The Redemption of Jericho Swain
Chapter 11: Judgment Interlude
[Credit goes to Equinox23 for the new cover image.]
Four months. Four grueling months of nonstop sweat, tears, and blood. The four champions-in-training had worked harder than they ever had before, and now all of their hard work would come to fruition. It was time to stand and be judged. Twilight Sparkle embraced her friends one last time, and tried to ignore the nervous churning of her stomach as she prepared for her judgment.
Elsewhere, a scribe hastily began writing as the first applicant approached.
- - - -
Candidate: Twilight Sparkle
Date: 14 June, 22 CLE
OBSERVATION
Twilight Sparkle moved with no small amount of reservation, but a quick glance toward the group of friends waiting for her outside gave her the strength of will to press onward. The hallway to where she will be judged is massive, and she couldn’t help but feel that the entire place was designed to intimidate would-be applicants. At the end of the hallway are two massive doors, monolithic but elegant in design. Twilight took a moment to read the words engraved into the top of the door’s frame. “The truest opponent lies within. Well, I suppose that makes sense, in a way.” Hearing her own voice did nothing to stabilize her rapidly disintegrating confidence. With a sigh and a heave, she pulled open one of the doors.
REFLECTION
The room was dark and somewhat stifling, with a thick mist that swirled all about Twilight Sparkle, throwing off her depth perception as she tried to determine the size of the room. Raising a hand, she felt the beginnings of a spell twirl around it, and after a brief moment, a blast of wind and light pushed the mist and darkness away, and she could see clearly where she was. She barely stifled a gasp. “This can’t be...There’s no way this is real.”
“I assure you that this is a real, genuine dragon egg, Miss Sparkle. Now if you would be so kind as to hatch it, we may proceed with this examination.” The examiner loomed above Twilight, who once more found herself in the body of a scared filly in front of a panel of judges for Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Being in her old body, especially at so young an age, was disconcerting and disorienting, and Twilight felt herself swept up in the illusion. “We do not have all day, Miss Sparkle.”
Twilight felt tears welling up in her eyes as she tried, unsuccessfully to summon her magic. Nothing happened, and the filly found her head hanging before the panel, and she gave a sad glance to her parents. “I can’t do it. I’m sorry for wasting your time.” As she began to walk back towards her parents, the explosion of light that was known as the Sonic Rainboom reached her as suddenly and unexpectedly as it had the first time. The shockwave of light, sound, and magic raced through her and a dam inside her mind broke. Twilight felt herself lifted off the ground as magic flowed through her body and out of it. The egg beside her exploded, and a gargantuan beast sat in its place, slightly dazed as its head broke through the ceiling. In the place of her parents stood two potted plants, and the judges looked on in panic as they began to levitate. Helpless to control the current flowing through her, Twilight was on the verge of surrendering entirely to the power that threatened to rip her apart at the seams.
An unseen force began to press upon Twilight’s magic as she her vision began to darken, and she felt herself begin to float slowly downwards as her magic funneled itself back into her tiny body. When her vision cleared, standing before her was the inspiration for all of Twilight’s efforts. Princess Celestia was as radiant and calm as ever, and Twilight found herself entranced. This was the pinnacle of what Twilight wanted to be. Calm, in control, with more knowledge of magic and the world than anypony else. ‘I want to be just like her,’ she thought as she glanced over at her parents, who seemed amazed that they no longer had roots. ‘I won’t ever lose control like this again, and hurt anypony else with my magic. I will learn everything there is to know about magic, and I’ll be just like the princess.’
The princess smiled benevolently at Twilight, and in a flash, Twilight was human again. “Why do you wish to join the League, Twilight Sparkle?” The form was Celestia’s, but the voice was not.
Twilight smiled fondly at the memory, a hint of sadness mixed in with the small grin. “I miss home. I miss my family... I miss Princess Celestia. I want to go home.”
Celestia nodded. “How does it feel, exposing your mind?”
Twilight laughed. “It was...nice to get a reminder of home. After all this time, it’s a little hard to keep sight of what my goal is. Honestly, I feel like my sense of purpose has been strengthened by this illusion.”
“Welcome to the League of Legends, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight grinned, sadness replaced with determination.
- - - -
Candidate: Rainbow Dash
Date: 14 June, 22 CLE
OBSERVATION
Never one to sweat the fine details, Rainbow Dash blazed through the hallway, not bothering to read the words above the doorway, hurriedly yanking the doors in front of her open. The ornate, if somewhat cavernous design of the hallway that preceded the judgment room was wasted upon her, as Rainbow Dash was solidly embedded into the opinion that frou-frou activities such as style and interior design weren’t nearly cool enough for her. There was no hesitation from here as she strode toward her judgment.
