Judgement is Magic

Chapters

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three

Chapter One

Princess Celestia read the letter through a third and final time, her eyes going over every line, and finally settling on the complimentary close, and signature. Her brow was heavy, and her eyes wore a stern expression, as she resisted the urge to reread it a fourth time.

Bringing the document down, she folded it, and looked out from her dais, regarding the four ponies that had arrived moments before. “Surely this is some mistake.”

“I assure you, your Highness, this is no mistake.” The response had come from a sickly black pony, that stood precariously on four wobbly hooves; her coat so tattered and wretched, it gave the impression of a pony that had spent months starving in the bottom of a rotting trash can.

Setting the folded letter next to her on the floor, Celestia regarded the four ponies. “But why now? And with no advanced notice?”

Clearing her throat, a pale green mare spoke up to answer, her voice a ghostly whisper. “Oh but there was notice, your Highness. The race of man was given ample warning two and a half millennia ago. That they ignored it as myth and folly, is a tragedy of their own intellectual short-sightedness.”

Closing her eyes, Celestia could feel her heart sinking by the second in her chest. “So that’s it, then. He has chosen Equestria as the staging point for the subjugation, eradication, starvation, and slaughter of three-fourths of the entire human race.”

“Such is our fate, your Highness.” The white pony said, a smirk of arrogant annoyance spreading across her mouth. “It is what we were made for.”

“The letter does not say when,” Celestia said, placing a hoof on it at her side.

“No, your Highness.” It was the red pony’s turn to speak. Her voice was a harsh loud, and deliberate bark, that caused a jolt of subtle dread to slither up her spine. Celestia almost had a hard time believing that such a gruff and masculine voice could emanate from the mouth of such a lovely looking pony. “That order will be given shortly. For now, we are to remain here on standby until the first seal of the seven sacred scrolls are broken.”

Shaking her head, Celestia allowed her doubts to surface. “No, this is wrong. He cannot expect me to give safe harbor to the four destroyers of worlds. I do not wish my hooves tarnished by his self-righteous purging of his own creation! Dear heavens, I thought the whole idea was to save them, not crush them into submission!”

“How long has it been, your Highness?” The black pony said, her eyes seemed sunken and hazy as she spoke.

“I beg your pardon?”

“How long since you’ve last visited the human race?”

Celestia had to ponder her response. Surely it hadn't been that long ago, but as she traced her thoughts backwards over the centuries, she couldn't help but let in a small audible gasp. "It's been more than a thousand years."

"With certainty, those were dark times for the human race;" The pale green pony stated, her huge eyes unblinking, "and for a time, they learned and overcame, and adapted. Now, like the times of the ancient boatman, the human world is too filled with luxury, instant gratification; hidden behind self-delusions, they need no gods, no demons, no fear of retribution, or of judgement. Theirs is a world of lust, and rot, hidden behind the now and the want."

"But we're talking about living beings," Celestia said, looking down. She knew that this was an argument she was never going to win. These four were vastly older, and vastly superior to her.

"Correction, your Highness. We are talking about laws," The white pony was grinning as she spoke, "and when they are continually broken, and those that break them, no longer seek atonement through salvation, but instead choose a path of wonton gain; judgement must come. All who transgress the law, will be brought to their knees before it."

Celestia realized that there was another difference between herself and the four ponies before her. While she may be the ruler of her world, these four were the executors of judgement, heralds of annihilation, harbingers of the Almighty's wrath. In time, these very same four could come to exact judgement on Equestria; even herself.

Unwilling to give up the fight, Celestia considered her options. She certainly didn't want the four of them staying in the palace, but she needed to keep an eye on them, regardless they were placed in her charge until their summoning. But she was not about to let them arbitrarily carry out their random acts of retribution on a world—any world—if she could help it. Not without better understanding why, or at the least getting them to understand the ultimate act of compassion, and mercy.

"Since it seems as if the decision has been made, then of course, you shall stay here in Equestria." Celestia stared blankly out at them as she spoke. But then, a slow smile appeared on her face. "And I have the perfect place for you four to spend your time."

~ * * * * * * * ~

Chapter One: Bad Omens

"Thank you all for coming." Twilight Sparkle stood in the tree library holding up a glass of punch, while her friends gathered around, each with their own glass, and each smiling, as they waited on Twilight to finish her speech.

"I know the past few weeks have been difficult for you all, worrying over me, and missing me at your parties, and dinners, and events, and I promise to make that up to you each. But right now, I just want to say that as important as finishing my thesis has been, I am so glad that it's over!"

There were some mild cheers from Applejack and Rainbow Dash, as they applauded, and joined in toasting their friend's success, and completion of her work.

"So does this mean, you're ready to graduate from the magic school?" Rarity asked her, as she delicately sipped from the glass.

"As a matter of fact, it does," Twilight said. "It also means that I can finally take a break and just spend the next few days resting. I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but I'm tired of staring into books all day, and I'd like to give it a rest."

"Sounds like a good Idea there, Twilight," Applejack said, pouring herself another serving of punch. "You should give them books a rest every once in a while."

A knock on the door of the tree library caught Twilight's attention, and she made her way over to it.

"Yup, it's going to be nothing but rest and relaxation for me. I mean it's not as if the world's going to end because I didn't study for a few days." Opening the door, Twilight saw four ponies gathered close together looking intently at her.

