//------------------------------// // Final Act: Bust or Not Bust // Story: Friendship is Failure #5: Pride and Punishment // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// FINAL ACT News of the performance and the aftermath struck all over Equestria and affected things majorly, especially the acting agencies and movie productions. They were forced now to give more ponies a chance and let go of their biased habits of rejecting those with no degree. Princess Twilight was quite right: "Every pony deserved a fair chance." It would also mean, more ponies could realize their dreams, and the productions would have more luck in finding gifted actors they needed. Spotlight, despite still not having his degree or proper training in acting was still offered jobs from acting agencies and was well on his way to becoming a top-star actor, all thanks to Talon’s actions. Talon was neither looked down upon nor treated differently by others, but he was still very upset for his sister, what she and Princess Twilight and her friends had tried to do, but most of all for being called selfish and slothful despite his kind donation and his hard work at the loading docks. He was especially angry with her for all the times she whipped, battered, and beat him senselessly. He wasn't the only one either... Loads of ponies, especially those whom were threatened and/or beaten up by her in the past finally had their fill, and were planning to throw the book at her hard. She was charged for... -Assault... -Battery... -Blackmail... -As well as Conspiracy... All this would have had her thrown in jail for at least twenty-five years, but she got lucky; Princess Twilight managed to convince the courts that Ath-Lita needed more professional help to control her rage and anger; much more than she and her friendship lessons could do. So Ath-Lita was sentenced to three years probation, and during that time she was instructed to get psychiatric help for her instability. Sad to say, this did not help her dreams and goals. She was kicked off her sports team; they no longer wished to have a rude and angry pony, and her bad reputation was alerted to other sports teams and official leagues. It would no be a miracle if she could ever make her dreams of being a professional athlete come to pass. Talon found it super hard to feel any real sympathy for his sister; feeling more she was being justifiably punished for her ways and the trouble she caused him and others before. Still, he had his pride and he had proven what he always wanted to thanks to Spotlights new fame, which was all from his actions. Thanks to that, many new aspiring actors had better chances of getting into the business. With that settled, he no longer had shame of losing his pride, and finally accepted an offer from an agency in Fillydelphia. He had many other offers to take up after which and would be away from home for a long time, which suited him just well. He no longer was willing to put with his sister's bad behaviour, and felt she, too, would need time by herself to wake up and realize her faults... …but he promised to support her by sending her money from what he would earn, as well as leaving her a good sum of his cash settlement. “YOU!!!” yelled Ath-lita. "You ruined my life! You dashed all my dreams, and now I've been publicly humiliated and labeled!" "No, sis..." protested Talon "You brought this on yourself, and you're only making it worse by not admitting to it. Until you straighten yourself out, and realize you don't have all the answers, it's best we not see each other anymore. It'll give you time think, as well as plan out what to do with yourself." Then he began to walk off to catch a train to his new life, but he stopped a moment and looked pitifully at Twilight. “By the way, Princess… this came in my mail for you.” he said handing Twilight a letter from Princess Celestia. Twilight Sparkle…   I am very disappointed in what you and your friends have caused-- aiding and being an accessory to a conspiracy.   While I understand that your intentions were pure and you did raise a good sum of money for charity, your behavior was very unprofessional and uncalled for; forcing a pony to accept your views was nothing less than appalling.   We are going to have a long talk about this, we and your friends when you return to the palace.   …Princess Celestia!     Twilight shuddered. The Princess only left out “Dear…” and “your caring teacher” when she was really upset with her.   Talon got a letter from the princess as well, expressing that she was pleased for having shown everyone new ways to accomplish tasks, but she was appalled by his temper as well. Talon took it well though, “I suppose I am a bit of a temperamental guy, but then again none of us is perfect.” that was all he said before leaving to catch his train “Have good one.” he called to everyone. “Brother…” cried Lita. She bowed her head and began to cry. The others all comforted her, but really not one of them knew what to say or do. All that had happened over the past weeks, what or who was more right and what or who was wrong? It seemed both ways seemed to have good and bad points, but in the end, while Talon finally got his dream to be a real actor, the two siblings did not make up, which was pretty much the whole point of the entire friendship mission… which was a total flop! “Well, we did raise lots of money for Charity.” said Fluttershy. “Yeah, and we did help the guy find his way to his dream.” added Rainbow. Despite these facts, Twilight didn’t feel any perkier, “I guess there’s one lesson we all learned: That a true friend would be understanding, and listen to what someone wants, rather than enforcing their beliefs and their ways on you… Badgering and pushing someone can only cause more harm than help.” Everyone was inclined to agree. The mission was a bust, but the lessons were strong!