REFLECTION
Her mind was in a haze, and Rainbow Dash stumbled through the darkness of her own thoughts on clumsy hooves. Somewhere, far away, she registered that her body was on a strange sort of autopilot, and that she was fleeing from those she had sworn to never to abandon. A familiar, but far from comforting voice beckoned her on all sides. “Oh, my, poor Rainbow Dash forced to choose what loyalties mean the most to her.” Discord’s voice was like a mist snaking through her spirit, distorting what she was. “Save your home, or save your friends? It’s just too tough a choice, isn’t it?” The Spirit of Chaos manifested in front of her. “Why try? Give up, little pony. Give in. No matter what you do, you’ll betray those who depend upon you. You can’t-”
Rainbow felt as if she’d been hit with a hammer as Twilight’s spell cleared away the mist in her head, allowing her to think clearly once more as Discord’s influence ebbed. Memories of her experiences since meeting her new friends surged through her, and she opened her eyes. The five ponies in front of her waited expectantly, and Rainbow Dash knew they would need her help if they were to return Discord to his stony prison. She would never let them down again.
She followed her friends once more, and soon, they arrived at the throne that Discord had placed himself on as reality tore itself apart around them. Discord realized far too late that the Elements of Harmony were functional once again, and just like it had happened in the past, Rainbow Dash found herself staring at a statue where Discord used to be, his face contorted in terror and surprise for what was supposed to be an eternity. Of course, Rainbow Dash knew that wasn’t going to last. Rainbow Dash turned to leave the scene, only to hear the sound of stone cracking behind her.
“It could have been much worse, you know. I could have ripped the entire world apart, and destroyed everything you held dear, had you not come back.” Discord’s voice seemed a little off this time, and Rainbow Dash was beginning to suspect why.
“Yeah. I know. It’s my fault you got as far as you did, really.” Rainbow Dash didn’t bother turning around as she spoke, and instead sat on the ground, staring at the sky. “I heard you couldn’t trick Fluttershy or Twilight into turning the same way you did with the rest of us. I can see that for Rarity, Pinkie, and the others. Rarity’s always had a bit of a weakness for gems. Nopony really holds that against her. Applejack’s strong, but if you take away her assurance that right is right, and wrong is wrong, she falls apart. Pinkie’s never been held together by much other than string and friendship either. Me, on the other hoof...How was I the one to leave my friends behind? I’m supposed to be the living representative of loyalty, right? I know your mind tricks were partially to blame, but Fluttershy was the only one you used brute force on, and Twilight only fell because she relied on us... She relied on me. What excuse does the Element of Loyalty have for being disloyal?” Rainbow Dash stood, quickly whipping around to face Discord. “You guys want to make sure we have what it takes to be champions? That we have the determination to get home? I’ll tell you this: I don’t care a lick if I get home again, as long as my friends are safe. It’d be nice, yeah, but no matter what, I’m sticking with my friends and doing everything I can to make sure that they’re all right. No matter what, I’m doing the best I can to make sure that they all get home safe and sound, and I’ll stick with them to the end this time, and not you, or your League, or being in another world, or Discord himself will ever stop me from being there for them again!”
Discord nodded slowly. “How does it feel, exposing your mind?”
Rainbow Dash snorted, feeling an uncomfortable shift as her natural body deserted her again. “I know what I stand for, and I don’t care a bit if the League knows too. From everything I’ve heard though, maybe you people should start thinking about what it is you stand for. Didn’t I hear something about almost causing a war to break out just to get a new battlefield to play on?” Rainbow Dash heard the grinding of a heavy door opening behind her, and light spilled into the room, washing away the image of Discord.
- - - -
Candidate: Applejack
Date: 14 June, 22 CLE
OBSERVATION
Applejack walked through the hall with a steady, measured pace, noticing the lavish decorations around her, but not paying them much heed. She felt a twinge of impatience push her steps forward a little faster. Being the third one in line, she had already had to wait longer than she wanted to, and sitting around, doing nothing was not her style. Listening to Pinkie rant about a new recipe she’d learned hadn’t helped her nerves either. Eventually, she came to the end of the hall, and examined the words that were displayed above them. “The truest opponent lies within. All the fancy, self-important phrases in the world, and that’s the best y’all could come up with? Pinkie was more mystifying and thought provoking the time she decided to dress up as a fortune teller for a day.”