Screaming at the top of her lungs, Twilight slammed the door shut, and placed her back against it.

"Good heaven's Twilight, what on earth is the matter with you?" Rarity said trotting over to pry her away from the door. "That's no way to treat guests to your party."

Shoving Twilight aside, Rarity opened the door, and saw the four gathered ponies, and keeled backward fainting without a sound.

Trembling, Twilight peered out the door at the four strange and frightening looking ponies, and put on her best smile, while the others at the party gathered around her to see what the commotion was.

Holding out a hoof, the white pony with sharp eyes and attractive features handed Twilight a letter. "Are you, Twilight Sparkle?"

"Ye... yes."

"This is from your princess."

"Let us in, or we will level this city, and leave the mangled corpses of its inhabitants as a feast for the birds!" the red one shouted, causing Twilight to reel back a step.

"Shhhh, we are supposed to be civil while we're here, War." The voice was from the black pony, frail and trembling.

"I'm just saying, that it's an option."

With trembling hooves, Twilight opened the letter from the princess and began to read.

"What's it say Twilight?" asked Rainbow Dash placing herself between the open doorway, and her friends.

Letting out a small chuckle of disbelief, Twilight said, "It says the world is about to come to an end."

"Perhaps it would help if we introduced ourselves," said the white pony. "My name is Conquest, the loud mouth with the fiery mane is War, this sack of skin and bones here is Famine, and of course, the even sicker looking pony in the back is Death."

At the sound of her name, Death waived at Twilight. "Hi Twilight, I like your name; it makes me think of dying in my sleep."

Taking in the four ponies, Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but instead, joined Rarity on the floor of the library as she fainted.

The four ponies watched her for a moment, till War put her hooves on her flanks. "Pain in the ass!"

« • »

Twilight was awakened by a sharp pain, and bolted upright on her sofa, to be met almost face to face with the four ponies from earlier. She instantly shrieked and made as if she wanted to get away, but the red one, War, held her down by her shoulders.

"Now listen you spooked rabbit, we're not going to harm you, we just need a place to stay while we're, uh, visiting Equestria." Turning to the others for confirmation, War motioned her head. "Isn't that right?"

Instantly the other three began talking excitedly, and affirming their intentions were of the utmost propriety. All except for Death, who was heard ending the light ruckus with the phrase, "haven't had a good slaughter in more than a hundred years."

"What did she just say?" Twilight asked.

"Nothing," said War. "The point is, we've been invited to come here to Ponyville by your Princess, and she informed us that you would have the means of securing some lodging for us."

Looking around the inside of the library, Twilight saw Rarity still passed out on the floor where she had collapsed, then she recalled the letter from the Princess, and weighed the contents. It had stated rather clearly, that the four ponies were legendary bringers of destruction, and that they were to be spending their time in Equestria before moving on; but that the Princess wanted Twilight and her friends to show the power of love, friendship, and magic. It was certainly a tall order, and while Twilight was happy the Princess placed such faith in her, she wasn't sure the Princess had the right pony for the job, this time.

Standing close by where the four destroyer ponies stood, Twilight could see the faces of her friends, and noticed Applejack shaking her head. Rainbow Dash was too distracted by staring down the red pony to notice much else, and Pinkie Pie was twisting herself near in half to examine the skinny pony, that had been referred to as Famine.

Twilight wanted to swoon again, but instead just allowed herself to recline back and groan softly.

"Can I have a few minutes to discuss with my friends?" Twilight asked War, as she smiled a fake and frightened grin.

"But of course, take all the time you require to find us rooms."

Slithering from the sofa, and inching away from the four, Twilight quick stepped to her friends, and motioned for the kitchen, where they could talk without being overheard. Though, on a scale of one to a thousand, of things she was most worried about, being eavesdropped on was somewhere in the five hundreds.

Once inside the kitchen, Twilight peeked through the door, to make sure that her guests weren't suspicious, and turned back to her friends with the biggest pleading expression she could muster.

"What in the name of all that's right and normal is going on around here?" Applejack couldn't help but sound annoyed, and given the reactions of the ponies, the terrifying appearance and personalities of the four, and the fact that Rarity was still unconscious made Applejack frown sternly and put on her best motherly tone.

"Are y'all gonna tell us what's with those four odd ponies, or are we gonna have to beat the truth out of some-pony?"

"The truth is all in this letter," Twilight said, holding it out for her friends to examine. "I'll read it to you, and then maybe you can help me with this, problem."

Clearing her throat, Twilight began, "My faithful student, the four ponies that are no-doubt presenting you with this letter are here on official business from the supreme ruler of the cosmos. It is his wish that they remain in Equestria until their services are needed, and they are to begin the task of bringing judgement on the world of human-kind. I know that this is a lot to take in, in such a short time, I want you and your friends to perhaps show a good and kindly example of the power of friendship and compassion to these four, in the hopes that mercy may be revealed within them.

"These four are very old, and very powerful. Their sole purpose is to destroy worlds, and ravage civilizations, their foretelling has been in both prophecy, and song, and visions, from world to world, since the dawn of time. It is not my intention to change their minds, as like myself, they are tools, and servants of a high power; but it's my hope that with the smallest amount of goodwill and charity, these four will take with them something far more important: conscience.

