for the agent he was questioning.

Maybe she wasn't the problem of the two, what if it was him? Maybe it was time to give her a real chance? Not the constant 'trying to find something wrong' mindset he'd been stuck on, but maybe a real chance.

"It's not safe to walk in this city alone." He turned, "There's something I've been meaning to see for a while now anyway."

The mare's face lifted and she smiled at him. "But no reading my thoughts, alright?" Pinkie nodded and happily preformed the Pinkie Promise and the two walked out into the desk room and silently made it out to the lobby. Once the building was cleared, Pinkie chanced a question.

"Where are we going?"

Sin looked around, unsure of himself. "Hmm, I need to remember where it would be at this time of day."

Pinkie tilted her head in confusion.

'Come on Islander, think. You used to be obsessed with it!' Suddenly he scoffed. "What am I doing?" After a quick chuckle, he lead Pinkie a few blocks down to a large notice bored. While she began reading all of the missing pet notices and specialty dishes at various restaurants, Sin was busy studding a play schedule. "Mid west plaza in-" He looked at the clock tower, "Ten minutes."

Suggesting they move quickly, Pinkie followed closely as the two lost themselves in the busy streets.

He polity apologized to anyone who he'd run into, it was one of the quirks he didn't care to control. After a few yards in, he looked back to make sure Pinkie was still in range of him. Though, something else seemed to have caught her interests. When he looked over to find out what, it momentarily confused him. 'A Roger?' He observed the steam powered "automobile" for a moment than realized himself.

The stallion gained Pinkie's attention and with one last look back, the two continued forward.

"What was that?" He heard the mare say over the crowd.

"An automobile." Sin replied. "It's meant to be a revolutionary invention to transport both citizens and goods with out the need of a wagon being pulled. Only drawback is that it's energy source is so expensive that only the wealthy can afford to own one." They turned onto a less crowded street. "That, and the things break so often, most Citizens have enough sense to wait until the kinks are worked out."

The two continued to converse, heightening and lowering their volumes when necessary. Sin tried to give a brief synopsis of what an automobile actually was, astoundingly, Pinkie seemed to correct him and finish his statements alot. He would never have guessed that this pony had a knack for engineering and craftsmanship. She spoke fluently about the intricacies of mechanical parts that, despite his wide vocabulary, he couldn't understand what she was talking about.

Ironic really, a mare talking about mechanics and the stallion's the clueless one. Gender stereotypes be damned.

In a slightly better mood, the party mare was finishing up on something she called her "party cannon" and "Welcome wagon". If what she said was true, she could teach the actual engineers back in the Syndicate a thing or two.

Finally, they'd reached a small clearing of grass, fenced off by a short and long beams of metal. The sign over the opening read: "Vickors' City Park". As usual, it was a good turn out for the show. While the pedestrians walked along the outside of the fence, many spectators sat in the grass with picnic baskets, blankets and their families.

And there it was, one of the most important parts of Sin's childhood. A large black and white stage with an all too familiar red wagon sitting behind it. "The Herald-Mage called Vanyel" written in gold letters above the back door.

Sin couldn't suppress the smile, this play was his absolute favorite even if it was done in daily segments of thirty minutes. He turned to look for a good place to sit but his eyes locked onto Pinkie staring very intently onto the other side of the park. He chuckled, 'of course.'. He began walking forward and motioned Pinkie to follow.

They didn't wait in line long until the desired stand was free for them. "What can I get ya?" The pony behind the Ice Cream cart asked.

Sin moved aside and motioned for his companion to choose her desired flavor. He didn't know a whole lot about sweets, but seven flavors was a good amount to choose from for Ice cream... right?

After declining to get anything for himself, he paid the need amount of money and placed a little bit in the tip jar. "Thanks Mac, you and your girl have a good day alright." He wiggled his brow knowingly.

Instead of correcting the stallion's assumption, he was simply thanked for his service and the two wondered off to a relatively open space to watch the show.

"Are you sure you don't want anything?" Pinkie asked, her triple stacked strawberry cone having yet to be touched.

"Yes Pinkie, I'm fine." Sin smiled. The mare shrugged and began blissfully devouring the iced treat.

Suddenly, a band of old style trumpets began to yell from the stage below. The crowed cheered as a portly older griffin stepped forward and looked upon them with disinterest. He cleared his throat, adjusted his monocle and in a very prestigious voice, that was obviously trying way tuo hard, read: "Hear ye, hear ye. It is with great privilege, that I announce the battle between The mage: Herald Vanyel of Valdemar Vs The Evil Lord Nedran and his men."

The crowd erupted into cheers again and Pinkie leaned over to ask what was going on. Sin explained that the griffin up there now always came out at the beginning to explain what was going on, the pretentious voice was purely for comical effect. As was the infamous quips he made at the end of the crowed applauding.

"Yes, because glorifying violence doesn't send the wrong impression to children, now does it?" He said dryly. As the crowed gave a light hearted chuckle at his words, the announcer walked off the stage and a soft musical guitar began to play with a dozen or so oddly dressed minotaur took to the stage and started a rushed tip toeing from one side of the hill land set to the other.

When they were a quarter of the way across, lyrics began to accompany the solo acoustic guitar.

"Along a road in Hardorn, the place called Stony Tor
A fearful band of farmers flees Karsite Border war.
A frightened band of farmers, their children, and their wives,
Seek refuge from a tyrant, who wants more than just their lives."

By this point, the group of half breeds were half way across the stage, when a White minotaur walking beside an alabaster earth pony marched in from the other side.

"Now up rides Herald Vanyel. 'Why then such haste?' says he.
'Now who is it pursuing, whose anger do you flee?
You are all of Hardorn, why seek you Valdemar?
Is Festil no protection? Nor bide all his men too far'?"

Sin watched with a goofy grin, as he relived one of his childhood moments. The music foretold of how the king of the fleeing villagers cares not for their plight against the evil lord whom wishes to use their body's and souls to feed his minions. The play continued and the actors flew in sync as Vanyel agreed to confront Lord Nedrin. He trudged up to another minotaur in black with a green caped unicorn standing beside him. When asked who dare block the path of Lord Nedran, Vanyal answered.

"Now there stands great Lord Nedran, behind him forty men,
with a Wizard there beside him, he pales and speaks again.
'so you are Herald Vanyel, this place is not your land,
so heed me Herald Vanyel and now turn aside your hand'."

"'Let be I'll give you silver, and I shall give you gold,
and I shall give you jewels fair that sparkle bright and bold,
and I shall give you pearls, all treasures of the sea.
If: you will step aside here leaving these poor fools to me.

And now came the part Sin couldn't help but mouth the words to.

"What need have I of silver with sweet Yfandes here?
And all the gold I cherish is sunlight bright and clear.
The only jewel I treasure's a bright and shining star,
And I protect the all helpless not just those of Valdemar."

It was like he heard it all for the very first time again.

Nedran scowled before the music gave to him once more.

"Now I shall give you beauty, women slaves and men,
And I shall give you power, you'll never see again,
And I shall give you mansions and I shall give you land,
If you will turn aside this day, aside and hold your hand."

The Mage was quick to answer, a faint hint of mockery to his demeanor.

"Now beauty held in bondage is beauty that is lost.
And land and mansions blood-bought come too high the cost.
The power I have already-all power is a jade-
So turn you back, Lord Nedran if of me you are afraid!"

Suddenly, Nedran begins backing away, though the green robbed unicorn stepped forward and, as the song went, commended the Herald for his boldness, but assured him of his demise. After a defiant stare from the protagonist, the wizard shot a spell at the ground, emitting a thick fog to hide with in.

The squeals and gasps from the crowed encouraged Sin in the pleasure he took from the play. The one sure fire way to determine if a theater piece is well done is if the audience feels as though they are actually there. And with younglings and hatchlings alike quivering for the safety of the hero, it was a safe bet that the show was still as well received now as it was back when he was younger.

"The wizard calls his demons, the sky above turns black.
The demons strike at Vanyel, he stands and holds them back.
The demons strike at Vanyel, they strike and hurt him sore,
But Vanyel stands defiant, only to raise his hands once more."

The music continued, though the guitarist played a harsher melody to compliment the battle scene. This was why most of the young males watched it anyway, the fighting choreography was quite amazing actually. Originally, Vanyal was only suppose to raise his hands and capture the demons, now played by black clothed diamond dogs, but when you're trying to hold the attention of adolescent stallions... physical battles are more exciting than mental ones.

Actually, it was the mental quips Nedran and Vanyel had that was always his favorite part. The hero of the story choosing righteousness over jewels and sex, to protect the weak instead of indulging in the luxury of land and servants. If the legends held true, the human was quite the noble soul indeed.

"I can't believe that nasty ol' Nedran!" Pinkie pouted. "Where does he get off trying to take others lives and souls?"

Sin chuckled. "Yes, that Nedran is quite the character isn't he?" Too bad that deep down, Sin was more alike with him than Vanyel. While Vanyel was selfless, courageous and and merciful, the stallion was more selfish, cynical and unforgiving.

It wasn't something he was proud to admit, but in all honesty, he wouldn't have helped the villagers if he were in the mage's place. The farmers running showed their cowardice and lack of initiative to fight for their liberty and freedom. Instead, they elect to flee and hope that they are not caught. Even if the battle wasn't winnable, he still saw their running as pathetic and gutless.

"Quite the character?" Pinkie repeated looking at Sin dubiously, "He's just a mean and nasty ol' meanie pants." She stuck her nose up in the air, than comically lifted the remaining scoop of Strawberry to her muzzle and began finishing it off.

After a few minutes of fighting and a few funny quips between the mage and wizard, the guitar cut off with a harsh strum before going back to the relaxing melody of story telling.

"The sky itself descending now, upon bare Stony Tor
It hides the awful battle. The watchers see no more.
The wizard shouts in triumph-too soon he vents his mirth.
For Vanyel calls the lightning down, and smites him to the earth!"

A loud crack of thunder emits as the wizard unicorn teliports himself from the stage. It was cleaver actually, most kids didn't know the art existed.

Finally, the dark grey cloths held by magic lifted away revealing all the 'demons' tied up helplessly on the floor. The Herald than turned to a retreating Nedran and his men, and the song said the rest.

"He looks down on Lord Nedran; his eyes grow cold and bleak-
'Now I shall give you, Nedran, all the power that you seek-'"

The alabaster minotaur rose his hand and the demons were suddenly freed. Keeping up with the narrative, they begin to attack and slaughter Nedran and his men.

Oh how satisfying it was to see Vanyel not be a complete and utter good guy.

"Now Vanyel calls the farmers. 'Go tell you near and far,
How thus are serves the tyrants who would take Valdemar.
I am the bane of demons, their query I defend.
Thus Heralds serve a foeman and thus Heralds save a friend'!"

And with the final strum of the melodious instrument, the crowd began to cheer, stomp, clap and all other manner of praise. Though, one did stand out above the rest, and unfortunately, she happened to be right next to him.

"Woo hoo! Alright Vanyel!" Pinkie practically screamed, wearing one of the happiest faces Sin had ever seen

He would be lying if he said her lifted spirits caused him more grief than relief. For all her deception, she was a good kid at heart. Perhaps he had misjudged her after all, maybe his gut feeling could be wrong.

"That was amazing." Pinkie praised before turning to Sin, "Thanks for bringing me with you." He huge grin turned into a bashful smile.

"Of course. Consider it my apology."

"Apology?" Pinkie tilted her head again.

"For the way I've treated you." Sin nodded, his ever present scowl lightening a bit. He looked around at the departing families and props being loaded back onto the wagons to give himself a moment of thought organization. "The hard time I've been giving you wasn't justified. You've been nothing but friendly and I've been a jerk to you for it." He looked at her. "And I suppose that is something I should apologize for."

The mare giggled before giving a sly grin. "You suppose?"

"I don't apologize for much kiddo, don't push it."

He looked forward and tried to drone out the mare's incessant giggling. He was a bit confused at this point. He'd shown his remorse for his transgressions, yet he didn't feel any better for it. Pinkie was smiling now, he'd bought her ice cream -and ANY sweets in the Federation came with a hefty cost, considering the sugar tax- and showed her a play.

