//------------------------------//
// Chapter 21: Escape 
// Story: Equal Equestria Enlightenment 
// by stupidhand14 
//------------------------------//

	Having an abundance of free time, its time I put these last few days into writing. I did not expect things to end this way; I expected triumph, not this. It doesn't matter much what I want, though. Our goal remains the same, and is greater than any one pony. Maybe my experience will help the next leader.

Starlight Glimmer's Diary Day 410

It was around 3:00am when I felt something break in the distance. Rushing out of bed, I reached out and my worst fear was realized: the illusion had been broken. Immediately I heard guardsponies shouting. Looking out my window, I noticed they were all rushing to Cinnamon's house. I gripped my bed in my magic and threw it to one side and rushed downstairs. I followed to the natural cave to the opening a small distance from the town where a cart was waiting for me.
Making a mental note on how much food, money, and clothing I had in the cart, I took off at a gallop away from my village. I could still hear the shouting from the village, though it was distant. My legs burned as I ran and my mind raced. Every part of my plan had to be perfect... at least, what I thought was perfect. 
After a few minutes, I was crossing a chasm with a single thin path leading across it. I took a momentary pause to see if anypony was following me and saw that there were some guardsponies chasing after me, with pegasi making the bulk of the force. Panicking, I blew up the bridge before continuing my mad dash for the caves.
Unfortunately, the guardsponies were remarkably faster than me. I should have expected it, but living with ponies who were all equal... I misjudged them. Running around another bend, I noticed several pegasi were getting a bit close for comfort. I cast my eyes around, looking for anything to use to stop them, but I found nothing.
I couldn't hold my fear back. I lashed out with my magic and knocked two pegasi back, but one was still closing on me.
"Stop!" he shouted. "You are under arrest. Come quietly. Don't make this more difficult on yourself!" I ignored him, instead opting to blast him with my magic as well.
I looked forward and saw the caves, my one chance at salvation. I was almost there, almost in the cave when a purple barrier formed at the mouth of the cave.
"Starlight Glimmer, you have nowhere left to run," came a confident voice behind me. "Surrender yourself to Princess Celestia's law."
I turned around while removing the cart. Standing there was Shining Armor, his silhouette forming against a purple shield behind him.
"You created a bubble shield around us?" I asked incredulously. He may have trapped me in here, but he also trapped himself. It was a dangerous move, or so I thought.
"Yes, I did." I smirked. He had no idea what he was getting into.
"Listen, I don't want to," I began before shooting a simple beam at him. He didn't move a muscle, simply countering it with a shield.
"You are under arrest," he said calmly. "If you surrender now, the penalty may be lessened." As if I would ever let myself be captured by somepony like him.
"No. I still have much to do," I proclaimed with as much confidence I could muster. 
Shining armor got into a defensive fighting stance. I moved into one of the stances I trained in before starting Our Town. I was a bit rusty, but nopony had my magical abilities.
I fired three quick burst bolts at him, each of which he countered with shields of his own. He never expanded more energy than needed, his control over shields was exceptional.
He retaliated with a small rock propelled by his magic towards my horn. I dodged to the side, but Shining had moved forward while I was distracted. Getting angry at being tricked, I poured a bit more magic into a sustained barrage against him.
Every shot I sent after him was met with small shields, each one being blocked. I couldn't get a single blast against him, and he was unfazed. Getting angrier, I charged his position. He met my charge with one of his own. As we approached each other, I shot a small missile at him, which was answered in kind.
Now in close quarters, I swung a hoof at him. He gripped it in his own and used my momentum to throw me against the rock wall. I put out my feet out between the wall and used them as a spring to push my opponent off balance. He expected my move and let go, allowing me to fly past him. I immediately shot back up and glared at him.
"Seaddle street fighting," he said smirking. "A simple style." His casual attitude made me angry.
Again I charged him, this time intent on landing a blow. This time, he waited for me to come to him and entered a defensive stance. As I approached, I shot the wall behind him, dislodging the snow. He turned in time to see the snow falling down towards him and moved out of the way. The moment he divided his attention, I attempted another swipe at him.
Hoof collided against fact as I passed, but his hoof immediately came up and hit me as well. I retreated a few steps, startled at what had just happened.
"Is that the best you can do?" Shining Armor taunted.
That sent me over the edge. I could no longer thing logically, which I suppose was his plan. I charged up the strongest spell in my arsenal: Precision Piercing Shot. All of my magic went into this attack, nothing was left in reserve. I could feel my body weaken as the energy gathered in my horn. The build up nearly overwhelmed my sense, but when I felt that I could give no more, I unleashed the full magical attack. An unending stream of pure magical strength beat down at a shield Shining Armor had put up, each second drained both my magic and his. Wind whipped around me as the force of magic pushed back against the air.
His purple shield continued to hold as even more force went into it. Some of my magic was being diverted, but most of it was hitting Shining Armor's shield. I noticed that the shield that was trapping me here was slowly unraveling as our magic was drained. For seconds that felt like minutes, I concentrated on sending all my magic against the shield in an attempt to break though and finish this conflict. I didn't need to drain his magic, only break through his shield. But his shield held as my magic slowly dwindled until I could no longer maintain the spell.
I collapsed to the ground, my horn smoking slightly and a slow throb of pain spreading throughout it. I looked at Shining Armor and noticed he, too, had been exhausted by his defense. I stood, ready to make a break for it when I was suddenly immobilized by a spell. Looking around, I spotted a unicorn guardspony holding me in place. I tried to break free, but his energy held me fast. Before long, a ring was placed upon my horn and shackles around my legs. By the time I had recovered, it was too late to do anything.
"Starlight Glimmer," Shining Armor said, "you have been accused of crimes against ponykind. You resisted arrest and attempted to flee before a proper investigation. You will be taken to the Royal Sisters to pass judgement."
I said nothing in response. Shining Armor ordered three of the ponies with him to go back to the village while he took me away from my home. I was led away from my village as a prisoner. We arrived at Canterlot just after dark, so I was put in a cell to await my sentence. I spent a lot of time thinking. A lot of time regretting.




