Forgiveness

Twilight woke slowly, groaning as she lifted herself to stand upright. Her body felt like it had either been trampled by a herd of angry bison, or she had the worst hangover of her life. Looking around, she found herself in a small circular room that was illuminated by a soft light, the source of which she could not identify. The room was empty save for her and the six doors that lined the wall. Each door had a gothic arch and brass handle, the only difference between them being the symbol on each handle. A balloon, a lightning bolt, a butterfly, an apple, a diamond, and one with two crescent moons that faced away from one another.

“Well, at least this part isn't difficult to figure out...” She mused aloud.

Frowning she looked carefully at each door, and then once more to be sure. There was one missing: Dawn's. That was... concerning, to say the least. However, she had no idea how Discord's game worked, and hoped that it was just part of it.

Moving towards the door directly in front of her she was about to reach out her magic to open it when she paused. The symbol on it was a lightning bolt, Rainbow's door. She winced inwardly as she thought of their last encounter, how she had been so enraged at her betrayal that she struck one of her dearest friends. Where had this all gone wrong? Looking at herself Twilight wasn't sure of the mare she had become. She wasn't sure of a lot of things these days, but she was sure of her resolve to save her friends and her princess. Even if it was the last thing she did.

Reaching out with her magic she opened the door and stepped through...

She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the light, noticing that she was once more in the throne room of Canterlot. She was walking down the dark blue carpet that she had become so familiar with, and what struck her as odd was how real it felt beneath her hooves. On either side of the carpet stood masses of ponies, all watching her silently as she made her way to the golden throne. Once she stood beside it her brother, Shining Armor, seemed to materialize out of nowhere.

“Chencellor...”, he said with a deep bow, “...they are ready to bring the prisoner in on your command”.

Twilight only nodded, unsure what else to say. She briefly wondered if Rainbow was the prisoner he was speaking of, but she got her answer as the two large golden doors to the throne room opened.

There was the sound of heavy iron chains rustling as three ponies slowly walked down the carpet to her. In front were two royal guard ponies, each carrying a iron chain in one hoof. The ends of these chains were attached to a collar around Rainbow's neck, who trailed behind them. She moved with a limp, the chains on her legs and wings rattling with each step she took. Her face and body were covered in dark bruises and cuts that were in different stages of healing. It was as if she had been beaten multiple times over the course of multiple weeks.

Twilight's eyes widened in horror at the sight, and was about to rush over to her when Shining spoke loudly, drawing her attention away from her injured friend.

“Rainbow Dash, for the act of joining one Nightmare Moon and her rebellion against Equestrian Empire you are hereby found guilty of sedition, treason, and conspiracy to commit regicide. The penalty for which is public execution by order of the Sparkle Mandate. Your body will be publicly displayed with other traitors to serve as warning against anyone else following in your footsteps. Have you any last words before your sentence is carried out?” He asked, his face passive. He spoke as though he was commenting on the weather, and not sentencing someone to death.

Twilight's gaze snapped back to Rainbow, noticing that the two guards now held large spears above her head, waiting for the command. As for Rainbow she merely lifter her head to look at Twilight with her one eye that wasn't swollen shut from a bruise. She was crying, resigned to her fate. The fate of a traitor.

Rage welled up inside of Twilight, rage the likes of which could burn anything that stood in its path. A second after Rainbow had looked at her with those eyes the two spears the guards were carrying were thrown against the ceiling where they shattered into tiny splinters. Twilight's horn blazed as stepped down the dias towards the guards, her gaze making them back up a couple steps.

“What. In the name of Celestia. Do you think you are doing?” She asked, lifting the guards up and tossing them over her head next to her brother. She was careful not to use too much force to hurt them, but just enough to make it clear she wasn't pleased. Not even a little.

“Twilight stop!” said a cracked voice. She had expected it to come from her brother or one of the guards, but instead she found it came from the Rainbow.

“You have to let them do this Twi, it's the only way I can make up for everything I've done. I'm guilty of everything said, and I knew the law. I was a fool, but I knew the punishment. Please Twi, I know I deserve what comes next. It's ok.” Rianbow said through her tears.

Twilight's mouth hung open in complete shock. Was this how she really felt about everything? Her gut clenched as tears began to form in her eyes. Tearing her gaze off her friend she looked back at her brother.