Why didn't that nagging in the back of his mind go away yet?

"Does that mean you're ready to talk?"

'Oh yea, that's why'.

Sin looked back to the beaming face of the pony, the first time he'd seen her smile like that; he wanted to slap it right off her face. But now, he was just indifferent about it, it was just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie as far as he was concerned. Assuming the stories were true.

Still, nothing bad happened, he'd spent at least an hour with her, and there were no mind games, no real attempts at probing for information and nothing threatening. She just ate her sweets and watched the entertainment like everyone else... Perhaps it really was all in his head all along, at least, that's what the evidence was pointing to.

"Nah, I'm good." He shrugged, Pinkie gave a playful pout and crossed her forelegs.

She may have been a good kid, but he still didn't trust her as far as he could throw her. "Come on." He stood up, "the others are probably wondering where you are."

And with that, the two left the park and walked back to the Syndicate Head Quarters.

Author's Note

A few things to go over. This is the song I was referencing:

(No, I haven't read the books, but this song was too good to pass up!)

Second, The next chapter will be pretty Applejack and Rainbow Dash heavy (Not shipping) Give them their time in the light for a change.

Third, The plot will return, I promise.

Fourth, I know it feels a bit rushed, but if I don't upload by a certain time, I just loose all interest until I force myself to regain it. I'm weird like that, and no amount of rationalization or comment on how stupid the quirk is is going to change it.

Fourth and a half, A riddle:

"The man who created it, doesn't want it. The man who bought it, doesn't need it. And the man who needs it, doesn't know it. What is 'it'?"

Luna's Letter

Luna sat upon her throne, the night would be coming to a close in a few minutes, and she only need wait for Celestia's permission to lower her moon to make way for the dawn to come.

She sat exhausted and alone. The alicorn's sleep had been disturbed as of late, dreams of her sister discovering her deeds against the her direct command. She knew that she'd been careful, and if the ponies or dogs she'd rescued had said something, she would have heard about it by now...

Still, there was something that sent a shiver up night princess's spine every time she thought she'd gotten the situation under control. The dogs were paid off to keep their mouths shut, Spike was far more concerned with his relationship in regards to Celestia and Twilight, so it's only natural he wouldn't say anything.

Big Mac, she blushed at the thought, had been very well taken care of by her personally. And the Federalist seemed to have gotten the message that she didn't want him to mention the ordeal at all. So what was it? Why did she feel like she kept overlooking something?

She'd spent many a night pondering the possible threat, though it was for naught. Her thoughts were invaded when the doors to her stary night themed chamber slowly opened, revealing her barley awake sister.

"Good morning Luna." Celestia greeted after stifling a yawn.

Luna returned the greeting and furrowed her brow, she was close this time, she could feel it. The words were on the tip of her tongue. The eldest sister wished her a pleasant day's sleep and relieved her of duty.

"Oh, before I forget." Celestia said, a sealed letter floating beside her. "This came for you from Spike." Luna tilted her head and took the envelope. On the outside it merely said "Luna", noting that it wasn't the dragons penmanship, the dark princess thanked her sister and proceeded to her room.

Once there, she laid on her huge, night themed bed spread and with a muse of curiosity, tore the seal and pulled out the letter The address made her roll her eyes, it was insulting at first, but now it was just annoying. Though, she pressed on her eyes tired and unimpressed, but the farther she read on, the wider and more frightened they became...

Dear Beast.

It disgusts me to no measurable degree that I must be addressing you in this letter, however, a question has occurred to me that I believe you might be able to answer.

How did Goldie know Sin would be in the Capital when he was? Goldie or "Ace" as he is called, isn't from Equestria. Yet he made it on the exact same day Sin had his trial. Curious, no?

Why is it called the Capital? Is there a letter in the city some where that is upper case while the rest are lower

So, I thought: "How would he have known that? Sin made it a point to ensure no Triple M. agents had a clue about it, and none of us even knew where the Federation was". But then I thought, "Hey wait, he was talking to the Beast too, and it was because of her that we went there in the first place".

Even though I shouldn't have needed it anyway you FAT HEIFER! And then it occurred to me, you were working with Triple M. They were from the Federation, and you were the only one who could have known about it. Two plus two equals four. And why is math used as a figure of speech? Seriously, that's just stupid as all get out.

Soooooooo I see a few possibilities here. Either Goldie was present during the raid, or the company had some inside information that only you could give and he got a hold of it some how... And I don't remember any flamboyant, golden pegasi there. But I do remember a lot of griffins. And a dragon, two actua

Now tell me beast, which one of those seems more plausible to you?

I want answers, and I want them now.

It would be quite the shame if the Magical Horse lady got a letter. A letter detailing how you personally worked with the head of Triple M.? Perhaps there was a reason you didn't want that little fact mentioned at the trial? Perhaps I'll repect that wish, perhaps I wont. It's up to you. You're probably just embarrassed that Malik stuck it in your ass, aren't you?

You know what? Unscratch that scratch, I' pretty sure you are.

You have 4,320 minutes before I baste the fear turkey.

As always, may your rotten, stinking flesh be continually violated by the demon king in the deepest pits of Tartarus.

Signed, Star Shade.

P.S. Discord Still rules you.

Luna stared blankly into the darkness of her bedroom before realizing where she went wrong.

Insanity borderlines Genius.

Author's Note

I am a bit twisted in the head.

See if you can spot the Irony. (Not exclusive to this chapter, but in the story overall)

Illusions and Reflections (Desistance)

What stepped through the door sent waves of confusion over the two ponies. It was a white toy pony, no bigger than Rainbows hoof.

The two examined the miniature object before Rainbow burst out laughing. "Oh, oh boy, you had me going there for a second." She manged before giving the thing a condescending smiling. "Aww, it's so cute, what's it going to do? Walk into a wall and fall over?"

Applejack, for her part, was unsure of what to make of it. Something about it didn't sit right with her. Of course, the whole situation they were in was beyond anything she'd experienced before. Save for the time Discord had escaped and turned the world Topsy turvy.

To her stress, the Rainbow pony began to approach the toy with a smug grin.

"Hold on Rainbow!"

Her plea went ignored as the mentioned picked up the soulloett. "Oh relax Applejack." She lifted it to the pony's face. "It's not going to do anything to ya so long as I'm here.

"That's what you think." A squeaky voice answered. Rainbow dropped the miniature and stepped away in shock.

"Wha's wrong Dash?"

Rainbow shook her head. "Did- did that thing just talk?" Applejack tilted her head over and examined the thing's head, but it' mouth was carved into a plastic and dead smile. How could it talk if it had no moving mouth? "Pft, your right." Rainbow said, her confidence returning. "I'm probably just hearing things."

"Are you so sure?"

"Of course I'm sure, why wouldn't I be?"

"Sure of what?" Applejack asked.

"Sure that I was hearing things." The pegasus answered rolling her eyes.

"No one's sayin' otherwise, Rainbow."

'Wait, what?"

"C'mon, let's jus' see if we can fin' a way out. Ah don't think that Tosh feller's gonna be of much help."

Agreeing, Rainbow left the toy forgotten and followed her friend up the stairs. They entered the next hallway and began to walk to the other end. Though, something seemed different about this one, the over head lights weren't as bright as they were in the last? No. It wasn't the walls, they were the same. Dismissing it as her own mind playing tricks, she followed wordlessly.

One by one, the two went up the floors. Each hallway seemed to grow more and more different from the last. But whenever she tried the place her hoof on what exactly the difference was, the cyan mare drew a blank.

"I'm gettin' real tired of this nonsense."

"You said it." Rainbow agreed.

Applejack stopped. "Said wha'?"

'Again?' "This place is getting old." Dash replied, a tinge of annoyance to her voice.

"Ah didn't say anythin'."

"Yea right, real funny Applejack." As if this place wasn't driving her crazy enough.

The look on the orange mare's face went against Rainbow's hopes that she was pulling her hoof. Was she hearing things? She could have sworn AJ had said something, maybe not exactly what she heard, but words did come from her mouth. She swore it.

After another few levels up, they decided against any farther attempts to climb. It was obvious that what ever that minotaur had them in, walking out of it wasn't an option. The fact frustrated Dash to no end. What the hay was going on here? How was he able to do all of this? Why was AJ messing with her? And what was with that doll back there anyway?

"Well, let's try goin-" The cow mare stopped. "What in tarnation?" Rainbow looked back and he heart skipped a beat. The doll, it was standing in the middle of the hall way from where they came... How was that even possible? What's worse, the door that lead to the lower level was now covered with cement and metal like the rest of the wall.

"Alright, this is just getting too weird." Rainbow announced

Applejack agreed and the two stared at the, what they assumed was mechanical, contraption standing before them. Though, the fact that the door they had come from had disappeared was a bit more concerning. How did that happen? When? Was it right after they'd come through? Did this toy do it? No, no it must have been the minotaur, but how? She was beginning to wish Twilight was here to explain this. She didn't know alot about physics, but doors disappearing didn't seem the most logical thing to happen.

"The door!" Applejack exclaimed. Rainbow broke her concentration away and looked back to find that the other door had disappeared as well.

"What?" She asked taking a step away. How? No that was impossible! She just saw it! It was just there! Deciding it was some kind of illusion spell, the mare cautiously drifted her hoof across the area the metal divider was suppose to be. Her heart sank as the stoney feel of concrete continued unabridged from one side side to the other.

"How're you doin' this!?" Applejack exclaimed to the ceiling.

Rainbow was beginning to question her friend's own mental state before a voice replied.

"Sorry?" The orange mare repeated her question, a bit more forcefully. "Oh, wouldn't you like to know? Tell you what, you give me your names and I'll give you a clue."

AJ facehoofed and reiterated that she'd already given the desired information.

Tosh said something in return, but Rainbow was too distracted by the mech toy to listen. It had moved from the end of the hallway to the middle of it, with out either of the two noticing. How? She wasn't sure. She'd have heard it's hoofsteps, right? Did it slide? Were there small wheels under it's hooves or something?

She narrowed her eyes and looked directly into the things painted on blue retinas. Rainbow could have sworn she saw one of them move. Minutes dragged on as she held her silent staring contest, allowing AJ and Tosh to converse with out her concern.

'Why was this thing here? Why are the doors gone? Where are we? And why do I have the sudden urge to yell bloody murder at it?' All of these questions and more swarmed around the speedster's head. Her body began to tense from the confusion turning into frustration. Typically, when she didn't understand something, she'd just brush it off as being not her problem. But this was her problem, and a very big problem.

"N' tha's how we ended up here." Applejack stomped her hoof, bringing Dash back to reality?

Tosh yawned. "That's a very nice story." He complimented. "A group of Equestrians coming to the Federation at the behest of their matriarch in the care of two Federalists... And that's the story you're sticking to?"

The mare took a breath and gave her reply.

"Well, that would explain the names." The echoing voice of the minotaur conceded. "However, you'll have to pardon my skepticism. I'm afraid that answer is still unsatisfactory."

AJ roared in an frustration that, despite the current predicament, somehow seemed over dramatic. "Nao' you listen here mister!" She demanded with a snarl. "You le' us outta here righ' now!"

Her emerald eyes were practically aflame with rage, Rainbow actually took a step back from the ferocity in her friends voice. What was going on here? AJ has never been shaken this easily.

The voice was silent for a time, as if he were considering something.

"Mister?" He chuckled. "I'm sorry, that was just too much. What are you, four?" Applejack's eye twitched repeatedly as she ground her teeth.

"I'm warnin' ya, once Sin 'n Mac find out abo- Con sarn it Rainbow! Can ya stop with the clicking already!" It took the aforementioned a moment to register her address and she looked at Applejack quizzically. "Don' look at me like tha', you've only been doin' it fer the last half hour!" She removed her stetson and rubbed her temples, "It's giv'en me a migraine."

"I'm not doing anything." Dash replied, her tone becoming defensive.

Tosh's presence was cast aside for AJ's sudden lack of tolerance. "Ah can hear it righ' now!" She practically shouted. 'Ok, she's really starting to get on my nerves.' "Click, click, click, clickclickclickclickclickcklickclick wouldja knock it off?!"

"I don't hear anything but your yelling."