Starlight Glimmer's Diary Day 411

I was rudely awoken at dawn with a meal consisting of bread, water, and some beans. Granted, I haven't had any of these foods for a while, but the portions were rather small. I looked outside my window and saw that the sun had only recently risen. Before I could get into my food, the guardspony in charge walked up to my cell.
"Your sentencing is at 11:00am," was all he said before walking away.
I lost my appetite and put my food to the side of the cell. I laid in bed thinking about the last few days. Every moment was a reflection of everything I had done wrong, everything I had done right. Even now, I'm unsure which is which.
I looked around my cell. It was white, like most of Canterlot, with a bucket of water and chamber pot in different corners. My bed was a small alcove where I could go in to rest, but not be comfortable in. There was a single window with cell bars through it. I reached up to feel my horn and felt the ring of suppression still on it. There was no way to escape. 
At 10:45, the guards came to get me. I was led to Princess Celestia's throne room, but instead of Celestia sitting alone, three of the four princesses were there... including Twilight Sparkle.
The sun was shining through the stained glass windows. Stained glass windows of the heroism of her. I couldn't suppress a sigh as the guards continued to lead me to the thrones. Princess Celestia was listening to her student speak, but as soon as I neared they quieted.
"Starlight Glimmer, you have been accused of crimes against ponykind," Princess Celestia said simply. "I have heard testimony from reliable witnesses as well as evidence. Do you have anything to say about this?" Her eyes fixed upon me and looked into my soul. There was nothing I could hide from those searching eyes.
"I did what I thought was right," I replied meekly. All of my thoughts of a grand speech and attempting to turn the situation to my benefit disappeared.
"So you confess to kidnapping, forcing the removal of cutie marks, brainwashing, and controlling the thoughts of numerous ponies?" Princess Luna asked harshly. She looked far more angry than her sister.
"I..." I gulped, trying to get my voice back. "I confess to removing the cutie marks by force and teaching my philosophy through the best means I have found."
The three princesses shared a look between them all. They made eye contact and I saw many different ideas passing between the three. Celestia grimaced before turning back to me.
"After hearing this confession, we will need time to deliberate the punishment. Take Starlight back to her cell."
I walked back to my cell with as much dignity as I could muster. However, before I could enter my cell, the guard asked, "Do you need any paper or quills to write a letter to friends or family?" I looked at him in confusion. He didn't look back.
"O-of course. Thank you," I said awkwardly.
"You should get it before lunch at 12:00," he finished. Immediately after locking my cell, he walked away.
The paper arrived with my lunch, which I barely touched. Instead, I devoted hours writing personal letters to send to Our Town. With all the personal letters, I put in a letter for Double Diamond to come immediately to Canterlot. I hope he does come.
For the next hour, I wrote as much of a plan that I could. I hid that paper as best as I could given the circumstances, though I would not be surprised if they found out my plan.
For the next four hours, I was kept waiting while the Princesses deliberated. That left me plenty of time to think. At worst, I suspected a life imprisoned with my horn cut off or perhaps being banished. What an optimist I was. It wasn't until 7:30pm that the guards returned to my cell to bring me before the Princesses.
The main hall looked the same as before, though the night made the stained glass windows much darker than the original colors. Waiting for me were the three Princesses, now with Shining Armor waiting to the side. I was forced to kneel before them all as they passed down my sentence.
"Starlight Glimmer," Luna said, using the Canterlot Voice, "for your crimes, we hereby sentence you to death. You will have three days before you are punished. You are allowed one final wish. You will be asked what that is tomorrow morning."
Like any sane pony, I was shocked into silence. The penalty of death is saved only for the cruelest of villains in Equestria. Even murderers get sentenced to life in prison. I couldn't move for many minutes after that. The Princesses had the guards pull me back to my cell. I noticed my letters were gone, probably mailed off to my friends.
I spent the rest of the night making plans and coming up with ideas. I didn't get much sleep... still haven't.

