The Greatest Show of Kindness
Chapter Seventeen: Star Spinner
In Equestria, the day was turning to night. Most ponies were enjoying their evenings, whether they were having a lovely date with their loved one, basking in the beautiful, warm mixture of sunlight and moonlight, or feasting on a delectable meal. There was one unicorn, however, that was in the most mind-numbing pain he had ever felt in his life.
The solar guard known as Star Spinner was laying on a hospital gurney, tossing and turning like a bear caught in a trap. He rolled over continually, giving growling, labored groans of pain as sea-blue energy spiraled out in a flurry, just like the storm brewing within his heart.
Ever since his horn was blasted off by Bumble, something seemed to completely change in terms of morality for Star Spinner. The senseless violence, the inhumane insults and other verbal abuse, everything – it just suddenly made no sense to him, and it shocked him. These were the guards that he grew up knowing as his best friends, that never showed a speck of violence except on the playground when the bullies started to screw with them. Ever since the invasion, they were different, and this horrified him to no end.
There was something wrong, and he could sense it all around him – the negative energy and atmosphere all around him had somehow messed with his heart, influencing him, contaminating him, polluting him. He knew that he didn’t hate changelings, or any other creatures for that matter, but he had the insatiable distaste all of a sudden.
He liked to think of situations like this, as sparse as they were in his life, like a clock: There were so many cogs that needed to be fine tuned perfectly inside of the clock for it to work, but none of them were able to fit together, able to be fine tuned. Thus, the entire thing fell apart into a mishmash of disarray, and it just didn’t work. He thought it fit pretty well.
Sometime during the evening, he felt the urge to use the restroom, so he rolled over and slowly dropped himself off the soft mattress. As his hooves clopped onto the hard, crystalline floor, his head was being struck with sledgehammers made of rust right behind his eyeballs.
He gasped, little breath coming to him. For a few moments, he stood there, collecting his breath, lifting his hoof to his head. The pain was nearly unbearable; the urge to scream out of pain was greater than that of the sensation one gets by having their brain extracted through their ears and nose with a wide tablespoon.
After the pain had lessened, he limped his way over to the loo, of which was only half a furlong away. That short distance seemed like miles for him, but he trudged it out all the way there - a perilous journey - and went into one of the stalls. As he conducted his business, he could hear two other guards walking by.
“…found the changeling hive a couple days ago! I can’t believe we finally found that place. The badlands are so vast down there. It's just a barren sea of heat and rocks and misery.”
“Yeah."
“I hear that we actually managed to purge their queen from the hive! A magnificent, majestic victory for ponykind! I also heard that there’s a changeling princess with her.”
“A princess? Really? She must live an absolutely miserable life, having to live under the rule of such a witch. Not like it matters – she’s probably just like the queen. Nasty.”
“I just wonder what she had to do in the whole scheme of things. I haven’t heard of any changeling princess until you just told me.”
“She was probably watching behind the scene, laughing at our anguish. She must’ve been doing something.”
Listening in on this conversation, Star Spinner felt indifferent about what they were saying. He had his doubts that the changeling queen had actually been captured, but he’d been so out of things for the last couple months that anything could’ve been possible. What he could believe, though, was that she had a daughter.
“Who knows? Come on, let’s go get some food. I’m starving!”
“All right. Let’s go!”
With that, the two left, and less than a minute later, he heard the reverberating sound of the slamming trapdoor that lead into the cave. He finished up his duty in the restroom and began the ever so long, half-a-furlong trek back to his bed. On his slow trot, he struck a thought.
‘These guy’s attitudes must have some kind of correlation to Chrysalis. They only started being this hateful after the invasion; even towards the nastiest criminals, they weren’t this cruel. I need to figure this out. Ugh… tomorrow, though. I’m too tired.’
Eventually, he made his way back to his bed. The soft, fluffy feeling of the mattress was very welcome to him, and the cushiony, yet firm, pillow felt inviting. He rested his body on the cushions, giving a labored sigh.
For hours, he tried to fall asleep, but the intense pain in his head prevented him from doing so. Thus, he reached down into a small, leather sack on the side of the bed, pulling out a large, white bottle with the words “Toravline” sprawled all over the front.
Toravline was one of the strongest painkillers ever created in Equestria, strong enough to null the pain of the worst injuries. It was used a great amount in the last major war of Equestria, the 2nd Equestrian-Minotaur war, which was about one-hundred and fifty years before the present day. It was created by a Minotaur scientist, but the recipe found its way into Equestrian hooves, and they used this amazing painkiller to win the war by a landslide.
He gave a sigh of relief – the pain could go away at last. He pulled the cap off and poured three capsules out onto a table next to him, with a glass of water.