AJ deadpanned. The look set an inexplicable boiling streak into Rainbow's blood. 'First she messes with me by saying she didn't talk when she did, and now she's yelling at me for doing nothing? That's it'

The two began to argue, Honesty vs Loyalty. Both denying doing anything that the other accused. Eventually, bad blood was brought up after the current situation couldn't be resolved.

"And what about 'Mare-do-well, huh?" The flier spat. "You said you didn't know a thing about her, but not only was that a lie, you were her to some degree. If you lied then, you could be lying now! So much for the Element of Honesty."

AJ's eyes widened, Dash smiled, knowing she'd hit a nerve.

"You wanna go on 'bout our Elements? How 'bout Scootaloo? When we went campin' you couldn't even see how scared tha' poor thing was. It wasn' till she was almost in tears thacha actually tried to comfort her."

Rainbow's infamous short temper was at it's breaking point already, and she couldn't stop what came out of her mouth next. "Whatever, it's you're fault we're here in the first place."

Applejack's eyes widened. "Whadaya mean it's mah fault?"

The cyan mare rolled her eyes again. "If you would have treated Macintosh better, we wouldn't even be here."

The orange mare's eyes narrowed. "Oh, so it's mah fault? What about the way YOU treated Mac huh? Makin' fun o' his sexuality and what not."

"Hey! I mess around with everypony, alright?" Rainbow said defensively. She expected another retort, but what she got instead was Applejack holding to stifle a laugh. It confused her a bit, but all she was trying to do was explain that her pranks and jokes were inclusive of everyone.

"Y'all mess 'round with everypony?" AJ said between snickers.

"Yea! Anypony who can take it anyway. It doesn't matter if they're colt cuddlers, filly foolers, or whatever. I mess with everyone equally."

Applejack couldn't hold it in anymore, she burst out laughing. Rainbow gave her a confused look before the realization hit her. "Ugh, Applejack, really?" Scoffed.

"WHERE IS SHE!" Barked another echoing voice, the two froze.

"What? How did you get in here?" Tosh demanded, the sounds of glass breaking and papers being tossed wildly echoed loudly, causing the two to cover their ears. "Ow! Get off of me you-"

"Where is Fluttershy?" The voice growled. Rainbow tilted her head. It was Star Shade, and he did not sound happy.

"YOU!" he barked, "Blue one, you were there. Where is Fluttershy?" Was he talking to her?

"They can't answer you." Tosh explained, his voice weezing as if being choked. "They are in a magi-nano educed com-" His comments were cut of by a yelp.

"Get. Her. Out." Shade growled. A couple of loud thuds and a crash later, "I'll fucking kill you!" Rainbow grimaced as another slam echoed. An eery silence overtook the overhead.

The two mares stood silent. As bad as this place was, the cyan mare wasn't to keen on the idea of Shade wanting to talk to her right now. She hadn't seen him do too many terrible things, but if the stories she heard were true; things could get messy qick. After a few more moments of silence, Shade's voice spoke again.

"How do I hear her?" His voice full of venom.

"The headset, the headset." Tosh replied whimpering.

Applejack looked to Rainbow and placed her hoof over her mouth. The speedster understood and as Shade began addressing the "blue one" and "orange one", they both stood with feigned oblivion.

"You lying sack of HEATHEN!" They heard before a crash louder than any other and the cries of Tosh before the noises settled. Turning the atmosphere into an ethereal sound of static.

Rainbow's heart slammed against her chest as her breathing swallowed. Why did he want to know where Fluttershy was? He never met her, and why was he so pissed off? Granted, he wasn't always in the best of moods around most mares, but the timid pegasus had never done him any wrong. Other than trap his god in stone of course... Wait what?

Suddenly, a feeling of light headedness over took her and she staggered into the wall and blacked out.

Rainbow groaned and moved her hoof to nurse her growing head ache. When she found her forelegs couldn't move, her eyes burst open to see what was going on. A pair of angry golden eyes greeted the mare as her head ache began to alleviate itself.

"There. Sh- she's awake." Tosh sputtered before tossing what looked like some kind of helmet and crawling away a bit. Rainbow chanced a look. The poor minotaur looked like he'd been through Tartarus! One of his eyes were not blackened and bruised, he sat with his hands clutching his stomach and shoulder, and it looked like one of his legs was bent at a very disturbing angle.

All of it, the work a pony she was traveling with...

Her attention slowly returned to Shade after he snarled. "Hey, woah there." She exclaimed trying to push him away, though her bound legs made that impossible.

"QUITE!" He barked. Rainbow complied. "Where is Fluttershy?"

"W- What do you want with her?" The mare managed, trying to hide the trembling in her voice.

"I don't have time for this." He stomped on the wooden chair in which she sat, shattering the furniture into shambles. With the loss of a base for the straps that held her appendages, she could take some solace in her freedom. Now for Applejack.

"I wouldn't." Tosh shook his head, the cyan pegasus hesitated. "If I don't extract her consciousness from the O.R.B. first, you'll give her brain damage beyond repair."

Rainbow glared daggers to her captor, his face betrayed nothing, if he was telling the truth, she could seriously hurt her friend. She groaned before removing her hooves from AJ's own helm. She sighed and looked at her friend's peaceful face. "Let her go." Tosh began to comply, though, he was halted by Shade.

"What?" Rainbow looked at him dubiously.

"She stays." Shade stated simply.

"She's our friend!"

"No, she's your friend. I have one friend, now move it." Rainbow stood firm. She'd admit, Shade intimidated her a little, ok alot, but this was Applejack. One of her closest and best friends, and the wasn't about to leave her here. Here in this mad scientist wannabe's grips.

"Tell you what." She said, a smug grin beginning to form. "I'll take you to Fluttershy myself. If you get him to let Applejack go too."

Shade smiled in return. "Nah, I'm good with just you."

Her grin faltered. "And why is that?"

The insane stallion rolled his eyes. "Mac wouldn't let me take her, Spike would object to me taking the purple one, and I'm not sure, but the pink one scares me." his smile returned, "But you, no one will look at me twice if you take me to her."

"I'll tell Sin and the others." Dash shot in desperation. The cynical look on the bat pony's face scared her now. He was fully willing to let AJ, for all he knew and probably cared, die down here. "How do you think Macintosh and them will react once-"

Her desperate speech was cut off by a harsh chuckle. "What do I care? I've been alone most of my life! I'm insane blue, if it comes down to it, I can just fly away and return to Equestria on my own. I'll find your friend eventually with or without you, where were you from again?" He paused in mock thought, "Ponyville?"

Restraining the urge to smack herself, Rainbow could only gawk in disbelief. She had to be having a nightmare or something, this couldn't be real. Why was this happening? What had she done to deserve this? Her eyes began to water as she found how exhausted her options had become. This pony took on a full grown dragon and lived to tell about it, Mac and the others wouldn't stand a chance, and there's only so much Celestia could do for Fluttershy. If she left and warned of AJ's whereabouts, would she be found before Tosh could have her moved?

A silent tear began to fall due to her uncertainty and confusion. "Oh give me a break with the water works already." Shade belched before pushing Dash to the door.

No, no she couldn't leave her friend like this.

With all her might, the rainbow mare halted her mover and pushed him away. The dark pegasus growled again before looking into Dash's fusha eyes. She would fight if she had to, to protect her friend.

The stare down didn't last long before Shade rolled his eyes again. "Oh bleeding hearts of the world unite!" He turned to Tosh. "Get her out too, I guess."

The minotaur nodded and quickly went to work. It was only then that Rainbow actually took in her surroundings. Of course there were the four beings present inside of A large white room with a... big floating mirror orb in the middle? What? It was the best she could describe the thing, though instead of reflecting what was outside, it showed Applejack standing in the hallway she'd just left. The mare looked frightened out of her wits, but at least that would end shortly.

Small wires came out from the bottom of it, some leading to the chairs in which the two were sitting, some to the helmets, and some that just went into the walls. It was official, this place was beyond weird... And badly written.

After Tosh had done a bit of work on the back of AJ's seat, the mare in the O.R.B disappeared, and Applejack began to stir. The minotaur made quick work of undoing her straps, seeing what happened to the last time he'd failed to do so.

"Oww, Mah head." The orange mare complained, rubbing her golden mane. "Wha' happen?" She was obviously groggy, and understandably confused but at least she would have a better welcome than Dash did. She looked around and found the applepony's stetson cast to the corner. Quickly, Rainbow retrieved the head wear and placed it back on AJ's head.

"Rainbow?" She called in a daze.

"Yea, I'm here." AJ staggered forward, her friend helping to keep her up before explaining that sick feeling would pass quickly. As the awakening sickness began to dissipate, AJ caught sight of Tosh.

"YOU!" She pushed off of Rainbow and marched to the cowering Federalist, "Wha' in Celestia's name didja do to us?"

"I- I put y-you in the Optical Reality Bend-" He sniffled.

"Enough!" Shade interrupted before Tosh could continue. He hooked his leg around Dash's neck. "No explanations, no talking, let's move blue."

The pegasus tried to protest her abduction, though Shade's last victim came into her vision, and considering she'd already push him once, thought it best to simply find Spike and Sin and let them deal with it. Though, Applejack followed after with questions of her own, each ignored by Shade to be sure.

His inarguable silence eventually caused any attempts at questioning to end. Though, the desire to know just how long they'd been gone still remained, but Rainbow figured Twilight would be able to answer that for her.

Finally, they came to the rec room in which they had originally left to find Mac snoozing on one of the couches.

"MAC!" Shade yelled, the farmer stallion jumped and looked around before yawning. It took him a moment to awaken to the point where he could inquire the reason for the rude interuption, but eventually he did. "Where's Spike?" He thought about it for a moment than shrugged. "Discord dammit all."

As the night pony turned back to the hallway, Dash motioned for AJ to stay in the room. Of course, her friend protested leaving her to Shade's whims but Rainbow gave her a reassuring smile. Though, it was all for nothing when Mac himself decided to follow the two, his sister fully in tow.

After a few flights of climbing, and one confused Pinkie Pie, later; the speedster was lead to the Lobby and finally outside. "There you are." She looked over surprised that Spike would actually be out here, to her surprise, it was he and Sin...

Sin walked quietly while Pinkie spoke enough for the both of them, and then some. So, this was the Pinkie Pie everyone was talking about. She seemed a great deal more fun than what he'd seen previously, he supposed the ice cream had done her more good than he anticipated.

She was still going on about the play the two had just seen, though, instead of demonizing Nedran, she was praising Vanyel. Speaking about the amazing powers he had to fight off demons, and how the lines of him denying the dark lords bribes were "the best thing ever".

"I'm glad you liked it." Sin stated as the duo reached the block that held the Syndicate head quarters. "It was my favorite play growing up here."

"This is your home town?" Pinkie asked happily.

"Indeed." The stallion replied, he wasn't used to the pink pony smiling this much, nor being this happy. Perhaps giving her the sugar rush wasn't the best idea... but hay, if she's happy that just makes things easier. He pointed to the east and mentioned that his old home was somewhere off in that direction, assuming it hadn't been demolished of course. The area Sin's family lived in wasn't exactly the best.

"Aww, I'm sorry." Pinkie frowned.

Sin shrugged. "Meh, world's not perfect. No point in complaining about it." He concluded. It was something he hated, complaining. There was an old saying he lived by, 'if you don't have a solution, you don't have a problem'. His childhood didn't have any solution now, and complaining about it would do no good. So, move on.

"Well, what about venting? It always helps to talk about your problems, you know."

Sin failed to stiffle a chuckle from the sudden words. The comedy was lost on Pinkie. "I'm sure it does Ms. Pie." He looked forward to find a familiar pony mare leaning on the Vindications building, looking right at him. His body tensed and his good mood was killed. "Pinkie, why don't you head inside?" His eyes never left the grinning Triple M. agent.

Pinkie looked back and forth between the two and thought about it. She'd be going in, Sin wasn't in the mood for arguments, but he could pretend to let her think she had a say in it.

"Ok, but promise me you wont hurt her." PInkie gave her best puppy dog eyes. With as many times as that's failed, you think she would have learned by now.

