The Koprulu Sector

by TheKopruluSectorUnion

Chapter 4: Scapegoat

The colonial magistrate was a tan mare with a grey mane. She had been magistrate of Mar Sara since before the crusaders were even born. She had also known the crusaders personally since the first days their club was formed. Their brilliant plans were known for failing spectacularly, and were also the source of many incidents through out their lives, usually involving minor property damage, or general disturbance of the peace.

The magistrate knew they were good kids at heart, and typically took things easy on them when dealing out punishment, often times leaving things to their parents when they were still fillies. But this incident was no laughing matter. Someone died that day. Someone else might follow. As a magistrate, she was judge and jury in cases like this. If she didn’t hold someone accountable, the Dominion would.

The magistrate looked into Apple Blooms eyes. “Young mare, I know you know how serious this is. I’ve been lenient with you in the past, but I may not be able to restrict this incident to just a colonial affair. If this turns into a dominion investigation it’ll be completely out of my hooves.”

“I know” said Apple Bloom in a soft and frightened voice. She was more scared now than she was when she was fighting the zerg. At least then the fear was accompanied by a rush of adrenaline. Here it was only fear, pure and simple. “What’s going to happen to us?”

The magistrate sighed. “That depends on how well you cooperate. I need you to tell me everything. From the beginning, and don’t leave anything out.”

Apple Bloom did as she was asked. She told every detail, the explosion at the barn, the security lock down, Sweetie Belle's death, and even the mention of stealing the shelters logs. She let it be known that the logs were her idea, and that neither of her friends had anything to do with it.

The magistrate looked disappointed in her. Exploring the ruins, while still illegal, could be attributed to little more than a young mare’s curiosity. She might have been able to keep the charges at a colonial level as long as the dominion got their precious artifacts. But stealing from a site was a capital offense. What’s worse was her intent to delete a terran recording in order to hide her footsteps.

“I’m glad you were honest with me. When you activated the lockdown, some of the shelters security cameras came back online. The account you gave seems to fall in place with the recordings, so you don’t have to worry about adding perjury to your charges.” said the magistrate.

“So… now that you know. What kind of punishment are we looking at?” asked Apple Bloom.

“Your friend Scootaloo could be looking at neural resocialization.” answered the magistrate.

Apple Blooms heart sank. She knew what that meant for her friend. Execution of civilians was a punishment almost never used in the Dominion, though it was arguably the same. A resoc, as the victims of neural resocilization were often called, had all of his or her memories buried under a layer of new ones. They’d completely forget about who they were; any unique skills, personality traits, friend and loved ones, everything gone.

They were usually giving a new of set memories that kept them loyal to the Dominion, and a new set of skills relevant to whatever task they would perform as loyal puppets to the military. A part of Apple Bloom wished Scootaloo had died in the pit. At least then she’d of died knowing she was trying to save a friend. Now she may never remember them ever being friends at all.

"Your friend Sweetie Belle will be branded a traitor." continued the magistrate. "Her family will be humiliated. But aside from a spot in the morning paper, and no funeral, her problems are over."

Apple Bloom didn't like the tone she was taking when talking about her friend, but she let the comment slide. “What about me?” asked Apple Bloom.

“You are easily one of the best engineers on this colony. We need you here.”

“But what about the recordings? The shelter logs.”

“The recordings had no audio. Only your friend Sweetie Belle was seen holding those logs.”

Apple Blooms fear was slowly being replaced with anger. “So, because I’m useful, you’ll let me off the hook, but you won’t do anything at all to help Scootaloo?”

The magistrate knew this conversation was coming. She figured it was best to just be forward with the young mare. “I’ve known you girls almost your whole lives. You know as well as I do your friend Scootaloo was the reckless one, and personally I think she has been a bad influence on you and Sweetie Belle.”

“We were all reckless, and who are you to decide she’s not worth helping too?!” Apple Bloom was starting to raise her voice.

The magistrate wasn’t bothered by it. Half her days were spent dealing with disgruntled colonist and Dominion officials, this didn’t seem any different. “Because I can’t help all of you Apple Bloom. If I don’t hand the Dominion somebody to take the blame, they’ll take matters into their own hands. Also, I only said your friend could be looking at resocialization. Since you seem so adamant about not letting me make the choice, I’ll leave it to you.”

Apple Bloom was confused, and found that last part somewhat unsettling.

“You are going to assign the blame to one of your friends. Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo. I won’t ask any questions, I’ll just forward the report to Dominion command. When they get their scapegoat, we’ll all be able to move on with our lives.

Apple Bloom was shocked and disgusted by the situation. “Then I confess to everything. It was my idea, I told Sweetie Belle to take the logs. Hand me over to them.”

