//------------------------------// // Amnesty // Story: The Empire // by Mediocre Morsov //------------------------------// Eventually the dust settled in Ponyville and the smoke disappeared with the coming winds. Ponies who had hidden during the riots slowly exited their houses and were surprised to see that the damage was quite limited. The Royal Guard had cleaned up the bodies - fewer than a dozen, so it was said - and now stood rank and file before Twilight Sparkle's library. Their golden armor was crusted with mud, just as their coats were, but they still held themselves with the majesty one would expect from the Celestia's finest. Already, a crowd was forming to either side of the Royal Guards, some cheering the soldiers, others muttering rumors about what had went on during the fighting. Between the library and the guards, ten ponies stood in shackles, and many in the crowd began murmuring questions. Each of the ponies in chains was a good and loyal friend to many of the other townsponies; how could they have partaken in the riots? Especially Pinkie Pie, one of the most beloved citizens of Ponyville, whom was friends with many in town. Pinkie Pie was hardly recognizeable beneath the grey mud caking her coat. Her mane had fallen flat against her head, and her eyes were wide and strained. A perpetual frown was plastered on her face. She had gone into the streets to cheer the speakers, at first, but found herself quieted by their continuing aggression towards one another. Than the fighting began and she couldn't believe how far south everything had gone. The acts she had seen shocked her to the core. Finally, from the library emerged Twilight, head raised high and wearing her tiara proudly. The Royal Guard bowed to her, and many of Ponyville's citizens did likewise. She walked the line of prisoners, eyeing each one with what very well might be pity. Her eyes stayed on Pinkie the longest. Finally, she sighed and returned to the doorstep of her home, turning to face her citizens. "Ponies of Ponyville," she began, voice resonating with authority and yet underlined with compassion, "The actions of yesterday were unprecedented and tragic. Senseless violence unfolded in our very streets and we've lost many good friends and neighbors, family for some. And for what? For a new idea that Princess Celestia warned us would only lead to trouble." A few of the ponies murmured about how the trouble had been started by the Royal Guard arriving, not by the ideology, but a few evil looks from ponies around them silenced their comments. The prisoners stayed silent, grim expressions plastered on their faces. Pinkie still didn't take her eyes off the ground under her hooves. "But now this awful incident is behind us, and we can begin rebuilding Ponyville." Twilight continued, "Indeed, we should begin by improving relations with the rebels themselves." A few of the prisoners lifted their heads, curious expressions on their grave faces. A few of the ponies in the crowd began murmuring again, guessing at what Twilight intended. The Royal Guard were still as statues, eyes fixed firmly, coldly ahead. Pinkie's eyes were still downcast, her mane still flat against her head. "I will grant a royal pardon to any of the rebels that simply recant their support for the Lunar Republic and repatriate themselves to their rightful ruler, Princess Celestia." Twilight explained. The crowd's murmuring became louder and filled with protests. Why should traitors be forgiven? In answer, the alicorn continued on. "It is in the spirit of unity, friendship and harmony that we forgive. Let us not forget Princess Celestia's forgiveness of her sister the first time Luna betrayed her, or of Discord after all of his crimes. I am offering this amnesty to any rebels who apologize, here and now, for it is what Princess Celestia would do." The ponies began cheering their princess. A few of the prisoners' expressions had softened, and one even smiled. The Royal Guards' eyes brightened at the declaration, and pride bloomed in their chests at this mercy demonstrated by one of their faithful leaders. Pinkie Pie's eyes twitched, but she still didn't look up from the ground. Still couldn't look up. "So, my rebelious citizens," Twilight offered a warm smile to the prisoners, "which of you shall be the first to renounce the Lunar Republic and step back into the light of the sun?" The prisoner who had smiled looked from side to side at his fellow captives. Clearing his throat, he stepped forward. The other prisoners eyed him with disgust and pity, or just kept their eyes glued to the ground. He avoided his erstwhile comrades' eyes and tried to focus on Twilight's tiara, reflecting Celestia's sunlight. "I-I would like to return to Celestia's light." he said. "Simply renounce Luna's regime and ask for forgiveness, and it shall be yours." Twilight instructed. "I renounce the Lunar Republic and humbly ask for forgiveness." the pony said, hastily throwing in a bow. "Guards, undo his shackles." Twilight ordered, "He is an enemy no longer." Two of the guards approached the pony and undid his shackles. Rubbing his legs together to soothe the ache, the pony ignored the contemptuous glares of the other prisoners and hid in the crowd. Many of the ponies cheered him and gave him affectionate pats on the back. Another of the prisoners stepped forward and spoke the words, and Twilight had her released as well. One after another betrayed their oaths to Luna and even the most bitter of her supporters soon anxiously begged for forgiveness. Within minutes, the only pony still in shackles was Pinkie Pie herself. "Pinkie Pie," Twilight said, soft and caring, "Everypony else has renounced the Lunar Republic and been accepted back to Princess Celestia's good graces." "So they have." Pinkie Pie gave a cold smile. "Isn't there something you'd like to say?" the princess asked. "As a matter of fact," Pinkie Pie looked up and met her friend's caring stare with a withering one of her own, "I do." "Then speak." Twilight's voice was suddenly hard. Pinkie turned her head around, eyeing each of the ponies around her with an unreadable expression. Finally, she set her eyes on Twilight, herself. Inhaling a deep breath, then exhaling, she