“It feels much better, thank you.”
“Anytime, hon,” nurse Redheart said. She just finished putting a new bandage on Cheerilee’s hoof and was walking her outside. “Just make sure to keep that leg away from the water, OK?”
“I’ll try…” Cheerilee paused and cocked her head. “Are you, OK? You look tired.”
“Crazy night, honey,” Sweetheart joined them out of the blue, the bags under her eyes only a little smaller than in Redheart’s case. “From what I heard, you had some problems too?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing, my flank!” Sweetheart let out a snort like a bull seeing red. “Who the heck that Bold Hoof thinks he is?! He better not cross me, or he’ll have to change his name to Broken Hooves!”
“I would rather deal with him within the law,” Cheerilee said with a gentle smile. “But I appreciate the gesture.”
“Cheerilee, that guy’s a darn bully! Somepony should smash his teeth, break his hooves, and crush his testicles—”
“Sweetheart! Cheerilee doesn’t need to know your sadistic tendencies...” Redheart said, getting a pouting face in response. “But Cheerilee... Just so you know, neither of us believe those ridiculous accusations. You’re not alone, don’t leave Ponyville.”
The supportive expression on the nurses faces struck Cheerilee with much-needed hope, and a warm fuzzy feeling spread through her body, curling her lips into a gentle smile. Redheart, and especially Sweetheart were a little crazy, but no matter what, their hearts were in the right place, and their kindness was real.
“Thank you, I appreciate it,” Cheerilee said, and they parted ways. But as soon as she went behind the corner, something got her attention…
“Applejack?”
***
Applejack was sleeping in a fetal position on one of the benches, clinging onto her hat. Her body was dirty, her coat tangled, her hooves, eyes, and cheeks mushy from tears. She looked like something the cat dragged in and spit on the floor.
Cheerilee nudged her gently. “Are you all right?”
“Cheerilee?” Applejack rubbed her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“That was supposed to be my question... I came by to get a new bandage on my hoof. What about you? Why are you here?”
“Y-you don’t know anything?” Cheerilee answered by shaking her head. “Apple Bloom... She... she almost died.”
“What?! How? Why? What happened?!”
“Bees. She got bitten, badly. But she’s OK now.”
“Thank heavens! So... you’re waiting for visiting hours to begin?”
Instead of an answer, Applejack empty eyes went to the floor. She was like a statue of sorrow, shaking her head in silence. Her misery put Cheerilee’s good nature into overdrive.
“I know it’s not my business, but what’s going on with you lately, Applejack? You barely talk with anyone, and when you do, it often ends up in a fight. You also became quite jumpy. I noticed it started the day John arrived. Is it because of him?”
“That’s what I’ve been telling myself, but it’s a lie,” Applejack let out a dark chuckle. “Some Element of Honesty I am, lying to myself...”
“I don’t understand. What happened between the two of you?”
“He...” Applejack paused, thinking whether to spill the beans, but quickly realized there was no point in keeping it a secret anymore. “He tried to kill me...”
Cheerilee lips curled into a perfect ‘o,’ and a mix of dread and confusion filled her face. She had expected many things, but not that. The answer, like a hit to the throat, left her gaping in silence, unable to make a sound. Applejack continued.
“The night he arrived, he almost hunted me down. And during the chase, I have lost important merchandise I needed. If Gastovski were there just a few seconds later, we wouldn’t be talking right now.”
“Is... Is this why you were so protective of Apple Bloom every time he was around?”
“Yes. I was afraid… at first, but after Rainbow had zapped him, it all changed. During those few days, when he was in a coma, Dash was completely broken... Just sitting on the cloud the whole day, crying or just staring at the ground. The worst part was that no one seemed to care. It was all about that human.”
“With respect, Applejack, but John was the one dying in the hospital. And it’s not that we didn’t care, but... Rainbow Dash pretty much brought it on herself. How many times did we ask her to stop with those childish pranks?”