Starlight Glimmer's Diary Day 412

I was woken up at 8:30am by the guardspony knocking on my cell door. I, groggily, got up and looked at him with sleep still crowding my vision.
"We need to know what your final request is, now," he said matter-of-factually. I sat up and walked to the door.
"I want to create one gift for a close friend of mine... something magical to help him remember me after..." I couldn't bring myself to say the words.
"I'll relay your request to Princess Luna." He turned and walked away.
I saw that the guard had brought me food, but I ate it without tasting anything. I didn't know what to do, but I know what I must do. Before lunch, I had a visitor: Twilight Sparkle.
"Hello, Starlight," Twilight said calmly.
"Hello," I responded coldly. "What are you here to do? Gloat?"
"I have been sent to ask what you want to make," she answered. "If you lie to me, we will know, and your right to a last request revoked."
"I understand," I sighed. "I want to create a cutie mark removing jar, with only one use... for my own cutie mark." Twilight regarded me for a moment. Turning her head away, she began to mumble to herself.
"Very well. Under the condition that you use the correct runes to make it a single use only, you will be provided with the materials you need." A small smile formed on my face. "However, we cannot allow you to use your magic. I will be with you while you're making it and will use my magic to power the spell."
"If that is how it must be, so be it."
I was taken to a small workshop with Twilight Sparkle following behind me. Inside were a variety of tools that would be needed for any enchantment making. Unfortunately, glass jars are extremely difficult to use enchantments on. All of the enchantments must be made on the lid or bottom of the jar, which is a slight pain for complicated spells, such as the one I use to remove cutie marks.
It took many hours, and I doubt I will ever explain the formulas used or how many magical theories it used. It was a feat of magic never before achieved... but it was limited. I can't explain what the jar will do with my cutie mark, but its for the greater good.
I was returned to my cell and left alone with my thoughts once more. I continued writing letters and even wrote a supplement for a diary entry.