The magistrate shook her head. “Like I said, we need you here. And let me make this perfectly clear, without my approval, no confession will go through to the Dominion. Either you give the name of one of your friends, or I’ll be forced to send both their names to the Dominion.”

Apple Bloom sat speechless. She didn’t even know where to start.

“You have three days to think on this. But I’ll need a decision. The Dominion won’t wait forever.” said the magistrate. Apple Bloom simply nodded her head. Her eyes were turning red as she tried to hold back tears. “You are excused.” As Apple Bloom headed for the door, the magistrate added one more thing. “When you make your choice, you don’t have to tell anyone it was yours to make.”

Apple Bloom knew what she meant. The person who made this choice would be seen as the executioner and earn the ire of the victims family. It was a small kindness, and right now Apple Bloom was counting her blessings. “Thank you” she replied. With that, Apple Bloom took her leave.

The magistrate rose from her chair and headed towards the window. It was twilight over the colony. At this time of day, everyone could see the Dominion space platform floating over the colony. They were always watching, always looking down on them, whether as protectors or a jailors was debatable. She took no pleasure in what she was about to be forced to do. She knew they weren’t criminals; they were just three young mares that made a stupid mistake. Hadn’t everybody done something foolish when they were kids? Wasn’t losing a friend punishment enough? No real damage had been done to the terran ruins that the zerg hadn’t already done. They had their precious adjutant. This wasn’t about justice; it was just about letting the little people down below know who is in charge.

But this was her job. She had to do the things no one else wanted to. And while putting such a burden on a mare that just lost a friend seemed cruel, it was still better than the alternative.

She closed the blinds to the window. She didn’t want to see anymore of the Dominion for the rest of the day.

---

Apple Bloom took a bus back to the hospital. She was standing outside of Scootaloo's hospital room, working up the nerve to tell her the latest development. She didn’t want to think about it, but she had too. She already knew what the logical choice was. Even though Sweetie Belle didn’t deserve it, she was gone and there was nothing anyone could do for her now. It was adding insult to injury, but it would keep Scootaloo from a fate arguably worse than death. She also knew for a fact that if Sweetie Belle's ghost could talk to her right now, she would gladly make another sacrifice to help out a friend.

But how was she going to break this to Scootaloo? Of the two of them, she was the one feeling most guilty right now. Scootaloo would never agree to sell out Sweetie Belle's name just to save herself. "Why do you have to be so loyal Scootaloo?" she asked herself.

Maybe the best course of action right now was another lie. She already lied to her about Sweetie Belle still being alive. She was going to have to tell her the truth on that subject earlier than she would have liked, there was no way around that now. But when she did, Scootaloo would only become more unstable. She was already angry with herself for almost getting her friends killed. When she finds out Sweetie Belle really was dead... The last thing she’d need to hear after that was that Sweetie Belle's memory was going to be shamed on her behalf as well.

In truth, Apple Bloom knew it was just as much her fault as it was Scootaloos. She panicked in the cockpit. If she had just pulled that release… No. Now was not the time to wallow in regret. There would be time for that later. Right now was the time for action.

Before she could contemplate any further thought, the door opened. It was Scootaloo's mother, Ms. Iron Feather. “Apple Bloom! It’s good to see you. I heard you’re the one I have to thank for saving my little Scootaloo.” said Ms. Iron Feather. “She just fell asleep. She was a bit upset when she woke up earlier and you weren't with her. She really needs friends right now more than ever. She’s been very angry with herself about what happened and won't listen to anyone else. The doctors say you’re the only one all day who was able to make her smile.”

“Does she know about Sweetie Belle yet?” asked Apple Bloom.

“No… the doctors say she’s still in a very delicate state. We think it would be best to hold off on that for now.”

“I… I think we might have to tell her a bit earlier than you’d like.” Apple Bloom explained everything to miss Iron Feather.

Miss Iron Feather was a bit overwhelmed. As if losing her friend wasn’t enough, now Scootaloo would have to deal with this. “You… you are going to help Scootaloo aren’t you?” she asked nervously.

“I don’t want to hurt Sweetie Belle's memory, but I know this is what Sweetie Belle would have wanted. She wouldn’t want to see Scootaloo punished.” answered Apple Bloom.

“Thank you, I can’t tell you how much it means to me that Scootaloo had friends like you two. I know this can’t be easy for you, having to betray one friend to save the other.” Miss Iron Feather didn’t mean to, but she cut Apple Bloom deeper than anyone else had that day. BETRAYAL. Is that what she was doing? “I want to stay with her, but there is no one to fill in for me at the COC and my shift is coming up.”

“I promise I’ll be with her when she wakes up. She won’t be alone.”

“Thank you Apple Bloom. You really are a good friend.” She hugged the young mare in a show of appreciation. “I must be going now.”