“I know, Cheerilee, but back then, Dash’s situation and my own problems made me so angry at that human that I began blaming him for everything. Including my own mistakes.”
“What do you mean?”
Ordinarily, Applejack would keep her problems to herself, but that’s what got her in this mess in the first place. She wasn’t about to make the same mistake. After a momentary pause, she let out a deep sigh. It was time to confess.
“Do you know how ponies say that ‘the road to Tartarus is paved with good intentions’? I never gave that saying a second thought, until now... It all started at the end of the school year when we had that little chat.”
“You mean when I told you that Apple Bloom is one of my best students?”
“Yes... See, a few days before that, Zecora had told me she had a knack for making potions. Apple Bloom told me herself, she loves mixing things, and trying different formulas...” Applejack smiled gently. “She’s smart, much smarter than Big Mac or me. I thought that one day, we could send her to Canterlot to get a proper education.”
“That’s very commendable of you.”
“Yeah, except... Those things cost hoof and tail, and we’re not exactly swimming in bits. I thought that if we could find another business partner, we could expand and make some more money.”
“So, you did?”
“Yes. But, I knew Granny would never consider doing business with anyone outside Ponyville, so their representatives came when she was not around. They tested the merchandise and were very pleased, and the prices they offered were far better than I had expected. The contract was plain and simple, too. It was like a dream come true. So the next time they came by, I signed it... without reading all the papers one more time.”
Cheerilee winced. “Applejack…”
“I know! Heavens, I know... I even tricked Granny into signing it as well. It all went downhill from there. My new business partner had always found some flaw in the merchandise: either the apples were too sweet, too green or too red, or they were not big enough. I thought it was because of the weather problems we had, so I tried to hoofpick the best apples I could. For the past month, I was lucky if I managed to get four hours of sleep per day. It was all work, work, and more work.”
“That explains a lot, but... why didn’t you ask for help? I thought you had learned that lesson years ago.”
“I would have to tell Granny about everything. I just... couldn’t. At that point, I still thought it was all due to the weather, and it would all turn around. My client even suggested that he could be willing to forgo any contractual penalties if I deliver him some of our special cider. The day that human almost killed me, I was gathering the ingredients, but as I said, I lost it all during the chase.”
“So he became the target...”
“Yes. And the worst part is that it was all a lie. I should have known that deal was too good to be true, but the money blinded me, and now...”
Applejack’s throat suddenly went dry, and for a moment she couldn’t utter a word. And when it finally came, it felt as if she spoke in sandpaper and razors. It was the pain of the truth, and it was forcing some tears out of her.
“W-we’re probably gonna lose the farm...”
“It’s really that bad?”
“Yes, and… I still don’t know how to tell Granny. And that human?” Applejack shook her head. “He didn’t deserve this, Cheerilee. He tried to talk to me and make amends, but I wouldn’t listen. He... He’s the one who saved Apple Bloom’s life.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If it weren’t for him, I would be planning a funeral right now. He saved her life and I... I...”
The few tears from a moment ago turned into a river, filling Applejack’s eyes with water. With her lips trembling, her eyes went to the floor, and a mix of fear and shame clogged her throat. She was a weeping jelly. Just then, James and Celestia appeared in the corridor.
***
“Your Highness, James…” Cheerilee bowed gently. The look of Celestia’s torn regalia was tempting her to say more, but she bit her lip. But the Princess heard the unasked question anyway.
“Yes, Cheerilee, the matter between James and me, has been resolved,” Celestia said with a smile, but it quickly faded away. “I wish I could say the same when it comes to John.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s dead,” James said, his voice empty and emotionless. With his curled lips and twisted face, he shot Applejack a glance. It was a stare of pure revulsion. But Cheerilee didn’t see it, her own eyes went to the floor in silence.
“I’m... sorry,” Cheerilee said, her voice like a whisper.
