//------------------------------// // Chapter 20 // Story: The Elements of Equestria // by trooper7051 //------------------------------// The Elements of Equestria Chapter 20 Tinker wobbled unsteadily on her hooves. She was beyond exhausted. The stream of ponies who needed medical treatment had finally slowed to a trickle. Searcher had woken up earlier and had, after a lot of convincing, persuaded Triage to let him assist her with removing the piece of bell from Colossus' chest. For a unicorn who had spent only three hours asleep after helping Triage for nine hours, he was remarkably energetic. As for Triage, Tinker shook her head, 'That mare is really something. She's been awake this whole time and is still going. How does she do it?' Tinker stole a glance at the leg band Searcher had given her, 'He's been passing these things out left and right. He said they have protective enchantments on them. He said he used modern magic and ancient for the enchantments. I can identify the modern enchantments but the other ones I have no clue about. He was telling the truth about the modern protective enchantments so I'll trust him on the ancient ones too, I guess.' Tinker headed toward the rear of the clinic where Triage said she had some cots set up for volunteers to use. * * * * * * * * After several hours of somewhat reluctantly listening to Natival tell her about how to act, or at least try to act in normal pony society, Birdie was willing to give it a go, albeit reluctantly. The two pegasi trotted out of the swamp to the sounds of yelling, almost like construction work. Natival, still concealed, sighed in relief until his gaze shifted to the center of Haysburg. The Earth ponies of the town were running to and fro with frantic energy. A wide myriad of different sounds assailed the ear drums of the two pegasi. Following one sound, Natival's eyes fell upon a young gray stallion. The stallion's head was bandaged and had his left hind leg in a sling; he was lying down on the ground with an adult sized, sheet covered, limp form in his right foreleg while he nuzzled it continuously sobbing brokenly. Another sound caught Natival's ear. Turning his head, he beheld a group of five ponies braced against a thick center beam and lifted off the leg of a whimpering peach colored mare. A loud yell caught his attention as three Earth pony mares began digging through the decimated remains of a home. One, a dark yellow mare, with a mane and tail of indigo orange waved a hoof at Natival and Birdie, motioning them over. Natival galloped over with Birdie just behind him. The yellow mare began speaking, as Natival arrived, "We need to uncover the shelter's door! I don't see any blood or bodies, so I think Tranquility made it." Natival began assisting the three mares with cleaning away debris. Birdie stood back and watched for a few moments, unsure what to do, 'Should I help? Do they even want my help? Natival said that I have to try trusting others if I want them to trust me. But what if I do something wrong and they get mad? Natival said this morning that I shouldn't hit others if I need to solve a problem, but to try talking to them. I hate talking though. Words don't mean much, actions mean so much more. The Gryphon who . . . he said it wouldn't hurt if I didn't fight the first time but it did. It means so much! Then he said I would get used to it and it wouldn't hurt after a while, but it did, and it only hurt more and more every time. That's why actions mean more. I'm just going to help and if they get mad, I'll just go somewhere else since Natival said I can't hit them.' Birdie swallowed nervously, then shook her head and decided to just charge right in. Boldly taking a position between the other two mares, Birdie reached her head down and bit a heavy piece of wooden wall. Praying that her face would remain hidden, she began pulling the heavy piece of wall as she back peddled stoically, grunting under the weight. The two mares on either side of her saw the size of the piece Birdie was dragging and both bit onto it to help the concealed Pegasus. The three of them cleared the foundation of the house and set down the piece of the wall. The bluish-white mare on Birdie's left spoke up, "You're pretty strong Birdie, but just ask us for help next time." The silver-coated mare on Birdie's right continued the thought, "Yeah, we're more than happy to help as long as you're willing." Birdie, being socially inept, had no idea how to feel so she just nodded her head and headed back to the pile of debris. Unbeknownst to either Natival or Birdie another pony had stopped to watch them. He grunted in frustration at his internal conflict, 'Blast it! How can I stay suspicious of Searcher, Colossus, or Birdie when they aren't giving me anything to use against them? Searcher stopped speaking against the Gryphons and even saved my life last night. Colossus saved Surf & Turf and Trauma and ended up with a huge chunk of metal embedded in his chest. Birdie goes and rescues a filly and is now helping with the rescue effort after the tornado.' he slammed his hoof against the street in frustration, 'Is it possible?' he wondered, 'Have I misjudged them? Their actions say they are here to help, maybe Valiant talked some sense into them. Searcher is still passed out from helping Triage, and Colossus isn't even awake and might not make it.' he sighed and hung his head, 'Nopony does something like that unless they really care. I've misjudged them. My quarrel