steeled herself to keep her voice from shaking. "When I first heard Apple Bloom read "The Republic", I was deeply moved by its words." Pinkie began, "The idea that all walks of life could come together and have a choice in how their government was run was a new one. I never thought about governing ourselves until she mentioned it. Why would I? The Princesses had been doing it for so long, and doing it so well, it never occurred to me. I mean, could anypony imagine a better Equestria than the one we had under Celestia?" The crowd came alive with murmurs of agreement and nodding heads. "Well I could." Pinkie said, and the crowd was silenced, "How many times has Ponyville, and Equestria as a whole, come in danger from ancient enemies that Celestia had known about, yet never prepared us for? How many times have we fallen apart at the seams because we don't know how to run ourselves without the Princesses?" Nopony spoke in the pregnant pause that followed, but the ponies who had recanted on their oaths to the Lunar Republic looked at their hooves, guiltily. Pinkie continued. "All of you think I'm just a silly pony whose sole desire in life is to plan parties and make ponies laugh, and for the most part, you're right." Pinkie explained, "But I'm more than that. I want to see everypony happy, and I believed that the Lunar Republic was right in their form of governing. I think everypony would be happier if they could elect their leaders. I still think that, even if everypony else says they don't." "Pinkie," Twilight sighed, "Democracy is good on paper, but how long do you really think it'll last? Luna's supporters here have already seen the light. All of them, except you." "I think I see the light just fine, thank you very much." Pinkie's frown deepened, "I've seen horrible things happen today, and they were started by Celestia's Royal Guard arriving, just in case anypony forgot that." "They were only doing their job, Pinkie." Twilight snapped back, "You ponies were out of control!" "And that justifies what they did?" Pinkie laughed and Twilight cringed at how dark it was, compared to her usual laughter. "I think you're in denial, Twi." Twilight's eyebrow twitched at the comment. That was twice now, in just as many days, that somepony tried to convince her that she was in denial. First Discord, now one of her closest friends. How could Pinkie Pie betray this act of friendship she was willing to extend to her? A chance to be forgiven and live her life in the light of Celestia - whom Twilight was even more convinced must be a deity of some sort. "Very well, Pinkie." twilight said at last, "If you won't see reason, then I have no choice but to let the Royal Guard take you to Canterlot for trial. I'm truly sorry for this." "I'm sure you are." Pinkie said, eyes hard as diamonds. As the Royal Guard took her away in chains, Twilight wondered if she had made the right decision. Maybe she should have just forgiven her anyway. Wouldn't Celestia have done that? With a sigh, she returned to her library where Spike was talking with Scootaloo. How Scootaloo had made it into her library, Twilight wasn't sure, but she didn't mind; Scootaloo was a good friend, and Spike could use all the company he could get since things started getting crazy. With a weary smile, she retired to her bedroom upstairs. *-* "I just don't know what to do anymore, Spike." Scootaloo confessed. The two of them had become fast friends after Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle disappeared. "Rainbow Dash really doesn't like this Republic thing, but I thought it was pretty cool." "I know how you feel." Spike sighed, "I think it's awesome, but Twilight tells me I'm too young to understand why it's bad. I'm really getting worried about her; she's kind of losing it." "Have you seen Rarity lately?" the filly asked, "I saw her the other day, and she looked awful. She's worried sick about Sweetie Belle." "That's awful." Spike said, "I can understand that, though. I'm worried about them, too." "Me too." Scootaloo frowned, then brightened, "Hey! We could go look for them!" "What?" the dragon jumped at the suggestion, "Where would they be, anyway? Twilight and Rainbow Dash don't know." "That's because they're not Luna supporters." Scootaloo explained, "All we need to do is ask somepony who knows about the Lunar Republic." "The Apples!" Spike snapped his fingers, "Applejack is Canterlot, and Apple Bloom is missing, but if anypony knows where to find them, it would be the Apple Family." "You're right!" the filly laughed, "Big Mac could never lose track of his sisters. He's got, like, a sixth sense when it comes to them." Spike and Scootaloo laughed for a little while before wiping their eyes. How long had it been since either of them had laughed? Too long, for ponies and dragons so young. Finally, eyes dry, they quit laughing. Smiles were replaced with solemn expressions once more. They eyed the door, cautiously. "You think it's safe to go out?" Spike asked. "Well, I walked all the way over here and nothing happened." Scootaloo shrugged, "Couldn't have gotten much worse since this morning. In fact, I saw plenty of ponies walking around by the time I got here." "Yeah, Twilight called some sort of meeting outside." Spike vaguely remembered the alicorn coming back in not too long ago, "She told me to stay inside, though I think whatever it is, it's done now." "So let's go, then." Scootaloo smiled. "I have to tell Twilight I'm leaving." "Just leave her a note." "That's a good idea." Spike produced paper and quill and began writing the note. With care, he placed it on the door as they left. Twilight, hearing the door close, came downstairs and searched for her assistant, calling his name a few times before finding the note. It read: "Dear Twilight, Went to check out Sweet Apple Acres with Scootaloo. Be back soon. Love, Spike." She frowned at the note. It wasn't that it was dangerous outside, or that she distrusted Spike, but she was aware of the Apple family's support of the Lunar Republic. She inhaled to calm herself and exhaled with a smile. Everything would work itself out. She just had to have faith. With a twitch of her eye, she returned upstairs to her reading. She just had to have faith.