“It’s not your fault... At least he’ll get some peace. Now I just need to find—” The view of Stables walking out of the ICU interrupted him. “Hey, Doc!”
“Mr. Gastovski?”
“Yeah, I got the message. When can I pick up the body?”
Stables’ blinked and tilted his head. “Body?”
“John’s body, Doc. You activated the beacon, I assume he’s dead.”
“He had a cardiac arrest about an hour ago, but we were able to bring him back... for now.”
“Are you telling me he’s not dead?”
“The last time I checked, he was still alive, yes.”
“Then, who activated the beacon?”
“Maybe… it was an accident?”
“I don’t think so. You have to hold it for five seconds before it starts. Someone did it deliberately. If it weren’t you, then...”
“It was me.”
Stables and James turned, to see Apple Bloom standing nearby.
***
“You?” James squinted his eyes. He was as consternated as the rest of the crowd. “Why?”
“I want you to save him. I know you can.”
“Just a few hours ago you were screaming how you hate him – what’s changed?” Apple Bloom glanced away. “Oh, I see... You probably found out who saved your hide and now feel guilty, huh?”
“No... OK, maybe a little, but—”
“Don’t!” James interjected with a stone face. “You don’t want him to get better, you want to ease your conscience!”
“Not true!”
“Yeah, yeah, deny all you want, I’m done here. Doc, please take the beacon and hide it somewhere, OK? And when he really dies, activate it again—”
“I want you to help him!” Apple Bloom yelled, stomping her little hooves.
“Yeah, well, I want a hot yoga with the Princess here...” Celestia’s arched eyebrow was like an ax, ready to chop him in two. “See that look, kiddo? Life lesson for you: you can’t always have what you want.”
“I don’t understand,” Cheerilee interjected. “If you have the means to save him—”
“One: even with nano-tech, his chances are slim. And two: save him for what? So that ponies could throw some more rocks at him?”
“You can protect him!” Apple Bloom said.
“How? By shooting everyone who tries something? The Princess here would never allow it... all that revenue from taxes lost—”
“Why are you acting like this? I thought he’s your friend.”
“Yes, and that’s why I don’t want this shit to continue!” James jerked his head. “None of you can understand how it is...”
“Really?” Cheerilee eyes went to her injured hoof and back to James. Her lips curled into a mocking smirk. “Funny, I could swear the mob of angry ponies did this to me. But what do I know...”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake... I’m not talking about the mob, I’m talking about what happened before!” Cheerilee cocked her head in confusion, the rest of the crowd quickly followed. “See, you don’t understand. You can’t understand, because it never happened to you!”
“You mean the way my ponies treated John?”
“Yes, Celestia, that’s what I’m talking about... You don’t know how it’s to be surrounded by creatures that hold nothing but contempt for you!”
“Do you not think you are overreacting a little?”
“No… See those?” James tapped on his ears. “You would be surprised what you can hear about yourself when you have ears that can pick up and amplify whispers from up to three hundred meters... You learn that you’re a murderer, a freak, a child-killer, a rapist voodoo... something. Even the people that you saved call you a somnophile, and treat you like dirt... Don’t they, Applejack?”
A shameful blush filled Applejack’s cheeks. She turned her head, biting her lip, but it didn’t stop the pricking sensation. It was the stares of others, each one jabbing her like a thousand needles.
“I was not aware of this,” Celestia said. “Why did you not say anything?”
“What would you do? Blasted half of Ponyville to the moon? Told them to be nicer? There is nothing you could have done. There is no cure for racism,” Celestia went silent. He was right, and she knew it. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t get it either. I mean... goddammit, I know I’m not the most likable person around, but... rapist child-killer somnophile? Try hearing that every day and soon you’ll be asking yourself… what’s the point of all this...”
As his voice trailed off, everything went silent. That wasn’t the talk of Captain cheesy-one liner, those were the words of a wounded person. James’ depressed expression was further proof of that. Celestia began extending her wing, but he pushed it away.