with Birdie did get out of hoof, but I was pretty angry . . . Damn!' he heaved another sigh and brought his eyes to the concealed pegasus mare once more. Miller took a deep breath to steel his nerves as he swallowed his pride, 'Alright . . . Birdie . . .' he swallowed and began his thoughts once more, 'Birdie . . . the one who sliced up my face and shoulder.' he sighed once more, 'Remember Miller, go in with an open mind and try not to upset the psychopathic mare with razor-sharp steel shoes.' Natival, Birdie and the other three mares had hit a snag. They could see the storm cellar's trap door but it was stuck beneath a hugely heavy piece of the house's roof. Even with all five of them putting their weight into it, it wouldn't budge. The five ponies backed off to pursue a new angle to the problem. A new voice called to them, "Need another body over here?" Miller asked as he trotted up. Birdie and Miller eyes each other silently for several long moments before Natival stepped between the two, both figuratively and literally, "Are we going to have a problem or is everypony going to get along peacefully?" he asked eyeing each of them in turn. "I'm here to help, not cause trouble." Miller said plainly. All eyes went to Birdie, waiting for her response. After a full minute of silence Birdie turned around and began tugging on the piece of roof with her teeth. * * * * * * * * Tranquility was indeed safe in her storm cellar. The mortician of Haysburg was a sadly busy job but her medical knowledge allowed her to function as one of Haysburg's most frequent and reliable medical volunteers. Natival watched he enter the Medical Clinic at a brisk trot. He smiled knowing that Triage and Trauma would have another skilled hoof to assist them. There had been a rather tense moment just after Miller had helped move the roof and rescue Tranquility. Miller had been so happy to discover Tranquility alive that he had thoughtlessly but affectionately patted Birdie on her shoulder. She had jumped back and spun but managed to stop just before she laid open Miller's jaw. Miller had apologized and Birdie, after several long minutes, had nodded in acceptance. The group with Birdie, Miller, and Natival was the last group to finish nosing through the rubble. They watched as the Mayor began calling all of Haysburg to the village square. It took several minutes but most of Haysburg turned out, "Settle down everypony, settle down." the Mayor called, "I've managed to account for every pony listed in the census and I'm sorry to announce that there are now two less ponies among us. The two who perished are or were Spindle, the seamstress' apprentice, some of you may have known that she was Aquaduct's fiancé, and Scupper the sewage engineer whose son is now an orphan. There have been eleven homes and seven businesses demolished. As usual I realize this is a difficult time but I ask that anypony with anything to spare please donate it so it can be distributed to those in need. As always, anypony willing to take in a single pony or family who may be without a home, please see me immediately. Those who wish to volunteer their time to help rebuild homes and businesses please see Mill Treader as soon as possible so he can organize work crews. As is the case anytime there is a death, remember to be kind to those who have lost somepony and be certain to reassure them and give them your support. Now, let us observe a moment of silence and fondly remember those who have passed on." the Mayor bowed her head as she finished speaking. The entirety of Haysburg followed her example and lowered their heads and closed their eyes. Natival's eyes were slightly open during the moment of silence. He casually looked around at each pony. There was something different about each citizen and it took him a second to pinpoint it, 'Huh, looks like Searcher finished those leg bands.' for some reason seeing the leg bands on all the citizens of Haysburg made Natival smile, 'Soon they will be ready.' Natival blinked in confusion, 'That's odd, I don't remember thinking that . . .' The moment of silence ended, "Natival! Bro, over here!" Surf & Turf called as he trotted toward the concealed stallion. As the crowd of Haysburg slowly dispersed to go on about their business, Natival turned toward his neon colored friend, "Good to see you Surf. I'd been worrying about you a bit since I didn't see you with any of the work crews. How was your date with Trauma?" Surf & Turf laid back his ears and lowered his head, "Not so good dude. The tornado interrupted our date. Trauma went to ring the bell, but the shed door was jammed. She tried to magic it open but, then this explosion of magic goes off and knocks Trauma clean out . . ." "Is she alright?!" Natival asked loudly. "She's fine bro, but she doesn't remember anything about the tornado or the explosion. Anyway I was dragging her back to the clinic when this tornado touched down. The last thing I remember seeing was this totally huge piece of bell come flying right toward us. I woke up here about half an hour ago and found out that Colossus shouldered me out of the way and ended up with that piece of bell lodged in his chest. Searcher and Triage managed to get it out and stabilize Colossus, but they don't know if he'll ever . . ." Surf & Turf shook his head and blinked several times, trying to keep back tears, "He may never wake up bro." * * * * * * * * Dr. Mend was happy with the progress Applejack was making in her recovery, "Your