"Why, what ever do you mean?" Sin replied sarcastically. Pinkie's face deadpanned, but the stallion didn't really have a choice, there were far too many Citizens around. But if he had to hurt the mare, he was going to hurt her. Nothing could be done for it. Eventually, and reluctantly, the party pony agreed and with one last look of concern, slugged into the doorway.

"So, Islander's got a new girlfriend?" The agent wiggled her eyes mockingly.

Sin scoffed, "Sure, why not?" he repeated. He preferred not to think along those lines with anything. Especially when it concerned him. And if he denied it, this earth pony seemed the type to tease. With as many pony's around as there was, he had to remind himself that assaulting her wasn't the best way to go.

"Well, at least it's not the one Malich's interested in." She shrugged and smirked. 'One Malich's interested in?' "Speaking of which, where is the purple unicorn?" She looked around playfully. Wait, playfully? Matter of fact, she didn't show much of a professional demeanor at all now that Sin actually thought about it.

"Bah forget it, I'll just tell him she'd doing fine. Oh and I have a message for you." She cleared her throat and explained that his brother was losing patience with his tedious progress. Sin surpressed a smirk, he couldn't be happier about the stress he was causing, though the next part caused he himself duress. "If you do not reach Unitas within the next two days, one of your friends will be... Extracted." She gave an evil grin to the word. "And brought to Malich as incentive."

Sin's heart skipped a beat, he had been expecting this. After all, it wasn't the first time the Corporate head had threatened the lives of his friends to get him to comply. Though, these weren't some lowly ponies within the common folk. "My brother's become foolish." The opposing mare quirked a brow. "Zell wasn't well connected, Malich killing him had very few implications." Other than gaining Sin's everlasting hatred, but he smiled regardless. "The ponies I travel with have direct connections to the alicorn sisters of Equestria,"

"Tell him, that if he really wishes to anger two immortal goddesses and turn an entire country's military onto him, than by all means. However, I'd think twice about it. For all of his power, he needs to be reminded that he only controls his agents as much as they allow him, not to mention his allying corporations will tuck tail when they find out what they are up against. He can try to propagate it as war of the old land upon us to rally Citizens to his cause, but as the saying goes; 'history repeats itself'."

The mare rolled her eyes than shook her head. "You severely underestimate him."

"Perhaps," Sin conceded looking to the entrance to find Spike leaning against one of the columns, His face solemn and expectant. "However, as many time's as he's short changed my own capabilities, I think I owe him this one." Again, the mare just shrugged and asked if there was anything else to be said, when the former senator replied in the negative, without another word; the mare turned around and disappeared into the crowd.

He took a minute to make sure she was gone before he spoke. "How much did you hear?" Sin asked, his body turned away from Mac.

He knew what was about to come, it was only a matter of time until the others found out about it anyway. Still, how should he reply to it? Being a smart ass, or genuine and apologetic for keeping such a secret.

"Why didn't you tell us about Malich?" Spike's eyes were flat and unimpressed. Sin turned to address the drake.

"Well, you didn't-"

"And I swear Sin." Spike cut him off raising a claw. "If you say: 'Well you didn't ask', I'm going to smack you."

'Oh a threat, perhaps I should reconsider.'

Sin shrugged. "Ok, than I'll leave it at: 'Well you didn't'."

TWACK!

"Totally worth it."

"There you are!" Sin and Spike looked over to find Shade dragging Rainbow Dash out of the building by her neck. 'Oh hell, what did she do?' Before he had time to ask, the pony marched up to Spike. "Send a letter, tell the Magical Horse lady to get her plot over here NOW!"

The confrontation forgotten, the drake took a step back. "What? Why?"

Shade's eye twitched. "Fluttershy." he growled, more to himself than Spike.

"Wha's goin' on?" Mac asked lethargic, as if he'd just woken up to this.

Shade cursed the situation and gave a brief synopsis. Apparently he had some kind of premonition about Discord being "reformed" and wanted to take revenge on the timid butter-milk pegasus back in Equestria.

"They broke him from stone using the Elements of Harmonicas and the... the... bitch made him cry!" he scowled to the others. "And you were all there too, and I'll make you pay too!"

Everyone stood dumbstruck after the tirade gone explanation. Discord... Reformed? He was a god, you can't reform a god. Luckily, the there were loopholes so obvious he'd have not choice but to accept them.

"Shade, you said these four were there right?" Sin asked motioning to the Equestrians, the pegasus nodded. "How can they be here, and there, at the same time?"

"Internet." Shade replied.

"What?"

"What?" He looked around. "Send the message." He returned his gaze to Spike, who was still quite puzzled with the whole situation. The drake looked to Sin who just shrugged.

"You're not going to hurt Fluttershy, are you?" The dragon asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Oh, I'm not going to hurt her," Shade chuckled lightly. "I'm going to make her bleed, squirm and cry for death! 'Hurt' will be what she wished I'd done." Twitch, twitch.

If Sin remembered correctly, Fluttershy was the quite and timid one of the group He didn't really remember her saying too much, and when she did, it was always accompanied by some kind of affirmation seeking statement. It kind of pissed him off in a way, asking permission to talk or do something she should be able to do anyway. Why did she bother asking, Her timid nature was borderline spineless.

She stood no chance against Shade.

"Ok, tell you what." Sin interjected with a sigh, the two of us will teliport back to Canterlot, go to the garden, see Discord's statue, and find out for sure. If he's there and not 'reformed' we come back here, and forget about paying Ms. Shy a visit." He looked between the dragon and bat pony.

Spike wouldn't help send the message if he thought his friend was threatened, but Sin knew Shade. If he wanted to hurt someone, he hurt them. It may take him a while to find them, but a certain amber unicorn found out that the hard way back in Manehattan just how tenacious the bat pony could be. The Unicorn had the misfortune of meeting Shade and Sin while they walked in the streets, as the story goes; he bumped into the insane pagasus and after insulting him, threw his red colored tie at him in a rage.

At first, Shade didn't react, he just grabbed the tie, shrugged and walked on. As much as it surprised Sin that he didn't lose it, it also gave him some pride that his friend's anger was finally getting under control. Though, the news two days destroyed that hope.

The unicorn from before had, 'officially', hung himself in is apartment. What made him know that the story was wrong, was the fact he'd done it with a red tie. Shade was mythological like that, and he would eventually find who he was looking for.

"You promise not to let him hurt her?" Spike said after a full minute of thought.

Sin nodded and looked to Shade. Who, in turn, finally released Rainbow Dash and verbally agreed. The group made their way back inside and down stairs to the rec room where the dragon drew up the letter requesting the Princess's presence and sent it, after receiving and resending the tracer parchment, Celestia appeared.

"YOU!" Shade snarled, "you're the one who gave her the assignment in the first place!"

Celestia gave the pony a quizzical look before her gaze went to Spike. The dragon filled her in about Shade's anger and how he thinks that Fluttershy was trying to change him to be good.

"Reforming Discord?" Celestia rubbed her chin over the thought. "That's an interesting proposal."

"I'll kill you." Shade shot.

"Though highly unlikely." She turned her attention back to the pony, oblivious to his last few words. "I can more than assure you, Discord is still within his stone prison and not changed since you last saw him."

"I demand to see him!"

The sun goddess began to protest, mentioning how his last visit to Canterlot ended, but Sin's whispering of his friend's perfect tracking and revenge record, conveniently leaving out the murder detail; worried her more than the stallion's actions before hoof.

. It was obvious nothing short of standing before the statue would appease the pony's worry, and perhaps spare her subjects life. Sin offered to escort, which the goddess was all to pleased to agree to. After a few bits of Shade childishly chanting: "Let's go, let's go." A white glow emanated from the Alicorn's horn and the three ponies were gone before the others could get a word in.

Author's Note

And Shade steals the show again...

By god I have to get this story more organized.

This is why I shouldn't take too much time writing chapters. I get all these idea's and my mind trails on and I find a way to make them work and I try to put them all in and- Ohlookabutterfly.

Amends

Big Macintosh shot from his cot, he gripped the sheets and sat with labored breathing. The small trickles of sweat tickling the pony's neck indicated that he was actually awake. He sat frozen, save for the dramatic expansion and retraction of his chest taking in the thin air. His terrified green eyes scanned the familiar blackness of Spike and his shared cabin. The ever present feeling of movement, pulling him slightly. His ear twitched after a bored of the airship he was in creaked, even after the six days he had spent sleeping here, the predictable squeaking of wood still caused him grievance.

He threw his hind legs over the side of the bed and placed his head in his hooves. One week, he thought. One week and he still couldn't get the image out of his mind. That poor pegasus, those eyes... the look of life leaving them, and how he plunged at least seven hundred feet to the cold and unforgiving ground below. But what scared the earth pony more, what made him shoot awake in a cold sweat, wasn't the death of the pony; but his killer.

"Another nightmare?" He heard a small voice ask from the darkness to his left.

"Eyup." Mac sighed. He seemed to be saying that a lot lately. His vocabulary had reverted to what it was before he had left Ponyville over half a year ago. His new found pride and mindset were still some what intact, he wouldn't put up with his sister degrading his opinions anymore, but his strive for unquestionable independence had wavered. He needed his family and friends, the apple farmer didn't know what he would have done had they not been here to comfort him after what he'd witnessed.

He heard Spike let out a sigh. "Me too." He shifted in the bed and the unmistakable sound of blankets being thrown off echoed through the cabin. Mac watched as the dragon, a bit shorter than he was a week ago, stood from his cot and wondered to the door.

"W'ere ya goin'?" Mac asked curious.

Spike opened the door, the dim golden gas lights from the hall spilling in; revealing the dark brown floorboards. "I'm going to talk to Sin." Mac's eyebrows shot up. The duo hadn't spoken with Sin ever since he killed the Triple M. agent. Though, they would soon arrive in New Equine, and the only two of them traveling knew anything about the state, one of which was the very stallion Mac felt a great deal of resentment towards.

"All righ'." Mac said as he lept up from his own cot, stumbling a bit from his muscles being so tense. He wasn't as angry as he was before. His former mentor may have taken a life, but it was out of protecting his friends from those who would have killed them. Even as logical and simplistic as the situation was, both the dragon and pony still couldn't bring themselves to forgive their associate's murderous act.

Would murder even be the right word? Mac thought as the wood toned clops echoed quietly down the narrow hall to Sin's room. Spike knocked on the door gently. Well, murder was pointless killing, or killing for personal gain; at least so the farmer had always thought. Sin hadn't killed for personal gain or for the sake of it; so the word just didn't seem to sit as well when Mac had first labeled it.

After a few minutes of waiting the duo slowly open the door, the hinges creaking loudly the entire time, and looked in to find the bed vacant.

Spike shrugged, both agreed that sleep wasn't going to come for the rest of the night and it would probably be best just to wait for dawn. Felling a little hungry, they quickly made way for the eating hall to see if there were any left over bagels and stew. The ship's cook, Mr. (Or miss depending) Templar was by no means a terrible chef, both Mac and Spike would put him up there with Bon Bon and Mrs. Cake, considering what the pony had to work with.

The two opened the last door in the hallway and were surprised to see Applejack and Twilight sharing a cup of, hopefully not 'special', hot coco with Mr. Templar. "Oh honey, it's just that the Federation works so much differently than Equestria." The light green unicorn said in his usual flamboyant and cheerful voice. "You just have to understand that not all of us are... Uh oh girls," Templar's purple eyes made contact with Mac's and he let out a a knowing grin. "It lookth like Big Macintosh has come for me at last."

Applejack and Twilight looked behind them, both restraining a giggle at the shudder Mac couldn't repress. "Ha, I'm teasin' ya." The turquoise unicorn giggled, prompting a sigh of relief from his victim. "So anyway, like I was saying. From what you've told me, our nations work very differently from one another. And to be honest I'd Love to live in Equethtria." Twilight beamed, giving the stallion excuse to continue. "Oh yes honey. You guys sound like you give hugs and cuddle together a-lot. In the Federation, Ohmigosh, don't even get me started, this gets on my last queer nerve. Guys will avoid touching each other like it would give them the plague, ok?..." Templar trailed on, as he all ways did. Bringing up how he read a book on psychology and physiology and became very interested on a matter of how mammalian touch was actually a necessity for healthy brain development.