“It was nice talking to you.” said Apple Bloom. She wasn’t mad at the grieving mother for her choice of words. Apple Bloom couldn’t help but think she might be right about this being a betrayal.

Apple Bloom entered the room and took a seat next to Scootaloo's hospital bed. Her friend looked so peaceful. She wasn’t smiling like she was earlier in the day. The only good news she’d received all day was that both her friends made it out of there alive. How was Apple Bloom going to break this to her?

She still considered lying. Just tell her the truth about Sweetie Belle being dead, but leave out the choice Apple Bloom had to make. She might even be able to soften the blow by telling her about the seat belt. At least then she could share some of the blame for Sweetie Belle's death and make it easier to bare.

If she did that though, this would be a lie she’d have to hold for the rest of her life. She would never be able to look into Scootaloo's eyes again without feeling the guilt of lying to her. Maybe she deserved to know. Apple Bloom certainly knew if the situation were reversed, she would want to know the truth.

Then again, Apple Bloom, while certainly not proud of it, would understand it’s what Sweetie Belle would have wanted. Scootaloo might not take it so easily. She may even force herself to the COC to confess, despite her condition.

She couldn’t let that happen. Even if Apple Bloom hated herself for the rest of her life, it would be preferable to the possible alternative outcome. She could eventually tell Scootaloo after she finished mourning. Though finding out Apple Bloom had been lying to her the whole time could cause Scootaloo to hate her, thus ending their friendship. But she had already decided earlier, she would rather earn Scootaloo's hate and see her healthy, than keep her trust and see her hurt.

There was so much to think about, and Apple Bloom was tired. She patted Scootaloo's mane, then decided to get some rest. Perhaps things would make more sense in the morning.

---

Despite the day’s developments, and the less than comfortable hospital chair, Apple Bloom dreamt well. She dreamt both her friends were still alive and healthy. They’d just helped Scootaloo get her cutie mark, and she was about to lead them on some crazy adventure to celebrate, then they would all find themselves in trouble and covered in tree sap again. She knew it was a dream, but it was a good dream she didn’t want to wake up from. Now the dream was over, and reality set in.

Apple Bloom opened her eyes to see Scootaloo staring at her with a smile on her face. “Good to see you’re up.” she said.

“Good to hear you talking normally.” replied Apple Bloom, but unable to return the smile. “Scoots, there is something we need to talk about. It’s not easy to say, and I understand if you don’t want to see more for while… or at all.”

“It’s Sweetie Belle isn’t it?” said Scootaloo. Her smile faded. “I know. I’m actually kind of glad you came forward so soon. I know my mom wasn’t going to tell me, and neither were any of the doctors. I guess that’s how I know you’re my only real friend in all of this.”

Apple Bloom nodded her head. “How long did you know?”

“Well, you’re a pretty good liar when you want to be. But I’ve known you too long to not notice when you do. As for mom and the doctors, they can’t keep a straight face to save their lives.” Said Scootaloo.

“I’m sorry I didn’t-” began Apple Bloom.

“Don’t," interrupted Scootaloo. "We both know how stubborn I can be. If things were in the reverse, I probably would have done the same.”

Apple Bloom was completely taken by surprise. She could barely think of a response. “I… thought you’d be angrier with me.”

Some tears started to form on Scootaloo's eyes. “Sweetie Belle is gone. I lost one of my best friends. You’re all I have left now. I’m not going to lose you too. And if that means I don’t get to be angry, then I won’t be angry.”

“That’s... a very mature outlook. And I feel the same. I don't want to lose another friend right now either,” replied Apple Bloom.

“I think we’ve both had to mature a lot these last couple of days. I forgive you for lying to me Apple Bloom. You were right; I wasn’t ready to handle it when I first asked. But I am now. So if there is anything else I need to know, please Apple Bloom. Just tell me,” requested Scootaloo.

Apple Blooms thoughts drew a blank. This wasn’t the Scootaloo she was expecting at all. A minute ago the answers were all so clear. Tell the truth, accept your friend's anger, and leave out a less than minor detail. Now, lying had become that much more painful. Scootaloo did seem like she was ready to handle the truth. After hearing her say those words, she wasn’t sure she could bring herself to lie to her again.

“I think you pretty much hit on everything I wanted to say.” said Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom reached down and hugged her friend. Maybe Scootaloo was ready for this, but Apple Bloom wasn’t. She was going to tell her... just not yet.

“I’d love to return the gesture but…” Scootaloo's eye’s gestured towards her casted legs still suspended in the air. Scootaloo gave her limbs a wiggle to demonstrate he could move them again. “If you could convince the doctors I’m good to walk, I would appreciate it."

“I’ll go find one right away.” replied Apple Bloom.