leg looks to be healing well but all this constant jarring from walking has swollen the area around the break. If it gets too much worse, I'll have to lance and drain it. Let's stop for a minute. I'm going to give you an injection of anti-inflammatory and one of antibiotic. I'll leave it up to you if you want an injection of steroids or not." "Ah ain't a big one for the drugs Doc. Ah'll jes take the first two. If'n Ah remember Twilight's calculations, we should be in Haysburg by either tomorrow or the day after. Ah think Ah can make it jes fine." Applejack assured the good doctor. Pinkie Pie and Big Macintosh emerged from the constant fog, both had bulging saddlebags and large grins . . . well Pinkie did anyway, "Hi Dr. Mendie, hi Applejack! Guess what we found? Potatoes and beets and watercress!" Pinkie gushed. Applejack frowned at the thought of eating all of that raw, "Did yall manage to find any fresh water?" "Nope." he brother answered, "We're gonna have to ration." "How much do we have now?" Dr. Mend asked, "Everypony check your canteens." Pinkie answered first, "I've got half my second one left but my first one is all gone." Big Mac was next, "Ah've got a third o' mah first canteen left and mah second is still full." "Ah've only got mah second canteen left." Applejack reported. "I have the same." Dr. Mend said, "I agree Big Mac, we need to ration. From now until we find fresh water, we can only drink when we stop for a rest. When we do drink, we need to be sure to take only small sips." "We can also get some liquid from the fresh tubers an' roots. The moisture from the plants will help out a lot." Applejack added. "We do have one other option though it isn't a pleasant one. I can hook up I.V. drips connected to saline solution pouches I have in my saddlebags. It's not pleasant but it will keep you alive." Dr. Mend added. "Well then let's keep moving!" Pinkie chirped, "The sooner we get to Haysburg, the sooner we get fresh water." * * * * * * * * "Nice idea Rarity." Sea Blue complimented his partner. She had been using a cotton cloth to absorb the moisture in the fog like a sponge while using the lowest corner to drip the water into their canteens at night. The pair had the presence of mind to stuff their saddlebags full of grain before entering the swamp. Rarity had also used her poncho as a makeshift haversack and had filled that full of grain too. Sea Blue carried the haversack without complaint. That first night in the swamp had been terrible for the two unicorns. Rarity had stepped on the soggy ground next to a large, stagnant pool of water and the edge had collapsed, sending her head first into the slimy, insect infested sludge. Her entire body was covered with dried algae colored mud, and both she and Sea Blue were forced to sleep in a shallowly dug muddy depression, covered by as many of Raritie's garments as she could manage. The following morning had been no better, "Nice idea or not we simply CANNOT arrive in Haysburg quickly enough! I shant ramble about it darling but I smell like a latrine! I swear if Valiant isn't in MORTAL danger when we arrive I shall have to be so cross with that stallion . . ." "HALT!" called a masculine voice from the fog, "Don't move!" Sea Blue jumped in front of Rarity in an aggressive stance, "Come out! Show yourself!" "Where are you coming from and where are you headed?" the voice asked. "We're coming from Ponyville. We're headed to Haysburg. Now we've answered your question so come out!" Sea Blue commanded. The two unicorns heard some grunting for a few moments before the voice responded, "I uh . . . I would if I could, but I seem to be stuck in this miserable fog." "Where are you?" Sea Blue called out. "I'm about fifteen paces above you. Look up." the voice replied. Eyes roving skyward, the two unicorns easily spotted a gryphon almost directly above them, seemingly frozen in midflight and held aloft by the fog. The stuck gryphon struggled once more, "Would it be too much to ask for you to help me?" Rarity blinked, "Of course not darling. Here let me . . ." "Hold it Rarity." Sea Blue said evenly, "We need information." "But the poor thing is trapped darling." Rarity pleaded. Sea Blue turned to her, "Why did he command for us to halt?" "So I could make sure you weren't from Haysburg and to keep you away from it." the gryphon answered. Sea Blue narrowed his eyes and barked up at the gryphon, "Why! What's going on in Haysburg?" "There is a malady that has taken root there, something powerful and dark. We don't know exactly what it is but it has affected most of the town. We've been conducting raids on Haysburg, taking the foals so they would be spared . . ." the gryphon was interrupted by a yell from below. "WHAT!" Sea Blue yelled, remembering when Patch had been taken from him. Quickly putting the pieces together, Rarity yelled into the councilor's face, "Wait!" she quickly turned her head and addressed the gryphon, "Have any ponies been hurt?" "Nothing intentional, I can tell you that for certain. We've been keeping the foals well fed, warm, and as entertained as possible. I can prove it to you. I'll take you to our camp." Sea Blue calmed down somewhat, "Fine," he said through gritted teeth, "Lead us to it." An orange aura surrounded the gryphon briefly as Sea Blue cast his spell. A brief moment later the gryphon tumbled down out of the fog and onto the ground with a thud. As the gryphon picked himself back up from the 'Move Through Fog' spell, he came beak to