This peaqued Twilight's inner scholar and the scholarly lavender unicorn pushed how "right on" such a notion was. Discussing the hormones created, the effects they have, and how the lack of said hormones actually kills braincells. "Wait." Spike said holding up a claw. "I'm a reptile, does that still apply to me?"

Templar flicked his hoof, "Honey, you are sentient, you obviously have the Noe-mammalian brain." He explained pointing his hoof to the dragons head. "If you didn't you wouldn't be able to speak or problem solve."

Spike furrowed his brow in thought for a moment before looking to Twilight who nodded in the affirmative. But still... "But I'm a reptile, not a mammal."

"Honey, don't argue with science. Or th'o help me goodness, I will tickle you pink." Templar deadpanned. Twilight and Applejack giggled before beaming to the now beat red pouting dragon. "Any way." He sang. "What are you two doin' up this late?"

Spike shook the blush off his face. "We were looking for Sin, but he wasn't in his room."

Templar gave an almost sympathetic smile. "Sinny eh? He never sleeps in his room." He looked around suspiciously before leaning in and whispering. "He doesn't like me knowing where he sleeps." Everyone chuckled at the implication, even Mac couldn't help but laugh at Sin finally being the butt of a joke. "But he's up in the Bridge if you wanna talk to him." Spike and Mac shared nervous look, AJ and Twilight gave them each a look of sympathy. "Maybe you guys can talk him out of his slump."

"Slump?" Spike asked confused. Not in the sense of Sin being in a slump, but in regards to the unicorns ability to tell that Sin was actually depressed.

"Yea, most wouldn't be able to tell it, but just trust me; he isn't feeling too good." Templar's eyes became down cast. "And trust me, it takes a lot to get ol' Sinny down. Even your overly happy pink friend is getting frustrated with him."

Each of the four Equestrians looked in disbelief as the effeminate stallion who gave a depressed sigh. He looked up to see the expectant stares, the worst coming from the males of the group. "What?" The red stallion motioned his hoof for the Templar to continue, his eyes widened and a gossipy grin took his face before he began speaking again. "Well..." he looked around conspiratorially and told of how Pinkie Pie had regularly gone into the bridge for the past three days for about an hour or so at a time, and would always leave with a saddened appearance. Templar asked Demos about what's gotten the usually chipper pony down, and apparently the Captain told him that Pinkie was trying to talk to Sin about what he did. But despite her best efforts, Sin just wouldn't talk to her.

A twinge of guilt stung Mac in chest, the conversation they had that day replayed over many times in his mind the past few days. He didn't want Sin hurt, he'd be lying if he said he didn't want to guilt the stallion a little, but he didn't want him to the point where he wouldn't talk. With a nod of thanks and a quick exchange with their family, the two began to approach the command center of the zeppelin. A clock in the living area, a surprisingly homely and cozy space just inside the main entrance, informed Macintosh just how late, or early it really was. Dawn wouldn't come for at least another two or three hours.

They both steeled themselves and opened the black doors that lead to the helm. Neither of them had been in here yet, and they ventured into the well spaced room with wondrous eyes. the dim light's gave illumination, though hardly enough to consider efficient. The very front of the gondola was covered with windows looking out into the moon lit sea below. A simple wooden table with a map of what looked like dozens of nations lay sprawled out and covered with some kind of protective coating. on the other side of the table was the ships wheel, held firmly in place by some kind of locking mechanism. To the left of that were a couple of what looked like trumpet horns that narrowed into slim pipes before they jetted off into different directions of the ship.

To the right was a small couch, a door labeled 'Captain's Quarters' and a tan cloaked, oak colored stallion sleeping peacefully. Mac and Spike took a breath before they tip toed over to the slumber indulging former politician. Spike winced at the crack in the ponies goggles that rested over his eyes. Mac still couldn't believe the young dragon did that, though he still felt a bit of pride in the matter.

They looked at each other for a moment, unsure if the stallion was actually asleep. They observed Sin for a moment, noticing that his breathing was regular, soft expansions of his chest assured he was alive anyway. Mac nodded to Spike who nodded back, then they both stood there... and did nothing.

Mac looked over to Spike and nodded a bit more forcefully, Spike nodded again then motioned his head over to the sleeping pony.

Mac shook his head vigorously than motioned that Spike should be the one to wake him up. Spike pointed to himself questioningly. They two began a muted argument, using only their body language to try to get their points across.

"Can I help you?" They both froze, their eyes constricted to embarrassed specs. They looked over to the source of the noise to find their associate with his head up and looking right at them. "Or do you just enjoy flailing yourselves wildly in front of sleeping ponies?"

The could see Sin smirk through the dim lighting and both gave sheepish grins and shrugged.

"I'm awake, you both can talk now." Sin deadpanned. Mac chuckled again, it had been a while since he had heard the calm and grim voice that first told him of what life truly was. It did disconcert him at times, the tone of the stallion was always cool and calculating. He'd mastered the techniques of lowering or heightening his voice at the proper times when speaking to anyone from peasant to royalty. Though, relatively little to no emotion.

"Right sorry." Spike chuckled nervously. He cleared his throat, "I was wondering- we were wondering, what else would it be like in the Federation?"

Sin leaned his head back, his eyebrows shooting up. "You still want to come?"

The dragon and earth pony were equally taken aback by the question. "'W- Well o'course we do." Mac replied.

Sin humphed than shook his head. He bit his lip before speaking. "I know you two don't trust me as you used to. The few times we've seen each other on the ship, you look at me as though I'm a monster." His face turned to the ground than he chuckled sadly. "Maybe I am."

Another pang of guilt hit Mac in the chest like an arrow. Sin's words were sincere, his tone held regret and sorrow to it. The apple stallion couldn't figure out why, but he wasn't mad at all anymore, a dull feeling of being upset still ached in the back of his mind, but the fear he felt had evaporated and the the hard feelings had melted away. He couldn't help but scold himself a little for allowing Sin, a pony who he saw murder another, off of the metaphorical hook in his mind. He wanted to be angry still, taking a life is still taking a life. But Sin's words enticed Mac to do mental gymnastics over his own morality, and it all amounted to one thing; Sin did what he had to do to protect himself and his friends.

"Hey." Mac called placing a hoof on Sin's shoulder and smiling. "Yer' not a monster," His face hardened a bit. "Y'all killed a pony, but Ah know you wouldn't do it with ou' reason, n' y'er righ'." Mac let out a sigh. "S' much s' Ah don' like it, had Ah been in yer horseshoes, i'da probably done the same t' protect my own." He finished with a weak though forgiving smile, one that Spike shared.

Sin shook his head again, "You both are crazier than Star Shade."

Both Mac and the dragon chuckled a bit. "And you aren't?" Spike asked playfully.

"I didn't say that." Sin replied, though his his smirk faltered and his tone became darker once again. "Though, it should be noted that I'd rather you don't kill, either of you." He waved his hoof at the two now confused beings. "Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of the decisions you've made... Well," He touched the cracked area of his goggles, electing an apology from the responsible reptile. "Don't worry about it, but still; avoid taking life if possible."

"Taking the life of another isn't an easy thing. It has lasting psychological effects that only a mentally insane individual could honestly deny." The stallion stood from the couch and cracked his neck. "Violence should never be the first answer to any problem, but it should never be taken off the table completely. I'm proud that you chose not to kill, just one bolt alone could have put anyone you hit go into shock to the point they wouldn't be able to save themselves. Be they pegasi or griffin. However, while you are here, and associated with me; you will be in danger at any given time. What happened wasn't an uncommon ordeal for some one like me." Sin took a breath, his voice loosing it's horse tone over the time he spoke. "I want you both to think on if you are prepared to deal with more of this."

The Equestrian's confidence wavered for a moment.

"I've told you about how it would be, now you have seen it, and you know it can also happen to you." Sin looked to the door to the Captains Quarters than back again. "I won't begrudge you any should you decide to return home. I'm fairly certain Demos will-"

"I'll what?" A voice came as the door began to open. A very tired and cranky looking Griffin with black and white feathers stepped out of the room, he impatiently stroked a group of feathers the protruded from his chin, giving it a beard like appearance.

"Take them home." Sin answered calmly. Demos eyed the duo expectantly, folding his arms and tapping his talons. Spike made a thoughtful noise while Mac kicked around the idea in his own mind. He would need to talk with the girls before anything was definite, that was sure. But he on a personal wasn't entirely solidified on either answer at this point. On one hoof, this ordeal had brought about the most traumatic experience of his life; and more were sure to come. Then again, he'd lived in Ponyville almost the entirety of his life, barley leaving the Apple farm at all. Aside from the death aspect, and the threat it placed on him, he had never felt more alive.

Yes, it was good to be around the family and a secure environment, but he felt like he was wasting his life there.

Fighting dragons, watching the races in Trottingham, traveling to different towns just seemed so much more exciting and fulfilling than simply bucking and selling red fruit. Mac was surprised at his own thought process. He could get killed, he would most likely see more death, yet here he was. Genuinely undecided in the matter. Perhaps Sin was right, maybe he was more insane than Star Shade.

"We'll need to talk to the girls about it before we can give you a definite yes or no." Spike shrugged. Much to his rational self's disbelief, Mac nodded in agreement.

"Fine," Demos said in a forced pleasant tone. "Now if you plan to continue this conversation, might I suggest you move somewhere that wont disturb others sleeping?" Mac and Spike gave nervous chuckles and the three walked out before hearing the door to the captains quarters slam shut. They walked back down the hall until they reached the living area, the couch occupied by one of the injured crew members from the battle with the Judgement back by Trottingham. Sin offered to stay behind while the Equestrains spoke among themselves in private, though Mac insisted that he come with them.

"Back on your farm after we first met." Sin blurted halting the trio's advance. "You asked me where your freedoms end and an-others begin."

Big Mac looked back, interested to finally have that question answered fully.

"Your freedoms and rights come from you, they only end when you are not willing to kill to protect them."

Macintosh furrowed his brow and nodded, more in contemplation than acknowledgement. His right to protect his freedom, even if it means killing another. Did that give him the right to kill? His mind trailed off as Spike motioned for them to continue on, he too thinking over the concept.

They made way to the eating hall to find the missing pair of mares now present with Twilight and Applejack. They seemed to be gossiping about something or another with Templar. None of the three really wanted to know what, considering who the ring leader currently was. "Oh, hello there." Called Templar, he saw the brown clad stallion enter with them, and the cheerful stallion smiled wider. "SINNY!" He called standing up. "You finally left the Bridge."

Sin nodded. "I'm sorry Ms. Templar, however, I'm going to need to speak with Ms. Sparkle and her friends for a moment." Templar gave an interested look than shrugged, agreeing to the the request for privacy. He offered to get some more coco and walked out of the hall into the kitchen, eying Mac and swaying his rump far more than need be.

Mac shuddered again, he would really need to stop doing that, lest he befall the snickers of Rainbow Dash. The three walked farther in to see everyone glaring cautiously at Sin, except Pinkie, who instead bore what looked like a sad smile. They took their seats around the familiar circular oak table.

"Uh... Applejack." Mac said nervously, his sister broke her glare from Sin and turned her attention to her brother. "We been talkin' 'n, we want to know if y'all wanna head home."

The girls snapped to attention at the notion. "Head home?" Twilight asked tilting her head.

"Yes." Sin nodded calmly, regaining the curious looks of the mares. "When you all decided to accompany me, I don't think you were expecting how dangerous it would be. I have offered to use my final favor with Demos to transport you all back to Equestria. If you wish."

Macintosh watched as Twilight had a momentary look of surprise on her face, it turned into one of deep thought before the rainbow maned cyan mare slammed an angry hoof on the table. "Not expecting danger? Are you saying we're scared?"

"Rainbow, that's not what he was gettin' at, n' you know it!" Applejack snapped.

"Oh yea, than why shouldn't we go?" Rainbow challenged.

Sin opened his mouth to answer the question, but the southern mare beat him to it. "'Cause it involves killin' other ponies!"

"Ponies who attack us to begin with." Rainbow shot back, stunning her orange friend. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I thought a lot about what Sin said. And he makes a lot of sense." She flapped her wings and hoovered onto the table. "Our fliers didn't cause any trouble, and then those triple F guys or what ever, came looking for a fight. Well, they found one."