“I don’t care. I was a freak back home, I’m a freak here. It was always the case. But with John, it’s different. He was a family guy, good with kids, good with people. Even if I could save him, he would be alone and hated. This is no way to live, not for him...”
“Please… We’ll think of something, just save him…” Apple Bloom pleaded. “He’s my friend.”
“A friend... Just a few hours ago you said you hate him. I’ll ask again: what changed?”
Instead of an answer, Apple Bloom turned to Applejack with an unsure expression on her face. She knew the confrontation was inevitable, but it didn’t make it any easier. She let out a sigh, and then it began.
“Applejack, I know what he did, I know that you hate him, but... I don’t. I know you’ll be mad, but… he forgave Rainbow Dash, helped Cheerilee and helped me. For me, that’s proof he’s a good person. No matter what you say, I consider him a friend, and… I don’t want him to die...”
Applejack said nothing, gaping in silence instead with mouth slightly agape. Apple Bloom knew it was only temporary. Soon Applejack would get going and blow her steam, telling her, how the family should stick together, how that human’s a monster, how she feels betrayed. Apple Bloom was ready for that, and more. When Applejack took a swing, she just closed her eyes shut, ready for the pain. But what came, took her by surprise.
“I’m so proud of you, Apple Bloom,” Instead of a smack to the face, Applejack was squeezing her little sister in a vice-like grip, and bawling her eyes out. “You’re so darn smart...”
“Um... You’re not mad?”
“No, I’m not. I’m glad that at least one of us acts the way she should. You’re right. He tried to fix it, and I kept him at bay. It’s all my fault…”
A second later, Apple Bloom returned the hug and began patting her sister on the back. For a moment, she was the big sister whispering to Applejack it will be OK. The heartwarming view poured some hope into everyone’s hearts, and gentle smiles filled their faces. Except for one person.
“Such a heartwarming scene...” James said with a sarcastic smile and voice. “Too bad I don’t buy it.”
“W-what?”
“You heard me, Apple Bloom. I bet you planned this together to save your sister’s hide. I’m not gonna be a part of it…”
“You darn… idiot!” This time it was Applejack piercing him with her eyes. “You really think, Apple Bloom wants you to help him just to save me from prison?!”
“Well, duh!”
“What are you all talking about?” Celestia interjected, cocking her head.
James glanced at Applejack with a sinister smile. She was busted, and now she would have to reveal everything. He was hoping to see the same panic and terror he had seen before, but instead, he saw a face of defiance and determination. She turned to Celestia with an expression of a kamikaze just before the strike… or an ordinary person with nothing to lose. It was time for a confession.
“Your Highness... I’m responsible for the other human condition.”
“I beg your pardon?” Celestia turned to James. “You told me he fell.”
“He did.”
“And no one ‘helped’ him?”
“He did because I didn’t help him,” Applejack interjected, getting everyone’s attention. “I got near the ruins just in time to see that human hanging from the cliff, and Scootaloo looking for something to pull him up. I told her I’ll handle it and to wait in the back. When I approached him, he was still within my reach...”
“And you did not help him, because you were afraid he may pull you down with him? Is this what happened?” Celestia’s question sounded like a plea for a confirmation. But Applejack would not honor the request.
“No… I could have saved him, but I didn’t.” Applejack sighed and took off her hat, hugging it with her right hoof. “I wanted him to die.”
For the next few seconds, a jumble of voices filled the air, and everyone began exchanging nervous glances. Except for James. He was nodding with an impressed expression. He didn’t think Applejack had it in her.
“Are you happy now?” Applejack said, but James shook his head.
“Not really... You just know how John forgave Dash and are hoping he’ll do the same for you.”
“I’m going to prison anyway!”
“What, you killed someone else?”
Applejack stopped, trying to prolong the moment, hoping for some miracle that would save her. But after a few seconds it was obvious there was no rescue in sight. She made her bed, and now it was time to sleep in it.