"I believe that to necessitate change in what we do, we must first learn what it is about ourselves that makes us do those things. Please pass on my wishes to your friends, and please be at peace. These four, while frightening, and horrible, are very wise, and very just; even if they are rather singularly driven. Regards, Princess Celestia; ruler of Equestria."

The five of them were silent for a moment, and didn't quite seem to know what to say. Mostly just staring at one another, and blinking.

Rainbow Dash however did at least think about checking on the four ponies in the other room, and walked to the door and peeked through from the kitchen.

"Whatever you are going to do with them; you might want to hurry it up and decide."

"Why?" Twilight asked.

"Because I think that sick green pony, is about to make Spike dead."

"Do you see the little light?" Death asked, standing over Spike, who was rubbing at the sides of his head.

"I don't see a light," he said, as Death touched her hoof on his forehead again, and he keeled over, making a "whuh" sound.

Tapping him on the shoulder, Death brought him back from the afterlife. "Did you see a white light now?"

"I still didn't see a light." Noticing Twilight and the others emerge from the kitchen, Spike waived her over. "Hey Twi, Death here is showing me the light at the end of the tunnel. But I still haven't seen it."

"Um, that's great," Twilight said, sliding Spike back towards herself, and away from Death, who looked rather disappointed that she couldn't continue. "After thinking it over, I think I have a great idea for where you four can stay."

Looking around the main area of the library, Twilight realized that she was only looking at three of the four ponies. The white pegasus, Conquest, was laying on the sofa, and War was browsing the bookshelf at the section for famous battles, while Death was slowly inching closer to Spike to continue her game.

"Where's, Famine?" Twilight asked, looking around the library.

"She's probably dying behind the sofa. I saw her collapse earlier when you were out." Conquest pointed a hoof behind the sofa where she lay, without bothering to show any concern for her companion.

"Oh my goodness!" Twilight ran around the sofa and spotted the black mare on her side, with her eyes open, her mouth open, and her pink dry tongue hanging out. Clearly she had already died, no doubt from malnutrition, though with the green pony's obsession for killing things, Twilight had to entertain the thought that perhaps she had sent her friend ahead of Spike, to find the white light at the end of the tunnel.

"Get up, you aren't fooling anyone!" roared War from her place at the bookshelf.

At once, Famine refocused her eyes, and turned them to Twilight, causing her to shriek, and backpedal.

"You aren't dead?" Twilight gasped.

"Just a little hungry."

"Well, no damn wonder, girl, you look like you ain't eat nothin' since the last new moon!" Applejack had come around the sofa and caught a look at the famished Famine. "Why don't y'all get on up from there and get some grub?"

Shaking her ashen colored mane, Famine said, "I'm afraid it wouldn't last on me."

"You were saying something about the arrangement," Conquest said, as she examined her front hooves.

"Right," said Twilight as she looked sidelong at War, who was still engrossed in the books, "I think it would be best if you each board up with one of us, for the duration of your stay."

Pulling her back a ways, Rainbow Dash turned Twilight away from the conversation and whispered in her ear, "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, these ponies seem a little creepy to me, and I'm not sure this is the best way to, you know, carry out Princess Celestia's plan for showing them the power of friending."

"Maybe Rainbow Dash is right," Fluttershy said, as she glanced over her shoulder with concern. "They don't seem very easy to get along with. And did I mention that they are scary?"

"Look girls, I know this is a big deal, and I know these four are all powerful world destroying ponies, but if Princess Celestia thinks we can do this, then we owe it to her to try. Now, since there's six of us, and four of them, then two of us can skip doom-duty; but I think we should pair them up with those elements that they need most, or at least the ponies whose personality can tolerate the one they're rooming with."

"So which of us gets to get which of them?" asked Applejack from behind Twilight.

"Well, since Fluttershy is afraid of them, I won't ask her to take one of them, and I really don't think leaving Pinkie alone with one of them is safe for either, so that leaves Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and myself."

"In case you haven't noticed, Rarity is still passed out," Rainbow Dash said, pointing back at the crumpled white unicorn, "and I doubt she'd willingly go along."

"Rarity is faking," said Applejack, as she walked over to her friend on the floor. "Rarity! There's a sale on silk and ribbons at the shop down the way; buy two get half off the third!"

"Really?" she said, leaping up into an upright sitting position, and looking around sheepishly, when she realized her gig was up.

"Oh, fine!" she said, turning her head away from Applejack's frown. "I was faking. So sue me."

"Alright then," Twilight said, "we'll pair you four up with four of us. Sorry Fluttershy, and Pinkie; there just isn't enough of them to go around."

Fluttershy looked relieved, and Pinkie Pie looked disappointed. Though her disappointment was short lived as Death touched her on the forehead, and she fell to the floor lifeless.

"Would you stop doing that!" Twilight yelled. "You're going to give a pony brain damage!"

Without any emotion, Death touched Pinkie on the forehead again, and she bounded up as if nothing had happened.

"I saw the light! I saw the light!" Pinkie shouted, as she bounced.

"Aww shoot," said Spike. "I was wanting to see the light, too."

"Can we focus?" Twilight asked, dragging Spike back towards her with her hoof, before Death decided to try another time to kill him.