REFLECTION
Applejack didn’t flinch when the darkness began to swirl around her, though she was a bit surprised to see her hooves again as the illusion encompassed her. The darkness receded, and she saw Discord in front of her, and the pair were encircled by a hedge maze. Before she could even begin to question it, though, the scene dissolved and she was in front of her friends in the desert, who were waiting for an explanation of why she had left Ponyville to work elsewhere for a time. Just as quickly as it had arrived though, the image faded and she was channelling the Element of Honesty to help seal Discord once more. Scene after scene shifted, and Applejack began to smile. “Y’all looking for something? Might make more progress if you just asked, you know.”
The illusion faded, and Applejack found herself standing before a hooded woman. “Greetings, Applejack. I am Vessaria Kolminye, head of the High Council of Equity. It is primarily my responsibility for ensuring that applicants have the right mental traits to be a champion. This is usually accomplished by finding significant memories within the applicant and exploring their thoughts and emotions, but it appears we’ll have to keep things a little nonstandard for you. Every memory that you’ve placed significance on, you’ve had almost the exact same mindset coming in and out, despite small changes here and there. We have yet to find a moment where you acquired the drive and determination needed to become a champion, even though your actions thus far have proven that you possess it. Still, the council requires understanding of each of its champions before we admit them, though in certain special circumstances there is a little leeway on this.”
Applejack laughed. “Y’all were expecting some kind of big moment where I suddenly discover my purpose in life, weren’t y’all? It don’t always work like that. Ah’ve been raised my entire life on the same principles and values that the rest of my family has, and Ah’ve come up with a few of my own to boot. Ah get up every day, get my work done, and do my best to make sure my friends and family are cared for. Ah’ve always done this, Ah always will. Hard work, honesty, and determination have been my family as much as my own brother. This is no different. Ah’ve had my fair share of blood, sweat, and tears, and Ah’ll continue to as long as it means doing right by those around me. Ah don’t need no sudden realizations for that, or some traumatic event to tell me right from wrong.” Applejack smiled at the woman in front of her. “Ah have all the motivation Ah’ll ever need in the form of my friends and family who are all waiting for me to get home. Dash might be Loyalty, but that doesn’t mean Ah’m gonna just go and leave them waiting, does it? Don’t y’all worry about if Ah got the grit to handle your fights. Ah ain’t going nowhere but home.”
Vessaria nodded. “That will be satisfactory, Applejack. Rest assured that this is most certainly not a reflection of our standards in professionalism. Now, this is just a formality, but we do need to be sure that you’re not going to be bothered too much by Summoners entering your thoughts. How does it feel, exposing your mind?”
“Ain’t nothing in my head Ah’m ashamed of,”she replied with a shrug. Applejack heard the sound of heavy doors opening in the distance, and light began to fill the room.
- - - -
Candidate: Pinkamena Diane Pie
Date: 14 June, 22 CLE
OBSERVATION
Pinkie bounced and skipped happily towards the doors at the end of the hallway, only slightly remorseful that she didn’t get to finish explaining her new Upside-down Triple Exploding Pineapple Yordle Cupcake to Rarity and Fluttershy, who seemed so extremely distressed that they wouldn’t get to hear the end of it. It was tragic, simply tragic. On the bright side, this place was so awesomely decorated, Pinkie couldn’t help but smile at it. As she neared the doors at the end of the hall, she wondered if she could convince the people running the League to let her host a party here. It seemed like a shame to let all of the fancy decorations go to waste. Like the others before her, she found herself staring at the lettering above her. “The truest opponent lies within.” Pinkie stopped to ponder this for a moment. “I have no idea why I just read that out loud! Still, it’s impressive that they built this place predicting that I’d have eaten twenty-five cupcakes before coming here. It must mean that I’ll have a stomach-ache later.”
REFLECTION
Pinkie giggled and jumped through the mist, letting it swirl and shift around her. “This sure is a spooky place you guys have here! Also, I’m not sure if you can actually hear me right now, so speak up if you can. A conversation’s no fun by yourself, and I’m not really the monologuing type.”
Her frolic was interrupted when she began to feel her entire body tingle. Waiting a moment to see what other signals would come, she was caught completely off-guard when the tingling turned into a fire throughout her entire body. With a cry, she fell to the floor, her mind flooded with too many images for her to comprehend or distinguish. When she raised her head after several agonizing minutes, the world she saw around her was fuzzy and distant. She could barely recognize a unicorn doctor standing in front of her, and after a while could make out some voices. “-very sorry, ma’am, but we’re just not equipped to properly care for this kind of case. You’ll have to take her to Canterlot to get the best treatments.”
“But-but, we don’t have enough bits to hire any of the magical doctors in Canterlot.” Pinkie knew that voice, strained and grief-stricken as it was. She could never mistake the sound of her own mother’s voice. Pinkie looked downward for a moment, and saw that her form was that of a tiny pink filly. Her mother sounded very worried. “What do we do?”