Starlight Glimmer's Diary Day 413

The morning was uneventful, and even some of the afternoon. However, sometime after 4:00pm, a guard came to my cell. Behind him stood a white stallion. Double Diamond had finally made it.
"Starlight!" he shouted as he ran through the door. "What happened?" I waited until the guard was a safe distance away before answering.
"I was overpowered by the guards. I could not escape." He looked at me, his eyes wide and fear easily visible.
"Wha... what are they going to do to you?"
"Don't worry, it's nothing too bad. I am just being punished for the wrongs they believe I did to Twilight Sparkle."
"That's good to hear," Double Diamond said, true joy and happiness shining from his face. "I will be sure to tell our friends the good news. We're all worried about you."
"Thank you, Double Diamond... though there is one thing I need to ask of you."
"Of course, anything, Starlight."
"Tomorrow, come back here early in the morning, before 10:00am. I need you to take something back to Our Town for me. It's something very important."
"Okay. I will be here at 8:00."
"Thank you... for everything."
We spent the rest of the day talking about old times, things we would do when I returned to Our Town as well as what Double Diamond had to do while I was gone. I could not bring myself to tell Double Diamond the truth. When he left, I wrote a letter by candlelight telling him the truth. I will give it to him tomorrow when he comes to pick up the jar.









It was just after 7:30 in the morning. Starlight Glimmer was once more woken up by the guardspony. She cast her gaze around the room, finally spotting the jar she had constructed. Gripping it in her hooves, she placed it over her cutie mark. For the first time, she let go of her cutie mark for good. It slid easily off and into the jar, but was not kept. The cutie mark was absorbed into the enchantments of the jar, powering them for one more removal. For the first time in Starlight's life, she was equal.
Double Diamond arrived right when he promised he would, not a moment later. Starlight handed over the jar and her diary entries she had written. She then looked at the letter she had written the night before and handed it to Double Diamond.
"This last letter... I want you to read it once you're out of Canterlot. Don't read it while in Canterlot... it's personal."
"I will, Starlight," he promised. "I'll see you in a few months, when I can visit and tell you about the progress."
"Can't wait," Starlight said with a forced smile, tears nearly breaking through.
Double Diamond left oblivious to the fact that he would never see Starlight again. 
At 10:00 in the morning, the guardsponies arrived to bring Starlight to the execution chamber. She walked with her head held high. She feared her death like anypony else, but faced it with the hope she did not die in vain.
In a side room, looking on through a single sided mirror stood five mares. They looked upon the madmare as she walked up to the chair. Each one knew that her death would not grant them peace of mind, but it was demanded by all but one. Only Fluttershy looked away as the execution began.
The pony to cast the death spell was Princess Luna, who had perfected her methods. At the same time, Double Diamond was on a train heading out of Canterlot. He decided to open the letter and see what Starlight wanted of him.
Starlight sat herself in the chair. The straps were promptly put on. The execution would soon start.



Dear Double Diamond,
We have been friends for a long time. You were my closest ally and my confidant. I must ask one final request.



Princess Luna began to cast the spell. Already, Starlight Glimmer's life force was ebbing out of her to fuel the spell. It would not be a pleasant journey for her; it was her punishment. Her arms pushed against the restraints, trying to free themselves from the inevitable.



	The jar I gave you is imbued with my talent, and it can be used to remove one cutie mark. 



The death spell began to take effect in Starlight's mind. She began to see images of her crimes, but this time as the victim. In her mind, she spent hours upon hours of pain caused by the removal of cutie marks. She spend years in a small room listening to a voice that was not her own saying, "In difference there is joy. Equality is a lie. Embrace your mark. Master your special talent. Difference is life. Sameness is stagnation." Her body began to spasm and convulse. She could not free herself. Gasping for air, Starlight tried to call out for help. Nothing came from her mouth.



	I need you to use it on Azure Moon. I wish for her to be my successor. I need you to train her to do it. Enclosed on the second page of this paper is my spell to remove cutie marks. I'm sorry that I can't be there to do it myself. I'm also sorry that I lied to you.



Starlight's mind was transported through every act she committed, every crime she was found guilty of. Her own hooves beat at her. Her own magic was turned against her, piercing her body. Starlight was sure she had died, only to go through dying again. 



	Please, remember me fondly. I lied about my punishment, it is not a light one. I am to be executed today. By the time you read this, I will already be gone. Double Diamond, thank you for all that you ever did for me. I did nothing to deserve a friend like you.
Always with you,
Starlight Glimmer



After what seemed like years of suffering was only minutes in the eyes of everypony around Starlight Glimmer. Before the fifth minute, she stopped struggling, her nightmare was finally over. She had been punished. Outside the room, only one mare had been able to watch through it all. Her mind was at peace for the moment, though even seeing Starlight dead would not stop the nightmares.