"Sugar cube, this ain't our figh'." Applejack sighed. "Ah don' know, wha' do ya think Twi'?"

Twilight shook her head blankly than used her magic to summon a quill and parchment from her travel bag. She began scribbling, and motioned for them to come back to her later. Rainbow and Applejack looked to the other mare who had yet to give her piece on the offer. Pinkie simply sat there and shrugged. "I don't want to leave you guys behind, but I'd also like to see a country besides Equestria too." She grinned, "imagine the different kinds of parties they have!"

"Finished," Twilight announced happily before rolling the parchment into a scroll, "Spike could you send this to Princess Celestia for me please?" Spike nodded and reached for the parchment.

"How are you going to give that to Celestia from here?" Sin asked skeptically, Spike cleared his throat. The aforementioned dragon gave a sly grin before blowing a green flame, disintegrating the paper into a thin mist and watching it fly out of the door.

Sin's mouth gaped as he watched the plum of smoke travel away. Mac actually couldn't help but laugh at the dumb look the stallion wore. They had fought a dragon, battled an enemy airship and stood trial before Celestia, all the while; Sin always kept his calm and cool demeanor. But this, Spike sending a simple letter, is what makes him visibly awe struck? How can that not be funny?

Sin looked back to Spike after a few moments. "That's going to Princess Celestia?" Spike nodded proudly. "And you didn't mention you had a direct tie to the head of your government for the six months we've been traveling because...?"

"It didn't seem important." Spike shrugged. Sin opened his mouth and rose his hoof to make a point, but after a moment of nothingness he closed it and put his hoof to his chin in thought. This repeated several times, much to the comedy of all others present. Finally the stallion scoffed and sat back in his chair.

"Will Equestria ever cease to amaze me?"

Twilight smiled and lidded her eyes. "3... 2... 1."

Spike belched another purge of green flame, this time a scroll dropping from the flames. "Apparently not." Sin quipped as a lavender aura encased the scroll and unrivaled it. She read the text allowed, prompting the crowd to listen with interest. Celestia expressed her concerns about the battle her student told of. And allowed her to come home whenever she wished. Though, there was still a paragraph dedicate to wanting somepony to stay and give her reports on what things were like in the Federation. None the less, it still ended with Celestia leaving the ultimate decision up to Twilight and her friends.

Mac smiled, interested in what their decisions would be. "I don't get it." Twilight complained re-reading the letter. "We're about to go into a practical war zone, and she doesn't even discourage me from going?" Her eyes widened as if realization struck. "Oh no, what if she doesn't care enough about me to stop me? What if she wants to see if I'm worthy of being her student by testing me here?! What-" Applejack stuffed her hoof into Twilight's mouth, holding the nonsensical tirade that was to come.

"Twi' y'all 'r lookin' too much into it." The farmer mare dead panned. "What the Princess was sayin' is tha' you have ya own d'cision' ta make, and ya own risks t' take. It's not that she doesn't care 'bout you or wants to see if ya can handle it, it's that she doesn't feel she should be able to influence ever choice you make in... your... life." She furrowed her brow at the familiarity of her words than looked up to Mac, full realization hitting both she and Twilight again.

They both looked at Sin in shock. Sin gave a genuine smile before he spoke. "Sort of like Spike and Macintosh?" Both mare's ears flattened against their skulls, Mac couldn't help but feel a little bad for them. He and Spike had tried to convince the two of why the left for a while now, it's nice to see that they finally got it. Applejack and Twilight looked to their respective family members and apologized. Apparently both mares had still been harboring feelings of resentment against the two for up and leaving like they had.

Mac accepted his sisters apology, as did Spike for Twilight. After a quick embrace Rainbow also offered her own apologies for implying that Mac a coltcuddler. Mac felt strangely at peace now, he hadn't noticed it, but he did hold a grudge against the pegasus for her hurtful words and laughter. And as quickly as the emotional baggage was brought to mind, it left just as quickly. He felt better than he had in a while, there wasn't any tension between he or any his friends now. Though his blissful indulgence was short lived as Sin had to choose that exact moment to asked what the groups decision would be.

Big Mac wanted them to stay, his choice was already made, regardless of what ever they did. But still, he didn't want to see his friends go when he'd be in a whole new land almost by himself. After a few thoughtful noise, it was Rainbow Dash who was the first to answer. She gave a confident smirk and proclaimed herself courageous enough to face the new nation. Speaking as if the nation itself was actually against her. Spike rolled his eyes at the familiar arrogance, some things never change.

Pinkie and Twilight both agreed that they also wished to stay and see what else the world had to offer besides what lay with in Equestrian borders. Applejack was the last to decide. Mac felt a knot expand in his throat, he wanted her to stay, she was his sister; not particularly the best friend he ever had, but still. "Ya know, Ah think Imma stay too. Ah'm sure the farm can hold ther' own with out me."

Save for Sin, who shook his head and left the Equestrians to their heart felt moment.

The smile on Sin's face vanished as soon as he walked out the door. He heard the friends begin to converse and talk about what they would do once they made it to New Equine, though detail couldn't be made as the pony walked further away. He walked out side onto the balcony that traveled fully around the airship, his cloak taking the brute of the cold, though his visible breaths affirmed that winter was still going strong. He walked over to one of the cargo loading platforms where a dark night pegasus had just retracted it's batwings and eyed him skeptically.

Sin nodded and approached his associate. "Star Shade, where have you been?"

The pegasus narrowed his eyes. "Busy."

Sin quirked an eyebrow before looking around conspiratorially, once he deemed the two in solitude he spoke. "Spying?"

"Do you really think it's a good idea to bring them along?" Shade shook his head. "They were traumatized over simply seeing some dumbass get himself killed, for Discord's sake."

"Honestly, no. I'm not really happy about them being here." Sin admitted. "I don't want them getting hurt, but it's their choice to stay."

"Getting hurt? Sin, they are all liabilities." The dark pegasus huffed. "I know you've been close with Mac and Spike, but those four chicks are going to cause you a whole bunch of trouble."

"You're one to talk."

Star humphed and turned his head. "My point is, those four are going to get into trouble at some point. What will you do when it happens?"

"Depends."

"Really?"

Sin took a few steps until he stood by his old friend. "If they end up in an undesirable situation of their own accord, I will do as I have done for others. Stand by and watch them pay for their mistakes." Sin smirked. "It is my choice to help them at that point after all."

"And you honestly think you could do it?" Shade replied.

"I've stood by as an entire caravan of seventy two earth ponies starved to death after they ignored my warnings." Sin quipped with a cynical smirk. "What makes you think I can't do it now?"

The former night guard chuckled. "Unlike those you've stood by and allowed to face consequence, you know Mac and them." Shade replied blankly. "Your feelings for them will conflict with the usual feelings of enjoyment you get from seeing idiots suffer for their stupidity." Sin furrowed his brow at the comment, it was true he did get a certain sense of satisfaction at seeing the foolish and arrogant get what was coming to them, though would the bonds he's made, as thin as they were, with the Equestrians really affect his decisions?

"Hang on." The brown stallion snapped his neck to Shade, "I never told you any of this." A hint of nervousness was apparent.

Shade grinned. "You'd be surprised about the things you say in your sleep."

Sin pressed his lips together in frustration, had he been so careless? How would Shade know all of this if he hadn't? Did Discord tell him back in Canterlot during on of Shade's many worshiping sessions? He shook the thoughts away and made a mental note to look into sleep psychology later on.

"I may be delightfully insane." The dark pegasus proclaimed from out of no where before he looked to his friend. "But you are the closest thing to a friend I've ever had." He looked forward to the newly appeared faint glow of the coming dawn. "And I don't want you getting hurt over those idiots."

"You don't like them very much."

"Demos is right. Since they are here on behalf of Celestia, they are government types."

The two continued to converse for a while longer, Shade questioning exactly what to expect in the Federation and Sin answering him. Sin had become wary of his companion, he been acting far to calm as of late. His typical antics and illogical outbursts had lessened a great deal, and that was cause enough for alarm.

The dim glow in the horizon grew brighter as the sun threatened to peak over, the cold morning air began to warm, dispelling the accumulating frost that covered the rails.

Finally, the sun broke the horizon in the east, the warm rays were a welcome repellant of the mornings frozen touch. "LAND HO!" Called on of the crew mates, a sudden smacking sound echoed in the sky before he gave a slanderous term and complaint.

"It's barely morning, now quit your damn yelling!"

The Equestrian had just finished packing up their belongings and were on the railway of the ship. Against Sin's protest, the Gonshinian had begun to descend to the ground, Demos calming the ponies complaints by reasoning that they didn't want to be spotted by the Triple M. Corporation.

Macintosh still had his doubts about the crew not being pirates, though the week he had spent on the ship had showed him differently. Everybody seemed to be very tolerant, if not pleasant. Even Templar was fun to be around when he wasn't trying to be such an assertive flirt. Though the assistant of Mr. Shmee, Von, had rubbed Mac the wrong way with as angry and frustrated as he always seemed to be.

The ground was only about two hundred feet away now, everybody was saying their goodbyes. Mac thanked Demos and his men for allowing them passage aboard their ship. Twilight and them also paid their gratitude and each gave the commanding griffin a hug for his efforts, save Rainbow Dash who gagged at the sentimental notion.

A few moments after, the airship was only a few dozen feet above ground. A few pegasi and griffin crewmen grabbed Mac and his friends and lowered them onto the beach head below. Mac let an involuntary shiver once his hooves made contact with the cold sand. What few experiences he had with the grainy earth had always been warm and soothing, the contrast was unnerving to say the least. He looked behind to see no ice had formed within the ocean, another surprising difference considering the ponds always froze when it was this cold.

"And you're sure this is the rendezvous point?" Sin asked looking around the sandy shore to the tree clusters beyond.

"He gave me these exact coordinates." Demos assured looking back to the dark red and black mammoth of a zeppelin. "Sorry we couldn't take ya farther in lad, if Triple M. is lookin' for us, it's best not to take any unnecessary risks." Sin nodded his agreement and brushed off the inconvenience. After everybody had been brought down, Sin shook Demos' talon, and both gave their farewells. "Give your grandfather my regards." Demos shot back up into the air and landed on the railway. He began shouting at his crew to pull away from the shore before Mac ignored the captain in favor of more relevant information.

"OHMIGOSHIT'SCOLD!" Pinkie complained pulling her pink cloak tightly around herself and shivering. Rainbow chastised the pony for her complaining to which Applejack gave her a soft elbow in the side. "Why is it so c-c-cold? W-When I f-f-find the pegasi resp-p-ponsible..." She trailed off into a light whimper.

"Pegasi aren't fully responsible for the weather here." Sin replied facing the group. He watched the Gonsihinian fly away before continuing. "Weather here works of it's own accord. Much like your Everfree forest, though we still control bits of it."

The group gasped, so it was one of those places.

"So, where are we?" Spike asked looking around while rubbing his hands against his arms.

"That... Is a good question." Sin scanned the surroundings.

"You don't know where we are?" Twilight exclaimed. Sin answered that he couldn't give a definite location, he knew that they were supposed to be in some part of North New Equine. The lavender unicorn let out a sigh. "Do we even know which way to go if they don't show up?"

Sin smirked. "Don't worry. Ace went ahead a couple of days ago to inform the Syndicate of our arrival. If they aren't here by day's end, we will be doing some exploring."

"But... C-C-C-Cold-d-d-d." Pinkie stuttered. She pulled the cloak tighter, then lept onto the Applemare and, to the aforementioned discomfort, began snuggling close. "Mmm, Applejack did anypony ever tell you how warm you are?"

"Oh my SIn, I never pictured you to associate with pony supremacists." Called a cold voice that sent a shiver down Macintosh's spine. They all looked around but couldn't find where the voice had come from. He couldn't place his hoof on it, but the voice sounded eerily familiar.

Finally, after a few tension filled moments it spoke again. "Truly you have let your time away from home change you." It commented followed by a wry chuckle. They all looked up to find a grey earth pony with a darker grey mane wearing a suite with some bi pedal crystallized figure for a cutie mark, laying on a cushion covered platform suspended by six dark colored pegasi.