Setting the bottle aside, he put the three tablets into his mouth, slamming them down with the water. The taste left little to be desired – it was the bitterest taste, attacking his tongue with full force, like black coffee, radicchio and arugula, all blended together and multiplied by a trillion. The disgustingly warm water just made it all the more enjoyable, its tastelessness making him cringe in utter delight as it washed down his pain.
He set the glass of water back down on the table and capped the bottle of pain relievers, setting it back down into the bag. He rolled over to his side, letting his legs spread out comfortably over the bed. Slowly, the pain dimmed in his head, and sleep slowly called him into its warm embrace, giving him some sense of comfort in his pain.
Hmm...I hope that whatever is happening gets sorted out. And that there is at least some sort of intervention for the cruelties against the Changelings. AND POOR BUMBLE SAVE HIM PLEASE
4582394 Yup. Blows an ass load of fuck.
4582422 Not as much as, say, deleting three hours worth of a chapter for a story... Snicker snicker. Speaking of that chapter, I see it's out. Time to read, methinks.
Chryssie!
4582479 I see. Is it possible to just use two hyphens, like "--"?
4582485 Well, a bit of news for you: I found my word file. It was in the wrong folder.
Oh fuck, Chryssy is also getting tortured and shit.
On a totally different note:
I love you Sonik. I love you so much. May you surround yourself in positive energy and life a happy life.
Well well. You surprise me, sonik. Mayhaps I shouldn't have doubted you. You've alluded to a reasonable... Reason, for the guards dickery.
However, that doesn't mean you're free from a nitpick; the inclusion of the metal gear reference is about as smooth as... Gilbert Godfreys voice. It strikes me as something that was thrown in there so that people could go; "hey, I know that!".
Other than that, however, you've created a chapter that's being largely spared from my nitpickery. Well done!
4582508 Thank you very much! You know, I'm in a bit of a rough patch in my life, and it makes me beam rainbows in my heart that there are people like you to make life a little bit easier! I love you too.
It's interesting to see that the cruelty that seems to be spreading throughout Equestria might have an outside influence. Perhaps a last act of defiance by Chrysalis since she was able to manipulate emotions, but I admit that it's more than a stretch.
Though this chapter didn't show Bumble or Fluttershy, slow burn torture having us wait for her to do something, but it did bring some insight into a character who is considering the possibility of manipulation.
I wonder if others will take notice, and, if so, how will this affect the ponies of Equestria when they realize the cruelty they have subjected others to. Also, I have to wonder if the princesses are also under the influence of this mysterious force.
I guess I'll have to wait, and I'm content to do so.
4582517 Yeah, that joke felt really forced when I wrote it. I'mma go and remove that right about now.
4582502 oh... Well... Good. Yay. Champaign, hand shake, sloooow clap... I won't lie, I'm saddened at that. Makes my comment ineffectual.
4582525
Oh? My dickery actually produces a result? Well that's new. Usually it just prompts people to call me a dick, among other things.
I think I need a moment to revel in my small personal victory.
4582544
Son of a (expletive) I've just figured out how Chrysalis is playing her game. She had a backup plan when she went to Canterlot, she must have known about the discontent within her hive (perhaps not to the level of her own daughter oppossing her, but now she does know), so she did what the Argentines, the Nazi's, and so many other dictators and tyrants have done to prop up their thrones, created an enemy. What better enemy than the primary super power of the MLP world. IF she wins she's the conquering heroine, if she fails, she can leave this little, we'll call it the "aggressor spell" for the moment and make sure that the Equestrian armed forces pursue Changelings with a singleminded devotion that would make negotiation between them and Changeling rebels against Chrysalis, forcing them back to her out of sheer necessity. Hopefully there's enough ponies in the right places to undue the damage before it goes any further.
Chrysalis will have to go no matter the circumstance though, she clearly has no regard for her people, not even her daughter. But an assasination will have it's own problems, no if Chrysalis is going to die at this point it will have to be at the hand of one of her own people, otherwise the cycle of violence will continue.
*Looks at imaginary game board* Now I know how she's playing her game of thrones, now just to see what pieces are left to counter hers...
4582561
Oh, thank you, thank you. You're too kind. And horribly misguided for applauding me. But mostly kind!
4582565 Wow, that's a pretty good guess. Not quite, though.
4582584 General intuition tells me that treating the people who favorite and read your stories well is a good thing for PR.
Nice chapter. but I want to see the mayhem when Fluttershy comes for Bumble!!! I even got some popcorn ready for it when I read it *WolfGrin*
4582611 Well, it'll come eventually.
Eventually...
4582590 I won't ask where I got it wrong, but I"m glad I've impressed, with the intelligence I have thus far this is the scenario that came to mind, I can't rule out third parties as of yet, or even fourth or fifth parties, but I don't yet know of their existence. Nor do I know the full level of what Chrysalis knows, or what those who might oppose her in the hive know... or even if say during the Canterlot Wedding incident sheer accident during skirmishes around the city caused the problem...
*Starts mentally fingering through game pieces* who and what else is on this board...