Double Diamond walked into the village stiffly. His eyes were vacant, as if he was a body without a spirit. The other ponies in the village greeted him warmly, but he didn't hear them. Instead, he walked into the Mayor's house. Going to her bedroom, he opened Starlight's secret hiding spot, where she kept her journals. He clutched them to his chest, tears finally being released.
Double Diamond mourned over Starlight for many hours. Nopony went to find him, though even if they tried the door was locked. After letting out all of his emotions, Double Diamond returned outside. Everypony that was still out looked to him as he finally reappeared.
"Gather around everypony," Double Diamond said somberly. "I have some important news."
In a matter of minutes, everypony was out of their home and waiting for Double Diamond's speech. They knew it had something to do with Starlight, but none of them could hazard a guess as to what happened. As soon as Double Diamond was certain he had every ear, he began.	
"Our friend and leader, Starlight Glimmer is..." he said before stopping. He saw that everypony's spirit was broken. They needed reassurance. He knew they did not need the harsh truth, for now. They needed a comforting lie. "Starlight has been put away into prison. She will not be allowed visitors and won't be released."
Everypony began talking at once. Chaos filled the street. Questions were called, but Double Diamond could not answer over the clamor of the crowd. Nopony could contain their anger, frustration, or disbelief. Instead, Double Diamond kept quiet until the sound levels were bearable.
"That is not the last bit of news," Double Diamond continued. "She has asked me to make sure Our Town remains our town. She asked me to take over the position of mayor, like she wanted to earlier. I will, to the best of my abilities, accomplish this task set before me."
"I know that we are not what we once were, but our ideas are right. Starlight showed us the truth. She wants us to continue her mission. I see no reason why we should lose our equality and friendship. We stand together, as friends."
Without a further word, Double Diamond turned and walked back into his new house. Most of it was ransacked by soldiers trying to find evidence or secrets, but the guest room was fine. Double Diamond slept in there, and designated that as his bedroom, abandoning the old master bedroom.
The next day, Double Diamond rose early. After taking the time to assure the town of his leadership and encourage the few wavering ponies, he went to Violet Glow's house.
"Hello," Violet greeted. "You made a good speech yesterday."
"Thank you, Violet," Double Diamond responded with a smile. "Is your daughter still in bed, crying?"
"Yes, she is... but..." Violet began to show her nervousness. "Starlight is gone, so Moonie can't get her cutie mark removed."
"Tell Azure to come to the cutie mark vault later today," Double Diamond commanded.
"O-of course, she'll be there."
With that, Double Diamond left the household. He returned to his new home and retrieved the jar. Concealing it in a bundle of cloths, Double Diamond left to the cutie mark vault. He made several stops to talk to ponies, but he arrived by 2:30pm. Azure Moon was already waiting for him.
"Hello, Azure," Double Diamond greeted as he approached. The young, blue filly looked nervous. 
"Hello," Azure said very quietly. Double Diamond gave her his best smile as he pulled out the jar.
"Moon, I am going to remove your cutie mark." Her ears perked up. Suddenly, the fear and nervousness the filly had was gone, replaced by hope. "However," Double Diamond continued, "I need you to promise to tell no one about this."
"Okay, I can do that! I'm great at keeping secrets," Azure Moon said with a smile only a foal can make and still be genuine.
Double Diamond held up the jar and covered the cutie mark with it. Immediately, the cutie mark flew into the jar. Smiling, Double Diamond recovered the jar. It was far simpler a process than he could have imagined.
"Azure, why don't you come over to my house later tonight?" Double Diamond requested. "I would like to teach you some things that Starlight wanted you to know."
"Okay, but I'll have to ask my mom... and be back by 8:00," Azure replied.
"Of course, but tell her that its for special instruction on Equality."
"Will do!" Azure shouted before running off to the village. Smiling, Double Diamond followed her. That night began a new chapter in Azure Moon's studying.