A few minutes later, a doctor examined her legs on an X-ray. He found her legs had indeed healed up for the most part. “Looks like those nanites worked a lot faster than we had hoped. Keep in mind you haven’t fully recovered. Take it easy for at least a couple more days, then check back to see if you need another nanite injection.”

“Thanks doc, will do. Now can you cut these things off?” asked Scootaloo.

“Of course. I’ll get a hacksaw and saw those legs off you right away.” He replied. Scootaloo simply glared. If her legs weren’t in a delicate state, she’d of bucked him out the window for making another wise crack. The doctor sighed. “Kids these days, no sense of humor.”

The doctor retrieved a pair of large thick scissors and began to cut away at the cast. When at last he finished, he simply left the two mares alone, perhaps to find an audience more appreciative of his sense of humor.

“You have no idea what it’s like being stuck with that guy all day.” said Scootaloo. She slowly got to her feet and began walking around the room.

“I’m glad to see you up Scoots. Any plans for the day?” asked Apple Bloom.

“I kind of want to find out about how exactly Sweetie Belle died. I want to know everything that happened after I passed out. I want to know how we escaped.”

Apple Bloom didn’t want to talk about it, but Scootaloo had a right to know. “Alright Scootaloo. Take a seat please.”

Apple Bloom told Scootaloo everything she could remember about Sweetie Belle's death. The memory was more painful than she thought it would be, and Apple Bloom found her self holding back tears as she recollected. “If I had just released the stupid seat belt, she’d still be alive!” said Apple Bloom. One tear finally escaped and made its way down her check.

“Apple Bloom, don’t start thinking like that. You aren’t the only one who spent all of yesterday thinking about everything she could have done differently. We're both to blame. Tell me what happened next. How did we escape?”

Apple Bloom went on to tell her about her encounter with the zerg, the injury she sustained, and everything right up until a blurry white angel descended before she passed out.

Scootaloo almost couldn’t believe it. She held her own against those zerg in a hundred year old SCV. More importantly she noticed Apple Bloom was still hurting from having to retell how Sweetie Belle died. Scootaloo was still struggling to deal with Sweetie Belle's death, but Apple Bloom saw it with her own eyes. The sight would probably haunt her forever.

“Well, what I took away from that story is that I had two friends who never gave up on me, even though they could have easily saved themselves. Two friends who put me before their own safety, because they refused to abandon a fellow crusader. Friends who didn’t stop until they knew they did everything they could to help. That’s the story I’m going to choose to remember.”

She was right. Apple Bloom also had that experience. When she was in that machine hanging for her life, not once did either of her friends think to just let go. At any point, they could have let Apple Bloom fall, and in all reality, it was the logical choice. But they didn’t. They choose loyalty over self. That’s what being a crusader really meant. And that’s why even after Scootaloo got her mark, they would still be together. Sweetie Belle was gone, but the remaining crusaders knew that they could trust each other with anything… anything.

“Scootaloo… there is something else you need to know.”

Author's Note:

Yes, mayor Mare is the colonial magistrate.

KopruluSectorUnion Note: This chapter has been edited and the corrections added thanks to refferee

Comments

[The Grey Pegasus]

Wait... Could the zerg going to take Sweetie Belle and mutate (and resurruect?) her?

[Exidee]

wow, thats tough. If she confesses, then scootaloo may become a resoc, but if she doesent, then poor sweetie belles family will be shamed and humiliated. im sure scoots would rather be a mindless dominion zombie than live with the guilt of betraying sweetie belle and her family.

[Kenny]

Before I read any further than chapter three, let me just guess; Sweetie Belle either is gonna be the next Queen o' Blades, or she's gonna get saved by some Protoss-tech pony.

This is way too early to lose such an effective plot device...

[the other sans]

Sweetie Belles death
But stealing from a sight was a capital offense
whether are protectors or a jailors was debatable
outside of Scootaloos hospital room
that if Sweetie Belles ghost
was that Sweetie Belles memory
her fault as it was Scootaloos
I don’t want to hurt Sweetie Belles memory
some of the blame for Sweetie Belles death and make it easier to bare
to look into Scootaloos eyes again
she want to know the truth
would rather earn Scootaloos hate
She patted Scootaloos mane
Scootaloos eye’s gestured
about Sweetie Belles death
But they didn’t. They choose loyalty over self

1. Belle's.
2. Site.
3. Whether as protectors or jailors was debatable.
4. Scootaloo's.
5. Belle's.
6. Belle's.
7. Scootaloo's.
8. Belle's.
9. Belle's.
10. Scootaloo's.
11. She would want to know the truth.
12. Scootaloo's.
13. Scootaloo's.
14. Scootaloo's.
15. Belle's.
16. Chose.