4582608
Still though, you're only encouraging my behavior. It's only a matter of time before I go to stories written by amateurs and start nitpicking and bashing their stories. And it'll be because you applauded me. Feel bad. Muha.
4582565
Wow. That's... Kind of genius. Only problem is that now you've given me something to point at and say, "WHY NOT THIS?", if the good authors version isn't as good as yours. So... Yeah. Now you know of my dickery too.
4582626 All right, Checkmate Monarch.
4582648 Do you live in 'Murica? Because if you do, then you reserve the right and are entitled to be as big of a throbbing mass between a dude's legs as you want.
4582668
Oh, I'm not just a throbbing mass between a dudes legs. I'm THE throbbing mass between a dudes legs. And, by god, DON'T YOU FORGET IT! GOD HELP YOU IF YOU FORGET IT!
4582703 I'll... make note of it.
4582716
Wise desicion, Sonik. Very wise....
And just because I oughta!
[youtube=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fRamB30E9mU]
4582738 Is it odd that that laugh turns me on?
4582753
Nah. It's an evil laugh. And evil is hot. It makes everything better!
4582760 Yeah. In pretty much everything ever, the villain is the best character. Have you played the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword? Mediocre game, best villain, hands down, in the entire series.
Come on, avenge the changelings! I really hope that the tortured changelings undergo therapy and any other compensations for their agony, and everyone involved in said torture is gelded or similar. I hope that Chrysalis is ok and that 'purged' just means forced to leave the hive, and that her Princess is ok, and I hope Bumble is ok and and and and and...
AVENGE THE DAMN CHANGELINGS!
4582776
I'm afraid I haven't. Though I do know of Girihim, or however you spell his name. From what I've seen, he seems like a good villian. With a weird tounge that puts Gene Simmons to shame!
4582780 Jeezus Chreyest, gelded? Holy shit, no. This is an everybody rated story. While the thought of ponies getting their nuts cut off sounds wonderful right now, it's just not going to go down.
4582790 I'd say it might be Teen now. You know, torture and everything.
4582786 It's Ghirahim. If you have a Wii or WiiU that works, go, get the game, and play it just for Ghirahim.
And yes, that tongue scared the balls off of me the first time it happened.
4582809 I don't think so, not yet. I'm trying to limit the child violence to a small amount.
4582813
Hmm. Duly noted. And I'm sorry about your balls. Usually things involving them and a tounge go better.
And now I shall offer up a villian of my own to the table, plus a game reccomendation! Have you ever played Blazblue?
4582825 I dun never heard of BlazBlue.
Poor Bumble... but I guess it would make sense that Changling magic can wash away hate full feelings since it's fueled by love.
4582829
Well, my inbred friend, it's a fighting game. Know that going in. It's also on the Xbox360 or Playstation3. And it also has one of my own personal favorite villains of all time. Hazama. The dude Is very evil, and nuts. He just wants destruction, and does many things to get it, including pitting best friends against one another, one of which is on the verge of going blind because she used a macguffin to help her fight said friend. He also delights in misery, torture, and being evil. And a dick.
4582849 Sounds cool!
4582849
I'm doing a shit job of explaining him. If I were you, I'd go watch a walk through or something to get a better idea of him and the game.
Plus, it's kinda funny to me how you and I are talking about the wonders of evil characters, while you're refusing to do something evil in your story.
4582863 lolol
4582873
Indubitably. Well, Sonik, it's been nice chatting, but I believe I'm going to turn in now. Ciao!
4582886 Nighty.
Ok good! It sounds like you have a solid rationale behind their insanity. Now that you've put the idea in my head, it makes sense that Cadences love-shockwave-thing would have pushed the love out of everyone within range. You don't get a pass yet, but if you prove my suspicions correct we think people will be somewhat happier I think.
Keep going! ;)
Me thinks there is some strange things going on...
Me wantz moar! Pls update soon! Again, Shining is too dumb for his own good
RAGE FLUTTERSHY, RAGE!
I'm looking forward to see how Fluttershy is coping.
I'll bet her friends knock on her door, trying to talk to her and all she dose is: Opens the door, break one of their noses, and closes the door.
That's what I think will happen.
Good chapter. I was actually wondering what happened to that guard. Looks like that blast from bumble was a big wake up call to the guards cruelty.
4583264 I'm glad that everybody thinks its a step in the right direction. Thank you!
4583402 I'm glad you're enjoying it! Also, as for the rape part, I specifically mentioned that those parts were in red text, meaning that they were "teen-rated" sections, so...
*in my best announcer voice* *ahem* If I see any of my work directly into your story, you;d better write me a check! And it better not bounce, otherwise you're a dead mother fucker! (A cookie for you if you got the reference.)
4583783 Trust me, there's a bit more going on other than a wake-up call with Spinner Star. More on that in... probably three-ish chapters.