muzzle with a very temperamental father, "You had better be telling me the truth." Sea Blue threatened quietly. * * * * * * * * The gryphon camp was set atop a small, flat rise in the swamp. The rise was clear of trees and covered with tents. Overall there were roughly one hundred tents set in groups of four with a fire at the center of each group. Gryphons walked between the tents of the tent city in a myriad of patterns of drab brown, black, white and speckled versions. Rarity had never seen so many gryphons in one place. There had to be at least a hundred of them. She and Sea Blue were led through the camp, finally able to see more than a few paces. The fog had stopped abruptly just a couple dozen paces beyond where they encountered their current guide. A large, brown tent lay ahead of them and their guide was leading them straight toward it. Though there were two gryphons standing on either side of the entrance flap, Sea Blue wasn't worried. The two gryphons were obviously there to keep others out, not keep something in. Their guide nodded to the two sentries and pulled back the tent flap revealing three ponies talking with an older gryphon Tom, "Fluttershy, Twilight!" Rarity cried, rushing forward. "Rarity?" Fluttershy asked, turning her head. "You're green!" Twilight exclaimed as she and Fluttershy were embraced by the formerly white unicorn. Lemon Lime trotted up to Sea Blue and held out a hoof to bump, "Aside from her looking a little 'green around the gills', Rarity looks well." Live Wire teased. A deep voice clearing a throat brought all conversation to a halt, "I take it these two unicorns are some of the friends you were talking about Ms. Sparkle?" Patriarch asked. Twilight nodded her head happily as Rarity released her and Fluttershy from the death grip hug, "Yes, this is Rarity and Sea Blue." Twilight indicated each with her left fore hoof. "Husband and wife?" Patriarch asked. "Afraid not darling." Rarity said, "Sea Blue is my . . . I suppose bodyguard is the closest term." Patriarch quirked an eyebrow, "You famous?" "In a way sir." Twilight said, diverting his attention back to her, "The six of us have become somewhat important. I'm not sure if you've heard of us . . ." Twilight was interrupted as a gryphon Molly burst into the tent. Fluttershy lowered her head, but Twilight and Rarity recognized the new arrival, "Gilda?" they asked in unison. Patriarch ignored the fact that the ponies seemed to recognize Gilda, "What is it?" he asked. "Two stallions and two mares, all Earth ponies, are arguing and yelling at a bunch of our scouts. The stallions have some kind of armor . . . YOU!?" she squawked at seeing the mares. "More of your friends?" Patriarch asked sourly. Twilight sheepishly lowered her ears, "Probably." * * * * * * * * Dr. Mend and Big Macintosh stood with Pinkie and Applejack between them as they stared menacingly at the dozen gryphons circling them. They had cleared the lifting fog when the gryphons had literally dropped in around them. The situation had gone from surprise, when the first four gryphons had landed, to dangerously tense when Applejack had missed a step in surprise, when the twelfth one landed, and accidentally struck her injured leg against a log. The sturdy farm mare had cried out in surprise and pain and one of the gryphons had rushed in toward her. In a reflexive motion that occurred before he realized it, Big Macintosh body checked the gryphon, sending him tumbling off the path and into the surrounding swamp water. From there the scene devolved into chaos with Dr. Mend shouting for the other gryphons to stay back, and the gryphons angrily yelling about their flight-mate being tossed into the swamp. All yelling had stopped when Big Mac and Dr. Mend summoned their armor. The gryphons kept their distance but had formed into a circle around the four ponies. A thirteenth gryphon appeared and landed behind the others on the path, "Meany-pants?" Pinkie queried. "My name is Gilda, 'Stinky Pie'." Gilda retorted. Dr. Mend kept his gaze steady, "You two know each other?" "Of course I remember Gilda," Pinkie replied, "I wanted to hang out with her and Dashie, but Gilda didn't want me around. She was rude and mean and she stole an apple and then when Fluttershy was leading her ducks across the street, she accidentally bumped into Gilda so Gilda went and yelled the screeched and make Fluttershy cry. So I see all that and decide to throw Gilda a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party cause I thought it might help her attitude. I baked her a gi-normous cake and spent 256 bits on party stuff then Gilda goes and accuses me of playing a bunch of pranks to embarrass her but it was actually Dashie who planted the pranks. Gilda got mad and stormed off after she called us all mean names. That's kind of hard to forget." "Oh, really?" said a deep voice behind the embarrassed gryphon. Patriarch had landed behind Gilda while Pinkie was talking, had heard the whole thing and was looking decidedly unhappy with the younger gryphon, "The story I heard was distinctly different. Something about a pony trying to steal away your friend then that same pony stalking you and picking on you until you left town, if I remember correctly." "It's not all that different depending on your perspective!" Gilda defended, "I only had one day to spend with Dash and SHE shows up right after I got there and tried to monopolize all of Dash's time. I . . . got a little upset and told Pinkie to