"Malich?!" Sin asked in disbelief "What are you doing here?". Mac remembered this pony, Sin said that he was Vice President of the Triple M. Corporation What was he doing here? As if reading his mind Sin repeated his thought, prompting an empty chuckle from the business pony. He told his subordinates to land to which they carefully descended. Mac felt his muscles tense up, these pegasi were far more muscular than most ponies back home, hell they might actually be stronger than he was.

"Well, since you asked so nicely," Malich smiled before he sat down and eyed his fellow countrymen, "I've come to convince you to come back." Sin sneered, a low growl escaping his throat. Malich let out another chuckle at the threat. "Honestly Sin, Father has has already grown wary of your little rebellious phase."

"How did you find out where we would arrive?" The liberty stallion took a step forward, electing all the eyes of the pegasi agents to focus in on him.

"Well, you know how quickly word spreads." The VP waved a dismissive hoof, a pair of pegasi quickly zoomed up and apologized for the interruption. One of them began whispering into Malich's ear, to which the pony gave an irritated groan. "Very well, it would seem your associates are inconveniently punctual. So, I'll ask you one last time-"

"Where is Senator Windmane?" Sin barked taking another step. The pegasi guards mirroring the sentiment. Twilight interrupted the hopeless conflict by placing herself between Sin and the mercenaries. Malich quirked a curious brow at the determined unicorn before him.

"Hello?" He called with a smirk. "And who might this lovely mare be?" Twilight introduced herself in a forced polite tone. She requested that no violence be perpetrated, electing a more skeptical look from the Vice President. "You stand to defend him?" He chuckled again. "My, my, Sin. Having others fight your battles for you? I never thought I'd see the day."

"You're one to talk." Sin motioned to the pegasi.

"I'll be back for your answer at another time." Malci proclaimed ignoring his fellow New Equinite. He cast a cocky grin to Twilight. "I do look forward to seeing more of you though." The unicorn's eyes narrowed as Malich perched himself on the palanquin once more and the pegasi once again took flight and quickly escorted their master away.

Mac let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, his body relaxed as the Triple M. employees finally left his sight. He looked back to see Sin and Twilight staring each other down. "What were you thinking?!" Twilight shouted, Sin continued his stare unaffected. "They outnumbered you nine to one!" Mac expected to have to step in and stop the argument, though Sin just shook his head and turned away from the scolding mare. "Hey! I'm talking to you!"

"She's righ' sugarcube." Applejack agreed standing by Twilight. "Tha' wasn' a smart thing to do, who knows wha' they woulda don' to ya."

Mac couldn't help but agree, it wasn't often Sin's emotions had gotten the better of him, but this was one of those times. Thing about it was, he had become emotionally driven almost instantly. Then Mac recalled that Sin was a Federal Senator, and Windmane had been a close associate of his during his time in service.

"You just going to sit in there all day?" Sin called out of the blue. Mac stepped forward assuming he was speaking to him, though to everyone's surprise, excluding Sin, Ace and a group of ponies and diamond dogs emerged from the far off woodwork. Twilight counted twelve in all and then looked back to the former senator.

"Should Malich have tried anything, he would have been quickly overpowered. He is many things, but a fool isn't one of them." Sin looked at Twilight and Applejack than back to the approaching group. "Though, you are right." Both mare's annoyed glare turned to one of confusion. "What I did was reckless, and I apologize for it." He walked up to the approaching rebels and began talking with them.

Rainbow Dash glared and made a thoughtful sound and asked who that pony was, seeing as having ponies carry you around like that had to make you important. Mac turned and explained to the dare devil that the pony in question was Malich, Second in command of the most powerful mega corporation in all of New Equine. Rainbow started to laugh hysterically. "Yea right!" She wiped a tear from her eye. "That's a good one. The second in command of a mega corporation just happens to be here and taking an interest in Sin."

Mac furrowed his brow, she had a point. Would such an esteemed business pony really care that much about anyone to the degree they would wonder to the ends of a country? Why had he gone so far out of his way? Sin was a former Senator and all, and from the farmers understanding, it was a very powerful position. Though, Sin wasn't a Senator anymore, what could Malic want him so badly for? Mac made a mental note to ask his associate about Malich's words later tonight.

Sin wondered up to the conversing group and rubbed the back of his neck with an embarrassed look. Twilight asked what the plan was and Sin let out a sigh.

"I have some bad news. We're in South Equine..."

Author's Note

Well, it's different enough I hope. I'm not the best with catching Grammar and Spelling, so if you find any let me know so I may correct them. I hope you like it. And yes, all criticism is welcome, even if it does make me cry in a corner for weeks on end.

(Because I Can) Shade does Canterlot

(BIC) Shade dose Canterlot

"And so the ass kicks him, and sends him running away!" Shade whined dejectedly.

"Oh wow..." Discords voice rang. "Did you ever find Fluffy again?" The night pony shook his head, his eyes unfocused in reality. "Well, I must say: I knew Sin wasn't exactly the nicest pony around, but that's just mean spirited."

Shade looked up. "All Fluffy wanted was to play with him." He sniffled, "And now he's gone forever."

"I guess some ponies just can't handle a few Hydra bites."

"Well, well, I had to see it to believe it." Called an all to pretentious voice that made the so called "God of Chaos" groan. Shade looked behind him to find a blond maned white unicorn with a thick air of pretentiousness around himself and his Entourage of three other unicorn stallions.

"I heard there was some crazy Discordian acolyte camped out in front of his statue," Blueblood grimaced. "But I didn't expect it to be some blackened night guard reject." He laughed in the way only the upper crust of royalty could, and some how not be laughed at himself.

"Who dat?" Shade asked curiously.

"Oh right, if I may present the royal pain in the flank, Prince Blueblood." Discord said in a mock royal introduction.

"Oh... Blueblood?" Shade repeated returning his gaze to the prince. "Who be he?"

"Oh these peasants just bring a tear to the royal eye." Blueblood said raising a delicate hoof and wiping away said moisture. "Do tell me commoner, has 'your god' spoken to you as of late? Does he tell you how pathetic you are?"

"Oh, now this should be very interesting." Discord chuckled, though to his surprise; the randomness that was Star Shade didn't respond. Electing instead to bow his head in... respect?

"Well," Blueblood said with a knowing smirk. "At least he's bright enough to show respect to royalty when he sees it." He chuckled again and raised his hoof to the humbled pegasus. "As reward for your efforts, you may now kiss the royal hoof. We must show consequence for such good behavior once in a while after all."

Shade looked down to the offered appendage with curious and innocent eyes.

"Kiss it?... I'MMA EAT IT!"

Blueblood's light blue eyes constricted in both pain and shock as Shade's teeth sunk into his hoof. A loud feminine scream shook the very court yard, causing statues to tremble and glass to break "UNMOUTH ME AT ONCE YOU CUR!" He exclaimed trying to shake the assailant off. "BRUTE STRENGTH!"

One of his followers/bodyguards stepped forward, a large magenta earth stallion with a cropped purple mane grabbed hold of Shade, who immediately released the whimpering Prince. "I'MMA EAT YOU TOO!"

Discord chuckled wildly as his sole follower tackled the ponyguard onto the ground and began to wrestle around, every so often biting hard enough to cause pain, but never enough to draw blood. "Shade my boy, you are truly a work of pure Chaos!"

The night pegasus gasped and kicked himself away from his adversary and dashed to the statue, kneeling before his god. "Thank you great and powerful Discord. Your words please me greatly."

"Deranged scoundrel!" Blueblood accused nursing his leg. "You dare to chomp the royal hoof?"

"Wanna see me do it again?" Shade looked over grinning maniacally.

Blueblood's two un-traumatized guardsponies placed themselves, reluctantly, in front of the prince, and eyed the demented pony with concern. "You swine! I'll teach you to respect royalty!"

"Oh Bloody, you know I like it rough baby?" Shade said with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows. The prince gagged electing another maniacal cackle from his antagonist.

"ENOUGH!" The distraught royal unicorn demanded, his face flushed from both anger and humiliation. "Get him boys!"

"There will be no 'getting' this night!" Announced a voice that shook Star Shade's very core. There was only one thing he truly feared and loathed in the world, even above government, and now she was here.

Blueblood looked with disinterest as the Princess of the Night landed gracefully upon the frosted grass of the royal garden. "What is it Aunti Luna, Can't you see I'm busy here?"

Luna let out a breath and prepared to lecture her nephew...

"NO OH DISCORD WHY?!" Shade Exclaimed clutching onto Discord's statue for dear life. "Why have you forsaken me to this BEAST?! Make her go away." He finished in sobs, pointing to the starry maned princess. Causing Luna to give an offended scoff.

"If it's any consolation, you're opinion on her appearance is shared among friends."

"Blueblood, get inside, our sister is waiting to speak with thee." Luna growled turning to her wounded kin.

"But Aunti Lunahahahah." The prince wined. Luna narrowed her eyes, and like a pack of defeated teenagers, the prince and his entourage reluctantly marched into the palace proper. But not before he got only last scowl in at his assailant, who returned it with a sultry smile and air kiss, causing the prince to grimace and shudder.

"Now as for you!" Luna turned her attention back to the pegasus, her hard eyes locking onto his own, causing a moment of silent tension between the two.

"Our sister wishes thee to join us for dinner as well. The cold out hath been worse than usual." The lunar alicorn proclaimed before she began her retreat back into the castle.

"Don't worry about her, Discord, I shall never leave you!" The night pony whispered hugging tighter.

"Actually," Discord mused "I want you to go with her."

Shade looked as though he'd been smack across the face. "You WHAT?!"

"Well, you've been out here for the past three days with out food or warmth. I'm honestly surprised you haven't frozen to death." The draconequus admitted. "You're my sole follower, and as such, I need you strong and healthy to spread the word of Chaos!" He finished happily.

Shade mused over the point for a moment, though the prospect of eating at the same table as the Beast soon drove his mind to more interesting and fond thoughts. Like food, and apples, about how the variations of apples were rather pointless. Apples were just that, why were there red ones, gold ones, green ones and in between past that? Seriously? Blame climate and environment and all, but should that really change their flavor from sweet to sour? That's just as stupid as having different sexes between birds. Seriously, just make them all reproduce A sexually, and skip the madness... Why are there birds in the world anyway? And why the in Celestia's name did they lay eggs?!

"Very well." Shade said lowing himself from the being of his praise. "I'll go, but if I see any birds eating pointlessly miscolored apples, so help me Discord." He narrowed his eyes. Honestly, it's like they were made that way just to confuse him.

"Oh just go on." Discord shooed. Shade gave one last bow of his head and trudged up to the doors Luna left open for him. He looked around observing the beautiful marble walls and blah blah blah it was warm now, blah blah blah I'm hungry. He sighed before walking briskly to the larger dining area. Stopping only to admire what little art that resembled Discord in any way.

His stomach grumbled and the pegasus could prolong it no more. Three days of fasting in the name of the divine really took it's toll on the body apparently. Though, even if he was always within at least a mile of the Beast at all times, he couldn't help but smile at the fact that he was reunited with the greatest thing in the world.

He entered the dining hall to see the object of his dispise sitting next to the weird horse lady who brought him back to Equestria. Though, to his surprise there were more. A pink alicorn, Princess Constantinople or something or another, sat with two white stallion Unicorns opposite Luna. One had electric blue hair and a goofy smirk, the other... "LEFTOVERS!" He yelled happily, darting to the table and grabbing Blueblood's hoof before licking his lips hungrily.

To his disappointment, the apendege was retracted before he sunk his teeth into it. "Un-hoof me. Aunti Celestia, why is this common-folk inside the castle?" Blueblood demanded.

A golden aura engulfed the assaulting pegasus before he could make a second attempt and firmly placed him next to a purple unicorn mare he hadn't noticed before.

"He is a guest in the castle," Celestia said with smirk. "And as such he is allowed to join us within the hall, however." Her eyes hardened slightly as she turned her attention. "It would greatly appreciated if our guest would not try to eat my nephew."

"What?" Shade gave a confused shrug. "It's not my fault he likes rough foreplay."

