“You are a good pony.” The little autotuned voice chirped over the winds of the ash-storm outside the tent.
“No, Bullette,” the freak responded dully, “I’m not. A good pony stands up for he believes in… he doesn’t run away.”
“I have calculated all of the variables, and you could not have saved her.” Bullette Bell crooned, “It makes me sad to see you like this. Please stop crying.”
“I know I couldn’t save her, girl,” The giant grunted, “That never mattered anyways. Sunrise was the one who took me in. Her circus gave me a home. Nine hells, she was there when I found you… she always thought she could save me. It hurts that she was wrong.”
“You do not need saving.” The white filly shook her head. “If you did then I would save you, because that is what you have taught me.”
“A good pony doesn’t hide,” a lone snake spoke as it emerged from the twisted ponies mouth, “A good pony doesn’t run away like a thief when his friends need him.”
“You are very bad at hide and seek.” Bullette insisted. “I can replay the statistics of all our past games to show you that you have never really hidden. My calculations suggest that you are not mentally capable of that act.”
“The storm will be over soon girl.” The monster sighed. “We should get a little sleep…”
“They’re like a family…” Silverstream noted.
“Well, except they’re not… their real families are long gone.” Sandbar noted somberly.
“Ponies are friends.” Yona cocked her head to one side in thought.
“Okay, yeah,” Smolder rolled a claw. “They kick flank, and then they get all sappy about it. Total pony friendship.”
“So… the incredibly traumatizing lesson you’re trying to teach here is that the more things change the more they stay the same?” Galus chimed in.
“Friendship…” Discord quipped, “...Friendship never changes.”
“But did they ever make a difference?” Ocellus asked in sad and desperate tones.
“Finally a smart question!” Discord grinned suddenly giving the wheel a sudden snatch. “Let’s find out!”