buzz off. She did but Dash felt bad later and went to look for her and ditched me. I was in a bad mood and I might have . . . done a few things that I shouldn't have . . ." "We'll discuss this later." Patriarch interrupted, turning his eyes to the four ponies in front of him as his ears picked up on five galloping up behind him, "Flight, stand down and disperse." he ordered. The gathered gryphons took to the air as Patriarch approached the armored ponies, "You have no need of violence here stallions." he turned revealing Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Sea Blue, and Lemon Lime, "We have much to discuss. Especially since half my gryphons are gone." * * * * * * * * "BLAST!" the Rainbow of Darkness screeched in Searcher's mind, "It was going so well! Why did THEY have to show up!?" "Who?" Searcher asked. "THEM! The Elements of Harmony! They're not all together, or at least they weren't when they entered the fog. They aren't in my fog anymore but that doesn't matter! As long as they aren't ALL together they're no threat . . . I think. So long as they don't summon the Rainbow of Light, there's no real danger.' the disembodied voice was ranting and raving, speaking to itself. Searcher listened to the ranting for anything he might be able to use against it, "There was a group of two, a group of three, and a group of four on the ground and a group of two on top of the fog. I can't keep away the ones on the ground because they can see the ground. I can't effect that. The ones on the fog though, I bet I can use that psychotic pegasus mare. . ." the voice stopped as if in thought, "YES!" it suddenly screeched ,"SLAVE!" "Yes master?" Searcher answered. "Change of plan. Your mutilated friend, Birdie, isn't going to be getting a normal leg band. No, no, no, no, no, she's going to be getting a very special one. Instead of just mind altering spells or the transformation spells, ooh her mind is so sweetly twisted in the first place, enchant it with a little extra spell to make her beautiful. I'll show you how, yes, she won't be able to resist that. Don't make her stunning, she would loath the attention, just make it so that all her scars and her birth-defect of a face appear normal. The leg bands are already working. I can feel everyponie's mind slowly being affected. That one stallion though, the one who lost his wings, he's a bit resistant. He's the key though and Birdie will unknowingly act as the catalyst." the Rainbow of Darkness took a figurative breath and continued, "There is one other problem, that dark colored tub of lard who lives in the orphanage. He's as dumb as a brick but he knows something is off. We need to make sure he doesn't start talking. Go to the orphanage and I'll take care of the rest." * * * * * * * * Molasses was tired. He had helped move the remains of homes to make way for the new construction. Something was bothering him though, 'Everypony is wearing those funny, shiny rings. I don't like those rings. My tummy feels funny when I'm close to them and my head hurts when I look at them. Those rings are bad, but everypony likes them. Those rings are hurting them, I can feel it, but I'll hurt their feelings or make them laugh at me if I say anything.' the pudgy colt slowly ascended the stairs of the orphanage, 'I'm sweaty and stink. Remember to stay clean Molasses. No pony likes to smell body odor. I'm too big for a bath. Foals take baths big ponies take showers.' "There you are Molasses." a voice snapped him out of his thoughts. The large chocolate colored pony peered over the railing of the stairs, "Hello?" he called. Heartfelt trotted into his view, "Where have you been all day Molasses?" she asked, concerned. "It doesn't matter who makes a mess, always ask if you can help clean it up." he recited from memory, "Mr. Tornado made a big mess last night and I was helping clean it up." 'Please don't let him have seen any dead bodies.' Heartfelt silently prayed, face pale, "Did you see anypony who was hurt?" He had seen two ponies 'sleeping' under white sheets, 'Mr. Mill Treader said they weren't in pain. They must have been so tired.', "A few ponies had cuts but they went to the clinic to get band aids." The front door of the orphanage opened, drawing Molasses' attention. He had seen Searcher from a distance but never as close as he was then. As Molasses watched, Searcher began talking to Heartfelt, she slow pony's eyes fell onto the inverted heart-shaped locket around the stallion's neck. His eyes felt like they were dry as sand, he couldn't look away, 'That's a bad necklace. Bad, bad, bad, necklace. That necklace wants to hurt ponies. That bad necklace shouldn't be here, it should be somewhere else, somewhere far, far away and away from anypony.' The slow colt's head began to hurt, just like it did when he saw the leg bands, except this time it throbbed hard enough to rob him of all thought. Molasses couldn't think, he couldn't remember any of the smart things his 'Momma' told him to remember. He tried to remember, tried to remember, but he could only hear a voice, 'You need to take a shower; a really HOT shower. The hot water will hurt but the more it hurts, the cleaner you are. You want to be clean for everypony don't you? You'll be done when you can't feel the hot water anymore. It will stop feeling hot and you'll be clean. Yes the hot water will hurt but you need to be a big colt and bear with it. You don't want everypony to smell you do you? I'll tell you how to turn up the