“I... I killed our farm...”
“W-what are you talking about?” Apple Bloom said. “Granny told me everything is fine on the farm!”
“She doesn’t know. No one does… I made a deal with someone, and they tricked me into signing something I should not have signed. And now, we may lose everything...”
Apple Bloom stepped back in silence, her face white as snow. Her throat was filled with concrete, and not a sound was getting through. But her shaky figure was a scream in itself.
“There is still a chance to fight it, but even if we win, I’m going to jail,” Applejack let out a heavy heave. A sigh of guilt and defeat. “I’m so sorry, Apple Bloom. I messed up everything...” She turned to Celestia. “I’m ready to face all the consequences. However, I would like to ask you to help my family. They’re innocent and should not have to answer for my crimes.”
Instead of an answer, Celestia looked at the floor, and an eerie silence filled the air. She stayed like that for only a few seconds, but for Applejack, it felt like an eternity. When she finally glanced up, her empty eyes and emotionless expression informed everyone that something was wrong.
“John was also innocent, and yet... you and a good part of Ponyville showed him no mercy,” Celestia’s voice was cold and formal. “According to the law, you cannot be punished for not aiding someone if the help could endanger yourself. So, when it comes to John, legally, you are not at fault. But... I will have no part in helping you avoid the consequences of your other actions.”
“W-what are you saying? You won’t help my family?!” Celestia nodded.
Applejack had expected many things, but Celestia giving her family the cold shoulder, wasn’t on the list. The notion quickly turned her guilt into anger.
“I have served Equestria for years, never asking for anything in return. And when I finally ask for help, not for me, but for my family, you refuse?!” She was yelling, but her screams were bumping off Celestia’s stony face. “It is all on me! They had nothing to do with it! Why don’t you want to help them?!”
“Two reasons. One: because the deal I have with nobility, prevents me from interfering in the matters of the civil court. And two: because you want to take an easy way out.”
“What?! I want to answer for my crimes! How’s that an ‘easy way out’?!”
“Yes, you want to answer, but by your own rules! You will land in jail for a few years, but your family will be safe from the troubles you caused. How convenient! That’s not facing the consequences, that is escaping from them!”
“You’ll make my family suffer, just to teach me a lesson?!” Applejack couldn’t believe her ears, but Celestia’s cold and formal expression was telling her the same story. “Apple Bloom doesn’t deserve to be punished!”
“Maybe you should have thought of her before—”
“I did! I did it for...” Applejack bit her lip just in time. She couldn’t let Apple Bloom know. “I... I had good intentions.”
“’Good intentions’… Applejack, some of the biggest tragedies in this world happened because of ‘good intentions!’”
“I’m sorry...”
“Oh, I believe you. I also believe that all ponies from the mob will be sorry as well when they realize the consequences. But this is not enough! Guilt is not enough! Everyone thinks, all they have to do is say ‘I am sorry’ and that it will somehow fix everything. No one wants to pay for their actions. But they will, you can be sure of that!”
Celestia’s cold glare quickly put out any glimmer of hope still left in Applejack. This wasn’t the benevolent ruler everyone knew, but something else. Her stony face like a petrifying totem, scaring everyone nearby. Well, almost everyone…
“With all due respect, your Highness, don’t you think you’re overreacting?” Cheerilee said, not affected one bit.
“Really?” Celestia turned her gaze and squeezed her eyes, only to see Cheerilee counter her with precisely the same move. “Maybe I should just let everyone go? After all Bold Hoof has a son, I am sure the little colt will miss his jailed father.”
“This is not the issue here. Applejack is ready to go to jail for her actions. What you’re proposing is to punish not only her but also her family.”
“I am not punishing anyone. There is an action and a reaction to everything we do, Cheerilee. Even if the action was done with good intentions, you still have to face the consequences!”
“Then, if I may be so bold, what consequences will you face for your actions, your Highness?”