"Well then, out with it already," said Conquest, reclining back uncaring.

"Right. Famine, you'll go with Applejack to Sweet Apple Acres; Conquest, you'll go with Rarity, since you seem as fashionable; Death, you'll go with Rainbow Dash, since you're a flyer. That just leaves War. You'll stay here in the library, since you seem to take an interest in books, and are a unicorn type pony."

"I beg your pardon, but I am not a unicorn; these are horns, not horn. I am a descended hybrid of Baphomet and Adramalech, the consumer of knowledge and the commander of hell."

Twilight stared at War blankly for a second, then put on her forced smile. "Perfect, and I'll bet I have plenty of knowledge for you to consume."

"Well, this is sure going to be interesting." said Applejack, as she gently pushed on Famine to go with her. "Come on slim, we gotta go work on gettin' some meat on them bones."

Chapter Two

Twilight watched as one by one her friends left the library. Some with otherworldly ponies of doom, and a couple without; but each with a forlorn expression, that made her wonder what on earth she had gotten them into this time. It was true, on many occasions, the Princess had sought out the Elements of Harmony to solve matters of importance, and as a willing student, eager to please her mentor, Twilight saw to it that everything she was asked to do, was completed, somehow. This time however, she had to pray that the Princess wasn't unjustifiably placing too much faith in the six of them, or rather, the four of them.

Watching from the open door, Twilight felt mild amusement as she observed Rarity talking to Conquest with excitement, as the two of them walked down the street. Conquest was paying her no mind, and Rarity was doing everything in her power to sound as high-class as possible; to little avail.

"Are you going to stand there all day with the door open? Ponies can catch a deathly cold like that, you know."

Looking back, from the doorway, Twilight saw War, she was still sitting in front of the bookshelves, reading. Alright, this was it. She had a chance here to finally begin the task of showing War the power of friendship and all that other stuff that Celestia had put in the letter. No time like the present, and nothing to be gained from waiting.

"So, War... I bet you're hungry from your trip, would you like to have something to eat?" Twilight walked up to her, and sat down next to her, careful not to get too close, the fiery mane and tail still seemed as if it could burn the whole place down with one errant flicker, though it didn't seem to actually be burning. Twilight was tempted to reach a hoof over and touch it, but resisted.

Turning her head ever-so-slightly to face Twilight, War regarded her with curiosity before answering, "No. I am not hungry. I am on a fast, until I and the others are summoned."

"A fast? You mean, you aren't going to eat?" Twilight looked confused as to the exact purpose fasting would serve, to which War perceived her befuddlement.

"A fast is a spiritual ritual that serves to clear the mind, and bring it into alignment with one's inner-being." Scoffing, with a humph, war leaned close to her, and stared into her eyes menacingly, "It's not because I wouldn't graciously devour every-pony in this city, to satiate my appetite."

Twilight scooted back a few inches, and smiled sheepishly. She was hoping the last bit was just meant to scare her a little; which it had.

Realizing that she had once again come off as too dark and mean-spirited, War exhaled deeply, and evenly said, "However, there is no rule that says I cannot indulge in a cup of tea."

Jumping up, and frantically looking for Spike, Twilight felt her pulse start speeding up. She was doing it, she was showing kindness and friendship to her, and it was working. But why did it feel so excruciatingly tedious?

~ * * * * * * * ~

Chapter Two: The Art of War

With a steaming cup of half consumed tea next to her, War continued to read through the books at her spot in front of the bookshelf. Twilight, was as patient as she could be, but as the minutes wore into hours, she began to panic. Surely War wouldn't just spend all of her time reading. Of course, Twilight had to shake her head, as the irony was not wasted on her. How many times in the past had she herself been lost in books and study, and the whole world was shut out at hooves length? Rhetorical questions aside, she now knew how her friends must have felt, wanting her involvement in some matter, and her with her muzzle in a book.

Eventually, Twilight resorted to pacing the library, as she formulated every angle to begin a conversation with War.

So War, I was wondering if we could talk. How about the weather lately? Oh, and let's not destroy human-kind, okay? Rubbing her head, Twilight concluded that getting War into a conversation was not going to be an easy feat.

She was at the point of collapsing on the sofa, and giving up, when War called to her.

"Yes?" she said, springing over, rushed yet relaxed. She didn't want War thinking she was too eager, after all.

"Do you have any books on Equestria art?"

"Uh... art?" Twilight was taken aback by the request. "What sort of art?"

"Any will suffice," War said, taking the cup of tea beside her in both hooves and bringing it up to her mouth.

Twilight was fascinated with her. War was unlike any pony she ever met before. Angry, calm, violent, and polite; she was a compelling mystery, that Twilight hoped she could come to understand. Though, deep down, Twilight was equally fearful of War, in that, no matter how much she wanted to understand, there was a huge gulf of separation between them. Twilight could see it in War's eyes whenever she looked at her, and those green eyes were like oceans of power, knowledge and brutality.

"Are you going to stand there looking at me with a stupid expression, or are you going to find me a book!?"

Shaken from her thoughts, Twilight bolted to the shelves across from where War was sitting, and began pulling various tomes and volumes from the assorted collections.

War watched with fascination as Twilight bustled about the shelves, taking books from them and making them into a tall stack. Then using her magic, brought them over.