temperature on the heater.' "Oh, Molasses dear." Heartfelt remembered the slow colt on the stairs, "You did good today. Why don't you clean yourself up a bit. Dinner will be ready soon." "Alright, I'm going to take a shower . . . a hot shower." * * * * * * * * 'The Rainbow of Darkness didn't say what it did but it's done now. I hope that colt will be alright. I just hope it didn't notice that I sabotaged the leg bands. It wasn't really paying attention when I made most of them, just when I made the ones for Colossus, Surf & Turf, Tinker, Trauma, Triage, Mill Treader, and Natival, then it lost interest until it had me make the one for Birdie.' Searcher was on his way to give Birdie hers. It was the last one before the plan was ready. The tormented unicorn stallion spotted Birdie lying down on the grass near the fountain in the center of town, listening to Natival. Searcher trotted up to the pair and politely cleared his throat, "Ahem, Natival may I have a private word with Birdie?" Natival nodded his head, "Sure, I'll go see if Trauma is awake yet." Birdie's eyes followed Natival until Searcher cleared his throat a second time, "Ahem, I have made one of the leg bands for you Birdie. I put some special enchantments on it for you too." he leaned in close and whispered the last sentence into her ear, "Once you put it on you will look like a normal pony." Birdie shot to her hooves, eyes quivering, Searcher continued, "Your scars will disappear, your face will look normal, you will be beautiful. As long as you keep it on, you will be beautiful." He held the leg band out, offering it to the little mare. * * * * * * * * Birdie stood in front of the mirror in the filly's room in the clinic. She locked the door and removed her cloak, wincing at the visible testament of her prolonged abuse and mistreatment. She slowly removed her veil, disgusted at her malformed muzzle. She looked hideous, as she knew she had since birth. She cursed whatever fate had decided to deform her face. She never knew her parents but she did know she had been born ugly beyond reason. She couldn't bear to look at her own reflection and so instead averted her eyes down to the leg band. She took a deep breath and slipped it on. She closed her eyes and raised her head, fervently hoping against hope that when she opened them, she would look normal. Taking one more deep breath she opened her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat for a moment before huffing out of her in a shuddering, disbelieving sob. She slowly inched a hoof toward her face, hesitantly, as if she might frighten away the miracle. Tears threatened to spill, burning from her eyes, "I'm normal." * * * * * * * * Surf and Natival were taking a break from the reconstruction effort. The day was growing late, with sundown coming within the hour. The two stallions stood next to a communal water trough similar to the ones used by professional construction crews. Natival lifted the edge of his face-wrap and drank deeply from the water. Surf had been unusually quiet. "What's wrong Surf? You're usually quite a chatterbox." the wingless pegasus stallion asked his friend. "I thought the wind from a tornado would be awesome to ride," he said quietly, "But I had no idea they could do this." he gestured to the surrounding calamity, "A little dude lost his pops and a stallion lost his love." Surf's voice took on a husky edge, "That wasn't awesome or radical, or cool, it was horrible. It's one thing to hear about it but to see it, to see the destruction and . . . and the death . . ." Natival raised his head from the trough and replaced his cover, "That's Haysburg though. You get used to it. Most of the time, everypony survives just fine, but there are times where that isn't the case. It's sad but . . ." Natival trailed off as his eyes fell onto a butter yellow pegasus mare with pink mane and tail. She stood only two-thirds as tall as an average mare, her mane and tail pulled back into tight braids. Besides the cutie mark of a Monarch butterfly that's body was striped yellow and black and had a stinger, and the fact that she was wearing steel shoes, she could have almost been Fluttershy. Her eyes though, gave her away. Her eyes had not changed one bit. Despite her beautiful face, compact size, lithe grace, athletically trimmed body, and rolling flanks, Surf found himself taking a step back in apprehension, "B . . . Birdie?" he yelled. All sounds of work and construction ceased as nearly the whole of Haysburg turned to look. Birdie froze as all eyes fell onto her. They could see her. She could hear them. "Is that Birdie?" "I thought she always wore a veil." "Why would anypony hide a face like that?" "She's so pretty!" "She looks like that model I saw a while back." Birdie scraped her hoof on the ground shyly. She didn't care much for the attention but, 'They think I'm beautiful? No pony has ever called me beautiful before." * * * * * * * * Searcher watched from where he had concealed himself in an alley, "They like her." he whispered to himself, 'I'm so sorry I have to do this to you Birdie. Can you ever forgive me?' "Watch and wait." the Rainbow of Darkness said, "Give it a few minutes and the stage will be set." * * * * * * * * Natival approached the lovely pegasus mare, "Birdie?" he asked in disbelief, "What happened? How did you do this?" Birdie lifted her left fore hoof and nodded toward the leg band, "Searcher." she said happily. "You're comfortable speaking?" he asked. Birdie lowered her hoof and nodded her head, "Yes," she answered smiling, "I don't have to hide anymore." "Well the speaking is good progress, but you're still hiding." Natival said in a clipped tone. Birdie cocked her head to the side, "No. My cloak and veil are gone. Everypony can see me now . . . " "No they can't!" the stallion replied, voice rising. 