“What?” The stone on Celestia’s face shattered, leaving her with a confused look.
“Wasn’t that spell used on James, also created with good intentions in mind? What sort of punishment will you give to yourself?”
“That... that is different,” Celestia didn’t buy that lie herself. Then Cheerilee dropped an atom bomb.
“And what about, Princess Luna?”
“W-what?! How dare you bring my sister into this?!”
“Did she face the consequences for trying to kill Twilight and her friends when she returned from the moon?”
“Cheerilee...” Celestia’s horn lit up, and her eyes widened. She was breathing heavily through her clenched teeth. “Do not slander my sister, ever again! You have no idea what she went through!”
“With all due respect, but following your own logic, didn’t she deserve it after what she tried to do?”
Everyone, but James and Cheerilee began slowly backing away in silence. There was madness in Celestia’s eyes, and her horn was glowing red, heating the surrounding air like a sun itself. Marbles’ scenario was playing in James’ head, he was ready to jump in if the worst would happen. But it didn’t. Instead, after a few moments, Celestia turned her face away, and the fires in her eyes and horn died down, leaving her gaping to the floor.
“No, Cheerilee. She did not deserve it. But you would not know that...” What was left of her stoic mask shattered then, and her eyes filled with water. “But soon, you will know the truth.”
“Celestia, what are you talking about?” Her teary smile confirmed what he already knew. “Can we talk outside?”
“My mind is already made up. I cannot expect my ponies to follow the lesson which I failed myself, can I?”
“You want to reveal... everything?” She nodded with a smile of relief. James’ reaction was the opposite. “Celestia... Are you fucking nuts?!”
“Actually, I think that for the first time in a while, I finally think clearly.”
“Excuse me, but... What are you talking about?” Cheerilee interjected, cocking her head.
“You shall find out soon, all of Equestria should find out—”
“It’s all in the past, damn it! Don’t be a fucking idiot!” James furious yells only made her chuckle. “What are you laughing about?! It’s not funny!”
“No, it is not, but you trying so hard to protect me, kind of is. I would have thought that you of all people would encourage me to do it.”
“Encourage you to ruin your reputation for things you did over a thousand years ago?” James shook his head. “You fucked up, it happens, but look where you’re now: Luna’s back, Equestria is booming, and you’re no longer doing… um, what you were doing!” Celestia’s eyes went to his wound and back. “OK, maybe you still have some old habits you should break – doesn’t mean everyone has to know about everything.”
“But they should know the real reasons why Nightmare Moon happened...” Her smile faded, leaving behind a shameful face. “I should have done that years ago, without asking her...”
“Wait... what? I thought you had no plans to tell anyone.”
“I did plan to reveal everything after Luna gets better, but she told me not to, and… honestly, I was relieved that she did.”
“See? Even she knows it’s in the past.”
“No... She just wants to protect me, as she always has. It is time for me to be the big sister for once,” James tried to say something, but she silenced him, placing her hoof on his lips. “My mind is made up.”
“Ordinarily, I would say I know things about you and try good old blackmail, but I doubt anything I know can top what you want to reveal,” she let out a chuckle, but it was cut short. “What about Applejack?”
“We shall both face the consequences of our actions.”
“OK, it pains me to say it, but... I’m with Cheerilee on this one. Applejack is the one who should have her ass kicked, not her family.”
“This is not how—”
“How the law works, I get it, but I’m asking myself what would John want, and you can bet your ass he wouldn’t want Apple Bloom hurt, no matter what. He’s that kind of good-hearted idiot.”
For a moment, Celestia was lost in thought, analyzing the situation. Her eyes darting from Applejack to Cheerilee, to Apple Bloom and back. Her face empty, like the face of a judge before passing sentence.
“I... cannot just revoke the contract you signed, Applejack. That would undermine hundreds of years of trust between the nobility and me. Who did you sign the contract with, exactly?”
“Miser Mane.”