It would have been fine, but in her haste, Twilight tripped over her own hooves, and sent the stack flying toward War. Raising her brow, War maintained her calm expression as the tall stack of books collapsed on her, knocking her flat to her back.

Fortunately the teacup was empty, else there would have been warm tea and books littering the floor, as War scooted the disarrayed books from her, and finally giving way to annoyance with a frown.

"I am so sorry!" Twilight said, rushing to pick up the books.

"If I had known that you were going to do all that, I would have retrieved the damn things myself."

"I'm sorry," she said, dusting at War with her hooves. "I'm usually not that clumsy."

"You are afraid, it is natural," War said, watching as Twilight re-stacked the books.

"Huh? What's there to be afraid of? I mean you seem perfectly normal to me."

"Lying is a sin, you know," said War, as she examined the spines of the books. "At best, one would burn in a lake of fire, for all eternity."

Exhaling in defeat, Twilight realized that War wasn't a pushover, and clearly knew that Celestia had given her and the others a head's-up on their arrival.

"I'm sorry. Princess Celestia mentioned that you were needing a place to stay, and that you were these legendary ponies of world ending destruction, and that maybe we could befriend you four while you were here."

"I see." War looked unconcerned with the information, as she pulled a book from the stack, and examined it.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"You may."

"Why are you looking up Equestrian art?"

War looked up from the book, and regarded Twilight with a look of mild amusement. "Isn't it obvious? There is much to be learned from a culture, or a civilization by studying their art."

"Oh," Twilight said, inching closer to peer at the book. "How is that helpful when..."

Setting the book down, War looked up at Twilight, and once again, Twilight was enraptured by the cold icy stare of those green eyes. Those terrifying eyes that pulled at the soul, and pierced the will.

"What?"

Frowning, War turned her head to the side, as if in thought, "Do I detect a deeper question in there, Twilight Sparkle?"

Suddenly caught off guard by War's directness, Twilight fumbled for a response. On one hoof, she was finally getting the conversation she had wanted; yet on the other, she was suddenly afraid of the idea of where this conversation would lead. What, if anything intelligent could she hope to bring to it? After all, she was just a student, and an understudy of the Princess. What did she know of retribution, divine punishment, or even other worlds for that matter?

Taking a deep breath, Twilight sat down on the floor next to War and asked the first question that came to her mind.

"What is it like... destroying worlds?"

"It is a duty. Nothing more," War said.

"Do you ever feel guilty?"

"No."

"But don't you cause harm? What about the innocent beings?" Twilight was fearful of the fact that nothing she was asking, seemed right. She wanted to get to the heart of the matter, but she kept skirting the issue, the one that had bothered her since she first read the letter.

"Oh, I see." War was frowning again, and Twilight felt sure she had pressed a hot topic button.

"Let me let you in on a few facts, Miss Sparkle." War slowly rose to her hooves, and paced as she spoke. "First; there are no innocents. I am not an executioner of judgement on the righteous, but on the unrighteous. Every war, every battle, every conflict, has been, and only ever will be, against those who have transgressed the law."

Twilight wanted to say something, but she was cut off, when War held up a hoof.

"Second; you are under a misguided preconceived notion, if you believe that I or any of the others are capable of feeling guilt; this is what we do, this is why we were created. The idea that we could be allowed to destroy and conquer, and kill innocents, is as preposterous as oil and water forming a natural solid."

"I'm sorry, I just can't comprehend the eradication of an entire world."

Bringing a hoof up to run through her fiery mane, War took a deep breath, and thought about her answer. "Let's talk about something else. You are a creature that lives in a good world; a righteous world; and you should not be burdened with such topics."

"So, how about the weather?"

War looked past Twilight to the window of the library, and viewed the sky. "I do not see rain, so all is well and good."

For the next few hours, Twilight left War alone with her reading. Her first attempt at conversation hadn't gone as well as she wanted, and she was afraid that she would end up saying the wrong thing, and making War angry. Certainly this is not what Princess Celestia had wanted. But the mysterious War became more unreachable by the moment.

Having finally exhausted herself from all the thoughts and thinking she had done, Twilight finally retired to her balcony, where she could watch the clouds, and be alone. For some reason, she felt depressed, and wanted some solitude. Relaxing in the warm sunlight, she eventually drifted off to sleep.

An hour or so later she was awakened by the sounds of some commotion in the streets.

Looking over the side of the balcony, Twilight looked down the street of Ponyville, and saw a large crowd of ponies gathered near the square, shouting and causing a general disturbance.

Straining to get a better look, she couldn't make out the cause of the behavior, but it was enough that she figured, she had best investigate.

Rushing back into the library, Twilight shouted down to War, "There's something happening at the square, I'm gonna go..."

When Twilight got to the bottom of the stairs, she didn't see War anywhere, and only a pile of books, and her teacup.

"War, are you there?"

Twilight's mind raced through all the calculations of where the red pony could have gone, and her eyes went wide in horror as it dawned on her. "No, she wouldn't."

Twilight ran as fast as she could from the library toward the crowd of gathered ponies, and her jaw dropped as soon as she saw what the commotion was. There in the middle of the town square, were two lines of ponies gathered on either side of the street, ready to charge into battle against one another, and leading them was War. Eyes blazing, and fiery mane billowing like wild-fire, she was at the head of the fray, shouting, "Death to the unholy! Death to the unrighteous!"