'Why isn't he happy for me?' Birdie wondered, "This is the way I was SUPPOSED to look!" she shot back. The concealed stallion narrowed his eyes, "Maybe, but it's not who you are." 'I don't understand!' Birdie thought, 'I'm not ugly anymore.', "But I'm not ugly anymore!" she cried, unshed tears stinging her eyes, "For the first time in my whole life I'm beautiful!" "Only on the outside though!" he yelled, "On the inside you're still the same!" he said angrily, "It's a mask, nothing more!" Tears spilled from Birdie's eyes, 'How could you!' she wondered bitterly, "Am I the only one?" she asked, enraged at the perceived betrayal, "You've worn a mask since you arrived! Just! Like! Me!" "I have to! I thought we talked about this! We were supposed to take our masks off together, to support each other!" he shouted, "You've only traded one mask for another!" "I can have a chance at a life, if I'm beautiful!" Birdie cried, "What chance do you have when no pony can get past how ugly you are?!" "They were already giving you a chance earlier!" he bellowed, "You were covered but you let your actions speak for you!" Birdie lost it, "You have no idea!" she screamed, "You have no idea how it feels to be misshapen and mutilated!" "Oh don't I?" he yelled back, "At least you can still fly! My wings were torn off!" Neither arguing pegasus heard the gathered ponies gasp in shock. All of Haysburg had come to see what all the noise was about. "You can still function!" Birdie screamed hoarsely, "I was raped!" she stomped her hoof. Pain, shame, and rage boiled within her and she could not hold back, "Every night for eleven years I was raped and beaten by that bastard!" he legs felt weak as she cried, "I was born a monster on the outside and he turned me into a monster on the inside! You have no idea what it's like to know you're a monster, to see it in every pony's eyes when they look at you!" "You know I do!" he yelled, making himself cough, "I was exiled! They hate me!" he said, gesturing to the crown absentmindedly. The gathering of ponies looked at each other, utterly confused. "You did it to yourself!" Birdie cried as her legs gave out, "I never had a chance! You were born normal! You chose to become a monster! I WAS BORN ONE!" "It was an accident! Nopony knows how bad it hurt to live with myself! It wasn't enough that the filly I loved, died because of me! I hated myself for five years! Everypony hated me!" he blinked back tears, "I wanted to die! Hell I DID die!" "You were hated for five years, TRY YOUR WHOLE LIFE! This village loved you for years, MY OWN SPECIES HATES ME! EVEN A RACE OF MONSTERS COULDN'T LOVE ME!" she collapsed onto the ground, sobbing angrily, "I'M NOT A MONSTER ANYMORE! LET ME BE BEAUTIFUL! LET ME BE LOVED!" Caught in the emotion fury of the moment, he ripped off his cover, "THEN LET ME BE LOVED TOO!" he heard the gasps of the ponies as he revealed his face, "That's right Haysburg, it's me! The mysterious hero is ME! You remember the labels don't you?! Killer! Murderer! Outcast! VAGABOND! And yet here I stand! Arabesque forgave me! My debt has been paid! I've come back to my town, my first home, my family! My actions spoke for me before so let them speak once more! I've helped save ponies! I've fought for you! I've shown you how to fight for yourselves! I've worked to help rebuild this village and unless you kill me, I will continue to do so! I came back to try to make things right and I've worked and sweated to that end! I am not the same pony who left and I came back to try to make things right, to give you a chance to see me prove it! I'm only half the equation! I've done my part and will continue to do so while I'm here . . ." "But he needs all of you to meet him halfway." Searcher called loudly, interrupting Valiant, "There is a persisting darkness over Haysburg. It formed when this stallion took the life of a young mare, but the darkness wasn't confined to just him." Searcher's eyes swept through the crowd of gathered ponies, "The sorrow you all felt at that tragedy changed didn't it? It became anger, then hate. You let the darkness consume you. You fed it, nurtured it, encouraged it. You cast him out in his hour of need. What he did was an accident you all knew it! Here," he gestured to Valiant, "Was a pony who never had a real family like most of you. He clung to the only pony who was like him. He fell in love with her but his passion led him to make a mistake. A mistake that took that love from him, a mistake that you all ended up hating him for. The stallion who lost his love so tragically when the tornado hit recently, what did you offer him? You offered comfort and compassion. Imagine how much greater Valiant's sorrow was since he was responsible for the death of his love. But instead of comfort and compassion when he needed it, YOU, the only family he'd ever known, cast him out with words of anger, condemnation, and hate. SHAME!" Searcher yelled pointing to the gathered ponies, "SHAME ON YOU! ALL OF YOU! He endured his ordeal for five years until he was forgiven and now he's come back to the same family that abandoned him! HE'S NOT ABANDONED YOU! That