“Oh, dear...” The sound of Celestia’s facehoof echoed through the hospital. “Applejack, do you not think that his name alone should be a dead giveaway? How could you even think about making deals with that snake?”
“My, my, Celestia. I haven’t seen you badmouthing a noble before...” James said. “Not in the open anyway.”
“In his case, I do not care. He is one of those ponies that make me want to go Daybreaker! He cares for nothing but money, and have no mercy for anyone. I have seen him evicting entire families when they could not pay the debt.”
“Then why do you allow such person to function?” Applejack shook her head. “The law should protect the innocent.”
“The law is always a compromise, Applejack. And if I understand correctly, you were the one who did not read the contract in the first place.”
“I read the first draft... I thought they didn’t change it.”
“I see... I will see what I can do, but to be honest, with him, the chances are slim to none.”
“Legal told me the same thing. He told me there may be a way. Since I kind of... tricked Granny to sign the deal—”
“She could challenge it in court. Yes, Applejack, that could work, but... I can assure you that Miser Mane will do everything in his power to throw you in jail. If this is what you want, I could get you the best attorney I can find, but... again, this may not be enough.”
“I understand, and... I would appreciate it, your Highness—”
“You can’t take her away!” Apple Bloom woke up from her paralytic daydream. “No matter what she did, you just... can’t!”
“I need to answer for what I did, Apple Bloom. I just hope I’ll be the only one…”
There were no more protests. Instead, Apple Bloom buried her head in her sister’s side, crying softly.
“That leaves us with John...” Celestia said.
“All that had happened doesn’t change much... I help him, and he’ll still be hated.”
“Not if I can help it—”
“You have helped, quiet enough, Jackie.”
“Look, I know I messed up, but if I explain to ponies what happened and why I acted the way I did, they’ll understand.”
“I’ll try to help as well,” Cheerilee said. “And Apple Bloom? I’m sure most ponies will come to reason once they learn he saved her life.”
“Yeah! And Sweetie Belle too!” Apple Bloom added.
“I don’t know...” James turned to Celestia. “What do you think I should do?”
“I am afraid this decision is yours alone.”
He rolled his eyes, and a sarcastic smirk filled his face. “The master of delegating... Could you give me a direct answer for once? Yes or no?”
“James, I am... bias. I consider John a friend, so an answer from me would be: yes, you should save him.”
“Even after all he has been through?”
“Yes. I believe Applejack is right, I believe this was one big misunderstanding.”
“You really believe that... or do you want to believe that?”
“A little of both.”
“And Scootaloo? What she accused him of...”
“She didn’t really accuse him or me,” Cheerilee said, to see James smirking sarcastically. “Don’t make faces, mister. I was there, you were not. It was a forced accusation made under pressure—”
“And,” Applejack interjected. “I didn’t get most of it, but... Scootaloo acted as if they made amends already.”
James began tapping his chin, his eyes going in circles. He could feel everyone’s gaze on his skin.
“You’re just gonna stare like that until I agree, don’t you?” Their silent glare was a dead giveaway. “Ugh, fucking pony manipulators, I hate you!” He shook his head and turned to Celestia. “He’s gonna kick my ass for this...”
“I am sure you can handle it.”
James smiled sarcastically. “You just like to see me suffer, don’t you?”
“Yes... That is what I live for.”
“Ha! I knew it—”
“Would you stop that and go help him already?!” Apple Bloom’s angry voice echoed through the corridor.
“Bite me! You’re not my boss—”
“NOW!”
Apple Bloom’s scream hit James’ ears hard, making his face crumple up. This wasn’t Applejack’s little sister, but a little devil with fiery eyes ready to burn him to a crisp. The view put a smile on his face.
“Since you ask so nicely... Fine, I’ll do. But IF he survives, then you... all of you are committed to making sure he doesn’t feel like an alien. Deal?” Everyone nodded in unison. “Don’t make me regret this. Celestia, I need a lift to the Twilight’s castle...”