« • »

By the time Applejack had reached Sweet Apple Acres, Famine had collapsed along the way so often, that Applejack had to resort to carrying her on her back. She was light as a feather, and apologized endlessly for the trouble. Applejack knew that this was for the Princess, but for some reason, she genuinely wanted to help the poor pony. Being that hungry couldn't be good for anyone.

When she finally reached the door to her house, Applejack had to set Famine on the porch to open the door.

"Hey, Apple Bloom! You home!?"

Helping Famine back onto her feet, Applejack led her into the house, and directed her to the living room, where she sat her on the large couch. "Now, you jes sit right there, until I can whip us up somethin' to eat."

"You shouldn't go out of your way," Famine said as she stretched out on the couch, and closed her magenta eyes. "I'm fine; just a little tired."

"Nonsense," Applejack said, as she tossed her hat on a hat-pole near the door. "I'm a little hungry myself."

Going into the kitchen, Applejack went to the pantry to fetch a bag of barley, some fresh carrots, a cabbage, and corn. Maybe if she made that poor pony a mean stew, she'd get over that bad tremble. Mercy alive, Granny Smith didn't wobble that bad, and she was older than dirt. No offense Granny.

"Hey Applejack, did you call me?" Apple Bloom bounded into the kitchen, and rushed up to the table to see that Applejack was getting out an early dinner.

"Yeah, I did. I called you yesterday, and it took you a week to answer."

"That's don't make any sense!" Apple Bloom said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, neither does you're taking so long to come down here, when I call you." Applejack, looked into the living room to see the charcoal black pony was still there. "I want you to go in there and keep an eye on our new guest. She's gonna be staying with us for a few days, or so."

Excited at the prospect of having company over, Apple Bloom jumped up and down a time or two. "Ooh, ooh, is she from out of town?"

"Uh, yeah... you could say that. Way out of town." Applejack was chopping up the carrots, and running water, and took another look back. "Now, she's a bit odd, but don't let that bother you none, and just make sure you are on your best behavior. You got that missy?"

"Yeah, yeah. I got it," said Apple Bloom jumping up and down again. "Well what's her name?"

"Oh, uh, her name is Famine."

"Famine? Huh, she must be like one of them upper pie-crust ponies from Trottingham," Apple Bloom said, still bouncing around Applejack in the kitchen.

"It's upper crust, and I don't think she's from Trottingham." Shooing at her little sister, Applejack pointed in the direction of the living room. "I need y'all to get in there, and keep her company while I get this dinner ready, or do you want to have Big Mac cook his infamous biscuits and gravy again?"

Just thinking about it was enough to have her turning her stomach. "More like biscuits and grave. No thank you."

Apple Bloom bounded off into the living room, and less than a minute later returned.

"I thought I got rid of you ages ago," Applejack teased, "and yet you still find your way back."

"Applejack, I realize this may come as a shock, but your friend is dead." Apple Bloom was holding her nose. "I think you better bury her in the back yard before she starts to stink up the house, like Mr Cuddle-Kins last Summer."

"Oh merciful heavens, she ain't dead, Apple Bloom. Just go nudge her, she's probably just sleeping... I hope." The last time she fainted behind Twilight's sofa, it was from hunger. Applejack had to wonder if perhaps her name had anything to do with that. Famine wasn't obviously just a coincidence as a name, so there may in fact be something more to it.

"Alright," Apple Bloom finally said, after weighing her options, "but if you killed her, and are using me as a scape goat, I won't hesitate to turn you in to the authorities for the reward."

Twilight, you owe me big for this. Applejack thought, as she took a deep breath and headed into the living room.

Chapter Three

Sitting at the table with Applejack and Apple Bloom, Famine looked longingly at the steaming food in the pot that was setting on the table in front of her. Apple Bloom stared continually at her since the time Applejack roused her up from the couch earlier, and the butter colored filly was sure something was bad wrong with their guest; even if she couldn't put a solid hoof on what it was.

Slapping her hooves together, Applejack bowed her head and began to say her blessing for the meal. "Oh dear maker, grant that this food be proper and well for our bodies, for which we give thanks, as we do the company of this here new guest of ours. Amen."

Apple Bloom, had been peeking through her hooves at Famine while the blessing was being said, and after contributing her own "amen", she turned her attention to the charcoal mare sitting beside her. "You didn't say amen at the end of the blessing."

"Apple Bloom, don't be a busybody," said Applejack as she ladled up a serving of the stew for Famine, and set the bowl in front of her. "If she doesn't want to say the blessing, then that's her choice."

Apple Bloom wasn't entirely convinced yet, and watched curiously as Famine examined her bowl of soup, while Applejack poured herself and Apple Bloom a serving. With a heavy sigh Famine pushed the bowl away from her.

"What's the matter shug, you don't like stew?"

"Oh, it's not that," Famine said. "It's delicious looking, I just like my food a little more cooked."

Applejack wasn't exactly sure she understood what that meant as she looked down at her own bowl, and regarded it. She didn't want to pry but unless she set the stew on fire and burned it, then it couldn't really be cooked much more. Perhaps the poor thing was accustomed to her food being burnt.