“I pardon her! I pardon everyone who has broken that stupid law. She doesn't need to die for this...”

I can't let you do that Chancellor. The Mandate is clear on the punishment for traitors to the crown.” Shining responded, his face still devoid of any emotion. “She has to die. Step aside.”

“To Tartarus with the Mandate! I am the Chancellor and I demand she be set free now!” Twilight screamed, putting herself between her brother and Rainbow.

“Guards, proceed with the execution!” Shining shouted, his horn flaring with brilliant light.

Twilight only had a fraction of a second to raise a shield around Rainbow and herself before a pink bolt of magical energy struck it's surface. Her brother had attacked her. More and more guards came rushing into the throne room, some attacking her sheild with magic while others used swords and spears. Twilight shouted in frustration, pacing back and forth as she kept the shield up. What were they going to do now? They were surrounded, and things were only getting worse.

“Why... why are you doing this Twi? Why after everything I've done, especially to you?” Rainbow asked in confusion.

Twilight stopped her pacing, looking down at her friend as her eyes began to water. For a moment she was silent thinking of what to say. Nightmare's words came to mind from the other night.

“Why did you and the girls join Nightmare, Dash? Was it to cause mayhem, and fight me out of hate? Did you want to kill ponies? Or did you just want a better life for everyone?” She asked, sitting in front of her.

“You have to believe me Twilight, I never betrayed you out of hate. I just... I wanted to stop ponies from suffering. We were all desperate, and Nightmare seemed like the only one who was trying to actively help. You… you were right here in the castle, but you seemed so far away. None of us could reach you.” Rainbow replied, noticing Twilight wince as if in pain. “Twi... are you ok?”

“I... I was never as good as my brother at shields.” She grunted through gritted teeth. Sure, Twilight could deflect as strong of an attack as her brother could, but she did not nearly have his stamina for maintaining one for a long period of time. As it was, her shield had been growing smaller and smaller as the guards outside continued their assault. “But never mind that. I believe you, Dash. I know you were only trying to protect those you love, just as you always have. I'm sorry... for not being there for you and the girls when you needed me the most. I got so caught up in trying to hold a crumbling country together I didn’t see what I was doing to everyone around me. I'm sorry, for everything...” She said, tears flowing down her cheeks as she hugged the pegasus.

“It's ok Twi... I forgive you. Besides, if anyone should be apologizing it should be me. I never considered how alone you were in that castle with no one to lean on. None of us did. We were all too focused on our own problems. I'm sorry I wasn't there for too.” Rainbow said, hugging Twilight back.

Twilight cried into her shoulder as she struggled to keep the shield up, which was just barley around them. She knew they didn't have much time before it collapsed under the strain entirely. And then... Well, she was sure that Discord had made things real enough that if they died here then they would die in the real world as well. It figured... why would she be able to save her friends now if she wasn't able to all this time? At least she wasn't going to let her die alone.

“I forgive you too Dash... At least I can be here for you now.” Twilight whispered, her head feeling light as her magic finally gave out. Closing her eyes, she waited for what came next.

The sound of clapping could be heard echoing throughout the throne room, instead of the sting of a blade cutting into her flesh that Twilight expected. Looking around she saw that all the other ponies had disappeared, save for herself. Even Rainbow was gone. At the other end of the room Discord sat on the throne with his legs swung over the arm rest.

“Well done, my little pony. You've stormed the castle and got the girl. But don't let it go to your head, there's more to come. You didn't even slay the dragon... Oh well, no matter.” Discord said, his face grinning horribly at her.

“What the buck was that?! Why did everything feel so real, were you trying to kill us?” Twilight snapped at him, not in the mood for his nonsense.

“Kill you? Who, me? Why I would never... Well I would, but that's beside the point now isn't it? I'm not trying to kill you per-say, but your friends might. Their minds that is. You see... I did say you would die if you failed.” He stated matter of factly, nodding his head. “Yes, and you dying could happen any number of ways in their dreams. So don't do that. Or do, either way it's still amusing to me. Have fun dearie!” He with a laugh and a snap of his fingers everything was gone. Once more she was back in the circular room.

Out loud Twilight cursed herself for not asking about Dawns door. That slippery abomination had gotten away before she could even remember. Shaking her head, she proceeded to the next door. The one with balloons on the handle.