The doctor sighed. “The best I can do is bind her natural magic for now. She’s not going to be able to grow up like a traditional earth pony. Nobody in the medical community is sure what causes things like this. The best you can hope for is to save up enough bits to get her better care. Her body, for all intents and purposes, thinks that it’s a unicorn, but without a horn, there’s no safe way to channel her magic. She’ll grow up completely without magic, earth pony or unicorn. This binding doesn’t last forever, though. In a few years it will wear out and she’ll start experiencing the effects of pent-up magic, and nopony can say how she’ll react to it...”
The image faded, and Pinkie was slightly older, laying despondently in the bedroom that nice couple, the Cakes, had offered to her when she’d first arrived in Ponyville. Her body was trembling and itched all over, and somewhere in the back of her mind she felt the stirrings of a few images tugging at her consciousness. With a dazed stumble, she walked into the bakery section of the house, where Mr. and Mrs. Cake were hard at work. “Uhmm...I kinda think you should turn off your left oven,” she stated weakly. A few awkward seconds later, fire began to spill out of the oven, and she collapsed to the floor.
The image shifted, and Pinkie recognized the image in front of her as one that had occurred several years after she had moved to Ponyville. By then she had begun to learn to interpret the odd sensations that occasionally traversed her body, and right now her ‘Pinkie Sense’ as she had dubbed it, had led her to Twilight Sparkle, one of her newest, but dearest friends. Twilight had recently, in her obsession to please Princess Celestia with her acquisition of knowledge, performed a spell that had eventually caused the entire town to start brawling over the possession of one of her childhood keepsakes. The Princess herself had come down from Canterlot at the behest of Twilight’s dragon assistant to undo the mess, and though it had all worked out in the end, it was clear that Celestia had been disappointed in Twilight. Now, after the incident, Twilight was by herself in the library that she called home, trying to stifle tears. Pinkie nuzzled Twilight affectionately. “What’s up, Twi’? You seem a little down.” Pinkie pulled her face into an exaggerated frown to emphasize.
“I know she forgives me, and that’s probably the worst part. I disappointed my mentor, and instead of getting mad and punishing me, she just comes in, sets everything right, and lightens my workload to keep it from getting out of hoof again.” Twilight sniffed. “I’m the worst student ever.”
“But Twilight, would the worst student ever stay up all night studying all the time, or move to an entirely new place to learn something new?” said Pinkie, prodding Twilight with a hoof. “Everypony makes mistakes, Twilight. It just means you get to try even harder next time!”
Twilight smiled. “You never give up, do you? Why do you do it Pinkie? You spend almost every waking moment trying to make somepony else smile. Don’t you ever take time for yourself?”
Pinkie shrugged happily. “Taking time for others, taking time for myself? What’s the difference? Seeing you all smile makes me feel better than any day all by myself could. I have more than enough happiness to go around. It’d be selfish not to share! I only want to see those around me happy, and if getting you home is what it takes, then that’s what I’ll do!”
Twilight tilted her head, looking slightly perplexed for a moment before regaining her composure. “How does it feel, exposing your mind?”
Pinkie giggled. “Most of us wear our hearts on our hooves anyway, but you probably know that by now. Ponies aren’t very keen on hiding their feelings. Also, I was gonna ask can I use that fancy hall for a party later?”
There was no response, and Twilight disappeared as light spilled into the room.
- - - -
“And they couldn’t figure out what memory to show me for the big test thing, so we just sat and talked.” Applejack couldn’t help but laugh at the dumbfounded councilor.
“Well, that’s lame. They made me rewatch Discord’s first attack on us,” replied Rainbow Dash as Pinkie entered the room. “Really, I thought this entire thing was gonna be some sort of huge fight or something to make sure we were good enough. I didn’t really expect some sort of headshrinker examination.”
“It’s impolite to refer to the field of psychiatry in that manner. I’ve met several good ponies whose only concern is helping others through their problems during my life that work as psychiatrists,” Twilight said, slightly indignantly.
“I bet. How much did-” Rainbow Dash’s retort was cut short by Pinkie sneaking up behind her and tackling her. “Pinkie!”
“So, we all passed, huh? Well...if this isn’t an excuse to party, I don’t know what is!” Pinkie rolled over freeing the pinned Rainbow Dash.
“I do, Pinkie.” Rarity and Fluttershy had entered the room shortly after Pinkie’s judgment had finished, and the former was holding a stack of papers. “Nasus, Fluttershy, and myself have arranged our first matches tomorrow. We’re about to take our first steps to getting home!” A round of cheers erupted from all present, except from Pinkie, who had already disappeared to find a bakery.