"Well I s'pose I can put this on the heat a tad more, if that's how you'd rather have it." Applejack reached for the bowl in front of Famine, but she was stopped short.

"I can do it," Famine said.

"Oh, no I couldn't let you do it yourself; y'all are a guest here."

Before Applejack could retrieve the bowl of stew from Famine, the charcoal mare began to shiver; well that is, to shiver more than she already had done, and her eyes began to glow white, causing Applejack and Apple Bloom to slowly scoot away from the table. They weren't sure what she was up to, but if she was about to blow a gasket, then it would be in their personal best interest to put some space between them and the lit fuse.

Applejack was only too aware of the fact that Famine was one of four dangerous ponies, and armed with the knowing, she rushed over to shield Apple Bloom from the inevitable, just as the bowl of stew on the table in front of Famine ignited in a deep crimson flame. The flame was in the bowl for only a moment, and then it was gone, as was Famine's glowing eyes, and the extra bout of shivering.

Reluctantly, Applejack tenderhooved to the table, and peered at the bowl. Inside was a fine black and white powder, with no trace of the ingredients or the broth. All that was in the bowl, was what looked like ashed.

Smiling, Famine scooted the bowl back in front of her, and retrieved the spoon from next to her, and began spooning the ashes into her mouth. The sight of which made Applejack want to gag, and reach for a glass of water. She'd once tripped in a race with Rainbow Dash, and landed face-first in the sand and dirt, and took a mouthful, but the thought of having a gob of ashes in her mouth made her stomach heave.

"My, I guess y'all do like your food a little... well done." Applejack was holding her sister back, knowing good and well that Apple Bloom would rush in and say the first damn thing on her mind, and the last that Applejack wanted was to disrespect a pony whose sole purpose in life was to bring death and destruction to an entire world. She certainly didn't want to imagine her sister being responsible for having Famine and her friends cause havoc in Ponyville; she'd never be able to apologize enough to the Princess if that happened.

~ * * * * * * * ~

Chapter Three: Ashes For Bread

The meal ended, and for the first time in a long time, Applejack was glad to get away from the table, and do the dishes. Her stomach had turned more times sitting there watching Famine eat, than it did the three times she took the roller coaster at Whirl-a-World's Amusement park.

Apple Bloom stood in the kitchen with her hooves on her flanks, as she eyed Applejack with frustration. She didn't want to be stuck in the kitchen, helping with the dishes, she wanted to be in the living room with their guest, so in case she did anything odd and strange she could point a hoof and laugh about it. But no; Applejack had made her stay put, and now as she reluctantly grabbed the dishes off the table to hand to her, Apple Bloom's eyes cut sharper and sharper.

"I know what y'all are doin'," Applejack said over her shoulder.

"But, I just want to..."

"No ma'am. Y'all are gonna stay put in here with me, and when I finish, then we'll go in there, and keep her company."

"But earlier, y'all were all excited to have me go in there and check on her; now y'all've got a burr up y'all's butt about it."

"And y'all are gonna get my hoof up y'all's if'n you don't settle yourself down," Applejack said, as she rinsed the final bowl and set it to the side.

Apple Bloom stuck her tongue out at her sister, and went to stand in the corner. It was her own special brand of defiance, and while it didn't serve a single purpose, Applejack was grateful it was that, rather than a screaming tantrum on the floor. She would much rather deal with a pouting Apple Bloom, rather than one that writhed in agony every time she didn't get her way.

Drying her hooves, Applejack went into the living room to check on Famine, only to find her laying on the couch. It looked as if she was resting, and for some reason it disturbed Applejack. There was something ghostly and otherworldly about her, as if she was on the planet, but stepping off into some other place at the same time. Whenever she would catch Famine's gaze, it always seemed as if she was looking right through her.

"Is everything okay in here?" Applejack asked, as she entered, and made for her favorite recliner.

Famine nodded without looking up from the couch. "Yes, everything is fine, it was a wonderful meal."

"I don't see how it could have been very filling," Applejack said, chuckling awkwardly. "It's no wonder that y'all don't have more fat on you, with meals like that."

At the word fat, Famine opened her eyes and turned her head toward Applejack. "There was a human named, Janwillem van de Wetering. Do you know this name?"

Shaking her head, Applejack smiled flatly. "Can't say as I have. We don't get no humans around these parts."

"Mmm, yes," Famine said, slowly allowing her gaze to drift off. "He was a writer and philosopher. He once said: 'Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough.'"

"So then being healthy is a bad thing?" Applejack asked.

"Of course not. But the appetite of greed is a gulf of unending depth. So by rights, the greatest control of self, is the control of want."

Applejack wanted to speak, but the truth in those words were irrefutable. She turned to see Apple Bloom finally finish her silent protest, and considered sending her out to play, but there were going to be times when she was going to need to know some things about life, and the bigger picture. Perhaps it was now one of those times.

"Twilight says that y'all are some bringers of judgement," Applejack said barely above a whisper. "She said, that Princess Celestia sent y'all to us here in Ponyville to make friends."

"That's very kind of your Princess," Famine said, as she regarded Apple Bloom, who entered sheepishly, and sullen. "Yes, my friends and I are each of us instruments of destruction."