A burst of laughter echoed from the blue maned stallion sitting by Princess Candy, everypony else seemed to be in a perpetual state of shock, save Luna who was fighting tooth and hoof to repress a grin.

"HOW DARE YOU ASSUME SUCH A THING?!" Blueblood demanded, slamming his hoof on the table.

"Blueblood." Celestia chided causing the prince to abandon the fight and pout. She then turned to the Shade and scowled.

"Alright." Shade rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry I tried to eat your nephew, Mystical Horse lady." The sun goddess rolled her eyes and sighed, deciding it best to drop any real attempt at convincing him to have manners. It was at that moment she had a mysterious case of Déjà vu with a certain draconequus.

"We must say." Luna began as the servants had descended to the table carrying treys of food. "From what you've told us, this 'South Equine' sounds quite dictatorial, Twilight Sparkle."

Shade chuckled at the fond memory of a small town he visited. Fire, fires was his friend that night.

"But that's the thing, princess." Twilight replied enthusiastically. "It's not a dictatorship, it's a Democracy!"

"A Democracy? And they send their children away at such young ages?" Celestia said surprised. "My, that's an-" She paused. "-Interesting method of parenting."

Blueblood humphed, "I find such ideas to be quite revolutionary personally." This statement grasped the attention of all present, except a certain pegasi who was busy devouring a bowl of sunflower soup. "Well. Consider it, fillies and colts do nothing but run around and yell and scream and ugh! It gives the royal mind a head ache just thinking about it."

Twilight quirked a brow. "Young ones are supposed to be loud and expressive Blueblood."

"PRINCE Blueblood!" He snapped scowling at the mare.

"HEY!" The second unicorn shouted. "I don't care if you are royalty, you do not snap at my sister."

Shade drew his attention away to find the unicorn being calmed by Princess Candycane. "Shining Armor, please calm down. You know how Blueblood can be."

The unicorn sat down with a huff still glaring at the obnoxious prince before he finally gave in with a shake of his head. "I'm sorry Cadence."

Cadance, that was it!... That's a stupid name.

Shade's mind was abuzz with the information he was getting. Contrary to popular belief, he was quite a deep thinker, though; he had certain tendencies that caused his mind to drift from the topic currently at hoof. Unless he was truly interested in something, his attention deficiency would typically result in random out bursts that had little to nothing to do with anything relevant at the time, though it would always stem from it.

And seeing ponies angry always had him interested.

"Speaking of children." Luna said with a mischievous smirk. "When are we expected to have great nephews and nieces?"

Shining Armor and spat out his soup while his apparent wife flushed redder than any apple Shade had seen yet. Hahaaa spit takes.

"Princess Luna!" Twilight shouted in disbelief, blushing a bit herself.

Luna simply looked on innocently. "What? These fine ponies hath been married for some time now, and foals should be produced at some point, yes?"

'The Beast may be the epitome of all I despise, but at least she amuses me.' Shade thought watching the scene of Shining and Princess Cadence stuttering to explain their parenting expectancy, play out.

"Hmph, I cannot believe my dear sister would even consider marrying you." Blueblood chimed. Shade knew he wasn't exactly the sharpest of ponies around, and that his social skills weren't the best, but even he had to ask why they kept this pretensions jack ass around.

"Royalty, and an Alicorn no less, marrying a lowly guardsman. What would mother say?"

"BLUEBLOOD!" Celestia yelled.

Oh yea, here we go.

"I SHALL NOT TOLERATE ANY MORE OF YOUR DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR AMONGST MY SUBJECTS!"

Instead of reacting like a normal, not to mention sane pony, and quiver in fear whilst begging for forgiveness. The stallion simply turned up his nose and scoffed. 'Maybe I'm not the only insane pony at this- ohmigoshCHEESE! He happily grabbed the dairy product from it's place and brought the whole brick to his mouth, is former interest all but forgotten.

"At any rate, Star Shade was it?" The mentioned looking over to the princess with his teeth barely making contact with the cheader flavored goodness. "Might I ask you a question?"

"I suppose Magical Horse Lady."

"SHE IS ROYALTY!" Blueblood yelled. "And deserves to addressed with respect!"

"Sorry. Go ahead Princess Magical Horse Lady."

Celestia giggled at the display. "Please, do tell me about your experiences in the Federation."

A reminiscent smile grew on the pegsus face, his eyes clouded over as he thought about the night he visited that small village in South Equine while the others went some where else. He whispered something inaudible, and the Celestia asked him to repeat himself.

"Flammable." He said happily. "Very flammable."

"I'm sorry? I don't quite understand."

"Well, I visited a village, burned down their hay silo's, beat down any fool who challenged me, and had them proclaim their everlasting loyalty to Discord." He sighed happily. "And those babies were delicious."

Celestia sat mouth a gape, much like everypony else present. Silence engulphed as each tried to process what they were hearing, and more importantly; if it were true.

Finally, after a few moments, the Alicorn spoke again with an awkward smile: "Oh and uh... What prompted you to... set fires exactly?"

"I was cold." Shade shrugged. "Cold and hungry."

"Did..." Twilight pipped timidly. "Did you really do that?"

"I dunno."

"You what?"

"Well, it could have been a dream." He scratched the side of his head. "I woke up in the middle of a field wrapped up in my cloak, so I can't honestly say no, but not no, at the same time... But what ever I at that night made me full for the rest of the day."

As the stallion pat his stomach, the rest of the dinner guests couldn't help but stare incredulously at him. It only added to his already good mood. His time spent within the confides of the stone courtyard had been the best three days of his life, even in spite of the cold and hunger he felt. It even put him in a good enough mood to be civil in the presence of the mare he hated most in the world, along with Twilight, who he'd typically never give the time of day.

Luna clared her throat. "Well, that's an interesting story."

"SILENCE BEAST!" Shade exclaimed with an eye twitch. "I was talking to the Magical Horse Lady!"

The rest of the meal passed in relitive peace, Shade kept mainly to himself and what ever food stuffs happened to be near him, while the royalty spoke amongst themselves. A little more banter between Blueblood and Shining with Cadence trying to moderate. And Celestia and Luna still interviewing the unicorn scholar about the air ship: Gonshinian.

Apparently the incident with the Judgement had caused quite the stink between the Triple M. Corporation and Canterlot. Being that Triple M. had no permission to enter Equestrian air space, and the fact that all of their wounded agents were immediately transported to Trottingham Hospitals; thus putting a great strain on the cities medical staff. Along with financial burden of the Government to pay enough military personnel to oversee the foreigners- 'Why does Equestria have foreigners? Why are there such a thing as foreigners? On that note, why are there different countries? Seriously that's just asking for trouble..

There was some mention of the effort necessary to calm the public's fear of invasion by a foreign country. Something about ponies still being a bit uneasy about anything bigger than a pegasus flock in the sky. And apparently protests had come to the princess about the matter and blah blah blah... I'm bored.

Finally, desert came. What ever it was, it delectable aroma made Shade's mouth water something fierce, despite his over extended stomach. The waiter unicorns placed the plates in front of the guests and removed the metal lids. Applepie. Sweet, delicious, crisp apple pie topped with a dab of whipped cream and a slice of green... apple...

His eye twitched. Green apple? GREEN APPLE? He picked up the fruit while the others began to feast. "Apples are supposed to BE RED!" He yelled casting it across the table and, inadvertently(?), into the face of Blueblood.

The room stood in shocked silence, save for a loud and angry huffing. Shade's former good mood completely overtaken by his rage of the discolored fruit. Why? Why was it green? It's just not right!

"How DARE YOU!" Blueblood yelled wiping a little whip cream from his forehead.

"AND YOU!" Shade replied pointing his hoof. "You are false advertising! You're blood isn't blue at all, you lying heathen!"

Blueblood let out a primordial roar. Shade accepted this challenge, as well as the outlet for his anger, and tackled the prince to the ground with a crack of wood from the chairs contact with the ground.

The mortified and shocked prince lay dumbstruck, deciding he would have to make the next move in this little game, Shade lifted his hoof and brought it down on the prince's muzzle. That snapped the royal pony out of his shock and before the second blow could be struck, a glow emanated from his horn and a beam of light shot forth. Shade flew back up into the air, allowing the prince to stand from his stupor and a brief smile of victory. Though it didn't last, the bat pony regained himself in the air and took flight, pondering briefly how to best handle the situation.

"Unkempt welp!" Another few beams of magical energy shot fruitlessly at the pegasus with the Celestia and Luna desperately trying to calm him down.

'Well, it's time to solve this problem like I solve all my problems.' Shade thought before letting out a sigh. 'Now where am I going to get two gallons of shaving cream and a rock?' His train of thought was broken by a lucky shot to his hind leg. The magic wasn't damaging, but it was enough to get his attention. Annoyance piqued, he gained momentum by flying around the dinning area once than dove nose first to antagonizing unicorn.

"ENOUGH!" Boomed a voice that made him come to a screeching halt. Celestia's eyes glared daggers for both of the two stallions. "You two have disrupted our dinner, insulted my integrity and acted as petulant children!"

Shade looked over to find the prince cowering, oh so now you care that the magical horse is upset? He watched on as Celestia began to lecture about something or another, after the word: "respect" came up, he tuned her out. Could she probably eviscerate him with the flick of her horn? Yea, but dammit she is not interesting! Besides, Blueblood started it! Pretentious ass hole offers him a hoof and then takes it back? Freaking buffalo giver.

Blueblood lay quietly in his bedroom. His mind was abuzz with the revelations and revulsion he had experienced today. First a pony tries to eat him for no reason. Than the fools at the dinner began insulting him after he polity debated his sister's choice of marital partner, and to top it all off; he was sent to his room with out desert after a minor altercation with the pony who wanted to crunch the royal hoof.

Life was so unfair sometimes.

A small smile played at his lips, he'd get the pony back. He'd concoct some plan to get revenge on that naive, even if he didn't; he had ponies for that kind of thing. His smile grew the more he thought about how he would get even and then some. Ponynapping, water boarding, giving him a hang hoof. The possibilities were endless.

His eye lids grew heavier and his mind slowed. All his scheming could wait, he had a big day after all. The body guards outside the door would keep him safe from any unwanted distractions, and besides; that cad was under the watch of Luna's elite night guard. He could sleep easy tonight.

Just as he began to open the door between the the world of the awake and asleep, he felt a harsh pressure on his muzzle. His eyes shot wide open to see a dark figure standing over his bed and a charcoal hoof over his mouth. In a fright, the prince lighted his horn to defend himself, though the magical appendage was quickly covered, and before he could charge anything worth while to attack, a low and familiar chuckle made his blood run cold.

"You wont be needing this anymore."

Crack.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Author's Note

I wonder how many will actually get the buffalo joke.

And no, the chapter is rather pointless to the plot, however, I just had to kill two birds with one stone here. Get a little bit of Blueblood and give another story for Star Shade to tell.

All "(Because I Can)" chapters will be irrelevant to the plot. The "Why" was already answered.

Question (A/N)

Hey guys.

For all the people this pisses off, the addition to the story but making it an Authors Note, i do apologize.

But I was really hoping to get some character development feedback.

I've kinda been neglecting Big Mac as an individual by the whole attempted shipping with Twilight, and Applejack, Ace and Rainbow Dash have also been kinda bland. (Don't worry, Rainbow will get her time to shine in Unitas)

But aside from that, What do you think of the characters and their personalities? Well developed or lacking? Confusing? Does it hold up to "Earning Freedom". and so on.

Call this attention seeking if you will. But I'm rather interested to hear what everyone has to say.

Thank you all for reading.

It's done (A/N)

I've taken a look at this story, and I mean, I really took a look at it.

I'm going to be frank, this story has gone WAAAAY of course for me.

I've really messed it up, and I apologize for that. I never wanted Sin to do half the crap I made him do, and the philosophical aspects, as well as political, were pushed aside for the sake of the action and adventure. Shade's involvement went WAY beyond what I had meant for it, and the plot is so contrived that I can barely follow it. Hell, the last chapter was more about Discords reformation than Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

So, this story will be put on indefinite hiatus.

Silver lining?

"Earning Freedom" will be reopened and continued. (Maybe)

I didn't give this story the time and consideration I should have, and it's suffered for it... Heavily.

My apologize.

-Daxisle