first night he came back, he could have walked away when he saw the fighting, but he chose to risk himself to help you! He has chosen to reveal himself to those who cast him out! What he needs, nay, what he DESERVES is what you denied him! He's risking his own life to help you and I say, if you keep it from him now, I'd rather associate with the damn gryphons!" he stopped and took a deep breath, the crowd was silent and many a head was hung low in shame, "You let the darkness take hold of you, let it drive you to hate! It's grown powerful, but I can help you! I've learned from an ancient source, how to take away darkness, but you have to let me. You have to give it up freely. I can take it and focus it into my locket. Let the light, Celestia's light, shine forth as the darkness is pulled from you. Free yourselves from your eternal struggle, it's easy, so easy. All you have to do is open your hearts to me. Let me do this for you. Make things right once more. Show this stallion, your proverbial son and brother, the care and compassion he's worked so hard for. Prove to me, prove to Celestia, that the darkness holds no control over you. Shed your darkness, join with me and shed your darkness." He gazed upon the gathered ponies, eyes shining with tears, 'Don't do it! Don't take the easy way out!', "Who will be the first to forgive Valiant and give up their darkness?" Slowly, one mare trotted out of the crowd and approached Valiant, "I . . . I'm sorry Valiant." she wept openly, "I was so caught up in my own feelings I never stopped to consider yours. I was so angry," she lowered her head, "I found you that night and . . . I . . . I took a scalpel and cut out your cutie-mark." Valiant was dumbstruck as the mare continued, "Afterward I felt so guilty, but you were already gone. I forgive you Valiant, but I . . . I also have to ask you to forgive me. I'm so . . . so sorry." "It was you?" Valiant asked, incredulously, "Triage, it was you?" "I was so angry I made a mistake, a terrible mistake." she said eyes shifting from Valiant to Searcher, "I give it up." she sobbed, "I never want to risk hurting anypony else. I give up my darkness, I give it up!" her voice quickly rose to a crescendo, "Take it Searcher, please take it away! I don't want it anymore!" 'No! Don't do this! PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!' tears streamed down Searcher's eyes, adding to his apparent sincerity, "You've seen what can happen when you let it fester. Who else will join this brave mare?" Searcher's heart broke as he watched Valiant embrace Triage, tears in his own eyes, a second pony spoke up, "Take mine too." Searcher saw it was Miller of all ponies, 'STOP! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!' he wanted to speak, to cry, to scream. "And mine!" "Mine too!" "Take mine!" Within moments everypony present had gathered around Searcher offering the same thing, 'We already know what happens now, little unicorn. Open the locket and let me out.' Hating himself, Searcher reached up his hoof and opened the locket. Light seemed to recoil from the blackness emanating from within. Midnight colored wisps, shreds of torn spirits, were pulled from the eyes, nostrils and mouths of everypony in the square and sucked into the center of the locket. After the Rainbow of Darkness had done its work, it wasn't even a full minute before the screaming started. * * * * * * * * "We have no way of purifying the evil but you can. Help them, they have no idea what's happening." Patriarch finished his explanation. "We're all supposed to meet in Haysburg though." Twilight said, "Once we have Rainbow Dash and her Element we can do it. Rainbow Dash and Trooper are pegasi, they might be there by now. If we can meet them in Haysburg we can do it, but we need you to show us the way." "We cannot allow you to go alone. My gryphons and I will go with you. We will take you there and watch you from the tree line. Our presence would likely rouse the Haysburg ponies to violence, even against you. Come, let us make haste. The sun has already set." * * * * * * * * Heartfelt knocked on the colt's room door, "Molasses?" she called, "You missed dinner." she pressed her ear up to the door, 'Why is the shower still running? He came up to shower hours ago.' Fear began creeping into her heart, 'At least the yelling from outside stopped..', "Molasses open the door!" she yelled, "Open the door or I'm coming in!" Heartfelt tested the door handle. It was locked and quite warm to the touch. The elder Earth pony mare turned around and kicked the door with both her rear hooves. The door splintered at the jam, swinging open on its hinges. Steam poured out of the room. Waving the steam away from her face, Heartfelt spotted Molasses lying down on the floor of the shower, "Oh, you silly colt." she said stepping up to him, "You worked so hard you fell asleep." As she reached out a hoof to nudge him, she felt the temperature of the water and immediately pulled back her burnt hoof, grazing the skin on his side, "Ouch! How can you stand . . . " she trailed off as she realized her hoof had broken Molasses' skin. Wrapping a towel around her hoof, she reached in and turned off the water. Turning back to Molasses, Heartfelt heard a scream in the distance. Heartfelt added her own scream to the chorus as she realized Molasses' entire side was one huge blister. A blister she had broken open with her hoof. A blister that was leaking clear blood plasma down Molasses' side.