Applejack shivered a little at the words. The way that she stated it so matter of factly, was a dosage of cold reality that she hadn't expected. In her heart, there were all sorts of things that she wanted to tell Famine, but she knew that she wasn't anywhere near as good as Twilight was with getting things out. She knew she fell short with words, but it didn't mean that she couldn't try.

"So is that all you do, just destroy worlds?" Applejack looked serious, as she said it. Almost as if she was about to start a fight. Apple Bloom knew that look as well, and sat still in the opposite chair, and stared with large eyes as she waited for what would happen next.

Apparently Famine was much smarter than she let on, since Applejack's behavior did not escape her attention. "You disapprove."

"Well I don't rightly reckon that I like the idea." Applejack was doing her level best to maintain eye contact with the charcoal mare. "I suppose it's one thing to pass judgement based on law, but from what I hear tell, y'all are out to wipe out a third, or fourth of a whole dang world. How in the name of Princess Celestia is that even fair?"

For just a brief moment, Famine allowed herself the luxury of frowning. "Fair? What would the element of honesty know about fair?"

"Beg your pardon?"

"It is difficult for you to understand, by reason of your nature. For you everything in life is calculated by the end result of honesty; you cannot see things in terms of justice."

Applejack was certain that she didn't fully understand, and she was certain that she didn't want to understand, but the fact was that her friends were counting on her, and she owed them.

"Care to explain that?"

"Certainly," Famine said. "You see for you, there is only the glaring truth of any given situation, right and wrong are by products of the fact. It is never one way or another, it simply is what it is. By the same token, justice is based on the present conditions of the circumstances, which can be one way or another. Truth demands an unrelenting eye to focus on the facts, but it is justice that looks beyond truth to see the intent of the matter."

Applejack shook her head for a moment, and tried her best to let what Famine was saying take hold, as difficult as it was.

"Let us suppose that there was a pony that stole a loaf of bread to feed his starving family. Let us also suppose that by stealing this bread he set the baker at risk of not earning enough money to meet his day's quota. This pony thief is found out, and captured, and taken before the court, and the truth of the matter is brought to bear on the jury. The fact is simple; he stole bread. But what is far beyond the means of the truth is another truth, which bears open the intentions of the soul. If the judge sentences this pony based on the honest facts alone, then the pony would suffer jail, and the law will be satisfied. But if the judge looks at the intentions of the matter, and deduces that hardship, and fear of starvation, lack of good-will from his fellows; all accumulated into this one act of disobedience... then a righteous judge would find in his heart leniency and compassion."

"But what does that have to do with the devastation of a whole dang world?" Applejack asked.

"Everything. For you see, beyond the facts, beyond the truth, the people of Earth have had ample opportunity to judge themselves, to seek out the intentions of their own hearts, and thereby escape the wrath of their maker almighty. But because they only saw things in the light of their selfish wants, and disregarded the paths of righteousness, committing crime after crime, and sin after sin; with no regard for anything, then the judgement will be swift and deliberate. You find it hard to believe that a whole world can be found guilty, but after two thousand years of mindless debauchery, with no excuse, no reason, no cause, and no justification, they have reached a point of no return."

Applejack was shaking her head, but Famine stopped her before she could speak.

"You want fairness. But I tell you, that when we ride to the brink of their world, and level it into dust and ashes, and blood; there will be nothing more fair. Children are told; be good, and follow the commandments, serve your God, and love your neighbor, follow the path of righteousness, and be good stewards of that which your creator has provided; abstain from wickedness, and forms of evil, and in the end, they repeatedly disregard this. Mocking their creator, making fools of those that do, suffering violence and cruelty to reign supreme in a world intended for holiness, and blessing, and after repeated attempts to encourage, to warn, and to coach, they still chose a life of luxurious greed over a simple basic creed; I ask you, what could be more compassionate, than to annihilate the evil from the world."

There was an argument there, Applejack knew it. But the fact remained that this scrawny, frail, and hollow being had successfully hauled off and whipped her mental ass. Despite the fact that she knew that an end of a whole world was wrong, she could not deny that when placed in proper perspective; it all made a maddening sense.

A creator was supreme; there was nothing placed higher in the cosmos than that. Like a parent, who is forced to spank their child, or punish them for a misdeed, it seemed that even a supreme being was forced to necessitate punishment for his children. When lessons fail to be learned, it casts a reflection on the teacher; and when children were disobedient, it reflected the nature of a parent.

One look at Apple Bloom was all it took for AJ to fully understand the level of burden that came with raising a foal. Many times in her life, Apple Bloom was a source of pure joy and delight; and at times, a hellion to be reckoned. When weighed in those truths, Applejack could only reply to Famine as honestly as her nature would allow.

"Mercy on us all."

Author's Note

Six months is a long time to go between updates; and I assure you all that my thoughts are never far from the stories that I have here on FIMFic... sadly though, my time has been beset with unending deadlines on my novel, and try as I might, I cannot so easily leap from one project to another.

This chapter has been "nearly" finished for a long time. I considered not posting it, so as not to get your hopes up too high that I was resuming all my stories; but I didn't see the harm in finishing it, and putting it up. I'm sorry if it takes some time to get new chapters up... I thank you all so much for the positive feedback, and the favorites, and the likes... you guys are the "awesomestly awesome of all!"

~ D.D.